March/April 2014

Issue 54

FOODIE DELIGHTS From Nantyderry

to Mousehole

WYE LIVING
Inspiring women from near the river

WICKED, MAN
Anthony Field tells his story
FASHION| HOMES |BUSINESS|AND MUCH MORE
Complimentary Copy

contents
6 8 14 18 22 23 26 31 34 40 42 47 48 50 54 55 56 61 74 Mums the word Great ideas for that special lady County news Get set for the prom Stand out from the crowd with these fab fashions Graveyard of ambition? We dont think so... News from the garden Meandering and life Two columns about the county Wicked, man Anthony Field shares his story County wedding County food 12 pages of food news, reviews and recipes Lets eat Three recipes from TV chef Matt Tebbutt Discovering the Inkin empire Two Monmouthshire lads, three great places to eat and stay Your chance to win Tickets to RHS Cardiff show County business County travel We visit London and Cornwall Train or bicycle? Which do you prefer? All set for Devauden Whats on County homes A bit of history With Naylor Firth

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: Paul Massey. Food at the Felin Fach Grifn near Brecon. Turn to page 42

Contacts

Published by: Newsquest Wales and Gloucestershire Cardiff Road Maesglas Newport South Wales NP20 3QN

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Countynews

NEW FLEA MARKET SET FOR CHEPSTOW

CHEPSTOW will be holding a ea market as part of the initiative to put the heart back in Chepstow. The event is the idea of residents Sarah Leyeld and Gill Fortescue and has the full support of Chepstow Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council and will coincide with this years Chepstow festival. Sarah said The ea market will be on June 28 and there will be stall throughout the town centre and along the riverbank selling antiques, bric a brac, collectables, crafts, books and plants. Already we have had 50 stall holders interested in the event. All pitch holders will provide their own table or rug and each will be charged a nominal amount to cover costs for the event. She said: This is a great opportunity to clear out cupboards, wardrobes and attics for those bric a brac and collectable items to sell at the market. Gill said: We would love to see local people joining in, not only individual sellers but also community groups, charities and schools. They are all encouraged to book a stall to raise funds for themselves or their community. Val Morgan, who runs Serendipity in St Mary Street in the town, said: This is a great idea. It will get people into town and I will be supporting it with a table of great collectables outside my shop. Carol Hobday, of Dragony Vintage Emporium in the town centre, said: We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful, historic market town and the introduction of the ea market will, I am sure, be a great success. I look forward to being a part of the day too. If you are interested in booking a stall contact chepstowea@ yahoo.co.uk with your name and

contact details or pop into the Tourist Information Centre near to Chepstow Castle who will pass your details on to Sarah and Gill.

Abergavenny hotel plans given the nod

PLANS for a 61-bedroom hotel which aims to pump 2m a year into the economy have been given the goahead The proposal, by developer Whitbread PLC, is to open a 61-bed Premier Inn, a Brewers Fayre pub and Costa Coffee on land off Merthyr Road, Llanfoist, known as the Westgate site near Abergavenny. At a planning committee meeting, councillors welcomed the potential the development could bring for tourism to the area but had concerns with the design of the hotel itself. The developer is committed to using local materials such as stone for the development and has kept the level of the roof to two storeys in keeping with the bungalow there. The development is believed to bring in 20 to 23 fulltime jobs and 30 to 35 part-time jobs.

ABERGAVENNY ACTORS DELIGHT AT PART IN OSCAR-NOMINATED FILM

AN ABERGAVENNY actor has been thrust into worldwide limelight after a lm that hes starred in was nominated for an Oscar. Simon Grifths, 48, (pictured) played a prison guard in The Voorman Problem, alongside stars Martin Freeman and Tom Hollander. The 13-minute piece sees a psychiatrist called into a prison to examine an inmate named Voorman that believes he created the world nine days ago. But it needs to be established whether he is insane or faking it. The short lm was put forward for a Bafta last year but was unsuccessful, but has now been nominated for Best Live Action Short and is the only British lm in contention. Its absolutely fantastic to be nominated, said Mr Grifths. I thought it was a wind up when I found out but I knew there was something special about the lm. It was named best lm at the St Louis International Film Festival which puts it on a long list of lms possible for an Oscar nomination. To then make it to the top 10 and be nominated is great as there are thousands of short lms like this made every year. Its exciting and hopefully it helps me to break down some doors in the future for other roles. Its what I make of it moving forward. Mr Grifths will be watching from his Abergavenny home with the rest of the world on Sunday, March 2 when the winner is announced. And he is condent that the lm has what it takes to pick up the prestigious award. Ive not seen any of the other lms nominated but I believe ours is the only one which is English speaking, he added. The chairman of the Palm Springs Film Festival in America said that he believes our lm is the favourite which is great. Ill be watching it live and Im pretty sure Ill be glued to my television watching and waiting. Its really exciting. The lm will compete against Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasnt Me), Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything), Helium and Pitk Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?).

Chepstow school marks 25th birthday with time capsule

PUPILS and staff at Dell Primary School in Chepstow have buried a time capsule to celebrate the schools 25th anniversary. Each class from the school chose an object to put into the capsule which included a book review and a photograph. The school on Welsh Street opened in January 1989 and now has 411 pupils. The school invited guests to the ceremony which included Keith Rowlands, the schools rst head teacher, members of Chepstow Male Voice Choir, who have been rehearing at the school since 1989, and Sarah McGuinness, Monmouthshire councils chief ofcer for education. Mark Davies, a Year 4 teacher, spoke at the ceremony as he attended the school as a pupil back in 1989.

Countynews

Monmouth playgroup marks 40th birthday

A TRELLECH charity-run playgroup has celebrated its 40th anniversary. The Busy Bodies playgroup, based at the Babington Centre, has been running since 1973 with more than 600 children taking part in the group during that time. The Monmouthshire playgroup is charity run and has held numerous fundraisers over the years including fashion shows and live bands. Tracy Price, manager of Busy Bodies for the last 25 years, said: It is quite an achievement to reach 40 years as many groups are folding at the moment. Its all down to the parents with all their help with fundraising events. The Babignton centre was left to the children of Trellech by the Zachariah of Babington. The centre has continued to be used by the children. The group has around 30 children from twoand-a-half years old to ve-years-old. Laura Sims, chair of the Busy Bodies committee, said: Busy Bodies has become an essential part of the community obtaining high awards and has forged a fantastic relationship with Trellech Primary School. The playgroup is open ve days a week with morning and afternoon sessions.

Work starts on Abergavenny memorial window to clergyman

PREPARATION to create a memorial to a muchloved clergyman is under way. Last year, designer Helen Whittaker, pictured above, was shortlisted from 24 fellows of the British Society of Master Glass Painters to design a memorial at St Marys Church, Abergavenny, to the Very Reverend Jeremy Winston, who died in 2011. The scaffolding is in place and Ms Whittaker, whose design was selected by the Appeals Trust, has visited the church to get a closer look at the stonework and to carry out necessary measurements of the window in The Lewis Chapel, which will house the new stained-glass. The Lewis Chapel is named after Dr David Lewis, the rst Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, and contains his tomb. It is also home to the worldfamous Jesse gure in the north transept, depicting the family tree of Jesus Christ and is the only one of its kind in the world. Ms Whittaker, whose stained glass windows can be seen in many churches and cathedrals throughout the country, is creating a representation of a Jesse Tree. The cost of the work is around 250,000, of which 35,000 has been raised by the community and 110,000 through grant-giving bodies. Father Mark Soady, who took over from Father Jeremy Winston as Vicar of Abergavenny, said he is condent of securing the remaining funds through grants before the window is installed. He said: Its a very exciting time. Experts say it will become one of the most important stained glass windows in Wales since the Second World War. I am very pleased with the design. The window will provide a tting memorial to my predecessor and I am sure he would be very pleased as he had the vision to do something like this. It is our intention for this area to become both an intimate worship area, but also an education resource where people can study our treasures. Work is due to begin in summer and is expected to take about two to three months.

SMILE: George Sims, two-year-old, who attends the Busy Bodies playgroup in Trelleck

MONMOUTHSHIRE VILLAGES ARE WALES PROPERTY HOTSPOTS

TWO Monmouthshire villages are among the top hotspots in England and Wales which have seen average house prices soar. A report, compiled by estate agents Savills and analysts Property Database, lists Shirenewton and St Arvans in the 200 top spots, where average prices are more than 370,000. The rst 43 locations, which puts Knightsbridge and Belgravia, London, as the most expensive in the country all pass the 1m pound mark. Shirenewton and St Arvans rank at 64 and 65 for those outside of London and the south east, having the highest average house price in Wales of 384,217 and 370,826 respectively. While the average house in Shirenewton sells for six gures, there are several exceeding the 1m mark on the market, including the gated Kirrin House, currently for sale for 1,350,000 and Lower Pink Farm, which at 1,250,000 comes with 22 acres of land. Shirenewton resident Beverley Moore was not surprised the village features on the list. Mrs Moore, of Tan House Court, said: It is a vibrant village where there is a lot going on. I think the name Shirenewton adds a certain number of noughts to it. Other areas to make it into the top 200 locations in Monmouthshire are Llangybi Fawr, near Usk at 343,367, Llanover, near Abergavenny at 347,188, Llantilio Crossenny at 307,544, Llanbadoc at 340,785, Trellech United at 325,603 and Newport, Gwent at 299,909.

CHEPSTOW PRIMARY SCHOOL GIRLS NET CHESS WINS

TWO Chepstow primary school pupils have been successful at a chess competition. Anna Boyle, eight, won the under eight competition and Madeleine Smith, eight, was runner up in the under nines at the Welsh Junior Girls Chess Championships on Sunday. The Dell Primary School pupils had to complete six games to win in their category at the competition held in the Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls. Sarah Boyle, Annas mum, said: She was over the moon with her trophy. We are all very proud of her she did very well she won ve out of six games. Annas taken part in a few competitions but this her rst individual trophy this is the rst major competition that shes been in by herself. A lot of private schools take part who are usually very good at chess so boys and girls from state schools doing really well at competitions is quite amazing. She said: I think chess is really good for children to help their concentration and strategy skills. Anna is really keen to do more competitions and hopes to join the South Wales Chess Union. Both girls are part of the schools chess club and have just joined the newly formed junior club at Chepstow town library. Judith Smith, mother of Madeleine, said: She had a great time on Sunday. She didnt know how it was going to go as the standard for South Wales girls is quite high. She was quite pleased at winning for an eight year old it is quite an achievement. Her older brother George plays so shes seen him play chess- the chess club at school has been brilliant for them.

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Countynews
RAFT RACE RAISES USK TAPESTRY TEAM IS CLOSE 25,454 FOR CHARITY TO FINISHING CRAFT WORK
VOLUNTEERS are working hard to complete a tapestry which captures the beauty of Usk by the end of March. The Usk Tapestry was the vision of the late Margaret Turner, a talented needlecrafter who died before the design, by Llangybi artist Susie Martin, was unveiled. Her wish was that the tapestry would express some of the beauty and natural riches of Usk and its surrounding countryside, and the sense of peace she experienced there. Volunteers, led by the Usk Tapestry Committee, have been using their needlework skills over the last four years to complete the vibrant piece which features the towns river, Usk Castle and a variety of wildlife and oral detail. The unique community project is open to anyone and was previously housed at Usk Garden Centre until it moved to an empty shop on Bridge Street, Usk, in August. Judith Choppen, committee secretary, said: There are 16 volunteers working on the tapestry

Cheque In: Emma Saysell, chief executive of St Davids Hospice Care, (centre left) receives the cheque from Rotary Club of Monmouth president Jenny Green with (left to right) Kris Broome, Norman Williams and raft race sponsor Robin Hall, managing director, of Kymin

THE principal beneciary for the 2013 Monmouth raft race event was St Davids Hospice Care. The hospice at home charity was presented with a cheque for 75 per cent of the total raised (19,091) by Monmouth Rotary club president Jenny Green. The remainder of the money raised will go to other charitable causes supported by Monmouth Rotary Club. Club president Jenny Green joined others from Monmouth Rotary Club and their spouses on a visit to St Davids day hospice at Malpas, Newport, to tour the new facility and present the cheque. Jenny said: Were pleased the 2013 event was such a huge success, with a record amount being raised. Were delighted to be able to donate more than 19,000 to St Davids to help them to continue to provide their vital services to those with life threatening illnesses, in their homes throughout Gwent. Jenny, who has visited the day hospice, previously, said it was encouraging for those that hadnt see the work the hospice does at rst hand to be able to visit and see where the money raised through the annual raft race is spent. Kris Broome, of St Davids Hospice Care, said: Were absolutely thrilled that this years event was

so successful. Wed like to thank Monmouth Rotary Club for organising such a superb event, and special thanks to Mandarin Stone, Kymin and Module IT who sponsored and supported the event and covered the organisational costs. Of course, not forgetting the 520 hardy souls, many of whom return year after year, for taking part in the raft race and raising so much sponsorship from their friends and colleagues. The 2014 raft race will take place on Sunday, September 7 and will once again be raising funds for St Davids Hospice Care. Monmouth Raft Race co-ordinator, Rotarian Norman Williams, said: We thoroughly enjoy working with St Davids Hospice Care. Not only do they provide invaluable support in the community, but they also help with the organisation and running of the raft race. Were also delighted that Mandarin Stone are sponsoring the event again in 2014, and that Module IT will provide technical support with a computerised timing system. The raft race grows in stature each year, and this year we are hoping to raise even more money. For full details about the 2014 raft race including how to enter visit www. monmouthraftrace.com

under the direction of designer Susie Martin, who also designed the Abergavenny Tapestry and Sarah Windrum, who is the tapestry maker and stitching supervisor. The tapestry measures 9ft by 6ft. The group, which is not a registered charity, had feared it would have to leave its new premises in Bridge Street before nishing the project after being told it must pay rates. The shops owner Arthur Grifths allowed the group to use his premises rent-free for the project but as the listed building has been empty for seven years, Mr Grifths has not been eligible

for rates and assumed the situation would continue. However, soon after moving in four months ago, the tapestry-makers were told by HM Revenue and Customs they would recommend to Monmouthshire Council that they should be rated, even though they were not trading. MCC obtained a certicate of valuation, which is valid up to March 31, 2014, which can be used when the property is partly occupied but for a short time only and means the group has nothing to pay up until that date.

