Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 61

News | People | Features | History | Lifestyle 

Whitchurch & 

Llandaff Living 

At the heart of the community Issue 61 Winter '21/22 

Your multi award-winning community magazine

Distribution: 6,000 copies of Whitchurch and 

Llandaff Living are distributed to retail outlets and 

public places across Whitchurch, Llandaff and 

Llandaff North. 

2 

Inside this issue 

In Proud & 

Honoured 

Memory 2 

Author Ceri 

Stennett reveals 

the stories behind 

the names on the 

War Memorial 

Wellness 

Creative ways to 

look after yourself 

and stay happy 

during the cold 

months of winter 

History 

A look back 

at the mighty 

Glamorganshire 

Canal, which 

once flowed 

through north 

Cardiff 

Winter trails 

Discover the 

beauty and 

serenity of the 

local nature trails 

that we have right 

here on our north 

Cardiff doorstep 

Spring deadline: 

18th February 2022 

Published late February 2022 

a: 222 Pantbach Road, 

Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG 

t: 07772 081775 / 07974 022920 

w: www.livingmags.co.uk 

e: editor@livingmags.co.uk or 

danielle@livingmags.co.uk 

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. 

No part of this publication may be 

reproduced without the express 

written permission of the publishers. 

Welcome / Croeso 

The excitement of 

the winter season 

is here once again, 

even if this year 

things aren't quite 

back to as normal 

as we would have 

liked just yet. 

The past year has 

been a challenging 

one in so many 

ways so it's with 

hope that we 

look to the New 

Year and all the 

opportunities that 

it offers us. 

Before we look forward though, 

we pause to take a look back at 

those who gave their yesterdays 

for our todays. Local author Ceri 

Stennett follows up from his 

first book that covered the list 

of locals who fought and died in 

the First World War. Ceri's new 

book tells the stories behind the 

names of those who perished 

in the Second World War, and 

that feature on the Whitchurch 

War Memorial that sits outside 

Whitchurch Library. 

Winter is a season where we 

hide away from the world but 

that's no reason why it shouldn't 

be a season of warmth and 

cheer. To help you on your way, 

we've got a feature that will help 

show you how to maintain your 

well-being throughout the winter. 

We're also bringing you some 

tips that can help you keep warm 

and toasty - even with rising 

energy prices. 

Books are one thing that people 

spend a lot of time with during 

the darker months so we've 

hand-picked some gems that 

will keep you enraptured and will 

also hopefully provide you with 

a good dose of inspiration if you 

need it. 

We can't neglect our beautiful 

outdoor spaces though so we've 

highlighted some wonderful 

local trails that you can visit and 

explore on foot during the winter 

months. There's even a detailed 

short winter walk for you to blow 

away some of those cobwebs. 

While we're still outdoors, we 

shouldn't neglect or forget our 

gardens during this season. 

Although it doesn't look as if 

much is happening out there, 

there is still plenty to do to 

prepare for the explosion of 

colour and life in the spring. We 

highlight all the main jobs that 

you can get stuck into on a crisp 

winter's day. 

Our history feature this issue 

looks at the Glamorganshire 

Canal, which was once a main 

thoroughfare through north 

Cardiff. Very little remains 

of the canal these days but 

its importance shouldn't be 

underestimated. It helped create 

the city of Cardiff that we live and 

work in today. 

Many of us are still working 

from home and for some, it's not 

quite the joyous experience we 

were imagining. We've got some 

fabulous tips to help you feel 

better about working from your 

own residence, and to make you 

more productive. 

We sign off this issue with a 

story about hope. Spring will be 

with us soon and with it, all the 

joys of new life and sunnier days. 

We do hope that you have a 

safe and happy winter. Please 

support our local businesses at 

this time of year. Many have been 

through an incredibly tough time 

over the last two years. Their 

commitment to our community 

never goes unnoticed and they'll 

need all the help that they can 

get as we head into 2022. 

Have a wonderful winter and we 

wish you all the very best for the 

forthcoming year. 

See you in the Spring! 

Danielle and Patric 

Editors 

@WhitchurchandLlandaffLiving 

www.facebook.com/ 

whitchurchandllandaffliving

Cardiff Council secures £1 million 

funding for urban forestation project 

news 

TV presenter Iolo 

Williams backs 

campaign to 

save Northern 

Meadows 

Thousands of new trees are set 

to be planted in Cardiff, including 

a tree nursery at Forest Farm in 

Whitchurch. Nearly £1 million was 

secured in July for the mass treeplanting 

project across the city, 

which aims to reforest the city. 

Cardiff Council's Coed Caerdydd 

(Cardiff Forest) scheme will see 

thousands of new trees planted 

across the city, spanning an area 

the size of 1,500 football fields. 

The Council has received £753,471 

of funding through the Welsh 

Government Rural Communities 

- Rural Development Programme 

2014-2020. This follows the Council 

receiving a grant of £228,862 earlier 

in the year from the Woodland 

Trust's Emergency Tree Fund for the 

Recylcing trial for 

Llandaff residents 

Residents living in Llandaff will 

be asked to separate out their 

recycling as part of a trial that start 

in the New Year. 

Homeowners will be asked to sort 

out their glass, plastic, and paper as 

part of a pilot project that will also 

take place in Radyr, Pentwyn and 

Cowbridge. Until now, all recycling 

items go into the same green 

recycling bags. The pilot scheme 

will last for six months before Cardiff 

Council decide whether to roll the 

changes out across the whole city. 

Cardiff's recycling rates are 

currently the worst in Wales, and 

Cardiff Council is keen to bring the 

rates into line with other major UK 

cities. 55.8% of household waste 

in Cardiff was recycled last year 

project. 

Coed Caerdydd is an integral part 

the council's plans to make the 

city carbon neutral by 2030. Trees 

absorb carbon dioxide and remove 

harmful pollutants from the air. The 

project aims to add 839 hectares 

of trees in parks, streets and newly 

created woodlands across the city - 

increasing tree cover from 18.9 per 

cent to 25 per cent. 

During a Council meeting in 

January, Labour Councillor 

Iona Gordon said: “Trees are an 

essential component of our urban 

ecosystems — they support 

biodiversity and make our city 

more attractive to live in, as well as 

removing airborne pollutants." 

Work starts this winter. 

compared to an average across 

Wales of 65.4% 

Residents in the trial will receive 

a blue reusable sack for paper 

and card, a red reusable sack for 

metals and plastic, and a blue 

caddy for bottles and jars. The 

Council is intending to write to 

every home taking place in the trial 

in early December. Leaflets are 

also expected to be distributed in 

January to explain the scheme. 

Welsh TV presenter Iolo 

Williams has backed 

campaigners who are trying 

to stop a cancer hospital 

being built on green land in 

Whitchurch. 

The decision to build a 

new Velindre Hospital on 

the Northern Meadows has 

sparked division within the 

community. Supporters say 

that the new hospital has to 

be built to replace the current 

one, while those who oppose 

the build say that the proposed 

model is wrong and could 

jeopardise patient safety. 

Williams visited the site in 

November to show his support, 

and threw his weight behind 

saving the Meadows for 

environmental reasons. 

He said: 

"It's a green lung for Cardiff 

and a real stress reliever for 

local people too. We've been 

through a pandemic; we 

know how important these 

places are. This is wrong. I've 

spoken to medical experts 

and they say that you cannot 

build a main cancer centre 

away from a main hospital. 

You have to have them side 

by side because there are so 

many complications when 

it comes to cancer care. 

Take anaphylactic shock for 

example - you might need to 

be transferred urgently and 

you can't do that if you're apart." 

Construction work is expected 

to start in March 2023. The 

build will take about two years 

and is set to open in 2025. 

3

news 

Plans for new 

north Cardiff 

school submitted 

A planning application has 

been submitted for the first 

primary school that will feature in 

Cardiff’s ‘garden city for the 21st 

century’. The new school will be 

located in Plasdŵr’s Groeswen 

neighbourhood near Danescourt 

and Radyr. 

Children at the new school will 

have the option of learning in Welsh 

or English. Entry will be dual stream, 

with one form offering Welshmedium 

education and the other 

offering English-medium places 

with significant use of Welsh. The 

school will also provide 96 parttime 

nursery places, half Welshmedium 

and half English-medium, 

again with significant use of Welsh. 

Tributes paid 

Tributes were paid to a local 

journalist in October after passing 

away at the age of 23. 

Rachel Nurse landed her dream 

job as a reporter for the South 

Wales Argus while undergoing 

treatment for ovarian cancer. 

She attended Whitchurch High 

School and obtained her degree 

in English Literature. She then 

completed her masters at Cardiff 

University while being undergoing 

chemotherapy. 

Rachel had previously written for 

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living. 

Friends of Hailey 

Park elect new 

leader 

Friends of Hailey Park has elected 

its new committee after Penny 

Bowers, one of the group's 

founders, stepped down from the 

role. 

Russell Todd has been promoted 

as the new Chair after the group’s 

AGM was held in November. The 

group helps maintain and improve 

aspects of Hailey Park. 

4 

Permission 

granted for new 

railway bridge 

despite 'serious 

health and 

safety' fears 

Approval has been given for a new 

railway bridge to be built in north 

Cardiff, despite fears that it is a 

'serious health and safety hazard' 

that will impact local wildlife and a 

nearby business. 

Plans revealed in February 

proposed the construction of a 

new bridge over the railway near 

Morganstown. The bridge would 

form part of the South Wales 

Metro project, which also includes 

electrifying railways, introducing 

new electric trains, and increasing 

the number of services. 

But opponents argue that the 

new faster and quieter trains will 

make the crossing more dangerous 

than it currently is. According to 

the plans, two level crossings 

near Morganstown will be closed 

New cemetery 

opens 

The new Cardiff Northern Cemetery 

officially opened in October, 

providing burial space in the north of 

the city for the next 15+ years. 

The cemetery on Thornhill Road, 

includes lawn graves, traditional 

graves, cremated remains graves, as 

well as a natural burial area that will 

be managed to increase biodiversity 

within the site. 

The site has been designed and 

landscaped with additional tree 

planting to provide a therapeutic 

and holistic experience for those 

who have lost friends and relatives. 

Councillor Michael Michael, 

Cabinet Member for Clean Streets, 

Recycling and Environment said: 

"This new cemetery provides a 

long-term solution to the need for 

more burial space in the city. 

"Our city has a growing and diverse 

demographic, and we have a duty 

and responsibility to meet the needs 

of our residents." 

The design of the site has been 

considerate to the environment and 

minimised the visual impact of the 

area. 

and a new bridge for vehicles and 

pedestrians is set to be built over 

the track instead, at Gelynis Farm 

just north of the M4. 

A spokesman for Keolis Amey, 

the operator and development 

partner for the South Wales 

Metro, said that the bridge was 

'designed in accordance with Welsh 

Government active travel guidance 

and that all efforts have been made 

to integrate the structure into the 

local environment.' 

The planning committee granted 

permission despite concerns 

of local residents and the local 

councillor. 

Former WHS 

student earns 

first Welsh cap 

Former Whitchurch High School 

student Christ Tshiunza made his 

debut appearance for the senior 

Welsh rugby team in November. 

