November/December 2014

Issue 58
FASHION | HOMES | BUSINESS | AND MUCH MORE
Complimentary Copy
PEARLS OF
WISDOM
FOOD IN
THE SHIRE
THE
MONS
Naturally beautiful
jewellery design
From Michelin stars
to delicious recipes

Meet the winners
of our rst awards
November/December 2014
Issue 58
FASHION | HOMES | BUSINESS | AND MUCH MORE
Complimentary Copy
PEARLS OF
WISDOM
FOOD IN
THE SHIRE
THE
MONS
Naturally beautiful
jewellery design
From Michelin stars
to delicious recipes

Meet the winners
of our rst awards
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: Cushion by Jan Constantine
Contacts
contents
Published by: Newsquest, Wales and Gloucestershire, Cardiff Road,
Maesglas, Newport, South Wales, NP20 3QN
6 Christmas is coming
Bring a bit of Noel into your home with
these great ideas
8 County news
12 Head out in style
Girls, glam up for the fesitve season
14 Party time
Tips for the men
16 Meander and life in the county
The latest musings of Nigel Jarrett and
Louisa Fletcher, Miss Monmouthshire
17 On your bike
Is cycling the new golf?
20 The Mons 2014
Meet the winners of our inaugual awards
26 One for the history books
Beating the Retreat at Usk Castle
30 Naturally beautiful
We meet artisan jeweller Lucy
Jean Davies
33 Get grooming...
36 County food
9 pages of news and recipes
41 Fabulous food
We took a trip to Abergavenny
Food Festival
42 Lets eat
Adam Whittle, of The White Hart Village
Inn, Llangybi, shares three recipes
45 Blooming marvellous
A great garden in Usk
46 County business
51 Tourism success
Two award-winning venture
54 Competition time
Two fantastic prizes up for grabs
55 Electric Landlady
Celebrating the life of a Chepstow
champion
56 Visiting Auld Reekie
Hayley Mills takes the train to
Edinburgh
59 Luxurious living
A B&B to remember
60 Out and about
64 Whats on
67 County homes
14 pages of property and ideas for your
home
82 Hidden gems
County history with Naylor Firth
6
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Mask
4.99
www.mygif-
tree.com
Christmas
tree in a jar.
2.50
www.tesco.
com
Wreath.
17.99
www.
sandedge.
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Grow
your own
tree. 9.50.
www.ellie
ellie.co.uk
Stocking.
22. www.deco-
ratorsnotebook.
co.uk
Cushion.
20. www.
designmygift.
co.uk
Frame
decoration.
24.95. www.
decoratorsnote-
book.co.uk
Advent
calendar. 20.
www.tch.net
Candle. 18.
www.somethingaboutcandles.co.uk
8
Countynews
Step back in history
Follow us on Twitter: @mclmagazine
Visitors to St Marys Priory Church in Abergavenny, can
use their Smartphones or tablets to step back in history
while also getting a avour of the life of the church today.
Using the Junaio mobile augmented reality app the
rst time the app has been used in this way in Wales
visitors will be able to scan a set of pictures as they move
around the church to get a 3-D image of the object or
monument at which they are looking, plus a three-minute
video giving its history.
The video will also let the visitors experience what
goes on in the church today so scanning a picture of
the 1,000-year-old font will launch a video of the vicar of
Abergavenny as he baptises a youngster into the church
while the altar section shows the vicar as he celebrates
Eucharist.
Other videos feature the world-famous larger-than-life-
size 15th century wooden carving of Jesse, the father of
King David the only remaining such carving in Europe
and the medieval tombs and monuments.
The creative force behind the videos is Sugar Creative
Studio, a digital creative agency in Cardiff, which has
become the UKs only augmented marketing partner using
the Junaio platform in the UK. It has been developed in
partnership with Monmouthshire County Council, using
funding from the Rural Development Plan for Wales
Welcome Monmouthshire project, which will also supply
six tablets to be loaned to visitors.
Vicar of Abergavenny Fr Mark Soady said: Were very
excited at this enhancement to the visitor experience. Its
another example of St Marys being at the cutting edge of
technology, showing people that we are a living church.
CWMDU SCHOOL
REOPENS AS
CENTRE FOR ART
The former Cwmdu Primary School, near
Crickhowell, is the new home to the Welsh
Academy of Art and Lee Wrights Printmaking
Studios.
The Victorian schoolhouse which was closed
as a primary school in 2012 has been renovated
over the summer and has now opened for the
autumn term.
The Welsh Academy of Art offers a selection
of courses and drop-in classes for all abilities.
The academy was formed in 2012 by artist
Lucy Corbett, from Llangynidr, who trained at
the Charles H Cecil studios in Florence.
There are currently 15 students studying
at the academy and it is one of only four
institutions in the UK, the rst of its kind in
Wales, to teach the sight-size method of drawing
and painting as practised by the Old Masters.
Lucy Corbett said: The WAA has come
about due to the rise in the traditional art
movement and a gap in the art education
provided in the UK. Having had the great
fortune to study the sight-size method in
Florence with Charles Cecil, I am constantly
reminded by the state of our media art world
of the responsibility to pass on this important
knowledge. This knowledge, which has been
built upon over centuries and was once was
in danger of being lost altogether save for Ives
Gammell and a handful of American artists,
is something that future art historians will tell
the story of. Against all else that has come and
gone in the History of Art these methods have
stood the test of time and will do for centuries
to come. The opportunity to bring this to Wales
and nd our home in this beautiful Victorian
building is a pleasure and a privilege.
Artist Lee Wright is a popular painter and
printmaker from Llangattock. Lee is best known
for his handmade, limited-edition reduction
lino prints inspired by the landscape of the
Brecon Beacons. Lee will be offering a range of
printmaking courses from his studios in Cwmdu
School.
Lee Wright said: It has been a joy to breathe
life back into Cwmdu School and re-establish this
wonderful building as a place of learning. I look
forward to welcoming budding and experienced
artists to a range of printmaking courses.
Cwmdu School will be welcoming visitors
on its open day on Saturday November 8 from
10.30am to 4pm.
COMMANDER OF
RAF INSPIRES NEW
GENERATION OF
LEADERS
A lucky team of cadets has become the rst ever
CCF to be visited by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air
Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford.
The Head of the RAF gave a speech on
leadership to students at Monmouth School just 24
hours after RAF jets completed a second round of
air strikes against ISIS targets in Iraq.
During his visit Air Chief Marshal Pulford also
visited stands set up by the different cadet forces,
which included members from Haberdashers
Monmouth School for Girls.
He listened to a presentation by Head of
Monmouth Schools RAF section, Flight Sergeant
Ashley Hunter, from Swindon, and a talk by
Corporal Danny Schoeld about the Army cadets.
The event was part of Monmouth Schools 400th
anniversary celebrations.
The rst helicopter pilot to become professional
head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Pulford talked
to the CCF about his career in the Royal Air Force,
including his service in the Falklands War.
Alongside fascinating stories of his personal
experiences which had cadets gripped, Air Chief
Marshal Pulford talked about the importance of
respect, integrity, service and excellence.
He encouraged the pupils to seek excellence in
everything they do, and to be tolerant of people
from all walks of life.
Air Chief Marshal Pulford presented several
awards to cadets after his speech on the day, as well as
announcing 17-year-old Cadet Ashley Hunters promotion to
Flight Sergeant and presenting him with his new rank slides.
Ashley, a boarder at the school, said: Having the
presentation in front of my peers made the whole once in a
lifetime experience even better as I got to share it with my
friends.
Today has given me a much greater insight into what it
will be like when I join the RAF, so it has made me much more
certain that this is the correct life for me and has given me
more determination to achieve this goal.
Headmaster of Monmouth School Dr Steven Connors
said: The cadets heard in a very profound way how leaders
are formed. I have heard many speeches about leadership
in more than 30 years in education, but that was the most
profound and sincere address I have ever heard and all the
more powerful as it came from a gentleman who leads one
of the most famous and respected organisations in the world
the RAF.
A CALDICOT nursery has raised 720 to install a
climbing frame in its garden.
Red Robins Nursery, in Castle Park School,
Llanthony Close, raised 570 when a group of
staff, children and parents took part in a sponsored
walk on the Severn Bridge and the nursery were
given a 150 donation from The Chepstow and
Caldicot Lions Club.
Bev Bennett, manager of the nursery, said:
We didnt have anything before as the climbing
frame was breaking and was quite dangerous. The
children have been loving it since we had it put in at
the start of term.
We needed it for physical learning and role
play.
The nursery has 26 children between aged
between two and ve in both the morning and
afternoon sessions.
Fundraising tots
The party season is here and
who doesnt need an excuse to
dress up and have some fun...
1. Carolyn Tapework full-length dress. 325. Phase Eight 2. Per Una blue foral dress. 79. Marks & Spencer
3. Vesper Womens Sophie sequin dress. 29.99 Get The Label 4. Adrianna Papell nude full-length dress. 290. House of Fraser
5. Black embellished bandeau dress. 59.99. New Look 6. Velvet pencil dress. 49. M&Co
Head out
in style
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NEW LOOK 54.99
DEBENHAMS 26
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he works Christmas party is a perfect
chance to show colleagues how great
your style is, outside of the stressful
ofce environment. Whether your company
decides on going for a few festive cocktails
or a sit-down meal, keep your party attire
on the smarter side of smart-casual, but
dont make it seem like youre heading to
an important board meeting. And turning
up in a cheesy-Christmas jumper wont
score you any style points either!
To start your outt, go for a dark pair of
turn-up chinos (New Look, 24.99) as this
will match almost anything you choose to
pair it with.
As the bottoms are plain, this will give
you license to pick a more adventurous
shirt. Printed patterns are a popular choice
right now. Either a oral long-sleeved or
a diamond-print long-sleeved shirt (both
M&S, 45) will complement the trousers
well.
For the shoes, go for a pair of brown
brogue boots (Dune, 99). These shoes
are versatile enough to keep the look smart
without making it look like youve gone
overboard.
To complete the outt, add a jacket. This
will again help keep it smart. The key to
preventing the look from becoming too
formal is to choose a wool or tweed-style
jacket, as a regular suit jacket could give
off a more formal vibe.
A grey wool blazer (New Look, 54.99)
ts the bill for this type of jacket. Another
good option would be a brown tweed
blazer (White Stuff, 135). Base your
choice of jacket on the style and colour of
the shirt you pick, and wear the one which
you feel complements the look the best.
Give your outt a nishing touch with a
brown leather-strapped watch with gold-
coloured Roman numerals (Debenhams,
26).
NEW LOOK, 24.99
WHITE STUFF, 135
M&S, 45
16

A Monmouthshire
meander with Nigel Jarret
MyCountyLife
Miss Monmouthshire Louisa Fletcher
talks to MCL about Owen Sheers,
Christmas presents and fabulous
restaurants...
S
imple pleasures are the last refuge of the
complex. Like some other aphorisms of
Oscar Wilde, that one tends to leak when
prodded gently with a stick.
As a muddled operator, I regard myself
as complicated, but so-called simple
pleasures for me tend to be about as
fullling as a shopping expedition with an
empty wallet.
Moreover, what one initially believes to
be simple turns out to be nothing of the
sort. Take angling, an activity beguiling in
its promise of uncomplicated euphoria
but surrounded by customs and practices
guaranteed to make you fall at the rst - a
case of complex pleasures being the rst
refuge of the simple.
Those who breeze through life
unconcerned at the aim and trajectory of
slings and arrows and rendered helpless
if sympathetic by the world and its ills
will take on casting and y-tying as if they
were being offered wine gums, to be
chewed while sorting out a series of arcane
problems.
It was on a cold Sabbath morn that
I encountered one of
those on the River Usk.
If you pass me that
stick from the opening
paragraph, Ill part the
riverside weeds and
reveal what happened.
For those who dont
know (the complex yet
to resort to the simple),
you y-sh for trout,
salmon and their ilk in
the summer and coarse-
sh for all other brands
- rudd, roach, chubb
and their monosyllabic
relatives - in winter. You
see, its a bit of a maze already.
The trouble on that fateful Sunday
was with the trout, which were out of
season and therefore on a sabbatical from
the shermans hook but still around to
mess things up. I catapulted a snowball of
maggots and wet bread upstream and cast
below it. By the time it had deconstructed
and the bits had owed my way, tempting
the piscatorial critturs, I was ready to haul
in.
But it wasnt that simple.
There occurred what we complex
types call an epiphanous moment as a fat,
sun-speckled trout (the day was cold but
cloudless) exploded Orca-like through
the waters surface, performed a double
somersault and plopped back, just out of
sheer bloody-mindedness. It scared off all
the other sh in that vicinity for the rest
of the day.
My simple companion, more au fait than
I with the complexities of shing, uttered
a one-word expletive to do with the act of
sexual congress and wrapped up his rods,
silently implying that I, in my simplicity,
should do the same. I, in my ignorant
complexity, concurred.
The fact is, simple pleasures that involve
killing or maiming wildlife, which is what
shing does, are often clothed in complex
ritual, perhaps to downgrade the slaughter
itself. Fox-hunting is the supreme example.
What Wilde had to say about that would
never spring a leak.
Maybe by last refuge he meant that
when all complication had been gone
through, simple pleasures, such as taking
a warm bath and thinking
about nothing, was likely to
be the more satisfying.
The sort of complexity
I like often involves myth.
The slimy, mud-loving tench
is known in some places
as the doctor sh for its
supposed habit of healing
sick colleagues that rub up
against it. My sole attempt
at hooking one resulted in
the line being caught in a
tree. I spent the whole time
out on a limb, attempting to
retrieve it, like a simpleton.
Clearly I hadnt been
concentrating on the intricacies of the
sport, if sport it was. Dangling from a
branch and wrapped in nylon lament, I
was no doubt spotted by the tench and
identied as some sort of wavy, aerial
turn, so it passed on to minister among
its lugubrious friends.
Needless to say, but Ill say it anyway,
Im an ex-angler. Giving up shing was
simple; ascribing to sh an ability to
recognise human frailty is a complicated
way of making oneself understood.
Who are, what do you do
and where do you live in
Monmouthshire?
Louisa Fletcher. I am currently
taking a gap year before heading
to university next September to
study business and management.
Im from Llanwenarth, just outside
of Abergavenny

What does being Miss
Monmouthshire mean to you?
It means a great deal. I have gained
so much from the experience
of the Miss Wales competition
and from my ventures as Miss
Monmouthshire this year. I have
been very proud to represent our
county and it is an experience that
I will look back fondly on.

What do you like most about
living in Monmouthshire?
It has a lovely relaxed atmosphere.
Where would you recommend
as an unforgettable dining
experience in Monmouthshire?
We celebrated my mothers 50th
birthday at The Walnut Tree. The
food was far beyond anything I
had eaten before you can easily
see how deserving they are of
all of their accolades. Although a
close second is afternoon tea at
the Angel Hotel!
What do you tell friends about
Monmouthshire who have never
been here?
That the unspoilt scenery must
be visited.
Who would be your ideal
companion on a trip round
Monmouthshire?
Owen Sheers
Favourite town in
Monmouthshire and why?
Abergavenny. It is my hometown
and so when you walk around you
always see someone you know.
However on the other hand you
are often able to meet someone
new
Favourite place for a walk?
I have done quite a bit of walking
from undertaking the Duke
of Edinburgh award, but my
favourite walks are in the country
surrounding my home on the
Sugar Loaf. Partly because you
are never to far away from a
neighbour and a cup of tea!
What is the best Christmas
present you have ever received
and what do you hope Santa will
be bringing you this year?
It has to be my rst pony Barry,
a Welsh Section A when I was
six years old! I will be enjoying
Christmas in Australia this year so
hopefully some Welsh cheese to
remind me of Christmas at home!
If you werent living here, where
would you be?
The West Coast of Ireland.
What event in the
Monmouthshire calendar should
we try not to miss?
Denitely the Abergavenny Food
Festival it is always a lovely event
and draws people from hundreds
of regions to Monmouthshire.
If you have missed the summer
festival this year, the Christmas Fair
is on December 14.

