Vale Life Spring 2013

TH E VA L E O F GL A M O R G A N’S PR E M I E R L I F E S T Y L E MA G A Z I N E

VALE LIFEP R O U D T O B E I N D E P E N D E N T

SPRING 2013 PRICELESS

RESTAURANT REVIEWS, WHAT’S ON, BUSINESS, SHOPPING

THERE’S MORE ONLINE

WWW.VALELIFE.CO.UK

PLUS ART, MUSIC, STYLE,HEALTH, HOMES AND MUCH MORE

GORGEOUS SPRING FASHION, FABULOUS PHOTOSHOOTS

INTERIORS, FOOD AND MUCH MORE

SPRING IS HERE!

One of our lovely lady readers once told me, “It isn’t officially Spring until Vale Life is out.”It’s funny that, because that’s just how the teamhere at Vale Life feel. When I say team, I meanthe three of us. Readers are often surprised whenthey hear that it takes only three people to putVale Life together but it’s true.

The majority of what you seeis written, photographed anddesigned by three people.Before you ask, “Why don’tyou employ others to helpyou out?” We would dearlylove to but, as anyone inbusiness in these trying timeswill attest, you have to keepoverheads low. So we marchonwards and upwards withour four lovely lifestylemagazines: Vale Life, City Life,Valleys Life and West Life tobring you, what we hope are,the very highest qualitypublications - full of readablearticles about the interestingpeople behind the businesseswe feature.

Being no spring chickens, we feelwe generally need less sleep so,to ensure more burning of themidnight oil, we’re launching anew business-to-businessmagazine this June, entitled InBusiness.

When you love what you do nojob is a hardship, but weunderstand the difficulties facingour independent businesses inour towns and villages across theVale Of Glamorgan. If we don’tsupport the independents, we’llget the towns and villages thatwe deserve i.e. ones that are fullof coffee shops and charityshops. Not that I don’t succumbto the odd skinny latte, but Iwouldn’t want to see any moreindependents shut up shop.

So I urge you, all you lovely ValeLife readers - support your localindependent shopkeepers andspend what you can to help keepthem in business and our highstreets independent.

Have a lovely spring - we’ll seeyou again in the summer.

Jennifer Hobbs-Roberts [email protected]

THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN’SPREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

EditorJENNIFER HOBBS-ROBERTS

[email protected]❧

Creative DirectorMARK [email protected]

❧Studio

PAUL [email protected]

❧Vale Life

Cardiff House, Cardiff Road Vale of Glamorgan CF63 2AW

❧

www.valelife.co.uk❧

0845 130 6452

© Copyright Vale Life 2013. All rights reserved.Nothing in this magazine (including adverts) maybe reproduced in any shape or form (in whole orpart) without the express written permission ofthe publishers. We take breach of copyright andtheft of intellectual property extremely seriouslyand will sue at the drop of a croissant. You havebeen warned (nicely); ignorance is no excuse.

Passionate about the ValeWe are independent. We live in the Vale. We are

not a large publishing group pretending to behome grown. Vale Life magazine is written,

designed and produced in the Vale of Glamorganfor the people of the Vale.

Our philosophyWe are committed to quality. This quote by

William Foster pretty much sums up our thinking.“Quality is never an accident; it is always the

result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligentdirection and skillful execution; it represents the

wise choice of many alternatives.”

Important you read thisWe have made every effort to ensure that all

information contained in Vale Life or onwww.valelife.co.uk is correct and accurate.

However, we accept no responsibility for anyerrors or omissions and can offer no

compensation should we get it wrong. Pleasenote that the opinions, thoughts, views or ideasexpressed in articles contained in Vale Life are

strictly those of the authors.

Caveat emptorAll advertisers have supplied their own copy (and

in some cases artwork), and therefore Vale Lifecannot accept any responsibility for disputes

between advertisers and their customers. Caveat emptor - let the buyer beware.

SubscriptionsTo guarantee your copy of Vale Life magazine,please send a cheque for £20.00 (four issues)

made payable to Vale Life. Visitwww.valelife.co.uk for special subscriber

discounts and special offers.

Missed the last issue?We hold a small number of each issue in stock soif you do need a pristine copy, please telephone

us or email [email protected]. Hopefullywe’ll have the issue you want (but we cannot

guarantee it). Each back issue costs £5 includingpostage and packing.

Yes it’s free!Vale Life is distributed free through a wide variety

of outlets across the Vale of Glamorgan andbeyond and is given away free of charge on the

understanding that we are happy for it to be lent,passed around, given to friends and generally readuntil it falls apart. At which point, you can recycle

it and we’d be delighted if you did.

Green is goodThe pulp used in the production of the paper

Vale Life is printed on is sourced from sustainablymanaged Scandinavian tree farms and utilises an

elementary chlorine-free bleaching process.

VALE LIFE WELCOME

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THERE’S MORE ONLINE

INBUSINESS.CO.UK

PRICELESS

RESTAURANT REVIEWS, WHAT’S ON, SHOPPING

PLUS ART, MUSIC, STYLE,COMPETITIONS AND MORE

WALES’ PREMIER INDEPENDENT MAGAZINE FOR PEOPLE IN BUSINESS

P R O U D T O B E I N D E P E N D E N T

INBUSINESSSUMMER 201 3

CARDIFF’S ARCADES, PONTCANNA & MERMAID QUAY

COOL COUTURE, DELICIOUS DINING, INSPIRED INTERIORS

SUITED & BOOTED

CONTENTSSpring’s here and, in this issue, it brings with it a wealth of fabulous features to enjoy.

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V A L E L I F E I S W R I T T E N,

D E S I G N E D A N D P R O D U C E D

I N T H E V A L E A N D

I S P R O U D T O B E I N D E P E N D E N T

❧0845 130 6452

❧COVER IMAGE

COURTESY OF DARLING

CLOTHING AVAILABLE FROM

THE QUEEN B, PENARTH

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AROUND THE VALE - MERMAID QUAY AND A LITTLE HELP WITH YOUR ACHING BACKS 9MAKING A STATEMENT - HAMPTONS SET THE STYLE STANDARD FOR SPRING 10STAR STRUCK - VALE LIFE INTERVIEWS A COUPLE OF HOLLYWOOD’S GEEZERS 14VALE FOOD & DRINK - A SELECTION OF THE VALES’S BEST 16WHEN ONLY A CHEF WILL DO - SPIROS TAKES THE STRESS OUT OF CATERING 20GARDEN OF CARDIFF - THE VERY BUSY VALE MARKETING GROUP 22TRIED AND TESTED - AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE 25LIFE EXPERIENCES - ST CLARE’S SCHOOL, PORTHCAWL 26GET FITFLOPS FOR SPRING - THE QUEEN B LAUNCHES ITS NEW RANGE 27STYLISH & VERSATILE - STEVE AND CLAIRE BLOOM TALK ABOUT THEIR BUSY YEAR 28THE SECRET’S OUT - ALDENE THOMAS LETS US IN ON A LITTLE SECRET 30TRIED & TESTED - BRIDGEND FOOT CLINIC 32MIND OVER MATTER - DR. HELEN MCCARTHY OF CYNCOED CONSULTING ROOMS 33TRIED & TESTED - ANNE JONES TALKS ABOUT HOT NEW SALON, BELLE TOUJOURS 35UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE - WE CELEBRATE JEWELS CANLEY’S 30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY 36GOING THE EXTRA MILE - JAMIE BAULCH ON HIS RECENT GREAT ACHIEVEMENT 38HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED - HOT BOOT BRAND, HUNTER 40DESIGN HAPPY - ONE OF WALES’ HOTTEST BATHROOM DESIGNERS 42PUTTING ON THE STYLE - TWO PENARTH BOUTIQUE OWNERS STEP OUT IN STYLE 44TRIED AND TESTED - FOOD FOR THOUGHT 47FELICITY OF BRIDGEND - SHOWCASES THEIR LATEST PRODUCTS 48COMPETITION - WIN A NIGHT’S STAY AT THE OLD WINE HOUSE IN COWBRIDGE 49PLANNING A NEW BATHROOM? - HERE’S SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT... 50A SENSE OF OCCASION - THE QUEEN B ENSURES WE’LL LOOK OUR BEST 53ALL DECKED OUT - JW DECKING TAKES US FOR A STROLL OUTSIDE 54WHERE LITTLE STARS SHINE - CERI WHITTAKER GIVES US STYLE TIPS FOR CHILDREN 56A TIMELY INVESTMENT - JEWELLER JACK COHEN WANTS US TO INVEST WISELY 58THE QUEEN B - STYLE HAS NEVER BEEN SO AFFORDABLE! 60HAIRS ‘N’ GRACES - OFFERS VALE LIFE READERS THEIR EXPERT OPINION 64THE SKIN SPECIALISTS - ANDREA EVANS OF CYFOES, PONTYCLUN FILLS US IN 65THE STOVE ROOM - CARLTON CHIVERS OFFERS US A WARM WELCOME 68PLAN BEE - THERE’S A BUZZ AT THE INTERNATIONAL BEE RESEARCH ASSOCIATION 70PLANTS FOR BEES - HORTICULTURALIST ROB HODGE REVIEWS PLANTS FOR BEES 73GLAMORGANSHIRE GOLF CLUB - LADIES GOLF COMES TO THE FORE 74TRIED & TESTED - CATHY LANE SINGS THE PRAISES OF BLU HAIR DESIGN 75VALE BUSINESS - THE BEST OF THE BUSINESS WORLD FROM ACROSS THE VALE 76TRIED & TESTED - SARAH EDWARDS SAYS THE BUSINESS CENTRE’S THE BUSINESS 78PREMIER SERVICE - JEREMY REED OF PREMIER COMMERCIAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT 79VALE SOCIAL LIFE - BAR 44, RIVER VIEW, VALE MARKETING GROUP 80THE LAST WORD - CONNIE FISHER TALKS ABOUT HER LIFE IN THE VALE 82

VALE LIFE WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED US OVER RECENT MONTHS. OUR CONTRIBUTORS, OUR

FAMILIES, OUR FRIENDS (INCLUDING ALL THE NEW ONES WE HAVE MADE) AND OUR ADVERTISERS - WITHOUT THEM VALE LIFE

WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. WE HOPE YOU LIKE WHAT WE’VE PRODUCED AND WE’LL TRY TO MAKE EACH ISSUE EVEN

BETTER THAN THE LAST AND IF YOU HAVE A STORY THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. VALE LIFE IS

REGISTERED AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY AS A MAGAZINE ISSN 1757-1723. FOR TERMS AND CONDITIONS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE

AT WWW.VALELIFE.CO.UK

IN THIS ISSUE

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BY DAY

“for business or pleasure”

CHAPEL 1877

BAR AND RESTAURANT

CHURCHILL WAY CF10 2WF T: 029 2022 2020

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try our...Organic,

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We at Chapel 1877 want to make your night a special occasion.

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try our...Chic & elegant cocktail range, À la Carte Restaurant, Private hire function room

and Gastro Bar Menu featuring locally sourced produce

introducing 1877...

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Book a consultation today 029 2000 3959 www.vale-healthcare.com The Vale Hospital · Cardiff Bay Clinic · Vale Physiotherapy Clinic

Back pain? Neck pain? We can help.Over 80% of people suffer with back problems at some stage in their lives.

@ValeHealthcare

IScan here to seethe wonderful facilities of theVale Hospital

AROUND THE VALE

SOUTH WALES

Back pain? Neck pain? SouthWales Spinal Centre can help

Are you suffering from back orneck pain? If so, the South WalesSpinal Centre can help.

Over 80% of people suffer with backproblems at some stage in their life.Whatever the problem, SWSC can help. Located in the Vale of Glamorgan(within the Vale Hospital), this specialistspinal unit has been set up by five localsenior spinal surgeons, with vastexperience across the full range of backand neck conditions.

Offering a full range of spinal surgery,non-surgical treatments, andconservative rehabilitation, the spinalcentre is fast becoming south Wales’sfirst choice for spinal treatment.

The centre is open to all, withconsultant appointments availablewithin 24 hours, and rapid access toMRI and physiotherapy treatment. All five spine surgeons are fellowshiptrained and have advanced spinalsurgery technique experience, includingspinal cord and nerve decompression,spinal fusion, microsurgery andminimally invasive surgery of thelumbar, thoracic and cervical spine, as well as artificial disc replacement.

The centre offers people in South Walesa rapid access, one-stop clinic forpatients suffering from spinal disordersand back pain.

The spinal centre also offers a spinallytrained rehabilitation team ofphysiotherapists and an osteopath who work closely with the surgeons.The Osteopathy service is led by Garry Trainer, a highly experiencedosteopath and acupuncturist. Garry has 30 years of osteopathy experiencespecialising in back pain, neck, shoulderand joint pain, sports injuries, sciatica,stress and anxiety.

Clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, PaulMcCartney, Emma Thompson, JohnnyDepp and Garry has recently returnedfrom New Zealand where he has beentreating Coldplay on their world tour.Garry's unique combination ofOsteopathy, Massage and Acupuncturehas become a signature treatment.

Services include Rapid accessappointments, One-stop injectionclinics, Immediate access to imagingfacilities including MRI, Physiotherapyservices, Osteopathy with Garry Trainer.

For more information, please contact 029 2083 6714 www.southwalesspinalcentre.com

CARDIFF BAY

Spring is in the air at Mermaid Quay

Let’s hope we’ve seen the back ofthe freezing temperatures thatdogged us through March. Warmer,brighter, lighter days are what wewant. And when they arrive, be sure to head down to Cardiff’swaterfront to take full advantage.

There’s nothing quite like sitting in thesun outside one of Mermaid Quay’swaterfront restaurants, cafés and bars toput you in a holiday frame of mind –even if you’ve only grabbed an houraway from the office to be there.And there’s such a variety to choosefrom – Italian, French, Portuguese,Asian, Latin American, Turkish,American, Spanish and, of course,Welsh as well as coffee shops, bars,Cadwalader’s Ice Cream Café and theVIP Champagne Lounge – there really isbound to be something to suit yourtaste and pocket, from a quick snack toa leisurely, luxury meal.

One to check out is the new Mimosarestaurant, now re-opened under newmanagement following a completetransformation inside and out. You can’tmiss the white sofas and ‘astroturf’outside seating area. Step inside and thequirky continues with an individuallydesigned bar area and large sharingtables. The new restaurant also has a‘snug’ at the back with soft seating,twinkling lights and modern art - a funand interesting place to dine, it can bebooked for groups. The menu featurestapas-style sharing plates as well asWelsh favourites such as cawl and BlackBeef burgers.

If it’s laughs you're after, there'snowhere better than the Glee Club -one of the UK’s top stand-up venues.There are the stylish Bute Streetboutiques offering hot fashions andaccessories, fine foods, fabulousfurnishings and great gifts. Plus,Mermaid Quay is home to Ken Picton’saward-winning hair dressing salon & spa– which is heading off to the AnnualL’Oreal Colour Trophy Finals in Londonshortly, following an outstandingperformance in the recent WesternRegion Finals. Ken Picton’s is one ofonly 42 teams from across the UK tomake it to Grand Final – out of a total of455 salons in the regional heats.

www.mermaidquay.co.uk

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You may already know Hamptons on Ludlow Lane inPenarth for its fabulous range of gifts and the muchloved Blue Pelican Café, but did you know that itnow stocks a gorgeous range of striking accessories.

MAKING A STATEMENT

If you’re looking for a piece ofjewellery to complement your newspring outfits, then Hamptonsshould be your first port of call.

The owners of Hamptons, PeterKnowles and Andy Bradshaw have agood eye when buying for the store andhave chosen a stunning range of silver,gold and coloured stone pieces, whichyou won’t find on the high street.

“We’re very excited about our jewelleryrange. The response so far from ourcustomers has been amazing. As therange is at the top of the stairs andsome of the pieces are so eye-catching,customers can’t help themselves butstop and have a look.

We’re only stocking a small amount ofeach range so customers aren’t likely tomeet someone else in the same piece.”

Hamptons 10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth CF64 1EA029 2070 5391www.hamptons-design.co.uk

“Set yourself apart thisspring and make a

statement of your own.”

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Hamptons 10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth CF64 1EA

029 2070 5391www.hamptons-design.co.uk

BAGS OF STYLE

What better way to commemoratethe cinematic release of Man OfSteel than with a stunning jewellerycreation inspired by Supermanhimself? As a fan of the superheroand friend of the film’s starLaurence Fishburne, award-winninggoldsmith Neil Rayment wanted tocreate an out of the ordinary tributein the shape of Kal-El’s Crystal - anhomage to Superman’s birthplace, atimeless classic, expertly crafted inplatinum and diamonds.

