Cowbridge View Issue 2 (Winter 2021)

the cowbridge magazine

WINTER 2021

#02

ALWAYS FREE

bring it to the table

FOOD INTERIORS GIFTING MEMORIES

BUSINESS, COMMUNITY, WHAT’S ON GUIDE AND MORE —THE ONLY GUIDE TO COWBRIDGE YOU’LL EVER NEED INSIDE: COWBRIDGE CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

WE’RE BRINGING IT TO THE FESTIVE TABLE

Hyper-local lifestyle magazines

Introducing

OUR READERS LOVE PRINT Our magazines are beautifully produced, quarterly companions to living in the gorgeous areas of Penarth and Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan, and Pontcanna and Roath Park in Cardiff.

—Penarth View —Cowbridge View —Pontcanna View —Roath Park View

CROESO—WELCOME SHWMAE As I write this, the days are getting shorter, the trees have turned a delicious umber colour, and the mornings have a frosty chill to them, and all that can mean only one thing—the most wonderful time of year is well on its way.

And I am so pleased to be able to sign off on this fabulous winter issue of Cowbridge View, with the theme: Bring it to the table. We have tried to capture the warmth of the season through food, design, gifting and memorable moments. You will find the usual great nutrition, fitness and wellbeing articles, Cowbridge’s Biggest What’s On Guide returns for another season of events, and we also have our ever-popular business and community pages, filled to the brim with short news stories from the town.

After last year’s stress and disappointment, the public seems to be much more excited than ever for Christmas, as we all anticipate a more familiar festive season. We are shopping earlier, and if trends are to believed, we are spending more. And that bodes well for our local independent businesses, when more and more people are choosing to shop locally for quality gifts and experiences. This issue is

Editor John Davies

Features Editor Will Summers

Sales Associate Katherine Peach

Sales Associate Rob Brown

Journalist

packed cover to cover with fantastic gift ideas. Just turn to our Cowbridge Christmas Gift Guide for starters.

On a personal level, I would also like to thank everyone, every advertiser and sponsor, who continues to place their trust in one of South Wales’ premier publishing houses. I also need to thank the fantastic team of editors, writers, designers, photographers, sales people, and more around me, without whom this magazine in your hand wouldn’t be possible.

The last few months, after the restrictions on our lives were lifted, have been difficult for businesses, whether through staff shortages, delivery issues, or a trepidatious public, but I am convinced, when we all work together, that is when the real magic can happen and the high streets and communities we love can flourish.

This Christmas, I’ll be living by one of my mantras—world off, relax on—by spending Christmas with my nearest and dearest in Penarth and West Wales.

I wish the coming months are full of joy, love and peace for you as well.

Nadolig llawen a blwyddyn newydd dda i chi gyd.

—John john@viewpublishing.co.uk

We couldn’t have made this magazine in your hand without:

Amy Adams, Jo Baldwin, Cllr Ian Buckley, Rae Carpenter, Dave Deane, Lisa Entwistle, Angharad Evans, Ceri Hill, Peter Knowles, Phil Lewis, Karryño Meyrick, Rosie Oretti, Stifyn Parri, Hayley Perkins, John Sartain-Webb, David Schönthal, Miffy Shaw, Kate Thomas, Jan Williams and The Friends of St Augustines.

Next issue due out March 2022

Whilst every effort is made to achieve accuracy, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. © Penarth View Limited 2021. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Penarth View Limited (company number 11053989) is registered in England and Wales.

Pippa-Marie Sheppard

Head of Bark-eting Winston

READ ME • SHARE ME • RECYLCE ME

SHOP LOCAL SHOP COWBRIDGE Now, more than ever, is the time to support local retailers and makers. Here we’ve gathered together the best of local gifts from across Cowbridge and the Vale.

WINE CARAFE WITH OAK STOPPER £37.99 Made from glass with a solid oak stopper, this carafe is an elegant way to house your favourite wine.

West Hampton 6 Penny Lane, Cowbridge CF71 7EG 01446 679 195 www.westhampton.co.uk

CASHMINK SCARF IN CAMEL

£29.955 Enjoy the cold weather with this woven scarf in pure cashmink® by Fraas. It is wonderfully comfortable to wear: light yet warm, antiallergenic and gentle on the skin.

King Fox 6 High Street, Cowbridge CF71 7AG 01446 679 085 www.kingfoxmenswear.co.uk

£95pp Immerse yourself in the history of gin at Hensol Castle. Create, bottle and label your very own 70cl bottle of gin, exactly the way you like it.

Hensol Castle Distillery www.hensolcastledistillery.com

GIN MAKING EXPERIENCE

SELECTION OF CHOCOLATES

A delicious selection of handmade chocolates from our cabinet. Other box sizes available.

Treat Pontcanna 5 Pontcanna Mews, Cardiff CF11 9DF 029 2035 9473 @treatpontcanna

£11.00

£45.00 Handmade with freshwater pearls and 925 sterling silver.

Danzii Jewellery Buy online from this local business at www.danziijewellery.com

MARGOT BRACELET

£36.00 This calming moonstone sleep spray leads with an enriching blend of organic lavender oil, a natural sedative that promotes relaxation and thyme oil which historically has been used to ward off nightmares.

Folk Gather Here 5 Town Hall Square, Cowbridge CF71 7DD www.folkgatherhere.com

MOONSTONE SLEEP SPRAY

from £25.00 Awarded Best in Luxury Gift Hampers in the UK, handmade in Wales with local ingredients. From fruit spirit infusions and exquisite foodie treats, to bath, body, and home fragrance products in our unique scents.

Sloane Home Buy online from this local business at www.sloanehome.co.uk

HAMPERS

SHOP LOCAL SHOP COWBRIDGE CHILDREN’S COLOUR-CHANGING UMBRELLAS £13.95 Making rainy days a bit more magical with umbrellas that burst into colour when the rain falls. Choose from ‘Paper Animals’, ‘I Need More Space’ and ‘Little Fluffy Clouds’.

Adult umbrellas also available.

Boo Brolly Buy online from this local business at www.boobrolly.co.uk

ECO-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS CARDS

from £3.50 Fun mix-and-match Christmas card multi-packs. Classy (and sometimes a bit sweary) cards, prints and gift wrap for any occasion, all designed in Penarth. Printed using water-based inks on paper from sustainable sources.

Prints Doodle UK Buy online from this local business at www.printsdoodleuk.store.

Free UK shipping!

GREENS & GREETINGS £6.99 An eco-friendly Christmas card and plant pot in one. It contains everything needed to grow delicious microgreen veggies right inside the ‘card’. Happy Birthday and other designs also available. UK-wide delivery.

Shroot Buy online from this local business at www.shroot.co.uk

COMPETITION

WORTH £85!

Win a Sloane Home award-winning, luxury gift hamper worth £85.00, full of indulgent handmade treats…

• Lone Stag Raspberry & Lime Gin Infusion • Sloane Hand-Poured Candle, Winterlust Fragrance • Lone Stag Oak-Smoked Sea Salted Caramel Truffles The hamper comes beautifully packaged in a Sloane gift box with a cocktail recipe card and truffle tasting notes.

WIN

WIN

WIN

WIN

To win this fabulous prize, simply go to www.facebook. com/cowbridgeview and enter the competition there.

LIKE the photo FOLLOW the page @sloane_home TAG the friends you would like to enjoy this with

WIN

WIN

Terms and conditions apply. Please see social media post for full details.

Blossom Hair Salon Cowbridge’s new hidden gem, offering all colour services, cutting and barbering services.

Blossom Hair Salon is located on Penny Lane, Cowbridge. The salon provides numerous hair services such as haircutting, styling, hair extensions, hair colouring and more. Ear piercing also available. Blossom Hair Salon also provides services for occasions like weddings and parties.

1 Penny Lane, Old Mason Yard, Cowbridge CF717EG Call 01446 678 330 blossomhairltd@hotmail.com Blossom Hair

WIN

BEAUTY

INSPIRED BY THE COUNTRYSIDE West Hampton is a celebration of living and loving life in the country. We have gorgeous products inspired by the countryside for your home. Furniture, cushions, lighting and decorative accessories blend irresistibly with kitchen and diningware, bath products, home fragrance and greetings cards. You’ll also discover a beautiful range of gifts for Christmas together with exquisite tree decorations.

HAND-CARVED WOODEN OWL SCULPTURE £100.00

HAND-FORGED IRONWORK LOG STAND £280.00

‘HEE HAW’ CUSHION £36.99 MULTI SPOT LAMBSWOOL THROW £89.99

ROBIN CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS from £6.99

SLATE CHEESE BOARD AND KNIFE £39.99

QUEEN BEE SALAD SERVERS £44.99

CAKE TIN SET

£39.99

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY GARDENING GLOVES £19.99

BERTIE BRISTLES DOOR STOP £31.99

All of these delightful products and more are available from West Hampton in Cowbridge.

West Hampton 6 Penny Lane, Cowbridge CF71 7EG Call 01446 679 195 www.westhampton.co.uk westhamptoncowbridge

GENTS—PREPARE FOR WINTER The most wonderful time of the year is coming up, so whether you’re looking to update your wardrobe, or you’re looking for a great gift idea for him, King Fox Menswear can help you welcome the winter in style.

1

⁄₄ zip cotton knit, Eden Park £110

Checked cotton shirt, Giordano £95 Cashmere blend mustard scarf, Giordano £60 Beanie, Giordano £25

Camel coat, Lavard £195 Ultimate driving pants in petrol, MAC Jeans £149

Cashmink scarf in camel, Fraas £29.95 100% merino knit, Thomas Maine £115

2-pack trunk, Eden Park £45

Cashmere blend socks, Falke £23.50

Belt, Swole Panda £35

Wild circles shirt, Giordano £95

Independent menswear shop in Cowbridge, selling fabulous, colourful, good quality clothing. Brands include MAC Jeans, Giordano, John Smedley, Eden Park, Pantherella, Falke, OLYMP, Swole Panda, Santinelli Tailoring, Mazzelli Tailoring, Sunwill, and more.

