September/October 2014

Issue 57
BUSINESS | HOMES| FOOD | AND MUCH MORE
Complimentary Copy
BIG DAY
DREAMS
HAPPY
TIDINGS
MUSIC
MAN
Chepstow is
tops for a world-
beating natural
phenomenon
Get some
inspiration
from our
wedding
section
We meet
a real life
pied piper
Editor: Jo Barnes
Contact: 01633 777240
e-mail: jo.barnes@gwent-wales.co.uk
Design: Katie Adams
Advertising: Alia Sarsam
Contact: 01633 777285
Web: www.monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk
Twitter: @MCLmagazine
Cover: Maria Farrelly www.mariafarrelly.com
Contacts
contents
Published by: Newsquest, Wales and Gloucestershire, Cardiff Road,
Maesglas, Newport, South Wales, NP20 3QN
4 De-clutter time
Great storage solutions
8 County news
12 Go wild this autumn
Animal print fashions for her
14 Get wrapping
Coats for the blokes
16 Meander and life in the county
The latest musings of Nigel Jarrett and
Norman Williams, of Monmouth Rotary
Club
17 On your bike
Theres more to it than leaping on and
just pedalling...
20 Artistic inspiration
Four artists chat about what inspires
them about Monmouthshire
24 Holding the reins
Jenny MacGregor talks about her horse
hospital
28 The pied piper
We meet music man Donald Stewart
32 Tide and time...
The natural phenomenon at which
Chepstow excells
34 County food
7 pages of news and recipes
38 Lets eat
Three great recipes from St Pierre Golf
and Country Club, near Chepstow
42 Real life wedding
Beth and Lyndon share their big day
52 Canal life
Relaxing holiday remembered
54 Competition time
Win a meal at 1861 and find out more
about The Mons
55 London bound
Having fun in the big smoke
56 Taking it to D-Max
Jo Barnes tries out a special-edition Isuzu
59 County business
62 Out and about
66 Whats on
69 County homes
12 pages of property and ideas for your
home
82 Hidden gems
Naylor Firth delves into the history of the
county
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Countynews
A 24-YEAR-old woman from
Shirenewton who is the youngest
racehorse trainer in the UK, is
celebrating after winning her rst
race with her mums horse.
Living Leader, trained by
Grace Harris, won the 5.45pm
race at Salisbury on July 26 by an
astounding 12 lengths.
Ms Harris said: It is quite
unusual to win by such a margin.
We had always thought a lot of
the horse but it was a good win.
Ms Harris, who lives near her
training yard in Shirenewton,
Chepstow, currently has seven
horses in full training for racing
and rides out on them every day.
It was the third win for Living
Leader, owned by Michelle
Harris, but the rst since Grace
took up the training.
Ms Harris, who only got her
training licence in February, said:
Living Leader was quite quirky
to train. He was quite sour when
he rst came to us, he had fallen
out of love with racing. We had
to work to get his enjoyment
back.
She said she had to work
closely with jockey Michael J
Murphy who rode the ve-year-
old horse to victory at Salisbury.
The jockey doesnt always
know the horse when they rst
come in so we had to work
together well, she said.
Jan Frapwell, Graces
grandmother, said: It was
absolutely brilliant when Grace
won her rst race. She worked
so hard for it, its a seven-day
week and a hard old game.
Ms Frapwell said Grace has
always wanted to be a racehorse
trainer, and was spurred on by
mother Michelles love of horses.
An innovative idea to combine language
with dance has helped one inspirational
teacher to win the German Consulate
Teacher of the Year Award.
Helen Smail, head of the German
department at Haberdashers
Monmouth School for Girls, was
presented with the prize during an event
at the Foreign & Commonwealth Ofce
in London.
Her unique approach to teaching,
dedication and passion for the subject
put Mrs Smail above all other nominees
for the national accolade.
She said: Im absolutely thrilled.
It was a real surprise because I didnt
know I would get anything. The award
is for setting standards of excellence in
teaching German as a foreign language
in the UK.
Mrs Smails boundless enthusiasm for
teaching German has proved infectious
at HMSG, and resulted in her working
together with the dance department to
combine the two subjects.
At AS level and A level, language
uptake is decreasing, but not at this
school, she said.
We try to inspire the girls and help
them to understand why there is a need
to learn German.
I worked on a massively innovative
and creative, cross-curricular project
between German and dance.
We put on Vorsprung durch Dance,
which expressed modern German
INNOVATIVE
LANGUAGE
TEACHER WINS
NATIONAL
AWARD
Young trainer celebrates rst win
as mums horse romps home
Monmouthshires Caldicot
Castle and Country
Park, Castle Meadows,
Abergavenny, and The Old
Station, Tintern, have been
awarded Green Flag status.
Welsh environmental
charity, Keep Wales Tidy
announced the results of the
Green Flag Awards which
recognise excellent facilities
and a commitment to
delivering great quality green
space for communities.
Minister for Natural
Resources, Culture and
Sport, John Grifths, said:
The award helps to ensure
communities have top quality
green space to enjoy and
experience the outdoors,
which are fundamental to the
wellbeing and quality of life of
our communities in Wales.
The Green Flag Award
recognises and rewards
the best parks and green
spaces in the country as well
as helping to drive up the
quality of green space.
GREEN SPACES WIN FLAG STATUS
Former King Henry VIII
Comprehensive pupil Owen Sheers
has won the Wales Book of the
Year award for his work Pink Mist
which tells the story of three young
soldiers from Bristol deployed to
Afghanistan.
Pink Mist topped the poetry
category which is titled The Roland
Mathias Poetry Award and was
named the overall English language
Book of the Year Award 2014.
The verse drama follows Arthur,
Hads and Taff and their return from
conict to the women in their lives,
and their psychological and physical
aftershocks of their service.
His book has been described as
a phenomenal poem that captures
the reality of what soldiering is all
about and what its like to adjust to
normality when they come home.
Mr Sheers, 39, was presented
with a stainless steel trophy at the
ceremony, held in Caernarfon,
North Wales.
Comedian Nadia Kamil, who
was one of three judges, said: We
were looking for books that excited
us and ones that made us want to
continue reading.
For his powerfully direct prose
play exposing the fragile humanity
of boys and the women who
support them, we were unanimous
in our decision that the Wales Book
of the Year 2014 is Pink Mist by
Owen Sheers.
Abergavenny writer Owen Sheers has
won the Wales Book of the Year Award
history through the medium of dance and
even secured sponsorship from Audi.
I think that really stood out to judges
because it was totally, utterly innovative and
sector-leading.
More than 200 teachers and
representatives from the education and
language teaching sectors from all over
the UK joined the celebrations, hosted by
German Ambassador Dr Peter Ammon.
Grace Harris, with mum
Michelle, and Living Leader
Helen Smail
Owen Sheers
9
Countynews
SURGE IN POPULARITY FOR
MONMOUTHSHIRE TOURISM
L
ynne Stephens, a retired
employee of Barclays
Bank, raised 1,280.30 for
a Chepstow playgroup after
braving a 700m zip slide at
the National Diving Centre,
Chepstow.
The money, raised for
Chepstow Leisure Centre
Playgroup, has been increased
to almost 2,000 after
Barclays Bank added a further
750 in match funding.
S
t Davids Hospice Care takes
the plunge next month when a
team of members from all parts of
the charity take part in the 49th
staging of The Rotary Club of
Monmouth Raft Race.
The charity is the main
beneciary of funds raised through
the staging of the annual event on
the River Wye. The Monmouth
Raft Race, to be held on Sunday,
September 7 this year, is organised
by The Rotary Club of Monmouth.
The event is sponsored by
Mandarin Stone, Basepoint and
DHL, with funds raised donated to
St Davids Hospice Care and other
local charities.
Kris Broome, captain of the St
Davids Hospice Care team, said:
It is a brilliant event. Our team is
really looking forward to taking
part in what is a truly oarsome
day on the River Wye.
Norman Williams, of
Monmouth Rotary Club, said:
Were delighted that a team
from St Davids is having a raft
this year. Their entry brings the
current running total of rafts
entered for the event to 75 so we
are now three quarters of the way
to reaching our target of 100 rafts
for this year.
The event raised more that
25,000 for charity last year with
a major chunk of that money going
to St Davids Hospice Care.
The raft race starts from the
steps of Monmouth Rowing Club
and nishes 6.5 miles downriver at
Tump Farm in Whitebrook, where
there is a family festival with food,
live music from three bands, a
childrens fairground and a bar.
Entry costs just 75 per raft
including a commitment to raise
a minimum of 100 per raft in
sponsorship. Online entries can
be submitted by visiting www.
monmouthraftrace.com or
download an entry form from
the same web page and post the
entry to the address given or call
raft race secretary, Rotarian David
Forbes on 01600 712665 or Kris
Broome at St Davids Hospice
Care on 01633 851051.
MONMOUTHSHIRE has seen a popularity
surge with tourists this summer, according
to gures from a holiday rental company.
Owners Direct said they had seen a
96 per cent increase in the number of
enquiries over possible visits to the county
since last year.
They could not provide specic gures
but said holidaymakers prefer to stay in
less populated areas and have avoided
breaks in London this year.
And people from across the county
agreed it has been a good summer for the
areas tourism sector.
Manager at The Old Station, Tintern,
John Sterry, said there had been a clear
increase in trade over the last year and in
2013 at the Tintern attraction.
He said: We nd through our
comments book that we are having a lot of
repeat business because the visitors love
it and that it is not a massive commercial
theme park. Theres no gimmicks.
Mr Sterry said the site had seen an
increase in walkers and campers visiting
the site.
He added: A lot of people weve
spoken to this year, particularly in the hot
spell, will say things like you couldnt nd
anywhere better.
I think it is because they want to be
in a natural environment. They come
because they want to be almost in the
middle of nowhere.
We do not have anything other than
beautiful landscape and I think that is a
positive rather than a negative.
And the owner of the Castle View
Hotel in Chepstow, Steve McGlone, said:
Weve been fairly full. We are normally
quite busy and you cant get complacent.
The ndings were welcomed by
Monmouthshire councils food and
tourism strategic manager, Nicola
Edwards.
She said: 2014 has been a fairly good
year for tourism in Monmouthshire.
The weather has been kind, and weve
beneted from a late Easter and a
recovering economy, as well as the
introduction of new key events into the
county which have attracted signicant
numbers of visitors to the area.
New events to Monmouthshire this
year included the Wye Valley River
Festival in May, the National Cycling
Championships in June and the Wales
Open Criterium in Chepstow.
Other attractions have included the
Sunrise Celebration, which relocated to
the county for the rst time this year.
The Monmouthshire Show will be held
later this month, and the Usk Show and
Abergavenny Food Festival in September.
Last year the food festival won Best Event
in Wales from the National Tourism
Awards for Wales and attracted more
than 30,000 visitors.
And the Tour of Britain will pass
through the county for the rst time on
September 9 and the national Walkers
are Welcome conference will be held in
Chepstow in October.
Lynne slides for cash
THE Noahs Ark Childrens
Hospital has been given a
timely boost by funds of
35,500 raised from an event
at Chepstow Racecourse.
The money will pay for
vital equipment at phase two
of the multi-million pound
building, which is due to open
next spring.
Dressed for the occasion,
300 guests enjoyed lunch
and afternoon tea while
watching racing from Royal
Ascot live last month, bidding
at an auction, gold cup rafe
and best hat competition for
the Noahs Ark Childrens
Hospital Charity.
Eddie Hayward, vice
chairman of the charity and
daughter Julie, one of the
trustees who organised Royal
Ascot Charity Day, said:
We were delighted so many
people contributed to this
worthy cause and it will go a
long way to helping children
receive medical care they
urgently need.
Phil Bell, Chepstow
Racecourses executive
director, added the event is a
rm xture in the calendar at
the course: It is wonderful to
see it going from strength to
strength and we are only too
glad to host it each year.
The date for the lunch has
already been set for 2015
Thursday, June 19.
For all the latest details
about the charitys
fundraising, or events you can
take part in, head to www.
noahs-ark-appeal.org.
See page 65 for pictures
from the day.
Charity event raises more than 35,000
Something missing? Kris Broome and some of the St Davids Hospice Care
Monmouth Raft Race squad put in some practice outside the day hospice at
Malpas, Newport
HOSPICE STAFF FACE
OARSOME CHALLENGE
Lynne worked for
Barclays bank for more
than 20 years covering
Chepstow, Newport and
Monmouth branches.
Her sister-in-law, Karen Isaac, is
currently the manager of the playgroup
which Lynne supported.
The money raised will be used to
enhance the Forest Garden and to provide
resources to assist the children with their
Welsh Learning in the garden.
Lynne Stephens raised more than 1,200 on a zip slide
Cycling events have prooved a draw for the county
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15
16
F
ew expressions are more idiotic than
house-hunting. It refers to the only
chase in which the quarry stands still
and broadcasts its personal details and
whereabouts to the entire world in the
hope of being discovered.
As we shall soon be on the move, Im
looking at the prospectus for a property
near Usk, which boasts a septic tank.
Perhaps boast is the wrong word. It
reminds me of a house we once viewed
in Llantrisant, near Trellech. I happened
to notice some earthworks in the garden
resembling an archaeological dig. Oh,
theres been trouble with the tank, said
the vendor. Weve had to excavate and
do some repairs.
We were out of
there like a shot, having
had experience of
solutions to basic rural
problems when we
realised that our outow
conduit Im being
discreet had no fall
and linked erratically
with our neighbours
before merging into the
communal pipe a quarter
mile away.
That was an example
of where a septic
tank would have been
preferable to a builders botched effort
to connect us to the rest of society when
we were geographically out on a limb.
It meant that we regularly got our own
back, if you follow my meaning.
The experience was one of the
so-called joys of country living, like
rubbish broadband and a bus service
so infrequent as to make a trip out for
a bag of cat litter seem like a half-day
excursion.
In Monmouthshire, of course, putting
up with these for the pleasure of
experiencing the countys status as demi-
paradise is what has driven house prices
skywards. Im always expecting to meet
a Russian oligarch on my evening walks
or to learn that a modest village semi
nearby with an exposed beam is now
worth 300,000. (No laughter, please.)
Anyway, viewing property in
Monmouthshire is always fun. Nowhere
is all that far from the madding crowd,
which we are ever part of but which
we are always trying to escape. Even
Tregagle isnt as remote as it seems and
sounds, once the ight of crows is taken
into account. Eastwards,
theyd op into
Redbrook in no time.
Scourges of estate
agent lists like me might
come across longhouses,
peculiar to the county,
which have a corridor
running from end to
end with rooms leading
off rooms which
originally housed cows
and sheep living under
the same roof as the
farmers family in a sort
of landlocked Noahs
Ark arrangement.
Ive even found the Monmouthshire
staircase, a spiral ight in the corner of
the living-room which poses the ultimate
challenge to the men from Leekes, far
from home and with a king-size double
bed to deliver.
Now, about that house near Usk.
Theres no mention of double-glazing.
And isnt that an Aga, wedged between
some kitchen units? Indeed it is. Aaagh-a!
Get me Rightmove.

A Monmouthshire
meander with Nigel Jarret
MyCountyLife
Who are you, what do you do
and where in Monmouthshire
do you live?
Norman Williams, retired
manufacturing engineer, projects
director with Monmouth Rotary
Club, hon treasurer Gwent
Wildlife Trust, and a volunteer
with the Wye Valley AONB. I
enjoy gardening and walking and I
live near Tintern.
