Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 17 March/April 2012

WHITCHURCH AND LLANDAFF

Living

FR EE

Issue 17 Mar / Apr ‘12

SAM WARBURTON WhyTHAT tackle will spur me on to better things

R O F E IN Z A G A M E E R YOUR F

AFF NORTH! D N A LL D N A FF A D N A WHITCHURCH, LL

Welcome

Welcome Croeso 3-4

News

5

Letters Letters to the Editors

8

Interview Wales captain Sam Warburton

12

Spring of Hope Gardening Through The Seasons

15

Man on a Mission: A Whitchurch Man Takes on the World

16

The Night Nazis Came to Cardiff

by Keith Flynn OBE

19

Memories Llandaff North

22

Schools All the latest from our local schools

25

Pets’ Page Your questions answered

26

The Funeral Suit A short story by a local author

31

Backlash Musings of the editor

Welcome to your spring edition of Whitchurch and Llandaff Living.

We hope that you’ve had a good start to the new year and that you’re settling nicely into spring. We’ve had time to recharge over Christmas and it’s actually good to be back in the swing of things once again. We’ve used our time away effectively though - we’ve rebuilt our website to accommodate the large numbers of visitors we’re getting - over 350,000 individual visitors since July 2010!

This issue, we met up with former Whitchurch High School pupil Sam Warburton.

At time of writing, Sam is hoping to lead Wales to Six Nations success, but here he reflects on the past few years that have seen him rise to great prominence on the world rugby stage.

On page 12, Llandaff North’s Keith Flynn guides us through spring from a gardener’s point of view.

We are delighted to be able to reproduce work by Cardiff’s Keith Flynn OBE. Keith got in touch with us about his book, Canton’s War. He very kindly granted us permission to use extracts from his book, which provides a first-hand account of a young boy’s walk from Canton to Llandaff the day after a night bombing raid on the city. For those who are too young to remember the war, it serves as a real eye-opener. For those who are old enough, it’ll possibly bring back memories both good and bad.

We’ve got all the big stories from our local schools on page 22 and resident vet Chris Troughton answers your pet-related questions on page 25. Chris works mainly out of the Rhiwbina branch of Heath Vets, but you’ll be pleased to know that another branch is opening soon in Llandaff!

It’s a real treat to see the community really get involved with our magazines. We regularly get submissions from readers, both in terms of letters and stories.

Elizabeth Cunningham is one such resident. Her short story on page 26 is one to savour over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Lastly, please remember to support our advertisers. We do our best for them. If it wasn’t for them, Whitchurch and Llandaff Living wouldn’t exist!

See you in late spring!

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Editors/Advertising: Patric Morgan & Danielle Dummett Address: 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG Tel: 07772 081775 and 07974 022920 Email: editor@livingmags.co.uk Web: www.livingmags.co.uk Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 2

Patric and Danielle

Editors

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.Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is an independent, apolitical publication.

Advertising booking and copy deadline for Issue 18 Friday 20th April 2012.

Issue 18 publication date - May 2012. Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is published 5 times a year.

WHITCHURCH HOSPITAL PLANS EXTENDED

NEWS INSOLE COURT PLANS ADVANCING WELL

Campaigners trying to save Whitchurch Hospital have been dealt a body blow as Cardiff Council have extended outline planning permission for another four years.

The council’s planning committee voted in February by a majority of 53 to approve the planning extension, despite some committee members labelling Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s (UHB) proposal as ‘fantasy’ and ‘fiction’.

Campaigners have fought long and hard to stop the scheme. They claim that the plans could destroy Whitchurch, as well as threatening the wildlife at neighbouring Forest Farm Country Park.

The plans, which would require full planning permission before being given a go-ahead, include the construction of 150 houses, 180 flats, shops and amenities and a new hospital. The plans were first drawn up back in 1996.

With the plans being so old, there are concerns that they aren’t relevant nearly two decades later.

Recent traffic statistics show that congestion had not worsened since the mid nineties.

The planning report suggests that 300 new houses will create a “28 peak time vehicle movements” and that the traffic on Park Road and Pendwyallt Road has been on a steady decline since 1991.

Matthew Lock of MyWhitchurch.com said: “I’m not sure what planet they are on but it must be on a planet where you don’t have to drive through Whitchurch to get to it as the whole highways system in the village is at breaking point at any time of the day.”

Whitchurch councillors Linda Morgan and Tim Davies also added that the area had changed substantially since the housing project was first announced 17 years ago, and claimed the added traffic would bring Whitchurch to a “standstill”.

Friends of Forest Farm have got an email of support from BBC Nature presenter Iolo Williams and are urging members of the public to show their support to the campaign.

He wrote: “I was horrified to hear that more new houses are planned for the land adjacent to Forest Farm. This is a wildlife sanctuary and provides valuable habitats not just for wildlife but for people too. There are precious few ‘wild’ areas left in our urban environments.

“I am disgusted that these developments are being pushed through at a time when we are unable to fill newly-built houses. We cannot afford to keep losing our green areas to brick and concrete.”

The Insole Court Trust and Cardiff Council have successfully achieved the first stage of the Community Asset Transfer of Insole Court from Cardiff Council to the Trust. The Trust is working towards a secure future for this fine Victorian mansion and gardens for the citizens of Llandaff and Cardiff.

The Friends of Insole Court recently announced the formation of the Insole Court Trust, to enable this transfer to happen. The founding Trustees have been drawn from many sectors of the community. They are: Sir Norman Lloyd-Edwards, Yvonne Apsitis, Elaine Davey, David Hamley and Dr Geoff Morgan.

It is hoped that, with the support of the Community Asset Transfer Fund and Cardiff Council, Insole Court will be restored to a standard befitting its position in the history of the capital city of Wales.

The number of rooms currently available will be increased from four to 14. Accommodation will be available to hire for events, small community enterprises and workshops – as well as the continuation of adult education classes and heritage tours. A Tea House will be built in the gardens, and there are plans for child and adult services, and a shop in the newly-restored Stable Block.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 3

NEWS RADYR WEIR CENTRE OF NATURAL POWER INTEREST Radyr Weir has been earmarked as a source of natural power after Cardiff Council submitted a planning application to install two hydropower turbines at the scenic spot.

It has been estimated that the system will generate enough energy to power three of the city’s leisure centres. In addition, it will save 700 tonnes of CO2 per year.

The £1.5m proposal would involve selling the electricity produced to the National Grid. This would eventually generate additional income for the Council. If successful, it is likely that other hydropower plants could be introduced to other beauty spots along the River Taff - Llandaff Weir near the rowing club, and Blackweir further downstream.

The proposals must first meet with approval from the Environment Agency Wales. At present, they are researching what impact the plans would have on the wildlife both in f

and around the river. They are also looking into the potential of the increased likelihood of flooding in the area. To counter this, the council has applied to divert the water from the watercourse. The construction of the turbines can only go ahead if permission is granted to alter the water course.