6 High Street, Cowbridge CF71 7AG Call 01446 679 085 www.kingfoxmenswear.co.uk kingfoxmenswear kingfoxcf71

An update from Kate Thomas, Chair of the Cowbridge Chamber of Trade As we delve into autumn, Cowbridge High Street has seen a busy few months. It is marvelous to see people out again, and it is just the help the High Street needs to bounce back.

The flower festival in August was a great success and traders made a super effort to ensure the town was well worth a visit.

This was followed by the annual Coffee and Cars event, always held on the last Sunday in September.

Organised by Simon Cycles, it involves hordes of fabulous classic cars parading down High Street, and a free mug of coffee for all participants supplied by The Bear Hotel, all whilst basking in the Cowbridge sunshine.

Early October we were thrilled to have back two weeks of non-stop entertainment from the incredible Cowbridge Music Festival, with a myriad of concerts around the town, always to the highest standard. Our amazing Cowbridge Male Voice Choir also performed on Saturday, 23 October.

Our Chamber of Trade members are currently busy preparing their shops for Halloween. We are pleased to be working with the Vale Council to run events in Cowbridge leading up to Halloween and over Christmas.

During half term week, we will be asking the public to judge the best Halloween shop window and there will be cauldrons of sweets for the visiting children. There will also be a lantern parade at 4pm on Sat 30th Oct from The Physic Garden to No 96 coffee shop, with free lanterns and hot chocolate supplied and prizes for fancy dress.

In November, we look forward to seeing our annual poppy display

on the High Street and Town Hall, in anticipation of Remembrance Sunday on the 14 November.

Soon after this, we will switch on the Christmas lights to cheer us all up as the nights get darker and create a lovely ambience for our shoppers. Last year, we extended the lights from the High Street up to Westgate and we hope to do the same again this year.

We are thrilled to announce that there will be an abundance of parking for those visitors that want to shop at all the fabulous selection of independent shops, and eat at the tasty eateries that Cowbridge has to offer. There is free all-day parking at the large cattle market site, and there is two hours free parking at the Town Hall car park, which now always has a space available for our most welcome visitors.

Sadly there will be no Reindeer Parade this year, but we are positive it will be up and running again next year. In the meantime, there will be plenty of parking and there are some amazing new shops, so why not visit soon and try our local Farmers’ Market, recently voted one of the best in the UK, or try our Vale Makers craft fair on Saturday, 6 November and 4 December in the Old Hall.

We will be running Christmas events on the High Street, including elf and nativity trails throughout December and all shoppers spending over £30 in any independent store will also be entered in a weekly prize draw with an extra chance to win a hamper in Christmas week.

We look forward to seeing you!

Kate Thomas, Chair Cowbridge Chamber of Trade.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

YOUR LOCAL NEWS

Here at Cowbridge View we are keeping you in the loop with this season’s short stories from the town.

A Firefighters’ Tribute for 9/11

Matt Griffiths, a Cowbridge firefighter climbed 110 flights in full fire kit as a tribute to all the firefighters who were there that day.

The challenge took Matt 24 minutes to complete, and he did it not just for the firefighters but for all the people who were there that day. Ordinary people who became heroes as they risked their lives to help those in need.

A Search to Find the Next Female Racing Driver

26-year-old Cowbridge resident, Kimberly Logsdon entered Formula Woman, an international competition aiming to find the next female racing driver. The competition aims to get more women involved in motorsport and Kimberly is excited to take part in this competition, as she races right into this typically male dominated sport.

Vale Walking Festival

From 7th to 12th of September several walks around the Vale of Glamorgan were held, run by volunteers to take people around some of the Vale’s most beautiful and historic sites. They proved to be very popular, with the walks being tailored for all ages and abilities.

A Spotlight on Cowbridge Vintage Store

Cowbridge’s independent shop, Happy Days Vintage Home Store featured in BBC One’s Antiques Road Trip. Several items caught the eye of antique experts, Tim Medhurst and Izzie Balmer, including an antique office pigeon-hole bureau, two pieces of WW2 equipment, and a stainedglass panel. Make sure to head down there to see what you can find!

Send in your own stories for publication to newsdesk@ cowbridgeview.co.uk

Cowbridge Rotary Club Celebrates 60 Years

Happy Birthday to Cowbridge Rotary Club, who celebrated their 60th anniversary in September 2021.

Unfortunately, due to covid regulations the festivities could only happen via Zoom, but they plan on throwing a more formal celebration later in the year. The Rotary Club have done great things for the community, and we look forward to what they do next.

Can you Escape the Library?

Cowbridge Library introduced their very own virtual escape room, created by librarian Julia Bazley. The escape room is appropriate for children aged 11 and up and is free to play by yourself or in a team. Inspired by other libraries and schools, this escape room is full of creative characters and storylines. Can you escape?

Pickled Onions Raise £500 for Charity

Natalie Isaac, Group Director for Bar 44, along with her siblings, has raised £500 for Cancer Research UK by selling ‘Dad Rog’s’ pickled onions. After their father was diagnosed with cancer in 2012, the family have spent a lot of time raising money for Cancer Research after the amazing treatment their dad received. They thank the Cowbridge community for being so supportive and buying so many of their pickled onions.

A Recognition of the Achievements of Older People in Our Community

Organised by Age Connects Wales, the inaugural Older Person’s Awards will be launched to celebrate the achievements of older people in communities across Wales. In categories including Later Life Hero and Ageing Well Award, nominations will be sought from people throughout Wales with six regional winners in five categories going forward to the awards night.

63-Year-Old Takes On 200-Mile Cycle

Nigel Osborne, a Cowbridge Tennis Member, has cycled from Caernarfon to Cowbridge with the hopes of raising £15,000 for Cowbridge Tennis Club and a contribution to Prostate Cymru.

The cycle started on 17 September and arrived at the Tennis Club the following day, meaning that Nigel would have covered 15 miles every hour to reach his goal on time.

BETTY CAMPBELL Even after her death, Betty Campbell is still making history years later after a statue in her honour was unveiled in September and is believed to be the first statue of a named, non-fictional woman in an outdoor public space in Wales.

Mrs Campbell, who passed away in 2017, faced many challenges within her life, having to overcome racism and discrimination in order to reach her goal of becoming a head teacher.

In 1960, she discovered that Cardiff Teacher Training College had started to enrol female students and Mrs Campbell became one of only 6 female students to be admitted, and later became Wales’ first black head teacher at Mount Stuart.

Betty began teaching children about black history and worked “tirelessly for race equality”, sitting on the UK government’s race relations advisory board. This is where Black History Month was introduced into the curriculum.

The 4-metre high statue now stands in Cardiff city centre, created

by Brighton sculptor, Eve Shepherd, who chose from 3 people to create art which would become a Cardiff icon.

“Eve’s design will be a real talking point and a great asset to Cardiff, as well as being a true commemoration of Betty Campbell.”

WHAT’S ON GUIDE Christmas Magic in Cardiff and the Vale Vale Makers Craft Fair

6 Nov 2021

Cardiff Christmas Market

11 Nov - 23 Dec 2021

All Day

Cardiff City Centre

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland 2021

16 Nov - 2 Jan

11:00 am

City Hall Lawn

Old Hall

Christmas at The Royal Mint Experience 19 Nov - 24 Dec 2021

The Royal Mint Experience

Penarth Christmas Tenner Trail

20 Nov - 4 Dec

Penarth shops

Christmas Experience At Forage

25 Nov - 23 Dec 2021

Forage Farm Shop

DEPOT Christmas Market

28 Nov 2021

9:45 am

DEPOT Cardiff

Specsavers are open for appointments, with all the necessary precautions in place. Book your eye and hearing tests at Specsavers Cowbridge (01446 775 003).

WHAT'S ON GUIDE SPONSORED BY SPECSAVERS

Keeping an eye on what's on in Cowbridge this winter brought to you by your local Specsavers branch in Cowbridge

Your local Specsavers branches, working with RNIB, to help end avoidable sight loss and transform the nation's eye health.

V

Your local Specsavers branch in Cowbridge is pleased to support and be at the centre of their local communities. They are proud to sponsor Cowbridge View’s What’s On Guide. Book your appointment online, in-store or by phone.

Specsavers Cowbridge 27 High Street, Cowbridge CF71 7AE 01446 775 003 www.specsavers.co.uk

Cinderella

1-5 Dec 2021

Vale Makers Craft Fair

4 Dec 2021

Santa and Elf Dash

5 Dec 2021

11:30 am

Cardiff Bay

The Polar Express & Afternoon Tea

5 Dec 2021

1:30 pm

Penarth Pier Pavilion

Wreath-making

12 Dec 2021

1:00 pm

St Donats Castle

The Polar Express & Afternoon Tea

12 Dec 2021

1:30 pm

Penarth Pier Pavilion

Tour and Festive Afternoon Tea

16 Dec 2021

1:30 pm & 2:30 pm

St Donats Castle

Festive Film and Afternoon Tea

18 Dec 2021

1:30 pm

St Donats Castle

Christmas at the Castle: Festive Fizz, Food and Film

18 Dec 2021

6:30 pm

St Donats Castle

The Polar Express & Afternoon Tea

19 Dec 2021

1:30 pm

Penarth Pier Pavilion

Events with a V are virtual, and will take place online using platforms like Zoom.