Tshiunza earned his first cap 

against Fiji and immediately sought 

out his former teacher Steve 

Williams to hand him his jersey. 

The Congo-born player excelled 

in athletics during his time at 

Whitchurch High School. He took 

part in the sprint and high jump at 

the Welsh County Championships. 

He then took up rugby with 

Rhiwbina RFC and at school, where 

he excelled in the second row. He 

progressed through Cardiff Schools 

and into the Cardiff Blues pathway 

and was signed up by Exeter in 

2019. 

Tshiunza follows in the footsteps 

of other Whitchurch High sporting 

giants, including Sam Warburton, 

Gareth Bale, Elliot Kear and Geraint 

Thomas.

Your letters 

WE 

letters 

WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 

We love to hear what you've been up to 

so send us your letters and photos! 

We'll do our best to print them all. 

editor@livingmags.co.uk 

Is the South Wales 

Metro happening? 

I've recently returned to the 

wonderful world of work (in a 

real office) and for the last few 

months, I've been making my 

regular journey from home into 

Cardiff city centre. 

One of the things that struck 

me when I first started back was 

the fact that the railway system 

in and around the city is pretty 

much as it was back when I was 

a youngster. In fact, some of the 

trains that I still catch to work are 

probably the very same ones that 

took me into town back in the 

1980s and 90s. 

Several years ago, I was made 

aware of new transportation 

plans, commonly known as the 

South Wales Metro - and these 

so-called plans were supposedly 

advanced at that point. And while 

some of the planners seem to 

have good intentions, I question 

whether this was all bluff and 

bluster - I don't think I've seen 

one shred of evidence out in the 

'real world' that this is starting to 

take place. 

If the project is going ahead, it 

is my guess that the pandemic 

has had an effect on its progress. 

My concern is that we'll never 

see any developments at all, 

especially given the fact that 

Covid has had such a devastating 

effect on the world. 

As an aside, one of my other 

main concerns is that the new 

trams won't have toilets on them. 

While I can probably manage 

without them, I'm sure that 

this won't be the case for the 

older generations those with 

medical conditions. I've been 

on late-night trains back home 

on weekends and that was bad 

enough, even with toilets! 

I do hope that the project is 

ultimately delivered, but I do 

hope it's one we deserve. 

Kristen Higgins 

email 

Why aren't people 

sticking to the rules? 

The pandemic has been with us 

now for the best part of two years, 

yet the ongoing ignorance by 

some still astounds me. 

I recently attended a concert, 

albeit not in Cardiff (it was in 

Swansea), and a large proportion 

of people there were not wearing 

masks. This was the first concert I 

have been to since February 2020, 

and was supposed to be a treat for 

myself and my elderly parents. 

The argument for wearing masks 

has long been established yet 

people seem to think that the 

rules don't apply to them. Whether 

this is ignorance or a wilful choice, 

the fact that they are not wearing 

them is prolonging the pandemic. 

Covid is primarily an airborne 

virus, and as such, we should all 

protect ourselves and each other 

accordingly. A mask of appropriate 

quality like N95, KN95 and in some 

cloth masks can help reduce 

risk and offer protection in a 

respiratory agent pandemic, such 

as flu or SARS. 

What I've been seeing more 

recently online is the refusal to 

wear one based on the idea that 

these people are being oppressed 

by the state. I presume that these 

same people would have refused 

a gas mask during WW2 for the 

same reason. I also presume that 

these people would be the ones 

deliberately leaving lights on 

during bombing raids, because 

they wouldn't want governments 

telling them what to do. 

I have lost several members of 

my family and work colleagues 

to Covid. Some of these were 

perfectly healthy people with 

families to care for. 

In a post-pandemic world, I 

would argue that individuals 

should be urged to continue 

wearing masks, especially during 

the cold and flu season. Each 

person would be playing their 

part in protecting themselves, 

as well as others who might be 

immunocompromised. 

Of course, there are people who 

couldn't give two hoots about 

anyone else - and will continue 

to flaunt the mask rules that 

are there to protect everyone. 

These are the people that have 

disappointed me in the last two 

years. 

S Keating 

Llandaff 

If you have anything you’d like our readers to know about, drop us a line at 

editor@livingmags.co.uk You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter 

5

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED MAZDA 

MX-30 EV NOW AVAILABLE 

TO TEST DRIVE AT VICTORIA 

PARK MAZDA 

The Mazda MX-30 First Edition can be ordered 

from Victoria Park Mazda and offers customers 

with a choice of free-of-charge Ceramic Metallic 

or Polymetal Grey Metallic single colours. The 

First Edition can also be ordered with either £950 

three-tone Ceramic Metallic or £1,250 threetone 

Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint. This threetone 

design further marks out the MX-30’s unique 

styling with a brilliant black roof and metallic dark 

grey upper side panels to contrast the Soul Red 

Crystal or Ceramic Metallic main body colour. 

Other standard equipment highlights on the First 

Edition include adaptive LED headlights, satin D 

pillar trim and signature LED rear lights. Inside, 

the First Edition features a light and modern cabin 

ambiance with light grey cloth and stone leatherette 

combined with orange seat stitching. Eightway 

power adjustable driver’s seat and chrome interior 

details, plus heated front seats compliment 

the interior style. 

With UK deliveries now underway, the limited 

500-model First Edition MX-30s will be the debut 

cars to take centre stage at Victoria Park Mazda, as 

well as full range, which starts with the £26,045* 

Mazda MX-30 SE-L Lux. Marked out by 18-inch 

Silver Metallic alloy wheels, black door mirrors 

and a black grille, it’s exclusively offered in a single 

tone paint design with a choice of five colours: 

standard Arctic White solid, or £550 Polymetal 

Grey Metallic, Ceramic Metallic and Jet Black 

Mica, plus £670 Machine Grey Metallic. 

The £28,045* MX-30 Sport Lux promises to be a 

popular model in the range. It features 18-inch 

Bright Metallic alloy wheels and sees an increase 

in standard equipment with the addition of power 

seats, lumber support adjustment and smart keyless 

entry. Like the First Edition, there’s the option 

for customers to choose the optional three-tone 

design on Soul Red Crystal or Ceramic Metallic 

main body colours. In addition, Polymetal Grey 

Metallic can be matched to a Brilliant Black roof 

and Silver Metallic side panels. 

• Mazda’s first battery electric vehicle, the 

Mazda MX-30 EV is now available. 

• With prices starting at £26,045*, the 

full MX-30 range features three highly 

specified models. 

• The £27,995* Mazda MX-30 First 

Edition is available to pre-order now for 

just £800. 

Victoria Park Mazda has announced Mazda’s highly 

anticipated first all-electric production vehicle - 

the Mazda MX-30 is now available. With the UK 

customer deliveries happening since March 2021. 

The stylish and versatile crossover EV features an 

AC synchronous electric motor and a 35.5kWh 

lithium-ion battery that delivers a range of approximately 

124miles, plus AC charging up to 6.6kW 

and DC rapid charging designed to meet 125A 

Combo Charging standards. Available across 

three generously equipped model grades – SE-L 

Lux, Sport Lux and GT Sport Tech, the three-model 

line-up, complements the already revealed 

500-model limited edition First Edition. 

Customers can expect generous standard equipment 

across all UK MX-30s including, LED headlights 

with daytime running lights, reversing camera, 

Mazda Radar Cruise Control with Intelligent 

Speed Assist, navigation and head-up display. 

Each MX-30 comes as standard with a Type 2 AC 

charging cable and a socket for 50kW rapid charging, 

which can in just 36 minutes deliver up to 80 

per cent battery charge. In addition, packages for 

home charging solutions from Mazda’s preferred 

partner Pod Point ensure MX-30 owners in the UK 

will be ready for charging convenience. 

The range-topping GT Sport Tech costs £30,345* 

with a light grey cloth interior trim and £30,545* 

when equipped with a dark grey interior and 

brown artificial leather. The range topping GT 

Sport Tech MX-30’s equipment tally includes 

a front wiper de-icer and a power and tilt sunroof, 

while inside a heated steering wheel and 

12-speaker Bose surround sound compliment the 

generous standard specification.

All MX-30s come with a comprehensive standard 

safety specification, while GT Sport Tech adds to 

this with a host of extra active safety technology 

and a 360-degree view monitor. Across the entire 

MX-30 range and the limited-edition First Edition, 

the MX-30’s distinctive, stylish and sustainable 

cabin features high-quality materials and a driver 

focused interior. The lower console incorporates 

a 7-inch colour touch-screen air conditioning 

control panel, and in a nod to Mazda’s founding 

as the Toyo Kogyo Cork Company in 1920, the 

Mazda MX-30 features cork lined centre console 

trays and inner side door handles. Harvested from 

the bark of trees without felling, the use of cork 

and door trim materials that incorporate fibres 

from recycled plastic bottles, are perfectly suited 

to Mazda’s first pure electric production car. Benefiting 

passengers and drivers alike, the sense of 

space is enhanced with a floating centre console 

that sits independently from the dashboard, while 

the use of environmentally-friendly materials has 

been carefully matched to meticulous quality and 

finish. 

Staying true to the ‘Jinbai Ittai - car and driver as 

one’ ethos found across Mazda’s combustion engine 

range, the Mazda MX-30 has been designed 

to deliver the intuitive responses, natural feedback 

and involving handling you’d expect of a Mazda. 

Electric G-Vectoring Control Plus (e-GVC Plus) 

enhances chassis performance by using motor 

torque to optimise the front-rear load shift for improved 

stability and the MX-30’s Skyactiv-Vehicle 

Architecture is specifically tailored to complement 

the smooth power delivery of the e-Skyactiv drivetrain. 

The dynamic focus also extends to a throttle 

pedal that delivers a seamless transition between 

linear power delivery and smooth regeneration on 

lift off, equally, the braking system offers a seamless 

transfer between energy regeneration and hydraulic 

brake action. 

Peter Marshall, Marketing Director commented: 

“The new all-electric Mazda MX-30 marks a very 

exciting time for us at Victoria Park Mazda and we 

have plenty of opportunities for our customers to 

get familiar with the car, ranging from answering 

any specific customer questions, to viewing the 

car in our showroom and even exclusive opportunities 

for test drives. With its distinctive styling, 

innovative technology, class-leading interior and 

driver focused dynamics, the MX-30 will be a 

stand out addition to the rapidly evolving EV marketplace 

and we’re confident our customers will 

agree after getting behind the wheel. Keeping In 

line with the latest government guidelines, I personally 

have already made the switch to a Mazda 

MX-30 so that I can answer customer questions 

about it and have had a car charging point installed 

at my home. We have already experienced 

high demand for the Mazda MX-30, so I would 

encourage customers to contact us to book an appointment 

in advance to avoid disappointment. 

Customers can reserve a car for just £800 for delivery 

from December 2021.” 

With customer and staff safety at the highest priority, 

Victoria Park Mazda will meet all government 

advice and guidelines on social distancing, with 

some additional measures in place that go above 

and beyond for customer and staff safety. On arrival 

to dealerships there will be hand sanitisers, 

social distancing markers and, where appropriate, 

a touch free environment to ensure a safe visit. All 

surfaces, keys and cars will be cleaned regularly to 

ensure customers are in a safe and sanitised environment 

during unaccompanied test drives 

*inclusive of OLEV plug-in vehicle grant. 