Chepstow teen to study at top music school

A CHEPSTOW musician has won a coveted place at the prestigious international music school. Joseph Edwards, 16, (pictured) who attends Queen Elizabeths Hospital School in Bristol, will enrol at Yehudi Menuhin School in Cobham, Surrey, in September after completing a three-tiered audition process over three days. Joseph, of Earlswood, has been playing the violin since he was four and credits his Monmouth music teacher, Sian Cobb, with his success. The former Shirenewton Primary School pupil and his brothers Silas, 14, Tolley, 11 and sister Eve, nine, all perform in the National Youth Orchestra or National Childrens Orchestra. Funded by the Department of Education, Joseph will spend three years studying music alongside his A-Level studies. With an international reputation, Yehudi Menuhin School has only 74 pupils ages eight to 19, all specialising in stringed instruments and boasts alumni such as Nigel Kennedy and Nicola Benedetti. Funded by the Department of Education, the school will provide him with excellent instrumental teachers, adequate time for practice, opportunities for performance and ensemble work and a broad range of other music study and activities running

alongside his A levels. Josephs mother, Lucy Edwards, said he is over the moon to have won a place. She said: My boys are inspired by the enthusiasm of the team at the school to become involved in music at the highest level. Music is at the heart of the school.

Follow us on Twitter: @mclmagazine

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All set for prom night?

Stand out from the crowd with these fab retro prom fashions...

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1. 1950s inspired prom dress. 60. Its Vintage Darling 2. Paige prom dress. 72. Eucalyptus Clothing. Stockists: 020 7740 6323 3. Keyhole back dress. 60. www.vestryonline.com 4.Blue lace prom dress. 54.99. By Quiz 5. Applique prom dress. 89. M+Co 6. Mylene lace prom dress. 97. Littlewoods.com 7. Rocha John Rocha dress. 75. Debenhams 8 Dinner suit. 99.M&S

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The place to shop for that special occassion

Abergavenny, Wales Locally owned and operated Baroque Boutique & Beauty provides big city choices with small town customer care...

ur first year in business was celebrated in style. We hosted a fabulous Bridesmaid Designer Weekend in the boutique at the beginning of February. Our expert team assisted many excited brides and their bridesmaids. The atmosphere was fantastic. Now it is time to turn our attention to the Mother of the Bride. On Saturday March 8 and Sunday March 9, 2014, we will be hosting a Mother of the Bride Designer Weekend. Come and sample the latest outfits from Ian Stuart, Linea Raffaelli, Dress Code, Irresistible, Gill Harvey, Aideen Bodkin plus many more gorgeous designers. Bookings are by appointment only, so please call 01873 858 030 to reserve your place with one of our talented stylists. A complimentary Afternoon Tea for Two at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny will be given for all Mother of the Bride purchases made over this weekend. The Angel Hotel is a prestigious hotel which has been awarded the Tea Guild Award of

Excellence 2013 for City & Country Hotels. We are also hosting a Prom Night Fashion Show event on Friday March 28, 2014. The event starts at 7.30pm and will be held in the ballroom at the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny. Enjoy the latest prom fashion in style. To apply for tickets please call 01873 858 030 or email enquiries@baroqueboutique.co.uk. In combination with this event, we will be running a special prom competition. Win a Luxury Prom Beauty Package plus a professional photographer on the night of your prom. For more information about the prom competition please sign up to our newsletter via the website www.baroqueboutique.co.uk and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. At Baroque Boutique, we are committed to providing high quality products with a friendly and welcoming customer service. We hope to see you in the near future as we continue to establish ourselves as the premier ladies boutique in South Wales.

www.baroqueboutique.co.uk Tel 01873 858030 Email: enquiries@baroqueboutique.co.uk 18 Cross Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5EW
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The graveyard of ambition?

Moving to the countryside doesnt have to mean leaving your life behind you as MCL found out when it read the recently-published Crossing Borders book by Julia Gregson, of Whitebrook, and photographer Alex Pownall, of St Briavels...

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hen author Julia Gregson moved to the tiny Wye Valley village of Whitebrook thirty years ago she was greeted with Welcome to the graveyard of ambition by one of her new neighbours. And with those words, the award-winning author, journalist and former model, introduces the book Crossing Borders in which she and photographer Alex Pownall travel the Wye Valley meeting 21 inspirational women, from a racehorse trainer to a garden designer. Each of the 21 women is photographed by Alex and tells their own story about where they live and what they do. Many have achieved world-wide recognition in their eld. And the book only goes to show what talent and achievement is on our doorstep. In each chapter we meet a different woman and Julia Gregsons description of them and their lives makes for a truly interesting read. Each section also features a My day from the women along with some fantastic photography from Alex Pownall.

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Anne Wareham is one of the women featured in the book. Shes a landscape gardener and writer who lives at Veddw House near Devauden. She wrote The Bad Tempered Gardener, is a gardening journalist for the Telegraph, hates planting bulbs and has managed to create one of the most acclaimed gardens in the country. Further up the Wye Valley at Penallt youll nd Caroline Peters, a chief superintendent with Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Kate Beavan is a completely different kettle of sh being a farmer and rural skills trainer who has seen the likes of TVs, and fellow Monmouthshire resident, Kate Humble attend one of the classes at the country school she runs at her base at Great Tre-rhew Farm underneath the Skirrid near Abergavenny. The farm has been in the same family for three generations and up until three years ago the Beavans were happy with being completely unknown country farmers going about their everyday lives. Then they were asked by the BBC to appear on a series called Lambing Live and everything changed for them. Skip a few pages where we are introduced

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International Writing Fellow at the Hay Festival. When she was seven, Tiffany moved with her mother to Rockeld Studios, near Monmouth, and since then shes lived in East Anglia, London and New York, among other places. And of course, there is the author Julia Gregson, who since moving to the area has published three novels, the second of which East of the Sun won a number of accolades including Romantic Novel of the Year and The Prince Maurice Prize for Literary Love Stories. Alex Pownall lives in St Briavels is a freelance photographer who has exhibited across England and Wales and whose portrait work includes commissions from writers, musicians and actors. Crossing Borders is a fascinating read, giving you glimpses of lives of people you are likely to bump into in the supermarket and probably not think anything of. Now, that makes you think, doesnt it... Crossing Borders is published by Graffeg. Price: 20.

to women who live close to the Wye in Herefordshire, and here is Jenny McLoughlin, a paralympic sprinter who was part of the British womens 4x100 paralympic relay team who won bronze in 2012. Jennys family moved to Chepstow in 2005 and she started to train with Cwmbran Harriers, where she met coach Darrell Maynard. Two weeks after the Olympics nished, she started a philosophy degree at Cardiff University and shes hoping to be representing team GB at the next paralympics in 2016. Bettina Reeves is a stage designer and puppet maker who moved to Govilon in 1976 followed by a move to Abergavenny in 2001. If you know Abergavenny Food Festival, then youll have seen Bettinas work in 2012 she produced displays of huge animal puppets which hung from the rafters in the Market Hall. Each year she runs an installation workshop for the food festival. But mainly she works in the theatre. And then there is Tiffany Murray, a novelist and lecturer, who teaches creative writing at the University of South Wales and is also

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Style in Chepstow
To view the spring/summer 2014 collection, take a visit to Viva Couture in the heart of Chepstow...

iva Couture is a stylish ladies clothing boutique run by two close friends and business partners, Jayne and Lynda, who pride themselves on delivering excellent customer service which results in customers returning time and time again. Jayne, Lynda and the team have already started selling dresses for the proms this summer and Mother of the Bride for 2014 weddings. Its such a busy and exciting time with so many loyal customers returning, say Jayne and Lynda. We welcome anyone new to come and have a look at our collections. We provide everything from daywear, coats, evening wear, cruise wear, cocktail, prom, mother of the bride/groom, special occasion wear along with accessories such as fabulous hats, bags and jewellery. Our selected dresses are carefully chosen from the best designers and manufacturers that will make you look and feel amazing. Our designers include great names such as Joseph Ribkoff, Frank Lyman, Mascara, LAtelier, Scarlet and Mori Lee.

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Baby its cold outside

Mike Morgan, of Llansantffraed Court Hotel
but its toasty in the poly tunnels. To be honest, inside the tunnels is the only place where you dont need a snorkel at the moment. With the wettest January for 250 years making way for the wettest February, most of the vegetable beds in the walled garden make better swimming pools, and for fair weather gardeners like me all, of my best work is undertaken under glass, or by the re with a seed catalogue. Still, its rewarding to be able to harvest something, even if you need a pump to get at it. The winter vegetables are still in the ground and we are enjoying golden beetroot, delicious swede and turnips, full avoured leeks and the last of the red cabbage. Celeriac in particular is the perfect foil for our amazing local venison, which we lightly oak smoke. While the percentage of menu ingredients sourced within 25 miles of the hotel falls in the winter, its more than made up for by the beguiling avour of those freshly dug roots. When winter veg is transported over long distances the natural sugar content falls quickly, but we can cut and prepare delicious sweet parsnips ready for service within an hour of them being teased from the wholesome dirt in which they were planted. The parsnips make delicious sauces and velvety soups, and despite an unseasonal lack of frost to intensify the avour, they remain a Sunday lunch favourite alongside our rare Welsh beef and yorkies. Much to my surprise, the autumn planted broad beans in bed eight seem to have survived the deluge and are showing signs of making an appearance in time for spring. In the poly tunnel weve sown succession of different heritage variety broad beans which are being brought on for planting out in due course. The Heritage nger carrots, much loved by the kitchen, grow well in the tunnels and we aim to harvest them in April. Summer fruits also play a cameo role on our winter menus in the form of comforting chutneys and relishes. Top dressing and composting the asparagus bed hints at the delights of spring and summer bounty, and its pretty much the only job you can do without waders on right now. I dream of hollandaise and balsamic The gales managed to get among the fruit cages and dismantled them for us. Happily weve been able to reconsider where they will be sited for this season, and using the test planting of last years white and blackcurrants in the sunnier corners of the garden, weve been able to reliably decide which the best spots for ripening the fruits are. The blueberry plants seem to prefer a more westerly facing bed and since the fruit cages are now like a set of mechano, were taking the opportunity to move them. Every cloud Since last time I wrote we were chuffed to have been awarded Winner of the Best Small Restaurant in Wales in the prestigious National Tourism Awards. It takes a dedicated kitchen team and some painstaking preparation to allow our beautiful local produce to truly shine through. Picking fresh from the walled garden will allow us to continue to serve our reasonably priced at lunch at just 15 per head made with the freshest vegetables and ingredients. Its cheering to spend some time with the seed catalogues and a glass of something warming while selecting next years priorities. Were learning to choose purely on taste, which doesnt necessarily equate to the best yields, and whilst good food looks great, real food is all about avour. Food yards, not food miles. Mike Morgan

very callow American writers ambition is to have something published in the New Yorker, so Elwyn Brooks Whites achievement in managing it so often that he occupied an ofce in the building must have represented total fullment. As EB White, he was one of the magazines great essayists and the author of three classic books for children - Charlottes Web, Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan. And, like many other essayists, he was fond of defending his modest trade. One of the things that got him going as a writer of self-referring articles, which is what essays are, was to choose a word at random and see if he could elaborate on it. He encouraged others to do the same. The other day I overheard a couple of Chepstow school pupils discussing how the lengthy repetition of a word seemed to render it meaningless. It became just a sound. The word they were repeating was vista. (Dont ask. Thats Chepstow youngsters for you). Well, I rescued vista from their pummelling and returned it to my meanderers dictionary, where in its pristine state it raises any number of landscape visions and sets me off on an EB White quest. Monmouthshire, it need hardly be said, is full of views. One of my favourites always takes me by surprise, as all decent prospects should. Im driving towards Raglan from Llansoy and beginning the short descent to the crossroads linking Gwernesney to Pen-yclawdd when the Holy Mountain of Skirrid-Fawr - to put it bilingually - appears in the distance like a pilgrims ultimate destination. In fact it lies more or less in the relatively at vale of Usk, making its irruption on to the landscape even more dramatic. That it has certain bewitching features is merely conrmed by the legends surrounding it and the even more spectacular sights to be enjoyed from its summit. Before I get to the turning for Raglan on the B4293 there lies to the left a great scooping out of the land on the edges of which are Wolvesnewton, Llanhangel Tor-y-Mynydd and Cobblers Plain. The

A Monmouthshire MyCountyLife Deacon talks to MCL about meander with Nigel Jarrett Jonathan heritage, the Ryder Cup and Derek the
few houses that cling to its rim must have back-garden outlooks on Paradise. The Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and other eminences lie blue and remembered beyond them. In the Fens of England, the sky is overarching. To block it out one needs something as bluff as the Blorenge, which lords it over Abergavenny and on sunny but not entirely clear days is mottled by the shadows of sauntering clouds. The poet Gerard Manley Hopkins would have included the sight among his pied beauties, to accompany brinded cows and nches wings. The ascent from Whitestone car park above Tintern leads me to that point which overlooks the Wye at Llandogo and is marked by wooden benches inscribed with quotes from Wordsworth. Did he walk there? We shall probably never know. He did sail down the river to the Severn Estuary on a trow a sort of trowboat to Bristol and I see him with foot on bowsprit contemplating philosophically the watery panorama as river gives way to channel. I thought a vista was part of the attraction when we fancied living in a at beside the river at Usk (an idea scuppered, among other mad considerations, by the need to lower our cat on to the river bank in a basket at the end of a rope and winch him up again); and also when we visited a similar but more bijou place currently being built by the river in Chepstow, where the cinemascopic view through plate glass is of the come-and-go Wye and the facing cliffs of South Gloucestershire. But a vista is different from a passing window on something interesting. It implies an arresting scene t to behold. In a county with hills and valleys as well as a coastline, the outlook is often inland to what lies beyond, to England and wilder Wales, as I was reminded while eating a Marmite sandwich outside the Kymin above Monmouth after a steep climb. It was also where I realised that if you repeat Marmite long and often enough it starts to sound nonsensical. Nigel Jarretts rst poetry collection, Miners At The Quarry Pool, has just been published by Parthian. www.NigelJarrett.wordpress.com

Weatherman...