“I was looking for somethingspectacular, I’m a huge fan ofSuperman and the franchise featuredheavily in my childhood,” says Neil,owner and artistic director at AdvancedJewel Craft. “What better place to seekinspiration than the birth place ofSuperman?”

Advanced Jewel Craft attracts clienteleas sparkling as its bespoke pieces. Theiconic brand has slowly blossomedsince its inception in 2004 and is now afirm favourite amongst A-listers from LAto Abu Dhabi. Oscar-nominated actorLaurence Fishburne is one of Neil’smost prestigious clients. The pair metwhen Neil briefly switched jewellery-making for acting and appearedalongside him in The Matrix sequels.Neil was honoured to be tasked withdesigning and creating Laurence and hiswife Gina Torres’ wedding rings.

VALE LIFE INTERVIEW

One of Hollywood’sreal diamonds

Laurence kindly took time out ofhis busy schedule to explain moreabout his experience of workingwith Neil.

How did your friendship with Neilcome about? We worked on The Matrix sequelstogether. We became friends on set andthen I found out that Neil’s passion wasfor jewellery design.

Have you kept in touch? Have youbeen over to Wales to visit him? Yes we’ve kept up with each other butstill have not made it to Wales I’m sorryto say. I’ve heard that it’s a verybeautiful country.

Neil designed and made yourwedding rings. That’s a highpressure assignment - how was heto work with?He was terrific. The basic design wasworked out between Neil and my wife.We’re delighted with the result.

Can you tell us a little about theinspiration behind the design?Gina wanted something that would beunbreakable for me. I’m a would-bedrummer, so I’m always beating thingsto hell. The platinum band and threediamonds are all a reflection of mypersonality and style.

How involved were you in thedesign process? I’m very creative but I really felt it wasbest to trust both Neil and Gina on thisone. It was our first custom jewelleryexperience.

Neil often takes inspiration fromfilms. If you could challenge Neil to design jewellery based on one of your previous films, whichwould it be?Probably King Of New York. I think that would be an interesting challengefor Neil but one I’m confident he couldrise to.

Created in his Cardiff Bay studio,Advanced Jewel Craft’s pieces arebeautiful and exclusive. Neil adopts apersonal approach, forging firmrelationships with his customers. Andwhile he works with A-list clients, hisfeet are firmly on the ground. “Jewelleryis something that needs personalattention,” Neil says. “You can getentangled in the glamour, the parties,the shows, but the most rewardingthing is to see someone wearing one ofmy pieces and the pleasure it brings.”

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After creating Superman inspired jewellery and anunbreakable wedding ring for Laurence Fishburne,Cardiff jewellery designer Neil Rayment really isflying high.

STAR STRUCK

Advanced Jewel Craft103 Bute Street, Cardiff CF10 5AD029 2132 8114 www.advancedjc.com

VALE FOOD & DRINK E A C H I S S U E W E B R I N G Y O U T H E V E R Y B E S T I N T H E V A L E O F G L A M O R G A N

WENVOE

The Wenvoe ArmsA fine reputation

The Wenvoe Arms is building a finereputation for itself. That’s probablydue in no uncertain terms to theefforts of landlord Chris Teague.Chris prides himself in offering aunique experience.

His food is something to be proud of.He uses only the best, locally sourcedingredients for his menu and there’struly something for everyone fromburgers, grills, light bites, steaks,curries, classic dishes, Sunday lunchesand desserts. Vegetarians are notoverlooked, neither are small people. Look out for special meal deals whichcan be found on the website. There areregular events held either in thefunction room or at the three outsideareas; The Lounge Terrace, TheCourtyard and The Beer Garden.

Events include the popular quiz nights,family fun days and tribute bands. Takea look at the website, pick an event andring to book your place. You don’t needto be a local to join in the fun.

LLANCADLE

The Green DragonGreat pub, great food

There’s nothing better than when alocal pub gets a new lease of lifeand that’s exactly what’s happenedwith The Green Dragon, Llancadle.

Now under the capable hands of ChrisTeague (The Wenvoe Arms) andlandlords Philip and Doreen Mepham,The Green Dragon is at last coming intoits own. “It’s all about the quality offood, the ingredients and theatmosphere” says Philip.

Favourite dishes now include sausage,liver and bacon casserole, sirloin steakin a ciabatta roll, home-made burger,Thai green curry and battered hake. Sunday lunches are gaining momentumwith both roasts and grills on the menu.This makes sense as not everyone likes aroast on a Sunday.

The Green Dragon hosts regular livemusic and quiz nights and more eventsare being planned as we go to press.Phil likes to think of The Green Dragonas a pub that serves great food, not arestaurant that sells beer and, on seeingthe food coming out of the kitchen, he’s right on the money.

The Green DragonLlancadle, Barry CF62 3AQ 01446 750881www.greendragoninn.org.uk

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The Wenvoe Arms18 Old Port Road, Wenvoe CF5 6AN029 2059 [email protected] on Facebook and TwitterSky Sports available

“Look out for specialmeal deals which can be found on the website.”

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FIRST WE EAT WWITH OUR EYES A selection of dishes from River View ChineseRestaurant in Cowbridge.

The head chef at River ViewRestaurant in Cowbridge, is acreative culinary genius in our eyes.Under the direction of owners WingChan and Neng Chan, he createsdishes that not only look stunningbut are fresh, light and full of subtleflavours. Vale Life features just a fewof the dishes on offer at thispopular restaurant for theforthcoming season.

STARTERCRISPY TIGER PRAWN ROLLBlack tiger king prawn, lightlymarinated with turmeric powder andsalt, wrapped together carrots in a thinflower pastry, fried in vegetable oil untilcrispy.

MAIN MEALSEA-SPICY KING PRAWNS Sea-spicy king prawns – slicedvegetables (peppers, bamboo shoots,and carrots) into strips, mixed theshredded vegetable with dry-shrimp anda little bit of chilli, add some cornflowerto thicken the sauce a little, add salt anda small tea spoon of sugar to enhancethe flavour. This is normally served withboiled rice.

MAIN MEALCHICKEN WITH THREE SPICEChicken with three spice – stirred friedchicken with coriander, garlic and chilli.Again, add cornflower to thicken thesauce, add salt and sugar according topersonal taste.

DESSERTBANANA TOFFEECut the banana into little cubes. Mixplain flower with water. Stir until theflower forms a smooth flower liquid.Coat the banana cubes evenly with theflower mix. Put the coated bananacubes into hot vegetable oil until theskin turns brown. Heat up some syrupin the wok. Put the brown-up bananacubs into the syrup, and coated thebanana cubs evenly. Sprinkle sesameseeds on the surface and dip the syrup-coated banana cubes into cold water forthe surface to harden.

If you follow these instructions, youshould have a superb meal. However,there’s nothing better than havingsomeone else cook it for you, especiallywhen you’re sat in such convivialsurroundings as the River View ChineseRestaurant. Don’t get me started on thewashing up!

River View Chinese Restaurant Unit 1, Britannia House Penny LaneCowbridge CF71 7AD01446 771668 www.riverview668.co.uk

“Dishes that not onlylook stunning but arefresh, light and full ofsubtle flavours.”

SOUTHERNDOWN

The Barn at West FarmThe perfect venue

The Barn at West Farm inSoutherndown on the Vale’smagnificent Heritage Coast is avibrant community and businessvenue,with its facilities being usedfor weddings, private parties andbusiness meetings.

The function room and ‘LEGENDS’ baris capable of accommodating up to 80people for business to business events,training courses and seminars, privateparties and weddings.

The Barn at West Farm offers:■ Peaceful surroundings.■ Spectacular views over the Bristol

Channel and beyond.■ Disabled access.■ Catering and kitchen facilities.■ Spacious courtyard and extensive

garden to accommodate marqueesfor larger events.

■ Provision for landing a helicopter.The new facility features:■ High Definition, Blu Ray, video

projection onto 150” screen.■ 5.1 Surround Sound, wireless PA

System. ■ Live HD Freeview TV. ■ Ability to connect PC/Laptop playout

for PowerPoint presentations.

BRACKLA

Busy bees are growingbusiness naturally

Beekeepers Rachel and Jon Milgateare creating quite a buzz with theirBee Fruitful brand of productsacross South Wales.

Bee Fruitful has grown from a singlehive just four years ago to twelve hivesacross four locations and it’s the‘localness’ of the honey that the coupleare passionate about. Besides honey,Bee Fruitful sells beeswax blocks,beeswax furniture polish, beeswaxcandles and hand-rolled candles. They also offer gift baskets and havecreated a popular range of naturalcosmetics and a baby range of soapsand creams and claim they’ll ‘bee’ kindto delicate skin.

Bee Fruitful currently has stockists inLlantwit Major, Bridgend, Porthcawl andMonmouth and welcomes tradeenquiries from across South Wales.

Bee Fruitful61 Georgian WayBracklaBridgend CF31 2EYwww.beefruitful.co.ukFollow on Twitter @beefruitful

BONVILSTON

The Red LionA warm welcome

There aren’t that many good oldfashioned country style pubs leftany more. You know the ones, withlogs fires, authentic stone walls andwooden beams. Well, if this is whatyou’re looking for (and whowouldn’t be), then The Red Lion inBonvilston will definitely suit you.

Landlord Phillip Warren has beenrunning The Red Lion for the last fouryears and in that time has managed tobuild a healthy customer base from allover the Vale. Phillip is very proud ofhis reputation for good, home-cookedfood, boasting a very fine fresh beerbattered cod, home-made faggots andcustomers’ firm favourite, chef’s turkeycurry. Sunday lunches at The Red Lionare hard to beat with beef, pork,chicken and turkey on the menu. Addfive different varieties of vet, two typesof potatoes and Yorkshire pudding andit all makes for a very enjoyable plate offood.All meals are competitively priced.

Birthday parties, weddings and otherevents are not uncommon at The RedLion, especially if what you’re lookingfor is great food, great service and awarm welcome.

The Red LionBonvilston CF5 6TR07764 220893Open 7 days a week from 12pm - 12am

The Barn at West Farm is an ideal location for weddings, and is approvedfor marriages and civil partnership ceremonies. The Barn at West Farm isa member of the Vale MarketingGroup. For more information on theGroup please see page 22.

The Barn at West FarmWest Farm, Southerndown CF32 OPY

01656 [email protected]

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Your spa day, your way

Tel: 01443 665888 | www.vale-hotel.com

Vale Resort, Hensol Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JY*Terms & conditions apply. Subject to availability.

Spa days from £30*pp

Twilight spa and dine £49* pp

Sunday lunch and spa £69*pp

SPA DAYS

Spring spa break from £75*pp B&B Sunday spa break from £99*pp D,B&B Chocolate break from £99*pp B&B

SPA BREAKS

For our full range of spa days and breaks visit www.vale-hotel.com/spaoff ers

UK’s most marvellous massage

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Organising a dinner party yourself can be so intensive, that by the time youhave planned the menu, bought the ingredients cooked and arrangedeverything, you can be too exhausted to enjoy your own event!

WHEN ONLY A CHEF WILL DO

Which perhaps is one reason that,according to Spiro Borg of SpirosFine Dining Caterers, more andmore people are opting to bring inthe professionals and leaveeverything to a real chef.

You only have to watch an episode ofTelevision’s popular ‘Come Dine withMe,’ to understand all of the hard workand the stress involved in staging adinner party, even for just four or fiveguests, it can take over your day andnight entirely!

This year Chef Spiro Borg is celebratingthe thirtieth anniversary of his cateringcompany, which operates throughoutSouth Wales, so he is better placed thanmost to comment on changing fashionsand tastes in cuisine.

One of Spiro’s biggest growth areas is inhis ‘Chef at Home’ service.

“As is often the case, the trend in homeparty catering first came to light inLondon,” said Spiro.

“We first offered our own bespokeservice to our existing private clientsincluding celebrities and sportingpersonalities in and around the Vale,and it has been so successful that wehave rolled it out as one of our mainservices.”

MENU PLANNING “We offer a range of options, fromsimply delivering freshly preparedcuisine to your door, to providing you with a chef and kitchen service, to a professional waiting team serving your guests.

We can also supply all the crockery,cutlery and glassware required, andeven if we use our clients’ tableware,there is no washing up for them to doafterwards! We can also supply winesto complement your menu from ourSpiros Fine Wines division, frequentlybetter than retail prices.”

Menu planning is key and can be trickyfor anyone catering for a number ofguests with different taste preferences,this is where professional help canreally come into its own.

“Over the years we have come to knowwhat works and what does not, so welike to sit down with our clients anddevise a menu which is both personalto them and will excite the taste budsof their guests.

Some people like to opt for a theme,for example, French, Italian, Greek orIndian cuisine. Others go for aseasonal menu, utilising the vegetablesand ingredients that are at their bestthat particular month.

The choice really is infinite, but aswith anything, the success of a dinnerparty is in the planning and well-rounded menu, where starters, mainsand dessert balance in full measureleaving your guests happy andsatiated, which is the aim of everyoneinvolved!”

“The success of a dinnerparty is in the planningand well-rounded menu.”

Spiros CateringSt. Peter’s Hall, St Peter’s Street Cardiff CF24 3BA029 2049 [email protected] on Facebook and Twitter

Spiro Borg, Chef Wayne Williams and Lisa Borg

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Why did Cottrell Park join the VMG?We joined because they offeredaffordable marketing of our facilitieswhilst creating an effective network ofbusinesses in the Vale of Glamorgan.

What does the group provide youfor your membership?For just £40 per annum the membershipprovides your business with a profilepage on the Garden of Cardiff websitewhere text, images and company logocan be added as well as a link to yourown website, supported by social mediamarketing on Twitter and Facebook.

There are regular networkingopportunities which are valuable forexchanging ideas and information thatcan help build your business. Combinedmarketing campaigns and opportunitiesare also available, providing affordablepresence in local and nationalpublications and websites.

Other benefits include access tosubsidized training opportunities,funding and receiving representation inlocal forums; some of which include:The South East Wales Tourism Forum,Small Service Sector Forum, CreativeRural Communities, CRT: CapitalRegional Tourism, WTA: Wales TourismAlliance, Visit Wales, SWAP: SouthernWales Attraction Partnership andPartnership working with otherRegional Tourism Association.

What difference has it made to yourbusiness?The membership has allowed CottrellPark to open effective communicationchannels with other businesses in theVale, from 4 star Hotels, to guest Housesand other local attractions where somepartnerships have been formalised toprovide new opportunities in the formof golfing and activity breaks. Wereceive enquiries from the website fromvisitors coming to the area looking foreither a day’s golf, golfing holiday orthose looking for more adventure in theform of a Segway Tour or otheractivities available here onsite. Theinvaluable community links andmarketing presence have benefited theresort both financially and in terms ofbrand awareness.

Do you think it is value for money?Excellent value, I think we used to pay£50 PA but since the membership hasgrown the fee has reduced to just £40!For us being part of VMG is a ‘NoBrainer’ and provides Cottrell Park withgreat exposure to those visiting thebeautiful Vale of Glamorgan. Gaynor Openshaw-Smith, Sales andMarketing Manager, Cottrell Park GolfResort (www.cottrellpark.com)

Gaynor Openshaw-SmithSales and Marketing ManagerCottrell Park Golf Resortwww.cottrellpark.com

Why did you join VMG?We joined VMG to be part of a proactive group supporting Tourism in TheVale of Glamorgan. VMG collate andprovide regular industry updates andinformation from a wide variety ofrelated sources.

What does the group provide youfor your membership?The VMG web site is excellent forpromoting both The Vale and membersbusinesses. Regular updates of eventsand attractions continually attractpotential visitors to The Vale.Networking at regular VMG meetingsand events is particularly valuable.VMG a highly professional, wellorganised organisation offeringknowledgeable, friendly andprofessional support and advice tomembers.

Do you think it is good value formoney?The cost of membership is minimal incomparison to member’s businessexposure through VMG marketing andevents not to mention on the website toadvertise members business. I have nohesitation in recommending anybusiness to join VMG

Philippa GeorgeOwner of The Heritage Coast Campsite and The Granary, Monknashwww.heritagecoastcampsite.com

GARDEN OF CARDIFFThe Vale Marketing Group (VMG) whose members are all local businessowners, works to promote the Vale as a destination for visitors and touristsessential to the economy of the area. VMG is headed up by Mandy Davies,Chairperson and founder, who also owns and operates Crossways House, astunning manor house on the outskirts of Cowbridge. We spoke to two VMGmembers to find out how being part of the Group helps them in their business.

Membership is £40 per annum.