What do you like most about
Monmouthshire?
Its a predominantly rural area,
yet with good connections to the
rest of UK.
Where would you recommend
as an unforgettable dining
experience in Monmouthshire?
The Walnut Tree near
Abergavenny the only
Michelin-starred restaurant in
Monmouthshire.
What do you tell friends about
Monmouthshire who have never
been here?
Its a great area to live in and to
visit. It has lots of good walking
country and many historical sites
to visit. And weve also got some
good restaurants here.
Who would be your ideal
companion on a trip around
Monmouthshire?
That would have to be my wife.
Favourite town in
Monmouthshire and why?
Monmouth. Its a small attractive
town with good shops, a cinema,
a theatre and facilities.

Favourite place for a picnic in
Monmouthshire and why?
Beacon Hill. There are glorious
views towards Brecon Beacons
from here.
Favourite place for a walk?
The Monnow Valley. Walking
the border from Skenfrith to
Grosmont, enjoying an excellent
pub or cafe for lunch and then
walking back to Skenfrith.
If there is one thing missing
from Monmouthshire, what do
you think it is?
Reliable mobile phone reception!
If you werent living here, where
would you be?
Im not thinking about it, but if I
had to, it would be somewhere
similar to Monmouthshire.
What event in the
Monmouthshire calendar
should we try not to miss?
Monmouth Raft Race, which
is organised by the Monmouth
Rotary Club. This year it takes
place on Sunday September 7
starting from the rowing club
in Monmouth and ending at
Whitebrook.
Three words which sum up
Monmouthshire for you...
Rural, Unspoilt, Uncrowded
MCL chats to Norman Williams about
The Walnut Tree, the Monnow Valley
and the Monmouth Raf Race...
17
By Jason Smith, director, Bearings West Ltd
A cycling coach? Whats there
to coach; you just turn the
pedals. That was my fathers
response when I told him I was
studying to be a British Cycling
qualied coach. So what is there
to coach? How can a cycling
coach help?
Once youve learnt to ride,
one of the joys of cycling is its
simplicity. No question that the
more cycling you do, the better
and more condent youll be.
However, cycling is all about
efciency and to become efcient
you need to understand and
practice technique.
Becoming an efcient rider
makes a huge difference in your
ability to cycle faster and further.
This is one of the rst areas I
focus on when I coach MAMILS
- middle aged men (& women)
in lycra - who want to undertake
their rst challenge of a long
distance sportive or something
like the etape du tour. So how
can you become more efcient?
1.BODY POSITION
The wrong body position
on the bike will make a huge
difference to not just efciency
but also potentially injury. A
common mistake is saddle height.
Too low and the muscles in the
leg arent fully engaged and there
will be too much movement
in the hip and knee joints. Too
high, and hip rocking occurs and
too much strain on the knees.
A saddle being out by as little
as 1 - 1.5cm can make a very
big difference to your cycling
efciency.
2. CADENCE
Clients are always surprised
when I explain the correct level
of cadence required for efcient
cycling. Cadence is the term
used to describe and measure
the amount of revolutions of the
pedals per minute (RPM). Watch
any bike race and observe how
fast the riders are turning the
pedals. The ideal cadence is 90
rpm. Its always difcult to gauge
at rst without a bike computer
with cadence sensors, but after
hours of practice it becomes
entirely natural.
3. GEAR SELECTION
I still cringe when I see cyclists
(particularly those who should
know better) pushing too hard
a gear. This is a common fault of
many cyclists including some who
ride in cycling clubs. If you select
too hard a gear, youll struggle to
turn the pedals and your cadence
will be more like 50-60 rpm. At
the other end of the extreme,
too low a gear and your legs will
spin round like a mouse on a
wheel. Neither is very efcient.
The correct gear selection goes
hand in hand with cadence.
Unless your gear selection is
right, you wont get the correct
cadence.
Cycling isnt just about turning
the pedals. Technique is equally
important in cycling as it is in
other sports such as tennis or
golf. Practicing good technique
will make you faster and more
efcient. More importantly, good
bike position will ensure you stay
injury and ache free. Mastering
these techniques will make it
easier, meaning you can enjoy
the simplicity of just turning the
pedals for hours on end.

Just turn the pedals
20
Artistic inspiration
in Monmouthshire
This summers must-see Sites of Inspiration exhibitions
at Chepstow and Abergavenny Museums reveal how the artistic
greats have been inspired by Monmouthshire countryside.
Pictures of Monmouthshire Crown copyright (2014) Visit Wales
21
P
aintings by JMW Turner and
manuscripts by William Wordsworth
are just some of the treasures on
display. (Entry is free to both museums,
exhibitions are on until September 28.)
The Wye and Llanthony valleys have been
magnets for artists and writers over the
years but how does the landscape inspire
painters and poets today? Jane Harvey
caught up with four local artists following
in the footsteps of the greats...
After working in oils for many years,
Petra Pinnock created the concept of
eece painting.
MCL: You moved to the Llanthony Valley
after travelling extensively, how special is
it here?
PP: I am inspired by the quality of light
which plays upon the hills around my
home. Ever changing it casts swathes of
shadow while highlighting details in a way
you simply dont see in the at area of
England where I spent my childhood. I
have a passion for colour. Every season
brings its own rich palette, apart from
winter, when the scenery turns an
interesting monochrome.
MCL: The exhibition features many
famous interpretations of the Llanthony
Priory. Youve painted it too, are you
aware youre following in big footsteps?
PP: Im conscious of being part of an
artistic heritage in this beautiful county.
I fully understand why so many artists
have spent time and settled here over the
years. To live in these ancient hills and
commune with nature everyday is all the
inspiration I need for my work.
Petra is working on a felt collage
celebrating the exhibitions with a
number of community groups. It will be
displayed at Abergavenny Museum in
October.
Gemma Wood is a Tintern sculptor who uses
predominantly natural materials.
MCL: So, what inspires you?
GW: In this unique part of Wales, the four
seasons enhance the dramatic beauty of the
landscape. These natural rhythms of life are
a part of me. The Wye Valleys nooks and
crannies were revealed to me from a very
young age by my parents who are passionate
botanists and ecologists. The grounding they
gave me feeds into my work today. I always
want to be outside!
MCL: The artwork on display at Chepstow
museum this summer shows how many great
artists have been inspired by Tintern Abbey.
Are you conscious of them when you work?
GW: When I witness great works by such as
Wordsworth and Turner who came to the
valley, I am conscious that I am part of that
story, here and now. I feel a sense of urgency
to use my work to highlight the value of such
places and how important it is to preserve
them. I believe the role of a local artist is
more important now, especially in rural
communities. Richness and diversity of the
community needs creative expression in all its
guises.
MCL: Some of your sculpture is quite big isnt
it? Do you have a particular way of working
with the landscape?
GW: I always try to work in a direct and
honest way which means being out in the
raw elements as much as possible. I try
never to limit myself in my approach to
sculpting but I do nd myself drawn more
and more towards the natural materials. I am
particularly interested in designing and placing
work in the landscape itself so my work is
often quite large. The materials and scale of a
piece tend to dictate the tools I use which may
be anything from a paintbrush or chisel to a
chainsaw or disk cutter.
Petra Pinnock
Gemma Wood
Facing page: White Castle. Left: LLanthony Priory. Above: Tintern Abbey
22
Clare Whitehead is a
painter who runs art
courses in the Llanthony
Valley.
MCL: What do you nd
inspirational, living here?
CW: The countryside
and the mountains have
been the main source of
inspiration for my painting.
The abbey in its lovely
setting is naturally inspiring
and surrounding it, the
farmland and the wilder
mountain landscape, the
old tracks and the ancient
trees and the River Honddu
in the valley. There is both
mystery and atmosphere
which can change with
the weather and seasons.
Above all it is the colour
which is inspiring, the rich
rusty colours of the hills
in winter and the heather
in summer or the layers
of blue hills seen from the
Gospel Pass.
MCL: You trained at a
London art school, moving
here 30 years ago. A big
change?
CW: It was a huge
challenge to nd ways of
painting this landscape
at rst. I drew with
pastels and painted with
watercolour and oils.
Eventually a studio was
built in the old stone barn
and with other tutors from
the area I started offering
courses.
MCL: Do you work
outside?
CW: I have always worked
directly from the landscape,
outside in the elds and
usually complete a painting
in two or three hours. I
dont touch it up later as
I feel that would detract
from the freshness of
the paint marks and the
feeling of being there
which I hope my paintings
convey. They are not
always photographically
representational but rather
attempt to create a sense of
the place.
Matthew Plumb is a tree
surgeon forester and poet
from Abergavenny.
MCL: So, was the landscape
an inuence on your poetry
from a young age?
MP: I was about nine years
old when I had what in
retrospect I would call a
poetic murmur. There is
a stone which sits in the
ground in the elds behind
the house I grew up in. The
eld is steep and where
the stone lies the ground
falls away in a scoop, I used
to sit on it with my legs
swinging. I remember a
beautiful summer day with
a steady breeze beating the
buttercups into the motion
of waves until they seemed
to ll the air and the sound
of the breeze and the insects
and the life of the valley
were one. I remember
feeling elated, it was the rst
time I ever felt thrill. I began
writing years later, but I am
adamant this rst epiphany,
how closely heart, soul and
happiness are cognitive with
the natural world stirred the
poet in me to move. That
stone, and the feeling I felt
that day, is the happy place I
go to when the urge to write
comes on me.
MCL: Wordsworths
manuscripts are among
the treasures on display
at Chepstow Museum. Big
shoes to ll? Intimidated
at all?
MP: I am, of course,
besotted with the Romantic
poets. I do a lot of falling
work around Tintern
and love the thought that
Wordsworth had passed
that way. Lines written a
few miles above Tintern
Abbey is one of my all-time
favourite poems. I am never
really intimidated when
reading great poetry. The
feeling is always a curious
blend of enthrallment,
elation, envy, derision, and
utter self loathing! That is,
for the poet, what reading
beautiful poetry is all about.
Matthew is working with
comprehensive pupils in
Chepstow, Monmouth
and King Henry VIII,
Abergavenny to create
poetry inspired by
the exhibitions. Their
creations, alongside other
locally produced art work
will be on display on follow
on exhibitions at both
museums in October.
Claire Whitehead
Matthew Plumb
Left: Skenfrith Castle. Right: Tintern Abbey
24
T
he balmy heat adds to the rural idyll of the
setting, with the view stretching out beyond
a shallow patchwork valley, to a wooded
skyline.
Yet this setting is a horse hospital, and the
premises of the Society for the Welfare of Horses
and Ponies (SWHP), a charity Jenny took over 37
years ago, when the founder suddenly died.
Over the years thousands of horses and ponies
from all over South Wales have been rescued
from extreme cruelty and neglect, brought back
to health where possible, and then loaned to new
homes.
Some of the rescued horses have been
successes at pony clubs, eventing, dressage and
show jumping competitions. Others will go for
a more pedestrian life at carefully vetted new
homes. But whatever the case, the horse still
remains the property of SWHP to make sure they
are well cared for until the end of their days.
Jennys running of the SWHP has meant huge
highs and lows in her life from threats of arrest,
to selling up her comfortable house to be able
to buy somewhere with more land to expand
the SWHP work, to hand-to-mouth nancial
existence, to an MBE from the Queen for her
work with horses and Princess Anne arriving by
helicopter to the Coxstone Farm site to stomp
around in wellies and look at the patients, to
campaigning to change the law on y grazing.
She faced nancial ruin in 1996 to make sure
a pony foal called Target did not go back to its
owner, who had been successfully prosecuted for
cruelty by the RSPCA but had not been forced to
relinquish ownership.
We go in where others fear to tread, she says
about SWHP.
But now she feels it is time to hand over the
reins to someone else, and is in advanced talks
with another horse rescue charity which has more
of a national presence.
Her work has not only earned her an MBE in
2005, but also a British Horse Society Welfare
Award presented by Martin Clunes, and another
welfare award from the British Equine Vetinary
Association.
Although horses have always been a part of her
life even show jumping and point-to-point riding
successfully in her youth this life of confronting
hideous cruelty, threats from abusive owners,
daring rescues, and even threats from the RSPCA,
is a far call from the in-house Vogue model, who
once passed pleasantries with the likes of Twiggy.
Marriage to journalist Alasdair she met at
Vogue, and bringing up a family in comfortable
circumstances near Raglan, meant life was
following a fairly stereotypical course, until her
three children left home.
When the children were gone I had to have
another interest. And in the end Alasdair retired
early to help me, Jenny says about how she got
involved in a charity called the Society for the
Humane Disposal of Horses and Ponies founded
by Sheila Richards. With good contacts in the
horse world, she thought she could help.
Sheila fell ill when I had been working for one
year and she died. I took over, with 300 in the
bank. It now costs 250,000 to run the charity
for a year.
Because of the trade of selling horses for food
back in the 1980s, the original work of the charity
was to buy up cheap weak foals at market, which
would not survive the transport conditions, and
have them put down if they could not be brought
back to good health.
After taking over the reins of the charity, Jenny
changed the purpose of the charity to try to save
the foals, and then rehome them. As the trade in
ponies for the table on the continent diminished,
the work changed to be a horse hospital, taking in
animals that the police or even the RSPCA did not
know what to do with.
What changed the prole of charity - which
had changed its name to the Society for the
Welfare of Horses and Ponies was the case of
the foal Target, where the RSPCA had successfully
prosecuted a Welsh Pony and Cob Society
Handing over the reins
at the Horse Hospital
Taking coee among her roses at St Maughans near Monmouth on
a sunny July afernoon, Jenny MacGregor looks distinctly 20 years
younger than the 83 years that she admits to, writes Will Loram
25
registered breeder for unnecessary
cruelty, but the magistrate had not
conscated a two-year-old foal called
Target from the owner.
Showing nerves of steel, Jenny refused
to give up the foal, and with Alasdairs full
support they decided to hide it from the
owner, who was now prosecuting them
for theft.
With the head of the RSPCA trying to
pressure them into returning the pony,
rather than ght this case to make sure
prosecuted owners could not keep the
animals which had been abused, and their
barrister telling them they did not have a
snowballs chance in hell of winning the
case, Jenny and her team and volunteers
at SWHP battled on.
Eventually, after a petition of 42,000
signatures an enormous achievement
in the days before the internet and big
publicity in the media, they won the day,
and a legal precedent was set.
After that victory, the charity became
better known, and was more frequently
called about cases of abuse, by the general
public, the police, and by other animal
charities which did not have expertise or
resources for horses.
The charity survives on donations and
fundraising to cover its operation, with
Jenny as chairman not taking a salary, so
everything can go to the recovery and
care of the horses.
But SWHP was using the ve acres
at their family home to house the horse
hospital. So instead of downsizing as
they headed towards retirement, she
and Alasdair ended up buying a smaller
house with more land 37 acres including
woodland at St Maughans to be able to
better care for more horses.
And then the nancial crisis brought
its own problems for horses, and many
people simply could not afford to keep
their horses.
At the other end of the spectrum
big horse dealers unable to shift horses
began dumping, or y grazing, some of
their stock on common land, or in other
peoples elds. Left without proper water
and feed for up to two weeks, horses
deteriorated quickly, with some dying
before the horse traders collecting them
in the dead of night to move them to
another location.
The problem could have caused an
upset to the Ryder Cup at the Celtic
Manor when 11 colts were dumped in the
woods near Langstone, but SWHP took
them off before they were able to ruin the
carefully manicured course for the big golf
tournament.
