Rhiwbina Living Winter Issue 09

RHIWBINA Living At the heart of the community

An 2 n Ye i Is ve ar s u rs e! ar

Issue 9 Winter 09

WHAT’S INSIDE Rhiwbina Living Celebrates its 2nd Birthday!

WIN Tickets to Strictly Come Dancing Interview with luminaries Meic and Huw Stephens Rhiwbeina Primary School News Kids’ Christmas Corner History: When War Hit Home Rhiwbina’s Pets Nicky Boing’s Wildlife Diary Christmas Gift Ideas Seasonal Memories of Rhiwbina

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Buffet Cooking Ideas

As Rhiwbina prepares for the festive season, the village bursts into life with celebrations being held and gifts being chosen. Lights glow from the windows as we begin to experience all that we love about this magical time of year.

Puzzle Page

Enjoy your Christmas issue of Rhiwbina Living

y

Welcome 3 - 4 News 5

Letters to the Editor WIN tickets to Strictly Come Dancing

6

Celebrating Two Years of Rhiwbina Living

Welcome Croeso

10

Rhiwbeina Primary School

11

Kids’ Christmas Corner

14

Like Father like Son Interviews with Meic and Huw Stephens

18

When War Hit Home A Personal Recollection

20

Rhiwbina’s Pets Ask Chris and meet another resident

25

Bird Spotting with Nicky Wildlife in the Park

29

Winter Memories of Rhiwbina

by Ann Sullivan

32

Christmas Gift Ideas

37

Christmas Eve Buffet Recipes

We are delighted to be bringing you another 40 page bumper issue to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. It’s hard to believe that we are already on Issue 9, but wonderful that we have received so much support for the magazine, which has become much loved in our community.

So, we have an issue packed with all the latest news from the area, along with some interesting features to enjoy with your mince pie and cup of tea!

Meic and Huw Stephens are father and son who promote the arts in different ways. They share their memories of living in Rhiwbina and talk about their respective careers on page 14.

On page 18, Rhiwbina resident Bob Lewis recalls the night Nazi bombers targeted Rhiwbina during World War Two. Bob’s story brings an insight into life at the time and the terror of that fateful raid.

Our trusted local vet, Chris Troughton is back to answer all your pet queries on page 20, and we were delighted to meet a very special young lady of the feathery variety on page 22.

All the latest seasonal wildlife spottings are brought to you by roving reporter Nicky the sheep on page 25, so check out what he has seen down at Parc-y-Pentre.

Ann Sullivan returns with her nostalgic Seasonal Memories of Rhiwbina feature on page 29 and shares her childhood stories of winter-time in the late 1940s.

If you are still looking for that special gift for a loved one, be inspired by our selection of goodies for both him and her on page 32.

Finally, don’t forget to enter our fabulous competition on page 5 to win a pair of tickets to see Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals at the WMC next year.

38

Crossword

Have a fantastic Christmas and see you in 2010!

tric Danielle and Pa

Editors/Advertising: Danielle Dummett & Patric Morgan Address: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG Tel: 07974 022920 & 07772 081775 Email: editor@rhiwbinaliving.co.uk Website: www.rhiwbinaliving.co.uk Distribution: Rhiwbina Living is produced quarterly and distributed personally by us to 4,400 homes and businesses in Rhiwbina.

Rhiwbina Living Page 2

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions, or for any matter in any way arising from the publication of this material. Every effort has been made to contact any copyright holders. Rhiwbina Living is an independent, apolitical publication.

Advertising booking and copy deadline for the Spring issue is February 14th 2010.

Spring publication date is early-mid March 2010.

Rhiwbina Living is published quarterly.

Cover photograph courtesy of Rhiwbina Garden Village Residents Association

News

HSBC Set to Withdraw

Christmas Tree to Dazzle Crowds

A 20ft Christmas tree is set to wow villagers and visitors when it is illuminated at this year’s Victorian Evening, to be held on Tuesday 8th December 2009.

Rhiwbina residents have reacted with fury at Rhiwbina Events Committee has plans to close the village’s branch of HSBC. succeeded in raising the funds from local The Rhiwbina branch on Heol-y-Deri is the businesses to purchase the tree, which will latest facility to close in the village following be situated on the crossroads of Beulah the closure of the Principality Building Society Road and Heol-y-Deri. two years ago. The Post Office and Barclays It is hoped that the tree will provide a Bank have also left the village in recent times. festive landmark that will draw shoppers to Customers have been advised that after the the village in the run-up to Christmas. closure, the nearest branches will be at The tree has its own basin, which will be Rhyd-y-Penau or in Whitchurch. Many users transformed into a flower bed in the spring. of the bank are worried that this latest closure will be another blow to our village.

A spokesman for HSBC said that the Traders and businesses in Rhiwbina’s decision to close the branch was based village are fighting for their existence after purely on economic conditions: Cardiff City Council announced proposals to He said: “The reality is, if a branch is to introduce double yellow lines on Heol-yclose, it’s because the branch is no longer viable. This is usually a result of a significant Deri.

Local shop owners believe that this will decline in customers using the bank.” He starve their businesses of vital trade at a added that the impact on local communities was also a factor considered in any decisions time when they are already experiencing huge rate and rent increases. regarding closure.

A local shop-keeper told Rhiwbina Living: The bank is set to close at 3pm on Friday “We don’t have the luxury of a car park.

15th January 2010, leaving the NatWest as Shoppers will not be able to stop here, and Rhiwbina’s only bank. the fear is that they will head over to The bank’s staff told Rhiwbina Living that Whitchurch instead.” they are still unsure as to where they will be An online petition can be found at relocated, if they are to be relocated at all. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Rhiwbina

Double Trouble

DANCING FOR JOY Rhiwbina’s very own dance group, The Debbie Chapman Dancers, are dancing for joy after advancing through to the first round of a new television talent show.

The group will be strutting their stuff in a new programme hosted by Big Brother’s Davina McCall.

The Sky One show, called Just Dance, will be showcasing the best solo dance acts, dancing duos and street crews in its bid to crown a winner. The group was invited to take part after their success in last year’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Just Dance will be on Sky One in early January 2010.

Rhiwbina Events Committee Gets A New Logo Courtesy of Rhiwbina Living Rhiwbina Events Committee is set to unveil its new professional logo, designed by Rhiwbina Living editor, Patric Morgan.

Patric submitted his idea to the Committee when they launched an appeal to kick-start their new branding.

“The new logo captures the fresh new optimism that the Events Committee is bringing to the village, while retaining Rhiwbina’s distinctive visuals.” said Patric.

Rhiwbina Living Page 3

News

Rhiwbina U7s Success

The recently-formed Rhiwbina Under 7s team has enjoyed success this autumn, with wins both here in Wales and in England.

Coach Adam Collier told Rhiwbina Living: “In early October, we returned victorious from the Clifton Rugby Tournament. We were the only team from Wales and came back with the trophy. We were happy that we only conceded 2.4 tries per game.”

This triumph followed their success at coming runners-up in a Caerphilly tournament.

