Whitchurch and Llandaff Living Issue 66

News | People | Features | History | Lifestyle
Whitchurch &
Llandaff Living
At the heart of the community
Issue 66
Your multi award-winning community magazine

Inside this issue
Welcome / Croeso
Seasonal
Poems
Seasonal poetry
to reflect the time
of year from local
poets and authors
Clean rivers
Cardiff's rivers are
under threat from
pollution - here's
how we can help
save them
Distribution: 6,000 copies of Whitchurch and
Llandaff Living are distributed to retail outlets and
public places across Whitchurch, Llandaff and
Llandaff North.
2
The Crossroads
Nigel Lewis takes
a look back into
Whitchurch's
unknown past
- starting with
the history of the
crossroads
Atlas Express
Steve Nicholas
takes us back
to the 1980s to
remind of Atlas
Express - once
a common
sight around
Whitchurch
Early Summer deadline:
23rd June 2023
Published late June 2023
a: 222 Pantbach Road,
Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6AG
t: 07772 081775 / 07974 022920
w: www.livingmags.co.uk
e: editor@livingmags.co.uk or
danielle@livingmags.co.uk
While every effort has been made to
ensure the accuracy of the contents,
the publisher cannot accept any
responsibility for errors or omissions,
or for any matter in any way arising
from the publication of this material.
Every effort has been made to
contact any copyright holders.
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living is an
independent, apolitical publication.
No part of this publication may be
reproduced without the express
written permission of the publishers.
Welcome to your latest issue of
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living.
It seems that the warmer
weather took its time getting
to us this year but it's been
worth the wait. Spring and early
summer are times of great hope.
With Spring on our minds, we've
got some wonderful poems for
you. Our collection of seasonal
poems in our Winter issue was so
popular that we've had to make
room for all the Spring poems we
received.
And with warmer weather on its
way, we've hand-picked some
super spots in South Wales to
picnic.
In our history feature this issue,
we look at the life story of Tom
Cole. Tom was born in Llandaff
and went on to become one of
the world's best racing drivers
during the late 1940s and early
1950s.
Nigel Lewis also takes us
on a journey back in time to
the crossroads located at the
junction of the Merthyr Road and
Ty’n-y-Pwll Road. The area has a
rich history - who knew that the
area was once just farms and
cottages?
In more recent times, you may
well remember the lorries of
Atlas Express that would trundle
around the area. The business
was based on what it now Ty
Mawr Road and local historian
Steve Nicholas has provided us
with some wonderfully nostalgic
photographs. Do you recognise
anyone?
Back in the present day, we've
also brought you some advice
to help you through your day;
there's a feature about the
benefits of sleep and there are
also some breathing techniques
that can help calm you and
soothe you when things get
tough.
And if you want to get the
most out of life, we've also put
together some popular bucket
list ideas - new experiences to
enhance your life and make you
feel alive again.
This time of year is perfect to
start growing your own food
and we've got some great ideas
for growing your own fruit and
vegetables. It can certainly help
in the current cost of living crisis.
Looking ahead to the Summer,
it's the Women's Football World
Cup in July and although Wales
won't be there this year, we take
a look at the great strides that
the sport is making both on and
off the pitch in recent times.
And if that's not enough,
there's also a short story from
Whitchurch and Llandaff Living's
co-editor Patric Morgan.
We're already working on our
next issue of our magazines
and if you have a local story of
interest that you'd like to share
with the community, please feel
free to get in touch.
See you then!
Danielle and Patric
Editors
@WhitchurchandLlandaffLiving
www.facebook.com/
whitchurchandllandaffliving

New Bishop
of Llandaff
appointed
news
Photo: Seth Whales
Cardiff Bus announce price
changes and new ticket structures
Ticket prices on Cardiff Bus were
increased in early April, their first
increase for four years.
In a statement, Cardiff Bus said:
"From Sunday 9th April 2023, we
are having to take the very difficult
decision to increase our fares. This
will be the first time any of our fares
have changed in over 4 years. They
were last changed in March 2019. In
The Vulcan rises
Work on the reconstruction of a
famous Cardiff pub at St Fagans
National Museum of History is nearing
completion.
Work on the pub, which was once
located on Adam Street, started in
2020 after it was dismantled in 2012.
Work is set to be completed by the
end of this year with the building
being opened to the public in 2024.
A campaign was created to save the
Vulcan when it was threatened with
demolition in 2009. A decision was
finally made to move the Vulcan to St
Fagans museum due to his historic
nature.
The pub has been restored back
to its 1915 settings, at which time, it
had undergone a refurbishment. The
company that made the tiles that
were used on the front of the building
in 1914 is still in existence and was
commissioned to remake the tiles
using the original moulds.
The museum is now deciding on
how the Vulcan Hotel will be run and
there are also plans to sell beer from
the pub.
The Vulcan opened its doors in 1853
and its name was inspired by the
ironworks that was situated next door.
this time, we have seen costs increase
to a level where we are now in a
position that we have no option but to
increase fares."
Several types of tickets have been
withdrawn altogether, and others
have been replaced by new but
similar schemes. Bus users can sign
up to the Cardiff Bus newsletter to get
the latest information.
Councillors feed
back mixed
reactions to
recycling trials
Local councillors were able to share
feedback about the recent recycling
trials to a Council meeting in March.
The scheme, that has been trialling
in Llandaff since October, calls for
residents to separate out different
types of recycling into different bags,
before putting them out for collection
by the Council.
Councillor Jayne Cowan, highlighted
confusion around the new system,
especially among some of her
village's elderly residents.
"We are a dementia-friendly city with
lots of older people, particularly in my
ward of Rhiwbina and in lots of other
wards and I think that we do need a
solution to sort that out."
Other councillors pointed out the
positive aspects of the scheme,
including the increase in awareness
of recycling, especially in local
schools. Cardiff Council has reported
an increase in recycling rates thanks
to the scheme, which is currently at
62.5%.
One of the first women to become
a priest in Wales has been
appointed the next Bishop of
Llandaff.
The Rt Revd Mary Stallard, the
former Assistant Bishop in Bangor,
was elected Bishop of Llandaff by
the Electoral College of the Church
in Wales early in 2023.
Bishop Mary secured the
necessary two-thirds majority vote
on the second day of the Electoral
College's meeting at Llandaff
Cathedral.
The announcement of the
cathedral's new bishop was made
at the west door of the Cathedral by
the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew
John.
He told the expectant crowd:
“Bishop Mary has served the
Diocese of Bangor with enormous
energy, faithfulness and joy. It is
a huge privilege for us now to be
able to pass her to the Diocese of
Llandaff where we know she will
bring all of the gifts that she has
shown us. We are so delighted for
her.”
Bishop Mary added: “It is a real
privilege to receive this new call
which I will do my very best to live
up to faithfully.”
Llandaff railway
station work
resumes
Refurbishment work to replace a
canopy for railway passengers at
Llandaff station resumed in April,
three years after the work initially
started. Work was cut short at the
start of the pandemic, leaving
passengers with little space to sit
while waiting for trains.
The refurbishment is expected to
be completed by June.
3

news
Organists play
for 24 hours
at Llandaff
Cathedral
More north Cardiff areas to
become wildflower meadows
The tenth anniversary of
Llandaff Cathedral's Nicholson
organ was celebrated in March
with a marathon event that
lasted one whole day.
Twenty-two organists played
a repertoire of non-stop music
on the organ for 24 hours,
which included film scores
in addition to famous organ
works.
The organ was the first
wholly new cathedral organ
built in the UK since Coventry
Cathedral’s in the 1960s. The
event showcased the full
capabilities of the instrument,
which has 4,870 pipes, 80
stops, and four manuals.
Concert-goers, who camped
out on sleeping bags on the
heated floor were treated to
'Breakfast with Bach' and other
musical treats. Quieter music
was played overnight so as not
to disrupt the campers, as well
as neighbours, who can hear
the organ from their homes.
Several of the organists took
part on a pay-to-play basis so
that they could experience the
organ, which along with other
contributions, helped grow
the 'Celebrate 10' funds for the
cathedral.
The event ended with music
from an 80-strong choir drawn
from all the cathedral’s choir.
4
Additional locations of Cardiff’s
green spaces are set to become
wildflower meadows, which will
provide important sources of food
and habitat for pollinators like bees
and butterflies.
An extra 110 hectares of naturefriendly
green space has been
allocated by Cardiff Council.
The areas will not be mown until
September, allowing wild plants
and flowers to grow and bloom
naturally.
The proposals will see 197.7
hectares in total, an area the
equivalent in size of 439 football
pitches, that will be left untouched
by council mowers. This is an
increase of 125% compared to last
year.
Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks
and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said:
Villagers restore
historic tollhouse
Residents in Tongwynlais have
restored the shell of a historic
tollhouse that was demolished more
than 70 years ago.
The volunteers spent more than a
year restoring the original building
that was among hundreds used
to collect money from travellers
during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The rebuild is the first step towards
creating a local history trail.
The Tongwynlais Historical Society,
who has been spearheading the
project, said:
"Our volunteers have been fantastic.
They are a special bunch and without
them this project would not have got
off the ground."
The remains of the tollhouse are
on the original path of the Pentyrch-
Melingriffith tramroad.
“Nature is in crisis globally and this
significant increase in the amount
of green space which is not mown
until September is one way that we
can provide valuable support to
the nature on our doorstep here in
Cardiff."
The new more nature friendly
spaces will be at Whitchurch
Common North (Whitchurch/
Tongwynlais), Heol y Gors Open
Space (Whitchurch/Tongwynlais)
Tongwynlais Recreation Ground
(Whitchurch/Tongwynlais),
Gwynlais Open Space (Whitchurch/
Tongwynlais), Rosedale Open
Space (Fairwater), and Bellfields
Open Space (Fairwater).
Signage at the new sites will
explain the benefits of rewilding the
areas.
Residents clean
up river rubbish
The Llandaff North Residents'
Association, Friends of Hailey
Park and YGC Rebel Mams joined
residents in helping to clean the
banks of the River Taff in February.
The groups spent days cleaning
the section of the Taff located in
Hailey Park after it became littered
with plastic, sanitary towels, panty
liners, and toilet wipes as water
levels receded.
Welsh Water said that there are
multiple ways that litter ends up in
the rivers, which snag on trees and
remain there when the river levels
drop.
Some residents were concerned
that the litter may have come about
through the deliberate discharge
of wastewater - a combination of
water and sewage - into the river.