Deciding something ought to be done,
Jenny, the equine SWHP ambassador
and Shetland pony Sebastian, and SWHP
trustee Sian Lloyd, marched on the
Welsh Assembly in Cardiff to present a
petition of 2,000 people calling for the
enforcement of microchipping of horses in
Wales, so that in the cases of y grazing
the owners can be traced and prosecuted
if necessary. The result was a fast-tracked
Bill through the Assembly backed by Alun
Davies AM, formerly Minister for Natural
Resources and Food, and in January
the Bill got Royal assent, allowing local
authorities take action against y grazing.
Not bad for someone well past the
ofcial retirement age.

SWHP was contacted by Trading
Standards and asked to help a three-
year-old pony from Cwmdu in South
Wales.
The charity found her in a pitiful
state, lying down and ready to die.
There was no food anywhere and she
was starving. There were three dead
ponies and 100 dead sheep on the
property. There was also a barn full
of starving cows.
Mrs Tiggywinkle was in a terrible
state and she continuously ate from
the moment she was collected. She
needed to be supported in their sling
system for the rst couple of weeks.
Fortunately she did not have any
other underlying conditions which
could have caused her to be so
thin and her turn around was quite
miraculous. Six months later she was
unrecognisable from the pony which
had been rescued.
Mrs Tiggywinkle has started her
education, and she is going really well
and making great progress. She has
also fallen in love with Trevor and has
adopted him as her own, which the
charity is so pleased about because
he desperately needed a friendly
companion.
Martina:
Dark Bay mare
approx three years
old 14hh
Martina was admitted to the society
in April 2010.
They had received a call at 4pm on
April 6 from a concerned member of
the public who had been out metal
detecting near the reservoir in Ebbw
Vale and found a large pony so weak
it was unable to get up.
SWHP hitched up its trailer and
within a few hours were at the scene.
The horse was so weak that even
with all the charity helpers they could
not get her up and the re service
was called. They came to help lift
her. At midnight she was nally put
into the trailer and taken straight to
the vets where she was put on a drip.
Four days later, supported by slings
she came back to the charitys stables
at Coxstone where she slowly made a
good recovery.
She had one injured eye where
she was on the oor for so long,
which needed a lot of treatment
and bathing. As you will see just ve
months later she looked a completely
different horse. She has been out in a
lovely home for the last few years and
is much loved.
Mrs Tiggywinkle:
Skewbald mare
DOB: 16.05.07
Before
After
Before
After
28
Will Loram meets Donald Stewart, the man who
brought Celtic music alive in Monmouthshire...
A
couple of years ago, when my
daughter was playing a concert with
the South Monmouthshire Music
Centre, I overheard a gaggle of cooing
parents not talking about their offsprings
performance on classical instruments,
but about the Music Centres Celtic band
which had gone up to play at a wedding in
Birmingham, where they had reportedly
played so well that wedding guests mainly
Scots had thought it was as good as any
Scottish dance band.
That stuck with me. But I did not put two
and two together when I volunteered the
family to learn penny whistle in Magors old
music shop one summer holiday.
The man in the next room who had
nabbed my daughter as she was becoming
a dab hand with the ute, was lending his
hand to yet another music initiative, where
the idea was to just get people having a go,
and get them quickly to playing a tune.
That was my rst experience with the
Donald Stewart effect, from the man with a
young Billy Connelly chic, who has been able
to show thousands of school kids in Gwent
what fun it is to make music on a penny
whistle, and enjoy it.
Music is a funny thing. It can be
exceedingly simple or exceedingly complex,
complicated and pure hard work to make.
It can have huge benets in lifting the spirits,
giving a sense of achievement, or just being
fun. And maybe, the learning of instruments
in school is more geared at climbing the
grade ladder than instilling a long-lasting
ability to play and enjoy.
Whole class tuition is mainly what I
do, and that means I reach a hell of a lot
of primary school kids in classes of 30 to
40, which probably works out at teaching
500 kids a week. And I have been teaching
them traditional Welsh tunes, so they can
hum and play these important parts of their
culture, and keep them alive for the next
generation, Donald says, about what he
does.
Kate Williams, who teaches Year 5 at
Glyncoed Primary School, was one of the
early takers of what Donald had to offer.
I cant speak highly enough of him, she
says. Hes inspirational, and the children
really enjoy it. He brings his bagpipes in,
and drums and mandolin, and for the
penny whistle teaching he always nds
tunes that they like. Quite a few then take
it further and go to the Celtic music club in
Blaenafon.
This club is the Celtic Caf held on a
Wednesday evening, which is a project
organised by Head 4 Arts.
The creative project organiser for Head
4 Arts, Kate Strandwick, describes how
this intergenerational music group has
blossomed under Donald: He is very skilled
at making sure that everyone is involved
at whatever age or experience that they
are, so that everyone has the best possible
MEET
THE
PIED
PIPER
Music man Donald Stewart and his many instruments
29
experience.
I also admire him, because his
repertoire was biased towards the Irish
music, but he has been very skilled in
nding Welsh tunes which people like to
play.
The diligence he gives to creating a fun
atmosphere, means that on suitable days
the group are out in the courtyard dancing
to, as well as playing, the tunes.
His way of communicating with people
and children and keeping discipline without
being a disciplinarian is something that is
fairly unique, Kate says.
What is more difcult to wheedle out
of him is how his energy and enthusiasm is
so often behind folk and traditional Celtic
music groups in the county.
As Simon Linton, Gwent Musics business
development and continuity manager, says,
all things Celtic music in Monmouthshire
seem to be in some way the fruit of
Donalds help and enthusiasm. From
sessions, to school bands, to Celtic Cafe in
Blaenafon, to the up-and-coming folk fusion
band Rusty Shackle who this year played
at one of Glastonbury Festivals big stages
they all trace roots back to the bearded
pied piper of Caldicot.
To call him an unsung hero is a bit of an
indulgence in wordplay, as he likes to sing
a lot, does Donald. But thats all part of
having fun. And having fun with music.
And that is not only in his work time, but
in his leisure time he has his own band with
his brother, Crimes Against Folk, which
goes down well in Cardiff in the rugby
internationals season.
On top of that he nds time to squeeze
in being a leading musical light and the one
with all jokes in the Caldicot-based Morris
side The BUMS.
Oh, and he also managed his son Jacks
band, One String Loose, which was very
successful as a folk band, recording albums
and playing at a main stage at Glastonbury,
as well as festivals in Italy, Belgium, Poland,
France and the Albert Hall. Jack was
12 when he and Scott McKean, his best
friend from the local ceilidh band music
group, formed the band, which only
came unravelled when some of the four
piece outt members went on to higher
education after school.
It is a remarkable achievement, especially
for someone who seemed to have stumbled
into music, let alone teaching music, and so
is maybe best told at least in part by
those who have experienced his force of
nature enthusiasm for just playing music.
Scott McKean, leading and founding
member of Rusty Shackle, has been
involved with Donald since he properly
started playing music at the age of 12, and
now is a colleague in the Gwent Music
Support service.
Hes a real life pied piper, with a brilliant
way with the kids, says Scott, who plays
the ddle and banjo, and admits to learning
the bodhrun Irish drum from Donald.
Scott rst came into contact with Donald
when he went along to regular Celtic
music sessions organised by enthusiasts at
Caldicot.
He and Donalds son Jack hit it off and
became best friends, and through their
joint talent in music, were encouraged by
Donald to form a band, because they were
good enough. And anything is possible.
He showed me how fun that sort of
music could be, Scott says, whether its
on stage, in a pub, or a session in a living
room.
Eighteen-year-old Rosie Lewis has had
the benet of years of teaching from early
penny whistle days in Caldicot, to being
encouraged into playing the mandolin, and
becoming a core member of the Celtic
music band Chwarae Teg which Donald
organises to play at festivals and events.
I have known him about 10 years and
his teaching has been wonderful. If he
feels you have grown, he always gives you
opportunities to play with people of your
own standard, she says.
As with most things with Donald Stewart
you are not surprised when you are
surprised by him. By birth he is Canadian,
and only came to live in Caldicot at his
grandmothers house when his parents
decided to emigrate back to the UK when
he was 11.
His father had been a founder of the
Montreal Welsh Male Voice Choir, but
otherwise there was not a sparkling musical
grounding. In fact where it all started
musically was on a camping trip to
Scotland in his teens, and a friend was just
messing around on a penny whistle which
he could hardly play.
Donald like the sound, and mentioned it
to his Dad. A liking for the Pogues and their
heavily Irish tunes, sort of brought out a taste for
the traditional music.
That was cemented when his Dad gave him a
penny whistle with a James Gallway tutor book
when Donald travelled back to Canada.
He returned to the UK with a partner, and a son
on the way, and settled for a while in Scotland. He
indulged in learning to play the pipes, the bodhran,
and enjoying Gaelic music, but he had no ambition
to teach until Jack started at school, and he
suddenly found himself needing to nd a job that
would t with Jacks school days.
So he started a teaching degree, but never
nished it, because he was offered a job with
Gwent Music Service to teach music in schools.
They had heard of him through his work in
founding a Celtic music group in Newport.
That is something that Donald does a lot of
getting involved with or starting music groups.
From a ceilidh band in Caldicot which broke up
and reformed in Newport as a more structured
Irish music group to getting persuaded to join the
BUMS morris side when at his most vulnerable to
managing his sons band to the traditional bands
through the Music Service of Chwarae Teg and Tn
Bach
Twenty-ve years ago there was nothing in
Monmouthshire, it was all pretty dry as far as Celtic
music was concerned, Donald says.
That has all changed now. He sees children that
he has taught coming through on work experience
for teaching, and even teachers coming back as
music teachers themselves. Meanwhile the Caldicot
Celtic music group reformed in Newport and
became more structured through the Coltas Irish
music structure, and have even produced national
champions from amidst their ranks. With other
Welsh music initiatives and groups emerging
throughout the county, what once was a barren
musical landscape has become richly fertile in
part due to the genius of Donald Stewart and his
air for getting people to play our musical heritage.
N
ot only were these features impractical
regarding cleaning, they were also not
particularly visually appealing.
Due to such design faults, the typical 1950s
kitchen could look easily cluttered, as well as being
difcult to clean and maintain.
Now, 60 years on, the modern-day kitchen
has been remodelled to provide a wide variety
of products, with integrated appliances, modular
designs and J handle doors to allow a clean,
attractive nish.
At World of Kitchens, we work personally
with customers to provide contemporary designs
alongside traditional values.
As shown in the bottom image, Burbidges Malm
Matt Porcelain Kitchens are an off-white, a modern
twist on a white kitchen.
In the 1950s, a traditional
kitchen would typically include
a protruding fridge freezer,
prominent handles, range-style
cookers and Formica glued onto
chipboard as the door...
Simply
stylish
32
S
o rarely can any physical feature of the
world in height or depth or breadth
or strength be at its greatest in these
islands, we often forget the one feature
which is almost unique - the tides of north
west Europe which reach their peak on the
Monmouthshire coast.
This is no ordinary physical feature but
a daily moving mass of water - moving
backwards and forwards at exactly the
hour predicted for them over millions of
years.
It is possible to predict the exact height
to the nearest foot or tenth of a metre and
the exact time to the minute of the arrival
of the tide at Chepstow in a thousand years
time.
Who knows what the world will be like
then but we do know exactly what time the
tide will arrive at Chepstow on the morning
of January 1, 3016 - time and tide waits for
no-one.
It is awesome to think that the most
prominent natural feature on earth of the
two largest and brightest objects in the sky,
the sun and the moon, working together
is the daily rise and fall of the tide and that
no other town on the planet sees this more
dramatically than Chepstow.
It is an amazing feature. The daily forces
of the moon and sun on our planet are
seen in the tides and they are their most
extreme in eastern Canada, the Severn
Estuary, and the coast of north west
France.
The next highest tides in the world are
in extremely remote locations - south east
Argentina, north west Australia, Alaska,
and north east Russia.
But by far the best location in the world
to observe the planets highest tides
are on the Monmouthshire coast, and
Gloucestershire and Somerset.
The Severn Estuary has the second or
third highest tides in the world. The most
northerly reaches of the Bay of Fundy
in eastern Canada and the south west
part of Ungava Bay, 500 miles north of
FOLLOWING
THE TIDES
According to the National Oceanography Centre the highest astronomical tides
in the next 10 years will be in 2015 and one this month on September 10, 2014.
John Burrows looks at the Monmouthshire tides and their peak at Chepstow.
33
the Bay of Fundy, have slightly higher tidal
ranges at their extreme than the Severn
Estuary, but only by about two metres, which
would look no different than the high water
on the Monmouthshire coast. In fact the
Monmouthshire coast tides would look higher
because there are no vertical structures or
bridges next to or over the Bay of Fundy.
There is no Chepstow Bridge or Clevedon
Pier against which the rise of a 15m (48ft) tide
movement can be monitored.
Many towns and villages along the shores
of the Bay of Fundy make much of their tides
but few of them actually experience the range
we take for granted every day. Where the
tide range in the Bay of Fundy is slightly higher
than on the Monmouthshire coast it is remote
and sparsely populated.
In north west France in the Baie de St
Michel the tide goes out a long way and comes
back in a long way so it is hard to see the full
range but by comparision the Severn Estuary
is narrow and the Wye and Usk estuaries
narrower still, so we see the full range of
the tide and the full power of the moon and
sun raising the water level. We have rivers
at Chepstow and Newport which ow both
north and south twice in the same day! How
strange is that, but we take it as normal.
We should make more of this natural
phenomenon but it takes ve hours to see the
tide rise 40ft, so visitors need something else
to do in the meantime.
This is why Chepstow is such a good place
to see the tides because there are pubs and
eateries by the river, shops in the town,
Chepstow Castle and museum to visit, and
even a quick trip up to Tintern Abbey, ve
miles away, to occupy the time between high
tide and low tide.
At the Afon Gwy Hotel, Riverside Wine
Bar and the Boat Inn you can sit and enjoy
something to eat and drink overlooking the
River Wye.
In fact the closest bar to a tide over 45ft
(14m) anywhere in the world is probably the
Riverside Wine Bar at The Back, Chepstow,
followed by the Afon Gwy, the Boat Inn,
and the Old Ferry Inn at Beachley under the
Severn Bridge. The Port pub at Port Williams,
Nova Scotia, might be able to claim a few feet
more on the tide, but its a long way to go -
and Chepstow has the better setting!
The highest tides are almost always in the
morning about 8am to 10am, and the tides
are at their lowest about 4pm to 5pm rising
again to high tide at 9pm or 10pm.
Choose day in Chepstow from 9am to 5pm
at any time of the year to see the high tide
changing to low tide and the river owing
south to the sea, and an evening in summer
from 5pm to 10pm would see the river
owing northwards at great pace for the
evening high tide.
If you are lucky you can catch the turn of
the tide usually between 4.30pm and 6pm
when the river stops owing and falls silent
for a few minutes and changes its direction
of ow - a phenomenon which in any other
part of the world would be the basis for a
ourishing tourist industry.
The highest astronomical tides (produced
by the moon and sun) up to 2026 are all
in the next 12 months starting with one on
September 10, 2014, and then February
20/21, 2015, March 21/22, 2015, August
31, 2015, and September 29, 2015, and then
2019 and 2024.
But the ordinary tide on any day is worth
seeing.
