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ith th e Aber gave n ny Chro nicle
The Abergavenny Chronicle’s monthly magazine Issue 82 February 2018 £1.50 where sold February 2018 1
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
Dear readers,
F A C T O R Y O U T L E T
tle down with a cup of something warming, a left over shortbread finger and this month’s edition of the Gazette and Diary magazine to enjoy its familiar blend of local interest and lifestyle specially designed to be as soothing as a hot chocolate and as comforting as a Welsh blanket on a snowy night. In this month’s edition, in addition to all our regular features, we’ve got advice on how to enjoy the perfect Valentine’s Day and if you’re looking to shift those stubborn few pounds from Christmas then we’ve got dieting advice from one of Abergavenny Food Festival’s favourite guests, celebrity chef Tom Kerridge who promises that cutting the calories does not mean cutting the taste.
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All this and much, much more comes this - and every month in your Gazette and Diary magazine... so lock the doors, switch on your favourite radio channel and enjoy...
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T barely seems like minutes since we were clambering into the attic to retrieve the Christmas decorations and now we find ourselves looking forward to the end of dry January and eagerly scouring the fields for the sight of the first spring lamb as if in defiance of those hardy enough to take a pop at Veganuary. With the baubles and tinsel only just packed away it’s already time to contemplate how many Valentine cards won’t be dropping through the letter box on February 14 and how to stick to the New Year healthy eating plan when confronted by supermarket shelves packed with Easter eggs... with the added challenge of a cash bonus for anyone with a strong enough constitution to munch their way through a thousand Creme Eggs in search of the elusive white chocolate edition. If the whole thing frankly leaves you as cold as a February morning, then why not set-
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
D
IEt food has a bad rep. It conjures up images of chewing on cardboard-like rice cakes and low-fat packet soups packed with preservatives, while you dream of a comforting bowl of pasta and battle cravings for anything that so much as resembles dessert. Enter Tom Kerridge. He not only runs the UK's only pub with two Michelin stars (The Hand And Flowers in Marlow), but he knows a thing or two about weight loss - having shed a staggering 12 stone himself. Now back with a second diet book, Lose Weight For Good, and accompanying BBC programme, he's determined to demonstrate that calorie-controlled meals can be delicious - and easy to whip up at home. And who better to create a weightloss plan that you actually want to stick to, than someone who loves really, re-
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ally loves food? What's the new book about? "I looked at lower-calorie recipes and I found them incredibly depressing, boring and flavourless," Wiltshire-born Tom, 44, explains. "I thought, 'Well no wonder so many people yo-yo on diets, they're not enjoying what they're eating'." He describes his new book as a "celebration of great-tasting food", with an emphasis on recipes that use everyday ingredients and come in portions big enough to fill you up. It's full of nutritious but hearty recipes, and some that might surprise you, like spicy lamb burgers, pork samosa pie, pizza with parma ham and mozzarella, and coffee and chocolate custard pots. Pastry, red meat and puddings might not be classic healthbook fodder, but pub grub is what he's famous for - and it really wouldn't be a Tom Kerridge book without a pie. The accompanying TV show, currently on BBC Two, follows a group of 13 dieters on their mission to achieve steady but lasting weight loss with Tom's recipes. "Seeing them actually enjoying what they're eating has been the biggest thing for me," says the chef. How did Tom lose his weight? Alongside a typically hectic lifestyle, being in the restaurant business and
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constantly around food saw Tom's weight creep up to 30 stone. "I worked very hard, I spent a lot of time in other people's restaurants, a lot of time labouring in the kitchen. I'd go home late and have cheese on toast," he recalls. "It was the same trap everyone else falls into, but I suppose my lifestyle made it even more extreme." Approaching 40 made him evaluate his health. "I thought, 'I've achieved where I am in life, but where am I going moving forward? OK, maybe I won't spend the next 40 years doing what I'm doing...'."
You shouldn’t feel like you’re on a diet It was January 2013 when the dad-ofone gave up booze and devised his own weight-loss plan, later coined 'The Dopamine Diet', which was turned into a bestselling book. It took him to just under 18 stone, mainly by cutting down on carbohydrates. "The hardest part was the first six to eight weeks of getting into the mindset and changing the habitual routines. Like when I'd normally have cheese on toast or when I'd usually go to the pub - that's the bit where you've got to be really
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How to lose calories but not flavour - with Tom Kerridge
strong-willed," he recalls. He recognised that a low-carb diet isn't for everybody, however: "When I told people I lost weight by having no alcohol, no pasta, no bread... there was a massive look of disappointment on their faces!" So he set out to create a "broader reaching" diet, in line with the NHS 12 week weight-loss plan. "The reason the Dopamine Diet worked for me was that I thoroughly enjoyed what I was eating - as it's all about the flavour," says Tom. "I thought, 'Surely I can put that ethos of a celebration of food into lower-calorie cooking'." Can lower-calorie meals still be comfort food? While changing your diet does involve some self-control, it doesn't have to mean missing out on all 'treats', or enjoying food less. For instance, you can still get your pasty fix with Tom's chicken and mushroom filo crunch, your latenight kebab hit with his healthy lamb doner alternative, or satisfy a KFC craving with the southernstyle chicken with potato salad. "I think when people are on diets, what they miss the most is desserts and things they feel like they shouldn't be able to eat," he says. Although the desserts in the book don't have the same amount of butter or sugar, and therefore calories, as traditional pudding recipes, they're still proper puddings. "There are some fantastic sugar alternatives, fantastic cream alternatives, things that are lower in calories that can help you still produce things that feel a bit more 'treaty', that shouldn't feel like you're on a diet, but you are," he says.
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Gazette and Diary Magazine diet you're on, you have to make that decision yourself and you have to do it." Lose Weight For Good: Full-Flavour Cooking For A Low-Calorie Diet by Tom Kerridge is published by Absolute, priced £22. Available now. The accompanying six-part series continues on BBC Two on Wednesdays. PA Photo/Š Cristian Barnett.