Who are you and what do you do? Im Dr Jonathan Deacon. Im a senior academic at the University of South Wales South Wales Business School. What do you most like about living in Monmouthshire? I was born here! Ive lived here all my life, as have several generations of my family. We are blessed with open pasture, soft rolling hills and a few mountains wonderful walking and mountain-biking country. We also have our fair share of what some have called green cathedrals, the ancient woodlands where you can relax and contemplate places like Wentwood. Then there are the modern things. Monmouthshire has great infrastructure you can be in Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham pretty quickly if you need to be. But it also allows us to encourage visitors. Where do you go for an unforgettable dining experience? Somewhere where the most is made of the local produce of Monmouthshire so either my kitchen or its got to be the Hardwick in Abergavenny. What do you tell your friends about the county who have never been here? Come and visit soon! My job allows me to travel quite a bit and when Im asked to talk at conferences and seminars around the world I always start with a few pictures of Monmouthshire and a story or two about the place. People are genuinely interested and many talk to me afterwards and say that they thought that Wales was all about industry and coal but when they see the beauty of Monmouthshire they are always keen to know more. Certainly in the US the likes of the Ryder Cup has put us a little bit more on the map. The downside is of course while we like visitors (good for the economy) we dont want too many otherwise all those things we nd special

about the place may disappear. Who would be your ideal companion for a trip around the county and why? Probably two people if I may? One would be one of my ancestors and have them guide me around their Monmouthshire to see what has changed and probably to nd that they played in the same places that I did as a child and walked the same lanes and paths I do now its the benet of having deep roots I guess. The second would be Derek the Weatherman. It strikes me that he overlooks our corner of Wales and some of its more interesting features and a bit more exposure on the BBC would do no harm for our tourist sector. Favourite town and why? Probably Chepstow my local town. Favourite place for a picnic and why? Grey Hill or the Skyrrid go and take a look and then you will know why! Favourite place for a walk? Wentwood is a great place to wander except for the recent invasion of motorbikes who are pretty dangerous or anywhere along the Wye valley. If there was one thing missing from Monmouthshire, what do you think it is? We probably could do with more affordable homes for the young people of the area so that they can stay in the area or return after their studies elsewhere. If you werent living here, where would you be? Finland. Its a bit like Monmouthshire but on a larger scale and with lots more snow! Three words which sum up Monmouthshire for you... Home, belonging, contentment.

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Helping to make your house a home

As a family company with more than 30 years of experience, we believe in the core values of quality, craftsmanship and excellent service.

ome and visit our inhouse design team and let us help you make your house a home. We offer a complete package for kitchens, bathrooms, stoves, fires, fireplaces and boilers. We supply, install and offer parts and servicing to suit all purses. Our employees are experts in their fields, and we offer free quotations and site surveys from our most experienced engineers. Why not treat yourself this New Year, come and visit us at our conveniently situated

showrooms. You can find out main showroom on Station Road in Chepstow, located behind Tesco. To find out more information about stoves and see and feel the stoves in action, pop down to our stove showroom at Chepstow Garden Centre just off the A48. With plenty of free parking and friendly, knowledgeable staff a visit couldnt be easier. Bathrooms, kitchens and fires: 01291 621545 Stoves: 01291 628080 Showroom: 01291 627000

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Wicked, man...
MCL: How did you get into this line of work? Anthony Field: I always had a passion for this type of work even at school in Llandrindod Wells (where my family settled) I was helping out with the lights and props for any drama shows we did. After school I pursued this passion and studied a three year degree in Stage Management at the Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. MCL: Was growing up in the area a good basis for the life of a company manager of a tour like Wicked?

Currently on tour with Wicked, which is coming to Cardiff soon, is Abergavenny man Anthony Field, the company manager. MCL caught up with him to chat about witches, Olympics and why he loves coming back to the county
AF: Growing up in and around Monmouthshire and Powys was a dream come true the fresh air and the peace and quiet of the surrounding countryside was very nurturing and the people protective. I also found that the towns scattered throughout these counties all have very creative hubs to them yes they are largely farming and agricultural communities but also I found Drama and creative cultures are allowed to thrive. MCL: Were you involved in theatre locally? AF: Ive been lucky to work for a number of Welsh theatre companies particularly when I was still based in and around south and mid-Wales. The theatre community was and still is I know very close and everyone is connected and knows everyone else and this networking was and is crucial for each companys survival. I always used to tour to the Borough Theatre in Abergavenny in particular. MCL: What did you study at uni and why did you decide to go to Cardiff? AF: As I mentioned I undertook a three-year course in Stage Management at The Welsh College in Cardiff. After looking at four other colleges around the UK offering a similar type of course I

26

knew immediately as soon as I walked through the doors at WCMD that was the place for me. It was incredibly inviting, the staff and pupils friendly and welcoming and it had an amazing vibe to it and in fact still does as I have gone back and taught over the years. It was also a place that was close to home and my roots. MCL: Tell us a bit about Wicked, why its such a great show and how excited you are to be bringing it to Wales? AF: Ive been lucky enough to work on Wicked for nearly ve years now. Before this tour I worked on the West End production at the Apollo Victoria Theatre where Wicked London is still playing today. Its a big, big question to ask what makes a great show as there are so many variations and impacts but I genuinely feel that some of what makes Wicked so, so amazing is its strong storyline, phenomenal music, the highest production values of a show in existence (by this I mean the richness and splendor of the costumes, the detail in the set and magical effects, etc), the strong cast, the loyal fan base who return over and over again to see us and when you put all these things together you get one epic experience to come and be part of watching Wicked is like taking part in the adventure right from curtain up to curtain down.

MCL: Have you been involved with shows at the Millennium Centre before? AF: I actually worked on the opening ceremony of the Millennium Centre back in November 2004 so it is a lovely rite of passage to return with a massive musical such as Wicked its something Ive always dreamed of one day being able to do. MCL: What the best show youve been involved with? AF: The fact Im still here and loving everyday after ve years is probably testament enough to my Wicked family. MCL: You were also involved in the Olympic opening ceremony, what that was like to work on? AF: Our team actually delivered all four ceremonies which was a bit of a rarity in the world of Olympic Ceremonies and so brilliant to be able to do that on home soil. My work colleague who was heading up the stage management team asked me to come along and chat to her and she offered me a six-month job to prepare and then deliver the ceremonies. After picking myself up from the oor in shock I chatted with our producers on Wicked who were kind and generous enough to let me take a six-month sabbatical from the show. I cant explain in words what they were like to work on as they were life-changing for all of us in such a positive and fullling way I think it will be hard to top that Opening Ceremony thats for sure.

Facing page and below: Wicked. Other pictures: Olympic ceremonies which Anthony was involved in staging. Inset: Anthony Field

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MCL: What would be your dream project and who would you want to work with? AF: Im here right now working on my dream project as touring is something I have always loved and to be able to do this working for the best creative/producing/ management team ever is a wish come true. Im also working with friends new and old, and to be able to come to Cardiff is the highlight for me personally of this amazing tour. MCL: If you werent doing this, what do you think you would be doing? AF: I know the answer straight away to this question as Ive often thought about it over the years and its so, so different in most ways to what I do now. My mum is a care assistant for physical and mentally disabled adults back in Llandrindod Wells and I always admire and love what she does with a great sense of pride to the difference she makes to their lives I like to think I would probably be doing this. MCL: How often do you get to come back to Monmouthshire and what do you miss most when youre away? AF: Its not all that often I get to return but when I do I love the opportunity to drive up in a car from Newport through Usk and on to Abergavenny. At Christmas this year we had a luck few days off and we were at the time in Dublin so on Christmas eve I was able to y back in to Bristol Airport and rent a car and drive up through all the

snow and experience the beautiful landscape and views Monmouthshire had to offer I really loved that journey as it felt very special. MCL: Whats the best bit about your job? AF: To be surrounded by my work colleagues whom I respect, admire and love in equal measures Im denitely a people person. MCL: And the worst? AF: It used to be missing family particularly as my sister has just brought my rst niece into the world but then the advent of FaceTime has changed all that I can check in really regularly almost as if Im there which is simply fantastic now to keep in touch I apologise if I sound like a walking advert for Apple! MCL: What advice would give someone wanting to get into your line of work? AF: Be prepared to start off small and learn your craft as this will stand you in good stead as you progress to get to grips and be good at your job relies a lot on experience and personality and hard grafting. Its a tough industry to survive in but the rewards are endless and life changing. MCL: Anything else you think wed like to know... AF: Wicked in Cardiff at the Wales Millennium Centre will be the most exciting experience ever come check it out and nd out what everyone is talking about

Above: The Spice Girls entertain the crowds at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London. Below: From Wicked. Bottom: Fireworks at the Olympics

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The Golf Academy at St Pierre, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club

The Golf Academy at St Pierre has three fully qualified PGA Professionals who dedicate their time to improving your golf.

he Academy holds 10 covered floodlight bays and eight outdoor bays for use in the summer. Along with this we have an excellent short game area to practice those all-important shots from within 80 yards. On the Driving Range we have two Explanar teaching aids, one adult and one for juniors, both to help improve the golf swing. Within our lessons we always use the latest in video technology to help with the improvement of your golf. Here at St Pierre we have many coaching groups including: beginner classes, senior coaching mornings, ladies group tuition, mens and ladies league team coaching and a very thriving junior section. St Pierre has one of the busiest junior academys within Wales, where more than 100 children have coaching every weekend. The Rangers section is aimed

at children between the ages five to 14 who have not yet obtained an official club handicap. They take part in weekly tuition and have monthly competitions contributing to an order of merit. There are three sections within the Rangers, first there is the Bronze, then silver, then the Gold which is a stepping stone from the Rangers to Junior section. We also have around 60-70 junior club members who take part in on course competitions and have coaching every month on our academy. Practice is essential in the improvement of anyones game, the Academy offers a membership that gives you 1,000 balls a month to hit on the driving range plus a free lesson. If you are interested in any lessons please contact one of our golf professionals today on 01291 635205.

Choose something special for the big day

Spring marquee viewing weekend April 5 6, 2014

f you would like to come and view our fantastic range of marquees and furniture come along to our spring marquee viewing weekend. On the day our marquees are expertly styled to suit a range of themes whether youre looking for a vintage theme or a fresh and modern twist. Meet our event team who can give you expert advice and tips on planning your day. To book a appointment with one of our personal event managers please call 01291 629377 or email niki@countymarquees.co.uk
Pictures: Hapburn Photography

Weddingbits
1. Ceramic bunting. 15. www.tch.net 2. Film noir wedding invitations. 20. www.littlejoydesigns.co.uk 3. Guest book. 9.95. www.luckandluck.co.uk 4. Personalised wedding print. Small 32. Large 50. www.coastalhome.co.uk 5. Personalised seed packet wedding favour. 1.99. www.wildflower-favours.co.uk 6. Candle. 5.99. www.mollieandfred.co.uk

2 3 4 5 6

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Weddings at The Shire Hall are unique occasions

Our elegant, Georgian rooms provide a stunning backdrop for fabulous photos...

hotographers are inspired by our wide sweeping staircases and beautiful natural light. We have three rooms licensed for Civil Ceremonies, including Courtroom 1 where the mother-in-law can sit in the original High Court Judges chair! We dont operate a one size fits all approach and wont tie you to restrictive packages. Well help you make the day your own, whether youre looking for a small and intimate affair or something more lavish and elaborate. We are happy for you to just have the ceremony or book the building exclusively for your reception too. We have a range of approved suppliers who we trust to make your day feel seamless. Our bespoke kitchen can be used by your chosen caterer and we can also provide a bar, licensed until 12am. Recently married at The Shire

Hall, Laura comments: I also wanted to say what an amazing day we both had, it was perfect and I could not imagine having the wedding anywhere else. So many people have commented on what a unique and special venue the Shire Hall was and how much they loved the building. Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you for everything you did to ensure the day ran smoothly and to accommodate all of our wishes, there is nothing we would have changed and we have a lifetime of incredible memories to look back on. Everybody at The Shire Hall prides themselves on attention to detail, and we aim to delight you with the highest level of personal service. If youd like to know more, please call Aileen or Claire on 01600 775257 to discuss your requirements.