Llanishen Fach Primary Llanishen Fach Primary School has recently welcomed Sarah Coombes as its new Headteacher following the retirement of two senior members of staff.

Giles Parker is due to take up the role of Deputy Head in January 2010.

Juboraj Reaches Final Renowned Rhiwbina restaurant the Juboraj reached the finals of the prestigious British Curry Awards 2009 this November.

The Awards, considered the ‘Oscars’ of the British curry industry, were held in London and were hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald.

Investors in People Greenhill School has recently been awarded Investor in People status following two days of rigorous scrutiny in the inspection process.

Dozens of members of staff were interviewed and paperwork was analysed as part of the inspection.

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New Library Exhibition Local artist Yvonne May will be holding her 23rd exhibition at Rhiwbina Library from December 5th - 23rd to help raise funds for new books there.

Her subjects include West Wales and Cornwall and will be displayed both at eye-level and above the bookshelves.

Yvonne told Rhiwbina Living: “These make great Christmas presents so why not come along and have a peek?”

Pantmawr Inn Celebrates Regulars from the Pantmawr Inn are raising their glasses after winning their long battle to save their local pub.

The campaign, which included a naked protest, has secured the pub’s future for the next ten years.

Gill Irwin, secretary of the Pantmawr Action Group (PAG), which led the fight to save the pub, said the triumph was a tribute to the efforts of all who supported the campaign, including residents, councillors, politicians and PAG founder Hugh Payne.

Blue Plaque Unveiled Rhiwbina recently got its first Blue Plaque to commemorate the life of the Welsh poet and scholar, Iorwerth Cyfeiliog Peate.

Peate, along with Cyril Fox, was the founder of St Fagan’s Natural History Museum in the 1940s. Peate had been inspired by the open-air museums of Scandinavia, and on his return, recreated the style of attraction, but for Welsh life and culture.

Rhiwbina Civic Society organised the event on Lon-y-Dail, which was held on 26th September.

Letters/ Competition

Letters to the Editors Dear Editors In an earlier issue, you referred to the flooding in Rhiwbina at the beginning of June.

There is a history to the situation which may interest your readers. Following the publication of proposals for the drainage for the widening of the M4 motorway, the Welsh Assembly Government was asked to consider the implications of the discharge from the proposed pond to be located alongside Nant Cymnofydd, north of Wenallt Road.

The rainfall on the 6th June was recognised to be a storm occurrence of 1 in 15 years.

The drainage outfall is now designed to discharge rainfall with a storm occurrence of 1 in 100 years, which would obviously have even more far reaching consequences.

Alan Howcroft Brynteg Rhiwbina

Dear Editors I feel compelled to write to express my frustration and disappointment with the lack of generosity in other motorists not allowing me to pull out of my property in the mornings.

Whilst I appreciate that Pantbach Road is a busy main thoroughfare to and from the village, and that we all have our own agendas in having to be somewhere on time in the morning, it never ceases to amaze me how many people clearly disregard the fact that I am attempting to reverse out onto a difficult, busy road.

I am often left there for minutes on end, blocking the pedestrian path in the process. Come on guys, where is the kind spirit towards each other? The smallest gestures that are offered by others are often the ones that make us feel good, so next time you see

We welcome your letters – keep them coming! me waiting patiently on the road, why not do something different?

Just imagine if we all started driving with a more generous spirit - maybe we could all get to where we are going with smiles on our faces! Oh and thank you to everyone who has stopped and allowed me to pull out!

A frustrated but hopeful Pantbach Road resident Dear Editors Reference the letter from Norma Stephens in Australia (Issue 8, Autumn 09). I recognised myself as the person she was describing in her letter, and through obtaining her contact details via your magazine, have now been back in touch with both Norma and her friend Eileen Dicker of 135 Pantbach Road - after all these years!

Bob Lewis, Briwnant, Rhiwbina WIN OPENING NIGHT TICKETS TO SEE THE STAGE SHOW!

Here’s your chance to win a pair of tickets to be at the opening night of Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals when it hits the Wales Millennium Centre on 18th May 2010.

World champion dancers from the smash hit BBC TV series take to the stage for their first UK theatre tour together and thanks to Rhiwbina Living and the WMC, you can be there!

The stage show will feature the stars and breathtaking show dances for which the Professionals have become famous.

For your chance to win, simply answer the following: Who is the male host of Strictly Come Dancing?

Answers on a postcard to our address (see inside front cover) or by email by January 31st 2010. Remember to include your name, address, email and telephone number.

Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals, 18 – 22 May 2010 Tickets: £10 - £42.50 Tickets and information: 08700 402000 www.wmc.org.uk Strictly Come Dancing and its logo © BBC

Rhiwbina Living Page 5

Two Years of Rhiwbina Living

Celebrating Two Years of Your Local Publication Rhiwbina Living has become an integral and respected part of the Rhiwbina community since its launch in 2007.

We wanted to take this opportunity to say Thank You for all your support, which has enabled the magazine to flourish

Launch Issue Nov ‘07

over the past two years. We’re proud of the involvement of the community which has enabled it to be become a truly interactive publication, with the people of our village at its heart - a key objective when we set up the magazine.

We have been privileged to interview the well-known names from the area who have succeeded in their field - Gerald Davies, Howard Jones, Andy Fairweather-Low and Stan Stennett to name a few; but we have also been thrilled to have

Share in our success for 2010

published work by residents of the area those with a living, working knowledge of the village, both past and present.

Rhiwbina Living is a true home-grown product.

As we enter our third year, we will continue to provide a professional and well-loved platform for local traders to ‘set out their stall’.

This was another of the magazine’s crucial aims - to support local business - something which became even more important as we entered a recession.

Thank You also to our small but trusted pool of family and friends who have helped us deliver each and every copy over the past year to guarantee the best service for our advertisers.

We sincerely thank all our advertisers,

past and present for helping us produce a magazine that everyone can enjoy, free of charge. We ask readers to reciprocate by using their services where possible.

Summer Issue ‘09

We are already planning for the year ahead, so if you have any ideas for features or stories, please get in touch. We wish you all a happy and prosperous 2010 and look forward to bringing you another year of Rhiwbina Living!

Danielle and Patric

• Are you looking to promote to the local population?

• Do you want to know exactly how many copies of your advert are produced and how they are reaching potential customers?

• Do you expect a friendly, reliable service?

• Would you appreciate free design assistance?

Rhiwbina Living is produced quarterly in line with the seasons and is delivered personally by us to 4,400 homes and businesses in the CF14 6 area. With the magazine also available online, we’ve got the local area (and beyond!) covered!

Feedback suggests that advertising locally really works. Call today to be part of the community’s official publication!

07772 081775 / 07974 022920

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Christmas Services at

All Saints Church

Heol Y Felin, Rhiwbina

Sunday December 20th 8.00am 10.30am 4.00pm 6.00pm

Said Communion Family service with Junior Church Christmas Play The four o’cl o’clock ock service (communion) Nine lessons and Carols with Mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.