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It's all about using some clever tricks. Some of the recipes include veg-masquerading-as-carb alternatives, like jerk chicken with cauliflower rice 'n' peas, chicken with peas and mushrooms and celeriac mash, and turkey ragu with white cabbage linguine. "They make you feel like you're not missing out on anything," Tom says. "They hold flavour, they taste nice, they're mind tricks." But the best way to ensure dieters enjoy their food is to pack in the flavour something Tom's using his 26 years of experience as a chef to do. "Don't be scared of using spice. Use hot spice gently, have a go with salt, pepper and paprika and fresh herbs - there's no such thing as too many fresh herbs." Essentially, he wants to get people cooking, because there's no better way to ensure what you're putting into your body is healthy. But as for sticking to it? "Nobody else can do that for you," says Tom. "And it doesn't matter what
February 2018 5
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
Are you ready to embrace the gentle art of Swedish death clearing?
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"Your exhaustion with all this stuff may 'M looking at the pile of junk I've pulled appear out of the blue one day. When from under my bed. The void beneath someone cancels a weekend visit or a my mattress has become a no man's dinner, you feel grateful instead of disapland of things I don't use but can't bear pointed, because you may be too tired to to part with: old university projects, anclean up for their visit." I can certainly recient diaries with entries that would late to this, cancelling dinner plans after make you shudder with embarrassment, staring into the abyss of a mounting pile clothes I'm convinced might come back of laundry, washing-up and general life into fashion, fancy-dress costumes, a debris that I was too bone-tired to touch. broken MacBook, unused Christmas So how do you get started? presents... the list goes on. Now nearing the twilight of 20s, I've Magnusson recommends dividing decided it's about time I stop hoarding your belongings by category and tackrandom relics under the bed - and start ling the easiest one first. She suggests 'Swedish Death Cleaning' instead. The starting with clothing, and avoiding sentiphrase translates from the Swedish mental items like photographs, otherword 'dostadning', and relates to the wise you'll get stuck in memory lane. practice of clearing out one's possesAside from pulling the sions before death. The idea plug on a borderline is, it saves your hoarding issue, the loved ones the method reveals that onerous tasks of there's also a joy to having to sift spending an afternoon through your items picking through mementos of the past. and find homes for "I've discovered that it them once you're gone, and also is rewarding to spend frees you from the time with these objects psychological burone last time, and den of being surthen dispose of them. rounded by chaos Each item has its and clutter. own history, and reIt's not as demembering that hispressing as it tory is often sounds enjoyable," says The phenomenon Margerita. was coined by MarSo, following the gareta Magnusson, a book's guidance, Scandi who describes that broken Macherself as "somewhere Book goes to a between 80 and 100". used parts shop, Having lived by the my stash of unmantra for years, Marused makeup is gate. gareta has just penned a passed on to /Canon to o h P PA book on the subject, The friends. Even once-adored Gentle Art Of Swedish clothes I'll never wear again - a dress I wore on a special first date, a coat that Death Cleaning. It's already gained no longer fits - are donated to charity. headlines here in the UK, thanks to its frank and honest approach to mortality, "Sometimes you have to give cherished and our complicated relationship with items away, with the hope they end up hoarding. with someone who will create new mem"Death cleansing means removing unories of their own," says Margareta. necessary things and making your home Hold on to the precious stuff nice and orderly when you think the time Of course, you don't have to throw is coming close for you to leave the away everything in a minimalist rage. planet," writes Margareta in her no-non"Save the things that make you happy, sense guide. Rather than being or your life easier," says Margareta. "Throw away the things that have accumacabre, she believes cleansing yourmulated that you no longer need." self from a lifetime of unnecessary belongings can instate a permanent form For private keepsakes that are priceof organisation that makes your everyless, such as my hilariously angst-ridden day life run more smoothly. diaries, Margarita suggests creating a "When you death clean, it stops you 'Throw Away' box. "When I find things from running around the house looking that have absolutely no value to anyone for your bag or your keys, because there else, but enormous value for me, they are less things for them to get lost in," go in my Throw Away box," she says. Margareta says. "It gives you more time "Once I am gone, the box can be deand makes you less stressed." stroyed." The Throw Away box also has clear It can be done at any age instructions to friends and family that if I know what you're thinking - at 28, I'm something unforeseen happens, these (hopefully) not fit for the grave yet, but Margareta insists that death cleaning personal relics are to be destroyed and can be done at any age, and you don't not mortifyingly read aloud at your fuactually have to wait until you know neral. you're on your way out. It's a method for Isn't it the same as Marie Kondo's reevaluating your possessions, taking method? stock of what's important. and removing Of course, The Gentle Art Of Swedish what's not. Death Cleaning is just one of many tidy"Just look around you. Many of your ing manuals that's gained hype in recent things have probably been around for so years. Marie Kondo found worldwide long that you do not even see or value fame with global bestseller, The LifeChanging Magic Of Tidying, and declutthem any more," she explains.
tering has never been more relevant, as we increasingly become more conscious of the environmental impact of getting through so much 'stuff'. Crucially, one of the main ways Marie and Margareta differ is because, instead of asking if an item 'sparks joy', as per the Marie Kondo method, Margareta asks you to question whether anyone you know will be happier if you hold onto it. Plus, it's all about the simple joy of living with less, and getting good use out of what you do own. Another of Margareta's rules is to make sure you talk about death cleaning as much as possible with anyone you might one day be doing it for - such as parents - as this adds a sense of accountability to the process. So how does it feel? After an initial wave of dread and regret upon leaving the charity shop, I soon feel better looking at the pleasantly clear space under my bed. It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. In all of my rented flats over the past 10 years, the bed area's become my hoarding space - something I'd get defensive about if boyfriends or flatmates every tried to prod around in or ask me about. Now I know it won't be haunting me in the afterlife, either. It seems, whatever your age, death cleansing is good for the soul - but for the elderly, it can be the greatest gift you leave your loved ones. "Once someone
has gone, things can be chaotic enough," Margareta says. "Sorting through everything is sad sometimes, but I really do not want to give my beloved children and their families too much trouble with my stuff after I'm gone." The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning: How To Free Yourself And Your Family From A Lifetime Of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson is published by Canongate, priced £12.99. Available now.
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It may sound a little macabre, but as Liz Connor discovers, this new decluttering method is actually really soul-soothing.
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
Jack climbs the beanstalk at the Borough Theatre
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T’s said by many to be the oldest amateur pantomime company in Wales and its certainly a firm family favourite in Abergavenny which sees the welcome return to its Borough Theatre this month of Abergavenny Pantomime Company. Abergavenny Pantomime Company has a long and proud history, going back to the beginning of this century. It started off in Holy Trinity Church, Baker Street in Abergavenny in 1932 with a production of Cinderella and with just a short gap during the Second World War has been performing ever since. With a brand new production of Jack and the Beanstalk, for this year the every popular company will be calling on local audiences to cheer, boo and hiss as the heroic Jack takes on the wicked squire and the even worse giant as he battles to keep a roof of the heads of his family. With the family’s only asset an aged cow called Daisy things are not looking good, especially when Jack sells her to an old woman for little more than a handful of beans. Packed with music, jokes and fun the panto is the idea family half term treat and runs at the Borough Theatre from Monday, February 19 until Saturday, February 24 with matinee performances available on Friday and Saturday.