For more information visitwww.gardenofcardiff.com

Philippa George, The Heritage Coast Campsite/The Granary, Monknash Mandy Davies, Chair Vale Marketing GroupGaynor Openshaw-Smith, Cottrell Park Golf Resort

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New Farm B&B

A true working farm of 500 acreswhere you’ll witness busy farminglife. Enjoy our home cooked farmbreakfasts and more.

Ideal for touring the Vale, Cardiff is a20min car drive and Barry train stationwithin 5 min. Beach and parkland walkaccessed through the farm. FreeviewTV, Wifi. Separate TVlounge and oakbeamed dining room with microwaveand fridge facilities. Families, groupgatherings welcomed, walkers andbiking facilities provided .Secure gardenwith BBQ facilities, spacious carparking.

Port Road WestBarry CF62 3BT01446 [email protected]

St Donat’s Castle

Magnificent gardens andspectacular sea views make StDonat’s Castle a truly unique venuewith beautiful rooms that canaccommodate fine dining from 50 to 250 guests and conferencingfor up to 200.

For information on how this exclusivevenue can be hired for your specialevent, please call 01446 799309 oremail [email protected]

Atlantic College St Donat's Castle Llantwit Major CF61 1WF 01446 799309 [email protected] Registered in England No. 673076 Charity no. 525761

Ewenny Woods B&B

Ewenny Woods Bed and Breakfastboasts three stylishly-decoratedrooms, with comfortable twin,king- or super-king-sized beds, allen-suite with double showers, andwith panoramic views of the Valeand South Wales Valleys beyond.

Ideally situated between the unspoiltHeritage Coast at Southerndown, thetown of Cowbridge and the M4motorway at Bridgend, and within easyreach of Cardiff and Swansea. Thevillage of Ewenny is famous for itspottery and its fine Priory Church, withgood cosy pubs close by.

The Trip, Ewenny Vale of Glamorgan CF35 5BZ01656 766421www.ewennywoods.co.uk

The Cross Inn

A family run country pub with cosyrestaurant and character bar with acomfortable atmosphere andwelcoming log fires.

Bar and children’s meals are served inaddition to the frequently changingrestaurant menu where choices rangefrom traditional curried chicken,homemade pies to steaks, seared duckbreast, slow braised belly pork, troutfillet, pan fried bream and smokedhaddock fillet. The food and ales aremainly locally sourced. The pub enjoysCamra recommendation and a five starhygiene rating, with a good reputationfor its range of ales and wines.

Llanblethian, Cowbridge CF71 7JF01446 772995www.crossinncowbridge.com

Brynhill Golf Club

Monday Madness£10 per person green fees.Membership Promotion 2013£500 - limited spaces available. Summer 4 ball offer£100 including 2 buggies.2013 Open DaysTee times available.

Brynhill prides itself on its friendlyinformal atmosphere and excellenthospitality. The Club caters for all agesand every standard of golfer.

Societies, corporate events, meetings,private functions and weddings (groupsof 12 to 120) can be catered for.


Clemenstone House

Clemenstone House enjoys bothtranquility of secluded grounds,surrounded by the beautifulcountryside of The Vale ofGlamorgan, whilst being locatedwithin easy reach of M4 Junction35, Cardiff Airport, BridgendCardiff, Swansea and the markettown of Cowbridge.

Clemenstone House is the family homeof Andrew and Lynne Thomas. It issuitable for both families andprofessionals. It has ideal drying andstorage facilities for cyclists andwalkers. Well behaved dogs arewelcome.

Clemenstone, Wick CF71 7PZ01656 890547 or 07714 703884www.clemenstonehouse.com

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Oscars of Cowbridge

Cowbridge is undoubtedly the placeto see and be seen. If you want oneof the best spots on the High Streetfor your daily dose of people -watching, continental style, then itdoesn’t get better than Oscars.

Best to get there reasonably early to bagone of the coveted tables outside.Inside, the decor is cool, contemporaryand oozes style. The restaurant is openfrom 10am for breakfast, lunch anddinner, giving ample opportunity for apastry and coffee with the papers, aninformal lunch with dishes from thevaried menu or a cosy dinner with wineor even a cocktail of your choice.

65 High Street, Cowbridge CF71 7AF01446 771984www.oscarscowbridge.co.uk

The Bear Hotel

Situated in the heart of Cowbridgetown centre with a short hop to theCapital City Cardiff this famousCoaching Inn is ideally located forboth exploring our chic city andspectacular coast. Nowadays, thehotel is also famed for its fine homecooked food, friendly atmosphereand really good ale.

All food is sourced locally and preparedfreshly to order. Whatever the occasion,The Bear Hotel have the the perfectchoice for a business lunch, romanticmeal or special family occasion. Shouldyou require a private dining area theywould be delighted to help. The hotel ison the main high street of the beautifultown of Cowbridge which boastsfabulous boutique shops and lingeringwalks around the Roman wall.

Free parking at the hotel, including twodesignated disabled parking bays, thesurrounding area is rural, withnumerous interesting places to visit.

St Andrews Major Golf Course

Please check website for FREEvouchers and latest offers.

■ Society Packages from £20■ Membership from £99 ■ Juniors from £50■ 4 Ball £50 / 2 Ball & Buggy £40■ Mens/Ladies/Seniors OPEN Days -

spaces available

New ‘Low Cost’ all Inclusive weddingpackages for 2013

St Andrews Major Golf CourseArgae Lane Nr Coldbrook Barry CF63 1BL 01446 722227www.standrewsmajorgolfclub.com

Happy Jakes Campingand Caravan Park

Mark, Mandy & Jake invite you tovisit them for a relaxing campingbreak in the delightful Rural Vale of Glamorgan.

If you love beaches, quaint towns andvillages and cosmopolitan cities then astay at Happy Jakes will put you withinminutes off all these locations.The spacious pitches and qualityshower facilities designed with accessfor all will enhance your stay. Berevitalised by the wonderful coastlinesand countryside and enjoy ‘the grassbetween your toes.’

1 New Barn Holdings CF62 4QL01446 750174www.happyjakes.co.uk

The Bear Hotel63 High Street, Cowbridge CF71 7AF01446 [email protected]

Little West Bungalows

Based in the heart of the HeritageCoast, overlooking panoramicviews of the Bristol Channel. Equaldistance from Swansea and Cardiffand just 10 minutes from Bridgend.

This family run business prides itself onproviding a personal friendly service.Accommodation is in the form of twobungalows, the first being self cateringand the second a bed and breakfast,perfect for families, couples and themore discerning traveller, looking forbeautiful walks.

2 Little West Bungalows, Southerndown, Bridgend CF32 0PY01656 880532www.littlewestbungalows.com

Anne Rodgers from Penarthdescribes herself simply as a healerand she appears to be havingamazing results. Vale Life speaks toone of her clients who tells us howAnne helped her overcome not onebut two life threatening illnesses.

How did you hear about Anne?My husband came to see Anne when hehad a kidney infection last Februaryafter seeing an article in the localnewspaper.

What made you go to Anne?Before Christmas I had an obstruction inmy neck. I was worried about this andwent to see my gp. He sent me to aconsultant who said that they wanted tooperate immediately. I could feel thelump above my ear. The consultant wasconcerned that it could break away atany time and cause a stroke. In themeantime, I had an appointment withAnne who said that she could help me. I had so much faith in her after seeingthe amazing results with my husbandthat I decided not to have the operationand keep seeing Anne. I only had threeto four sessions and the lump was threequarters gone.

Describe the experience you feltwhile Anne worked on you...I felt a tugging in the area of theblockage. I have a very strong faith andbelief system so felt totally comfortablein Anne’s hands. I saw numerouscolours (yellow, blue and turquoise) andfelt heat where Anne was working onthe blockage. I felt so relaxed in all ofmy sessions that I very often fell asleep!

What is the position with theblockage now?I’m happy to work with Anne. I’ve seena big difference in pain and size ofblockage. The consultant wants me tohave a groin X-ray to see where theblockage has gone but I’m reluctant tohave this done as this in itself can causea stroke. I am now waiting for a CTscan. I’m very hopeful.

You have visited Anne since theblockage haven’t you?Yes, I was having terrible pain in myback. I was having trouble walking.Anne saw that I had a kidney infectionin my left kidney.

During my session with Anne, a strangething happened. While she was workingon me, I felt a weird sensation in my left side, like something was comingaway from me. Anne said that she saw a ball of energy coming away from mybody which she had to move to get outof the way from. Immediately after this,I sat up and felt completely better andI’ve had no trouble since. She’s amiracle worker!Name and address supplied

Anne Rodgers has asked us to stress that she treats each case individually and that if she feels she cannot helpsomeone, she will tell them at the outset.Anne has written a book about her journey,which includes testimonials of the peopleshe’s helped.

The book is available from Windsor BookShop, Penarth or Wellfield Book Shop,Wellfield Road, Cardiff, and costs £11.

For more information on Anne, the bookand her work, please visit www. annerodgershealer.co.uk

Vale Life cannot endorse any medical treatment. Readers should always consult a medical professional beforeembarking on any treatment and take responsibility for decisionsthat affect their own health or wellbeing.

If you’re suffering from a medical condition andyou feel that conventional medicine isn’t workingfor you, then you might wish to consider adifferent approach.

TRIED & TESTED“I sat up and feltcompletely better andI’ve had no troublesince. She’s a miracleworker!”

Anne Rodgers

For an appointment, please phone029 2035 0118www.annerodgershealer.co.uk

TRIED & TESTED

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Pupils in the Prep School have been out and about in the St Clare’sSchool minibus on trips to Hamley’sToy Store, St. Fagans Museum ofWelsh Life and the Cog Moors Water Treatment Facility.

It’s not only the Prep School who havebeen travelling! The Senior Schoolpupils recently enjoyed a trip to Paris aspart of their education in BusinessStudies and French. The three day trip,an annual event for members of theSixth Form, included a day ofsightseeing in Paris, a series of BusinessStudies Lectures in Disney Land, and avisit to the Paris Business School.

The teaching of Modern ForeignLanguages is central to education at St.Clare’s. They begin in the Prep School,from nursery to Year 6, with weeklytaster lessons of Spanish and French.French and Spanish are taught formallyin Years 7 to 9 and they activelyencourage every pupil to continue withat least one language up to G.C.S.E.level and on to A Level. The pupilsalways demonstrate their passion forlanguages by excelling in their exams.Last year pupils attained 100% A*-Bgrades at both A Level and AS Level inSpanish while each of their GCSEstudents achieved A*-C grades. Frenchresults were also strong with 100% ofpupils sitting the A Level Examreceiving A*-C grades.

Art is also flourishing at St. Clare’s - thisyear they have installed a brand newApple Mac Suite for students studyingGraphic Design. Graphic Design is acreative subject predominantly lookingat Design and Advertising. Students havethe opportunity to take this course inyears 10 and 12, and it concentrates onbuilding their design skills by analysingand de-constructing existing products,before creating their own. A popularchoice is the ‘Festival’ topic wherestudents create design work for a surf or music festival.

For students in the Sixth Form they alsooffer an A Level in Textiles. Studentslearn textile techniques such as screen-printing, batik, weaving and marbling,

along with supporting design work.Students design and make their ownfashion garments, fashion accessoriesand costumes that are based onpersonal ideas and wider study. Stronglinks exist with the Art and DesignDepartment at St. Clare’s and many tripsare run jointly to London galleries andmuseums. Visits to the Makers Guild atCrafts in The Bay, Cardiff are alsoinspirational and informative.

St. Clare’s is 75 years old this year andthey are holding a 75th Anniversary Ball in the Vale Hotel on Friday 17th May – all ex-pupils are welcome to attend.

Please call Sarah on 01656 789966 for more information.

St Clare’s School in Porthcawl has had an excitingand interesting half term, and their pupils havebeen making the most of its excellent range of Extra Curricular Clubs and trips.

LIFE EXPERIENCES

St Clare’s SchoolNewton, Porthcawl CF36 5NR01656 78250901656 789966 (Admissions)[email protected]

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You’ve been busy, busy lately. Areyou aware there’s a recession?CLAIRE We are, but we’ve sort of chosento ignore that and just get on with whatwe do best and that’s creating greatliving spaces for our lovely clients.We’ve had to evolve but it’s been agreat evolution. We used to ‘just dokitchens’ but now we do all types ofinteriors.

What do you think that sets youapart from other designers?STEVE We think differently - theSpacefitting way transcends mere formand function. We’re using materials indifferent ways. We recently designedand built a whole stairs out of Corian, amaterial usually used for work surfaces.Corian’s versatility and strength make itperfect for other applications. There’s afantastic range of colours - it’s a greatmaterial to work with.

Do you think designers generallydon’t take enough risks?CLAIRE I think it’s more that perhaps they don’t push the boundaries. If youlook at our Prexury display usingAmethyst by Cosentino - Spacefitting is the UK’s only showroom to displaythis semi precious stone. It’s fantastic. It can be back lit and used as a table, for work surfaces and wall coverings.It’s the kind of material that makes areal style statement.

You’ve recently won an award. CLAIRE Yes, in the What Home Awards.We were part of the team that won Best Home in England & Wales. The award-winning NaturallyWoodlands development in Brynnafeatures a cantilevered Corian worktopincorporated into a contemporaryRational Tio kitchen. We’re very proudof our association with this project.

And you’ve been on television!CLAIRE Yes, we appeared on Kitchen SOS on UK Living featuring NadiaSawalha and Kerr Drummond. They chose one of our kitchens to useas an aspirational kitchen for the showwhich was a stunning chilli-red glosslacquer and dark oak Rational kitchen,featuring Miele appliances.

Spacefittingfurniture has been very busy of late - pushing design boundaries,making commercials, appearing on TV. Is this Wales’ hardest working interiordesign company? We interrupt owners Steve & Claire Bloom.

STYLISH & VERSATILE

“We appeared on Kitchen SOS on UK Living.”

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Rational Kitchen, Miele appliances

Steve, centre, with Nadia Sawalha and Kerr Drummond

Brynna kitchen

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Tell us about the design process...CLAIRE Most of the time we use CAD(Computer Aided Design) to create our floor plans and render threedimensional visuals but sometimes we start with a rough sketch on a pieceof paper. Lifestyle Concept is a goodexample of this process - using ourcreativity and unique vision to developthis concept from rough sketch toreality.

We created a stylish area hidingappliances - suitable for a cinema roomor perhaps a bar area it’s great forstudio apartment living. This particularsolution features Smarta Technology’sfirst home automation demonstrationstudio of its kind in Wales.

What are you enjoying most aboutyour work at the moment?STEVE Definitely the variety of projectswe’re undertaking. We are workingwith a number of award-winningarchitects at the moment on someincredible one-off builds.

CLAIRE I love the Novamobili Curvobedroom. Exceptional design detailscombined with beautiful Italian curvedwardrobes. Novamobili is the completebedroom solution; beautiful colours,finishes and fitting options.

There’s also Novamobili Lounge - arange of modular furniture to enhanceyour surroundings - beautifullycontemporary.

So, exciting times...STEVE Yes, we’re busy with some greatcommercial projects too. Thesecombined with our private commissionsare keeping us on our toes.

Spacefittingfurniture The Design Quarter145 Colchester AvePenylan, Cardiff CF23 9AN

029 2045 5778info@spacefittingfurniture.co.ukwww.spacefittingfurniture.co.uk

Novamobili lounge

How long has the business beenestablished?Seven years in June.

What is your background?I have been in the beauty industry forover 23 years. I have had a variedbeauty career; I taught for several yearsand was Curriculum Manager of theBeauty Department at Guildford Collegein Surrey. I was also OperationsDirector of the largest spa organisationin Bermuda which had five spas on theisland. My main role was overseeingstaff training, development, qualityassurance and recruitment. One of thespa’s I was responsible was regularlylisted in the Top Ten Spa’s in the world- Cambridge Beaches, which had aclientele of A List celebrities.

How many staff do you employ?We are a team of six and we have twonew senior therapists joining us in thecoming months.

What is your business philosophy? Our philosophy is strive to be the bestwe can be, we are all extremelypassionate about The Secret Garden ofBeauty and take great pride in providingimpeccable services to our clients. Weare very mindful of the busy lives ourclients lead and our salon has beendesign to emulate a county garden inSpring - a warm, relaxing and tranquilenvironment.

We are constantly looking at ways togive ‘added value’ to our treatmentsfrom a relaxing hand massage whist aneyelash tint is developing to acomplimentary pot of soothing creamfor our clients to take home afterwaxing treatments.

