redhanded, issue 3, 2015

Don’t get caught without it 2015 ISSUE 3

FREE

HOWL AT THE MOONWolf hunting in Ethiopia RONNIE O’SULLIVANThe Rocket lands in Wales PARIS HERE WE COME!Neil Taylor talks Euro 2016

TOTAL DELIRIUMEllie’s got a new album!

2 REDHANDED 2015 • Issue 3

REDHANDED 2015 • Issue 3 3

FEATURES

18 Ellie G in da house! A chat with Miss Goulding about her new album, 50 Shades of

Grey and an engagement

20 Right on cue Snooker’s greats are descending on Cardiff – an exclusive

interview with Ronnie O’Sullivan

22 Vive le football! En route for Paris for the Euro Championships with Welsh

football legend Neil Taylor

25 Living a lie Interviews with the stars of gripping new S4C political drama

Byw Celwydd

29 Booze Crews Craft ale’s booming in Wales

37 Spirits of Ecstacy The delights of fine gin and rum

REGULARS

5 Scene and Heard Your essential guide to the festive season

10 Right Stuff Stick a few of these on your Santa list

12 Niall’s World Niall is the Nutty Professor!

14 Write On Rugby legend JJ Williams tells all

33 Travel Cry Wolf! In Ethiopia?

38 Fashion Cool-as-you-like clobber for the winter season

44 Lifestyle White water, whisky, watches other wonderful stuff

54 Health & Grooming Cold comfort – banish those winter blues

57 Sport Do Wales have a hope in Paris?

59 Cars Driving a truly covetable convertible

64 Reviews Books, CDs, Food, Movies. We know what we’re talking about. OK?

74 The Back Page Shh! Bennett’s in a really bad mood

CONTENTS

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Summer’s a distant memory and the nights are drawing in. But stop staring wistfully at those fading festival passes; there’s a great line-up of acts, shows and live music coming to south Wales and it’s guaranteed to keep your Seasonal Affective Disorder at bay without the need of a tanning booth.

New kidsAs the daylight hours shorten Bring Me The Horizon frontman Oli Sykes has the right idea, describing the band’s fifth studio album as “a celebration of the darkness”. That’s The Spirit takes the Sheffield group’s metalcore sound in a more poppish direction which may not be to all tastes, not that a capacity crowd will mind too much (Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, November 27, £22.50, 029 2022 4488). Get up-to-date with The Story So Far (Cardiff SU, December 1, £14, 029 2078 1458). Fellow Irish rockers, Kodaline come to the Union (December 3, £14). Occupying another dimension, Alt J bring their introspective brand of laptop electronica to the Motorpoint (December 3, £33.35). If you’re after something a little less meta, Scouting For Girls will keep arms waving with their lyrically astute, insistently attractive rock melodies (Cardiff SU, December 12, from £24.95).

Radio 1 may well experience a power cut when dance dynamo Annie Mac leaves London. The high-voltage vixen amps up Cardiff SU (November 20, £20.35). Marina & The Diamonds descends to quench

electro-pop thirsts with the new album, Froot. The smoothie-fresh collection is given body by sumptuous vocals and lyrics that leave an intelligent zest on the palate; expect The Neon Nature Tour to invigorate mind and body alike (November 28, from £24.95). Mumford and Sons (Cardiff Motorpoint, December 5, £25) will wind things down a tad with their down at home bonhomie seamlessly dovetailing folk, bluegrass and alt rock.

New or old? They’re only on their second album so let’s say new. As long as they’ve recovered from their New Year’s hangovers, The Libertines may well turn up for their gig at the Motorpoint. For now at least, they have a clean Pete Doherty out front, and are keen to remind us why they were once so lauded. (Motorpoint, January 26, £35).

Warm up with Gabrielle Aplin at Cardiff Students Union (February 12, from £16). Confident, classy and captivating (she’s already been snapped by GQ and Vogue), Chippenham’s indie folk singer/songwriter is the perfect soundtrack to Sunday morning coffee and brisk strolls through winter parks.

Old favouritesIf the descent into the festive season makes you about as happy as a snowman in the sun, indulge in some of the classic acts coming to the capital this winter. Seeking to bring more than rock nostalgia, Duran Duran (Motorpoint, November 30, £49.50, 029 2022 4488) worked with the likes of Timbaland and Justin Timberlake in 2007 to add relevance to their pioneering dark-edged synth pop sound. Released in September 2015, the Birmingham group’s new album, Paper Gods, credits guest artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, John Frusciante, while producer Mark Ronson is on hand to keep things hip.

Maybe more replacement hip, Status Quo will nonetheless get everyone rocking out when they bring Accept No Substitute to Cardiff Motorpoint (December 8, £39.50). The tour sees a return to a full thunder of the Quo’s electric set-up following their hugely successful Aquostic show. Happy Mondays push their vintage acid house and rave flavours with the Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches 25th Anniversary Tour, upsetting Cardiff University (November 29, £31.50, 029 2078 1458) and Venue Cymru, Llandudno (December 9, 01492 872000).

Cwmaman’s finest, The Stereophonics have been the barometer for British mainstream rock since they soared into the popular conscience

SceneFor those about to rock – we send you in the right direction Heard

&

Clockwise from bottom left: The Libertines, Scouting For Girls, Bring Me The Horizon Marina & The Diamonds, Gabrielle Aplin and The Stereophonics.

Image: Charlotte Rutherford


with Have A Nice Day in 2001. Keep The Village Alive, which revisits the band’s Welsh valleys roots, is their sixth UK Number One album and, love them or loathe them, cements their position as Britain’s most popular rock act. They’re no slouch live either and can expect a warm reception and complete understanding from the sell-out crowds at Cardiff Motorpoint. (December 12 and 13, £39.50).

Northern Ireland alt-rock group, Ash, released latest album Kablammo in May and new single Machinery was released on October 9. It has attracted a host of positive reviews and captures the band’s live hair-raising, skin-stripped essence. Indy fans will not want to miss this one (Cardiff SU, December 14, £17). For those who prefer a more reflective mood, former Beautiful South members, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott bring their critically acclaimed new album Wisdom, Laughter and Lines to St David’s Hall, Cardiff, (March 21, £25.00, 029 2087 8444).

Theatres of DreamsThe Russian State Ballet and Opera House present seasonal ballet Nutcracker Suite (Swansea Grand Theatre, November 30, from £24.50, 01792 475715). The Grand also upholds its duty to the panto season through the spritely Louie Spence. The Dancing on Ice judge and household celeb, stars in Jack and the Beanstalk (December 11 - January 10, £11.50 - £25.00). The New Theatre meanwhile, offers us Gareth ‘Alfie’ Thomas and ex-Page 3 model Linda Lusardi in Aladdin (December 12 - January 17, £10.50 - £31, 029 2087 8889). Should sparkly Robin Hoods and ugly sisters fail to satisfy your theatre-going tastes, or if you don’t have kids, savour the superb Swan Lake (St David’s Hall, January 2-3, from £16, 029 2087 8444). Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and an all-female cast bring perspectives on the drowning of a Welsh village to create Tryweryn reservoir. Dawns Ysbrydion (Wales Millennium Centre, November17-18, £14-£16, 029 2063 6464) promises to be a haunting reflection on language suppression and endangered cultures. Elsewhere, the Millennium Centre hosts Shrek, The Musical (December 8 – January 10, £18), the Welsh National Opera’s production of A Christmas Carol (December 18 and 20, £20) and The Barber of Seville (February 13-25, £20). All promise to be well attended, so book early to avoid disappointment. The Snow Maiden (December 19-21, from £15) and The Nutcracker (December 27-8, from £16) are brought to St David’s Hall, Cardiff, by the Russian State Ballet.

Life’s a screamJimmy Carr paints a garish picture of tolerance-in-the-name-of-comedy with his palette of brass-eyed banter (St David’s, November 24, £25), while from the other end of entertainment’s fashion spectrum, Jim Davidson brings his new show, Charlton Nil, to Wales (November 26, Swansea Grand Theatre, £20.50, 01792 636000). The comic of Big Break fame has undergone a revival in recent times, revamping content for a more modern age. Audiences will no doubt still be treated to his older jokes that have “got him into trouble” in the past. Maybe he should take a leaf out of Jimmy’s book. Somewhere in the middle, stylistically, and far more family friendly than either, Jasper Carrott and Alistair McGowan split the bill (yawn…) at St David’s Hall (December 1, £25).

Heavyweight Irish chuckle-hound Dara O’Briain lets his sharp wit run riot in Swansea Grand (November 27, £23.75). Taking up the funny stick and dealing January a sound arse-tanning, fellow Dubliner Ed Byrne brings the laughs in reassuringly loony style with Outside Looking In (St David’s Hall, Cardiff, £19.00). Alt comedy veteran, and yet another Irish man (sort of ), Sean Hughes brings his funny, moving and occasionally profound show Mumbo Jumbo to Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff (December 8, £10). The sublimely talented Stephen K Amos, ‘maestro of feel-good comedy’, picks up spirits (Swansea Grand, January 28, £17.50), and Wynne Evans leads a one-off get-together of Welsh talent in variety show Saturday Night Live (Swansea Grand, January 30, from £16).

Professional northern bloke Paddy McGuinness gets up close and personal as he shares his joyous experience of fatherhood, amongst other things, at St David’s Hall (February 19, £35). The comedic antithesis of your average northern bloke, Julian Clary brings his mastery of knob jokes and innuendo to St David’s Hall (April 16, £23).

Clockwise from below: Shrek, Jimmy Carr, Wynne Evans, Stephen K Amos, Ed Byrne,Swan Lake and Gareth Thomas.


King of the hillAndy Aston, chef/patron at the King’s Arms in Pentyrch, must be a happy man. Not only is his restaurant pulling in the punters to experience his but news of his culinary expertise has reached the scribes at no lesser an organ than The Observer. Awarded best runner-up Sunday Lunch, The Observer says of the King’s Arms ‘At this pretty as a picture country pub the customer is king’. Clearly the place to be for some royally good gastro-pub grub. King’s Arms, Church Rd, Cardiff CF15 9QF. T.029 2089 0202 www.kingsarmspentyrch.co.uk

Chapter and VerseThe chaps at Chapter Art Centre are seeing in the new year in style with a huge party curated by Cardiff’s amazing Vinyl Vendettas. Previous NYE parties hosted by Mel Fung and Shape Records have been absolutely brilliant, and this year will be no exception. Join them for an evening of live music from Keith TOTP, The Blood Arm, Face + Heel and Jemma Roper, and DJ sets from the Vinyl Vendettas themselves and Neufunkaum. Tickets, £25. Tel: 029 2030 4400. www.chapter.org/chapterNYE for more info.

Crowning AchievementOK. That’s the last regal play on words. Like its sister eatery, Pitch, Garlands places its emphasis on local produce done well. In Garland’s case the focus is on traditional Welsh dishes like rarebit and cawl. Thrown in are the likes of trendy pulled pork, a couple of interesting veggie options and sarnies. It’s been a great success so they’re opening a new one in the value-end starved Bay area of Cardiff. The menu’s still to be confirmed but expect more of the same formula. Tasty. Garlands, Pierhead Street, Cardiff Bay.

Hit For SixThe Celtic Manor is about to add another restaurant to its already lengthy list of on-campus eateries and this one’s right up our street. It’s called Steak On Six and, you guessed it, it’s a steak/meat fest located on the 6th floor of the main hotel. We attended the pop-up preview and can attest to the high quality of the steak, the Iberico ham and chocolate orange whisky pud so expectations Steak on Six when it opens on 12th December will be high. www.celtic-manor.com

Livin’ the bay lifeOn December 11th, Turtle Bay will open their doors bringing mouth-watering soul food, authentic cocktails and laid back good times to Cardiff, just in time for a Caribbean Christmas. Voted best Caribbean Restaurant in the country by The Metro, they promise the great Rum cocktails and the coldest Caribbean beer, alongside hot, fresh and spicy food. Jerk chicken, chutneys, marinated goat, sweet potato, and butternut squash are just some of the delicious items on offer, as well as over 40 different rums and cocktails. Turtle Bay, Hodge House, 114-116 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY. www.turtlebay.co.uk

Deli-liciousArbennig’s reputation is riding high, thanks to its lovingly prepared ultra-fresh, local food. So much so it’s been in both ‘The Good Food Guide 2015’ and ‘The Good Food Guide 2016’, achieving the highest score in Cardiff for two years running. It’s also been awarded ‘Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year 2015’ by The Food Awards Wales 2015. On the back of this they’re expanding and opening a Deli next door to their Pontcanna restaurant in Jan 2016, where customers will be able buy all their lovely, carefully sourced produce over the counter. Bonza. Arbennig Restaurant. 6-10 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9NR. 029 2034 1264. www.arbennig.co.uk

An Evening with Chris ColemanFresh from the success of Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016, manager Chris Coleman is to host a special event to support Marie Curie’s Cardiff & the Vale Hospice. Penarth Conservatives Club will be the venue for ‘An Evening with Chris Coleman’ on Thursday 26th November.The evening will begin with a Q&A followed by an auction, including a Wales shirt signed by the squad and a football signed by Gareth Bale. Supporters will then be given the opportunity to question Chris on all aspects of his career as a player and manager. Priced at £20 it promises to be a fantastic evening. For info or tickets call Sarah Hughes on 02920 426068 or email: [email protected].

Shop ‘til you drop-kickShop Rugby continue to score when it matters. With the biggest selection of rugby kit in Wales you, can be sure to find the kit of your choice in the size you need. All Wales’ regional clubs are fully represented as are the major International sides and quite a few foreign clubs too. And pride of place of course, is the full range of Wales kit – home, away, training, base-layer and leisure such as hoodies, scarves, polo shirts etc. Perfect for stocking fillers and, further ahead, the Six Nations. Shop Rugby, Duke Street, Cardiff. Tel: 029 2066 4466 www.shoprugby.com

“in brief”


Coffee-BotWith 71% of all the 225 million cups of coffee being devoured in the home, this clever machine is a great addition to any home or office. It learns daily routines to provide users with a smarter lifestyle. Ideal for coffee connoisseurs or those that just need a morning pick me up, the Smarter Coffee Machine is Wi-Fi enabled and allows individuals to quickly adjust the strength of their coffee via the ‘Smarter App’ - which will even keep their drink hot for up to 35 minutes via the ‘Keep Warm Mode’. The coffee machine will grind and brew on demand so each cuppa will taste as fresh as the last. Perfect for the impatient, the irritable and the jittery.

Retail: www.firebox.comPrice: £179.99

Introducing Ollie - your new best friend

Dot DashThe Cobra CDR855BT Drive HD Dash Cam isn’t just for those of us who need video evidence that it’s everyone else’s fault, or that cyclists are crazy, or who want cheaper car insurance, or just like having proof of the strange crap we see through our windscreens every day. By running Cobra iRadar it allows drivers to share and receive red light camera, speed camera and shared radar alerts plus live police locations in real time with other iRadar users. Perfect for the sensible, the risk averse and the paranoid.

Retail: www.cobraelectronics.co.ukPrice: £129.99

RIGHT

Stuff

Selfish StickIf you’re going to HAVE to be that guy who - in the middle of a gig, sports match or the kid’s Christmas play - suddenly whips out a selfie stick, then at the very least make sure that it’s the ePano Selfie. Made by iconic German brand Rollei, this vanity-stoking appendage provides 360 degree panoramic shots and can be detached from the stick and act as a rotating stand. Perfect for the stick-heads and the stickless-wonders alike.

Retail: www.rollei.comPrice: £54.99


Phone HomeDon’t ask us how this phone is better than any other phone because we haven’t a clue and frankly we don’t care, this is all about the aesthetics for us. If you’ve ever seen a phone like this then you’ve probably got a cone-head, big ears and came here on a flying saucer. Perfect for those who want to stand out, like a home with clean lines and, erm...still use a landline.

Retail: www.sagemcom.comPrice: £89.99

Things to Make and DoWacom are renowned for their wireless pen and tablets for the creatively minded. The new range of Intuos Pen & Touch tablets offer 1,024 pen pressure-sensitivity levels for precision when adding details to drawings and photos, multi-touch capability that allows users to zoom and rotate their work at the flick of a finger and four customisable ExpressKeys. The tablet’s ergonomic design ensures that photographers and artists can comfortably work for long periods of time. Their four different models – the Draw, Art, Photo and Comic are perfect for the beginners, the advanced, the photo-editors and the comic and manga enthusiast, respectively.

Retail: www.wacom.comPrice: From £54.99 to £149.99

Speak-EasyIf you don’t already know about the quality of JBL speakers then stop reading. This isn’t for you. For everyone else I need to tell you about the simple plug-and-play setup where users can go from un-boxing to relaxing and enjoying cinematic sound in minutes. I need to tell you about it being the first speaker to allow multiple device syncing – meaning that rather than straining to listen to the sound of a YouTube clip coming from a smartphone while a favourite television show plays or needing to turn the TV volume down, JBL SoundShift technology instantly swaps audio sources for the ultimate second screen experience. It’s one intelligent speaker. Perfect for the hard of hearing and the hard rock fans – but not the hard-up.

Retail: www.jbl.comPrice: £169.99


They gave me a long black gown and a golden sash. The gown was all swishy and cloak-like, Dracula-ish, and exactly the same as my old headmaster used to wear. The sash attached to the top button of my shirt and hung down the back like a scapula yet it reminded me, uncomfortably, of the Orange Lodge parades I would try to disrupt as a kid, to snot-nosedly breach the symbolic Walls of Derry with their red-faced roaring guards and their booming drums and twirling batons, trying, unsuccessfully, to repel me and my mates. We’d always cross, often with sore ears and skulls, true, but cross we always would.

I joined the other gown-wearers in the foyer. My position as honorary professor was declared by the colour of my sash but the other gowns were coloured corresponding to institution of graduation, and by God some of them were grand affairs, all frilled and tasselled and of variegated hue, scalloped and ruched and as bright as a bird of paradise. The American ones, especially, were highly elaborate, like the robes of a secret sect, bulky and padded, quite cosy-looking, really; I imagined hunkering down in one on a wet and stormy night. They had hoods, and zipped up to the neck. Us be-gowned ones milled and chatted and dithered and after a while a stern man in a black suit appeared, carrying a battering ram of a mace. It was truly weapon-like, a sturdy black staff topped with a spiky brass ball, the kind of thing that knights in armour once bashed each other about the helmeted head with. He held the mace up, above his head, and we all fell into line behind him and followed him out into the city.