Pictures: Nanette Hepburn

Your event is in session

If you are looking for somewhere stylish, historic and certainly unusual as a place for a special occasion, then take a look at The Sessions House...

he Sessions House in Usk opened in 1877 to hold the Monmouthshire Quarter Sessions and continued in that capacity for many years. In the late 20th Century it became a Magistrates Court, finally relinquishing its judicial role in 1995. This beautiful historic building was purchased by Usk Town Council in 2000 for the community and has become the meeting place for local organisations, a concert venue and a prestigious address for local businesses. It has also been the setting for film and TV productions and now adds party and wedding venue to its impressive portfolio. The building boasts Victorian symmetry

with high ceilings, wide oak doors and ornate cornices. The recently restored Court Room, the grand Entrance Hall and the Mather Jackson Library, together with the remainder of the building, are all in original condition, the only addition being electric lighting. The library houses one of the most interesting and extensive law libraries in Europe with more than 3,000 volumes dating from 1698 to 1971. In the Court Room you will find the imposing Judges Chair and an impressive collection of portraits of the distinguished Judges who held court here over the years. The benches retain the original labels for

Solicitors, Counsel, Reporters, Witnesses and Jury and you will also find the passageway leading down from the dock to the adjoining Prison. The Sessions House has a remarkable history and is a source of pride for the locals. If you would like a tour or to book any of the rooms for an event then please contact the Sessions House Manager on 01291 673011 or e mail clerk.usk@btconnect.com

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MONM OUT HSHIRE

EAT

12 pages of recipes and news from around the county

Regional pride at stake in food contest

REGIONAL pride will be at stake when some of the top chefs from across Wales put their skills to the test in the heat of the kitchen at the Battle of the Dragon contest in February. Regional teams for South, North and Mid Wales will each cook a three course meal for 90 people, using mainly Welsh, seasonal ingredients, at the Welsh International Culinary Championships at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-onSea from February 25-27. The Culinary Association of Wales has broken with tradition this year by inviting the three regional teams to compete for the Dragon Trophy to showcase the best of Welsh cuisine, as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. In previous years, two international teams have been invited to compete against Wales in the contest. The South Wales team is managed by experienced international chef Michael Bates, executive head chef at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, and chef patron at White Hart Village Inn, Llangybi, near Usk. It will be a busy week for Mr Bates and teammate Karl Jones-Hughes, executive pastry chef at the Celtic Manor Resort, as they are also finalists in the National Chef of Wales contest at the same venue on February 24. Their South Wales teammates are captain Trevor Jones, executive chef at Custom House, Penarth, and Olive Tree restaurant chef Simon Crockford and commis chefs Jonathan Pring and Ffion Lewis all from the Celtic Manor Resort Mr Bates said: We are looking forward to the contest, which will be a great showcase for the Culinary Association of Wales. We have devised a menu that is all about the flavour of the dishes and it should be a good, interesting competition. Organised by the Culinary Association of Wales, the Battle for the Dragon contest is one of the showpiece events at the Welsh International Culinary Championships, which are sponsored jointly by the Welsh Government, Unilever Food Solutions and Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales. Colin Gray, Culinary Association of Wales president, said the contest provided a perfect stage for the best chefs in Wales to demonstrate their high level culinary skills. The fact that we have three teams from Wales competing this year is going to add extra spice to the competition, especially as regional pride is at stake. Its an event not to be missed.

DIXIE IMPRESSES CELEBRITY CHEFS ON TELEVISION

A MONMOUTH woman has been currently wowing culinary experts on a Channel 4 cookery programme. Dixie Innes, 26, was one of the contestants on The Taste, in which cooks attempt to impress celebrity chefs Nigella Lawson, Anthony Bourdain and Ludo Lufubvre. She lives in Leyton in London but grew up in Monmouth, where her father Tom runs the Fingal Rock wine shippers and merchants shop, based on Monnow Street. The former Monmouth Comprehensive School pupil did an arts and crafts foundation course at Cardiff Metropolitan University in ceramics and then decided she wanted to cook professionally.

RESTAURANT WITH ROOMS FOR SALE IN QUAINT VILLAGE OF LLANDENNY

THE RAGLAN ARMS, the ARMS AA-Rosette awarded and Michelin Guide-featured restaurant in Llandenny, near Raglan, is being marketed for sale by specialist property adviser Christie + Co. After nine years, in which the Raglan Arms has also been featured in the Good Food Guide and Restaurant Guide, the current owner has decided to step aside allowing a new operator to take it to a new level with the addition of letting accommodation. Despite its lofty achievements, the Raglan Arms retains a relaxed, informal dining atmosphere with a roaring fire during the winter and a terrace patio in the summer. The property sits in the countryside village of Llandenny on the River Olway, around three miles from the late-medieval Raglan Castle and near to Howick point-to-point and a number of golf courses, including the Ryder Cup host course in 2010, Celtic Manor. The Raglan Arms is an 18th century stone building and has been a licensed premises since 1852. Step inside and you will find an open plan trade area for 100 covers plus a large terraced patio and not to mention substantial private accommodation including managers self contained flat. This private accommodation, split over two floors, has planning permission in place to introduce six en suite letting rooms whilst retaining a self-contained flat for a new owner/manager. Valerie Turner, restaurant specialist at Christie + Co, said: The business provides a stable and reputable platform for an existing operator or a first-time buyer who wishes to take full advantage of the granted planning permission and the countryside lifestyle that owning the business would offer. The freehold to the Raglan Arms is on the market with Christie + Co for 370,000.

The Hardwick restaurant, near Abergavenny, has been named as one of the 10 best gastropubs in the UK. The Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropubs Awards was won by Tom Kerridges two-Michelin-starred The Hand and Flowers in Buckinghamshire. The Hardwick, run by chef Stephen Terry (pictured), was placed ninth. The Felin Fach Griffin, near Brecon, came in at 37. These were the only two Welsh establishments in the top 50.

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MONM OUT HSHIRE

EAT

All your eggs...

1

Chef Chef sprofile

2 3

Sean Gibbs
How long have you been a chef and where did you train? I have been a chef for 30 years, so that makes me nearly 90 in chef years. I trained over the border at Burton On Trent College. Why did you decide to follow this career path? From a young age I felt I had an aptitude for cooking and having dyslexia it made a pleasant change to be top of the class at school. What makes your restaurant different from others in the area? We offer our guests a varied and competitively priced menu but in relaxed splendour of a historical 16th century manor house. We use local produce wherever possible and I recommend coming along to our Pudding Society which is held on the last Thursday of every month. For those of you with a sweet tooth this is an evening not to miss.

The Best Western Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel & Spa Med Restaurant
Who is your foodie hero and why? My foodie hero has to be the late Keith Floyd. A larger-than-life Bon Viveur with a deep understanding of what it takes to create a great plate of food. What do you think about the way food, restaurants and chefs are becoming so it in popular culture? Celebrity chefs are not really my thing. As with a lot of chefs I tend to feel uncomfortable being the centre of attention and prefer to be in the kitchen creating my dishes. That said, you cant be a good chef if you lack the desire to please and look after others. Why is Monmouthshire such a great place for food? The wonderful local products and because the average customer is so savvy about food and wine. Its the customer whio drives up standards not the prima donna in the kitchen.

1. Chick egg cups. 6.99 each. www.astonpottery.co.uk 2. Soldier egg cup and toast cutter. 6.95. www.prezzybox.com 3. Set of four egg cups. 11.99. www.oakroomshop.co.uk 4. Egg cosy. 6. www.sophieallport.com 5. Forest Friends egg cups. 16. www.magpieline.com 6. Tulip egg cup. 4. www.tch.net

SUPPORTING OUR FOOD PRODUCERS

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FOR ALL THATS GOOD ABOUT THE COUNTY

If you want to make sure you get the next edition, subscribe online at
TO ADVERTiSE iN THE NEXT EDiTiON CONTACT ANDREA HALL ON 01633 777207

www.monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk

Sacha and Jon Child cannot believe it has already been a year at the Kings Arms Hotel in Abergavenny...

A must visit...
J
on said: Weve really enjoyed our first year, building a new business has been challenging, but with a great team around us, hugely rewarding. Abergavenny has a real vibrancy to it, not just through the summer with the cycling and food festivals, but throughout the year due to the number of clubs, associations and societies in the area. A lot of them we host here: ALBA, Astronomy, Open Arms choir, chess, Round Table, Steam society, cycling groups, Probus, Friends of the Earth, to name a few! Enquiry levels have shot up in January following a successful Christmas party season. With such a flexible function space it is an ideal venue for parties, small weddings, meetings and group dinners. Sacha said: Its incredible how many of our customers attending

parties over Christmas didnt know we even had a function space or 11 en suite bedrooms. Its a lovely space, which comfortably hosted 80 for Christmas day lunch. The Kings Arms Hotel continues to establish itself on the culinary map as a credible alternative to the fine quality of the Walnut Tree, the Hardwick or The Angel, with a menu which is competitively priced even within the town. Jim Hamilton, head chef, said: Its important our ethos remains selecting the very best locally-sourced, seasonal produce for our menu, while staying reasonably priced. This year the Kings Arms Hotel is looking to add an AA accreditation to its four-star Inn status from Visit Wales. After a year of re-

establishing the Kings Arms as a hotel and restaurant, it was felt it was time for more live music in 2014. Kicking it off was a hugely successful return for Black Rat Effect on January 31, who take up a regular slot every last Friday of the month. On Thursday March 5 begins the first of a series of collaborations with Black Mountain jazz, this time featuring Kizzy Crawford. The Kings will continue with the ever popular Jim Ramsey who plays a great acoustic guitar set each Friday till late. The Open Mic Night also continues in 2014 on the first Thursday of every month and is a great opportunity to not only listen to our local musical talent but be a part of it too. Both Sacha and Jon would like to

say a big thank you to all their loyal customers who have supported them throughout the year. Sacha said: We have met some truly great people, many of whom have become good friends and, of course, we must not forget a huge thank you to everyone in our team for all their hard work and dedication.

Sponsored feature

Johnny Morris with his cattle

A Local Food Cycle L

ocalism is an ideal to the British public. It is the ability to know exactly where a product has come from and who produced it. It allows us as consumers to selectively reinvest in our locality with the people we know and directly into the economy in which we exist. It is a concept to most, closer to an ideal than the reality of driving to a supermarket with shelves stocked with product from around the globe from people and places we do not know! The ideal is an environmentally responsible way of consuming in which quality and provenance are at the core. However this ideal is real. A near perfect example of localism is occurring on our doorsteps through the interaction of three local businesses, run by Philip Whittal, Johnny Morris & Neil Powell. It is a local cycle that occurs throughout the year and has done for many! The cycle begins at Philip Whittals farm in Herefordshire. Philip is a third generation grass seed grower with a heritage of production dating back to 1935. Philips farm, with picturesque views towards the black mountains and Hay Bluff is on prime Herefordshire land and it is here that he continues to produce home grown grass seed for the farming community. It is this seed that Herefordshire Cattle Farmer Johnny Morris sows on his farm, Willersly Court,

Seed Harvest at Philip Whittals farm.

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Herefordshire. Johnny pastures are on the flood plains of the river Wye and are therefore incredibly nutrient rich, ideal ground in which to sow the seed grown by Philip (Whittal). These grass pastures in turn provide first class grazing and the ability to produce the very finest class of beef cattle. These beef cattle are sold to local Master Butcher Neil Powell, who has over 40 years of experience in providing the locality with the highest quality locally sourced produce. At his Ewyas Harold (Herefordshire) based facility the beef is handled only by experienced, in house trained Master Butchers. Maturation of the beef occurs in a strictly controlled environment in which temperature, humidity and air flow are continually monitored. The beef is then processed and distributed into Neil Powells (also known as H. J. Edwards) five retail outlets based in Abergavenny, Hereford, Chepstow, Ross on Wye (Labels Outlet Shopping) & Ewyas Harold as well as into some of the UKs finest eateries. This same beef has become a signature dish at The Hardwick Abergavenny through chef Patron Stephen Terry and his classic 21 day dry aged rib eye steak. It goes to show that the very finest produce is available locally. This is a local cycle where food miles are minimal, the standards of production are extremely high, animal welfare is a priority and each business owner is 100% accountable to every aspect of production. This local cycle comes full circle at Neil Powells Hereford outlet when Philip Whittal or more often his wife pop in to purchase their beef grazed on grass grown from his own Herefordshire grass seed, The cycle then begins again, grass is grown, beef is produced and reinvestment is made back into the local economy! So pop into your local Neil Powell or H. J. Edwards outlet find food you can trust produced on locally grown grass!
Stephen Terry at the Hardwick

Steven Powell & Andrew Jones at Neil Powell Master Butchers

The nished product

For all of your locally produced meat call to pre-order from Neil Powell or H. J. Edwards and the order will be prepared ready for collection.