Check out our website for online details.

7:00 pm

Paget Rooms Old Hall

Please check with organisers if live events are still going ahead.

WHAT’S ON GUIDE Culture V

V

St Fagans Online Ghost Tours

28 Oct 2021

7:30 pm

St Fagans

Museum Talks: Time Traveller’s Prehistoric Nightmares

31 Oct 2021

6:00 pm

Cardiff Museum

Makers Guild Wales Exhibition of Contemporary Craft

11 Nov - 19 Dec 12:00 pm

Turner House

Lecture – Ghastly Good Taste; British Domestic Interiors 1880-1980

11 Nov 2021

6:00 pm

Cardiff Castle

Lecture – Cardiff Yesterday IV

18 Nov 2021

6:00 pm

Cardiff Castle

Museum Talks: Cilewent Farmhouse

25 Nov 2021

7:00 pm

Cardiff Museum

Santa’s Victorian Tours

5 Dec 2021

3:20 pm

Cardiff Castle

Museum Talks: Christmas and New Year Traditions

9 Dec 2021

7:00 pm

Cardiff Museum

Father Christmas and Friends

11 Dec 2021

12:15 pm

Cardiff Museum

Museum Talks: Welsh Love Tokens

25 Jan 2022

7:00 pm

Cardiff Museum

Underground Cinema – The Nightmare Before Christmas

31 Oct 2021

10:00 am

Cardiff Castle Undercroft

Underground Cinema – Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm

31 Oct 2021

12:00 pm

Cardiff Castle Undercroft

Underground Cinema – Hocus Pocus (PG)

31 Oct 2021

2:00 pm

Cardiff Castle Undercroft

RWCMD Symphony Orchestra: Mighty River

4 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

St David's Hall

Performance

Are you running your own events? Advertise them for free at www.cowbridge-view.co.uk/event-submission V

Events with a V are virtual, and will take place online using platforms like Zoom.

Check out our website for online details.

Please check with organisers if live events are still going ahead.

WHAT'S ON GUIDE SPONSORED BY SPECSAVERS

Ben Goldscheider & Huw Watkins

5 Nov 2021

1:15 pm

RWCMD

Mahan Esfahani & Manchester Collective: Automata

6 Nov 2021

1:00 pm

RWCMD

Opera Scenes

6 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Eric Hodges Prize

8 Nov 2021

2:00 pm

RWCMD

Jekyll & Hyde

9 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

New Theatre

RWCMD Winds: The Happy Workshop

10 Nov 2021

1:15 pm

RWCMD

RWCMD Brass Band: Brass & Chrome

10 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Colin Currie & RWCMD Percussionists

12 Nov 2021

1:15 pm

RWCMD

The Power of Three

12 Nov 2021

7:00 pm

St Catherine's Church Hall

The Best of Queen 2021

12 Nov 2021

8:00 pm

Memo Arts Centre

TDC Presents: Clwb Fuzz

13 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

Tiny Rebel Cardiff

Morgan & Wests’ Fantastic Family Magic Spectacular!

14 Nov 2021

2:00 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Spontaneous Sherlock

15 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

Glee Club

Opera Gala with Carlo Rizzi & WNO Orchestra

17 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Sachal Vasandani & Romain Collin

18 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Sinfonia Cymru & Timothy Ridout

19 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight

19 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

Llandaff Cathedral

The Elves and the Shoemaker

20 Nov 2021

1:30 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Steinway International Piano Series: Angela Hewitt

21 Nov 2021

11:00 am

RWCMD

Did you know?

The Specsavers branch in Cowbridge is locally owned and staffed by optometrists who live in the area, keeping money in the local economy and supporting a healthy high street.

WHAT’S ON GUIDE Possible

22 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Opera Gala with Carlo Rizzi & WNO Orchestra

22 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Concerto Competition Semi Final

23 Nov 2021

6:00 pm

RWCMD

Cwmwl Tystion II / Riot

25 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Inner City Brass

26 Nov 2021

1:15 pm

RWCMD

The Noise Next Door: In Charge

27 Nov 2021

7:30 pm

Memo Arts Centre

RWCMD Wind Ensembles: Windscapes 1 Dec 2021

1:15 pm

RWCMD

Llygoden yr Eira

1 Dec 2021

4:30 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Cabaret at the College

1 Dec 2021

6:00 pm

RWCMD

Abigail’s Party

2 Dec 2021

7:45 pm

RWCMD

One Man, Two Guvnors

3 Dec 2021

7:30 pm

RWCMD

Joshua Ballance and Mad Song: Peter Maxwell Davies, Eight Songs for a Mad King

4 Dec 2021

7:00 pm

Cardiff University Concert Hall

Royal Ballet Live: The Nutcracker

4 Dec 2021

7:15 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Philip Pullman’s Grimm Tales

4 Dec 2021

7:15 pm

RWCMD

Aladdin: Pantomime

4 Dec 2021

7:30 pm

New Theatre

Speakeasy Christmas Bash

10 Dec 2021

7:00 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Christmas Karaoke Cracker

11 Dec 2021

7:30 pm

Memo Arts Centre

A Frozen Christmas Carol

12 Dec 2021

4:20 pm

Insole Court

BillBoard Ensemble present Aladdin

16 Dec 2021

7:30 am

Memo Arts Centre

Total 90s

22 Jan 2022

7:30 am

Memo Arts Centre

Royal Ballet LIVE: Romeo and Juliet

14 Feb 2022

7:15 pm

Memo Arts Centre

Tom Brace: Embrace the Impossible

25 Feb 2022

7:00 pm

Memo Arts Centre

WHAT'S ON GUIDE SPONSORED BY SPECSAVERS

5

TOP THINGS TO DO THIS SEASON

WATCH

RELAX

It’s panto season and PODS are excited to put on their first show since lockdown. This year, they are going to thrill you all with Cinderella, a traditional fairytale of rags to riches, mixed together with lots of comedy and slapstick. Written by Andy Bradshaw, you are promised a wonderful night of laughter, love and magic.

1-5 December, The Paget Rooms, Penarth

Taking care of our skin is a full time job, especially in the winter, but that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful. ener-chi in Radyr and Penarth, Apothecary64 in Penarth, and Studio Muse in Pontcanna have a wonderful selection of skincare products, perfect for an at-home spa day. Folk Gather Here in Cowbridge have a wellness studio perfect for improving the mind and body, along with a range of organic skincare products.

ENJOY Cardiff Christmas Market will return to the streets of the capital this year—a great range of both new and returning exhibitors, all selling their own unique, local and festive treats and trinkets for you this Christmas.

11 November - 23 December, Cardiff

FESTIVE FAVOURITE Winter Wonderland is back for 2021 and we couldn’t be more excited! Now split across two locations, City Hall Lawn and Cardiff Castle, there’s even more for you to do. Alongside the return of the famous undercover ice rink, a magical 150m ice walk and all the funfair attractions, you can also enjoy the wide range of food and drink, with two bars, Sur La Piste Bar and the brand new Ice Bar. There is so much to do for all ages. Don’t miss it this festive season.

16 November - 2 January, Cardiff

MEET Griffin Books, in collaboration with bookshop.org, will host an evening with great authors, Ann Patchett and Daisy Buchanan, to discuss Patchett’s new collection of essays, These Precious Days. They will explore family, friendship, marriage, failure, success and what it all means. It’s an event not to miss.

29 November via Zoom. Tickets at www.griffinbooks.co.uk

SPONSORED CONTENT

INCLUDE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

^ Ty Hafan children’s hospice has provided care and support for more than 1,000 children and their families across Wales since it opened in 1999.

Be a lifeline

Currently caring for 300 children with life-limiting conditions, Tŷ Hafan provides respite care at the hospice in Sully and outreach support across our community.

It costs £4.5 million to run Tŷ Hafan annually and 25% of that comes from the generosity of incredible supporters via gifts in their wills.

One such family to benefit from this are the Merediths who describe Tŷ Hafan as a “total lifeline”.

Mum and Dad, Sophie and Sean, were just 22 when their son Ollie, now six, was diagnosed with the ultra-rare MOSAIC Syndrome.

“If we didn’t have support from Tŷ Hafan we would have no respite at all,” says Sophie. “The hydrotherapy pool is amazing, plus the socialising with other children and families. The nurses have known Ollie all his life and they are amazing with him. Tŷ Hafan has been there for us all the way.”

Will you help Tŷ Hafan to continue to be a lifeline to families such as the Merediths by including a gift in your will? No matter how big or small, every gift in a will makes a significant difference.

Tŷ Hafan has partnered with Farewill, a free online and telephone will writing service, to offer their supporters the opportunity to write a simple will for free. There’s no obligation to leave a gift in your will to Tŷ Hafan, but your support will help more children with life-limiting conditions like Ollie.  To find out more please contact Abbie Barton, Gifts in Wills and in Memory Senior Fundraiser Call 029 2053 2270 abbie.barton@tyhafan.org www.tyhafan.org/be-a-lifeline/

SPONSORED CONTENT

INTRODUCING THE PDA SPACE Words by Nicola Reekie, solutionfocused therapist supporting those with PDA and ASD and their families.

Behaviour is a sign of communication, but often we don’t see it like this. We may think our child is being naughty, rather than them trying to communicate unmet needs.

That isn’t to say the parent is doing anything wrong. It’s just that they don’t yet know how to unpick the behaviour.

As a parent of a child with PDA, I have made it my mission to raise awareness of PDA and make a difference to families across the globe.

I support those with PDA and ASD and their families with their emotional wellbeing, helping to create calm in what can be challenging situations.

