Cardiff Life - Issue 270

ISSUE 270 / APRIL 2023 / £3

ISSUE 270 / APRIL 2023 / UPGRADE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR LOOK

WHAT COMES NEXT NEW GIGS NEW FESTIVALS NEW RESTAURANTS NEW OPPORTUNITIES NEW HAIR

HOW TO BE A PERSON AGAIN, NOW THAT WINTER’S GONE + MIDGE URE / INSIDE L AINGS / PL AID / TENOVUS

EDITOR’S LETTER

Ed Handley and Andy Turner, aka Plaid: playing MADE’s Electric Soup soon (p15) and unexpected cover stars

W S hat’s Cardiff Life?

Perhaps it’s a campfire, around which likeminded people of all ages and backgrounds can gather, talk about what they’re doing and what they’d like to be doing, maybe show-off a little, and just maybe learn about new things they’d never considered before, but which turn out to be life-changing.

Perhaps vivid hair, as practiced at Slunks and other salons across Cardiff (p26), could become important to you: those confident, positive, in-yourface, uber-bright styles sometimes called unicorn hair, and designed to add a little extra vim to your attitude (if you can put up with the necessity for cold showers that come with them, of course). If so, we’ve got your back. Or maybe you, like BRAV Endurance founder Adam Fletcher (p54), have got to the point where mere marathons are for beginners, and you’re seeking ever more extreme triathlons and better/worse (depending on how you look at them)? We’ll support you in this, too.

Spring is here, everyone has a little more bounce in their step, and this issue looks at coming gigs (the mighty Midge Ure, p20), fresh foodie festivals (p43), and further ways to make the most of the great city around us. We don’t want to hunker down at home any more, we want to get out there and experience everything Cardiff has to offer, in all its engaging, sometimes confusing entirety.

But remember to take a brolly, eh? We want to see it all, but we still don’t quite trust that sky…

ut fywyd yw bywyd yng Nghaerdydd?

Tân gwersyll efallai, lle gall pobl o’r un anian ac o bob oed a chefndir ddod ynghyd i sgwrsio am yr hyn y maent wrthi’n ei wneud ac yn awyddus i’w wneud, ac i frolio ryw ychydig a dysgu am bethau newydd nad oeddent wedi’u hystyried o’r blaen ond a drawsnewidiodd eu bywyd.

Gallai gwallt llachar, y mae Slunks a salonau eraill ledled Caerdydd yn ei greu (ar dudalen 26), ddod yn bwysig i chi: y steiliau hyderus, cadarnhaol sy’n mynnu sylw ac sy’n hynod o liwgar, a elwir weithiau’n wallt ungorn ac sy’n ceisio gwneud i chi deimlo’n fwy egnïol (os gallwch oddef yr angen i gael cawod oer, sy’n rhan o’r broses, wrth gwrs). Os felly, byddwn yn gefn i chi. Neu efallai eich bod chi fel Adam Fletcher, sylfaenydd BRAV Endurance (ar dudalen 54), yn teimlo erbyn hyn mai i ddechreuwyr y mae rasys marathon, a’ch bod yn chwilio am rasys triathlon sy’n fwyfwy eithafol ac yn well/yn waeth (yn dibynnu ar eich barn bersonol amdanynt)?

Byddwn yn gefn i chi o ran hynny hefyd.

Mae’r gwanwyn wedi cyrraedd, ac mae pawb yn teimlo ychydig bach yn fwy sionc. Mae’r rhifyn hwn yn rhoi sylw i ambell gig sydd ar ddod (yr anfarwol Midge Ure, ar dudalen 20), gwyliau bwyd ffres (ar dudalen 43) a ffyrdd eraill o wneud yn fawr o’r ddinas wych sydd o’n cwmpas. Rydym am roi’r gorau i swatio gartref, a mynd allan i brofi’r cyfan sydd gan Gaerdydd i’w gynnig – ei harlwy cyfan sydd mor ddiddorol ond sydd weithiau’n ddryslyd.

A chofiwch fynd â’ch ymbarél! Rydym am fynd i bopeth, ond allwn ni ddim dibynnu ar y tywydd…

Follow us on Twitter @CardiffLifeMag Instagram @cardifflifemag

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ON THE COVER An ama ing rave from the year 3000, perhaps in a futuristic Bute Park or somewhere? Well, maybe. Alternatively, it could just be top electronic duo Plaid, playing Tramshed in association with Electric Soup soon see page 5 for more

FEATURES

26 HAIR & BEAUTY Vivid brights and natural curls at Slunk.

30 THE BIG INTERVIEW They’re 80 years young this year, and

one of Cardiff’s great success stories. Inside Tenovus with boss udi Rhys MBE, and a guest appearance by Princess Margaret!

48 JEWELLERY ellow gold! Pink diamonds! aings on the trends.

ARTS AND EVENTS

15 ARTS INTRO It’s those Plaid guys again, as referenced above.

16 WHAT’S ON Music, comedy, exhibitions, and much, much more.

20 MIDGE URE The ive Aid hero, New Romantic, and occasional

hard rocker who knew he was in both Thin i y and Ultravox?

SHOPPING

39 SHOPPING INTRO Chic cooking with the Robyn apron.

40 EDITOR’S CHOICE We’ve a spring in our step!

20

26

FOOD & DRINK

43 FOOD NEWS New restaurants, and a cocktail recipe! Get in!

47 JANE COOK Our girl goes pop-up potty. They’re everywhere!

BUSINESS

53 CARDIFF WORKS Ama ing local businesses, from sock

specialist BRAV Endurance to bathroom bosses The Tap End.

PROPERTY

62 SHOWCASE Starring a swanky underground wine cellar to store

the Picpoul de Pinet, or trap your more gullible enemies forever.

REGULARS 11 13 25 66

SPOTLIGHT We thought the Cardiff Life Awards had history!

SOCIETY Sporting celebs hit Cardiff’s social scene.

WYBURN AND WAYNE ea y inder meets ride re di e!

CARDIFF LIVES Comic Robin Morgan, minus a vital tube.

Acting editor Matt Bielby matt.bielby@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, Wendy Lyne, Paul Marland, Clarissa Picot and Lisa Evans 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

IMAGINE IF YOU COULD WALK AWAY WITH A BEAUTIFUL NEW SMILE ON THE SAME DAY...

At Fusion Dentistry, you can. Their highly experienced team has decades of experience in creating beautiful smiles in South Wales – not just for patients who want to make a cosmetic improvement but for those who never thought they could have new teeth.

Have you previously been told you are not a suitable candidate for dental implants?

At Fusion, they have yet to see a patient that they cannot help.

AWARD WINNING TEAM

Mike Fuse, a leading clinical dental technician, has over 20 years experience in the dental industry – creating teeth and dentures for thousands of patients.

Mike graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons of England with a diploma in Clinical Dental Technology which enables him to treat patients directly. ‘’It is clear to me that far too many people suffer discomfort and pain from sore gums and decayed teeth. Even the best made dentures are a poor substitute for natural teeth. Dentistry is about making the whole person look and feel better and this is the reason I created Fusion where everything is under one roof and we can provide patients with same day teeth’’ ‘’I am passionate about the best products and giving people the smile they have always dreamed of. We are about giving people teeth for life that leave them feeling self assured and with the confidence to show their new smile,’’ Mike says. ‘’Fusion offers a relaxed environment and we use state of the art materials, CAD/CAM and 3D printing systems, the latest bio engineering techniques plus meticulous planning and attention to details. The result is that we can fully restore a smile with teeth in a single day with precision placement of dental implants and new arches of teeth.’’

Mike has assembled a team of the best dental professionals for Fusion, including

Dr Guy McLellan who is doubly qualified in dentistry and medicine and has over 25 years experience working with dental implants.

“Our team all have extensive knowledge in dental implants and experience working with nervous patients and will ensure that your treatment journey is seamless and tailored specifically for your needs.”

SAME DAY TEETH

If you suffer with missing or loose teeth or struggle with wobbly, uncomfortable dentures then same day teeth could be the perfect solution for you. Same day dental implant solutions at Fusion mean you are never left without teeth. Unlike other implant treatments, which require you to wear temporary dentures for many months, same day teeth uses technology that allows you to leave the practice with your new smile.

Fusion’s relaxing, home-from-home setting will put you at ease and with finance solutions available, they make it easy to spread the cost of your treatment.

What are you waiting for?

Go to fusiondentistry.co.uk to book or call 02920214304

SPONSORED CONTENT

GET TO KNOW OUR EXPERTS...

Dr Guy Mclellan is doubly qualified in dentistry and medicine and a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

He has over 20 years’ hospital experience including training in ENT and plastic surgery and held an Honorary Consultant post in Oral Implantology at Charing Cross Hospital. He is a member of the Association of Dental Implantology.

DR GUY MCLELLAN

BDS FDS RCS (ENG) MBBS DENTAL IMPLANT SURGEON How long have you practised dentistry, and why did you get into it?

30 years, I’ve been qualified since 1993. One of my parents good friends was a dentist and he was an inspiration to me as a child.

Why are you passionate about dentistry in particular?

The huge difference you can make to patients lives! I always get enjoyment out of patients reaction when they see their new smile (especially when they cry!)

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Giving patients fixed teeth in one day, it’s truly amazing the difference we make.

At Fusion, we’re so passionate about providing 5* treatment and customer service, it’s a great team to be a part of.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Graduating as a medical doctor at Southwark cathedral.

Top tips: A healthy diet with vitamins and exercise look after yourself!

What questions should clients be asking?

I would want to know; How experienced is the surgeon? How many implants have they placed? Do they do any teaching nationally or internationally?

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Treat every patient as if they’re a member of your family.

What’s your motto?

Dare quarm acciptre - to give is better than to receive.

Dr Gatrad has a passion for Implant Dentistry and is a firm believer in bettering yourself through research and education. Having qualified as a dentist in 2010 from King College London, Dr Fezaan Gatrad has recently completed an Advanced Surgical Masters in Bone Regeneration under internationally famous and highly respected Professor Istvan Urban.

Mike Fuse is a dental innovator and entrepreneur who has been revolutionising the field of dentistry since setting up Fusion Dentistry 2015.

Starting his career as a dental technician before retraining clinically Mike Fuse is in the unique position to be able to oversee and advise on all aspects of our patients journey and treatment at Fusion Dentistry.

DR FEZAAN GATRAD

DR MIKE FUSE

How long have you practised dentistry, and why did you get into it?

I have been practicing dentistry for 13 years. Having grown up in a family of dentists, teeth were often a topic of discussion at the dinner table (sad.. I know) however the apple never falls too far from the tree and dentistry certainly has become more than just a vocation in my life.

How long have you practised dentistry, and why did you get into it?

Over 25 years. I got into it as the cad/cam digital side of dentistry was just beginning and it was very exciting to bring that to life.

We were the first clinic in Wales to take on digital dentistry and it still excites me to have the latest technology and advances that enables us to provide 5* treatment options for all patients

DENTAL IMPLANT SURGEON

Why are you passionate about dentistry in particular?

My clinical work is now solely focused on dental implant treatment. This is where my passion lies and it definitely makes coming to work every day enjoyable and exciting.

Can you give us some examples of common dental problems you deal with?

People with missing/failing teeth and people with no teeth at all. I have the knowledge and the expertise to help them and it is truly rewarding.

What is the highlight of your career so far?

Placing my first zygomatic implants (now one of many!)

What questions should clients be asking?

I think it’s important to ask; Who is doing my surgery? What is their experience? Who are the team they are working with and what happens if there are complications?

But above all; Can I trust these people to do their best for me?

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Actually words from Mike Fuse - “we all work for the patient and deliver the best for them, everything should be focused on that, nothing else matters.”

CLINICAL DIRECTOR

Why are you passionate about dentistry in particular?

Dentistry has been in my family for many years, my dad was a dental technician. I travelled for years around the UK with Guy delivering exceptional implant treatments for so many patients and quickly discovered there wasn’t a clinic like Fusion in South Wales. So in 2015 the idea of Fusion was born and we brought the same day teeth concept to Cardiff!

Why is Fusion different?

Fusion is just what our name suggests - it’s a Fusion of experts in their field that come together as a team to provide the very best treatment options for patients. We have chosen to only provide dental implant and cosmetic smile makeover treatments meaning we are doing many of these cases each week to an amazing standard. We are also different as we have everything under one roof, including a dental laboratory meaning all our teeth are made on site.

Can a smile makeover really be completed in 1 day?