Only storm surge tides, like that of January
3 this year, or the famous storm surges of
1607, 1703, 1883 (commemorated on a
plaque at Chepstow) and 1981 plus a few
others, will exceed the height of the highest
astronomical tides and nowhere else in the
world will you be able to see these high tides
as clearly and as closely as at Chepstow in
Monmouthshire.
Main image: Baie de St Michel
Below left: The old bridge in Chepstow with
the tide out
Below: The Boat Inn, Chepstow
Top right: The old bridge in Chepstow with
the tide in
Bottom right: The Bay of Fundy
34
EAT
MONM OUT HSHIRE
7 pages of recipes
and news from
around the county
A new food festival is being
staged in Monmouthshire on
October 11 and 12.
The Monmouthshire Food
Festival, which will host a
programme of cookery
demonstrations, childrens
workshops, master classes,
food producers and tutored
tastings, is being held at
Caldicot Castle.
The organisers have lined
up 15 chefs from the Catering
Platoon of 1st Battalion The
Ries (1 RIFLES) to take part
in the festival. The battalion is
based in Beachley Barracks,
Chepstow and is part of 160
(Wales) Brigade.
During the festival visitors
will be able to see live shows,
including plenty of suggestions
for busy working parents
to conjure up nutritionally-
balanced meals which wont
break the bank.
The chefs will work from
an Operation Field Kitchen as
they would when deployed on
exercise or operations, using
military rations supplemented
with local produce.
The chefs will also be able
to answer all your catering
questions and perhaps dispel a
few myths.
There will be food
producers from across
Monmouthshire and
neighbouring counties together
with the nest producers from
across Wales with a wide range
of produce.
W
ildlife presenter Kate Humble
has opened a new cafe and
shop selling artisan and local produce
from in and around South Wales
at her farm, Humble by Nature.
The shop was opened by pupils of
Trellech Primary school who entered
a competition to create a cake recipe
which will then be sold in the cafe.
Set in the glorious Monmouthshire
countryside, the cafe and shop is a
new departure for Kate, who has
until now been running specialised
courses in animal husbandry, rural
skills, and cookery.
They host exclusive supper clubs
and also have a suite of luxury self-
catering accommodation available
for visitors to stay in. Since opening
in 2012 the farm has attracted
hundreds of visitors to the local area
and grown the number of different
courses offered to more than 30.
The new shop will be brimming
with produce from local producers
from across South Wales and the
West, serving only the most local and
fresh ingredients including food from
the farm itself.
The farm, which rears and sells
its own meat and eggs, recently
launched a ground-breaking
Aquaponics solar greenhouse and
has cultivated an edible garden
which will provide fresh herbs, fruit
and vegetables.
Kate said: It seems odd to say it,
but this is the rst time we will be
open to the general public. The past
two years we have been running
courses for people who come to
the farm to learn a new skill such as
shearing, cooking and small holding
courses. We havent had an open
door policy. The shop and cafe is
the next natural step for us to take.
Not only will we provide a showcase
for some wonderful producers in
and around Monmouthshire but we
will give visitors the opportunity to
sit back and relax in the beautiful
surroundings.
Mrs Christo, Head Teacher
of Trellech Primary said: When
Humble by Nature asked us to be
involved in the launch we were
delighted. Its great to see the farm
expanding and offering more for
the local area, as well as offering a
showcase shop for some wonderful
local producers. The children have
loved creating a recipe for the
cafe and we cant wait to taste the
winning cake!
The winning cake was created by
Layla Rollings from year ve,who
created a chocolate, honey & lemon
beehive cake.
Kate said: The children came
up with such fantastic creative ideas
that we decided to sell not only the
rst place cake, but also the second
and third places during the summer
holidays.
Second and third places were
won by Lenny Kilner with his sticky
chocolate cake, egg and dairy free
and Ella Mae de St Croix with her
Humble Jumble Cake.
The new cafe and shop will initially
be open three days a week on a
Friday, Saturday and Sunday from
10 4pm.
Visit www.humblebynature.com
for further details.
T
he Inn at Penallt has been
awarded its second AA rosette
just over fours years after being
saved from closure.
Since re-opening in April 2010,
owners Jackie and Andrew Murphy
and head chef Peter Hulsmann have
built up a reputation for the warmth
and friendliness of their service and
excellent food, along the way they
were named AA pub of the year for
Wales 2012/13, appeared in the
latest Relish Wales cook book and
are recommended in both The 2014
Michelin Guide to Eating Out and
Hardens Restaurant Guide.
Owner Andrew said: The
recognition and our second rosette
is fantastic and a great testament to
Peter, Lyall and Dan in the kitchen
and the lengths they go to to prepare
and serve our food, from smoking
their own duck and salmon to baking
all our bread daily and even churning
our own butter. But the most
satisfying part has been our wonderful
customers who regularly visit, we are
after all rather tucked away.
We have some fantastic
restaurants and pubs in the county so
the competition is great.
For us, we aim to balance the
warmth and friendliness of a local
pub with the standards of service
and quality of food found in quality
restaurants. Whether guests are
visiting for a special occasion, a family
gathering or a glass of wine and a pint
we appreciate they have chosen to
come to The Inn and work very hard
to make sure the time spent with us is
thoroughly enjoyable.
NEW FOOD
FESITVAL
ON MENU
KATE HUMBLE LAUNCHES SHOP AND CAFE ON FARM
WITH THE HELP OF TRELLECH PRIMARY SCHOOL
Second rosete for popular village inn
The team at The Inn at Penallt
35
EAT
MONM OUT HSHIRE 7 pages of recipes
and news from
around the county
1. Rosalie tea cup and saucer.
10. www.oliverbonas.com
2. Cast iron tea pot. 34.
www.exoticteapot.co.uk
3. Cup and saucer. 12.95.
www.lovefromrosie.co.uk
4. Tea spoon. 9.95.
www.dreamfarm.com
5. Tea towel. 9.95.
www.hintonshome.com
6. Tea set. 125.
www.darwinshome.com
Time
for tea?
Chefsprofile
Dimitri has had a wealth
of experience before
joining the Beaufort Arms
acheiving his formal
qualications in the Vale of
Glamorgan and progressing
from a family business to the
Coed y Mwstwr hotel, and
then to full responsibility for
all restaurant operations at
the Heronston, Bridgend.
He sees the future of dining
out moving to a more
informal atmosphere and is
looking to produce dishes to
please the individual guest,
not the faceless number.
The Beaufort Arms
owners, Eliot and Jana, are
delighted to welcome him as
head chef.
The next few months will
see him expanding the a la
carte offering both in the
evening and party menus,
while giving full attention
to the ever-popular classic
casual eating offering.
The coming season will
see food and music events
held in The Beauforts
ballroom on a more regular
basis.
How long have you been
a chef and where did you
train?
Ive been in the trade since
I was 12 when I worked
in an ice cream parlour in
Swansea making icer cream,
cooking and serving food. I
had my rst chefs training
under Ramnik Ramjy who
trained and disciplined
me and fed the passion to
progress.
Why did you decide to
follow this career path?
I decided to follow my
father. We still talk about
food and different cooking
techniques. Its nice to have
a career that I love and still
get excited about as the
seasons change.
What makes your
restaurant different from
others in the area?
It upholds all the traditions
of a well-run, traditional
coaching inn while at the
same time being alert to
the trends of the modern
menu and presenting quality
food in a relaxed, informal
atmosphere.
Who is your foodie hero?
When I was younger it
was MP White. His books
inspired me but as I got
older it has to be Philip
Howard at The Square, who
has changed food as we
know it.
What do you think about
the way food, restaurants
and chefs are becoming it
in popular culture?
Its great for top chefs to do
cooking programmes and
we all learn new things from
them. But as a youngster
in college or new to classic
cookery, they forget you
need time and it takes ages
to become procient. You
need seven years at least
before becoming a top chef.
Why is Monmouthshire
such a great place for food?
Because in this area there
are chefs who appreciate the
range of fresh ingredients
on offer and know that
we dont need to do much
to the food, too keep it
seasonal, cook it well and
serve it.
Dimitri Bayliss
The Beaufort Arms Coaching
Inn and Brasserie, Raglan
4
2
5
1
3
6
36
T
he Chepstow shop, which is located within Newhall
Farm Shop, offers excellent service, a fine selection
of locally-reared fresh meats, alongside a wide range
of pies, burgers, sausages and other products.
Managed by Peter Powell, owner Neil Powells son,
the shop offers unrivalled quality and has an outstanding
reputation.
All meats are sourced locally. The beef sold in store
is naturally-reared in the beautiful Herefordshire and
Monmouthshire countryside, and sourced from trusted
local farms including the familys own farm.
It goes without saying that the locally-reared lamb sold
in the store is some of the best thats available anywhere
in the world, while the free-range birds and pigs, sourced
from the best local farms, offer an excellent choice of well-
bred meats.
The quality of every joint of meat makes it perfect for
slow roasting and braising, so whether youre looking to
slow-roast a mouth-wateringly delicious barbeque pork
shoulder or to add diced pieces to a casserole or stew,
youll find the perfect ingredients on offer.

Quality, traceability and excellence
A family-run business since 1814,
HJ Edwards is renowned for offering
a fine selection of locally-sourced,
traceable, quality produce...
37
Abergavenny: 01873 853110
Chepstow: 01291 629018
Hereford: 01432 277557
Ross on Wye: 01989 764296
Ewyas Harold: 01981 240000
For all of your locally-produced meat call to pre-order from
Neil Powell or HJ Edwards and the order will be prepared
ready for collection.
Newhall Farm Shop
Pwllymeric, Chepstow
01291 626035
HJ Edwards hints and tips for slow-
cooked meats for flavoursome pot roasts,
casseroles and stews
1. Remove meat from packaging and leave to
bloom at room temperature for at least 20
minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 140c 160c. Heat
your oven proof pan or casserole dish on
the hob. Add your oil and seal your joint or
diced pieces until nicely browned.
Chefs tip Coat the diced meat in flour to
make a thicker sauce.
3. Remove the meat from the pan, add your
vegetables and sweat them off.
4. Return the meat to the pan, add your
stock/wine and herbs and spices. The
volume of liquid added should cover half of
the meat.
5. Bring to the boil to deglaze the pan this
really helps to bring out all of the flavours.
6. Put the lid on and place in the oven.
7. Serve with potatoes, celeriac and
vegetables of your choice, for the perfect
hearty, healthy and flavoursome dish.
The best cuts to use
Beef Silverside, brisket, rib roast, sliced
and diced chuck steak, stewing beef, skirt
Lamb Neck, neck fillet, shoulder, lamb
shank, diced lamb, breast
Pork Shoulder or spare rib, leg, diced
Poultry Leg
38
Lets eat
EAT
MONM OUT HSHIRE


St Pierre, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club, near
Chepstow, is preparing to launch a new menu at its
award-winning AA Rosette restaurant, Morgans. Talented
executive chef Darren Pryer, who has worked at the
hotel for almost a year, has been busy transforming the
menu to give diners an even better culinary experience.
With a bigger focus on the nest locally-sourced
produce, and a menu brimming with seasonal favourites,
a meal within Morgans elegant oak-panelled walls will
take you on an exciting culinary journey. A traditional
carvery lunch can also be enjoyed every Sunday. For
enquiries/reservations, please call 01291 625261.
INGREDIENTS1
1 kilo salmon fillets skin
on
1 kilo salt
1 kilo sugar
1 kilo beetroot
250g crme fraiche
8 limes
Micro herbs
METHOD
Trim all excess fat from
salmon sides
Mix together all salt
and sugar
Place salmon fillets in a
tray and cover completely
with the salt and sugar
mixture
Leave to marinate for
36 hours pressed under
another heavy tray
On completion wash
thoroughly of all salt and
dry well
To serve slice as thinly
as possible in the style of
carpaccio
Four good slices of
salmon per person.
Garnish with crme
fraiche and half a lime and
beetroot and micro herbs
Serve
MARINATED
SALMON
SUPPORTING OUR
FOOD PRODUCERS
T
his autumn has been
one of the earliest I can
remember even in August
blackberries have been
adorning the hedgerows and
cherry plums glisten on high
branches.
The Glorious Twelfth
gave us permission to enjoy
game once more yet the
days are warm and the sun
(when seen) is glorious.
The tomatoes are ready
to be picked, their smooth
skins bursting with avour,
the pungent aroma of
the leaves and stalks, the
essence of Britain.
I enjoy making a very
simple salad of sliced
tomatoes, young green
tipped onions and peppery
radish, a dressing of olive oil
and tarragon vinegar adds
a moreish tartness which
compliments the inherent
sweetness of the tomato.
A few slices of thick
cut, cider braised ham and
some warm bread makes a
splendid lunch.
Why not follow with a
clafoutis of cherry plums.
Originating in central France
and more commonly
associated with cherries,
clafoutis is a thick battery
cake which envelopes
the fruit with a sturdy yet
delicate texture its ideal
for picnics as it slices well and
doesnt fall apart.
Yesterday I noticed one
lonely pear on our young
tree, others have succomed
to the weather although
I do love the resilience of
orchard fruit trees. Our
apples fruit every other
year so no chutney this
year to replenish the store
cupboard. But the wild
riverside trees show far
more promise.
Autumn is a foragers
dream. Why not pick up
a book and investigate
(although do make sure
that you know exactly what
youre picking as some
wild foods are extremely
poisonous).
Foraging turns an autumn
family walk into a real treat
especially if you enjoy, for
supper, the good things
which you have picked. Also
keep an eye out for local
game fairs, country fairs
and, of course, the famous
Abergavenny Food Festival
all of which ease us into
autumn in an exceptionally
avourful way.
In season: pear, partrige,
oysters, damsons, sloes, wild
duck, venison
Why not dine at: The
Whole Earth Cafe Bistro,
Swan Court, Monmouth -
cafe by day and stunning
Thai restaurant by night
(weekend evenings only).
An excellent pit stop for
a spot of lunch serving
traditional cafe style food,
however come Friday
night and a touch of the
exotic comes to town. A
fresh and well composed
menu comprising classic
dishes such as Pad Thai and
the famous Thai curries,
anked by delicious sides
and starters which are
also available to takeaway.
01600 715555
Why not try: The
Untapped Brewing
Companys excellent range
of real ales, all produced at
their Raglan based micro-
brewery, and available in
many local pubs and farmers
markets, as well as online.
Brews such as Sundown
golden ale (perfect for
late summer), Eclipse (a
devilishly dark ale full of
malty bitterness) or the
potent Crystal wicked wheat
beer (at six per cent) allow
for all tastes and display
a passion for beer which
is very welcome in this,
most foodie, of counties.
Tel. 07988 199 794 (ww.
untappedbrew.com)
Why not visit: The Humble
by Nature Farm Shop and
Cafe, Penallt. Newly opened
and lled with a tantalising
array of products, Team
Humble are certainly
making their mark. In
addition to the traditonal
courses in everything from
hedge-laying to baking
and even Pig Keeping, the
farm shop and cafe (open
Thursday to Sunday) offers
a glimpse of the good
life, a model farm for the
twenty rst century, a Petit
Trianonesque experience
where eld to fork is a
message hard hammered
home. Why not drop by
a for a slice of homemade
cake and a pot of tea, and be
sure to keep an eye out for
special foodie evenings and
pop up dining experiences.
