Rhiwbina Living 61

News | People | Features | History | Lifestyle | Interiors
Rhiwbina Living
At the heart of the community
Issue 61
CRAFTED IN
Your multi award-winning magazine for Rhiwbina
RHIWBINA
CRAFTED IN

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
2
Inside this issue
Liz Fuller
The former model
and TV host
speaks about her
life and career
and about her
love of coming
home to Rhiwbina
Wellness
Practical ways to
bring the feel-good
factor into your life
- and to the lives of
others
History
Nigel Lewis takes
us back to a time
when Beulah
crossroads was a
mere dirt road -
and a scattering
of fields
Vindication
Swim
Hear from the
director of a
new movie
that celebrates
the life and
achievements of
Mercedes Gleitze
Next issue:
Deadline - 29th April 2024
Published early May 2024
Distribution: 6,000 copies of Rhiwbina Living are
personally delivered by us to every house in the
Rhiwbina ward four times a year in line with the
seasons. We also distribute to local shops
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
Welcome to your
latest issue of
Rhiwbina Living.
As this is our first
issue of the year, we
should technically
wish you a Happy
New Year but with
Spring already
unfurling before us,
it's probably best
for us to focus on
the warmer months
ahead of us.
This issue is jampacked
with goodies
for you, starting with
a coffee and a catch-up with
former Miss GB, Liz Fuller. After
spending much of her career
travelling the world, Liz now
divides her time between LA
and Cardiff. A former model and
TV host, she is now a Hollywood
talent agent. She speaks about
her love of coming back home to
Rhiwbina.
Vindication Swim is a new
movie with links to the local area
and we were fortunate enough to
speak to the film's director Elliott
Hasler about the inspirational
new motion picture. He speaks
candidly about the challenges
of shooting the movie, plus his
admiration of the film's true-life
central character, Mercedes
Gleitze.
And while we're on the topic
of the big screen, we hear from
Rhiwbina's Sarah-Jane Perez.
Sarah-Jane, a BAFTA-nominated
costume designer, provides us
with a behind-the-scenes look at
what it's like to dress for TV and
film.
Back to Cardiff and Nigel Lewis
returns with another delightful
historical feature, this time taking
a look at Beulah Corner before it
became the village that we know
and love today.
Our city of Cardiff celebrates
its 60th anniversary of its pairing
with Nantes this year and to
commemorate that, we have
two wonderful features about
the long-forged connection.
Our first is from former historian
Maggie Swales and our second
is from David Judd, who began
a lifelong love with France when
he was part of a student swap as
a youngster. Maggie outlines this
historical connection between
our two cities while David
provides his personal memories
of his experiences.
We've teamed up with local
favourites Budd Electrical, to give
you a chance to win a cordless
vacuum cleaner worth £149. And
while we deal with all things
at home, the new recycling
collections have been causing a
bit of a stir these last few months,
so we've put together everything
you need to know about the new
service.
This time of year is the perfect
time to get away from it all and
we've hand-picked 10 places
that you can visit in Spring.
Meanwhile, our local poets have
been busy at work over the
winter months and you can read
their regular contributions on our
Poetry page.
We've also got some great
tips on how to feel better
about life and we also take an
in-depth look at how to beat
procrastination, something that
can hold us back in life. And
if you need a good dollop of
inspiration, read the story about
Anna-Louise Stubbings, who is
transforming organ donation in
Wales.
To sign off, we've got some
wonderfully fresh recipes for this
season ahead and we finish with
a family-based short story.
Make the most of the spring
sunshine and we'll see you in our
next issue!
Danielle and Patric
Editors
@RhiwbinaLiving
www.facebook.com/rhiwbinaliving
@livingmagazinescardiff

New recycling
scheme
extended to city
Cardiff Council has launched its
new recycling scheme that aims to
improve the quality and quantity of
the city's recycling.
The scheme, which has already
been rolled out in Rhiwbina,
requires residents to separate
their recycling into three reusable
containers: a blue caddy for glass, a
red sack for metal and plastic, and a
blue sack for paper and cardboard.
The Council says that this will help
reduce contamination, increase
recycling rates, and save money on
waste disposal.
The new scheme follows a sixmonth
trial that involved 17,000
households in different areas of the
city. According to the Council, the
trial showed that separate recycling
collections increased the amount
of recycling by 9% and reduced the
amount of general waste by 6%.
The Council also claims that
the trial saved £113,000 in waste
disposal costs and generated
£49,000 in additional income from
Gabalfa Primary
School earns
praise in recent
selling recyclable materials.
The Council hopes that the new
scheme will help Cardiff achieve
its target of recycling 70% of its
waste by 2025, as well as reduce its
carbon footprint and environmental
impact. The Council says that
recycling more and wasting less will
benefit the city and its residents in
the long term, as well as contribute
to the national and global efforts to
tackle climate change and resource
depletion.
The Council will contact residents
when their property is moving to the
new scheme and provide them with
the new containers and information
leaflets. The Council will also offer
support and advice to residents on
how to use the new system and
what to do with their leftover green
bags. The Council urges residents
to embrace the change and do their
part to make Cardiff a greener and
cleaner city.
Council tax to rise
6% in Cardiff with
cuts planned
inspection Cardiff Council has proposed a 6%
increase in Council Tax, double the
A calm, purposeful and happy amount that was originally planned
primary school in Cardiff has earned for its 2024/25 budget.
praise from Estyn inspectors for In return, the Council has changed
its inclusive, nurturing learning its mind on plans to get rid of public
environment where pupils make bins on residential streets in the city,
good progress.
in addition to other ideas put out to
Gabalfa Primary School, in Colwill consultation by the local authority.
Road, had 252 pupils on roll at the The Council is looking to plug a
time of inspection with 43.8% eligible budget gap of £30m.
for free school meals and 16.8% with Proposals to reduce black bin bag
English as an additional language. collections to once every three weeks
The school has earned praise for its are still in the Council's thoughts and
ethos, its curriculum, the quality of its this policy is expected to be brought
teaching staff and the effectiveness of into effect later in the year, providing
its governing body.
the budget proposals pass a Council
Inspectors praised the school for vote next month.
providing an ‘inclusive, nurturing Cardiff Council is expecting to
environment' for its pupils, where they cut around 160 jobs over the next
feel ‘safe and valued.' They noted that financial year, many through nonreplacement
of current vacancies.
pupils make ‘good overall progress
within a calm, purposeful and happy There was some good news for
environment,' and that staff have ‘high councils earlier this year when the
expectations of themselves and their UK government announced that it
pupils.'
would increase its local government
settlement by £600m.
news
Rhiwbina
Society news
The Right Honourable The Lord
Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Bablin
Molik, is guest of honour at the
Rhiwbina Society’s March meeting.
She will be giving a talk on her life
as Cardiff Mayor.
The complete schedule of talks
for the next few months is as
follows:
19 March: A Year in the life of Cardiff
Lord Mayor – Councillor Bablin
Molik, The Right Honourable The
Lord Mayor of Cardiff
16 April: TBA
21 May: Working as a war artist and
other items of local interest with
Dan Peterson
18 June: The Lisvane and Llanishen
Reservoirs with Vanessa Brown,
Ranger
Meetings are held in the Canolfan
Beulah, Beulah Road, Rhiwbina,
CF14 6AX, starting at 7.30 pm.
Admission is £2 for members and
£4 for non-members.
For further information, please see
their website,
www.therhiwbinasociety.org or their
Twitter/X or Facebook page. You
can also phone 07811 509490.
Rhiwbina
Squirrels to take
on new roles
Plans to help Rhiwbina RFC access
new funding opportunities and
secure investment in existing
facilities at Caedelyn Park have
been revealed.
The club is set to become the
latest community sports club in
Cardiff to take on responsibility for
the management and maintenance
of facilities and pitches in the park
where they play.
The new arrangements, which
are proposed for a 40-year term,
cover the changing rooms, toilets,
and a bungalow, as well as allowing
the club preferential use of the
adjoining sports pitches. The
arrangement will enable the club to
access new funding streams which
are unavailable to local authorities,
and to help secure investment to
improve the facilities.
All facilities will remain in the
ownership of Cardiff Council.

news
Six new
skateparks
proposed for
Cardiff
A plan to invest in Cardiff’s
skatepark infrastructure which
could see six new skateparks
built by 2032 and many existing
skateparks converted into modern
concrete-built layouts, has been
agreed by Cardiff Council.
The ‘Skateboard Amenities
Strategy,’ which was developed by
Cardiff Council with the support of
internationally renowned skate park
consultants Van de Zalm and New
Line Skate Parks, aims to support
and grow the skateboarding
community, foster a diverse user
group, and create skate amenities
that support a wide range of uses
and skill levels.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks
and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, told
the press:
“We want as many people as
possible to take part in physical
activity and the great thing about
skateboarding is that, as well as
being a relatively low-cost sport
to get involved in, it also appeals
to people of all ages – from young
children and teenagers, to older
skaters, some of who are now
introducing their own kids to the
sport.
“Modern, purpose-built
concrete skateparks are quieter,
higher quality, and require less
maintenance than wooden and
steel-framed facilities and will
ensure Cardiff’s vibrant and diverse
skateboard community can
continue to grow and thrive.”
The strategy could see four new
destination skateparks built across
the city, serving north, east, west
and centre of Cardiff.
Each facility would be more than
1,200m².
4
Cardiff Bus
announce changes
Cardiff Bus has announced service
changes from March 31st, in response
to the conclusion of the Welsh
Government’s Bus Transition Fund
(BTF) support scheme.
The scheme, which provided stability
during and post pandemic by funding
the bus network Wales-wide for all
operators, will come to its planned
end. Like all operators, Cardiff Bus
will now need to return to the prepandemic
business model which
sees the vast majority of its services
operating based on the level of use
by its customers.
However, Welsh Government has
made some additional funding
available to help make the transition
as easy as possible for passengers.
A service will be introduced on
Mondays to Saturdays, Creigiau –
Pentyrch – Whitchurch – Cardiff City
Centre (136), which will be operated
by Cardiff Bus instead of Stagecoach
plus more frequent services between
Llandaff and the Heath Hospital.
Additional services between Cardiff
city centre and Barry have also been
announced.
Work starts
on Roath Park
Cycleway
Building work has started on the
first phase of Cardiff’s Roath Park
Cycleway.
As well as delivering a new
cycleway within Roath Park
Recreational Ground and improving
the footpaths, the work will also see
improvements to footways, highway
junctions, and bus travel, as well as
significantly increasing the capacity
of the drainage system around
Penylan Library and Community
Centre, which was prone to surface
water flooding.
The new footpaths in the playing
field will also include drainage
measures which will address some
of the existing issues where some
footpaths flood and are impassable
when it rains.
When completed, the wider
cycle route will run from the north
of Roath Park, near Cardiff High
School, to Newport Road, where it
will connect with another cycleway
(Cycleway 2) that will run to
Rumney, Llanrumney, and then onto
St Mellon Business Park.
Council seeks
to fill long-term
empty houses
Cardiff Council is proposing
tough new measures to help
bring long-term empty houses
in the city back into use.
At a meeting of the Council’s
Cabinet, councillors agreed
recommendations to raise the
council tax premium on some
empty properties to as much
as 300%.
In 2019 the Council introduced
a 50% Council Tax premium for
homes left unoccupied and
unfurnished for a year, and last
March increased this to 100%.
The new proposals would
see the premium increase
incrementally the longer the
house has been left, meaning
homes that have lain empty for
two years face a 200% charge
while homes that have been
empty for three years or more
will face the maximum 300%
premium.
Cllr Chris Weaver, the
Cabinet Member for
Finance, Modernisation and
Performance, said:
“Our aim is to help bring
empty homes back into use.
We are facing a housing crisis
and we must do everything
in our powers to help house
those people who need
accommodation. Bringing
empty homes back into use is
one way of helping.
“The longer these properties
remain out of use, the more
they become a blight on our
communities and become a
focus of fly tipping, nuisance,
vandalism and criminal activity
and if they are boarded up they
can reduce the appeal of an
area for everyone.”
Last year, there were 1,563
properties that had been
empty for more than six
months at any one time.