Yes! Our main treatment is an option called All on 4 where all teeth are replaced using dental implants. The implants are placed in the morning and the teeth are fitted in the afternoon - it really is amazing!

SPOTLIGHT A FOCUS ON FEEL- GOOD STORIES

Archive

CASTS FROM THE PAST

We don’t know what he can hear exactly, but this lad seems to be enjoying it…

Half a million clips from the history of Welsh television and radio have been made available to the public for the first time, thanks to the recent opening of the Wales Broadcast Archive Centre. Home to both an interactive exhibition and digital access to material that has been preserved in various formats throughout the decades – from news programmes and documentaries about the Aberfan disaster, the Miners’ strikes and the opening of the Senedd, through to coverage of Welsh sport since the 1940s and clips from the longest running Welsh soap opera, Pobl y Cwm – it’s housed at The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth, with 12 ‘Clip Corners’ nationwide, including at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff. As the first ever national broadcast archive in the United Kingdom, and one of the most usable broadcast archives in Europe, it’s been designed to transform public access to a century of Welsh broadcast history with film, video, and audio in both Welsh and English.

Even better, an additional award of nearly £250,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will make yet more content easily accessible to all, especially Deaf and hearing impaired people, and the blind and visually impaired.

“Broadcasting has played a major role in documenting the history of modern Wales,” says Andrew White, director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales. “It has allowed us to learn about our heritage through programmes such as The Dragon Has Two Tongues: A History of the Welsh (1985), and put Wales on the map with series such as Doctor Who.” For more, www.library.wales

Festival

THE SING RING

On 9 May, at St Paul’s Cathedral in Newport, the longest running choral festival anywhere will take place for the – get this! – 368th time. The free-to-attend festival first took place in 655, and is organised by Clergy Support Trust, the largest charity dedicated to helping clergy and their families (in 2022 they supported almost one in five of all Church of England ministers), and will unite local singers with choirs from eicester and landaff, neither of which have appeared at the Festival for over 30 years.

The sermon will be given by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, who made history when she became the first female diocesan Bishop in England, and the first female Bishop in the House of Lords.

“It is a rare and wonderful joy to be able to work with such incredible choirs each year, says Andrew Carwood MBE, director of music at St Paul’s, “and even more so when you are part of an almost unbroken line singing together under the dome of St Paul’s stretching back over nearly 370 years.”

For more, clergysupport.org.uk

Sing when you’re winning: the Clergy Support Trust Festival raising the roof

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ALBANY GALLERY COAST Seven artists celebrate the stunning coastline of Wales and Cornwall

6 April - 29 April www.albanygallery.com

74b Albany Road, Cardiff, CF24 3RS | T: 029 2078 9171 | E: info@albanygallery.com Gallery open: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-4pm | www.albanygallery.com

SCENE

AC ROSS C A R D I FF, O N E SH I N D I G AT A T I M E Jason Mohammad, Christian Thomas, Peter Reid, Joe Ledley

Ruby Ledley, Fiona Appleton, Jessica Thomas, Gemma Williams Xxx

FAST, VERY MUCH NOT FURIOUS Redefined By VIP, the U ’s leading provider of luxury cars to the sports, television, and media industries, held a brand relaunch at their recently refurbished Cardiff showroom on Penarth Road. What were they celebrating? The said showroom, a new website, a new portfolio and the launch of their athleisureware-merchandise line. Who was there? Music by New City Sound, magic from Adam Reeves, food by Co Co, and such luminaries as radio and TV sports presenter ason Mohammad and well-travelled footballer (and football manager) Peter Reid, once the PFA’s Players’ Player of the ear. r re www rede nedby i

Christian Thomas, Jason Mohammad, Nick Williams, Peter Reid, Meirion Appleton, Joe Ledley

Photos by Redefined

PEOPLE PERSONS

Cardiff-based R professionals took away some top gongs at the recent CIP Wales Awards 2023, an industry-specific event at City all, where Principality Building Society (Best ybrid/Flexible Working Initiative), Steph Phillips, head of R at Associated British Ports, South Wales (Excellence in R eadership), and Cerys Furlong, CEO at Splottbased school software start-up Group Ed (Outstanding Contribution to the R sector in Wales) were among the big winners. Sean Fletcher, the Good Morning Britain and BBC Cymru Wales presenter, played host.

For more, wwww.cpidwalesawards.co.uk Catryn Newton, Paul Callow, Claire Roberts, Tom Callow

Photos by CIPD Wales Awards

Garet Richards, Sarah Jones, Karen Lewis, Sion Taylor

Elena Hopkins, David Bradley, Marie Haggert, Claire Jones, Owen Stokes and Jennifer Hammacott

Sarah Morgan, Carla Williams, Hannah Elliott, Ffion Edwards

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THE ARTS S N A P S H O T S O F C A R D I F F ’ S C U LT U R A L L I F E

E ECTRIC REAMS

If you’re not massively into electronic music, then the Electric Soup platform at Cardiff MA E the social enterprise for makers, artists, craftspeople et al may mean little to you. But it should! After all, it’s been crucial to the health of electronic creativity in Wales and the south west over the last decade or so, showcasing a wide range of acts while emphasising the interaction between sound and visuals.

This being the case, the 2 une Tramshed gig they’ve sorted for Plaid, A A the innovative duo of Ed andley and Andy Turner, is particularly exciting. Not only will this be the first time they’ve played the city since 20 , but their performance of new album Feorm Falorx will be accompanied by incredible A.I. animated visuals, created

by Emma Catnip. Plaid have been around since the ’ 0s,

sometimes working with Bjork and occasionally operating under such alternative aliases as The Black og and Balil. I’m chuffed that they’ve jumped on board to head up this electronic spectacular, in support of this creative scene we’ve been trying to nurture, says o Gingell, curator of both Cardiff MA E and Electric Soup. With strong support from Swansea’s Movement and local hero Teddy unter, winner of the 202 Green Man Rising award and a figurehead of Cardiff’s visual and performance art world, it’s a night for established fans, and to introduce a vibrant scene to a whole new audience too. aid ay a ra d hed Cardiff n h r day ne r re www ardiff ade www aid i i e fr www idd e

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WHAT’S ON r nward

PLAYS, SHOWS & CONCERTS On now, until 15 April

CABARET’S INAUGURAL SEASON New venue Cabaret’s inaugural season features local collaborations with Cardiff Cabaret Club, Glitter Cymru and The ueer Emporium, as well as hot-ticket touring acts Big Band Burlesque and TV’s Paulus, who plays the music of Victoria Wood. Cabaret, Wales Millennium Cen re Cardiff ay www w rg

8 April

THE BREAKUP MONOLOGUES Award-winner comedian and ‘Queen of Breakups’ Rosie Wilby shares her funny, bi arre, poignant tales of heartbreak and recovery.

Cha er www ha er rg

10 – 15 April

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. New hea re ar a e www new hea re ardiff

11 April

HIS LORDSHIP Rock ’n’ roll duo His Lordship is the new project from guitarist James Walbourne (The Pretenders, The Pogues, The Rails) and ristoffer

ri

Sonne (Chrissie ynde, Willie Nelson). It’s a riot of raging guitars and perverted drums. C wb f r a h anby ree www wb ne

19 April

ROBIN MORGAN Local lad Robin moved back to Cardiff during Covid, and made another major decision at around the same time, as the title of his tour Snip Snip, B tch attests. For more, see page 66. he ee er aid ay www g ee

22 April

Beverley Knight: not a day over 40, we’re saying, but her tour tells us different

8 May

MIDGE URE: VOICES & VISIONS He’s had solo No.1s and been a fixture in the widest range of bands Visage! Thin i y!

Ultravox! imaginable. e’s also written some of the great songs of our time, not least Vienna and hey n w Chri a Now Midge Ure is touring a set built around two classic ’80s Ultravox albums. For more, see page 20. ra hed Cardiff www ra hed ardiff

PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT ‘JOY DIVISION: A CELEBRATION’ A founding member of the seminal Joy Division and New Order, ooky will be revisiting Joy Division’s trailbla ing debut n n wn ea re , plus its equally iconic follow-up C er, live and in their entirety. ra hed C are ad www ra hed ardiff

11 May

28 April – 13 May

16 – 20 May

ES & FLO A lesbian love story of later life, Jennifer Lunn’s new play has already won script awards; boasts an all female cast and crew; and will later move to ondon. It deals with all sorts of hot topics too: dementia, sexuality, generational con ict, love. e n di a e i enni Cen re www w rg

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

PULSE From the National ance Company Wales comes PU SE, a double bill which includes two brand-new pieces: Waltz from award-winning creator Marcos Morau, and ay e hing by Sarah Golding ukiko Masui. her an hea re enghennydd ad Ca hay Cardiff www her an hea re WISH YOU WERE DEAD Peter ames’ detective I Roy Grace isn’t just on ITV, but the stage too. After L ing d ead and four other Grace stage plays, we now get i h ere ead, in which Roy and Cleo take a holiday from murder. But the past has a ticket too. New hea re www new hea re ardiff

17 May

BEYONCÉ: RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR This will be Queen Bey’s third visit to Cardiff’s home of Welsh Rugby. Okay, ladies, (and gents, and enbys and everyone) now let’s get in formation. rin i a i y adi e ga e ree www rin i a i y adi wa e

27 May

LET’S ROCK WALES The U ’s biggest retro festival brand has announced the headliners and performers for et’s Rock Wales, at Cardiff’s Bute Park. Enjoy Soft Cell, Wet Wet Wet, Tony adley, Imagination, Nik ershaw, Go West, eather Small, eatwave, ue Cry, Five Star and many more. e ar Cardiff www e r wa e

28 May

JACK SAVORETTI Multi-chart-topping indie superstar ack Savoretti brings a special one-off outdoor performance to Bute Park. e ar Cardiff www b e ar

COMEDY

Every Friday and Saturday COMEDY NIGHTS Four superb stand-ups to keep you laughing until Monday. Comedy names range from ate Martin to Micky P err. he ee C b er aid ay www g ee

WHAT’S ON MUSIC & DANCING

Most weekends

CERAMIC WORKSHOPS Matthew ones’ workshops cater for groups of up to four, all making pottery items on the wheel. a hew ne Cera i arry d hed www a hew ne era i

On now, until June

THE CARDIFF CLASSICAL SERIES Expect 18 properly world-class concerts, featuring the likes of award-winning cellist Laura van der Heijden.

St David’s Hall, The Hayes; www da id ha ardiff

FOOD & DRINK Every week

Most Fridays

NUKE Party anthems, cult classics and dance oor bangers. C wb f r a h anby ree www wb ne TOP: Printed at Chapter is Cardiff’s first ever print festival – why haven’t we had one before?

LEFT: Sian McGill captures subtle light in a seaside scene at Albany Gallery BELOW: Corrie’s Katie McGlynn stars in the latest Peter James stage play, with murder very much on the menu

Most Saturdays

CARDIFF LATE NIGHT TICKET 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 and tequila shot. he C ai C b ary ree Cardiff www he ai b

ARTS, EXHIBITIONS & CULTURE

SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

On now, until 16 April

BRICKLIVE DINO DISCOVERY TRAIL Fifteen dinosaurs, made of over half a million toy bricks, are invading central Cardiff. One velociraptor is 2 feet long! a id Cardiff www f r ardiff

On now, until 16 April

LEO ROBINSON: THE INFINITY CARD Artist and musician eo Robinson explores future world-building in he n ni y Card, his largest solo exhibition in Wales. Chapter Arts, Can n www ha er rg

On now, until 17 April

THE VOICE OF THE RED WALL Part of the G yl Cymru Festival, this exhibition shines a light on some of the people and communities of The Red Wall. agan Na i na e f i ry Cardiff www e wa e

On now, until 16 April

BBC 100 IN WALES We’ve had a century of the BBC in Wales this celebration stars items from r h and her .

Na i na e Cardiff Ca hay ar www e wa e

8 – 10 April

FONMON CASTLE JOUST AND DINO EXPERIENCE And we’ve more dinos and this sounds like the most exciting thing ever. ou’ve got knights in armour, and you’ve got full-si e dinosaurs, and when the two of them meet… Well, it’s like an old-school Ray Harryhausen film come to life. n n Ca e arry www f n n a e

On now, until July

THE WILD ESCAPE The largest ever collaboration between the U ’s museums, this project aims to inspire thousands of children to visit and get involved.