Christmas Eve 5.00pm 11.30pm

Christingle, where children can dress up as a nativity character (or anything else!)

Midnight Mass

Christmas Day 8.

8.00am 00am 10.30am

Said Communion Sung Communion

Come celebrate Christmas with us.

All are welcome!

If you are in need of pastoral support or have any queries please contact Rev Andrew James on 20654406

Seasons greetings from all the team at

If you are looking to sell or rent your home, there are genuine buyers waiting for new properties in the Rhiwbina area. Call us for a free, no obligation appraisal.

5, Heol-y-Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, CF14 6HA 029 2052 1400 www.morganlloydwilliams.co.uk Serving the community for over 30 years O’Brien Lewis and James are pleased to announce that they have merged with the firm of Thomas Simon Solicitors.

The merger means that we can offer all our clients, past present and future, a wide range of legal services with the personal service on which we have always prided ourselves.

With Thomas Simon

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CONVEYANCING/REMORTGAGING HOME INFORMATION PACKS REPOSSESSIONS/HOUSING MATTERS LEASE EXTENSIONS/FREEHOLD PURCHASES EQUITY RELEASE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY COMMERCIAL LITIGATION COMPANY LAW

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• HOME VISITS AVAILABLE • APPOINTMENTS NOT ALWAYS NECESSARY • LEGAL AID AVAILABLE 2 HEOL Y DERI, RHIWBINA, CARDIFF CF14 6HF TEL: 02920 611 471 Please contact Kerima Cooper, Sarah James or Natasha Aldridge Sarah James: Mobile: 07966 432311 email:sarah.james@oblj.co.uk Natasha Aldridge: Mobile: 07837 743444 email:natasha.aldridge@oblj.co.uk Kerima Cooper: Mobile: 07814 662975

Come visit us this Christmas!

Christmas Trees Nordman Firs, Fraser Firs and Norwegian Spruce. All trees are grown in Britain with the Fraser and Spruce grown in Wales.

Prices start from £10 Christmas Poultry Order your free range Christmas poultry, Welsh Bronze free range turkeys, crowns, butterflies, capons, geese and ducks. Traditional Christmas Fayre (beef, pork, ham, sausages etc).

Local Produce Enjoy a whole range of homemade and locally produced fruit, vegetables, cake, chutneys and preserves.

After your shopping enjoy an excellent cup of coffee and a piece of homemade cake in the Antlers coffee shop which encompasses an excellent panoramic of Cardiff.

Christmas Farm Shop Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 10-5pm, Sat 9-5pm, Sun 11- 4pm, Christmas Eve 8- 4pm Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day Undercover Nativity Barn to include all the farm animals plus the resident reindeer Ruby, Rowenna and Robyn.

Admission £1.50 November 28th - December 24th

Telephone: 02920 611707

www.thornhillfarm.co.uk

Schools

News from Rhiwbeina Primary School The pupils share their stories with the community Inspection Report Praise Our recent inspection report highlighted that “opportunities for pupils to engage their imagination and be creative are exceptional” and that we provide our children with “an exceptional range of rich experiences and opportunities that successfully meet the needs and interests of all pupils”. This issue, we decided to share with you some recent examples of how we have been demonstrating our creativity in school!

Mr Richard Sweetnam Celtic Day by Class 3E This half term, the children in Class 3E have been Celts. We picked our names out of a box and all laughed when we realised that most of us were married to other children in the class. However, four of the boys were very relieved when they got a character card saying ‘unmarried’!

period of time. It is 6000 years old! We tried to imagine through drama how our ancestors lived here and used this chamber for a burial.

We used our five senses to imagine sounds from the past.

Year 5P at Tinkinswood

On our day in Tinkinswood, we did maths, art, music, geography and history. It was really good fun. It was great to learn so many subjects outside in such a special place. In maths, we measured stone structures. It was great climbing up onto the great stone with a measuring tape. We composed our own burial We chose a chief chants starting in the woods and marching out who was in charge of our hill fort and he towards the great megalith. We used natural sounds, our voices and drum sticks to make had a wife to help him. We dressed up our music. Sometimes we actually didn’t as Celts and lit a fire realise we were learning so much! in our school forest Mining Day by Class 5BH area. We had to Class 5BH have been reliving the lives of keep putting sticks onto the fire to keep Welsh coalminers, their wives and children. All it alight! We toasted of the class came into school in their coalmining outfits. We began the day by marshmallows and performing a miners’ dance. We crumpets and enjoyed acting pretended we were out life as Our Celtic Chief and eating Celtic food. miners and his wife making On the same day, Class 4MH had their Roman day and they worksongs in came to attack us in the hall. We had a big music, not to pretend fight but nobody was killed! Being mention the delicious Welsh a Celtic person is hard. cakes made by one of the Tinkinswood review by Class 5P pupils!

Tinkinswood was a burial site used in the Some of our brave Year 5 Neolithic times, which is the Stone Age miners!

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Squidgy the Squirrel’s Kids Christmas Corner Make a Rudolph decoration What you'll need: • ¼ sheet of light brown craft foam • 2 glitter gold chenille sticks • 2 medium wiggle eyes • 1 red glitter pom pom • 6-8 inches of ribbon • White craft glue or hot glue gun • Scissors How to make it: 1. To make the head, cut 2 tear drop shapes from the craft foam.

2. To make the ears, cut a small oval, then cut it in half lengthwise.

3. Bend each chenille stick in half, then bend and twist them to form two antlers.

4. Glue the ears toward the top of the round end of one of the tear drop shapes.

(Tip: Hot glue works much faster).

5. Glue antlers to the top of the same oval shape.

6. For the hanger, fold ribbon in half and glue the open ends together in between the two antlers.

7. Glue the second oval shape to the back of the first oval to create the back of the reindeer’s head. This sandwiches the ears, antlers and hanger inside the two tear drop shapes and gives the ornament a more finished look.

8. Glue on wiggle eyes.

9. Glue on red pom pom for nose at the pointed end of the tear drop.

Allow to dry completely.

Spot the Differences!

There are 10 differences between these 2 pictures of carollers.

How many can you find?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Beulah is the church at the crossroads in the village.

We are a large, lively but liberal church with a range of activities for all ages seeking to express a faith that is relevant and inclusive.

Beulah United Reformed Church

New in Beulah Quiet service Thursdays from 7pm to 7.30pm.

Beulah is planning to provide a quiet space in the week where anyone can come and find a supportive, compassionate quiet space. It may be there are big issues that are bothering you, maybe worries weighing you down or just too much going on. This service will begin with us gathering quietly, thinking our own thoughts, while music plays softly. There will follow some brief reflection and prayer and it will conclude, for those who would appreciate it, with the act of laying on of hands.

We offer it not as a miraculous cure but as a humane and spiritual act of care and compassion that reminds us that finding direction or healing or acceptance is in the hands of us all, if we turn to each other with love and grace. All are welcome.

Create New on Wednesdays from 5pm to 6pm in the Canolfan, a weekly art and craft activity for children in Years 3 to 6 with our artist in residence, Jo Jones. Cost ÂŁ4 including materials.