PRESENTS
FEBRUARY 19-24
FEBRUARY 1-3 ABERGAVENNY THEATRE GROUP
presents
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This amateur production is performed under licence from Samuel French
by
VICTOR LUCAS
A memorable moment from APC’s production of Peter Pan
BOROUGH THEATRE ABERGAVENNY
THURSDAY 1st TO SATURDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2018 7.30pm. TICKETS £8.50 (£7.50 concessions)
BOX OFFICE 01873 850805 BOOK ONLINE www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
MAY 8-12
MARCH 1 Promoted by
The Best of Wales
AAODS presents
A celebration of Wales to mark St David’s Day With
Blaenavon Male Voice Choir and special guests
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny Thursday, March 1 at 7.30 Tickets £8 (£7) - Theatre Box Office 01873 850805
May 8-12, 2018 at the Borough Theatre
TICKETS FOR ALL PERFORMANCES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE BOROUGH THEATRE BOX OFFICE ON 01873 850805 OR BY VISITING BOROUGHTHEATREABERGAVENNY.CO.UK
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
A chance for folk fans to catch top Scottish band at Borough Theatre
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COTTISH folk group Breabach arrive in Abergavenny later this month for an eagerly anticipated visit to the Borough Theatre. The group which has enjoyed huge success in the last year began 2017 in exciting fashion as receivers of the Scots Trad Music Awards ‘Folk Band of the Year’ for the second time and ‘Album of the Year’ for their fifth studio album ‘Astar’. A special Celtic Connections show to celebrate the album was held in February in Glasgow’s City Halls and was received with a sell out crowd and fivestar review in the Scotsman. The momentum continued with nominations for ‘Best Band’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and for ‘European Album of the Year’ in the Songlines Music Awards. This was underpinned by a packed live performance schedule including tours of the UK, Sweden and Canada and an exciting, energetic festival season across Europe. This year will see Breabach back in the studio to record a sixth studio album as well continuing their adventures across the globe with tours of the UK and Australia to kick things off. Delivering an increasingly mature repertoire and live performance whilst continuing to build their reputation at the forefront of the UK’s world and roots music scene, this is a band at the very top of their game and one not to be missed. The group appears at the Borough Theatre on Saturday February 10 and tickets are availble from the theatre box office on 01873 850805 or online at boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
Claim Your Date FEBRUARY 17 Valentines Fete at Llanellen Village Hall, 12-4pm, numerous stalls – tea & cakes etc. Raffle prizes. Entrance fee by donation. All proceeds to all Creatures Great & Small Cwmbran 22 Abergavenny Local History Society. Gerallt Nash will talk about Saving St Teilo's church and late medieval wallpaintings. Borough Theatre 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome to join on the night. 19-24 Abergavenny Pantomime Co presents Jack & The Beanstalk. Tickets £5 - £7. Groups of 20 or more 10% discount Mon & Tues only. Tel: 01873 850805 or book on line: www.boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
MARCH 1 St David’s Day concert with Blaenavon Male Choir and special guests at the Borough Theatre in Abergavenny. Tickets: 01873 850805 or boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk
Chronicle Claim Your Date £23 inc VAT for four consecutive weeks
Traditional celebration of all things Welsh at the Borough Theatre
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BERGAVENNY’S Borough Theatre will soon be celebrating all things Welsh with its annual St David’s Day concert marking the patron saint’s day with a feast of the best of Welsh music and culture. Leading the entertainment at the theatre’s traditional performance, which takes place on Thursday, March 1, will be Blaenavon Male Voice Choir, which will perform a mixed programme blending Welsh standards with more modern offerings. The performance, which is promoted by A4B, comes at a busy time for the award winning Blaenavon Male Voice Choir which in 2015 appeared in a feature length documentary called ‘Save Our Male Voice Choirs’ about the plight of the Welsh male voice choir which focused on several of the country’s top choirs, as well as choirs from across the globe. Made by Focus Shift
Films, the documentary attracted the attention of Welsh actor Michael Sheen who has lent his support to the choir. As a result of the interest in the film, the choir has gained a number of new members many of whom will be taking part in next weeks’ performance at the Borough Theatre. Tickets for the evening are available now from the Borough Theatre box office on 01873 850805 or onhttps://boroughtheatreabergavenny.co.uk and even include a free Welsh cake to help mark the day. All proceeds from this event go to support the Borough Theatre
February 2018 9
PA Photo/BBC/Simon Ridgway.
Gazette and Diary Magazine
It’s the new TV supernatural thriller everyone’s talking about - and it was filmed just around the corner Requiem might read like any other psychological thriller- but weaving in supernatural undertones leads it into unfamiliar territory, say its cast. Gemma Dunn finds out more.