Three words which sum up
Monmouthshire for you...
Home. Idyllic. Welcoming.
17
E
arly September and the cars,
vans, motorbike outriders
and cyclists which make up
the Tour of Britain caravan are all
climbing the infamous Tumble at
15.40 on a Tuesday afternoon.
Watching are hundreds of
cycling fans from South Wales,
South West and the Forest of
Dean.
Lots of people had taken the
day off work to catch sight of the
tour. Aside from those involved
in the tour circus, I was the only
one standing on the grassy verge
in work.
Its quite possible that on that
Tuesday I was part of a growing
trend among professionals.
Corporate cycling days are
beginning to emerge from the
plethora of networking events.
Is cycling becoming the new
golf? Are the Middle Aged Men
in Lycra (MAMILS) transferring
their leisure pursuits to the
networking arena?
I was rst approached by Stills
and Kilsby Williams accountants
back in the summer 2013 to put
together a corporate cycling day
package for 20 or so of their
clients and contacts.
A ride around
Monmouthshire, taking in a climb
of the infamous Tumble, followed
by a networking BBQ at the
Gliffaes Country Hotel.
Demand grew, to the extent
that on the day of the event in
September 2013, 26 riders left
the Gliffaes after a morning coffee
and pastries.
Even a writer from Cycling
Weekly travelled hundreds of
miles to join us and write a story
on what he considered a rst.
So why a corporate cycling
day? Theres no disputing the
growth of cycling, particularly
amongst professionals.
Road cycling is fast becoming
the new middle aged crisis.
Fast cars are being swapped
for ultra light carbon bikes and
replica Team Sky jerseys.
Strava stats are being checked
and pored over as regularly as the
obligatory work e-mail.
Everyones trying to loose
the middle aged tummy and bag
a KOM.
I guess back in the day, the
same was true for golf. At one
time it was the growth sport.
In turn, the golf course was
the place to network. Maybe
corporate days just reect leisure
(or rather mens leisure) pursuits?
Trawling through LinkedIn Ive
discovered a number of cyclists
in business groups, with various
posts about corporate days and
client cycling meetings. Many
city rms of traders, lawyers
and bankers now host corporate
cycling days, charity events and
even replicating stages of the Tour
de France. When a topic gets
coverage in the Economist, its
now beyond a novelty.
Unquestionably with a
corporate cycling day everyone
shares the rush of endorphins on
a fast descent or the euphoria
in tackling something like the
Tumble.
There is also an easy rhythm
about conversations on a bike.
Perhaps the most compelling
reason why cycling is a good way
to network is because, for many
professionals, its a passion and
a way of life. Getting out on the
bike is what were all dreaming of
while were sitting at our desks.
And a shared passion is a fantastic
way to start any relationship.
Cycling - the new golf
By Jason Smith, consultant with Bikecation
18
S
outh Wales most prestigious cookery school,
Angela Grays Cookery School at Llanerch
Vineyard, has recently teamed up with Welsh
kitchen manufacturer Sigma 3 to completely refurbish
the teaching kitchens.
The companies have formed the partnership to
show how working together can help Welsh brands
to promote expertise within their industry, offering
renowned cookery courses in high end facilities.
The new kitchens now feature a range of high
quality Sigma 3 kitchen units, made locally in their
factory in Llantrisant, using Sigma 3s contemporary
and bespoke design.
Sigma 3 has also supplied the school with six
Neff ovens and hobs, equipped with the latest in
induction technology, one of the most efcient ways
of cooking.
Angela Grays Cookery School at Llanerch
Vineyard offers everyone from complete beginners
to budding chefs the opportunity to develop their
culinary repertoire via a range of courses from skill
builders to Masterclasses, all designed and taught by
renowned chef Angela Gray.
Angela forged a career working extensively around
Europe and North America as both personal chef
to esteemed clients, notably Lord Andrew Lloyd
Webber and as a head chef to various establishments.
She returned to Wales where her career
blossomed in the media world with several television
and radio series for BBC Wales.
Angela opened her cookery school in 2010 and
was recently named as one of the top 10 cookery
school in the UK by The Telegraph, (they are also in
The Independent top 10,) standing alongside some of
the most prestigious in the country, including Leiths
in London and Raymond Blancs Le Manoir.
Sigma 3 is a family-owned business which
manufactures all of its kitchens at its very own
50,000 sq ft state-of-the-art
factory in Llantrisant.
The rm has ve retail outlets
across Wales six across the
South of England and one in the
North of England. Established
almost 40 years ago, Sigma 3
has a reputation for providing
high-quality products and offering
a free, personal, expert design
service. It has grown to become
one of the leading kitchen
manufacturers in the UK.
A number of cooking
demonstrations, hosted by
Angela Gray, will be held in
Sigma 3s showrooms over the
autumn, providing customers
Recipe for success
with the chance to sample her cuisine,
and see a Sigma kitchen in action.
Angela Gray, chef and owner of
Angela Grays Cookery School, said:
Sigma 3 has created such an amazing
work space for us. Its such a pleasure
to go to work every day and we are
so excited to share it with our visitors.
I know that the kitchen together with
the snazzy Neff appliances will inspire
creativity in all who come there to
cook.
Brian Lakin, chief executive of
Sigma 3 Kitchens, said: Were very
excited to have teamed up with
Llanerch Vineyard on this exciting
project. Were proud of our Welsh
heritage and are keen to support
other Welsh businesses where
possible. Working with Llanerch
Vineyard is the perfect partnership
for us. Our beautifully designed
kitchens and modern appliances
perfectly complement the range of
inspiring cooking programmes led by
Angela Gray. I believe that we can
both help each other to build and
progress business in the future.
Sponsored feature
20
T
he Mons, a new award for
Monmouthshire, were picked up by ten
businesses, charities and individuals from
the county at a special event held at St Pierre,
near Chepstow.
The awards were the brainchild of Jo
Barnes, editor of Monmouthshire County
Life magazine, who came up with the idea of
rewarding some of the countys unsung heroes
as part of the magazines 10th anniversary
celebrations.
Jo said: In Monmouthshire we are
surrounded by amazing talent from world-
class chefs to best-selling authors but we
are also surrounded by unsung heroes who
work tirelessly in their own elds to make
Monmouthshire the diverse and vibrant county
we love.
MCL asked the people of Monmouthshire to
nominate possible recipients and then a panel
of judges, including members of the MCL team,
whittled the list down to the nal 10.
Awards went to the Severn Area Rescue
Association; David Sansom of Usk for his
work with Usk Festival; the owners of the Inn
at Penallt for their hard work in bringing a
near-redundant village pub back to life; Anne
Rainsbury, curator of Chepstow Museum and
one of the founders of Chepstow Festival;
Steve Davies, of
Homes of Elegance
in Abergavenny for
his work promoting
the town; Donald
Stewart, for his
work spreading a
love of traditional
Celtic music through
Gwent Music
Service; Henry
Ashby, who is an
integral part of the
Monmouthshire
food scene
providing some of
the top restaurants
in the area with foraged food; The Rotary Club
of Monmouth for their fund-raising activities
especially the hugely-popular Monmouth Raft
Race; and Jenny MacGregor who has run the
Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies
near Monmouth for 37 years.
A posthumous award was also given to
Alison Beasley, a driving force for promoting
Chepstow and one of the founders of
Chepstow Radio. Her
daughter Remy attended the
event to accept the award on
behalf of the family.
Each winner received
a specially commissioned
ceramic pot, which were
designed and handmade
by young Tintern potter
Kristian Vaughan-Adkins
and sponsored by Newport-
based public relations rm,
DBPR, whose managing
director, David Barnes, lives
in Monmouthshire.
Jo Barnes said: I am so
pleased the awards were
such a success. It was great to meet all these
unsung heroes and nd out more about what
they do for the county. Were already planning
next years event.
Celebrating the people
of Monmouthshire
MCL editor Jo Barnes, centre, with the
MCL team (Alia Sarsom, Katie Adams
and Andrea Hall), and winners of The
Mons and, right, David Barnes, of DBPR
Newport, who sponsored the trophies
21
And the
winners were...
JENNY MACGREGOR
It is unlikely that when Jenny was working at Vogue she
could have imagined spending her sunset years ghting
extreme cruelty and neglect of horses and ponies, knee-
deep in muddy paddocks, or chasing y-grazing ponies
down the M4 in the dead of night. What started as inheriting
a compassionate charity, the Society for the Welfare of
Horses and Ponies, to save the suffering of horses and
ponies being sold into the horsemeat trade, has resulted in
a 40 year crusade against cruelty to horses, with a hospital
and re-homing programme that then cares for her charges
until the end of their days. Jenny has sacriced a comfortable
life but has won through to be rewarded with visits from
royalty, an MBE, and now one of The Mons.
DONALD STEWART
If there is a measure for making a positive difference to
peoples lives, Donald Stewart would be in overload. From
an almost accidental beginning with Gwent Music Service,
he has brought traditional Celtic music into the lives of
thousands of children in the county, using nothing more than
a penny whistle, enthusiasm and good humour. Always willing
to put himself out for people, he has almost singlehandly
generated a vibrant music tree of traditional Celtic music, and
in doing so, is helping to preserve the traditional tunes of our
ancestors for the next generation.
STEVE DAVIES
Anyone who has been to Abergavenny must know Homes
of Elegance, the wonderful interiors shop which you cant
miss on the way into town. Started in 1961 by Eric Davies
and now run by his son Steve, this family business offers a
superb mix of authentic, vintage and contemporary styles
which have rmly put Abergavenny on the map in the
design world. Steve also does what he can to promote the
town which has been home to his family business for more
than 50 years, and has recently set up the website Love
Abergavenny to help in that aim.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF MONMOUTH
The Rotary Club of Monmouth was chosen as a winner
mainly because of its organisation of the Monmouth Raft Race
over the last 10 years. This annual event, which sees its 50th
outing next year, alone has raised thousands for local charities
including St Davids Hospice Care. This year saw a record-
breaking amount of rafts take to the River Wye. But the club
holds many other fundraising activites and in the year ending
June 30, 2013, it donated almost 47,000 to charity.
22
More winners...
INN AT PENALLT
Four years ago owners Jackie and Andrew Murphy sold their
house and bought a near-closed pub in the heart of rural
Monmouthshire a pretty brave step in anyones estimation.
They completely refurbished the building and were joined
by head Chef Peter Hulsmann before opening as The Inn at
Penallt in March 2010 and bringing a near redundant village
pub back to life. Since then The Inn has rmly established itself
as part of the Monmouthshire food scene. The Inns rst AA
rosette was quickly followed by being named AA pub of The
Year for Wales 2012/13 and inclusion in the latest Michelin
Guide to Eating Out.
DAVID SANSOM
Usk festival started some nine years ago when David took
over as chair of Usk Chamber of Commerce. It turned into
one of the highlights of the Usk year, and last year a record
attendance, estimated at more than 10,000 visited the town
over the weekend enjoying the countys largest Christmas
themed market and much more. The success of this spawned
a summer version, over a longer period, which last year saw
33 community events staged 10 days including the rst Usk
Jazz Weekend. David has run the event for the last few years
independent of the Chamber of Commerce and his small team
ensure that the festival goes from strength to strength. His day
job sees him running a successful arts business based at the
Gallery in the Square. Hes part of a small team delivering the
Welsh Assemblys Young Enterprise Scheme across schools in
South Wales, and was a national judge in this years Enterprise
Troopers Competition.
ALISON BEASLEY
We were absolutely delighted when Alison was nominated
to receive one of our awards, although sadly posthumously.
Alison was a driving force behind putting Chepstow rmly on
the map and promoting the town to residents and outsiders
alike. Over the years she managed several pubs in the town,
latterly The White Lion. She was an avid music lover and was
happy to help up-and-coming local bands looking for live gigs.
She was also instrumental in the start-up of Chepstow Radio
and had her own DJ slot as Landlady Lil. She was someone
with real community spirit and a real champion of Chepstow.
Alisons daughter Remy accepted the award on behalf of the
family.
ANNE RAINSBURY
Anne moved to Chepstow in 1982 to become curator of
Chepstow Museum and in so doing turned an empty building into
the important museum it is today. She has raised nearly 1 million
in lottery and other grant funding to buy signicant art works
for the museums collection and also to develop facilities and
programmes, including the creation several nationally important
exhibitions, workshops and day schools. She was responsible for
the 1990s conversion of Chepstows Drill Hall from rundown
furniture auction venue into the museums Educational Resource
Centre, laying the foundations for it to become the thriving arts
and community centre now it is. In 1988 she was co-founder of
the Chepstow Festival and still the festivals programme co-
ordinator. She was also co-producer, writer and researcher of
all the Chepstow Festival Son-et-lumires at Chepstow Castle,
Caldicot Castle and Tintern Abbey.
SEVERN AREA RESCUE ASSOCIATION
SARA was founded in 1973, with its then headquarters at Tutshill,
which is near the current Beachley station. In 1976 SARA became
a registered charity and purchased its rst boat in 1977. It now
has a purpose built boathouse at Beachley and three other bases
along the River Severn. It carries out rescues and searches on our
local rivers and also at places like Wintours Leap working closely
with police, the re service and the coastguard. It is run entirely by
volunteers and relies heavily on donations to help keep us all safe.
SARA has also recently established a base in Newport.
HENRY ASHBY
Henry is an integral part of the food scene in Monmouthshire in that
he supplies some of the top restaurants in the county and beyond
with food which grows wild in the hedgerows, river banks and
woods. Henry, a former submariner, has been foraging for about
50 years. A few years ago he turned his passion for wild food into a
business, Wild Food 365, which has gone from strength to strength.
He supplies restaurants including the Crown at Whitebrook and
also Restaurant James Sommerin in Penarth (he rst met James
when he was executive chef at the Crown when it held a Michelin
Star). Anyone who has chatted to Henry for more than a couple of
minutes or heard him cant fail to be grabbed by his enthusiasm for
the foods which grown wild throughout our county.
I
f you want to nominate an
unsung hero for The Mons
2015 please get in touch.
We are looking for people
from all walks of life who do
great things for the county of
Monmouthshire.
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.
If you want to nominate
someone for consideration,
please email MCL editor Jo
Barnes at jo.barnes@gwent-
wales.co.uk.
We will draw up a list
of all the nominations and
then our judges who know
Monmouthshire and its people
well will sit down and choose
ve to receive one of The Mons
2015.
We will hold a special,
invitation-only event
somewhere in Monmouthshire
in September 2015 where the
nalists will be rewarded with
one of The Mons. The closing
date for nominations is August
1, 2015.
FOR ALL
THATS GOOD
ABOUT THE
COUNTY
If you want to make sure
you get the next edition,
subscribe online at
www.monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION
CONTACT ANDREA HALL ON
01633 777207
26
A
s Indian summers go, September was a
pretty good one for us this year. After
a hot and sultry day of picnics and late
Pimms, on the rst Sunday of the month there
was a historic gathering within the historic walls
of Usk Castle.
An event which the stone fortress would not
have witnessed for centuries.
The Beating of the Retreat was performed by
the band of the Gwent and Powys Army Cadet
Force.
The crowd which lined the sward of green
which used to be the castle courtyard, were
treated to stirring military marches, traditional
Welsh airs, and modern classics like Adeles hits,
in a musical repertoire on the march. It was
smart, easy on the eye, easy on the ear, and a
very impressive 30 minutes.
At the end of the show, dignitaries exchanged
salutes, the Union Jack was lowered from the
agpole on one of the turrets, and the band
marched out of the castle gates and into the
gathering gloom of the approaching night.
Beating of the Retreat derived from the
Medieval practice of a drummer boy being
sent out of the camp or garrison, to gather in
all the soldiers who might have been foraging
or working outside the defensive perimeter to
come back in for the night. It developed into a
more elaborate affair with the burgeoning of
the army to support an empire, and is now an
entertaining spectacle of music, uniforms and
marching bands.
This was probably the rst time that the
castle had seen organised soldiery since Sir
William Herbert marched off in the Wars of the
Roses to meet defeat and execution at the battle
of Edgecote in 1469. After his death the castle
fell into disuse, and so this Septembers Beating
of the Retreat was a historic return of soldiers
to the ruined walls of the fortress.
Except that the uniformed band members
were the ACF, not soldiers.
Colonel Robert Hughes, Commandant of
Gwent and Powys ACF is very rm about this.
And he should know, as he has been with the
ACF for 24 years. So they are not soldiery, just
look like it because they are kitted out by the
army.
They may look like soldiers, they may
march like soldiers, and salute like soldiers, but
surprisingly the ACF is not part of the army at
all. And Col Hughes is adamant that it is not
even an overt recruiting organisation for the
army.
The army just equips them and dresses them,
and allows them to do things they would not
normally do in adventurous training, eldcraft
and outdoor activities. Oh, and teaches them to
shoot, so they are able to shoot at competition
level.
But the organisation is a separate charity,
and Col Hughes sees it as a more attractive
alternatives to Scouts or Boys Brigade.
Because we are supported by the MOD we
are low cost, and we are in a lot of communities,
and we do not have a waiting list, he said. Our
job is to take them and shape them, and develop
them into good citizens.
Importantly, it was the rst time that the
band of Gwent and Powys ACF had played in
aid of the Friends of the organisation. This is
signicant because the ACF has only recently
had its Friends. And as we all know Friends are
important.
In among some of the latest shrinking and
reshufing of Britains military, the Friends
of the ACF came into existence to manage
One for the history books
Will Loram experiences a beating the retreat
at one of Monmouthshires wonderful castles...
27
funds, and help fund raising for
detatchments so that cadets
can indulge in better outward
bound and adventure training,
or sponsor cadets to be able
to go on more expensive
trips. And the Friends of the
ACF raise the money to buy
equipment the army stores does
not extend to that is currently
Canadian canoes for waterborne
adventures and challenges for
the teenagers in uniform.
Col Hughes says there is no
connection between warfare
based video games as the
motivation for cadets to walk
through the drill hall door. It
is more about the activities
that the youngsters can get
involved in like rock climbing,
archery, shooting, abseiling, and
canoeing.
Oh and music. Both Gwent
and Powys ACF have strong
traditions with their bands,
and with the cyclical nature of
this sort of thing, are coming
together strongly as a musical
unit.
There are more than 750
cadets in the Gwent and Powys
ACF, with Detachments meeting
twice a week, and at weekends
where there are sports as well
as learning skills such as First Aid
and map reading, and lots more.
From Newport and Caldicot in
the south, up the Valleys through
Pontypool, Blackwook and
Blaenavon, to Abergavenny and
Monmouth, there are plenty of
detachments in the county, with
a total of 40 within the combined
Gwent and Powys boundaries.
A full list of Detachments in
Monmouthshire can be found
at the ACF website https://
armycadets.com/county/gwent-
and-powys-acf/
One of the big things at the
ACF is a number of expeditions,
both in the UK and abroad. Next
year there is a Welsh expedition
to Morocco to climb the Atlas
Mountains and then do some
voluntary working helping local
communities. This is challenging,
stimulating and exciting stuff, but
if money is tight for a cadet, he
or she would miss out on this
opportunity. This is where the
Friends step in with their fund
raising, and make sure that even
those who cannot afford the
expedition costs are able to go
with an individual bursary award.
But the big push at the
moment is for Canadian style
canoes, for camps near lakes,
and river expeditions, and the
Friends are looking for people or
organisations to sponsor canoes
to be used by all Detachments
within the area.
Anyone interested
supporting the Gwent and
Powys ACF should contact
Russell Stafford-Tolley at
staffordtolley@beyondsl.net
Naturally beautiful
Coco Chanel proclaimed that every women needed
ropes and ropes of pearls. MCL meets artisan
jewellery designer Lucy Jean Davies at her studios
near Usk to nd out how she is hoping to realise
that dream...
A
tiny candle ame
ickers atop the
nautical coloured
writing bureau stood in the
corner of Lucy Jean Davies
octagon-shaped jewellery
studio.
The bureau door is
open forming a worn-
looking worktable. On it
lays a stringing board; a
precise-looking instrument
embedded with oval-like
tracks. Led in each is an
array of strange and eclectic
shaped pearls.
Lucy reaches forward;
rst to take a sip from the
steaming oversized coffee
cup sat next to her, and
then to pick-up a peculiar
shaped needle.
Its called a knotter,
she explains, using the
tool to thread a piece of
pearl silk through a gold-
coloured coin pearl. I must
have made more than a
thousand pearl necklaces
using it. Its a bit worn now,
Ive had to glue and repair
it a few times over the
years, but its the only one
Ive ever really liked using
so I guess its a part of me
now!
Lucy made her rst pearl
necklace with the trusted
tool more than 10-years-
ago working for Raw
Pearls, one of the fashion
industrys most-revered
pearl jewellery houses, in
Somerset where she grew-
up. She joined the company
having graduated from
Somerset College with a
diploma in Fashion and
Textiles and quickly found
her home there designing
and stringing pearl
jewellery worth hundreds
of thousands of pounds
for prestigious national
retailers.
It was such an exciting
time, she remembers
fondly. The studio wasnt
overly big and was hidden
along an old, winding
lane in the middle of the
Somerset countryside.
We were a small team
designing, stringing and
making jewellery using the
most beautiful freshwater
and cultured pearls from
Asia. I learnt so much
being there, particularly
about understanding and
knowing the quality of
true, naturally-formed
pearls. Its something
that Ive taken with me in
setting-up my own artisan
pearl jewellery business.
Lucy launched Lili
Meadow Jewellery early
this year having moved
to Monmouthshire to live
with her husband in 2011
after graduating from
Cardiff University with a
degree in photography.
Although I was very
happy working as a
designer at Raw Pearls,
I had always wanted to
go to university and had
found memories of South
Wales from when I was
a child on family holidays
in Monmouthshire and
Cardiff. Thats why I
decided to go to Cardiff
University to study a
degree in photography.
It gave me the chance
to explore more of my
passions for art and I was
also lucky enough to meet
my husband while living
there as well.
He worked as a public
relations consultant and
lived in Penperlleni near
Usk. I remember falling in
love the village on my very
rst visit there and knew
Lu Je De
32
instantly I wanted
to be there with him.
I moved in with Noel
after graduating in
2011 and we were
married at the village
church in December
the following year.
Its such a
beautiful place to
be and the perfect
inspiration for
designing jewellery in.
The countryside that
surrounds Penperlleni
is breathtaking; you
have the silhouette-
like landscape of the
Skirrid and Sugar
Loaf mountains,
the fairytale
Wernfawr Woods,
and the peace and
tranquility of the
Monmouthshire and
Brecon Canal all on
your doorstep. Its
a magical place to
be and denitely
embedded in many
of my designs and
creations.
Lucy describes the
bespoke jewellery
that she makes as
being very different
from the classic
necklaces that many
have come to expect
with pearls.
Traditionally
people associate
pearls with the
Hollywood glamour
of vintage bead
necklaces. What Ive
tried to do differently
with my designs is
give a more creative
edge to what a pearl
necklace is. I called
the company Lili
Meadow because
nature and the
countryside form an
important part of the
creative process I go
through.
The necklaces that
I design and make
are unique one-off
pieces using quality
cultured river pearls
and Keshi pearls from
Asia. I use different
shaped pearls such
as baroque, coins,
diamonds and even
hearts and butteries
and lace these
together alongside
hand-crafted ne
silver pendants and
beads that I make
to create necklaces
that wow and inspire.
Having trained with
Raw Pearls, I pride
myself on being
meticulous with the
quality of my designs
so every necklace is
fully-knotted using
pearl silk.
Its been very
exciting starting
Lili Meadow
Jewellery. Weve
transformed our
small conservatory
into a studio for me to work from and
all of the photography to showcase the
necklaces has been taken by me locally
at places such as Usk Castle and the
Castle Meadows in Abergavenny. All
of my pieces are available through the
Lili Meadow website, but it would be
wonderful if next year I could organise
for some local boutiques to stock my
jewellery too. My real passion is to give
women more opportunities to wear and
enjoy pearls.
When shes not designing and
making necklaces, Lucy helps women
affected by domestic abuse working as
a Support Change Coordinator with
Womens Aid. She also enjoys spending
time with her husband walking in the
Black Mountains with their springer
spaniel Daisy.
Shes always sat next to me when
Im designing and making jewellery,
Lucy smiles. Maybe Ill have to make
her a necklace one day too!
For more information about
Lucys pearl necklaces visit www.
lilimeadowjewellery.co.uk.