And what a peculiar carry-on it was, really. I hadn’t attended my own graduation, so had little experience or knowledge of this but, God, what a strange, and public, palaver: the mace-man marched ahead, swinging his club, stopping the traffic, leading his cowled and gowned and monkish procession through the streets. People in cars mostly grinned but some looked perplexed and others even angry; they had to be somewhere and here they were being held up by this preposterous parade. Some horns were honked. A few words were yelled. I waved in a general way and tried to project an air of sympathetic solidarity: yes, I know it’s ridiculous, and all it is is tradition, but it’s in my contract and I have to do it. Sorry about that.

We filed into the theatre and headed towards the stage. The students were in their seats already and I recognised some familiar faces, nudging each other, pointing and laughing. If I see this up on Twitter, I whispered to one, you’re getting an F. She laughed again and took another photo on her phone. I took my seat on the stage. The lights dimmed. A hush fell. With a vastly exaggerated solemnity the head honcho donned his toggled titfer and approached the podium and it began. And went on, and on, and on, and on. The endless speeches. The slideshows. The hundreds of names and the interminable clapping, each student invited up onto the stage and awarded their diploma and photographed. Lovely to see the happy students, of course, and pleasing, too, to witness the myriad nationalities, nearly all countries of the world represented: the university is one of the most ethnically diverse in the country and is proof of the joys and successes possible in multi-culturality. But how it went on. I became hot, in my gown. Overhead the lights burned. My bones began to ache. I needed a wee. I needed liquid, and food. I heard tummies rumbling. And then with a flourish the ceremony ended and the second one began.

Impossible not to feel... what? Well, kind of like an impostor. Sort of naughty. My gown was exactly like the one my headmaster would swan self-importantly around in yet, wearing it, I felt no closeness to his authority, no sense

of familiarity with him, or the memory of him; rather, and just the opposite in fact, I remembered, clearly, the occasions when I was summoned to see him, to be punished for some misdemeanour. I had crossed no border, no evolution had been made between mischievous and badly-behaved boy and reasonably successful adult: all I’d done was

nick a gown. That’s what it felt like. I expected a hand on the shoulder

at any moment, and to hear an imperious voice above me: “Caught you, Griffiths. Headmaster’s

office, boy, NOW.” ‘Business attire’, the directives had said, but if I had’ve been wearing a tie I would’ve knotted it

around my head. There was a

break between the second and third

ceremonies. Outside, the sky had started to darken

and the streets were heaving with early rush-hour traffic. A quick stiffener, I thought, to get me through the third ceremony; a whiskey or two, just to put a faint amber glow on it all. A nearby pub had big windows through which I’d be able to see the street; there’d be plenty of warning if I was going to be found out and I’d be able to scarper out of the back door. I checked that the coast was clear and went in and there they all were, at the bar, lined up in their robes, the professors, all the naughty boys and girls with their grey hair and beards and bald patches. Pints and chasers were ordered and a huddle was formed at the end of the bar and we stayed there, like that, until someone rushed in to tell us that the vice-chancellor was looking for us at which point we downed the drinks and left the pub giggling, ageing and titled, naughty and illustrious, back to ceremony number three which, in the approaching dusk, started to feel more and more, with every passing second, like detention. © Niall Griffiths 2015

Niall Griffiths in a gown and a sash? Are you serious?

The Graduate


On the Sunday before we played England at the Arms Park in February 1975, five of the Wales team chosen the previous week were called into a private room at our usual training base in the Afan Lido sports centre on Aberavon beach. All five were told they could not take to the field against England as selected because all five had been accused of taking money for a match.

This story has never been told, until now. I know it to be true because I was one of the five and of all the ludicrous examples of alleged breaches of the amateur regulations this was the most ludicrous one of all. Imagine the uproar had the story got out at the time – Wales ban five in cash scandal.

And what a five they were – Gareth Edwards, Phil Bennett, Mervyn Davies, Bobby Windsor and myself. None of us could believe what we were hearing when the chairman of selectors, Keith Rowlands, called us into a small room before we went out training and told us: ‘Gentlemen, I have some bad news. None of you can play against England on Saturday.’

One of the spin-offs of the Lions’ success, in South Africa in 1974, was that we were in demand from the moment we got back home. The invitations to go here and play there came so thick and fast that you could have been out every night of the week. We took care to ration our acceptances.

Two weeks before the England match the five of us agreed to turn out for Newport Saracens in a charity fixture against the touring Canadians. We did so as a favour to the Saracens’ most distinguished old boy, Bobby Windsor.

We played the match, got changed and went to the clubhouse for a bite to eat. There was a massive reception and the club treasurer slipped a £50 note into our pockets as a thank you for coming and making sure we didn’t lose out on expenses.

Nothing more was said until we reported for Wales training at the Afan Lido the following Sunday. That was when Keith Rowlands told us we could not play against England because

we had been paid for playing in that game for Newport Saracens.

We looked at each other aghast, aghast not just at the thought of not playing against England but aghast in equal measure that we had been accused of taking money for playing. Clive Rowlands, who’d become one of the Big Five (the five people who made the team selections) after retiring the previous season as national coach, was also there. We could tell from the body language of Clive and Keith that neither was comfortable with what they had to say. They were very much on our side but they were also under strict orders from the Union hierarchy. There could be no soft-pedalling on this one.

We asked what we had done wrong and it then transpired that a member of the Welsh Rugby Union, a district representative, had seen us being slipped this money and had reported it to the Union. They, in turn, had been obliged to look into it.

The Messrs Rowlands told us very clearly that unless we paid the money back, and paid it back right away, we could not play against England. We gave back our £50s but if I had known then what I knew a few years later, I’d have said to the Welsh Rugby Union: ‘Go on, play without us and see what happens. You’ll be made to look a bloody laughing stock.’

Can you imagine the furore it would have created? Can you imagine how silly the WRU would have looked and, by extension, the entire game of rugby union? We handed the money back and were told to submit an expenses claim instead. And guess what the expenses claim amounted to? Fifty pounds per person.

That somebody felt it necessary to snitch on us raised a question which nagged me all the way through my time with Wales. Why did the committee men go out of their way to cause trouble for us? What made them jealous? How come they rode on the back of our success but when it came to us making a fiver here or there they went out of their way to embarrass and trouble us?

They had so many perks as a direct result of our success on the field, swanning around in the best of hotels with their wives on weekends in London, Paris, Edinburgh and Dublin, all at the Union’s expense. But if

we wanted to take our wives, we had to pay for them.

When it came to the players getting a perk, there always seemed to be some member of the committee going behind our backs and reporting us. Don’t forget, we were world stars in those days. Television was becoming a big player in the game with their readiness to start paying big bucks and that was all because of what we were doing on the field – free, gratis and for nothing.

We all played against England, as selected, the following Saturday as though nothing had happened. We were told to keep quiet about it and concentrate on beating England which we did, as usual in those days, this time by a margin of 20–4.

JJ Williams, the life and times of a rugby legend, is available now. See www.ylolfa.com for more info.

FIVE GET ACCUSED OF BEING PROFESSIONAL

Hard to believe now that rugby players were once strictly amateurs. Unsurprisingly it caused problems - as this exclusive extract from Wales legend JJ Williams’ autobiography shows

Write On

16 REDHANDED 2015 • Issue 3 16 REDHANDED 2015 • Issue 3

RedHanded takes a moment to lust after some rather fine examples of the watchmakers’ art

Deliriously Happy


Everything is just fine and dandy for Ellie Goulding - new album Delirium, new tour… and rumours of an impending engagement


“Part of me views this album as an experiment – to make a big pop album”

REDHANDED: Hi Ellie! Before we chat about the new album… 50 Shades of Grey. You wrote Love Me Like You Do for the soundtrack. Jamie Dornan who played Christian Grey is pretty fit isn’t he? Would you like to explore his darker side? ELLIE GOULDING: HA! He’s just a lovely dude and a lovely guy. I met him on The Graham Norton Show. I mean like, he is very aesthetically pleasing, it can’t be denied. Some people have just got it haven’t they? I think he’s got it. We saw you dance in the video for that track. That’s a real first isn’t it? Yes, I’ve always refrained from dancing on videos because I’m not sure if I’m a natural dancer… but actually I was quite good at it. I was quite surprised at myself. My dance partner Charlie was saying: ‘No seriously, I think you were really good’. So I’m quite pleased with myself for that.

Have you kept it up at all?No, I’d like to. I really, really enjoy dancing so I think I’d like to keep having lessons. I love the idea of being able to just spontaneously start ballroom dancing with someone, that’s so cool. Maybe you could do Strictly some time?I love the show! I think it’s pretty hard to win it. You’d want to win wouldn’t you? You’d want to be like, ‘Well, if I’m going to put all this work in and everything…’ then you want to win.

So, if you’re going to do something, do it well, do it big? Well, yeah, I mean it’s like with anything. When I take part in a half marathon which I’ve done quite a few times, I always want to be one of the first women across the line. I never am though! I don’t know, I think I was like 600th or something out of 14,000 women. You really like running don’t you? Do you still find time to do it?Yeah, well touring, I either run at the hotel or I run at the venue or I run at a gym. I always do some kind of workout. I just make it part of my day because I just think it’s essential to life. It just keeps me healthy and strong and keeps me, you know, a strong performer I suppose. So, album number three. What’s it like then? Yes! It’s my third album which is just crazy. I want to keep it up, you know, I don’t want it to be a third album lull kind of thing, I want it to stay up there. There’s a lot of different stuff on there this time but I’d say it’s my biggest pop venture. Part of me views this album as an experiment – to make a big pop album. I made a conscious decision that I wanted it to be on another level.

And the title – Delirium – what’s that all about?It can be describing a really happy, crazy state, or it can be the complete opposite. I’m constantly in a state of delirium!

The last few years have been pretty spectacular for you haven’t they – 6 million albums, 18 million singles sold worldwide… Yeah, well, it’s cool. Compared to some of the bigger artists it’s not that crazy, but for me like, a girl from Hereford, it’s pretty awesome. I’m hoping it will keep going! You’re very proud of being from Hereford then?Well, I think a lot of people think I’m from London. They just assume I’m from London and that I went to a theatre school or something but no, I’m just from Hereford, grew up on a council estate - so I’m pretty happy that my music has done well.

You’ve talked in the past about questioning your own abilities. Sounds like you’ve laid that ghost to rest?You’re right, I feel quite relaxed and I’m happy with the music I’m making, I’m fit and healthy and, you know, that’s the most important thing. I can’t be bothered with having self-doubt or insecurity or whatever. Everyone has that naturally. I’ve been doing this for quite a while now and I’m just so grateful that people still enjoy my music and my songs. So it’s all good. Some artists write about the people in their lives and the way those relationships impact them, but it’s not something you’ve ever done is it?No I haven’t. It’s more a mood thing for me. I love poetry and I love some modern poetry – like, I love Carol Ann Duffy - so I try and write my songs in more of a poetic way. I don’t think that I could necessarily write a rap song, you know, because for me it’s my art and I write in a very specific way. So if I were to write about someone it wouldn’t necessarily come across like that because it’s just not the way I write. Everyone writes in different ways but that’s my vibe.Taylor Swift for example is very honest in the way she writes isn’t she? She’s a good friend isn’t she?I love her. I love her so much. She’s one of my really good friends and I will always have

so much respect for her because she’s so smart but such a good song writer and such a good performer and singer. I couldn’t be more complimentary about her. She’s been such a good friend to me and I love the way she writes. It’s true, like, I can relate to what she writes about and I think a lot of girls can and it’s great and we need that. We need that directness and I’m so grateful that it exists. She’s all about the music too isn’t she? Not about the image or wearing next to nothing on stage.Yeah, but you know what, I get accused of wearing next to nothing but that’s not true! I wear shorts which people wear and I wear crop tops but it’s not really like a daring thing. Even if you do wear next to nothing, if you’re making good music and you’re being the artist that you really are and it’s doing well, then good for you. You and Dougie (Poynter) look quite the loved up couple at the moment! Oh thanks. [laughs] Life is good with him then. There are rumours of wedding bells. Any truth to them?I mean eventually like, but not now, but eventually yeah. I’m nearly 30… I once had a pretty warped view of marriage because so many people around me had divorced parents. So for a long time I did think that I’d never get married and that men were s**t - all that stuff. But when someone comes along and re-establishes that trust, then it’s nice to think of doing everything the traditional way: having a church wedding, with all my family in one place - I love the idea of that.

Lots to do first?!Yeah we’ve both got lots to do. [Laughs]

Delirium is in shops from Nov 6. Ellie plays Cardiff on March 8, 2016, at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. More info at elliegoulding.com


REDHANDED: Tell us about the format of Snooker Legends?RONNIE O’SULLIVAN: It’s all about seeing us play snooker in a more relaxed environment where we can entertain and interact in a way people can never see at tournaments. This one is me and Jimmy (White) v Mark (Williams) and Matthew (Stevens) so it’s England v Wales. How did you come to get involved?I met Jason, who runs it, in 2011 through Jimmy and as well as his involvement in snooker he owned a children’s theatre company that toured Thomas the Tank Engine and my son was a huge fan at the time so we went to the show, got chatting, got on really well and started working together. Is it all about having fun or are you all still pretty competitive?We still want to win, no doubt but we also want to put on a show. As a natural entertainer, do you find these kinds of events more fun than tournaments?Yes, of course. I started out in clubs myself and I remember how excited I got when Kirk Stevens was booked to come play an exhibition. The buzz was around for weeks and it was such a thrill to be able to see people like him and Davis play live. How many 147s have you made in the last couple of Snooker Legend tours?I’ve had 3 in the last 8 nights; trouble is people begin to almost expect them! I’ll always go for

one though as the crowd love it.

Is there any scope for audience participation?Yes, after the match there’s a chance for fans to get to play a fun doubles frame. It’s a raffle so everyone’s got an equal chance to play with us on a match table in front of a big crowd. You’re acknowledged as the most talented player snooker has ever seen. Over the years how have you learned to deal with the pressure that comes with this level of expectation?Other people give you certain tags of being this and that and it's nice but at the end of the day I’m just a snooker player. Pressure isn’t easy and like anyone, sometimes I deal with it better than others but I ain’t done too bad have I? Who’s your favourite person to play against?Gotta be Jimmy. Everyone loves Jimmy and my day is always a bit better if I have a bit of Jimmy in it! Most memorable break? Why?Tough one. The 147 to win the Welsh Open in Newport a couple of years ago stands out of course, as I hit the last red left handed but for me the 92 in the 2012 world final with Ali Carter is probably, in my mind, the best break I’ve ever made. Best match you’ve ever played in and why?Too many to mention.

In the pantheon of the world’s great snooker players, who would you like to have played against at their peak and why?Joe Davis - he was the guvnor. You play so fast, do you ever wish you could take it a bit slower?I don’t intend to play fast or slow, I just seem to get into a rhythm and I’m able to see the pattern of the shots ahead. I think if you take too long you can overthink it.

If you could give just one tip to aspiring players, what would it be?Go for your shots, as Stephen Hendry said, there are no points for safety. When you’re old and grey, what will you look back on, from a snooker perspective, with most pride and satisfaction?People will say I’ve won the Worlds’, UK and Masters five times and titles are what you get remembered for, but I like to think people will say I always went out there to entertain and play the game in the right way. Snooker has been such a massive part of my life since I was ten, so I guess my snooker cue is never going to be that far away from me. I may not be winning world titles when I’m 60 but I’ll still be down the club knocking a few balls around with the boys.

Snooker Legends, Friday January 8, St David’s Hall, Cardiff. Tel: 029 2087 8444. www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk. Priced from £15

Blast Off

Rocket Ronnie O’Sullivan and Snooker Legends touchdown in Cardiff in January. RedHanded talks to the great man himself

REDHANDED: How does it feel to have qualified for Euro 2016?NEIL TAYLOR: Honestly, it doesn’t feel like it has been fully absorbed. It is a massive achievement for us as individuals and as a team and so obviously there has been a very nice feeling about doing this, but the magnitude of it has not quite hit. I think once the draw comes out and we see Wales up against these big teams on this huge stage; that is when it will hit home.

When you reflect, are there any definitive moments that stand out? It felt like Andorra away, when Bale scored in the final 10 minutes, was critical. Instead of being the clowns that had drawn against a minnow, and Chris Coleman getting hammered, you were off to a winning start.Andorra was definitely a turning point. It was a difficult game, it really was. The artificial pitch out there was dreadful, honestly it should not have been cleared for football. I gather it has got better since we were there but at the time it was awful. Besides that, they were a team that sat back a lot, fouled you and play acted a fair bit as well. Combine all that and it was a hard night for us. We were trying a new formation and nothing quite got going. We all could have come out of that game looking very silly. No team in world football is truly a minnow any more – Andorra scored against Belgium as

well. But obviously we were expected to beat them and if we had not we would all have been under a lot of pressure. It was a very big moment.

What was the reaction inside the camp to that 2-1 win? We just decided we had to move on from it. I remember us all talking and saying it had to be a wake-up call. In fairness it was. We changed our formation after that and everything took off from there.

What are the factors behind the success of this campaign?The thing that really impresses me is the team spirit. We have boys in the squad who have not played so much for their clubs and they come in and give absolutely everything. It is not just some line that you say either – it really helps. We all want to come and play. I would love it if we could form as a club side – not that it is possible. But it is such a nice feeling being with this group of players. There have been none of those little cliques you find at clubs, the groups that just naturally form together. At Wales, everyone enjoys everyone’s company. We have all had this common purpose and that has brought us all together. Look at Gareth Bale – he is properly world class but he turns up and just wants to be part of everything straight away. How many minutes did he miss in this

campaign? You wouldn’t be able to keep him away.