I recently wrote an What is PDA? online blog on Pathological demand the explosive avoidance (PDA) is a profile behaviour that of autism, and whilst autism can happen after is a well-recognised term, school, where a our understanding of the child can appear full breadth and complexity fine at school or of the autism spectrum with others, then is still evolving. PDA is a have a meltdown profile that describes those at home. whose main characteristic This can be is to avoid everyday due to sensory demands and expectations overwhelm, to an extreme extent.

not understanding the social communication at school, or just not understanding society’s rules.

It can feel really challenging that you’re the safe person for the explosions, but it’s because you are the one they trust.

You may have spoken to others who say things like “they will grow out of it”.

Or perhaps you’ve tried to get support from services but were told you don’t fit the criteria, so you end up feeling like you are on a roundabout with no exits.

I hear this from so many of the parents I support, and after hosting two global online summits on autism, with over 6,000 attendees, I now host monthly workshops featuring incredible speakers and a wide range of topics through the PDA Space Portal.

We want to help parents navigate the myriad of challenges they can face from the moment they realise their child has different needs, and so encourage more collaboration and a better relationship between families and professionals. 

Join the PDA Space portal for monthly workshops to understand masking, the impact of anxiety on neurodiverse conditions, and the support you’ve been looking for.

Call 07962 391 579 www.thepdaspace.com admin@thepdaspace.com ThePDAspace

BRING THEM TO THE TABLE Influencer

Angharad Evans Nutritional Therapist

I embraced the power of natural remedies after trying to manage a diagnosis of lupus and other auto immune conditions. Within three months, I no longer needed my medication and have since overcome the condition completely. After retraining as an allergy and nutritional therapist, I specialise in detoxification and natural healing, and I have a clinic in the heart of Penarth where I offer a bespoke treatment to clients for a variety of illnesses.

"how we manage our emotions can impact our overall health and wellbeing"

Our emotions play an integral role in our health as a whole.

You may have noticed that • you blush when you’re embarrassed?

• your heart pounds when you’re frightened?

• any bad news can turn your systems into turmoil too (e.g. you can’t face food).

Our emotions and health are entwined with each other. A bout of physical ill health can occur after an emotional event in someone’s life.

Upset and trauma can’t be avoided in life, but how we manage our emotions can impact our overall health and wellbeing. With this in mind, it is imperative that we become conscious of our feelings, acknowledge and release them, freeing us from further damage to our physical and emotional health.

There are a number of effective methods that can be used, that will allow you to take control of your emotions.

Mindfulness

This is a wonderful process of managing and releasing our emotions.

It is about living in the present moment and not being lost in thought of the past or future. It is about becoming aware, watching and observing the present moment without guilt or judgement. You stop and observe your body, your mind, your feelings and the way you interact with yours. Doing this means you start to notice pain, discomfort, strengths and weaknesses. It means you notice when your muscles tighten, when you ‘change the subject’ in a conversation, or when you start to fidget. When these are brought to your consciousness, you’re able to confront and release these old patterns of thoughts and behaviours.

Emotional Freedom Technique

This is a combination of ancient Chinese acupuncture and modern psychology and is a way of releasing fears, thoughts and memories. EFT helps to clear the emotional trauma and its negative experiences. There are many videos online for you to observe and many online communities are vocal about this treatment.

What happens when we ignore these feelings and emotions?

It is not acceptable or always easy to show some emotions of course, such as anger. Such a feeling can debilitate our energy and lead to ill health. Ignoring emotions will have a knock-on effect on our physical health. Whilst we might wish to ‘brush our emotions under the carpet’, unfortunately, this form of denial only leads to further negative impacts on our physical and mental wellbeing.

Taking control of your emotions with my assistance

My treatment plan will focus on detoxification, nutritional balancing, diet as well as a focus on emotional balancing. This tailored treatment will allow us to identify the root cause of your emotional distress, and enable you to employ effective treatments for long term physical and emotional wellbeing.

I am a fully qualified allergy and nutritional therapist based in the heart of Penarth, where I offer tailored treatments in a professional, friendly and private environment.

I offer a bespoke programme to help adults and children with a very wide range of conditions, with a focus on detoxification, nutritional support, allergy and intolerance therapy, emotional support and energy therapy. I offer a natural solution to conditions such as IBS, CFS, PMS, anxiety, mirgraines, skin conditions, perimenopause, menopause, weight loss and many more.

Contact me to discuss your needs Cynigaf wasanaeth Gymraeg ac mae croeso i chi gysylltu er mwyn trafod eich anghenion.

Call 07739 210 291 www.angharadevans.cymru evansangharad@icloud.com Natural Therapy by Angharad evans.angharad

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BLAS The menu at Blas offers contemporary dining, inspired by the season and locality, echoing Wales and its produce.

For those lucky enough to be in St Davids, then a trip to Blas at Twr y Felin Hotel is a must.

On our recent visit, we enjoyed the goat’s cheese salad and the traditional classic lamb cawl for starters, whilst our main course comprised pan-fried halibut with sea vegetables and a cockle sauce, and chicken breast with roasted carrot and a roast chicken sauce. Although happily satiated, we couldn't not sample the dessert menu, so we shared a rhubarb and vanilla cheesecake, made with Perl Wen, one of Wales' best loved soft cheese. Each of the desserts can also be paired with a recommended dessert wine.

On enquiring, we found out many species of fish are caught daily in the surrounding seas, whilst the beef, duck and fowl are farmed locally. Of course, Wales is famous for its lamb, which features regularly, whilst foraging rewards the chefs with ingredients such as samphire and wild garlic.

From the windmill, you can see lush green fields above Caerfai Bay, dotted with a herd of grazing dairy cows. It is their milk that the local farmer churns into Cheddar and Caerphilly organic cheese, which are a must to taste. So, for a true culinary experience and a feast for the senses, don’t miss Blas Restaurant. 

Address: St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QT Telephone: 01437 725 555 Price: Three courses from £45 Website: www.twryfelinhotel.com

COMPETITION

Win a three course lunch at Blas Restaurant Win a three course lunch at Blas Restaurant, located at Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, Twr y Felin, set on the spectacular St Davids peninsula, Pembrokeshire.

Twr y Felin is a former windmill and Wales’ first contemporary art hotel, located in Britain’s smallest city, St Davids. Meticulously restored and extended, featuring contemporary design throughout, the hotel is home to 41 bedrooms, the two-Rosette Blas Restaurant, which offers a menu influenced by the season and uses produce sourced from predominantly Pembrokeshire and Welsh suppliers, as well as foraged ingredients from the surrounding countryside and coast.

Blas— meaning 'taste' in Welsh

To win this fabulous prize for you and a partner or friend, simply go to www. viewpublishing.co.uk/ blasrestaurant and leave your name and address. Nothing else required! Good luck.

The important bit: The prize is a three course lunch for two guests, dining together. The prize is valid, Sunday to Thursday ONLY, between 1 January and 30 April 2022, excluding School and Bank Holiday and Valentines. Excludes beverages. Subject to change and availability at the time of booking.

We welcome children 12 years and over. As hypoallergenic properties, we are unable to accept pets.

This competition will close 19 December 2021.

OF SLEIGH BELLS AND DUMBBELLS Influencer

Rae Carpenter

Penarth-based personal fitness trainer RaeCarpenter MsRaeCarpenter

LiveFitWales

As a Personal Fitness Trainer, with my company LiveFIT Wales Cymru, I work in the community, for the community, and with the community on their health and fitness. Life is short. Without moving our bodies and eating healthily, it’s shorter still. I’m also the health and fitness expert for S4C’s FFIT Cymru and QVC, the UK’s largest shopping and lifestyle network.

The run up to the festive season is always fraught, and with the added pressure to make 2021’s Christmas the best yet, after the chaos and uncertainty of last year’s, the game is on!

Are you planning to fit into that perfect dress or shirt that’s hanging up in the wardrobe with the tags still on? Are you furiously tracking your workouts and what you eat each week?

Have you found a method that works and you’re going for it with *jingle* bells on?

While it’s brilliant that you’re taking time to put your health and fitness first now, what happens after Christmas?

Will you continue to look after yourself and put your health first so that you continue to give to those who need you?

Have you thought about continuing your health journey so that you don’t have to ever start from scratch again?

If you plan on setting a New Year’s resolution to keep moving towards a healthier new you, beware you don’t fall into the 80% of people who make a resolution on 31 December, and give up by 21 January.

So, how do you continue what you’ve started?

Run up to Christmas

Stick with your plan as much as possible: a party here, a gathering there—fair enough, it’s Christmas!

However, plan ahead of the buffet that could catch you out. Hydrate with water regularly. Choose spirits like vodka and gin with low calorie mixers over wines and beers,

FITNESS SECTION SPONSORED BY ANYTIME FITNESS

which are heavy on the calories.

Make your workouts nonnegotiable—they’re just as important as meetings or appointments that cannot be moved. Your body will benefit and I can’t think of a better stress buster—perfect for the joy, yet chaos, of Christmas!

Daily small and consistent steps will help you achieve your big new year goals.

Over the Festive period

Move! Your workouts (still nonnegotiable by the way) don’t stop just because it’s Christmas! The more you move, the better you’ll feel. Get up, get out, and beat the Christmas energy slump—even if, baby, it really is cold outside.

Did you know that you can clock up to 3k steps by popping on your five favourite Christmas party tracks in a playlist, and rock around the tree?

What about a Strictly-inspired step touch around your kitchen while you wash, dry and put away the dishes.

One of my clients said she’d never had so much fun peeling potatoes!

Try not to pick at the chocolates too much, and if you do—enjoy it, park it, and get back to your plan the next day. No guilt, no regret, and back on the (sleigh-belled) horse.