33
GET GROOMING...
T
imes have changed. In the
last few years male grooming
products have become almost as
popular as womens. Some of us
even moisturise now.
As Christmas approaches and
youre getting stuck for gift ideas,
why not get the important man in
your life to try some of these kinds
of products. After all, a tired-
looking face has no place on the
modern man.
A great gift set comes in the
form of The Refinerys Essential
Kit (1). Priced at 45, this kit
really does have the essentials for
a brilliant gift.
The pack contains a 50ml bottle
of moisturiser and a 100ml bottle
of face wash.
The face wash leaves a real
fresh feeling after the first use.
Continued use helps to revitalise
the face. It also contains antiseptic
properties from its natural
ingredients and has subtle hints of
cedar wood and mint.
The rich moisturiser, which has
a handy pump-top, is full of anti-
ageing ingredients. Unlike a lot of
moisturisers, it is unique in how
it doesnt leave your face feeling
slightly sticky after using it. Ideal
for use after applying the face
wash, it helps make skin feel soft
and smooth.
The kit also comes with a wash
bag, which is a great way to take
your Refinery products with you,
when away from home.
Visit www.
aromatherapyassociates.com/
refinery/refinery-and-skincare.
html for more products and
information.
1
3
1. Wash bag. 19.99.
www.gettingpersonal.co.uk
2. Ted Baker shoe shine kit.
42.50. www.berryred.co.uk
3. Perfect Gent In A Matchbox.
4.99.
www.inamatchbox.com
2
BY JOSH KNAPMAN
34
E
volve Aesthetic Clinic Ltd recently launched
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Evolve business partners, Abu Feroz and
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long-awaited scientically-advanced aesthetic
treatments to Torfaen in a luxurious and
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Caroline is the former-owner of Facial
Attraction Beauty Salon and has more than 23
years experience in the beauty and aesthetics
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she has worked with numerous celebrities,
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Abu is a qualied general surgeon and
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36
EAT
MONM OUT HSHIRE
9 pages of recipes
and news from
around the county
T
wo breweries in
Monmouthshire are
celebrating after they were
included on a new list of
those recommended by a
national real ale society.
Caldicot-based Castles
(pictured) and the Coach
and Horses Inn, in
Chepstow, were the new
additions from Gwent to
the Campaign for Real Ales
Good Beer Guide 2015.
They were among 14
new Welsh breweries
included in the list and only
79 breweries from the
country are featured in the
guide.
Castle Brewery, based at
engineering rm Advanced
Maintenance Solutions on
the Severn Bridge Industrial
Estate, is run by Mike Micic
and his family.
He said he had decided
to have a go when he
was left with an empty
industrial unit next to his
companys premises at the
start of the year.
Mr Micics sons Nathan
and Matthew and his wife
Carolyn all chip to help
brewing at evenings and
weekends.
And they will be
attending their rst
agricultural show with
bottled beer at the Usk
Show on Saturday.
On the brewerys name,
Mr Micic added: We are
in a place where we are
surrounded by castles. We
came to a decision that it
would be nice to be castle-
related.
All their beers have
castle-themed names. They
include: Kings Reserve,
Portcullis, Court Jester,
Black Smith, Portcullis and
White Knight.
Meanwhile, Nic Meyrick,
who runs the Coach and
Horses Inn in Chepstow
with his family, said he was
over the moon with its
inclusion.
It is one in a long line
of achievements for the
business, which has been
named Gwent town pub of
the year for the last four
years by Camra.
The pubs landlord,
Ian Meyrick, brewed a
new golden ale, Worlds
Grumpiest Landlord, when
the pub was awarded its
unprecedented title back
in April. By the end of the
evening, the cask had been
emptied.
The Good Beer guide
editor Roger Protz said:
Its fantastic to see a
continued growth in local
brewing, which has been
encouraged by an increased
interest in local ales.
The overall brewery
number has been heavily
contributed to by small
breweries, which have
been popping up across the
country.
Its welcome news
for ale lovers as more
breweries means more
choice.
Brewers say cheers
to top recognition
M
onmouthshire restaurants have a great showing
in a recently published guide.
The Good Food Guide, published by Waitrose,
the high standard of dining in Wales, with a total
of 74 restaurants, pubs and cafs from across the
region included.
The Hardwick in Abergavenny, run by Stephen
Terry, is placed 11th in the top 50 pub listings in the
guide, while the Foxhunter in Nantyderry, which is
run by Matt Tebbutt, has been placed 30th.
Matt Tebbutt, head chef at the Foxhunter, said:
It is fantastic to be in such good company and the
Good Food Guide is such a respected publication in
the industry.
Restaurant James Sommerin in Penarth,
which is run by the former executive head chef
of The Crown at Whitebrook before it closed
and reopened, came 30th in the guides Top 50
restaurant listings.
His former restaurant, The Crown at
Whitebrook, which was re-opened last October by
Chris Harrod, who trained under chef Raymond
Blanc, is also listed in the guide as a new entry.
Other Gwent restaurants to get a mention are
The Walnut Tree and 1861, both near Abergavenny.
M
arc Coreld has been named as the new head
chef at ffresh Bar and Restaurant housed
within the iconic Wales Millennium Centre in
the heart of Cardiff Bay.
Coreld, 35, brings with him a wealth of knowledge
and experience with more than ten years experience
including six-and-a-half-years at The Walnut Tree,
one of Wales best-loved and most celebrated Michelin
Star restaurants.
Working with his mentor and previous colleague
Shaun Hill, who is also a consultant at ffresh, Coreld
is very excited about the prospect of bringing his
learning and passion for cooking to this new role.
ffresh has been listed in the Good Food Guide for the
past three years and has been lauded as a destination
restaurant creating great dishes at great prices.
Coreld didnt have a traditional entry into the
world of cooking, instead deciding to study Art and
Design rstly in Cardiff and then in Wolverhampton.
However, working part-time as a commis chef
alongside his studies, Marc quickly discovered a passion
for the kitchen. Growing more interested in nding his
metier than continuing to study, Marc left his course
to embark instead on an odyssey into the world of
cooking.
I guess I wanted to actually get down to working
I enjoyed the process and I loved learning on the job
far more satisfying than learning the theory rst and
then putting it into action.
M
onmouthshire has two
Michelin starred restaurants
again, after The Crown at
Whitebrook, which reopened a year
ago, achieved the accolade less than
a year since chef Chris Harrod took
the helm.
The other restaurant in the county
to hold the award is The Walnut Tree,
near Abergavenny, which is run by
chef Shaun Hill.
They are among ve restaurants in
Wales to hold a star. Ynyshir Hall in
Machynlleth won a star this year. The
other holders are Tyddyn Llan, in ??,
and The Checkers, in Montgomery.
The Felin Fach Grifn, near Brecon,
is the only restaurant in the whole of
Wales to have a Bib Gourmand.
The accolades were made public
with the publication of the 2015
Michelin Guide for Great Britain and
Ireland.
Other Monmouthshire
establishments to get a mention in
the guide are: Llansantffraed Court
and its Court restaurant, and The
Angel, both Abergavenny; 1861, Cross
Ash; The Foxhunter, Nant-y-derry;
The Stonemill, Rockeld; The Inn at
Penallt; The Bell at Skenfrith; Glen-yr-
Afon Hotel, Usk; The Raglan Arms,
Llandenny; The White Hart Village
Inn, Llangybi; and The Newbridge on
Usk.
County pubs
named are in
UK top 50
Two stars shine
for county in
Michelin Guide
MARC CORFIELD JOINS
FFRESH BAR AND
RESTAURANT
37
EAT
MONM OUT HSHIRE 9 pages of recipes
and news from
around the county
1. Coaster. 4. www.themosaicgarden.co.uk
2. Jug. 15. www.tch.net
3. Tree platter. 10. Tesco
4. Robin glass decorations. 2.99
for pack of 10. www.gingerray.co.uk
5. Large gold plate. 1.
www.poundland.co.uk
6. Cake stand. 8.99. www.gingerray.co.uk
Festive
Fancies
Chefsprofile
Kyle Wilson
Sawyers Bar and Grill,
Magor
4
5
3
6
1
2
How long have you been
a chef and where did you
train?
Ive been a chef for nine
years. I trained at the
Fwrrwm Ishta in Machen.