I think it was about three minutes. I think with Gareth it is an element of being back home. He is coming to Cardiff where he is surrounded by his friends, both at home in the city and in the squad. We have all known each other since we were kids really and I think Gareth is very comfortable when he comes back to Wales and is surrounded by that.

He gets criticism at Real Madrid. What do you make of that? He is world class. There is not much more to say. He is a simply brilliant player. I’d far rather play with him than against him.

How important has it been to this side that so many of you were given chances at a young age and have been brought through together? The John Toshack era was generally criticised but he did set a foundation for so many young players having so much experience by the time this campaign came around.The experience of the squad has been a massive factor in why this has happened. Look at someone like Chris Gunter – he is 26-years-old and has something like 60 international caps. But none of that is by accident. A decision was taken many years ago that it was time to focus on the future and that meant bringing through


We’re On Our Way To France!Wales and Swansea star defender Neil Taylor on the 58-year wait to get this country to a major football tournament. Interview by Riath Al-Samarrai


We’re On Our Way To France!

young players together. That is risky and we have seen that. But in time it has worked out.

Obviously this campaign belongs to Chris Coleman, the squad and also the big role played by Gary Speed. But does Toshack deserve more credit looking back?He definitely deserves credit. I think a lot of people deserve credit. But I remember our manager saying there weren’t many managers who wanted to share the credit when we got beat 6-1 by Serbia. But you have to say a lot of managers deserve a share of the credit for what we have done. John Toshack gave me my debut against Croatia. When Gary Speed came in he transformed things. He was a big part of it and we all wanted to do well for him and his memory. Then we have the current manager

who has been huge for us. He has created that excellent environment for us, found us a style and a formation. We have come a very long way from some pretty bad results.

What have been the low points – Wales have taken their share of batterings over the years?There have been some very hard times. Not so much in terms of a specific battering but more in feeling like we were playing for a reserve side on some occasions when you were playing for your country in front of tiny crowds. That was only a couple of years ago and we had someone like Gareth Bale in the side. Even kids didn’t want to come and see us play. It was not nice. But if you know the film is going to be bad why would you buy a ticket?

Wales are now in Euro 2016 and have been ranked inside the top 10 in the world. What is the potential for the group?We have big potential. We can’t get carried away with predictions because we need to see what comes out of the draw. But we play good football and have a counter-attacking style that could be quite effective. With the weapons we have, we are quite effective that way and that is credit to the manager. Also, and I’m not just saying it because I’m a defender, I think one of the pleasing parts of the campaign is that we conceded four goals and none were from open play. We have made ourselves hard to beat. The team has come a very long way.

The Euro 2016 draw takes place on December 12


Welsh politics takes a dramatic twistSummer at The Senedd in Cardiff Bay. The Assembly Members are on recess but a whole new political drama is taking shape in the debating chamber. Byw Celwydd (translation Living a Lie), is set to be one of S4C’s biggest shows in 2016. This eight-part series re-imagines the political landscape in Wales governed by a new rainbow coalition. As such, rivals come from many angles both inside and outside of the debating chamber.

Two cast members trying to keep the peace (so they tell us) are Cath Ayers and Matthew Gravelle. Cathy you may remember from S4C drama Tir and Matthew, well, he’s the bad guy from ITV’s Broadchurch.

Byw Celwydd has been described as the Welsh House of Cards. A fair assessment?Matthew Gravelle (MG): There are duplicity and double dealings, there are poker faces and politicians being played off against one another so in that sense, yes it is fair. In as much as it’s a fair assessment to compare our First Minister with the President of the United States? Er...no.

Cath Ayers (CA): Although Byw Celwydd is set in a political environment and has lots of intrigue, it’s probably more of a realistic and accessible depiction of political life and of life outside politics. Although like House of Cards both stories have central Machiavellian characters, Byw Celwydd follows the story of Angharad, whose life is personally affected

by the political machinations of others, in a similar way to Borgen.

What made you want to get involved in the series?MG: The inside workings of the world of politics was something I knew nothing about, and I enjoy researching and finding out as much as I can to try and work out who a character is. So this was a perfect opportunity to try and get to know more about politics and play an interesting and conflicted character in Harri.

CA: Having read Mike Povey’s script, I was drawn to the intelligent storytelling, which doesn’t underestimate the audience, and I

wanted to tell the story of Angharad who is such a strong and relevant female character. I’d also worked with (producer) Branwen Cennard before so I knew this was going to be a classy drama with real integrity.

Give us a little more insight into the character you both play.MG: Harri is a newly appointed SPAD (Special Advisor) to the leader of the Nationalist Party, Rhiannon Roberts. The party is part of a coalition running the country with Tories and Lib Dems and Harri’s job is to help steer Rhiannon towards the top job, and manipulating people and situations on the way.

CA: Angharad is a journalist who embodies the struggles of contemporary career women who strive to balance their professional and personal lives. She is a strong-minded and career-driven woman who will stop at nothing to expose the truth. What makes her even more interesting is the fact that she has a dark secret that threatens to destroy everything she has worked so hard for.

How was it filming at the Senedd? MG: Filming in the Senedd, especially knowing the new James Bond film had been turned down, was pretty special. It certainly helps give the series authenticity and credibility. We didn’t see many AMs around the place as they’re

on summer break but we did catch the First Minister in the back of one shot, which got our First Assistant Director more excited than I’ve ever seen him!

CA: Having access to the Senedd as a location added complete credibility and gravitas to our story, and it helped me as an actor to completely emerge myself in my character’s world. Fingers crossed Carwyn’s back makes the final cut!

Filming in Cardiff Bay must’ve been more pleasant than filming in that court room for Series 2 of Broadchurch, Matthew!MG: I’ve got to say it was wonderful being able to speak to my fellow actors on and off set instead of having to sneak around like I’d really committed a heinous crime. I’d forgotten that’s what it was supposed to be like, you know, normal!

Does the political landscape in Wales interest you?MG: There’re definitely some interesting things happening in politics. Jeremy Corbyn’s got a lot of people fired up with his old Labour values - it’ll be interesting to see how that impacts on the Welsh Labour Party. Scottish independence will either show us a way to go, or not to go. And with the Welsh Assembly Elections not too far off for us, there’s plenty to

keep an eye on, I think.CA: Before working on Byw Celwydd, I

hadn’t appreciated the complexities of politics in Wales but having lived in that world through Angharad, I now feel that I have a clearer understanding.

Do you think Byw Celwydd has the potential to repeat the international success of Y Gwyll?MG: Y Gwyll, I think, has opened a lot of doors and shown the world the Welsh language as a living, working, vibrant language, and it would be terrific if we could capitalise on that success and sneak in through one of those doors. It’s definitely a high enough quality drama to catch and hold a wider audience’s attention. If Borgen can do it after The Killing, there’s no reason we can’t too!

CA: Definitely! Although Byw Celwydd is set in the Welsh political world, it’s really about the lives of the characters which can be appreciated and enjoyed in any language. There is no reason why a series in the Welsh language cannot hold its own in other countries, in the way that Borgen or The Bridge does. Byw Celwydd is every bit as engaging and stylish.

Byw Celwydd will be broadcast on S4C in January 2016



Craft Cwrw

First stop on our journey of beery discovery was Tiny Rebel, housed in a small factory unit in a light-industrial estate on the edge of Newport. A lad with a bright green mohican was scooping boiled, steaming hops out of a copper kettle.

“Nice little sauna,” he joked. Tiny Rebel is urban ale: with its punky,

graffiti’d branding and aesthetic it feels like a beer on a mission to introduce a young crowd to the subtle delights of craft beer.

There are ten people working for the company these days, but it started three years ago with two engineers, Brad and Gazz, home brewing in a garage.

“Eighty per cent of the time the beer was terrible, but that was how we learned the most,” said Brad.

The tiny 20 litre copper and mash tun from that garage is still what they use to

experiment with new brews. They showed me the fridge they bought off Gumtree for £20, using its insulating effect to opposite ends; sticking a heater in it to ferment the beers. I opened the fridge door; a mad scientist mist emerged, clearing to reveal a single conical lab flask full of very cloudy beer.

“Just us messing around again,” said Brad, but it struck me this was messing around with all the rigour of engineers.

Tiny rebel’s best seller is FUBAR, an American style pale ale. But I tried the Cwtch, unpronounceable but translating as “cuddle”.

They described it as a Welsh red ale. What a lovely, three-dimensional, complete flavour it has: beneath the fresh, fruity high notes, hints of toffee and a distinctive “roast” flavour that made me think of pork crackling, an unexpected taste that was completely new to me.

Tiny Rebel is certainly a brewery with youth on its side - the oldest partner’s 32. Judging by their lovely Cwtch, the future of beer is in safe hands and if this is what the kids in Newport are drinking these days, then there is hope for humanity yet.

Next, we drove away from the coastal conurbation into the gentle hills of Carmarthenshire heading for the Handmade Beer Company. Handmade was just that, a far smaller and more eccentric proposition than Tiny Rebel: a one-man band in a barn. With his big fluffy beekeeper’s beard, Ian Bowler has the air of a wise beer magus. He used to be a graphic designer in Cardiff – like the ex-engineers, a combination of the creative and the technical – before escaping to his farmer’s barn to brew.

Ian does almost everything, from brewing the beer to designing the labels and sticking them on the bottles. Ian’s beer is generally more traditionally British in taste than the hoppy American style that kick-started the craft beer revolution, but he’s keen to experiment - with basil in a porter and even lapsang souchong. The small scale means this is possible, because he only has to throw away a small amount of beer if it all goes wrong.

“Big companies can’t experiment,” he said. “They’d prefer it if people just wanted the same thing all the time, like the old boys in the pub every day.”

He described the difference between craft beer and real ale.

“Real ale’s got four ingredients: barley,

hops, yeast and water. Craft beer’s got two more: Facebook and Twitter. It’s the same thing as far as I’m concerned.

“There are probably ten times more small brewers than there were ten years ago. Cardiff ’s becoming a mecca for the British scene, with half a dozen little producers. It’s a nice size – everyone’s connected, we all know each other, small brewers are all really helpful to each other.”

Ian sells locally at the moment, and has two barrels on tap in Y Polyn restaurant down the road, where I drank a perfect pint, his CWRW, that evening. I had no idea how to say that strange world written on the beer pump (nor did I know it was Welsh for ‘beer’). I was struck by CWRW’s tasty complexity: a dark, rich amber ale with mysterious depths and a certain spicy, fruity, indefinably drinkable taste.

With a slightly sore head the next day, we drove west into the hills of North Pembrokeshire, to a farmhouse with “SEREN BEER” written in chalk on a slate outside, next to a smaller piece of slate saying “EGGS 50p.”

We went inside to meet Ali Kocho-Williams who took us through to his back room, full of pewter tankards hanging up on hooks, gold medals and rosettes saying 2nd or 1st, a mash tun, and a beery smell.

“Welcome to maybe Britain’s smallest brewery,” he said.

And the thermometer by the door?“Oh, that’s for the ham.”That’s when I noticed the leg of prosciutto

on a hook, air-drying in his cupboard below the stairs.

The fact it was all so DIY, so one-man-band, made the exquisite joy that came out of the taps all the more of an epiphany. There was genius in those beers. One was a sour,

Michael Smith takes us on a whistle stop tour of Welsh craft brewers

Images – Warren Orchard

smoky porter that reminded me of bacon and balsamic vinegar. My favourite, however, was the Factory Steam, a ‘steam beer’ made the same way as a lager, but at a higher temperature, which makes the yeast produce different flavours, much brighter, fruitier and tastier. We just started getting into the history behind steam beers when a chubby bloke knocked on the door: “Hello, I’ve come for some beer... ”

Ali’s currently struggling to keep up with demand. For now it’s part-time, the day job being professor of 20th Century Russian Politics at Aberystwyth University.

And the future of craft beer?“The whole thing started off in the US, and

we’re still five years behind,” Ali said. “In the US, beer’s now seen to be on a par

with wine in terms of quality, and as good with food as wine. The market is also prepared to pay for it, in the same way we’ll now pay £15 instead of £5 for a bottle of wine over here.”

Last up, we headed back east up the Ebbw valley. We got off the main road and climbed up an unnerving slope full of hairpin bends, precipitous edges and magnificent sweeping views.

We reached our destination to find the lads finishing off their Friday fish‘n’chips, reassuringly drinking their own Hallet’s Cider. I got passed a bottle of the ‘entry’ cider: ‘beautifully simple’ it said on the label, and it was – lovely, balanced, bright, but subtle.

Martin Hallet took us out to see where the magic happens, a farm shed with a dozen tall steel drums and a big Marshall amp blasting Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven across the valleys.

“Making cider is like making wine,” said Martin. “I’m experimenting with a few winemaking techniques at the minute, stirring the lees like they do with white Burgundy, which gives it a more robust mouth-feel. Dunno if it’ll work yet mind...

“I’m experimenting all the time. Some experiments fail spectacularly, but that’s all part of the fun,” he said, taking me to his little lab out the back, with its refractometers, microscope slides and lab equipment.

“My most important instrument’s this

though,” he chuckled, holding up an empty wine glass, “this and my nose and my taste buds.

“The difference between a craft cider and a factory cider is that a factory cider’s only tradition and provenance is that factory; it’s designed by a food technologist. It’s just a factory process.”

As he talked, I spied a pallet of what looked like mini champagne bottles gathering dust in the corner of the barn.

“That’s an experiment that didn’t work out,” he said.

“A vintage cider that had completely fermented in the bottle. Between you and me it tasted bloody horrible.”

He opened a bottle, expecting the worst, pouring it into the wine glass, a lovely, weighty amber colour. To everyone’s delight, it had matured and fermented in the four years it’d been sitting there, becoming a delicious, delicate, biscuity luxury: almost champagne made out of apples.

It summed up my short tour of craft beer and cider makers in Wales. What a delightful array of eccentric inventors these blokes are.

This article was produced in partnership with the Fork2Fork campaign. To find further places to buy food and drink fresh, direct and local visit www.fork2fork.wales


Other breweries you really should check outGlamorgan Brewing Company have recently rebranded from Kite Brewery. A family run concern and closely affiliated to distributor the Glamorgan Beer Company, it’s grown rapidly in recent years and with a new, large brewery and tap in Llantrisant, just north of Cardiff has ambition to grow much further. From there they produce a fine range of award-winning regulars including Craft Welsh Pale Ale, Cwrw Gorslas, Thunderbird and, our favourite, Jemima’s Pitchfork, a rather zesty, refreshing little number plus a range of seasonal beers. www.glamorganbrewingco.com

VOG is another long-established (2005) craft brewer going through transition, having recently been bought by four enthusiastic individuals fulfilling a lifetime’s ambition. Barry based, historically it’s had a more traditional real ale approach but this is set to evolve as they tweak the range to reflect the craft ale boom. Hope they don’t change Original No 1 too much though – it’s a cracking, traditional, thirst quenching session beer. www.vogbrewery.co.uk

Arguably the Daddy of the Craft Ale scene in South Wales is Otley in Pontypridd. With a cabinet full of awards, founder Nick Otley was there at the start of the micro-brewery boom and provides inspiration for many craft ale brewers in Wales. But Otley isn’t about to rest on its laurels, with a new brewery and taproom in 2012 and ales that continue to set benchmarks for taste, interest and pure style, ranging from traditional (Otley No 1, a delightful golden ale) through Porters and American style IPA to a spiced summer beer. Ten years on No 1’s still very hard to beat. www.otleybrewing.com


Jeremy Head tracks down the world’s rarest wolf, high in the mountains of Ethiopia

CRY WOLF

Sometimes, the harder you look, the less likely you are to find.

This is particularly true for rare wildlife. A reminder that no matter how smart we are with our shiny Landcruisers and our telephoto lenses, we’re subject to someone else’s rules in the wilderness. If we see something, it will be when we least expect it.

We were at close to 4000 metres, the end of a long dusty day’s drive, crossing the Sanetti plateau in Bale Mountains National Park in deepest south Ethiopia. I was thinking about a hot shower and dinner. A squall of icy rain clattered against the windscreen in the high altitude sunlight. I hadn’t expected to feel cold in Africa.

Then we saw them. Just 15 metres away, noses and tails tilted skywards; inquisitive, alert. Two Ethiopian wolves. Our quest for these exceptionally rare canids wasn’t supposed to start till the next day. They’d shown up early. We’d found what we’d come for, without even looking.

Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Pigs, full moons and werewolves - wolves occupy a particular place in our collective psyche. They’re bad. They are to be feared. I’d wondered how I’d feel if I did come face-to-muzzle with a real one. Would my blood run cold?

In truth I was rooted to my seat not in fear, but in fascination. The unexpectedness of

the sighting meant I was there, just taking it in. I didn’t even reach for my camera. Quickly, I realised. These weren’t the Baskervillesque beasts that inhabited childhood nightmares. They were beautiful. They had bright russet coats, attractive black stripes on their tails and noses. There was no getting away from it; they looked rather… foxy. We watched as they played, frolickingly alert. One looked full at us and shook himself, just as a dog does. A halo of droplets flashed off his rain-logged coat in a sudden flurry of sunlight.

As far as lupine bragging rights go, the Ethiopian wolf is without doubt top dog. There are just 500 or so left. They’re confined to a handful of sites at high altitude in north and south Ethiopia. There are multiple threats to the wolves’ future. The biggest is contact with domestic dogs. Many carry rabies which is fatal for the wolves. The last outbreak in 1991 decimated the population, killing 70% in one fell swoop. Perhaps the only thing that has ensured their survival is their habitat. They’ve adapted to live up on a high plateau that’s cold and inhospitable where no locals are hardy enough to build homes.

As night began to fall, we continued our bumping journey to Bale Mountain Lodge where we were due to stay for the duration of our wolf hunt. We stopped on the lip of the plateau before plunging down the tight hairpins below and looked across a vast, craggy

cloud-filled valley, backlit by the milky hues of the setting sun. We were literally on top of the world and in that rarefied chilly atmosphere it felt fantastic to be alive; the threshold of an adventure.