New year, new you—how do you make sure you’re in the 20% that achieve your resolution?

If you’ve stuck to my tips this year, you’ve already taken steps towards your goal for 2022.

A new, state-of-the-art, 24-hour gym opening in 2021! With Anytime Fitness you’re not just joining a gym. You’re joining a supportive, friendly community of like-minded people who are here to give you the encouragement you need. From the welcome when you enter the club, to the support from the personal trainers, the team are professionally trained to help you along your fitness journey, no matter how much support you need. www.anytimefitness.co.uk 029 2009 9247 penarth@anytimefitness.co.uk

Keep tracking your nutrition every day. If you have a day away from your plan, enjoy it, and then get back to your new healthy habits as soon as possible.

Stay with your workouts. If you plateau, reach out and ask how you can crack on and move forward.

Consistency is the magic pill you’ve been looking for. Daily small and consistent steps will help you achieve your big new-year goals.

What you bring to the table today, will show up in your tomorrow.

Nadolig llawen and merry Christmas from me and the team at LiveFit Wales Cymru. We wish you a happy and healthy 2022.  You can also join Live Fit Wales sessions at Anytime Fitness Penarth.

Rae is excited to be running Anytime Fitness classes this winter. Check out the gym timetable for more info!

DINING WITH THE STARS Influencer

Stifyn Parri

Entrepreneur and entertainer

Entrepreneur and entertainer Stifyn Parri is a creative producer, presenter, consultant and mentor. He was Marius in Les Misérables in the West End, Christopher Duncan in Channel 4’s Brookside, and is a presenter of a game show and a chat show host. At mrproducer.co.uk he produced the opening of Wales Millennium Centre, the Ryder Cup Opening Concert at the Millennium Stadium for Sky TV, and the 50th Anniversary gala of the Aberfan Disaster starring Michael Sheen, Bryn Terfel and Sian Phillips.

As soon as I knew that this issue's theme was 'bring it to the table', it hit me that I’ve spent a shocking amount of time on this earth at a table.

Talking, drinking, laughing and eating. But not always in that order! And sometimes all at once! Yes, food is so pivotal in my life and the deep connection between me and my close friends.

Food is so pivotal in my life and the deep connection between me and my close friends.

My comedyshowbiz-wife Sian Lloyd and I are both a little obsessed with food. It's our glue. You only have to follow her on Facebook to see that she is an Olympic diner, and to be honest I am usually the other side of the table. We love food! We spend hours on the phone discussing it, but eating with her can be tricky. She has the appetite of a deprived wolf, and will happily help herself to your plateful if you take your eye off the ball.

The recent two-metre rule worked well for me when we lunched, I must say.

Another Sian in my life is Dame Sian Phillips, another foodie. She invited me to her apartment in London once for lunch, to discuss a project I was producing. As I entered her kitchen, she was toasting a concoction of spices for a home-made curry and the perfume was simply amazing.

Then something even more amazing happened. There was a knock on the door and in marched three men in brown overalls. I was a little puzzled, but Sian smiled, while calmly serving me coconut rice and said, "start in the lounge, boys. I've labelled all the boxes."

I looked at her bemused. Then she casually explained, "oh, they are my removal men darling, I’m moving out today, to an apartment the other side of London."

"What?" I said, choking on her home-made paratha. "Why invite me for lunch today? You must be so stressed!"

"Oh no, I love moving," she said as the boys passed with a TV and standard lamp, "it's the gypsy in me.

More okra, cariad?"

I’ve never forgotten that lunch. Beautiful, but bizarrely timed.

Speaking of bizarre, and while I'm name dropping.

Don't ever accept a dinner invitation from Michael Ball! Great company, a great laugh, however, whatever he's ordered, he always wants what’s on your plate. And will always get it! The cheek! I shared a flat with him when we worked together in Aberystwyth years ago when he was on his first job—Godspell the Musical. On the first day, he prepared the most glorious roast dinner for us and I thought "This is going to be a breeze living here and being cooked for, for the next seven weeks."

I quickly realised the following day that his flatmate skills were well and truly exhausted, and for the rest of the run, he never lifted a finger, a saucepan, or even a dirty cup.

It's not surprising really that I have such an important relationship with food. I was brought up in a fish and chip shop, hence the hips, and during the summer holidays as a child I happily ate them every lunchtime, as that’s where my mother was, frying away and feeding the village. I still love them today, and find it impossible to walk past a good fish and chip shop.

Right, I'd better bring this to a close, as I have an appointment at the tattooists. Yes, I've chosen the perfect design. Just three simple words...Nil by mouth!

Happy eating x 

NOURISH YOUR SKIN AND YOUR SOUL Influencer

Amy Adams

The very best in feel good-beauty and wellness by Amy Adams, owner of award-winning self care boutique Studio Muse in Pontcanna.

My career is dedicated to self care, and I’ve created beauty businesses since 2004. In 2019, we opened our award-winning boutique, Studio Muse, in Pontcanna and in 2020 we created our first plant-based face and body collection, Motto Botanicals, and the vegan home-scenting collection, MUSE by Studio Muse. I am hugely passionate about natural beauty.

As we near the cooler months we draw ourselves close to all that makes us feel comfortable and nourished. Our conversation for this feature hones in on skin-loving super powers of food ingredients. There’s even a fun face mask recipe for you to try at home…enjoy!

Our physical and mental wellbeing has been stretched to the limit, and more than ever we are embracing selfcare and prioritising the harmony of our mind, body and soul. We’re listening to our bodies with a kind ear and are taking action when we become out of balance.

It’s commonplace to focus on our inner health with consideration to what we eat, and so, embracing the same vibe, I look how we can wear our vitamins too.

It’s a known fact that our skin is the largest organ of our body, so have you considered that our skin absorbs a large amount of what’s put on it? I’ve had the joy of growing up with plantbased medicine and ointments thanks to my herbalist Mum, and dedicating my career to natural beauty and self care was an easy choice…studying

cosmetic science has brought my experiences together to give a much deeper understanding of natural formulations. I love to share my favourite findings so here’s my stroll around our local areas for some yummy scrummy products and places to treat yourself to some much needed TLC this season.

One of my favourite discoveries is homegrown Mallows Beauty and their I’m Strong enzyme face peel. The powerful bromelain enzyme found in pineapple is a marvel for brightening the complexion and reducing uneven skin tone. Great for acne-prone skin too!

Ere Perez Cosmetics is another fave.

Their Avocado Waterproof Mascara has proven itself unbeatable with the dreaded ‘face mask steam’ as well as nourishing for the lashes. Their Papaya SOS Marmalade is also loved in our house and has multiple soothing benefits for face and hands. A treat for the senses and to keep legs super-soft, use Grounds For Good Coffee Body Scrubs. Nails are in good hands with the genius nail polish from Nailkind whose formulas are the cleanest around and cleverly use potato starch to give super long-lasting wear and gloss. Almost good enough to eat—please don’t!—is the deliciously smelling Glen Cocoa face mask from

Lush Spa where cocoa and almond combined with floral extracts soften the skin beautifully. A treat for the tresses can be found with Oway Organic, who’ve mastered their collection of biodynamic and organic formulations.

Favourites include their Silk’n’Glow Hair Mask and Volumising Root Spray with extracts of Brazil nut, ginger and yarrow to work their magic. When it’s time for a cuppa why not pour a handful of Thornbush Hill’s Rose Geranium, Bergamot & Eucalyptus Bath Tea under the hot tap for a warming treat.

One of my own creations from Motto Botanicals will give skin a welcome boost…our new Magic-22 Super Serum is stuffed full of 22 plant-based and fruity goodness like blueberry, passion fruit and plum to ensure our skin is glowing through winter and beyond.

Let’s finish off our stroll with a trip

Veggie patch face mask with honey An aromatic formula loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to refine skin appearance and nourish deeply.

Ingredients

to Blossom and Nectar and Ripple to stock up on ingredients to make our fun homemade face mask recipe!

Don’t forget to seek out an amazing nature-led salon and spa too. So many have an abundance of natural hair and beauty services and are blessed with incredible customer care, more important than ever. Many embrace sustainability alongside being ambassadors of vegan, organic and cruelty-free products. A spa day at Lanelay Hall is always a treat, who use Ishga Organic Skincare for their treatments. Goji, Cwtch and Kalon hair salons are perfect for Oway treatments and products. For holistic and aromatherapy treats try ener-chi, Aroma Holistic Clinic and Luna Beauty; all offer beautiful treatments utilising herbs and fruity ingredients. Bliss! 

1 medium potato peeled, boiled, cooled 1 tbsp aloe vera gel 1 tbsp pumpkin pulp 1 tsp mango pulp 1 tsp chopped parsley 1 tsp local honey ½ tsp lemon juice Pinch of grated ginger Rice flour, as needed, to bind together

Method

Simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and mash or blend together until smooth. Apply with clean hands or brush into cleansed skin (avoiding eyes) and leave on for up to 15 minutes. Rinse away residue and moisturise as normal.

Patch test recommended prior to first use.

KEEPING TOASTY IN THE OFFICE As the summer days come to an end and winter is in full swing, everyone that works in an office will be more than aware that the shift in weather means a shift in style. Whilst the majority of the population raid their wardrobes in search of their favourite hoodies and comfy clothes, some of us will be worried about how we will manage to stay looking professional without struggling to stay warm. Here at Penarth View, we have come together to put all of our favourite tips and tricks into one place so that you can keep your professional look this winter!