Why did you decide to
follow this career path?
I started working on a pot
wash and started seeing what
food was being created. I had
a passion for fresh food and
pastry. I asked the head chef
if he would teach me and
he did.
What makes your
restaurant different from
others in the area?
We are an American
inuenced restaurant
producing fresh food only
using the best ingredients we
can get locally. We stand out
as we love food and great
service and we make sure
that each of our guests get
this every time.
Who is your foodie hero
and why?
Ha food hero! Well Neil
Davies trained me and took
me through the ranks from
pot wash to head chef.
Without someone giving me
the time and he training I
wouldnt have achieved what
I have today.
What do you think about
the way food, restaurants
and chefs are becoming it
in popular culture?
I think its great being
passionate about food,
and the way people run
their restaurants. As far as
becoming it in popular
culture, I think chefs dont do
it just to have this status. I
just think we try to strive to
produce and maintain great
food as much as possible. If
we get well known then it is
only through the hard work
and long hours we put in.
Why is Monmouthshire
such a great place for food?
It promotes a great food
festival, and has great
restaurants ranging from
the Walnut Tree and the
Hardwick to Sawyers Bar
and Grill.
38
A NEW STAR COMES
TO THE COUNTY
Sponsored feature
J
ust days before the restaurant in
the heart of the Wye Valley was
awarded three AA Rosettes.
Chris, a Raymond Blanc-trained
chef, said: I felt elated, exuberant,
proud of my team. I knew we had
been inspected and I felt we were
cooking condently and had found a
style food we were very comfortable
with, but with being open only 11
months I wasnt expecting it this
year..
Id not been working specically
towards gaining this sort of
recognition. Really I was working to
establish my new business as quickly
as possible, making sure we delivered
the high standards guests were use to
previously from day one.
To me building a team and
working towards delivering my
vision for The New Crown is
more important than working for
accolades. I see The Crown as
a project and we are just at the
beginning. However it is nice to have
the recognition and being recognised
for the standards we are delivering.
Because of our location, I knew
the restaurant had to be different,
something you could not nd in
another restaurant in any town or
city around the world. Our location
became an integral part of The New
Crown experience.
Working with forager Henry
Ashby, the valley on my doorstep
became my natural larder. I had
exciting new ingredients and avours,
such as mallow, scurvy grass and
hogweed allowing me to create
dishes which are individual and
personal and which reect a deep
connection to the area.
I also made a decision to only
use ingredients from the British
Isles, which we are pretty much
doing except for things like lemons,
oranges and chocolate when it comes
to dessert, but I am still working on
ways to replace them.
Feedback has been fantastic
from customers. They have been
amazed by the avours and really
interested in the new foraged
ingredients. They love the new layout
of the restaurant and nd it more
relaxed and saying how friendly and
Chef patron at The Crown at Whitebrook Chris
Harrod is celebrating after being awarded a
Michelin star within his rst year in business...
welcoming the staff are.
Chris and his
team refurbished the
restaurant when he
opened and are now
planning a complete
refurbishment of the
eight bedrooms in the
new year. This will
reect his vision for the
restaurant - natural,
organic and more
luxurious.
He is also planning
to host some wine
dinners and evenings
with forager Henry
Ashby. He said he would
also like to introduce
Farmers dinners where
one ingredient in season
can be showcased.
Sponsored feature
A
ll meats are sourced
from James Simmons,
of Hewelseld Court,
Hewelseld, St Briavels, and
Bernard James, of Rodmore
Farm, St Briavels. The lamb
is from Kath Richardson,
of Home Farm, Itton,
free range chickens from
Madgetts Farm, Tidenham,
and pork from Upper Brook
Farm, Malvern.
Also available at the
moment is local pheasant,
wild duck, partridge, wild
boar and venison. We also
have had fresh grouse.
At Christmas we will be
having free range turkeys,
boneless turkey crown,
geese, ducks, chickens, ribs
of beef together with local
cheese, beer, cider and a
variety of Tracklements
chutneys and jams.
Keeping
it local
A&H Jones Butchers,
which is located in
Tutshill, Chepstow,
oers a ne selection of
locally-sourced/reared
meats together with
homemade pies, sausage,
burgers and faggots...
By Hannah Freeman
T
he September weekend saw
more that 200 producers,
thousands of visitors and
a good sprinkling of celebrity
guests embark upon a weekend
of tastes, smells and merriment
a true recipe for success.
Although the festival, which was
awarded Best Event in Wales,
2013 in the National Tourism
Awards for Wales, is focussed
on ve venues, stalls and shops
spill onto the streets and there is
a distinct community feel to this
internationally-renowned event.
Local traders windows are foodie
themed and all the pubs, hotels and
restaurants collaborate with special
menus, offers and tastings.
Among those ying the ag
for Monmouthshire at this
years festival were the Apple
County Cider Company; based in
Newcastle, near Monmouth.
Their Deciderly Good products
are made with 100 per cent
apple juice specialising in single
variety ciders, their enthusiasm
for their products shines through.
Newcastle is also home to Petals
of the Valley, Monmouthshire and
possibly Wales rst producer of
single-estate rosewater. A very
fashionable kitchen addition,
rosewater has been produced for
thousands of years; it takes 1kg of
rose petals to produce one litre of
rosewater.
Co-founder Desdemona
Freeman was delighted to be
launching at our local market which
just happens to be one of the most
well-known food festivals in the
country.
Produced from organic, home-
grown roses, which are picked and
steam-distilled once, the nished
product is then packaged in elegant
violet glass bottles.
Other local stalwarts included
James Swift, of Trealy Farm.
Nationally renowned for splendid
chaucuterie, Trealy Farm is one
of Monmouthshires true success
stories and James demonstration
on the Art of Curing Bacon was
very well received.
Although Abergavenny attracts
producers from as far aeld as
Spain and Italy, there was a strong
Welsh/Marches theme.
Friday evening saw an hour of
cheese and cocktails hosted by
Gloucestershire cheese-maker
and distiller Charles Martell, (he of
Stinking Bishop cheese fame).
Saturday, and local chef Matt
Tebbitt demonstrated gravadlax
and salmon curing, while festival
patron, local legend Franco
Taruschio offered the art of pasta
making.
Sunday included a talk on
seasonal fruit liqueurs from Lindy
Wildsmith.
The Castle provided the
soapbox-style Rude Health
Rant stage, which allowed those
so inclined to rant about any
aspect of the food and hospitality
industries be it actively cutting
down food miles, the politics of
food or just a take on their own
food philosophy.
Live music entertained festival-
goers who were spoiled for choice
when it came to lunchtime in the
Street Food Village.
The Castle also provided
entertainment for children including
a cookery workshop as well as
staging the Tools for Self Reliance
Cymru tent. This Crickhowell-
based charity has been operating
since 1983 and has 60 active
volunteers in the UK who meet
and refurbish donated tools which
are then either sold at festivals and
events to raise money or are sent
to rural areas of Africa.
The other venues, the Priory,
the Market Hall, Lions Place and
Brewery Yard (which also hosted
the festivals rst night market)
were packed on both days.
The stunning variety of treats
on offer included goat sausages,
lavender jelly and beef and mead
biltong.
English wines, delicate botanical
liquors and locally-produced ales sat
alongside an enormous number of
cheeses, many from Wales and the
Borders including those made by
the famous Neals Yard Creamery
of Dorstone, Herefordshire.
Pontypools, The Bakestone
Bakery provided gluten free
choices, Welsh cakes were a
particular favourite and The
Handmade Scotch Egg Company
offered vegetarian options
alongside the more traditional
avours.
In its rst year at Abergavenny, a
relative newcomer to the business,
artisan ice cream company,
Minnies Homemade Ice Cream,
based near Hay-on-Wye saw
an exceptionally busy weekend,
enhanced no doubt by the late
summer sunshine.
The festival never fails to amaze
and next years festival, to be held
on September 19 and 20 is already
much anticipated.
Fabulous food
Foodie fever gripped as the 15th
Abergavenny Food Festival swept into
the normally sleepy market town...
From the top: 1. Bread for sale. 2. The packed Market Hall. 3. Chris Harrod, of
The Crown at Whitebrook with forager Henry Ashby give a talk hosted by Mike
Morgan, of Llansantffraed Court. 4. Buying onions from France
42
Lets eat
EAT
MONM OUT HSHIRE