Bale Mountain Lodge is the brainchild of retired Army Colonel Guy Levene and his wife

Travel


Yvonne. It’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects that many people dream they might do, but few actually make happen. The lodge is miles from anywhere. Everything had to be trucked in: stones, steel, cement, generators, chairs, tables, king-sized beds, cookers and more. It was a task of epic proportions to create this comfortable bolthole from scratch.

We spent our first morning exploring the cloud forest close to the lodge with resident naturalist James Ndung’u. We wound our way between eons-old hardwood trees with buttress-roots that made them look like the ruins of cathedrals. A turaco bird flashed overhead its wingtips fiery red. Minutes later James brought us to a hushed standstill. He’d spotted a family of colobus monkeys, high above. They clattered through the trees, a blur of black and white fur. Soon after, we caught glimpses of bale monkeys - a species unique to here.

That afternoon we set to with our wolf hunt. The climb back up to the Sanetti plateau took about 45 minutes. Would we see them? The tight confines of the plateau, combined with an abundance of small mammals for the wolves to eat, means they live in high levels of concentration here despite their small number. But today the clouds descended and the high road across the plateau became shrouded in gloom. We rolled on slowly, trying to see through the murk. After an hour we’d seen nothing. I asked for a pee break.

And, of course, that’s when I see him. “Wolf!” I cried, dangerously close to falling over in my state of undress. He lopes across the moorland and dropped down towards a small

lake. He wades across. I’m fascinated to see him glance at a small goose floating precariously close to him, but he ignores it and continues towards us. We wait, hardly daring to breathe, fingers itching on our camera triggers. But then he spies us and lets out a series of high pitched yips before scurrying away.

Over the next couple of days we are rewarded with quite frequent sightings. I can’t get enough of watching them. They are attractive, noble creatures. And it’s just us, on this wide plateau of lichen-covered rocks, sparkling pools and tiny bright flowers. Just us and the wolves.

But they’re always at a distance. No matter

how hard we try, we can’t get within about 20 metres. So we pack to leave. There’s a long day’s drive back to Addis ahead. Mixed with a glow of satisfaction at seeing these rare creatures, there’s a hint of disappointment. There shouldn’t be. We’ve managed around 30 sightings. But we’ve not got those top shots of a wolf staring straight down the lens.

Maybe we’d been looking too hard? We’re halfway across the plateau, talking about our plans for the evening. Then we see him. A lone wolf - much closer. We inch forward in low gear, expecting him to dash off. But this one is oddly unworried by our presence. He sniffs around the heather. Focussed on tracking down prey, he ignores us. He’s successful too. I watch, fascinated, as he pounces on a grass rat. A couple of gulps and he has swallowed it whole. We get out of the car. Still he doesn’t run away. We take heaps of photos. Mission totally accomplished - just when we least expected it.

Photos by Jeremy Head

CRUCIAL INFOGetting there: Ethiopian Airlines (www.ethiopianairlines.com) flies daily from London Heathrow to Addis AbabaTour operators: Cox & Kings (020 7873 5000; www.coxandkings.co.uk) has a range of packages to Ethiopia with options to stay at Bale Mountain Lodge (www.balemountainlodge.com). Reading: Bradt Guide to Ethiopia (www.bradtguides.com)

Wild WildlifeMore places to see rare wildlife in East Africa

Chimp spotting in RwandaNyungwe National Park in South West Rwanda is an up and coming eco-hotspot. All kinds of unusual species to see, in particular several troops of chimps.

Monkey business in EthiopiaEthiopia is also home to rare Gelada Monkeys in the Semian Mountains in the north of the country. They're very relaxed about human contact. You can sit surrounded by a whole troop of them!

Gorilla tracking in UgandaLots of people see these amazing mountain gorillas in Rwanda, but spotting them in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest offers far bigger bragging rights and far fewer other tourists to block your view.


If you’re a fan of the finer things in life and want a home to match, look no further than Penarth Heights. Set high above Penarth Marina with show-stopping panoramic views across Cardiff Bay, Penarth Heights is an unmissable development of new homes by award-winning housebuilder Crest Nicholson.

Penarth is an idyllic seaside town and is an area rich in charm and character but also offers a quiet sanctuary away from the buzz of Cardiff city centre. That said, the bright lights of the capital are a mere stone’s throw away, which is why the area is so appealing to many home-buyers. Whether you’re looking for a home to settle down in with your partner, or a stunning bachelor pad, Penarth Heights has a range of homes on offer for everyone due to its close proximity to local amenities, leisure facilities and an array of excellent schools.

The Verve-style house is a unique property which offers generous living and bedroom space split over three levels. The large kitchen, situated on the lower ground floor, is perfect for entertaining with French doors leading out to the garden. On the first floor, there’s a study which is perfect for either work or play, along with a lounge and Juliette balcony – ideally suited for enjoying a morning coffee or evening glass of wine overlooking the Bay. The first floor has two generous double bedrooms, the larger of which also has an en-suite.

Location-wise, you couldn’t ask for more. If you’re partial to a weekend away or you commute further afield for work, Penarth is well placed with excellent transport links to the M4 and trains to London Paddington in just two hours. Plus sporting fans will delight in the close proximity to the Millennium Stadium.

Be quick though, they are selling fast so if you want to snap up one of these stunning homes, don’t hesitate – book a viewing today.

Prices at Penarth Heights start from £165,000 for a two bedroom apartment or from £263,000 for a three bedroom Verve home. If you’re looking for something a bit bigger, keep your eyes peeled for The Brigadier, a four bedroom home that’s coming soon.

For more information please call into the on-site Sales and Marketing Suite (open daily 10am-5pm), call 029 2071 1357, email [email protected] or visit www.crestnicholson.com/penarthheights.

The Creative Quarter in Cardiff is thrilled to welcome the latest members of its growing community.Locality Solutions, Just Park and Smorgasbord have all recently set up home in the Creative Quarter joining an already flourishing community of innovative and design led companies. Attracted by the airy modern spaces which still retain the character and elegance of the original Victorian buildings, the new businesses will benefit from communal social spaces and the networking with neighbouring companies that this promotes.Blanche Longley, of Helical Bar, said: “The Creative Quarter is already home to some exciting design businesses, such as, MarkJames_Works, The Urbanists and Amy Mair Couture.“We are delighted that the creative environment that is developing here is also attractive to a wider range of businesses from software developers to marketing companies who are looking for space that represents their creative ethos. We are very excited by the interest that is being shown in the spaces that we have on offer with more new arrivals expected in the coming weeks.To find out more about the Creative Quarter contact one of our agents:Peter Clarke, Oscar Clarke Property, 029 2075 1800. [email protected] Sutton, Knight Frank, 029 2049 2492. [email protected] our website www.cardiffcreativequarter.com or follow us on twitter @CQdiff and instagram

Meanwhile the Morgan Quarter goes from strength to strength with the recent addition of Cardiff Foot Clinic in the Royal Arcade. Also eagerly awaited are Emporium in the Royal Arcade and Diba in the Morgan Arcade. Added to all of this, several newly configured units in the Royal Arcade are nearing completion ready for new businesses to move in.To find out more about these and other opportunities in the Morgan Quarter contact one of our agents: Peter Clarke, Oscar Clarke Property, 029 2075 1800. [email protected] Brown, Savills, 0117 910 2213. [email protected] our website www.morganquarter.com or follow us on twitter @morgan_quarter and facebook

Get Creative

Time is running out to snap up an apartment with a view

Lifestyle


At Lab22 we stock an increasingly wide variety of gins and rums, however, every week there will be a request for something we don’t have. This demonstrates the remarkable growth in popularity and variety for these products! But not everyone’s an expert so here’s a quick guide on where to start.

Like most, we began our journey with the well-known brands but quickly realised there are some great, and arguably better, alternatives. One is Tanqueray Export. Originally produced in Bloomsbury, London, it’s a great staple for the gin drinker and has a beautiful lemon zest with a light tang of pepper and pine. Although Tanqueray, like most gins, guard their recipes with their life (and then some!) it’s pretty much certain that they use juniper berry, coriander, angelica root and liquorice as their main botanicals during distillation. On the tongue you may even pull out a small hint of grapefruit and orange flavour to this gin. Due to the strength (43.1% abv) and fruitiness this gin can be paired with almost any tonic and can also be used in a Martini or a longer cocktail. This really is an affordable, accessible, gin to use as your benchmark so if you haven’t tried it, please look for it on your next tipple!

A good next step is Plymouth Gin. As the oldest working distillery in England this gin boasts of using only 7 botanicals and having a more earthy, lemon finish with a lot more complexity in its flavouring in comparison to Tanqueray. It is heavily scented with coriander and has an almost sweet and creamy taste. Which makes it ideal for a short Martini style drink, however, I would use a less sweet tonic

as a G&T in order to keep those subtleties of the gin.

A new found love for me (and most of the staff at Lab22) is Shortcross Gin. It’s a small batch craft gin, and as such, gets a uniquely high level of care and attention at its distillery in Northern Ireland. It has underlying tastes of berries and is often described as having ‘grassy notes’ which I completely agree with. It still has the peppery and orange flavours typical of most gins but there is a world of complexity on the tongue with the faintest hints of vanilla. Having a slightly higher 46% abv the finish is long but still remarkably smooth. This gin gets my utmost seal of approval and lends itself wonderfully to an array of shorter less-ingredient style drinks. It works exceptionally well stirred down with fig liqueur, Peychaud’s bitters and a lemon zest finish.

When picking out our rums we’ve tried to include full ranges, such as the Appleton range. The Appleton VX is our house-pour rum and works great as a rum and coke (lime squeeze recommended), as well as the base for any exotic style Tiki drink. From the Appleton distillery in Jamaica this rum is a blend of rums with at least 5 years ageing in barrels. It has a rich vanilla and toffee taste that offers an almost spicy finish. I would recommend this as the base for your next Mai Tai as it’s charismatic enough to cut through the other ingredients.

If you like the Appleton VX then you really should try the Guyanese El Dorado range. All of it, if you can. From the 3 year (white rum) up to the 21 year, these rums are almost flawless. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of white rums, however, the white in this range can be used in a cocktail or even sipped… That’s right, sipped over ice. My favourite of the range is the 12 year old. As a demerara rum the 12 year takes the stage hosting a dark sugar flavour mixed with notes of honey and vanilla but still being fruity. As this is a more full bodied rum I would recommend it only in short cocktails and for sipping with a little squeeze of lime or even orange. Whether you ask your bartender for it in a Rum Old Fashioned or a Corn and Oil you’re not going to be disappointed.

So, there you have it. A few suggestions to get you on the road to gin and rum nirvana. Enjoy!

Lab22, 22 Caroline St, Cardiff, CF10 1FG. Tel: 029 2039 9997 www.lab22cardiff.com

That’s the spiritInterest in gin and rum is booming. Cocktail maestro Luke Galea from Lab 22 gives us a few pointers for the novice

FALL OUT

Photography by Mission Photographic www.missionphotographic.com

LeightonJacket, Levi’s - £95T, Ted Baker - £45Jeans, Levi’s - £80from John Lewis


RADIATE SOME COOL VIBES THIS AUTUMN/WINTER

www.missionphotographic.com


Shirt, Ted Baker - £95Trousers, Ted Baker - £119from John Lewis


Above:EmmaHat, John Lewis - £45Bag, French Connection - £95Dress, Kin - £69from John Lewis

Right:Gilet, Oasis - £55Roll neck, Whistler - £75Skirt, Warehouse - £39from John Lewis

All clothes supplied by John Lews, St David's Centre, Cardiff

Thanks to our models Leighton and current Miss Wales, Emma Jenkins.

Emma will be competing in Miss World in Sanya, China on 19th December.

Emm's hair was styled Timba Hair and Beauty, 127 Heol Llanishen Fach, Rhwbina, Cardiff. T. 029 2062 5825


Leighton Chino, Kin - £29Knit, Raw - £120Jacket, Levi’s - £120from John Lewis

Emma Dress, French Connection - £69Cardigan, Celuu - £79Scarf, Hobbs - £59from John Lewis

If you think you've got what it takes to model for RedHanded, email a full length pic and contact info to [email protected]



The team at Space Fitting Furniture aren’t your typical kitchen design company, far from it. Have you ever come across a company that’s used a quarter panel from a Lamborghini as the design inspiration for a customer’s kitchen?

Steve and Claire Bloom at Space Fitting Furniture start by finding out what interests you, what floats your boat, what your hobbies, interests and passions are. And from all this they’ll get an idea for what’s going to excite you. Whether it’s a workstation in the shape of a part of your favourite car, a space age theme or throwing wild dinner parties with friends.

And because they’ve been designing kitchens for 40 years, combined with Claire’s experience as a highly accomplished cook, not only can they come up with a great look that genuinely reflects your personality, they know how to find the ideal composition and lay-out for your kitchen – before putting mouse to pad to create your design they’ll fire off a barrage of questions to find out what you really need, not necessarily what you want.

Space Fitting also has the hands-on skills to put these ideas into practice. As a team of experienced craftsmen and carpenters they can turn even the most elaborate designs and structures

into reality with a first-class quality of finish. Notably, they recently made a dining table with rotating storage underneath that unobtrusively folds away whilst their showroom has a display with a curved artificial ceiling.

And you can add to that some of the best fixtures and fittings around including Rational cabinets, MOG furniture, Miele appliances, and Tom Dixon lighting and access to unusual items, such as meat basher handles, granite worktops with seams of copper running through.

Whether it’s the aforementioned Lambo quarter panel inspiration, a coffee table made to resemble an airplane wing or a LED screen in your kitchen floor, they aren’t afraid to inject fun into their designs, to make them quirky and interesting – a far cry from most kitchen companies where the main objective is to sell cabinets and appliances.

The result of this holistic and imaginative approach to kitchen design is a stack of happy customers, plenty of awards (KBB Review Showroom of the Year in 2014) and a reputation as Wales’ most impressive kitchen company.

Space Fitting Furniture, The Design Quarter, 4 Colchester Ave, Cardiff CF23 9XE. T. 029 2045 5778www.spacefittingfurniture.co.uk

Space Odyssey

Lifestyle

When you are able find a window in your busy life to kick back and completely chill out, take a leaf out of rugby legend Scott Quinnell’s book and fall in love with doing absolutely nothing at all by relaxing in the ‘World’s First’ performance recliner chair, ‘The Natuzzi Re-vive’.

Traditional recliners are operated with lever mechanisms but the revolutionary Re-vive intuitively responds to your body’s movements by moving as you move and flexing as you adjust your body positions.

Scott needs to get some relaxing time in after punditry duties in the Rugby World Cup before preparing for the Six Nations in February 2016 where his wisdom will be in great demand. But don’t ask him any questions whilst he is sitting in the Re-Vive because the recliner is so relaxing he’ll find it hard to stay awake long enough to answer!

Developed over a two-year research process, the Natuzzi Re-Vive was inspired by the strength, flexibility, and multi-dimensional movements found in nature. The Re-vive has a unique ‘Responsive Recline’ - a weight compensating mechanism that allows reclining with perfect balance.

Testing it to the max, Scott even showed off some of his resplendent rugby ball skills as the Natuzzi Re-vive synchronised with his body movements.

Available in two different sizes, the King and Queen, seven different styles and a variety of colours, the Natuzzi

Re-vive can be personally tailored to each individual’s preference to enhance any room.

Smiling as he sat back Scott said: ‘It’s fantastic. The hardest thing is not to fall asleep!’

Natuzzi Cardiff Bay, Havannah Street. Tel. 02920 488 698

Sit back, relax, unwind


Lifestyle

Now in its fifth year, CIWW is one of the premier adventure centres in Wales! The venue is open all year round and provides a range of exciting leisure activities to keep adventure-seekers of all ages and abilities happy, regardless of the weather .

With up to six people in a raft one of the most sociable activities is White Water Rafting. Suitable for complete beginners and white water veterans, the two hour coached sessions are adrenaline fuelled fun from start to finish (prices from £40 to £55). Other action-packed white water activities include River Boarding, Hot Dogging, Canoeing and Kayaking. Or if you are looking for a more relaxed environment, the flat water area is also great for paddle sports.

Or why not try the simulated surf machine? Indoor Surfing provides the excitement of body boarding in the convenience of a city location from only £25 per person for a 90 minute session. CIWW have also aimed high with the development of an exhilarating new high ropes attraction where visitors can navigate the course high above the raging white water.

Alternatively, pop into the Centre and just enjoy a drink and a bite to eat on the balcony and watch others take on the challenge of the white water? If there’s a few of you there are pre-booked catering packages available for groups.

Because CIWW is open all year round and all kit and training is provided it makes the perfect Christmas present too. With Christmas just around the corner – what better gift for your friends and family than vouchers for the ultimate adrenalin adventure.

Buy now from CIWW or call 029 2082 9970. Find out more at www.ciww.com. (Christmas vouchers are valid for 6months and age restrictions and terms and conditions apply).

Or you could just try something new in 2016? Book your space now for ‘New Year’s Day Blast’ on January 1st. Blow away those New Years Eve cobwebs with an exhilarating white water rafting session with family and friends from only £20 per person!

Age restrictions and terms and conditions apply. To find out more or to make a booking contact the CIWW team on 029 2082 9970, visit www.ciww.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Winter Water Wonderland

After an extensive refurbishment, transforming its bedrooms and public spaces, you’ll feel like a proper aristo at the four star Mercure Cardiff ‘Holland House’ Hotel and Spa.

A significant sum has been invested in the property in a bid to firmly secure the hotel’s position as a UK leader for conferences, events and leisure. Marisa Morteo, General Manager of The Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa Cardiff said: “I am confident that the refurbishment will place us in a stronger positon to showcase the capital of Wales and attract international business as well as leisure clients by highlighting the attractions our vibrant city has to offer. While on a local level the stunning new space will allow us to retain lucrative event contracts as well as attracting those who’re looking to enjoy leisure facilities that offer unbeatable style and comfort.”

Mercure, a “locally inspired” brand, has drawn influence for the hotel’s new interior design from Cardiff itself. Inspired by Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, Bay and Castle, the interior design is permeated with Welsh copper and slate incorporating copper pendant lighting, slate feature walls and Welsh woolen upholstery throughout. The refurbishment has

completely transformed its public spaces helping to firmly position the hotel as a luxury hospitality leader in the city.