“We know there is a lot of pressure on electricity prices so it’s very

LLANDAFF RAILWAY STATION SET TO BENEFIT FROM £1.67m FUNDING

The Welsh Government has announced that Llandaff North train station is to get a £1.67m boost to improve accessibility for passengers. The project will see a new footbridge with wheelchair accessible ramps installed at the station by March 2014.

This follows much campaigning by locals, and politicians Julie Morgan AM and former AM Jonathan

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 4

Morgan.

The DfT announced that a bid from Arriva Trains Wales to its new Mid Tier Access for All fund had been successful and £1m had been awarded to the project. However, the work at Llandaf required an additional contribution from SEWTA, the Regional Transport Consortia of £672,500.

Carl Sargeant, Minister for Local Government and Communities in the Welsh Government has now confirmed he is finalising the funding details with SEWTA to ensure the remainder of this vital project is fully funded and delivered.

attractive for local authorities to look at how they can get new sources of income,”Councillor Mark Stephens told the press.

“This is a sustainable and long-term supply of cheap electricity.

“It’s not without its technical issues and we are discussing these with the Environment Agency, but we are making progress and we would like to be onsite this summer.”

BBC THROWS OPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC BBC Cymru Wales is giving you the opportunity to apply for tickets to visit its new drama studios in Cardiff Bay on Saturday 10 March and Sunday 11 March.

Roath Lock is the home of BBC Cymru Wales's drama productions and to celebrate its official opening, 1,000 tickets for special studio tours are being given away.

Visitors will get the chance to see the Casualty set, including the hospital and the new ambulance station, as well as the Pobol y Cwm sets.

Radyr Sidings Mystery

Dear Editors If you ever walk along the west bank of the Taff at Radyr Court Road and the track that leads up to the old Radyr Sidings, you will find lots of pieces of broken pottery, china and glass on the river bank.

The area between the railway and river was obviously a dump for many years. Indeed, when they were building Clos Gerddi Taf, I collected wheelbarrows full of old bottles from where the foundations had been dug. I have given any bottles of local interest to the City museum.

I would love to know more about this area. When was the area used as a dump, and how did the rubbish get there - by road or by rail? Was it ever officially a dump or was it just a fly-tipping ground? The high definition maps in the city library do not offer many clues.

Tony Moon Radyr Court Rise Llandaff

Dear Editors I live on Western Avenue North opposite Tesco Extra, and am becoming increasingly annoyed at parking by what I presume are students attending the UWIC Campus nearby.

Cars are often parked on pavements, blocking residents’

Bill Farnham Signs Off Dear Editors I am writing to let you know that at the recent AGM of South Wales Neighbourhood Watch Association Cardiff, I was not re-elected as Chairman and so as such I will not be writing any more articles regarding Neighbourhood Watch for your magazine.

I would like to say it has been a pleasure writing these articles for your excellent magazine and getting to know you and for your kindness in publishing them. If you have space in the next issue perhaps you could mention my standing down and also mention how much I really appreciated the many kind comments from your readers over the years, they really did mean a lot to me.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the future of the magazines and also send my very best wishes to you and your family for the future.

With kind regards Bill Farnham Whitchurch

Bill Farnham receives a Community Award in 2011

LETTERS Traffic Calming Drives Me Crazy!

Dear Editors As a driver of many years, I am finding that Cardiff Council’s approach to traffic management is becoming somewhat ill-thought out.

Some of the area’s supposed ‘traffic-calming’ measures actually increases stress to both drivers and pedestrians.

I often travel between Llandaff and Barry. The quickest route for me is through Fairwater and St Fagans.

If anyone has ever driven through Fairwater, they’ll know that the traffic-calming there has been improved recently. But you’ll still find bus stops placed directly after chicanes, pedestrian crossing on the chicanes and speed bumps that you can simply drive around, providing no-one is parked in the parking bays on the side of the road.

On to St Fagans, and a few weeks ago I was delighted to find that the very high speed bumps had been removed. A few weeks later, I find that they’ve been replaced again this time they are placed so far apart that you can simply drive straight through them! Worse still, some are in such a bad state, that I’m forced to drive into the middle of the road to avoid damage to my car.

Sharon Lloyd Llantrisant Road Llandaff

driveways and generally causing obstructions.

I’m taking this up with the council but I’d like to know if any other residents around UWIC are having similar problems.

Kris Jones Western Avenue North Whitchurch Cardiff Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 5

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GET IN TOUCH

Born To Lead oung female teachers, all neck rashes and flushed cheeks, squeal like mice. The few male teachers try and play it a bit cooler, leaning back on their chairs and raising a hand to the young man who’s just walked into the back of the school hall. The kids sitting cross-legged on the floor can’t sit still though and crane their necks to see the local superstar in their midst.

Then Sam Warburton strides to the front of the school hall. His god-like status sends the children into raptures. A ‘throne’ awaits him at the front of the hall, and he takes his rightful seat at the front.

Sam is making a welcome return to his old primary school in Rhiwbina.

The visit is helping promote hard work in school, something Sam was renowned for as a pupil.

But for Sam, it also brings back memories:

Y

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 8

“It’s funny the things you remember - stupid things - the guttering, the slats in the fence that we used to climb through to fetch our footballs back.”

Sam is addressed by small pupils, clutching their prepared questions on pieces of paper.

“Which teacher gave you your first rugby lesson?”; “How do you prepare for a big match?” and “What was your favourite subject in school?”

Over the past few years, Sam has become accustomed to questions, media and fame. Later on, we head down to Caedelyn Park to shoot a few photos.

“It’s all still a bit odd to be honest though - I walk into a school full of kids and they’re all singing songs about me. It’s all a bit bonkers - it’s only little me.”

But his rise through the ranks of Welsh rugby has come as less of a

surprise to those who have been keeping tabs on the 23 year-old.

He represented Wales at all levels, including captaining the Under18’s, 19’s and the Wales Under-20’s team for the 2007–08 season. He also led Wales to the under 19’s and under 20’s World Cup semi-finals.

But his real rise to prominence came in last year’s Rugby World Cup. His performances were lauded, but cut short by an infamous tackle on a Frenchman.

Interview “I saw Clerc coming at me. At the time I thought it quite cheeky that he would try and attack my channel but I knew I had to stop him. We’re always told to tackle at a 45 degree angle as this takes a lot of the power out of the hit. But most players would also try and run through me; most of the time I go back in the tackle. But not Clerc on this occasion. It’s almost as if he wasn’t wanting the collision. I came in hard as I always would. But Clerc’s sudden unwillingness to make contact meant that he took the full hit upwards. At the time, I thought nothing of it but then as I got up, there was a bit of handbags. And then I got shown the card.