^subject to terms and conditions 

For more information about Victoria Park 

Mazda, call on 029 20347446, visit the 

dealership on Hadfield Road or go to 

www.victoriapark-mazda.co.uk. 

Externally, the MX-30’s looks will leave just as 

strong an impression, reflecting a unique expression 

of Kodo design, the MX-30’s styling emphasises 

the cars beauty as a solid mass, while the 

freestyle doors and framed glasshouse hint at the 

open spaciousness of the cabin. The front doors 

open forward to an angle of 82 degrees, while 

the rear doors open backwards to an angle of 80 

degrees to reveal the stylish and driver focused 

interior. 

All-new Mazda MX-30 currently qualifies for the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (“OLEV”) Plug-In Car Grant, which offers £2,500 off the purchase price. OLEV reserve the right to 

alter or withdraw the Plug-In Car Grant at any time. Any changes in the Plug-In Car Grant will be reflected in the overall all-new Mazda MX-30 price. Full information on the EVHS 

grant, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customer-guidance-electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme.

home 

keep 

warm 

Energy prices have rocketed in the last few months and while it's 

cold outside, there are ways that we can keep bills to a minimum 

8 

Heating 

The pandemic has forced a lot 

of us to work from home, which 

means that during the colder 

months, we have to provide 

our own heating. Throughout 

the winter, it's quite tempting to 

keep your heating on all day and 

all night but that doesn't have to 

be the case. Often you are able 

to switch it off in the morning 

and the house will naturally 

retain some of the heat during 

the day. If you are more active 

during the daylight hours, you 

may find that you don't need 

your heating at all. 

If you do need your heating on, 

consider heating just the rooms 

that you need. Turn off the 

radiators in the rooms that aren't 

being used and close the doors 

to seal them off. If your boiler has 

a timer on it, you can also set it 

to run for just a few hours a day 

during the week. 

If it's just you at home, tabletop 

heaters work just as well at 

keeping you toasty but with less 

cost as you're not heating an 

entire house. You could also try 

turning the thermostat down by 

a degree to find a comfortable 

temperature – each degree can 

typically save around £80 a year. 

Energy vampires 

Many household appliances have 

a standby mode – in this mode, 

these appliances use a fraction of 

the energy compared to when they 

are properly operational - however 

they do use some! It is estimated, 

here in the UK, that households 

waste £227m per year as a result 

of standby mode. It has been 

estimated that about £40 a year is 

wasted in the average home due 

to appliances left on standby. 

Unplug all chargers that are 

not in use, and do the same for 

computers, laptops and tablets 

that you aren't using. You also don't 

need to keep charging items that 

have reached full charge. 

Be wary of satellite and/or TV 

boxes, which may need to stay on 

to record TV shows that you have 

requested. 

Lighting 

If you're working from home, you'll 

find that you'll be using lights 

more, especially during the dark 

days of winter. It therefore makes 

sense to think about only using 

the lights that you need. Switch off 

any unnecessary lights and only 

use lights in the rooms that you 

are spending time in. Reminding 

others to turn lights off when they 

aren't using them will also help you 

save money. 

Now would also be an ideal time 

to switch to LED bulbs too. By 

changing all of your bulbs in your 

house to LED alternatives, you 

will reclaim your initial investment 

when you start saving money on 

your energy bills.

Layer up 

In some ways, working from 

home has taken away the need 

to dress to impress, allowing us 

to wear something that's been 

designed more for warmth and 

comfort. 

Pop on that big comfy jumper 

that you've got sitting in your 

cupboard - it might mean that 

you're able to turn the heating 

down a little, saving you money 

in the process. 

Switch suppliers 

The recent energy crisis has meant 

that wholesale prices have gone 

through the roof, while government 

caps have limited what some 

suppliers can charge. This has 

meant that many suppliers have 

gone bust. 

Now may not be a good time 

to switch suppliers but as the 

markets settle back down, it will 

be worth looking for a good deal. 

Comparison sites are a good place 

to start looking. 

Appliances 

Our home appliances can use a lot of energy, especially if you're using 

them for small loads. It therefore makes sense to only use them when 

you have a full load to wash, whether that's your dishwasher or washing 

machine. Wet appliances contribute to 

around 10% of our energy bills. A 7kg 

washing machine used 220 times a year 

will cost typically between £25-£35 a year 

to run. 

Many machines will now come with Eco 

settings and lower temperatures mean 

less energy consumption. Cleaning out 

any filters once a month will also make 

the machines more efficient. 

Draught-proofing 

Draught-proofing your home is one of 

the quickest and most cost-effective 

ways of keeping warmth in your home. 

Before you go blocking up every 

gap that you can find, bear in mind 

that some areas of your house need 

ventilation, such as kitchens and rooms 

with open fires. 

Windows and doors are generally 

a good place to start and applying 

draught-proof strips around your 

frames will give you an instant benefit. 

You can do the same for draughty 

loft hatches. If you're unsure about 

your own DIY abilities, consult a 

professional. 

Food 

Planning your food for the week 

ahead is a great way of saving 

energy, especially when it comes 

to heating it. 

Batch cooking means that 

you're using the same amount of 

energy to cook more food, and 

warming it up in the microwave 

at a later date will still use less 

energy than if you were cooking 

from scratch every time. This will 

also help reduce food waste and 

save you money. 

Slow cookers are also a great 

way to use less energy and save 

money. 

Hot drinks 

You'll probably find that you're drinking more 

hot drinks at home during the colder months - 

the irresistible draw of a piping hot mug of tea is 

sometimes too overwhelming. They'll certainly 

warm you up from the inside but don't go filling 

up the kettle to capacity every time you use it. If 

you are looking to save money on your energy 

bills, simply use what you need each time you 

need a hot drink. 

Descaling your kettle regularly will also make 

it more efficient at boiling water and if you're 

looking to get a new one, look for one with 

a good energy rating and a low minimum fill 

level. 

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In Proud & 

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Memory 2 

A new book shines light on the names etched into the War Memorial in 

Whitchurch. A follow-up to his first book, author Ceri Stennett explains 

how locals made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II 

It's been 76 years since the guns of 

war fell silent at the end of World 

War II. The effects of the global 

conflict can still be felt in the 

local area today, both physically 

and emotionally. For those who 

gave the ultimate sacrifice to their 

country during those dark years, the 

Whitchurch War Memorial stands 

today to remember them. 

November saw the publication of 

a new book - In Proud & Honoured 

Memory 2, compiled by local author 

and historian, Ceri Stennett. The 

book takes a look at the stories 

12 

Ceri Stennett 

with Gwyn Prescott 

behind the names listed on the 

monument and follows the First 

World War collaboration with Gwyn 

Prescott. 

The publication pays tribute to 

the men and women from the 

Whitchurch area of north Cardiff 

who fell during the Second World 

War, and is a follow-up to the 2018 

book that dealt with First World War 

casualties. 

For Ceri, the books have been 

months of painstaking but 

rewarding work: 

"I would often walk past the War 

Memorial outside the library in 

Whitchurch because that's where 

I grew up. But there was one day a 

few years ago when I just stopped 

and looked at all the names. I 

thought to myself 'Someone has to 

write a book about this' and then of 

course, I realised that that person 

was me. 

"I got in touch with Gwyn Prescott, 

who has lived in the Whitchurch 

and Rhiwbina areas for many years. 

His work on rugby history has been 

published widely, but he is also a 

keen researcher of the World Wars 

and Cardiff casualties. 

"We sat down and started pulling 

the pieces together. The first thing 

that struck us in our first book was 

that in the main, the men of the 

Whitchurch parish who served 

in the First World War were not 

soldiers. The vast majority were 

working men who went to ‘do their 

bit’ for King and Country. 

"This second book picks up where 

I left off after the First World War 

book - it includes all the men and 

women named on the Whitchurch 

War Memorial from the Second 

World War period, plus many 

more not named but who had 

connections with the areas of 

Whitchurch, Rhiwbina, Llandaff 

North, Birchgrove and Tongwynlais." 

The war memorial outside 

Whitchurch Library carries 154

Able Seaman Henry James Smart, 

HMS President III, Royal Navy, was 

killed at sea, in September 1941, 

off Cape Farewell, Greenland, in 

the Atlantic Ocean. 

'Eddie' was serving as a gunner 

on a defensively equipped 

merchant ship, SS Empire 

Springbuck. 

Born in Whitchurch in 1905, 

he was the son of Peter and 

Charlotte Smart. His father was 

a railway company labourer. In 

1911 the family was living at 43, 

Old Church Road, Whitchurch. 

Eddie married Violet Andrews in 

the village in 1926 and by 1939 

they were living at Lock Cottages, 

Melingriffith, Whitchurch. He was 

working as a labourer at the 

tinplate works. 

Merchant ships had Royal Naval 

personnel allocated to them to 

man guns to protect them from 

German attack. These men were 

trained at the shore base HMS 

President III, situated in Bristol at 

the start of the war. 

Eddie's cargo steamer was part 

of a convoy en-route from Cuba 

to Sydney, Australia and then 

back to the UK, with a cargo of 

steel and phosphates. It became 

detached from the convoy and 

was torpedoed by U-81, northeast 

of Greenland. There were no 

survivors. 

names of those who lost their lives 

between 1939-1945, as well as 

several who succumbed to their 

wounds or illness in the immediate 

post-war years. Apart from service 

personnel, the memorial also 

remembers ten civilians who died 

as a result of air raids on the city. 

"The starting point of both books 

has been the names on the 

War Memorial in the gardens of 

Whitchurch Library. Many more 

who made the ultimate sacrifice 

from the area are missing from 

the imposing structure, but I have 

included them to give a complete 

picture as possible. 

"The Second World War saw 

service personnel from the area 

posted to all four corners of the 

globe: Europe, North Africa, the 

Far East, and at sea in the North 

and South Atlantic, as well as the 

Mediterranean and the Pacific 

Ocean. Many never made it home 

and rest at various locations around 

the world." 

Back at home, North Cardiff took 

damage from several air raids that 

were inflicted on the city. Many 

of these raids were linked to the 

Cardiff Royal Ordnance Factory in 

Llanishen. Wartime bombing raids 

were notoriously inaccurate. Only 

22% of bombs landed within five 

miles of the target. 

Western Cardiff was the worst 

hit area, particularly Canton and 

Riverside, where 116 people 

were killed, an estimated 50 of 

which were killed in one street in 

Riverside. Chapels and the nave 

of Llandaff Cathedral were also 

damaged during the bombings, 

known as the Cardiff Blitz. 

In late January 1941, residents 

of Violet Place in the Philog also 

became casualties themselves 

when a cluster of bombs landed 

on the street. Those who were 

evacuated were moved to Ararat 

Church for the night and Coryton 

Lodge the following day. Some of 

the last raids took place in 1943; 

many believe that these were 

retaliatory bombings following the 

Dambusters raids. 