Na i na e a e Cardiff www ar f nd rg

6 – 29 April

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 is on the last Wednesday of the month. r Cardiff www ri er ide ar e rg

OTHER

Every Friday

COAST Seven artists celebrate the stunning coastline of Wales (and Cornwall too) at Albany Gallery. Featuring the work of Peter Cronin, ai avid, Thomas askett, Sian McGill, Peter Morgan, Rhona Too e (perhaps our favourite) and Paul Sims. bany a ery www a banyga ery

BINGO LINGO They’ve taken bingo, shaken out the dust and turned it into one exhilarating, raving-mad event.

C rran ban en www de ardiff

15 May

BEN FOGLE: WILD Broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle

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WHAT’S ON 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 new hea re ardiff

andley and Andy Turner (A A Plaid) return to Wales for the first time since 20 , in a gig at the Tramshed organised by Electric Soup/Cardiff MA E. See p 5. ra hed www ardiff ade

15 – 17 May

2 July

10 – 11 June

STING: MY SONGS WORLD TOUR Rock icon Sting is bringing an exuberant and dynamic show, featuring his most beloved songs.

Cardiff Ca e gr nd www de ardiff

PRINTED FESTIVAL Celebrate the legacy of Cardiff’s print culture at the first ever Printed Festival, a two-day mix of talks, A sessions, workships and exhibitions at Chapter Arts Centre in Canton.

Cha er www rin edfe i a

3 – 8 July

COMING SOON

4 July

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. rin i a i y adi e ga e ree www rin i a i y adi wa e

16 June

BLONDIE The Rock Roll all of Fame icons will play at the iconic outdoor venue, Cardiff Castle. Cardiff Ca e Ca e ree www ardiff a e

20 June

HARRY STYLES LOVE ON TOUR International superstar arry Styles has announced the continuation of ove On Tour with newly announced dates in Europe, including a show in Cardiff. rin i a i y adi e ga e ree www rin i a i y adi wa e

22 – 25 June

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS Circus meets theatre in ules Verne’s iconic story. Cast members multitask as a rag-tag band of travelling circus performers who embark on a mission to recreate Phileas Fogg’s race around the world. New Theatre, ar a e www new hea re ardiff

29 June

PLAID Innovative electronic duo Ed

PHOTO BY STEVE SCHOFIELD

WALES SCREEN SUMMIT A great industry event for those working in film and TV, or just interested in it, with speakers from the BBC, C4, Paramount and more. ar ga e e wa e reen i

ANNIE Craig Revel orwood will star as Miss annigan in a smash-hit production of the musical Annie. a e i enni Cen re Cardiff www w rg THE CULT As part of their nder he idnigh n European tour, Bradford rock heroes The Cult hit Cardiff Castle, showing off their th studio album, recorded at the very same place (Rockfield Studios in Monmouthshire) where they recorded their first album, rea i e, in 4 Cardiff Ca e www ardiff a e

6 July

HOZIER The Grammy-nominated, awardwinning multi-platinum singer and songwriter o er and his band hit Cardiff Castle as part of his first U tour in four years. a e e he Ch r h was one of his hits take us to the Castle, say we!

Cardiff Ca e www ardiff a e

7 July

THE LUMINEERS BRIGHTSIDE WORLD TOUR The umineers are being brought to Cardiff by EPOT ive, the live-events arm of The EPOT, one of Cardiff’s most successful events venues. Cardiff Ca e gr nd www de ardiff

8 July

BASTILLE This Saturday night set headlines EPOT in the Castle. Cardiff Ca e gr nd www de ardiff

21 and 24 July, 5 August

SIR TOM JONES: AGES AND STAGES TOUR Music icon Tom ones has confirmed an extra date at Cardiff Castle this summer. This will be Sir Tom’s first

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

Is Jason Donovan the hardest working man in showbiz? Between pantos and West End shows and TV dance spectaculars, he’s headlining Chepstow Castle

headline concert in the Welsh capital in over two decades. Cardiff Ca e Ca e ree www ardiff a e

27 – 30 July

WOMAD The world in a weekend’ returns to Wiltshire (okay, not ri y Wales, but it’s worth the trip) for a 4 st summer, with headliners including Afrobeat dynamo Femi uti and his super sharp ja -funk band the Positive Force, the recently reinvigorated Bombay Bicycle Club, and three-time atin Grammy winning singer Susana Baca. Char n ar a e b ry www w ad

17 – 20 August

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Wales’ largest music, science and arts festival, Green Man’s ever-growing line-up brings First Aid it, evo, Amyl The Sniffers, oung Fathers, Spirituali ed and Slowdive to the Black Mountains. www green an ne

19 August

JASON DONOVAN The West End and Neighb r star himself plays Chepstow Castle as part of the Castell Roc 2023 Festival.

Che w Ca e Che w www a e r

7 – 9 September

THE BAY SERIES This 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

ead will play host to The Streets on the th, N- ub on the th, and The Chemical Brothers on the th. e andra ead Cardiff ay www i ena i n

10 – 15 October

IRIS PRIZE The Oscars’ of the GBT short film world are now open for submissions. They have 4 awards to hand out, including the internationally coveted 30,000 Iris Pri e. www iri ri e rg

19 October

BEVERLEY KNIGHT The year ends with British queen of soul’ and three-time MOBO Award winner Beverley night’s biggest ever U tour and just in time for Bev to celebrate her 50th birthday too!

Cardiff a id a www da id ha ardiff

20 – 22 October

S N FESTIVAL S n 2023 earlybird tickets are on sale now. The festival is focused on new music, emerging artists and homegrown acts, and rocks assorted venues and spaces across Cardiff. www wnfe

17 December – 14 January 2024

ALADDIN One of the true isney greats of recent decades hop-skips from Broadway and the West End to Cardiff as part of its first ever U tour. a e i enni Cen re www w rg

MUSIC

MYSTIC AND SOULFUL

Midge Ure is one of the underrated greats of British rock and pop, an exceptional songwriter and formidable musician who’s been behind some of the most important songs of our times, yet rarely gets quite the credit he deserves. This is to all of our shames, as a visit to Cardiff is about to prove…

Interview by Sarah Moolla Additional reporting by Wendy Lyne

A

t the time of perhaps his most celebrated hit – Vienna, as lead singer of Ultravox – a late 20s Midge Ure had never been anywhere near the city in question. No, my first time was to shoot the video, he says, and although it was a ying visit – the city lived up to expectations. Beautiful, haunting and extremely atmospheric.”

Like many of his own songs, you could say.

Quite often, they are all of these things – plus lush, romantic, sweeping.

Except, that is, for when they’re not. It’s not at all easy, you see, to pin Midge Ure down. Far from having just one style or approach, this highly accomplished songwriter, producer and performer rarely stays in one place for long, his work ranging from heavy rock to New Romantic, synth pop to symphony-adjacent rock/ classical collabs. It’s perhaps been a blessing and a curse, this diverse, eclectic approach. It makes it di cult for people to work him out, decide once and for all what he is.

“What I am,” he says, “is lucky. You have to be that – lucky, but determined too.”

These days he lives not too far from Wales. He moved down to England’s south west on a whim, almost – “I fell in love with the fact that Bath has its street names carved into the stone of the buildings,” he says – some 27 years ago, leaving London’s Notting Hill. “It was just time, you know? We had the baby and I thought, Notting Hill is great, but not so much for a family. I wasn’t quite sure what I was moving to, but it just seemed to tick all the boxes.”

He’d been in London since the mid-70s, but that’s obviously not where he’s from…

“Nah, I’m from the 19th century tenements of Cambuslang, on the outskirts of Glasgow. My father was a van driver; our beds were these recessed things called cavity beds, like holes in the wall. It was very basic upbringing – but at the same time, the radio was always on, and there was music in the background. I was a total fantasist: I’d come home from primary school and imagine turning the corner to see some big Daimler outside our council house, with The Beatles in it – obviously, they were coming to get me to join the band.”

Midge would play for his parents. They bought him a plastic Beatles guitar – “completely useless, obviously” – but later saved up for a real one, second hand. “It cost half my dad’s wages,” he says, “and I still have it. I’d teach myself to play, using a famous book called Bill Wheaton’s Play in a Day. The title’s an absolute lie, obviously: it takes forever. ust tuning it properly took ages to figure out.

But it was a beginning, and a young Midge started bumping into likeminded people. “Eventually you learn two or three songs,” Midge says, “and that teaches you two or three chords. And, suddenly, you realise you can play quite a lot of other songs on two or three chords too.”

Midge remembers writing his first songs back then, highly derivative pieces – he says now – that wore their in uences on their sleeves. I would have been 14 or 15, something like that, and wrote a thing called The Bowie Trilogy, which was to be in three parts – but I only managed to complete one.”

Though a shy child, for Midge singing came easily it was like breathing to me, he says and he’d find himself singing along to the radio at home. “I had a paper round, and years later someone said to me, ‘You were like our alarm clock. We used to hear you doing your round, singing at seven in the morning, and it would wake us up.’ And that reminded me of why I’d been doing it: I’d sing walking the streets because you got an actual reverb from the buildings, which sounded to me like a record. Plus, it was free – it didn’t cost anything to sing.”

What did your folks think of this?

“That it was a hobby, a passion, but not a career path. There were no record labels in Scotland, no managers. No agents as such. We had the musical talent, but we didn’t have the facilities to make it happen. So I ended up going down the route my parents wanted for me, and became an apprentice engineer. My father was really pleased my brother Mike and I both took up engineering, because it was a massive step up the ladder. But I was playing in bands at weekends too.”

So, what changed?

“I went to an audition with a keyboard player, who was in my band at the time. We didn’t really like him, so we were pleased he was probably going to move on. But, of course, while he was auditioning, they asked

“Even now, I’ll never do what someone else wants me to. You have to create things for yourself sometimes”

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

© W W W.AL ANWILDPHOTOGR APHY.COM

Midge today: no moustache, but still the romantic

ARCHITECTS MUSIC

“I say to my daughters, do whatever you choose, but do it 100 per cent. I want to see that sparkle in their eyes that I had”

Voices & Visions concentrates on two albums, and especially the songs from them that still resonate the most

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

© HAMMOND IMAGING, W W W.HAMMONDIMAGING.COM

me to play guitar and offered me the job, not him. That meant I had to go and sit down with my parents, telling them I’d love to take the band job, but I won’t I’ll do the right thing and finish my apprenticeship. So I did but on the day I finished, my mother said, Now follow your heart.’

Which is kind of ama ing.

And I’m still passionate about what I do. I say to my daughters, do whatever you choose, but do it 00 per cent.

I want to see that sparkle in their eyes that I had. I think that was the realisation my parents had, too: from the plastic guitar to the real guitar, they saw that it wasn’t going away. ow often do you get back to Scotland?

I do go, though I don’t have much family left in Glasgow anymore. But I’ll walk the streets I used to walk around.

Sometimes you have to remind yourself how unbelievably lucky you are. One of the handful of people on the planet who’ve got everything they need, and get to wake up in the morning and do a job they love that isn’t a job at all.

Midge went from local band Stumble to another called Salvation where his given name, im, was reversed to Mij’ and then Midge, to prevent confusion with established bassist im McGinlay which in turn mutated into more of a Bay City Rollers-type boy band called Slik, now with Midge on ABOVE: Keyboards and guitars: what more do you want?; BELOW: Midge with his current band vocals as well as guitar. This was late ’ 4, and two years later had their first No. single, Forever and Ever.

Finally, in , he joined a reformed Ultravox, as singer, songwriter, ou were lucky enough to have success fairly early on. guitarist and second keyboard player the band’s fourth studio album, Well, for four years I was in what was essentially a boy band. We but first with Midge and what became the classic line-up, was Vienna. had our No. , then within six months it was all taken away. It’s like The rest, of course, is rock history: four weeks at No.2 with the playing Snakes and adders: everything’s going well, then you slide album’s title track, further hits like Dancing with Tears in My Eyes, solo hits right down the snake and have to start all over again. It taught me to (including If I Was, a No. ), Do They Know It’s Christmas? and the whole stick to my ideals: even now, I’ll never do what someone else wants me Band Aid/ ive Aid thing with Bob Geldof. Since then, a rich solo to. There’s this moment where you realise you have to create things for career, culminating in the current Voices Visions tour, celebrating the yourself sometimes.