“My mind went numb. There was nothing I could think. It was too big to take in. It was only when I sat down on the bench and looked at the replay, that I realised how bad it was. I couldn’t blame the referee because as the rules go, that was a red card.

Neil Jenkins, who was acting as waterboy came over to me, oblivious to the red card: “What’s up Warby?”

“I’m off.” I replied.

“What? For ten minutes?”

“No. For good.”

Neil smashed one of his water bottles to the floor in anger. Then he burst into tears.

“The boys didn’t let it affect them too much though. They came in at half-time still talking about winning the game. There was a genuine belief that we could win it.”

Sam holds no grudges against Alain Rolland, the referee who sent him off.

“He was just doing his job. Things like that happen to all players in their careers. I just hope that it all equals out and that I get something positive happen that’s as equally dramatic.”

In an ironic twist of fate a few days later, Sam found himself sat next to Vincent Clerc, the French player he’d tackled and been red-carded for on the flight out of Auckland.

“There must have been about ten flights out of there that day. I’d had to stay behind for an IRB dinner. But Photographs © Patric Morgan

the chances of me sitting next to him were thousands to one. But that’s what happened. I didn’t particularly want to speak to him. It was quite awkward anyway but to make it worse, he spoke broken English. He joked about getting a massage, we briefly spoke about our immediate plans once we got home. Then I stuck my headphones on and didn’t speak to him for the rest of the journey.”

Sam was quick to move on from.

“The last thing I was going to do was blame the referee and drag the whole thing out for longer. Blaming the referee is not something I’ve been taught as such - just the way I’ve always played the game.”

Sam’s attitude, both throughout the World Cup, and after, drew plaudits from across the world. It was perhaps quite fitting then that he should pick up the Rugby Union Writers Club's Personality of 2011, beating off the likes of Graham Henry and Shane Williams.

“I didn’t know too much about it to be honest. My agent rang me up and told me that I needed to be at an awards ceremony in London as I had a good chance of winning. So I went up, thinking it’d be a small affair. When I walked in, there were about 500 people sat there - people like Jonny Wilkinson and other wellknown faces. I read the list of past winners and thought ‘they’ve got this wrong’. The names on there read like a Hall of Fame - Jonah Lomu, Francois Pienaar and Gareth Edwards. I nearly fell of my seat when I was announced the winner. I genuinely thought there had been a mistake and that I should have been in some kind of newcomer’s category.”

Despite Sam’s success with the Welsh team, he’s realistic about holding onto the captaincy of Wales.

“It was a weird concept at first taking charge of a senior Welsh side. But once I’d gotten over myself, it felt totally natural. I know that other players have just as much right to be captain as me so if it gets handed to someone else, I can completely understand.”

“

Neil Jenkins said: “What’s up Warby?

“I’m off” “What for ten minutes?”

“No. For good” Neil smashed one of his water bottles to the floor in anger.

Then burst into tears.

As for long-term plans, he’s got no desire to move away from Cardiff just yet.

“My girlfriend and I have been looking at houses in Rhiwbina. I’m a Rhiwbina boy and it’d be nice to settle down here.”

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Spring Of Hope LLANDAFF NORTH’S KEVIN REVELL TAKES US THROUGH THE JOURNEY OF SPRING AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF A GARDENER Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 12

UNFURLING Slowly but surely the extremes of winter ease and almost imperceptibly life begins anew as hesitant new life unfurls from the leaf mould. Showing no respect for artificially imposed calendar dates it begins when it begins; when a number of natural phenomena come into alignment and the weather becomes more temperate.

Spring seems to be the longest of the seasons stretching from the uncertain flowering of the first bulbs to the voluptuous blooms of the first rose of summer. Winter flowers don’t count – spring is at hand when the snowdrops fade not when their buds emerge uncertainly through residual snow and hellebore flowers fade as the days warm up. Prunus subhirtella ‘Autumnalis’ bears an occasional blush pink flower throughout winter whenever the sun shines for a day or so and temperatures deign to stay above freezing.

An extraordinary transformation occurs in early February when previously unremarkable trees reveal themselves to be the ornamental plum, Prunus ceracifera, as pale lavender-pink blossom billows across suburbia. A particularly fine show is to be seen on Whitchurch Common; there is no going back now - spring is truly sprung.

CHERRY BLOSSOM Ornamental cherry blossom soon follows; Prunus Okame is among the first and most striking, shortly followed by a plethora of Japanese hybrids. For a few weeks, Britain’s parks and gardens resemble those of some Eastern paradise, westerly gales and April showers notwithstanding.

The flowering season of ornamental trees is multi-layered in its complexity, some requiring longer days, others responding to the increasing warmth of the sun and the two do not always go hand in hand. In some years the display goes on for months but as with last year when a hard winter is followed by a warm spring, the whole display is concertinaed up into a few hectic weeks. First the introductory blossom of ornamental plums and cherries, then the pretty, fragrant crab apple blossom before the darker pink, long lasting ornamental hawthorn trees.

The steady procession of blossom on trees and shrubs slowly builds and threatens to become a riot before the calming green leaves emerge to restore order and outrageous individuals are merged in one homogenous verdant crowd.

Magnolia buds have been swelling, gently changing in colour from winter silver to spring gold and

amber before the sepals split and fall revealing the silken petals within, which expand like chalices to capture the spring sunshine.

LLANDAFFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S COLOURS Llandaff is blessed with some wonderful magnolias and a walk around Palace Road at this time is breath-taking while the hidden gems of Insole Court are worth seeking out. Bursting with inherent energy, an unholy alliance of pink and yellow is revealed in suburban shrub borders with the flowering of Forsythia and Ribes, sure to get the pulse racing or the blood boiling. Whether these colours associate well together is a matter of taste but these two certainly come as a pair to herald spring in no uncertain terms, soon to be followed by the frothy spumes of white that are the inflorescences of Spiraea arguta.

Hedgerow blackthorns are mirrored in the orchards and fruit gardens by the damson, gage and plum trees which are star-spangled white, shortly followed by pears and finally the pretty, pink buds opening pure, perfumed white of apple blossom.

They light up the garden like great white torches before scattering their floral confetti around the garden leaving an unfeasible number of miniature fruitlets behind.

Perhaps the epitome of spring is the blossoming of the fruit trees which given good weather will ensure a fruitful autumn harvest.

Bees are the obvious vectors of pollination but it is surprising how many other insects share the task from hoverflies to small beetles which remain largely unseen in the garden for the rest of the year.

BEAUTY OF BLOSSOM Blossom laden branches peak and fade with the emergence of the foliage as a million green window panes filter the warming sun, harnessing the energy like mini-solar panels, casting dappled light of the ground beneath which diminishes as the season progresses. The view of the garden from the lounge window changes daily as green tinged branches become draped in their

verdant finery. Bright green becomes the dominant colour in the countryside as trees and hedgerows re-foliate and newly fertilised pasture springs into growth. Plants on the woodland floor or growing under taller trees and shrubs need to grow and complete their life cycles early before the canopy closes over.