letters
Your letters
WE
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
Sewage Plant
Advice
In your last issue, there was an
article about Llandaff North
residents' intention to protest
against the proposed sewage
plant to be built in Hailey Park.
My advice is to save you time
and money, because the Council
will not listen. They have already
ruined one beauty spot in
Whitchurch (Lady Coryton Field)
and they intend to turn another
(The Northern Meadows) into a
concrete jungle.
They ride roughshod over the
locals wishes and don't give two
hoots about public opinion.
They are in fact an autocracy. So
much for democracy!
JC Bird
Whitchurch
What a change!
I'm a former Llandaff girl but have
lived in London now for many
years.
I recently visited family in the
area and was gobsmacked by
the fact that everything looks so
different now. The high street still
looks fairly similar although the
place seems a lot smaller than I
remember.
We took a drive out to
Llantrisant and I couldn't believe
my eyes - gone was the BBC
building and in its stead - homes
were going up.
Further on, past Danescourt,
it was totally unrecognisable.
Housing estates galore! I
remember feeling the same way
when Danescourt was built back
in the 80s! We all moaned about
it then but now we're used to
having it there!
I appreciate that things change
and that life moves on but
sometimes, it all happens so fast
that it leaves your head in a spin!
Donna Henry
Wimbledon
Woollen Mills
If you were asked to produce a list
of the old industries in the parish,
you’d probably include the tin
works at Melingriffith, the College
Ironworks behind Whitchurch
Common or perhaps the industries
in Llandaff North and Tongwynlais
associated with the canal and the
railways.
How many, I wonder would
include the woollen mills in Ty’ny-Parc
Road near The Mason's
Arms?
According to the Tithe Map of
1841, there was a small hamlet
of houses and cottages along
Ty’n-y-Parc Road and around the
stream, Nant-Waedlyd. There
was a detached farmhouse (later
to become Ty’n-y-Parc), a farm
on the north side of the road
(Glanynant) and Elm Cottage on
the south side (later Elm Farm).
Around these houses were a few
small cottages and an early pub.
One of the local landowners at
the time was John Homphray,
who owned land at Tyn-y-Parc. By
1869, the Cardiff Times newspaper
reported that John Homphray
was said ‘to have decided upon
building a woollen factory on
his own land in Whitchurch
which, when completed will
give employment to 60-80 men,
women and children.’
Eleven years later, the 1880
OS map shows that the hamlet
had expanded with two woollen
factories and a row of semidetached
workers' cottages
(probably single-storey) fronting
the main road, called Tyn-y-Parc
Row. Further buildings nearer
the stream look more substantial
and might have been managers'
houses, offices or stores. None of
this survives today.
What happened to the families
of woollen weavers and spinners;
the Powells, the Wildes or the
Morgans? What about Philip
Norton with his two children and
five step-children? Did they move
away, or did they simply find
alternative employment, more
suited to the changing times?
Are you part of one of these
families? Or do you have any
information to help grow the lost
history of this part of our local
village?
We’d love to hear from you!
Nigel Lewis
awen.cymru@gmail.com
If you have anything you’d like our readers to know about, drop us a line at
editor@livingmags.co.uk or by letter to 222 Pantbach Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff
CF14 6AG. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter
5

out & about
sarnies in
the sun
The great British tradition of packing a basket with food and heading out
for a picnic has arrived. Here are our favourite local spots
Porthkerry Park
Southerndown
A firm favourite for both locals and
visitors, Southerndown beach is
situated on the Glamorgan Heritage
Coast, not too far from Bridgend.
The beach is mostly sand,
especially at low tide but its real
beauty lies in its rugged rocks, rich
in fossils, where there are plenty of
places to down bags and set up a
picnic.
There are plenty of rockpools
at low tide to keep the kids
entertained and if you fancy
stretching your legs after you've
eaten, there are plenty of green
fields you can discover on the cliff
tops.
6
This hidden gem in Barry boasts 220
acres of woods and meadowland.
Enclosed in a sheltered valley that
leads to a pebbled beach, there
are also nature trails to explore and
dedicated picnic sites to enjoy at
your leisure.
Porthkerry Viaduct, one of the
features of the park, was first
opened in 1897 to carry the Vale of
Glamorgan Railway.
And if you're a plane spotter, you'll
be delighted to know that the park
is not too far from Cardiff Airport -
you'll be able to see the comings
and goings of Wales's busiest
airport.
Photo: Roy Parkhouse
Dare Country Park
You've got over 500 acres of green
countryside to discover in the
mountains northwest of the Cynon
Valley.
The park was the first country park
in England and Wales to be created
from land previously utilised by
industry. Now fully regenerated,
the park teems with wildlife and
woodland. The flowery grassland,
heath, bracken slopes, crags and
scree, upland bog, moorland,
woodland, coal spoil, stream and
lakes all provide habitat for wildlife.
It is here that you can take time out
to enjoy your picnic.

Photo: Mick Lobb
Cyfartha Park
Covering 65 hectares, Cyfartha Park
sits proudly in a prominent position
overlooking Merthyr Tydfil and is
the historic site of the Cyfartha
Ironworks.
The park is one of the main
attractions in Merthyr and is often
used for large-scale events. The
park also includes a lake, ponds,
gardens, play areas for the children,
and even a recently restored ice
house that was once used to keep
the nearby castle cool during the
summer months.
Penllergare Valley
Woods
This 'forgotten' Victorian paradise
with lakes, waterfalls, terraces,
panoramic views and exotic trees is
being slowly brought back to life by
Penllergare Trust, who have been
doing so for the last twenty years.
Situated a short distance
from Junction 47 of the M4
near Swansea, the estate was
previously the home of the
renowned horticulturist, pioneering
photographer, and astronomer, John
Dillwyn Llewelyn.
The site consists of over a hundred
hectares of mixed woodland and
includes two lakes and seven miles
of peaceful woodland walks. You'll
also find a spectacular waterfall
on the River Llan which meanders
through the estate.
There is a community-run shop
and a car park, plus informal picnic
sites along the paths, where you
can eat among the wildlife.
Margam Park
Margam Park is a Grade I listed
garden and landscape, where
you can surround yourself with
gorgeous trees, shrubs and flowers.
The Community Orchard and
Meadow is located within the
historic walled kitchen gardens
and sees existing apple and pear
trees being restored. New planting
is also being undertaken including
perennial herbs and vegetables.
Photo: Steve Rigg
Clyne Park, Swansea
Clyne Gardens contain possibly the
finest collection of rhododendrons
in Wales. The gardens were
established by Admiral Algernon
Walker-Heneage-Vivian who
owned them from 1921 until his
death in 1952.
The Admiral sponsored overseas
plant collecting expeditions in his
time and many of the garden's
rhododendrons still bear their
original collector's numbers. His
influence can also be felt in the
landscaping features throughout
the gardens, which include a
Japanese Bridge, the Admiral's
Tower, and the Gazebo.
There are meandering paths that
take you through a wooded valley
alongside a fast running stream
with small waterfalls and there are
also picnic areas where you can
relax in the spring sunshine.
Roath Park
Opened in 1894, Roath Park was
one of Cardiff's first public parks.
It still retains its charm though,
drawing people from all over South
Wales to experience its famous lake
and botanical gardens.
North of the lake are some
wildflower areas which includes
paths cutting through it. To the
south, you'll find the conservatory
and its surrounding gardens, where
you'll find plenty of space to enjoy
a picnic.
Merthyr Mawr
Merthyr Mawr Warren National
Nature Reserve to give it its official
name, is situated near Bridgend
and is home to the Big Dipper, the
highest sand dune in Wales.
The dune itself formed on top
of a limestone ridge and you can
enjoy spectacular views from the
top. There's an abundance of other
smaller dunes where you can lay
out a picnic blanket but it's not all
sand.
You'll also find nature trails and
coastal paths that take you to the
beach.
Photo: Nick Smith
Rest Bay
Located between Port Talbot
and Ogmore, Rest Bay beach
offers visitors spacious sands and
gorgeous views over the Bristol
Channel.
A new water sports centre has
opened there and it looks out over
the Blue Bay beach. It's the ideal
spot to spend a few hours in the
sunshine, eating your nibbles and
watching both sea-shy paddlers
and watersports professionals alike.
And if your picnic's not enough,
the beach has several ice-cream
parlours along the promenade
where you can get yourself a
cooling treat.
Photo: Roger Davies
7

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Lisvane,
Cardiff
Llys Herbert care home, opening Monday
3rd July on the outskirts of Lisvane, will
provide high quality care to its residents in
luxurious and comfortable surroundings.
Hair and beauty salon
Café
Cinema and bar
Trusted to care.
Marketing suite now open
029 2168 2158
careuk.com/llys-herbert
Scan to register your interest.

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How clean are our rivers?
Cardiff's rivers are complex ecosystems, supporting a wide range of
natural wildlife. But are they under threat from pollution?
Sitting on a riverbank and watching
the water drift by is one of
summer's treats. But no matter how
clean a river might look, pollution is
an ever-present threat.
Much has appeared in the press
recently about the condition of the
UK's rivers and here in Wales, the
story is a very similar one. River
pollution has become a talking
point, both in government, and at
local level.
There is of course, physical
pollution that can be seen from
the river bank - the plastic bags,
the crisp packets - even the odd
shopping trolley. Much of this litter
makes its way out to sea and here
in Cardiff, there are various groups
that clear out this litter before it
gets there.
The sad thing is that much of this
litter is often dumped there on
purpose. Other litter can find its way
into the river after being blown out
of bins or landfill sites.
Perhaps the more worrying aspect
of river pollution though is the stuff
we can't see - the chemicals, the
pollutants, and the sewage. There
10
are several sources of this unseen
river pollution, including industrial
and agricultural activities, domestic
sewage, and improper waste
disposal. Factories may discharge
chemicals into rivers, farms may
use fertilisers and pesticides that
can run off into nearby rivers, and
households may dump waste into
rivers.
The effects of river pollution can
be devastating. Polluted rivers can
harm the plants and animals that
live in and around them, leading
to declines in biodiversity. They
can also cause health problems
for people who rely on the river
for drinking water and fishing.
Swimmers are at particular
risk when untreated sewage
is discharged into rivers. The
contaminated water puts them at
risk of gastrointestinal illnesses
which can cause diarrhoea and
vomiting. Respiratory conditions, as
well as skin, ear, and eye infections
are also possible.
Looking after our rivers will not
only help look after us now, but for
generations to come.
What's the current
situation?
Welsh Water recently released
its data on sewer overflow
performance across its assets
in Wales and England for 2022.
The figures showed that overall,
there was a 12% reduction in the
total number of sewer overflow
discharges compared to 2021. They
also showed a 25% reduction in total
spill duration.
Welsh Water was the first UK water
company to attain over 99% of
sewer overflows being monitored,
but even so, taking a closer look at
the figures, it shows that this doesn't
tell the full picture, particularly at a
local level.
Sewage was dumped into the
River Taff for more than 9,500 hours
last year. The figures released by
Welsh Water shows that the River
Taff is the sixth-most-polluted river
in Wales with an average of three
sewage dumps every day in 2022.
The sheer scale of sewage dumps
by water companies across the
UK soon became hard to ignore.

Figures for 2022 showed raw
sewage was pumped into rivers and
seas for 1.75m hours last year - an
average of 825 times per day.
It's no wonder then that in recent
months, the plight of our rivers has
been placed in the spotlight. And it
doesn't make for easy reading.
What is being done?
climate
For its part, the Welsh government
is already taking action to look
after our rivers. One of the key
initiatives to clean rivers in Wales
is the implementation of the Water
Framework Directive (WFD), a
European Union regulation that
sets standards for water quality and
requires member states to develop
management plans to improve the
condition of water bodies. The WFD
has led to the development of river
basin management plans in Wales,
which aim to reduce pollution,
improve water quality, and restore
damaged habitats.
In addition to the WFD, various
organisations in Wales work to
protect and clean rivers. The
Rivers Trust Cymru, for example,
is a charity that works to improve
the health of Welsh rivers through
habitat restoration, pollution
reduction, and community
engagement. The Welsh
government also provides funding
and support for river cleanup
projects through its Natural
Resources Wales agency.
Individuals and communities
in Wales can also play a role
in keeping rivers clean by
reducing their own pollution,
properly disposing of waste, and
volunteering for local river clean-up
efforts.
Efforts to clean rivers in Wales
Local wildlife such as kingfishers are
at risk due to river pollution
are important for protecting the
environment, wildlife, and human
health, as well as supporting the
economy and cultural heritage of
the city and the country as a whole.
The Cardiff Rivers Group is one
such voluntary organisation that
regularly carries out river-cleaning
activities. In March, their volunteers
cleared the riverbank and the
islands below Llandaff weir and
removed 77 bags of waste in total.
The group said much of that waste
was 'sewage-related debris' caught
up in trees. These includes things
like sanitary towels and wet wipes.
What more can we do?
Much of the action that can be
taken needs to be undertaken by
the water companies.
But we can also play our
part in looking after our rivers.
When it comes to our individual
responsibility, we can all do our bit
to help.
We can play our part in keeping our
rivers clean from pollution
Making sure that waste is disposed
of properly, whether it be through
recycling, composting, or waste
disposal is one way to start making
a difference. Avoid littering and
dispose of waste in designated
waste bins.
We can also use water wisely,
reducing our water usage whenever
possible. Ultimately, this reduces
the amount of wastewater that ends
up in rivers. Fix leaky taps, take
shorter showers, and avoid overwatering
your lawn.
Avoiding single-use plastic items
like straws, bags, and bottles can
also help as these often end up
in our rivers. Plastic pollution is a
major problem in rivers and oceans
worldwide.
Gardeners should also minimise
the use of chemicals they use,
such as fertilisers, pesticides, and
herbicides as these can harm
aquatic life and pollute rivers.
On a more collective level,
supporting local conservation
efforts by volunteering, donating,
or even participating in community
events can help protect and
preserve the rivers and the
surrounding environment.
Educating others about the
importance of clean rivers and
the impact of pollution on aquatic
life and the environment can
help tip the balance. This can be
done through public awareness
campaigns, educational schemes,
and community outreach.
While we can do what's within
our control on an individual basis,
it falls to our authorities and water
companies to take the main
responsibility for keeping our rivers
clean. Holding them accountable
for their policies and actions
therefore is a powerful and positive
way to help protect our rivers.
11