Coming up at Christmas December 13th 6pm: Light for our Loss A service for all who grieve at Christmas December 20th 10.30am: Family service Led by the young people of Beulah 6.00pm: Carols & Lessons Christmas Eve 5pm: Blessing of the Crib service Led by our younger children 11.30pm: Christmas Eve Communion Christmas Day 10.45am: Family Celebration Service More details from Rev Dr Peter Cruchley-Jones, Telephone: 20 693517 email: peter.cruchleyjones@googlemail.com

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Interview

Like Father Like Son Meic and Huw Stephens are two well-respected names within the world of the arts. Meic, former Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Glamorgan, is one of the country’s literary giants, while son Huw is the well-known Radio One and Radio Cymru DJ. Rhiwbina Living met up with the two former Rhiwbina residents at their family home to discover more about their respective careers, and also to find out how the father and son relationship has influenced their attitudes to promoting the arts

Rhiwbina Living Page 14

Writer, journalist, magazine editor, anthology compiler, poet, arts administrator, teacher, director, critic, entrepreneur, literary ambassador, obituarist, and professor. These are just some of the positions that Meic Stephens has held in his esteemed career. And the success doesn’t stop there.

His son Huw, the well-known Radio One and Radio Cymru DJ, carries on the Stephens tradition of promoting the arts in his own way.

“Ruth and I came to Rhiwbina from Merthyr in 1966 when I joined the staff of the Western Mail. We lived in Lon-y-Rhyd for two years and then moved to Clos Brynderi. I was appointed Literature Director of the Welsh Arts Council in 1967.

We moved to Whitchurch in 1970. These were the years

when I was editing Poetry Wales. I remember Jack Jones calling on us every Saturday morning on his way to the Malsters Arms. He would always have a glass of stout with him and always spoke to us in Welsh. Jack used to refer to the Monico Cinema as 'the last outpost of civilisation in Rhiwbina'. I also knew the writer Glyn Jones, who lived on Manor Way, and we became good friends. As Secretary of the Rhys Davies Trust, I was instrumental in placing plaques in memory of Jack and Glyn, the first in Rhiwbina Library and the second on Glyn's house on Manor Way. “Our first daughter, Lowri, was born while we were living at Lon-y-Rhyd and our second, Heledd, while at Clos Brynderi. Our third daughter, Brengain, was born after our

Interview move to Whitchurch, as was Huw. Huw and I have never really sat down and compared careers” says Meic, analysing the shortbread biscuit that he holds in front of his face “but thinking about it, there are similarities.”

The two men appear too bashful to speak of their own success and instead take it in turns to speak proudly of each other.

“Huw got his first paid job before the age of 10,” announces Meic “but I’m not sure if Huw wants me to say what it was.”

“I was a young conjuror.” continues Huw, sipping his cup of tea. “I was the only one in the area who could perform magic in Welsh so I was in great demand.” Huw’s high work ethic was one that catapulted him to stardom at a young age. Still in his teens, Huw got a job working for Rookwood Sound Rookwood Hospital’s own radio station.

“I didn’t get paid but I was doing what I loved. I was told not to play anything gloomy or depressing- they wanted their patients to be uplifted and kept happy”. Huw crafted his art for two years at Rookwood, before managing to land the position of Radio One DJ- at the age of just 17.

“It was the time in the nineties when Welsh talent was in big demand. The Stereophonics, the Manic Street Preachers and Catatonia were really leading the way for Wales. Bethan [co-presenter] and I beat off the competition and there I was - a Radio One DJ before I’d even left school. I even opened my A level results

live on-air. Ironically enough, my grades were B, B and C! “Looking back now, I can see the parallel between the things I was doing at that age and the things Dad was doing at the same age. He was taking an interest in championing local poets and here I was doing the same for local musicians. I still am!

“Dad has worked hard all his life at what he does best, and for both of us, you could say that our work is a paid hobby.” says Huw. Today, Meic’s own book collection spills over into many rooms. His library is stacked wall to wall with books- all of them in alphabetical order.

“It’s all the result of a tidy mind - placing each book in its rightful place gives me a sense of completion. I can honestly say that I’ve read each and every one of these books too- reading is so important.”

Meic’s passion for collecting books is mirrored by Huw’s passion for collecting CDs. “Whereas Dad likes the idea of having something solid and tangible on his shelf, my collection is mostly unseen. A lot of my music collection is stored digitally - maybe a sign of the same passions but in different generations.”

says Huw. The parallels between father and son don’t stop there.

“I used to collect stamps.” says Meic.

“I now do the same with badges” says Huw. “I collect things like tickets stubs and wristbands- nothing that has monetary value but means a lot to me. Dad collects literary postcards these days whenever I go away he asks me to pick some up.”

It seems that success is something that runs in the Stephens family. Meic

continues to write. His latest novel, Yeah Dai Dando is based in Whitchurch and Llandaff.

Huw on the other hand, continues to champion local musical talent. His Sŵn Festival entered its third year this October.

“We had artists performing in both Welsh and English - a bit like Dad’s poetry readings back in the ‘60s I guess.” says Huw. “On reflection, we’ve both been doing the same thing with our lives - championing the arts. We’ve just been doing it in a different generation and through different mediums.”

Rhiwbina Living Page 15

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The Butcher’s Arms

KINGMAN & DAVIES OPTOMETRISTS

22 Heol Y Felin, Rhiwbina, 02920 693526

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New Menu now available!

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Tuesday night is Curry Club Wednesday night is Pizza Club Thursday night is Grill Club Meal and a drink for only £6.95!

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History - A Personal Recollection

When War Hit Home

by Bob Lewis Last issue, Rhiwbina Living published a letter from Norma Stephens who now lives in Australia but once lived in Rhiwbina. In her letter, she remembered her friend’s house being bombed during WWII. As a result, Bob Lewis, who was in the house when it was hit, got in touch. Here, in great detail he recalls the night the Nazis came to Rhiwbina.

My parents bought 131 Pantbach Road in 1928, my father having borrowed money from his father-in-law and the builder to secure a deposit. The house cost £250.

In 129 lived the Sampsons.

Mr Sampson was an austere dour man who worked in the Pump House in the Docks.

Rhiwbina Living Page 18

He rode a bicycle to and from work. Mrs Sampson was a chatty woman, who was small of nature and always busy. They had two boys Donald who had red hair and Stanley, who was one of nature’s bachelors and never married. Donald was always in trouble, always got caught, but went on to become one of the leading scientists in the experimental Rocket Test Range in Woomara, Australia in the post-war years.

Next door to us, in the other half of our semi, lived the Tolmans and Mrs Tolman’s sister - “Our Ede”.

Nearby, in Bella Vista, Dr Danny Thomas set up ’his plate’ and became the family physician and a very good one at that. Dr Thomas moved to Birchgrove in the 1930s, and in essence, was

the founder of the Birchgrove Practice.

There have been many changes to Pantbach Road from a country road to a main residential thoroughfare. The Monico Cinema was built in the 1930s, and St Thomas’s Church, a corrugated ’shed’ used to call the faithful to prayer with its tin bell.