I hear that you have added newtreatment rooms. How many morehave you added and why have youdone this? It’s due to popular demand! We haveliterally outgrown our current space.Even though we are open seven days aweek until late, we were finding itincreasingly difficult to accommodateclients’ requests for appointments.Sometimes the wait could be up to six weeks!

This will no longer be a problem now.We will have five treatment rooms and a‘Boutique Retreat’.

The plan is to have three furthertreatment rooms upstairs and arelaxation area.We will have a dedicatedFacial Room with several pieces of high-tech facial equipment and aHolistic Room with a variety of newholistic therapies like Bamboo massageand Crystal therapy.

When any business undergoes an expansion it’susually down to one thing and one thing only –customer demand. The Secret Garden of Beauty in Barry has an ever-growing clientele and the only thing that the owner of the business, Aldene Thomas could do was to add extra rooms and take on more therapists. We chatted to Aldene to find out a little bit more.

THE SECRET’S OUT!

“We take great pride inproviding impeccableservices to our clients.”

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We’ll also have ‘Boutique Retreat’ - alarge treatment room with a relaxationarea attached, where you can come andhave a few or even several hours oftreatments and relaxation. We’ll havefluffy robes and slippers, heatedblankets, hot chocolate and lots and lots of fabulous treatments to make our clients feel truly pampered! You can even take over the whole place and have a Vintage Tea Party. We have a fabulous lady called Jaynefrom The Travelling Teapot who’ll workwith us providing gorgeous AfternoonTea for six persons or more.

Where do your clients come from?We have clients as far as Chepstow andas near as next door!

Do you have a mix all ages?Oh Yes! We very often have threegenerations coming together fortreatments.

Why did you choose Barry?I was brought up in Barry and althoughit is the largest town in Wales, there is ahuge sense of community, so word-of-mouth has been hugely responsible forour success. Our clients are extremelyloyal and everyone is connected byfamily, friend or work colleague. I am not sure whether we would havereceived the same level of support if I’d stayed in London and opened a salon there.

What treatments do you offer?We offer all the usual treatments youwould expect at a beauty salon and alarge range of Signature Treatmentsunique to The Secret Garden like theThai Harmony (a fabulous treatmentinvolving element of shiatsu, reflexologyand Thai Massage).

The Pedi-Plus+ Pedicure which cantransform even the most neglected feet,the treatment incorporates a traditionalpedicure with high tech equipment thateliminates even the hardest of skin andthick cuticles.

Our Celebrity Brows are very popular;we use a high-precision procedure usinga combination of threading, waxing, andtinting and speciality eyebrow powderfrom the USA which is exclusive to TheSecret Garden.

Which brands do you use at TheSecret Garden of Beauty and why?We use Dermalogica products. We wereawarded Dermalogica Expert status,recognising us as one of the highesttrained skin care professionals in thecountry.

As therapists we completed asuccession of specialist product,treatment and business post-graduatecourses at the International DermalInstitute in London and Exeter, whichare offered only to the most skilled andknowledgeable therapists in order forDermalogica to award and recognisethem as the best in the industry. Wewere amongst the first in the UK to getthis prestigious award.

We use Zoya Vegan Nail Polishes, whichhave been awarded the longest wearingnatural nail polish by an independentpanel in Women’s Health Magazine.Zoya Nail Polish is a nail polish free of all nasties!

Also, we have recently introducedMama Mio, the award winningpregnancy skin range to complimentour new pregnancy treatments like‘Yummy Tummy’!

What do you think will be the mostpopular treatments this spring?Well, it’s usually the time when ourlayers of clothing finally come off andwe started to begin our preparations forthe advent of Summer, so we usually dolots of Pedi+’s, waxing and facials andour Signature ‘Spring/SummerSensation’ body exfoliation andhydration treatment is always extremelypopular.

Would you recommend choosingBeauty Therapy as a career?Absolutely! It is a fabulous vocation tochoose, so many career opportunities,you would never get bored. The bestpart for me is meeting so many differentpeople from all walks of life that Iwould probably not have theopportunity to meet in my daily life. It is a wonderful career to choose andmany people are now choosing it as asecond career, two of our team re-trained in beauty having been in financeand law!

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The Secret Garden of Beauty25 Tynewydd RoadBarry CF62 8HB01446 733306www.secretgardenofbeauty.co.uk

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They are also one of the most activeparts of your body and are thereforeprone to a number of common footdisorders. At Bridgend Foot Clinic,owner Maria Phillips aims to keepyour feet healthy and pain free. We spoke to one happy customer,Mair Ap Gruffydd on why choosesto go there.

How did you hear about BridgendFoot Clinic?I happened to hear about the foot clinicwhen I met Maria who has an allotmentnext to mine. I was not entirely lookingfor a clinic but chatting about differentvegetables we were planting when Iasked her what her occupation was.

What was your first treatment?I had a corn in between my little toe, an awkward place, but nothing toomuch for Maria to sort out. She seemsto love a challenge. I can think ofnothing worse than touching peoplesfeet but she seems to love it and it isinstant relief when she has finished.

It is good that there are such talentedpeople around to do these things. Maria really does put you at ease and isvery interesting to talk to about not onlyfoot care but anything that you care totalk about, so one does not have to sitthere in silence.

How often do you visit?I go every few months and find it veryrelaxing. It is mainly getting rid of hardskin and having your feet pampered.

What do you think is special aboutBridgend Foot Clinic?Maria seems to know about any footcondition I seem to mention. I was very impressed when she told me sheuses a cure for fungal conditions with a concoction made from raw garlic. I am a big believer in garlic after all theresearch I have done myself to curecancer. Garlic is believed to cut theblood supply to cancer cells. True orfalse I have overcome lung cancer andI believe taking raw garlic may have alot to do with it.

Would you recommend Maria andBridgend Foot Clinic to others?Maria is very professional and will makeyou feel at home. I would recommendanyone go there to have a foot check upand a pamper.

They are among the most active parts of yourbody, and together they constitute over 25% of thebones that make your skeleton. They have over ahundred joints, muscles and ligaments and theyprovide both stability and mobility for your entirebody - they are the feet.

TRIED & TESTED

Bridgend Foot Clinic

5 Nolton Street, BridgendGlamorgan CF31 1BX01656 766 446www.noltonshoes.comFollow on Facebook

TRIED & TESTED

Vale Life chats to Dr. McCarthyabout her groundbreaking weight-loss programme, Positively Hungry:How to Achieve Permanent WeightLoss.

What are your qualifications andwhere did you study? I have a B.Sc. Honours degree from theUniversity of Durham, a D. Phil. fromthe University of Oxford in thepsychology of eating disorders and Itrained as a Clinical Psychologist inSouth East Thames Regional HealthAuthority and qualified in 1989.

I am also an Associate Fellow of theBritish Psychological Society.

Who are your clients and where dothey come from? I see men and women from eighteenyears of age upwards. My clients comefrom all walks of life and from acrossSouth Wales.

Why do you feel people fail whenthey follow a diet plan?There are two reasons really. Firstly, thediet requires people to change theireating patterns dramatically by restrictingthe type or quantity of foods they caneat. The other reason is that people haveinbuilt ‘resistances’ to losing weight,such as lacking willpower, cravingparticular foods, lacking self-belief orsimply finding it too difficult to fit a dietaround a busy demanding lifestyle.

Please explain more aboutPositively Hungry: How To AchievePermanent Weight LossIt's an antidote to dieting in which youlearn to use the ‘Second Brain’ in yourgut to eat less. I teach people simplestrategies to stop eating when full andhow not to eat when not hungry. There is no change to food buying orpreparation and no banned foods. You lose weight as you eat the foodsyou love.

What’s involved? The package is a 16 week courseavailable on an individual basis. I willwork with you step-by-step, week byweek, to achieve the changes to youreating patterns. Weekly individualmeetings are supplemented byunlimited email support during thecourse so that hurdles can be dealt withimmediately and effectively. The weightloss is easy to maintain because yournew eating behaviours will be easier tosustain as they become your new habits.

TRIED AND TESTEDKim Deakin, 50, from Chepstowtalks about her experience.I heard about Dr. McCarthy through afriend. I felt the need to visit her as I’mdesperate to lose weight as I’m gettingmarried next year. I’ve had eighttreatments since January - half waythrough a course of sixteen.

After my treatments, I felt relaxed,focused and very enthusiastic. This hashelped a great deal as I don’t thinkabout food as much as I did; only whenmy stomach tells me it’s hungry. I feelmuch more in control which I’ve neverfelt before and there’s no feeling ofbeing deprived. I’m also enjoying foodnow more than I ever have before.

There are almost no rules, no calories,no sins or points to think about,therefore no panic. Since starting withDr. McCarthy I’m delighted to say I’vemanaged to carry on losing weightsteadily.

Dr McCarthy is the author of theforthcoming book, Positively Hungry: How to Eat in the 21st Century forPermanent Weight Loss.The one-to-one course is available atCyncoed Consulting Rooms in Cardiff andin Harley Street in London.

Cyncoed Consulting Rooms277 Cyncoed RoadCyncoed, Cardiff CF23 6PA


If you’ve tried just about every diet under the sun and you still can’t shiftthose unwanted pounds, then you might want to consider a groundbreakingnew programme developed by Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Dr. HelenMcCarthy of Cyncoed Consulting Rooms.

MIND OVER MATTER

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Cardiff Culverhouse Cross 029 2059 3969Cardiff Colchester Avenue 029 2048 5888Swansea 01792 790088Newport 01633 252187Abergavenny 01873 850911sigma3.co.uk scan to go direct to our website

SPRING

OFFERS

available in store

Free DESIGN service

Full FITTING service

Quality at affordable prices

Allmade in WALES

When did you discover BelleToujours? I’ve been going to Belle Toujours sinceNovember 2012 and that’s thanks totheir head beauty therapist, RachelLovell. I have been a client of Rachel’sfor over 10 years and wherever she goes I go. You have to be able to trustyour therapist and with Rachel I feellike I’m in good hands. She’s extremelyprofessional but also warm andapproachable whilst her skill is secondto none. A facial or massage with Rachelsends me into a glorious relaxed stateand I often fall asleep mid-treatment andleave feeling a new woman!

What treatments do you have? I mainly visit Belle Toujours for theirbeauty/spa services, I love to indulgeonce a month with the Elemis Pro-Collagen Quartz facial, it’s great becauseit lifts and tightens the skin andpromotes anti-aging and it also givesyour skin a radiant glow. The ElemisDeep-Tissue back massage is also one ofmy favourites because it’s great to getrid of tension in my neck which canbuild up thanks to being regularlyslumped over my laptop at work. I alsohave beauty treatments such as eye-lashtint and regular waxes.

I even managed to persuade myhusband and son to check-out theBarber offering, they aren’t exactly ‘newman’ types, but after experiencing theBelle Toujours signature haircut, finishand Elemis wet shave they’ve neverlooked back and are now clients too!

What sets Rachel apart from otherbeauty therapists? It’s her knowledge, skill and integrity,even though I’ve been going to Rachelfor years she still spends the timebeforehand explaining what she isgoing to do which is great because itputs you at ease, she also knows herproducts better than anyone and whilstshe will recommend what products andservices will work best for you shenever pushes the sale and, to me, thattrust is essential.

What do you like most about BelleToujours? It’s just a lovely environment, withoutbeing over the top. From the outsidethe salon is pretty non-descript andcould pass as one of the residentialtownhouses on Cathredral road,however as soon as you pass throughthe doors you feel like you’re enteringanother world, one that is decadent andluxurious but you also feel verywelcome.

The staff are friendly yet professionalthe first thing they do is ask you whatyou like to drink and take your coat andit’s these simple touches that make feelat ease. No expense has been sparedwith the interior, it feels so upmarketyet the prices are very reasonable.

Would you recommend the salon? Absolutely, it’s evident that the salon isstaffed with the very best stylists, nailtechnicians, therapists and barbers, theprofessionalism shines through themoment you enter the salon. The staffcombined with the luxury environmentand affordable prices position BelleToujours as a leader in the marketplace,I couldn’t recommend Belle Toujourshighly enough.

Since opening in Autumn 2012, Belle Toujours,Cardiff’s luxury one-stop hair and beautydestination, has made waves within the city thanks to its unique concept. We spoke to one of the salon’s biggest advocates, an ardent fan oftheir spa offering, Anne Jones to find out more…

TRIED & TESTED

Belle Toujours113 Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9PH029 2022 [email protected] on Twitter, Pinterest & Facebook

“You feel like you’reentering another world,one that is decadent andluxurious, but you alsofeel very welcome”

TRIED & TESTED

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Anne Jones, left, with head beauty therapist, Rachel Lovell

The one thing I love about Julie andher family is how humble and hardworking they are. These daysbusinesses have to work hard butalso set themselves apart from thecompetition. We caught up withJulie as she plans the opening oftheir second showroom.

It says on your email, ‘30 years ofbeing awesome.’ Just how awesomeare you?I think we are a quite awesome. We’re not showing off - we’re justconfident in our abilities.

Why have been so successful?We are very much a family business -my husband and both our daughters are an integral part of the team and Ithink it’s also our dedication to gooddesign, and the signature Jewels Canleystyling formula - I suppose you couldsay it’s hereditary.

I inherited a real work ethic from mydad. We’ve always worked hard. We’vealways priced fairly. We’ve always caredabout our customers.

I know we’re good at what we do but Isuppose the proof is in the pudding -customers keep coming back so wemust be doing something right.

What services do you offer?Whether you’re looking to revamp asingle room or a whole house, we can help. From made-to-measurefurnishings, to the dressing of walls,floors and windows, and pretty muchevery dainty detail in between - we takecare of the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We offer re-upholstery, we design andcreate bespoke furniture. We design andmake curtains, blinds, pelmets. Basicallywe look after as much or a little as youneed.

Why the expansion into Penarth?Business has been good and we felt itwas the right time to expand. Welooked at several towns in the Vale butkept being drawn to Penarth. We havemany long-standing clients in Penarth.Quite a few high quality businesses haveopened there over the last year and itjust seems to have a good vibe about it.

Jewels Canley Interiors has been setting thestandard of interiors and design in Wales since1983. As the family-run business combines itsthirty year celebrations with an expansion intoPenarth, Vale Life meets co-owner Julie Perkins to discover a few secrets of its success.

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE

“We’ve always workedhard. We’ve alwayspriced fairly. We’vealways cared about our customers.”

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Who are your customers?We work with both private andcommercial customers. Everyone getsthe Jewels Canley super-service.

What advice would you give clients?We offer a free initial consultation. It’s always best to get us in at theplanning stage of a project. The excitinginitial consultation will take customerson a tailor-made journey through thestyling and design process allowingthem to gain an insight into the fullpotential of what’s possible.

Jewels Canley Interiors Ltd

11 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff CF14 3JN 029 2069 2255 [email protected]

Follow on Facebook and TwitterJewelsCanley

“Whether you’re looking torevamp a single room or awhole house, we can help.”

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Where and when did you getmarried?At Miskin Manor, 26th August 2012.It was a fabulous day.

How did you come to chooseHawkes Essentials for your suits?I went to Hawkes Essentials after beinglet down by a clothing designer I know.Russell was fantastic and a real pleasureto work with. With it being one of themost important days of my life, Hawkeshad to deliver and turned around fivethree-piece suits in a week, and they allfitted perfectly. Russell took all mystress away and competently took overand made them perfect for all of us.Even my nine year old boy had a smallertie made to match!

Describe the suitsThe suits were really well-fitted andgrey in colour. The ties were purple andlooked fantastic. The shirt was just sowell made - apparently Roger Moorewears them.

How would you describe theexperience of working with Hawkes Essentials?I thought Russell and his staff were justmind blowing! They gave meconfidence and security and made sureeverything was in hand. I would highlyrecommend them to anyone. Theydefinitely go the extra mile.

How did you all feel on the day?I felt a million dollars - and really proud.We all looked so good and lots ofcomments were made about how goodmy best man and my two sons andfather-in-law looked.

INVESTMENT

Hawkes Essentials raises the bar again!

For those of you who haven’tvisited Hawkes Essentials recently,you’re in for a lovely surprise asthis very fine gentleman’s outfittershas undergone a five figurebasement refurbishment.

Stock is displayed in a manner that’svery easy on the eye. By displaying anoutfit rather than an item, Russell Scott-Lawson and his team are helping thecustomer make considered choices. Bytheir own admission, men are generallynot the best shoppers but now, withitems displayed even more appealingly,and with the help of Russell and his helpful but not over-zealous staff, mencan shop in a relaxed, friendly andunintimidating environment.