MAZDA CX-60 WINS BEST PLUG-IN
HYBRID IN SCOTLAND
Launched just three months ago the Mazda
CX-60 is already winning fans and awards
across the UK with the Association of Scottish
Motoring Writers (ASMW) crowning
it Best Plug-In Hybrid 2022 at the annual
Scottish Car of the Year Awards.
The ASMW is made up from 15 motoring
writers from across Scotland who vote for
cars they have driven in Scotland over the
past 12 months and their relevance to
Scottish consumers. The Mazda CX-60 was
a late entry, only going on sale in September,
but wow’d the panels of judges enough to
take the hotly contested category win.
With prices starting at £45,420 on-the-road,
the all-new Mazda CX-60 has expanded
Mazda’s award-winning SUV range, joining
the UK line-up above the ever-popular
2022 Mazda CX-5. The new flagship SUV
is Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid technology
powertrain, which combines a Skyactiv-G
2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a
129kW electric motor and a 17.8kWh highcapacity
battery.
This combination of engine and motor
delivers a total system output of 327ps and
an abundant torque output of 500Nm –
making it the most powerful road car Mazda
has ever produced. Mazda’s first PHEV
also displays outstanding environmental
credentials with WLTP combined fuel
consumption of 188mpg and WLTP
combined CO2 emissions of only 33g/km.
The Mazda CX-60 e-Skyactiv PHEV offers
39.15 miles of combined electric motorpowered
driving with the vehicle running
at 62mph or less, while the performance of
the combined drivetrain delivers a 0-62mph
performance of just 5.8 seconds.
Demonstrating Mazda’s commitment to
a multi-solution approach to sustainable
mobility and the principal of the right solution
at the right time, the Mazda CX-60 meets the
growing needs of the segment by combining
strong environmental performance with the
driving pleasure inherent in every Mazda.
The all-new Mazda CX-60 PHEV represents
everything that Mazda has built into its DNA
over the last 100 years, from outstanding
exterior and interior design to the finest
Japanese craftsmanship, plus the latest
innovations in human-centric technologies
and world-leading powertrains.
The all-new Mazda CX-60 is the first of
two new models from the company’s Large
Product group to be introduced throughout
Europe during the next two years, with the
second being the three-row Mazda CX-80.
In addition, joining the 2.5-litre e-Skyactiv
PHEV drivetrain in the CX-60 line-up at a
later date will be two brand new Mazda
engines that have been developed using
the ‘right sizing’ concept which calls for
optimised displacement for improved fuel
and power efficiency.
The new generation straight-six 3.0-litre
e-Skyactiv X petrol and 3.3-litre e-Skyactiv
D diesel engines, which feature M Hybrid
Boost – Mazda’s 48V mild hybrid system –
combine high output with excellent fuel
economy and emissions performance, they
will join the CX-60 range in the future. Both
powerplants are mated to the same eightspeed
automatic transmission and i-Activ
All-Wheel Drive system as the PHEV, but the
e-Skyactiv D diesel unit and the e-Skyactiv
X petrol engine have also been developed
to be equipped with rear-wheel drive only.
ASMW President Jack McKeown said:
“Mazda’s first plug-in hybrid model is the
seriously impressive CX-60. The premium
SUV has a stylish shape, a beautiful interior
– and the ability to travel nearly 40 miles on
battery power. Our members particularly
liked its driving dynamics and classy cabin.”
Jeremy Thomson, Mazda UK Managing
Director commented; “The Mazda CX-60
has seen tremendous sales success across
Europe since its launch in September and
it is great to have the car recognised by the
Association of Scottish Motoring Writers as
their choice for Plug-In Hybrid of the year
so soon after the car’s launch. Mazda has
always been a popular brand in Scotland
with market share at 2.3 percent vs 1.6
percent for the whole of the UK and I feel
confident that, with this recognition, the car
will be a popular choice with our Scottish
customers.”

ALL-NEW MAZDA CX-60
PLUG-IN HYBRID
AVAILABLE FOR £549 PER MONTH
7.4% APR* REPRESENTATIVE OVER 4 YEARS
Created by our Takumi craftsmen, the all-new Mazda CX-60 showcases the
refined elegance of our KODO design language woven into the toughness of
an SUV. Carefully curated materials like real maple wood, high-quality leather,
Japanese textiles and chrome details are combined in perfect harmony in a
car completely designed around its driver. If this is how we craft the details,
imagine how it feels to drive the all-new Mazda CX-60. Crafted in Japan.
SEARCH: VICTORIA PARK MAZDA
Model
All-new Mazda CX-60 327ps AWD Homura Auto
Mazda Personal Contract Purchase Representative Example
Monthly Payment £549 Total Amount Payable £57,722
On The Road Price inc Metallic Paint £49,070 Fixed Rate of Interest 3.82%
Mazda Deposit Contribution £1,000 No of monthly payments 48
Customer Deposit £9,391 Duration of Agreement 49 months
Amount of Credit £38,530 Annual Mileage 9,000
Interest Charges £8,802 Excess Mileage Charge per mile 7.5p
Optional Final Payment £20,979 % APR 7.4% APR* Representative
Retail sales only, subject to availability for vehicles ordered between 20.12.22 and 31.03.23, registered by 30.06.2023 at participating dealers. T&C apply. *7.4% APR Mazda Personal Contract Purchase
available on all new Mazda CX-60 PHEV models. Finance subject to status, 18s or over. Guarantee may be required. Mazda Financial Services RH1 1SR. Channel Islands and Isle of Man excluded.
Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified.
Model shown: Mazda CX-60 327ps AWD Homura Auto, OTR from £48,170. Model shown features optional Soul Red Crystal paint (£900). OTR price includes VAT, number plates, delivery, 12 months’ road
fund licence, first registration fee, 3 year or 60,000 mile warranty and 3 years’ European roadside assistance. Test drives subject to applicant status and availability. Details correct at time of going to print.
Not available in conjunction with any other offer unless specified.
Victoria Park Motor Company Limited, trading as Victoria Park Mazda is a credit broker not a lender for this financial promotion. We can introduce you to a limited number of carefully selected finance providers
and may receive a commission from them for the introduction. If you have any questions about commission please speak to the dealer.
DRIVE TOGETHER

the
racer
Tom Cole leaves the Ferrari
factory in Modena in his
Ferrari 340 MM, restyled
in North American racing
colours in May 1953
Llandaff's Tom Cole lived life on the edge until one day in 1953,
his luck ran out and he became a Le Mans legend
On a hot summer's day in 1972,
Luigi Chinetti dropped into the
driver's seat of his Cadillac Eldorado
and turned the ignition key.
The car cranked into life and
slowly rumbled out of the town of
Le Mans, making its way onto the
dusty roads that led out into the
French countryside.
After stopping off at Auburge du
Rallye for some lunch, Chinetti and
his passenger, a man named Jim
Ibold, got back into the Cadillac
and made their way to Le Mans
Cimettiere De L'Ouest, a sprawling
cemetery a short distance away.
Chinetti parked his car at the
entrance to the cemetery and the
pair got out. They silently walked
the paths that criss-crossed the
cemetery to a large tombstone that
sat on the far side.
When they arrived at the
tombstone, the pair stood in silence
in the early summer sun. The
granite stone of the tombstone
had lost its shine so Chinetti looked
around and found a bowl of water
14
nearby. Taking the handkerchief
from his pocket, he dipped one end
into the bowl and wiped the grime
off the stone. When it was clean
of dirt, Chinetti took the dry end of
his handkerchief and polished the
stone to give it a lustre. Then he
took a step back to make sure he’d
done a good job.
His workmanship was spotless,
much like his driving skills that
had kept him out of harm’s way for
decades.
Chinetti and his friend Ibold stood
and looked at the tombstone for
a short while before they headed
back to the car.
The tombstone, now clear of dirt,
read 'In Loving Memory of Tom
Cole. Killed while driving in the 24
hours motor race at Le Mans June
14th 1953'.
The life of Thomas Lionel Howard
Cole, Jr. may have come to an
abrupt end at the side of a road
in northern France but his story
started right here in north Cardiff.
Born on 11 th June 1922, Cole
contracted polio in childhood, and
although largely recovering from
the illness, it left him with minor
disabilities for the rest of his life.
In late August 1939, just before
the outbreak of World War II, Tom
and his family arrived in New York
aboard the French liner Normandie.
The 1940 United States Federal
Census page, compiled in April
1940, shows the Cole family to be
guests at the Hotel Pierre in New
York City.
Cole attended Harvard for a year,
before serving in the US Merchant
Marine after the United States
entered World War II. He worked
as a crew member of the USS Esso
Aruba and USS Esso Bayonne in
1943 and later drove an ambulance
for the American Field Service.
At the end of the war, Cole
became interested in racing sports
cars, something he could do,
despite the minor disabilities from
his childhood polio.
Splitting his time between the UK
and the US, Cole took part in hill