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
Why replant trees?
Thank you for another excellent
issue of your magazine
(Whitchurch and Llandaff Living
68).
I write with reference to the
article regarding 30,000 more
trees being planted, and Cabinet
Member for Culture, Cllr Jennifer
Burke praising the volunteers.
Could you ask Cllr Burke how
many trees the Council have
vandalised and demolished
during the Velindre project and
all the house building on green
belt land in her constituency?
It will be many more than
replanting, and the environmental
damage has been huge!
John Pascos,
email
Thank you!
My husband Frank and myself
would like to thank all the
generous people in north
Cardiff, who contributed to
our fundraising for Tŷ Hafan
Children’s Hospice.
The sale of my two children’s
books, ‘Percy’s Dilemma’ and
‘Dolores’, together raised £900 for
the Children’s Hospice in Sully.
Both of my books were
beautifully colour-illustrated by
Lewis Coles from Pencoedre,
Barry.
Thank you again, to everyone
who purchased a book.
Geraldine Seymour,
Cardiff
Primrose Cottage:
Mystery solved?
I write in response to a letter in
your magazine (Rhiwbina Living
Issue 60) regarding the photo of
Primrose Cottage.
My 92-year old aunt lives on
Rhiwbina Hill and recognised a
picture printed in this issue. The
author of the letter named the lady
in the picture as Elizabeth Paynter
Criddle - this is indeed her - she
was my great-great grandmother.
I think I may have the original
photograph somewhere in my loft!
The cottage is called Hillside
Cottage Rhiwbina, not Primrose
Cottage. My aunt still recalls
folk who lived next door and her
grandfather worked on their farm.
I have been gathering information
on our family tree for years so
may be able to help, Peggy Leigh,
the lady from Caerphilly who was
asking about the picture.
Joy Powell
email
Growing up in
Rhiwbina: More
history
Regarding Peggy Leigh’s letter
(Rhiwbina Living issue 60), I’m
pretty certain this is Primrose
Cottage.
I lived in Baytree Cottage, further
up the road, from 1938 to 1955.
The Jones family lived in Primrose
Cottage then, and previously my
Breakspear relatives lived there.
Next up the road was Rose
Cottage, a pair of semis that
faced down the road. My mother,
Hilda Breakspear, was born in the
cottage in 1916.
I was friendly with Ann Llewellyn
of Llanishen Fach Farm. There is a
book on growing up in Rhiwbina
written by Gwilym Roberts - he
has a picture of Primrose Cottage
in that book. It’s virtually identical
to Peggy’s picture.
I hope that this is of help to
Peggy.
Ann Sullivan (nee Williams)
email
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
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A
Full
Life
Former model and TV presenter Liz Fuller now splits her time between
Los Angeles and Rhiwbina. Here's why she loves coming back home
“I’ve just got back from LA.”
Right now, life is good for Liz Fuller.
Former model, TV presenter, and
now a Hollywood talent agent, Liz
has returned to her Welsh roots,
adding Rhiwbina to Los Angeles as
a place to call home.
Although her career has taken her
to many parts of the world, her story
starts in Swansea:
“I had a happy childhood. I went to
every type of lesson going. I went
to ballet lessons from ages of 4-10
but at the age of 11, I had my heart
broken. I’d always wanted to be a
ballerina but was told that I was too
tall and too big-boned. I’d had my
heart set on being a ballerina but
realised I had to do something else.
“I was always into dancing and
entertainment, so I joined the
Swansea Grand Theatre School. I
often say to my friends in LA that I
can’t sing – I am perhaps the only
person in Wales that can’t sing
– so as a youngster, entertaining
became my passion. By the age
of 13 or 14, I’d decided that I was
going to become a TV presenter or
a beauty queen. There would be no
doubt about it. I told my mum that ‘I
am going to BE a beauty queen.’”
And she was true to her word.
After being crowned Miss Cardiff in
8
1996, Liz went on to win Miss Wales
GB, and the Miss Great Britain
International title in 1996. Even
so, Liz knew it wasn’t a guarantee
to long-term success. Taking
inspiration from her family, she set
out to complete a solid education.
“There were several strong women
in my family, including my mother,
who used to be a French teacher.
It was tradition in our family to go
to university, so I went to Cardiff
University to study Journalism.
Liz was Miss Great Britain
International in 1996
While I was there, I did a lot of
modelling work, handing out
leaflets and that sort of thing. One
of my jobs was being Chris Eubanks’
flag girl, carrying the Union Jack
when he did his tour of Wales.”
Having graduated in 1997, Liz then
moved to London to further her
chances of work.
“I got a job as a model on This
Morning with Richard and Judy
so you’d see me on TV most
mornings during the week. I was
also auditioning up to 8 times a day,
trying to get various roles. It was
hard work. There was no GPS back
then so it’d be a case of grabbing
my A-Z of London and finding out
where I had to be, and travelling
across the city to move on to the
next audition.”
Liz’s determination to go
somewhere in life included a
constant reflection on her progress:
“Back then, I made a promise to
myself. The promise was that if I
couldn’t find a modelling job within
14 days, I’d look to do something
else. I made the same promise
to myself with my TV presenting,
although I extended the time to
6 months for that because that
kind of work moves slower. At
Christmas every year, I’d assess

where I was with my career and ask
myself if I was winning and adjust it
accordingly.”
Her TV career had started at
Morriston Hospital, which was only
one of a few hospitals in the UK at
that time to have its own TV station.
“I got my first big break presenting
for Manchester United TV. I’d found
out that their usual host was off
work for two weeks so I pestered
them for a shot at it. They said they
would have preferred someone
local to the area so I responded
‘How about I get on the train first
thing tomorrow morning. Is that
local enough?’ I then got work on
a dating channel, setting people
up and visiting all these wonderful
places.
"I also worked at the Pop Factory
with Steve Jones, which was a big
deal back in the early 2000s.”
The gigs kept coming, but Liz was
happy to take her time learning her
craft in a certain role before moving
onto the next.
“The shopping channels came
calling so I started working on
those. I loved the fast energy of live
TV. Then Quizcall came knocking.
They were looking for a presenter
and wanted someone with good
viewing figures at the shopping
channel. I fitted the bill so Channel 5
took me out to lunch. It was at that
moment that I knew I was doing
something right!”
Quizcall was a new kind of quiz
show, that allowed viewers to
call in and win prizes on live
TV. Its interactive element had
made it a huge hit in Germany,
and Quizcall went on to do well
in the UK, benefitting from Liz’s
professionalism and popularity.
“I was only supposed to do it for
6 months but I ended up hosting it
for 5 years. Unbeknown to me, an
agent in LA had watched me on one
of the shows and wanted to sign me
up. I got my visas sponsored and
moved out there 14 years ago. I’ve
been there ever since.
“I’m now a partner in a talent
management firm and produce
films. We started off very small but
now have over 1,200 actors on our
books. Showbusiness has always
been my life and I have managed
and mentored many beauty queens
and actors, and also introduced TV
presenters and hosts to jobs over
the years.”
She fiercely advocates for her
actors.
“I protect my actors. No one takes
advantage of them. The US is very
different to the UK. There’s a lot of
political upheaval there and it’s not
Liz's modelling work has
taken her all over the world
at peace with itself. There were riots
in LA in 2020 and it made me realise
that I missed home. The hiraeth
that all Welsh people experience
when they are away from home
started calling me back. I spoke
on the phone with my mother one
day. She’d been diagnosed with
dementia a few years previous. And
she said to me ‘I need you. Please
come home’. It was as if everyone
was calling me home.
“When I was little, there was a
carving we had at home that read
‘Give your children wings so they
can fly but roots so they know how
to come home.’ Reflecting on my
situation made me realise that
family and health are the most
important things in life. I realised
that I needed to find a balance to
live and work in both Los Angeles
and Wales.
“I met my now fiancé, Phil, who’s
Phil proposed to Liz
in style in Dubai
people
a Rhiwbina boy. His family used
to own a fruit and veg shop in the
village so we made Rhiwbina our
forever home when in Wales. He
proposed to me last year and did
a very good job of it. He took me
to Dubai and I had some inkling
that he was up to something. We
got in a car, he blindfolded me,
and then when he got me out of
the car, all I could feel was sand
underneath my feet. He’d taken me
to an undeveloped piece of land in
front of the Burj Khalifa. The boy did
well!”
For now, Liz aims to split her work
between the US and Wales.
“My plan is to continue working
between LA and London for the
next ten years,” she says.
"With Phil being an exsnowboarding
competitor, we
would like to live in Big Bear, which
is two hours away from LA during
the winter months; it reminds me so
much of the forestry in Wales."
When in Wales, north Cardiff gives
her time to step back from the
glamour and the glitz, and to savour
the simpler things in life.
“I don’t have to be an exaggerated,
fun version of myself in front of the
cameras as much these days.
"The real-life Liz is happy to be
walking through the Wenallt with no
makeup on and hair tied back. And
I’m happy for those people I come
across on my walks to not know
about the things that I’ve done or
achieved so far.
“I love the jet-set lifestyle, but I still
love coming home to Rhiwbina.”
9

Tathams: A Homecoming
If you've been up near Thornhill
crossroads lately, you may have
noticed a smart new shop front.
Tathams Estate Agents might
sound like a new name in the
village, but nothing could be further
from the truth. The business is
family-owned and run by brothers
Richard and Nicholas Tatham, both
Rhiwbina boys - and their family
has been part of the North Cardiff
community for decades.
"We were both born and grew up
in Rhiwbina, and both attended
Llanishen Fach Primary and then
Whitchurch High School," says
Richard.
"We've also both worked in the
Deri and the Honey Pot so we've
probably served you a pint or
delivered your newspaper back in
the day!" he laughs. It's safe to say
that working together has always
proved a success for the two
brothers.
Between them, they have over 30
combined years of estate agency
experience, having successfully
created and developed Online
Agent Cardiff and Bay City Living.
The new office on Caerphilly
Road is therefore a move back to
10
Tathams Estate Agents have just opened their new office on Caerphilly
Road. But it's more than just a new office - it's a move back home
Rhiwbina for the Tatham brothers
from Llandaff North, where they
were based for many years.
"Tatham House was established
in 2001. It was our father and uncle
who purchased the old Post Office
and moved their business, PG
Insurance, to Rhiwbina.
"Our family history is embedded
into the community; both our
grandparents were both longserving
local councillors and
Tatham Road near our new office
was named after them.
"Tatham House has now passed
to us and the rebrand from our
successful hybrid Online Agent
Cardiff branding reflects our
evolution and exciting new future
that mirrors the professionalism of
our service.
"We are proud to have refurbished
the building, which offers us a
fantastic new space that has been
a part of the family and the North
Cardiff community for over 20
years," adds Richard. "We are an
independent, family-run business;
therefore, it felt right to put the
family name behind the brand."
Family is at the core of everything
Tathams do and this is reflected in
the ethics of their non-pushy but
detailed and caring approach to
moving you.
"We offer our services for
residential sales and lettings, along
with mortgage services. We aim to
always deliver the highest quality
of marketing. If you need evidence
showcasing how we market our
properties to the best of their ability,
just check out our photographic
and video marketing on our
Instagram account.
"We offer unrivalled marketing
with 3D and drone photography
available for all properties and all
of this is backed up with our highly
experienced team.
"This includes our cousin Thomas
Tatham, who works in the Lettings
Team. Tom may sound a bit different
since his move from South Africa
last year and he has a keen eye for
property.
"Our office manager Robert
Cornelius, born in Birchgrove, has
also known us since our school
days; you can be sure he keeps the
office running smoothly on a dayto-day
basis."
Through their rebrand, Tathams
aims to bring something special

to the village and to home movers
- a unique blend of professional
experience and home-grown
knowledge.
"Whether you're looking to rent,
buy, or sell, you'll find everyone
and everything you need at Tatham
House.
"Please don't hesitate to get
in touch if you're looking for a
valuation or just a chat about the
current market conditions. And if
you're passing and want to simply
be nosey and check out our new
office, feel free to pop in for a
cuppa! Our kettle's always on!" says
Richard.
It certainly looks like the Tatham
name is set to stay in the Rhiwbina
area for generations to come -
something their forefathers would
be proud of.
Exclusive Offer
for Rhiwbina
Living readers
To celebrate the launch of
their new of their new office in
Rhiwbina, Tathams are offering
Rhiwbina Living readers a
discounted rate.
All you need to do is scan
the QR code below with your
phone and add the phrase
rhiwbinaliving in the promo
code when booking your
valuation.
Tathams is a home-grown success story
Independent
Mortgage Advice
Tatham's experience in the
property market also extends to
the financial aspect of moving
home.
"Our mortgage partner, Joe of
JA Mortgages has worked in the
industry for 16 years and has been
an Independent Mortgage Adviser
since 2012," says Richard.
"We have worked with Joe for
nearly a decade because we
trust him implicitly. Joe played
football for Rhiwbina with me
when we were in our teens. We
have remained great friends since
and it's wonderful now that we're
professional colleagues as adults."
Tathams aren't the only one to
benefit from Joe's expertise. For
those wanting to buy or sell their
homes, Joe provides impartial and
independent advice.
"Joe offers a professional
mortgage solution service and
by reviewing your individual
circumstances in conjunction with
the whole mortgage market, he
will tailor a mortgage to suit your
specific needs.
"He can assist with anything from
purchases and re-mortgages
through to buy-to-lets and
self-builds. And for mortgage
insurances he specialises in
offering advice on Life Insurance,
Critical Illness Cover, Family
Income Benefit, and Income
Protection, acting on your behalf
to look across a range of insurers."
Having a mortgage adviser
on-hand makes the process of
moving home a seamless and
stress-free one.
"It is incredibly important to Joe
that he guides you through every
step of the mortgage process and
by having everything under one
roof, we’ve learnt that it makes
for a smooth and successful
transaction. There's nothing quite
like having someone who knows
what they're talking about there at
your side."
This is a sponsored feature
A: Tatham House, 491 Caerphilly
Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 4SN
T: 02920 564732
W: www.tathams.uk
E: info@tathams.uk
11