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HAT if you want to find out who you really are - but you don't like the answer? That's the very question posed by the creators behind BBC One's new psychological thriller series Requiem. The six-parter tells the story of Matilda (played brilliantly by Lydia Wilson), a talented London cellist whose life is turned upside down by her mother's inexplicable suicide. Now questioning everything she thought she knew about herself, she embarks on a quest - along with best friend Hal (Joel Fry) - that leads her to a small Welsh town where a toddler disappeared 23 years earlier. It's there that things take a mysterious turn. "I've never been a big fan of chainsaws and monsters, but I've always been an enormous fan of the more low-key, psychological horror thrillers that toy with an audience's and the protagonist's psyche," notes writer Kris Mrksa, who penned the identity-crisis drama following the death of his own mother. "The Innocents, Truman Capote's version of The Turn Of The Screw, is a really wonderful film. That had a big influence on my thinking," he adds. "Other masterpieces that have the same ambiguity are Don't Look Now and Rosemary's Baby, which sits in terrifying, disquieting territory. That was something I was trying to land with Requiem." So how did it come together? We find out more from its leading lady and key cast. It goes without saying that a bold tale requires bold characters - and Requiem, with its supernatural undertones, has them in abundance. Paving the way is Matilda Gray, who in the wake of tragedy swaps her Tinder habit and rollies in favour of going after "the real her". "Something huge is missing from her life," reasons Wilson, who's also starred in Ripper Street and Star Trek Beyond. "A lot of twenty-somethings are looking for something in external images, but an integral part of Matilda is empty." Meanwhile Hal is "a wet blanket", says Game Of Thrones star Fry. "He loves Matilda, but it's hard to tell if she knows that. But when they go on this quest together, they reach a new level of intimacy." Also in the picture is Janice Gray, Matilda's troubled mother portrayed by Joanna Scanlan, while the Welsh town's residents, among others, include antiques dealer and "shape shifter" Sylvia, helmed by Game Of Thrones actress Tara Fitzgerald; and retired detective inspector Stephen Kendrick, played by Downton Abbey's Brendan Coyle. In addition to housing a number of eclectic characters, the small-town setting was deemed a metaphor for isolation. A space cut off from city life. "In the first episode I was like, 'Boom! She's from London', and then in the second
10 February 2018
and third I was like, 'I don't know who I am' - and that's what happens to her," recalls RADA graduate Wilson. "She kind of gets spread out, and [is] without her apps and her little accoutrements that we all need to make us feel like we've got identities, in a superficial way. "It was interesting letting all of that go. It was like going back in time." "I wanted there to be a clash of two worlds," explains Mrksa. "When I visited Wales, I fell in love with the place. It has a mystical feel, and the history there is very palpable. The Welsh town becomes a character in its own right. It's the perfect setting for this drama." While Requiem steers clear of in-your-face horror, there's certainly spooky moments to be had. "We can really get the psychological part of the drama - [Matilda] is grief-stricken," says Wilson. "She has a very thin skin because of this rupture in her confidence [and] she becomes this lightning rod for things that are happening without necessarily being able to read the situation. That's a spooky place to be anyway," she adds. "So for me, that's where the chills come from." "Spookiness is in the eye of the beholder," Coyle says. "We are all about the intentions and this parallel reality with the characters, their intentions and what the truth is. That is the seed." Proving life really can imitate art, however, the scares didn't always end when the cameras stopped rolling. "There were lot of incidents with birds!" remembers Fitzgerald. "They seemed to be in people's front gardens a lot more than normal." "Everyone got a sty [in their eye] as well - and they aren't contagious!" adds Wilson, who recalls a full-on shoot of 12-hour days over four months. "I also woke up with sand in my bed in the shape of an angel. It was so weird. I took everything apart in my apartment and did all these experiments to see if it was a crushed vitamin or something." And on set - surely filming in the majestic country house conjured up some fear? "It was really quite strange and spooky," Fry confesses. "It's one of those old houses where you walk in and can't help feeling, 'What kind of things have happened here in the past?'" It's that fascination, that desire to explain the unexplainable, that the cast believe will intrigue viewers. "The mystery of life is riveting," begins Fitzgerald. "We're all searching for the answers to the Great Unknown. It's a very human quest: Why are we here? Where are we? "In Requiem, Matilda is searching for her identity. But on a larger level, it's about how we are all looking for our place in the universe." "In this day and age, drama can be homogeneous and formulaic," Wilson says. "I love to watch formulaic dramas sometimes and know what I'm going to get but at the same time, I think it's great to do something like this, which is uncomfortable and unfamiliar," she finishes. "It's fantastic to make something that is so bold." Requiem premieres on BBC One on Friday, February 2.
Gazette and Diary Magazine
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Are you getting the sleep chemistry right with your Valentine?
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NORING, duvet-hogging and different bed times - these incompatible night-time habits can create poor sleep chemistry and drive couples apart, even on Valentine's Day, supposedly the most romantic time of the year. While latest research shows that over half of us are happily snuggling up with our other halves, almost one-third of us are getting a poor night's sleep with partner disturbance being one of the top three reasons stated. But, before taking refuge in the spare room or on the sofa to get some shut-eye, it's worth considering all the health benefits of cosying up with your partner, says Lisa Artis of The Sleep Council, an impartial, advisory organisation that raises the awareness of the importance of a good night's sleep to health and wellbeing. Said Lisa, "Sleeping with your partner can benefit your health and increase the odds of having a longer lifespan. This is because people tend to feel more secure
and safe when in a relationship, decreasing the levels of stress hormones and increasing oxytocin, the love homone leading to less interrupted sleep. "However, around 50 per cent of sleep disturbance is caused by sharing a bed. So, if you find your sleep is disrupted on a regular basis, there are various solutions to consider before resorting to separate beds." Sleep guru Lisa's top tips for perfect sleep chemistry with your Valentine
• Size matters: buy as big a bed as budget and room size allow so you are less likely to disturb your partner. You should be able to lie side by side, with your arms behind your head and your elbows out, without touching. Your bed should also be 4-6in (10-15cm) longer than the tallest partner. Width-wise, two people sharing a standard double size bed (4'6" or 135cms) have only as much personal sleeping space as a baby in a cot! • Seven-year hitch: unintended rolling together can be caused by too small a bed - or a mattress that's past its best. Replace your bed at least every seven years and, if you'd be embarrassed if your neighbour saw your mattress, it's a sure sign you need to consider getting a new one. Zip-and-link beds allow each partner different levels of mattress support. • Tackle snoring: snoring has many
causes: age, being overweight or out of shape, the way you're built, nasal and sinus problems, alcohol, smoking and medications and your sleep posture. If you suspect a sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea, seek medical help. Otherwise, while you can't do anything about growing older, lifestyle changes, new bedtime routines, throat exercises and some oral devices can all help to prevent snoring. Ear-plugs can also help block out a noisy partner. Combat stress: almost half of Britons say that stress or worry keeps them awake at night. Make bedtime the place to switch off and relax with these positive steps: create a restful environment, turn off electronic gadgets and gizmos, meditate, set room temperature to around 16-18°C (60-65°F), listen to some soothing sounds, get a new bed and get into a good bedtime routine. Get together: try to go to bed with your partner at the same time at least three nights a week. Different body clocks mean many couples tuck up at different times alarm bells should sound if that happens every night. Double-up the duvets: where duvethogging is an issue, single duvets can
work wonders! Separate duvets are also handy for bed sharers who have different temperature requirements. Individual duvets with a tog rating suited to each partner will put an end to the ‘too warm, too cold' debate. The Sleep Council provides helpful advice and tips on how to improve sleep quality and create the perfect sleep environment. For more information, visit www.sleepcouncil.org.uk
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February 2018 11
Porthmawr Country House
Welsh wedding venue of the year 2017, via Bridebook UK
Your home for your event
Exclusive use of the Mansion and three acre grounds for a three day wedding event. Stay with at least 32 of your guests and relax in the comfort and grandeur of this special location. A family business priding ourselves on helping your individual dreams come true. Completely bespoke; create your own look, feel and menu with our in house chefs and wedding planner. 7 years of 5 star reviews, hosting weddings of all sizes (see our Facebook page). No extra charge for civil weddings, with a choice of 5 different fully licensed areas for your ceremony. Nestled behind a twelve foot high castellated stonewall, this discreet and peaceful setting is protected from public gaze yet enjoys magnificent sunsets over the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains. Late booking and winter discounts available.