Adam Whittle, chef at the White Hart Village
Inn, Llangybi, near Usk, has shared three great
dishes with us here at MCL. We hope you enjoy
them...
SUPPORTING OUR
FOOD PRODUCERS
Roasted
scallops, morcilla
curada & apple
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
8 large scallops
4 morcilla curada
(cured Spanish black pudding
1 apple
METHOD
Remove the scallops from their
shells and gently take off the
roes and skirts. Gently wash the
scallops in cold water. Remove
and pat on kitchen paper.
(Alternatively, buy the scallops
ready cleaned). When ready
to serve heat a large non-stick
frying pan over a medium to
high heat with a good drizzle
of oil. Lightly season the
scallops with salt and cook on
the presentation side first until
golden brown, turn and leave
for another 30 seconds. Remove
from the pan and warm in the
oven for 1-2 mins to warm
through.
4 morcilla curada (cured
Spanish black pudding) These
sausages can be served hot
or cold and are delicious both
but on this occasion I prefer to
use them hot. The texture and
flavour is similar to a standard
black pudding but they contain
more spice which at this time
of year adds a nice warmth to
the dish. Simply rub a little oil
onto the sausage and warm for
5-10 mins. Once warmed serve
whole or break up into pieces.
Drizzle some of the oil over the
completed dish.
1 apple
Cut into thin batons and scatter
Add salad shoots
THE
PERFECT
BACON
SARNIE
V
isiting Monmouth one morning
we decided it was time for a
coffee, so we made our way to the
top end of town to nd somewhere
to park.
Not far from there, set back
from the shops, we noticed The
Potting Shed and decided to give
it a go.
It was the potted plants which
attracted me, and of course the
tables with umbrellas dotted around
here and there.
Nothing too smart, the tables
had faded cloths and old mixed
china, but I liked that. It reminded
me of tea in an aunts garden many
years ago.
We ordered a bacon sarnie, and
sat outside enjoying the last of the
warm autumn days and admiring the
surroundings.
Had the weather been cold we
could have sat inside The Potting
Shed, where again it was relaxed
with a soft, faded atmosphere.
The bacon sarnie was delicious
- by far the best weve had for a
long time.
We sat on, chatting in the peace
and quiet of the little garden.
By this time of the year the plants
were past their best but that was the
charm of The Potting Shed.
We discussed plants, what to
buy next for our back garden as the
time had come to replace a few, so
we jotted down a few that would
be suitable.
Then I mentioned china and
fabric, and in no time we found
ourselves in a nearby charity shop
purchasing a nice bit of old faded
cloth, just right for our old table and
tea in the garden.
Further along the street and
there in another charity shop,
waiting just for me, a part set of old
china with only a few chips. What
a bargain! I was so pleased with
my nd.
On the corner we came across a
wonderful music shop and browsed
in there for a while.
We had one more purchase to
make before leaving Monmouth and
that was a gift for a trendy young
niece. It would have to be something
bright and modern and we found
the perfect thing further down the
street.
We made our way home with
our new items feeling so pleased
with our day in Monmouth.
JM
43
Lets eat
Beef rump,
mulled wine
quinoa,
beetroot &
onion
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
4 rump steaks (10oz square
cut used in picture)
METHOD
Season the steaks and seal
them in a hot pan with some
vegetable oil. Once the steaks
are sealed all over, add some
unsalted butter and continue
to baste until an even roasted
colour is achieved. Transfer
onto a tray and cook for 5-8
mins for medium rare to
medium.
INGREDIENTS
Mulled wine quinoa
Red or white quinoa
Mulled wine
METHOD
Follow the packet instructions
on the quinoa replacing the
water/stock with mulled wine.
INGREDIENTS
Beetroot pure & wedges
2 bunches beetroots (skins
on)
Apple juice to cover
METHOD
Cook the raw beetroots in
salted water until tender when
pierced. Allow to cool slightly
then rub off the skins. Chop
half of the beets roughly and
place into a pan with the apple
juice. Cook until enough liquid
is left in the pan to create a
smooth pure when blended.
The reserved beets cut into
wedges and warm in butter
when needed.
INGREDIENTS
Roasted onions
16 pickling onions
Vegetable oil
Unsalted butter
METHOD
Cook onions in there skins
at 180c for 5-8 mins until
slightly softened. Once
cooled remove skins leaving
the root in place to stop the
outer layers falling off. When
finishing ready for serving,
heat the oil and add onions.
Make sure a nice roast is
achieved on the onions then
add the butter, allowing it
to start to colour. Give the
onions a good baste.
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS
Cranberry & tarragon jelly
500g cranberry juice
Caster sugar to taste
Chopped tarragon to taste
4 gelatine leaves
METHOD
Soak gelatine leaves in cold water.
Gently warm the cranberry juice
and sugar. Once warm add the
gelatine and chopped tarragon. Set
onto your serving plate or into a
container and store in fridge for a
few hours before needed.
INGREDIENTS
White chocolate & tarragon ice
cream
284g semi skimmed milk
142g double cream
4 egg yolks
60g caster sugar
1/2 tbsp liquid glucose
100g white chocolate
20g tarragon
METHOD
This will need to be made ideally
the day before required. Firstly
combine the milk and cream and
scald. Meanwhile whisk together
the egg yolks, sugar and glucose.
Pour milk and cream over egg mix
while whisking. Return to pan and
add tarragon. Place back onto heat
and cook till thickened (custard
consistency). Take off heat, add
white chocolate and mix until
melted. Pass custard through a fine
sieve and cool in a bowl over ice.
Once cooled churn and store in
freezer until needed.
INGREDIENTS
Honeycomb
188g caster sugar
25g honey
60g liquid glucose
30g water
8g bicarbonate soda
METHOD
Put sugar, honey, glucose and
water into a pan and place on a
medium heat. Cook until a medium
caramel colour is achieved. Take
off heat and mix in bicarbonate
soda straight away. Pour into a
grease proof paper lined container
and leave to cool and set. Break
into pieces to serve.
INGREDIENTS
Tarragon sponge
100g cater sugar
50g unsalted butter
1 1/2 eggs
100g plain flour
5g baking powder
2g bicarbonate soda
60g semi skimmed milk
Chopped tarragon
8g bicarbonate soda
METHOD
Cream together the sugar and
butter till pale in colour then slowly
add eggs. Gradually then add the
sieved flour, baking powder and
bicarbonate soda until combined.
Finally, gradually add the milk
and finish the sponge batter with
chopped tarragon. Pour into a
non-stick or grease-proof lined
tin and bake at 160oc for 35
mins. Alternatively cook in small
individual moulds and reduce the
cooking time. Once cooked cool
on a wire rack.
To garnish
Clementine segments
Tarragon leaves
Clementine,
cranberry, white
chocolate and
tarragon
45
T
heres being green-ngered and then theres
having a garden which has been named the
best in Wales.
For Usk woman Marion Powell its the latter
as she claimed the top title ln the Wales in Bloom
competition.
She said she was overwhelmed by the win and
didnt know shed been nominated for the title
until judges announced it in September.
You have just got to keep on top of (the
garden) all the time, she said. The house has
taken a bit of a back seat.
For Mrs Powell, of Ladyhill, learning about
gardening has come from her experience after
starting when her sons, who are now 35 and 33,
were young children.
While she also might get an idea or two from
television programmes, most of her work is from
her own creativity and experimentation.
She said: Ive got to be active so I cant just sit
down. I like doing things with my hands and going
there and doing it.
Its quite expensive but you spend a lot of
money if you go to the gym. I suppose I have just
got an eye for it. It is when youre in there all the
time it just comes.
And Mrs Powells favourite owers? Begonias.
She said: Right at the beginning they dont
mind if it is a bit dry or a bit wet. If they go a bit dry
and give them a bit of water they will come back
unlike a lot of owers.
I have got some primulas and polyanthus
and when the summer bedding goes in I cut the
polyanthus and they will resprout.
All the owers in Mrs Powells summer garden
are from The Willows garden centre in Usk and
she usually spends three weeks going back and
forth buying plants to put in baskets she herself has
made in the summer. She used to have use of a
greenhouse but makes do without now.
One of the main problems Mrs Powell has
struggled with in the past is herons dropping by the
pond and picking out sh from it. But now rather
than cover it over as she had done before, she has
started to plant things around it so her pond
is now surrounded by topiary balls which keep
passing herons away.
When it comes to the gardening jobs Mrs Powell
is doing at the moment, her main aim is to prepare
for her winter garden. She will start replacing
owers and renovating it this week.
She said: I love it when Ive got the winter
garden. I like seeing bare soil and that sort of space
because when you have got owers you lose that.
But throughout her time in her outdoor
creation, one thing she has learned is that her work
can bring more than just planting and weeding.
This was proven recently when she came to the
aid of a frog in her garden saving it from a snake
while she was clearing her pond.
She said: I was cutting everything back in the
front and back garden. I heard a squeak and saw a
frog. I kept knocking the snake on the head and it
let it go. The snakes head was no bigger than my
thumb. I dont mind many things but snakes I really
dont like.
But its all in a days work when it comes to
maintaining Wales best garden and the hard work
pays off when visitors to your garden have included
Royalty and it becomes the subject of a television
show.
The Duchess of Cornwall visited Mrs Powells
garden in July as part of a Royal Horticultural
Society-organised trip around the town and Laura
Tobin from Good Morning Britain also presented
weather bulletins from there later that month.
Mrs Powells garden was then visited again in
August when it was lmed for Alan Titchmarshs
forthcoming series, Britains Best Gardens, which
will be shown next year.
From planting owers to saving small creatures and
Royal visits - things are never dull for Usks talented
gardener Marion Powell as nathan briant fnds out...
Marion is blooming
marvellous
46
Countybusiness
HEADER
TWO Monmouthshire companies
have helped launch a new website
and campaign platform for Calcutta
Mercy, a US-based charity working
to feed, educate, and medically assist
the poor of Calcutta.
Millwood Online is a web-
application development agency
based in Abergavenny, specialising in
the building of complex feature-rich
websites for clients around the
world.
It was approached by
Monmouth-based Hive Social to
partner on the project.
Hive Social specialises in building
content-rich websites and digital
marketing solutions.
Its also ofcial specialist for
the web publishing platform
Squarespace, which was used to
build the main website for Calcutta
Mercy.
The website consists of around
40 pages explaining what the charity
does, the causes they support and
how to donate.
Theres also a store, allowing
supporters to purchase a number
of products or donate to specic
causes such as surgery for a child or
a community clinic.
The other part of the project
was a custom web application built
by Millwood Online, this allows
supporters to easily create their
own campaigns and also to accept
donations on behalf of the campaign.
Campaigns can be created
around any event, sports, birthdays
or fundraising activity.
Millwood Online built the
application using the Ruby on Rails
framework, which is also used by
some of the world largest companies
such as Twitter and Groupon.
The application is then hosted
with Heroku, with which Millwood
Online are the only ofcial partner
in Wales.
Its that time of the year when the
Chancellor brings out his big red briefcase
and delivers his Autum Statement. There
has been much debate on what will be
included in the speech which this year is
taking place on December 3, here is a
brief summary of my predictions:
The Chancellor has been put
under pressure to scrap the 40 per cent
tax rate and instead reduce the banding
limit of the 45 per cent tax rate down
from 150,000 to 62,000. Tax cuts
on middle incomes are vital for the
Conservatives if they want to appeal to
new voters. It will certainly be a talking
point at the Budget.
There may be an announcement
to help small and medium businesses
following a report provided by the Davies
Committee in December. I expect to see
measures increasing exports and securing
investment.
There should be an announcement
on tax-preferred savings accounts. This
was mentioned in 2012 and 2013 so we
expect to hear about the new accounts in
more detail this year with such accounts
being introduced in 2015.
Surely something must be
mentioned on sporting events. There
needs to be a relaxation on taxing the
worldwide income of top athletes coming
to the UK to perform. After the legacy of
London 2012 leaving the rules as they are
could jeopardise the UK hosting future
events.
Tax avoidance and evasion will
continue to be a major focus point of the
budget. With the introduction of GAAR
how else will the Chancellor propose to
curb this?
Finally, did you know that there is a
ban on drinking in Parliament? However,
this ban is lifted on Budget day!
If you need to know how the Budget
affects you or indeed any other area of
tax please call Elliott Buss, Senior Tax
Manager 01633 213318
WHATS
IN STORE?
MAUREEN McAllister
(pictured) has been appointed
at the rst tourism chief of
The Wye Valley and Forest of
Dean Tourism Association.
Maureen takes on the role
of executive director, a post
created to lead the association
and its 350 members,
expand its reach and create
opportunities to promote
the area as one of the UKs
leading leisure, holiday and
food destinations.
The appointment follows
a string of successes for the
association, which until now
was essentially a voluntary
organisation.
A recently-appointed
board of directors has
successfully forged new
partnership arrangements
with both the Forest of
Dean District Council and
Monmouthshire County
Council to secure funding.
The team also won a
coveted Tourism Business of
the Year award for 2014.
Caroline Anderson,
chairman of the association,
said: Tourism in the Forest
of Dean and Monmouthshire
contributes 141.5m and
Joining forces to help charity
tourism group appoints new chief
158.1m respectively to the local
economies, so Maureens appointment
is critical to the regions future. Maureen
has vast experience in the industry
and will work with the board and our
members to develop tourism in the
area.
Maureen has held high-prole
destination management positions in
Gloucester, Birmingham, the English
Riviera and she latterly led the tourism
and culture agenda for the South West
Regional Development Agency. She also
runs a tourism consultancy, McAllister
and Co, which has worked with leading
destinations to develop their marketing
and business strategies.
Maureen McAllister said: The Forest
of Dean and Wye Valley is a stunning
part of the world, with great attractions,
culture, history and food heritage. Its the
perfect area for everyone from families
to adventurers people who want to
experience the joys of the countryside.
After spending 10 years in Gloucester, it
is like coming home to nd a new set of
experiences to tell the world about.
Two Monmouthshire rms have joined forces to help American charity
Elliott Buss
47
A HAIR and beauty pamper day in
Monmouth raised 1,000 for St Davids
Hospice Care.
Denise Jones, manager of The Hair
and Beauty Studio in the town, staged
the event with her team as a thank you
for the care her mother Frances Gleed
was given by the charity.
The all-day event saw women visiting
The Hair and Beauty Studio to take
advantage of a
range of the free
taster beauty
sessions on
offer. They were
greeted with a
glass of bubbly
and nibbles on
arrival. The event
stretched on until
8pm allowing
local business
women to go
along after work.
The studio,
in Monnow Street,
offered a choice of
facials, manicures,
massages,
makeovers and hair dos in what was
the third staging of the annual event with
some 150 attending during the day. The
event has raised a total of 3,000 for
St Davids Hospice Care over the past
three years.
Denise said: St Davids Hospice
Care is a charity I really believe in, and
as a local business its wonderful to give
something back to the community we
live and work in.
It is a charity that is close to my
heart because of the wonderful care they
gave my mother, Frances, when she had
cancer. The nurses from St Davids were
extremely helpful throughout her care.
Tania Ansell, community fundraiser
for St Davids
Hospice Care,
said: It really
was a great
success and it
was so nice to
see so many
ladies taking
the time out
not only for
themselves
but also to
support our
local hospice
care service.
Thank you so
much to Denise
and the team,
for grafting so
hard to put on this event again this year.
We really do appreciate it.
A rafe was held of items donated by
local businesses such as Emma Webster
Flowers, Envee, Joico, Car Care and also
the international company Bare Minerals,
a supplier to the salon.
Countybusiness
Edwina Hart with Reid Liftings managing director Nick Battersby
REID Lifting an award-winning
Chepstow business which designs and
manufactures a range of lightweight
portable gantries and cranes is
investing 3.8 million in a new factory
with Welsh Government support.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart,
who visited the facility recently,
announced the Welsh Government
is providing 680,000 business
nance towards the project which will
safeguard existing jobs and see staff
numbers rise from 21 to 38 over the
next few years.
The investment will enable Reid
Lifting, which is based on Newhouse
Farm Industrial Estate, to expand into
larger purpose designed premises
providing greater capacity for both
its current requirements and future
growth.
The need to expand is driven by
growth of 15 per cent per annum
over the last four years, and a further
growth in orders of 30 per cent this
year.
The Minister said: Reid
Lifting is a Welsh success story.
It has consistently invested in the
development of a range of highly-
innovative lifting gantries which
have been used by such diverse
organisations as the Louvre and the
Vatican and Rolls Royce and London
Underground.
I am pleased to support their
expansion in Wales that will enable
the company to continue with its
growth plans, create skilled jobs, bring
more business to its local supply chain
and continue to expand its exports
market.
Managing director Nick Battersby
said: This expansion is vitally
important for our future growth as
we currently do not have the capacity
to meet the growing demand for our
products. The new site will enable the
company to make improvements in
manufacturing operations, increase
efciency and productivity.
Support from the Welsh
Government has been critical and
we are extremely grateful. This is a
major investment for us and will help
us sustain year on year growth of 20
per cent. Over the past four years our
turnover has doubled to 3.5 million
and we forecast doubling this gure
again over the next four years.
Exports account for 45 per
cent of Reid Liftings sales with keys
markets in the US, Australia, the
Middle East and Western Europe with
noticeable growth in the UK. The
company has won an incredible three
Queens Awards for Enterprise two
last year for international trade and
innovation and one in 2006, again for
innovation.
It was voted Company of the
Year at the Monmouthshire Business
Awards 2013. Reid Lifting was also
shortlisted in this years Award in the
sustained growth category.
Reid Lifting specialises in
lightweight portable gantries and davit
systems that can be deployed by one
or two people quickly and ideal for
use on hard to reach sites and difcult
terrain. It has traditionally focused on
the water industry, with a particular
strength in utilities, the hire sector and
personnel protection applications.
Their high prole customers
include Jaguar Cars, Rolls Royce,
London Underground, British
Waterways and museums (British
Museum, V&A, The Louvre and The
Vatican).
Reid Lifting operates from a
13,500 sq ft unit and is building
a new 45,000 sq ft factory on a
four-acre site with plans to initially
occupy 30,000 sq ft and let out the
remaining 15,000 sq ft providing
room for future expansion. Work is
due to start with a completion date
at the end of May and operational by
July 2015.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
ENABLES LIFTING FIRMS
EXPANSION PLANS
Beauty salons pamper
party is grand success