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poetry
Seasonal
Poems
WHERE ARE THE BREEZES
Where are the breezes that we knew on finer days
To cool the still and warming air,
To carry forth the scent of nature's bounty,
To let it linger and then to flow once more
As may it to others be carried on light a wing,
Where are the breezes which have now turned to chill,
To carry not a fragrance light upon its wings,
To feed not the evening air with romance,
To fill not the sense with all from so bright a day
As may it to now bring about a season's woe.
Where are the breezes of all things to make so well,
To be of spring, its early and its changing voice,
To speak of greater things in summer yet to be,
To then march in glory until there nears a slowing autumn
As may it then of many faces to show and to winter bring.
David W Morris
Llandaff North
THE FALLOW
The parks are empty now
And the skies are dark and empty
But our love has been hiding
Beneath the cold and fallow.
Soon it will bloom,
And melt the gloom,
And summer's kiss will return
Alec Harvey
RETURN OF THE LIGHT
The light has gone from her eyes
so she compels herself out of the house
to escape the torture of four walls.
She sits on her favourite beach
gazing out over the blue ocean,
her breath flowing from her as if a ghost
admiring the untamed exquisite coast.
She no longer requires a cigarette,
her mental and physical ailments
dissolve like frost on the winter grass.
The rhythm of the breakers hypnotise her
as seagulls soar in the cold crisp air
she's aware of the return of the light
surveying this most spectacular sight.
Guy Fletcher
Rhiwbina
NATURE'S GIFT
Raindrops tap on windowpanes
A gentle rhythm, nature's refrain.
Grey skies weep, their tears cascade,
Quenching earth's thirst in a quiet parade.
Petrichor whispers secrets untold,
As rain-kissed shoots unfold.
In this liquid embrace, sorrows wane,
Life blooms anew with each drop of rain.
Sandy Scott
13

Vindication Swim
A new film that hits cinemas this spring tells the story of Mercedes
Gleitze, the first British woman to swim the English Channel. Living
Magazines speaks to director Elliott Hasler about the movie
Every now and then, a story
comes along that reminds us
that life is for living.
Vindication Swim tells the
inspirational true story of Mercedes
Gleitze, who was the first known
person to swim the Straits of
Gibraltar and the first British woman
to swim the English Channel in 1927.
The biographical drama was
directed by award-winning Elliott
Hasler, who spent three years
creating the film with his production
company. It gets its theatrical
release on 8th March, to coincide
with International Women's Day.
“The movie started off as quite a
14
Kirsten Callaghan plays Mercedes Gleitze in the movie
Photo: Studio Essy
small project so it’s nice seeing it
evolve into this huge thing," says
Elliott.
Mercedes, like Elliott, was born in
Brighton.
"For me, there was that immediate
connection with someone local to
myself and we were born almost
exactly a century apart. That
cemented my interest in Mercedes
and her story. Her achievements
captivated me so it was natural that
I'd want to make a film about it.
"Most filmmakers wouldn’t even
consider the idea of filming out
on the open water but that made
me want to do it even more. The
challenge of filming all the scenes
in the English Channel itself was
another very big draw for me."
Mercedes began swimming for
pleasure in the River Thames. In
1923, she spent 10 hours 45 minutes
swimming in the Thames, a then
record for a woman. Then in 1927,
she swam the English Channel on
her eighth attempt, becoming the
first British woman to do so.
In the following days however,
another woman using her
professional name of Mona
McLennan, claimed to have swum
the channel in a quicker time. As it
transpired, Mona's claim turned out
to be a hoax, and this undermined
Mercedes' record.
As a result, and under pressure
from the media, Mercedes agreed
to undertake a 'vindication swim'.
Like Mercedes, director Elliott
didn't do things the easy way.
"I'd never wanted to do anything
simple or constrained and the
appeal of filming out at sea really
drew me to it. We started out as a
very small production and people
had never heard about Mercedes.
But as we progressed, it was very
much word of mouth and people
started coming on board and it all
snowballed. Now we’re looking at a
theatrical release, which we could

never have anticipated.
"Filming out at sea was one of the
more challenging aspects of the
project. It took three whole years
to get the production done and
out there into the world. We were
limited to the summer months
because it was too cold outside
of that window. We really were at
the whim of Mother Nature. Our
work was dictated by the wind and
the tide and the swell. Sometimes
we’d get out there and we’d get
two shots and have to come back;
sometimes we wouldn’t get out
there at all.
"It was a long process but an
incredibly rewarding one. When you
do get the shots and everything
goes according to plan, it’s an
amazing experience. You know how
hard it is so the reward of getting it
in the can is extra rewarding."
Vindication Swim is Elliott's
professional debut feature.
"I began film making from around
the age of 10 years old - small,
short films with friends and family
and the quality grew over time. I
never went to film school or studied
film formally. Everything I learnt was
through trial and error on my own
little projects. When I was 14, I made
a film called World War II: The Long
Way Home, which was about my
great-grandfather’s experiences in
the Second World War.
"It was an amateur project; I was
at school at the time and it was
friends and family who were acting
in it but it got picked up for a UK
and US release. It was in the Top 25
on Sky for a while and did very well
in UK DVD sales too. It was quite
shocking actually that an amateur
production that I’d made while I was
at school, to see it take that journey
was incredible. Off the back of that
success, Vindication Swim was
able to happen. I’d always wanted
to do another film after The Long
Way Home and Vindication Swim
seemed like the perfect fit."
The movie also has some local
connections to Cardiff.
"We played the movie at the
Cardiff Film Festival in 2022 where
it was a finalist for Best Feature
Film," says Elliott. "Then there's the
authentic footage of Mercedes
swimming at Barry Island. I believe
the footage was shot in 1929. It was
unseen footage so anyone who
hasn’t seen the film won’t have seen
it.
"Someone in Sussex found it –
their father had shot this film back
in the 1920s and had been put in
a box and put away and left for
nearly 100 years. They heard about
the film and got in touch and said
‘I’ve got this footage of Mercedes
Gleitze at Barry Island and would
you like to use it in the film?’. So we
looked at it and it was a great piece
of footage - for an amateur piece
of footage back then; it was really
good quality."
The footage was the perfect
addition to the film, showing
Mercedes herself in her natural
element.
"The difficult thing was getting it
digitally restored and put into the
film. It was on nitrate film which
a lot of the restoration houses
wouldn’t touch because it’s so
highly flammable and it was a risk
to their workspace. Old nitrate
films are even worse because they
deteriorate over time and become
more unstable. We did find one
specialist place in East London who
would take it and they did a great
job. So we have about two minutes
worth of footage of Mercedes in
Barry Island as it was in the 1920s.
“This all happened by the time
we’d wrapped up filming so
we added it at the end. It was
the perfect fit for us – a closing
montage. As for the film itself, I first
heard about the story back in 2018
when I came across this article and
was fascinated by it.”
Mercedes’ family weren’t involved
in the making of the film but they
were very kind and generous to
Elliott and his production company.
"We even managed to get a blue
plaque put on her house," beams
Elliott, "and one of her family did a
people
nice job with the press around the
movie. We hope the movie does
Mercedes justice.”
The film is one of identity and
Mercedes trying to find hers as a
British-born woman with German
parents shortly after WWI, which
was a very difficult place to be.
"She was faced with the prejudices
of her German heritage and also of
being a woman in that era. Here’s a
woman who wasn’t just working in a
factory. She went out to defy all that
and swim the English Channel and
broke those societal barriers that
were in place. The film is about her
trying to figure out who she is in this
changing landscape. There are also
themes of determination in the film.
She was never going to be told ‘no’,
which is what I found so fascinating
about her. She just went out there
and did this with no regard to what
people thought or said. She wanted
to do it no matter what.
"There’s a strong element of
determination and following your
dreams and turning them into a
reality. It’s an inspirational film. Its
theatrical release has been chosen
to coincide with International
Women’s Day. It’ll have a digital
release then in June.”
In a world where inspiration and
hope are much needed, it’s perhaps
Mercedes Gleitze and her incredible
story who can provide that.
Find out more about the film at
www.vindicationswimfilm.com
Director Elliott Hasler has been making films since his childhood
Photo: Stewart Weir
15

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competition
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history
The French Connection
Cardiff celebrates 60 years of its twinning with the French city of Nantes this
year. Maggie Smales charts the intertwining tale of the two cities
by Maggie Smales
Driving or walking down the
Boulevard de Nantes, few of
us probably question why one
of Cardiff’s main thoroughfares has
a French name. The formal twinning
of the two cities, Cardiff and Nantes,
dates back 60 years to 24 February
1964, but the links between South
Wales and France are very much
older.
We know that Teilo, one of the
three patron Saints of Llandaff
Cathedral, took refuge from the
plague in Dol in Brittany in the
middle of the 6th century. He
stayed there several years and
even, legend tells us, tamed a sea
dragon and harnessed it to a nearby
rock. Very appropriate for a Welsh
saint.
Fast forward a few centuries
and the Norman French settled
extensively in Pembrokeshire and
the Vale of Glamorgan, leaving
place names like Bonvilston, home
of the 12th century nobleman
Simon de Bonville (called Tresimwn,
18
or Simon’s town, by the Welsh who
had yet to catch on to the use of
surnames). Invaders came again to
Pembrokeshire from France in 1797,
the last landing of a hostile army in
mainland Britain, and were defeated
at Fishguard, with Jemima Nicholas
allegedly capturing 12 drunken
French soldiers single-handed.
Sometimes the Welsh went in the
opposite direction. Owain Lawgoch
(Yvain de Galles), a descendent
of Llywelyn the Great, fought on
the side of French king Charles
V in the 100 Years’ War and was
assassinated at Mortagne in the
Gironde in 1378 on the orders of the
English court.
Specific links between Cardiff
and Nantes owe their origins more
prosaically to the coal trade. This
may have begun as early as the
16th century, although the Nantes
Chamber of Commerce first
documented dealings in coal and
timber with Cardiff in 1729. At the
time, Nantes was already a thriving
metropolis, whilst Cardiff was hardly
more than an overgrown village.
Things were to change with the
completion of the Glamorganshire
Canal and the development of
Cardiff Docks; also, through the
vision of a Durham-born mining
engineer, John Nixon, one of
the first to realise the natural
advantages of Welsh ‘steam’ coal
for use in furnaces. Having surveyed
the coalfields in Dowlais for the
Marquess of Bute, he made his first
trip to France and realised that the
industrial potential of the Nantes
region was being held back by a
lack of reserves of good quality
coal.
He worked first with sugar
refineries in Nantes and, once they
were persuaded of the virtues
of Welsh coal, its use spread
quickly in other manufacturing
industries. Cardiff became the
boom town of Victorian Britain, its
population growing from less than
2,000 in 1800 to c.165,000 in 1901.
Meanwhile, Nantes developed as a
major industrial centre, focussing, in
particular, on shipbuilding and food
processing.
The concept of ‘town twinning’
developed in the aftermath of
World War Two, in an attempt to
put an end to two generations of
conflict in Europe by building links
at a personal and community level.
The first formal school exchanges
with Nantes started in 1954.