Jonathan Sheard, Senior Vice President, of Accor UK added: “The refurbishment of the Mercure Cardiff Holland House Hotel & Spa will suit every visitor, whether for business, leisure or both. The hotel’s new look reflects the exciting and cosmopolitan feel of Cardiff and mirrors the brand’s commitment to strong local connections.”

The recent refurbishment is the biggest investment in the property since its inception as a hotel, having been converted from offices in 2004 and taken over by Accor in 2007. Catering for both leisure and business guests, Mercure Cardiff Holland House and Spa is the largest hotel-based conference venue in the city with 15 meeting spaces including Calon, the city’s largest conference event space, 165 bedrooms, a restaurant and bar, and luxury spa and fitness facilities.

Mercure Cardiff Holland House and Spa, 24-26 Newport Road, Cardiff CF24 0DD. Tel. 029 2043 5000

HOUSE OF LORDS


Three unique bars located within the Bierkeller Entertainment Complex

Around The World Bar serves up international food and drink daily, with dishes from all over the globe and a massive selection of 150 world beers, as well as, an extensive cocktail menu. Enjoy Happy Hour between 4-7pm Monday to Friday and there’s live music every Friday and Saturday between 5-7pm. Call to book your table for lunch or dinner, a booth for drinks with friends or to shake things up with a cocktail masterclass.

The Bierkeller is Cardiff’s only traditional Bavarian style bar, complete with long bench seating, lederhosen wearing waitresses serving steins of ice cold German beer and a selection of bratwursts and other Bavarian dishes. There are even regular performances by a Welsh oompah band every Friday and Saturday. All guaranteed to have you up dancing on the

benches before you can say Prost! Shooters is the ultimate sports bar and grill. Complete with the

biggest screen in Cardiff, a whopping 5m by 3m worth of LED for all your viewing pleasure. Shooters also offers a huge selection of craft beer and American style dining, as well as, pool, table tennis and Foosball tables. For those with an appetite that’s larger than life, why not take on the Man V Food challenge… If it’s sport, and it’s live, it’s on the screens and with 55 screens, Shooters can show all the big events simultaneously. Add the best seats in town and you won’t miss a thing.

Bierkeller, Stadium Plaza, Wood St, Cardiff, Glamorgan CF10 1LA. T. 0845 533 3000

The Regional Awards 2016 Celebrating the expertise and hard work of the most remarkable businesses & individuals.

The Regional Awards 2016 has launched it’s online voting this week, inviting public to vote for businesses, brands, attractions, organisations and individuals from across the region. With events planned in 2016 in Bristol, Swansea and now Cardiff, there certainly is a buzz surrounding the event. The main aim of the event is to celebrate the expertise and hard work of the most remarkable businesses and individuals.

Sean McMahon, Press & Media Director, said: “Since its launch The Regional Awards has quickly overtaken many other similar events in regards to entries, mainly due to the uniquely independent and transparent judging process. The points awarded to an entrant are made up by a third from public votes, a third by application scorecard and a third by judging panel. This unique approach is taken a step further as the votes are independently verified and no one person on the panel can make a decision, it’s a group decision that is voted on. We really do want to showcase the best Cardiff has to offer.”

“As we go into our first awards event there has never been a more interesting time for Cardiff businesses. We call on the public to make their voices heard and to send us their nominations for one or all 25 categories.”www.theregionalawards.com

Lifestyle

SUCCESS IS A HABIT

Kevin Arnold from Momentum Coaching looks at the recent wave of sporting success in Wales and explains how we can be inspired to succeed at our own goals.

Momentum is a powerful force that can be used to aid change and create success. In 2012 we had “Super Saturday” in the London Olympics, whilst here in Wales we had our own version of this on Saturday the 10th October.

Our Welsh version was perhaps a “Strange Saturday” as Wales qualified for both the Rugby World Cup Quarter finals and also the football Euro 2016 finals despite both teams losing their respective games. We were however able to celebrate both events due to previous success i.e. momentum that meant a double qualification.

The Welsh rugby team may have lost to Australia, despite running them close, but previous wins, including the dramatic win against England meant a quarter final to come against South Africa. Meanwhile out in Bosnia the Welsh football team’s momentum took them into the game unbeaten so although they lost results elsewhere meant a double qualification.

And of course the best team in the tournament, New Zealand use the haka to great effect to build momentum (and fear), invariably against opponents that don’t have a similar ritual.

As an NLP Practitioner (see Red Handed 2014 Issue 3) I observed our heroes such as Bale and Biggar to see how they apply their skills and focus to achieve sporting excellence. Dan Biggar applies his own very unique techniques before taking kicks which involve a fair bit of twitching type moves before grounding himself in a calm controlled focus before executing his kicks. Similarly Gareth Bale will stand poised over a free kick getting himself into a zone ready to strike for goal.

In our own modest way we can all operate similar tools and techniques, day to day, to achieve our own goals and targets. NLP works with clients to help them develop their own techniques (“anchors” in NLP terms) so that just like our Welsh sporting heroes you too could reach your full potential.

Kevin is a qualified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and offers individually tailored sessions from his base in Llantwit Major as well as home visits or consultations via telephone or Skype.

For more details go to www.momentum-coaching.co.uk or Tel:07766 018831

Deutschland über alles


Lifestyle

From starting at Timba Hair as the receptionist in 1999, Julie Williams progressed to Salon Manager in 2004 and is now recognised as the ‘heartbeat of the business’.

We asked Julie about the changes that have taken place at Timba.“There were six members of staff when the salon opened and we now have a team of 14. Timba have always used Goldwell & KMS professional products and our sales rep and business advisor, Richard Robinson, (who has been involved in the hair industry for almost 20 years), was instrumental in helping the salon grow year on year. In 2014 Richard and his wife Rhiannon bought the business and Timba Hair & Beauty was created.”

Have there been a lot of changes to the salon?“The original premises served us well but we recognized the need to develop the salon. A golden opportunity arose when the building next door became available. It is a much larger premises and has allowed us to design and create a beautiful working environment for the team, and make the salon experience both inspiring and relaxing for the clients.”

What sets Timba Hair & Beauty apart from the rest? We have three separate colour and cutting zones and a VIP area. We are stockists of the new premium Kerasilk Treatment range and our team are trained to give bespoke, tension-busting head massages which enhances the treatment experience. Your hair feels beautifully conditioned for up to ten washes.

We also love colour! We have team members with the prestigious Goldwell Colour Expert qualification. Richard was inspired by his wife Rhiannon (who is a scientist in cancer research) to create the UK’s first Colour Lab in the salon, of which we are very proud, and clients can watch the magic as it happens!

The support from Goldwell & KMS has been exceptional and we are very proud to use these professional only products, as we believe our clients deserve the very best in salon and at home. We have a KMS ambassador working in salon so we can advise the very best in home use products suited to each individual client, making sure we look after their hair when we can’t be with them.

Has the feedback been positive?“Even better than we could have wished for.

With the addition of two beauty treatment rooms, two nail bars and a designated spray tan room, we are now ticking all the boxes needed in a luxury five star salon, without paying City centre prices. We are open from Monday to Saturday and have convenient, free parking right outside the salon. To find out more, you can find us on Facebook Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Just look for Timba Hair & Beauty. Our brand new mobile friendly website is also about to go live www.timbahair.com

Timba Hair and Beauty, 127 Heol Llanishen Fach, Rhiwbina, Cardiff CF14 6RE. Tel: 029 2062 5825

Colour Me Beautiful

We all know gambling is for losers, but not when it comes to matched betting – this is not the same as gambling or tipping.

Matched betting is a legal way to play the system - and take a guaranteed profit every time. The system exploits bookmakers free bet offers (e.g. Skybet.com) – which they use to win new customers.

In principle, you simply use the free bets to ‘back’ a certain outcome offset by a ‘lay bet’ against that outcome. Therefore, there is no risk of losing money, because each bet cancels the other one out. When you use free bets rather than your own money, whatever the outcome, you are guaranteed to 'win' money.

Here are some independent quotes from reliable sources which back this system:

The Guardian – “I don’t know any other way anyone could make £22 per hour tax free, working from home. If you know anything better, please let me know.”

The Telegraph – “Is this a bet you can’t lose?”

The Huffington Post – “It's important to realise that matched betting is not akin to gambling. It's a rare legal example of playing the system, which is recognised by the gambling industry. The bookmakers appear to have no issue with it because even they don't lose out.”Membership of matched betting site Pure Profit Ltd means you have access to all the free bets in the UK, the Pure Profits ‘Odds Matcher’ software (which does all the hard work for you, which would take a competent mathematician hours otherwise) and all the instructions/video guides and tools.

Membership typically costs £15 per month (no minimum term contract, you can cancel it anytime) but well worth it, when you could realistically make in the region of £700 per month of risk free, tax free, guaranteed profit by following the instructions.

So this really is the answer to how to beat the bookies - a bet that can’t lose, and a win-win situation.

RedHanded is so impressed by the Pure Profit Ltd system and support, we have teamed up with them to give you a 20% discount code off full membership. So rather than £15 per month, it will cost just £12 for our students. To get your discount simply go to www.redhandedmagazine.co.uk and register from the Pure Profit ad on our homepage or via the article posted online.

A bet that can't lose?


Lifestyle

Coming up at St David’s HallThe nights may be drawing in and getting decidedly chillier but you can be sure of a warm welcome at St David’s Hall. And there’s an action packed schedule in store over the coming months that’s bound to light your fire.

If quirky comedy’s your thing then don’t plan on seeing comedian Alexander Armstrong (27 Jan). Well, not this time anyway. He’s ditching comedy in favour of crooning. Yep, that’s right. The normally acerbic, intellectual comic will be turning back to his first love, having been a choral scholar at Trinity College Cambridge, showcasing a rather fine baritone voice as he works his way through familiar classics such as Summertime, Porgy and Bess and Stranger In Paradise.

In a similar vein is Gareth Malone (14 Dec). Best known for his outstanding work on the BBC’s The Choir and its numerous spin-offs, he’ll be bringing his choir Voices to town in what promises to be a very enjoyable, fun night where you won’t be able to resist singing along

However, if you do want some off-beat comedy then how about Chris Ramsey (31 March). A master of free-flowing banter, his meandering story-telling and effervescent enthusiasm makes for a fun and spirited night. If classic rock’s what floats your boat then “The Man with the Golden Voice” Paul Carrack (10 Feb), who can count Roxy Music, Elton John, Eric Clapton, The Smiths and many more as work colleagues, is your, er, man. Also worth a serious look is the Johnny Cash Roadshow (23 Jan). Yes, we know he’s dead but this is the best tribute act of the C&W great there is.

For something completely different, Ray Mears (16 March) will be delivering an unforgettable evening of stories from the edge as part of his Tales of Endurance Tour. The UK’s leading bushcraft expert will shock, amaze and inspire audiences with stories of fellow human beings and the incredible circumstances they have overcome, followed by a Q & A with Ray himself.

Equally amazing is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s ability to rack up 147s. See the snooker ace and his pals square up for Wales vs England at Snooker Legends (8 January) – and, if you win the raffle on the night, you’ll get a chance to play him! www.stadavidshallcardiff.co.uk for more info on all these gigs and more.

Welsh Hearts (Calonnau Cymru)Every Second Counts’ for the ‘Welsh Hearts’ Appeal to reach its target of placing 500 defibrillators into Cardiff, and for heart screening sessions from January 2016, for 14 to 35 year olds throughout Wales

In the two years since its inception, Welsh Hearts’ aim has been to improve the chances

of those who have cardiac arrests outside of hospital. They have already been successful in placing 235 defibrillators across Wales and the charity is also working with Tonypandy GP Dr Rob Baron, on the RCT100 Appeal to place over a hundred defibrillators into Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Each year in Wales approximately 8000 sudden cardiac arrests occur outside of hospital. The survival rate is three per cent but where an AED (defibrillator) is used the survival rate is 50%.

As part of their ongoing awareness, Welsh Hearts teamed up with ‘Jack’s Appeal’, set up after fit and healthy A* pupil Jack Thomas died from an undiagnosed heart condition. Welsh Hearts now visit secondary and primary schools teaching CPR and use of a defibrillator and basic first aid training for younger pupils.

The WRU and Welsh Hearts have also teamed up so that every rugby club in Wales will have a defibrillator and all members trained in CPR.

Director of the Charity and Founder of

Welsh Hearts Sharon Owen said:sWelsh Hearts do not receive any funding, relying solely on donations and fundraising activities. If you would like to donate, fundraise or volunteer please visit www.welshhearts.org or call 029 2064 7735.

For more information on how you can support the “Every Second Counts Appeal” please contact 029 2064 7735 or email [email protected]


Lifestyle

St David's Centre, Cardiff has something for everyone - here's a a wee selection.

Fancy a gadget in your stocking? Or know somebody who does?

Asus ZenWatch johnlewis: £199.95

Samsung R6 Omnidirectional

speakers johnlewis: £399.95

Ruark R7 Music System

johnlewis: £2000

RC Mini Drone Hamleys: £50

Jaeger Jennifer Red Tote Bag,

RRP £75 Outlet Price £49

Jaeger Ladies Faux Fur Scarf,

Outlet Price £99

Ted Baker Ladies Taupe Fur

Collar Coat, RRP £319 Outlet

Price £219

The Kooples Mens

Reversable Black Furry Hoody,

RRP £215 Outlet Price £130

Jaeger Mens Window Pane

Long Grey Coat, RRP £599 Outlet

Price £299

M&S Mens

Burgundy Navy Stripe Cable Knit

Jumper, RRP £39.50 Outlet

Price £28

Warm and cosy trends at McArthur Glen this season

BIG LUXE


Time is PreciousAsk anyone who’s seriously interested in horology what - money no object - would be their watch of choice and the chances are that Patek Philippe would be the answer

Adrian Harries of Watches of Switzerland, the only stockist of PP in Wales explains why Patek is so revered

On almost every level, Patek Philippe is the watch we, in the industry, most admire.

Firstly there is an emotional connection. The company’s history stretches back to 1839 and encompasses an adherence to a set of values that are the envy, and often the blueprint, for all the great watch houses. Independence, exclusivity and craftsmanship that’s second to none.

Then there’s design. Patek want their timepieces to be seen as works of art, not just a means of telling time. Their aesthetics avoid passing fashions and never appear dated and fit perfectly with their philosophy of passing a Patek Philippe piece from generation to generation.

And finally, there’s Patek’s unswerving determination to place technological innovation at the heart of everything they do. As a consequence, there’s a host of ground-breaking and land-mark timepieces that bear the Patek Philippe name. Amongst the more remarkable

are the Calibre 89, the most complicated movement in the world when launched and of course, the watch that holds the record for the most valuable in the world (it sold at auction for $24m) the Henry Graves Super-complication of 1933, also in its day the most complicated mechanical watch in the world. So much so it took five years to make.

Today, the spirit of the super-complication and the essence of all that’s great about Patek is exemplified best in the range of Grand Complication pieces, in particular the 5270 perpetual calendar chronograph, pictured here.

Combining a calendar that automatically corrects, a chronograph and a moon-phase indicator, the 5270 is simply beautiful and is already a collectors’ item despite being launched as recently as 2009, thanks in no small part to its beauty, rarity and a fine movement. Developed in 2009, the multi-function movement contains six patented innovations, took five years to develop and is the pinnacle of Patek’s expertise. The result is a sublime example of the watchmakers’ craft.

To find out more about this wonderful company call in to the showroom to view the collection and meet the team.

Watches of Switzerland, St Davids Centre, Cardiff, CF10 2DP. Tel: 029 2034 0300

Jon from the South Wales Whisky Interest Group (SWWIG – get it?) loves his single malt whisky. Here’s his pick of the best.

The colder months are the perfect time to enjoy a warming dram of malt whisky in front of a roaring fire, and to help you along we've put together a few of our favourites. Of course, the best way to experience as much of the world of whisky as possible is to share your collection with like-minded individuals, or look for local tasting events where you can sample a fantastic range of premium whiskies without breaking the bank.

Best on a budget - Old Pulteney 12 Year Old - 40%, £30A classic multi-award winning highland dram. Balanced and easy-drinking; notes of toffee and nuttiness deliver a strong meaty character, with a hint of saltiness on the finish reflecting the distillery’s maritime heritage. A whisky perfect for every occasion. One for peat lovers - Ardbeg Uigedail - 54.2%, £55The island of Islay is synonymous with robust, peaty single malts and with 8 distilleries on an island smaller than Anglesey there's no shortage of options. With it's eye-watering strength, heavy

peat and pronounced sherry hit, this fascinating dram really packs a punch. No wonder it's consistently rated as one of the finest whiskies in the world and always a popular choice at our tasting evenings.

Flying the flag for Wales - Penderyn Sherrywood - 46%, £40You may be familiar with the classic Madeira finish single malt from Wales' very own Penderyn distillery, but we have a soft spot for the lesser-known Sherrywood bottling. The undeniable quality of Penderyn's spirit still shines through, but the final maturation in oloroso sherry butts add a subtle touch of sultanas and winter spice which we find irresistible.

One for special occasions - Springbank 21 Year Old - 46%, £200Campbeltown's Springbank distillery is one of the last remaining family owned distiller-ies in Scotland, and one of the few to carry out every step of the whisky making process on site. This spirit has been maturing in only the finest quality casks since Wet Wet Wet last topped the charts. The result offers complexity on a whole other level; soft, fruity, peppery, and a long sweet finish which is simply sublime.

For more info on SWWIG’s tasting evenings, tours and more visit www.swwig.co.uk . Don’t forget to quote RedHanded to get £2 off all their events.

Whisky Galore


The Entrepreneur Wales Awards celebrate the stories that have fuelled this country's growth and recognises the achievements of our nation’s brightest business talent.

Produced by the organisers of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the publishers of Fresh Business Thinking, the Entrepreneur Wales Awards acknowledge the hard work and inspiring stories of Welsh entrepreneurs and businesses in Wales.