MAGICAL WOODLANDS Now is a magical time to visit ancient bluebell woods alive with birdsong.

Fragrant lilac and wisteria take up the floral baton as dull twiggy branches are transformed by the emergence from anaemic pale violet bottlebrushes erupting into cascading waterfalls of fragrant, brilliantly bi-coloured lilac and amethyst flowers when spring truly arrives between April and May. This dramatic transformation is presaged by a gentle rain of protective sepals falling to the floor where they blow and collect in corners like the husks of winnowed grain. At first the flowers are shy to emerge and cling to the warm south facing wall for protection or sulk through April showers but within a week they emerge in a floral crescendo to be admired for a few short weeks. The inflorescence consists of tightly closed clam-like individual flowers grouped together in racemes which reveal their beauty on opening to the familiar pea-like blossom. The pendant clusters of jewelled flowers are gilded with a touch of gold about their honeyed throats, each of which

spring gardens

communicate news of this bounty far and wide for all the bees in the neighbourhood are drawn to this floral cornucopia. To stand underneath, beguiled by the perfume and lulled by the humming of bees is surely the highlight of spring.

The final flowering of commonly grown blossom trees comes with the laburnum as spring slides imperceptibly into summer.

Perfumed golden chains hang free; a metaphorical sign of the release of summer. Another true indicator of spring has long been apparent â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the chirruping of birds and their constant activity as they attend to the many nests dotted around the garden.

Now is the time to see wildlife gardening in action as the roses and fruit trees are stripped of their aphids and caterpillars, an experience denied to anyone impatient enough to spray insecticides about with abandon. Hastily grabbed moments spent in the garden between spring showers are soon replaced by long sultry evenings dead-heading roses as the nights shorten and summer has finally arrived.

produces a small hint of scent but the flowers are produced in such profusion that an invisible, perfumed cloud emanates from the pergola.

The floral canopy comes alive with bees from dawn till dusk. They must

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 13

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MAKING A DIFFERENCE Call it a mid life crisis, but as I hit the age of 40 in 2012, I'd like to think of it as a chance to try and make a difference. I've set myself a year long mission to complete a number of personal challenges raising money for two charities close to my heart. The toughest of these will be a 400+ mile crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap on foot this spring but I'll also be aiming to run a dozen half marathon or 10km races throughout 2012, concluding with the New York Marathon in November 2012.

man on a mission WHITCHURCH RESIDENT ANTONY METCALFE HAS SET HIMSELF A GRUELLING SCHEDULE OF PERSONAL CHALLENGES FOR 2012 TO RAISE £10,000 FOR TWO CHARITIES. TWELVE MONTHS. TWELVE CHALLENGES. ONE GOAL

REPAYING SACRIFICES I am certainly no adventurer or war hero.

I grew up on a council estate in Bracknell, Berkshire and come from Yorkshire working class stock. My father died when I was very young but my mother dedicated her life to bringing me up - I owe her and the rest of my family a great debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they made. I went to a comprehensive school in Bracknell and due to a number of inspirational teachers, I was the first from my family to go to University in 1990. After graduating I was selected into the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and then commissioned into the Royal Tank Regiment in which I served until 2006.

Over this period I also got involved with an organisation called Ice Warrior and thanks to my instructors Matt O’Brian and Mark Wood I took part in two expeditions firstly a training expedition in 2006 and then an unsupported expedition around Svalbard Islands in 2007. I have been looking at fresh challenges ever since.

In both the military and now in the charity sector, I have been privileged to meet dozens of people who have overcome adversity or personal disadvantage. I would like to put something back and raise much needed funds to support these two charities in these tough times.... when their services are needed more than ever.

I will therefore be using the challenging events of this year as a fundraising platform for both The Royal British Legion and The Prince's Trust. I aiming to raise around £10,000 to be split between the two. All the costs of the expedition and race entrance fees are coming out of my own pocket.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

During my 12 years in the army I was deployed on active service to the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq and developed a love of the cold and cross-country skiing (though not in any of the aforementioned countries).

After leaving the Army a career in the charity sector has been a natural step and I have focused on youth development, initially for Skill Force for whom I ran the Bath & North East Somerset Team from 2006 until 2009.

My current role is Head of Centre for Fairbridge in Cardiff. Fairbridge merged with the The Prince's Trust in April 2011 to form the UK's largest Youth Charity.

I will not be able to meet my goal of raising £10,000 without YOUR support. There are a number of ways you can support me to raise as much money as possible for charity in 2012.

Donate On line at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ antonymetcalfechallenges2012.

You can keep up to date with my year by visiting www.antmetcalfe2012challenge.com/index.html for regular update and results or follow me at Twitter @Ant2012Events

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 15

cardiff at war

real life

the night Nazis came to Cardiff 71 YEARS AGO THIS SPRING, GERMAN BOMBERS WERE BLITZING CARDIFF. AS A YOUNG BOY, KEITH FLYNN RECALLS THE WALK FROM CANTON TO LLANDAFF THE MORNING AFTER A DEADLY NIGHT RAID Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 16

January 3rd 1941 was another bright and frost-filled morning, the sort of morning when one would say “It’s good to be alive.” It was and I was impatient to get out of the house.

As I looked out into the road, I half expected to see evidence of destruction and damage. But nothing. No debris, no windows broken, nothing to indicate or even suggest the terrors that we had known a few hours earlier.

As I made my way towards the school I had my first unpleasant surprise, one which was a salutary reminder that looking for visual gratification or sensual excitement after an air raid was not a worthy pursuit.

Just yards inside Glamorgan Street, I came face to face with the result of a direct hit by a bomb on a dwelling house. Debris had spilled out across the road, testimony to the gaping rubble-filled hole that had been a family home. A middle-aged woman, a coat thrown over her night clothes was standing nearby staring at the digging and scrambling rescue workers. She saw me and said: “My mother’s under that.”

She was not crying or animated in any way. Just staring.

I walked on and turned the corner into Market Road where I met a school friend coming from the direction of the school and wearing a big smile. “The school’s gone up in smoke,” he said and I saw over his shoulder the smouldering skeletal remains of the school’s roof. Frozen hosepipes threaded Market Street and in the distance, a small crowd of excited schoolboys had gathered in festive mood. I don’t know why I didn’t join them but as I made my way home I felt a sudden elation when I realised that my Latin homework had also ‘gone up in smoke’.

cardiff at war

Later in the morning I went to Llandaff to see the Cathedral that I was told had been bombed. As I neared the top of the High Street in Llandaff and approached the Village Green, I was quite unprepared for the scene of desolation that faced me. The centre of the old Cathedral City has always represented an oasis of ancient culture and peace which, along with surrounding roofs and windows, was now completely shattered. A large crater, some 50 feet across straddled the hill in front of the Cathedral and tomb stones lay in various attitudes where they had been hurled in the explosion. Early that morning, a school friend of mine had found the parachute on which the mine had descended hanging on the remains of a nearby tree. It was of green silk and he told me that he had handed it in to the police station.