Contact Geoff or Beth on 01873 811592 | www.porthmawrcountryhouse.com Porthmawr Country House, Brecon Road, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1DE. 1617594
12 February 2018
Gazette and Diary Magazine
Make Porthmawr Country House your choice for a truly unique wedding day P
ORTHMAWR Country House becomes your home for your event when you take exclusive use of the whole site and its three acre grounds for a three day period.
Porthmawr has built an excellent reputation over the last seven years, hosting weddings of all sizes, and making weddings as unique as you are, whether that be a traditional white wedding with 120 guests, a tea party for 30 guests or anything in between. Priding themselves on being a family business, and you will get to know the family as you plan your perfect day, with Adam and Simone to plan a menu of your favourites, Beth there to take the worry away from the details, and Geoff on hand with the knowledge and expertise that comes from restoring this beautiful site to its former glory, developing a business so unique it won Welsh Wedding Venue of the Year 2017. Stay with at least 32 of your guests and relax in the comfort and grandeur of this special location for a full weekend, waking up to beauty of the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons with the people who you most want to share your celebration. Porthmawr is fully licensed for civil weddings, and offers choice of four different areas for your ceremony, each with their own distinct charm. You could choose to hold your wedding outdoors, or in the Medieval Gatehouse with 530 years of history, in the beautifully restored Regency Dining room or the Celtic banqueting room. Nestled behind the high castellated stonewall, this discreet and peaceful setting is perfect for your wedding weekend and celebration.
PURVEYORS OF FINEST QUALITY LOCAL MEATS Cashell’s family Butchers are located in the small market town of Crickhowell, nestled between the picturesque Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. Mike and Chris Cashell came to Crickhowell in 1975 and started the family business. They believed and instilled in us that quality produce and quality service is second to none! We have continued to take this forward and we continue to work with local farmers and small producers, sharing for 40 years the same animal welfare passions and desire for quality, and priding ourselves on the highest level of customer service. The vast majority of our meat is sourced locally
OPENING TIMES: 8:00 - 17:30 MONDAY TO SATURDAY 09:00 - 12:00 SUNDAY
53 HIGH STREET. CRICKHOWELL. NP8 1BH 01873 810405 • WWW.CASHELLS.CO.UK mtcashell@btconnect.com
We also have a Delicatessen with a delicious and vast array of cheeses sourced locally to us in Wales and beyond! A fine selection of tempting pickles, conserves, oils, sauces and coffees to tease all fine pallets ensures that all your requirements are met! 1634276
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
A warm welcome is ensured for old and new customers of the Llanwenarth Hotel
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DRIENNE Eley took over the Llanwenarth Hotel near Abergavenny on December 1 last year and is excited about her new role and what the future has in store. Adrienne’s background lies within the world of professional rugby and she spent over 15 years working as administrator and senior player liaison officer at Gloucester Rugby, where she had the honour of looking after many professional players and their families. Readers may be familiar with names such as James Hook, Richard Hibbard and Ross Moriarty, who Adrienne used to work with. Her rugby colleagues are excited about her new venture at Llanwenarth Hotel and have promised to visit for a meal and a chat with guests. Definitely something to look forward to! Adrienne has many exciting plans for the hotel. Changes are already underway with new carpets being fitted and an overhaul of the toilet blocks with their complete refurbishment planned for the New Year. There is also a regular programme of events to look forward to which will include a Q&A session with professional rugby players, steak nights and a Valentines Weekend Package. Adrienne and her team will be introducing a loyalty card scheme in recognition of regular
clients. Each time you spend £30 on food, you will receive a stamp until your card is full, after which you’ll receive a £10 discount on your next meal. They also have the “Good Cause” loyalty card for those who wish to fundraise for their chosen charity or good cause such as a school PTA or mini Rugby side. Spend £30 and and you will receive a card to give to the Club secretary, entitling them to 10 per cent of the value spent. Adrienne very much hopes that readers will call in and see and enjoy what the Llanwenarth Hotel and Restaurant has to offer. She is looking forward to welcoming guests old and new and assures everyone of a very warm welcome.
The Llanwenarth Hotel and Restaurant
B
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Valentine’s Day Dinner
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Enjoy a Delicious three course dinner, complete with a glass of prosecco on arrival and complimentary Black Mountain Gold chocolates for the Ladies.