But why is Wales a great place to do business? We caught up with some of the Entrepreneur Wales Awards finalists to find out.

AccessibilityThe welcome in the hillsides has never been warmer for new business. Born in Canada, Yousra Elsadig, who first came to Wales as an international student in 2009, says she owes the growth of her clothing design firm, Boutique de Nana, to the enterprise-friendly climate she discovered in Cardiff.

“Attention per capita is so high here and people who want to progress can access the right tools and funding to realise their ambition," she says.

"There are many organisations tailored to helping different businesses,”

This is largely down to the efforts of the Welsh Government and regional partners in providing grants and initiatives, such as Jobs Growth Wales, that have created “an environment in which people feel they can start in enterprise,” says Keith Palmer, group CEO of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce and Centre for Business.

The private sector is equally forward-thinking. “Accounting practices and solicitors are now all very active in promoting the entrepreneurial spirit in Wales,” according to Ken Poole, head of Economic Development at City of Cardiff Council.

A case in point, Nicholas de Figueiredo, of Capital Law, Cardiff, has given legal guidance to many of the capital’s start-ups and SMEs. The commercial and intellectual property solicitor recognises the “abundant, very active and well-connected” support networks available in Wales that stimulate the entrepreneurial process, putting employers in touch with the talent they need to make their business grow.

The PeopleWales has a history rich with natural leadership. Centuries of generating real innovators and entrepreneurs has seen the Welsh lead globally in key areas, which adds something special to our DNA as business people, according to Caroline Challoner, director at Cazbah Ltd.Gareth Jones, founder and CEO of Welsh ICE, perceives a similarly strong social element in our entrepreneurial vitality. “The valleys have been identified as an area of deprivation for decades and I think that gives people the drive to really want to make a difference to their community,” he says.

The calibre of our young business people coming through the Young Enterprise Wales scheme is a key factor for YE Trustee, Martin Warren, who is “bowled over every year by the quality of applicants”.

Larkin Cen is the co-founder of Asian takeaway Hokkei. The 2103 MasterChef finalist feels the capital’s spread of people plays a key role in its efficacy as a hotbed for new business, particularly in his industry. “Many food sector brands will open 10 or 15 stores in London and then they’ll go to Wales," he says.

"That’s because there’s an amazing demographic here, especially if you’re looking at the younger end of the market, 18 to 45 years-of-age. If your business works in Cardiff, it will probably work in other regions too,” says former lawyer, Cen.

The PlaceIf small is beautiful then Wales owes much of its entrepreneurial lustre to its diminutive stature. Flexibility lets us adapt quickly to new economic trends in sectors such as life science, energy and technology.

Property initiatives in Wales have also played an important role. “Business technology units and workshop spaces are assisting start-ups at a competitive cost,” according to Ken Poole.

Similarly, good rail and road links maintain that all-important connection with London. Cardiff offers a “less cluttered” location where some “great deals are being done” according to Peter Jones, founder and director of Smart Anchor Ventures.

In the past, Wales has lost its brightest talent to cities across the border, but as business owner Suzanne Parry Jones illustrates, the intellectual tide is turning. “When I left Swansea for university, I thought I would never return as the big city lights beckoned," she says.

"I have come to realise that they were always here, in Swansea, and now they’re shining brighter than ever!”

The HwylMaybe our edge is simply down to a unique ingredient - some magic in the mix of graduates, professionals and a characterful local population eager to start building a better future.

Sue Poole, Enterprise Education Manager for Gower College Swansea, sees our collaborative work ethic as a catalyst for good business. “Wales is a small place and we all want to help one another thrive," she says.

"Universities and colleges work together in the enterprise sphere, sharing a common goal. Furthermore, we have a great team of champions here in Wales in further and higher education, driven to support young entrepreneurs who in turn are helped by the government and other large organisations.”

The communities set in our distinct landscape are fundamental to this spirit, according to Jonathan Deacon, senior academic at the University of South Wales.“Wherever you work in Wales, you’re not far from some of the most beautiful countryside in the world. Our work-life balance is pretty good… you’re probably more creative, productive and happier in what you do.

"As a small country, everybody really does know everyone else. When you’re in business and you’re looking for assistance, somebody will know someone who can open that door for you,” Mr Deacon says.

So now you know: Smart, skilled and business-savvy, Wales has every reason to be proud of its proven edge as an entrepreneurial hub. Whether you’re after funding, advice, or it’s simply a case of location, location, location, there really is no better place to start up a new enterprise. The Entrepreneur Wales Awards, November 12 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. www.entrepreneurwalesawards.com

No place like Wales for entrepreneurs


Restaurant James Sommerin has won plaudits aplenty thanks to the wonderful, original fusion of modern British and French cuisine and imaginative mix of textures and flavours, such as smoked eel and herb soup. Ranked highest of any restaurant in Wales in the Good Food Guide and widely tipped to achieve a Michelin Star it’s become a mecca for foodies near and far. But the food’s not the only thing that’s great about Restaurant James Sommerin.

Location, location, location. You’d be hard pushed to find a better situated a restaurant, within a stone’s throw of the capital. Located on Penarth’s esplanade, adjacent to the recently restored pier, it has a stunning, uninterrupted vista over the Bristol Channel and lends itself brilliantly to offering rooms for customers.

A ‘restaurant with rooms’ is hardly a new concept, as it allows guests to kick back and relax during their meal knowing their bed is near to hand, but this is one case where the location cried out for it. Hardly surprising then that opening rooms directly above the restaurant has been part of the plan for Restaurant James Sommerin all along. As James says:“I started planning this back in 2012 so it’s been a long time coming. The rooms just give that added something. You can come and pay £120 per person for the room and a five-course meal. It gives the diner a different experience because they can relax, enjoy the wine and then just go and crash out upstairs.”

And when they wake up in the morning, there’s the view which can be fully enjoyed in five of the available nine rooms. But those staying in rooms without it won’t feel too hard done by either since all of them are light and airy, have been designed to a very high spec and have a modern, chic and homely feel. All told, the perfect way to round off a night of fine dining.

Restaurant James Sommerin, The Esplanade, Penarth CF64. T. 029 2070 6559 www.jamessommerinrestaurant.co.uk

Wales’ most authentic Japanese eatery, Yakitori #1 shows we can stay healthy and still enjoy incredible food this winter.According to the Daily Mail, which is always right, the average Brit consumes 7000 calories on Christmas day alone. Factor in copious drinking and eating on the run-in and New Years plus our tendency to comfort eat when the weather gets colder and it’s no wonder we’re all lardy butts come Spring.

It doesn’t need to be like that though as there are healthy options. Japanese cuisine is amongst the healthiest in the world (check out Jamie Oliver’s current series on super-foods if you want proof ) and Yakitori #1 is Wale’s best exponent of it. As you’d expect, they have plenty of ultra-healthy sushi and sashimi (uncooked fish and meat based) dishes which deserve real acclaim. But, there’s so much more. Yakitori #1 takes great pride in the many cooked and predominately meat based dishes that are on the menu. So much so, that they’ve introduced a rather novel treat. To encourage foodies to take a different, slightly unorthodox, approach to seasonal eating, they’ve introduced a taster menu specifically for the festive period – and, being Japanese, this one’s actually very good for you indeed. And, as important, it tastes great too.

Forget boring old turkey and try a far tastier Crispy Duck Maki, with plum mayo. Or how about Spicy Pork Yakitori instead of ‘pigs in blankets’? And you’ll definitely want to sidestep sprouts in favour of a far more

interesting (and less ‘combustible’) Aubergine Miso. There’s quite a list of options available, including Scallops Onigiri, Fillet Beef Kushiyaki, Tebasaki Chicken Wings and Prawn Tempura so there’s plenty to choose from. But they all have two things in common as alternatives to traditional fayre – they’re a lot tastier and they’re healthy.

The health theme continues with a couple of new additions to the Maki Roll menu. ‘Redemption’ comprises a host of fresh, healthy ingredients including sweet potato, goma seaweed and goji berries. And then for the mother of health benefits there’s Superfoods Maki, which contains quinoa, sweet potato, goji berries, beets, sunflower seeds, spinach and more with a goma sesame and olive oil dressing, wrapped in seaweed – and it tastes gorgeous too. No excuses then.

Yakitori #1, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay CF10 5BZTel: 029 2049 5050 www.yakitori1.co.uk

Rooms with a View, and some

SUPER FOOD HEAVEN


Health and Grooming

Spa GazingGroom For Men, in Cardiff and Penarth, are taking their one-stop, head to toe, man maintenance experience to a new level with the opening of a Metro Spa at their Cardiff salon this December.

They already boast a cracking range of grooming services to keep you looking and feeling your best, including everything from traditional barbering and contemporary styling, hot towel shaving, spray tanning, male waxing, hand/feet maintenance, hair replacement therapy and loads more. But now you can add an ultra-relaxing sauna and out-door hot tub session to the mix in their brand new Metro Spa.

The atmosphere is a relaxed, no-rush one with clients able to dip in and out of the Metro Spa before, between and after treatments. Or perhaps relax in the spa with friends, sipping a complementary beer after a massage or other treatment to let the stresses and strains of day-to-day life ebb away.

The sauna itself is based on a traditional Nordic design with an intoxicating aroma of pine, and can accommodate six people. Heat comes from hot rocks that heat the room to between 70 and 100 °C. Water can be splashed on the rocks to create steam, heat the room further and increase humidity with a host of health benefits, including pain relief, easing of breathing for asthmatics and detoxification. It can also help the health and appearance of your skin and hair. The hot-tub is out-doors, can seat six and gives that exhilarating combination of cold, fresh air and steaming, hot bath.

But of course, there’s so much more. The new Spa and Hot Tub can be packaged with all the other services on offer to create the ultimate in wedding and groom packages. What could be better than a chilled out, ultra-relaxing, bonding session with your mates or family to set you up for the big day?

Or make it part of a Christmas gift for a loved one. A bespoke package, capped off with a relaxing sauna and hot tub experience will go down a treat.

Even without the sauna and hot tub, thanks to the range of services on offer and a genuine desire to deliver the best customer care for clients, Groom For Men have an established reputation as the go-to for male grooming in the capital. Now it’s raised the bar again and you really don’t need to go anywhere else.

Winning This WinterNext Year's New You Starts Now!

Comfort food, a crowded social calendar and thick-knit jumpers to disguise expanding waistlines and suddenly the season of goodwill becomes the season of bad excuses.You’ll find no such shirking from our fitness expert, Martin Silva. Below are his top five reasons to put down the pies and get into fitness this winter.

Hit the ground runningThe trouble with New Year’s resolutions is that they're made in the New Year. Now is the time to the groundwork for 2016. Come February when your mates are busy breaking their weight-loss promise, you’ll be waving the flag of fitness.

Stoke the firesStay diligent to your training through the autumn and winter runs will feel like a walk in the park. Retaining your regime will keep your metabolism high, so you can enjoy an extra mince pie or eight on the big day.

Here tomorrow gone todayYou can make all the pledges in the world but you’ve got to make it happen, so start out small. A fifteen or thirty minute jog is easy and will get you going. Do that every day for a week and you’ll be on your way to feeling better in mind and body.

Fill up on the good stuffSure, chocolate and booze taste nice now, but in the long run you’ll feel as empty as a bauble in January and just as round. Stay true to healthy eating, drink plenty of water and exercise for a natural high.

Become the dreamRemember that snap of you on holiday - where you’re on the beach all svelte and happy. You looked and felt great. Well this year you’re going to look even better, so listen to who you want to be and get to the gym now!

Six of the bestWays to avoid a hangover• Know your limit. The Change4Life Drinks Tracker app will help• Don't drink on an empty stomach. Before you go out, have a meal that includes

carbohydrates (such as pasta or rice) or fats. • Don't drink dark-coloured drinks. They contain natural chemicals

called congeners (impurities), which irritate blood vessels and tissue in the brain and can make a hangover worse.

• Drink water or non-fizzy soft drinks in between each alcoholic drink and before going to bed. Avoid carbonated (fizzy) drinks - they speed up the absorption of alcohol into your system.

• The morning after, rehydrate the body. Bouillon soup, a thin vegetable-based broth, is a good source of fluid, vitamins and minerals, which can top-up depleted resources whilst sugary drinks will help you feel less trembly.

• Over-the-counter painkillers can help with headaches and muscle cramps. Paracetamol-based remedies are usually preferable, as aspirin may further irritate the stomach and increase nausea and sickness.

• "Hair of the dog" (drinking more alcohol) does not help. Doctors advise that you wait 48 hours before drinking any more alcohol, in order to give your body tissues time to recover. Sometimes, of course, a hangover makes that advice easier to follow.


It Only Takes A Minute The importance of a moment – it’s why we love sport. If Gareth Bale had missed his free-kick in the 81st minute in Andorra, with the score at 1-1, would Chris Coleman still be Wales’ manager? Would Wales have recovered from the embarrassment and made history little more than a year later by qualifying for the European Championships? Consider Steven Gerrard’s slip for Liverpool against Chelsea in April 2014. Without it, they are closing in on their first Premier League title and Brendan Rodgers, a central character in the recent rise of Swansea City, is heading for a remarkable managerial legacy. With it, they lost the game and their shot at the title and 18 months later Rodgers is sacked, his reputation picked apart and unfairly damaged. Two big moments, two big consequences and dozens more every weekend from tracks to pitches to pools. All trivial in the wider scheme of things but how brilliantly trivial nonetheless.

Country Comes First?I was recently part of a group interview with a mildly frustrated Tony Pulis, who was miffed that Salomon Rondon was about to return to

Venezuela for the third time this season to play an international fixture. The friction between clubs and countries over the management of players is nothing new, but with Rondon earning a reported £50,000 a week, West Brom manager Pulis made the point that it is time national associations started covering the wages of players while away on international duty and paying compensation when they come back injured. In an era of the game that is rampantly commercialised it is a certainty that he is not alone among prominent figures in football who feel that way, even if it would destroy the sport at international level. Take Wales, Pulis’s own country, as an example. How would the Football Association of Wales be expected to cover the £200,000 a week that Gareth Bale is reported to earn at Real Madrid? The idea is a non-starter, you would assume and hope.

Rugby ReplaysOf the great many brilliant things that happened in the Rugby World Cup, the social media vilification of Wales’ Alex Cuthbert is prominent among the bad. He made mistakes in his play, but his treatment was appalling. Among the things rugby and its followers could take from the world of football, the culture of filthy, personal abuse towards its players is just about the worst one they could choose. Going the other way, one thing football might have learned from rugby is that video technology is not always the answer. Its mere presence will not eliminate all officiating mistakes, as seems to be the rather boring desire of all those with a vested interest. Craig Joubert will testify to that.

Get Smacked In The Face!I’m told world featherweight champion Lee Selby, also known as the Welsh Mayweather, is earning fortunes following his decision to link up with US-based advisor Al Haymon, with more fights planned in America. It’s hard to

argue with the decision – why get smacked in the face if you’re not going to do well out of it? But consider how hard it will be for Selby, a wonderful talent, to build a following so far from home. His incredible skills appeal to all purists but he does not bring the crash and wallop that so many American fight fans enjoy. It seems reasonable to question if this move will deny him the kind of loud and loyal backing that fighters like Ricky Hatton, from Manchester, and Joe Calzaghe had from Wales. At a lower level, look how fans from Merseyside lift their own Tony Bellew. That kind of support has a tangible effect on fighters and you wonder if Selby will get significant Welsh support if he continues to fight away.

Best quote‘I was back in New Zealand coaching Waikato and was approached to fly to Sydney for an interview for the head of rugby, or performance director with England. I had a phone call asking would I be interested in talking further about the position. But I said I did not want to be stuck in an office, I wanted to be coaching so that was as far as that went.’Warren Gatland recalling a phone call he received in 2007, just before he took the coaching job with Wales. It’s fair to say Wales did quite well out of it.

Riath All-Samarrai rounds up the action - after a nail-biting couple of months for Welsh football and rugby

Sport

Unlucky?

Lucky?


Relocation Sale - 50% off everything (excludes specials and brands)


Cars

Mazda MX5 beats the competition by some distance

Once in a while comes a car that changes everything. The original Mini was one. It revolutionised the small car and became a fashion icon. The E-Type Jag brought supercar beauty and performance to a new and relatively affordable level. The VW Golf introduced the hatchback and changed family motoring forever, spawning the ‘hot hatch’ in the process.

And then there was the MX5. Simple, reliable, light and buckets of fun it breathed new life into the small sports car market which was all but dead and buried. Drawing inspiration from 60’s classics like the Lotus Elan and Triumph Spitfire, rarely has a car nailed its market so effectively from day one and it’s now the most successful sports car of all time.

But therein lies the challenge. Having got the formula so right and with so many happy punters, how do you stay ahead of the game? Over the years, they’ve added bells and whistles, bulked out and introduced incremental improvements to keep up, and ahead, of the Joneses. This time out, Mazda are taking full advantage of the zeitgeist for efficiency and lightness to turn back the clock. Has it worked?

When launched in 1989, the MX5 tipped the scales at a spritely 940kg. By 2005 it was up to 1110kg. With the 4th gen MX5 it’s back to 985kg. That weight loss is equivalent to a Wales prop forward and in a car the size of the MX5 that’s going to make a heap of difference – especially when the engine options are limited to normally aspirated 1.5 and 2.0 litre unit. And boy does it. The new MX5 is motoring pleasure at its purest.

The weight loss is the product of Mazda’s SkyActiv philosophy (where every component, not matter its size, is pared to its minimum), the replacement of the foldaway hardtop with a simple but effective rag top and a reduction in overall size. In no way have Mazda skimped on the important stuff – the chassis uses cutting edge materials and design and is nigh on perfect, as is the suspension set-up, which, sans fancy adjustable damping etc, relies on more traditional, albeit it wonderfully set-up, technology. Tallied with a combination of 50/50 weight balance, rear wheel drive and afore mentioned lightness the MX5 is wonderfully nimble, lithe and grips like a limpet encouraging you to really throw it around. Unlike many modern sports cars you don’t need to cane it to have fun either – it’s as thrilling a drive at 50mph as some are at licence losing speeds.