What brands can you find at Hawkes?Well, you’ll find something to suit everyoccasion - be it smart casual, or for themore formal occasion and, of course,the all important wedding attire.Relatively new brands are HollandEsquire, Eton shirts and 1 Like No Other- seriously stylish clothing. OwnerRussell is very excited about a new labelto Hawkes, the classic Crombie. Thisiconic brand evokes the very best ofBritishness, worn by world leaders,Hollywood legends, and rock royalty.

Every groom wants to look his best on his wedding day and that was certainlythe case for Olympic Medallist and three times World Champion, now turnedbusinessman, Jamie Baulch. We caught up with Jamie to find out more.

EXTRA MILEGOING THE

Hawkes Essentials37-39 Morgan ArcadeCardiff CF10 1AF029 2037 3780www.hawkesessentials.comFollow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

“Russell and his staff were just mind blowing!They definitely go theextra mile.”

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Photography www.garyandsuephotography.com

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Vale Life talked to Ben Phillips ofNolton Shoes, Bridgend which hasbecome Hunter’s biggest sellingretailer in Wales.

What makes Hunter such adesirable brand?Hunter is designed to be outstanding inany field, from city streets to musicfestivals and rugged countryside, Hunterfootwear is renowned for itsperformance, durability and, probablymost important, comfort.

What kind of customer buysHunter?It’s a style icon now so I’d say thefashion conscious customer who wantsto make a style statement but alsounderstands that, to get quality, youhave to pay a little extra. And, ofcourse, I’d have to say if they’re goodenough for Royalty, then, as they say,they’re good enough.

Do you think the Royal Warrant isimportant?Over the years, Hunter has receivedmuch recognition, but the brand isparticularly proud of its Royal Warrantsof Appointment as suppliers ofwaterproof footwear to HM The Queenand HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. RoyalWarrants have always been regarded asa mark of excellence and quality, andare highly prized.

Why choose Hunter?It’s an iconic brand but, more than that,Hunter produce a superior product. Itsperformance as a piece of footweardesign is unquestionable. They arehighly regarded and quite rightly so.When people mention Hunter in thesame sentence as Rolex, Mulberry orBentley you know you’re dealing withquality - these are trusted and reveredbrands and we are proud to hold thelargest range in Wales.

DID YOU KNOW?

Hunter - a symbol ofBritish country life

The original Hunter company(North British Rubber Company)was originally started in 1856 by MrHenry Lee Norris, an Americanentrepreneur, who landed onScottish soil in search of a home forhis boot making company.

Hunter's most famous boot, the OriginalGreen wellington, was made over fiftyyears ago in the winter of 1955. It wasthe first orthopaedic boot.

In 1977, having continued to supplywellies to the Royal Households, Hunterwas awarded a Royal Warrant from HRHThe Duke of Edinburgh. This wasshortly followed, in 1986, by a RoyalWarrant from HM The Queen, providinggreat recognition for their work inkeeping some very important feet dry!

Today, Hunter remains the preferredwellie brand for those who like to workhard and play hard. There’s a greatrange of boots to suit wellie wearers allover the world - from the Royal Familyto festival-goers, working farmers andlanded gentry alike.

HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED

For over 150 years, Hunter hasepitomised British style. This bastionof outdoor footwear has transcendedits outdated green wellie image tobecome one of the world’s hottestand coolest brands.

Bridgend Foot Clinic5 Nolton Street, Bridgend CF31 1BX01656 766 446www.noltonshoes.comFollow on Facebook

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DESIGN HAPPYRecognised for their innovative use of product, their passion for design andgreat customer service, Thomas Gardiner are fast becoming one of SouthWales’ most sought after bathroom designers.

Vale Life talks to owner, AllanGardiner about the latest Happy D.2product range from Duravit.

What do you like most about thisnew line?It’s very clean-cut, very chic. Theupdated Happy D.2 is a completebathroom solution - it’s as versatile andtimelessly modern as its predecessorand yet, it’s completely new. Thewashbasin is available as a furniturepiece with matching vanity unit or witha metal console, as a surface-mountedwashbasin and as a classic washbasinwith pedestal or siphon cover.

You seem to be very passionateabout this brand...I love the way they design products -the way they think. For example, one ofthe basins, which feature a curved rearrim, appears to float gently in itssurroundings creating a feeling ofweightlessness. The Happy D.2 rangejust seems to bring a real feminine styleto the bathroom.

Is Duravit’s design pedigreeimportant to you?We want to work with brands that webelieve in. Duravit has been awardedthe world’s most coveted qualitydistinctions for outstanding design - TheRed Dot Award 2013. There were morethan 4,662 entries in 19 differentcategories judged by an independentpanel of industry experts. Only the bestdesigns impressed the jury with theirsuccessful design concepts.

Why do you think customerschoose you?Customers tell us that they like ourstyle. They love the way we cantransform a space for them - ourcreative use of space, and the way wetake a product and make it thecustomer’s own. We do that by listeningcarefully and ensuring that the designsolution meets their needs.

Clients have many priorities - for someit’s budget, for others its practicality, forothers it’s creativity. Whatever it is, welove the challenge - it’s our opportunityto wow the customer, and we love that.

Do customers have to use yourdesign service?No, not at all, if a customer just wantsus to supply product, then we are morethan happy to. We’ll always be on handto offer product advice and advise thecustomer if they need our help.

Thomas Gardiner

485 Cowbridge Road WestCulverhouse Cross, Cardiff CF5 5TG

029 2067 9815www.thomas-gardiner.com

“We take a product andmake it the customer’sown...”

We met Paul Cornish and Jacs ofPaul and Jacs Photography, SylviaGodfrey of Image Boutique andCathy Evans of Gingers Boutique ona very cold Sunday morning (EasterSunday morning to be exact) andwere welcomed by a hot cup ofcoffee. As you would expect onsuch a day, Bar 44 was full oflunchtime bookings so weimmediately got down to business.

Sylvia and Cathy are not just businessowners but also good friends and feltcompletely comfortable in each other’scompany and it showed. They put ontheir first set of outfits and Paul and Jacsgot to work. In between shooting, Iasked Sylvia and Cathy about what theythought of the new season’s ranges andthe brands their customers know andlove.

Cathy EvansGINGERS BOUTIQUE

I am very excited about this season asthere is such diversity in our fashionselection. Our linen collection is ourlargest ever stocking Flax, Sahara, InsideOut, Zele and Ana Nonza. This range issuper as it offers an unstructured butsmart look, especially for the largerprofile.

Pretty prints dominate dresses thisseason and we have a lovely selection insoft pinks, corals with turquoise, redsand jades. All of these dresses have littlejackets or knitted boleros to match.Poppy, our classic range, offers an arrayof tops and skirts in lovely colours - agreat mix and match range.

The nautical look is the trend for ourcasual section. Stripes dominate,particularly navy/white, red/white loose tops to go with our crops inwhite, blue, pink and navy. Quirky isstrong with Intown and Miss Baronoffering something a bit different. Our Danish range is ever expanding ascan be seen in our red and black outfitin the photo.

Finally, not to be outbeaten, is ourfabulous range of accessories. Ourlargest range of costume jewellery andscarves is now in for summer andthey’re just fabulous!

Sylvia GodfreyIMAGE BOUTIQUE

Fashion comes and goes and it’s the jobof a good boutique owner to always beon-trend when it comes to being in theknow when buying for the season.Image Boutique has spacious shopdisplays with a fabulous collection ofcolourful separates from day wear, rightthrough to occasion wear and mother-of-the-bride.

After the long, cold winter, thisspring/summer season is an explosionof colour and an array of bold printscreating an exciting vibrant wardrobe.What brings the many customers toImage? It may be the brands that Sylviahas chosen with care. Brands that fit theshape of a woman, that manage toflatter her completely. Brands such asEmreco Marble, Saloos, Doris Streich,Frank Lyman, Michael H Gold andMoree.

It could be the personal and friendlyatmosphere, Sylvia has alwaysendeavoured to listen to her customer’sneeds and this is reflected in the loyaltywhich sees ladies returning time andtime again. Rest assured, no two outfitswill be seen at the same event, there aremental notes taken as well as a book ofevents being held with who’s wearingwhat. That’s the level of attention youget at Image

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When we were thinking of a venue in Penarth for our boutiques photoshoot,it wasn’t a difficult decision to choose the latest hotspot that is Bar 44. If you haven’t been there yet, then make a point of paying it a visit for acoffee, a relaxing glass of wine or you could even treat yourself to a selectionof authentic tapas served by their attentive and knowledgeable staff.

PUTTING ON THE STYLE

Sylvia - Dress by Frank Lyman £155, bolero by Frank Lyman £ 85, necklace by Gaby’s £25, bag by Gaby’s £29.99, bracelet by Gaby’s £7.99Cathy - Formalwear dress £69.95 and bolero £54 by Pomodoro, fascinator £45, gloves £12, pearl necklace £35, earrings £10

Sylvia - Trousers by Michael H £92, sweater by Marble £42, three way top by Emreco £49, necklace by Gaby’s £31 Cathy - Smart/casual red bomber jacket £79.95 and black Balerina trousers by Steilmann £49.95, kerchief scarf £5

Ginger’s9 – 10 Washington BuildingsStanwell Road, Penarth CF64 2AD029 2070 9773www.gingersofpenarth.co.uk

Image of Penarth Boutique 108 Glebe Street,Penarth CF64 1ED 029 2070 2505

Paul and Jacs Photography www.paulandjacs.com

If you would like your business featuredin Vale Life, please contact Jennifer atwww.valellfe.co.uk or 07766 106701

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“Fashion comes and goes and it’s the job of a goodboutique owner to be on-trend when it comes tobeing in the know when buying for the season.”

How long have you been going toFood for Thought?Ever since it opened! Originally withNathan’s parents and now continuingwith the next generation.

Is it local then?I work just across the road from the deliand the girls in the office and I can’tresist cream cakes or homemade Welshcakes with our coffee. Also, at lunchtime, we enjoy sumptuous sandwichesmade to order with whatever filling wefeel like. Nothing is too much troubleand the food far too tempting to resist.The staff always give a friendly welcomeeven when they are at their busiest.

What do you think is special aboutshopping in the high street?With the onset of supermarketshopping, business is more difficult forany independent shop, but with goodservice and quality products and, mostimportantly local support, theindependent retailer will survive andprosper.

I think it is so important to supportlocal shops and local people but withthe case of Food for Thought, it is easy.The quality of the products is alwayshigh. The home cooked ham is so tasty,the bacon superb quality and delicious,and the salads look so temping.

High Street is a quality shoppingexperience. I run the accountsdepartment in Knights Sales andLettings and find it a pleasure to driveinto High Street and always receive asmile and a wave from everyone there.

If you had to pick five top productsfrom Food for Thought, what wouldthey be?My favourite products would be thedelicious cheeses, the cooked beef, thecustard slices and the delicious juicychicken and coleslaw sandwiches that Ihave most days for my lunch.

There’s really nothing better than a personalrecommendation for a business than that of agenuine customer. We met with Bernadette Jones,a longstanding customer of Food for Thought inBarry, to find out why she is such an ardent fan of this popular High Street deli.

TRIED & TESTED

Food For Thought 12 High Street, Barry 01446 735711

www.foodforthoughtbarry.co.ukFollow on Twitter

TRIED & TESTED

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Independent retailerfor over 30 years providing

affordable luxury with a personal service

New and pre owned jewelleryPart exchange always considered

Renowned jewellery repair serviceMother of the bride accessories

Felicity of Bridgend34 Nolton Street, Bridgend CF31 3BN

01656 656094www.felicityjewellers.co.uk

FELICITY OF BRIDGEND

Pandora bracelet (start from £55, charms start at £20)

3 Feathers Cufflinks£335

Tamsonite and Diamond Ring£3,950

Casamia Jacket, £24.95

Tumble and Hide Across-the-body-bag Small, £79.99

Mafanna Handcrafted Bag, £19.95

Capollini Sandals, £89.95

D for Diamond Silver Necklace £55

The owners of The Quarter PennyCafé are launching a brand new selfcatering holiday apartment calledThe Old Wine House.

Situated above the Café’s walledcourtyard garden, the apartment has aking size and a twin bedroom (with anoption to sleep two more on a sofa bedin the lounge), a beautiful open planlounge diner with roaring fire and aprivate roof terrace overlooking thehistoric Holy Cross Church in thecentre of Cowbridge. The apartmentwill be available to let from July 2013and Natalie and Justin are offering ValeLife readers a chance to ‘road test’ theapartment for one night in June.

The prize includes■ One night’s accommodation for two ■ A bottle of chilled Prosecco & fresh

Strawberries on arrival■ Two course supper with wine served

in the apartment■ Hearty Welsh Breakfast the following

morning

To be in with a chance of winning, justanswer the question in the box belowand either post your entry to: The Old Wine House, Vale Life,Cardiff House, Cardiff Road, Vale ofGlamorgan CF63 2AW.

Or email your answer and contactdetails to [email protected]. Please type The Old Wine House as the email title. Closing date 30.06.13.

WIN!A night’s stay at brandnew holiday apartmentThe Old Wine House

Where is The Old WineHouse situated?

NameAddress

PostcodePhoneDate of BirthEmail It is a condition of entry that entrants will receive acommunication from Vale Life and separately from TheOld Wine House. Entrants will be able to unsubscribefrom the list if they wish to do so. If you wish to receive further communication from ValeLife or The Old Wine House you need do nothing. Yourstatutory rights are not affected.

Q

✃

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What exactly should be consideredduring this planning stage, in orderto achieve your perfect bathroom?

■ Do you use a shower more than abath or are both equally important?Both baths and shower trays areavailable in a variety of materials andin a huge range of styles, shapes andsizes or you may be thinking of a tiledwetroom. Would you choose anacrylic , enamelled steel, or even acast iron bath?

■ If choosing a bath, would you preferfreestanding, tiled in, or a bath withpanels? You could consider one with a whirlpool or air system, orperhaps a combination of both, withunderwater mood lighting!

■ The type of water system you haveneeds to be considered. Whether youhave a conventional gravity fedsystem, a combi boiler or an unventedsystem, an experienced bathroomdesigner will be able to guide youtowards which brassware is suitablefor you.

■ Would you like the flexibility of aseparate hand shower for washinghair and cleaning purposes?

■ Inside the shower enclosure youcould choose a fixed overheadshower or a sliding shower rail set, orboth, or perhaps some body jets.

■ Do you require a bidet or would youconsider an alternative?

■ One basin or two? The “His & Hers”concept is a very popular option.

■ There are many types and styles oftoilet. Space saving, traditional, atoilet with a concealed cistern or wallmounted for easy cleaning.

■ Is plenty of storage essential in thebathroom? You could consider fitted,freestanding or modular furniture in ahost of finishes. A mirror or a mirrorcabinet with lighting and a shaversocket with space for a few cosmeticsmay be enough. Even a cabinet withan iPod docking station may be justwhat you desire!

With all this to consider, next time wewill be talking about style, colour,heating, lighting, and accessories. Also afew more important considerationsbefore finalising a plan that will bringyour bathroom dreams to life!

Whatever your project, a new bathroom, shower room or cloakroom, the first and most important consideration is planning. You may have your ownideas which your designer will be able to take on board and with experienceand a wide product knowledge can open up a world of possibilities whichyou may not have considered before.

Cardiff Bathroom CentreHadfield Road, Cardiff CF11 8PW029 2034 0861 www.cardiffbathroomcentre.co.uk

PLANNING A NEW BATHROOM?HERE’S SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

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Woman’s Cut & Finish From £26

Colour From £20

Waxing From £7

Manicures From £14

Pedicures From £14

Lash/Brow Tints £10.50

Facials From £21

Massages From £21

Men’s Cut & Finish From £16

Men’s Waxing from £21

Children’s Cuts From £8

advanced Colour Correction

Open until 6pm Weekdays

Late Nights until 8pm Tuesday & Thursday

Two Luxury Beauty Rooms

Nail Bar

Free Wi-Fi

Gift Vouchers Available

We are a Colour Responsible Salon

Exclusive Retail Products

Monthly offers & Competitions

We welcome you to Capelli Salons

Bridgend

with 10% off your

first visit with

us

C Hair Beauty Clinic Shop

www.capellisalons.co.uk

01656 650 101

106 Nolton Street Bridgend

South Wales

http://www.facebook.com/CapelliSalonsGroup

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After many customer requests, The Queen B in Penarth is nowstocking a range of outfits to suitspecial occasions, at affordableprices. We speak to the owner, Jodie Tanner.

Why did you decide to offeroccasion wear? Our customers can always count on usfor smart casual wear but we weregetting asked for more formal wear forweddings, cocktail and dinner parties.The Queen B customers want andexpect something different and I’mdelighted to be able to offer it to them.