It is difficult today to imagine the
impact that these had on the girls
and boys who took part. They
were crossing huge cultural and
sometimes social divides – even
the food was a complete revelation
for them as Britain had come out of
rationing only one year before.
David Judd, a pupil in Cardiff High
School, saved his money from
a paper round in order to travel
to Nantes. He came from a fairly
typical lower middle class Cardiff
family; money was tight, he had
barely travelled before – day trips
to Monmouth or to the seaside at
Ogmore - and the mother of the
GIs who had been billeted with the
family in the run-up to D Day was
still sending them food parcels with
exotic goods such as cinnamon and
nutmeg, then unavailable in Cardiff.
He remembers meeting his French
pen friend on Cardiff General
Station; a boy called Eric Tertrais,
wearing plus fours, who came from
a wealthy Nantais family, owners of
a sardine tinning factory. In France,
there was a grand home in Vertou
and a holiday home, complete with
maids, down the estuary at St Marc
Sur Mer.
But the boys got on; David had
a wonderful time and began a
lifetime’s love affair with France
which he has passed on to his son
and to his granddaughter, who
is currently teaching English in
Lyon. Adult exchanges started in
1981 and, after a three-year break
because of the pandemic, are still
going strong.
Nantes Cathedral, formally known as the
Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul of Nantes
There are also a number of other
formal and informal links, including
between the Cȏr y Gleision choir
and the Schola Cantorum de
Nantes, and Cardiff Lawn Tennis
Club and the Don Bosco Tennis
Club in Nantes. Some links have
been made more complicated by
Brexit, for example between the
parks and gardens departments in
Cardiff and Nantes, and between
the universities. But the two cities
reaffirmed their friendship and
commitment to twin city status in
January 2020.
And for Francophones
and Francophiles, there are
opportunities in Cardiff to meet likeminded
people, whether through
the University’s or Cardiff Council’s
Adult Education programmes, the
Club de Français (club-de-francais@
hotmail.co.uk),which meets in the
Rhiwbina Memorial Hall, or the
Société Franco-Britannique
(www.francais-a-cardiff.org.uk),
which meets in Insole Court, or
indeed the Association for the
Cardiff Nantes Exchange (www.
cardiff-nantes.org), which aims
to hold occasional social events
during the year in both venues. They
also organise an adult language
exchange to continue to build
personal links between the two
cities.
On 24 April this year, these three
organisations are joining with Cardiff
Council to hold a dinner with music
in Cardiff Golf Club to celebrate the
60th anniversary of the twinning
agreement.
They will also be welcoming 26
language exchange partners from
Nantes. If you are interested, you
can find out more about this event
by contacting nantes.exchange@
yahoo.co.uk.
Castle Ducs de Bretagne in Nantes
19

Life. It’s not always child’s play...
It’s good to know where to turn when the world throws you a curve-ball. At
Harding Evans, it is our mission to provide clear, honest and high-quality legal
advice in an environment that is approachable, inclusive and welcoming. When
you need us, you can trust our experienced solicitors to be by your side; through
the good times and the bad, in your personal life and your business dealings.
Contact us...
02922 676811
hello@hevans.com
hardingevans.com
13 Merthyr Road,
Whitchurch, Cardiff,
CF14 1DA
Your lawyers, for life.

MICHELLE MARSHALL SALON
HAIR - BEAUTY - WELLNESS
There’s a spring in the step of staff
at Michelle Marshall Salon this
season.
As winter melts away, Rhiwbina's
5-star salon has had a little bit of a
spring clean, with well-known faces
becoming acquainted in their new
roles.
“Salon favourite Jaime has now
become our Master Stylist,” says
salon manager Jess. “Jaime has
been with us for a long time and is
now able to bring all those years
of experience to his clients. Styling
hair is in Jaime’s blood and we’ve all
learnt something from in the time
that he’s been working here.”
There have also some other
appointments to the team:
apprentice Charlotte has been
proving that she is keen to learn
while Molly is moving quickly up
Michelle travels extensively
internationally as a Redken artist
This is a sponsored feature
Jaime and
Jess aim to
make every
client feel
special when
they visit
the salon
the ranks as their upcoming stylist.
Consistent training is part of their
work and they are always striving to
learn and improve.
“Michelle herself embodies this
ethos - she has been travelling
internationally, both teaching
masterclasses and learning from
other fellow Redken artists,” says
Jess. “Her recent work has taken her
as far as Oslo and Switzerland.”
Famed for their exceptional hair
styling, Michelle Marshall Salon
take pride in devoting the time to
find out what customers want and
need, before picking up a pair of
scissors:
“During your in-depth hair
consultation, we will analyse your
hair, discuss your hair history, your
daily hair routines, and hair goals.
After this, we will come up with
some ideas for hairstyles and
colours that will truly suit you. We
will also carry out allergy skin tests
if you are planning a hair colour
service,” says Jess.
Regular customers might have
also noticed a new look to staff
members.
“We thought we’d upgrade our
aprons, which add functionality with
a touch of glamour! We decided on
a cool monochromatic vibe!”
As well as the 5-star customer
styling service, the team has also
added a new premium hair product
to their shelves.
“Redken’s new Acidic Color Gloss
range is the latest innovation in
colour care; it extends colour and
provides a salon-like shine,” says
Jess. “It gives you long-lasting
colour vibrancy because it locks in
intense molecular-level shine for
up to 76% shinier hair. The acidic pH
formula, along with amino acids and
vitamin E, help seal the cuticle and
lock in shine to protect colour from
fading, and to protect from dulling
that can be caused by water and
heat.
“It’s only been launched to salons
so you can only get it in-store - pop
in if you’d like to give it a go. This
range is perfect for adding that
extra bit of luxury into your self-care
routine.”
The team’s aim is to make every
client feel special, no matter what
their age.
“With the warmer months on their
way, we’ve got everything you need
to look and feel beautiful,” says Jess.
“Whether that’s brows and lashes,
waxing, nails, LED light treatment,
or even a spray tan, we make sure
that you are totally happy before
you leave.
“We’re always looking at ways to
bring happiness to the faces of our
clients - we’ve even introduced
head spas, which are great for scalp
conditions, cleansing, and hair
stimulation. We use aromatherapy,
steam, and Redken products for
amazing hair. The fact that it’s
relaxing, relieves head tension, and
is a mind-clearing experience is a
great bonus!” says Jess.
It looks like it’s going to be a
fantastic year ahead at Michelle
Marshall Salon.
A: Beulah Road, Rhiwbina
T: 029 2061 1566
W: michellemarshallsalon.co.uk
Scan the QR code below to find out
more about the salon

SJ Behind The Seams
by Rhiannon James
The television and film industry
has long been renowned for
its ability to use costume
design to create authentic and
larger-than-life characters on
screen. But what really goes into
making these effortless pieces of
wearable characterisation?
Welsh costume designer Sarah-
Jane Perez has lived life behind the
scenes and has designed costumes
for numerous TV and film
productions, including Keeping
Faith (S4C), The A-List (Netflix),
Whites (BBC) and Tales of
Friendship (Disney).
Currently living in Rhiwbina after
growing up in Penylan, Sarah-Jane
attended Our Lady’s Convent, an
all-girls school, but “always wanted
to go to Whitchurch High School
because they had boys there.”
“I was taught by nuns,” laughs
Sarah-Jane. “The textile teacher
there was taught to crochet by my
father’s mother. My mother’s mother
taught me to sew. She was the only
person who had the patience to
teach me.
“In high school, I was always
drawing houses as I wanted to be
an architect, but I was told I needed
22
Maths to do that and I hated Maths,”
she continues. “I thought I’d do
fashion instead, but I ended up
having to use Maths for things like
pattern cutting and, later on in life,
running my own business. I didn’t
get away from Maths that easily!”
After high school, Sarah-Jane
studied A levels at St David’s
College, including Textiles under
Mrs Salisbury, who was also taught
crocheting by her father’s mother.
Her desire to start working as soon
as possible and make her way up
the career ladder influenced
Sarah-Jane's decision to go in a
different direction than most of her
classmates. Newport Art College
was the best option.
“I knew too many people going to
Cardiff Art College and I wanted to
work. It was the best year of my life,”
she reflects. “Newport was a
brilliant college, helping to bring
out creativity and explore different
mediums in Art. One of the things
we did was life drawing; I got a fit of
the giggles on my first session as
the model came in, took his clothes
off, and the easel collapsed in front
of him. We worked hard but we
partied hard there too.”
The costume designer then went
on to study Fashion at Bristol
University, as it was formerly known.
“Writing my thesis on What Makes
Fashion Change in my final year –
the direction of costume was really
interesting because sometimes
costume influences fashion.”
At that time, a business called
Script to Screen, supplying
costumes to the TV and film
industry, opened up in Cardiff.
“HTV Studios had closed the
costume department, so Chrissy
Pegg, who was Head of Costume,
bought all the stock and opened
Script to Screen along with her
business partner, Lynsey Wood. I
went along and asked for two
weeks' work experience, which they
kindly agreed to. A short while later,
they offered me a permanent job
there, so I got to meet a lot of
costume designers. I was there for
four years and learnt a lot!”
Sarah-Jane then decided to go
freelance and worked on a number
of jobs, including The Mal Pope
Show, which led to working with
singers like Bonnie Tyler, designing
dresses for her, as well as various
Welsh artists.
“Things were very exciting around
that time. I worked with a lot of
Welsh bands like The
Stereophonics and the Manic Street
Preachers, before they became
famous,” Sarah-Jane remembers.
She landed a job working on
Welsh TV show Nuts and Bolts,
which was filmed in Merthyr. The
show was the starting point of many
Welsh artists such as Matthew
Gravelle, Eve Myles, Matt Ryan, and
a lot of other people’s careers. This
helped build the designer’s portfolio
and from there, she progressed
onto larger dramas such as Con
Passionate with Matthew Gravelle
and Mark Lewis Jones, and Whites
with Alan Davies.
Sarah-Jane was nominated for
three BAFTA Cymru for her work on
Con Passionate, Whites - and later,
Keeping Faith.
“Keeping Faith is the show that I
have become most recognised for.
It’s funny sometimes how you get a
job. Sometimes you get jobs via
agents but sometimes, it’s being in
the right place at the right time. My
sister was at the gym with [lead
actress] Eve Myles and that’s how I
found out about Keeping Faith. I
remember reading the script and
thinking how amazing it was. I had a
Zoom interview and got the job!
"Keeping Faith was a modern-day
drama, set in Laugharne and I could
pull ideas for costumes from
people I knew in real life.
“We had meetings about colour. I
went through a lot of colours and
research and I decided on yellow
but it had to be the right shade of
yellow. I found some coats, sent my

assistant to buy them and when she
came back. I looked through and
said ‘That’s it!’. Eve tried it on and
Faith was created. She was
comfortable, it was practical – a
mum of three would wear it; it was
believable. It was keeping it real and
she’d ‘pop’ on screen.”
The iconic yellow coat that Eve
Myles wears in Keeping Faith was
recently on display at an exhibition
to celebrate 100 years of the BBC
but is now going to live permanently
at The National Museum of Wales in
their collection. The clothes have
attracted a lot of attention from the
public since the show aired. The
wardrobe of the characters has
attracted so much attention. I've
never had so many people get in
touch and ask where they could get
the same items.”
The dedication and attention to
detail required by a costume
designer helps tell its own story and
gives actors the ability to become
the character they are playing.
Working closely with directors,
production designers, and make-up
artists, and actors is essential to
make it successful, helping bring
the writer’s work to life.
“Everything has a meaning – the
colours, the styles,” says Sarah-Jane.
“We have people we call
breakdown artists who can make
clothing look old and distressed. In
many cases, we have to have more
than one version of costumes as
scenes are sometimes shot out of
chronological order, so we all need
to think ahead.
“It’s like putting a giant jigsaw
together and I know if I’ve done a
good job if viewers enjoy the story.
It’s like special effects. If you know
they’re there, they’re distracting you
from the story. It’s the same with
costumes.”
Sarah-Jane also faces challenges
that affect the design process, as
“there are also other things to
consider - aspects like noisy fabrics
Sarah-Jane sharing a hug
with Rik Mayall
affecting the Sound Department,
whether certain fabrics need to be
flame-proofed to protect actors, or
even getting doubles in larger sizes
to hide harnesses for stunt work,”
she says.
“Actors need to be comfortable
and they need to be believable in
their costume. Some actors say they
don’t feel that they’re the character
until they put the costume on. An
actor sometimes offers their own
little touch of a certain perfume to
help bring a character to life. It
would be like putting a bridesmaid
in a strapless dress when they’ve
never worn one before because
they are always hauling them up.
You can’t have that in a TV or film
production.”
Inspiration comes in many forms:
"There was a period project we
shot in black and white, for
example, and to get textures in
black and white, I did look back at
costume designers of that time like
Edith Head. When you’re doing
modern shows like Keeping Faith,
you look around you for references
based on the backstory of a
character – lifestyles and interests,
where the character lives and
works.”
Set dynamics also must be
navigated, as the costume
department work long hours and
are often the first to arrive and last
to leave each day, working closely
with the actors, hair and makeup
department, directors, and
production designers. Since the
pandemic, they have had to
constantly adjust to maintain safety
as much as possible.
“Working with actors also requires
an element of diplomacy. We also
have to think and prepare for the
next day’s filming, whether that’s
washing or creating items,” says
Sarah-Jane.
“When I worked through Covid, I
often wore a mask and a visor.
When I took a sip of water during a
social-distancing break, actors I
hadn’t worked with before would
say ‘Ah – that’s what you look like!
You’re not just a pair of eyes,’ after
being in their personal space so
much during costume fitting.
Working with famous actors and
designing incredible outfits aside,
clearly a lot of hard work goes into
producing looks for these shows.
“You need to understand fabrics,
construction of garments, have
knowledge of history of fashion and
research skills, be able to work with
budgeting, and running a team.
“I love my job,” she says. “I’m always
learning, often from others around
people
The iconic coat that
featured in Keeping Faith
me and if I didn’t love it, I wouldn’t
do it. It’s certainly not glamorous as
people think and it often involves
long days, standing around in the
cold and wet. But then there’s the
reward of seeing your work on
screen, as well as working with
some of the biggest names out
there.
"It’s the little moments you
remember and cherish, working
with people I grew up watching on
TV, like sitting in the office and
hearing Rik Mayall coming in. I
remember thinking ‘I recognise that
voice!’.
"It's also nice to have worked
locally too over the years. For Dal
y Mellt, the first Welsh drama to
be bought by Netflix, we filmed in
Whitchurch. And the award-winning
comedy-drama series In My Skin
was filmed in Pen-y-Dre, Parc-y-
Pentre, and Cefn Graig!
“Every day is different. I am
blessed. I get to play dress up every
day with some amazing people.
We’re all there as a team with our
uniqueness, talents, and ability to
create something magical.”
Scan the QR code to see an
interview with Sarah-Jane
23