climbs and speed trials as a way
of gaining experience behind the
wheel. He also got involved with
the US East Coast racing scene,
working his way into the Frick-
Tappet racing team by tagging
along during the race seasons.
Being totally new to sports car
racing, Cole had to make up for
his lack of technical ability with his
enthusiasm for his new love. But
in 1949, Cole's father, Thomas Sr.
(who owned the Clifton Steamship
Corporation) shipped over his son's
Jaguar and a HRG 1500 to the
United States, to take part in the
1949 Bridgehampton Sports Car
Races.
Bridgehampton was renowned
as a fearsome course, requiring
the utmost skill from the drivers.
Held on public roads, the course
ran counterclockwise on an
approximately 3-mile rectangle.
Bridgehampton founder Bruce
Stevenson recalled that:
"Tommy Cole was well known to
all as a gentleman... charmingly
forgetful of his passport, his wallet,
his helmet and the unimportant
details of daily life. But in a thrilling
exhibition of driving skill, he piloted
the Jaguar to second place using
only one hand on the controls—the
other was occupied holding the
battery in position!"
Cole's ability and potential soon
outstripped the specifications of his
two cars and in pursuit of a faster
race car, he asked Bill Frick of the
Frick-Tappet racing team whether
a 5.4 litre Cadillac engine would fit
into his Jaguar. After taking some
measurements, Frick told Cole that
this wasn't possible but undeterred,
Cole got another car - an Allard
J2- shipped over to the States. Thus
the Cadillac-Allard J2, or Cad-
Allard, was born. The car fused a
lightweight chassis and modern
suspension system with the large
Cadillac powerplant, and it would
go on to achieve considerable
international success. Cole is
credited with the car's creation.
Cole would also go on to take
the Allard to two outright wins at
Bridgehampton - in 1950 and 1951.
He would also take part in Le Mans
for the first time in 1950, finishing
third in the prestigious 24 hour race.
In 1951, Cole was due to take part
in the 1951 Buenos Aires Grand Prix
but having damaged his Cad-Allard
in a crash, he was offered a Chrysler
Hemi powered Allard in which to
race. Cole struggled with the car,
especially the engine's massive
torque. Transmission problems
during practise sessions and the
race itself meant that Cole did not
finish the race. Ironically, first place
was taken by John Fitch, who had
taken Cole's Allard to repair and
raced it himself.
But Cole's Argentinian adventures
didn't end there. A short while later,
Cole was a sole passenger in a light
plane that crashed in the jungle.
The only survival tools that the pilot
had on him was a .45 handgun and
a knife. The pair were missing for
two weeks and survived by eating
snakes. They were eventually
found by natives and returned to
civilisation in Brazil.
In the summer of 1952, Cole
launched his European racing
campaign at Le Mans in a Ferrari
belonging to his co-driver Pierre
'Pagnibon' Boncompagni. Cole
brought the Ferrari back to the UK
that summer.
Pagnibon was a French driver,
perhaps best remembered for
winning the 1951 Tour de France
Automobile, one of the world's
oldest motorsport events. His
success during the 1952 season had
caught the attention of Enzo Ferrari,
who offered Pagnibon an entry to
the 24 Hours of Le Mans under the
official Scuderia Ferrari banner.
Pagnibon entered his car to the
race with Cole as a second driver,
but retired with electrical issues.
The remainder of the 1952 season
saw mixed fortunes for Pagnibon
but returned in 1953 with a Ferrari
340 MM.
In this car, Pagnibon won the
Rallye Soleil-Cannes, an eight-day
road rally across France. He also
drove it to second place in the
Coupes de Vitesse, and won the 3
Hours of Algeria.
Tom Cole too was having success
during the first half of 1953, coming
fourth in the Mille Miglia in April,
despite having never driven
The Cadillac-Allard J2 in which Cole finished
third at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans
history
the 1,000 mile course before,
and finishing second place at
Silverstone in May.
On June 7th, both Pagnibon and
Cole were competing in the 12
Hours of Hyères race, which took
place in heavy rain. Pagnibon had
been leading the race and had just
set the race record when on the
34th lap, he lost control of his car
on a high-speed bend. The car hit
a telegraph pole and overturned,
killing Pagnibon instantly.
Cole won the race but had lost
his Le Mans co-driver, and was
understandably heart-broken.
A week later, Cole started his
Le Mans this time with Italian-
American driver Luigi Chinetti.
Chinetti had competed in every Le
Mans race held from 1932 but this
was to be his last.
Cole started the race strongly, the
car peaking at third place during the
first three hours. As the race headed
into the night, Cole dropped down
the field into sixth place.
As morning broke the next day,
fog had shrouded many parts of
the track. Just after 6.14am, Cole
was attempting to catch Peter
Whitehead at Maison Blanche, who
was in fifth place. Manoeuvring to
pass a slower car, Cole lost control
of his Ferrari, cutting a turn too
close. The car dropped into a ditch
demolishing a shed, but as it exited
the ditch at speed, the car pivoted
and threw Cole clear. He was killed
instantly on impact with the ground.
Cole had previously stated that
if he was ever killed during a race,
he wanted to be buried near the
track. In accordance with his wishes,
he was buried in Le Mans West
Cemetery where nearly 20 years
later, Luigi Chinetti would drive
his Cadillac Eldorado to pay his
respects.
15

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ATLAS EXPRESS
Atlas Express was once a familiar sight in and around Whitchurch and
Llandaff. Steve Nicholas provides us with memories of the business
Martin Wyatt and colleague
Photo shoot in the Brecon Beacons
The snow of 1983
Vehicle at the depot
Phil, Lawrence, and Les
18
Photos courtesy of Martin Wyatt (Werpy)

memories
Atlas Express staff
Billy Trigg at the depot
1980s snow
The depot and yard
Martin Wyatt (Werpy)
Steve Nicholas was born in Llandaff North
and has published several photographic
books about Whitchurch and Llandaff
North.
He also runs a website which is full of
historical information about the area and
lots of photos. You can find more at
www.whitchurchandllandaff.co.uk
19

Calming breath
Breathing is something we tend to do without thinking but these
calming techniques can help relieve anxiety and stress
Abdominal v Chest
There are two types of breathing -
diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing
and thoracic (chest) breathing.
Diaphragmatic is the more
beneficial method as it engages your
diaphragm and allowing your lungs
to drive air through your nose and
mouth more effectively. This usually
occurs subconsciously when we
sleep.
Thoracic breathing involves shorter,
sharper breaths that come mainly
from the chest. It's often used when
we are anxious or in a heightened
state of stress due to our instinctive
fight-or-flight reactions. Because it's
only intended for short-term use,
more long-term use can lead to
dizzy spells and light-headedness.
20
Alternate-Nostril
Breathing
This yoga-based method has
been proven to reduce blood
pressure, improve motor
functions skills, and improve
memory.
The reason that it's so effective
is because it forces us to focus
solely on our breathing. Using
your thumb, gently close off one
nostril at a time and take in a full
breath, before exhaling it. Then
try with the opposite nostril.
Repeat the process up to ten
times in one go. If you start to
feel light-headed at any time,
release the blocked off nostril
and breathe normally until you
have readjusted. It's best to be
seated for this technique.
Belly Breathing
Utilising your diaphragm can
alleviate anxiety and stress. Also
known as 'belly breathing', this
method can be used three or
four times a day to bring about
calm.
Find a comfortable, quiet place
where you can sit or lie down.
Place one hand on your belly
and the other on your chest.
Relax as much as you can and
then breathe in deeply through
your nose. Drive the air down
into your belly, so that your
hand on your belly moves, but
the hand on your chest remains
relatively still.

Box Breathing
Possibly one of the easiest
breathing techniques out there,
box breathing, sometimes
referred to as square breathing,
can be done sitting or lying
down, or sitting upright with a
straight back.
Exhale to the count of four,
emptying your lungs of air and
then count another four. Inhale
deeply through your nose for
another count to four and then
hold the air in your lungs for
another count to four.
Repeat the process again by
exhaling to the count of four.
wellbeing
4-7-8 Breathing
This method is slightly more
complicated but acts well to calm the
nervous system.
Best practised seated with a straight
back, push the tip of your tongue to the
top of your mouth behind your top front
teeth. Exhale completely through your
mouth and then inhale through your
nose to the count of four. Hold the air
there to the count of seven and exhale
to the count of eight.
Lion’s Breath
Another deep breathing technique
that draws on our primal instincts,
the Lion's Breath technique can
help alleviate body stress, as well
as pin-pointing stress within the
facial area.
This technique is best carried out
in a sitting position on the floor.
Lean forward slightly with your
hands on your knees.
Spread your fingers as wide as
they will go. Inhale deeply through
your nose and then open your
mouth wide. Stick your tongue out
and point it down towards the floor.
Exhale deeply, pushing the air out
as hard as you can. As you do this,
make an 'aaaah' sound from deep within. Recover by breathing normally
for a few moments before repeating again up to eight times.
Resonance Breathing
Resonance breathing is a more relaxed
way of controlling your breathing, and is
best done lying down.
Unlike other techniques, the aim is not
to fill or empty your lungs to capacity
but to achieve a gentler and conscious
approach over a longer period of time.
Inhale to the count of six but not to the
point where your lungs are full. Then
exhale gently for another count of six,
making sure that you don't completely
empty your lungs. Do this for ten minutes.
Pursed-Lip Breathing
Pursed lip breathing can increase the
amount of oxygen entering the body
and help get the diaphragm working
more effectively because it keeps the
airways open for longer than normal.
It forces us to take longer and more
intentional breaths and has been
proven to be effective in people with
lung conditions.
Starting in a sitting position, breathe
in deeply through your nose before
exhaling deeply through pursed lips,
as if you were blowing a long kiss to
someone across the room.
Mindfulness Breathing
Mindfulness and its associated
meditation techniques fit
naturally into range of breathing
techniques because it focuses
on the awareness of the breath.
There are various ways of doing
this in a mindful way and most
of them use a cue, either verbal
or in your mind. Breathing in
as you say (or think) the word
'inhale' and conversely 'exhale'
as you breathe out, it forces
us to become mindful of what
we are doing in that moment. It
helps restore brain function by
switching off from stressful or
negative thoughts.
21

feature
Bucket
List
The last few years have helped change our outlook on life.
Creating a bucket list can add purpose and excitement to our lives.
Here are some of the most popular items on people's lists
Travel the world
If anything's going to open your
eyes to the world and give you
new experiences, it's travel.
Moving yourself out of your
comfort zone can be a daunting
experience but travel will reward
you in ways that you never
thought possible.
Preparation is the key and
you'll first want to set yourself
a budget that will allow you
to visit the places on your list.
Next, make sure that all your
travel documents are in order.
Vaccinations will also need
to be up-to-date and if you're
wanting peace of mind, book
your travel way in advance. It's
worth planning your journey
and researching the areas
that you want to visit to avoid
any unexpected fees or travel
problems.
Travelling light will help you
in the long run so only take
essentials to save you the hassle
of lugging heavy luggage.
22
Jump out of a plane
If you want to experience what it's
like to freefall to earth, a skydive is
the only way to do it.
A tandem skydive is the safest way
to do this and many professional
companies around the UK offer
the experience. A tandem jump
means that you will be attached to
a professional instructor so you'll
be in safe hands. You'll also need to
pass some basic medical advisories
in order to go ahead with the jump,
especially if you suffer from asthma.
This is because you'll be subject to
colder air that has slightly reduced
oxygen levels. Your skydiving
company will take you through this
before they will consider you for
jumping.
There are often various packages
available that will allow you to
jump higher - the higher your jump,
the more freefall time you will get
before the parachute is deployed.
After the rush of freefall flight, you
then get several minutes of a gentle
parachute ride to your landing spot.
You will be instructed on how to
land safely, and how to avoid getting
a sprained ankle on landing.
If the thought of actually jumping
out of a moving plane is too much
for you, there are several indoor
skydiving venues in the UK, which
allows you to experience the rush
and excitement of a 120mph freefall
in a vertical wind tunnel.