This is partly the consequence of its handling abilities and the glorious steering feel, but also the pokey, rev-happy 1.5 litre under the bonnet. Spurning a turbo in favour of high compression ratios and red-lining at 7500rpm it’s a sparkling little engine that rewards enthusiastic use of its entire rev range and what must be one of the sweetest gearboxes in the business. There’s not much that beats racing up and down the revs, making fast, slick, short-throw gear changes as you hurtle from one, well-negotiated, corner to the next – man and machine in harmony. Outright performance in the more powerful 2.0 litre may be greater (160bhp, 0-62 in 7.2 secs and better over-taking) but the 131bhp 1.5 is only a second slower to 62, more economical (47mpg) and it’s more fun.

So, yes, the drive’s a wonderful throwback to joyful, spirited sports car motoring. Are there any compromises? Certainly not from

a comfort or refinement perspective. For a car of this type it’s refined at speed, with wind and road noise well suppressed and the ride is compliant, ironing out bumps and undulations very well. Kit-wise it’s well spec’d with air-con, USB and iPod connectivity and a good infotainment system on the base model and an infotainment/nav system, climate, cruise and Bluetooth on our SE-L Nav. Build quality and the cabin are also good with high levels of finish, a minimalist feel and ample space, particularly in the boot. The driving position is excellent with good visibility, even with the top up, and a nice ‘cockpit’ feel. One could argue a foldaway hard-top is desirable in the UK but the fabric hood is a piece of cake to use one-handed, vandal resistant and designed to maintain refinement levels so I’d counter the weight/cost benefit justifies the hardtop’s loss.

Being a sports car the MX5 has to look the part too. Fortunately, Mazda has been refining its ‘Kodo’ design language throughout its current range and it’s very well resolved in the MX5 – its excellent proportions and judicious use of cuts and creases give it an attractive and striking Corvette-like presence.

Pound for pound (both £’s and lb’s) the MX5 still can’t be beat. Further, it shifts the bar much higher – the handling and performance gains that have come from slimming down and technology advances, all without compromises elsewhere, mean that 25 years on the Mazda MX5 has changed the game again. 0-62: 8.3secsTop speed: 127mphMPG: 47.1CO2: 139gPrice: from £18,495

Thanks to Victoria Park Mazda for their assistance

It’s A Knockout!


CarsLexus NX 300h

I have mixed emotions when it comes to 4x4s. On the one hand, I like the idea of owning one. That high-up driving position, the feeling of safety, the acres of space, the comfort of knowing I can go off-road if ever I need to (which I don’t really, but I’m a man so I should have the option, right?) and the feel-good factor that comes from driving one, which I have, many times. But then I think of the implications – to the planet, to what others may think of my selfish choice and the inner torment I’ll suffer every time I drop Jonny at school. And decide I can’t. Really, I just can’t.

So it’s with a degree of self-interest that I climb into the latest offering from Lexus, the NX. You see, whilst it’s a cross-over ‘SUV’ 4x4, it comes from the company that pioneered hybrid technology which means there’s a real chance this could be a game changer for anyone looking for a moderately sized 4x4 that makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

Outwardly, it certainly looks the part of a built for purpose, rampaging SUV crossover thanks to a toned down interpretation of Lexus’ radical LF-NX concept car of last year. It’s certainly an attention grabber and an attractive one at that – it’s well proportioned, sleek and dramatic.

Inside, it’s pure Lexus. Which means quality gadgets and comfort. Everything about the NX’s interior screams quality – the hand-

stitching on the seats and steering wheel, the feel of the controls, the look of the instruments. Then there’s the plethora of toys, too many to list here but the touchpad sat nav and heads-up display stand out. The driving position is great, the seats cosseting and pliant and there’s plenty of space, front and back.

All of which tallies with my previous experience of the brand. This is the stuff that matters, day to day, week in week out, when you’re stuck in traffic or driving through rain coming sideways and it’s where Lexus put their money. A comfortable, relaxed and well equipped place to spend hours on the road.

And so it is with the drive. Its performance won’t set the world alight – there are quicker SUVs out there for sure – but it’s, oh so comfortable and refined. It soaks up poor road surfaces and is whisper quiet at speed. And it’s no slouch through the twisty stuff either. For a tall car it handles well, cornering flat, with poise and in a controlled and measured fashion that inspires confidence.

The 300h NX is powered by a petrol 2.5 working in unison with a pair of electric motors to produce a total of 194bhp. Counter-intuitively that’s despite the petrol engine producing 153bhp and the electric motors 141bhp – they just can’t do that at the same time. Either way, that’s a decent amount of shove that can be delivered at all road speeds. The result is 0-63mph in 9.1 seconds, which is a reasonable lick by most standards but not

for a compact premium SUV these days, when many will do sub 8 seconds with ease. But that misses the point.

It seems to me that Lexus have deliberately taken the route of economy over performance. Within the Lexus range they have some immensely powerful and lightning quick hybrid powertrains which could easily have been used in the NX. But my guess is they’ve looked at where the opportunity is and decided the world does not need another fast, climate-damaging SUV, quite the opposite. And that’s where the NX stands alone. No other car in its class, even other hybrids, can touch it for CO2 emissions and fuel economy. It creams the competition by at least 20% with figures of 121g and 54.3mpg which gives a benefit in kind of 16%: saving a company car driver on 40% tax a whopping £1,000 a year compared to an equivalent X3.

So there you have it. If outright performance is not a priority but good looks, quality, comfort, handling and, above all, environmental impact and associated cash benefits are, at last there’s an SUV worth having. With that said, I’m off to hug a tree.

0-62mph: 9.2 secsTop Speed: 112mphCO2: 121g/kmMpg: 54.3 (comb)Price: from £29,495


Restaurants/Bars

OscarsOscars in Cowbridge is something of an institution in the Vale of Glamorgan. But rather than rest on its laurels it’s recently been subject to a few subtle changes - funky interior design, art embellished décor, regular music on Wednesdays and a new menu – to ensure it stays ahead of the game.

The approach is more evolution than revolution - with changes carefully thought through so as not to alienate regulars but still attract a younger clientele. First signs are good as you enter - lime green walls, exposed brickwork, a show piece modern ‘chandelier’ and contemporary artwork combine to create a contemporary, fun yet homely feel. It’s quickly apparent the guest singer, Rebecca Hurn, knows her onions too, as she starts a beguiling Taylor Swift-esque set.

There’s an extremely versatile menu – a substantial and varied list of starters and mains, including a good veggie selection, which can be mixed as you wish. Whilst tempted by the idea of a starter followed by a ‘main’ of three starters we opted for a conventional starter/main combo all recommended by our well informed and friendly waiter Richard.

My starter, scallops with Granny Smith puree, was spot on. So fresh and cooked to perfection - caramelised sear on the outside and melt-in-the-mouth salty sweetness inside, complemented by the sharp sweetness of the puree. The fillet steak main, usually a good test of a restaurant at any level, was also top class. Expertly cooked, tender and full of a flavour you only get with a quality, well-aged cut. Expert preparation was clearly evident with A’s starter of courgette pancake and chili dip too. Initial misgivings that courgette, given its high water content and delicate flavour, would work in a pancake, were put to rest at the first, delicious and firm, bite. Her main, a vegetarian filo strudel, described by A as the best she’s ever had, was generously stuffed with wild rice, ricotta, courgette, basil and watercress – bursting with layers of aromatic, sweet, flowery and peppery flavour.

To cap it all were two scrumptious desserts – a sparkling, syrupy, passion fruit pannacotta and a melt in the mouth toasted brioche with ice cream and honeycomb were a perfect to end a delightful meal.

Oscars65 High StreetCowbridge CF71 7AF Tel: 01446 771984 www.oscarsofcowbridge.com

PorroCity-centre chic meets suburban sleek at The Potted Pig’s sister restaurant, Porro. After opening in May, this fine dining hot-spot has become a firm Llandaff village favourite. Playing a prominent role on the high street, the door is open for breakfast, lunch and supper and draws foodies from near and far.

The name - which means Leek in Italian - encapsulates the concept behind Porro to a tee; working with seasonal produce sourced locally in Wales and from Italy. It’s a dream fulfilled for head-chefs Tom Furlong and Gwyn Myring, who met in the kitchen of Cibo, Pontcanna. Following their roaring success at The Potted Pig, with its nose-to-tail cuisine, they envisioned a stylish, casual dining space with a menu of ‘Italianish’ treats.

Having recently enjoyed their excellent lunch menu, I was thrilled to receive an invitation for supper. I chose the Gin of the Day as an apertif – a nice nod to the extensive gin menu at The Potted Pig; the botanicals of the Brecon Special Reserve immediately zinged to life along with the burst of fresh orange peel.

As a pre-dinner snack, the salty and smoky speck pate, spread on sourdough toast was a winner. Paired with a devilish dash of whipped pork lardo, it put all French rilletes to shame.

The ravishing starter that followed was a masterclass in diplomacy. The sweet braised leeks tempered the lively tang of grilled tallegio cheese on toast; a perfect Welsh-Italian rarebit, if you like. My partner’s lighter but nonetheless tasty goat’s cheese salad - with roasted beetroot, carrot and pine nut - was similiarily devoured with glee.

As a main, the papardelle with braised ox cheek and parmesan is a perennial on the menu. This rich and fruity comfort-dish has earned its keep, as a firm Porro customer favourite. The duck breast, served pink - sourced from Madgett’s Farm near Monmouth - also hit the spot; served with cannellini bean croquettes, and crispy Cavolo Nero leaves, it was the highpoint of the meal for me.

Although full to the brim, we couldn’t possibly leave without a taste of something sweet. The tiramisu parfait was the perfect choice; a light and tasty coffee-custard ice slice.

The whole evening was a fabulous, midweek treat that made a soggy Tuesday evening feel like a Saturday night. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll be back; I’d better book a table now for breakfast.

Porro22 High StreetLlandaff, Cardiff CF5 2DZTel: 029 2056 5502


Restaurants/Bars

Urban Bar & KitchenThe first thing I’m struck by as I enter the Urban Bar & Kitchen is its space. It’s Friday evening with many diners but each is able to enjoy their food in privacy and comfort. The warm, sleek furnishings are a welcome sight on a brisk autumnal night.

My dining partner and I opt for the chef’s taster menu. Our waiter, Patrick, offers top-class service throughout. He asks what we’d like to drink and recommends a Chilean red wine for us both. We accept the invitation and it’s a great choice; full of body and fruitiness.

To start, we have the dukkah spiced goats cheese with textured beetroot, squash puree & port reduction. The goat’s cheese is smooth, ably accompanied by the fresh beetroot and sweet port reduction.

The main course is a choice between one meat dish (slow cooked rump of Welsh lamb with dauphinoise potato, squash puree, veal and port reduction) and one vegetarian (wild mushroom, spinach and brie strudel with sweetcorn puree, confit cherry tomatoes, pea shoots). Both of us opt for the meat dish and we’re not disappointed. The lamb is deliciously tender and, once again, the port reduction brings a lovely sweetness to the dish.

For dessert, we’re presented with a trio of treats - chocolate fondant, white chocolate and chilli creme brulee and rhubarb and pear crumble. The presentation is magnificent with the brulee and crumble served in playful, mini saucepans and dishes - great fun on a plate. The taste brings a wide smile too. The crumble is fruity and golden and the brulee both crunchy and soft with a subtle heat. The fondant, once broken, oozes chocolaty goodness from the centre in slow motion. Within a few generous spoonfuls, we’re done and dusted.

If you’re looking for fine dining, a wonderful atmosphere and excellent service, Urban Bar & Kitchen is your destination.

Mecure Cardiff Holland House Hotel24 26 Newport RoadCardiffCF24 0DD Tel: 029 2043 5000

Bierkeller Sometimes all I want on a damp autumnal Cardiff night is a bratwurst and a well kept German lager. In the past, city centre bars in Cardiff have been unable to cater to this indulgence, outside of special Oktoberfest events and promotions. Luckily, Bierkeller has arrived to satisfy those cravings.

Bierkeller is situated on the ground level of the Stadium Plaza. Entering via Wood Street, I was impressed with the large, spacious bar, bedecked with a mixture of Bavarian style long tables and plenty of bar stools. I was surprised to see that this was one of three separate bar areas. There are two further rooms, comprising of a sports bar and nightclub area. It seems particularly suited to group bookings.

We ordered some refreshing pints of Erdinger, having decided against the large traditional steins as it was a school night. My beer companion and I perused the varied menu. There’s everything from burgers and pizzas to classic dishes from around the world. We decided to keep it German and ordered a sausage plate and currywurst along with some chicken wings and cheesy jalapeno bites.

The food arrived promptly and I’m happy to report that the bratwursts were the real deal. The pork was dense and tasty with a lovely snap to the casings and a suitably authentic curry sauce. This should come as no surprise as the sausages are imported in. These were served with some excellent fries and some incredibly moreish crispy chicken wings and jalapeño bites. These were washed down with some further pints of Grimenbergen Blond, a personal favourite. They really do have some excellent German lagers on tap. Dinner concluded with some top-notch cheese cake and apple strudel.

I came away impressed with Bierkeller. The beer selection isn’t limited to German lagers and there’s plenty of choice from around the world. There’s an extensive cocktail list and enough food choices to satisfy all tastes. Whether you fancy a spot of casual dining, shooting some pool, watching the big game or getting down in the club, Bierkeller has you covered. It offers something genuinely different in the city centre.

BierkellerGround Floor, Stadium PlazaWood StreetCardiff CF10 1LATel: 0845 533 3000thebeirkeller.com/cardiff-bar/

The Bistro, PenarthSome restaurants entice with their ‘brand-new’ buzz, others thrive due to their prime location. Al few will draw ‘those in theknow’ with the calibre of the chef. The Bistro Penarth can claim all three, since opening recently.

Easily walkable from Penarth railway station, this charming French bistro with a warm Welsh welcome is a prime destination this autumn . The number one draw is Chef Padrig Jones, a Cardiff restaurantlegend, formerly Chef-Patron at Le Gallois, Pontcanna, for more than a decade. He brings his own favoured picks of ‘greatest hits’ to the mouthwatering menu at The Bistro Penarth. Paired with the warm Parisian decor and enchanting atmosphere, this is the perfect place for a fun, relaxed night out.

A memorable evening began with a delicious pre-starter; the crisp spiced Penclawdd cockles were a moreish, tasty treat. The Roquefort souffle entrée that followed was simply sublime; as light as a feather, and perfectly balanced with a seasonal plum chutney and a refreshing rocket salad. My partner’s saffron risotto was a hearty, comforting dish, that was laced with the piquant tang of parmesan. As a main, with game season upon us, I plumped for the Bistro’s special; roast partridge and wild mushrooms on a bed of parsley root mash, with Swiss chard. Having cleared the plate, it was hailed a hit as, indeed, was my partner’s blanquette of veal in a tarragon and truffle sauce. A few months in, it’s already staked its claim as a favourite with customers. But the best was yet to come and represented a full circle for Chef Padrig Jones. His eyes danced whilst descibing his glee at discovering his ‘desert island dessert’ as a teenage trainee-chef. His own personal take on a nougat glacé was paradise on a plate. An elegant praline ice cream treat with a meringue, hazelnut and caramel centre; offset with a drizzle of raspberry sauce, it was worth the return train ticket from Cardiff to Penarth alone.

Whatever you do this autumn, don’t be the last diner in Glamorgan to visit this venue for yourselves. Make a date, get away from it all to a place where Paris meets Penarth.

The Bistro, 4 Washington BuildingsStanwell RoadPenarth CF64 2ADTel: 029 2070 9600

Gaz CoombesClwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

‘I keep looking around and thinking where the **** is everyone?’ Midway through his set at Clwb Ifor Bach, Gaz Coombes is clearly out of his comfort zone. The former Supergrass frontman was a teenager when he gleefully rode around on his Chopper in the video for Alright. Twenty years later and on the brink of his 40s, this is the sound of a man in more reflective mood but still up for new challenges.

This is Coombes’ first tour without his band so he’s stripped back and raw with only a handful of guitars, a

mellotron and looping pedals to keep him company onstage. The songs from his latest album, the Mercury Prize-nominated Matador, sound fantastic.

Buffalo has Coombes screaming down the house through each bellowed chorus but he can play the tender card too. Detroit is a sweet strum; a thankful nod to his other half for pulling him through the tough times on the road.

Coombes is here to push the solo stuff but the crowd is clearly hankering for an injection of nostalgia. They get what they want as former Supergrass single Moving does just what you’d expect it to as the crowd shuffles happily and is hearty in voice on every chorus.

There’s also room for some of Coombes’ first solo album, Here Come the Bombs. The dreamlike White Noise is wonderful. Despite being shorn of its fancy production it maintains its melodic potency with just a guitar and voice.

The encore allows for another Supergrass favourite and Coombes switches from acoustic to electric on Caught by the Fuzz which issues another rousing sing-along from the crowd. This year marks the 20th anniversary since the release of I Should Coco - the debut album from Supergrass. It would be so easy for the band to reform and pick up a quick buck, but Coombes is plotting a new adventure and a great sounding one at that.Michael Took

LiveGreen Man Festival Glanusk Estate, Crickhowell In 2003, around 300 people descended on Craig-y-Nos Castle as Green Man Festival made its debut. Twelve years on, it now welcomes around 20,000 festival goers to the stunning surroundings of the Glanusk Estate in the Brecon Beacons. Green Man’s swift evolution into one of Wales’ biggest music festivals is impressive, but what’s more admirable is, despite ever-increasing numbers, its ability to maintain an independent, family-friendly cosiness.

The picture postcard backdrop is a bonus, but like all festivals, the punters come for the line-up. Those eager to pitch up on Thursday evening are treated to Leftfield at the Far Out Stage.

Friday’s highlights come from the Mountain Stage as Atomic Bomb, despite missing Talking Heads’ David Byrne, shake up the Estate with a wonderful fusion of funk and afrobeat. Headliners Hot Chip are also in fine form as their set of slinky house keeps revellers loose limbed throughout.