We’ve now introduced several qualitybrands including Mascara, Daisy May,Hunters & Gatherers and Fever. Theseare brands that cannot be found on theHigh Street.

Here at The Queen B, our customerswant to look extremely feminine andthese pieces, which are of superbquality, will take them through anyevent this spring and summer and arestunning boutique-style occasion wearwithout the high price tag.

What’s been the reaction so far? Our window displays have certainlymade an impact! So many customershave said that they almost dread havingto buy an outfit for that really specialoccasion because there’s nothing outthere that’s different and everyone endsup looking like clones. We keep a diaryof events and who’s wearing what sothat nobody goes to the same eventwearing the same outfit. The designs,fabrics and colours really help you standout from the crowd and make astatement. I only ever order just a fewof each style so my customers aren’tlikely to bump into someone else in thesame design.

What about accessories?That’s the beauty of shopping at TheQueen B. We have a fabulous selectionof shoes, bags and jewellery that willcomplete any outfit. We also offer arange of stunning fascinators in anycolour to match or contrast with ouroutfits. Even if a customer has boughtsomething elsewhere, we’re happy tohelp them with their accessories.

Why do customers return to you? It always comes down to good serviceand attention to detail. I’m proud tohave such a great team working withme. We get to know our customers,know what they like and what suitstheir body shape and will suggest itemsthat we know will work for them. Myprices are competitive. I have a fantasticrange of brands that my customers havecome to rely on. We all really enjoy ourroles here at The Queen B and I thinkthat shines through.

We all want to look our best whenever we leavethe house and, especially, if it’s a wedding, thepolo, Ascot or a formal occasion. In these times of austerity, when budget comes into play, findingan outfit that you love that doesn’t cost the earthcan be a real challenge.

A SENSE OF OCCASION

The Queen B7- 8 Washington Buildings Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 2AD029 2070 0177www.thequeenb.co.ukFollow on Facebook and Twitter

Open Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5pm

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Established for over fourteen years, JW Decking creates and designsoriginal structures to enhance yourhome and garden and their worktakes them across the south ofEngland and South Wales. We chatto business owner James Wrightabout enhancing our outside spaces.

What services do you offer?We specialise in timber constructionand offer a wealth of experience andexpertise. We create timber structuresof interest and originality and we can offer anything from bespoke pergolas and quality fencing to treehouseinstallations. We enjoy what we dowhich is reflected in the quality of our work.

Why should someone choose you?In our fourteen years, we have designedand built hundreds of decks and bespokestructures. We have made a substantialinvestment in specialist equipment toensure our clients get the best deckpossible and we work with our clients to create a distinct, one-off design.

This can include hand finished railingsand fittings for a finished deck that issomething that you won’t find in anyDIY shop. Our products are hand-madeto suit requirements.

We provide a detailed drawing of thedeck and an all-inclusive quote with nonasty surprises.

Tell us about your new website...We will have time lapse video builds and news updates of projects anddesigns we are currently working on.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIAL “We just wanted to write a brief noteto say how very pleased we are withour new sundeck, pergola andplanters. All have been completed toan exceptionally high standard andare a real enhancement to our home.”Simon and Adrian

With the finer weather now finally upon us, it’stime to start looking at our living spaces, and inparticular, our gardens.

ALL DECKED OUT

JW DeckingCreating Amazing Spaces since 1999

01446 772139 or 07725 811207 [email protected] James for friendly advice or toarrange a no obligation site visit.

“We specialise in timber construction and offer agenuine wealth of experience.”

WITH JW DECKING

holidaycottages.co.uk

With over 4 million visits to our award winning website in the past 12 months, we know how to drive customers to your door.

If you want to discuss the benefi ts of a dedicated one-to-one Property Manager, hassle-free payments in advance and our commitment to a diverse range of multi-channel marketing then get in touch today.

For more information call 01237 426 762 or e-mail [email protected]

Your holiday cottage specialists…

How long has Scallywags been inbusiness?Scallywags opened nearly 25 years agoand I took the shop over in autumn lastyear. I’ve always worked in retail andam passionate about children's clothes.

Are you local to Cowbridge?I was born and bred in Cowbridge, myuncle had a shoe shop in the town and Iused to love ‘helping out’ when I was alittle girl. I think my love of retail musthave started then!

Which brands do you stock?We stock a wide range of British andEuropean brands from birth to 14 years,which include Emile et Rose, Absorba,Joules, Lilly and Sid, Darcey Brown,Timberland, Jean Bourget, Pampolina,Eliane et Lena and many more. We’realways on the lookout for differentbrands and new this season are FrenchConnection and Billie Blush clothing.We also stock Inch Blue baby shoes,Timberland footwear for boys and LelliKelly for girls.

Where do your customers comefrom?As well as the Vale, our customers reallycome from far and wide, all over SouthWales, the valleys and over the bridge.

What is it, do you think, that makesScallywags special?We pride ourselves on selling fabulous,stylish clothing that is different towhat's available on the high street.Service is also paramount to us which is why so many customers come backagain and again, It’s lovely as we havecustomers who bought for theirchildren now coming in to buy for their grandchildren.

I hear you’re about to launch yournew website...Yes, it’s all really exciting. I think it will be well received by customers.Everyone leads such busy lives thesedays, we don’t always have time tospend shopping, so I'm very happy to offer this as an extension of theservice we offer. How has the fact that you've taken

over the business been received?I've had a fantastic response. I'd like tosay a big thank you to all our customersfor their kind words and support. It'sgoing to be a really exciting year atScallywags. There are some fantasticnew brands making their debut, sowatch this space...

For the most trusted name in kids, toddler andbaby designer clothes, shoes and accessories,Scallywags of Cowbridge should be your first portof call. New owner Ceri Whittaker gives us tips on how to keep your little ones stylish this season.

WHERE LITTLE STARS SHINE

Scallywags2 Willow Walk, Cowbridge(Town Hall car park) 01446 772104info@scallywagskidsclothes.co.ukwww.scallywagskidsclothes.co.uk

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beautiful furniture for beautiful homes

unit 2 freemans park, penarth road, cardiff cf11 8eq tel 029 2034 3055 www.benjaminsinteriors.com

BRIDGEND

Welcome Spring into yourhome at Cwtch

Celebrate the new season by addinga few gorgeous hand-crafted giftsincluding candles, door stops,personalised cushions, blankets and more. All made from recycledWelsh blankets. These items wouldmake the perfect gift for friends orfamily at prices that won’t break the bank.

Clare Jenkins Vintage Textiles LtdCwtch, 16 - 18 Nolton ArcadeBridgend CF31 1DX01656 648696clare@vintagewelshtextiles.co.ukwww.vintagewelshtextiles.co.ukTwitter @CwtchBridgendFacebook Cwtch & Vintage Welsh Textiles

A new watch, like almost all luxuryitems, depreciates in value by up to 30% after you first wear it. Pre-owned classic watches,however, will hold their value.

Over time they can be worth evenmore than the original purchase cost.With due care and regular maintenance,a quality watch will last you a lifetime.David Edwards Jewellers in Cardiff’sRoyal Arcade has many more watchesto choose from. They also purchasewatches and welcome part exchange.Whether you’re a seller or a buyer ofclassic, pre-owned watches, there’s no reason to go anywhere else.

TOP ROW, LEFT

Rolex bi col ladies watch

TOP ROW, RIGHT

Rolex ladies diamond bezel blue dial

MIDDLE ROW, LEFT

Ladies 18ct Jaeger le Couttre diamondset watch

MIDDLE ROW, RIGHT

Frank Muller Conquistador steel watch

BOTTOM ROW, LEFT

Gents Rolex bi-col date-just gold dial

BOTTOM ROW, MIDDLE

Rolex gents sub blue diamond andbezel

BOTTOM ROW, RIGHT

Cartier Pasha Automatic

A TIMELY INVESTMENT

If you’re fortunate enough to have a little set asideto invest, and you like the finer things in life, then there could probably be no better investmentthan classic, pre-loved timepieces. Timeless brands such as Cartier, Frank Muller, Jaeger, Patek Philippe and Chopard will not only hold their value but will,in most cases, increase in worth over time.

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Jack Cohen

Phot

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All watches featured available from

David Edwards Jewellers

23-25 Royal Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AE

029 2064 1939

www.davidedwardsjewellers.co.uk

Chopard 18ct w/gLadies Watch

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“The Queen B in Penarthhas something for everyage, size and occasion.Shopping should be anenjoyable experienceand that is certainly trueabout shopping here.”

You see, I’ve learnt over the yearsthat I’m much better off shoppinglocally at independent boutiques.Why? Well for three good reasons.

One - local boutique owners don’t buy alot of the same stock so you don’t runthe fashion gauntlet of bumping intosomeone wearing the same item as you.

Two - a local boutique owner knowsme, my lifestyle and my personality so ismuch more equipped to give me thebest advice on what suits me.

Three - a friendly atmosphere wherethere is no obligation to buy. I feelhappy to browse and chat.

The Queen B, in Penarth, ticks all theboxes. Owner Jodie Tanner, and herfriendly, knowledgeable team, make it their business to get to know theircustomers, and their needs. It’s all about honesty here, they care about the customer looking and feeling goodas opposed to hitting targets. Jodie hasgreat fashion sense, buys stock that ison-trend, and knows what will appeal to her customers.

With a large choice of brands such asDarling, Traffic People, Charming,Amazing Woman, Hybrid, Naomi T,Diva Catwalk, The Queen B has all thatyou need for daytime, evening andspecial occasions. They have anextensive range of footwear andhandbags to complete any outfit.

The Queen B stocks a range of outfitsfor mother of the bride and guests from Mascara, Daisy May, Hunters andGatherers and Fever at prices that won’t break the bank. To find out more turn to page 53. Real women are well catered for too with a range of fashionable and comfortable clothingin sizes 14 to 24.

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Whenever my wardrobe needs an injection of newseason clothes, you would think that my firstthought would be to head off into the city to thelarger stores but you’d be wrong.

The Queen B7- 8 Washington Buildings Stanwell Road, Penarth CF64 2AD029 2070 0177www.thequeenb.co.ukFollow on Facebook and Twitter

Open Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5pm

THE QUEEN BAFFORDABLE STYLE

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What’s hot this spring

BEST BEAUTY BUYS

Crabtree and EvelynShimmer Lip Gloss, £9 each

Roger & Gallet Fleur d’Osmanthus beauty oil, £24.50Eau Des Bienfaits fragrant body mist, £28.50Bois d’Orange Huile Sublime, £24.50

NARS Eyeshadow Duo in Mad Mad World, £25

Crème de la MerThe Moisturizing Soft Cream 30ml, £100 60ml, £190

The Body ShopBerry Cheeky Eyeshadow, £7

NARS Lipstick in Dressed To Kill £18.50

Estee Lauder AERIN Multi Color for Lips and Cheeks in Natural £30

OriginsGinZing cream eyeshadow £21

OriginsGinZing brightening mascara, £17

OjonColor Sustain PRO, £25

Crème de la MerThe Regenerating Serum 30ml, £220

Estee Lauder AERINCream Rose Hand and Body Cream, £36

Dr. Jart + Regenerating BB Cream, £21

Jergens Daily Moisture, £3.49

Dr Jart + V7 Vitalaser 2.1 0 £32

The Body Shop Absinthe Purifying Hand Butter, £11Purifying Hand Gel, £2.50Purifying Hand Cream, £5/£10Absinthe Purifying Hand Wash, £5

Bespoke handmade curtains & blinds, curtain poles,wall coverings, soft furnishings and lighting togetherwith a range of hand-picked home accessories.

Elaine Jones InteriorsBring Style Home

No 4 Wine Street(in the historic heart of)Llantwit Major CF61 1RZTelephone 07957 312 485

Davies Motor CompanyAccident Repair Specialists

Hadfield Close, Cardiff CF11 8BD02920 394407www.daviesmotorcompany.com

Approved by Aston Martin, Bentley Cardiff and Nissan GTR

I’ve inherited my mum’s limp hair.What products can I use to helpmake it look thick and lustrous?If your hair is flat, limp, fragile with nobody, you’ll know what it’s like to havelifeless, tired hair that doesn’t hold astyle easily. We would suggest Joico OatProtein Complex™ with oat amino acidsand hydrolyzed oat protein. Not onlywill this volumize and thicken hair butit will do it without adding weight.

I’ve recently had a new colour andI’m worried that the sun’s rays willmake it fade too quickly. Do youhave any suggestions?If you want to keep the shine, vibrancyand long lasting colour in your hair,then you’ll need Joico Colour Endure.With UV protector and green tea, this multi-spectrum defence complex™

has different treatments for differenthair types.

Colour Endure - for normal, healthycolour-treated hair, Colour EndureViolet for blonde toned or grey hair, K-Pak Colour Therapy for damagedcolour-treated hair and K-Pak forbleached damaged hair. It’s all aboutconditioning.

My hair’s a frizzy mess? What can Iuse to make it more manageable?No-one wants unruly hair. If this is yourmajor problem, then you need JoicoSmooth Cure with Tucuma butter,Brazilian nut oil and hydrolyzed keratin.These will turn down the frizz and turnup the long-lasting smoothness.

Help, I’m coming up to a birthdaymilestone and my sunbed days arecatching up with me. What productwill help turn back the hands oftime?Wrinkles, altered pigmentation, loss ofskin tone… we associate these changeswith skin ageing. A proactive approachto managing skin ageing triggers cankeep skin smoother, firmer andhealthier for longer. We would highlyrecommend the Dermalogica AGESmart™ Starter Kit which contains a fullmonth’s regimen that you can use everyday for firmer, smoother, healthier skin.Use morning and night. The peptidesand glucosamine in these productstarget integral damage before itbecomes visible to the naked eye.

My hair is limp, what products will give it more oomph? My new hair colouris fading fast, what can I use to keep it looking vibrant? My skin is showingsigns of ageing, is there a product out there for me? The experts at Hairs ‘n’Graces, Talbot Green, answer your hair and beauty questions.

Hairs ‘n’ Graces69 Talbot Road, Talbot GreenPontyclun CF72 8AE01443 231 [email protected]

HAIRS ‘N’ GRACESEXPERT OPINION

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“A proactive approach to managing skin ageingtriggers can keep skinsmoother.”

Follow us on Facebook ‘HairsnGracestalbotgreen’for your chance to win £25 of Salon Vouchers!

When did you start the business?We started practising in January 2012from my home, then moved in topremises in September 2012 to expandour treatments and product base.

Why did you choose the nameCyfoes?We are a young fresh company who areenthusiastic and full of ideas, plus weare all Welsh speaking and realise theimportance of encouraging its use inthis time, we wanted something thatencapsulated who we are so withCyfoes meaning Contemproary, wethought this was a good reflection of us.

What’s your background? I qualified as a nurse in 2002 and haveworked within the NHS since. Sincesuffering with personal skin relatedissues I have recognised the importanceof honest advice and trustworthyinformation. Our goal at Cyfoes is to ensure that all of our clients receiveappropriate and valid advice.

What is your business philosophy? We are honest, welcoming andconfidential and our services are opento both men and women withtreatments administered by qualifiedprofessionals.

What treatments do you offer?The treatments we offer are: Facials,Chemical Peels, treatments withBotulinum Toxin A, Dermal Fillers,Fractional Co2 Laser, and VPL.

These address problems such as frownlines, crows feet, wrinkles, unsightlyscarring, blemished skin, skin tags wartsand moles, dull and ageing skin, stretchmarks and excessive or unwanted hair.

Where do your clients come from? We have clients who travel fromSwansea, Cardiff and The Vale andresidents of RCT

Why did you choose Talbot Green?Talbot Green offers our clients easyaccess. We are five minutes from theM4 with easy access from the Valleys.We’re on the main street but not streetlevel allowing our clients subtlety andconfidentiality. We have free parkingwithin walking distance of the clinic.And, most importantly as we do nothave city overheads, we can reflect thisin the cost of treatments.

Which brands do you use? Bocoture, Belotero, Radiesse, Bert’sBees, Agera rx: and Murad.

What do you think makes CyfoesHealthcare stand out from otherclinics? We are friendly, approachable, honest,professional and interested in peopleand building relationships. We are localpeople setting up a great facility withinour locality. We are a small clinic atpresent but with lots of personality andcharacter both in the clinic and staff.We are well worth a visit.

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With an abundance of businesses offering chemicalpeels, dermal fillers and more, how do you knowwho to trust? With qualified professionals with 25 years experience in the NHS, Cyfoes should be your first port of call. We chat to one of theowners, Andrea Evans RN to find out more...