SHARE YOUR GREEN SPACES
Remember, your garden isn’t just yours—it’s
part of a broader interconnected web of
green spaces. By nurturing the wildlife in
your garden, you contribute to a thriving
environment for all.
By providing food, you attract a diverse range
of creatures, from bees and butterflies to birds
and insects. This biodiversity enriches your
garden ecosystem, creating a harmonious
balance.
Flowers that offer pollen and nectar are
essential for bees, butterflies, and other
pollinators. Without them, seed and fruit
production would significantly decline. You
help them and they'll help you.
WORK YOUR GARDEN
Tending to plants allows you to
connect with nature. The smell
of soil, the touch of leaves, and
the sight of blossoms evoke
positive feelings and reduce
stress.
Watching seeds sprout,
nurturing plants, and witnessing
blooms also gives you a sense
of achievement. It boosts selfesteem
and happiness, and a
sense of purpose.
BRING NATURE
INDOORS
Indoor plants offer a
host of benefits that go
beyond mere aesthetics.
They offer a calming
effect, lowering stress
levels and promoting
well-being. Real plants
also sharpen attention
and boost concentration,
making them ideal
companions for
workspaces and study
areas.
They also offer a
year-round and free air
filtration system.
FEEL GOODideas
Whether you are looking to make yourself happy, or help others,
here are a few ideas to help you get the most out of life
SPRING CLEAN
Tidiness enhances
your overall quality of
life, creating a tranquil
atmosphere that
positively affects your
mood.
When your environment
and surroundings are
clean and orderly, you
feel more confident and
capable to deal with life,
which improves your
demeanour and makes
everyone happy!
GET OUTDOORS
Natural green spaces provide fresher air, reducing
the risk of respiratory issues. People surrounded
by greenery are 34% less
likely to die from
respiratory diseases.
Sunlight also
influences our
internal clock,
enhancing sleep
quality. Just
stepping outside
can help regulate
your circadian
rhythm, improving
your rest.
24

wellbeing
TAKE A BATH
The warm water of a bath
envelops your body, easing
tension in muscles and
calming the mind. Adding
essential oils can enhance
the experience, leaving you
refreshed and rejuvenated.
IMPROVE YOUR HABITS
Consistent routines
provide structure and
stability, reducing
stress and anxiety. By
automating positive
behaviours, like exercise
or writing daily, you
cultivate discipline and
focus.
Over time, these habits
become second nature,
boosting productivity
and efficiency. Good
habits also contribute
to physical and mental
well-being, leading
to improved health
and overall happiness.
They create a sense of
accomplishment and
self-confidence.
HELPING OTHERS
By extending a
helping hand to
those in need, we
not only make a
positive impact on
their lives but also
experience a deep
sense of fulfilment
and purpose.
The act of giving
and supporting
others fosters
connections,
strengthens
empathy, and
boosts selfesteem.
MASSAGE
Beyond its ability to relieve muscle tension
and improve circulation, massages can reduce
stress levels and promote relaxation. The
power of touch in massage releases feelgood
hormones like serotonin and dopamine,
boosting overall mood and well-being.
STARGAZE
Stargazing under the night
sky has a magical quality
that can evoke a sense of
wonder and awe.
The vast expanse of
stars and galaxies above
reminds us of our place
in the universe, offering
perspective and humility.
This connection to
something larger than
ourselves can bring a
profound sense of peace
and joy.
In those quiet moments
beneath the stars, we find
solace, inspiration, and a
profound appreciation for
the beauty of the cosmos.
25

Spring
Visits
The best places in the
world to visit during
the spring months
65 1. MADRID
Springtime in Madrid affords you weather that's
not too overwhelming, and less crowds than you'll
find there in the summer months. It's a perfect time
of year to enjoy festivals, the tapas, and the art of
Spain's capital.
6 2. JAPAN
Japan in spring is a magical sight, as the country
is covered with delicate cherry blossoms that
symbolize the beauty and fragility of life. The
Japanese celebrate this season with hanami, or
flower viewing parties, where they enjoy picnics,
drinks, and games under the pink and white petals.
5 3. THE NETHERLANDS
Tulips are one of the most iconic symbols of spring in the
Netherlands. Every year, from late March to early May,
millions of tulips bloom in fields, gardens, and parks across
the country, attracting many tourists and locals who enjoy
taking photos, cycling, or walking among the colourful
blossoms.
6 4. PARIS
Blue skies, gentle breezes, and the aromas of
bakeries and cafés - what better way to spend
springtime than in Paris? The city is filled with
flowers, from the cherry blossoms along the Seine
to the tulips at the Eiffel Tower. Paris in springtime
is a dream come true for lovers of art, culture, and
romance.
26

5 5. SANTORINI
One of the best times to visit Santorini is in the
springtime, when the weather is mild, the flowers
are blooming, and the tourists have not yet arrived
in their thousands. You can still enjoy the stunning
views of the caldera, the white-washed houses,
and the blue-domed churches. You can also
explore the ancient ruins and the volcanic beaches.
8 6. SPLIT
travel
Famous for its Diocletian's Palace, and also its
Festival of Flowers in May, Split offers a pleasant
climate, a lively atmosphere, and a variety of
cultural and natural attractions in the springtime. It
is a great place to experience Croatian culture.
65 7. MALTA
In the springtime, Malta offers a warm and sunny weather,
a vibrant nightlife, and a variety of festivals and events. You
can visit the ancient temples, the medieval cities, and the
baroque churches. You can also enjoy the sandy beaches,
the rocky coves, and the crystal-clear waters. Malta is a
wonderful place to discover the diverse influences of the
Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, and the British.
8 8. MOROCCO
Morocco offers mild and sunny weather, a colourful array of
flowers, and a festive mood. You can explore the imperial
cities of Marrakech, Fes, and Rabat, where you can admire
the mosques, palaces, and souks. You can also venture
into the Sahara desert, the Atlas mountains, or the Atlantic
coast, where you can experience the natural beauty and
the local traditions before the heat of summer.
65 9. BALEARIC ISLANDS
Less crowds, cheaper prices, but still plenty of
sunny weather, the Balearic Islands in springtime
offer the same scenic views, the historic
monuments, and the local cuisine with less to
worry about.
You can visit the four main islands of Mallorca,
Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, each with its
own charm and attractions, including its famous
wildflowers that are abundant during the spring
months. With temperatures reaching highs of 23°C,
the weather is pleasant enough without being too
uncomfortable.
6 10. ALGARVE
Famous for its sunny climate, golden beaches, and golf
courses, springtime in Algarve offers mild weather, a
colourful flora, and a relaxed vibe.
Enjoy the natural beauty of the Ria Formosa lagoon, the
Cape St. Vincent, and the Benagil cave or visit the historic
towns of Lagos, Faro, and Tavira. Ponta da Piedade is also a
must – this gorgeous viewpoint is best at sunset.
27

how
to beat
procrastination
Procrastination often leads to missed opportunities and increased stress.
Here are some practical tips to help you overcome it
What is
procrastination?
Procrastination is the act of
delaying or postponing a task or
decision that needs to be done,
often because of fear, anxiety,
boredom, or lack of motivation.
Procrastination can have negative
consequences, such as lower
productivity, missed deadlines,
poor quality of work, stress, and
guilt. Making excuses, choosing
easier tasks over more important
ones, putting off or avoiding
tasks, and waiting for the 'perfect
time' are all common signs of
procrastination. Here are some
ways to overcome procrastination.
28
Set specific and
realistic goals
Having clear and attainable goals
can help you focus on what you
need to do and why.
Break down large or complex
tasks into smaller and simpler
ones, and assign deadlines and
rewards for each step. This can
make your tasks more manageable
and motivating. Specific goals are
clear, measurable, and actionable,
while realistic goals are attainable,
relevant, and timely.
Put these tasks into a calendar so
that they have a scheduled time
allocated to them. Simply putting
them on a to-do list often leads to
them being discarded but putting
tasks into a calendar improves the
chances of them getting done.
Create a conducive
environment
Eliminate or minimise distractions
that can tempt you to
procrastinate, such as your phone,
social media, TV, or noise.
Find a comfortable and quiet
place to work, and gather all
the materials and resources you
need before you start. This can
help you concentrate and avoid
interruptions.
Choose a suitable place to work,
such as a desk, a library, or a quiet
room. Keep your workspace tidy
and have all the tools you need
ready and waiting. One of the most
effective productivity apps on your
phone is the Airplane mode, which
stops your phone from receiving
any messages or notifications. If
you are in a position to do so, use it.
You'll work a lot more effectively
if you are comfortable so get your
temperature right and make sure
the lighting is good. Thinking about
how uncomfortable you are can
distract you from your task.
Finally, take regular breaks, even
if that means going for a walk
away from your workplace, outside
if possible. You'll return to your
task feeling more energised and
refreshed.

Use the Pomodoro
technique
The Pomodoro technique is
a time management method
that involves working in short
bursts of 25 minutes, followed
by a 5-minute break. After four
Pomodoros, you take a longer
break of 15 to 30 minutes. This
can help you overcome the initial
resistance to start a task, and
maintain your energy and focus
throughout.
The technique is useful since it
forces you to think about one task
at a time, improving focus and
overcoming the fear of overwhelm
by breaking bigger tasks down into
smaller, manageable ones.
The process can be repeated for
larger tasks until it's completed in
its entirety. There are many apps
both for your computer and phone
that can help you track your time,
and can also provide you with
feedback about how you've done
long-term. Making the technique
an ongoing habit is also key to
your success.
Forgive yourself
and learn from your
mistakes
Procrastination is often referred
to as a depression response and
one way of dealing with this is to
forgive your past self.
Forgiving yourself and learning
from your mistakes is a vital
skill for personal growth and
happiness. Forgiving yourself
means accepting your flaws,
acknowledging your responsibility,
and letting go of the guilt and
shame that hold you back.
Learning from your mistakes
means reflecting on what went
wrong, understanding the causes
and consequences, and taking
action to prevent or correct them
in the future.
Forgiving yourself is not an easy
process but it is a rewarding one,
and one that will give you back
a sense of purpose. This, in turn,
will help alleviate procrastination,
and lead to a more fulfilling and
productive existence.
Make yourself
accountable
Sharing your goals and dreams
with someone else allows
that someone to support and
encourage you as you work
towards them. Better still, it's
possible that you can learn from
them along the way.
Make your goals clear and
achievable and communicate
these to a close friend or
colleague. If you want to introduce
a reward system, this can help
motivate you and discourage
procrastination.
Celebrate your
achievements
wellbeing
When you complete a task or
reach a milestone, reward yourself
with something you enjoy, such
as a snack, a game, a coffee with
a friend, or a nap. The important
thing is to choose something that
makes you happy and that you
enjoy. This can help you reinforce
your positive behaviour, boost your
self-esteem, and increase your
motivation for the next task.
Rewarding yourself isn't a
selfish thing. Nor does it need to
be indulgent or expensive. It is
a positive and effective way to
support yourself and achieve your
goals. By rewarding yourself, you
are telling yourself that you are
worthy and capable of achieving
your goals. Acknowledging
your efforts helps reduce stress
because you feel more in control
of your life.
By building good habits like
this, you will achieve better
productivity.
29