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February 2018 15
Gazette and Diary Magazine TOM KERRIDGE’S BAKED COD WITH BEANS, COURGETTE AND CHORIZO
TOM KERRIDGE'S COURGETTE AND CARDAMOM CAKE
(Serves 8) Sunflower oil spray 250g half-fat margarine 2tsp flaky sea salt 100g caster sugar 1tsp hot smoked paprika 4tbsp granulated sweetener 2 cod fillets (200g each) 3 large free-range eggs 3 medium courgettes, 250g self-raising flour cut into chunks 1tsp bicarbonate of 4 garlic cloves, soda thickly sliced 1tsp ground car200ml fresh fish damom stock 1 vanilla pod, split 1tsp dried oregano and seeds scraped Olive oil spray Finely grated zest of 400g tin butter 2 limes beans, rinsed and 200g courgettes, drained grated PA Photo/© Cristian Barnett. 200g cherry tomatoes PA Photo/© Cristian Barnett. For the icing: on the vine 100g icing sugar 40g pitted green olives 1tbsp light cream cheese 8 thin slices of chorizo 1tbsp lime juice Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon To finish: Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Grated zest of 1 lime Flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, to finish 1. Preheat the oven to fan 180°C/gas 4. Spray a 900g (2lb) non-stick loaf tin with a few sprays of oil. 1. Mix the flaky salt with half a teaspoon of smoked paprika and sprinkle 2. Using a stand mixer or electric hand whisk and large bowl, cream together over both sides of the cod fillets. Place them on a plate, cover with cling film the margarine, caster sugar and sweetener until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, and refrigerate for one to two hours. one at a time, beating well after each addition. 2. Preheat the oven to fan 180°C/gas 4. Line a roasting tin with baking parch3. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ground cardamom together over the mixment. ture, add the vanilla seeds and lime zest and fold in gently, using a spatula, until just 3. Place the courgettes in the roasting tin. Add the garlic and pour on half of the fish stock. Sprinkle with the oregano and some salt and pepper. Spray with 25-30 sprays combined. Lastly, fold in the grated courgettes. 4. Spoon the cake mixture into the prepared tin and gently level the surface. Bake on of oil. Cook on the middle shelf of the oven for 15 minutes. the middle shelf of the oven for 50-60 minutes. To test, insert a skewer into the mid4. Remove the fish from the fridge, wash off the salt and pat dry with kitchen paper. 5. Take the tray from the oven and mix through the butter beans. Nestle the fish fillets dle of the cake: it should come out clean; if not give it a little longer. 5. Once cooked, leave the cake to cool in the tin for five minutes, then transfer to a into the mixture, along with the cherry tomatoes and olives. Pour on the rest of the wire rack to cool completely. fish stock. Lay the chorizo slices, overlapping, on top of the cod fillets. 6. To make the icing, in a bowl, whisk the icing sugar, cream cheese and lime juice 6. Sprinkle the lemon zest and juice and the remaining half teaspoon of smoked paprika over everything and season with salt and pepper. Spray another 20 sprays of oil together until smoothly combined. 7. Spread the icing on top of the cake and sprinkle with the lime zest. Cut into eight over the surface and bake in the oven for 12 minutes, until the fish is just cooked. thick slices to serve. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve. (Serves two)
Two great recipes
to try at home this Valentine’s Day
Both recipes are from Lose Weight For Good: Full-Flavour Cooking For A Low-Calorie Diet by Tom Kerridge - published by Absolute and priced at £22.
Monmouth MP David Davies
Coming up in next month’s issue. . .
We celebrate Mother’s Day
Monmouth MP holds David Davies regular
holds regular advice advice surgeries throughout thesurgeries constituency. throughout To make an appointmentthe telephone
From dining out, to the perfect gift, we’ve got you covered!
–constituency. 01291 672817
david.davies.mp@parliament.uk
16 February 2018
If you would like to advertise within this contact Andrew on 01873 852187 ext 25 or 1635119
To make an appointment telephone - 01291 672817 david.davies.mp@parliament.uk
email andrew.fowler@abergavennychronicle.com
Gazette and Diary Magazine
Walking the Thames Path was full of surprises Nigel Heath sets out on stage two of his walk along the Thames from London to the source...
W
E met a surprised New Yorker out walking the Thames path from its source in Gloucestershire to that capital city where the streets were once said to be paved with gold. "It's my fifth walking vacation in England and I saved this trail till now thinking it would be flat and dull but it's full of surprises and has turned out to be the best yet because there has been so much of interest to see," he said. My friend Peter Gibbs and I who were walking in the opposite direction on this famous national trail, could not help but agree that a walker's life was full of surprises We stepped out on our latest adventure in Staines having reached that town on a fascinating walk from the Thames Barrier through London and beyond. Not long after a rose tinted dawn, we arrived at Runnymede field where King John signed that famous charter in 1215 and while the early light added great atmosphere to the scene, I cursed that it was no good for pictures, at least not on a mobile phone. We were now en route for Windsor and had passed Honeypot Cottage on the far bank where the late actress Beryl Reid once lived with her thirteen cats, when we suddenly popped out on the busy main road into Datchet. It was 8am and as we trudged along keeping pace with the commuter traffic my thoughts turned to breakfast. Might we find some in this small Berkshire town I wondered? This' will we or won't we be lucky' situation always ads a little extra spice to our adventures. Yes we were in luck and were soon munching bacon and egg baps in a cafe run by a young lady who didn't seem to mind that these two early customers had completely taken over her small dining space with their large backpacks, walking poles and other paraphernalia . Not long after regaining the path I happened to glance towards the river and was rewarded with a first glimpse of Windsor Castle popping up over the tree tops and not far away. The trail now led through some wonderful open parkland with the castle appearing to melt into the far distance and I wondered what had become of Windsor. Had I looked at my map, I would have seen that the Thames was looping around and before we knew it we were walking into the bustling riverside heart of that historic town. People were taking coffee in the sunshine at a bistro terrace opposite and we decided it would be churlish not to walk over the bridge and join them. Not far beyond the town, we entered a massive concrete portal, above which traffic thundered over the river on the Windsor bypass, and were treated to a huge mural of faces staring out at us through the gloom. It had been painted under the Elizabeth Bridge by London artist Cosmo Sarson ahead of The Olympic Games, a passerby told us so that New Yorker was certainly right when he spoke of surprises. Making an early start meant that by lunchtime we could slow the pace and enjoy a sunny afternoon, strolling along past Eton and its college and later on the far bank, Oakley Court, where Hammer Films made St Trinian's, and the village which gave its name to the song Vicar of Bray. Approaching our stopover in Maidenhead we passed under Brunel's railway bridge which has the longest and flattest brick arches in the world so much so that Victorians thought it would collapse under the weight of the first train en route from Bristol to Paddington.
We donned full waterproofs the following morning, ahead of a pending storm, and made our way back to the still darkened river, luckily illuminated by nearby street lights. The eight miles into Marlow were refreshingly wild but we had only been walking for an hour when the rain finally overtook us with a vengeance so much so that we were pretty wet and muddy on emerging into Marlow High Street around 9.45am and ready for breakfast. We were made very welcome in a nearby cafe and bakery, despite our bedraggled appearance, and when we left an hour later the sun was shining. The eight miles walk on to famous Henley- on-Thames was delightful with time spent sitting beside picturesque Hurley Lock and chatting with passing boat skippers while enjoying mugs of hot chocolate from a nearby cafe. But the highlight was climbing away from the river and walking through the rolling parkland of the Culham Court Estate enjoying fabulous views across the Thames Valley and with yet another surprise in store! For there on the skyline was a new ultra modern Catholic Church built recently by the Swiss financier Urs Schwarzenback who had acquired the 650 acre estate. After lunch at The Flower Pot Inn, which is stuffed with curios, we walked on to Henley accompanied by the squawking of Canada geese and the sharp cries of instructors calling to rowers out on the water. Another rosy dawn saw us on the trail en route for Sonning where, according to a dog walker we met, a hearty breakfast was to be found at The Great House. "You know Pete the only thing this trail lacks are distance markers." The words were literally just out of my mouth when we came upon a fingerpost telling us that Sonning and breakfast was only three miles ahead. I was not particularly looking forward to walking through Reading en route for journeys end at Pangbourne railway station but as it turned out, the town has made much of its riverside amenity so that was the final surprise.