Come Saturday, it’s time for the Welsh to take over. H. Hawkline delivers one-liners like a veteran stand-up, musing bilingually between songs and making the crowd whistle the theme to The Great Escape whilst he tunes up. The laughs are coupled with great songs; short, sharp indie-pop gems that barely scrape the two-minute mark.

By late-afternoon, the heavens open but that does little to dampen an awesome set from Songhoy Blues. Their shiny African beats are juxtaposed against the sheets of rain bouncing off the Far Out Tent. Super group Toy and Bat for Lashes (combined to create Sexwitch) are anything but. Natasha Khan, often so mesmerising with Bat For Lashes, wails over some buzzing guitars from Toy. It doesn’t work at all.

Normal service resumes later on at the Mountain Stage. American

veterans Television unleash their fabulous debut, Marque Moon. Headliners Super Furry Animals are in experimental mood. No change there, but their set does lack some punch.

Matthew E White delights in the welcome Sunday sunshine. His set concludes with a makeshift choir and dance troupe assembled from Green Man attendees. Despite the last minute collaboration, it works surprisingly well.

After their excellent debut at the Walled Garden in 2013, Public Service Broadcasting set the bar even higher at the larger capacity Far Out Tent. Their set, mostly centred on their latest album The Race For Space, is awash with superb visuals and awesome, widescreen soundscapes.

The weekend concludes with St Vincent. Her set is every bit as bonkers as you’d expect, making reference to Greggs steak bakes whilst slicing through some face-melting riffs. Another vintage year.David Took


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Sweeney ToddWales Millennium CentreSweeney Todd along with I Puritani and Orlando complete the WNO’s triptych of productions based on the theme of madness for their autumn 2015 season. It is encouraging to see a true cross-section of society at a full-to-the-brim Wales Millennium Centre for opening night – dispelling the old ‘elitist’ cliché of opera.

Picking up the cut-throat razor as Sweeny Todd for this run is David Arnsperger (Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde) whilst Janis Kelly (Albert Herring, Nixon in China) dons Mrs Lovett’s apron. Playing the role of Beadle Bamford is Wales’s own Aled Hall – who plays the role of Todd’s bullying, nasty secondary antagonist with aplomb – though the way his West Walian lilt seeps through his porous ‘cockerney’ accent stops his character from ever being truly menacing, is in-keeping with the production as a whole.

Director James Brining has managed a perfect equilibrium here between horror and comedy, marrying what are admittedly pretty scary themes, ideas and acts with a levity that allows the story to be palatable to all tastes, lets the production flow and keeps the audience engaged throughout. Though modernised and set in what looks like the late 70’s that the play was conceived and created in, it manages to keep that sinister Victorian feel that it was originally set in – with the asylum, throat-slashing and human-flesh pie eating scenes adding a gothic grotesqueness to proceedings.

Arnsperger’s slightly over-the-top portrayal of Todd achieves a queasy, uncomfortable feeling to complement the gothic-horror theme, leaving no-one under any illusions that the slings and arrows endured throughout his life (and mainly orchestrated by the evil Judge Turpin) have not sent him truly and terrifyingly mad. Whilst unquestionably a ‘proper’ opera, this production’s moments of musical theatre along with its fantastically lavish and gorgeous set make it ‘accessible’ to fans of all genre of theatre, arts, music and performance.


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Business

RedHanded: Tell us about the company and what you do?JB: We specialise in video content – for web and TV. Our background is video and it’s still mainly what we do but animation is becoming increasingly popular for online marketing and services and new businesses as it allows you to communicate a lot of information effectively.

How did you start?JB: I’ve been making films since I was young and then went to the international film school in Newport.NP: Gruff (a fellow director) and I were on the same course doing music technology at the Atrium in Cardiff.JB: I was freelancing and so was Gruff and we had one huge project that was coming up and we needed some help so, having seen Nick’s work, we got him involved. And we just worked together really well so we decided to form a company.

Do you need to come from a background where you’ve studied to get into your industry?NP: I came from a music background and though I always had a digital camera and videoed stuff as a hobby, never really delved into it as a career venture until my last year when I did a masters studying viral media and how artists can use media online to publicise themselves. I would encourage people to just go out and shoot – the more experience you

get the better and more confident you get.JB: Most of my teenage years were spent running around with a camera learning how to tell a story so the course was more about turning this into a career.

What were the early hurdles you came up against when you formally started the business?NP: A lot of people who’ve freelanced struggle to work in a team whereas we work together really well. It hasn’t been plain sailing and we were lucky that Josh bought a good camera at the outset which catapulted us higher than a lot of people who were shooting on hobbiest cameras – it made everything look that much better.

Did that help when pitching for business?JB: Yes, it meant the work could speak for itself, for sure, but some people can rent the kit, have all the gear and no idea so it’s better to have a real understanding of what you’re doing.

What are the next steps?NP: We were lucky enough to get some

investment from Finance Wales. We realised that we were expanding really quickly and the demand for video was growing with clients asking for more and more different things. For example, drones. Gruff has just done the training that allows him to get a CAA Licence to fly a drone which, as a commercial operator, you have to have and that’s an expensive process.JB: We secured enough investment to supply us with the drone and training and a lot of extra kit – shooting gear, lenses, extra processing equipment for the office.

What was the case that you made to Finance Wales?NP: The aim was to improve our quality. The next, huge step up for us was to be able to offer high production values to our clients at a very competitive price.JB: We looked at our competitors and asked what do we need to be better than them. And this equipment has helped us no end. We’ve got quite a few new clients because of work we’ve done utilising this gear.

What was it like working with Finance Wales?NP: They’ve been really good to us and they’ve been such great people to work with. They really took time to get to know us, understand what we wanted to do and how our industry worked. They’re always on hand if we ever need anything and chatting to us about where we are and what we’re doing. I’d definitely recommend them.JB: To them, it’s great that we’re utilising these funds in a way that’s extremely productive. They can physically see the benefit that this fund has actually had for us.

Storming aheadJosh Bennet and Nick Patterson from video start-up Storm + Shelter tell us their story

“Josh, Nick and Gruff are passionate about their business and making it a success. Securing funding at the right time can ‘make or break’ businesses like theirs and I’m pleased Finance Wales was able to provide Storm+Shelter with a loan as they’d been unable to secure finance from other sources. In the last two years Storm+Shelter has won numerous awards and built up a great list of high-profile clients.” Nicola Edwards, Finance Wales


EDITORIALEditor: Jeremy Head

Music: Michael Took

Health And Grooming: Jason Jones

Sport: Riath Al Samarrai

Riath Al Samarrai, Bennett Arron, Phil Boucher, Gwynn Davis, Niall Griffiths, Jason Jones, Adam Kennedy, Greg Laing, Ana Klein, Arman Rahman, Madoc Roberts, David Rogers, Owain Taylor Shaw, David Took, Michael Took, Nigel West, David Whitley

Photography: Mei Lewis MissionPhotographic.Com

ADVERTISINGPublisher: Paul Mulligan

Tel: 029 2019 0224, [email protected]

PRODUCTIONDesigner: Alan ChastonSub-editor: Sally Newman

Printed by: Southern PrintDistributed by Pear Distribution

To receive RedHanded call: 029 2019 0224

RedHanded Magazine is published by Conroy Media Ltd, PO Box 607, Cardiff CF24 1ZR ©Conroy Media 2012. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, the publishers can not be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequence arising from it. The views expressed in RedHanded are not necessarily those of the editor or the publishers.


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GOUGHY - A TOUGH LOCK TO CRACK Ian Gough£9.99, Y Lolfa Ian Gough has a more interesting story to tell than your average international rugby player. And he does so in an engagingly honest book that’s both a credit to him and a barnstorming read.

His story is one of many ups and downs, some at exactly the same time, such as, making his Wales debut - what should have been the proudest moment of his career - in the now infamous 1998 thrashing by South Africa. Or the Six Nations triumph of 2005, an amazing experience lessened by being on the fringes of Mike Ruddock’s team, something more than made up for by his rehabilitation under Gatland and subsequent Grand Slam in 2008.

There are the usual rugby stories of revelry and the occasional punch-up, the best being Maori monster Dale McIntosh’s poleaxing of Ponty team-mate Steele Lewis after a minor disagreement only to see them hugging and singing songs together an hour or two later.

But it also gives a window into the sheer amount of grit and graft required to make it as a professional rugby player. You’ve clearly got to

have talent but as Gough’s own experience and that of friends and acquaintances who didn’t quite make the cut shows, mental attitude makes the difference.

It’s a measure of the man that even during the darkest days of his trial for allegedly assaulting former girlfriend and mother of his child, Sophie Cahill, (which is detailed in the book and was eventually dismissed at appeal) he remained upbeat and managed to keep some perspective, realising that many are in a far worse situation than him.

And this approach has served him well as his career comes to a close and he faces the anxieties of what to do with the rest of his life, something about which he’s philosophical: ‘Ian Gough, rugby player, is no more. Whatever the future holds, I’ll tackle it with the same commitment and endeavour I did every minute on the pitch.’

GO SET A WATCHMANHarper Lee£18.99, Heinemann It’s been studied by millions and read by even more – chances are, you’ve heard of Harper Lee’s classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel was so transformative of American attitudes that the book became bigger than the author and Lee claimed she’d never publish a book again. But this year, with the discovery of the original manuscript that gave birth to Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is once more making headlines, although in a rather different manner. The original novel, published now as Go Set a Watchman, features three huge changes: Scout is an adult, Jem is deceased and Atticus is, well, racist. That’s right! Every literary fan’s sweetheart has changed a lot in the setting of the book, now boasting affiliations with the KKK. While there is a lot of criticism about this change, Atticus still serves as a complex and realistic picture of latter-segregation era USA. The novel follows Scout as she visits the Deep South and confronts her past and the prevailing attitudes of Monroeville. As Scout revisits her childhood, you will revisit yours as you meet familiar characters a few years after the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird. This instant classic is not to be missed if you want a hit of nostalgia and some quality prose.

Cracking reads - classic, unexpected and revealing

DEATH IN VERACRUZ Héctor Aguilar Camín£9.99, Schaffner Press If you’re looking for a bit of grit and suspense in your next read, prepare to follow around the unnamed protagonist of Héctor Aguilar Camín’s Death in Veracruz. The dark Mexican noir has been a well-regarded novel for thirty years now, but has only recently been translated into English for the first time. The main character, a journalist who still retains some integrity in a backdrop of twisted 1970s Mexican politics, is approached by an old friend with tales of murder and corruption. The friend, Rojano, has information about an oil cartel that is killing those who stand in the way of valuable land, but can only elaborate so much before he is also killed. It rests on the shoulders of the protagonist to dig for answers and uncover more questions that span the next decade of his life. Over the course of the narrative you’ll discover the means to which Rojano climbed to power and question the motives and influence of his widow, who the protagonist quickly becomes embroiled with. The intrigue of the plot is pushed by horrific crime and violence, leading you to question who is truly without blood on their hands.

Books


Steve JobsIf you want a bit of reality-meets-drama in your next cinema outing, Steve Jobs is the film for you. It’s a biopic based on Steve Jobs’ early days, giving us an unforgiving look at Jobs and his team. Michael Fassbender has taken on the challenge of becoming the late tech guru and world-famous innovator. The backdrop of the film is based behind the scenes of three iconic product launches, ending with the climactic unveiling of the 1998 iMac; each event serves as its own mini documentary that could easily stand alone. Fassbender is joined by a star-studded cast to build a narrative based on who Steve Jobs was. Nothing is held back when considering Jobs’ personality. Every relationship is tumultuous and as deeply flawed as the man himself. This isn’t a rose-tinted glasses kind of film. It’s a gritty sneak peek at what makes a genius tick, laced with snide dialogue, ego and an undeniable greatness.Verdict: Jobs done!

SicarioWhat would you do if you found a house full of corpses? Kate Macer, an FBI agent played by Emily Blunt, is present on the operation that reveals the grisly scene and decides to join a government task force set on destroying the cartel responsible. She meets her new colleagues, Matt (Josh Brolin) and Alejandro (Benicio del Toro), and from that point Macer has to deal with an ongoing morality crisis as she realises that everybody seems to be above the law. She struggles with the fact that she doesn’t know the true objective of the task force and spends much of the film simply trying to tread water: surviving the tense Mexican drugs underground. From the first moment the government team crosses the border, violence follows the group. Dead bodies hang upside down, people watch furtively from the shadows, and something as benign as a traffic jam becomes a murderous trap. If you want a truly intense film experience, this action thriller is built on suspense and frayed nerves.Verdict: Probably not one for a first date

The MartianRidley Scott is back and on form as he teams up with Matt Damon to deliver an intense sci-fi that weighs snark and science equally. The film is built on a foundation of hard science and technical detail that the geekiest of geeks can appreciate, while Damon’s portrayal of astronaut Mark Watney brings that humour and interminable human spirit that makes the film accessible to everyone. From the initial sandstorm that pushes Watney’s team to evacuate and leave him, presumed dead, The Martian celebrates every side of humanity from Mars to Earth.Verdict: Out of this world

SpectreDirector Sam Mendes wowed us with 007 reboot Skyfall so his new Bond movie has a lot to live up to – luckily for us, and him, it’s a genuine competitor for best yet from Daniel Craig’s era, and right up there with Goldfinger as all-time top dog. Craig is as suave as ever as he travels round the world ticking every box for a hallmarked Bond film. A cryptic message from his past makes him go underground, leading him on a war path across the globe to uncover the secrets of SPECTRE, a mysterious and dangerous organisation. An intricate puzzle links SPECTRE to Bond, and it’s up to him to figure out where the pieces are and how they fit together. The film is split between Craig’s adrenaline-fuelled action and M’s post-Snowden political battle to keep the secret services running. With what’s probably the darkest, grittiest and most complex Bond to date, Mendes has taken 007 and the action movie genre to new levels of cinematic spectacle. Make no mistake though, it’s also a breathless rollercoaster of thrills. From one intrigue to another, you won’t even have time to stop and ask questions as the classic Bond pace keeps you riveted. Baddie Christoph Waltz lives up to his Inglourious Basterds billing whilst Craig continues to evolve his portrayal of Bond, channelling dark moods, dry humour and his famous pout to give us a multi-faceted, stoic, yet charming 007, one that’s comfortably the best since Connery.Verdict: 10 out of 10 for 007

Quiet at the back, the film’s about to start...

Films


I’ve just watched the film Avengers Assemble for about the 10th time. Of course the rest of the world knows it by its proper title; The Avengers, but in this country it had to be changed to separate it from that awful mistake of a film based on the classic 60’s British TV series. By the way, how do we manage to do that? How do we take great TV series and ruin them? The Avengers, The Man From Uncle, Holiday on the Buses. All classics ruined when transferred to the big screen. Anyway, in this film - which is number eight in my top ten, between Shawshank Redemption and Grease (no, YOU shut up!) - Bruce Banner is told by Captain America to change into the Hulk by getting angry. His response is, “I’m always angry”.

This feeling seems to be very commonplace nowadays. Whether it’s political decisions, driving, sports results or the winner of Come Dine With Me, people just need an excuse to unleash their pent-up emotion.

I know I’m at fault with this myself. I have much less patience than I did a few years ago. My wife is Spanish – wait, I have a point, I’m not just showing off – and Spanish people have a tendency to tell a story slowly and with such an incredible amount of superfluous detail that it wouldn’t be out of place in a Dan Brown novel. When we first started dating I found this quite endearing. That didn’t last long. I now find myself asking her to get to the point. She, quite righty, finds this incredibly rude (although it does take her a while to point out how rude it is instead of just coming out and saying it). But she’s right. It is rude. The problem is I cannot bear to have my time wasted. I find myself getting angry in supermarkets when women at the front of

the checkout queue – and it is predominantly women – are told the total price for their shopping. They then open their handbags, take out their purse, take out their reward card, hand over their reward card, take back their reward card, then take out their bank card and put it into the machine. Why wasn’t this already prepared? It’s not as if the concept of shopping is suddenly new to them! “What? I have to pay now? Sorry, I didn’t realise”.

I think much of this lack of patience is the result of technology. We now live in a world where we can acquire almost everything we want, instantly. Not only is food fast, but ordering anything from a DVD to a fridge-freezer can be done in seconds. And we can do this wherever we are just by using our phones. So we are not used to having to wait. And because we are not used to waiting, when circumstances arise in which we have to wait, we get annoyed.

Talking about phones, I do believe we have all become so obsessed with them that not being able to look at them for whatever reason also makes us angry.

Think about the last time you looked at your phone. It was definitely within the last hour. In fact, how many times in the last hour have you: checked your emails, checked Twitter, checked Facebook? Updated your

status? Sent a photo? Sent a text message? Even, incredibly, used it for making a phone call?! Surprising isn’t it? I’d be amazed if you managed to get through this whole article without at least once using your phone for something. Unless, of course, you are reading this on your phone, in which case... well done.

[Hang on a minute. I’ll be right back. Just updating my Facebook status.]

What’s happened to us? I see families having dinner together where every person is on their phone. They are communicating with

people who are not with them instead of those who are. It’s bizarre. It really is an addiction. Like all addictions, it

can lead to withdrawal symptoms. I see it at the

cinema, on aeroplanes, at gigs, anywhere where

you are asked to turn off your phone you can see people

panic or become tense.

I recently flew back from a gig and the minute

the plane landed, despite the pilot clearly asking people not to do it, virtually every

phone was switched on. The whole plane was suddenly filled with the noises of text messages and emails being received. Most of them with that annoying ‘whistle’ from the iPhone. Seriously, it’s not funny anymore, if it ever was.

What’s the panic though? If there is a genuine reason for putting the phone on then fine, but most of the time it’s just people checking to see what their friends had for breakfast or how many ‘likes’ their picture of a cat wearing a false moustache has received.

So, let’s all calm down a little. If something annoys you, just take a breath and count to eleven. I know it’s normally ten, but even numbers really annoy me…

See what Bennett’s up to at www.bennettarron.com Follow Bennett on Twitter @bennettarron© Bennett Arron 2015

Don’t Make Me Angry!

redhanded, issue 3, 2015

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