THE winners have been announced
in the 2014 Monmouthshire Business
Awards.
A total of 25 companies, ranging
from start-ups and sole traders to
major organisations, were shortlisted
for the awards, which were handed
out at a ceremony at St Pierre, a
Marriott hotel and country club near
Chepstow, which was hosted by
Hwyel James, the former ITV Wales
presenter.
Guests included Edwina Hart,
minister for economy, science
and transport, Simon Gibson,
chief executive of Wesley Clover
Corporation, Bob Greenland, deputy
leader at Monmouthshire County
Council, county council leader Peter
Fox, and former Celtic Manor Resort
CEO Dylan Matthews.
Abergavenny Food Festival walked
away with the social responsible
business award.
Best green business went to
Usk Garden Centre and the most
promising start-up award was
presented to Home Glow Products,
of Usk, which also took innovation in
business.
Kevin Mansell-Abell, the
28-year-old founder of That Media
Group, Chepstow, won the young
entrepreneur prize, and the Angel
Hotel in Abergavenny won the
hospitality, travel and tourism prize.
Other winners included Mabey
Bridge for excellence in marketing,
Hicks Logistics for company
demonstrating sustained growth,
Victoria Valentine Bridal for excellence
in retailing, and Pocket Mariner, which
received the excellence in digital
technology innovation award from
Ms Hart.
The company of the year title went
to Caldicot-based Hicks Logistics.
The nal prize of the evening, the
judges choice award presented to
one of the shortlisted nalists deemed
to be the best entrant overall went to
Mabey Bridge.
The Chepstow-based manufacturer
one of the worlds top suppliers
of steel bridging infrastructure, wind
turbine towers and heavy-plated
structural steelwork was praised
for demonstrating excellence in all
areas, including a rm commitment
to innovation and enterprise, high-
quality apprenticeship schemes, strong
community outreach and excellent
corporate social responsibility.
The rm, which has an annual
turnover of 80 million and more than
550 employees, was said by judges
David Jamilly and Gurpareet Bains to
y the ag for Monmouthshire and
British industry.
Awards help to celebrate local business
PAMPER PARTY: Denise Jones, third left with,
left to right, Elita Hippolyte, Belinda Tamlyn,
Aimee Jones, Jessica Sayce, Natalia Antypa,
Jemma Leonides-Morgan and Kimberley Danter
For all thats good
about the county
If you want to make sure you get the next edition, subscribe online at
www.monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION CONTACT ANDREA HALL ON 01633 777207
S
awdays, champions of
independent and special
places to stay, has
launched its rst set of awards
across its membership of more
than 5,000 places.
The awards celebrate the
most unusual, creative and
unique places and owners
across B&Bs, hotels, self-
catering places, pubs and inns
and Canopy & Stars glamping
locations.
The awards honour the
newly-built Persian inspired
alachighs at Penhein farm
as Glamping Location of the
Year, and the historic two star
listed self-catering stay The
Gatehouse as winner of the
Guest Choice award.
James and Helen Hearn,
owners of Penhein Glamping,
moved back to Monmouthshire
to Helens family farm after 20
years of living and working in
London.
The farm has been in
Helens family since 1867,
and with James Anglo-Iranian
background, the unusual
alachigh tents were chosen as
a way to meld their heritages;
traditional Persian tents in
the idyllic green of the Welsh
countryside.
Tom Dixon, managing
director of Canopy & Stars
says: Penheins concept is
unique, and the thought that
has gone into it astonishing.
The beautiful Persian inspired
alachighs manage to be at
once blissfully comfortable
and adventurously outdoorsy,
blending in beautifully with the
ancient woodland on Helens
family estate.
Helen Hearn said: When
we rst heard about the award
we were astonished, surprised,
exhilarated and overwhelmed!
We just wanted to share our
lovely part of Monmouthshire
with other people and to win
this accolade has made all of
the hard work worthwhile.
There were times during the
past four years that were
really difcult and we thought
that we might not proceed
with the glamping but now
we are ecstatically happy that
we continued and created our
luxury woodland glampsite.
The Gatehouse owners
Juliet Grayson and William
Ayot also encountered
difculties after taking on the
renovation of the two star
listed building in 2003.
A re ten years earlier
had left the place dangerous
and unt for habitation, but
having embarked on a project
to secure the structure and
transform the interior, they
were crowned winners of the
Guest Choice award with the
majority of visitors plaudits.
Juliet Grayson said: To
be picked as the Sawdays
Guests Choice out of almost
5,000 properties is such a
privilege. Having used Special
Places to Stay ourselves since
its earliest days, weve come
to understand just how special
Sawdays choices really are.
We feel proud, and honoured,
and deeply touched.
Diverse tourism in
Chepstow brings
awards to region
Penhein Glamping in Llanvair Discoed
and The Gatehouse in Mathern have
been selected for an award in the 20th
anniversary Sawdays awards...
Penhein Glamping in Llanvair Discoed
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
Sponsored feature
For all thats good
about the county
If you want to make sure you get the next edition, subscribe online at
www.monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk
TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION CONTACT ANDREA HALL ON 01633 777207
54
M
CL has teamed up with
St Davids Hall to offer
one lucky reader a pair
of top price tickets to experience
the grandeur of The Sixteen in
December as part of the venues
International Concert Series.
After nearly 40 years, The
Sixteen continue to captivate
worldwide audiences with the
passion and quality of their
music. Comprising both choir
and period instrument orchestra,
this internationally acclaimed
ensemble will guarantee a
sensational evening.
Conducted by Harry
Christophers, the performance
will feature classic Christmas
hymns such as John Gardners
When Christ Was Born of
Mary Free and Gustav Holsts
In the Bleak Midwinter, as well
as traditional carols like O Little
Town of Bethlehem. From the
calm majesty of Renaissance
classics from Palestrina, Victoria
and Byrd to modern day
masters, this years show has
got it all. Its a real Christmas
stocking full of mouth-watering
special treats well-known
favourites.
Formed in 1977 as an
unnamed group of 16 friends,
the ensemble have since released
more than 90 recordings
spanning the music of 500 years
and won countless awards. Fans
across the globe have taken them
to the hearts and they are now
the Voices of Classic FM.
For a chance to win the
tickets, simply answer the
question below:
Who will be conducting the
The Sixteen?
Please email your answer to
sdhpress@cardiff.gov.uk before
November 24. The winner will
be notified and usual Newsquest
rules apply.
For more information on
the International Concert
Series, please visit the website
at www.stdavidshallcardiff.
co.uk or telephone the Box
Office on 029 2087 8444.
Tickets start at just 5.
Countycomps
A klass ofer
from Festival Park
the days are geting colder and the
nights are geting darker but one thing
sure to beat the blues at this time of year
is the thought of a brand new winter
wardrobe!
Win tickets
to see
the Sixteen
What beter way to get in the mood for
the festive season than experiencing the
thrill of a live classical performance in
one of Europes best acoustic concert
halls?
M
CL has teamed up with
Klass at Ebbw Vales
Festival Park Shopping
Outlet Shopping & Leisure
to give one lucky reader the
chance to kick start their
winter wardrobe revamp, with
a 75 voucher up for grabs.
Treat yourself to something
fabulous for the upcoming
party season or keep the cold
at bay by investing in some
snuggly knitwear, with a wide
range of fantastic items to
choose from.
Put your best fashion foot
forward this winter with a
stylish new coat or if you
are feeling brave how about
embracing a bold print, with
lots of striking designs on offer.
And, with plenty of
gorgeous items currently on
sale, you could grab yourself a
few bargains; or splash out on
a statement piece, guaranteed
to make you stand out from
the crowd this autumn/winter.
Klass is one of Festival
Parks leading fashion retailers,
offering a wide range of
high quality suits, knitwear,
outerwear and evening wear.
The store offers stylish yet
affordable ladies clothing in
sizes 10 to 22, with all the
latest fashion trends featured
in an adaptable collection,
suitable for all ages.
Regardless of the
occasion you can be sure
to get the perfect outfit
that oozes effortless style
and sophistication, without
breaking the bank.
For a chance to win just
answer the following question
In what size range does
Klass offer ladies clothing?
Send your answer, along
with your name, address
and telephone number to
Klass/MCL competition,
Monmouthshire County
Life magazine, Cardiff
Road, Maesglas, Newport
NP20 3QN. Closing date is
November 30, 2014. The
winner will be notified and
usual Newsquest rules apply.
Picture by Molina Visuals
55
A
lison Beasley, who ran The White
Lion/Pye Corner in the town, grew
up in Bulwark and attended Chepstow
School.
In her last few weeks she was cared for by
St Annes Hospice and the Electric Landlady
Big Jam Night was held in celebration and
to raise money for the charity, one strand
of fundraising co-ordinated by friends to
celebrate Ms Beasleys life.
Tracey Warnock, the manager of Pye
Corner where the night was held, said: It
was a blast. We had such an amazing night.
(Alison) was all about the community and
being together and working together. And her
heart was music.
And she said Ms Beasley quickly became a
good friend when she started working at the
pub six years ago.
People who attended were asked for a 3
donation on the door and rafe tickets were
sold for prizes which had been donated from
businesses around the town.
Artists who played included Stoo Harris,
Terry Theobald with Stoney Broke, Isobel
Brown with Twysted River and Super Gaz.
Caldicot tattoo artist Daniel Grimes also
took his equipment along and 10 people were
inked for charity. He also played some songs
on the night.
He said: We ipped it on its head to
celebrate it. Everyone got together. You
couldnt have had a ner tribute.
As part of her working life in the town, Ms
Beasley also managed The Kings Head, The
Five Alls and The Three Tuns with her brother
Gerv Durran.
A keen music fan, friends will launch a
tribute album to her at the Severn Bridge
Social Club in Bulwark on December 5.
It is being been produced by Ms Beasleys
friend Paul Hobday. The idea for the record
came about when they were both receiving
cancer treatment at Newports Royal Gwent
Hospital. They planned to complete it
together once they had both recovered.
A number of Chepstow artists have
contributed their own songs to the record,
including Helen Child Villiers and Terry
Theobald.
Music to remember
A special jam night held in memory of a popular
chepstow landlady who died in March afer
batling cancer raised more than 2,300...
Top: Alison Beasley
Middle: Remy Beasley performs with Liam at The Electric Lady Big Jam
Night in Chepstow held in memory of her mum Alison
Bottom: Paul Hobday and Lucy Fear at Pauls studio in Chepstow
DISCOVERING
THE DELIGHTS
OF AULD REEKIE
You will fnd plenty to do in Edinburgh, a capital which
ofers a modern city set alongside a historic town which is
ready to transport you back in time, as Hayley Mills found
out on a recent trip north of the border...
57
T
he six-and-a-half hour train journey
from Cardiff ew by with my phone
packed with lms and books,
making it the perfect alternative to a
weekend in London.
A First Great Western train from
Cardiff Central to Bristol Parkway, with
only one change onto a Cross Country
train, means that you can sit back and
relax for the journey.
With no sense of direction, I always get
a small utter of panic when arriving in
a new place, but the centrally positioned
Ibis Styles in St Andrew Square was easy
to locate, despite arriving in thick fog.
The manager of the hotel, Carmine
Aiezza, was welcoming and explained that
the hotel had been given a quirky design
so that guests can get a avour of the city
even indoors.
The hotel is full of character, with the
Scottish theme running right the way
through it with decor taking you through
the Scottish wilderness.
My room was located on the top oor
and had its own roof terrace offering
great views over the city. It had a stag
painted on the wall, traditional Scottish
sayings engraved in the woodwork and
tartan stockings on the table legs.
Although still a budget hotel, the quirky
decor such as a whisky barrel nightstand,
and extras including a lled fruit bowl and
slippers and robe add a sense of luxury.
In the evening, I took the opportunity
to step back in time and explore the old
town. It is a labyrinth of cobbled streets,
narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards.
I spent the evening walking the streets
just taking in the array of old buildings
and churches, while many visitors chose
to take part in one of the walking ghost
tours.
For dinner, I went to a vegetarian
restaurant, David Bann in St Marys
Street. I opted for a red pepper risotto,
with dishes costing around 11 a dish, I
would recommend it for anyone looking
to sample simple but great tasting cuisine.
After spending the night climbing the
steps running between the streets in the
old town getting into the comfy bed in
the hotel felt like heaven. The pleasure
continued in the morning, with my stay
including a continental breakfast, along
with fruit, cereals, yogurt and pancakes.
I decided to hit the shops, with the
Royal Mile offering a large selection of
souvenirs and local produce, and the
Grassmarket offering vintage clothes and
jewellery.
Right opposite the hotel is the only
Harvey Nichols in Scotland, along with
brand stores and modern high street
favourites.
For dinner that evening I went to
independent eatery The Rosehip in Rose
Street that offers locally sourced sh from
battered haddock to a bowl of mussels,
both priced around 11, and cooked to
perfection.
Getting in line with the other tourists,
I thought a trip to Edinburgh Castle was
a must.
Donning my audio guide, the castle is a
great day out for all age groups, offering
great views over the city.
There are plenty of tales to discover,
and you can take a peek at the crown
jewels and look inside a prison. Be sure
to get there to watch the one oclock gun
being red.
I also enjoyed a tour of the Real
Mary Kings Close, which is buried deep
beneath the Royal Mile. The tour takes
you into a warren of hidden streets and
houses that show what life was like in the
17th century, while the costumed tour
guide brings the street to life with funny
tales.
There is plenty to do in the city from
shopping, discovering its history or simply
taking a relaxing stroll in one of the many
parks.
Extra:
First Great Western, single standard ticket from
Cardiff Central to Bristol Parkway from 8.30.
Cross Country trains single standard ticket from
Bristol Parkway to Edinburgh Waverley from 79.60.
Why not travel in style and opt to take a ride in rst
class with Cross County trains.
Enjoy bigger seats, complimentary wi, snacks
of crisp, biscuits and sandwiches and hot and cold
refreshments.
Cheapest rst class single from 175.
Ibis Styles Edinburgh, double room with wi and
breakfast from 51.85 per night.
Recommendations:
Lunch at Bobbys Sandwich Bar in Greyfriars Place.
Cheap lunch spot offering toasted bagels, focaccia
and ciabatta crammed with tasty llings.
Entertain the kids with a trip to National Museum of
Scotland, where you can discover the natural world,
cultures, art and science all under one roof.
Take a trip to the Scottish Parliament, which is open
to visitors Monday to Saturday, free of charge.
Inside explore the public areas and take a seat in the
Debating Chamber.
Ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square
Distance from the hotel to Edinburgh Castle- 1.45km
Distance from the hotel to the train station- 0.50 km
Distance from the hotel to the airport- 12.39 km
C
elebrate a creative
Christmas in style by doing
your seasonal shopping
at Taurus Crafts, where you can
choose from an inspirational
selection of art, crafts, gifts, food
and drink.
At the Gift Shop, browse
the regions best selection of
design-led gifts, art, local crafts,
ceramics, Fair Trade products, gift
wrap and greetings cards.
Buy direct from the on-site
artisan and craft businesses, which
include chocolatiers, picture
framer, jewellery, artworks,
knitting, corsetiere, leather
worker, mens fashion, ethical
fashion, stone mason, antiques,
and health and beauty treatments.
For gifts for foodies visit
Cowshill Farm Shop - local meats
and pies, local and deli cheeses,
fresh veg, patisserie, bread,
organic wine, local cider, perry
and ale. Turkey, geese and all
the traditional accompaniments
can be ordered and hampers
arranged.
Taurus Caf serves meals
prepared on site, using many
local and organic ingredients,
handmade cakes and a range of
coffees and teas.
Taurus Christmas Shop
specialises in stylish and
traditional Christmas accessories
and to complete the effect choose
from a selection of locally-grown,
high-quality Christmas trees, of
varying sizes and species.
Christmas Markets are being
held over the weekends of
December 6 and 7 and 13 and
14. They will provide even more
seasonal ideas, featuring local
crafts, gifts, antiques, local food
and drink, jewellery. Local choirs
and bands feature throughout the
markets.
Check the website www.
tauruscrafts.co.uk for more
information or telephone: 01594
844841.
This vibrant, family-friendly
venue is easy to find - located
at The Old Park, just outside
Lydney on the A48. Open
10am to 5.30pm daily.
celebrate in Style
Sponsored feature
59
A
lthough offering B&B
accommodation, the
experience at Eckington
is more akin to that of a country
house hotel. On arrival, guests are
invited to use all the public areas
including the Manor Hall which has
its own small bar, and comfortable
lounge area. These are both available
throughout the stay.
The manor offers luxury B&B
accommodation similar to that
of a high-quality hotel in three
converted farm buildings with the
furnishings mixing traditional and
modern styling. The bathrooms have
individually designed bathing and
showering areas with high quality
ttings and toiletries provided.
The bedrooms are large, and very
comfortable with cotton bed linen,
and thick luxurious pillows, giving an
excellent nights sleep.
The food and cookery school
however, is what sets Eckington
Manor apart from other rural
getaways. The restaurant features
a range of beautiful continentally
inuenced home-made British
classics. The food is all locally
sourced, with much of it coming
from their own farmland, including
their award-winning pedigree
beef herd. It also offers a wide
range of continental and English
breakfasts. The full English breakfast
is extremely popular with guests,
including Gloucestershire Old Spot
sausages, bacon from their own
farm, as well as locally sourced
tomatoes and eggs, which offer great
freshness and avour to start the
day.
The manor also runs a highly-
successful cookery school for guests
of all ages and skill levels. Using high-
quality state-of-the-art equipment,
their experienced chefs offer
masterclasses in a range of different
cooking disciplines, including easy
entertaining, restaurant style
cooking, bread and pastry making,
or Italian cooking.
For those with a sweet tooth,
there is also a Chocolate heaven
cookery course! These courses are
from half a day to two days duration.
Situated on the edge of the
Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty, there are many
great places to visit within a short
drive of the manor. These include
Tewkesbury with its famous 12th
century abbey, pretty Cotswold
villages such as Broadway and Stow-
on-the-Wold, plus bustling cities
and towns such as Cheltenham,
Gloucester and Worcester.
Despite its rural location, the
manor also benets from great
transport links, being situated close
to the northern end of the M50 at
its junction with the M5.
Having experienced Eckington
Manor for a weekend stay, I would
highly recommend it as a centre
for exploring Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire, as well as a country
retreat or cookery holiday.
A litle bit of
country luxury
nestled in a village location on the
Worcestershire/Gloucestershire border,
between tewkesbury and Pershore lies
Eckington Manor, a long established farm
set in 260 acres of land, which has at its
heart a 12th century hall. Michael Eden
paid the luxury b&b a visit...
and about
catch up on events from around
Monmouthshire as we take a look
at whos been out and about
outandabout