Words by Pippa-Marie Sheppard, Journalist

Simple but smart The one thing I was always told before starting my first job in an office was, the plainer the better. It’s so easy to dress-up or dress-down a simple outfit, meaning that you can recycle the same blouse three times in the same week, with minimal chance of anyone noticing. A dark coloured roll-neck jumper and smart trousers are my go to for office wear, no matter the weather.

ips these t Gents, reat ks are g and tric . Check out too e for you wbridg x in Co o F fy g m in K co best in for the r men. fo r a e w r te in w

The shift in weather means a shift in style

American Vintage, East Cardigan £140 at Kiti Cymru, Pontcanna

Becksondergaard, Anakin Sia Scarf £99 at Kiti Cymru, Pontcanna

Scarves

A simple, yet effective addition to complement any outfit. When the days become darker and frost begins to take hold of everything in sight, we all reach for our scarves, woolly hats and gloves before heading outside. So why should it be any different when going into the office? Your neck is extremely sensitive to the cold, so matching a silky scarf to your winter look will trap in body heat whilst also ensuring you stay looking professional.

Winter boots

During the winter months, I match any chosen outfit with a pair of stylish boots. Keeping to closed-toe footwear enables you to wear your favourite fluffy socks underneath without anyone noticing. Remember to add an extra pair of socks for additional cosiness if needed.

Cardigans are a necessity

There is no doubt you’ll be able to find a thick, woolly cardigan to match every outfit. One of these, paired with a scarf and woolly socks, will definitely keep you warm and comfortable.

Having a cardigan in black, white and grey will ensure you’ll always have one to complement your outfit.

The hunt for deals

For those on a budget, take a trip to your local high street or hunt through charity shops. You will be surprised at what you can find within your price range! Sale racks in New Look and Primark are always worth going through too.

Rising in popularity too are selling sites like Vinted, Shpock and Depop, where you can sell and buy designer and preloved vintage clothing.

Reduce, reuse, recycle for fashion.

Layers!

Layering is the most accessible way to keep warm. Keeping a cardigan at your desk, simply slung over the back of the chair for when you need it, wearing a vest or thin t-shirt under your shirt, or even wearing tights under your trousers. These simple, cheap tricks can be a life saver.

We may be sad to see those sunny days and late nights go, but as we embrace the chill of autumn and the frost of winter, remember that you don’t have to sacrifice looking professional to stay warm. 

EAT AND EAT ON REPEAT Influencer

Rosie Oretti

Science-geek, purveyor of Tropic Skincare and Co-founder of Grounds For Good, to embrace the power of repurposed coffee grounds.

I have a background in pharmacology, psychiatry and addictions spanning over 30 years. I love to consider all things to do with health and wellbeing, of both the mind and the body. I believe good lifestyle decisions are made when we have the right information.

We all overeat at times, perhaps when we are on holidays or other special events such as the festive period. This overindulgence is not the same as having a Binge Eating Disorder (BED).

Imagine feeling driven to eat vast quantities of food over a short time period (even when you are not hungry) and not even chewing or tasting what you are putting in your mouth.

Well, these are just some of the key behavioural characteristics of BED. Those who have the disorder describe thinking about food or eating, and trying not to eat, all the time. Their whole day revolves around this preoccupation and activity, and they may even withdraw from social events as a result.

Although it might appear impulsive, binges can be planned. They are almost ritualistic in nature with the individual storing up supplies and often having their own special binge foods. People may go to extreme lengths to access food, for example, eating food that has been thrown away or that doesn’t belong to them. This is a compulsive behaviour which is done alone and is hidden from others. Please don’t think this is

enjoyable. Sufferers describe feeling almost disconnected during a binge with little recollection of what they have eaten. They feel unable to stop once in a binge, even if they wanted to. There may be an immediate sense of relief (not pleasure) but this is associated with a physical feeling of immense discomfort and feeling unwell. Psychologically, they describe feeling ashamed, disgusted, guilty and distressed by their lack of control. These feelings then reinforce that cycle of negative emotions and binge eating again.

Not all individuals with BED are overweight and binges may be interspersed with normal patterns of eating or even undereating. There is often a lot of overlap between different eating disorders.

BED is a mental disorder which can affect both men and women, of any ethnicity and background, and often starts in their 20s. It is probably the most common eating disorder and can arise from or turn into other types of eating disorder.

People with BED use disordered eating behaviours as a way to cope with difficult situations or feelings. It’s important to remember that eating disorders are rarely about food itself, but about emotions, even though the individual might not be aware of the purpose this behaviour is serving.

An eating disorder is never the fault of the person experiencing it, and anyone with such a disorder deserves fast, compassionate support to help them get better. BED is as serious as any other eating disorder and it’s important that people suffering with it get treatment as quickly as possible to have the best chance of a full recovery.

If you are worried about yourself or someone you know, even if only some of the signs in this article are present, you should still seek help immediately. The first step is usually to make an appointment with your GP.  NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) recommends guided selfhelp as the first treatment step. This should use self-help materials based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and involve supportive sessions to help ensure its effectiveness. The book that is recommended is Professor Christopher Fairburn’s Overcoming Binge Eating: The Proven Program to Learn Why You Binge and How You Can Stop (2nd ed.).

Self-help and support groups where you’re able to talk to others going through similar experiences can be useful to both sufferers and their families throughout treatment and in sustaining recovery: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

FESTIVE INTERIOR TRENDS BE INSPIRED

We are all looking forward, hopefully, to a Christmas that may look a bit more normal this year, so we hope you’re excited to celebrate and decorate your home. Find out how interior designers, home influencers, and our own in-house home experts are decorating this year—and prepare to be inspired.

Jan Williams, from Beti Biggs—simple but smart updates in rich, cozy tones.

Winter is the perfect time to inject a bit of warmth and colour into your home. Many of us have quite neutral décor and a good way to inject a pop of colour is to paint a piece of furniture that you already have. Chalk Paint makes this easy by cutting out the preparation needed with other paints. If you’re feeling a little braver, however, why not paint a wall or two? Personally, I’m a big fan of deeper colours as they make a flattering background for anything you might hang on the wall, making pictures and mirrors stand out. The richer colours also give off a cosy glow when you create little pools of light against them with lamps and candles.

Annie Sloan has introduced a new Wall Paint with a palette comprising 32 beautiful shades. It’s rich in pigment with a matt, washable finish.

Hayley Perkins, from Jewels Canley—banish feature walls to make the space appear larger.

It’s that time again, the time we panic about the family members coming over for Christmas and judging our interior decisions. Here’s a quick way to transform your interior, from the midst of Covid experimentation to subtle sophistication.

If you have a feature wall in a room, perhaps the fireplace wall or some recesses covered in a dramatic patterned wallpaper or a dark colour, this can make a room feel broken-up and made to feel smaller. The solution?

Use the same wall colour all the way around, even if it is a deeper tone, or go for textured wallpaper all over. This can make the room feel larger, as you don’t have a dramatic stop-start appearance as you run your eye around the room.

Annie Sloan new Carnaby Yellow wall paint 2.5L £49.95 at Beti Biggs

Ceri Hill, from Chalkhouse Kitchens—forage for your Christmas decorations.

When you flick through the glossy home magazines at Christmas, it’s not just the lounge and dining room that are dressed for the festive season; the bedrooms, hall, and even the kitchen are given a Christmas makeover.

There are armfuls of fresh greenery in every room, large vases of grey green eucalyptus, jugs of white hellebore, or the tiniest bunch of branches adorned with red berries. Christmas is definitely a time for more is more, so take a leaf out of the professional set-dressers’ book, go for a walk through the woods, and find some beautiful bare branches smothered in snowy reindeer moss, pick fallen pine cones to display in glass jars with white glass baubles or cut swathes of flowering ivy to drape over shelves with some sprigs of holly.

Banish feature walls to make the space appear larger

Miffy Shaw, from Miffy Shaw Interiors— decorating with rustic neutrals for Christmas

It’s that time of the year again already! And if you’re anything like me, you’re starting to think about what style to decorate with.

This year, I’m loving rustic neutrals.

Anything with natural character and something that can be foraged or made. I’m thinking sprigs of fir (all your left over branches from the bottom of your tree), pine cones, white and neutral colours, linens, hessian, foraged greenery, pampas grass, and comfy furs.

Last year, I made some decorations which I’ll use again this year, such as stars made from brown and white paper bags and cute little Christmas trees made from old books that I picked up from a local charity shop.

Here’s my own top five must-haves…

1. Faux fur throws for added coziness.

2. Wrapping gifts in brown paper, adding hessian or burlap, and a sprig of greenery.

3. Paper stars, which are super easy to make—just look for tutorials online. Or buy them in for a quicker alternative, and sit down with your favourite Christmas tipple instead!

4. Add a touch of greenery with a natural Christmas wreath.

5. For an ontrend tree Rattan tree topper topper, try £14.50 at Cox & Cox this rattan star from Cox & Cox.

YAPPY NEW YEAR Influencer

Dave Deane

Veterinary Surgeon

Having lived and worked in South Wales for 14 years, initially in Rhondda Cynon Taf and Cardiff, I have finally found my home in beautiful Penarth, where I also volunteer as an RNLI crew member. Growing up as the son of a dentist may have influenced my passion for veterinary dentistry.

Making sure they have had a good walk before dark and a big meal can help make them relax and feel sleepy.

As hard as it is, allow them to pace, bark/meow, and hide if they wish to.

Reassuring them too much at this point can actually confirm to them that it is a scary event.

fire work season

Here are some handy tips to help make firework season easier for your four-legged friends.

Spray or plug-in pheromones are readily available and can be very useful in milder cases of noise phobias to reduce anxiety.

Give lots of praise for calm behaviour.

Making sure they have a safe place/den that they can hide in if they wish to.

Dental care for pets

Dental disease is commonly seen in our pets, and it is just as painful as it is in humans. However, because they cannot communicate their discomfort in the same way we would, it is often overlooked.