Abergavenny: 01873 853 110 Chepstow: 01291 629 018 Hereford: 01432 277 557 Ross on Wye: 01989 764 296 Ewyas Harold: 01981 240 000

MONM OUT HSHIRE

EAT

Get ready for some spring delights

By Hannah Freeman

Lets eat
Monmouthshire chef Matt Tebbutt, from The Foxhunter at Nantyderry, near Abergavenny, shares some dishes from his recent book Guilty Pleasures...

ne of my favourite dishes is Tournados Rossini. I grew up with my mothers constant references to Franco Taruschios Tournados Rossini at the ledendary Walnut Tree restaurant near Abergavenny, and this has evolved into an almost sacred love of this classic and elegant dish. Local let of beef, generously topped with rich duck pate, all resting on a buttery, crisp crouton and bathed in a decadent Madeira sauce. For a really special meal to begin, I would serve delicate slices of Wild Boar prosciutto from The Salting Stone in Raglan, a few slices of local sourdough bread, toasted and brushed with garlic infused olive oil and maybe some Trealy Farm saussisson. Pudding would be some soft summer fruits bottled in brandy which have sat in the dark larder for the winter months with a scoop of Brookes vanilla ice cream. Looking forward to Easter, we enjoy a whole leg of Welsh lamb studded with rosemary and roasted until pink and juicy, some seasonal brassicas tossed in creamery butter and a majestic, calorie-laden potato gratin. Lamb works surprisingly well with cider, so a local tipple would be my choice of accompanying beverage, followed by a few choice chocolates... it would be rude not to! In season: Rhubarb, cauliower, trufe, Jerusalem artichoke, venison and sea bass. Why not try: Monmouthshire honey, perfect for drizzling over porridge, sweetening cakes or just on a piece of thickly buttered toast, local honey wins hands down an ancient food with wonderful properties. Monmouthshire Honey, Govilon. Tel. 01873 832232 Why not dine at: The Castle Inn, Caldicot. Proper pub grub and good service makes for a excellent dining experience. Why not visit the famous castle, work up an appetite with a walk in the grounds and then relax with a decent pint and a lling meal? Tel. 01291 420529 Why not visit: The Salting Stone, Little Castle Farm, Raglan. Stunning retail premises for The Welsh Pig Company. Proper, old fashioned bacon, prime cuts of pork and even wild boar...and a wee coffee shop for snafing a splendid butty. Open Friday and Saturday 10am to 3.30pm and Sunday 10am to 1pm. Tel.01291 691933

Cauliflower, bacon and chickory soup with dijon mustard

Ive thrown a decent amount of bacon into this mustardy soup, but you can always leave it out if its not your thing: theres enough flavour going on even without. The Dijon brings a silky warmth to the soup, rather than a powerful kick. Any other mustard would overpower. Serves 4 50g salted butter 2 tbsp olive oil 8 rashers of streaky bacon, chopped 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 onion, diced 2 heads red or white chicory, thick end removed and diced, leaves shredded 2 small heads caulifl ower, roughly chopped 500ml hot vegetable stock or water 500ml milk 100g cream cheese 100g Cheddar cheese, grated 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 100g blue cheese, crumbled, to serve Salt and pepper Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/Gas 6. Heat the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large ovenproof saucepan or flameproof casserole over a high heat, then throw in six of the chopped rashers of bacon and cook until coloured. Add the garlic and onion and the diced chicory ends and cook over a low heat for 10 minutes to soften. Stir in the cauliflower and cook gently for another 10 minutes without letting the veg colour. Now add the stock (or water) and the milk the top of the vegetables should be sticking out of the liquid. Place the whole pot in the oven without the lid and cook for 40 minutes to start getting some colour on top. Meanwhile, fry the remaining bacon in the rest of the olive oil, until crispy. When the caulifl ower starts to brown and look roasted, remove and blitz everything with a handheld blender or in a food processor. Taste, season with salt and pepper, and strain into a clean pan. Stir in the cream cheese, Cheddar cheese and Dijon mustard. Serve with the crumbled blue cheese, reserved crispy bacon and shredded chicory leaves scattered over

40

SUPPORTING OUR FOOD PRODUCERS

A pissaladire is a pizza-style tart from Southern France and Northern Italy. The caramelised onions on this have a sweet nuttiness to them and by adding just a touch of Marmite, they become meaty and rich. Serves 46 4 red peppers Olive oil, to drizzle 50g butter 4 red onions, fi nely sliced 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 tsp Marmite 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme 375g ready-rolled puff pastry 4 rashers smoked streaky bacon, roughly chopped 100g hard goats cheese Rocket leaves or parsley, to serve Salt and pepper Preheat the oven to 180C/160C fan/ Gas 4. Put the whole peppers on a baking sheet and sprinkle with a little salt, pepper and olive oil. Cook for 30 minutes until blistered

and black. Leave the oven on but remove the peppers. Cover with foil and set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, peel away the blackened skin, deseed and pull into strips. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a frying pan over a gentle heat and cook the onions and garlic until soft and golden brown. This will take around 30 minutes. Stir in the Marmite and the thyme. Set aside to cool. Unroll the pastry onto a baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Spread over the caramelised onions and roasted peppers. Scatter over the bacon and roast the whole thing in the oven for 2030 minutes. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, dot with lumps of the goats cheese. When it comes out the oven scatter with a handful of rocket or parsley leaves. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Caramelised Onion & Goats Cheese Pissaladiere with bacon and roasted peppers

Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

These brownies look amazing thanks to the swirled topping of cream cheese and raspberries, and they taste sensational. Cream cheese takes on a gorgeous velvety consistency when baked. Make sure you dont overcook them, though the perfect brownie is moist and a little bit chewy. Makes 15 200g butter, plus extra for greasing 500g dark chocolate, broken up Generous pinch of salt 8 eggs 450g caster sugar 200g plain fl our 2 tsp baking powder 80g cocoa powder 150g chopped walnuts 300g cream cheese 50g caster sugar 150g fresh raspberries Preheat the oven to 160C/140C fan/Gas 2. Grease a 25 ~ 35cm baking tin and line with nonstick baking paper.

Melt together the butter, chocolate and salt in a saucepan over a gentle heat. When smooth, scrape the molten chocolate mixture into a large bowl to cool. In another large, clean bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and doubled in volume. Gently fold this mix into the cooled molten chocolate, trying to keep as much air in it as possible. Carefully fold in the fl our, baking powder, cocoa and walnuts. Pour into the prepared baking tin. Whip the cream cheese and caster sugar together until smooth, then fold in the raspberries, crushing them as you go, to ripple the cream. Now gently dollop this onto the brownie mix in the tin and swirl as you please. Bake the brownies for 3040 minutes, until they have risen and formed a crust, but are still a little soft in the centre. Cool, cut and scoff.

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Discovering the Inkin Empire

A
42
s little empires go, EATDRINKSLEEP is small but perfectly formed. And what is this empire which two Monmouthshire brothers brought up on a dairy farm in Llangovan near Monmouth have created? Its a very simple concept: the simple things in life done well. And it has delivered a basketful of awards

Dish from The Gurnards Head

Will Loram introduces us to the brothers Inkin and takes us for a trip round their foodie empire...
from the dining and pub industry. Whats it all about? EATSDRINKSLEEP is two gastro pubs with a difference and a small seafront hotel in the same vein, which have gained a strong following of acionados through giving people what they want in a place they are going to eat in, stay in, and enjoy themselves in. Now it becomes complicated. The little empire comprises The Felin Fach Grifn, near Brecon; and in Cornwall The Gurnards Head near St Ives; and the 14-room hotel The Old Coastguard in Mousehole. It might sound complicated, but it works, and it works extremely well. It would be wrong to portray Charles and Edmund Inkin as two Monmouthshire farm boys

The Feli n Fach G riffin

who have done well in the gastro pub trade. Their father was a former commanding ofcer of the Royal Welch Fusiliers and later the architect of the redevelopment of Cardiff Bay as the chairman of the development corporation. But this is not a story of privileged offspring throwing money at gastro pub concept, and everything comes up dreamy rich cream topping. It is more of family blacksheep nds he is good at what he has stumbled into, and through hard work, determination, good cooking, dmund good ideas and a E d n a Charles pinch of panache, has done such a good job that banker brother adds himself to the recipe for success. The Loram family, of myself, my wife Rehana, and our 13-year-old daughter Leila, rst stumbled across the Inkin empire during last summers Cornish heatwave. As usual our holidays are stuffed to the gills with plans to do, this, that and other, with a timetable as strict as General von Schlieffens plan for victory in World War I. This is not a good plan for any of the EATDRINKSLEEP venues. The good plan is to relax into the easy ambience, and enjoy the food and drink, and... chill. Simple, honest and very enjoyable. And thats what we ended up doing for lunch at The Gurnnards Head, a traditional coaching inn on the coast road between St Ives and St Just. Charles Inkin, wearing a set of rafsh sideburns, was there to join us in a glass of wine, and explain the hows and whys of EATSLEEPDRINK before dashing off to the beach to have fun with his young family. Its funny, but you can almost see his character in the decor and the menu: honest; straightforward; entertaining; with a style all of his own. The story of how he landed near Landsend running two award-winning eateries within half an hour of each other, begins in Wales. Or to be more exact Felin Fach, just outside Brecon. After leaving school, much to the horror of his father, he found himself working in bars and restaurants in almost

gentried south London, and discovered that he was good at the front of house, keeping everybody happy. Always inspired by his mothers kitchen garden cooking as a busy hostess, Charles then trained as a chef at the world-famous Ballymaloe School under Darina Allen and, after working at the Michelin-starred Shanks in Belfast, he returned to Wales to set up The Felin Fach Grifn from a derelict pub with a childhood acquaintance Huw EvansBevan. It took a year before the Grifn was ready to open in June 2000, but it rapidly carved out a reputation as an island of excellence in a dark sea of bland food establishments around Brecon. In the late 1990s Charles had fallen in love with west Cornwall when staying at Zennor and taking his beloved old Alfa Romeo Spider for spins along the country lanes, and exploring a topography little changed since the Iron Age. A telephone call out of the blue, brought him down to the Gurnards Head in 2006. With Huw having exited the Grifn partnership, and his brother Edmund having stepped in to take on the more administrative side of the business, a next step was needed. With friends giving their labour free, and utilising wintering shermen to transform a ramshackle old pub to a welcoming and stylish retreat for people who love good food, good drink, and to sleep it off in comfortable beds. After that the awards for what EATSLEEPDRINK had done to the Gurnards Head have been tripping in on a regular basis. Charles is reluctant to rest on these laurels. We are about looking after people in a genuine way, he says. And that looking after people means pricing meals for the locals, not the tourist trade, and supporting local food producers. He left us to it, but we were in good hands. Although I have been known to have good taste, and my wife has a palette of a perfectionist, there is probably more insight from the honesty of a child, than the bilious puff of a bon viveur. And with that over to Leila: My starter was Crispy Pigs Head. This was pork crackling with apple sauce. This is quite a hard one to get just right, because it is very easy to get the pork dry or tough. Usually I am not so keen on sweet with savoury. The main meat was very juicy, with small pieces inside, making it creamy. The apple sauce went perfectly with the food, complementing its avours. For my main I chose the Duck Leg. I do love duck, but there is not that much meat on a duck, so most of it is usually dry, but this was lovely and

nard The Gur

s Head

43

succulent. The crispy skin was tasty with its own distinct avour. The gravy was rich and thick with a mixture of avours and the mash was very smooth and creamy. History does not relate the desserts, but it was such a hot balmy day, and there was croquet being played on the lawn at the back, we just blissed into puddings in a oral arbour around a large wooden table. The tour continued the next day, among soaring temperatures, and with a dog panting its way into any bit of shade available. The Old Coastguard at Mousehole is a very different proposition. This is a proper small hotel, with wide open dining spaces, including tables on a gently sloping lawned garden, splattered with palm trees, and with a view of a peaking bunch of rocks surfacing into Mounts Bay. If you like seafood, you will like the Old Coastguard, with Mouseholes sh harbour just round the corner. But then, the whole menu was difcult to choose from, as it was adventurous enough with avour combinations to excite the gourmand, while having enough old favourites to keep any old grumpy curmudgeon happy. So over to Leila for her cast on the menu: First, I had for my starter mussels in white wine sauce. I am not the biggest fan of mussels because it is very difcult to get them right. They are either tough and rubbery or soft and succulent from one extreme to another. The mussels were juicy and soft and the sauce had a beautiful taste and was very strong and creamy. For my main I had the Fish Stew. This was a baked dish of mussels, ling and pollock. The sauce of the stew had a nice tomato avour and with a mayo pot at the side it made it a very adventurous dish. The mussels went very well with sauce. For my dessert I had chocolate mousse. This was very different and had a lovely presentation. Having toffee on top and with a pot of cream and a nice biscuit dip. The toffee and cream denitely add expression and accented the avour. With all three of us replete, a little stroll among the rock pools rounded off a lunch that ticked all the boxes for all our sensory indicators. But to round off our tour, we had to wait until we returned to Wales to sample the culinary delights of where it all began for EATSDRINKSLEEP. This is Edmunds domain, as Charles casts his cloak over the Cornish elements. Edmund came to the business when his banking career with Kleinwart Benson ended abruptly with a P45 in the nancial meltdown. That career crossroads coincided with Charles nding that maintaining the success that the Grifn at Felin Fach was making demands on him that he was maybe not best suited to deal with. I have got more of a money and admin background, and a business of this nature needs a bit of organisation and as well as a bit of showtime, Edmund said about his entry into the business. I think people like what we do. Our ambition everyday is to make people happy. If we get that right, the money will look after itself. Now that is ambitious. But then at the

Grifn they held on to its Michelin Bib Gourmand making it the only place in Wales to have a Bibi Gourmand. It also was placed at 37 in the Budweiser Budvar Top 50 Gastropubs, in addition to being awarded County Dining Pub of the Year for Wales in the 2014 edition of the Good Pub Guide. That sounds like a happy-making hostelry. Lets see what Leila thought to her meal: My starter was Dressed Portland Crab with Raw Greens, toast & Pickled Grapes. I am a big fan of seafood dishes and in the past I have had some of the best seafood can offer, so they have to do my crab well to impress me. It was very well displayed and looked delicate and appetising. The crab was juicy and roared with avour and one thing I was looking out for was crab usually has an aftertaste that can ruin a dish. But there was no such thing. It denitely tasted very fresh and succulent. Although I wasnt such a fan of the pickled grapes and raw greens, I enjoyed the dish very much. My main was Fricassee of Monksh With Pancetta & Roasted New Potatoes. For me monksh and pancetta was a new mix and usually when things like this are tried out they become too meaty. But for this dish the sh was again beautifully done, smooth and not too meaty, very soft and the pancetta complimented the shs avour very well, although I would say there wasnt quite enough pancetta. The sauce was very deliciously light, and thin maybe lacking a bit of avour but I denitely enjoyed this meal very much. The sh was delicious. It was again perfect. One might say this is what ne dining is about. For dessert I had the Strawberry & Lemon Tart. It was heavenly. Smooth, rich, but light crme custard topped with strawberry gel in shortcrust pastry delivering a delicious combination. Lovely! Need I say more?