Recycling:
What you
need to
know
Cardiff Council is rolling
out changes to your
recycling collections.
Here's how the new
changes will affect you
Wales is currently ranked 3rd in
the world in recycling and Cardiff
Council is hoping to work together
with residents to get them to top
place.
Llandaff has been part of a recent
trial that was deemed successful
by Cardiff Council. The scheme is
now being extended to all parts of
Cardiff.
Why Are The Changes Happening?
Cardiff Council says:
"By collecting your recycling in
separate containers, already sorted,
it'll improve the quality of the
materials we collect from you. This
means more of it will remain within
the UK to be recycled to create new
products - rather than being sent
aboard - which reduces our carbon
emissions and helps prevent
climate change.
"By providing you with a new
reusable caddy and reusable sacks
for your recycling, it'll significantly
reduce our use of single-use plastic
bags. We currently issue 24 million
single-use plastic bags every year
for your 'dry' recycling."
The scheme follows trials held in
Llandaff and other areas of Cardiff
over the last few months.
The Council added:
"We've already rolled out these
changes to around 10,000 homes
30
in a mix of areas across Cardiff,
and we've seen an increase in the
quality of recycling we've collected
in those areas.
"The changes are in line with
the advised approach for all
recycling and non-recycling waste
collections across Wales set by
Welsh Government, which will
help meet its statutory target of
recycling 70% of our nation's waste
by 2025.
"We currently recycle almost 62%
of our waste," says the Council."
How will this affect you?
You will need to start sorting
your 'dry' recyclable items into the
separate containers that Cardiff
Council will provide. You'll be issued
with a blue caddy that's designed
to take glass bottles and jars. You'll
also receive a reusable red sack for
assorted metals and plastics, and a
blue sack for cardboard and paper.
This effectively brings to an end
the use of the green single-use
plastic bags that are currently being
used.
The blue caddy will be collected
every two weeks along with
your usual black wheelie bin.
The Council will also collect the
contents of your red and blue sack
every week.
Food waste will continue as it
always has done - in your brown
food caddy, collected weekly.
Garden waste will be collected
from your green wheelie bins
(or reusable white sacks) every
two weeks between March and
November.
If you're signed up to the Council's
hygiene waste service, they'll
continue to collect this from your
purple single-use bags every two
weeks.
Non-recyclable waste will
continue to be collected from your
black wheelie bins (or single-use
black bags) every two weeks. If you
do use bags, you may put out up to
three black bags every two weeks.
Your collection day won't change,
unless the workers go on strike
again, in which case, updates
will be provided on the Council's
website or phone app.
What Else Is Changing?
Cardiff Council will also be
changing the vehicles that are used
to collect waste.
"You'll see us using new vehicles
to collect your recycling. One of
these vehicles looks like a standard
refuse collection vehicle but it's
specifically designed with different
compartments at the rear to keep
your recycling separate once we
collect it," says the Council.
All information taken from Cardiff Council's recycling handbook dated 12/2023

Food waste
You'll already be familiar with your
brown food caddy and this is one of
the collections that aren't changing.
They'll still be collected on a weekly
basis so you can continue putting
these out for collection as you have
done previously.
Items you CAN put in your food
caddy include:
● used teabags and coffee
grounds
● eggshells
● fruit and vegetable peelings
● raw and cooked meat and fish
● plate scrapings
● stale bread
● food that's no longer safe to eat
● animal food
Items that CANNOT be put into the
food caddy include:
● any kind of packaging
● liquids
● oils or fats
● coffee pods
● anything that is not food waste
Black bins
Non-recyclable waste will continue
as it always has done, being
collected in a Council-issued black
wheelie bin or in up to three singleuse
plastic bags.
Items you CAN put in your black
wheelie bin (or single-use black
bags) include:
● black and brown plastic bottles,
pots, tubs, and trays
● nappies
● all remaining household waste
that can't be recycled
If you need to get rid of plastic
packaging, you can do this at 'outof-home'
recycling points such as
those at supermarkets.
Blue caddy
The blue caddy is a large, hard
plastic container that's designed to
take your empty bottles and jars.
You'll be expected to empty and
rinse all your glass items that you
place in the caddy, and to remove
any metal or plastic lids - these
need to go in with your red sack for
mixed metals, plastic and cartons.
Items you CAN put in your blue
caddy include:
● glass bottles, such as those used
for beer, wine, and soft drinks
● glass jars, such as those used for
baby food and sauces
● non-food and drink glasses, such
as perfume, aftershave and creams
Items that CANNOT be put into the
blue caddy include:
● ceramics or china
● drinking glasses
● flat glass, such as mirrors
● nail varnish bottles
Garden waste
Garden waste will continue to be
collected every two weeks between
the months of March through to
November.
Items you CAN put in your green
wheelie bin include:
● grass, leaves, and most weeds
● plants and flowers
● pet bedding used by non-meateating
animals
Items that CANNOT be put into the
green wheelie bin include:
● soil, stones, or logs
● invasive weeds such as
Japanese knotweed
● any garden furniture
● animal or human faeces
climate
Blue sack
Your new blue sack is designed to
take cardboard and paper. You'll
need to flatten the cardboard to
fit inside your blue sack where
possible. If you can't fit it in your
blue sack, you can place cardboard
alongside it, providing that it does
not measure more than 1m x 1m
in size and that's not wet. All other
cardboard will need to be kept dry
or you risk not having it collected.
Items you CAN put in your blue
sack include:
● cardboard boxes, such as cereal
boxes, toilet roll tubes and egg
cartons
● greetings cards that don't have
glitter on them
● boxes from online deliveries
Items that CANNOT be put into the
blue sack include:
● contaminated boxes eg. pizza
● food or drink cartons
Hygiene waste
If you are signed up to the
Council's free hygiene waste
collection service, these will still
take place every two weeks.
Items you CAN put in your
single-use purple plastic bags
include:
● nappies
● associated nappy changing
waste, such as cotton wool, wet
wipes, and nappy bags
● incontinence pads and bed
liners
Items that CANNOT be put into
the single-use purple plastic bags
include:
● catheters
● stoma or colostomy bags
● plasters or bandages
● needles or syringes
● sanitary waste
● vomit
31

c'est la vie
David Judd's life was changed the day he met his French exchange
student at Cardiff General station as a youngster. This is his story
by David Judd
I
was born in Cardiff in 1938; I went
to Allensbank School and then
onto Cardiff High School. Not a
remarkable upbringing so far.
But there were a few highlights
along the way. The first was the
arrival of two American GIs who
were stationed in our house for
several months. We had food
parcels from their families for years
afterwards.
Another highlight was getting a
Halfords bike for passing my 11
Plus. Then there was somehow
an exchange visit of 40 boys for a
month with a similar group from
Nantes. I have no recollection
of how or why they came other
than I was studying French and
had a paper round at Shapleys in
Whitchurch Road to earn money to
go. But their visit did change my life.
32
I recall going to Cardiff General
station and seeing the French
contingent with one boy in plus
fours - and yes he was mine - Eric
Tertrais.
During his stay, we had various
organised outings that I have long
since forgotten but I do remember
one where my father took us up to
Brecon. We were there to drop off
my elder brother Peter on a longdistance
walk with his friend Francis
Paton. Other than that, Eric just
joined in our various games, playing
in the castle grounds at Blackweir,
on the Wenallt, Cefn Onn, or up
Garth Mountain. Not a lot of French
was spoken during his visit as his
English was much better than my
French!
The big adventure, however,
began with the railway trip to
Southampton, the ferry, and then
the railway down to Nantes on the
return visit. There I met his parents,
and we spent the night in their
Vertou home.
The following day, we piled into
their Citroën and went to their
holiday home at St. Marc sur
Mer, some 40 miles down the
estuary. This was a former German
blockhouse in the grounds of an
aunt’s château, overlooking their
private beach and clifftop tennis
David as a youngster

court. They were a fairly wealthy
family (their firm canned sardines)
with maids and Madame really took
to me and was very kind. I struggled
with my French at first; no one
else spoke English and I generally
played with Eric’s brothers and
sisters. There were eight of them in
total and I can recall some names -
Marie, Christine, Regis, and Patrice
among them.
I only attended one trip with the
Nantes contingent - a trip upriver,
and for the rest of the time, I lived
the French dream in a fantastic
seaside home with everything I
needed. I enjoyed time with their
many friends in and around the
coast as far as La Baule, in their
canoe, and the odd trip on a
relative’s yacht.
I was thinking in French by the
time I returned, sunburnt and fit,
whereas most of the others were
kicking around the back streets of
Nantes it seemed.
Within a year or so, I was hitchhiking
to France and then set off
David at the blockhouse in St. Marc sur Mer
Commemorating Owain Lawgoch
on a motorcycle to the South of
France and Spain a year after that.
After marrying my wife, we took our
honeymoon trip in a Morris Minor
convertible in 1963, down the west
coast of France and across Spain to
the Mediterranean, returning back
up through France. We flew in those
days in a plane that carried cars and
only went up a few hundred feet.
I did return to St. Marc sur Mer with
my family staying in the blockhouse
with them once around 50 years
ago and subsequently visited St.
Marc several times but I later lost
contact. St. Marc was, of course,
the location for Les Vacances de
M. Hulot. It was filmed a few years
prior to my visit and the family I was
staying with were extras in it. Hotel
de La Plage is still there but the
seafront has been remodelled. The
blockhouse is still there, unloved
but indestructible.
A brief résumé of my subsequent
French connections: I have since for
most of my last 70 years returned
to France at least once a year on
holidays, cycle trips etc.
to the south and west of
France staying in gites, with
friends and hotels. I love
the place and the people.
Here in Wales, we have
a particular affection for
Brittany, and I and my
family regularly enjoy the
Onion Festival at Roscoe
celebrating Les Johnnies
who frequented South
Wales in our youth.
This affection has I am
sure rested in my genes
and my son and daughter
and the grandchildren
share this love of France.
people
My granddaughter now lives in Lyon
teaching English and my son travels
regularly in his work and play.
The Celtic connection runs deep
and here in Wales, many towns
are twinned with French towns
and I have over the years, joined in
some events. It was only recently I
heard of a Welsh soldier in the 14th
century who fought with the French
against the English (who were
invading Wales at the time). Owain
Lawgoch (Yvain de Galles) had a
monument erected in Mortagne sur
Gironde in 2003 with a three-day
bash that sounded a lot of fun!
I heard of this story from a cycling
friend who has been trying for some
time to raise funds for a memorial
here in Wales. He has the intention
of cycling down there (some 550
miles) and possibly back, to raise
funds and attract attention to this
Welshman. He has also recorded
a song about Owain that he hopes
will further increase interest.
All this has further increased my
Francophile self to get involved
and I have joined the Cardiff Nantes
exchange, albeit living 50 miles
away.
We propose therefore to try to
contact those involved in the
earlier event and those interested
in this project to raise support and
possibly celebrate on the way
down and eventually raise funds
and organise a memorial and
celebration at a site here in Wales.
We are this year taking a holiday
for a few weeks following the Loire
between Chinon and Nantes as well
as few days up north near St. Malo.
On a personal level, it would
be good to reconnect with the
Tertrais family at some time if that is
possible. I recently did a search and
sadly found out that Eric had died
in 2018.
Who knows what could develop in
future years?
Enjoying the French hospitality
33

history
beulah corner
Rhiwbina wasn't always a bustling village. Nigel Lewis takes a look
back to a time before Rhiwbina as we know it today
By Nigel Lewis
Many locals call the centre of
Rhiwbina village Beulah Crossroads,
but you don’t need to go back very
far to see a very different village.
If you look at the old Ordnance
Survey map of 1880, you’d be hard
pressed to find Rhiwbina. In fact,
back then, it had a totally different
name, and there was no village.
The next OS map, dated 1900, is
little different. It’s only when you
look at the OS map for 1920 that
you’d see a recognisable Rhiwbina
village.
The earliest photographs only
date from c.1900, so there’s no help
there. The best source for early
information is the old Parish Tithe
34
Map. This is dated 1840, and we’re
really fortunate that this map still
exists.
The Tithe Map coincides with
the first meaningful census, and
between them, you get a pretty
good idea of how many (actually
how few) folk were living in the
area. There were lots of farms with
individual fields, a few cottages,
some meandering tracks, and an
old stream. And there were just a
few grander houses.
At the start of this new season, I
thought it might be fun to look at
this tiny corner of the parish and to
discover some of the things that
have been lost in time.
The Tithe Map lists all of the
landowners (nearly all absentee
landlords with huge estates), it lists
the tenants of the various farms
and cottages, and wonderfully the
names of so many of the fields. In
addition, the census lists everyone
living in each place (husbands,
wives, children and even visitors); it
is possible to see how the two link
up.
The map above is based on both
the early OS map and the Tithe
Map, showing how things were in
1875 (nearly 150 years ago). There
are no crossroads, just a rural track
running from the south, named after
a cottage nearer Birchgrove called
Pantbach (this was mentioned as
early as 1733).
There’s a track running east
towards the old parish boundary.
Sketches: Nigel Lewis