THE SKIN SPECIALISTS

Cyfoes HealthcareFirst Floor35-37 Talbot Road, Talbot GreenRhonda Cynon Taff CF72 8AD01443 [email protected]

“We are honest,welcoming andconfidential and ourservices are open toboth men and womenwith treatmentsadministered byqualified professionals.”

8 Washington BuildingsStanwell Road

Penarth CF64 2AD029 2071 1100

www.thequeenb.co.ukFollow on Facebook and Twitter

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Wedge £32.50

Bag £45

Wedge £32.50

Boot £45

Flip flop £18

Mule £35

Block shoe £35

Bag £45

Wedge £39.50

67 ❧❧

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“There’s no better focal point than a wood-burning stove.”

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There’s nothing quite like a realwood burning stove to bringwarmth to your home. We chat to Carlton to find out more about their recent refurbishment and,more importantly, about why weshould all consider installing astove in our homes.

What brands of fires do you sell andinstall?We offer a full range of traditional andcontemporary wood burning stoves -Merlin (sole distributor in Wales),Franko Belge, Stovax, Mulberry, andTermatech to name a few. We areexcited to announce that we have alsoadded another supplier to our range,‘LogFire’, who are currently promotingtheir LF range which has acontemporary style and feel and can befitted in most homes.

Are wood burning stoves expensive?We offer something for all budgets andall tastes, with prices ranging fromunder £200 up to £12,000.

Where does your work come from?Mostly from customer referrals - a claimthat we are supremely proud of.Customers can be assured that we givesound advice and won’t sell a fire thatisn’t suitable. Both Christian and I areHETAS registered engineers so we’requalified to safely fit stoves and chimneysystems. There are so many cowboysout there and you can’t afford to takerisks by choosing someone who doesn’tknow what they’re doing.

What are the main considerationswhen having a wood-burning stoveinstalled in your home?Firstly do you already have one and is itoperative? Can it be reconditioned? Thesecond thing you’d need to consider isthe size of the room you wish to heat.All stoves can be installed without achimney - we can install a liner - but youwould need a consultation to assess theviability.

Why are people turning to wood-burning stoves more and more?With gas and electricity prices risingconsistently, people are buying wood-burners as this gives them more controlover their heating costs and, in a lot ofcases, it’s proving cheaper. One thingwe have plenty of in the Vale is wood -it’s also a renewable energy source andcarbon neutral. Let’s be honest, fuelprices are only going to go one wayover the coming years. Money savingissues aside, there’s no better focalpoint than a wood-burning stove.

What areas do you cover?We mainly supply and fit in the southWales region but have installed burnersin Bath, St Albans and London.

What if I’m unsure which stovewould suit my property?Having been in the industry for so long,we’ve seen every type of home andwatched every trend come and go. Weoffer friendly, personal service to helpcustomers with ideas and advice onchoosing stoves and chimney or linersystems. We have an excellent range ofstoves to suit every budget so, whetherit’s a focal point for a contemporarywater front apartment, or a traditionalhome or barn conversion, we’ll supplythe stove that fits the bill perfectly.

THE STOVE ROOM

When Carlton Chivers and colleague Christian started in the chimney and wood-burning stove business over fifteen years ago, the choice was limited.How things have changed! The Curiosity Shop on Cardiff Road, Barry hasundergone a major refurbishment and is now The Curiosity Shop and...

The Stove Room21-22 Cardiff Road, Barry CF63 2QY01446 720408www.chiversrestoration.com

Please tell us about your roles atCardiff Metropolitan University(UWIC)?SARAH I’m a lecturer in Microbiology atCardiff Metropolitan University which isa role that combines teaching andresearch.

ROWENA I’m a Post-doctoral researcher.We work as part of an establishedresearch group that has beeninvestigating the antimicrobialproperties of honeys. Our roles meanthat we also have the opportunity toengage with the public and things likeNSEW and other outreach events.

Please explain your research...SARAH Our research has been on-goingfor numerous years and we were thefirst group to thoroughly describe theantimicrobial properties of manuka andother honeys, as such we still remain tobe world leaders in the field.

We are studying honey as a topicalantimicrobial agent that can be appliedto wounds to prevent, or to treat,bacterial infection - to be used alongsideor as an alternative to currentlyprescribed antibiotics and antiseptics.

More recently we’ve begun to develop a better understanding of exactly howmanuka honey works when it inhibitsor kills bacteria, which is important tounderpin increased use of honey in theclinical environment. It must be stressedthat the honey we use is a speciallyproduced sterile, medical-grade honeyand not honey from a supermarket orhealth store which should not be usedas medical treatments.

Can you explain what IBRA does?ROWENA IBRA is essentially the world'slongest established apicultural researchpublishers. The organisation is over 60years old and promotes the value ofbees by providing information on beescience and beekeeping.

SARAH IBRA publishes award-winningpublications that are well respected allover the world right here in Cardiff. It’srun on a not-for-profit basis and isfunded purely from the generosity of itsmembers and supporters, and bydonations and legacies. They also doimportant work with schools andorganisations here in Wales and aroundthe world to promote the understandingof bees and bee-keeping.

When did you first become aware ofIBRA’s work?ROWENA As a research group studyinghoney, we have always had close tieswith IBRA and some of our research hasbeen published in IBRA journals. We’vebecome increasingly aware of IBRAswork to raise awareness of bee welfareas a consequence of this and throughcontact with bee-keepers and bee-keeper interest groups on, for example,LinkedIn and Twitter. I’ve presentedour work at many bee-keeper meetings.

How has IBRA helped you with your research?SARAH IBRA has enabled us to be incontact with bee-keepers who havebeen using honeys for many years andrecognise the health benefits; also as aresource for publications. This hasexpanded the opportunities we have toengage with a broader audience and notjust the scientific community.

Looking ahead, we hope to embark onmore joint ventures where we cansupport the work of IBRA and they canfeed into ours.

Bee welfare is very much in the news at themoment and South Wales is a hotbed of researchand campaigning. Vale Life talks to Dr. SarahMaddocks and Dr Rowena Jenkins about theirresearch, and their association with TheInternational Bee Research Association (IBRA).

PLAN BEE

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What can the general public do to improve bee welfare?ROWENA There was an article in theGuardian recently, and other nationalpress papers have also highlightedproblems associated with declining beenumbers and the associated causes. Sothe public really needs to be aware ofthe needs of bees and the huge problemsthat the loss of the bee population couldpotentially have. Everyone can help toprovide a bee friendly environment byplanting the right sorts of plants thatattract them as much of the naturalhabitat is being lost due to farming or apreference for ornamental gardens thatdon’t have many plants or flowers.

SARAH Pesticides are a problem as manycan be toxic to bees as well as the peststhey are aimed at removing, so reduceduse of these or swapping to things like adilute solution of washing up liquid todeter pests would be a big help. In fact,there is a new campaign which is partof the Bee Cause which aims to createBee Worlds which are spaces filled withwild flowers and forage plants wherebees can flourish.

Career-wise, where do you seeyourselves in the future?SARAH There is still so much tounderstand about honeys asantimicrobial treatments and we areonly just beginning to understandexactly how honeys kill or inhibit thegrowth of certain bacteria, such asthose that infect wounds, so weanticipate that our research into honeywill continue well into the future.

ROWENA It would be good to see somerobust clinical trials and greater use ofhoney as a primary treatment for woundinfection.

See the Plants For Bees article for bee-friendly planting on page 73.If you would like to help IBRA’s ongoingresearch into bee welfare by making adonation, please contact them at thefollowing address (boxed right).

71 ❧❧

International Bee ResearchAssociation (IBRA)16 North Road, Cardiff CF10 3DY029 2037 [email protected]

“Everyone can help toprovide a bee friendlyenvironment...”

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

IBRA, at the heart ofbee research

The International Bee ResearchAssociation, IBRA, has beensupporting bee research since 1949.As publishers of the muchrespected Journal of ApiculturalResearch, the organisationcontinues to disseminate the workof the world’s leading scientistspublishing work in English,Spanish and Mandarin.

The small South Wales based teamworks closely with industry specialistsfrom around the globe to producebooks and journals of a world classstandard. IBRA are publishers of themuch publicised BEE BOOK - acollection of research material that isthe definitive guide to studying thehoney bee, through the EU COLOSSprogramme.

IBRA values all species of bee and theirinternational programmes help to:■ Inspire and educate the next

generation of scientists andbeekeepers through schools

■ Support conservation of lost speciesin the UK and Europe

■ Promote sustainability throughbeekeeping in the Third World

■ Help research scientists in developingcountries get their voices heard.

Become a member...IBRA members receive their quality,quarterly journal ‘Bee World’ as well asgaining access to a back catalogue ofresearch papers online. Members andsubscribers know that the informationthat IBRA provides can always betrusted and members and supporterscan be confident that all moniesreceived go towards helping the futureof bees.

Buff tailed bumblebees, hoverflies and a honeybee on globe thistle. Photo W.D.J Kirk

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At the beginning of Spring the firstplants to flower and attract theattention of early awakening beesare the heathers. When thetemperature gets close to 10 degreesCelsius honey bees are one of thefirst signs that spring is here.

Take a walk around any well stockedgarden centre on a sunny day in Apriland the Heathers are literally buzzing.Most of the Spring-flowering Heathersare Erica’s, and they provide colour inthe garden with their reds, pinks, andwhites and provide vital food forhungry bees.

As soon as summer arrives there’s alarger selection of flowering shrubs andperennials that will provide a steadysupply of food for bees to last themthrough to the end of autumn. As wellas Heathers other Spring-floweringplants that are friendly to bees includeMahonias, Salix (Willow), Skimmia, andViburnum. Throughout the summer andinto autumn, the bees’ attention turns toCotoneasters, Lavenders, Buddleja,Hebes, Caryopteris, and roses.

In the herb garden, plants such asMarjoram and Chives attract the bestattention from bees but care must be

exercised when picking leaves for thekitchen. With bees, their main

priority is food so if they landon, or near you, it’s only for

a rest, so don’t panic!

Be careful around this time of yearbecause wasps are also attracted tomany of the plants that bees are butthey are less tolerable to ourinterference. Wasps also tend to like thesame treats as we do such as Ice creamon a beach even though we may be theonly ones there, they still want to shareit with you, and having the ability tosting more than once it pays to givethem a little more respect.

I’ve recently been reading thisbeautifully illustrated book, Plants ForBees, published by the International BeeResearch Association in Cardiff. Itsauthor, William Kirk, has done afantastic job of collating the materialinto a superb reference book and,what’s more, it is beautifully illustrated.If you care for bees and want to knowwhat to plant in your garden to get theirattention, Plants For Bees is a must have.

EXCLUSIVE VALE LIFE OFFER

Get £5 off when youquote Vale Life

Throughout May and June, you canbuy Plants For Bees from IBRA foronly £20 plus p&p when you quoteVale Life.

The International Bee ResearchAssociation (IBRA) is the world’s longestestablished apicultural research publisher.Contact IBRA on 029 2037 2409. Visit www.ibra.org.uk

Bees have had a tough time of late. 2012 was anincredibly wet year so bees really struggled, butthere’s a lot we can do to help them and, in turn,help ourselves in the spring garden.

PLANTS FOR BEES

Rob Hodge Horticulture

01633 744075 www.robhodgehorticulture.co.uk

73 ❧❧

There are lots of benefits to playinggolf; you’ll get some fresh air, you’llimprove your fitness, you’ll havesome fun and, not to mention, theobvious attraction of a fantasticsocial calendar.

Glamorganshire Golf Club claims to bethe oldest golf club in south east Wales.It has a most beautiful parkland coursewith wide fairways, superb greens andis relatively easy walking, with the mostspectacular views across the channel toSomerset. On a good day you can seethe two Severn bridges!

The club has a friendly, and thriving,ladies section with three teams in theGlamorgan and Monmouthshire league.It has an expanding veterans sectionplus a very popular junior section -there’s even a group of retired ladiesplaying bridge weekly.

The ladies have weekly competitionsheld every Tuesday, as well as aworking ladies day on a Sundayafternoon. The club holds many internalcompetitions at Glamorganshire andquite a few mixed competitions. Ladiesvs Men and Ryder Cup competitions arejust a few, and the club always enjoysfull entry for its ladies open day. For2013 this will be held on August 8th.

Glamorganshire Golf Club also puts onmany coffee mornings and charity daysso there’s always something interestinggoing on.

Glamorganshire has an enthusiasticsocial committee who organise eventsevery month including Valentine’sdinner, quiz nights, bingo and theirpopular summer ball and the verypopular club night with a cash prizedraw and curry night.

This year the Club is fortunate to hostthe Ladies Peugeot Foresomes RegionalFinal, Glamorgan County LadiesChampionship, Welsh BoysChampionship and the Men’s Baffie.

The Club boasts very comfortable,furnished, changing/shower roomfacilities and has two professionalgolfers who are very enthusiastic aboutteaching ladies golf. So, if you’re lookingto try golf this year for the first time,give Glamorganshire Golf Club a calland enrol on one of their taster sessions.You could try the Taster Golf (threemonths trial membership) including sixfree lessons at just £150 or sevenmonths from April at just £500 toinclude £50 bar card. Give them a try,Glamorganshire is a really friendly club -you won’t be disappointed.

Would you like to be a little more active? Do you have a few hours a week tospare? You might like to consider playing golf.

GLAMORGANSHIRE GOLF CLUB

Glamorganshire Golf ClubLavernock RoadPenarth CF64 5UP029 2070 1185 Ext 3www.glamorganshiregolfclub.co.uk

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What first made you decide to go toBlu Hair Design?My daughter Molly has been doing workexperience at Blu for the last 18months. She told me what a fantasticsalon it is and how much she enjoysworking there, so I thought I’d give it atry. Before Blu I’d used the samehairdresser for 20 years.

It was a really big decision to make thechange but I’ve been going to Blu eversince and recommend the salon to all ofmy family and friends, many of whomare now also regular clients.

Who is your personal stylist?Harriet Pekary, one of Blu’s SeniorDesigners.

How often do you visit the salon?Every week. When I first started goingto Blu, it was only for an occasionalblow dry, but now I have my hair cutand coloured there as well.

What do you like about the salon?I love the professional yet friendlyatmosphere. Although Harriet is mypersonal stylist, I’ve had my hair doneby other members of the team too andhave to say that, whoever does it, italways looks fantastic. From the timeyou walk through the door at Blu untilyou leave, you’re made to feel sowelcome. The stylists are experts atwhat they do so know exactly what willsuit you and can always suggest newthings. I’ve really enjoyed trying lots ofexciting and innovative styles sincegoing there. My work requires that Iattend events and award ceremoniesregularly, often at very short notice, and Blu always go the extra mile to fitme in.

Do you feel you are getting valuefor money at Blu?Absolutely. The salon offers a fantasticrange of services and all of themrepresent excellent value for money.

As Blu Hair Design celebrates its sixthyear as a five star salon in Penarth.Harriet Pekary, one of Blu’s SeniorDesigners, shares business and creativetips based on her achievement as topoverall employee for 2012.

Harriet said, “Success does not comequickly or easily, there is no shortcut.In my five years at Blu, there havebeen many learning curves and a lotof hard work.

I feel honoured to receive this award. I have many regulars and haveachieved great relationships withthem. I am a good communicator and really value my clients’ feedback. I believe they value my style andproduct advice.

Finishing touches are so importantand attention to detail can make allthe difference to old or new styles. Thevast product retail range we have atBlu can help achieve the best lookpossible. I really appreciate the supportmy clients have given me over the lastfew years. I would like to say a bigthank you to Alexis and HayleyWilliams, our fabulous Blu HairDesign salon owners for all theirsupport, inspiration and for believingin me”.

There is nothing better for any salon than thepersonal recommendation of a valued client. We met with Cathy Lane, local businesswoman, to find out why she is such an ardent fan of BluHair Design in Penarth.

TRIED & TESTED

Blu Hair Design1 Washington ChambersStanwell Rd Penarth CF64 2AF029 2070 4040

[email protected]@BluHairDesignwww.facebook.com/pages/Blu-Hair-Design-Penarth

Open late Wednesday and ThursdayEnquire about our IntroductoryVouchers for your friends and family

TRIED & TESTED

Harriet Pekary, left, and Cathy Lane

“Attention to detail canmake all the difference.”

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BRIDGEND

Premier Driveways & Landscapes

Since 1993 Premier Driveways &Landscapes have been improvingthe homes and lives of residents in the Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend,Cardiff and surrounding areas.

The company, which has three full timequalified staff, provide full gardenlandscaping services including design,garden walling, patios and block paveddriveways.