(www.humblebynature.
com).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
By Hannah Freeman
39
Lets eat
INGREDIENTS
20 digestive biscuits
100g unsalted butter
3kg full fat cheese
10 tblsp plain flour
850g caster sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
10 large eggs
5 yolks
600g sour cream
200g raisin
4 shots rum
METHOD
Crush biscuits and
add melted butter
and line tins
Electric whisk the
cheese, flour, vanilla,
eggs and cream
Add raisins that have
been soaked in rum
Fill tin threequarters
full
Bake at 160 for 55
minutes
INGREDIENTS
8oz sirloin steak
1 x 5 hand cut chips
1 x Portabella mushroom
3 x onion rings
1 x Barnaise sauce
1 x steak butter
1 x portion of dressed watercress
METHOD
Prep the hand cut chips by
peeling , trimming and portioning
up the jacket for the hand cut chips
Ahead of service make the
Barnaise sauce to the classic recipe
Prepare the batter ahead of
service
for the onion rings
When required, cook the steak
to the required temperature and
ensure all the garnishes needed are
ready
Serve on the steak board with
small dish of Barnaise sauce
8OZ
SIRLOIN
STEAK
RUM &
RAISIN
CHEESECAKE
42
Real Life
WEDDING
L
yndon Clarke, from Tongwynlais,
and Beth (nee Morgan) from
Abergavenny, met at a dance event at
Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff. Beth has Cystic
Fibrosis and attend the All Wales Adult
Cystic Fibrosis Centre at Llandough
Hospital regularly. In between planning
the wedding they fundraised for the
centre as it desperately needs a new
specialist ward.
MCL: Did you always know what
kind of wedding you wanted?
Beth: From the onset ideas came easily
and details came naturally. I am a creative
designer for Love Hut Design, so I designed
and made our table planner, place names,
table names and tea towel wedding invites,
all of which had a personal touch.
MCL meets Lyndon
and Beth Clarke to
nd out all about
their Abergavenny
wedding...
Pictures: Maria Farrelly. www.mariafarrelly.com
43
Real Life
WEDDING
MCL: Where did you have the ceremony
and why did you choose that location?
Beth: St Marys Priory Church,
Abergavenny. My parents got married
at the same church and as we had 160
guests we knew it was the perfect place
to hold them.
MCL: How did it go?
Beth: I was a little nervous before
entering the church but when I saw all
the people that we knew and loved those
nerves soon lifted. During the ceremony
we had the added surprises of my
auntie Angela Davies reading an Apache
wedding blessing and my auntie Jill Teear
singing Ave Maria. The Reverend Mark
Soady also made us feel at ease and
added a little humour to the ceremony,
very us.
MCL: Where did you have the reception
and why did you choose that location?
Beth: Abergavenny Castle grounds.
Its a beautiful location and the views of
the mountains are incredible. We knew
that not many weddings had been held
there before. We wanted something a
bit different and you could say we were
a wedding experiment. Rachel Rogers
(curator of Abergavenny Museum and
Castle) tells us that more weddings will
now be held there knowing that ours was
such a success.
We actually had two receptions and
the evening one was held at The Angel
Hotel, Abergavenny. Its a stones throw
away from the castle so we walked to the
evening venue with many of the guests
comically carrying the oral centre pieces
from the marquee.
MCL: How did it go?
Beth: Simply perfect. MCL: Did you have a theme for the wedding,
if so what?
Beth: We didnt have a theme as such but looking
back on it, it was very much a spring-like country
wedding. We added some quirkiness too. Lyndon is
a lab technician for an opticians, so we had sunglasses
as our favours with a tag which read protect your
eyes, our love is blinding. Cheesy? Yes but fun, and
actually the sun shone all day so they were worn!
MCL: Where did you get the dress, cars, cake,
bridesmaids outts, grooms outt, video,
photography, owers, menswear from?
Beth: I designed my own dress but unfortunately I
wasnt talented enough to make it myself. Rhiannon
J Ltd, of Cardiff, took my original drawing and made
the dress of my dreams. It was Rhiannon herself who
made the dress and my mum and I loved our visits to
her at each stage of the dress being made.
My dad surprised me on the day and drove me
to the church in a vintage Morgan sports car, which
had been kindly loaned to him. He wanted me to go
to the church as a Morgan and leave as a Clarke. So
I left the church in a different car, Lyndon hired our
car from Henrietta Hire, Pontypool.
My mum made the cake. There was never any
question about that, shes extremely talented and
has made my cakes for every occasion over the past
33 years. It was a work of art!
Bridesmaid dresses from Absolutly Fabulous in
Llandaff, Cardiff.
Lyndon had a Lambretta suit, giving him the mod
edge.
Photography by Maria Farrelly. Id been following
her bridal blog Cwtch The Bride and knew it had to
be her, her work is stunning. Having her photograph
the day was one of the best decisions we made.
She made it incredibly easy and captured the day
perfectly.
The owers were from Hilarys Floral Design,
Abergavenny, and Charlotte Cooke was solely
in charge of those. Charlotte made the process
very easy in the end and the owers were striking.
Family and friends gave them compliments all day.
MCL: What was the best bit of the day?
Beth: Such a hard question, all of it but if I had
to pick maybe the speeches. Its not everyday you
hear those heart felt words from some of those
closest to you.
MCL: And the worst?
Beth: There were none, although maybe some
guests will beg to differ when they see their
evening Photo Booth pictures (also provided by
Maria Farrelly) the Champagne had been owing
by then.
MCL: And what about the honeymoon?
Beth: We went to Cuba, spending three nights in
Havana and 11 nights in Varadero. We wanted a
once-in-a-lifetime holiday and we certainly had that.
The 50s vintage car trip was our highlight and the
sunset over Havana strip was magical.
MCL: Anything else about the day you think we
should know?
Beth: All our guests were fabulous and having
everyone you love and respect there to share your
big day is quite something. Among our fabulous
guests was Carole Davies. Carole has been by
my side throughout my adult struggle with Cystic
Fibrosis. She has recently retired from the All
Wales Cystic Fibrosis Centre as a CF specialist
nurse but her compassion and professionalism
has not gone unnoticed, She has recently been
awarded an MBE for her dedication to nursing. It
was an honour to have her there as a friend.
Cwtch The Bride, has been
shortlisted for the coveted Best
Wedding Blog award at this years
Cosmopolitan magazine blog
awards.
Cwtch The Bride, which was
created by Newport-based award-
winning photographer Maria
Farrelly, is the only Welsh blog in
the wedding category.
Maria Farrelly said: It started
as an organic project. I never
anticipated it would grow and evolve
as quickly as it has. To be shortlisted
for such a highly acclaimed award is
extremely exciting.
To vote for Cwtch The Bride to
win Best Wedding Blog, please log
on the Cosmopolitan website and
click to enter into the blog awards
section. Cwtch the Bride will be
found in section eight.
47
The little
touches
Its the litle things which
ofen make the big day even
more special
Cufinks.
22.99
www.ayedo.
co.uk
Champagne
glasses.
14.95. www.
scandinavian-
shop.co.uk
Cake bunting. 7.50.
www.gingerray.co.uk
Wedding
favour seed
packet. 1.50.
www.wild-
fower-
favours.
co.uk
Organic
paper fowers.
40.
www.sesames.
co.uk
Wedding
greeting cards
coming soon to
www.katie
lovespeppa.
co.uk
Photo booth props. 7.50.
www.gingerray.co.uk
51 51
Q
ueen Elizabeths Hospital
is a thriving and forward
looking independent
school of 670 boys aged seven
to 18 which has enjoyed more
than 420 years of educating boys
in Bristol. Situated in the heart
of Clifton, it is only about half-
an-hour by car or bus from the
Chepstow area.
Mr Stephen Holliday,
Headmaster of QEH Seniors,
says: Year on year QEH is one
of the top schools locally and
nationally for exam results. This
is particularly encouraging when
so much research points to boys
underachieving compared with
girls. Boys at QEH certainly dont
underachieve!
That does not mean boys cant
meet and enjoy the company of
girls. There are plenty of events
drama, music, social and team
building organised with local
girls schools including nearby
Badminton.
Mr Martin Morris, Headmaster
of QEH Juniors, adds: The focus
is on the individual, fostering a
love of learning while furthering
the interests and talents of each
boy. We enjoy developing the
good links between the Senior
and Junior Schools at QEH.
Pastoral care is a high priority
and contributes strongly to the
ethos and character of the school
(inspection report). Having only
670 boys, in small classes, there
is time to care for individuals.
Above all, the boys are stretched
but not stressed.
With a flourishing 100-strong
Junior School for ages seven to
11, a Sixth Form Centre and
refurbished science facilities,
sports grounds at Failand (in
partnership with Bristol City
Football Club) and big plans for
the future, there has never been a
better time to be a pupil at QEH.
QEH SENIOR
SCHOOL OPEN
MORNING
Saturday October 4,
2014
JUNIOR SCHOOL
OPEN MORNINGS
Friday October 10 &
Saturday October 11,
2014
SIXTH FORM
OPEN EVENING
Monday October 13,
2014 (by appointment)
Contact our Admissions
Registrar on 0117 930 3068 or
visit www.qehbristol.co.uk.
Boys at QEH
certainly dont
underachieve
the heads of QeH and badminton School invite
you to enjoy refreshments at the Chepstow Council
Chamber, Chepstow, 6.30-8pm on Wednesday
September 17, 2014. Find out more about our direct
minibus service between Chepstow and bristol.
A world-class
education in the
heart of Bristol
W
e are enormously proud
of our heritage and
traditions, but are certainly
not constrained by them.
The size of the campus and
community gives a homely and
vibrant feel to the school. This,
coupled with our excellent
pastoral care, leaves no scope
for anonymity, but rather
lends itself to strong mutually
supportive relationships
between girls as well as
between girls and staff.
While the school retains
a nationally-outstanding
academic record, its focus
continues to be on nurturing
the girls natural curiosity
and fuelling their passion
for learning. Therefore, we
select girls on their personal
strengths and all round ability,
as well as their academic
potential.
It is a characteristic of
Badminton girls that they are
thoughtful individuals, able
to evaluate information and
decide for themselves. This
approach extends beyond
their studies and into the day
to day life of the school, where
girls are given a wide range of
opportunities to grow, develop
and express themselves in an
enormous range of activities.
The Badminton community
gives girls a chance to develop
an understanding of the
viewpoints of others and to
think about contributing to the
world around them. Girls leave
Badminton ready to face the
changing and challenging wider
world and, when they do,
they take with them a strong
network of lifelong friends
developed through a wealth of
shared experiences.
The best way to
understand the school and
to enjoy its atmosphere is
to come and visit. Please do
get in touch and we will look
forward to welcoming you and
your daughter.
BADMINTON
SCHOOL
OPEN EVENING
Tuesday October 7,
2014
OPEN MORNING
Wednesday October
8, 2014
OPEN MORNING
Monday May 4,
2015
Contact our Admissions
Department on 0117 905
5271 for more information or
visit www.badmintonschool.
co.uk
badminton is a thriving day and boarding
school for girls aged three to 18, which has
remained at the forefront of girls education for
well over 150 years.
52
W
hatever you do, dont do what I did
when trying to experience the glory
and grandeur of the Brecon Beacons
national park by water for a weekend break.
Do not try to rush.
Do not have a dinner date with long lost
friends at Talybont on the Saturday evening.
Especially when you have lost half a day trying
to reduce your luggage to t neatly into the
connes of the most incredibly well-appointed
canal narrow boat I have ever seen. Throw away
anything apart from the vaguest outline of a
strict agenda, and happily collapse into life in the
slow lane.
After all, there are not many modes of
transport where walkers easily stroll past and
are soon dust in the distance. But canals, once
a leading transport technology in the cavalry
charge of the industrial revolution, are able to
tick that notable achievement.
It is often surprising what treasures lie
undiscovered on your doorstep. The 36-mile
navigable treasure that I am talking about is
the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. You
may have glimpsed at it as it stretches from
Pontymoile in the south up to its terminus in
Brecon, but you need to open up the box to
nd out what little gems are glittering inside.
When it comes to holidays of most sorts,
the enjoyment levels are often dictated by rst
impressions.
Luckily Beacon Park Boats at Llanfoist Wharf
leave nothing to chance when it comes to rst
impressions.
It is minutes away from the workaday bustle
of Abergavenny and the Heads of the Valleys
road to Llanfoist, but it could be a world away.
From the moment you take the narrow Kiln
Road, you feel like the years are being peeled
back to a far away idyll.
Once through the Beacon Park gates, it is
like you have arrived into a secret world. A
picturesque bridge over the canal, past the old
wharf managers house, park the car, and then
down to the wharf, where a peacock struts
jauntily, and the 56ft narrowboat Heron in its
British Racing Green livery awaits for me, my
wife, my 14-year-old daughter, along with our
Jack Russel Toto, to sort ourselves out and get
aboard.
This is easier said than done, as the girls of
our party, tend to overpack including the dog.
The ensuing repacking, and general dithering
meant we only managed to set out from
Llanfoist Wharf at 7pm probably in the region
of a good three hours later than scheduled.
Beacon Park Boats is an extraordinary canal
boat company. Roughing it aoat is not the
vision Alasdair and Sarah Kirkpatrick have for
their customers. The husband and wife team
behind Beacon Park have built a eet of canal
craft that they would like to use themselves.
Building one boat a year, from designing and
ordering the steel hull, to tting it out to an
impressively high spec. Each boat is different,
and each has some sort of crazily idiosyncrasy
like a four poster bed, or a hot tub, or a full
bath. Heron was bordering normal with just a
serious bathroom with enough mirror bling to
satisfy any teenage girl with a make-up addiction.
One of the most comforting things about
taking on the boat was Alasdair. As a mechanical
engineer, he has the air of most of his calling as
problem solving solution provider. Both he and
Sarah had a background of messing about in
boats on the East Anglian coast, and that led to
acquiring the business of a house and a eet of
10 boats at Llanfoist in January 2001.
Two boats were good and the rest were
pretty grim, Alasdair recalls. But it was
apparent that we would have to build ourselves
out of the problem.
I dont like the word luxury, protests
Sarah, who is far too practical for that label,
but what we do is give people a boat that we
would like to have a holiday on ourselves.
I have spent half my life dashing between
Abergavenny and Talybont-on-Usk our
planned route schedule for the three day break
and it takes 30 minutes on a slow day in a
Will loram takes to a narrow boat for a bit of rest and relaxation...
MESSING ABOUT
ON THE CANAL
The Loram family, plus their
dog Toto, enjoy a relaxing few
days on the Monmouthshire
and Brecon Canal
53
car. This was different, oh so very differently
slower.
One of the nice parts of the trip was the
way in which from the moment you stepped on
board and put your hand authoritatively on the
tiller, you are immediately part of a community
of canal users from dog walkers, to cyclists,
shermen, ramblers and runners.
On top of that you have the scenery. We
have obviously been spoilt now for all future
canal trips, as the vaulted avenues of mature
deciduous trees which line the water banks,
as the Mon & Brec follows the contours of the
hills, allowing breath-taking glimpses of the
Sugarloaf and Tabletop mountains, and the
River Usk below, makes sure you are sailing
along in a bubble of bucolic bliss.
This is ironic, considering the purposes of
the canal as a commercial enterprise. It was
to enable the fast(er) transport of agricultural
goods from the Brecon end, and iron and coal
from the likes of Blaenafon, down to Newport
and the sea.
But who cares for the bustling past, because
now you can luxuriate in the peaceful present,
and enjoy the abundance of wildlife. Swans
glide idly by, families of mallards race up in
your wake in the hope of thrown bread, and in
the early morning light of the Monday, racing
to return the boat before the 9am deadline, I
spotted on the towpath a covey of partridge
bustling along like London commuters racing
for the Tube.