T Ol Coastur

T F Fa Gi

For details about food and accommodation and outdoor activities to pad out the stay at EATSLEEPDRINK venues visit www. eatdrinksleep.ltd. uk or telephone The Felin Fach Grifn 01874 620 111, The Gurnards Head 01736 796 928, The Old Coastguard 01736 731 222

T Gn r

Hea

44

ur T Ol Coast

Spring is in the air

C
hef has been busy preparing his new menu for The Med Restaurant and if you dine with us Sunday Thursday you will receive a complimentary bottle of wine with dinner.* Our restaurant is open every evening from 7pm. We also serve a traditional Sunday lunch every week with two courses for 16 and three courses for 20. Afternoon Tea is served daily from 12pm at 9.50 person with an optional glass of champagne for an additional 9 per person. *Valid until 30th April for a minimum of two people and please bring this advert with you.
Forthcoming Events March 27: The Pudding Society Pure delight for those with a sweet tooth as our aim is to resurrect all the old favourites along with seasonal specialities and some delicacies from around the world. For 25 enjoy a light main course followed by a selection of seven desserts and a chat from our Master of the Puddings. March 30: Mothers Day We will be offering a traditional three course

After a long, wet and miserable winter the team at The Best Western Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel are looking forward to spring and welcoming its guests to enjoy some culinary delights between March and May...
Sunday Luncheon with a small gift for all mothers. 23 per person, children under 12 half price. Alternatively join us for Afternoon Tea at 9.95 per person April 20: Easter Sunday A fun day for the family with a traditional three course Sunday Luncheon followed by an Easter egg hunt in the hotel grounds. 23 per person, children under 12 half price. April 24: The Pudding Society returns with more delicious desserts! Bookings must be made in advance. Keep an eye on our website for May events.
Spring Breaks From 110 to include one nights accommodation for two people with a complimentary room upgrade (subject to availability), three course meal (25 dinner allowance) and a 10 voucher to use in The Cwrtium Spa. * Additional 20 for stays between April 17 to 22.

Call the team on Tel: 01633 450521 or Email: enquiries@ cwrtbleddyn.co.uk for further information and to make your reservation.

45

A blooming great day out for all

T
he RHS Flower Show Cardiff, which is running from April 11 to 13, 2014, will this year mark a decade of horticultural excellence in the city. Set in Bute Park, Cardiff Castle, the show has established itself as a key date in the events calendar. In celebration of this milestone birthday, this years show promises to be bigger and better, with plenty to see and do over the course of the weekend. The RHS Flower Show Cardiff demonstrates the very best in RHS gardening practice and among the treats for visitors this year will be exhibits from 60 of the UKs finest plant nurseries, all gathered together in the Floral Marquee and Plant Village. The show will bring together specialist growers and feature innovative show gardens from leading garden designers. For those who are less experienced and are looking to learn a thing or two, there will be plenty of informative and educational exhibits, with all the information needed to grow your own show-stopping garden available. Celebrity gardener Toby Buckland will be hosting talks and demonstrations, offering advice and plenty of handy tips, along with other experts in the field. Those looking to get their hands dirty can join the professional growers during hands-on sessions at the RHS Potting Bench, where visitors will be actively encouraged to get involved or head to the RHS stand for an informal chat with one of the team; the perfect opportunity to get the lowdown on the very latest gardening techniques and trends. Creative displays in the Plant Village will make for a fun shopping experience, while other gardening must-haves will be available from specially selected trade exhibitors. Entry for children under 16 is free and there is a whole host of activities to entertain the youngesters from seed sowing to tree climbing, fossil hunting, craft activities and story-telling. There will also be live bands, family entertainers, a Farmers Market and plenty of places to stop for something to eat and drink. And if budding young gardeners need some inspiration for their own plots, the Schools Wheelbarrow competition exhibits featuring entries from 60 local schools will provide just that. Over the last ten years, the show has attracted a host of celebrity fans including Alex Jones, Katherine Jenkins and Duffy so theres plenty of opportunity for some celebrity spotting too! As the first major RHS show of 2014, the event promises to bring the joys of spring to the capital, with record numbers expected to attend to celebrate its anniversary. Whether youre a keen amateur or a horticultural heavyweight, the RHS Flower Show Cardiff is an absolute must for all flower and garden enthusiasts, and equally perfect for those just looking for a fun day out for the whole family. MCL has team up with the RHS Flower Show Cardiff to off one lucky reader a pair of tickets for the Saturday. All you have to do is write in and tell us where in Cardiff the show is going to be held. Send your answers, along with your name and address, to RHS/MCL competition, Monmouthshire County Life, Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport NP20 3QN. Closing date is April 4, 2014. The winner will be notified. Usual Newsquest rules apply.

Opening times: Friday and Saturday 10am 5.30pm. Sunday 10am 4.30pm Advance tickets: 8.50 (RHS members 7.50) On the day: 11 (RHS members 10) Children free (under16)

47

Countybusiness

Two pages of business news and information

MITEL IN TOP MERGER
MITEL, which has a base in Caldicot, Monmouthshire employing 155 people, has completed a merger with Aastra Technologies Limited. With $1.1bn of combined annual revenue and 60 million customers worldwide, Mitel now has one of the largest global footprints in the industry and is driving consolidation in the $18bn business communications market. Richard McBee, president and chief executive ofcer of Mitel, said the rm was well positioned to capitalise on a massive global growth opportunity as the market begins a long-term migration to cloudbased services. He said: With this merger the combined annual revenue of Mitel exceeds a billion dollars, which we believe creates the nancial scale and operational leverage to drive shareholder value and protable growth in an opportunity-rich consolidating market. We now have double the talent, tools and range of solutions to aggressively compete for a greater share of our market. Mitel offers a comprehensive portfolio covering digital to IP to Cloud. With a $100m annual R&D budget as a combined business, Mitel has the resources needed to support ongoing innovation and a broad range of global and regional solutions, protecting customers by limiting the risk of stranding them and their investment. In conjunction with the closing of the merger, Mitel also completed nancing of a $405m credit facility consisting of a $355m term loan maturing in January 2020 and an undrawn $50m revolving credit facility maturing in January 2019 A spokesman for Mitel said: In a merger of this size there are immediate, near term and long term opportunities to integrate the two companies into a unied organisation. This is a process that requires a careful balance of thoughtful planning and timely implementation. It is not a process that will take place overnight or with abrupt disruptions to our channel partners, customers or other stakeholders.

9 Months of RTI Are You Compliant?

ONE of the biggest challenges of Real Time Information is reconciling payments to HMRC against liabilities the key is how to avoid some of the recent reconciliations problems that have been occurring. The timing of the submission is very important. A monthly payroll will, typically, only submit one FPS each tax month, while a weekly payroll will be submitting four or ve. Each FPS must be submitted on or before the payment is made meaning between the 6th of one calendar month and the 5th of the next. And the EPS has to be submitted in the 14 days the end of the tax month, that is; between the 6th and the 19th of the calendar month, the deadline for the EPS is the 19th. Employers can submit as many FPSs as they wish within the monthly window. This caters for the weekly payrolls and supplementary runs on monthly payrolls. It also provides a facility for employers to update the information provided to HMRC. But a word of caution this can only be used for correcting monetary values. Changing starting or leaving in FPSs is likely to be treated as an indication of a second employment rather than a correction to an existing employment, this duplicate employment will increase the liability HMRC expects to be paid by the employers. With it being the rst year of RTI and the PAYE year coming to an end it is important that any employer is condent that the above has been complied with. If you require any further information please contact Angela Phillips a.phillips@uhy-uk.com or call 01873 852124

Police station units will be revamped

Abergavenny wins funding to boost business

WELSH Government funding has been announced for a project to help boost businesses in Abergavenny. Housing and regeneration minister Carl Sargeant announced the town will receive 17,000 in funding to help local businesses establish a business improvement district plan. BIDs are business-funded schemes, set within a dened area, where rms pay a levy based on their rateable value. Once set up the levy allows the BID to spend money on certain projects. Abergavenny was one of nine areas out of 14 applicants which received funding worth 200,000 from Mr Sergeant. He said: Im pleased we have been able to support so many prospective BIDs and I look forward to seeing the successful applicants working with local businesses, authorities and communities in order to develop. BIDs which can make a real difference to the areas they represent.

Luke Dymond, of Barclays, and businessman Anthony Davies at the site which will be transformed by the 600,000 deal

FIVE ats and four commercial units at The Old Police Station on Baker Street, Abergavenny, are to be redeveloped. The announcement comes after Anthony Davies, managing director of 360 Property Ltd, has just completed a 600,000 renance package with Barclays for the work and there are plans for more developments this year. Mr Davies is one of a number of local businessmen who have endured the downturn and are beginning to speak with optimism as the business supported by Barclays looks forward to a brighter future. He said: Back in 2007 I joined the family business, Davies Wallpapers, and quickly realised that the business could not compete with the out-of-town major suppliers. With six shops across South Wales

I decided that rather than just sell up at a loss and move on I would turn the properties into ats or commercial units for rent. I now have 10 commercial units and 20 ats which provide much-needed accommodation in good locations. The wallpaper and paint retail business had been trading for nearly 100 years so it was difcult to scale down but denitely the right decision. Luke Dymond, Barclays business, real estate manager for South East Wales, said: As champions of local business, it is essential that we support local entrepreneurs such as Anthony during these challenging trading conditions. By really understanding the business and the property sector, Barclays has been able to support the business both nancially and professionally.

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1.

Countybusiness business County

2. 4. 5.

6.

3.
1. Chair. 195. www.aspace.co.uk 2. Felt iPad case. 15.50 each. www.tch.net 3. Mug. 7.95. www.theliterarygiftcompany.com 4. Shelving unit. 59.95. www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk 5. Calendar. 100. www.alexanderandpearl.co.uk 6. Clock. 24. www.redcandy.co.uk

For all thats good about the county

TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT EDITION CONTACT ANDREA HALL ON 01633 777207

If you want to make sure you get the next edition, subscribe online at
www.monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk
49

County travel

Having a wicked time

As we waved goodbye to the Christmas festivities, my mum and i decided to cheer ourselves up by booking a trip to London...

quick and cheap bus trip later, we found ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the capital. Not being too good at navigating the underground, I studied a map to decide on the simplest route to our hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, near Hyde Park on Bayswater Road. Luckily, you can get to Bayswater from Victoria on the Circle Line, and from there is it only a six minute walk. The hotel has a modern exterior and the restaurant is located at the front behind large glass windows. Its location is the hotels biggest selling point as you simply cross the road and you find yourself in Kensington Gardens. In the reception we were treated to a warm cookie, which added a nice touch. The fifth floor room had views over the park and was the perfect size for the two of us. It also included a coffee machine, kettle for tea and even an iPod dock for easy charging of my phone. After a quick change, we were on our way back towards Victoria to The Apollo Victoria Theatre. Deciding it was a nice evening and only a 50 minute walk through the gardens and Hyde Park, we decided to walk. Probably not the wisest of decision as by the time we emerged from the park, we had endured heavy rain, hail stones and even thunder and lightning. With wet shoes, socks and hair, we opted to hop on the tube for the remainder of our journey. Emerging from Victoria tube station, we were on the hunt for somewhere to eat. We walked around in circles for what

seemed like forever in the cold despite the theatre being located two minutes away from the tube station. Luckily, I spotted independently owned Brass Monkey on Vauxhall Bridge Road, approximately 250 metres from the theatre. It had a warm and welcoming atmosphere and the wine priced from 3.90 a glass went down a treat. I opted for a burger with mushroom and chips (7.90), while my mum chose fish and chips. Both meals were with us in no time and tasted great. Even though it was a generous portion, we managed to polish them off and were just what we needed before the performance. We were excited to see Wicked, the hit musical which tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, which is now in its eighth year at the theatre. It did not disappoint, with ever changing scenery and lots of dancing and singing, it had the whole room completely engaged from the start. It offers a complete twist on the original Wizard of Oz storyline and the untold revelations come as a complete surprise. Wicked follows the unlikely friendship between the two witches, the wicked witch, Elphaba, played by Willemijn Verkaik, and the good witch, played by Savannah Stevenson. Both had outstanding singing voices and their mannerisms captured their characters with comic effect. If you dont fancy going to London to catch Wicked then youre in luck. The musical is heading to Cardiffs Wales Millennium Centre between March 12 and April 26. After the show, which received a

standing ovation, we intended to enjoy a drink in the hotel bar. But by 11.30pm, we were tucked up in bed, with a cup of tea and watching TV it was just too inviting. In the morning, after tearing myself out of the comfy bed, we enjoyed a hotel breakfast. It was self service and there was everything from cereal, fresh fruit and croissants to a full English breakfast. We certainly left feeling full and enjoyed every mouthful. As the weather continued to be wet, straight outside the hotel we hopped on a tour bus ran by Big Bus Tours. It was a little expensive at 30 each, but after swapping onto a bus with a tour guide commentary at Marble Arch, we forgot all about the bad weather. As we made our way around London, the tour guide gave us very interesting facts about the buildings and the sights. We were on there for about two hours so we felt that it was money well spent. If it hadnt have been for the weather, we would have taken the Thames cruise that is included in the price. Before heading to London, I made my mum promise not to embarrass me, but a couple of minutes after getting off the sightseeing bus she succeed yet again by falling to the pavement with a bump. We spent the remaining time sat in Victoria coach station waiting for the bus home, while my mum nursed her sore knees. By Hayley Mills