Premier Driveways & Landscapes are proud members of the MarshallsRegister of Approved LandscapeContractors & Driveway Installers.

To see how your property could betransformed, a full gallery can be foundon the company’s website.

VALEWIDE

Party entertainment hasnever been such fun!

Planning a party and looking forsomething to unique to entertainyour guests? Look no further thanthe Hot Tub Party Hire.

Ideal for parties for both adults andkids, the Easy Spa in a Box is a verypopular choice. The tub which is sixfeet wide can accommodate up to sixpeople and is great for any party, largeor small. This type of tub allows easyaccess to any type of property. It heatsup automatically to 40c. at fill up, soyou can enjoy the fun sooner. This tubhas over 130 air jets to pummel thebody and skin tissue.

Hot Tub Party Hire 07772694559hottubpartyhirewales.co.uk

VALE BUSINESSIn association with The Business Centre

Premier Driveways & Landscapes1 Hollyhock Drive, Bridgend CF31 2NS

01656 76717207866 458360 [email protected]

“Full garden landscapingservices includingdesign, garden walling,patios and block paveddriveways.”

SOUTH WALES

PR agency helps lift the lid on businesses

A new creative communicationsconsultancy has been established byPR specialist Lyndsey Jenkins.

Ms Jenkins, 30, from Cowbridge has setup jamjar PR with the aim of helpingbusinesses across south Wales ‘spread’the word about the fantastic work thatthey do, products that they have andstaff they employ.

Having worked in the PR sector in Walesfor a decade, Lyndsey has won numerousawards for her work from the CharteredInstitute of Public Relations and has awealth of experience working forbusinesses across a range of sectors.Based just outside Cardiff, jamjar PR isalready working with a number ofleading businesses including investmentmanagement firm Brewin Dolphin, theRadisson Blu Hotel in Cardiff, COSGroup, Woko Woco, Valleys Rugby,Boulders Indoor Climbing Centre, Oil 4Wales, TWL, Traveline Cymru, Watkins &Gunn Solicitors and new LED comparisonwebsite www.whichledlight.com

Lyndsey said, “At jamjar PR, wedevelop creative communicationsstrategies that span multi-platformsensuring our clients generate the rightbuzz, media coverage and brandawareness to make their chosenaudiences sit up and take notice! With social media and digitalplatforms the opportunities are endlessfor businesses keen to capitalise onthese new channels to drive growth.”

A big advocate of Lyndsey’s work isJames Emery, a client for over eightyears and Managing Director of COSGroup, who says, “We’ve worked withLyndsey, and specifically Lyndsey, foreight years for a reason. That reason isthat she provides an exceptional PRoffering, and works closely with herclients on a partnership basis.Communication is key in the world ofPR, both with the client and the media,and, frankly, nobody does it better.”

jamjar PR07793 023183www.jamjar-pr.co.uk Follow @jamjarprltd on Twitter and like atwww.facebook.com/jamjarpr. To receive a pot of jamjar PR’s famousstrawberry jam, email [email protected] with the subject Vale Life.

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WORLDWIDE

Escape the rain, Fly Vueling to Spain!

Vueling, Europe’s award winning“Best low cost airline,” nowoperates flights to four destinationsfrom Cardiff for 2013. Services toMajorca, Alicante, Malaga andBarcelona give Welsh passengers agreater choice of services whenflying to some of the most loveddestinations.

Direct flights from Cardiff to PalmaMajorca will operate on Tuesdays,Thursdays and Saturdays commencing20th June 2013. Flights to Alicante andMalaga will also operate on Tuesdays,Thursdays and Saturdays commencing2nd April 2013.

Flights to Barcelona will operate onFridays and Sundays offeringconnections to cruises departing fromBarcelona. Most cruises set sail on aSaturday so these flights will enablepassengers to arrive at a convenienttime in order to join their chosen cruiseand spend a final night in Barcelonabefore returning home. Operationscommence on 31st of March 2013.

Vueling flights also offer a wealth ofonward connections available viaVueling’s successful Barcelona Huboperations, currently accessing over 50destinations in Europe and North-Africa,with full baggage through check-in fromCardiff Airport to final destination.

Having increased capacity from Walesby a massive 80% over summer 2012,there are now over 100,000 seatsavailable for the Welsh market onVueling flights through Cardiff in 2013.

Steve Hodgetts, Commercial Director at Cardiff Airport, said, “Vueling’scommitment to the South Walesmarket has been fantastic and thoseconsumers who used them in 2012have been impressed by the quality of the product. This has beenrecognised across Europe leading toVueling being named best low costairline of the year in 2012.

I urge all those who went over thebridge this year to fly to Spain to look closely at Vueling and chooseCardiff.”

Tickets are available now viawww.vueling.com, travel agents, Vueling’s iPhone app, mobile portalm.vueling.com, and call centre (UK number) 0906 754 7541.

VALEWIDE

Prestigious PropertySolutions Ltd

There’s no getting away from it,carpets don’t clean by themselves. We give them a vacuum every weekbut that doesn’t get rid of the builtup grime from spills, walked in dirtand stains. Did you know that notcleaning carpets and upholsterycorrectly or not cleaning them at allwill reduce their life expectancysignificantly and who can affordnew these days?

Prestigious Property Solutions Ltd is alocal company and proud members ofthe National Carpet CleanersAssociation (NCCA).

Their qualified technicians will leaveyou with the peace of mind that theywill use the correct technique to ensureexpert carpet cleaning that will cleandeep into the pile of your carpet andnot just remove what’s on top. By using a qualified carpet andupholstery cleaner you can be sure that your carpets and soft furnishingsare in safe hands.

What can PPS provide? Carpet cleaning, rug cleaning ‘in situ’,upholstery cleaning, leather cleaningand conditioning, carpet cleaningmaintenance packages, stain treatments, stain protection, germ guard treatment and mattress cleaning. Prestigious Property Solutions Ltd alsooffers complete carpet and upholsterycleaning solutions to all commercialestablishments of any size, which canbe carried out at a time to suit you and your business with little or nodisruption. This includes out of hoursand weekend cleaning. Call today for afree, no obligation quotation.

Prestigious Property SolutionsBased in Cardiff07730 203008 / 07730 203000www.prestigiouspropertysolutions.co.uk

Barcelona, Casa Mila, Gaudi

Palma

“Expert carpet cleaningthat will clean deepinto the pile of yourcarpet.”

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Please describe what your businessdoes...We provide network and ITinfrastructure solutions and managedsupport services to businesses withinWales and the UK. This includesdesigning, installing and supporting ITnetworks, servers, IT hardware andtelephone systems to increaseproductivity, reduce cost and givebusinesses a competitive edge.

When was the companyestablished? 1996. Originally we were based in thecentre of Cardiff.

Why did you choose The BusinessCentre?LOCATION Living nearby means that the commutehas been significantly reduced for me,and being guaranteed a free parkingspace outside the door is certainly abenefit. When we were working inCardiff it took at least 30 minutes to getto work in the morning, with noguarantee of a convenient parkingspace. I have added at least one hour onto my working day by relocating ouroffices to the Vale.

FLEXIBILIT YWe often have the need for more spaceand The Business Centre is able toaccommodate our needs flexibly andquickly - that’s very important. We alsohold frequent meetings and being ableto pay for conference facilities onlywhen we need them has certainly beenvery cost-effective for us.

FACILITIESBeing able to offer our staff the benefitsof an on-site gym, café and breakoutareas has been a factor in improving thequality of our employees’ working life.

What do you like most about beingat The Business Centre? It’s a professional facility where, mostimportantly, I feel we are stronglyvalued as a company. The BusinessCentre is very flexible andaccommodates our requests forincreased space, meeting rooms andadministration services. I live locally,which is an advantage, but we are in anideal location to service our customersacross Wales and the South West.

Would you recommend TheBusiness Centre to associates?Definitely, The Business Centre providesan affordable and flexible professionalworking environment and offers manybenefits which are an asset when tryingto attract and retain staff.

Sarah Edwards is Managing Director ofCapital Networks. For more information,telephone 0845 305 4118 or visitwww.capitalnetworks.co.uk

Finding the right place to do business can be a realheadache. We talk to Capital Networks ManagingDirector, Sarah Edwards, about how relocating her business has significantly increasedproductivity and staff moral.

The Business Centre (Cardiff) LtdCardiff House Cardiff Road, Barry Vale of Glamorgan CF63 2AW0800 6349920

enquiries@thebusinesscentreonline.co.ukwww.thebusinesscentreonline.co.uk

TRIED & TESTED“An on-site gym, café and breakout areas has been a factor inimproving the quality of our employees’working life.”

TRIED & TESTED

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Who is Premier Commercial Wealth Management Ltd?The company was formed in responseto the increasing complexity of financialplanning and the growing need forwhole of market financial advice.

We will provide you with innovative,bespoke financial solutions to assist youin achieving your financial goals. Ouraim is to reduce the cost of investmentand minimise the impact of taxation tohelp your money work harder for you.We will help you to avoid costlymistakes and deliver peace of mind atall times.

As a team, we have over 80 yearscombined industry experience, themajority of which was built up workingwithin HSBC Bank Plc focusing oncommercial, corporate and high networth clients. This experience hasevidenced to us that very often clientsfeel that they have taken the necessarysteps or decisions to look after theirfinancial matters. However, uponfurther investigation, very often itappears that whilst the basicarrangements are in place, the impact of

these decisions on other areas of theclient’s circumstances has not beenconsidered fully.

Who is involved in the business?We comprise of three directors, JeremyReed, Jonathan Williams and PaulTracey, all of whom had workedpreviously for over ten years withinHSBC bancassurance, specialising in thecommercial and corporate sector, withroles ranging from area leadership tothe delivery of the wealth managementproposition. Since establishing PremierCommercial Wealth Management Ltd,we’re proud to have been awarded theprestigious title of ‘Chartered FinancialPlanners’ by the Chartered InsuranceInstitute (CII). This title is only awardedto firms committed to developing andmaintaining the knowledge andcapability of their people so they candeliver the highest quality advice.

Chartered firms must follow ademanding code of ethical practice.This means they must work in aprincipled manner that places clients’interests at the heart of the advice thatthey give.

We work closely with clients within thecommercial and corporate environment,provide wealth management services forthe personal needs of business owners,high net worth clients together withassisting various bodies who haveresponsibilities for institutional monies.

Who do you work with?We have worked for many years nowhelping clients who may not haveworked with a professional IFA firmbefore, make the right decisions fortheir circumstances, together withclients who may have existingarrangements in place but feel that aprofessional second opinion would beof benefit.

Jeremy Reed

Premier Commercial Wealth Management Ltd01656 64582607772 860518jeremy@premiercommercialwealth.comwww.premiercommercialwealth.com

PREMIER SERVICE

Working with a professional IFA firm can be an extremely rewarding andvaluable experience for you, your family and your business. Vale Life speaks toJeremy Reed of Premier Commercial Wealth Management Ltd to find out why.

COMPANY PROFILE

VALE Social Life covers launches, parties,exhibitions, charitable events, fashionshows, engagements and weddings.

Robert Biddle, Jo Morgan, Roger Morgan, Jan Taylor David Mendez, Owen Morgan, Bar 44, Salvador Ballestter

Andrew Howard, Mark Lewis, Rhys Williams, Gareth Francis and Tom Shanklin

COTTRELL PARK GOLF CLUB

Vale Marketing Groupnetworking event

Cottrell Park Golf Club provideda perfect setting for a tourismnetworking event for membersand associates of The ValeMarketing Group, tourismassociation for the Vale.

Spiros Catering supplied an excellentlunch after which guests enjoyed aSegway/Simulator experience.Headline speaker was TrevorFishlock, writer and broadcaster withpresentations by Chris Wales CEO ofConfederation of PassengerTransport and The National Trust.

Vale Marketing Groupwww.gardenofcardiff.com

Owen Morgan, Bar 44, Stephen Terry, The Hardwick, JamesSommerin, The Crown at Whitebrook and Tom Morgan, Bar 44

Tom and Owen Morgan, Bar 44 Leona Thomas, Karen Glicker, Bar 44, Roger Morgan

Colin Mowat, Matt Groves, Frank Mortimer and Luke Bitarres

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PENARTH

Bar 44 opens its doorsin Penarth

Following on from the success ofBar 44 in Cowbridge, brothersTom and Owen were delighted towelcome family members,suppliers, food bloggers and acouple of famous Welsh chefs tothe opening of their new launchof Bar 44, Penarth.

Guests sampled authenticcontemporary tapas, Jamon, Sherryand cocktails.

Bar 4414 Windsor Road, Penarth029 2070 [email protected]

Philippa George, The Heritage Coast Campsite/The Granary, Monknash, Mandy Davies, Chair Vale Marketing Group, Gaynor Openshaw-Smith, Cottrell Park Golf Resort

SOCIAL LIFECOWBRIDGE

River View celebratesChinese New Year

Guests enjoyed an evening ofdelicious food and colourfulentertainment at the River ViewRestaurant in Cowbridge as therestaurant celebrated ChineseNew Year.

The food was plentiful and theLaugar Kung Fu group put on adramatic display with their elaborateand energetic lion!

River View Chinese RestaurantUnit 1, Britannia HousePenny LaneCowbridge CF71 7AD01446 771668www.riverview668.co.uk

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THE LAST WORDWho could forget Connie Fisher’s TVappearance on BBC One talent contest,How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?Connie won the contest and her careerhas snowballed ever since. We talk toConnie about her work as an actress,singer and presenter, her collaborationwith Vale jewellery designer, CarrieElspeth and life as a wife living in Barry!

What’s so special about Barry?I lived in London for eight years, whilst Iwas at Mountview, a London dramaschool, studying Musical theatre, andafter I won the programme. However,when I met my husband Jeremy on atrain platform (Cardiff Central: Platform1, no less), I realised that I wanted tomove somewhere that I could call‘home’ and one day raise a family. My husband already lived here in Barry,so it seemed the natural move for me,and we now live near the Cold Knappand it's beautiful, even when it’s raining!

What are your favourite places tovisit in the Vale?My favourite gift shop, if I'm everlooking for inspiration for presents isMiss Holmes in Barry High Street. I lovepampering myself at The Hair Businessin Cowbridge then checking out theshoes I can't justify buying in Jon Ian,next door.

You recently launched your ownjewellery collection... When I was on the UK tour with TheSound of Music, all the nuns would knitin the wings, but I was a terrible knitter,so I began making jewellery as a hobbyinstead. From there, when I finished thetour, I made all the favours for mywedding and someone suggested Ishould take my designs to aprofessional. So I took my design toCarrie Elspeth, who is based inLlandow, and our range and friendshipdeveloped from there.

Have you always been creative?I think as an actor I’ve always beencreative, and love making crafts. My grandfather was a successful artist in Swansea, so I think I may haveinherited my creativity.

Whenever I go on stage I need thejewellery I’m wearing to sparkle andmost of my ranges are made withcrystals which catch the lightbeautifully, like the My Fair Lady andOver The Rainbow range.

However, I also enjoy wearing nicejewellery day to day, when doing pressinterviews, or meeting friends for lunch.All five ranges within my collectionwere inspired by a musical show I'dbeen in or a theatrical experience.

Were you able to do much of thedeigning yourself?I designed all the prototypes and tookthem to Carrie. I was really nervouswhen she was looking at my work, as Ilove her jewellery and hold her in highesteem as a designer. Everything shemakes can be dressed up or worncasually, so she was able to advise meon the importance of versatility withinthe collection. The range was hugewhen I started, but Carrie graciouslyoffered her thoughts on which pieces were most wearable and would attracther customers, and has taught me thebusiness side of things.

All my collection is manufactured byCarrie Elspeth Ltd in the Vale ofGlamorgan.

What would you say makes yourjewellery unique?The Connie Fisher Collection is all madehere in Wales! It's all been inspired bymy own musical background, and hasbeen completely designed by me; thisisn't something that I've just put myname to. Three reasons why I am soproud of the Connie Fisher Collection at Carrie Elspeth.

What are you up to in 2013? 2012 was an exciting year for me TV-wise. I had two stints in the BBC’smedical drama Casualty and I loved it.So I will be doing more TV work thisyear. Songs of Praise is coming soonwhich I’m filming in Pembrokeshire inApril. I’ll also be 30 in June, so I’d liketo be telling you there will be somelittle Von Trapps on their way soon, butno exclusives yet...

Connie Fisher’s jewellery (as seen in the pictures) is now available to buy atwww.conniefishercollection.co.uk

02 9 2 0 67 9 815 w w w . t h o m a s - g a r d i n e r . c o m

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Vale Life Spring 2013

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