Ceri has found a further 103 

casualties who had connections to 

the area and these have also been 

included in the book. Neighbouring 

areas covered are Llandaff 

North, Birchgrove, Rhiwbina and 

Tongwynlais, which were also 

included in the first volume. From 

sixteen-year-old Merchant Navy 

Cadet, Emrys Williams, to seventyfive-year-old 

Civilian Air Raid 

casualty, Elizabeth Gilbert, all their 

stories are told. 

The book also looks at other 

aspects from that time with 

chapters on Whitchurch at war, 

parishioners decorated for gallantry, 

prisoners of war, other places of 

commemoration and medals and 

awards issued. 

There is a final chapter that 

remembers Richard Fice, a 

musician with the Royal Marines 

from Rhiwbina, who lost his life in 

the IRA bombing of his barracks in 

Deal, Kent, in 1989. His name was 

added to the memorial with his 

interview 

family’s permission and is the only 

one not connected with either of 

the World Wars. 

The limited-edition book is fully 

illustrated and runs to some 240 

pages. Many images have been 

made available by kind permission 

of Media Wales as well as families 

of the fallen and from Ceri’s own 

collection. 

Ceri added: 

"Cardiff has a proud history in 

playing its part in times of war, and 

this book looks to tell the stories of 

the men from the north of the town 

who valiantly served, but failed to 

return. Every death is a human 

tragedy, but within this small part 

of the story of a catastrophic war, 

the book shines a light on stories 

of great selflessness, comradeship, 

devotion to duty and at times, great 

heroism. 

"It has been a real privilege to 

undertake this research over the 

last few years and to discover the 

remarkable stories of sacrifice. I 

hope that the book will stand as 

a fitting tribute to them all and 

give our current generation an 

opportunity to reflect on their 

service. 

"I also hope that this second 

book will serve as our humble 

contribution to paying thanks to 

those men who did not return and 

to those that did, but for whom life 

would never be the same again." 

Published by Candy Jar Books, 

Cardiff (candy-jar.co.uk) and 

priced at £14.99. It is available 

from the publishers, and from 

Siop y Felin, Merthyr Road, 

Whitchurch. 

Copies are also available direct 

from the author, who can be 

contacted at 

ceristennett@gmail.com 

13

tips this 

With recent events making many of us anxious and 

uncertain about the future, lawyers have seen a sharp 

increase in the number 

Christmas 

of people wanting to put their 

affairs in order over the last few months. 

Laura Selby, Head of Wills & Probate at Harding Evans 

Solicitors, explains why it is so important to plan for the future 

After somewhat of a subdued Keep your to avoid kitchen any unnecessary complications lights are further required down to meet the line. much 

festive period last year, 

higher safety standards that ensure 

Although it is not 

thousands of people across 

hazard a pleasant thing free to think about, it 

they do not burn out or become hot 

is important to ensure 

the UK will be keeping their 

While you’re have busy a properly preparing a feast, 

prepared Will in place. Having a professionally 

to the touch. 

fingers crossed for a more ‘normal’ 

it’s easy to overlook the hazards that 

drafted Will in place provides peace of mind that 

Christmas – whatever that may be! 

could put a stop to sitting around 

your estate should be dealt with in accordance with 

However, while we eagerly 

the table together. 

Eat, drink (responsibly) 

your wishes and is likely to make the process far 

anticipate decorating the tree, 

Try to prep as many items as and be merry! 

easier for those you leave behind when you die. 

dining on overcooked turkey and 

possible ahead of time – from For many, Christmas will be a time 

Yet, there are reports 

enjoying long overdue catchups 

with friends and family (as 

adult sprouts, UK population to avoid do unnecessary 

not 

yet another unpredictable year. 

peeling that the surprisingly potatoes around to par-boiling to unwind with loved ones after 

60 per cent of the 

have a Will, which 

well as the excitement of seeing 

stress 

effectively 

as you 

means 

try to 

they 

keep 

will be 

a watchful However, drinking too much, too 

allowing ancient laws to determine who receives 

what Santa will bring!), it is 

eye on a number of different dishes. quickly can increase your risk of 

their estate. 

As we can 

important to remain alive to the 

Minimise the number of people in accidents. see from the recent case of Clitheroe v 

Bond [2020] EWHC 1185 (Ch), not only is it 

potential hazards that Christmas 

the kitchen, especially while you’re Before you head out, make sure to 

Making a Will is often not the long, complicated and important to ensure the Will is validly executed, but 

brings - some of which are much 

taking dishes in and out of the oven grab something to eat so you aren’t 

expensive process that people often imagine it to it is also important to prove you have full mental 

be. Many people 

more common than you might 

– have although put it off keep during your lockdown, dedicated capacity. drinking on an empty stomach. 

thinking it would 

think. Indeed, more than 80,000 

washer-upper not be possible while on hand social to help clear Alternate alcoholic drinks with soft 

distancing. At Harding 

people head to A&E each year for 

surfaces Evans, and in accordance wipe up with spills quickly. In this case, drinks the daughter – and if of you the can deceased – factor in 

Government guidelines, we have been operating succeeded some in establishing snacks to that slow two Wills down made the by 

Christmas-related accidents. throughout lockdown. Our offices are now open to her late 

Victoria Smithyman, head of the 

Oh Christmas tree… 

absorption mother in 2010 of and alcohol. 2013 were both invalid. 

the public with measures in place to reduce the risk The Court 

Personal Injury department at 

More than 1,000 people are hurt Remember 

found that, following 

that drinking 

the death 

and 

of her 

of spreading the virus. 

other daughter, the mother had been suffering from 

Harding Evans Solicitors, offers 

each year while decorating their driving kills. I’d advise avoiding 

a complex grief disorder that impaired her capacity 

her top tips to keep you and 

If you 

your 

are currently tree, unable usually to leave while your fixing property, decorations to make 

alcohol 

a Will. While 

completely 

she had cognitive 

if you 

function 

are 

and 

we also offer telephone 

family safe as you enjoy the festive 

to the highest appointments, branches. video calls Slips was intellectually planning sound, on driving, it was found even that if she it is had 

and witnessing of 

season. 

and Wills, falls even also via your occur front when window people experienced the “insane following delusions” morning. that “poisoned Erring her 

if required! There 

attempt 

are strict 

to 

rules 

use 

regarding 

unstable 

the 

chairs or 

mind” against on the the side daughter of caution she excluded ensures from her 

witnessing of Wills ensure they are executed Will, causing 

Toying with danger 

stools. Make use of your ladder and that her everyone to make allegations will get to for spend which there 

properly. 

was no rational 

While the internet offers parents a 

don’t decorate alone – have a friend Christmas 

basis. 

with 

In circumstances 

their loved 

where 

ones. 

there 

could be any doubt as to a person’s mental capacity, 

tech-based equivalent to Santa’s Unfortunately, challenges or partner to Wills (preferably appear to a be tall on one) we recommend obtaining a medical report. 

workshop, it’s worth remembering 

lend a hand to avoid overstretching. Your Lawyers For Life 

the rise, so it is more important than ever to obtain 

legal advice when preparing your Will, to avoid 

Most commonly, If you have when suffered clients show an some injury form that of 

that safety regulations are not 

lengthy and costly 

always front of mind for online 

Light disputes it after up your death. 

memory was loss, not possibly your as fault, a result you of dementia, may be this 

vendors. 

There’s nothing quite like the warm makes us entitled consider to their compensation. capacity and we will Speak give the to 

most appropriate 

Check that a CE Mark is present 

glow of Christmas lights to get one of the advice. friendly The case team of Clitheroe at Harding v 

Bond is a 

on all gifts, as this ensures that 

you in the festive spirit. But when Evans firm reminder and find that out other if we health can conditions help 

may exist which may not give rise to memory loss 

the product complies with the 

you’re fetching the fairy lights from you, today. 

but could still mean that they may be lacking 

British and European Toy Safety 

the attic, make sure to check that capacity. It is recommended to keep records of the 

Standards, and be alert to fake or 

the bulbs and wiring are in good will instructions taken; these records may also help 

imitation products that will likely 

working order and replace any worn to protect your estate in the event of a challenge. 

have dodged a number of essential 

or damaged sections. 

hardingevans.com 

checks. 

And while they may have become 

If you would hello@hevans.com 

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Winter 

Traditions 

The Winter is a time of tradition and 

familiarity yet we rarely often stop 

to ask about their origins. Here 

are the backgrounds to a few of 

our festive customs 

Father Christmas 

The tradition of Father 

Christmas, or Santa Claus as 

he's also known, started with St 

Nicholas, a bishop who lived in 

what is now modern-day Turkey. 

St Nicholas was renowned for 

his kindness and in particular, 

for giving to the poor. There are 

legends of him dropping gold 

down people's chimneys and 

when the identity of this giftgiver 

was revealed, St Nicholas 

begged for anonymity. Word 

got out though and his name 

became synonymous with 

secret gifts. 

The legends died out until the 

Victorians began retelling them. 

In A Visit from St. Nicholas, a 

poem written by Clement Moore 

in 1822, he flew from house to 

house in a sleigh drawn by eight 

reindeer, to fill stockings. The 

Victorians renamed him Father 

Christmas but it was 

the Coco-Cola 

company that 

took that idea and 

redesigned what 

became Santa 

Claus that we all 

know and love 

today. 

Christmas Cards 

The custom of sending Christmas 

cards was started in the UK in 

1843 by Sir Henry Cole. 

Cole was a senior civil servant 

who had helped create the new 

'Public Record Office', now known 

as the Post Office. 

Sir Henry had the idea of 

Christmas cards with his friend 

John Callcott Horsley, who was 

an artist. They designed the first 

card and sold them for 1 shilling 

each. At first, only the very rich 

could afford to send cards but 

after the introduction of the 

Penny Post in 1840, it became 

more affordable to the general 

public. The first cards traditionally 

depicted the Nativity scene but 

these changed to winter scenes 

during Victorian times. 

Christmas Crackers 

Christmas crackers are a British 

tradition dating back to Victorian 

times. 

During the early 1850s, London 

confectioner Tom Smith started 

adding a motto to his sugared 

almond bon-bons which he 

sold wrapped in a twisted paper 

package. As many of his bonbons 

were bought by men to 

give to women, many of the 

mottos were simple love poems. 

One day, he was startled by 

the bang of a log he'd put on 

the first and thought it'd be a 

good idea to add the bang to his 

'crackers'. 

Soon the sugared almond was 

replaced with a small gift and 

paper crowns were added at the 

turn of the century by his sons. 

The love poems were replaced 

by jokes during the 1930s, 

by which time, crackers had 

become a festive tradition.

Plygain 

There existed in many parts 

of Wales, a custom known as 

Plygain, which means 'daybreak'. 

Men gathered in rural churches 

across the country and sang 

three or four part harmony carols 

in a service that took place 

between 3am and 6am. 

After the service, a day of 

feasting and drinking would 

begin. The custom survived 

in some country areas, and 

because of its simplicity and its 

beauty, is being revived in many 

others. 

Plygain carols were often 

religious and philosophical 

poems, but often had their 

origins in popular folk songs. 

Christmas trees 

Modern Christmas trees originated 

during the Renaissance of early 

modern Germany. Its 16th-century 

origins are sometimes associated 

with Protestant Christian reformer 

Martin Luther. 