Nothing was heard of it again.

Three parachute mines fell at the same time on Llandaff, all within a radius of half a mile. One on the Cathedral, one in the quadrangle of St. Michael’s Theological College that destroyed the chapel, and one which failed to explode when the parachute’s lines caught the branches of a pine tree. Fortunately, all the students at the college were on vacation at the time, otherwise there would have been many casualties and had any of the mines landed in 50 yards away in any direction, Llandaff would have been obliterated. The only casualty however was the Cathedral’s verger whose hearing was damaged by the blast. That morning, rumours and the recounting of personal experiences the previous night were common and while official reports were to emerge later, many a story entered folk legend that day.

A parachute mine had landed on Cardiff Arms Park, demolishing the north stand and creating a crater 45 feet in diameter and 12 feet deep in the hallowed turf. Two parachute mines landed in the Riverside area causing immense damage and many casualties and while it appears that, on this occasion, Canton and Riverside had borne the brunt of the raid, other parts of Cardiff had also suffered. The current story was that the bombers had mistaken the rivers, the Rumney to the east of the city, the Ely to the west, and the Taff that ran through the centre. The city centre and the docks largely lay between the rivers Rumney and Taff, whereas most of the damage occurred between the Taff and Ely in Canton and Riverside.

As the day wore on, the stories multiplied. The Dean of

the Cathedral on fire-watch duty had forgotten his steel helmet and had settled for a colander, giving rise to many a wry comment about ‘holy’ protection. Pupils who had visited our still smouldering school on the morning after the raid reported seeing the headmaster in tears as he gazed sadly at the destroyed pipe organ.

One of the school’s masters had been on warden duty in Llandaff when he saw a parachute mine descending in front of him. It came to rest when the parachute caught in the branches of a tree where it hung a few feet from the ground. It was exploded by the Army a few days later.

Near the Conservative Club in Riverside, a rescue party dug for six hours to rescue a six year-old boy crouched under the shattered stairs. They were guided to him as he sang God Save The King, the only tune he knew. The Riverside Conservative Club was reduced to rubble and when Winston Churchill visited Cardiff in April, he promised onlookers: “We’ll more than repay them for this.” He had opened the club 40 years earlier and promised to return when it was rebuilt.

When I returned home, it was to find a very determined attempt being made by everyone to return to normal.

Although we were all tired and very much ‘on edge’, difficulties were overcome and a genuine attempt was made to maintain morale. There was no gas and all water had to be boiled but my grandmother made tea on a one-bar electric fire. In the afternoon, the sirens again sounded their warnings when the obligatory high-flying enemy reconnaissance plane made its brief appearance.

In trepidation, we awaited the coming night but it was not discussed. The sirens did sound again, but the horrors of the previous night were not repeated - at least not for some time.

GET THE BOOK

You can read more about Keith Flynn’s stories in his book Canton’s War. Keith was born in Canton and served three years in the Royal Navy. He was awarded an OBE in 1985. Books are available from Hardings Books, 226 Cowbridge Road East, Canton; Chapter Arts Centre, Canton and Windsor Book Shop, Penarth or from Keith himself by email at keith.cmhco@talktalk.net. Priced at just £10, all profits from sales go to The Royal Lifeboat Institution.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 17

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memories

My Memories of Llandaff North

by Patricia King

I grew up in Llandaff North from 1965 when I was 6; Ty-Mawr Road to be precise.

My friend Diana Evans lived on Hazelhurst Road, backing onto Hailey Park and I have many memories of playing 'over the park', 'over the swings' and down the river'.

If we were being very daring, we would go up the Long Woods but had to be back by dark. Sometimes my mother would send my brother David out to look for me and bring me home.

Many years later, my daughter was bridesmaid at Diana's wedding to Huw in All Saints Church but sadly we have lost touch over the years. If Barbara her sister reads this, maybe

she could get in touch and put me back in contact with Diana. I still have the bridesmaid dress my daughter wore that day back in 1981 I believe.

Harris's shop was on the corner of my road. Penny lollies, Jubilees, Anglo Bubblies were sold. I used to go down with my large pennies and halfpennies.

Into Evansfield Road there was Pablo's, the Greek owner. He sold fruit and veg but the shop always stank of garlic and sweat....urgh!

Then Chick's the Chemist. Mr Chick was well known in the community, so helpful and kind.

Onto the main road, Station Road, was Celia's general store and fruit shop, and Kings Ironmongers run by Mr and Mrs King. Gardeners the bicycle shop was where I also visited frequently with my dad to buy paraffin, blue or pink. Yes it used to smell of new bicycles but also the strong smell of tobacco as Mr Gardener was rarely seen without a cigarette in his hand.

Percy Evans the sweet shop was a favourite of mine. There for many years and run by Abe Simms, the shelves filled with jar after jar of colourful sweets, he would appear through a doorway in the centre of

the shop when the bell rang on entry.

It was sure a treat to visit Percy Evans.

George Masons on the corner of Ty-Mawr Road was also at some point, The Maypole, where my brother's friend Richard delivered orders on his push bike. He was known as 'The Order Boy'.

Fawcetts the hairdressers came next on the other corner of Ty-Mawr Road, Atkins the butchers and Perris's the haberdashery store where they sold everything including cotton, elastic, wool, dusters and teatowels. The lady who served in Perris's was a pleasant, large lady who always wore her hair up in a bun.

Then Cartwrights paper shop. The 'old' Mr Cartwright was a blind man who wore a tweed cap with dark glasses. He used to always sit on a stool and serve over a wooden counter. It constantly amazed me, as a child, how he managed to give the correct change!

Llandaff North, a village full of characters that we will never forget.

It holds many happy memories for many residents. I stayed pretty close and now live in Whitchurch but I will always class Llandaff North as my home.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 19

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schools

WHO’S DONE WHAT, WHO’S WON WHAT AND WHO’S DOING WHAT IN OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS

Students at the opening

STATE SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

NEW MUSEUM AND LIBRARY

On Thursday 3rd November, Whitchurch High School won the prestigious ‘State School of the Year Award’ at the 7th Annual Aviva -Daily Telegraph ‘School Sports Matters’ National Awards held at Twickenham Rugby Football Union Stadium.

These awards recognise and honour the best schools, teachers, team and individuals throughout the UK. There are eleven categories of awards from individual to school level.

James Cracknell OBE, presented the Award to Gwyn Morris, (Departmental Leader for PE), Bernie Good (Head of Girls’ PE), and Stephanie Harris and Nathan Williams, the school’s Gold Youth Ambassadors for Sport.