Opposite where we lived was Homelands Road, giving us a clear sight of the Phoenix Brick Works, whose 8 o’clock hooter, calling the workers in, was also a clear signal for the many children of the village to dash to Rhiwbina Elementary.

But 1939 came and war was declared. At the age of ten, the idea seemed a fun one, but the full horror of war literally hit home on the night of 17/18 May 1943.

Photograph courtesy of Bob Lewis

History - A Personal Recollection My mother had insisted that my brother and I head downstairs when we heard the siren. She reassured us as we sat there chatting under the stairs. Outside in the black skies, the ack-ack guns were throwing up a great barrage of fire, while flares hung hauntingly in the sky. There had been many inactive alerts in previous months. Ominously so. Our dog was shivering this time.

We didn't hear it coming but we felt it when it arrived. The house shook violently; the fridge stopped; pots fell from shelves, bricks and masonry fell down the stairs. There were a lot of noises but no big bang as such. Strangely, the dog had stopped shivering.

Several minutes passed before we realised that we had been hit. My father, who had been fire-watching in the street (and who had his own near miss) was shouting at us, forcing his way into the house.

Next door at 133, the external wall had collapsed inwards on Mrs Tolman, “Our Ede” and their lodger - who did not survive.

Mrs Tolman and Ede had to be dug from the rubble and spent many months in hospital afterwards.

Nos.131, 133, 135 and 137 were totally wrecked. Our upstairs bedrooms were open to the skies and full of rubble - we would not have survived if we had stayed in bed. There was a car on its roof at the bottom of the garden and our car had been crushed in the garage by the weight of the sub-soil.

Father later told his version of events as he and ‘Willy’

Herbert, the local butcher, stood outside a surface shelter near the corner of Caegwyn Road. Father had spotted a parachute mine descending slowly behind Homelands Road. Grabbing Mr Herbert, they both dived into the shelter. At that moment, three bombs dropped onto Pantbach Road.

As the dust settled, father and Willy Herbert emerged from the shelter. Willy’s shop awning was flapping in the breeze, to which he remarked.

“They got my blind.” before realising the full impact of the bomb and exclaiming “They got my bloody shop!”

Concern for the family had galvanised my father into a headlong dash to our house, smashing his way in to make sure we were safe.

In the morning, as dawn broke over the huge craters and the devastated houses, people wandered aimlessly, not sure where to start the clean-up. We were still in pyjamas. My mother had lost her valuable rings in the rubble of what was once a front bedroom. The bed was hanging through the lounge ceiling. Our friend Bill and his neighbour grabbed shovels and a riddle and sieved every last piece of rubble until they found the rings in

Photograph courtesy of National Assembly for Wales

the very last few pounds of dust.

Father handed around a bottle of whisky he had received as a Christmas gift.

It served to slake their thirst that day.

The three bombs that night killed three people and severely injured two. The six houses in Pantbach Road were totally demolished as they were deemed unsafe.

They were rebuilt after the war and to this day, can be seen to be totally different from other houses in the street.

Following the raid, we had numerous offers of accommodation and help from people that we hardly knew, and we ended up sharing a house opposite, where Mr and Mrs Llewellyn lived alone.

I have vivid recollections of that night that don’t diminish in spite of my years. I even remember the two candles that still burned brightly after the raid, even though the room was wrecked.

Some years later in business, I met a George Cooper, ex-RAF who had directed the ack-ack barrage protecting essential targets in the Cardiff and Barry area.

He remembered the last active raid on Cardiff.

So do I.

Bob Lewis

Rhiwbina from the air in 1941.

The ROF munitions factory lay to the right, a constant target for Nazi bombers.

Rhiwbina Living Page 19

Rhiwbina’s Pets

Rhiwbina’s Pets Welcome once again to our feature about the pets in our community, kindly sponsored by Heath Veterinary Group. Each issue we will meet a new resident and have an opportunity to quiz our local vet Chris Troughton with all our animal questions. So write in with your queries and send your photos if you would like your pet to be featured! temperature and day length. Turning on the central heating increases the environmental temperature when it should naturally be I have recently acquired a cooler, so this may ‘confuse’ the moult and kitten called Tigger who is a perhaps make it last longer than it would very playful young scamp. At otherwise, but this is only an inconvenience Christmas, I like to have lots of for you - it’s not harmful for your dog. lights around the house but I Try to set the temperature control for your am worried that Tigger will heating as low as is comfortable for you, and want to play with the wires. Should I be spend time every day with a good brush. concerned and if so, will I have to forsake Some people find that supplementing the my traditional light display? diet with extra Omega-3 and -6 fats helps to reduce moulting.

Kittens certainly get up to a good deal of mischief, and I’m afraid that it’s very likely I am thinking of buying a pet rabbit for my Tigger will play with anything that moves, daughter for Christmas. Can rabbits be dangles or otherwise attracts his attention.

However, if you make sure that you use only toilet-trained and would a ten-year old be low voltage lighting sets with the transformer a suitable owner for a rabbit? at the plug, you will remove the risk of him hurting himself by biting into the wires. Make Please think very hard before buying any pet as a Christmas present. You must be sure sure that any trailing wires are fixed by that your daughter really wants it, otherwise masking tape or similar, so they don’t it may quickly become a sad and neglected present too much temptation for him. Your bunny. However, once you are sure of her main problem is likely to be the Christmas tree; all those dangling sparkling baubles are commitment, a rabbit is an excellent first pet likely to be too much to resist, so make sure for a child - and as long as you are there to that nothing fragile or valuable hangs within help and supervise your daughter, owning a pet and being responsible for its care is a patting reach! very enriching experience for a child.

Ask Chris….

I’ve heard from a friend that putting the heating on in winter confuses my dog’s moulting process. Is this true?

Dogs generally moult twice a year in response to seasonal changes in

Rhiwbina Living Page 20

Rabbits are naturally social creatures, and need to have plenty of company. This can be achieved by keeping several bunnies as a group, or by having them as house rabbits so your family become the social group.

However, this may not be practical with

Rhiwbina’s Pets children coming and going, leaving doors open, etc. If you do keep your rabbit as a house-pet, it is perfectly possible to house train her.

Start by confining her to a cage with a litter tray. When she seems to be using the litter tray reliably, gradually increase the amount of space she has until you are able to let her run around the room with confidence that it will remain clean. It helps to have several litter trays about the house in favoured positions. Neutering both male and female rabbits reduces their wish to mark their territory, so may well help with the housetraining.

I feed a lovely cat in the garden.

Obviously, she belongs to someone.

Why do cats go from one person to the other? She is always finding socks and leaving them outside for me as a present.

I worry about her.

as I have her nails cut very frequently.

Feather plucking is usually a sign of boredom and/or stress in birds, but occasionally it can be due to a skin disease, so it would be worth getting a vet with experience of birds to have a look at Miss Judy Garland.

Conures need quite large cages, and because they are active intelligent birds, they need lots of toys to keep them occupied.