The custom was developed in 

medieval Livonia (present-day 

Estonia and Latvia), and in early 

modern Germany where Protestant 

Germans brought decorated 

trees into their homes. Germans 

decorated their trees with edible 

goods and glass decorations. Tinsel 

was originally made in Germany 

from thin strips of silver. Christmas 

trees arrived in Britain in the 1830s, 

and in 1841, Prince Albert put one up 

in Windsor Castle. 

Turkeys 

Christmas dinners weren't always 

turkey-based. Peacock, wild boar and 

goose were popular choices at one 

point but the popularity of turkey has 

often been accredited to King Henry 

VIII. Legend has it that he was the 

first English monarch to eat turkey on 

Christmas Day, popularising the dish 

among the upper classes after the bird 

was imported from America. 

Christmas Wreaths 

Christmas wreaths are connected 

with the pagan holiday of Yule, 

marking the winter solstice, 

which was celebrated by ancient 

Germanic and Scandinavian 

people. This twelve day festival, 

which was also called midwinter, 

was held to honour the returning of 

the sun and the seasonal cycle. 

In the 16th century, the use of 

wreaths during Yule was adopted 

by Christians and became a custom 

in the form of Advent wreaths, 

which are now used today. 

Boxing Day 

Boxing Day has its origins in the 

practice of giving presents and 

money to poor people on the day 

after Christmas. 

Boxes of alms were left in churches 

on Christmas Day and handed out 

to the needy on Boxing Day. The 

day was also traditionally a day off 

for servants and the day when they 

received a 'Christmas Box' from 

the master. The servants would go 

home on Boxing Day to give 'Christmas Boxes' to their families. 

Mistletoe 

Druids viewed mistletoe as 

a symbol of life as it grew 

even during the winter. It was 

consumed to increase fertility 

and used to decorate houses 

during winter and summer 

solstices. In Norse mythology, 

mistletoe has connotations of 

love and friendship. 

The tradition of kissing under 

the mistletoe though started 

in ancient Greece, during the 

festival of Saturnalia and later in 

marriage ceremonies, because 

of the plant's association with 

fertility. During the Roman 

era, enemies at war would 

reconcile their differences under 

the mistletoe, which to them, 

represented peace.

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WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? 

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25.02.22 

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20.01.22 

CINDERELLA, THE NUTCRACKER, 

SWAN LAKE, ROMEO & JULIET 

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FASTLOVE 

A Tribute to George Michael 

08.01.22 

ANTON & ERIN 

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TOY STORY IN CONCERT 

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MORNING ROUTINE 

Getting your day started 

is often the hardest part, 

especially when the house 

is dark and cold. To tempt 

yourself out of bed, create for 

yourself a morning routine 

that you can look 

forward to so 

that you're not 

tempted to 

hide under the 

duvet. 

STAY ACTIVE 

The longer nights and the colder 

weather does put many of us off the 

idea of getting outdoor exercise. The 

pandemic hasn't exactly helped either 

but keeping active does help massively 

with your mental well-being. 

Online classes are still very popular. 

There are plenty of home workouts that 

you can find online, ranging from simple 

stretches to full body workouts, with and 

without weights. If that's not your cup 

of tea, maybe consider going for a brisk 

walk at some point during your day. 

If none of this tickles your fancy, put 

some of your favourite music on and 

dance around your house for a while. 

It'll get you moving and make you feel 

better! 

KEEP IN TOUCH 

The dark days of winter, 

when we're all locked away 

from the world, can make us 

feel a bit more isolated than 

at other times of the year. 

It won't just be you feeling 

this way so take the time 

to keep in touch with loved 

ones. Aim to do a live phone 

or video call, as opposed 

to a simple text message. 

It'll help both of you feel 

less isolated and bring out 

more of a natural, flowing 

conversation. 

WINTERWellness 

Some of us can struggle with our mental health during the colder 

months of winter. Here are a few ways that you can look after yourself 

TAKE BREAKS 

Whatever you're doing, 

if you're doing it for long 

enough, it'll eventually 

begin to take it toll so 

factor breaks into your 

day. 

Breaks can often reset 

your mood and can 

help reduce or prevent 

stress. A relaxing break 

can help to facilitate 

recovery, by returning 

your mental and physical 

functional systems to 

their baselines. Even a 

little nap here and there 

will keep you going. 

HYDRATE 

Drinking enough water each day is crucial for 

many reasons: to regulate body temperature, 

keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver 

nutrients to cells, and keep 

organs functioning 

properly. Being wellhydrated 

also 

improves sleep 

quality, cognition, 

and mood. 

Grab yourself a 

drinking bottle, 

which tells you how 

much water you've 

drunk and how much 

water you need to 

drink. 

20

wellbeing 

LISTEN TO MUSIC 

Music can take you to 

good places in your mind. 

It has the power to uplift, 

inspire and create a positive 

atmosphere in your home. 

Pop the radio on or if you 

have a virtual assistant such 

as Alexa, create a feel-good 

playlist that reminds you of 

good times. 

GET ORGANISED 

Being organised will help with your anxiety because it gives you the 

feeling of control over your life. Whether it's finances, your wardrobe or 

even your desk, getting things in order will help you feel as if you are 

achieving something worthwhile and help restore a feeling of calm in 

your life. Lists, planners and journals, whether digital or physical - these 

can all help get your life back in order. 

REMEMBER THAT YOU 

MATTER TOO! 

If you're the type of 

person that's constantly 

doing things for other 

people, remember 

that you are just as 

important as them. You 

too are allowed some to 

yourself. 

EAT PROPERLY 

Once Christmas has 

come and gone, the 

New Year is the ideal 

time to focus on 

nourishing your body 

and mind properly. 

Root vegetables are 

the perfect winter 

feel-good foods and 

healthy eating will 

make you feel cleaner 

and calmer on the 

inside. 

END YOUR DAY ON A 

ROUTINE 

The end of the day is the 

time to unwind and maybe 

reflect. 

Establishing a bedtime 

routine will help you 

feel settled and secure. 

It will also help send 

subconscious signals to 

your brain that the day is 

done and that it's time for 

rest. 

Pack away anything to 

do with work and create 

a calming atmosphere 

to wind down. Herbal 

bedtimes teas are a great 

way to relax as many 

contain ingredients such 

as lavender or camomile. 

You can also take a few 

minutes to reflect on how 

you're feeling, and what 

made you feel better and 

what made you feel not 

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apply these lessons to the 

following day. 

21

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27

How to work from home 

With many employees still being asked to avoid the office, more 

people are working from home than ever before. Here's the 

ultimate guide to staying productive and focused on your work 

Plan your day ahead 

Before you go to bed at night, 

take ten or twenty minutes 

to create a list of the things 

that you want to achieve the 

following day. 

It's often worth spending time 

at the weekend planning the 

forthcoming week, and although 

life is susceptible to the usual 

last-minute dramas and 

upheavals, you can still come 

back to your list, knowing where 

you had left off and what’s left to 

achieve. 

In terms of planning, start off 

with one large goal and break it 

down into smaller, manageable 

pieces. These pieces then 

form part of your daily routine 

without leaving you feeling 

overwhelmed. You will know that 

whatever you're doing, as boring 

as it may be, you're working 

towards a bigger goal. 

Having a list also gives your day 

a sense of direction and gives 

you a sense of achievement 

when you start ticking things off. 

28 

Structure your day 

This can be difficult, especially 

if you have kids or life isn’t as 

straightforward as you'd like it to 

be. Even if this is the case, aim 

to have some sort of structure 

if you want to work from home 

effectively. 

Use a productivity tool to plan 

both your week and your days. 

Create a structure for each day of 

the week so that you know that 

you have the basics covered. You 

can then add things if you need to 

and also it allows you to see where 

you're up to at any given time. 

You can download productivity 

apps both for your computer and/ 

or your phone. 

Start your day early 

Try getting up at 5 or 6am, long 

before anyone else in the house 

even stirs. Grab a coffee and get a 

good few hours in before anyone 

has a chance to disturb you. 

Start with the things that you least 

want to do first. Get them out of the 

way or you’ll spend your entire day 

thinking about them and having 

that horrible pit-of-the-stomach 

feeling all day. Some people find 

that they are hugely productive 

between the hours of 5am and 

10am. Give it a go for a few weeks 

to see how you get on and whether 

your body can adapt. 

If you’re more of a night owl, 

dedicate your hours of work 

towards the end of the day instead. 

Working into the small hours can 

beneficial in that most people 

often go to bed around that time, 

leaving you with less distractions. 

Ultimately, you know yourself 

better than anyone else so take the 

time to get in tune with your body 

and mind and work when you’re at 

your most positive and productive.

Dedicate workspace to 

work from home 

One of the things many people 

working from home struggle with 

is a dedicated workspace. If you 

want to work from home, you’re 

going to need your own space. 

Not all of us have the luxury 

of our own office. Some send 

their kids to school and then set 

up camp at the kitchen table, 

packing it all away when the kids 

come back. This obviously only 

gives them a few hours in the 

day to get their work done. 

Try and avoid working from bed 

if you can (it does your back no 

favours). Give yourself as much 

space as you can, whether that’s 

on a table or a desk. It’ll help 

practically but also mentally. 

Turn off all notifications and 

social media 

We all love a bit of social media 

now and then but one thing that’s 

guaranteed to hammer your 

productivity is notifications and social 

media. 

Be strict with yourself. Only deal with 

emergency-type situations if you need 

to. You owe it yourself. You’re only 

doing yourself a disservice if you allow 

yourself to be distracted by pings, 

emails and sneaky peeks at Facebook 

or Twitter. 

Turn off all notifications on your 

phone. Turn everything off apart from 

the thing that you are working on. 

You’re working from home but try and 

work as if you have a boss looking 

over your shoulder. 

work 

Communicate well with 

household members 

If you need the day to yourself, you’ll need 

to be clear and concise with others who live 

with you. Communicate if you don’t want to 

be disturbed. If you have children, you’ll need 

to do something similar. This can be difficult, 

depending on their needs and independence 

levels. If you’re lucky enough to have a 

helpful partner, they’ll need to be aware of 

what’s expected from them too. 

Work in 45 minute blocks 

Working in blocks really helps with focus. Like proper laser focus. 

Decide what you’re going to work on within that 45 minutes and stick to 

it rigidly. It really helps motivate you 

to get it done as you hear the clock 

ticking down. Set a timer, turn off all 

distractions, and get going. 

Once the 45 minutes (or 55 minutes if 

you can stretch to that) is up, walk away 

from your desk. Grab a coffee, a snack 

or take time to move away from your 

workplace. That’s the whole point. If 

you need a nap, take one. If you need a 

quick walk around the block, do it. 

Listen to your body 

clock 

Listening to your body will help 

your productivity levels once 

you've tuned into it. 

Try and stick to your schedule 

if you can but if you need a 

snooze, take one. There is 

no point working through 

tiredness at a time when your 

concentration and productivity 

levels are low. Recharge, reset, 

and go again with higher energy 

levels. 