Having frittered travelling time away on
the Friday, we needed to make up time on
Saturday, and put the foot down if we were
going to make Talybont and that reunion dinner
by eight oclock in the evening.
With the guide to the Mon & Brec open at
the cockpit, we braced ourselves and trundled
forward at a speed mainly dictated by reducing
the engine noise to a below intrusive level.
This made it easy for Toto, our dog, to take
convenient walks and loo stops at the bridges,
where the clearance on the narrow boat
became very narrow.
Steering the boat can seem a little like
steering a supertanker on manual controls,
but once you get used to it, and remember to
take avoiding action well in advance, then it
becomes something that anyone can do. Some
of the bridges may appear quite dauntingly
low, or awkward to get the right approach
angle, but taking it slowly and using the
bow thrusters if it all went horribly wrong it
is a totally relaxing experience, where you
just become enveloped in the rhythm of the
waterway.
This did not help getting to the dinner date,
which went west when we only managed to
reach Llangynidr by 8pm. In itself, that was not
a bad thing. It is a nice village, with a pretty
bridge over the River Usk. More importantly, it
had a good pub with a reputation for food.
The problem was that we had not
experienced the thrill and excitement of locks.
Or the Ashford tunnel, where the boatmen of
the industrial age relying on the pre-mechanical
horse power had to walk the boats its 343m
length lying on their backs. So we slept on the
problem, and in the morning left, brave, rash,
and probably stupid, so decided to make the
dash for Talybont and the tunnel.
The rule of thumb estimate for how long it
takes to get through a lock we were told is half
an hour. We tortoise-trashed that guideline
with the ve locks we had to negotiate up
stream. Despite playing the DVD of how
to operate, and reading the instructions, it
appears that the girl team Loram managed to
get it not quite right. It didnt matter. It was a
lovely sunny day, there were plenty of people
on hand to tell us how it should be done in the
friendliest way, and we were enjoying it. What
was the problem?
At last we made it to Ashford tunnel,
which had been blasted through the hill, and
we pooped our horn joyfully in the bright
sunshine, and turned on our light to let any
other craft know we were hogging the tunnel.
We felt like the Famous Five on an adventure. Then
as we were nearly out, I realised the rather grey
curtain I was looking at was rain. A clatter for the
companionway, as Leila and Rehana disappeared
and closed the doors, tossing me my hat as an
afterthought. But it was only a shower, and we
were soon turning around in the sun. And sedately
chugging downstream, conquering the tunnel
and locks again, and back in time at Llanfoist next
morning by rising at cock crow.
But next time we visit Beacon Park, to avoid the
rush, I think we will hire either electric launches or
perhaps Canadian canoes and go picnicking. Cuts
out on the packing.
The Loram family were let loose on a
Beacon Park Boats luxury narrowboat for a
weekend break. For more information on this
wonderful experience contact the at Llanfoist
telephone 01873 858277 email enquiries@
beaconparkboats.com or visit the website www.
beaconparkboats.com
54
Countycomps
Win a meal for two
at Restaurant 1861
Simon king, chef/proprietor at Restaurant
1861 in Cross Ash, near Abergavenny, says
that duck is one of his favourites now that
autumn approaches...
S
imon, who trained with the
Roux brothers at their famous
three-Michelin star restaurant
in Bray, The Waterside Inn,
says that the richness of duck
combines well with the sharpness
of citrus fruits.
Duck is perfect now that
the evenings are drawing in. Its
luscious flavour is comforting and
it goes well with autumn fruits as
well as lighter citrus flavours.
Duck legs are great to
use as they are much cheaper
than breast meat, and are still
brimming with flavour.
Look out for Simon when he
features in Taste of Britain on
BBC1 this autumn.
MCL has teamed up with
Restaurant 1861 to offer one
lucky reader the chance to win a
meal for two at restaurant 1861,
exploring the delights of Simons
wonderful cooking.
To be in with a chance of
winning this fabulous prize, just
tell us which three-Michelin star
restaurant Simon King trained
at.
Send your answer, along
with your name, address and
phone number to MCL/1861
competition, Monmouthshire
County Life, Cardiff Road,
Maesglas, Newport NP20 3QN.
Closing date is October 10,
2014. The winner will be notified
and usual Newsquest rules apply.
Prize must be taken Monday-
Thursday.
www.18-61.co.uk
bAllOtine OF DUCk, CitRUS SAUCe
4 duck legs 100g minced duck 100g minced pork
2 oranges 2 lemons 1 lime 100mls Double cream
2 eggs beaten 50g dried bread crumbs 200mls duck stock
Pinch of salt and pepper
Grate the zest from the citrus
fruits, and mix into the minced
pork and duck. Add the eggs
and mix thoroughly. Beat
in the cream, seasoning and
breadcrumbs, until the mix
is all combined to make the
forcemeat. Remove the thigh
bones from the duck legs and
trim away any excess fat or
sinews.
Open out the duck legs and
fill the cavity where the thigh
bone was with the forcemeat.
Fold the flesh around to reform
the leg. Place in a deep baking
tray with the juice from the
fruit and the duck stock. Cover
with a lid or foil and bake in the
oven at 140oc or gas mark 4
for 1.5 to 2 hours.
Drain off the cooking juices
in to a saucepan and reduce
over a high heat until reduced
by half. Serve with a selection
of seasonal vegetables.
M
CL editor, Jo Barnes, is
delighted so many took the
time to nominate people
for The Mons.
She said: It was interesting
to see the sort of people and
businesses which have been
nominated and the reasons
why. They all underline why
Monmouthshire is such a vibrant
place to live and work.
The idea behind The Mons is
simple we have some fantastic
people and businesses out there
in Monmouthshire who are often
unsung.
They do great things from
organising festivals to running niche
businesses or from helping others
to creating wonderful artworks.
We arent looking at those who
are good at blowing their own
trumpets, we are looking at the
unsung heroes of Monmouthshire
who work behind the scenes to
attract visitors, promote the area
and generally make it such a lovely
place.
We have had the difcult
task of sifting through the list of
very worthy nominees and will
announce the lucky recipients of
the inaugural awards at a special
event in September, which will
also be our ofcial celebration of
the 10th year of Monmouthshire
County Life a magazine which is
dedicated to all thats great about
the county.
The invitation-only event is
on September 11 at Marriott St
Pierre, in Chepstow.
Talented young potter
Kristian Vaughan-Adkins has been
commissioned with creating the
new awards. We decided they
should be something unique, made
in the county, and should also
showcase up-and-coming talent.
Kristian grew up in
Shirenewton. He attended
Chepstow School before
studying foundation art at Cardiff
Metropolitan University, where
he discovered his passion for
ceramics.
Kristian said: After starting my
ceramics degree I discovered the
potters wheel and absolutely fell
in love. I have focused on throwing
ever since. Since leaving university
and coming to live in Tintern, I
have been setting up a studio in my
shed and taking on commissions
with a view to getting a bigger and
better studio to better produce my
own work.
Pictures from the event, along
with the names of the winners, will
be published in the next edition of
the MCL.
2014
THE
mons
Our new awards for monmouthshire, the
mons, are gathering pace with nominations
fooding in for possible winners from all over
the county, and from all walks of life.
Prototype of our new awards created for us by potter Kristian Vaughan-Adkins.
The nal version will be unveiled on September 11
55
County travel
W
e had to take the car to London as
it was to be used in a very specic
way lugging gear from middle sons
shared house in one part of North London to a
new apartment in another part of the city.
And even on a Sunday the trafc was a
nightmare.
No one in their right mind travels down the
M4 into the heart of the city by car when there
are so many other forms of transport to use to
get there and to travel on once there, do they?
Sadly yes.
Since shifting from the leafy-public-transport-
desert of Chepstow to London, middle son is so
adept at using the citys public transport that it
is simply a matter of hopping from tube to bus
to over ground train depending on which part
of the big smoke hes in at that time.
The two-trip move from Harringay
to Camden done, it was time to drive to
fashionable Bloomsbury, literally around
the corner from where physics student son
is studying at UCL, to book into our room
for the night at My Hotel Bloomsbury. The
contemporary 78-room hotel is in the heart of
the congestion zone which, thankfully, doesnt
operate on a weekend. However, we were
mindful to be up with the lark to move the car
before it kicks in at 7am on Monday.
We got a space right outside the smart hotel
overlooking a park and, after registering, were
whisked by lift up to our room on the third
oor.
Third son had come with us to London on
the condition there was a TV in the room to
watch the World Cup. The large wall-mounted
set in our spacious room meant that was
condition satised.
The room itself, complete with put-me-up-
bed for third son, and equipped with enormous
bed for us, was extremely comfortable. The
bathroom, with bath and shower combination,
and uffy towels, bathrobes and slippers,
was sparklingly clean and modern. The
complementary mini-bar was well stocked
with everything youd need for a night cap or
enjoying some late night World Cup football.
The hotel also boasts Bib-gourmand-winning
Gails Kitchen but as wed arrived, I couldnt
help but notice a rather friendly-looking Fullers
pub on the corner, The Jack Horner, and made
a mental note.
Uni son wanted us to try a Spanish
restaurant hed been to at Kings Cross. It was
a warm evening and so we decided to walk.
We were perspiring when after our longish
stroll we were told the place was fully booked
for the evening. Why dont we go to the pub I
suggested? So back we went.
The traditional London Pub may be seen by
some as a little old hat but when you want a
pint of Fullers London Pride and a solid, hearty
meal, surrounded by people from every corner
of the world, it just cant be beaten. The food
was great and the beer even better.
After a splendidly comfortable night and a
very healthy breakfast consisting in the main of
granola, we, now minus car driver who had to
return to South Wales, headed for the British
Library to catch the Comics Unmasked Art and
Anarchy in the UK exhibition. Suitably sated
with ideas for launching a comic strip, it was off
to Five Guys in Soho for possibly the best, and
certainly the most expensive, burger I have even
eaten.
A tube took us to Camden Town, to
immerse ourselves in the throbbing sub culture
of this trendy part of the city and buy a new
pair of Converse boots.
Then by over-ground to uber cool
Shoreditch to cruise the various retro stores
and buy a plaid shirt, which wouldnt have
looked out place in a Monmouthshire charity
shop with a 1.50 price tag but was considered
cool and commanded very much more from
the Brick Lane emporium even with 10 per cent
student discount.
A quick pizza in a Shoreditch art restaurant
and then off to Paddington, awash with
muddied pack laden Glastonbury Festival goers
wandering around looking for their trains,
to board our train back to Newport purse
considerably lighter but spirits refreshed and
invigorated by the experiences, sights and
sounds of one of the most enchanting and
exciting cities in the world.
the best burger in
london? Probably
Jo Barnes takes a trip to the Big Smoke...
Top and inset: My Hotel Bloomsbury
Above: Ollie and Matt contemplate which burger to have
at Five Guys
56
Taking it to D-Max...
Jo Barnes takes this beast of a machine for a bit of a spin...
S
ettling down behind the wheel in the
sumptuous leather seats of the special
edition double cab of the Isuzu D-Max
Blade, is quite an awesome experience.
The sheer kerb-side, head-turning size of
the sleek, yet rugged, pick up is the rst thing
that strikes you the next is the climb up into
the imposing vehicle.
Isuzu UK has boosted the attraction of
its award-winning range of pick ups with the,
excusive-to-the-UK D-Max Blade, hoping to
attract new customers to its burgeoning range
of powerful pick up.
Easy to drive and to get accustomed to,
the six-speed manual Blade is a t-for-purpose
workhorse which does the job but is also fully
loaded with renements.
From its thumping great 18-inch, six-spoke
Shadow alloy wheels to its colour-coded and
matching front grille, privacy glass windows,
black door and tailgate handles, roof bars
and rear bumper and heavy-duty side steps,
everything about the car says muscle. This is
further emphasised by the sheer weight of the
tailgate.
Described by the extremely helpful guy
who delivered my test vehicle as The Beast
my pristine Splash White D-Max there is
also a Cosmic Black version of this special
edition had all you could possibly need to
get noticed and also do the job in hand.
Not a farmer, construction site manager or
contractor I nevertheless did my best to put
the power pick up through its paces.
Despite its size and outward appearances
the D-Max is a delight to drive kitted out
with reversing camera, automatic climate
control and plush leather seats which cosset
the driver and occupants as it glides along the
motorway, rough country lane and even off
road on a forest track.
The ve-seater pick up, equipped with
powerful 2.5 litre twin turbo diesel engine
delivering an impressive 38.2 mpg (Isuzu
gures), cavernous lined trunk space with
black roller top cover, is aimed at attracting
those who may not have considered a vehicle
of this type in the past.
The stylish pick up may even persuade
those, and it has to be said, men, who have
pined for something similar but until now have
been struggling to persuade their other halves
Pictures: Dan Barnes
57
to let them take the plunge as
the ones they have suggested
have proved a touch too
utilitarian, cumbersome and
yes, uncomfortable.
Chic and modish, Isuzu
D-Max Blade designers have
clearly set out to address this
conundrum once and for all.
A winner for me and the
family was the DAB digital
radio and surround sound
with iPod connection. The
state of the art Pioneer
touch-screen navigation
system complete with the
rear safety camera was also
a hit.
Cruising in what is lavish
luxury along Monmouthshire
country lanes or in cocooned
comfort on the M4 to London,
road noises are at a minimum.
Even tackling the capital citys
nightmare trafc the D-Max
stands proud and condent,
its steering making it a doddle
when faced with executing, say,
a tricky manoeuvre in the road
after taking a wrong turning
the sat nav was not in use at
the time in a dead end street.
And be warned. The pick
up, for some reason not
fully explained by a clearly
embarrassed toll booth
attendant or by an examination
of the Severn Tolls website,
commands a wallet stretching
12.80 toll fee when crossing
back into Wales over the
Severn Bridge.
If I were to have one
of these I would opt for
the Aeroklas hard top cab
opposed to the Mountain
Top roller cover to give even
more space for bikes and
clutter and for returning to
university sons clobber. Id
also like to have front and
rear parking sensors the
pick up is a really big and
long vehicle and takes up
more than one parking space.
I would also like to have
an array of cubby holes
and ceiling slots located
strategically around the cab
for my bits and pieces.
The Isuzu D-Max Blade,
which is aimed to appeal
to urban trades people as
well as recreational lifestyle
users, is a truly awesome
vehicle. It ticks boxes on
all levels from versatility,
functionality, comfort,
luxury and all-round
unabashed, head turning
boldness. Its sure to appeal
to those looking for a solid
and dependable workhorse
during the week which,
without much effort, is
transformed into a shining,
sleek and sure race horse
come the weekend.
The six-speed manual
Isuzu D-Max Blade special
edition, which features
more than 5,000 worth
of added equipment,
style enhancements and
technology upgrades over
the premium model, is
available for 24,995.
F
inding out how to take
up shing can be a bit
daunting sometimes when
you dont know the local
rules and regulations, but
there are plenty of sources
of information for you out
there.
Let me guide you through
a few.
Britain has a proud
tradition, for example, of
angling clubs, guardians of
local waters and knowledge,
and a great way of getting
to meet some new angling
friends.
Another great source
of information and advice is
your local shing tackle shop
which you can be sure will be
run by anglers who know the
area well and also what clubs
are available locally.
They can also check out
any shing tackle you have
and help pick out anything
else you might need.