Nigel’s Fact File
This walk could be followed without map or guide book but Leigh Hatts The Thames Path from Sea to Source published by Cicerone provides
much interesting information to enhance the journey. We stayed in two Premier Inns and Wetherspoons The Catherine Wheel in Henley and were not disappointed.
February 2018 17
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
A few basic changes that may just help keep your parked car safe
• As we exit the supermarket with a trolley full of shopping, we’re eager to unlock the car as soon as possible to avoid the hassle of finding our keys when we get to the car. But unlocking your car before you reach it gives thieves a longer period of time to access valuables and make a run for it, especially if your boot opens automatically. Be sure to only unlock your car when you get to it to prevent any risk of theft. • Don’t leave your keys lying around. This can apply to any situation, whether you’re out for dinner and leave your keys on the table or if you’re at a friend’s house, as you may not know everyone around you. Making your keys visible can mean a greater risk of them being taken. Be security conscious about code grabbing from your keyless entry, are you being watched? • Hide any valuables. Before you leave your car, make sure you secure any valuables and keep them out of sight. Putting them in your glove com-
partment or in the boot of your car will avoid them being seen. • Don’t fall into the habit of hanging up your keys next to doors or windows. Thieves use a ‘fishing’ method where they insert a hook through a letter box or window and search for keys. This can even be done when you’re at home and you may not even notice until you look for your keys and find that you’ve “lost” them. Make sure you put your keys somewhere safe and secure, and far away from windows and doors. • Choose your parking neighbours wisely. In a busy car park, we normally go for the first space we can find. But have you thought about your neighbours beside you? For example, parking next
something up. It will only take an opportunist a few seconds to drive away. “Try to park your pride and joy away from shopping trolleys and flying doors, although we all know the empty part of a car park will fill up as soon as you leave your pristine motor in a space. And remember to always consider your safety, as a car park looks different in the night than it does during the day.”
to a flatbed truck filled with rubbish may not be as good a choice as parking next to a pristine, well-kept vehicle. The potential of damage is greater if the vehicle you park beside is already full of dents and scrapes. Is your parking space secluded? If you will be returning to the car late or alone make sure you stay alert and park it in an area which is well lit. Richard says, “We often just pop in somewhere and then get distracted, so it’s crucial you never leave your car running whilst going back indoors to pick
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S the dark days delay the morning sunrise and the evening twilight creeps upon us quicker than before, our cars are at more risk of being a victim of theft. Richard Gladman, head of driving and riding standards for IAM RoadSmart, gives you a few top tips to protect your vehicle on a day to day basis, whether you’re out and about or at home.
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February 2018 19
Gazette and Diary Magazine
Time for Wales’ most deaf friendly organisations to be heard P
RELAX IN COMFORT THIS AUTUMN
EOPLE who are deaf or have hearing loss in Wales are being called to nominate the organisations that provide outstanding service to them. Action on Hearing Loss Cymru’s Excellence Wales Awards recognise businesses that take steps to ensure the 575,500 people in Wales who are deaf or have hearing loss can use their services or are supported in the workplace. The charity launched the Excellence Wales Awards four years ago, in an effort to celebrate success and raise standards across Wales. Winning organisations are praised for their great communication and support of customers and employees. This year, Action on Hearing Loss Cymru is again asking deaf and hard of hearing people to get directly involved by nominating the organisations that have provided outstanding assistance. The charity’s statistics show that deafness and hearing loss is on the rise and that by 2035, one-fifth of people in Wales will be affected. Research shows that hearing loss can lead to loneliness, isolation, mental health issues and is directly linked to the onset of dementia. The 2018 Excellence Wales Awards are open to public services, private companies and voluntary organisations of all sizes in Wales. The awards will be decided by an independent panel of judges, all of whom are deaf or have hearing loss. Rebecca Woolley, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, said, “Deafness and hearing loss can make the lives of over half a million people across Wales a daily struggle. It can be hard to comprehend just how difficult it can be to do simple things the rest of us take for granted. Querying a bill or organising a meeting has the potential to lead to confusion, frustration and upset if the right access isn’t in place. “The tragedy of this is that the solutions are often so simple, particularly now with the technology available to support good communication. The good news is many companies are getting it right, and the benefits are there for both sides; three quarters of our members said they would be more likely to use a service if their staff were deaf aware. “Our research has also shown that a third of deaf employees feel they cannot disclose their hearing loss because they’re worried about being treated unfairly. To change this workplace culture we need to recognise those who are leading the way so
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YEARS 2006 - 2018 & SERVICE
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Gazette and Diary Magazine we’re urging people who have had a positive experience to get in touch.” Previous winners include the Welsh Ambulance Service, National Assembly for Wales and Western Power Distribution, who this year will sponsor the People’s Choice award, voted for by the public. Karen Welch, from Western Power Distribution, said, “We believe that there is a responsibility on organisations like ours to make themselves accessible to people with hearing loss, so it is very rewarding to see our efforts recognised and we are really proud to have won an Excellence Wales Award. “With the number of people who are deaf or who have hearing loss increasing, it also makes business sense to ensure that we’re accessible. We’re looking forward to continuing to set the standards for deaf and hard of hearing people. “This year, we’re pleased to further our involvement with the Excellence Wales Awards by sponsoring the People’s Choice category. We’re excited to see which organisations people who are deaf themselves say are the most accessible.” This year, the Excellent Employer category has been introduced to recognise employers who have made positive steps to ensure that workers with hearing loss are treated fairly in the workplace. Other categories include; Service Excellence, Excellence in Health and Excellence in Arts and Entertainment To nominate an organisation, or for more information visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/excellencewales Entries must be submitted by 21 March 2018. •Alison Johnstone and Jake Plumley of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust winners of the Excellence Wales People’s Choice Award 2017.