Regular veterinary care is important to pick up early signs of dental disease and dealing with it sooner rather than later.

Did you know

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Dogs have 42 teeth Dental chews can help, but don’t be lulled into a false sense of security as they are not a replacement for daily brushing and regular veterinary examinations.

Cats have 28 teeth Although it is possible, many people struggle to brush their cats’ teeth, and although dry food can help, and there are specific products marketed, it is even more important that your cat receives regular veterinary examination to identify early signs of dental disease.

When choosing dental treats and chews for your pet, look out for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Accepted stamp.

Rabbits also have 28 teeth, but they have, what we call, open rooted teeth, which constantly grow throughout their life. It is therefore extremely important that they are fed on an appropriate diet, where the majority is roughage (grass/ hay) to simulate what they would eat in the wild and ensure they spend a large proportion of their day chewing and thus keeping their teeth worn down to a healthy level.

COVID-19 and changes to how vets work

Pet ownership has boomed over the past 18 months as people’s circumstances have changed. Like many industries, the veterinary industry is going through a time of enormous change and, unfortunately, we are struggling to keep up with the increase in demand. With the time needed to train new veterinary staff, and the changes linked to Brexit, there is no quick solution. This has meant that many veterinary practices have had to change their ways of working to ensure they are able to deal with the most urgent work.

Although I would never want to discourage anyone from pet ownership, in the current climate I would want to encourage people to bear this in mind when considering the prospect.

It is worth contacting your local practice to check if they are taking on new clients and patients, as many practices have had to temporarily close their books to new animals.

With many changes and uncertainty in people’s lives, there has been an increase in pets finding themselves in the care of charities and re-homing centres. If you are considering pet ownership but are not sure about the long-term commitment, consider becoming a dog walker or a fosterer for one of the many amazing charities. 

½ cup mayonnaise 1 pack cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons chunky salsa 1 teaspoon dry mustard 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 3 flour tortillas 1 cup tomatoes, chopped 1½ cups romaine lettuce, shredded / 1 In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, cream cheese, salsa and mustard until well blended. Stir in bacon. / 2 Spread mixture evenly over tortillas. Top with tomatoes and lettuce. Tightly roll up tortillas and wrap individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour but no longer than 8 hours. Cut into one inch slices.

Apple, cheese and potato pie Serves 4-6 Ingredients: 30g salted butter 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 large onions, finely sliced 1/2 bunch of thyme 30g plain flour 500ml vegetable stock 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 450g potatoes, cut into 2-3cm chunks 3 chopped apples 150g grated mature cheddar Ready to roll pastry

/ 1 Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the oil and onions, cooking until caramelised. Fry for 1 minute more after adding the thyme.

Carefully tip in the flour and combine.

Gradually stir in the stock and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the mustard and vinegar 2 minutes before the end of cooking time. / 2 Put the potatoes into a large pan, cover with cold water and cook for around 5 minutes. Drain and stir into the sauce. Now, stir in Address: the cheddar, seasoning and apples.

St Davids, / 3 Pour the filling into a baking dish and allow Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QT Telephone: 01437 725 and 555 cut into strips to cool.

Roll out the pastry Price: coursesthe from £45across roughly 1cm Three wide. Weave strips Website: www.twryfelinhotel.com the dish, leaving gaps of a few millimetres in-between. Brush the top with egg and bake for 50 minutes or until golden brown.

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Barons Court

RESTAURANT

Are you planning your long awaited Christmas celebrations and events? Penarth’s hottest new restaurant is right there with you!

This festive season, Barons Court will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, the perfect setting for mouth-watering festive lunches, and fantastic party nights featuring a sumptuous four-course dinner and spectacular live cabaret acts / disco.

After missing out last year, this is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the best Christmas ever, whether it’s a special night out for just the two of you or fun with friends and family or colleagues.

Limited availability, early booking for all events is recommended.

Penarth Road, Llandough, Penarth CF64 1ND Call 029 2000 1231 www.barons-court.co.uk baronscourtpenarth

Keyif Turkish Cuisine A unique Turkish cuisine experience with a touch of mediterranean flavour!

Keyif means to quietly live in the moment, and inkeeping with traditional Turkish dining, our food is best when shared. We serve hot and cold meze dishes and our main courses include authentic baked dishes, such as mousaka, grilled fish and seafood, wraps, salads, and of course, the ever-popular kebabs. Drop by Keyif in Penarth if you’re looking for some lovely authentic treats from Turkish mediterranean cuisine with nice music, a cozy environment and, most importantly, delicious food.

Lunchtime Special: 2 courses, £14.95. 3 courses, £16.95.

Tuesday to Friday, 12pm to 3:30pm. Excluding December.

Christmas: To help you celebrate this Christmas, contact us for our great Christmas packages available during November and December.

21 Glebe Street, Penarth CF64 1EE Call 029 2070 2429 www.keyif.co.uk keyifpenarth

RESTAURANT

FESTIVE RECIPES Clementine Trifles

After peeling the zest from a clementine, squeeze the juice into a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Once you have swirled until the sugar has dissolved, add the shredded zest and simmer until syrupy. Mix the juice from another clementine with some sherry and slice the others into thin rounds. Now all that is left to do is whisk the cream into a soft peak and layer the clementine slices, madeira cake, sherry mixture and custard into a jar! A perfect dessert for adults. You can even leave out the sherry to suit the children.

Sparkling Cranberry Jelly

To begin with, place a large freeze-proof glass jug in the freezer and mix the cranberries, orange juice, mulling spice and sugar in a saucepan and simmer until fragrant.

Divide the mixture into 6 coupe glasses and set aside for later. Heat the cranberry juice slightly and whisk in the gelatine until fully dissolved, leaving to stand for 3 minutes. Taking the glass jug from the freezer, pour in the gelatine mixture and stir in the Prosecco. Layer the jelly on top of the mixture in the coupe glasses and refrigerate for 2 hours. To make things extra festive, you can even add an orange peel garnish!

Date, blue cheese & pancetta polenta stacks

With the oven set at 200ºC, sandwich a layer of pancetta rashers between parchment and use a second tray to weigh it down. After 10-15 minutes of baking, the pancetta should be golden and crisp. Boil stock and polenta in a saucepan and allow to simmer until thick and smooth. Add some oil, Parmesan, rosemary and season if preferred. Spoon the mixture into a tin and set in the fridge for 1 hour. Slice the polenta into 16 wedges and cook for 4 minutes on either side. Push 1 tablespoon of cheese into the middle of each date half. Now the fun part!

Layer the dates, pancetta, spinach and polenta onto cocktail sticks and drizzle with a little pomegranate molasses.

FLAVOURS OF THE SIX NATIONS EXTRA DELICIOUS

Influencer

Jo Baldwin

Independent Travel Counsellor Call 07581 181 236 or email jo.baldwin@travelcounsellors.com

I have worked in travel all my life as an adventure tour leader and now as an independent Travel Counsellor. I provide friendly, professional travel advice and trusted tailor-made holidays. I live in Penarth with my son and I love running, yoga and travel (of course).

With Wales being current title-holders of the Six Nations rugby tournament, we know we’re looking forward to next year’s installment. Here, travel expert Jo Baldwin takes a look at the independent culinary delights of each participating country.

WALES

A restaurant with no menu? No problem.

Sosban, located within a quaint historical butcher’s shop, asks you to forget the menu and savour the experience instead. Located in the heart of Menai Bridge on Anglesey, the husband-and-wife chef team create a series of dishes using the best locally sourced produce available to them on the day, providing a unique culinary journey not found anywhere else. With only 16 covers, you must book well in advance. No prescriptive dishes, just an imaginative fresh culinary journey.

SCOTLAND

The Kitchin restaurant in Edinburgh is located in a converted whisky warehouse, and owners Tom and Michaela Kitchin’s menu utilises classic French techniques with robust Scottish ingredients. In rugby terms, imagine French flair with Scottish depth. Locally sourced treats include roast Highland wagyu sirloin and Etherington goat’s cheese with veggies from the nearby organic Free Company Farm. With one Michelin star and 5 AA rosettes, booking in advance is essential for, arguably, one of Scotland’s best fine-dining memories.

ENGLAND

Top notch luxury Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall is paradise if you love the sea. In fact it’s so close you can watch the surfers from the pool or rooftop hot tub. A three night ‘Taste of the Bay’ package offers a stay with meals included in three different restaurants: dining in Zacry’s for romance, candlelight, cocktails and charcoal cooked treats; Chef Emily Scott’s restaurant right on the beach serving fresh seafood; and The Beach Hut, which blends local ingredients with international cuisine from Mexico, Asia and Italy for dining with your toes in the sand.

IRELAND

Moran’s Oyster Cottage serves up oysters from the natural 700 acre sea bed of the Clarenbridge oyster bed in Galway, situated at the mouths of the Dunkellin and Clarenbridge rivers. It’s not just oysters on offer here; this is a seafood lover’s dream with dishes like seafood chowder made from a seven-generation old recipe. The restaurant is set within a quaint 250-year-old cottage at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, with rugged west coast surrounding seascapes.

FRANCE

Stay in a rustic B&B situated in the heart of Saint Jeannet, a pretty medieval village perched on the hills above Nice and immerse yourself in French culture, enjoy mindful yoga sessions surrounded by the tranquillity of the French countryside, and learn to cook. These regions of Provence and Côte D’Azur are renowned for panoramic landscapes, coastal and mountain views, and rich history. Local chef Noël will help reveal the joys of French gastronomy using organic and local products and reveal a side of France that’s not in the guide books.