Provide wooden toys and fresh twigs to chew on - twigs from the garden should be nonpoisonous wood like apple, cherry, willow, elder, poplar and hawthorn. Also, a range of toys like bells, ropes, unbreakable mirrors, swings etc should be available. If you change the toys over regularly, they will remain interesting for longer.

Are there things you are curious about in relation to your pet?

Well, now you have the chance to find out!

If you have a question or query you would like to pose to Chris, please get in touch by emailing: Cats look out for themselves and will go editor@rhiwbinaliving.co.uk or write to us, and we wherever they please to get food, shelter and will pass them on!

kindness. They are very independent creatures and will often have several ‘friends’ other than their owners who feed and pet them.

If you feed a cat in your garden, you can be sure she will start to visit you regularly, and may even decide your house would be a better bet than her current one and take up residence. So unless you are sure a cat is a real un-owned stray, it is better not to feed her at all, because you may end up ‘stealing’ her from her real owner. Just because she hangs around your garden doesn’t mean she hasn’t got a loving owner somewhere, fretting about where she is. I expect she’s bringing you socks as gifts as a mark of her respect for you. So that’s why I’ve got a drawerful of odd socks!

I have a beautiful 8 year old conure- Miss Judy Garland. She is with me all the time except when I go out and go to bed! She is then in her home - her cage, but seems to have got into the habit of biting her tummy. She gets bald occasionally. What should I do about it? She is very healthy

Rhiwbina’s Pets is sponsored by Heath Veterinary Group

Rhiwbina Living Page 21

Rhiwbina’s Pets

Seasonal Tips for Pet Safety Avoid bones: Please don’t give bones to your dogs or cats - particularly turkey bones.

Poultry bones easily splinter and can cause serious injury, while bone fragments can cause intestinal blockages or lacerations.

Healthy treats: Whilst it might be tempting to allow our pets to share our festive goodies, this is not a good idea. Chocolate contains theobromine, a chemical that can be deadly to cats and dogs, though not harmful to humans. Keep your pet on their regular diet and provide them with animal treats instead (in moderation!). It’s important to be aware that raisins, sultanas, currants and grapes are poisonous to dogs – so make sure they do not have access to the Christmas cake or this could be fatal.

Poisonous plants: Many popular Christmas plants are poisonous to animals including mistletoe, holly, ornamental pepper and Christmas rose. So keep these plants out of reach of pets - especially birds. Poinsettias are not poisonous to pets or people, although this has been rumoured for years.

Some pets do however, have a sensitivity to the latex contained in the plant and may get diarrhoea or even vomit if they consume a poinsettia, so proceed with caution.

Avoid tinsel: Christmas trees and pets can be a recipe for trouble – but this doesn’t have to be the case. Make sure the tree is well secured and place decorations above paw height, using string to hang the baubles instead of hooks - which are easily dislodged. If possible, use non-breakable ornaments. Avoid using tinsel or angel hair.

Cats and dogs will ingest both, which can cause intestinal problems. Cords for lights should be made inaccessible to pets especially from chewing puppies and exploring kittens! If you do add chemicals to the water of your Christmas tree to keep it lasting longer, be aware that this won't do the same for your pet. The chemicals are toxic to animals, so keep the water container well covered or don’t use the chemicals at all.

Check toys: Avoid purchasing pet toys with small or soft pieces that can be chewed and swallowed. Nylon bones tend to splinter less than plastic ones. Be sure to inspect pet toys regularly and discard deteriorating ones.

Rhiwbina Living Page 22

Reader’s Pets

Miss Judy Garland Rhiwbina resident Lesley Tipples is the very proud owner of Miss Judy Garland, a nine year old conure.

Traditionally from Brazil, Miss Judy Garland perches very comfortably on Lesley’s shoulder, rubbing her head in a loving way against Lesley’s.

“Judy is our baby and has the freedom to fly around her room as she likes. We got her after our cockatiel Mickey Rooney died. He was only two but suffered a sudden heart attack.

“I bathe her every day. She sits in the sink basin, flapping her wings and giving herself a good wash. She has been moulting a lot lately, pulling out her feathers and making quite a mess! It seems to be a bit of a habit.

“She sits with us at the breakfast table in the mornings too and likes to eat butter - but only from Daddy’s toast. She is a bit of a Daddy’s girl to be honest, but she loves me as well.

“We had a scare one day when she flew right past us and out of the room, into the garden. A few moments later, we heard her calling “Dada” and Ron had to go and fetch her from the tree. She has a few words in her vocabulary - ‘Dada’, ‘Mama’ and ‘Love you’”.

Lesley goes on “She’s one of us really when I say ‘Whoopsie’ she flies to my hand and I take her to our bathroom where she uses our toilet!”

Miss Judy Garland certainly holds a special place in this Rhiwbina household and Lesley hopes that she will do for many years to come.

Would you like your pet to be featured?

If so, please contact us and we will give your pet a taste of celebrity!

Rhiwbina’s Pets is sponsored by Heath Veterinary Group

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Wildlife

Bird spotting with Nicky A sheep’s-eye view of the birds and wildlife that visited Parc-y-Pentre over the summer had been flying about the Park during May had gone by mid-summer – probably to Roath Park.

June began with some beautifully hot days, but it soon deteriorated and damp weather set in.

Parc-y-Pentre sits proudly Nevertheless, I still spotted within the Garden Village in Rhiwbina and is home either some interesting birds. Five permanently or temporarily Canadian geese flew west, and towards the end of the to a wide variety of birds.

I have been keeping a diary month, I found 48 long-tailed tits making their way through of all the birds that I have the Park. spotted on my walks through the Park Summer was a bit of a washout but we saw some great birds. Things got going in early May with the first swift of the year. Around mid-May, we were caught in a spectacular hail storm while watching three swifts. A peregrine falcon was spotted around this time too and a little later, two garden warblers. May was also the month that I saw the first (and last as it turned out) house marten of the year. Only a few years ago, hundreds of pairs used to breed in Rhiwbina. It’s a worrying decline.

Also this month, three young carrion crows fell from their nest and onto the floor.

The parent birds valiantly tried to chase the dogs away but sadly all chicks disappeared. The mother later had a second clutch and managed to fledge one of her young.

The three mallards, who

Park over the year. We have two resident species of bat in the Park – pipistrelles and whiskered. We spotted four seratine bats however in late spring, and we have also come across twelve cockchafers, or maybugs as they are also known.

Painted lady butterflies, which hail from Morocco were seen, and a beautiful damselfly came dancing through the Park, looking for a stream. I saw a harlequin ladybird in mid-July – a new visitor from Europe. There were also several visitors from Europe in the form of ‘silver y moth’. Britain also has over 250 species of bees. At the height of the Swifts have summer, I saw fourteen come and gone species of them in one day – nine I could identify and the There were fewer birds in other five I couldn’t!

July, although there were a Night-time is also a good handful of swifts, a heron and time for spotting those on a few black-headed gulls to long journeys. One night in be seen. The Canadian May, I spotted the Space geese put in an appearance Shuttle on one of its again, this time flying at missions. You see all sorts roof-level and even a green down at the Park! woodpecker popped up to say ‘hello’.