When you finish, finish 

Before you shut up shop for the 

day, don’t forget to prep for the 

next day. Take 10-20 minutes, 

making a list of the things you’d 

like to achieve the next day. 

When you’re done, finish off 

whatever it is you’re doing and 

pack it away. Your brain will need 

to switch off from work and if you 

can, leave your place of work and 

close the door behind you. If not, 

you’ll find that you take your work 

to bed with you in your head. 

When you finish, finish. 

29

Winter 

Trails 

The Cardiff area has 

plenty of trails to stretch 

your legs on a crisp 

winter's day 

65 1. ROATH PARK 

CIRCULAR WALK 

The well-loved Roath Park offers a perfect 5km 

circular walk that takes in the beautiful lake and the 

wonderful gardens nearby. 

6 2. RHYMNEY TRAIL 

The Rhymney Trail is a lightly trafficked two mile 

walk that is good for all skill levels and great for 

walking dogs. There is a great variety of terrains, 

including sea coast, reed beds, lake, marsh, 

woodlands and scrub. Future work will seek to 

further extend the trail into the countryside beyond. 

5 3. CRAIG LLYSFAEN 

Craig Llysfaen is a 7.2km loop trail located near Caerphilly 

that features a great forest setting and is good for all skill 

levels. Hikers mainly use the trail and is accessible all-yearround. 

It offers wonderful views over Cardiff and out to Flat 

Holm in the Bristol Channel, 

6 4. RUPERRA WOODS AND 

HILL FORT CIRCULAR 

The Ruperra Woods and Hill Fort Circular Route is 

a 3.5 km loop trail located near Draethen. The route 

heads up a hill following the River Rhymney circular 

walk, up to an Iron Age hill fort with fantastic views 

up the Rhymney valley and out across a wide 

panorama of the Severn Valley. 

30

5 5. CEFN MABLY LOOP 

Just outside Draethen, you'll find the Cefn Mably 

loop, a wonderful walk that will take you through 

the woods. Parking is limited during the summer 

months so winter is an ideal time to visit. Some of 

the walk includes private or minor roads and some 

parts do get muddy so pick dry weather to explore 

this trail. 

8 6. GARTH MOUNTAIN 

Situated between Llantwit Fardre and Pentyrch, 

Garth Mountain offers fine views of Cardiff and the 

Taff valley from its prominent crag. It featured in 

the novel, The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill But 

Came Down A Mountain. 

65 7. WENVOE CIRCULAR 

A gentle walk around Wenvoe that includes a woodland 

and a small part of a golf course. The trail passes through 

the St. Lythans neolithic burial site, which has a prominent 

stone entrance. It also passes Dyffryn Gardens, where 

you can visit the café if you have the time. The route was 

upgraded during the 1990s, making it easier to follow via its 

signage and pathways. 

8 8. COSMESTON 

Cosmeston Country Park features two lakes formed 

by flooding disused quarries. The lakes attract many 

waterfowl throughout the year and the trail will take you 

around the lakes, trees and picnic areas. Some areas are 

designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, protecting 

the rare and diverse plant and animal species. 

65 9. LLANISHEN STATION 

TO HEATH STATION 

If you fancy a full afternoon of walking, seek out the 

13km trail from Llanishen train station to Heath. The 

route is primarily used by hikers and runners and 

includes both forest, rivers and Llanishen Reservoir. 

As much of the trail includes urban areas, there 

are plenty of places to stop off, eat, and take a rest. 

The trail ends at Heath Station but Roath Park lake 

is nearby if you've still got the legs to head there 

after your walk. 

6 10. EASTERN SEAWALL 

Situated between Cardiff and Newport, the Eastern Seawall 

is perhaps the easiest place to navigate since it's a simple 

walk along the coastline. There are great views of the 

Bristol Channel on offer, as well as wading birds and sea 

birds. The walk will take you past the now-derelict Six Bells 

pub, which closed its doors in 2018. The seawall helped 

protect the pub for many years before it closed. 

31

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Chris Troughton is clinical director of Heath Vets. He’s here to answer all your pet 

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I took up knitting during lockdown 

which is something I now enjoy. 

My cat also enjoys me knitting as 

it allows her to play with the wool 

thread. I’m always reluctant to let 

her play in case it gets stuck in her 

throat. Should I allow her to play 

with the wool and what do I do if 

she gets some stuck in her throat? 

The way the ball of wool bobs about 

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That’s all harmless but you are right 

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you spot it happening, gently pull 

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don’t pull hard, but tie something to 

the free end that she won’t be able 

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I have several guinea pigs but I was 

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How common is this and what can I 

do to keep it at bay? 

Guinea pigs make lovely pets – 

they’re sociable, talkative and relate 

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But they do have their full range 

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disease is certainly quite common. 

Guinea pigs’ teeth grow continually 

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How do I stop my cat from 

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spent good money on all kinds of 

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the cat insists on destroying my 

best furniture. How can I try and 

stop this? 

The main reason that cats scratch 

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claws as is commonly believed, 

but to mark their territory. The 

scratching roughens the surface 

and then scent from the cat’s pads 

impregnates it. 

Because it is a marking behaviour, 

new furniture and new wallpaper 

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because they haven’t yet absorbed 

the cat scent. The location of 

favoured scratching points is 

usually adjacent to doorways or 

along travel routes through a room, 

so you might be able to move 

furniture out of the way. There is a 

very effective pheromone treatment 

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cat wants to smell. You spray it on 

affected areas and the cat then 

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Are probiotics for dogs worth the 

money? And more importantly, 

does it do them any good? 

Probiotics are live bacteria and 

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microbe balance. In veterinary 

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In mild diarrhoea, they are often 

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have some probiotic paste ready 

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Longterm use of probiotics is much 

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I don’t think there’s any benefit in 

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The 

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The once mighty Glamorganshire Canal now exists mostly in 

history books. This is the story of the waterway that provided the 

catalyst for the huge growth in the city of Cardiff 

In 1794, a canal was opened 

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This was considered one of the 

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The hills and valleys surrounding 

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34 

Merthyr’s growth was brought about 

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The four great ironworks – Dowlais, 

Penydarren, Plymouth, and Cyfartha 

were able to transport their finished 

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longer. 

Despite the railway boom of 

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canal continued to flourish. The 

Industrial Revolution, especially 

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unprecedented growth of trade on 

the canal. In 1858, at its economic 

peak, the canal transported 466,983 

tons of coal. But within a decade 

this had slowed considerably. The 

canal had become a victim of its 

own success. The trade boom 

and subsequent congestion was 

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overcome this congestion problem, 

Richard Crawshay, owner of the 

Cyfartha Ironworks, had the canal 

built to his ironworks in Merthyr. He 

then vigorously opposed all efforts 

by the Hills, Guests and Homfreys 

– owners of the other Merthyr 

ironworks on the eastern side of 

Merthyr – to extend the canal, or 

allow feeders to be built. 

This eventually led to the setting 

up of the Taff Vale Railway Company 

by the dissident ironmasters to 

transport their wares to Cardiff. 

By 1888, the canal was owned by 

Lord Bute. Lord Bute planned to 

use much of the canal on which 

to build a railway. Its economic life 

was effectively over, although sand 

dredgers and timber floats carried 

on using parts of the canal until 

1942. 

Very little remains of the canal 

in Cardiff today. The exception is 

the Glamorganshire Canal Nature 

Photographs: Steve Nicholas

Reserve at Coryton, adjacent to 

junction 32 of the M4, some five 

miles from Cardiff Docks. The one 

kilometre stretch of the canal was 

lovingly restored in the 1960s. The 

restored canal section is the new 

jewel in the Forest Farm Country 

Park. The Country Park was 

established in 1992 by the 

Countryside Council for Wales. The 

Park contains a designated local 

nature reserve, a site of Special 

Scientific Interest (including the 

restored canal section) and an 

adjacent semi natural woodland, 

known as Longwood. 

The Nature Reserve is a popular 

location for ramblers, ornithologists, 

dog walkers and joggers. The 

spectacular kingfishers glimpsed 

frequently along the canal are 

perhaps the most enchanting of 

all the wildlife to be seen. Little 

grebe, dippers, snipe and water 

rail are among the varied birdlife to 

be found here. Along this beautiful 

and tranquil stretch of water can 

be seen the unique iron bridge, 

built here in 1851. It is unique 

because one turret is rounded, the 

other square. Sunny Bank River 

THE TAFF 

WHICH ONCE 

FLOWED BLACK 

WITH COAL 

IS NOW CLEAN 

AND RICH IN 

WILDLIFE 

Bridge enabled the ropes from 

horse drawn barges to pass over 

the bridge without snagging. The 

bridge was built to allow overflow 

from the canal to pass into the 

Melingriffith feeder, supplying the 

nearby iron works of the same 

name. 

Remnants of the canal can be 

traced throughout Cardiff today, 

although only this mile long section 

at Coryton remains intact. The 

popular Taff Trail cycle path, running 

alongside the River Taff as the canal 

once did, is now an energetic cycle 

route from Cardiff Bay to Brecon. 

The Taff Trail follows the old canal 

route in many places along its 27 

mile length. The Taff, which once 

flowed black with coal, is now 

clean and rich in wildlife, including 

salmon and trout. The return of the 

fish attracts herons and cormorants 

to feed along the river banks. 

The Glamorganshire Canal is 

widely credited as being the 

catalyst that sparked the huge 

growth of the city of Cardiff. This 

growth continues at pace today. 

Cardiff is officially Europe’s fastest 

growing capital city. Its population 

now dwarfs that of both Merthyr 

and Swansea. 

The restored section of the 

Glamorganshire Canal provides a 

wonderful example of what can be 

salvaged from industrial decay. 

A photographer 

captures the canal and 

Castell Coch behind 

history 

The canal running through Hailey Park with the brick works 

chimney stack at the rear. The rear of the houses on Hazelhurst 

Road are to the right of the canal 

The canal lock and unique bridge 

are a fascinating reminder of our 

recent past and rich industrial 

heritage. The canal contains an 

abundance of wildlife and is a 

superb advert for the current 

interest in restoring sections of long 

derelict canals. How the Cardiff Bay 

Development Company must regret 

the filling in of large sections of the 

Glamorganshire Canal in the 1960s. 

The restored waterway would have 

been the ideal linking artery from 

the city centre to the now thriving 

Cardiff Bay. 

35

outdoors 

Winter 

Walk 

Pull your wellies on, fill a flask and head out into the great outdoors 

Start point: Caerphilly Mountain 

Bus stop on A469 shortly after the 

junction with B4263 

From your starting point at the bus 

stop, head back up the A469. You 

will cross over a small road junction, 

and after this, cross the A469. This 

road is usually pretty busy so do 

take care crossing the road. 

Once you have crossed the road, 

you will pick up the Ridgeway Path 

which will lead you onto Caerphilly 

Mountain. You can tell that you are 

on the path because there will be 

two large stones and a wooden 

marker post labelled with Caerphilly 

Common. 

Heading up the path, you will 

come to a fork in the path. To the 

right is the Ridgeway Path but you 

should ignore this one and continue 

heading up the path to the point 

that announces the arrival to the 

peak of Caerphilly Mountain. 