40 years since the release of Ultravox studio albums Rage in Eden and Within a year of their biggest hit, Slik had lost key members and Quartet. This hits Cardiff’s Tramshed on May. the songwriter team that wrote for them, and tried to reshape itself Midge is quite some artist, and making new fans even now. The as a punk band under a new name, PVC2 shortly after, Midge left Assassination of Gianni Versace TV show used Vienna to soundtrack a fourtoo, to join ex-Sex Pistols guitarist Glen Matlock’s new outfit, Rich minute sequence, and Midge had something of a ‘Running Up That Hill ids not that this lasted long, in part destroyed by Midge’s desire to moment’, a whole new generation suddenly asking themselves, Who add synthesisers to what had been a very traditional guitar-and-drums is this guy?’ Now, on one night at the Tramshed, they can learn what a band. With pal and former Rich ids bandmate Rusty Egan at legend he truly is. n the Blit club, and key New Romantic Midge formed Visage with singer Steve Strange (their big hit: Fade to Grey), left to start a short-lived idge re ie iin r hi Cardiff ra hed n ay band called The Misfits, then toured and recorded with Thin i y. www idge re i e www gigan i

WYBURN & WAYNE

“It’s dark, it’s raw, and laced through with the atmosphere of violence you’d expect”

What’s got the boys enthralled of late? Try violent dance-offs, Lizzy Bennet singing You’re So Vain to a gobsmacked Fitzwilliam Darcy, and chicken. Mmm, gorgeous, delicious chicken…

I

f there’s one thing we both agree on, it’s chicken! You’re probably thinking, what a bizarre way to start a column, and you’re right.

However, it’s because we recently popped along to Wing Stack on Whitchurch Road, owned by our buddy Shaz, as they celebrated their first birthday. But even in these strange times, where reaching even such a humble anniversary seems quite an achievement for most homegrown businesses, it’s easy to see why they’ve succeed. Wing Stack offers a friendly, welcoming environment plus, of course, amazing chicken. Don’t fret, though: there are plenty of veggie and vegan options, too. If you haven’t done so already, check them out!

From a first anniversary to an opening night… the incredibly exciting Golf Fang opened its doors here in our capital lately, and it’s wild. In fact, there’s no other word for it.

The decor here is urban gra ti mashed with humour (some quite close to the knuckle) and pop culture references galore. There are

amazing cocktails and, of course, the golf ! Each hole is in a room or section with its own unique theme, which keeps you enthralled all the way around. There’s even a slide, and a tonne of cool photos opportunities everywhere you look.

Theatre-wise, the best thing we’ve seen of late was Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby down at Wales Millennium Centre. Wow! This is more than just a dance show: this is cabaret, Cirque Du Soleil, and a rock concert all at once, alive with high energy choreography that will blow your mind. Nothing about this show is conventional: instead, it’s dark, it’s raw, and laced through with the atmosphere of violence you’d expect. What I didn’t see coming, though, was an incredible live rock band, right there on stage playing songs from the TV show, while the huge cast of dancers – not to mention excellent staging and spectacular sets – constantly mesmerised. The performers were captivating and stylish, some scenes were reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal, and throughout we were treated to quite the best choreography I’ve ever seen. This is more than a dance show; it’s an

experience. We were blown away.

There was a different sort of fun to be found at Cardiff’s New Theatre, where we were enthralled by Pride & Prejudice* (*Sort of). This is Jane Austen’s P&P like you’ve never seen it before – though you’ll want to see it again and again. We never expected to laugh out loud or sing along to pop songs during this one; in fact, it’s so wrong it’s perfect. We absolutely loved it!

Finally, Mercure Holland House hosted the now annual Principality Child of Wales Awards 2023, compèred by the wonderful Gethin Jones. It was an evening of laughter, tears and a deep appreciation of Wales’ incredible young people. A huge shout out to all the incredible winners, to Blanch for organising it, and to our buddies at Dreams & Wishes Charity – who won the charity award!

We’re honoured to be your ambassadors.

About our columnists: Nathan Wyburn is a pop culture artist who uses non-traditional mediums such as Marmite, beans, soil and fake tan; and Wayne Courtney is a healthcare support worker at University i a f a e hey are a adi Cardiff wi h heir wn h w and hey r n ndrew C ffee C r in Cardiff w he n ia @wyburnandwayne / @wyburnwayne

FAB FIVE

Five of the best, most exciting upcoming Cardiff events we’re on tenterhooks for…

• New Wave Wrestling; St Andrew’s Church; 14 April • The Rocky Horror Show; New Theatre; 10 – 15 April • Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons; Wales Millennium Centre; 11 – 22 April • Romeo & Julie; Sherman Theatre; 13 – 29 April • The Official RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series Four Tour; Cardiff International Arena; 30 April

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

SLUNK Inside Cardiff’s wildest hair salon, where minds are open, colour is eye-popping, and imagination comes free

By Paul Marland

HAIR & BEAUTY

“Clients know they an n de in a gh wi h and en

Meet vivid hair, also called unicorn hair, bright hair, fashion colours and a dozen more: basically, the most fun, cartoony look possible

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

HAIR & BEAUTY

S

lunks isn’t quite the same as other hair salons. There’s the name, of course – something to do with calfskin? Or beach volleyball? Who knows? – and the fact it was set up specifically as an alternative to mainstream salons. Though it first opened in 20 on Whitchurch Road, by 20 the guys here needed much more room, so moved to Morgan Arcade in the city centre, where they’ve happily spread out over three oors.

“We specialise in all aspects of colouring and cutting,” says owner and stylist Chelsea Thompson, “and have recently branched out into extensions, perms and hair styling for special occasions too. But there’s so much more to our jobs than just ‘doing hair’, and we’re proud that clients know they can confide in us, laugh with and vent to us too.”

So you give them a much-needed pick me up? es, and help boost their confidence with a new style or colour at the same time. In fact, the best part of the job is seeing how happy we can make a client.”

Right now, one of the biggest buzzwords in the industry is ‘natural’ – natural curls, natural lived in colour, natural products.

And at Slunks they’re totally on-board.

“Balayage, for example, is a natural colour look that has been on trend for years,” Chelsea says.

“And it’s one we don’t see going anywhere anytime soon, either. It’s a service that, when done correctly, lasts for months – and clients love this extremely low maintenance aspect of it. Everyone is loving their curls right now too, and they’re another great way to embrace the more natural look. Around 5 months ago, we decided to change our product range, so we

ABOVE: Even the salon is colour saturated; INSET: We thought a rainbow mullet was a fish, but no; BOTTOM LEFT: Wow!

now only stock vegan hair care products, which are not only cruelty free but more natural too. We also offer a refill bar, where clients can bring back their empty shampoo and conditioner bottles and we refill them you get 0 per cent off, and we all help reduce the amount of plastic waste.”

They’ve been reassessing other ways they do business too. Just over a year ago they went to a four-day week, with no reduction in pay, to give the team here the best possible work-life balance. Sounds great, you might think – but a surefire recipe for going out of business too, surely? Not so, says Chelsea. “It works, because everyone’s busier and more productive on those days when they do work, while different shift patterns have allowed us to open more days a week too, giving clients a wider range of appointment options.”

Impressive stuff. And there are other innovations too.

“Take-home hair masks have become a real favourite with us,” Chelsea says. “And the £99 bright deal is adored by all those vivid hair lovers too.”

These are the really bright, funky looks you see on the pages here – and the polar opposite of the natural style. But then that’s fashion, often pulling in two opposite directions at once.

“For just £99, you can get your hair lightened, a luxury treatment, an all-over vivid colour of choice and a blow dry and style – and we offer upgrades to add a cut too.

Pretty decent value, then. And getting noticed?

That comes guaranteed – and for free.

For more, www.slunks.com

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

“We only stock vegan hair care products, which are cruelty free and more natural too” THREE STEPS TO HAIR HEAVEN

A trio of top hair care tips, from the sassy guys at Slunks 1. Keep your cool Specifically, keep your hair tools on a low heat and use a heat protector, as heatdamaged hair will be dry, brittle – and won’t hold colour long term!

2. Ask an expert Following specific trends found online can do more harm than good. Instead, make sure to always use the correct products for your hair type, and speak to a professionally trained stylist about the hair care that’ll suit you best.

3. What a curl wants “Our favourite beauty hack is heatless curls,” say Slunks. Get beautiful bouncy curls while you sleep. No heat is needed: just use a tie from a dressing gown, or even a pair of tights. Simply divide your hair into two sections down the middle, and place your dressing gown tie (or tights) over your head, and wrap your hair around each side, then secure with a hair tie. There are online tutorials to help.

Judi Rhys MBE, CEO of Tenovus – and top marathon runner, too

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

THE BIG INTERVIEW

THE FRIENDS OF EDDIE PRICE

Tenovus Cancer Care, a vital local charity started by 10 pals in Cardiff at the height of World War II, celebrates an important birthday this year, not least with a huge concert last month, The Welsh Variety Extravagan a, which featured Only Men Aloud, Caerphilly’s own Strictly Come Dancing star Amy owden, and the West End’s Sophie Evans.

But though Tenovus has been a huge part of Cardiff life to coin a phrase for 0 years now, how much do most of us really know about it? We caught up with CEO udi Rhys MBE to find out more…

Words by Wendy Lyne, interview by Lisa Evans www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 31

L

ike so many great institutions, Tenovus was born from a simple, noble aim: to help a friend in need. More specifically, to stop him going out of his mind with boredom during a gruellingly long hospital stay. Here’s how it went: We’re back in 1943, and Cardiff haulage contractor Eddie Price, unloading machinery one hitherto uneventful day, was badly injured when a heavy lathe fell on him. At Cardiff Royal Infirmary Hospital, buddies rushed to his bedside, not least local businessman David Edwards, who Eddie had met not long before, when David had run out of petrol and Eddie had rescued him. Now avid made it his business to get five of the best possible medical specialists to treat the stricken haulier – though it still took him three months to recover. As more and more friends started to gather around his bedside to keep his spirits up, a little community was formed – and when Eddie was told off by nurses for playing his radio too loud, they all chipped in to equip the hospital with headsets, so patients could listen without disturbing others (or getting a slap on the wrist).

And that’s how it started. The core group didn’t really mean to start a charity, but others soon started to approach them with fresh causes, desperate for help. “There were ten of us,” said one. “So, we called ourselves Tenovus.”

Over the years, many causes benefited from their far-sighted, dynamic altruism – the Sunshine Home for Blind Babies was one, the Save the Children Rainbow Club at Cardiff ocks another – but by the ’60s this relatively low-key direct support was joined by another strand, the funding of ground-breaking research through a new Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research at the University Hospital of Wales.

More recently, Sing With Us choirs and a volunteer-led Tele-Friends service have helped boost the mental health of cancer sufferers. Current CEO udi Rhys MBE, nearly fours years in the job, was born and bred in Wales, and had long admired Tenovus, making it a dream come true to join them. I’d been CEO of a number of health related charities,” she says, “but this was the role I really wanted. It’s a real privilege to head up a large, Wales-based charity that does such excellent work to provide practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer. ike many, I’ve lost close family and friends to it far too early. Working here, and seeing the difference we can make, gives me enormous satisfaction and makes me very proud.”

Wow, Judi, 80 years. This is quite the anniversary…

A real milestone, and naturally I’m delighted to be part of it. Tenovus began with a sense of community, a generous gesture and an act of goodwill. Alongside its lifesaving research and innovative support services for cancer patients and their loved ones, Tenovus Cancer Care works hard to make sure it never loses touch with the values established by our founders back in 1943. We’ve

THE BIG INTERVIEW

For Judi, working closely with communities and staying true to the charity’s values are key

“Working here, and seeing the differen e we an a e ae e very proud”

got some really exciting events planned to celebrate the anniversary, and not just The Welsh Variety Extravaganza we held at St David’s Hall on 3 March, in the presence of our Patron, R The Princess Royal. I think our founders would be delighted with what we’ve achieved.

Which is a great cue to tell us about some of those great achievements…

Over the years, we’ve done some pretty amazing things. Scientists at the Tenovus Institute for Cancer Research, opened in 6 on the site of the University ospital of Wales in Cardiff, were at the forefront of the development of the drugs Tamoxifen – the most widely used breast cancer drug across the globe, which has saved millions of lives – and Zoladex, which treats prostate cancer. Tenovus funded several early detection programmes, such as the cytology caravan in 6 , too.