ITALY

Italy caters superbly for vegan and vegetarian travellers, and La Vimea hotel in South Tyrol impresses with its dedication to plant-based food and wellness, as Italy’s first vegan only hotel. The philosophy of La Vimea is nature and everything connected with it. It offers two beautiful yoga rooms in the house and possibilities for yoga on the pond deck, forest bathing and meditation. With no kids allowed, the hotel is refuge for those needing a tranquil break.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS New Independent Travel Agency Opens In Cowbridge

Small Business Wins Rising Star Award

Shroot, a small Welsh business, has been recognised for their innovation and potential by a panel of wellrespected judges at the Wales Start Up Awards. The awards evening, which was held in the Depot in Cardiff, was a fun evening for Shroot, meeting other finalists and enjoying the “buzz of being shortlisted”. Speaking about winning the award, they said: “We were delighted to win a Rising Star Award at the Wales Start Up Awards last month.

Shroot is a small Welsh business with big ideas and a bold ambition to grow.”

New, Affordable Vet Practice Opened At Cardiff Dogs Home

A new vet practice has officially opened at Cardiff Dogs Home, offering affordable care for dogs. Cardiff Dogs Home has partnered with Rescue Hotel to launch the new scheme, with charity ambassador, Sam Warburton having opened the new centre on Saturday, 21 August.

Vale Farmers’ Market Hold First Dinas Powys Event

Residents of Dinas Powys saw Vale Farmers’ Market hold their first event in the village, after previous plans to initially launch in August were unsuccessful. The market will see local produce sold by stallholders every Friday between 9am and 12pm in the Star Inn car park.

Sam Smith Travel, now part of the Welsh 2020 award-winning travel agency, Ocky White Travel Group, has recently been taken over by new owners, providing a brand new travel agency on the doorsteps of the people of Cowbridge. With many years of experience in the travel industry, customers are fully ABTA-bonded for your financial protection, and can expect unbiased opinions, a wide selection of holiday options and the best destination advice. We wish you all the best of luck in your new business!

Brother and Sister Open Coffee Shop in Former Brothel

A brother and sister duo have turned a former brothel into a stylish coffee and wine bar called Sibling, with months of renovations and dedication paying off.

29 year old Georgie Thomas and her brother, Will, were handed the keys to the building, situated at 39 Lochaber Street, Roath, just two days after the former business closed its doors.

Local Business Wins Wales Prestige Award

Congratulations to Studio Muse, based in Pontcanna, who has won Vegan Beauty Product Retailer Of The Year 2021/22 with their array of cruelty-free vegan products, the award comes as no surprise to us.

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Anne Morgan Jewellery Celebrates 6th Birthday With Pop-Up Shop

For their 6th birthday this year, Anne Morgan Jewellery celebrated by hosting a pop-up shop in John Lewis, Cardiff. If you missed them there, they have plenty of new collections in their Penarth gallery as part of their Winter Exhibition.

All-ladies Gym and Fitness Studio Opened

As many women feel uncomfortable going to gyms, Devine Health and Fitness, an all-ladies gym and fitness studio, has opened in Penarth for women of all ages and sizes, so that every woman can feel comfortable becoming their healthiest self. They offer monthly catch-ups to discuss weight and measurements, look at your eating habits, and to offer advice.

As the only practice of Chartered Management Accountants in Penarth, we help organisations to maximise their opportunity and profitability, and we help individuals to maximise their wealth and security. Contact us today to arrange a no obligation consultation • Accountancy • Private clients • Corporate finance • Payroll • Taxation • Grant funding • Business advisory support Penarth Office 7 Herbert Terrace CF64 2AH 029 2071 3800 Bristol Office 432 Gloucester Road BS7 8TX 0117 9247 767 Newport Office 9A Port Road NP20 2NS 01633 250530 www.evansentwistle.co.uk mail@evansentwistle.co.uk

The Queen B Goes Festive with AM Interiors

The Queen B will once again collaborate with Alex Mules this year, bringing the much-loved Christmas shop back to Penarth. Opening on the 29 October at 6pm, the shop will sell festive products until Christmas Eve.

Business Raises £520 for Macmillan Cancer Support

The Business Centre, situated on Cardiff Road in Barry, has raised £520 for Macmillan Cancer Support with a Barry Bake Off, which saw talented bakers coming together to help make the impressive achievement. 17 cakes were assessed by a panel of judges, who had a difficult time deciding the winners. After much thought, the prizes went to Abby from Mel’s Cafe, Francis from Bakers Food, and Spencer from Dynamo.

Lily Pad Help Brings Home The Medal

A Penarth florist has helped scoop-up the bronze award at the Chelsea Flower Show. Toni Horne, who owns The Lily Pad Florist, joined Tracy Rowbottom and Emily Dunn in making the impressive achievement. The display, which featured under the category Beauty Of Nature, included lots of chrome spheres creating a reflection which allowed you to be a part of the exhibit.

Send in your own stories for publication to john@viewpublishing.co.uk

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS A new vegan deli opens its doors in Barry—the very first in all of South Wales—providing plantbased products for all to enjoy.

Karry’s Deli, situated at 23 Park Crescent, has already proven popular amongst residents. We spoke to the owner, Karry, whose lockdown experience inspired her to start up her own business. She said: “During lockdown, I read lots of articles and saw lots of docu-series on vegan and plant-based food, and local people were wondering why there didn’t seem to be anything like this in the area. People are becoming more conscious of the environment, their health and what they’re eating, and I believe during lockdown people have had more time to be aware of their diet. I believe there are many reasons to explore a plant-based diet, such as improving the environment, overall health by reducing meat and dairy intake, therefore lessening your waistline as well as increasing animal welfare, and a tonne of other things.”

Speaking about the lead-up to the successful opening of the deli back in August, Karry added: “I saw the launch of Rudy’s Vegan in London, a vegan butcher, on International Vegan Day 2020, and it gave me inspiration and hope that I could do the same. I researched suitable premises, found this place in March that was undergoing full renovation, and then overtook the construction project in order to make it food-service ready. As far as being affected by the pandemic as a business, I think I was lucky enough to open at the right time when things were allowed to open up and people felt a bit more free to go shopping by foot and travel further.

I’m also lucky that the food industry is classed as an essential service—people

need to buy food, of course, yummy plantbased food that’s better for their diet!”

When asked about her personal favourite product on sale, Karry said: “I love the Miami Burger range of meat-products—burgers, Lincolnshire sausages and smokey mini rashers—perfect for any party!” 

Address: 23 Park Crescent, Barry, CF62 6HD Telephone: 029 2236 2438 Web: www.karrysdeli.com

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Fiscal Frivolities

There’s no getting away from it.

Christmas is around the corner (and no, we don’t know what happened to 2021 either!). Whilst the rest of your office may be dusting off their gladrags for some post pandemic festive frivolities, if you’re the one in charge of the chequebook, you may want to take a few notes.

The cost of a staff party or other annual entertainment is allowable as a deduction for tax purposes for businesses (unfortunately, this does not apply to sole traders or unincorporated business…bah, humbug!) As long as the criteria below are followed, there will be no taxable benefit charged to employees: • The event must be open to all employees at a given location and be primarily for entertaining staff, not clients.

• The annual Christmas party (or indeed any other annual event offered to staff) is not taxable on those attending provided that the average cost per head does not exceed £150. But woe betide, if the cost per head is £151, the whole benefit is taxable, so step away from quaffing the Dom Perignon, then!

• All costs must be taken into account, including any costs of transport and accommodation where provided, plus VAT. The total cost of the event is divided by the number attending to find the average cost (staff partners attending are included in the head count). If the limit is exceeded then all employees will be taxable on their average cost. Happy Christmas to you too, taxman!

• For the company, VAT is recoverable

on staff entertaining expenditure, but this does not extend to staff partners, so input VAT will need to be apportioned accordingly (it’s almost enough to stop you wanting to pull that cracker, isn’t it?)

And if you’re a particularly lavish employer here’s the advice from HMRC: “An employer may provide employees with a seasonal gift, such as a turkey, a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates at Christmas. All of these gifts are considered to be trivial and as such are not taxable”. Just as an aside, this concession also applies to flu jabs paid for by the company—not the glitziest of gifts, but apparently appreciated by some employees!

When it comes to Christmas bonuses, however, the taxman is less generous—these count as ordinary earnings and will be subject to PAYE and NI. Whereas, presents for customers are allowable as a tax deduction if the total cost to any one individual per annum does not exceed £50 and the item bears a conspicuous advert for the business, so go right ahead and wrap up those branded pens with a snazzy bow!

Finally, as you pop on your party hat, rejoice in the fact that your family turkey is VAT free!

Wishing you all the very best for 2022 from all the team at Evans Entwistle.  Lisa Entwistle is a partner at Evans Entwistle Chartered Management Accountants & Tax Advisors. For assistance with all of these aspects of accounting and more, contact 029 2071 3800 or go to www.evansentwistle.co.uk

A little reminder!

The 2020/21 self-assessment filing deadline is 31 January 2022 As a local practice of Chartered Management Accountants and Tax Advisors, we can assist you to minimise your tax liabilities, however simple or complex your affairs may be. Contact us today to arrange a no obligation consultation

Offices in Penarth, Newport and Bristol

7 Herbert Terrace, Penarth, CF64 2AH

www.evansentwistle.co.uk

t: 029 2071 3800 e: mail@evansentwistle.co.uk

Accountancy | Corporate Finance | Taxation | Business Advisory | Private Clients

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SEE YOUR BUSINESS HERE 10,000 always-free copies of Cowbridge View are distributed in the area for readers to pick up and enjoy. Now is the time to get your business in front of our 98,000 readers.

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the cowbridge magazine

Photos by Phil Lewis