Run a marathon
Running over 26 miles in one go
takes training, preparation, and
dedication - but therein lies the
challenge.
Completing a marathon is not
something that can be done on
a whim so getting the miles in
months in advance will help get
your body used to enduring long
periods of running.
You'll then need to start a
specific marathon training
regime in the months leading up
to your chosen marathon.
It's also worth starting small
and building slowly. Running a
few shorter races—5Ks, 10Ks, or
even a half marathon—is a great
way to prepare physically and
mentally for a first full marathon.
Do stand up comedy
Perhaps one thing that's likely to terrify
anyone is the thought of standing in front
of an expectant crowd and facing the
challenge of making them laugh.
The best place to start is an open
mic session, which are usually held in
clubs and pubs. It's best to write a script
beforehand to work, even if you are
confident, because it will help with the
your flow, structure, and timing.
Start your own business
If you've ever fancied yourself as a bit of an entrepreneur, you'd think
that with the current cost of living crisis and our economic woes, that this
would be the worst time to set up a business.
But as the sands shift, this is the time when opportunities that weren't
previously there suddenly present themselves. And your business
needn't be a sprawling multi-million pound enterprise - you can start
right here at home.
The first thing you need to
ask yourself is whether you
can offer a solution to people's
problems. Is there a skill you
have or do you have experience
and knowledge that people will
pay for? Whether it's helping
people with their finances or
childcare, or even dog walking,
the possibilities are endless.
Start small and slowly build up
a client base.
Write a book
There's a saying that we've all got a
book in us. And while it's true that we've
all got a story to tell, very few of us
take the time to get our stories down in
words.
Writing a book takes imagination,
patience, and tenacity. Whether it's a
novel, a collection of short stories, or
even a business book, writing your own
book will reward you on so many levels.
Start by deciding what sort of book
you'd like to write. Who would be your
ideal audience? What would be its
purpose?
Gather all your ideas in one place and
create an outline before getting to work on the chapters. You can either
self-publish or approach traditional publishers with your book idea.
See the Northern Lights
The best places to see the
celestial ballet are in any of
the Scandinavian countries
of Norway, Sweden, and
Denmark. Spring and autumn
generally provide more stable
weather conditions and milder
temperatures.
Volunteer
If you want to crank up your feelgood
factor, the most effective way
to achieve it is to volunteer for a good
cause.
Making a positive difference to
people's lives makes the world a
better place but it can also improve
your self-esteem, confidence, and
general well-being. You may also
develop new skills
23

1
2
3
4
here comes the sun
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24

wellbeing
5
6
7
8
5. Liberty water bottle
100% leakproof, this
advanced double-walled
vacuum insulated water
bottle can keep your drinks
cold for up to 24 hours and
hot for up to 12 hours. It also
includes an antimicrobial
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microbes by up to 99.99%.
6. Wooden lounger
Pure relaxation with a touch
of luxury - this garden
lounger is made of sturdy
acacia wood, and thanks to
its beautifully curved shape,
offers a gentle rocking
motion. It's also equipped
with a thickly padded pillow
for extra comfort.
7. Beach bag
Whether you’re heading
to the beach or for a
springtime picnic, this David
Jones Orange Beach Bag
makes a delightful addition
to your day out. Features a
striking, colourful design on
handles and plenty of room
for your goodies.
8. Women's hat
Bucket hats have become
a 'must have' during the
summer months and this
one features a frayed hem
that will not only help keep
you safe from the rays of
the sun but will also keep
your outfit on-trend on hot
days.
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25

Gorau Chwarae
Cyd Chwarae
This summer sees the Women's Football World Cup take place
down under and while Wales won't be there this year, Welsh
women's football is making great strides both on and off the pitch
Despite Wales not featuring in this
year's World Cup, women's football
in Wales has been steadily growing
in popularity and success over the
past few years.
Interest in the sport was piqued
last summer when England's
Lionesses claimed the Euro crown
by whipping Germany 2-1 in the
final in July. The success, following
on from a jubilant summer season
of Jubilee celebrations, sparked a
nationwide hunger for the female
version of the sport.
Women's football in Wales has
a relatively short history. The first
recorded match was played in
1895 between North and South
Wales, but the game did not gain
widespread popularity until much
later. In the 1960s and 1970s, there
were only a few women's football
teams in the country, and the sport
26
wasn't taken seriously.
It wasn't until the 1990s that
women's football began to gain
more attention and support in
Wales. In 1993, the Welsh Football
Association (FAW) formed the first
national team, and in 1996, the
Welsh Premier Women's League
was established.
The early years of the league
were difficult, with only a handful
of teams playing and little funding
available. However, over time,
the league has grown in size and
quality, and the national team has
become more competitive.
The Welsh national team,
nicknamed the Dragons, has made
significant strides in international
competition over the past few years.
One of the key players for the
Welsh national team has been Jess
Fishlock, a standout player for many
years who has played for various
teams around the world, including
Seattle Reign FC and Olympique
Lyonnais.
Like many of other kits found in
Wales, the national team's primary
kit has long been all-red. The crest
of the FAW features a rampant
(facing forward) Welsh Dragon on
a white shield. From 1920 onwards,
the shield was surrounded by a red
border, and the letters 'FAW' were
added in 1926.
In 1951, the badge was redesigned,
adding in a green border with 11
daffodils to represent the players.
A motto was also added: Gorau
Chwarae Cyd Chwarae (The best
play is team play). The message is
woven into the chest of every Wales
shirt and it aims to unite Welsh
players and their fans under a single
banner.

The badge stayed largely
untouched until 2010, when the
shield was changed to feature
rounded sides and the motto
banner was changed from white
to red and green. The dragon also
changed from rampant to rampant
regardant (where the dragon's body
is facing forward but its head facing
backwards, as if looking over its
shoulder). The motto was removed
again in 2019, following another
major redesign of the badge, which
saw the top of the shield flattened
and the sides changed not to
curve outwards; the green border
was also thinned and the daffodils
removed.
The Welsh Premier Women's
League, now known as the Adran
Premier, is the top-tier women's
football league in Wales. As of 2022,
the league is ranked 41st overall
by the UEFA Women's association
club coefficients. This is the way
in which seedings and ratings are
established using algorithms.
The league was established in
2009 and operates on a system
of promotion and relegation, with
the bottom team at the end of
the season being relegated to the
Welsh Premier Women's League
North or South, depending on their
location.
The league is becoming
increasingly competitive and
professional. In recent years, more
teams have been investing in
facilities and coaching, and the
league is attracting more talented
players from Wales and also around
the world.
Some of the most successful
teams in the league include
Swansea City Ladies, Cardiff City
Ladies, and Abergavenny Women.
Swansea City Ladies have won the
Young players are becoming
increasingly inspired by watching
their grown-up counterparts play
Top photo: Ailura
Jess Fishlock playing for Wales in 2015
league six times, while Cardiff City
Ladies have won it twice.
In August 2021, the league
announced a rebranding initiative,
changing the name from 'Welsh
Premier Women's League' to 'Adran
Premier', adopting the Welsh word
adran (division). The rebranding is
claimed as an effort to remove the
word 'Women's' from the league
name to achieve better parity with
the men's game.
Despite the progress made in
recent years, women's football in
Wales still faces several challenges.
One of the biggest challenges is
funding. Many teams and players
struggle to secure the resources
they need to compete at a high
level. The FAW has taken steps to
address this issue, but more needs
to be done.
Another challenge is the lack of
exposure and media coverage
for women's football. The sport
does not receive the same level of
attention as men's football, which
sport
can make it difficult for teams and
players to gain recognition and
support.
However, there are also many
opportunities for women's football
in Wales. The increasing popularity
of the sport globally means
that there is a growing fanbase
and potential for commercial
opportunities. Additionally, the
success of the national team and
the growing professionalism of the
Adran Premier are helping to raise
the profile of women's football in
the country.
In October 2021, the FAW released
its women and girls’ strategy for
2021-2026, with a mission to create
the best environment, support
structures and opportunities to
accelerate the growth of women’s
football, to make it reach its full
potential.
In recent years, Welsh women's
football has witnessed a 50%
increase in participation, with
over 10,000 female players now
registered. Yet the goal is to double
that number and have 20,000
women and girls playing football
by 2026. By ensuring every girl
has the opportunity to be involved
in football, the FAW is aiming to
work with partners across Wales to
guarantee the female game has the
platform to reach its potential.
FAW CEO Noel Mooney said at the
launch of the strategy:
"Women’s football is the fastest
growing sport across Europe and
the biggest area of growth in Welsh
football.
“We have set an ambitious target
in order for us to ensure the game
reaches its full potential; we are
investing more as a percentage
of our turnover into our women’s
programme than any other nation."
27

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How do you clean your ears?
In my years of being a Hearing
Audiologist, I have been told many
stories about what people clean
their ears with - from the everyday
cotton swabs to pens, paperclips,
hair grips, glasses arms, and car
keys. I’m sure nearly everyone is
guilty of sticking something in their
ears they are not supposed to so I’m
going to explain why the old wives
tale ‘nothing smaller than your
elbow’ is so true.
Our ears are designed by nature
to be both self-cleaning and selfprotecting
and that’s why by using
the wrong cleaning methods, you
risk causing injury to the ears,
damaging your hearing, or even
cause infections.
Earwax (also called cerumen) is
necessary for the ear’s self-cleaning
mechanism to work properly.
Earwax is manufactured by glands
in the skin of the outer ear canal, the
hole through which sound travels to
the eardrum. Earwax serves several
important functions. It coats the skin
of the ear canal, repelling water and
helping to protect it against injury
and infection. It also helps to keep
the skin inside the ears from getting
dry and itchy.
In addition, earwax traps dust and
germs, keeping them from reaching
the eardrum. Usually, you don’t
need to do anything to help this
natural cleaning process unless you
suffer from an impaction that may
have to be removed.
Trying to forcibly remove the ear’s
protective wax layer or stop an itch
can damage the delicate skin of the
ear canal or puncture (put a hole
in) the eardrum. This can increase
your risk of infection and lead to a
permanent hearing loss needing
either surgery or a hearing aid to
correct the impairment. So it is
best to leave the inside of your ear
alone and not disturb its natural
environment. This means no cotton
swabs, no fingers and certainly no
sharp objects!
The ear canal is narrow and
curved, consequently some
people are susceptible to getting
blockages of wax, skin, foreign
objects, debris from infection. If a
blockage is present, you may notice
your hearing seems, dull, there may
be a ringing sound in your ears,
your ears may feel full become
itchy or ache. If this is the case, you
will need to have it professionally
removed. Microsuction is renowned
as the most efficient and the safest
way to remove blockages.
It is highly recommended by GPs,
audiologists and ENT consultants.
Microsuction of an ear canal is
performed under direct vision
using a microscope. The ear canal
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iney Hearing Care 02920 250121
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www.vineyhearingcare.co.uk
This is a sponsored feature

the
crossroads
Much of the history of Whitchurch is known to locals. But what
about the unknowns? Nigel Lewis takes an in-depth look
By Nigel Lewis
How many of us know the history
of Whitchurch? Many would know
something of the local stories, and
a few might have explored their
family histories, discovering a little
of the history of our village along
the way.
I’m guessing though, that very few
have had the opportunity to explore
our local history in depth, relying
instead on the well-known books by
Edgar Chappell and Hilary Thomas,
and of course the wonderful old
photographs collected by Steve
Nicholas.
At Whitchurch Library, AWEN run
a lively Reminiscence Group once
a month (new members always
welcome) where we share, swap
and explore our village history.
Over the past few years, we’ve
discovered so much, and realised
we’re only just scratching the
surface!
Over the COVID lockdown, I had an
opportunity to explore some of the
30
history, and started writing a weekly
blog on Facebook, grandly titled
‘101 Things You Probably Didn’t
Know About Whitchurch’.
I wanted to include the whole
of the ancient parish, so the
blogs needed to include not just
the Whitchurch Village that we
know today, but also Rhiwbina,
Tongwynlais, Llandaff North, and
Birchgrove.
Using the local reference books,
documents provided by the
Reminiscence Group and the COVID
internet-only reference points, it
soon became clear that the project
could easily spiral out of control and
end up as ‘1001 Things’ instead!
So, where to start? I’d already
discovered that the oldest tree in
the village is the ancient yew in Old
St Mary’s Gardens which started
growing about 1641 (a year before
the English Civil War started).
Where next? In the census of
1841, I’d found references to ‘The
Crossroads, Whitchurch’. Where
might this be?
It seems that the Crossroads were a
very important spot, located at the
junction of the Merthyr Road and
Ty’n-y-Pwll Road, where the library
now stands. Back then, there was
only one building at the crossroads,
a pair of very small, and very old
thatched cottages, surrounded by
fields.
The sketch opposite shows an
aerial view of how the crossroads
might have looked in 1841 with the
cottages, and Ty’n-y-Pwll Farm just
a few hundred metres away. The
crossroads were clearly ancient,
and would have looked no different
hundreds of years earlier.
The roads would have been dusty
tracks, stone-finished (probably
with lots of ruts and potholes), no
pavements or kerbs, and the grass
verges and hedges would have
been only roughly trimmed, with
occasional gated openings into the
fields. Ancient Elm and Oak trees
would have been growing in the
hedgerows.
The crossroads formed the