James told the audience: “I wanted to avoid using the cliché that separating the top three schools was virtually impossible but it was.

Two had incredible sporting performances which were more than matched by the increase in participation rates at the third. In the end I went for Whitchurch High School, Cardiff, for not just their performances on the field of play but the ‘sports for all ethos’ they’ve developed and variety of fields that took place on hockey, athletics, golf, rugby, volleyball, tae-kwon do, netball, table tennis and even a bit of rowing!”

The school were previous runnersup in 2007 in the same category.

One of the oldest schools in Wales, Howell’s School in Llandaff, GSDT in Cardiff, has been bringing its history to life with the opening of a museum in the room where its Governors have held their meetings since 1859.

On 28th January, about 250 visitors celebrated its official opening as well as that of the completely refurbished library.

The school was opened for 30 orphan girls and 30 pay boarders in 1860, and on display in the new museum are items from the very earliest days, such as an original candle reading lamp, lock and keys, and even a soap-cutter and soap from the laundry. One of several mannequins shows the outer clothing worn by a boarder in the late 1870s, including a long cape, bonnet and socks, which were discovered in a locked cupboard in the 1990s. Information panels summarise the school’s history above display cases containing documents and other artefacts from all periods of the school’s history.

The room in which the museum is located doubles as a meeting room and reception area, so visitors are able to view it.

Mrs Janet Sully, who is in charge of the school’s archives, said: “We are very fortunate that so many items from the past have been preserved and it seemed a good idea to enable visitors to the school, as well as current and former pupils, to be able to see some of them. We have so much material that we are only able to show a selection of documents at any one time, so we plan to rotate them.”

At the opening ceremony, six of the current pupils donned uniforms from different periods in the school’s

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 22

Elisabeth Bayliffe cut s the ribbon

history and spoke about what life was like at those times.

The original library, built in 1933 after a great fire destroyed a substantial part of the school, is used for silent study and research and has been named The Goarin Reading and Research Room. This was in honour of the father of a former pupil, whose generosity has enabled the refurbishment. It was only after François Goarin’s death that his daughter Elisabeth discovered that he was awarded the high military honour, the Croix de Guerre, for bravery during World War II and, as he loved studying, she wanted to honour him in a way connected to research.

The other main section of the library, which was originally created in 1982 as a memorial to a previous distinguished headmistress, Miss Margaret Lewis, has now been officially named after her. The adjoining Careers Centre has also been given a completely new look.

Mrs Jane Wilks, the Head of Library and College Careers Adviser, said: “The newly refurbished Library and Careers Centre have been a real hit with the students of Howell’s who now have a beautifully designed space to read and relax in comfort, a more formal area to study in silence in preparation for exams as well as easy access, via the bespoke library shelving, to all the resources they need to succeed in their studies. It is through the generosity of those who donated to the Annual Fund and Mrs Elisabeth Bayliffe’s contribution that we were able to finish this refurbishment and offer a wonderful environment for the students of Howell’s today and for many years to come.”

Llandaff City Primary pupils enjoy Llangrannog Sam Warburton visits Llanishen Fach Primary

VISIT TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY In November, Cathedral School’s Head Boy, Head Girl, Senior Prefects and Junior Prefects travelled to London with the Headmaster, Chaplain and Governors to take a leading role in a service at Westminster Abbey to mark the birth of one of the country's leading lights in the field of education.

Joined by over 1,000 other staff and pupils from the Woodard family of schools, the service celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of educational visionary and Woodard founder, The Reverend Canon Nathaniel Woodard (1811-1891).

Headmaster at the Cathedral School, Stephen Morris said: "Taking part in this national service was a huge opportunity and honour for everyone involved in Woodard schools, especially our pupils, who were an absolute joy to share this special occasion with."

LLANDAFF TO LLANGRANNOG

By Jack Vaughan 5LM (Llandaff City Church in Wales Primary) Llangrannog was great! When we got on the bus we were all feeling very excited, we all wanted to get to Llangrannog so we could have lots of fun! The rooms were really nice and quite cosy.

A man who worked at Llangrannog told us about the bell signals and said that each school had different bell and that ours was four bells.

Then he told us the activities we were doing and split us into two groups. My group were going to do trampolining followed by swimming.

After that we went for a walk to the beach the walk was really long but we all entertained ourselves by talking to each other. Then we had a play on the beach and built a dam out of stones. We all prepared ourselves for the cold walk back to Llangrannog, but luckily just as we were about to start walking a Llangrannog minibus driver saved the day! He said that he could take 16 of us at a time back to Llangrannog.

The next day, when we woke up we had to wait for the bell to ring and when it did ring we all cheered!

After breakfast we all had free time and me and my friends went to the park to play tag. After that we were told what we were doing in the day.

My group did: go-carting, tobogganing, nature walk, dry slope skiing, team-building games and archery. In the evening we went to the gift shop and spent our money there.

CAPTAIN SAM PAYS VISIT Wales captain Sam Warburton visited his former primary school in February.

The Cardiff Blues player spent a couple of hours at Llanishen Fach Primary School where he was entertained by both staff and pupils alike.

Sam was invited to watch the school’s rugby and netball teams training. Then he toured the school’s classrooms, fielding questions from the pupils before taking his place on a ‘throne’ at the front of the school hall assembly.

The pupils were very excited to see the Wales player. Sam also settled a long debate between two teachers as to who was the first teacher to get Sam interested in the game of rugby.

Sam then surprised everybody by telling the crowd that it was neither of the two who had laid claim to the story.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 23

LOCAL TOUR OPERATOR CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

A Rhiwbina-based school and group tour operator is celebrating 20 years of success this year.

Schools Into Europe was started by Paul and Lesley Denison in 1992, and has since gone from strength to strength, now employing 17 staff, ten of whom are Modern Foreign Language speakers. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We are a family-run business specialising in educational travel within Britain and to Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; said Lesley, who grew up in Whitchurch. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our offices in North Cardiff work with over 600 schools across the UK. We also work with a number of different groups and organisations. For example, in March this year we are carrying over 1,000 children and adults to St Davidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Welsh Festival at DisneylandÂŽ Parisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Schools Into Europe is an ABTA bonded company, and is proud to be one of the national leaders in school and group travel. The company maintains its personalised service and attention to detail, whilst also offering the security and experience of a large organisation. The company has furthermore recently been awarded the prestigious Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge, which is presented to organisations and educational establishments who provide inspiring, engaging and memorable learning experiences beyond the classroom walls

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Pets

Pets’ Page Heath Vets’ Chris Troughton is happy to answer any of your petrelated questions. Drop him a line at editor@livingmags.co.uk

I have a friend who has a very friendly dog. I've often seen this dog licking things it shouldn't. My friend lets the dog lick her face saying that the dog is giving her a 'kiss', but I always stop the dog from licking my child's face.