At the top, you will see two paths 

on your right hand side. You will 

need to take the one that goes 

diagonally to the right and drops 

down into a dip. It will meet up with 

several other paths. You will need 

to take the one that heads more or 

less straight on. It will make its way 

up the other side, and you will soon 

reach the B4263, which is where 

the Mountain Snack Bar is located. 

Head right and take the road to the 

junction of the A469. You will need 

to cross back over the road (it’s the 

one you crossed earlier so please 

take care!). 

Almost directly opposite, you will 

make out a semblance of a road. 

This will head around to the left but 

wheels back around to the right. 

You will need to head down here, 

and pass a bungalow. The road then 

becomes a path. You can tell that 

you’re on the right track as the path 

runs parallel with a line of pylons. 

Before long, the path bends left 

under the pylons and you will come 

to a metal stile and gate. Head over 

the stile and then over to the left. 

You will see a stile sat on its own. 

Head to this and then look directly 

ahead. You will see another stile 

there in the fence. Head to this but 

don’t cross it. Instead, turn right and 

follow the fence to the corner of 

the field. There will be a gate which 

leads to the field next to it. 

Turn diagonally right to another 

stile, which will give you a perfect 

view of Craig-yr-Allt. Make a line 

for the barn ahead of you, over two 

stiles and you’ll pop out in a lane. 

Head over the footbridge and stile 

– this will take you into a field. Head 

left, where you will see another stile. 

The Black Cock Inn will be directly 

ahead of you. Make for the corner 

of the field that runs adjacent to the 

Black Cock, over the stile there and 

then a footbridge. This will lead you 

into the car park of the inn. 

There is a small road opposite the 

Black Cock. Take this road and it 

will lead you down the side of the 

valley. You will come across a set 

of gates that are the entrance to 

Uplands. Opposite these gates is 

a footpath sign. If you look closely, 

you will see a stile which is set 

slightly back from the road. Head 

over this stile, and then diagonally 

right down to another stile. Cross 

this, then head straight across the 

field towards a group of houses. You 

will come across yet another stile, 

which once crossed, will lead you 

to the road where the houses are 

located. 

Turn right and head down to the 

junction in the road. You will see a 

sunken lane on your left (usually 

covered in mud). Follow this up the 

hill and when the path comes to a 

fork, take the left track. Head up this 

track and then the right at the next 

fork. Continue uphill to the ridge. 

The path will make a sharp turn, and 

will descend again. If you’d like to 

head to the summit, it’s 100 metres 

up the ridge on the left. The views 

are lovely up there. 

Time to head back to where you 

started. Follow the path that leads 

down the ridge. It will continue 

around to the left. The path will lead 

you past a large white house on 

your left. The path will eventually 

lead you to the bus stop where you 

started. 

37

The Winter 

Winter 

Garden 

is a time of 

consolidation for most 

gardeners but good 

preparation will pay 

dividends later in the 

year 

38 

Protect the plants 

The long, cold months of winter 

are when many of your plants 

will be at risk. As well as frost, 

the winter storms that rumble 

through can wreak havoc on our 

greenery. 

Bring any delicate plants inside, 

or into a greenhouse but if this 

is not possible, make sure that 

they have adequate drainage 

so that they don't drown in the 

event of a heavy downpour. 

Many plants will benefit from 

added mulch over their roots 

during the winter. It helps retain 

water during the drier, colder 

months. 

Keep an eye on the weather 

and if frost is forecast, you 

can cover your plants with old 

newspapers to protect them. 

Repair 

Now that most of the plants have 

died back, this will be your best 

chance to get to work on any 

repairs that are needed around 

your garden. 

Fences, furniture, climbing 

plant structures - they'll all need 

maintaining before the madness of 

spring keeps you occupied in other 

ways. 

Sheds and other outbuildings will 

also benefit from an amount of 

maintenance, even if that means 

a fresh lick of paint or replacing 

any rotting boards. Winter is 

also a good time to clean your 

greenhouse if you have one, and to 

clear out any empty pots or seed 

trays. 

Prune fruit trees 

For many trees and shrubs, 

winter is the best time to prune 

and shape them since they are 

dormant during this period. 

Fruit trees are the ideal 

candidates for pruning. Remove 

any dead, diseased and 

damaged wood, and if you find 

that some branches are rubbing 

together, remove the weaker 

branch to give the stronger one 

a better chance of doing well 

later in the year. 

Always prune so that the cut 

faces towards the ground. This 

provides a natural run-off for the 

rain and will help protect against 

rot. 

Pruning will require the use of 

sharp, clean tools so always use 

gloves to protect your fingers.

Create a compost heap 

gardens 

It might be a messy affair but keeping an active compost heap will 

provide you with an abundance of fertiliser by the time spring comes 

around. 

To start a compost heap, lay down a bottom layer of sticks for 

aeration and add kitchen scraps, grass clippings and dead leaves. 

The heap will need to be fed the correct balance of green and 

brown ingredients. This will maintain the right amounts of carbon and 

nitrogen needed to keep the heap active over the winter. 

Feed the wildlife 

If anyone's going to be having a 

tough time this winter, it'll be the 

wildlife. 

Spare a thought for the creatures 

that visit your garden during the 

colder months. Seeds, suet balls, 

mealworms, berries or chopped 

up fruits (apples, pears, plums) are 

perfect for birds, especially when 

the ground is frozen. 

When food is scarce, put out a 

small amount of an appropriate 

treat to help provide for the 

mammals visiting your garden 

through the winter. 

If hedgehogs are visitors to your 

garden, leave out minced meat 

or pet food (avoid fish-based 

flavours). You can also leave out 

chopped boiled eggs. 

Foxes will be happy to gobble up 

cheese, boiled potatoes, chicken 

carcasses, bread and fat scraps 

at dusk. Squirrels can be offered 

nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts 

and almonds, plus some chopped 

apple, beans, carrots or spinach. 

Badgers struggle to get their 

favourite meals - earthworms - 

during the winter, and are happy 

with lightly cooked meats instead. 

Don't provide large quantities 

of food as they may become 

dependent on your offerings. 

Clean and service 

tools 

Use a coarse metal brush to scrape 

dirt off the metal parts of your tools 

as a starting point. You can remove 

any residual dirt with a dry or damp 

rag. Any rust can be removed with 

some fine-grade sandpaper. Hand 

tools can be oiled with vegetable 

oil, which is less expensive and less toxic than motor oil. You can also 

use it on the blades of your lawn mower. If you use a petrol mower, 

use it until the tank is empty because fuel sitting in it over the winter 

can degrade some of the rubber and plastic parts. Remove any 

caked on grass and disconnect any electrical parts to avoid it starting 

up accidentally over the winter. 

Plan the year 

ahead 

There are several advantages 

to winter and one of them is the 

ability to plan more effectively 

while the garden is dormant. 

While the garden is stripped back 

of leaves and foliage, it's easier to 

work out the bare bones of your 

layout. It will allow you to plan any 

new structures or areas that need 

more texture or colour. 

Winter also affords you the time to 

order in anything needed for your 

year ahead. It's often worth taking 

photos throughout the year and 

documenting your layout at various 

points throughout the year to help 

with next year's winter planning. 

Plant bulbs 

January isn't too late to start 

planting bulbs but while flowers 

like tulips can deal with new year 

planting, others like crocus and 

narcissi are likely to do better in 

their second season than first if 

planted later than November. 

Dig a hole wide and deep enough 

for your bulbs. Place the bulbs in 

the hole with their 'nose', or shoot, 

facing upwards and then replace 

the soil. 

Plant the bulbs so the bottom is 

two to three times as deep as the 

length of the bulb in well-drained 

soil. If your soil is heavy clay, dig 

in lots of horticultural grit before 

planting your bulbs. Aim to plant 

bulbs in clusters of at least six or 

seven for the best effects. 

39

Wall2Wall Home Maintenance Ltd 

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Comfort 

and Joy 

The winter months can be some of the hardest so take some time to 

soothe yourself with these simple, nutritious, yet simple recipes 

Celery soup 

2 tbsp olive oil 

500ml vegetable stock 

100ml milk 

300g celery, sliced (remove the 

tough strings) 

1 garlic clove, peeled 

200g potatoes, peeled and cut into 

cubes 

crusty bread, to serve 

☐ 

42 

☐ Heat the oil in a large saucepan 

over a medium heat. 

☐ Drop in the celery, the garlic, and 

the potatoes and stir to ensure that 

they are all coated in the oil. 

☐ Add a sprinkling of salt and 

cook over a medium heat. Stir the 

vegetables regularly for 15 minutes 

and add a little more water if the 

vegetables begin to stick to the 

bottom of the saucepan. 

☐ Add in the vegetable stock and 

bring it all to the boil. Once boiling, 

reduce the heat and simmer for 

around 20 minutes more. The 

mixture is ready when the celery 

is soft and the potatoes are falling 

apart. 

☐ Blitz the mixture with a stick 

blender until smooth. Pour in the milk 

and blend again. Season to taste and 

serve with warm, crusty bread.

Melanzane 

3 tbsp olive oil 

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 

2 red peppers, deseeded and halved 

lengthways 

2 medium aubergines, sliced into 

1cm thick circles 

340g prepared arrabiata sauce 

2 tbsp fresh chopped basil leaves 

50g finely grated parmesan 

125g mozzarella, torn into chunks 

cherry tomatoes on the vine 

☐ 

☐ Preheat the grill to a medium heat. 

Place the peppers cut-side down and 

grill for 15-20 minutes until the skins 

are charred. Transfer the peppers to a 

bowl and cover tightly with cling film. 

Set them aside for 10 minutes to cool. 

The steam will loosen the skins. 

☐ Heat a griddle pan until it's hot 

and brush the sliced aubergine with 

2 tablespoons of oil. Cook the slices 

in batches on a low heat for about 5 

minutes on each side or until they are 

chargrilled or turning tender. Set to 

one side. 

Apple- 

Cranberry 

Strudel 

2 chopped apples 

75g fresh or frozen cranberries 

75g finely chopped walnuts 

115g sugar 

1 tsp grated lemon peel 

2 tsp lemon juice 

8 (17x12 inch) sheets frozen filo 

pastry, thawed 

115g butter, melted 

4 tbsp bread crumbs 

☐ Heat oven to 190°C. Grease 15x10 

x1-inch baking pan. In a medium bowl, 

combine the apples, cranberries, 

sugar, walnuts, lemon peel and the 

lemon juice. Toss to coat. 

☐ Unroll the filo sheets. Place 1 filo 

sheet on a piece of plastic wrap. 

Brush with butter and sprinkle with 1 

tablespoon of bread crumbs. Repeat 

the layering with the remaining 

filo sheets and butter, sprinkling 1 

tablespoon of bread crumbs on every 

other sheet (top filo sheet should be 

brushed with butter only). 

☐ Spoon the apple mixture over the 

filo stack to within 2 inches of each 

edge; press lightly. Fold the shorter 

sides of filo up over the filling. Starting 

☐ Preheat the oven to 180°C, 

(fan 170°C, Gas Mark 4). Remove 

the peppers from the bowl and 

peel the skin from the peppers, 

discarding the pepper skins. Be 

careful of remaining hot steam. 