oundaries of at least three farms,
Pentwyn, Ty-Clyd and Glannant,
and the individual fields mostly
had names. Where the library now
stands was a Ty-Clyd field called
‘the Ten Acres Cross Road Field’.
Many of the others had Welsh
names.
It’s hard to visualise what the
crossroads would have looked like
then, and there were only two roads
crossing. There was so little, can
you work out what’s missing?
The site of the two thatched
cottages is now Coffi Lab (Jennifer's
Gown Shop as was).
The sketch on the left shows how
the old cottages might have looked
like back then.
In one of the cottages lived the
Richards family. At the time of the
1861 census, William Richards
was 75 years old and he was living
with his wife Anne and daughter
Margaret.
William noted that he was a retired
Chelsea Pensioner. He was old
enough to have fought against
Napoleon in the Peninsular Wars, or
even at the Battle of Waterloo. Does
anyone know about the military
record of William? We’d love to hear.
To add to the fascination of our
local history, in the same census
of 1861, there was another Chelsea
Pensioner family living in the village.
In Lower Village (we’re not quite
sure where), William Badger, aged
52 (from Worcester), was living with
A view of the crossroads in 2008
his wife and seven children.
This William was too young to
have fought alongside William
Richards, but it is intriguing to learn
about his children. His first three,
John, George and James were all
born in Gibraltar. The next, William
was born in the West Indies, and
the next, Joseph in North America.
The youngest two children,
Elizabeth and Caroline were born
in Gloucestershire and Durham. It
would seem that William Badger
took his wife and family with him
wherever he was stationed around
the empire.
history
By 1871, William Badger had left
the area, but his oldest son John
was married with his own 2-yearold
son, living in Sunnybanks. By
1881, John had left the area too and
was living near his parents in Roath.
As a lovely postscript, following
the blog, a member of Badger
family sent us a photograph of a
family heirloom; a brass snuffbox
inscribed with the Badger name.
Another jigsaw piece to explore
another time.
Nigel Lewis is a member of AWEN@
thelibrary (awen.cymru@gmail.com)
31

the power of sleep
The lengthening days can tempt
us to stay up late and get up early.
Yet sleep is vital for the health of our
minds and bodies
Heart health
A recent study in the US showed that
short sleepers had a 25% greater risk
of having poor cardiovascular health.
Those with obstructed sleep apnea
experienced a more than 200%
greater chance of poor heart health
than those who slept longer.
Although poor sleep doesn't
directly cause heart disease, it does
increase our chances of poor life
decisions (diet, lifestyle etc) that can
affect our long-term health and our
mortality. It is for that reason, sleep is
now being added to the list of other
heart-healthy factors, such as diet
and exercise by medical experts.
32
Improved moods
The short-term effect of
not getting enough sleep is
irritability and less patience. This
can have a negative effect on
our day-to-day routines and also
our relationships with colleagues
and loved ones.
On a long-term scale, sleep
deprivation can lead to
depression, anxiety, and mental
distress. This in turn, adds to
stress levels, creating a negative
cycle of emotions and feelings.
Getting a good amount of sleep
will restore your energy levels,
allowing you to get up in the
morning and get through the
day. Prioritising sleep is often the
first step in taking back control of
your life.
Blood sugar levels
Insulin is the hormone that helps
sugar (glucose) into our cells,
which they use for energy. Your
body's insulin levels are kept in
check while you sleep. Even lack
of sleep over one night increases
insulin resistance, which can in
turn increase blood sugar levels.
This is because blood sugar
levels surge while you sleep,
usually around 4am to 8am for
a healthy person with a normal
sleep schedule. Insulin deals
with this surge by telling muscle,
fat, and liver cells to absorb the
glucose from the blood, keeping
your sugar levels normal.
Getting less than seven hours
of sleep at night means that you
are at an increased risk for Type 2
diabetes.

Mental ability
Getting enough quality sleep is
believed to help with memory
function and cognitive thinking.
The reason for this is because it
allows the brain to grow, reorder
itself, restructure if necessary,
and create neural connections.
Memories are also developed
during the sleep process.
Medium-term lack of sleep, even
as little as one week, will start
to affect your physical abilities,
including your response reflex.
Everyday actions such as driving,
can therefore become riskier
with the less sleep you have.
Immune system restoration
Studies over many decades have shown
that sleep contributes both to the
protection from illness, and to the recovery
of it if we do get ill. This is because your
body has two levels of immunity: the innate
and the acquired immune systems.
The innate system is your first line of
defence, seeking out anything that doesn't
belong in your body and destroying it.
Your acquired immune system is more
advanced in that it recognises pathogens
(the baddies) and specifically targets
them for destruction. Not only that, but it
remembers them for the next time they try
and invade. This ‘immunological memory'
is the reason why you don't get viruses like
chicken pox more than once.
Sleep restores your immune system to
optimal levels to help protect you.
health
Stress levels
Stress and sleep are two uneasy
bedfellows which are closely linked and
have a knock-on effect on each other.
Lack of sleep can increase levels of
agitation but it also has an effect at
a cellular level - poor sleep quality
and sleep deprivation are thought to
influence stress-related parameters,
including our cortisol levels. Cortisol is
released by our bodies when we are
stressed and sleep can help balance it.
Skin replenishing
While we sleep, our body naturally
replenishes our skin's moisture levels. Any
excess hydration is mostly processed for
removal.
Collagen is also crucial for keeping your
skin plump and smooth. During sleep,
your body generates collagen to help
keep your skin tight and elasticated.
Collagen production while you sleep also
provides benefits to your hair and nails,
giving them strength and shine.
Getting your beauty sleep really is a
thing!
Weight loss
Sleep is often the last thing that comes
to mind when you're looking to lose
weight. But getting a good night's
sleep is crucial to weight loss and it's
all down to a bit of chemistry.
As we sleep, our bodies naturally
produces more of an appetite
suppressor called leptin, reducing
production of the appetite stimulant
ghrelin at the same time. Lack of sleep
reverses this - increasing production of
ghrelin while leptin decreases. Makes
sense to stay in bed now, doesn't it?
Live longer
In 2018, researchers found that
those who slept between seven
to eight and a half hours (but not
less than seven hours or more
than nine hours) could expect to
have one to three more years of
longer, healthier lives.
This is most likely down to the
relationship between sleep and
other bodily processes that are
affected during sleep.
Oversleeping (more than
9 hours in a 24 hour period)
regularly can also have a
detrimental effect on your health.
33

gardens
Grow your own
Growing your own food can be a fun and rewarding experience and
it doesn't require a lot of space or expertise either. Here are some fruit
and vegetables that you can grow over the next few months
Peppers
Peppers are best grown in a greenhouse
if you have one but they can be planted
outdoors, providing that they are in a
sunny spot, sheltered from any wind.
Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours
of sunlight a day, and make sure the soil is
well-drained.
If you're starting from seeds, sow them
indoors 8-10 weeks before your last frost
date. Keep the soil moist and warm.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most popular
foods you can grow at home, mainly
because they are so simple to nurture. All
you need is a seed tray, an 18-inch pot, a
bag of tomato compost and some tomato
seeds.
May is an ideal time to plant tomatoes as
the frosts will have passed and the earth
will have had time to warm. Placing them
in the sunniest spot you have will give you
the best chance of a bumper crop.
Melon
One of summer's greatest
pleasures is biting into a juicy
slice of cool melon on a searing
hot day.
Watermelons need plenty of
heat to grow to full size and
because they also need a good
amount of time, you'll need to
start the process as early as you
can.
Provide ongoing support for
the plants as watermelon vines
can become heavy. You can
use trellises, stakes, or cages to
support the vines and you'll also
need to water them regularly as
they grow.
You can harvest the
watermelons when they are
ripe. You can tell when a water
melon is ready to be harvested
as it should sound hollow when
tapped and have a dull surface.
Cucumber
Cucumbers are climbing plants and as such, they will need support when
growing, either in a greenhouse, or in a sunny spot outdoors. Greenhouse
cucumbers tend to fruit earlier than their garden counterparts and if you
want to grow them outdoors, choose a warm, sheltered, sunny site with
fertile soil. Remove any weeds and dig in two bucketfuls of well-rotted
organic matter before planting.
There are many varieties that you can choose from, the smaller ones
producing more crop more quickly than the larger versions.
34

Greens
There are plenty of choices
when it comes to growing
greens. From kale and cabbage,
there are also greens more
suited to summer such as rocket
or spinach.
Greens can be harvested
when the leaves are young and
tender. Pick the outer leaves
first, leaving the inner leaves to
continue growing. Most greens
can be harvested multiple times throughout the growing season.
Peas
Peas are one of the easier vegetables
to grow. They prefer full sunlight and
you will need to make a trench about
two inches deep. Sow the seeds about
two inches apart, and cover them with
soil. Space the rows about 18-24 inches
apart.
Peas will need support as they grow.
Use a trellis, stakes, or netting to keep
the plants off the ground and help them
climb.
Corn
Corn prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Choose a
location in your garden that gets full sun and has good air circulation.
When it comes to planting, corn should be planted in rows with a
spacing of 30-36 inches between rows and 8-12 inches between plants.
Plant the corn seeds 1-2 inches deep in the soil. Water consistently to
encourage deep root growth. You will know when your corn is ready for
harvest when the kernels are plump and the husks are brown and dry.
Sweet potatoes
Growing sweet potatoes requires
a warm climate, well-drained soil,
and good dollops of sunlight.
Sweet potato slips are small
rooted sections of sweet potato
vine and you can either buy these
from your local garden centre,
or you can grow your own by
placing a sweet potato in a jar of
water until it sprouts roots and
shoots. Plant the slips in wellprepared
soil, spacing them 12-18
inches apart and burying them
up to the first set of leaves.
Water your sweet potato plants
regularly, especially during dry
periods in the summer but avoid
over-watering them. Fertilise with
a balanced fertilizer every 4-6
weeks.
Your potatoes will be ready to
harvest when the leaves turn
yellow and begin to wither.
35