Then there are the
professional shing guides
and charter boat skippers
who will take you under their
wing for a day and teach you
all you need to know about a
particular shing location and
species.
No matter whether you
enjoy sea shing, freshwater
shing or y shing, a great
way to nd any of the
above local to you or near
somewhere you would like
to visit is to use a website
called www.shinginfo.co.uk
from the Angling Trust,
which is the sports ofcial
representative body.
Wishing you
were shing?
By Paul Sharman
Rivers and the inhabitants of the
watery elements are made for wise men
to contemplate and for fools to pass by
without consideration. izaac Walton,
the Compleat Angler (1653).
Paul Sharman is the communications and marketing
manager of the Angling Trust, the sports ofcial
national representative body.
www.anglingtrust.net
He is also a freelance outdoor and shing consultant,
writer and photographer. See more of his work at
www.paulsharmanoutdoors.com or get in touch at
psoutdoors@gmail.com.
Bigwell y shery,
near Redbrook, is
located adjacent to
the River Wye and is
set in the heart of the
Wye Valley Area of
Outstanding Natural
Beauty.
The venue itself
comprises three main
pools and a nursery
pool, which are clear
spring and stream
water fed.
The shery is
stocked weekly with
2-3lb premium
trout maintaining a
very healthy head of
sh. Also stocked are
larger trout 6-12lbs,
as sporting sh to be
released.
59
Countybusiness
Steel rm set for Olympic work
Graham gets a
new challenge
Leading Wye Valley
and Forest of Dean
Law rm Gwyn
James, which has
ofces in Monmouth
and Coleford, has
announced two new
associates in the private
client and property
teams.
The role of
associate is an award
of recognition by the
partners to employees
who have made a
substantial contribution
to the rm. The new
associates are Rebecca
Wilkey (private client)
and Natasha Andrzejuk
(residential property),
both pictured left..
Jonathan Wilkey,
partner at Gwyn James,
said: The current
promotions we have
made coupled with our
recruitment plan reect
not only the ongoing
growth of the rm but
also the high calibre of
our legal team.
MABEY Bridge has been shortlisted
for the next stage in the Institution of
Mechanical Engineers Manufacturing
Excellence Awards in the categories of
People Effectiveness and Partnership
with Education.
The Chepstow-based company was
visited by MX expert assessors together
with David Davies MP for Monmouth.
During the day-long visit, assessors
commented that Mabey Bridge shone
and the factory was a joy to see, with
the presentation for People Effectiveness
described as stand out and rst class.
The assessors awarded Mabey
Bridge a score of 98 per cent and
the company will now make a nal
presentation in London in early
September before the awards are
decided and announced at a ceremony
on September 30.
Chris Droogan, CEO of Mabey
Bridge, said: These are prestigious
awards and we are delighted to have
been shortlisted. As a company we
recognise that our success is down
to the dedication and expertise of
the people who work here, and
we encourage and support self-
improvement by providing the
highest levels of training, which in turn
supports the companys reputation
for excellence. We also work
closely with all levels of education,
from local primary and secondary
schools, through to national colleges
and universities, to both promote
engineering as a career and to
support curriculum and courses,
thereby helping to create and sponsor
future generations of engineers. We
host numerous visits and send our
employees out to schools and colleges,
and of course we are particularly
proud of our award-winning
apprenticeship programme.
David Davies MP said: Im
delighted that Mabey Bridge has been
shortlisted in both of these important
areas. If people are coming into a
company it is important they have
a clear path and support for career
progression. It means everyone is
happier and more efcient in their
work and everyone wins as a result.
The work done with schools
is excellent because manufacturing
can still have something of a negative
perception when, as Mabey Bridge
proves, the opposite is actually the
case. Engineering can be a very
rewarding and exciting career. Mabey
Bridge is a very hi-tech company and is
the type of manufacturer that is doing
wonders for the UK economy. This
is an important message to get into
schools and universities.
G
lobal business communications
rm Mitel, which has its UK
base in Caldicot, has appointed
Graham Bevington, inset, as
executive vice president of Europe,
Middle East and Africa.
His
appointment
sees Mitel
consolidating
its European
sales
organisation
under
a single
structure
with a
view to
aggressively expand market
share in the region. The company
also announced that it has taken the
lead position in Western Europe
and across EMEA with number one
market share position for the total
PBX market.
Mr Bevington is an industry
veteran with more than 25 years
experience. In his previous role
as EVP for Mitels international
operations, he rapidly expanded the
companys market presence in key
countries including the UK and the
Netherlands, where it now enjoys
market leadership positions.
Mitel was originally set up
in Canada in the early 1970s by
Sir Terry Matthews and Mike
Cowpland.
A
Monmouthshire-based steel specialist
has secured a 1m loan from Finance
Wales to complete a high-prole project
at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Pro Steel Engineering, which
specialises in professional project
management and construction services,
has secured the nance from the
Welsh Governments Wales Capital
Growth Fund. The loan will provide
working capital to deliver part of the
200m Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
strengthening and remodelling project.
The rm was the rst to benet
from investment from the Wales Capital
Growth Fund.
Finance Wales has also provided
additional capital for Pro Steel, which was
originally based in Langstone, to expand
its operations with a move to Caldicot
where it has purchased a new 3,000 sq
ft steel industrial unit on Severnbridge
Industrial Estate.
HIGH FLYERS
AT LAW FIRM
FIRM SHINES
IN EYES OF
ASSESSORS
H
MRC has announced a new
campaign aimed at people who
are employed but also have
income from self-employment which
they have not declared.
Like all of the many previous
HMRCs campaigns, the second
incomes campaign aims to encourage
people to come forward and bring
their tax affairs up to date. If they do
not provide prompt full disclosure,
and HMRC catches up with them later,
they face heavier penalties and possibly
prosecution.
HMRC gives examples of what counts
as a second income:
consultancy fees, eg for providing
training
organising parties and events
providing services like taxi driving,
hairdressing or tness training
making and selling craft items
buying and selling goods, eg at market
stalls or car boot sales
As in most campaigns, there are two
stages to making a disclosure:
notifying HMRC, and then
making the disclosure and paying the
tax plus interest and penalties.
The deal offered is that, if you make
full disclosure in the prescribed format
(either online or by post) and this is
accepted by HMRC, you will benet
from a reduced penalty (possibly 20
per cent rather than 100 per cent)
and have the opportunity to negotiate
a payment plan if you cannot settle
your liability in full. Disclosure under
this campaign does not offer immunity
from prosecution but complete and
unprompted disclosure is acknowledged
as an important factor when HMRC are
deciding whether to carry out a criminal
investigation.
If you need to discuss this or have
any issues with your tax affairs
please contact Elliott Buss, Senior
Tax Manager e.buss@uhy-uk.com
01633213318.
CAMPAIGN
TARGETS
EMPLOYEES WITH
SECOND INCOMES
Left to right: Alan Jones, BPU
Accountants, Richard Selby, Pro Steel
Engineering and Oliver Jenkins, Finance
Wales
Left to
right: Derek
Sheldon,
IMechE
member (lead
assessor),
Christina
Campbell,
Institution of
Mechanical
Engineers,
David Davies
MP for
Monmouth,
Peter Matley,
IMechE
member (MX
assessor)
and about
Catch up on events from around
monmouthshire as we take a look
at whos been out and about
outandabout

Out
ROYAL VISIT
Anna Kear shows Prince Charles
around
Prince Charles at Llwyd Celyn Farm
The Prince of Wales and the
Duchess of Cornwall recently
visited Monmouthshire. The Prince
was at Llwyd Celyn Farm, near
Abergavenny, to see the work of the
Landmark Trust. The Duchess took
a trip to Usk.
Lucy Keir presented the Duchess with a
sunower watched by her parents Kim and
Tony Keir
The Duchess of Cornwall in Usk to nd
out about Usk in Bloom
The Prince of Wales is welcomed to Llwyd Celyn Farm
63

ROYAL VISIT MONMOUTHSHIRE LAW SOCIETY SUMMER BALL
Debbie Jenkins, Paul Chase, Joann Chase, Nigel Jenkins
Marilyn Dickinson, Peter Moon, Lynn Wingrove, Maria Hopton,
Alison Kaswell, Sam Smith, Ian Watkins
Monmouthshire Incorporated Law
Society held its annual ball at The
Celtic Manor Resort with guests
including judges, barristers and
solicitors. The guest speaker at the
event was barrister Andrew Taylor.
A raffle was held during the evening
in aid of St Davids Hospice Care,
which raised almost 2,000. Money
was also raised for the Solicitors
Benevolent Association. President
of Monmouthshire Incorporated
Law Society, Ashley Harkus, of
Everett, Tomlin, Lloyd and Pratt
solicitors, presided over the evening,
which included a three-course meal
followed by dancing.
Bradley Howells, Lianne Howells, Rosemary Daniels,
Richard Tuck, Michael; McCabe, Stacey Poole
Merv Jones, Jane Jones, Mel Bevan-Evans, Jessica Worgan, Dave
Kenworthy, Allyson Bacon
Patrick Harrington, Sarah Wallace, Andrew
Taylor
Keith Evans, Tanya Evans, Scott Bowen, Jess Gray
Ben Tarrant, Kirsten Tuck, Gareth Thomas Anne Brown, Martin Brown
David Pugsley, Fiona Weaver, Robert Twigg, Haydn
Thomas
Clive Thomas, Emma Saysell, Siobhan Blake, Ashley Harkus

CHEPSTOW SHOW
Holly Preece, of Chepstow, on Mayland Toyboy
Eloise Moat, of Chepstow
William Andrews
Oliver and Ed Trumper, of Bryn Deri,
Abergavenny
The crowds flocked to
enjoy Chepstow Show,
one of the highlights of
the agricultural calendar
in Monmouthshire each
summer. The event
was held at Chepstow
Racecourse.
Evie Andrews
Alyshia Hughes

LADIES DAY CHARITY EVENT
Jane Porter and Elizabeth Knight
Sharon Wilmott-Day and Lyndsay Doyle
Eddie Hayward, vice chairman; chairman of Monmouthshire County Council
Cllr John Prosser and Julie Hayward, trustee
Karen Clatworthy and friends
Jaqueline Catherines and Liesl Richards Eileen Blatchly and Valerie Williams
Suzanne Mainwaring, charity director, and Lyn Jones, chairman
THE Noahs Ark
Childrens Hospital
was given a boost
after 35,500
was raised by an
Ascot Ladies Day
event at Chepstow
Racecourse
attended by more
than 300 people.
The money will pay
for vital equipment
at phase two of the
multi-million pound
building, which is
due to open next
spring. The event
was organised by
Eddie Hayward,
vice chairman of
the charity and
daughter Julie, one
of the trustees.
66


I
recently heard the phrase town and
gown used to describe an independent
schools relationship within its
community, and winced at how divisive it
sounded.
The stereotypical them and us
culture can be unnecessarily destructive,
building walls between teachers, parents,
pupils and local residents who, when
united, can shine brighter than ever.
We are very proud of the strong
ties we have forged with Monmouth
Comprehensive School.
In an effort to actively break down
barriers, we have a joint charity council
and encourage our pupils to showcase
their gifts in Monmouths Got Talent, a
competition organised by all three schools,
including Monmouth Boys School.
Most recently, we united to put on
the towns rst literary festival which gave
the pupils a chance to pool their contacts,
energy, ideas and passion.
Dreamed up by the students almost a
year ago, this was an ambitious, pupil-led
initiative to bring some of this eras nest
poets and authors to the town.
Spread out over a week in June, the
event not only catered to the children,
but it involved the entire community and
reached out to everyone.
More than 10 primary and secondary
schools were invited to readings,
workshops and signings by top writers.
The celebration of reading and
writing, raised the bar for literary
festivals, according to childrens author CJ
Daugherty.
This calibre of success would have
been impossible to achieve for a solo
school project.
The inaugural Monmouth Literary
Festival gave more than 1,000 children the
chance to discover new writing as well as
classic works.
The students who brainstormed
ideas for three months decided
on poetry for its theme to mark the
centenary of Dylan Thomas, but some
exciting new works of ction were also
included, to appeal to a wide audience.
Pupils took to the streets and the
towns cafes and supermarkets to surprise
members of the public with pop-up
poetry performances.
It was immediate, sensational, fun and
innovative, resulting in everybody getting
excited about poetry.
In Waitrose, Betty Evans, 83, and
Audrey Goodfellow, 87, who were
visiting from Swansea, caught one of the
impromptu readings.
Audrey said: Wed never have
anything like this in Swansea it was lovely
to see a bit of culture.
Juliette Hagg, 17, from Monmouth
Comprehensive School, had been
performing with Adam Williams, 12,
Harry Hayes, 12, and Jack Tottem, 12, all
from Monmouth School.
She said: Its one of those
experiences you dont know is going to be
so enthralling and exciting until you start
talking.
Poet Philip Wells, after delivering an
inspirational talk to 450 pupils, he said:
The festival is really exciting. I love the
way the volunteers are really proud of
what theyve done full marks for that,
amazing work. Its absolutely miraculous.
Its the sort of thing you hope for in young
people.
Other writers who appeared during
the festival included Daniel Morden,
Dr Leo Aylen, M R Hall, Sam Hay, Cat
Weatherill and Rhian Edwards.
Texas-born CJ Daugherty, former
reporter, spy website copywriter and
author of the Night School series, thrilled
her young crowd with stories of covering
gruesome crime scenes and hanging out
with government spies.
She said: Ive never been to a festival
organised by kids before. Its really
impressive and raises the bar for literary
festivals. Its so good for a writer to come
to things like this.
With all three schools coming
together Ive reached so many kids at one
time.
We are already looking forward to
building on our success for next years
event.
Andy Williams, deputy head at
Monmouth Comprehensive School,
was involved with the festival from the
beginning.
He said: It was so rewarding for
me to see the students from each of the
schools in different venues sharing learning
experiences.
COMING TOGETHER
By Caroline Pascoe, Headmistress of HMSG
E
lizabeth (pictured) and Ross
Murray, of Llanover, are
holding an open garden with
a different twist on September 21
in aid of Maggies, a charity which
provides free practical, emotional
and social support for people with
cancer and their family and friends.
The garden will be open from
11am to 4pm to support the
campaign to build Maggies South
East Wales, the second Maggies
Centre in Wales, at Velindre in
Cardiff.
Inspired by the Abergavenny
Food Festival, which is happening
just a few miles away on September
20 and 21, visitors to the garden
will have the opportunity to attend
free talks and demonstrations given
by Anna Parton, visiting nutritionist
at Maggies Swansea, exploring
ways to improve well-being through
a nutritionally balanced diet.
Elizabeth Murray said: The
more we have learnt about
Maggies, the more we have wished
to become involved in the best way
we can, by sharing the garden at
Llanover.
We hope that our garden,
as well as displaying the beautiful
colours of autumn, offers a similar
feeling of peace and tranquillity
to the unique environment
of a Maggies Centre. It is an
ideal opportunity for people to
experience a small part of Maggies
programme of support by having
the opportunity to listen to
aMaggies Centre nutritionist too.
Llanover in September will be
uplifting and inspiring as Peter Hall,
previously at Powis Castle, works
his magic in the borders.
A beautiful and interesting
garden can generate a feeling of
well being. The new Maggies South
East Wales is fortunate to have
been able to appoint Cleve West,
gold medal winner at Chelsea, to
design the surrounding garden
which will be an integral part of the
unique Maggies environment at
Velindre.