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Gazette and Diary Magazine
PETS’ CORNER
Knee surgery means that Eddie will soon be up and running again Another success story from the experts at Abbey Vets
E
DDIE is a young, active Staffordshire Bull terrier who usually loves his walks. However, recently his owners had noticed he was starting to limp on one of his back legs and struggling on his longer outings. Eddie visited the Abbey Vets branch in Monmouth where he was examined by vet Chris Walker and diagnosed with a suspected torn knee ligament. Chris anaesthetised Eddie to X-ray his knee and confirm the diagnosis. Eddie was prescribed anti-inflammatory pain-killers and rest before going to see Gary Champken, one of our orthopaedic vets at our main hospital in Abergavenny. Gary assessed Eddie’s X-rays and after further examination and discussions with his owners, he was booked in for surgery later that week.
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Our ‘Abbeycare’ Pet Health Plans You can nominate your favourite members of our are teamenabling if they have impressed you this year. Entries can be made online or you can pop in owners to spread the cost of preventative to any of our branches for an entry form. health care for their pet. Drop in to a branch or give us a call for more information to see if DON’T FORGET ABBEY and EQUINE you and your pet could Health benefit. Experts in Equine
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22 February 2018
The surgical team performed a 'Tibial Tuberosity Advancement' (TTA) procedure on Eddie's knee, which involves the insertion of a small titanium cage into the shin bone (tibia) to repair the torn ligament - you can see this on the Xray. Eddie stayed at the practice in Abergavenny overnight for pain relief before going home the next day. He was remarkably brave and already walking on his operated leg. Eddie has made a fantastic recovery from his operation so far and still can’t wait to come and visit everyone for his post op checks. Whilst his leg heals, Eddie has been prescribed strict rest which he is sticking to diligently. If he continues to recover at his current rate he will be off and running again in no time.
Gazette and Diary Magazine
CALL THE EXPERTS
The risks of tackling major jobs yourself W In the UK around 100 people die and hundreds more are injured every year after falling from or through a roof - and a significant number of those casualties are homeowners trying to fix a loose slate or find the source of a leak. Now, a Leicester-based company, JTC Roofing has written to the government calling for a change in the law to protect the public by making it illegal for homeowners to venture onto their own roofs without professional help. "Any fall from the roof of a house is likely to result in a serious injury or death so it is vitally important that all homeowners are made aware that they are literally dicing with death when they decide to go up on the roof," said a spokesman for JTC Roofing.
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"The most common reason why people venture onto their roof is to locate the source of a rain water leak which has come through the loft and seeped in through an upstairs ceiling. "Most DIY enthusiasts fail to realise the location of the leak inside the house is not a reliable indicator of where the water has come in through the roof. "Most think if they can climb up on the roof immediately above where the leak came through the ceiling they will be able to spot an obvious hole or a missing slate. "But the reality is the water can migrate several metres within the loft, running down the underside of the roof, across joists and beams and then down through the ceiling into a totally different part of the house." The company is urging people to call in a professional roofer rather than risking the dangers of DIY.
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Offers in Excess of £1,725,000 Abergavenny Monmouthshire
Asking Price £699,500 Pandy
Monmouthshire Affording fine mountain views over the surrounding countryside towards the peak of the Skirrid Fawr, is this handsome, double fronted, stone dressed 5 bedroom period country residence which has been extended and transformed into an elegant and most appealing comfortable family home. Presented in a style befitting its heritage and location, juxtaposed with contemporary enhancements and benefits. Offered to the market with no onward chain. EPC rating E. Ref: 1804 Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331
Design
Asking Price £525,000 Llanvapley
Monmouthshire Sitting in charming gardens alongside a sun terrace and overlooking a small stream lazily meandering below, whilst affording splendid views across the gently undulating Monmouthshire countryside, is this handsome and aesthetically pleasing, 4 bedroom detached stone country residence with 2 bathrooms and 3 reception rooms, situated within easy access of the popular market towns of Monmouth and Abergavenny. EPC rating D. Ref: 1814 Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331
N
EW
Tredilion Park Public Notice We are acting in the sale of the above property and have received an offer of £1,725,000. Any interested parties must submit any higher offers in writing to the selling agent before an exchange of contracts takes place. EPC ratings G, F & G. Ref: 1816 Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331
Commercial
Asking Price £274,950 Grosmont
Monmouthshire We are delighted to offer for sale this substantial semi-detached family home, situated in a small cul-de-sac setting within the charming village of Grosmont and enjoying superb views across the gently undulating countryside. This medieval village is famous for its 11th century Norman castle which is within a short walk, and also benefits from a village shop, post office, plus a popular public house. EPC rating D. Ref: 1819 Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331
Asking Price £260,000 Gilwern
Monmouthshire Affording magnificent breathtaking mountain views across the beautiful Vale of Usk, is this completely refurbished 3 bedroom detached dormer bungalow with a superb kitchen/diner and a contemporary first floor bathroom suite, situated in an elevated cul-de-sac position amidst delightful gardens, within walking distance of the village centre and within close proximity of the market towns of Crickhowell and Abergavenny. EPC rating D. Ref: 1784 Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331
Asking Price £259,950 Gilwern
Monmouthshire Situated in the favoured Lower Common area of Gilwern, is this 2 double bedroom detached bungalow with a double aspect kitchen/diner and an all year round conservatory opening onto a delightful westerly rear garden. Affords huge potential for extension subject to the necessary consent. EPC rating D. Ref: 1817 Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331
RENTAL PROPERTIES REQUIRED TO MEET HIGH DEMAND APPLICANTS WAITING - NO LET NO FEE
Asking Price £249,950
DJ&P Newland Rennie are currently looking for properties, ranging from 1 bedroom apartments to multiple bedroom properties. We have a long list of applicants on our database who are currently looking for properties. Please contact our Newport office for a free, no obligation valuation.
Gilwern
Monmouthshire Enjoying delightful westerly gardens with views across the surrounding hillside towards the beautiful Vale of Usk, this 2 double bedroom bungalow is situated in the favoured Lower Common area of Gilwern and affords enormous potential for alteration if so desired, subject to the necessary consent. EPC rating E. Ref: 1818
Please call: 01633 221441 Email: clair.powell@newlandrennie.com
DAVID JAMES 24 February 2018
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NEWLAND RENNIE
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Newland Rennie Abergavenny office 01873 859331