Then, in the ’80s, we purchased a mobile screening unit to provide cervical smears for women in the community, thus taking our services closer to home – an aim that is upheld in initiatives of Tenovus Cancer Care today. That’s why, in 200 , we launched our first Mobile

www.mediaclash.co.uk I CARDIFF LIFE I 33

THE BIG INTERVIEW Support Unit, a travelling chemotherapy treatment facility that cut down patient journey times, took the pressure off over-stretched cancer centres, and improved the lives of thousands. Our second Unit came in 2013, delivering lymphoedema treatment in the communities, and we launched a third and fourth Unit in 2018. Right now, we are working hard to get lung health checks offered in Wales, which could save many lives by earlier detection of lung cancer.

FRIENDS UNITED

From ten sharp-dressed men to ground-breaking medical innovations, Tenovus is the snowball that just kept rolling, and growing, and giving…

Doubtless you’ve made some huge changes over the years, but what remains a constant with you guys?

For me, it’s that we’ve stayed true to our values, working closely with our communities to provide the support that they need to live well with cancer. We might have adapted and changed our focus over the years, but we’ve never lost sight of what’s important for people – and the passion and commitment of our staff and volunteers has remained a strong and important thread throughout.

How many people are involved in the running the charity today?

We’re quite a significant employer, with well over 200 staff at our head o ce, in our shops and out in the community. But we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our fantastic volunteers, too – there are about ,000 of them who give their valuable time, commitment, and expertise for free in our shops, help with fundraising, and provide us with administrative and specialist support. We love our volunteers, and consider them a crucial part of the family.

Ever been tempted to come up with a charity motto?

We don’t have one of those, but we do have a mission statement that guides everything we do: to give hope, help and a voice to anyone affected by cancer, in and around the community. We empower people through our support and services. We champion their needs by campaigning for better treatments, outcomes and health across the nation. And we bring hope through in uencing and working for advances in cancer research.

What’s the current state of play with cancer, in Wales specifically?

There are 20,000 people living with cancer in Wales.

This year, 20,000 more people will be diagnosed with it and, sadly, ,000 people will die. We know that getting an early diagnosis is really important, so we’re worried that 50 per cent of people are diagnosed at a late stage and nearly the same percentage have to wait more than 62 days to start their treatment. While one in two of us will have cancer in our lifetimes, the good news is that three in four will survive it, thanks to improvements in research, diagnosis and treatment. And we are very proud indeed that over 10 per cent of people who are diagnosed in Wales receive support from Tenovus Cancer Care.

Sounds exhausting. What do you do to relax, and get away from all that?

I think it’s important to have a hobby that helps you balance the demands of any role. Mine is running I recently completed my 0th marathon, in Valencia back in ecember. Unbelievably, it’s put me at number one in the rankings for my age group in Wales. A nice surprise for me, anyway! n For more: www.tenovuscancercare.org.uk

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

FROM TOP: Princess

Margaret visits Tenovus, in a scene sadly not shown on The Crown; the first Mobile Screening Unit; a pop-up store; the original ten founders; and outside the Sunshine Home

SPONSORED CONTENT

EMPLOYMENT LAW Sarah Alford of BERRY SMITH LAWYERS looks ahead to April, typically an important month in the employment law calendar where many employment law changes take effect.

T

he Government has announced the rates of the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) which will come into force from 1st April 2023. In doing so, it has accepted in full the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission. The rates which will apply from 1 April 2023 are as follows: Rate from April 2023

Annual Increase (£)

Annual Increase (%)

National Living Wage (23 & over)

£10.42

£0.92

9.7%

21-22 Year Old Rate

£10.18

£1.00

10.9%

18-20 Year Old Rate

£7.49

£0.66

9.7%

16-17 Year Old Rate

£5.28

£0.47

9.7%

Apprentice Rate

£5.28

£0.47

9.7%

Accommodation Offset

£9.10

£0.40

4.1%

These rates represent the largest increase to the National Living Wage since its introduction in 2016. Practically, businesses who have previously paid staff comfortably above the National Living Wage may now find that they are very close to the statutory minimums. It is important for employers to check that they are paying employees at least in line with the statutory minimums.

Increases to other statutory payments Increases to other statutory payments that will come into effect early April are: • Statutory Sick Pay – increases to £109.40 per week • Statutory maternity, adoption, shared parental, paternity and parental bereavement pay – increases to £172.48 per week • The limit on a statutory week’s pay will increase to £643 (up from £571). This means that the maximum statutory redundancy payment and unfair dismissal basic award will be £19,290 • The cap on the compensatory award for unfair dismissal will increase from £93,878 to £105,707

Conclusion There is no doubt that this year’s increases are significant. These increases see a much-needed rise for many low paid workers in light of the cost-of-living pressures. Conversely, many firms are likely to find it a tough challenge, especially against the backdrop of increasing overhead costs. It remains to be seen whether we will see lower-level increases in 2024 in the event the rate of inflation starts to ease. n

Please contact us for more information about the changes addressed above or if you have any other employment law queries at 029 2034 5511 or employment@berrysmith.com

“A law practice offering tailored expert services with an ambitious team! Has exceeded turnover year-on-year, increased its headcount significantly and undertook a successful rebranding.”

- Judges’ Panel Comments, Cardiff Life Awards Divorce | Financial Disputes | Child Arrangements | Prenuptial Agreements | Cohabitation Agreements | Separation E: enquiries@ajonesfamilylaw.com | T: 02920 023222 | 208 Creative Quarter, Morgan Arcade, Cardiff, CF10 1AF

SHOPPING LIVE WELL, BUY BETTER

IG F

ING BIR

Vicky North’s Cardiff-based Bird itchen Clothing launched in 20 , a collaboration between Vicky an ex-café owner, who’d always struggled to find good workwear designed for women and Welsh designer Nicola Ridd- avies.

Fit and inclusivity were crucial to them both, so you’ll find all shapes and si es catered for in the growing range: one key item, the Roybn apron, is available in four si es, for instance, with cross back straps for comfort (so no more neck strain after a day on your feet). Made of soft, sturdy pre-washed denim, it has a wide front pocket to park your hands and stash your tools , and a tea towel tab so there’s always one to hand when you need to grab a hot pan.

The Robyn’s getting quite a following too: Cardiff chef Simmie Vedi wore her needlecord version in the Welsh heats of Great British Menu recently.

Graded denim Robyn apron, £54, from Bird Kitchen Clothing, www.birdkitchenclothing.co.uk

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

ALICAT SINGLE STRAND GEM NECKLACE, £60 Comes in single colours or a multi-coloured option, as here.

From Alexandra oseph’s South Wales-based vintage jewellery brand, Alicat.

From www.alicatjewellery.com

SERIES 746 SWEDISH RETRO TELEPHONE, £59.99 Comes in blue or grey too, but we love this mushy-pea green. And yes, of course it works (though you press buttons these days, rather than turn the dial).

From Shore, Penarth; www.shorecoastal.co.uk

SPRING FORWARD Now it’s o cially here and everything is budding, green and joyful. Time to learn to be a person again…

FFYDD, GOBAITH, CARIAD, £145 The words, we believe, mean faith, hope, love’ comes framed.

From buddug.com HANNAH TURNER TALL JUG, £32.50 Not a cat fan? Then annah does these in dog, fish, butter y, peacock and any number of other styles too. All go great on the patio table, filled to the brim with ice water, lemonade or Pimm’s. r C er e ah ad Cardiff www.coopersvintage.co.uk

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

CASIO G-SHOCK ‘CASIOAK’, £109 Supremely affordable, durable and fun, G-Shocks come in many shapes, si es and colours, but this summery turquoise beauty earns its nickname from its vague (okay, very vague) resemblance to an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, at a teeny-tiny fraction of the price From www.watchpilot.com

EDITOR’S CHOICE JOHN LEWIS FOREVER NEW CAROLINA MIDI DRESS, £110 In a great colour, with a good length and a attering shape, this is cool but trend-free so should remain a go-to for years.

From John Lewis, The Hayes; www.johnlewis.com

BLACK AND BEECH BANDANA, £10 Made in Cardiff, proudly Pro Choice, and with abortion rights phrases all over it, no less!

From www.blackandbeech.com STIGA ROBOT MOWER, FROM £1,265 While you relax, possibly enjoying some of the other items on this page, this clever critter dodges pets and BBQs, and keeps everything neat and tidy.

From www.stiga.com

MESOA CALMING SHAVING GEL, £4.50 One for the guys, this cool-looking, hardworking shaving gel is from a Cardiff start-up, as seen on Dragon’s Den. From www.mesoa.men

TABITHA EVE KITCHEN NONE SPONGE, £8.95 A re-usable alternative to disposable washing-up sponges, from an eco-friendly local brand, with a soft cotton side and a scrubbier mesh side.

From www.tabithaeve.co.uk

TOBIAS ILLUSTRATIONS OCTOPUS T-SHIRT, £35 Organic cotton, hand-printed, and perfect for the beach, from sustainable Cardiff outfit Illustrate comes in men’s or women’s styles.

From www.illustrate.co.uk

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

FOOD & DRINK SNAPSHOTS OF CARDIFF’S FOOD SCENE

PHOTO BY HUW JOHN

BUN TIME

Cardiff street food favourite Bao Selecta has opened its first permanent stall inside Cardiff’s iconic Central Market, selling their popular steamed bao buns. Nick Spann and his wife Karolina have developed a veganonly menu here, which will include their awardwinning crispy seitan ‘beef’ bao bun. These are warm, fluffy treats, built of various fillings inside a sweet, white dough bun.

“We didn’t want to step on any toes at the market,” Nick says, “but with the seitan crispy beef already being our best seller, we decided to go completely vegan for the stall. We’ve even had a rugby team say it was the best beef they’ve ever tasted!”

For more, follow them on Instagram @baoselecta

The party gets going under the trees

FEAST OF EDEN Forest Feastival is back at Merthyr Mawr for six weekends in April and May, including all the bank holidays. Now in its third year, it’ll be pitching up among the trees at Candleston Woods behind the dunes, with most of the vendors offering 5 taster dishes alongside their usual menus. Returning faves include British Street Food award-winners Fire & Flank and Keralan Karavan, along with Bao Selecta, Smokin’ Griddle, Nomad Kitchen, Rock & Scallop, Mr Noodle and Bare Bones Pizza, while the team behind some of Cardiff’s most successful recent restaurant launches, including Nook and Kindle, are bringing two new street food concepts: Pot Heads and The Fried Chicken Chronicles. And that’s just the start of the treats on offer.

Tickets are 5 plus VAT and booking fee per person, with kids free.

For more, www.forestfeastival.com

BRIDGE OF FRIES

Vegan ‘beef’ bao buns; INSET: Founder Nick Spann gets stuck in

And everything else street food!

Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival is back, taking place across 28 and 29 May, otherwise known as the Bank Holiday weekend. New this year is the award-winning Keralan Karavan, bringing a taste of Southern Indian street food, plus Rock & Scallop, showcasing the best of Welsh and British fish. Among the many food demos, a Saturday Kitchen set up is sure to entertain, while the Old Hall Gardens – next to the main site – will be buzzing with familyfriendly activities, from interactive slime-making workshops to the chance to create your own favourite milkshake avour with The Milk Shed team.

For more, www.cowbridgefoodanddrink.org; to book ticketsource.co.uk/cowbridgefoodanddrinkfestival

These guys seem more eager to share than we’d be

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

FOOD & DRINK We assume that eating the rosemary sprig is optional!

A slice of Brooklyn in the heart of the Laundry Quarter

POST TRUTH Outpost, a new 5-cover bar and kitchen promising laid-back dining and drinks from breakfast till 5pm plus a small plates menu each Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening will be opening in Pontcanna’s swank aundry uarter this summer. It’s the brainchild of Nick Saunders, founder of Cardiff’s successful EPOT venue and live events, and the budding Par 5 mini-golf bar and restaurant concept. My partner annah lived in New ork for a while, and we used to hang out in Williamsburg and Brooklyn, he says. We loved the bars and restaurants, so want to create something with a similar vibe on our doorstep. ere’s a sneak peak at the 300k design scheme by Studio Severn, featuring assorted seating levels, bold pops of colour and a raw urban backdrop.

For more, including exactly when they’ll be opening, follow instagram.com/outpostbarandkitchen

BONUS COCKTAIL RECIPE! Bara Brith Sour From Voco St David’s You’ll need:

A Boston shaker, a Hawthorne strainer, a fine strainer, a rocks glass

This lady’s dream meal seems to involve lots of flowers

DREAM LOVERS The Ivy Cardiff on The ayes has launched its new menus for spring, including a ream Champagne inner each Friday from 6pm (two courses for 45 or three for 50, including half a bottle of the finest French Champagne each) and All ay reamers, a fancy weekday lunchtime set menu (two courses for . 5, three for 22. 5). Oh, and continuing the ream Theme, ittle reamers is a kids menu with mains at . 5. So the question is: how hungry are you?