THE RETURN
Lulled by winter chill
and light curtailed,
we don't recall the toll
of quick befrilling slug and snail
But now the thug of trail
-and toilreturns
(The tell-tale spiral, unshod shell;
a 'keely' early caught)
A cull is mooted;
brutal!
Perhaps a shoot;
disputed!
Called by daffodils
and camomile,
- and lone-consoling rain-
The gardeners' spring travails
begin
In earnest
(gastropods are versatile)
As inestimable mouths
avail themselves of our morale,
and all our summer plans
annul.
Nigel Phillips
Whitchurch
36
Seasonal
Poems
OUR FALLEN FRIEND
For decades rooted in our celtic soul
Listening to secret woodland whispers
Watching generations wander through the bluebells
We wondered at your might
But still you stood
Remained our constant
Strong, unyielding
Where children elfin like, their laughter crisp, their boots deep in
your leaves
Would peep and hide beneath your trunk
And gaze upwards toward
Your twisted branches
Reaching to the sky
There you remained
Your age unknown
A landmark, a forever place
Unchanged by time
Unmoved by storms
You stood steadfast
Sheltering us
Sharing the hope that we can face the Winds of time, can still endure
Until today
When you lie fallen
I catch my breath
I weep for you
My fallen Wenallt friend
And all who shared your wonder
Claire Erasmus
Rhiwbina

poetry
Poems penned by the local community
BLUEBELLS BOWED THEIR HEADS
I walked here, in ‘Fforest Ganol’ Woods,
Before much of life had happened to me.
Normally, hand in hand, with a teenage love
Branches tangled above our careless heads
Trying not to tread on the ringing Bluebell carpet
That grew there then, and still does today,
A perfect illustration of Wordsworth’s line
‘Splendour in the grass. Glory in the flower’
And how nothing could, and can ever, regain
The mindless moments of our younger times
When all we sought was simple sweetness
On the cusp between ‘Innocence and Experience’
Moving from childhood ‘crush’, carrying her books
To proper passion growing, like a loving bruise
For all to see. Mindful maturity. Or its beginnings.
And in this Midsummer Night’s Dream
Of a Springtime place, we strolled arm in arm
Hopeful and harmless. ‘Love’s young dream’
Scheming and plotting our Saturday night
At ‘The Monico Cinema’. Eating sweets
And unwrapping our hearts. But beginning
To feel the chill winds of changes coming,
As ticking Trickster time toyed with us,
And our perfect rhyme became blank verse
As terse chronology and hour-glass sand
Dictated to us, ever more insistently,
And eventually, as night follows day
Took me away to where new flowers bloomed
In flat, Cambridge meadows, as yet unseen.
To stretch, in Summer grass, with brand new lovers.
While, in the familiar fields
Beneath old our familiar trees
Bluebells bowed their heads
And returned, at last, to earth.
HERE IN THIS
GARDEN
Here in this garden the pleasant
sunlight rays
Fall on blooms that hang from
ancient wall
And gently flow into a coloured
maze
There scents to creatures reach
that heed its call,
How I like them I am when within
your gaze
As under your charm I quickly fall
And voices turn into a murmured
haze
So great it does my soul enthrall,
And so it has been for many days
As do I walk from hall to hall
Though would I for you presence
praise
And wish of your time so ever
small,
So do I miss thee that my heart
does ache
And would I willingly your hand
to take.
David W Morris
Llandaff North
Roger Stennett
37

ooks
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your
average woman. In fact, Elizabeth
Zott would be the first to point out
that there is no such thing.
But it's the early 1960s and her
all-male team at Hastings Research
Institute take a very unscientific view
of equality. Forced to resign, she
reluctantly signs on as the host of a
cooking show, Supper at Six. But her
revolutionary approach to cooking,
fuelled by scientific and rational
commentary, grabs the attention of a
nation.
Soon, a legion of overlooked
housewives find themselves daring
to change the status quo. One
molecule at a time.
This multi-million copy best-seller is
the Winner of the Goodreads Choice
Best Debut Novel Award and has
been read on BBC Radio 4's Book at
Bedtime.
SPRINGbooks
If you're looking for engaging books to read
while you sit in the sun, here's our handpicked
selection for this season
BLOOM
A beautifully written, incredibly
original and wickedly funny novel
for listeners of 10 and older -
Bloom is for everyone who has
ever felt like they didn’t fit in and
for anyone who has ever wanted a
little more colour and wildness in
their lives
BEFORE WE WERE INNOCENT
A summer in Greece for three best friends
ends in the unthinkable when only two return
home in this new novel from Ella Berman.
'Before We Were Innocent takes a scenario
we’ve seen in news reports—young women
abroad falsely accused of a horrific crime—and
gives it all the nuance and empathy that the
media never bothered with...a haunting and
dazzling page-turner.' Laura Hankin
OTHERLANDS
From Ice Age
Alaska to the
birthplace
of humanity,
palaeobiologist
Thomas Halliday
takes his readers
on a dazzling
tour of deep
time to witness
astounding
ancient
landscapes
from all seven
continents
around the globe.
THE LILAC GIRLS OF
RAVENSBRÜCK
New York socialite Caroline
Ferriday has her hands full
with her post at the French
consulate and a new love on
the horizon. But Caroline's
world is forever changed
when Hitler's army invades
Poland in September 1939-
and then sets its sights on
France.
Rich with historical detail
and riveting to the end,
Lilac Girls weaves the
lives of three astonishing
women into a story of
extraordinary moral power.
38

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Rhys ab Owen AS/MS
Canol De Cymru / South Wales Central
Yma i chi - Here for you
If you need help or further
information, contact:
66 Leckwith Road, Canton, Cardiff,
CF11 8AP Telephone: 0300 200 7220
Email: rhys.abowen@senedd.wales
Os oes angen cymorth neu ragor o
wybodaeth arnoch, cysylltwch â:
66 Heol Leckwith, Treganna, Caerdydd,
CF11 8AP Ffôn ar: 0300 200 7220
E-bost: rhys.abowen@senedd.cymru
The cost of this publication have been met by the Senedd
Commission from public funds. Talwyd costau’r cyhoeddiad hwn
gan Gomisiwn y Senedd, o gronfeydd Cyhoeddus.

A Beautiful Mess
When Lauren makes a routine visit to see her mother at the care home, little does
she know that the turn of events that unfold will reveal a shocking family secret
"I want to go home now. Can you
take me home?"
"You know I can't take you home
Mam. Why don't you come away
from that window and have a cup
of tea? I'll get the nice man to make
one for you."
"He'll be here soon."
"Who?"
Mam never answered. She just
continued to peer out of the
second-floor window, down on to
the car park below. Lauren had long
given up trying to get her mother
to sit still. Ever since she'd arrived
at Springmeadows Nursing Home
two years ago, Mam had taken to
standing at the window for hours on
end.
Endlessly waiting.
Lauren shifted to get comfy on
Mam's bed and reopened the TV
Weekly she'd been reading. Mam
finally turned from the window but
as soon as her gaze had broken
away from the slow evening scene
outside, there was a growl of an
engine and a squeak of car brakes.
Mam spun around quickly and
darted back to the vista.
"Damn. It not him," she quipped.
“He said he'd come for me soon."
"So you keep saying, Mam. There's
no Emmerdale tonight, by the way.
There's football on instead."
Mam gave up, shuffled across the
wooden floor and lowered herself
slowly into her little-used arm chair.
"Bloody football. That's all there
ever is on telly. Stupid bloody
game."
"Dad used to love it."
"Tell me about it," said Mam. "That's
all I ever heard about. That's one
thing I don't miss."
"Football?" asked Lauren.
"The constant conversations about
it. Like I was bloody interested!
Anyway. He'll be here soon. It's
been a lonely six years."
Lauren looked up from the TV
listings.
"Dad died seven years ago, Mam."
Mam looked a little confused and
then looked down at her crinkled
fingers in her lap. Lauren laid the
magazine on the bed and stood up.
"I'm going to get you a cup of tea
before I go. Richard will be picking
me up soon."
40
__
Lauren made her way to the kitchen
down the corridor, where she found
Pete, the nurse. He had a kind face
and a chapel-grey voice that would
wrap its arms around you and give
you a big squeezy hug when you
needed it most.
"Am I able to get Mam a cup of
tea?" asked Lauren.
"Yes, of course. Do you want one?"
"I've got time for a last cup of tea
with her. A quick one though. I need
to be going soon. It's getting late."
Lauren paused for a moment,
looking concerned.
"What are we going to do about
Mam?"
Pete set about making two cups of
tea while they spoke.
"What do you mean?"
"About the fact that she's always at
the window. Waiting."
"I know. Nothing seems to have
changed since the last time we
spoke about it. I think it's just one of
those things."
"Are you able to get her some
different books from the library
downstairs? I think she's lost the
plot. She's reading too much of
that Mills & Boon rubbish. She
used to love a good ol' Catherine
Cookson book before she got into
that saccharine happily-ever after
nonsense. Or maybe they've got
some Agatha Christie down there?
A good old murder mystery might
distract her from standing at the
window all day."
"I'll take a look for you."
"Do you think it's dementia?"
"I'm not so sure. It doesn't really fit
with dementia. We found her at the
window the other night and it took
us a while to get her back to bed."
"Who is she waiting for? Has she
ever said?"
"No idea. Whenever a car or van
pulls up outside, she's there at the
window," said Pete.
"You won't let her wander off
will you? Knowing her, she's
probably met some fancy man on
the internet. I don't want any old
stranger turning up and taking her
away."
"I wouldn't worry. I don't think
she even knows what the internet
is. And our security is top notch.
It's like Fort Knox down there. We
don't let anyone in and we don't let
anyone out unless we say so!"
Pete finished making the two cups
of tea and held them out to Lauren.
"Here you go."
__
"I've got a cup of tea here for you."
Lauren found Mam back at the
window.
"I never asked for one," Mam
snapped without dropping her gaze.
Lauren sighed. She couldn't win.
She placed the two cups of tea
down on the bedside table and
resumed her place on the bed.
"I've asked Pete to get you some
new books from the library," she
said, picking up one of Mam's Mills
& Boon books. She looked it over,
almost with disgust.
"I'm enjoying the ones I've got,
thank you."
"They're not healthy for you.
They're not real life."
"They take me back to my happy
days," said Mam. Lauren took a
look at the man on the front cover.
The illustration of the man, shirt
unbuttoned to the waist, stood over
a pretty woman, looking helplessly
up at him. Lauren couldn't imagine
Dad in such dashing pose. Lauren
read the title out aloud.
"A Beautiful Mess."
Mam peered out of the window.
"It was a beautiful mess," said Mam.
"I just fell in love," she muttered.
"So you keep telling us."
"I didn't mean to fall in love. It just
happened."
"Happens to us all," Lauren sighed.
"We never existed in the real
world," said Mam. There was a slight
smile on her face. Her mind was
miles away.
"We'd go for walks. Long, endless
walks. And then we'd stop and kiss.
And those kisses - boy - the world
would melt away. It'd just be us and
the stars."
"You said Dad was a rubbish kisser."
Mam turned and looked at Lauren.
"I'm not taking about your father."
Lauren's head jolted back slightly.
"I don't think Dad would have been
happy with that, Mam."
Mam smiled.