☐ Heat the remaining oil in a 

separate pan and gently fry the 

garlic for 2-3 minutes. Add the 

arrabiata sauce, stirring in 150ml 

water and the basil. Bring it all 

to the boil, season and remove 

it from the heat. 

☐ Take a shallow 1.5 litre 

ovenproof dish and arrange 

a layer of peppers and 

aubergines on the bottom. Pour 

the sauce over the vegetables 

and add a sprinkling of 

parmesan. Repeat the process 

with the remaining ingredients 

and then top the dish with the 

mozzarella and a flourish of 

parmesan. 

☐ Bake your melanzane for 

30-40 minutes, until bubbling. 

Serve with roughly chopped 

fresh basil and pan-fried cherry 

tomatoes. 

with the longer side and using plastic 

wrap, lift the filo and carefully roll up 

jelly-roll fashion. Place the strudel, 

seam side down, in a greased pan. 

Make several crosswise cuts in the 

top of the roll. Brush the top with any 

remaining butter. 

☐ Bake at 190°C for 20 to 25 minutes 

or until it's golden brown. Cool at least 

15 minutes before serving. To serve, 

cut into slices. 

food 

43

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the note 

"How much for this one?" 

Megan Alexander held up a 

well-thumbed copy of Tess of the 

d'Urbervilles. 

"50p love," said the old woman. 

"Ok. Thank you," replied Megan. 

She clung to the copy while she 

scoured the small towers of books 

laid out in front of her. 

Megan loved books. Every autumn, 

before she met her fiancé Will, 

she'd head alone to Hay-On-Wye 

to browse the musty old book 

stores. She'd spend her days there 

browsing, sipping hot coffee and 

just being herself. 

But things were different now. 

Life was all-consuming and 

the forthcoming wedding had 

practically taken over her life. 

These days, she could recapture 

small dollops of her past magic by 

visiting the winter jumble sales in 

the village in the hope of finding 

herself a bargain book. 

She'd had her eye on the local 

church jumble sale for weeks and 

was one of the first to get there. 

And now, here she was, stocking up 

on old classics. It made her heart 

flutter. 

The table in front of her was full 

of second-hand books, all neatly 

arranged into small piles. As far as 

Megan could tell, they'd all been 

arranged into genres. Down the 

front was romance and at the back 

sat books on ships and the military. 

Stood behind the table was an old 

lady who Megan recognised as the 

one that lived alone in the cottage 

by the stream. It looked like she was 

having a proper clear out. 

Megan was slightly disappointed 

that nothing else grabbed her 

46 

attention. The books were mostly 

run-of-the-mill romance with 60s 

looking covers on the front of them. 

But as she leaned over to pay the 

woman her 50p, Megan knocked 

one of the piles over. 

"I'm so sorry," said Megan. "I'm 

so tired these days, I don't know 

what I'm doing." She helped the old 

woman place the books back in a 

pile and it was then that she spotted 

a book she'd been meaning to read 

many years ago. She picked it up. 

"Ah yes. The Age Of Innocence," said 

the old woman. The old lady smiled 

for a moment as Megan let her eyes 

wander over it. 

"I'll take that too please! I've been 

meaning to read it for years!" said 

Megan. 

"You can have that one for free. It 

was my husband's favourite. He'd 

be happy to see it going to a new 

home." 

"Are you sure?" 

"Yes," said the woman. "After 50 

years of marriage, I know what my 

husband would want." 

At that moment, Megan's phone 

rang. She struggled to pull it out of 

her pocket to answer it. It was Will. 

"Hello?" 

"Where are you? You said you'd 

be an hour. It's an hour and a half 

already," he said. 

"I'll be back shortly." 

"Good," said Will. 

Megan slipped her phone back 

into her pocket and paid for her 

book. She left the old woman and 

headed out into the winter night, 

buttoning her collar to the cold and 

the damp. 

It wouldn't be until later that night 

that she had a chance to look at her 

new offerings. 

"I'm going to have a bath," she said 

to Will as she climbed the stairs 

with the books under her arm. 

"Sometimes I think that you prefer 

those books to me!" Will called after 

her. 

Megan needed to get away from 

Will for a while. He was constantly 

stressed and his stress levels had 

ramped up even more with the 

big day arriving in a few weeks. 

He always seemed to get uptight 

around big days, and this was 

possibly the biggest day of all. She 

was hoping that he'd calm down 

once it was out of the way. 

Megan took herself to the 

bathroom and locked the door 

behind her. 

"Don't be too long in there," she 

heard Will call but she turned on 

the taps and filled the bath with 

warm bubbles. 

When it was full, Megan got in 

and sank down under the water. 

She tried to let her muscles go and 

relax. It wasn't very often that she 

got time to herself these days. 

After a while, she dried her hands 

and picked up the copy of Age of 

Innocence that she'd bought. She 

slowly prised the book open, but 

to her surprise, a small envelope 

started to slide out. 

She caught the envelope before 

it could hit the water. Then she 

carefully pulled it out and set the 

book to one side. 

The envelope looked old but it was 

unsealed and in good condition. 

She could feel that there was 

something inside so she opened it 

and pulled out a folded note. 

The paper was still firm, which was

pleasing since the hand-written 

note at the top of the page read 

25th January 1946. 

Megan began reading: 

"Dearest Anne, 

I trust that this letter finds you 

well. It's been a long time since we 

last spoke. I'm finding myself with 

somewhat of a heartache. Since 

I've been demobbed, I've found 

life hard here in London. I miss the 

comforts of home and I miss you. 

I'm still engaged to Rachel but I 

know deep in my heart, that it's not 

the right thing to do. 

Papa says that I should have made 

it work with Hannah - he's even 

invited her to our Easter dinner 

this year. I wish that my parents 

would stop meddling in my affairs. I 

want to get married for love, not to 

please them." 

Megan sat up in the bath and 

hunched over the note. She could 

hear Will calling from downstairs 

but the voice from the past 

was holding her attention. She 

continued to read: 

"I keep making excuses for 

delaying the marriage - lack of 

money. Surely that's not right? I 

know it's not right. 

I don't expect answers from you. I 

just feel as if I have no one else to 

talk to since I've moved here. I feel 

very alone. I miss our chats and our 

walks in the park. I miss the laughs 

we used to have. We could just be. 

They were our moments, moments 

that no one will ever be able to take 

away from us and I am so grateful 

for our friendship. Thank you. 

I just don't want to spend the rest 

of my life unhappy. 

Yours, Tom." 

It took a few minutes for the words 

to absorb into Megan's mind. What 

a sad story. A story that had already 

been played out, even before she 

was born. Megan took out the 

second letter from the envelope. It 

too was hand-written. 

"Dearest Tom. So lovely to hear 

from you and I sympathise with your 

predicament. 

I'm not the best at giving advice 

but all I can suggest is that you 

marry the one that you love the 

most. 

Forever your friend, Anne." 

Megan placed the note on top of 

the book and sank back down in 

the bath. She wondered what had 

became of Tom, and whether he 

had settled with Rachel or gone 

back with Hannah. 

Megan's phone buzzed. Will had 

given up shouting from downstairs 

and was trying instead to contact 

her on the phone. She answered. 

"You going to be long?" asked Will. 

"I'll be down now." 

Megan was up early the next 

morning. 

She popped the kettle on and 

stared out of the kitchen window 

onto the early morning garden. 

"Where are you off?" asked Will. 

"I need to return something," she 

replied. 

"Return what?" 

"A book." 

"Why do you need to return it?" 

Megan felt that she couldn't tell 

him. He'd probably mock her or 

belittle her. 

"What time will you be back?" 

"I don't know." 

"How can you not know?" 

The safety valve in Megan's head 

kicked in and she disengaged. She 

was still thinking about Tom and 

whether he had gone ahead with 

his marriage to Rachel. Maybe 

he'd gotten back with Hannah and 

worked things out. 

"I'm talking to you," said Will. 

Megan turned to look at him. 

He was no longer the handsome 

man she'd met ten years ago. He 

still looked the same physically, 

maybe a little less hair and a little 

more belly. But his actions over 

the last ten years had done little to 

enamour her. His soul was empty 

and in her eyes, he was now ugly. 

"Do you remember when we first 

met?" she asked him. 

"What?" 

"Do you remember when we first 

met?" she asked again. 

"Well, yes, of course." 

"And you bombarded with me with 

messages about how much you 

wanted to be with me?" 

"I wouldn't say bombarded. But I 

had to hook you in somehow." 

"About how much you wanted to 

marry me and spend the rest of 

your life with me?" 

"Yes. I remember." 

"You created a folder for our 

wedding. You decided where we 

were going to have it, what the 

outfits were and who was coming." 

"Yes. I loved you. I've been waiting 

ten years. Half those people on 

the list are dead now. I'm just glad 

we've finally got our act together 

and can get this thing done." 

Megan looked at him. 

"And now you bombard me with 

messages asking where I am all the 

time." 

"I worry about you. That's normal, 

isn't it?" 

"I thought that you adored me. I fell 

for it." 

Will laughed. "Of course you fell for 

short story 

it. Who could resist me?" 

Megan paused for a second and 

then forced a smile. 

"What time are you back from 

Edinburgh on Friday?" she asked. 

"Not sure yet. Late I'd expect." 

"Ok. No problem." 

Later that week, Megan sat on the 

park bench. She was exhausted. 

She had spent the day packing 

Will's belongings into boxes and 

had driven it to the storage place. 

He wasn't coming home. Tom's 

note had made her realise that 

life was too short to not be happy. 

She didn't need anyone. But she 

wouldn't be starting all over again. 

She'd be starting from a place of 

experience. And that would make 

all the difference. 

She knew that she had a future to 

write. And it looked nothing like her 

past. Before she knew it, she'd feel 

the soft sunshine of spring on her 

face. And she knew that she'd be 

ok. 

She slipped her hand into 

her pocket and pulled out the 

envelope. It needed to be returned. 

She headed to the cottage by the 

stream and knocked on the door. 

The old lady from the Christmas 

jumble sale opened the heavy door. 

"Oh hello again." 

"Hi. I'm so sorry to bother you. I 

wanted to return this book," said 

Megan. She held out the book. 

"Is there something wrong with it?" 

Megan smiled. "No. Nothing wrong 

with it at all," she said. "In fact, it's 

already served its purpose." 

Megan took the envelope out from 

her pocket and held it out. 

"I also found this inside. From a 

man called Tom. I don't know if you 

know him." 

The old woman took the letter and 

put her fingers to her mouth. 

"Oh my. Yes. Thank you. I knew Tom 

very well. Sadly, he left this world 

about twenty years ago. You can 

have the book - I no longer have 

need for it but I'll keep the note if 

that's ok." 

"Yes of course," said Megan. "Thank 

you for helping me. Have a lovely 

day." 

Megan turned to leave. 

"What was your name?" asked the 

old woman. 

"My name's Megan. I live a few 

streets away." 

"Nice to see you again," said the 

old woman. "And thank you for 

returning the note." 

"No problem. Sorry. I didn't take 

your name," said Megan. 

The old woman smiled. "My 

name's Anne." 

47

Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 61

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