August proved to be a very quiet month. Swifts tend to leave Britain in early August, being the first birds to migrate south. I last saw twelve swifts in early August and have not seen any since. The tawny owl that several people have heard calling was probably an (escaped?) eagle owl.

There have been other Cooling off for summer types of wildlife spotted in the

Rhiwbina Living Page 25

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Seasonal Memories of Rhiwbina When I was three, my family moved to Baytree Cottage in Thornhill. We had no bathroom and no hot water, so Friday nights were bath nights.

The tin bath was brought in from its hanging place on the outside wall of the cottage and the gas boiler filled up to heat the water. Youngest got to use the bath first. It was a bit like a Chinese water torture in the winter because the kitchen roof was galvanised iron and the steam condensed on the roof, dripping icy cold water back onto you in the bath!

Dad grew our vegetables.

He also skinned a few rabbits to make us mittens. There were usually some petrified animal skins nailed to the outhouse door! Mum made all our other clothes.

Rationed groceries came from Mr Burden in the Classic Stores at the Crossroads.

Butter was cut from a large block and wrapped in greaseproof paper. Sugar from a large bag was weighed out into small blue bags; tea likewise. Biscuits came from a large deep tin and put into paper bags after weighing. All along the front of the counter were open sacks full of dog biscuits. I tried one of these once - they weren’t very nice.

A double-decker bus arrived at our house one day. It was full of evacuees. My mother was told to go out and choose one. She decided she’d get a five year old as company for me. She brought this little girl into the house and the bus waited outside.

Once inside however, this little girl just stood there and screamed and cried.

Winter Memories of Rhiwbina

By Ann Sullivan I couldn’t understand why she was crying - I was too young to understand. Some of these children must have been mentally scarred for life with experiences like that.

Mum had to take her back and we got Doreen instead.

She was a young girl about ten years old and had been bombed out in Birmingham.

Doreen stayed with us for a while and even came to Rhiwbina School with me.

The plus side of this was that Birmingham City Council paid for a taxi to take her to and from school, and of course I went too. For a while I no longer had to take a long walk. Every time there was a raid, poor Doreen would shake and turn white.

I eventually passed the scholarship in Rhiwbina School and started school in Penarth. I would leave the house at 7.30am to walk to Birchgrove Halt, then to either Queen Street or the General where I changed for the Penarth train (steam of course). It was then a case of walking from Penarth station to the school. In the winter months, I got home in the dark after a long lonely walk up to Thornhill.

Photograph courtesy of Rhiwbina Garden Village Residents Association

The snow of 1947 was particularly memorable because it was so deep that we couldn’t see out of the cottage windows when we got up in the morning. There were no televisions to entertain us. We had no electricity in any case, only gas lamps downstairs and candles upstairs. Our radio was run on a battery that contained acid. The acid had to be replaced from time to time. This meant carrying the battery all the way to Heol-yDeri - there was a shop there where you could top it up.

I took it one winter’s day when there was thick snow around Baytree. I put the battery on the sledge that my Dad had made for me. He had put steel runners on it to make it go faster. I realised what a bad idea this was though when I got to the Crossroads and found that there was no snow there!

We used to go to the Monico Cinema, usually once a week. We walked there and back and on the way home, we would stop at Hill’s Fish and Chip Shop in Birchgrove.

We would eat them on the way home to warm us up.

Ann Sullivan

Rhiwbina Living Page 29

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Hand blown glass by Stuart Akroyd Victoria Fearn Gallery, Rhiwbina

Grandmother Demdaco Willow Tree £25 Serenade, Rhiwbina

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Pendant, by Helen Smith Victoria Fearn Gallery, Rhiwbina

Bespoke arrangements and floral gifts from £30 Nicholas Ward Florist, Whitchurch

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Bracelet (Mixed Gemstone Chips) £65 Quaintways, Bishops Road Whitchurch

And...For Him

Painting by Stuart Mulligan ‘Rhossili Bay’ Victoria Fearn Gallery, Rhiwbina

Terramundi Money Pot, £18.99 Serenade, Rhiwbina

Sealskin winter gloves £29.99 Muddy Bums Bikes, Rhiwbina

Panasonic TXL37S10 37" LCD Full HD 1080P Freeview £699 Inc 5 Year Guarantee Budd, Birchgrove

Cashmere stripe jumper £75 John Lewis

Wooden Bird House £14.99 New Roots Garden Centre, Rhiwbina

Eva Solo Teapot Available from Topstak Chimney Specialists, Cowbridge 01446 771567

Sony CMTBX70, IPOD Dock, DAB Radio, CD Player £159 Budd, Birchgrove

Christmas at Quaintways Soulful gifts and crystals from around the World • • • • • •

Gem stone jewellery Crystals Gifts Candles Incense Fairtrade Scarves and Bags

Gorgeous products for you and your home Cosmetics, Spa, Skincare, Jewellery, Aromatherapy, Homeware If you would like to: • Book a girl’s night in • Place an order • Request a catalogue • Earn extra money for Christmas

Bishops Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1LT Tel: 02920 520184 www.quaintways.com

Then contact Deb Auton Mobile 07776 176644 deborahauton@ntlworld.com

To give your party/celebration/wedding that something special........give it some Ambience!

Beulah Dress Agency

Shop online at http://www.my.vieathome.com/debauton

Autumn Collection and Party Season Now in Stock!

All at a fraction of the original cost!

We provide chair covers, table cloths, napkins, bay trees as well as our time to create your perfect day!

Please call Libby on 07971 033301 or email cardiff@ambiencevenuestyling.com

Garments must be seasonal, laundered or dry cleaned and no more than 2 years old 50% of selling price taken as commission

3b Beulah Road, Rhiwbina, CF14 6LT Telephone: 02920 691039

VICTORIA FEARN GALLERY

• Quality Greetings Cards • Gifts for all Occasions • Large Selection of

Soft Toys • Demdaco Willow Tree • m.t.y Tatty Ted

Demdaco Willow Tree Nativity

• Teramundi Money Pots

Tel: 029 2052 2424 Open 9am - 5.30pm Monday - Saturday

13 Heol-y-Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6HA

Christmas Exhibition Until 24 December Open Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 5.30pm Sundays in November & December 10.00am – 3.00pm

6 b Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, CF14 6HF

Seasons Greetings from Rhiwbina Baptist Church "Rhiwbina Baptist Church is a community of faith proclaiming and demonstrating Christ in mission; committed to vibrant worship and fellowship and equipping believers for fruitful ministry and service."

Rhiwbina Baptist Church has got something for everyone this Christmas.

Please come along and share in the best news our planet will ever receive.

Seasonal Celebrations Sunday November 29th: 10.30am: Advent Sunday Family Guy 1: Meet Jesus' dysfunctional ancestors.

Sunday December 6th: 10.30am: Family Guy 2: Mum, Dad and the angels.

5pm: Christingle Candles, oranges and sweets.