Out
INAUGURAL LECTURE, USK
Kathleen Collis, Stella Collard
Paul Silk, Roger Galletley
Paul Silk, who chaired the Silk Commission on devolution in Wales, was guest
speaker at the inaugural Mather-Jackson Library lecture in Usk. Mr Silk spoke
about the role of the commission, how it came to its findings, and the devolving
of justice. The lecture was held in the restored Victorian courtroom at Usk
Sessions House followed by a drinks reception in the historic Mather-Jackson
Library. Jonathan Stephens, one of the trustees of the library, a solicitor with
Everett Lloyd Tomlin and Pratt, which has an office at the Sessions House,
said it was hoped the lecture would become a permanent fixture in the legal
calendar and that it would add to the discussions on devolution
Tony Fleming, Richard Vaughan
Lyn Bennett, David Collard, Joan
Bennett
Susan Sloman,Roger Galletley, Hamish
Sandison, Paul Silk
Alison Weightman, Ann Morse, Barry
Morse
Paul Silk (centre) and trustees

THE MONS AWARDS
A Mons award, designed and created
by Tintern potter Kristian Vaughan-
Adkins
MCL editor Jo Barnes, centre, with the MCL team and the award winners
For full details of
The Mons 2014, plus
how to nominate
someone for next
years awards, please
turn to page 20.
Rees Rogers, of Monmouth Rotary Club, Anne
Rainsbury, of Chepstow Museum, and Jo Barnes
Andrew and Jacke Murphy of The Inn
at Penallt
Andrea Hall, Alia Sarsom and Gemma Cooper,
of MCL, with Rees Rogers
Katie Adams, of MCL, and Ned
Heywood
Remy Beasley, David Durran and Jo Barnes
Robin Craine and Kim Waites,
of St Pierre, where the event
was held
Will Loram, Ron Stewart, Donald
Stewart and Dikka Cram
Will Loram, Duncan MacGregor, and
Jenny MacGregor
Ollie
Barnes,
Rita
Bonafacio
and Clara
Zorab, of
the band
Illeagle
Michelle Dalley and Paul Matthews
David Barnes, of DBPR
Newport, who sponsored the
trophies, with David Sansom,
one of the winners
Nikki Knowles, of Haberdashers
Schools in Monmouth

QUINNELL CANDLE EVENT AT NUMBER FORTY NINE, USK
Number Forty Nine interiors
and coffee shop in Usk
hosted an evening event
to celebrate it stocking
Quinnell Candles, a range
of handmade candles
made by Nicola Quinnell,
wife of former Wales
international rugby player
Scott Quinnell. The event
was hosted by Andrea Sholl,
owner of Number Forty
Nine. For more details
on the candles visit www.
quinnellcandlecompany.com
Scott and Nicola Quinnell
Yvonne Taylor-Dix and Jonathan Edwards
Andrea Sholl, Scott Quinnel and Nicola Quinnell
Bath Davies and Kate Davies Judith and Amber Morgan
Tanya Verallo, Olivia Verallo and Sarah Evans
Kay Peacock and Steele Quinnell
Richard Thorpe and Lydia
Davies
Julie Raven and Karen Kennedy
63

CANCER RESEARCH FASHION SHOW, ABERGAVENNY
Llio Thomas, Susan Alderton, Sue Norman
Barbara Morgan, Mari Telchadder, Elizabeth Evans, Elaine Stephens
Ruth Walker, Joyce Knowles, Frances Isaac
Hazel Thomas, centre, and members of the Abergavenny Cancer
Research branch
Rosemary Mogford, Sue Parker, Cheryl
Williams, Sally Wham, Angela Davies, Mary
Andrews Tiny models enjoy the day
The room was packed for the event
Some of the younger models Hazel Thomas
Claire Summers, Helen Thomas
The Abergavenny
Branch of Cancer
Research held a
fashion show and
afternoon tea event
at The Angel Hotel
to raise funds for
the charity.
The afternoon
was organised by
Hazel Thomas and
compered by Claire
Summers.


Whats on
U
nder the directorship of
Dimitri Bayliss, head chef at
The Beaufort Inn, Raglan, his
team has produced a three-course
menu based on French dishes to
celebrate the arrival of the newly-
bottled Beaujolais Nouveau 2014.
The dishes will include baked
camenbert and cranberry compot;
poison coq au vin, olive oil and
pomme puree with crispy tarragon;
and apple tarte tatin with caramel
sauce and homeade vanilla ice
cream. There will also be wild
mushroom and spinach crepes with
rocket and white truffle dressing.
The owners of the Beaufort
have a knowledge of the Beaujolais
region of France having spent time
at the Chateau of the Brac de la
Perriere family during the harvest
period and beyond and are now
bringing the fruits of the harvest
here to Raglan.
From early evening on Friday,
November 21, a glass of Beaujolais
Nouveau along with freshly
prepared French bites will be
available in the relaxed atmosphere
of the County Bar, while later, the
three-course meal will be served in
the candle-lit Brasserie.
During the evening there will
also be live music provided by the
Paper Moon duo a songstrees
and saxophonist who will be
performing a medley of classic
French songs among others.

TAKE A SIP
OF THE
NOUVEAU
October 25 - November 2
Monmouthshire Walking Festival
A series of walks which will help you discover
how the people and places of the county played
their part in the two world wars and other
conflicts. You could visit a secret bunker or the
grave of possibly the last combatant killed in the
First World War.
For full details on the 20 walks which makde
up this years festival, including prices, routes,
length of each walk and a description of each
one, visit www.walkinginmonmouthshire.org
October 28
The Story Giant
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
Noon
A thrilling, funny, family show based on the
book by Brian Patten.
Suitable for ages seven and up.
Tickets: adult 8; under 16s 6; family 25.
Box office: 01600 772467
October 29
Andy McNab
Drill Hall, Chepstow
7.30pm
The SAS hero and author of Bravo Two Zero
returns to Chepstow to talk about his new Nick
Stone novel, which is reported as being his most
heart-stopping adventure yet.
Tickets: 4 (redeemable against the price of
the book) available from Chepstow Bookshop -
www.chepstowbooks.co.uk
October 30
Shazam!
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
Noon
A fangtastic family show packed with
rib-tickling laughter and bags of audience
participation.
Suitable for ageds three and up.
Tickets: adult 9; under 16s 7; family 28.
Box office: 01600 772467
October 30
Talk by Tiffany Murray
Drill Hall, Chepstow
7.30pm
Chepstow Bookshop presents the author of the
chilling ghost story Sugar Hill.
Tickets free but limited.
Check with Chepstow Bookshop on 01291
625011
October 31
Halloween Party
Millers Arms, Mathern
From 8pm
With live music from Mr A. Rocky Horror
theme fancy dress.
November 6
Brendon Shine
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7.30pm
One of Irelands best-loved singing stars who has
had a string of hits over more than 30 years.
Tickets: 15.
Box office: 01600 772467
November 8
Sean Walsh: 28
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
8pm
Star of Channel 4s Stand Up for the Week and
BBC1s Live at the Appollo, Sean is one of the
most frighteningly precocious talents to emerge
from the UK comedy circuit in years.
Tickets: 14.
Box office: 01600 772467
November 8
Remembering them
Caldicot Castle
On the evening before Rememberance Sunday
and to mark the centenary of the outbreak of
the First World War, Caldicot Castle is hosting
a special concert featuring the Military Wives
Choir, Caldicot Male Voice Choir and Wynne
Evans.
Tickets: 20
For tickets visit rememberingthem.co.uk
November 8
Pack Up Your Troubles
Drill Hall, Chepstow
7.30pm
An evening of words and music relating to the
First World War. Poetry, prose and songs from
the Great War. The empahsis will be on the
appreciation of the words and music of the time
but there will also be moments for reflection.
Performers include Chepstow Singing Club,
Carmina and The Banned.
November 9
Tea with Verdi
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
3pm
Soprano Virginia Blakely returns with Tea with
Verdi a dramatic and musical presentation
of the great composers life, loves and music.
His story is told through the eyes of Guiseppa
Strepponi, his wife and companion of 50 years.
Tickets: 9 or 12 with afternoon tea.
Box office: 01600 772467
November 15
Gwent in the Great War
Drill Hall, Chepstow
10am to 5pm
A day school presented by Gwent County
History Association, Gwent Western Front
Association, Monmouthshire Antiquarian


A selection of just some of the events
going on in Monmouthshire. Compiled
by Jo Barnes
Association, Chepstow Society and Tidenham
History Group.
Tickets: 8.
For tickets contact 01291 425638
November 15
Monmouth Big Band Concert
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7.30pm
Dancing in the aisles is positively encouraged!
Tickets: 8.
Box office: 01600 772467
November 19
Russell Kane
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7.30pm
A brilliant comedy talent comes to town.
Tickets: 8.
Box office: 01600 772467
November 21
Talk: Charitable Surgery in Africa
The Babington Centre, Trellech
Doors open 6.30pm. Talk begins at 7pm.
Consultant general surgeon Brian Stephenson
will give a talk about his experiences from
surgery in modern facilities at the Royal Gwent
Hospital in Newport to joining a humanitarian
mission in a more ill-equipped part of the world.
An enlightening and very personal view of life
as a consultant general surgeon, at home and
abroad. Brian is used to performing surgery in
modern facilities at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
Charitable Surgery in Africa: innovative use of
mosquito net mesh is how he utilised these skills
in a more ill-equipped part of the world. He
spent more than a year as a mission surgeon
in South Africa in 1983 and is fortunate to still
be able to continue operating in many foreign
countries on a humanitarian basis, primarily on
groin hernia patients. Since 2005 he has worked
closely with the charity Operation Hernia
which has pioneered the use of mosquito net
mesh in the repair of hernias to patients in low-
income and resource poor countries.
Tickets: 12 (includes two-course supper). Entry
by ticket-only.
For tickets visit: www.tickettailor.com/all-
tickets/982/4f14/
November 21
Neil Diamond Story
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7.30pm
Singer and guitarist celebrates the life and work
of a musical legend.
Tickets: 12.
Box office: 01600 772467