"He had no idea."
As Mam looked longingly out of
the window once more, Lauren
scooped up the books and quietly
slipped them into her tote bag and
stood up.
"I need to get going. Richard's on
his way - he's waiting to go golfing.
I'll come and see you tomorrow."
Mam turned around with a wry
smile on her face. Then she
returned her eyes to the
disappearing day outside.
__
It was just a short walk for Lauren
from the main entrance of the
nursing home to Richard's car,
where he sat waiting. Lauren
stopped and looked up at Mam's
window. She was there - of course
she was there - and she gave a little
wave.
The evenings were getting
noticeably brighter now. The deep
blue hue that saturated the car park
comforted Lauren. Warmer, longer,
and easier days were on their way.
A blackbird hopped up on to the
picket fence and let out a short
flute-like song. It quickly glanced
at Lauren and then dashed off into
the nearby bushes. Lauren inhaled
a chestful of the clean spring air,
thanked the blackbird for his song,
and got into her husband's car.
__
At first, Lauren couldn't figure out
which phone was ringing. She lifted
her head off her pillow and caught
sight of her mobile phone buzzing
on her bedside table. She reached
over and groggily answered.
"Hi. Lauren. It's Pete. I'm so sorry
to bother you. Can you come to the
home?"
"What's happened?"
"I'd rather tell you face to face."
"Pete. I can't do suspense. Just tell
me now. What's happened?"
Pete paused. "She's gone."
"What do you mean gone? Gone
where? Who took her?"
"No. I mean she's gone. She's
passed."
Lauren couldn't compute the
words that she'd just heard.
"Dead?"
"I'm so, so sorry," said Pete.
There was a pause as Lauren tried
to articulate the thoughts that were
thumping around her head.
"Are you still there?" asked Pete.
"Yes. Erm...just thinking
practicalities. Richard's been
drinking." She looked at him snoring,
oblivious to the awful news.
"Shall I come pick you up?" asked
Pete. "You're not too far away."
Lauren thought for a moment.
"Erm. No. It's ok. I'll wait until first
light. I'll get a taxi down. There's
nothing I can do by being there.
Thank you."
"They'll have taken her by then."
Lauren sighed. She thought back
to the wave she'd got from the
window just a few hours earlier.
"That's ok."
__
Lauren was sat on Mam's bed. She
could hear the blackbird's morning
song outside and the room was
quiet and still.
Pete was stood in the doorway. His
cheery face looked sullen.
"I just can't believe it," said Lauren,
clutching Mam's cardigan.
"We can't either. Are you ok?"
"I'm not sure."
"Sorry. Stupid question. Take as
long as you want. There's no rush.
I'll be in the room next door if you
need me."
"Thank you."
Pete turned but stopped.
"Oh. She was clutching this when
we found her. We thought you'd
want it back for the family album."
Pete gently waved a thin, long strip
of black and white photo booth
photos at her.
"Thanks."
"I'll just pop it down here." Pete
leaned forward and placed the
photographs on Mam's bedside
table. Lauren stood and went to the
window, where Mam has spent so
many hours. She tried to imagine
the things that Mam would have
been thinking.
There was a sudden squeak of
car brakes and Lauren instinctively
looked down. The postman got out
of his van and went around to the
back to open his doors. Though it
felt like it, life hadn’t stopped.
Lauren came away from the
window and looked down at the
book on the bedside table. A
contraband Mills & Boon special.
She picked it up and scrunched up
her mouth at it.
"So he never came after all? Even
imaginary men are a let-down."
She put the book back down and
looked around the room. There was
a vase of plastic flowers; a bottle
of unopened face cream; the TV
Weekly, still open on the previous
day's listings, and with Mam's
favourite shows circled.
Lauren slumped onto the bed. She
picked up Mam's pillow and put her
face in it. She took a long inhale and
then placed the pillow back. Then
short story
she picked up the photo that Pete
had placed there. She held it up to
her face.
Her eyebrows dropped. The corner
of her mouth skewed. And then she
let out an audible gasp.
She put her hand to her mouth for
a few moments. Then looked for
Pete.
"Pete!" she called out. There was
no immediate answer.
"Peter!" Pete appeared in the
doorway.
"You ok?"
Lauren held the strip of photos up
to show him.
"Who is this man?"
"Your father, isn't it?"
Lauren looked at the photo again.
"No. Absolutely not!"
Pete moved in closer.
"Well who is it?" he asked.
"That's what I'm asking you!"
Pete sat on the bed next to Lauren
and together, they sat in silence,
studying the photos.
The strip contained three photo
booth photos. Mum was clearly
sitting on this man's lap and in
the first photo, they were staring
directly into the camera together.
The second photo, Mam was
looking adoringly at the stranger
who was still smiling at the camera.
And in the final one, they were
kissing. A moment in time, captured
forever.
"She looks so happy," murmured
Pete.
"Almost too happy," said Lauren.
She had never seen her mother
look so happy and radiant. Never
seen her so content. So in love.
And there was a look in Mam's eye.
Lauren recognised it instantly. It
was the same look she herself had
when she had fallen in love with
someone she shouldn't have.
"Did you read the note?"
"What note?"
Pete pointed at a piece of paper
that was lying next to the Mills &
Boon book.
She took it and unfolded it. It was
unmistakably Mam's writing. Lauren
recognised the beautiful swirls and
elegant lines. And for once, it was
written with total clarity, like she
used to, back in the day.
Lauren read out what was written:
"He's here! He's here! He's finally
here!"
Lauren sat in silence for a few
moments and glanced at the photo.
Then she turned to Pete.
"So he was real," she said quietly.
"And he did come for her."
By Patric Morgan
41

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Current Year 5 pupils are invited to
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A Spring
outdoors
In Your Step
With the arrival of the warmer weather, here's a short walk around
Caerphilly Mountain to clear your head and stretch your legs
Head to the back of the car
park where you will find a
forest track. The waymarkers
will lead you up the hill and when
you reach a T-junction, head left
towards Mynydd Rudry. You will
continue up through the forest and
eventually arrive on the edge of
Rudry Common.
There is a path to the right of the
woodland. Head up this path – it
will take you across the common
and up to the car park. Pass
through the car park, crossing the
road and heading up the hill and
up the old road. Keep on going,
passing Caerphilly Woodlands and
remembering to close the gate in
the road. You will see ancient beech
trees here.
Make your way to Cefn Onn Farm
and twenty metres or so after the
farm, turn right at the bridleway
crossroads to join the Rhymney
Valley Ridgeway Walk. Follow the
track, turning right at the waymarker
and then turn left at the next
one. The path takes you around a
limestone quarry. Continue into the
wood of beech trees, looking out
for an old lime kiln. The final gate
you will come to will take you past
the derelict Blaen Nofydd Farm and
on to the main road.
Carefully cross the road to Pant
y Gollen and look out for the
signposted bridleway. You will see
the Travellers Rest pub across the
road. Take care crossing the road if
you decide to take a rest here.
Continue on the bridleway, passing
Cefn Carnau Fach as far as the
finger post. Follow the direction for
Rhiwbina, passing through the golf
course but staying on the track.
Exit the track when it dips to the
left near the Private Access sign.
Head straight ahead, along the
perimeter of the golf course and
on into the wood. You will enter a
small wooded valley via a gate and
footbridge.
When you reach the bridle gate,
head right up the steep hill and
follow the waymarked route until
you reach the pedestrian access
gates. Should you need to take a
break, the Black Cock Inn is well
signposted from here.
Turn right from the pub along
Black Brook Road up to the
entrance to Tyn y Coed Cae House.
Follow the track until you turn left
through a series of gates and where
you reach the road.
Continue up the hill until you reach
a cleared track on the common.
The track runs alongside the road
and will bring you to the junction
with Watford Road. Cars can come
along here at speed so please look
out for traffic.
Cross over the road and pass
through the two rocks and you will
now find yourself on Caerphilly
Common. Take an immediate right
and the path will take you up to
another path on the left that will
lead to the summit. From here, you
will be afforded fabulous views in
all directions. Continue on the ridge
towards the snack bar. The path
leads from the rear of the car park
behind the Caerphilly Common
sign.
Keep left but beware of the quarry
edge. The route is marked and
soon the path heads into woodland.
The path soon drops down into a
wooded valley.
The path eventually joins forestry
tracks but stay on the main track
leading downhill. You will pass
through the gateway and pass a
red-bricked house on the way to
Wern Ddu.
Join the minor road and head
straight on, passing a house with
wagon wheel gates, over a railway
bridge and passing a timber yard.
A narrow lane will open up onto
the road junction so take care here.
Head over the main road and turn
right towards Rudry. Continue to
the end of the pavement and you
will find yourself back at Caerphilly
Woodlands car park.
43

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We comply with current legislation; we are waste
management registered and have public liability insurance.
House Clearance Specialists
www.houseclearancecardiff.com
Contact: Jan Richards
T: 02920 692704 M: 07715 622406
E: janrichards4@hotmail.co.uk
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Sponsored feature
The Whitchurch Clinic
celebrates 10 years of
award-winning service
The Whitchurch Clinic, located in the heart of
Whitchurch village, has recently celebrated 10 years
of business. The award-winning clinic first opened
its doors in 2013, and has gone on to become a firm
favourite in Cardiff.
Clinic Director
Andrea Howell told
Whitchurch and
Llandaff Living:
"We're proud to be
celebrating 10 years of
The Whitchurch Clinic
and helping people in
the local community.
We wanted to extend
a huge thank you
to those who have
supported the clinic
through the years."
From small
beginnings as a sole
chiropractor, the clinic
now welcomes a
wide range of practitioners including sports massage,
mental health practitioners, medical consultants,
chiropody and audiology.
The team celebrated 10 years with a happy gettogether
at the clinic on Merthyr Road. They are also
pledging its ongoing support to a national charity, in
memory of Andrea's uncle Trefor.
"Our 2023 charity raffle supports Parkinson's UK as
our chosen charity this year. Tickets can be purchased
at the clinic or online (check our social media for the
charity Paypal page). Prizes include an Overnight VW
Camper Stay, a one-hour sports massage, a pamper
hamper, a make-up makeover, plus lots more goodies
that will bring a smile to your face," added Andrea.
Become a
published author
● Coaching
● Book editing
● Ghostwriting
● Memoirs
● Business books
● Novels
www.patricmorgan.com
07772 081775
A: 2 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1DG
T: 02920 617700
W: www.thewhitchurchclinic.co.uk

King
of
the
grill
BBQ season is upon us. Time to dig out the barby, don the chef's apron,
throw on the charcoal, and fire up a feast for friends and family
BBQ Sticky
Sausage Kebabs
with Lemon
Potatoes
300g new potatoes
6 pork sausages, cut in half
1 small red onion, cut into 12 pieces
1 red pepper, cut into 12 pieces
6 streaky bacon rashers, cut in half
6 rosemary sprigs (with all but the top leaves
removed)
smoky barbecue marinade
1 tbsp olive oil
a knob of butter
zest and juice of ½ lemon
a handful of fresh parsley leaves, chopped
☐ Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and
cook the new potatoes for 15 minutes or until
they are tender.
☐ Meanwhile, thread the halves of the
sausages, onion, pepper and bacon onto
rosemary sprigs and brush with smoky
barbecue marinade.
☐ Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan (or light/
preheat the barbecue) and cook or barbecue
for 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the
sausages are cooked through and the veg is
chargrilled.
☐ When the potatoes are cooked, drain and
crush with a fork.
☐ Stir in butter, seasoning, the lemon zest and
juice, and a handful of fresh parsley.
☐ Serve the kebabs with the lemon potatoes
and condiments of your choice.
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BBQ
Aubergines
3 large (about 1kg) aubergines
100ml olive oil
For the chermoula
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1½ tsp sweet paprika
Good pinch of saffron strands
2 tsp harissa paste
1 tbsp lemon juice
20g fresh coriander leaves, plus extra
to garnish
20g fresh mint leaves
120ml extra-virgin olive oil
☐ Cut the aubergines lengthways into
1cm-thick slices. Sprinkle with salt,
layer in a colander and set aside to
drain for 40 minutes.
☐ Meanwhile, make the chermoula.
Put the garlic, spices, harissa, lemon
juice, herbs and 4 tablespoons of oil
into a processor with a pinch of salt.
Blend to a paste and stir in enough of
the remaining oil to make a sauce.
☐ Preheat your barbecue in the
usual way until it reaches the correct
temperature. Bear in mind that you
may have to adjust the cooking time
slightly depending on how hot your
barbecue is or how near the heat
source the food is placed.
☐ Pat the aubergines dry with kitchen
paper. In batches, brush with oil and
food
barbecue over a medium heat for 5-6
minutes each side, until golden. Wrap
your cooked slices in foil to retain their
heat while you cook the remaining
slices.
☐ Place the aubergine slices on
a serving dish, drizzle with the
chermoula and sprinkle with the
coriander leaves to garnish.
Ginger &
honey chicken
wings
24 chicken wings
5 spring onions
1 fresh red chilli
5 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cm piece of ginger
5 sprigs of fresh thyme
ginger and honey marinade
☐ Clean, trim, and finely slice the
spring onions and chilli. Place them in
a bowl along with the honey and the
soy sauce. Peel the ginger and then
grate into the mix. Add in the thyme
leaves and mix thoroughly.
☐ Place the chicken wings into
a wide but shallow dish. Brush the
marinade over the wings, cover and
place in the fridge. Leave for 24 hours
to marinade.
☐ Cook the wings on a hot barbecue
or griddle pan for 15 to 20 minutes,
or until dark and the juices run
clear, turning often. If cooking on a
griddle, finish the wings in the oven
at 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4 for 10 to 15
minutes to make sure they’re cooked
through.
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