For more, www.ivycollection.com

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

© JOHNNY STEPHENS PHOTOGR APHY 2022

Ingredients

50ml Devil’s Bridge Bara Brith spiced rum 25ml lemon juice 25ml egg white 25ml sugar syrup Two dashes of Angostura bitters Garnish: sprig of rosemary with three raisins

Method

1. Chill a rocks glass with crushed ice, or leave it in the freezer for 30 minutes.

2. Add all the ingredients to a Boston shaker and dry shake (this means shaking without ice – it helps incorporate the egg white). Once done, fill the shaker with cubed ice and shake again till the tin frosts over.

3. Double strain into your glass over your choice of ice (crushed, cubed or block), and garnish with the rosemary sprig.

4. If feeling adventurous, flame the top of the rosemary to give a smoky aroma. Now enjoy!

For more, stdavids.vocohotels.com

SPONSORED CONTENT

SHOP LOCAL, EAT LOCAL Visit one of Cardiff’s award-winning Farmers Markets this spring

M

ore than 100 farmers and small producers trade across Cardiff Farmers Markets’ three regular sites in Riverside, Roath and Rhiwbina every week – giving the local community a chance to buy fresh, sustainable food, directly from the people who produce it.

These weekly markets have been part of life in Cardiff for more than twenty years; the first took place on a sunny morning in Riverside way

The Real Ting

Traders for the first midweek Street Food & Artisan Market at Riverside (5 - 8pm, 26th April) include: • Flour’d Up – Wood Fired Neapolitan Pizza • Tokyo Nights – Handmade Yakiori & Gyoza • The Real Ting – Authentic Jamaican Street Food • Tenkaichi – Sushi & Noodles • Express Brazilian – Real Brazilian Street Food • Kimi’s Catering – Authentic Indian Cuisine • The Roti Shack – Malaysian Style Roti & Canai • The Teeny Tiny Pancake Co – Inspired by the Poffertjes of The Netherlands • Cardiff Dough & Co – Premium Brioche Doughnuts, Cookies & Coffee • Pure Soy Meltables – Handmade & Sustainable Home Fragrance Products

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

back in 1998. Years later, and whilst food trends come and go, the markets are still as popular as ever. They are an opportunity to connect with local producers who are often more than happy to share their recipe ideas and tips, or tell you a little more about how a certain product is baked or brewed!

Cardiff Farmers Markets supports local, independent food businesses by giving them direct access to thousands of customers every week. And as a social enterprise, they keep fees as low as possible, which helps traders to grow sustainably; many of the markets’ regulars have gone on to build successful bricks-and-mortar businesses in the city. To that end, our panel of independent judges recently awarded Cardiff Farmers Markets the ‘Best Retail’ award at the 2023 Cardiff Life Awards.

A monthly market at St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life and pop-up markets at two university sites help to bring the farmers’ market experience to a wider audience, and this spring

Cardiff Dough & Co

will also see the return of the midweek Street Food & Artisan Market at Riverside.

Taking place on Wednesday 26th April from 5pm – 8pm (then monthly throughout the summer), it’s the perfect excuse to grab a few friends for a post-work feast and pick up a few other bits and bobs while you’re there.

Throughout the evening, there will also be musical performances from singer-songwriter Harriet Kennerly, Cardiff Canton Singers and Chapter Singers. n

For more information about Cardiff Farmers Markets, including dates, times and an updated list of traders for each week, visit www.cardifffarmersmarkets.org.uk

FOOD & DRINK

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Nighthawks’ top

PHOTO BY ALBERT VALE

toastie; Dough & Co guess-whats; Heaneys‘ pollock; outside TwentySix in Canton; The Real Ting; inside Parallel; mackerel at Gorse; Lahmacun’s colourful ‘fire food’; chef Tom Waters in action

1

One of Nighthawks’ epic bechamel cheese toasties, with a delicious glass of red picked especially for the Cardiff Wine Passport (@Nighthawkscardiff)

2

A beautiful piece of pollock with curry, deep sea mussels and carrot from Heaneys in Pontcanna (@HeaneysCardiff)

PHOTO BY MAT T HORWOOD

THREE THINGS I LOVED EATING THIS MONTH

3

A deliciously crispy pair of Caerphilly cheese croquettes with black garlic aioli from Pasture’s new small plates wine bar, Parallel (@Parallel)

POP-UP WORLD

T

With the long-anticipated arrival of some warmer spring weather, Cardiff’s hospitality scene has responded by going absolutely pop-up crazy! Diaries at the ready – there’s a lot to get through this month…

o start with, Lahmacun are back at Kings Road Yard on 6 April, kicking off the Easter weekend with a Seasonal Spring Supperclub – three courses of Arabic fire food’.

Head chef Lucas is promising ‘a showcase of local Welsh produce served with a signature mix of spice, smoke and Middle Eastern avour’. For tickets and info, see lahmacun.

‘Plates by the Park’ brings Dirty Gnocci to Gathering Ground coffee shop, opposite Victoria Park, every Friday and Saturday throughout April, with a menu full of Italian classics. Along with the obvious gnocci, there’s arancini, ravioli, affogato and irty Gnocci’s famous cheese wheel Carbonara’, which is

served straight to the table. For more info, see dirtygnocci.

Over at TwentySix at The Bone Yard in Canton, a new supperclub series will see guest chefs take over the shipping container kitchen one Wednesday per month, with an accompanying wine list being provided by the folks at Wine Fiend. The first event on April brings The Rock & Scallop to town with a three-course seafood menu, and a taster of what’ll be on offer at their Pontyclun restaurant when it opens later this summer. For more info, follow twentysixcardiff.

Cardiff Farmers Markets are also getting in on the act; this month sees the return of their midweek Street Food Artisan Market. Running from 5- pm on Wednesday, 26 April in Riverside, confirmed

traders for the first event include Flour’d Up (wood-fired Neapolitan pi a), Tokyo Nights (handmade yakitori and gyo a), The Roti Shack (Malaysian-style roti), The Real Ting (authentic amaican street food) and Cardiff ough Co (premium brioche doughnuts). For more info, see cardifffarmersmarket.

And if you haven’t tried it yet… Cardiff Life editor Lisa waxed lyrical about Chef Tom Waters’ Gorse pop-up when she reviewed it earlier this year if you still haven’t booked, the residency has been extended and continues to run every Friday and Saturday night out of Ground Bakery in Pontcanna. For more info, visit gorserestaurant. r re www ane hi ende ane hi ende www h ngry i yhi y

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

SPARKLE & SHINE

While much of the high street is contracting, unsure of the future, the famous jeweller Laings is going the other way. What’s their secret?

By Clarissa Picot 48 I CARDIFF LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk

RETAIL

A

classic, old-school, family-run jewellers, Laings began with a single store in Glasgow in 1840, but now boasts showrooms in Edinburgh, Southampton and – of course! Cardiff too. Expect plenty of product knowledge, expert curation, and enough in the way of fine jewellery and fancy watches to leave you blinking as you step outside into the sunlight.

“It’s our pleasure to share landmark moments with our customers,” says Katie Keefe, store manager here in Cardiff. We’re renowned for our bespoke design and repair services too, which let us accompany our clients on every step of their jewellery journey.”

Most of us find ourselves wandering through Laings’ doors on the lookout for that special something to celebrate a significant memory, a person we love, or a milestone event. We become part of that celebration,” says Katie, “and there’s something incredibly special about being involved in such moments.

So what are the key trends right now?

What does she see most customers making a beeline for?

e w g d i ery ar and fan y dia nd fa red diamonds are having a rea en

MAIN IMAGE: Three times the size it used to be, Laings Cardiff makes a real statement; ABOVE: All diamonds, all the way around; RIGHT: The Anna Diamond Pendant; TOP RIGHT: Three more on-trend pieces, starring soft, subtle colour

“Yellow gold is particularly popular, across both everyday jewellery and engagement rings.

Simple gold pieces seem especially relevant just now too, as they’re incredibly versatile, and can easily be worn on their own, or layered up to make a statement.”

Fancy-cut diamonds, such as oval and emerald cuts, are another key trend. Ovals remain really strong,” says Katie, “with their beautiful shape offering a contemporary, yet still very timeless, style. Pear cuts and emerald cuts are also popular, and show jewellery-lovers are looking for something unique. And today, these diamonds are often set against plain bands, rather than diamond set bands. Most of all, though, coloured diamonds are having a real moment.”

Indeed, over the past five years, yellow and pink diamonds have become must-haves, a trend accelerated by famous fans like Jennifer ope , Blake ively, ily ames, eidi lum and even (since 4 , in fact!) the late EII. Although much of the high street has suffered of late not just in Cardiff, but

everywhere aings has happily bucked the trend; indeed, they trebled the size of their Cardiff showroom in 202 , allowing them to create dedicated diamond and jewellery areas, and showcase a wider range of Swiss watch brands. Patek Philippe, Cartier and, of course, Rolex: they’re all here. Though there’s definitely been a slight dip in footfall elsewhere in St avid’s, aings has found itself a destination for shoppers.

Some customers prefer the convenience of browsing online, then enjoy the experience of purchasing in a store setting,” Katie says, while others prefer to make the final decision online. We work hard to marry up the journey between web and store, providing a personal experience regardless of how you choose to shop with us.”

Finally, we take a look at some of Katie’s favourite pieces in the store right now.

From our exclusive Family Collection, the Anna iamond Pendant is really beautiful, she says. “Designed in-house, it has a vivaciousness I find so infectious. A centre diamond is surrounded by a glittering halo of smaller diamonds that add a special sparkle to any occasion.”

Alternatively, perhaps a ellow Gold Oval Cut Diamond Solitaire Ring would be the smart way to go.

“The breathtaking centre diamond elongates the finger and, framed by a simple yellow gold band, is allowed to take centre stage next to the warm glow of the metal.

Then the small line of diamonds on the setting adds a subtle sense of sparkle.”

For more, visit Laings at St David’s, 25-27 The aye Cardiff C www aing

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

MEET THE WILLS & PROBATE LAWYER Cardiff ‘s legal experts talk about their businesses, and the importance of their services Why would you recommend that people make their Wills now, rather than waiting?

Without a Will, the state directs who will inherit your estate following a specific criteria, which may result in an undesirable outcome. A Will, however, puts you in control; you control who deals with your estate upon your death by appointing executors, and you control who is to benefit from your estate by naming the beneficiaries.

At what age should we be looking at making a Will?

Whilst we are accredited by Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE), we work with clients of all ages. You should make a Will if you own property, if you get married, if you are not married but have a partner, as the law does not recognise partners as having the same rights as spouses, and if you have children, so that you can appoint a Guardian.

J A HUGHES

KASIA DAVIES, SOLICITOR & DUNCAN KENNEDY, SOLICITOR AND PARTNER kasiadavies@jahughes.com; duncankennedy@jahughes.com 02920619700; qualitysolicitors.com/jahughes Tell us about your firm, in a nutshell?

J A Hughes is both the largest and also oldest solicitors practice in the Vale of Glamorgan. The firm was founded by John Arthur Hughes in Barry in 1888 and, since that time, has grown hugely and now has offices in Barry, Penarth and Cardiff.

What are your specialist areas?

Wills and Probate matters, Trusts, together with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection matters, including advice on care of the elderly and continuing health care claims.

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

How often should a Will be updated?

We would recommend that you review your Will every 4-5 years, or as your circumstances change. A change of circumstances could be marriage, separation, divorce, or the birth of a child. It is important to be mindful of the provisions of your Will and update it accordingly.

Do clients have to come into the office?

Clients are welcome to do so, but we also offer home visits.

With your knowledge of this field, can you share any other tips or advice that you think our readers should know?

When making your Will, it may be easy to forget about your digital assets: things like emails, social media accounts, websites, photographs, music and cryptocurrency also form part of your estate. Do you want the information destroyed, protected, or gifted to someone? And how will your executor know about them? You can include a clause in your Will to ensure that your wishes for your digital assets are carried out.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Is it expensive to use a solicitor for probate?

The cost is largely influenced by the number, nature, and complexity of the assets in the estate and by the number of beneficiaries we need to deal with.