Am I right to do so? I can't imagine the dog's mouth being particularly clean.

Puppies lick their parent's face when the adult has returned to the den after hunting. The licking stimulates the adult to regurgitate food for the puppies to eat. Face-licking of the owner is often seen in adult domestic dogs and it starts as a submissive greeting behaviour, though it may become more widely used by an individual who is rewarded for it by the recipient's response. However,

you are right to be concerned about the health risks of allowing this, particularly with a child. The dog's tongue is used for all sorts of exploratory and cleaning purposes, and is definitely not clean! The commonly-held view that licking a wound will clean it and help it heal is a myth. There is also a risk that facelicking could infect the child with roundworm eggs. You should definitely NOT allow this behaviour.

I'm thinking of joining a needlework class. Having a very playful cat called Mollie, but I am concerned that she will want to play with the thread that I'll be using.

Worse still, I'm worried that she may try and eat it.

Although I'd be extra vigilant, what should I do if Mollie did eat thread?

Do I try and pull it back out?

Surprisingly, it is not that rare for cats to ingest needles & thread , and they can certainly cause serious injury.

Amazingly, a needle alone will rarely cause problems and often will travel right through the digestive tract and be passed without incident. The cotton can be much more serious as it can ruck up the intestines causing an obstruction. If Mollie were to eat thread, and you could still see an end in her mouth, you could gently try to pull it out. If there is any resistance, don't pull hard but take to the vet as an emergency. If you can tie the loose end to something to stop it being completely swallowed, that would be very helpful. If she has swallowed the whole thread, try to estimate how long it is, and then take her to the vet - but not as an immediate emergency. If you see a thread protruding from her bottom, you could gently pull it - but again, any resistance would indicate the need for a vet's help.

Pets’ Page is sponsored by the Heath Veterinary Group

What can I expect after my puppy is spayed?

Will there be anything I need to look out for in particular ?

These days, most puppies get over their spaying operation very quickly, thanks to modern anaesthetics and painkillers. When she comes home, you will need to make sure she rests - we always recommend lead exercise until stitches are removed.

Jumping up onto furniture or going up stairs is also best avoided as it will stretch her tummy where the stitches are. The more active she is, the more the stitches will pull and get sore. If you are worried about her comfort, ask your vet to have a look at her.

After an anaesthetic, a small light meal is advisable on the evening she comes home. The following day, light meals are best. I would expect her appetite to be fully recovered by the second day after the operation - if it's not, get her checked out.

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Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 25

the funeral suit readers’ stories

by Elizabeth Cunningham

Old Jim Farrier was not a special friend of my grandmother’s or indeed, of my grandfather’s. So we were all mystified by Gran’s deeply troubled look when we heard of his death. My sister, a year younger than myself, was very knowledgeable about the ways of the world, and said perhaps it was Gran’s time of life, and that ‘women went funny’ at a certain age.

Another theory of sister Joan’s, was not doubt gleaned from her after dark readings of the forbidden ‘Pegs’ Paper’, the current copy of which, together with a torch, were permanent fixtures under our mattress. Her explanation was that Jim Ferrier had been in love with Gran, and now she was mourning him. I doubted this though. Not that Gran was all that bad-looking. On the contrary, but knowing the now widow Ferrier, she being a very large person (large in stature, in tongue and general nastiness), and matrimonial infringement of her rights by another would be extremely hazardous. So really, we did not know why Gran had been plunged into this dark mood.

As I said, the late Jim Ferrier, though he had not been on exactly friendly terms with my grandfather, was a fellow milkman and Grandpa had announced his intention of attending his funeral. Already Albert and Ernest, my uncles and the only two roundsmen, were planning the funeral day. With my grandmother away, they could finish their milk rounds off early, and sneak off for a few hours at the local billiards hall.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 26

There had not been a funeral in the offing for many a year, so you may be sure the two of them would not let such a golden opportunity slip by, without making use of it.

It was the night before the funeral, and my grandfather was reviewing his mourning apparel. He possessed only one white shirt which my grandmother had been instructed to wash and starch, and which was hanging apart from his other clothes in the wardrobe. It was not really a wardrobe - more like a huge cavern of a linen press which dominated my grandparents’ large bedroom. The neat piles of check shirts, drawers of thick woollen socks, long-legged plaited wool combinations, elbowlength sleeved vests and corduroy trousers, described his way of life.

The other side of the press was my Gran’s territory, again showing what little social activity there was for her.

A navy blue suit hung there stiff as a board, and a grey dress sidled lonely against a pretty blouse with a frilly jabot. The one drawer contained underwear, mostly in keeping with my Grandmother, except one delightful concoction of tiny pink frills and rosebuds, made of silk and tulle, which concealed a more practical circlet of elastic, on which dangled four suspenders. This item of almost sinful luxury was almost too ludicrous. Gran’s explanation was that ‘it was much cooler to wear in the warm weather than my corset.’

Under this was the work drawer, filled with long black aprons, charcoal coloured skirts and plain white blouses - Gran’s every day

apparel.

Came the day of the funeral, and my grandfather was getting ready.

As the mourners were meeting at the Ferrier house at 10am, a lot had to be done the night before. After the arrival of the evening milk lorry, there was the bottling to do, ready for the following morning first delivery. Then Tommy and Polly the two horses were given a ‘once over’, and the carts made ready for that morning, and the journey to the railway goods yard, to collect the churns of milk.

This milk covered the needs of the second morning delivery.

Grandpa’s black boots were ready polished, and the white shirt, were waiting with the black tie for the suit itself.

Gran was in a very fidgety mood.

We could not understand it and decided to keep out of her way. We were in the living room when the very air was torn apart by an almighty roar of “Bessie!” from upstairs.

Increasing in volume the shout bellowed forth again.

“Bessie! Where’s my funeral suit?”

My grandfather’s head was now thrusting around the bannister.

“Where’s that damned suit?”

We had now opened our door and saw Gran going upstairs, her face the colour of the marble wash-stand in the bathroom.

“Well now Will, isn’t it in the corner of the press? You always hang it up in the corner.”

“No it isn’t in the corner. It isn’t in your corner either, it isn’t with my jackets, it isn’t in the bloody press at all. Where the hell is it?”

“Must be somewhere Will, but it’s ages since you wore it last.”

“I’m well aware of that, but it was put back in the press, in this corner, by me, after I wore it last.”

We now recognised Gran playing for time.

“Of course it’s years and years...”

My grandfather burst through her line of reasoning.

“I know it’s years and years since I wore the blasted suit, but I put it back in the press, and here it should be!”

“Well I’ve not seen it, nor had it, nor touched it.”