This multi-sensory service will get you in the Christmas mood.

Saturday December 12th: Rejoice! A Soulful Celebration of the Season.

A fast moving, foot tapping blend of traditional carols, contemporary gospel music and readings with a Christmas flavour.

Tickets available from the church office, phone 2062 3791.

Sunday December 13th: 10.30am: Rejoice! A Soulful Celebration of the Season.

Sunday December 20th: 10.30am: Children's Christmas Takeover.

6.30pm: Carols by Candlelight with the Cardiff Youth Brass Band.

Christmas Eve: 11.30pm: Christmas Eve Communion.

Christmas Day: 10.30am: It's the Big Day. Come and join us for a short family service.

Sunday December 27th: 10.30am: Family Guy 3: Family life on the run.

Carols, flickering candles, stained glass images, faded nativity scenes handed down the generations. Most of us hope that sometime during the Christmas period, there will come a moment of wonder. Even the most jaded critic fondly hopes that they will feel the power and mystery of the festive season. Maybe in a school concert, Handel’s Messiah, a reunion of old friends, we long to climb inside the magic of Christmas.

Rhiwbina Baptist Church is crazy about Christmas. Whether you’re talking about Christingles, looking at loved one’s faces dancing in candlelight, concerts, mince pies, O Come all ye Faithful, even more mince pies, RBC is the place to be this December. The reason for our delight is simple. We believe that the invisible, immortal God has made himself uniquely known in Jesus.

Joining the human family, he lived among us, died on the cross for the wrong things in our lives that separate us all from God, rose from death and offers forgiveness and new life to all who today turn to him.

Christmas is more than great.

It’s extraordinary.

So pay a visit to RBC this Christmas time. Take part in the simple beauty of the Christingle service, tap your feet to the gospel music of Rejoice, enjoy the timeless appeal of Carols

by Candlelight, experience the powerful stillness of Christmas Eve Communion or sing your heart out at our Christmas Day service.

Hot designs for hearth & home With the cold autumn and winter nights approaching, it is natural to think about relaxing by a warm fire. Thanks to advances in design and clean burn technology a high efficiency wood burning stove can dramatically reduce your heating bills – and carbon footprint!

The new Topstak showroom has on display probably the most extensive range of traditional and modern stoves in Wales.

Many are alight to show how well they work.

Topstak are the premier South Wales dealers for leading brands such as CLEARVIEW, Charnwood, Esse, Hunter and the contemporary stoves from Hwam, SCAN and Stuv.

Kitchens and interior furniture from Neptune Classics are also displayed alongside Rayburn, Aga and Esse cookers. Topstak also supply Danish furniture from Carl Hansen & FREDERICIA. Many chairs and tables from iconic designers such as Hans Wegner and Mogensen are on show.

Local dealers for

Neptune Kitchens

A great place for presents & Christmas gifts There is an extensive selection of baskets, fire accessories and the latest products from the Danish design company EVA SOLO including the unique insulated fridge carafes, teapots, smiley bowls and bird tables.

Tel: 01446 771567 www.topstak.co.uk Topstak Chimney Specialists Ltd. Unit 42A, Vale Business Park, Llandow, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7PF

The one stop shop for stoves and chimneys with the biggest showroom in Wales!

Recipes

Warm up with these Christmas Eve Buffet Winter Recipes Apple and Cinnamon Warmer Ingredients 10cm cinnamon stick 6 cloves 1 litre unsweetened apple juice 2 tbsp clear honey 25g raisins 1 small dessert apple 2 tbsp lemon juice Spray cream and cocoa to dust Method Tie the cinnamon stick and cloves in a small piece of muslin to make a spice bag.

Mix the apple juice, honey and raisins together in a large saucepan. Add the spice bag and leave for 1 hour to allow the raisins to soften.

Peel, core and cut the apple into four rings.

Put the pan of juice over a low heat, add the apple rings and simmer (without letting the mixture boil) for 20 minutes or until the apples are just tender.

Remove from the heat, discard the spice bag and stir in the lemon juice. Place an apple ring in each tumbler and pour in the hot drink - making sure you place a teaspoon into each tumbler first to absorb the heat and prevent the glass from cracking. Serve piping hot.

Brandy can be added to give a festive kick!

Mulled Wine Ingredients 1 bottle of red wine 12 cloves 2 cinnamon sticks rind of 1 lemon 2 tbsp of sugar Method Put all ingredients in a large pan. Simmer over a medium heat until heated through.

Chestnut and Parsnip Soup Ingredients 2 kilos of sweet chestnuts 4 large parsnips 1 litre of chicken stock 1 tub of crème fraîche salt and pepper 1 tsp of cumin Method Rinse the chestnuts to get rid of any dirt, then boil them for about 20 minutes, until they are soft inside.

Cut them in half with a sharp knife and scoop out the insides.

Peel the parsnips, chop and boil them in most of the chicken stock. Add the chestnut pieces, crème fraîche, salt, pepper and cumin.

Use an electric hand blender to make the soup smoother. Don't worry if there are still lumps in it - that will give the soup texture. If it is too thick, add some more of the chicken stock. Simmer on a low heat for 20 minutes.

Serve with warm bread and butter.

Cheese Straws Ingredients 120g softened butter 450g grated Cheddar cheese 250g plain flour 1 tsp salt Method Preheat the oven to 200ºC / Gas mark 6.

Grease a baking tray.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and cheese. Stir in the flour and salt; mix well.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1.25cm in thickness. Cut into 5cm strips and place on prepared baking tray 3 to 4cm apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 - 15 minutes, or until crisp.

Rhiwbina Living Page 37

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ACROSS 1. Fill me in 5. Relations’ boat 9. Swear on the husk 11. Vermin 12. Non-realistic art 15. Not the neatest 16. To and back 17. Roman in bits?

19. The room’s lowest point 20. Canada’s jazz city 23. Downsize a psychologist

24. Red Indian’s pole 26. Board with the word game 28. Weapon on the side 30. Freddie’s men were one 33. Shakespeare is banned 35. Cloth of the bed 36. In addition 37. Tough cereal 38. Sad’s opposite 41. Strong

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44. Safe place 46. Part of the legs that wears caps 48. Three-lettered finish 49. Gathering of pears 50. Sink without the bendy S DOWN 1. Ginger policeman 2. Ringed planet 3. Boil and all 4. Cones and holes 5. Player’s equipment 6. Ill 7. Harry’s playing with clay 8. Computer is the pronoun 10. Stay over here 13. Shortened farewell 14. Argument with an oar 18. Person on the inner 21. Write a musical sign 22. Low-rise apartment 25. Short mum

27. Measurement 29. Chinese-speaking orange?

31. Chilled out 32. Bird-flap 33. Gaseous face noise 34. Good or long?

39. Long 40. Sudden distress 41. Garden’s Atlantic 42. It looks like precipitation 43. Billy’s not telling the truth 45. Adam’s Garden 47. Viewed a cutting tool

A Merry Christmas to all our readers!

Answers on our website - www.rhiwbinaliving.co.uk

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