I find that my clients are very happy with our costs proposals and feel that the charges are a fair reflection of the work that we have completed for them. Many of my clients that have been appointed as an executor in a Will are relieved when they delegate the administration of the estate to me as doing it themselves can be an emotional experience, time consuming, and stressful. There is a great deal of value for them in knowing that the job will be done properly on their behalf.

The estates that tend to incur high charges are generally those that are very high in value, extremely complex, or subject to some kind of legal dispute. If someone chooses to contest the Will or claim ownership of an asset that forms a part of the estate and Court action is commenced, the legal expenses can be high.

In such cases it is important to ensure that you have good legal representation as bad handling of the case can cost you a lot more than just legal fees.

HOWELLS SOLICITORS

SARAH CASH 02920 404020; howellslegal.co.uk How long have you been a solicitor?

I qualified in 2002. I then undertook further specialist examinations and became a full member of The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), which is a professional body for specialists in wills, trusts and estates.

Do I need to make a Will?

Yes. If you don’t the ‘rules of intestacy’ determine who may administer your estate and who inherits your assets. This can produce disastrous consequences – the outcome is often very different to what people may want and expect to happen.

Do I need to be a certain age to make a Will?

The minimum age is 18. That said, anyone in actual military service or any mariner at sea, can make a Will at any age.

How often should I update my Will?

As often as there is any change in your circumstances. For example, your Will should be checked and if necessary updated if you move house, sell a business, acquire or lose a lot of wealth, have a new child, get married or divorced. If you have a large estate it is sensible to routinely consult a solicitor every 5 years to check if there have been any changes to the law on inheritance tax that may affect how your Will should best be structured. There are obviously other things that may trigger a need for a review and these are just some examples.

Do you have to meet me in person to make my Will?

It is possible to prepare a Will for some clients without meeting face to face. It really depends on the circumstances of the client and the complexity of their affairs. Even if it is possible, I prefer to meet my clients in person as I feel that allows me to get to know them and offer the best possible service.

Is it compulsory to use a solicitor to make my Will?

No. You can write it yourself or ask a friend, relative or indeed anyone else to do it for you.

However, that does not mean it would be a good idea!

I believe that you should only make a Will through a solicitor that specialises in Will drafting. A solicitor has been through a rigorous training regime, has attained the required skills and experience to be admitted to the solicitors roll, and carries comprehensive insurance in case something does go wrong.

I have witnessed some terrible situations involving badly drafted Wills that have resulted in huge financial consequences. You should use an experienced professional to draft such an important document as this will help to avoid any problems after your death.

Is it true that my estate will not go to probate if I have a Will?

No. The need for probate is determined by the value and nature of the assets that you leave on death. If you are the sole owner of land or property it will only be possible to sell it after probate has been obtained.

How do you deal with an estate if there is a claim or dispute?

I specialise in the non-contentious side of wills, trusts and estates and so do not get involved actively in any disputed issues.

Luckily within the firm we have a specialist contested wills, trusts and estates team who act for our clients if they experience any contentious issues. This is very helpful for our clients as early advice about a potential problem can help to neutralise it at an early stage.

It is also helpful to have this team on hand as they help us to advise clients that anticipate legal problems after their own death. These clients benefit from speaking to our solicitors that deal with post death disputes as advice can be given about how to mitigate the risk of future problems.

SARAH’S TOP TIPS 1. You should consult a solicitor to make your Will and a Lasting Power of Attorney.

2. Make sure you separately nominate beneficiaries for any death benefit attached to your pension or employer death in service scheme.

3. Keep your title deeds, a copy of your Will, and a list of your assets/liabilities and any important electronic passwords in a safe place that can be accessed by your family in the event of your death.

4. Remember that if you get married any Will that you have made previously will be automatically revoked unless it was made in contemplation of the marriage.

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

Last call!

Tickets closing soon

PROPERTY SYMPOSIUM

CITY OF THE FUTURE CONFERENCE What will be different about cities in 2030 and 2040?

What impacts are there now for planning, developers and architects? How has the pandemic accelerated thinking?

21 APRIL 2023. M SHED, BRISTOL SCAN HERE TO SIGN UP

• Top level keynotes • Stimulating panels • Networking with region’s leading property companies

KNOWLEDGE PARTNER

To partner with this exciting event for our region, contact cardifflifecommercial@mediaclash.co.uk

Brought to you by the creators of your city Property Awards

It’s the city’s business

CARDIFFWORKS Cool packaging and lashings of pink

Laura Mallows: she dresses onbrand too!

HOT PINK

Cardiff’s Mallows Beauty takes its pink brand to the world

GOOD ADVISORY

New webinars from EntreConf bring the best business advice right to your door Here’s something new from EntreConf, the conference for entrepreneurs from MediaClash, the people behind Cardiff Life.

The headline event itself is at Bristol’s Watershed on 22 June, and features keynotes speakers, Entrepreneurs’ Tales, forums on everything from funding to exitplanning, advice clinics to insight pieces, and there’s an awards ceremony on 28 September too.

But to dip your fingers in the water, EntreConf Advisory, a series of top-level, deep-dive seminars might be the way to go. These live Q&A webinars on Zoom are hosted by MediaClash chief exec Greg Ingham, an experienced journalist and entrepreneur, and are designed to be conversational, relevant and practical.

For more, www.entrconf.com

Cardiff-based beauty brand Mallows Beauty has landed its first deal in the US, the first step in an export strategy aimed at significantly growing its global presence. They’ll initially be supplying Urban Outfitters stores with 4,000 units across six products, and plan to expand further in the region through a separate US-wide distributor, giving access to thousands of independent retailers across the country.

And next after this? Almost certainly Australia, where leading online retailer Glam Raider will be the partner of choice.

Founded by aura Mallows in 2020, Mallows Beauty is a vegan brand that promotes self-love and acceptance, and gained a cult following since going viral on TikTok with its brightly packaged pink products such as

Clare Gregory

Unicorn Shave Butter and hey, who wouldn’t want to try that?

Our exporting journey has been a whirlwind, aura says, and international demand has been huge, thanks to TikTok in particular. Since the end of 202 , turnover’s been boosted by 30 per cent, with exports now making up a third of sales. When we were presented with our first opportunity to export, we were so overwhelmed we actually turned it down, as we didn’t know where to begin. Beauty products have an added layer of complexity, since different countries have different market regulations, so support from our export advisors at the Welsh Government has been invaluable.

For more, www.mallowsbeauty.co.uk

SAFE STAYS

Cardiff law firm helps the homeless – and their hounds aw firm Clarke Willmott P’s Cardiff o ce has been advising Gloucester City omes on their purchase of a property offering accommodation to homeless people and their dogs. Citadel ouse in Stroud built in , and formerly the local Salvation Army minister’s residence will provide homes for up to eight and accompanying pooches.

The project will provide a temporary haven for people and their dogs at risk of having nowhere secure to sleep, while they find a more permanent place to live, says Clare Gregory, commercial property partner at Clarke Willmott in Cardiff.

For more, www.clarkewillmott.com

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

© BR AV

Bright blue BRAV socks conquer the hillside BOTTOM LEFT: Founder Adam Fletcher dreams up more designs

COMPANY PROFILE

BRAV HEART Inside the Cardiff-based endurance sports brand, with founder – and biggest advocate – Adam Fletcher

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

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hat are socks to you? If you’re anything like us, they’re the classic boring, can’t-think-of-what-to-get (butundeniably-useful) present for a boy.

But for Adam Fletcher – founder and CEO of BRAV Endurance – they’re the first building block for an empire.

Cardiff Uni graduate and keen endurance athlete Adam started his Triathlon journey after watching his very first Ironman event in Tenby.

“I’d done some running for my local club in the Welsh valleys,” he says, “and some country level swimming when I was younger, but I’d never owned a road bike. I just remember feeling mesmerised by the sheer determination and athleticism of the people I was watching, and left with a new sense of ambition.”

He took part in the race himself in 2012, then went on to complete his first Ironman distance event the same year. “I’ve now done countless distance triathlons, and had the honour of representing Great Britain at both Ironman and half Ironman distance races on a European and World Championship level. For me, the most enjoyment comes from being able to push my body past a level of pain and into an area of pure

adrenaline and determination. It’s such a hard thing to describe unless you have actually experienced it – it’s unlike any other feeling. Finally, I love the camaraderie of triathlons.

Even though it’s an individual sport, the community – especially in Wales – is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”

We take it they’re big around here, then?

“Huge! It has to be the fastest growing sport in Wales, for sure!

And a large part of that growth has to be down to the community. I have met the most amazing people through both my own competitive journey and the business. I don’t want BRAV to be just another faceless brand, and it’s already brought me so many amazing friends and acquaintances.”

The joy of socks

Adam started BRAV with a single sock design – it was all he could afford at the time.

“After two years of research and development, I created a sock I truly believed would rival the best in the world in terms of comfort and durability,” he says, “and particularly for long distance endurance sports. They have some wild and snazzy patterns – to the point where they’ve even been

© BR AV

CARDIFFWORKS

Like a Saturday morning cartoon sponsored by energy drinks, and all the more fun for it

likened to children’s socks – but I think that creates a massive appeal, and complements the quality materials we use. I’d seen what I believed to be a big gap in the market that we could fill, especially in the UK, and as time has gone on we’ve branched out into a more mainstream cycle range. The quality, design, and ingenuity of our products match that of the biggest brands in the world.”

“OUR ROCKET SOCKS ARE THE ORIGINAL DESIGN, AND WE OWE THE BUSINESS TO THEM”

Indeed, these days they don’t just have a sock line, but also a full highperformance cycling range and an adventure cap line. “At the end of last year, we opened a full in-house custom kit service for triathlon teams and sports clubs too,” Adam says. “This service covers all of our high-performance training and racing appeal, from triathlon racing suits, cycling kits, and running and gym training kits to high-end leisure wear. This has completely changed the footprint of our business. All materials are sourced from Italy, and we sell products across the globe through our online store – especially in North America, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Despite this huge recent expansion, though, socks remain incredibly important to the BRAV brand DNA.

“They’re what started the whole thing, and what I still believe gives us our status. Our Rocket Socks are the original design, and we owe the business to them. But they have a serious rival in our most recent collection of Long Sleeve Cycle Jerseys, which are some of the best products we’ve ever put out. The materials are spot on, and their design and structure is different to anything I’ve seen before!”

And this year, things are stepping up another gear.

“We’ve over two dozen new designs of our endurance socks coming, plus a full off-the-rack pro level tri suit range, a new springsummer cycle range with even more advanced new fabrics, and a full gym/running range that will include men’s training shorts, T-shirts and vests. For the ladies,

we’ll also be launching a full gym/ running range, including leggings, shorts, crop tops, T-shirts and vests.

They’re a bit more mainstream than anything we’ve done before, and will hopefully draw in a larger audience and consumer base for BRAV.” Ultimately, Adam explains, they’re trying to be more than just a brand.

“We want to build a real community through sport; people from all walks of life who share the same passions and motivations.

One of our main achievements has been our amateur race team, Team BRAV Endurance. It represents the brand, yes, but also the people we want to inspire, and that inspire us.

They motivate us to be better as a company, and as individuals.”

For more, www.bravendurance.co.uk

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FIT TO PRINT

Tim Fendley, city guru

Cardiff student’s textiles now at TU

This is Imogen Lee, a 22-year-old Cardiff Met University Textiles graduate, who’s just had one of her oral prints featured on a dress by a national fashion retailer, TU Clothing. Imogen, originally from Narberth in Pembrokeshire, had her work on display at the annual New Designers graduate show in London when it was spotted by the Sainsbury’s clothing label, where one print now features on a dress in the new spring/summer 2023 collection, in store now. Her journey with Sainsbury’s hasn’t ended there, either, as she’s now been recruited to join the TU team as assistant Imogen’s print: now on a dress at Sainbury’s TU print designer.