50

More art on show

W
yndcliffe Court Gardens will be re-opening for its Spring Sculpture show on Friday May 2. Open each weekend throughout the summer Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm (including Bank Holidays.) The show, Elegance and Form, will showcase more than 300 new art works from more than 30 national and regional sculptors. This year Wyndcliffe will also be opening a new small gift shop which will sell local produce, crafts and small handmade gifts. This is the second year Wyndcliffe will open its gates to the public, after the success of last years three seasonal sculpture shows. The shows welcomed more than 7,000 visitors and sold hundreds of sculptures, which are now adorning new gardens across the country. This year Wyndcliffe is welcoming a large variety of gardening groups, coach tours and societies as well as running various collaborations with photographers, florists and artists. The gardeners are hard at work, restoring the garden to its former glory, including getting the walled kitchen garden back to producing cut flowers, fruit and veg. They have uncovered a series of path and waterways in the Woodland Dell, and have planted a large traditional rose garden in the lower terrace, which will be in full bloom this summer! Spring sculpture show opens Friday May 2, 2014 Special Easter Weekend opening:Sunday April 20 April and Bank Holiday Monday April 21 10am - 4pm Art and craft fair in the Oak ballroom, free open gardens, tea rooms cafe serving refreshments and easter themed treats, plus activities and easter egg hunt for the children. www.wyndcliffecourt.co.uk info@wyndcliffecourt.co.uk 01291 621242

For something a bit dierent

Taurus Crafts is a vibrant and creative visitor centre in the Forest of Dean...
aurus Crafts is open daily and gives visitors the chance to meet the makers in the artisan and craft businesses. You can see ethical fashions, local ceramics, gifts, arts and crafts. Food lovers can enjoy a great range of local food and drink from the farm shop, and be tempted by lunch or coffee and tea with homemade cakes from the cafe. The everyday offer is complemented by regular activities including events, specialist markets, performances and childrens creative drop-in workshops throughout school holidays. For individual events and opening times check the website, join the mailing list or follow Taurus Crafts on Facebook and Twitter. www. tauruscrafts.co.uk Visiting Taurus Crafts couldnt be easier located on the A48 outside of Lydney with a large free car park.

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County travel

Over delivering for dogs in Cornwall

Will Loram takes his family, and the dog, on holiday to Cornwall...

olidays can be ruff if you are a dog. It is usually time to do porridge in a kennel, or you are that awkward appendage to a family which guarantees them the worst rooms in a hotel, and bars them from attractions. Which is why a visit to St Michaels Mount at Marazion in July was such a surprise. Its a sort of drive that is long enough from our South Wales home for you to plan a early morning or a late night road trip to avoid M5 madness that can turn a predicted four journey into double the time. We chose the early option. Toto our four-year-old Jack Russell/King Charles cross (King Jack) rescue dog did not have anything to say in those discussions. She was glad to be going with us, and sat in the car while it was packed. Just to make sure.

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St Michaels Mount is a monumental icon of Cornwall, in the same way that the pasty represents the foot of England in the food world. Linked to Mont-St-Michel under the early Norman kings, it has the same ability to deliver the same visual knockout punch as you approach from the Penzance coast road. It is a castle perched on a granite blob of land in Mounts Bay, and when we approached Marazion, the sea was an azure to match the Mediterranean on a good day, cutting off the Mount from the shore, and drowning the causeway stones. This year is also a landmark year, as St Michaels Mount is celebrating 60 years since it was handed over to the nation in the form of the National Trust by the St Aubyn family, that has been owning and living on the Mount since the Civil War.

So it was time to check in to the Godolphin Arms (which has been closed this winter for an impressive overhaul and makeover, and an Easter resurrection) and indulge in a lazy lunch on the beachside terrace. Imagine our surprise when Totos lunch arrived rst a plate of three dog biscuits and a bowl of water. Our orders took longer to arrive, and maybe Toto would have gobbled up our locally caught seafood dishes with equal relish, but it demonstrated one thing very plainly the Godolphin Arms takes its dog-friendliness very seriously. As Robin Collyns, the manager to the 10bedroom inn, acknowledges, there is a very serious reason for taking dogs seriously: a lot of hard core out of season trade is because people who have dogs will take a foreign holiday in the summer, and then have one together

with their dog later in the year. Having a three-year-old cavalier spaniel probably made him more aware of issues with dogs, but more importantly, once he decided to be serious with looking after canine customers at the Godolphin Arms, then it became policy for every dog to get a bowl of water, and a plate of biscuits, and if they are staying overnight, then a locallyproduced sausage awaits them at the breakfast table. With a loyal band of dog walkers dropping in for coffee after walks on the beach, the issue becomes one of sensible seating so there are no doggie disagreements. Knowing that Toto was welcomed with open arms at the Godolphin made our stay more enjoyable. When the tide had receded enough for us to take the causeway across to the castle on the Mount, we were quite happy to let the front of house manager Geoffrey walk Toto back to have a kip in our room.

After all it is not everyday that a dog gets walked by a former footman at the British Embassy in Washington. The beach immediately outside the Godolphin is ofcially of limits to dogs between 8am and 7pm from Easter to October, but there is is a small beach by the quay for the ferries to the Mount, and a ve minute drive to Long Rock Beach is doggy beachy heaven, with a good trafc of mans best friends frolicking in the sand and surf. Unfortunately, although dogs are allowed across on the island, they cannot take a tour of the castle and former monastery, which is now home to the 12th generation of the St Aubyn, James, who after his uncles death earlier this year became Lord St Levan. Although the property was sold to the National Trust in 1954, making 2014 the 60th anniversary of this monumental

Main image and left top and bottom: St Michaels Mount. Above: Robin Collyns takes good care of Toto

move, the family have a 999 year lease to live there and manage the tourism of the Mount. This means items which make up the tapestry of a familys lineage are very much on display, and proudly positioned by very interested parties. I know we had a fascinating afternoon in the hands of our guide, and I know we were in good company. The Queen had managed the steep path up to the castle with the aid of a golf buggy, and was royally entertained by the St Aubyns. Queen Victoria was not so lucky, as the family were away, but the housekeeper was able to rustle up a lovely Cornish tea to make up for the disappointment. The good news for dogs leang through holiday brochures now is that more and more attractions and hotels in Cornwall are welcoming dogs, and to recognise this Visit Cornwall Visit Cornwall is launching its very own guide and website just for dogs www.visitcornwall.com/dogslovecornwall . Even the Eden Project is getting in on the act and welcoming dogs. Now that could make Cornwall heavenly for holidaymakers escaping with their best and furry friends. For information on visiting St Michaels Mount contact: +44 (0)1736 710265, email: enquiries@stmichaelsmount.co.uk or visit www. stmichaelsmount.co.uk The Godolphin Arms has been closed for the winter for a big redevelopment of the dining areas to be able to give a boost to food experience at the inn, and effect a refurbishment of the hotel areas. Its resurrection is pencilled in for Easter 2014.

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All aboard for some train fun

Who doesnt like going on a train trip? MCL has been delving into Railway Day Trips, 150 Classic Train Journeys Around Britain by Julian Holland...

s it just us here at MCL or is there something so romantic about taking a journey on a train? Even the commute into work can become a time of relaxation and delight as you sit and watch the world trundle by wrapped up in your own thoughts. So that is why we were so delighted when Julian Hollands new book arrived on our desk packed with train trips around the UK which all qualify as a must do. We were equally delighted to see that in among the 150 train journeys was one we know very well the 37-mile route from Cardiff to Bristol which includes a trip through the historic four-mile, 628-yard long Severn Tunnel. This may be a trip youve done many a time but the good thing about a guide book is it opens your eyes to things you may never even have thought about before. Julian starts this particular day trip in the Welsh capital, Cardiff and lists the must-see highlights as including Spillers Records (reputedly the worlds oldest record shop) and Llandaff Cathedral. He gives a detailed description of route the train takes as it leaves Cardiff Central Station en route to Bristol Temple Meads taking in Newport and Severn Tunnel Junction along the way before descending into the tunnel, which used to have a car carrying service until the Severn Bridge opened for business in 1966. And he includes Clifton Suspension Bridge and the SS Great Britain as destination

highlights for when you arrive in Bristol 50 minutes after leaving Cardiff. The 149 other day trips Julian includes in the book take you from the far north of Scotland, across the Glenfinnan viaduct made famous in the Harry Potter film, and along the Scenic Railway, which sadly has been devastated at Dawlish in the recent storms but which hopefully will rise again as one of the most dramatic pieces of railway in the UK. What comes across in this book is that Julian Holland is a real rail enthusiast and throughout it he reveals fascinating facts about the various routes and gives practical tips on how you can make the most of your journeys throughout Britain. This pocket companion, which is packed with colour photos and maps of each individual journey, is an essential guide to exploring Britain by train and is ideal for train lovers of all ages. It is published on April 3, 2014, by Collins and will be priced 14.99.

Learning to ride
By Jason Smith, director, Bearings West Ltd Hopefully as youre reading this, the rst signs of spring are beginning to creep out from underneath the cover of winter...

ust like gardeners, cyclists become more animated with the arrival of spring. Evenings get lighter and the prospect of cycling in shorts and jersey with the sun on your back has an overwhelming appeal. Spring is also a great time to get kids into cycling. Learning to ride a bike in spring means endless hours of fun can be had during summer. So whats the secret to teaching children to ride a bike? Unquestionably its balance and there are ways to fast-track acquiring this skill. Personally I think micro scooters are a brilliant way to teach little children the fundamentals of balance. Getting kids to scoot along with both feet on the footplate will pay dividends when it comes to transferring those skills to a bike. An alternative is a balance bike. These are becoming very fashionable and have no pedals, so the kids are forced to power them by a form of pushing off with their legs and then balancing with the momentum gained. At some point kids will need to transfer to a proper bike and without the dreaded stabilisers. Some people advocate taking the pedals off the bike initially and turning the bike into a bigger balance bike. I don think there is any need to do this. Instead, nd a gentle slope and make sure the child can put both feet on the oor. Stand further down the slope and tell them to keep looking at you. Dropping your head as a cyclist to look down causes imbalance

and wobbles and in turn affects balance. Then get them to push off keeping both feet out to act like stabilisers. A combination of the slope and the push off will give them momentum to balance and at any point they can put their feet down if they feel unstable. Once they feel condent get them to transfer their feet to the pedals after theyve pushed off. They wont need to pedal because the slope will allow momentum. After a few goes, encourage them to turn the pedals. Then transfer to a at area. As long as they keep turning the pedals; keeping the bike moving and looking ahead, theyll balance. The hardest part will be getting them to apply the brakes. Expect to go through a few pairs of shoes as the toes get dragged across the ground! Once kids have learnt to ride a bike, there are now opportunities in both north and south Monmouthshire for them to learn more advanced key skills and techniques and to even try their hand at fun racing. Both Abergavenny and Chepstow cycling clubs host Saturday morning sessions at the respective leisure centres where kids get coaching from qualied British Cycling coaches. Both clubs also offer British Cyclings Go Racing. Who knows they may go on to be the next Becky James or Geraint Thomas. www.bearingswest.co.uk @BearingsWest

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Music festivals come in all shapes and sizes, but put a date in your diary for one of the best little big festivals around at Devauden for May 16 and 17, when acts from folk to battling bands line up for their half hour slots to wow the audiences...