November 22
Christmas lights switch on
Chepstow town centre
2pm to 6.30pm
Organised by Chepstow town council, this
event will see a Christmas concert featuring
the local schools and the towns bands and
singing groups culminating in the arrival
of Santa, who will switch on the towns
Christmas lights. Its all happening in the
High Street.
Free entry.
November 26 - 29
Blood Brothers
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7.30pm
Off Centre Theatre present the original non-
musical version of Willy Russells play.
Tickets: 8.
Box office: 01600 772467
November 30
Christmas fayre
St Pierre, A Marriott Hotel and Country
Club, Chepstow
10am to 4pm
More than 50 stalls, live music, Santa, festive
food and face painting all in aid of St Davids
Hospice Care.
Free entry.
December 5
The Forgotten? Never!
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7.30pm
Celebrating the 175th anniversary of the
Chartist movement in music, drama and
song.
Tickets: 10; consc 8.
Box office: 01600 772467
December 10
Chris Hadfield - You are here
Around the world in 92 minutes
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
7pm
Canadian astronaut chris Hadfield creates
a virtual orbit of earth and through
photographs, many of which have never
been seen before, he reveals a fresh and
insightful look at our planet.
Tickets: 6 - 3 redeemable against the
book on the night.
Presented by Rossiter Books.
Box office: 01600 772467
December 17
The Chimes
Drill Hall, Chepstow
7.30pm
Lighthouse Theatre presents The Chimes
(1844), the second in Dickens series of
Christmas books, which has a strong social
message, as powerful now as it was to his
own audience.
Tickets: 7 and 5.
Tickets available from Chepstow Museum -
01291 625981
December 19 and 20
Singing Club Christmas Special
Drill Hall, Chepstow
7.30pm both days and 2.30pm on Saturday
Carols, Christmas songs and readings. For
more details visit www.singingclubber.co.uk
Tickets from Chepstow Museum - 01291
625981
December 28 - January 1, 2015
Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood
Savoy Theatre, Monmouth
Various times
A pantomime presnted by Spontanious
Productions.
Tickets: adult 12; under 16s 8; family 35.
Box office: 01600 772467
FESTIVE FUN
U
sks largest ever Christmas Market returns
as part of this years award-winning Usk
Festival on December 6 and 7.
The festival, now in its ninth year under the
directorship of David Sansom, was awarded
one of the inaugrial Mons awards last month to
commerorate the 10th anniversay of MCL.
The market, which is without doubt the
largest seen so far, will have its usual mix of
Christmas goodies, including locally-produced
foods, ales and ciders, art and gifts, clothing,
handbags, jewellery and you can even pick your
Christmas Tree.
There will be plenty to taste, eat and drink
whilst in the market with a special covered
area so that you can enjoy the rich mix of live
entertainment.
There will be loads of entertainment, from
choirs to bands, including the rst visit to Usk
of the Rock Choir, who were the subject of the
three-part ITV series, The Choir that Rocked.
There will also be the winners of this years
Monmouth Busking Festival, The Silurians, on
the festival stage and the welcome return of
blues band The Mystery Room.
If you visiting on Saturday, make sure that
you pop along to Usk Farmers Market as well in
its twice monthly home at the Memorial Hall.
Look out for special events happening in the
town over the festival weekend.
The weekend will conclude, as usual, in the
traditional way with the annual reindeer parade.
Leaving Usk Fire Station at 5pm, Santa with his
sleigh pulled by reindeer will tour the town in
its usual festive parade before arriving at the
Sessions House where children will have the
opportunity to see Santa and his reindeer at
close quarters before they depart to get ready
for their extra special Christmas duties. This
nale always draws a huge crowd so make sure
you get there early, after all theres plenty to see
and do.
Follow updates @uskfestival or visit
www.uskfestival.co.uk
66
A
round 10,000 people are expected to
enjoy the biggest race of the year in
Wales.
The Coral Welsh Grand National, is popular
with racing fans as well as groups of friends,
family or work colleagues looking for a fun and
exciting day out over the festive period. It has
long history and has been won by stars such as
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised
and Grand National winners Silver Birch, Earth
Summit and Bindaree.
It is run over a marathon trip of three miles
and ve and a half furlongs, often on very
testing ground, requiring the winner to be a
very thorough stayer. Last years winner was
Mountainous, trained by Hereford based
Richard Lee and owned by patriotic Welshmen
Dai Walters and James Potter.
The race is a real spectacle, with runners and
riders circling in front of the grandstand before
the tapes go up and the horses hurtle downhill,
accompanied by a huge cheer!
Welsh opera stars Bryn Terfel and Rebecca
Evans will sing the Welsh anthem as the horses
parade ahead of the big race. Bryn was born
in Pant Glas, Caernarfonshire and started his
operatic career with the Welsh National Opera.
He has gone on to become an international
star, performing all around the world, as well
as becoming a recording artist releasing several
albums.
Run on the Saturday between Christmas
and New Year, the Welsh Grand National race
meeting is a great opportunity to have a day
out and a bit of fresh air with family or friends.
There is plenty of entertainment with human
statues, Celtic band Murphys Marbles, face
painters and a Christmas choir. There will be a
marquee on the day that can be exclusively used
by families.
Hospitality packages are available from just
79 per head and admission starts from 22.
Children aged 17 and under are admitted free
of charge and car parking is free.
The perfect admissions offer for groups of
friends is the Pie and Pint deal, which includes
Grandstand and Paddock admission, a pie, a
pint of beer and a race day programme for just
27 this must be booked in advance.
In addition to the usual bars there will also be
the main marquee bar behind the stands with
Murphys Marbles playing during the afternoon.
A race day bus service runs from Chepstow and
Newport Railway Stations and the timetable is
available, along with all other details about the
event, at www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk.
A day at the races
one of the highlights of the Welsh sporting and
social calendar, the coral Welsh Grand national,
takes places on Saturday December 27...
Sponsored feature
67
county
homes
Turn over for 14 pages
of property and design
ideas for your home...
Millie Hedges has found some fantastic pieces
to add some Christmas sparkle to your feast...
m
ake your table festive
Cruet set.
6.
Next
Lolly jar.
20.
Amara
Snow
globe. 25.
Monsoon
Place
setings.
TBC
Tiger
Chocolate
robin. 80.
cuckooland.
com
Champagne holder.
249. Homes of
Elegance,
Abergavenny
W
hile theres no
denying food
will always
take centre stage on the
Christmas dinner table, you
can still serve up your own
unique style with some
wonderful festive fnds to
give your guests a meal to
remember.
Tiger is currently doing
these adorable gift tags
which would work equally
well as place cards on
your table. These cute little
elves are the perfect way of
ensuring Uncle Keith takes
his seat as far as possible
from Mother-in-Law Jude
we dont want a repeat of
last year.
If you are hosting a
dinner with children, this
Flamant Christmas Tree
Lolly Jar from Amara
(20) is a fun way of
keeping them at the table
between courses. Perfect
flled with sweets, after
dinner mints or even your
own naff cracker jokes,
this little jar can be passed
around the guests and will
be a real talking point.
Alternatively it would be
great flled with different
colour ribbons or sequins
and used as an ornament.
If youre looking to
add something to the table
thats a little understated
but a quirky addition to
preceding, look no further
than these Moose Salt
and Pepper Shakers from
Next (6). These stylish
deer heads would be great
for any winter feast but
especially perfect given
Rudolph has recently
visited.
While on the theme of
Santas favourite four-
legged friend, this Reindeer
Snowglobe from Monsoon
(25) would make a
striking centrepiece. Be
bold banish the holly
and candles from stealing
centre spot and tone it
down with this beautiful
snowy scene. As it is
neutral, it would go with
any colour-scheme and
arrangement, from the
simplistic to the most over
the top.
How about a touch of
luxury to the occasion?
This Champagne holder
from House of Elegance
(249), is just the thing.
Looking as classy as Fred
Astaires top hat and
resembling something like
it too this metal piece
sits at 25cm high/ 56cm in
diameter and can hold fve
full bottles of champers
with ice.
Okay, so the last thing
you might be thinking
of treating your guests
to is more food but this
Giant Chocolate Sharing
Robin from cuckooland.
com (80) is a real show
stopper. At 40cm high
and weighing 2.5kg this
is a grand centrepiece
guaranteed to delight
guests young and old. If
it survives dinner without
someone nibbling on its
wing, the robin would be
a great sharing treat when
everyone is sat watching
the television later on in the
evening.
P
aul Priestley, of Priestley Developments
Ltd, now based in Cheptow, fell in love
with Saxonbury House in Lansdown Road,
Abergavenny, when it came up for auction in May
2012. And it has been a labour of love for him and
his partner Lorraine Pipe to renovate and refurbish
this Grade II listed property taking it back to the
style and elegance it would have enjoyed when it
was rst built.
The large, detached
former gentlemans
residence, which was
built in 1887 and which
over the years has
been the home to three
Abergavenny mayors, has
been tastefully converted
from the later nursing
home into four apartments
-- three of which have
already been sold.
The fourth penthouse
apartment, which enjoys
its own spectacular views
over the Monmouthshire
countryside from its private
roof terrace, is now nished
to an exceptional standard
and on the market for sale.
Paul and Lorraine
explained to MCL about how they searched many
salvage yards for cast iron downpipes to replace
the plastic ones and found cast iron
rain hoppers, guttering and roof nials
to match in a bid to renovate the listed
building to as original as they possibly
could.
It was important to Paul to use local
craftspeople, electricians, plumbers and
locally-sourced materials which included
all the stone tiles from Mandarin
Stone of Monmouth for the
bathrooms and kitchens from Sigma 3,
in Abergavenny.
The entrance hall, with the original
oor tiles and woodwork, welcomes
you into Saxonbury House.The
original stained glass windows and
sweeping staircase have also been
preserved.
At the top you reach the
penthouse, which boasts two open-
plan reception rooms, now being the
spacious modern kitchen and lounge,
while retaining all the beautiful
features such as deep skirting boards,
original coving and ceiling roses.
The apartment also has a spacious
modern bathroom complete with
freestanding bath, two bedrooms,
one with ensuite. Stairs lead you to
the converted attic providing very useful space
for a number of uses a library and ofce space,
home cinema, spectactular clothes wardrobe or
just that all important storage space. And then
continuing up as you slide back the sky lantern,
you step out onto the roof terrace where the
views across Abergavenny and the surrounding
mountains are truly stunning.
At the rear of Saxonbury House was an attached
extension for the former nursing home. Now Paul
has seperated the two buildings, converting to the
same very high standard into four mews cottages
now known as Saxonbury Court. This also
created a walk through to the houses and a central
communal courtyard for all residents to enjoy,
complete with seating area and a tranquil water
feature, making it a unique and special place to live.
Paul would like to thank everyone who has been
involved in the project and is content to know that
Saxonbury House will remain preserved and intact
for many generations to come.
For more details on viewing the Penthouse
contact Priestley Developments Ltd on 07971
971 824 or 07817 251 585 or email pkpriestley@
btinternet.com.
living in style
An historic and imposing house in Abergavenny
has been bought back to life by local property
developer, who once used to deliver papers to the
property when he was a young lad...
before
Top: The rear of
Saxonbury House
Below right: The living
room of the Penthouse
Bottom left: The
beautiful entrance hall
81
Paul Fosh tucks into a pasty at Pasty Heaven, Monmouth, while using their
freezer in his training for the Likeys 6633 Ultra event which he has entered
W
hats in a name? I only ask as
it is naturally very important
to individuals and of an equal
importance to businesses but perhaps in a
different way.
Businesses and organisations spend a very
long time and a good deal of money subjecting
various ideas and suggestions for names to
a variety of tests. Focus group meetings are
arranged and the like to ensure that the name
that they choose to give to their business, of
whatever type, aptly reflects what they do,
who they are or the kind of service that they
provide.
Once selected the name reflects the brand
and every effort is expended to ensure that the
brand values are retained and enhanced
It is far from easy to choose that stand
out name. For a start you will have to ensure
that the brilliant name you arrive at which
encompasses everything there is about your
business hasnt already been taken by someone
else in business. Its annoying but a quick
internet check usually solves that one at an
early stage
There are some really inventive, attention
grabbing names out there especially on the
high street. There are also some very clever
and quirky ones which often seem to be the
speciality of beauty salons, hairdressers and,
perhaps, takeaway joints - we all know a few
of these.
Then there are the people, such as me, who
simply choose to name their business after
themselves, which is a simple and very effective
solution.
The Monmouthshire Supper Club had
targeted a relatively new, but most probably
very interesting, restaurant in Monmouth to
visit but what with one thing and another wed,
until now, failed to make a booking.
Sadly, when we came to make a reservation
recently we found that we wouldnt be able to
sample the delights of The Fat Cock and The
Swan, at St James Street, opposite Monmouth
boys school, as it was closed, were not sure if
this temporary or permanent?
The Supper Club had been meaning to visit
the tapas-style restaurant for some time as
it had gained wonderful online reviews and
it sounded brilliant. Its a great pity that this
enterprise isnt currently operating as were
great supporters of new restaurants opening
in the county and are keen to encourage other
entrepreneurial restaurateurs to follow suit.
I do know that there were some who
thought the name of the restaurant a touch,
shall we say, risqu. It caused some in
Monmouth to pass comment when it first
opened. Surely it wasnt simply the unusual
title, named in part after the owner Jennifer
Cock, which caused problems for the
restaurant?
The arrangements for my charity lunch at
the SWALEC Stadium, in Cardiff, are now all
set however there are still places remaining for
those wanting to join us on Friday, October
31 please do. We will be welcoming Wales
super athlete ITV and S4C presenter Lowri
Morgan to be our guest and share in her
experiences of taking part in ultra events
across the globe.
The event is an important fund raiser for my
Likeys Ultra 6633 event. Im hoping to have
some 200 people along to enjoy the lunch and
also bid on a fascinating range of items that
we have up for auction. Included in the list is
a fabulous Hardwick at Home package from
celebrity chef Stephen Terrys restaurant, near
Abergavenny. The superb package offers a
meal for eight guests, cooked at your home
with everything provided by The Hardwicks
head chef.
As regular readers of this column will know I
have signed up for the Likeys 6633 Ultra 2015,
reputedly the toughest race on the planet. I
will be one of just 20 or so people taking part
in the 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.
My main sponsors are Quality Solicitors
Rubin Lewis OBrien, HSJ Accountants, Paul
Fosh Auctions, Auction Finance and Rightmove
through their Agents Giving charity. I am
aiming 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
I must give a mention to Peter Williams,
of Pasty Heaven, The Oldway Centre,
Monmouth, who responded to a general
request from me for the use of an industrial
freezer in which to carry out some pre Arctic
challenge, sub zero temperature, training.
Peters commodious freezer at the back of
his shop, which can go to down to -21 degrees,
is ideal for giving me an idea of the kind of
cold I will be facing in the Yukon in Canada and
further north and whats more Peters real
Cornish pasties are excellent
People have been commenting on my
frequent appearances on the BBC TV
programme Homes Under the Hammer. The
Paul Fosh team has been delighted to have the
camera crews, production team and journalists
at our auctions over recent months and
thrilled with the interest the programmes have
generated in Paul Fosh Auctions and auction
sales in general.
Im not crazy about being in front of the
camera ... hell, who am I kidding, I just love it.
The more exposure for the name Paul Fosh
and Paul Fosh Auctions the better I say.
The next Paul Fosh auction which will be
held at the Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East,
Llanedyrn, Cardiff, is on Thursday, December
4, starting at 5pm.
Until the next time bon apetit and au revoir!
www.paulfoshauctions.com
Arctic training gets real...
82
Hidden
gems
A look bAck
In tIME...
By Naylor Firth
Above: Moynes
Court, Mathern,
which was built
between 1608 and
1610, pictured in
around 1920. From
Caldicot and the
Villages of the Moor
Vol 2 by Richard D
Jones
Left: Chepstow
Town Gate in the
early 1900s. From
Chepstow and the
River Wye in Old
Photographs from
the collections of
Chepstow Museum
Left: The Fat Stock
Show, Abergavenny
Market, in 1956
with the Mayor of
Abergavenny at the
time Councillor Reg
Silverthorne. From
Abergavenny Past and
Present by IM Morgan
Below: A ne
display of pheasants
and game outside
Ruthers, Frogmore
Street, Abergavenny,
in 1903. From
Abergavenny Through
Time by Irena Morgan
O
f the seven bridges
over the River Usk
between Caerleon
and Abergavenny, only Chain
Bridge is made of metal. An
1813 map shows a ford to
the east of the present bridge
site but the introduction of
toll roads in the early 19th
century emphasised the need
for a safer crossing.
The rst invitation to
tender for a bridge to replace
the ford appeared in the
Cambrian newspaper in
1825 and a contract was duly
signed between a joint stock
company in Usk and the
ironmaster rm of Brown
Lennox of Pontypridd.
The companys tender
for 1,800 was accepted
with a design based on metal
chain suspension of a metal
platform.
The concept was very
much in vogue with
Telfords chain suspension
bridge over the Menai Straits
having been opened in 1826.
Brown Lennox were
ideally suited to carrying out
the construction with their
considerable experience of
making metal chains for the
Royal Navy.
Chain Bridge was opened
early in December 1829 and
the new toll road, complete
with toll-house, connected
with the nearby 1823 Pant
y Goitre bridge over the
River Usk to shorten the
distance between Usk and
Abergavenny by two miles.
It also avoided the steep
gradient of the previous
route through Bettws
Newydd, a major advantage
for coach travel.
Chain Bridge was 242ft
long and contained 40 tons
of iron.
It was not without its
problems and in 1861 it
was closed owing to its
dangerous state. Thorough
repairs in 1862 saw it
reopened but the countys
designation in 1880 of the
road between Kemeys
bridge and Pant y Goitre as a
main road put pressure on
the authorities to look at a
radical redesign.
George Palmer and Co of
Neath were successful in the
tender. This long established
engineering company had
already built the GWR
railway bridge over the River
Usk at Newport only a few
years previously. The bridge
was opened on July 26, 1906
with a design based solely on
iron girders. In spite of this
radical change of appearance,
the title of Chain Bridge has
stuck.
The internal combustion
engine started to
revolutionise road transport
at the beginning of the 20th
century but little could the
designers have anticipated
the numbers and weight their
bridge was destined to carry.
Last year this centenarian
structure was reduced to
single-lane working with an
estimated 2.5m needed to
replace or repair it. Watch
this space!
A look bAck
In tIME...