Even my grandfather knew that when Gran spoke this well-known declaration, her statement of complete innocence, she had closed the subject. No more to be said. Not by her anyway. Any further exploding by my grandfather would fall upon stoney ground, so we waited for her at the bottom of the stairs.

She came down muttering to us.

“There he is jumping up and down like Rumpelstiltskin up there, cursed suit, don’t know why he wants to go to the funeral anyway.”

We followed her into the kitchen and knew she was in a bit of a bother as the teapot came out.

Rather absently, she poured some hot water from the smoke-blackened kettle, which was kept on a simmering boil, into the teapot, then remembering, put in a few scoops of tea.

“Is Grandpa very angry?” My sister could not wait any longer, but before my Gran had time to answer, my mother came into the kitchen.

“What’s all the fuss about then?”

I burst out feeling very important, knowing as I thought I did, the full story: “Grandpa can’t find his funeral suit and he’s very angry.”

“His black suit isn’t there? Well now.” My mother did not seem at all surprised.

“Gran, last week, that tramp, the one who said he had the chance of a job if he had a suit.....”

Gran’s face told us the answer.

“It’s not just that,” her voice moaning the words,” I haven’t told Will, I put the gold watch and chain

readers’ stories

in the pocket of that jacket. I thought it would be safe there.”

“Oh Lord above, the gold watch and chain.” My mother stopped dead in her tracks and looked aghast at Gran, who was just opening the cupboard door for the bottle of brandy.

“Now I can’t find my gold watch and chain. Bessie, that man who painted the bathroom. Where does he live?”

My Gran answered as though in a trance.

“The man who painted the bathroom last year? Oh yes. He was lodging with Gertie Morgan No.10.”

Most of the neighbours were customers of my grandfather, and were generally identified by the number of their house as well as their name.

“What do you mean ‘lodging there’?”

“He left Gertie months ago.”

For a few seconds, Gran did not follow his line of questioning and probing, but then, eyes blinking, she seized on it with blessed relief of a drowning sailor for a lifebelt.

“Oh Will, you don’t suspect him do you?”

“I’m not saying anything, but he was the only stranger I can think of who’s been in this house recently. I’ll ask Gertie Morgan if he left a

forwarding address.”

“But Will, even if he left his new address, you can’t go there and accuse him of stealing your watch and chain can you?”

My grandfather had to agree, and went looking for Albert and Ernest.

Of course, he would not go to the funeral, and Albert, his hopes for an illicit few hours of riotous living, now only a dream, was delegated to go in his stead. Well his courting suit was dark grey and suitable, as Ernest pointed out, grateful he himself did not possess a suit of any other colour.

The gold watch and chain were never returned. My Gran always maintained old Bert the Tramp had met with an accident. As it transpired, he had been a regular caller, and ‘he was as honest as the day is long.” All credit to her powers of pacification, my grandfather finally accepted the fact, his funeral suit, gold watch and chain, were gone and never to return, and that you could not go round accusing oddjob painters of robbery.

My grandfather never bought another dark suit. My two uncles took it in turns to represent him at future funerals.

Elizabeth Cunningham

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 27

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Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 29

Column

When the clock struck midnight on December 31st 2009, I was under the impression that 2010 was going to be another straight-forward year.

I’d planned another year’s worth of magazines, but I’d also planned to finally settle down for a life of singledom. It seemed ok sat there on my shelf. I’ll get myself a nice telly, maybe a nice computer. To me, they were exciting things that’d keep me occupied every evening (such was the extent of my ambition).

But in 2010, I met my future wife. I didn’t know she was going to be my future wife when we first met. We’d known each other from our teens when Clare (my wife) worked in a shop. I’d come in pretending to browse, when in fact, I was visiting to ogle. Clare remembers me as ‘boring and skinny’. Her words, not mine. Yet we lived less then five minutes away from each other, on opposite sides of a hill in Barry. I remember seeing Clare walking home on balmy Saturday evenings after finishing work. It would be nearly 20 years later before we saw each other again.

By then, Clare had been around the world with various jobs. Our first date was at a bar in Cardiff Bay. I’d promised her a Greggs sausage roll (which sadly, I never bought her).

Things were a little nervy at first, as they always are on a date, but after 20 minutes or so, we were talking like we’d known each other for years. By the end of our first week, we’d written up a Life Plan. It’s still stuck on our fridge.

The wedding in the autumn of 2011 was a small affair. Despite its size, it was still a stressful affair in the months and weeks running up to it.

We’d had it quite easy really, deciding on the date, venue and

dress after two pints of Peroni in the summer sun of Cardiff city centre.

But as with all most things that cause you headaches in life, it’s the little things- the little fiddly things that you think would take a few minutes.

Then it was off to New York for a few nights. To me, New York was a city of childhood dreams. The sheer cheek of placing buildings so huge in one place always amazed me, especially since I’ve always taken a dislike to heights. But there I was, on an icy November day, stood at the top of the Empire State Building, looking out over this sprawling metropolis.

It was then that I realised that sharing your life with someone is what helps you achieve dreams. By sharing my ambitions with my wife, she’s helped me do achieve things that have been sat on my ‘To-do List’ since I was a teen: visit New York, get married and even fly a ‘plane (I was bought an aerobatic flying lesson as a gift from Clare for our first Christmas together). But more importantly, I’ve become content with my lot. I don’t have a flashy car or a house with electric gates (in fact, I’ve no gates at all!). But I do have happiness.

But before I get too slushy, there of course, a few down sides to being married. #1 I can’t leave dirty dishes in the kitchen to do the next day. If Clare is away for a week, I can leave all my week’s dishes and do them quickly a few hours before she comes home.

She never knows the difference. I’ll even leave the hoover out and maybe casually throw a towel over the edge of the bath to make it look like I’ve had a bath while she’s been gone.

#2 Invariably, two different people are going to like different things on telly. Whereas Clare likes these American dramas (too full of murder and homocide for me), I prefer to watch historical documentaries and the like. We’ve signed up to LoveFilm, where movies are sent by post for you to watch. We both pick separate lists to reflect our differing interests. Several months ago, Clare’s offering of the latest cinematic blockbuster arrived. My DVD was a programme about ants. #3 Differing body clocks create worry. If I dash out of bed when the sun rises, my wife thinks I don’t want to spend time with her. Later on, when I’ve finished watching my programme about ants and want to go to bed at 9pm, my wife thinks I don’t want to spend any time with her. #4 I can’t actually think of a fourth one. I guess this goes to show that these things are nothing compared to what I’ve gained.

So the next time you moan about what you haven’t got, just take a minute or two to take in what you do have and imagine what life would be like without it.

These days, my wife and I both sit watching telly together and eating our tea. But that’s fine. I wouldn’t want to be sat eating my tea on my own, like I thought I would be at beginning of 2010.

So the small things become the big things. Eating tea together should be savoured.

The dishes can wait till the following day though.

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Page 31

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