In her final year at Cardiff Met, Imogen (not least, a sewing machine). She used one-to-one support subsequently handmade a range of from the institution’s Centre for homeware items featuring her prints, Entrepreneurship to set up her including tea towels and oven gloves, to own design business, Imogen Eliza, be sold through her Etsy store. accessing a small Flash Funding grant r re n agra i gene i a di to buy vital equipment for her business

MOVERS AND SHAKERS FOR STARTERS National law firm Clarke Willmott P has strengthened the commercial property, corporate and construction teams at its Cardiff o ce thanks to five new joiners. ulia Morris, formerly of e Gros Solicitors Limited, joins the commercial property team as partner, and will work alongside new senior associate Scott Keddle, formerly in-house lawyer at Shaw Healthcare, and paralegal Beckie Herbert. Elsewhere, Ayesha avies has joined the banking and finance team as a paralegal, and Kate Evans, formerly of Capital Law, has also joined the construction team, specialising in the green energy sector. r re www ar ewi

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CITIES ON FIRE With creativity, naturally. The south west’s Property Symposium explores the future of the metropolis Save the date for Property Symposium 23, a new property conference for Wales and the south west, featuring an army of top-notch speakers, all primed to discuss this year’s theme: cities of the future. Speakers include Tim Fendley, founder and CEO of Applied Information Group and a world class authority on the subject, responsible for the Legible London Project. There’ll be panels too, covering transport, workplaces, mixeduse versus segmented sites, and other topics. It all runs 9am-1.30pm at Bristol’s M Shed, on Friday, April 21. r re www ardiff r er yaward r er y y i

The new crew at Clarke Willmott Cardiff: Julia, Ayesha, Scott, Beckie

2023 LOADING THE FUTURE IS UNWRITTEN

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

Attend EntreConf

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

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“WE LOVE WORKING WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROPERTIES THIS DIVERSE CITY HAS TO OFFER” whole team. When you win for a company you thought up and work so hard on, year in, year out, it’s great recognition. We pride ourselves on trying as hard as we can to deliver a fantastic end result for each and every client, and to be able to set ourselves apart from competitors through this award is hugely beneficial in showing clients that we’re better than others in our area.

Katie and Daniella of The Tap End, realisation dawning that now they’ve been snapped holding the gin, they’ll have to take it back to the office

How do you like being in Cardiff?

CARDIFF LIFE AWARDS 2023 THE TAP END – great name for a bathroom company, right? – was founded by Justine Bullock and Lynda Rees some six years ago, thanks to a shared interest in making the most of small spaces. We thought it high time we chatted with Justine to find out more…

HOMES & INTERIORS WINNER Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind the business?

Previously, I’d worked for a whole-home interior design company – along with Lynda, now my business partner at The Tap End. We did highend bathrooms there, and really wanted to start something more specialised, as we loved the technical side of bathroom design. Personally, I’d become fascinated by small-space design and, as most bathrooms in the UK fall into that category, this would allow me to work on my passion every day. We’d also previously worked with designers Zoe and Daniella, who’ve since joined The Tap End team. In total, we’ve worked with each other for over 12 years, and share the same passion for all things bathrooms.

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What were the first months and years of the company like?

We began as a true start-up, with just one laptop on a kitchen table that Lynda and I used to share. We’re now six years old, and have grown in terms of both the team and number of clients year on year; there are currently six of us at our Bathroom Design Studio in Pontyclun. We also opened The Tap End Installations last year, where we have four team members on that side of the business.

How did it feel to win the award?

We’re super proud to have won, as we were in a very competitive category – and rate all of the other companies who were finalists very highly.

Katie and Daniella attended the ceremony and picked up the award, and – in true team spirit – I can happily report that the bottle of Hensol Castle Welsh Gin, that was also part of our prize, did make it back to the o ce for the

It is, in our opinion, the best city in the UK. We’ve clients all over Cardiff, including Cyncoed, isvane, Pontcanna, landaff, Radyr, and Cardiff Bay. And we love working with all of the different types of properties this diverse city has to offer a recent favourite of ours is a project we’re working on in Cyncoed, which has multiple bathrooms as part of a whole-home renovation. We’ve enjoyed creating all five rooms for the same home, but each with a different personality and style. We’re also partial to a team night out, and enjoyed The Alchemist – with their wonderful food and cocktails – when we went out as a team to celebrate our Cardiff Life Award. (And also to bid Joanna farewell, as she’s now on maternity leave.)

Tell us about a recent work highlight: how it came about, and what it meant to you.

We recently worked with a local Instagram In uencer Charlotte Greedy, when we converted her downstairs cloakroom into a shower room.

It was designed, specified and supplied by The Tap End and fitted by The Tap End Installations when she posted the transformation, she had over 37,000 likes and over 1,200 comments! We loved seeing how many people engaged with the project, and how amazed they were by the before and after. (We e a good before and after – and so does everyone else, it would seem!)

Finally, tell us something shocking, surprising or otherwise unexpected…

Even though we’re South Wales based, we’ve connected with clients far and wide via our social media and, as a result, have completed bathrooms in Liverpool, London, Bristol, even the Outer Hebrides. During the pandemic, we – hand on heart! – even had an enquiry all the way from Australia. Which, of course, we sadly had to decline. r

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AWARDS

2023 Awards for entrepreneurs and new business thinkers are now open…

Nominate here

28 September 2023.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery COMMERCIAL: annie.kelly@mediaclash.co.uk NOMINATIONS: liam.jones@mediaclash.co.uk

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CRAFT’S BIG SCORE

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PROPERTY

H You’ve all the healthy glamour of Penarth right on your doorstep, but we doubt you’ll see much of it; there’s just too much to enjoy right here at home

By Wendy Lyne

ere’s a large family home in Penarth, that elegant seaside resort in the Vale of Glamorgan, just four miles or so outside central Cardiff, with plenty to recommend it.

A handsome Grade-II Listed Victorian semi on Victoria Road in the in uential Arts and Crafts style – folksy, reformist, with bay windows, steep roofs, plenty of exposed brick and endless carved wood it was built in the 0s to a ohn Coates Carter design, and was originally intended for his sister.

Carter was born in Norwich but by his mid-twenties was based in Cardiff, becoming well known for his ecclesiastical work across South Wales. All Saints’ Parish all in Penarth is one of his so is St uke’s in Abercarn, and the Rhenish-style monastery on Caldey Island, considered a particular paragon of the style.

This Victoria Road home is a further prime example of his work, designed shortly after he’d abandoned the modern Gothic’ of his early stuff, and begun to cleave to the teachings of William Morris et al. ucky sister, we say. er finished home would feature no fewer than six bedrooms, plus three generous reception rooms and oodles of bathrooms, all tastefully modernised but retaining a wealth of original features.

Check out the carved bannisters, for instance, like a row of spaghetti measurers rescued from the galley of MS Victory. Or the dark wood ceiling beams, complete with

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occasional inverted, curved ying buttresses. (Not, most likely, the correct technical term.)

Pleasing details abound throughout. The large entrance hall has an impressive oak oor and huge under-stair cupboard the spacious drawing room over 2 ’ long has a raised platform and built-in plate rack the sitting room benefits from a feature fireplace with over-mantel mirrors and a third reception room has a vaulted ceiling, under oor heating and bi-fold doors to the garden. Through from this you’ll find a loo and utility room too, complete with stainless steel sink. olding all these together is a vast central kitchencum-dining area, over 2 ’ long by 5’ wide, built around such high-quality elements as Sigma 3 units, Silestone work surfaces, a Neff induction hob, electric double oven, warming drawer, Caple fridge free er and Bosch dishwasher. There’s a feature fireplace with a wood burning stove here too, plus under oor heating and get this! a Spiral Cellars ,200 bottle temperaturecontrolled wine cellar, hidden under the oor. These are quite incredible things, and this example is basically a spiral staircase burrowing deep into the bowels of the earth, with wine bins all around as you descend just

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installing one can cost the thick part of 0,000.

Up on the first oor, you’ll find four near-identical good-si ed bedrooms, with bay windows and built-in wardrobes, plus two bathrooms right next to each other in the larger family bathroom you’ll find a free-standing porcelain bath, spacious shower cubicle, recessed lighting and a ceramic tiled oor. And then on to the top oor, with two further good-si ed bedrooms and a yet another bathroom.

Outside, the attractive frontage is walled to the road, while extensive landscaped gardens with a patio, small trees, lawns, a garage, off road parking and a fancy spherical summer house pod like a giant wood-andglass chocolate orange complete the picture. ou’d rarely be tempted to leave such a home, you might think, except that the siren call of pretty Penarth is strong. ou’re not far from a Michelin starred restaurant here ome by ames Sommerin as well as two tennis clubs, a yacht club, golf club, Cosmeston Country Park, and endless coastal walks.

Not for nothing is Penarth regularly voted one the most desirable places to live in Wales, but surely few houses here are quite as desirable as this one?

HOUSE NUMBERS Guide Price In excess of £1,400,000 Bedrooms 6 Reception rooms 3 Outside Large garden, lawn, patio, garage, off-road parking Total interior space 3,442 sq ft Agent Savills Cardiff; 02920 368900; www.savills.co.uk

CARDIFF LIVES

“I’m a greedy little pig who just wants everything” bit, but it’s always good natured – I hate it when comics ridicule a front row just for the sake of it. It’s all about building a relationship with them.

You talk about your kids – what will they think about that when they’re older?

Oh god, now I’m worried. I hope they’ll realise that I talk about my life on stage, and they’re a huge part of it, and it all comes from a place of love. But maybe when they’re older I’ll have to ask their permission. Kids, eh?

You’ve supported the likes of Ellie Taylor, Rachel Parris and Iain Stirling on tour – what’s it like not being the main event?

ROBIN MORGAN

Cardiff’s own up-and-coming stand-up on celebrity heights, elective surgery and the joys of coming home You may not have heard of Robin Morgan quite yet, but you will. He’s a likeable, hard-working – so he claims, and his CV suggests he’s not lying – Cardiff stand-up and comedy writer, with a look just made for TV panel shows.

(Indeed, he’s already been on Mock the Week.) And he’s bringing his brand new show, Snip Snip, B*tch, to the Glee Club on 19 April – and yes, the main topic of conversation is just what you think it is…

You’ve got us crossing our legs, Robin, worrying about the subject of your show…

I moved back to my hometown of Cardiff a month before the

pandemic, so I talk about living back in the place you grew up, and what it’s like now you’re an adult. I talk about being married with kids (I think I might be the only person to do that? Am I unique? Am I a star?), and the ‘Snip Snip’ relates to the fact that last year I had a vasectomy, which I will not stop banging on about. It was great, 10/10, would recommend to a friend.

Is it an interactive show? Do you chat to the crowd?

Interactive makes it sound like there’s balloon animals and fireworks, which sadly there aren’t. Equally, if that sells some tickets, then I’ll bring some along. I chat to the crowd a little

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I really enjoy being the support act. I think there’s little-to-no expectation for you to be their cup of tea, so when an audience digs your stuff, it’s great. Plus, all those names mentioned are just lovely, smashing comics. It’s nice to work with nice people.

It still feels a bit mad people buy tickets to see me. I don’t know if that will ever become normal. But I love doing longer form shows, so it’s a real treat for me to tour in my own right.

You’re a writer on loads of TV shows, too – do you enjoy one side of your work more than the other?

When I’m on the road touring, all I want to do is write. And when I’m at home writing, all I want to do is stand-up. So, basically, I’m a greedy little pig who just wants everything. I think both jobs complement each other – writing for telly has made me a better comic, and knowing what it’s like to deliver jokes on stage in front of an audience, I think, informs my writing.

You also do warm-up for The Graham Norton Show –

what’s that like?

A JOY. No, my caps lock isn’t broken. It’s a JOY to do that job.

Some warm-up jobs are a little tricky – a large audience who want to see a telly show recorded, and they don’t want little old me delaying them. But the Graham Norton audience are incredible: they’ve been on a waiting list for ages, then they queue up, and then they’re going to be metres away from celebrities, so they’re already 99 per cent excited – and hopefully I tip them over into 100 per cent before bringing Graham on. Who is just lovely.

My favourite thing about the job, though, is to see how short celebrities are when they walk past me. Love it. Never gets old.

What are your future plans?

I’ve just been co-writing the third series of Ellie Taylor’s Radio 4 show – Ellie Taylor’s Safe Space – which we’re now recording.

I’m her co-host/sidekick/little rat next to her, and they’re a bunch of fun to do. And then, who knows? I’d like to do a bit more acting – last year I was in the Kenneth Branagh/Boris Johnson drama This England, so, hopefully, a few more of those roles will come up. Maybe I can play Liz Truss in the sequel?

The tour finishes in Cardiff, at The Glee!, a venue where you used to work behind the bar. What do you make of that full circle?

It’s honestly lovely. That club has been so supportive of me since I started stand-up, and the staff and team are a dream to work with. I’d like to do shows there for the rest of time. Plus, I still know the security code to the cellar, so I reckon I could nick a barrel of lager while I’m there too. n For more, www.robinjmorgan.co.uk; booking.glee.co.uk

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