Gwen Axford, Maggies South
East Wales campaign manager,
said: Built in the grounds of NHS
hospitals, our centres are designed
by leading architects to be warm,
friendly, full of light and open space.
They are places to nd practical
advice about benets and eating
well; places where qualied experts
provide emotional support to
people with cancer, their families
and friends; places to meet other
people or simply to sit quietly with a
cup of tea. South East Wales needs
a Maggies Centre. So, whether
you bring suncream and parasols
or wellies and umbrellas take time
out from the hurly burly of the food
festival on September 21 and visit
Llanover. We will be pleased to
see you.
AN OPEN GARDEN WITH A
DIFFERENCE AT LLANOVER
67


Whats on
A selection of just some of the
events going on in Monmouthshire.
Compiled by James Graham
To August 30
Castell Roc Music Festival
Chepstow Castle
Acts including X-factor contestant Rhydian
Roberts and Somerset band the Wurzels
performing at Chepstow Castle as part of
the Castell Roc Music Festival.
Ticket prices vary.
For full details see www.castellroc.co.uk
August 23
Proms in Piercefield Park
Chepstow Racecourse
Gates open at 5.30pm
The Welsh National Opera Orchestra will
be hosting an evening of classical music
which will also feature a display from the
RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. A
spectacular fireworks display will end the
evening.
To book call 01291 622260 or visit:
www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk
August 28
Monmouth Show
Monmouthshire Showground
Monmouth
The biggest one day show in Wales returns
to the Monmouthshire Showground. Taking
place on the banks of the River Wye in
an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
the show has something for everyone.
Various attractions will take place across
the day including entertainment, shopping,
equestrian, farming and childrens activities,
among many others. Entrance is cheaper
booked ahead, at 10 for adults, 4 for
children and 25 for families.
To find out more or book your tickets call
01291 691160 or visit www.monmouthshow.
co.uk
August 30
Lave Net Heritage Fishermen Open Day
Portskewett
The Black Rock lave net heritage fishery
will hold its end of season open day during
August at the Black Rock picnic site,
Portskewett. There will be an exhibition ,
demonstration and film of lave net fishing.
Refreshments will be available.
August 30 31
Wall 2 Wall Jazz Festival
Abergavenny
Wall 2 Wall sees 24 jazz gigs spread over
three stroller venues two under cover at
Abergavenny Castle and the Swan Hotel, and
the other indoors at the Kings Arms.
For full programme see: www.
blackmountainjazz.co.uk/wall2wall.html
September 1 30
Open Doors in Monmouthshire
Churches and historic buildings across
Monmouthshire open their doors to public
including St Jeromes at Llangwm Uchaf and St
Davids at Llangeview.
See specific dates on Cadw website- www. cadw.
wales.gov.uk
September 7
Monmouth Raft Race
The Rotary Club of Monmouth is running the
annual raft race on the River Wye at Monmouth.
The events always promises thrills and spills
for visitors and participants alike! It starts at
Monmouth Rowing Club at 12 noon and finishes
at Whitebrook six miles down the river.
For more information see: http://rotaryraftrace.
wordpress.com/
September 12
Tashi Lhunpo Monastery
Borough Theatre, Abergavenny
A rare chance to see monks from a Tibetan
Monastery present their sacred dances, music and
prayers with colourful traditional costumes and
ceremonial masks.
Tickets: 10
For box office and times: 01873 850805
September 20
Illustrated talk on Devauden from 370,000,000
years ago until (nearly) the present
St James Church
Devauden
A fully illustrated talk on aspects of Devaudens
history by MCLs Naylor Firth
Light refreshments
Donations in aid of St James Church
September 20 21
Abergavenny Food Festival (pictured)
Awarded the accolade of being the Best Event
in Wales by the National Tourism Awards for
Wales, this years Abergavenny Food Festival
looks set to exceed last years stellar showing.
The town will once again play host to many of
the finest food and drink producers from across
Wales and the world, with the events first ever
Night Market occurring on the Saturday night.
Festival regulars have grown accustomed to
the leading lights of the food world giving talks
and presentations and this year is no exception.
Headliners such as TV chef and campaigner Hugh
Fearnley-Whittingstall promise food for thought
as well mouth-watering recipes. Special events will
enable visitors to learn culinary skills first hand
from the experts. Be sure to book in good time
as many events will sell out well in advance as
Abergavenny comes alive with fascinating events
and flavours to suit all taste buds.
For full details:
www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com
September 21
Marcus Brigstocke
Savoy Theatre Monmouth
8pm
15
The award-winning comedian bring his show Je
Maccuse I am Marcus to the Savoy Theatre.
For box office phone: (01600) 772467
September 27 29
Art in Penallt
The beautiful village of Penallt hosts an art event
with a difference. Comprising five events including
a Fine Art exhibition at Capel Pentwyn the
collaboration will delight art lovers.
For full details contact: 01600 860 476 or visit
www.penallt.org.uk/art-in-penallt
county
homes
Turn over for 12 pages
of property and design
ideas for your home...
Cameron short Saturday
loveseat in Ode to the Ash,
Midnight Blue (Design Lab).
840. sofa.com
With the changing of the seasons and the days geting colder,
this is the best time to think about making your living
roomsomewhere cosy to snuggle up and relax...
1. New York sofa, totally bespoke from 1,570. Lyn Morgan Furnishings, Llanover. 01873 840028.
2. Morgan sofa, totally bespoke from 1,660. Lyn Morgan Furnishings. 3. Timothy Oulton Scholar
leather armchair. 1,170. Homes of Elegance, Abergavenny. 01873 854173. 4. Shetland throws. 82
each. www.villeetcampagne.co.uk. 5. Throw. 45. www.oliverbonas.com. 6. Cobweave throw. 45.
www.berryred.co.uk. 7. Raw silk Ikat cushion. 79. Homes of Elegance. 8. Samarakand cushion.
50. www.sofa.com. 9. Bloomsberry sofa. 2,350. www.couchdesign.co.uk.
T
im
e to h
ead in
doors
1
2
3
4
5
9
6
8
7
81
Arctic, here I come...
You could still be
lord of Wales
T
he grand title of the
Manor of the Lordship
of Wales, or Lord of
Wales for short, is still on
the table. Despite enormous
pre auction interest, both
locally, nationally and
internationally and a full to
bursting auction room on
the night of the auction, the
illustrious title failed to sell.
There were strong
contenders in the room and
also an anonymous buyer on
the phone but the figure just
failed to reach the reserve,
However interest
continues so, who knows, we
may well have a new Lord
of Wales in the very near
future.
Land, on the other hand,
has been selling like, well hot
cakes. Land, with or without
planning consent too, which
is good news all round. Plots
of land which have been
released in Newport and
the south Wales valleys in
particular have been eagerly
snapped up over recent
months by speculators and
developers for sometimes
three and four times the
guide prices. I would
surmise that the buyers have
done their homework and
seen what the likelihood
is for gaining planning
permission, perhaps, but
also are taking notice of the
surge in requirement for land
to build new homes and are
taking a well researched and
educated plunge.
Land which previously
may have seemed less
attractive and perhaps
difficult to bring to market
for a development scheme
now flies off the shelf to the
delight of the landowners,
the new owners and is also
good for the regeneration
of the valleys in particular
with the warming of the
economy, to which I have
been referring to for quite
some time now, extending to
less favoured areas.
BBC TVs popular and
yes, addictive for some,
Homes Under the Hammer
programme which has
been ever present at Paul
Fosh Auctions this year,
has now started airing on
TV and threatens to make
small screen stars of some
of our staff and also helps
further boost the profile of
Paul Fosh Auctions. It is a
good idea, generally, for the
viewing public to see these
programmes as they get a
better understanding of what
auctions are all about, the
kind of properties that can
be acquired and the steps
that have to be taken to
bring promising property
up to the standard required
for either re sale or rental
markets.
Monmouthshire and the
towns of Monmouth and
Abergavenmny in particular
featured recently as best
places in the top ten of a
Sunday Times list to live in
the UK. I can vouch for both
places and indeed others
in Monmouthshire but in
particular Monmouth. The
town is an absolute delight
and the surrounding county
and countryside ideal for
enjoyment of all kinds.
Restaurants, many
of which are on the
list to be visited by the
Monmouthshire Supper Club
are in abundance and the
countryside is among the
best in the UK. We recently
enjoyed our two weeks
immersing ourselves in the
countryside around where
we live making full use of our
recently acquired canoe for
on water excursions.
There are those that are
referring to a Kate Humble
effect, eluding to the
influence the recently arrived
naturalist and farmer has
had in focussing attention on
Monmouthshire. A Humble
by Nature tea rooms and
restaurant has recently been
opened at her farm.
Monmouthshire, also and
perhaps a bit worryingly,
has been likened to the
Cotswolds. Maybe but
hopefully if we are heading
down that road it is without
the dreadful twee nature
of that celebrity packed but
sought after part of the UK.
The next Paul Fosh
auction which will be held
at the Park Inn Hotel, Circle
Way East, Llanedyrn, Cardiff,
is on Thursday, September
11, starting at 5pm.
Until the next time bon
apetit and au revoir!
www.paulfoshauctions.com
I
will ensure that Monmouthshire is very
much in evidence at a charity lunch
staged at the SWALEC Stadium in
Cardiff at the end of October.
The event is an important fund raiser
for my Ultra 6633 event. I will have a
major say in the make up of the various
parts of the menu I will be insisting that
as much as possible of the produce from
this great county of ours is
reflected in the food that the
200 attendees will be able to
enjoy.
As regular readers of this
column will already know
but for those others who
have perhaps chanced upon
the magazine maybe while
waiting to have a filling at
the dentist, I have signed up
for the Likeys 6633 Ultra
2015-the toughest race on
the planet. I will be one of
just 20 or so people taking part in a
challenge which will see me cover at least
120 miles in the Yukon, northern Canada
almost entirely within the Arctic Circle
pulling all the equipment I need on a sled,
or pulk. Ill be raising funds for Macmillan
Cancer Support. If I successfully complete
the 120 mile challenge then I will have to
decide whether I am able to push on to
try for the 350 mile distance.
I need 8,000 for the kit and entry.
I have already signed up sponsors and
naturally Paul Fosh Auctions will input a
sizable figure, I do however now need at
least four more main backers.
To give you an idea of the enormity of
the challenge, the event has been run on
six occasions and in that time only eleven
people have completed it.
The charity fund raising lunch, on
Friday, October 31, will also under score
the nature of the event in which I will
be taking part as we will be welcoming
Wales super athlete Lowri Morgan to be
our guest and share in her experiences
of taking part in ultra events across the
globe.
Lowri, who is a presenter on ITV and
S4C, was the only person to complete
the Ultra 6633 event when she entered
in 2011. Lowri will give some valuable
insights into what it takes to complete an
Ultra Event and also, no doubt, leave me
with a great deal of matters to ponder as I
continue my training for the event.
Tables of 10 can be booked for the
event through my office so get in quick
if you want to have a fine meal hear an
equally good speaker and also help a very
worthy cause.
Thankfully I have now
been given the green light,
the medical all clear, by my
specialist to start training in
preparation for the 6633.
I have been having some
problems with my left foot
and it has meant that I havent
been able to do so many of the
different types of training I have
been accustomed to in the past
which was a bit of a worry, in
fact, I havent actually run for
nine months. However, as long
as I take my recuperation slowly
all the signs are now looking good.
The good thing about the 6633 type
event is that it is not full on running but
more of a sort of energetic shuffle and
so this is better for my condition. Indeed
many of you may have seen me out and
about in Monmouthshire doing the Ultra
shuffle as it is called - a mixture of jogging
and walking. I regularly cover thirty miles
at a go in this fashion which has elicited
some curious looks from some and the
odd comment from others. You have to
develop resilience and toughness when
you prepare and take part in there these
types of events. Tough physically and also
mentally.
Sponsors are now pretty much sewn up
theyll have their logos attached to my
pulk with Quality Solicitors Rubin Lewis
OBrien, HSJ Accountants, Paul Fosh
Auctions, Auction Finance and Rightmove
through their Agents Giving charity but
there is still room for a couple more so
get in touch if you feel that you would like
to help. I also aim to raise 15,000 for
Macmillan Cancer Support through my
efforts. To become a sponsor please email
paul@paulfoshauctions.com and also take
a look at www.6633ultra.com
Paul Fosh tries out his pulk in the ofce
Paul Fosh
82
Left: Procession
following the
proclamation of
the 1913 National
Eisteddfod at
Abergavenny. From
Abergavenny Through
Time by Irena
Morgan.
Below: The Walker
Memorial Home,
Caldicot, around
1917, was previously
an orphanage but
was given to the War
Ofce for us as a
military hospital for
convalescing troops.
From Caldicot and the
Villages of the Moor,
Vol 2, by Richard D
Jones.
Hidden
gems
A lOOk bACk
in time...
By Naylor Firth
Above: A
streamline diesel
railcar at Chepstow
Station on April
4, 1936. From
Chepstow and the
River Wye in Old
Photographs from
the collections
of Chepstow
Museum.
Left: Main Road,
Undy, in 1905.
From Caldicot and
the Villages of the
Moor, Vol 1, by
Malcolm D Jones.
T
he onset of World
War Two saw
the major powers
engaged in frantic attempts
to apply their latest
developments in technology
to offensive and defensive
systems.
A major area was in
the application of radio
waves to communications
and to the production of
images from distant objects,
particularly during night-
time and through clouds.
This latter technology was
known as radar, short for
radio detection and ranging.
In the last few years of
the 19th century it had
been shown that radio
waves would bounce off
metallic objects. Applied
research during the 1930s
enabled Britain to build a
line of rudimentary radar
stations in the south east
to provide early warning
of approaching German
aircraft.
Some of the best brains
in the UK were brought
together to develop an
airborne system capable
of scanning the ground
from height at any time and
under all meteorological
conditions.
A key member of this
group was Alan Blumlein,
who trained as an electrical
engineer at Imperial College
before carrying out research
at Standard Telephone &
Cables and EMI.
Much of his research was
in the elds of stereophonic
sound recording and
television.
The group was headed
by (Sir) Bernard Lovell and
they developed a system,
code named H2S, based on
the novel magnetron device
which enabled aircraft to
see an image of their target
irrespective
of light or cloud conditions.
Initial trials were carried
out during early 1942
using Handley Page Halifax
bombers based at Defford
in Worcestershire. The
radar set was located in a
fairing under the fuselage
mid-way between the wings
and tail.
On June 7, 1942, Halifax
V9977 took off from
the Telecommunications
Research Establishment at
Defford with seven crew
and four scientists, including
Alan Blumlein.
The aircraft was
approaching the Welsh
border, barely 25 miles
from its base, when at
500ft an engine caught re.
The re rapidly went out
of control, the plane rolled
over and crashed killing all
on board.
The crash site was in a
meadow alongside the River
Wye at Welsh Bicknor, an
enclave of Monmouthshire
in Herefordshire until 1844.
The authorities rapidly
cleared the crash site of all
wreckage and objects and a
security blanket was put on
all news associated with the
accident.
Blumleins death was not
made public until the end of
the war in Europe.
Bernard Lovell (who
might also have been on
V9977) and his team made
use of Blumleins work
to develop systems that
enabled accurate bombing
by the RAF to take place
no matter what the light or
weather conditions were
and to provide Coastal
Command and the Royal
Navy with a system to
detect and destroy U-Boats.
A lOOk bACk
in time...