This would later become Beulah
Road, but back then it was called
Heol Rhyd-y-Walla. Remember,
until quite late into the 19th century,
nearly the whole of the parish was
Welsh speaking.
And there was a narrow farm track
running northwards, towards Deri
Farm. Nothing to the west, just
fields.
No Rhiwbina back then. The area
was named Rhydwaedlyd after the
stream (Nant Waedlyd, the bloody
brook!), Rhydwaedlyd meaning the
ford on the stream. In all probability,
there was an ancient fording-place
here, where people and animals
could safely cross. There were even
earlier names - Rhyd-y-Walla and
various other derivatives.
Anyway, back to the sketch map.
By 1840 and the Tithe Map, the
ancient ford had gone and been
replaced by a simple humpback
bridge with the stream running
diagonally, but by 1875 and this
map, the stream had been locally
diverted and a flatter bridge
provided.
There were three farms that
converged at ‘the crossroads’;
the nearest was Ty’n-y-Cae to the
southwest, Pentwyn Uchaf to the
northwest, and many of the fields to
the east belonged to the Deri Farm.
The fields shown on the southeast
corner were an isolated pocket of
Graig Farm. Incredibly, the Graig
farmhouse still stands today, visible
from the motorway as you leave
the junction at Coryton towards
Newport.
There were at least 6-10 more
farms in the immediate area, but
perhaps we could look at them
Heol-y-Deri in 1903
another time.
On this sketch map, there’s no
railway, no Pen-y-Dre, and Heoly-Deri
was the narrow track
sometimes called Deri Road.
There were only a handful of little
cottages, and according to the Tithe
Map, there was a blacksmiths forge
on the southeast corner, with John
Jarvis and Evan Evans running it.
William Howells was living in a tiny
cottage adjacent.
In 1850, some local Christian
Independents (they used to be
called dissenters) from Watford in
Caerphilly, leased William’s cottage
and a corner of his field, to use as
a chapel. Over the years, the little
cottage became too small for the
growing congregation, and by the
time of this map, the cottage had
gone and a small chapel had been
built on the plot. They called it
Beulah. It wasn’t until 1891 that the
new Beulah Chapel that we see
today was built on the opposite
corner. The old chapel was then
used as a schoolroom.
Edgar Chappell in his definitive
book, lists a few of the field names
locally - Cae’r Efail (the Smithy
Field), Cae’r Bont Garreg (the
Stone Bridge Field) and Erw Pont
Rhydwalla (Rhydwalla Bridge
Enclosure). They’re so evocative.
I’ve also included an old
photograph above; it’s hardly
recognisable. It was probably taken
c.1903 with the newly constructed
Beulah Chapel on the right-hand
edge, and looking north. The stream
is there, the improved bridge and
nothing else. If the photograph had
a better resolution, the first building
you’d see would be Deri Farm!
So, what else was in the area back
then, and their stories forgotten?
- Castell Morgraig (on the top of
Thornhill) and the Twmpath
- Deri (the farm and the old tree)
- Pwll-y-Winci and Greenhill
- The farms of Ty’n-y-Parc,
Pantmawr, and the ‘lost’ farm of
Ffynnon-Wen
- And of course, Deri Mill, and the
Butchers Arms
Now Beulah Corner; but so
much ‘lost’ history. Or perhaps just
forgotten, waiting to be discovered.
Nigel Lewis is a member of AWEN@
thelibrary (awen.cymru@gmail.com)
The crossroads in 2003
35

Guiding
you home
Our Specialist Property Solicitors will
lead you through any complications
during your property transaction giving
you valuable advice and ensuring there
is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Relax and let us do the hard work.
Navigating your way through the
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• Residential Property
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1 Heol-y-Deri, Rhiwbina,
Cardiff, CF14 6HA
Monday - Friday
9.00am - 5.30pm
And on Saturdays
10.00am - 4.00pm
emyrpierce.co.uk
Call us today for a detailed Quote;
02920 616 002

Hear the
sounds of
Spring
World Hearing Day takes place in March, and reminds us
that our hearing health is crucial to a happier life
According to the WHO, there are
about 466 million people worldwide
who have disabling hearing loss,
and this number is expected to rise
to over 900 million by 2050.
Hearing loss can have a significant
impact on the quality of life of
individuals and their families, as
well as on the social and economic
development of communities and
countries. Hearing loss can also
affect communication, education,
employment, health, and wellbeing.
As a result of this huge impact,
the WHO hold World Hearing Day
in March each year. Its aim is to
raise awareness on how to prevent
deafness and hearing loss, and
to promote ear and hearing care
across the world.
The focus for World Hearing
Day 2024 is on overcoming the
challenges posed by societal
mis-perceptions and stigmatizing
mindsets, through awarenessraising
and information-sharing,
targeted at the public and health
care providers.
"Hearing loss has often been
referred to as an 'invisible disability',
not just because of the lack of
visible symptoms, but because
it has long been stigmatized
in communities and ignored
by policy-makers," says WHO
Director-General, Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus.
However, hearing loss can be
prevented, treated, or managed in
most cases, and ear and hearing
care can bring many benefits to
individuals and society. Some of
the benefits of good hearing health
include:
This is a sponsored feature
- improving cognitive functioning
and preventing or delaying the
onset of dementia and Alzheimer's
disease. Studies have shown that
hearing loss is associated with
accelerated cognitive decline and
increased risk of dementia, as the
brain has to work harder to process
sound and compensate for the
loss of auditory input. By restoring
hearing through hearing aids or
cochlear implants, the cognitive
load can be reduced and the brain
can function more efficiently.
- enhancing social engagement
and reducing the risk of isolation
and depression. Hearing loss can
make it difficult to communicate
and participate in social activities,
leading to feelings of loneliness,
frustration, and low self-esteem.
By improving hearing through ear
and hearing care, individuals can
enjoy better social interactions and
emotional well-being.
- increasing safety and
independence. Hearing loss can
impair the ability to hear important
sounds and signals, such as alarms,
sirens, doorbells, or phone calls,
which can pose a threat to personal
safety and security. By improving
hearing through ear and hearing
care, individuals can be more aware
of their surroundings and stay safer
when alone.
- boost productivity and income.
Hearing loss can affect the
educational and
occupational
opportunities and
outcomes of
individuals,
as they may
face barriers
to learning, communication, and
career advancement. By improving
hearing through ear and hearing
care, individuals can improve
their academic and professional
performance and earn higher
incomes.
All of this reminds us that World
Hearing Day is an important
occasion to raise awareness and
advocate for ear and hearing care
for all - it can bring many benefits to
individuals and society.
By changing mindsets and making
ear and hearing care a reality for all,
the quality of life and well-being of
millions of people around the world
can be improved.
If you are in North Cardiff and
are concerned about the hearing
health of yourself or a loved one,
Viney Hearing Care are on hand to
provide first-class expert assistance
to address your issues.
They offer guaranteed impartial
and professional advice for a
complete solution to your hearing
difficulties. They are also able to
select hearing aids from a range
of internationally recognised
manufacturing companies
worldwide to ensure that you can
confidently receive the most up
to date technology and advice
available.
If you would like to arrange
a free hearing assessment,
please call their Whitchurch
branch on 02920 250121.
A: 66 Merthyr Road,
Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1DJ

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A Garden of Hope
With the help of the community, one woman is aiming to bring hope to Wales by
building an organ donation memorial garden in Thornhill's Northern Cemetery
Anna-Louise Bates is a woman
on a mission. This autumn,
at the end of National Organ
Donation Week, she is aiming
to open a Memorial Garden in
Thornhill Cemetery.
Anna-Louise's story is one of
tragedy, but also of hope.
In December 2015, just five days
after Wales became the first part
of the UK to introduce a soft optout
system with regard to organ
donation, Anna-Louise and her
daughter Elizabeth tragically lost
her husband Stu and son Fraser in
a road traffic collision just outside
Cardiff.
"Not long before Stu died, he had
been insistent about discussing
organ donation," says Anna-Louise.
"We'd had family around for my
father's birthday and for some
reason, Stu had brought up the
topic for the second time in a few
days. Therefore, when presented
with the question of whether or not
to donate their organs and tissues,
that was one time in that horrific 24
hours that I didn’t have to think what
my answer should be.
“Some weeks before, I had given
blood and also as a solicitor,
I was sadly well-versed with
an understanding of medical
procedures. However, the process
38
of organ donation for me was
still incredibly difficult and the
miseducation, including that of
the soft opt out/deemed consent
aspect, was so apparent. I knew I
needed to do something to attempt
to make this pathway easier for
other people."
So within six days, Anna-Louise
set about creating a charity with the
aim of making a positive change.
"The charity’s mission is to educate
and help spread the word on organ
donation, support those people
involved, and to break down the
taboo around organ donation to get
people talking," says Anna-Louise.
Anna-Louise, along with her
board of trustees, have managed
to accomplish some great
achievements. This includes
educating and supporting people
both locally and internationally,
including the use of their flagship
animation called Fab Gift Of Life.
"We've had help and assistance
from so many Welsh celebrities and
friends, including Mike Young - he's
the man who invented Superted.
He helped us create this animation,
which has become a very effective
tool at raising people’s awareness
about organ donation. With the
backdrop of Castle Coch, it has
already been watched by over 8
million people globally and it also
won the Charity Film of the Year
Award in 2019."
This animation has since been
translated into eight more
languages that the charity seeks to
launch over the next few years. And
it's all part of Anna-Louise's mission
to improve the organ donation
process here in Wales.
Anna-Louise has seen first-hand
the benefits of organ donation. Her
son Fraser's heart went to a boy
called Roman. Anna-Louise went
to visit Roman in London, six years
after donation. Anna-Louise found
this visit life-changing.
“Seeing this little boy brimming
with enthusiasm for everything,
even though he’d been through an
incredible amount already in his life,
reinforced to me that I had made
such an important decision that
day.”
Through her charity work, Anna-
Louise has always been looking at
new ways to educate people on
the benefits of organ donation, and
to help change the process for the
better.
"My focus has always been on
education and support, but actually,
there are so many other things that
can be done; there are other ways
that we can reach people," says

Anna-Louise.
Following on from being Charity
of the Year for Cardiff Bereavement
Services, the charity has been
offered an area of land at the new
Northern Cemetery in Thornhill, and
approved by Cardiff City Council.
"It'll be a reflective space which
will encourage people to think
about the positives of life rather
than loss, and I’m delighted to
be part of it. This garden is to
honour those involved in donation
while educating about the
#FabGiftOfLife. We want this garden
to be a national point of interest,
highlighting Wales as being the
trailblazers in adopting our new
organ donation system. We wish to
involve as much of the community
as possible to add value, and also
help raise the much-needed funds
for this project."
The garden project is one that's
designed to provide positivity to
those who visit.
"The garden incorporates a heart
that we have been told will be
seen from Google maps,” says
Anna-Louise. “Around the heart, we
hope to have stones in boulders
and around that, we'll have quotes
from medics and donor families
that we hope will provide comfort
and support. We also hope that
these will help alleviate some of
the myths and misconceptions
surrounding the area of organ
donation. Animal sculptures will
be dotted around to reflect other
organs, all designed to educate and
inform.
"At the top of the heart, there will
be a replica of Castle Coch and a
wall where you can find hand prints
- it'll allow you to place your hand
in them and the point is to find your
hand print match; you may even
know that famous match!
"There will also be an umbrella
shining through the Light of Life
held up by our Fraser and Hope
Bears. Next to our garden, the
Council are building a Forget-You-
Not Garden and that will largely
be to remember people who died
during the Covid pandemic.
"Within our garden, there will be
trees with hearts which we will be
dedicating to our Welsh deceased
and living donors. They will be sent
a heart to have in their home too,
to celebrate their decision. Along
with the order of St John that is
presented to donor families, this will
be a visible honour for that ultimate
gift."
Anna-Louise truly believes that
together with the local community,
she can make this vision a reality
Stu,Fraser, Anna-Louise,
and Elizabeth
and with kind assistance from local
professionals, she has produced a
short film calling people to actively
Fundraise, Action and Believe.
Those who want to find out more
or get involved in this project can
see the video by visiting the website
www.believeods.org.uk
The garden project tops a busy
year for Anna-Louise, who will also
be publishing her memoir later this
Spring.
"Writing the book has been
very hard. I thought that people
would find it egotistical and boring
and that everyone knew my
story. However by writing the book, I
realised that even I don’t know all of
my story."
Anna-Louise explains:
"I can’t even remember how every
bit of my story transpired and I
certainly don’t know how it will end.
All that is certain is that the thing
that should never happen to anyone
happened to me.
“We have all been through grief,
or we will at some point. Death is
part of life, and there isn’t a single
person in this world who won’t have
to deal with the repercussions of
losing someone they love. And yet,
despite that, we don’t deal terribly
well with loss in our culture. We
deflect and minimise, we mumble
our condolences, and shuffle away
as the bereaved person deals with
the enormity, the unimaginable
people
magnitude, of what has been taken
from them.
"The book is the story of how I
became the woman I am today,
of how I loved and lost - and
continued to love.
"It’s the story of having my husband
and my son ripped from me, and
of how I, with my daughter, fought
to survive. It’s the story of how grief
continues to live alongside your
new life. It’s the story of how you get
through every second of every day
with your heart breaking, but also
the fight to do something to make a
difference in memory of those who
have gone.
"It’s a story of believing."
Find out more about this project:
tinyurl.com/believeorgandonation
You can also be the first to read
Anna's book here:
tinyurl.com/annalouisebook
39

Join us for
our next
event
Llys Herbert care home,
Lisvane
Friendship café
First Wednesday of each month,
2pm - 4pm
Come along to our monthly friendship
café and join other members of the
community, share your experiences and
make new friends. Our friendly team will
be on hand to give helpful advice and
answer any questions you may have.
Trusted to care.
To book please call
029 2168 2828 or email
jenny.ashton@careuk.com

THE LOST BOOKSHOP
‘The thing about books,’ she said, ‘is
that they help you to imagine a life
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ever dream of.’
On a quiet street in Dublin, a lost
bookshop is waiting to be found.
For too long, Opaline, Martha, and
Henry have been the side characters
in their own lives.
But when a vanishing bookshop
casts its spell, these three
unsuspecting strangers will discover
that their own stories are every bit
as extraordinary as the ones found
in the pages of their beloved books.
And by unlocking the secrets of
the shelves, they find themselves
transported to a world of wonder…
where nothing is as it seems.
Evie Woods is the author of this #1
Wall Street Journal, Sunday Times,
and Amazon Kindle bestseller, which
has sold over half a million copies.
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Read by Nicola Walker and
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GOOD INSIDE
Dr Becky Kennedy shares her parenting
philosophy, complete with actionable
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uncertainty and self-blame to confidence and
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Good Inside offers perspective-shifting
parenting principles and troubleshooting for
specific scenarios, including sibling rivalry,
separation anxiety, tantrums, and more.
SPRING ON THE
LITTLE CORNISH
ISLES
Jess has lived
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her whole life,
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boyfriend Adam
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THE WOMEN
Raised on California’s
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Frances 'Frankie' McGrath
has always prided herself on
doing the right thing, being
a good girl. But in 1965,
the world is changing, and
she suddenly imagines a
different path for her life.
When her brother ships out
to serve in Vietnam, she
impulsively joins the Army
Nurses Corps and follows
his path. Women can be
heroes, too.
41

Spring
Delights
The start of spring is always a great time to renew health commitments.
Here are some delicious ways to get yourself back on track
Asparagus and
new potato salad
800g new potatoes, halved or quartered if large
3 tbsp olive oil
salt and black pepper
2 bunches of asparagus, trimmed
2 lemons, zest and juice
4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp chopped fresh mint
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp capers, rinsed and drained
☐
☐ Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas
mark 6. Toss the potatoes with 2 tbsp of oil and
season with salt and pepper. Spread them in a
single layer on a large baking tray and roast for
25 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and
crisp.
☐ Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together
the lemon zest and juice, parsley, mint, mustard,
capers and the remaining 1 tbsp of oil. Season
with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
☐ After the potatoes have been roasting for 25
minutes, add the asparagus to the same tray
and toss with the potatoes. Roast for another 10
to 15 minutes, until the asparagus is tender and
charred at the edges.
☐ Transfer the potatoes and asparagus to a
large platter and drizzle over the dressing.
Serve hot or at room temperature, with some
crusty bread if you like.
42

Spring fruit
salad with
yogurt and
granola
60ml of honey
30ml of lemon juice
1.25ml of vanilla extract
300g of chopped rhubarb
300g of sliced strawberries
2 apples, cored and diced
500g of plain yogurt
40g of granola
food
☐ In a small saucepan over a
medium heat, whisk together the
honey, lemon juice, and vanilla
extract. Bring to a boil, then reduce
the heat and simmer for about 15
minutes, stirring occasionally, until
slightly thickened.
☐ In a large bowl, toss the rhubarb,
strawberries, and apples with half
of the honey mixture. Transfer to a
baking dish and bake in a preheated
oven at 180°C for 25 minutes, or until
the fruits are tender and bubbly.
☐ To serve, divide the yogurt among
four bowls and top with the warm
fruit salad. Sprinkle with granola and
drizzle with the remaining honey
mixture.
Spring salad
with fresh
pesto
For the salad:
200g new potatoes, scrubbed and
halved
200g peas, fresh or frozen
2 tbsp olive oil
300g asparagus tips
200g baby courgettes, halved
lengthways and sliced
1 baby gem lettuce, leaves torn
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
salt and pepper, to taste
For the wild garlic pesto:
50g wild garlic leaves, washed and
roughly chopped
50g almonds, toasted
50g Parmesan cheese, grated
150ml olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper, to taste
☐ To make the pesto, blitz the wild
garlic, almonds, Parmesan, olive oil,
lemon juice, salt and pepper in a food
processor until smooth. Set aside.
☐ To make the salad, cook the
potatoes in a pan of boiling water for
15 minutes or until tender. Drain and
toss with 2 tbsp of the pesto while still
warm.
☐ Cook the peas in a separate pan of
boiling water for 3 minutes, then drain
and refresh under cold water.
☐ Heat the olive oil in a large
frying pan over high heat. Add the
asparagus and courgettes and cook,
stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or
until charred and tender. Season with
salt and pepper.
☐ In a large salad bowl, toss the
lettuce and spring onions with the
remaining pesto. Add the potatoes,
peas, asparagus, and courgettes and
toss gently to combine.
☐ Serve the salad warm or at room
temperature, with extra Parmesan
cheese if desired.
43

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apple pie
Lisa opened the freezer, took
out the apple pie in the foil
tray, and placed it on the
dining table.
A slight mist gently rose from the
pie as it settled in the warm kitchen
air. Lisa chewed the inside of her
mouth and took a few moments
to run her eyes over the pie. Her
gaze followed the gentle lumps of
the pastry on the lid; the delicate
hand-crimped edges; the two
pastry leaves that had been cut out
46
and placed at the centre; and the
miniature diamonds of sugar that
had been sprinkled lovingly over
the top.
She looked up at her two children,
Violet and Will, who were stood on
the opposite side of the table. They
were also looking at the pie.
“I can’t believe it’s our last one,”
said Violet.
“You’d think she’d have made
more for us before she died,” said
Will.
There was a moment’s pause
before Lisa finally spoke.
“Ice cream?” she asked, finally.
“No. I want to taste apple pie and
only apple pie,” grumbled Will.
An hour later, the three of them
were sat around the kitchen table.
Each had a third of the pie in their
bowls and all three of them were
eating very slowly. The night’s wind
rattled at the windows but around
the kitchen table, they gave it no
notice. Nana was the only topic of

conversation.
“Where did she get the apples
from?” asked Violet.
“They had an apple tree in their
garden. Bampy took the pips from
an apple he’d eaten on their first
date in the late 50s and had grown
it into a tree,” replied Lisa.
“Aw, that’s so sweet,” said Violet.
"At this time of year, Nana's
garden would be covered in apple
blossom. On Saturday mornings,
me and my sister would pretend
we were getting married and
throw the blossom all over us like
confetti. It was wonderful."
“Can we get apples off her tree so
we can make our own pies?” asked
Violet.
“We would if we could,” said Lisa.
“But when Bampy died, Nana had
to go into a new house, and she
had to leave the tree behind. I
drove past a few years ago and the
tree had been chopped down.”
Will frowned. “That’s really sad,”
he said. “Why did they do that?
Why do people like killing beautiful
things?”
“I don’t know. I was really sad
when I saw it’d gone too.”
“I think Nana’s here with us,” said
Violet. “She’s watching us eat her
last apple pie.” She took another
tiny spoonful of pie, slowly put it in
her mouth, and closed her eyes.
Will looked around the room,
suspiciously. “Where?” he asked.
Violet was about to answer but
she suddenly stooped forward over
her bowl and brought her hands to
her chin.
“What’s up? What is it?” asked
Mum, panicked.
Violet gently pursed her lips and
pushed out a small apple pip. She
carefully took it out of her mouth
with her fingertips and placed it on
the table in front of her.
For a moment, the three of them
looked at it.
“That’s strange. I’ve never come
across a pip in Nana’s pies before,”
said Lisa. There was another pause.
No one was sure what to say or
what to do.
“How old do you think it is?” Will
finally asked.
“As old as the pie, I’d think,” said
Violet. "Frozen in time."
“Did you chew on it?” asked Will.
“No.”
“What do we do with it?” Will
continued.
“We could keep it as a souvenir.”
Lisa silently watched the
discussion between her two
children.
“Do you think she put it in there on
purpose, Mum?"
“I’m not sure,” said Lisa.
“Shall we grow another tree?”
asked Will.
“From one pip?”
“Yes. That’s how they’re all grown,
right?”
Lisa raised her eyebrows, almost
dismissively. But he had a point.
Will turned to Lisa directly. “Can
we grow another tree, Mum?”
Lisa puffed her lips out. “I’m not
sure it’d work, Will. And then we’ll
have lost it forever.”
“Maybe I can put it in my pocket
so that I can remember her when
I’m walking to school,” suggested
Will.
“That’s a sure way to lose it,” said
Violet.
“Violet’s right,” said Mum. “It can’t
leave this house.”
“I say we grow a tree out of it.
Then we can make our own apple
pies,” said Will firmly.
“Do you know how long trees take
to grow, Will? That’s a stupid idea!”
Violet groaned.
“But we have to start somewhere,
don’t we?”
Will looked back at the pip. “It’s all
in there,” he said.
“What is?” asked Violet.
“A lifetime’s supply of apple pies
for us when we’re grown ups.”
Lisa thought for a few seconds,
and then she picked up her phone.
“What are you doing, Mum?”
asked Violet.
“I’m seeing how long apple trees
take to grow.” Lisa typed in a few
words and then slid her finger over
her phone, scrolling through a few
screens.
“Well?” asked Will, impatiently.
“About ten years,” replied Lisa,
finally.
“I’ll be 18 by then,” said Will. “I’ll be
a grown man with a deep voice and
a motorbike.”
“And I’ll be 23,” said Violet. “I’ll be
running my own business so I’ll
need apple pies to come home to
after a hard day’s work.”
Lisa looked at them both.
“Will. Go and fetch me some wet
kitchen roll.”
Will pushed his chair back from
the kitchen table with a scrape.
“What are you doing?” asked
Violet.
“We’re planning for the future,”
said Lisa.
A short while later, Lisa and
Violet’s bowls were almost empty.
Will had been breaking down his
pie into smaller and smaller chunks
to the point where there was only
one tiny crumb left.
“I don’t want it to end,” said Will.
“Same,” said Violet.
“Me too,” said Lisa.
Eventually, all three bowls were
completely empty. Not one crumb
was left.
The three of them sat there in
silence. The wind rumbled down
the chimney and for a while, they
just sat looking at their empty
bowls. Violet wiped a silent tear
from her cheek and Lisa reached a
hand over to each of her children.
She clasped them hard and offered
a smile.
“How did she make them so
good?” asked Violet.
“She made them with love,” said
Lisa.
“I’m not going to eat anything
else," said Will. "I want the taste of
apple pie in my mouth forever."
***
Early the following morning, before
the day had begun, Lisa sat in her
spring garden with a coffee. She
hadn't slept much.
Mist rose gently off the grass
and Lisa warmed her hands with
her mug. The storm had passed
through during the night and the
spring sunbeams glittered off the
dew.
The day ahead was going to
be a busy one but for now, Lisa
savoured the still, small moment of
calm.
She took a sip of her hot coffee
and reached down to the floor in
front of her.
“One empty margarine tub,” she
said, picking up the tub. She placed
it on her lap. “A shallow layer of
sand,” she continued, picking up
a small trowel, dipping it into the
small bag of sand next to her, and
gently pouring it into the tub. Next,
she picked up a small cup and
poured a small amount of water
into the tub to moisten the sand.
Then carefully and slowly, she
took the folded-up piece of wet
kitchen towel and took out the
apple pip.
She smiled at it.
It seemed so small and delicate
right now. But she knew that
with the right care, nourishment,
and love, it’d one day grow into
something beautiful.
“Thanks, Mum. And you, Dad,” she
said. She carefully placed the seed
in the bed of sand and placed the
lid on the tub.
Then she took another sip of her
coffee.
The days of apple blossom were
on their way.
By Patric Morgan
short story
47