Make time for some music

T
his is a village music festival that in its fourth year is attracting acts from as far away as Northumberland, as well as the more local bands from Monmouthshire and South Wales. More than 300 acts of a wide range of musical shades applied to be part of the festival this year, and everyone had to be seen before final choices were made. This years eclectic mix will include dance music, drum music and rock and roll, as well as a staple of folk on Friday night. A little village in Monmouthshire is punching above its weight in terms of entertainment and lights and sound set up, says festival organiser Jeremy Horton. The festival is split into Folk Friday and Rocking Saturday which includes an under18 Battle of the Bands competition, with the prize for the winning act a days recording in Monnow Valley Studio. Rusty Shackle, local folksters, headline Folk Friday. The alternative folk group amalgamate guitar, vocal harmonies, fiddle, mandola, banjo, drums, Cajon, and trumpet, and like a good

banter with the crowd making them the perfect festival act. With events from the London Olympics to the Green Man festival under their belt, Rusty Shackle are revving up for a USA tour in June, and are looking to show the home crowd what they can do. Friday night will also feature performances from Railroad Bill, a Cardiff-based skiffle band who have previously appeared at Glastonbury Festival; Peel your own Spuds, a Newportbased traditional Irish band with a twist; Sera, a North Wales-based traditional solo artist; Stew Simpson, from Newcastle; and 13-year-old celtic violinist Meg Cox, from Newport. The Saturday line-up will include: Sloe Train, Missin Rosie, Rogara Khart, Omadom Troup Eastern drum and dance, BUMS Morris side, Clyde Jefferson, Interlude (last years Battle of Bands winners), Dont Tell Johnny, One Sick Lizard and Maharaja Blues. The result will be more than 30 bands and solo acts performing on the two stages over the two day festival to an audience totalling more than 1,500, with Radio Chepstow airing

the festival. If the result is a thoroughly professional affair, the footwork is all done by the village that includes the catering, the stewarding, the car parking and all the other jobs which need to be done to make the festival run smoothly. After all, the event is being staged to raise funds for the village hall. The village fete meets Glastonbury effect means that the orientation is on family and fun, with music workshops, adventure playground, paint your own ceramics, junk model instruments, bouncy castle, face painting and hair braiding. For the true festival-goer there is free camping for the two nights, with hot showers and proper loos in the village hall. Tickets are 8 for an adult Friday evening and 12 for a Saturday ticket. Concessions are half price so 4 Friday and 6 Saturday, and under-five-years-old go for free. For up to date news go to the festival website: www.devaudenmusicfest.com or Facebook page www.facebook.com/ DevaudenMusicFestival

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Whats on
February 22 Kidnapped Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 2pm Live action, puppetry and music are all mixed together in a vivid recreation of one of the most exciting childrens stories ever written. Suitable for six-plus. Tickets: 9 and 7. Family 28 Box office: 01600 772467 February 24 March 1 Rumpelstiltskin Borough Theatre, Abergavenny, varying times Abergavenny Pantomime Company presents its annual traditional half-term panto. Tickets: Varying prices. For full information contact the box office: 01873 850805 February 25 Mr Alexanders Travelling Show Savoy Theatre, Monmouth 11am A fabulous half-term treat for all ages. Tickets: 6. Box office: 01600 772467 February 27 Only Men Aloud and special guest Sophie Evans Savoy Theatre, Monmouth 7.30pm. Tickets: 25 Box office: 01600 772467 February 28 Great Expectations Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm One of Charles Dickens greatest novels performed as a tour de force one-man show by the authors great grandson Gerald Dickens. Tickets: 12 Box office: 01600 772467 March 1 Tintern and Penterry walk Starting at Wireworks, Tintern Join the Monmouthshire Countryside Service for a five-mile walk through woods and fields to the ancient church at Penterry and beyond. For full details contact: 01291 691237 March 1 Rock Island Line with Lonnie Donegan Jnr Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, 7.30pm Come and listen to hit after hit from the great Lonnie Donegan performed by his son. Tickets: 15 Box office: 01600 772467 March 2 St Davids Day Concert Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm. An annual celebration with local performers and choirs, promoted by Acting for the Borough. Tickets: 8; consc 7 Box office: 01873 850805 March 6 8 The Mystery of Edwin Drood Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm. Based on Charles Dickens unfinished book, this is a rip-roaring funny musical presented by The Concept Players. Tickets: 10 Box office: 01873 850805 March 8 Tintern and the Picturesque Movement Tintern Abbey 11am to 1.30pm A lecture about the Picturesque Movement which was born out of the 18th century when wars abroad made holidays at home a more popular option. Tickets: 10 More details: 01291 689251 March 13 Table top sale Chepstow Leisure Centre 9am to noon More information: 01291 635745 March 13 Magic Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm Enjoy Magics remarkable talents recreating Queens greatest hits. Tickets: 17 Box office: 01873 850805 March 14 Tcha Limbergers Budapest Gypsy Orchestra Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 8pm Tickets: 15, consc 13 Box office: 01873 850805 March 15 Brandenburg Bach Soloists Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm

A selection of just some of the events going on in Monmouthshire. Compiled by Jo Barnes

Programme will include Bach, Vivaldi and Handel. Tickets: 16, consc 14 Box office: 01873 850805 March 19 Chepstow Society talk Venue and time TBC Keith Underwood will give a talk on Tidenham Parish History. For more details: www.chepstowtowncrier. org.uk March 21 Grandpas Railway Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 6.30pm Featuring a working model railway, live music and two very playful characters, this show is aimed at adventurers aged five-plus. Tickets: 6.50, family ticket 24 Box office: 01873 850805 March 23 Three Peaks Trial Abergavenny A firm favourite in the walkers calendar which attracts up to 500 entrants over its three routes. It has been organised since 1977 by Cardiff Outdoor Group. For full details: www.threepeakstrial.co.uk March 27 An evening with Iolo Williams Borough Theatre, Abergavenny 7.30pm Spend an intimate two hours with Iolo as he brings nature alive in stories and pictures from his travels. Tickets: 15, consc 13 Box office: 01873 850805

If youve got an event youd like us to include on this page please e-mail MCL editor Jo Barnes jo.barnes@gwentwales.co.uk. Any we cant use in the magazine due to deadlines, we will publicise it on our Twitter page www.twitter. com/mclmagazine or at www. monmouthshirecountylife.co.uk/ news

57

County education
Then

Monmouth schools: 1614 to 2014 and beyond

Celebrating four centuries of learning

Now

s one of the oldest educational establishments in Wales, Monmouth School is extremely proud to reach the milestone of 400 years. Looking back to its foundation in 1614 on the same site it occupies today, it is marking this milestone of educational excellence with a yearlong series of celebratory events. Highlights include a 400th Anniversary Concert at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff featuring musicians and singers from the Haberdashers Monmouth Schools. A eet of 32 coaches will also carry pupils, staff and governors to London to join members of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in a service of thanksgiving at St Pauls Cathedral, where the congregation will hear the annual Golden Lecture, which dates back to the schools foundation. Monmouth School will be marking an educational journey which has encompassed major historical events including the English Civil War and two world wars.

The outbreak of WWI a century ago saw the 300th anniversary celebrations cancelled, as many staff and old boys signed up to ght in a conict that claimed 76 Old Monmothian lives. But a century on in happier times, the school is thriving and focusing on the next century, with new buildings completed and in the pipeline, as it constantly looks to improve the educational opportunities on offer. The school beginnings William Jones left 9,000 to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers to establish a school and almshouses in Monmouth and his birthplace of Newland. As a devout protestant, and in the wake of the 1611 publication of the King James Bible, the choice of Monmouth for a new school was partly religious, as Monmouthshire was a hotbed of catholic recusancy. His will left nyne thousand pounds to the Company of Haberdashers of London to ordain a Preacher, a Free School and Alms houses for

twenty poor and distressed people, as blind and lame as it shall seem best to them, of the Town of Monmouth, where it shall be bestowed. The William Joness Schools Foundation stipulated the school would have a headmaster, an assistant master and a lecturer a preacher who was to be paid more than the headmaster, a sign of the importance Jones attached to spreading the Protestant gospel. Money was also left for the poor of Hamburg and Stade and for an orphanage, alongside bequests to nieces, nephews and servants. Large areas of land were bought with the bequest in south east London to fund the running costs of the school, which were sold by the Haberdashers to railway companies in the 19th century, realising a signicant income. To buy the land, Jones needed permission to purchase it, which was probably arranged in 1612-13, and letters patent from King James. He also founded the Golden Lecture, an annual religious lecture given annually in

58

the church of St Bartholomew-the-Less in the City of London, which this year will be given in St Pauls Cathedral, where the Bishop of Southwark will address the schools 400th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving. It is so named, because investments made to pay for it proved highly remunerative. The schools archives have revealed several artefacts connected with the schools early days, including a pupils caricature of a teacher wearing a ruff and a lovingly scripted letter dated 1626 sent by a schoolboy to his father. Pupils faces can also be seen in a photograph dated 1860, which shows the original Jacobean school house. The Statutes of the School laid down in 1614 stated that the schools tuition fees should be Free for all children in Monmouth and the county of Monmouthshire up to a maximum of 100 pupils. Children were expected to pay an entrance fee of two shillings, or sixpence if the boy was poor, and they were expected to provide their own books, stationery and candles. The Civil War, in which several soldiers were killed in skirmishes in the town, saw Parliamentarian troops billeted at the school, and enforced payments made by the Haberdashers to Parliament left little money to pay for the upkeep of the building. At one point in the early 1700s, the roster was down to just three pupils, but the school slowly recovered to have 12 boys in 1779, 38 in 1793, and 74 in 1802 when Lord Nelson visited the town, Since the latter 19th century, the school has gone on to thrive, with 283 boys attending in 1919, 460 by the late 1970s, and 580 in the Senior School and 710 in the Grange and Monmouth School combined. Direct Grant education, which saw Local

Education Authorities fund some places at the school, was ended in 1976, and later replaced by the Assisted Places Scheme, which ran until 1997. Since then, the Haberdashers have introduced their own Assisted Places Scheme, and around two out of every seven pupils are helped in some way nancially. To mark the completion of four centuries of educational excellence, Haberdashers Monmouth Schools are offering eight 400th Anniversary Scholarships, four for each senior school, worth 40 per cent of fees, for children showing outstanding musical, academic or sporting ability. A centurY of remembrance Monmouth School shares its 400th anniversary with the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I, and will be remembering the sacrice its own alumni and staff made in the conict. It gives todays school community pause for thought that 76 Old Monmothians made the ultimate sacrice, commemorated on the schools granite cross War Memorial, unveiled in 1921 by former pupil and Victoria Cross winner Angus Buchanan. Captain Buchanan, who also won the Military Cross, received his VC for carrying a wounded soldier to safety under heavy machine gun re in Mesopotamia in 1916. Left blinded by sniper re in 1917, he expressed the hope at the memorial unveiling, which is recorded in an archive photograph, that it would never be a mere ornament, but always a true and lasting monument to those who gave their lives. A poignant picture in the school archives also shows smiling cadets before the war. Tragically, many are remembered on the schools memorial.

AT THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY AT the end of the 19th century, the Haberdashers used money from the William Jones endowment to found sister school, Haberdashers Monmouth School for Girls, which opened in 1892 and moved to its current building in 1897. In addition, they founded an elementary school in Monmouth opened in 1901 at a building which still stands on the current Monmouth Comprehensive School site, plus West Monmouth School in Pontypool in 1898 and the future Usk College of Agriculture in 1913, and gave funding to King Henry VIII school in Abergavenny. The Grange Monmouth Preparatory School was founded exactly 50 years ago, and the Haberdashers Monmouth Schools umbrella also includes Ingleeld House girls preparatory school and Agincourt pre- preparatory school. Between them, the ve schools employ more than 500 people, providing a major economic boost to the town. MAKING WAVES AROUND THE WORLD Former Monmouth School pupils making headlines are former chief executive of ARM Holdings David Warren East (73-80), awarded a CBE in the New Years Honours for services to technology; Wales rugby cap Richard Parks (88-95) for the fastest unsupported trek to the South Pole by a British explorer; last years head boy Hallam Amos (06-13), who made his Wales senior rugby debut against Tonga at the Millennium Stadium at just 19; and Lewis Oliva (03-10), GB bronze medallist in the Track Cycling World Cup in Mexico. Current deputy head boy Wesley Nelson played the young Ian Dury in the 2010 biopic of the rock star and is already a recognised actor with acclaimed TV and stage performances. Other notable alumni include Sir John Beddington - Chief Scientic Advisor to the Government, Angus Buchanan - Awarded the Victoria Cross during World War I Flt Lt William Clifford Townsend CGM DFM - RAF pilot awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for the Dambusters raid during WWII, Lord Colin Moynihan - British Olympic medal cox and former Chairman of the British Olympic Association and the actor Victor Spinetti.

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county homes

Turn over for 12 pages of property and design ideas for your home...
Available from Lyn Morgan Furnishings, Llanover. 01873 840028. www.lynmorganfurnishings.co.uk

Rejuvenate your home

Design Tips by Vogue Interior Design:

n the current housing market, more people are choosing to rejuvenate their existing home, rather than buying a new property. By making changes, big and small, you can make your home feel fresh and potentially so significantly different that youll feel like youve moved without all the stresses of changing your address.

Here are five tips for how to make your old home feel new:
1. Rejuvenate your living room by painting the walls a different colour or adding texture by adding wallpaper. This can really transform a room. If you want to make it more harmonious and calm, paint it cream. This is the most tranquil of colours. Its fresh, soft and calming. Walk into a cream room and you can almost feel your pulse slow and your blood pressure lowered. 2. Its easy to radically change the entire mood and feel of a room by altering lighting and colour. Lighting has the ability to transform a space. It can even change the mood of your kitchen. For example, it is worth considering top-lighting the cupboards to add a soft glow. 3. An important consideration when remodeling your home is flooring. If youre using wooden floors in the bedroom, I would advise buying a silk or shag-pile rug, which will be a blessing under bare feet. 4. Bathroom design needs to be carefully thought through because its not something you can change easily. That being said, it is easy to make your run down bathroom feel new. Changing the key features like taps, basins, and tiles can make a huge difference and can modernise your bathroom in half the time and for half the cost. 5. If youre looking for more space but want to stay in your existing property, why not consider an extension? To build the perfect extension from scratch, make sure you decide on the function of this new room before you start on its construction. So, with a little imagination, an old home doesnt have to feel old and tired, but regenerated and new!

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Wall light. 115. www. alexanderandpearl.co.uk Bowl. 149.95. www.iapetus.co.uk

Add some circles to your home this season with some of these fab items MCL has discovered...

The circle of life

Cushion. 40.80. www.melissasmithtextiles.co.uk

Chair. 93. www.limemodernliving.co.uk 62

Bird sculpture. 36. www.artisanti.com

Photo art display. 67. www.redcandy.co.uk

Drawer pull. 2.75. www.mygifttree.com

Sculpture. 54. www.artisanti.com

Table cloth available from Lyn Morgan Furnishings, Llanover. 01873 840028. www.lynmorganfurnishings.co.uk 63

enjoy a revolution
If you are looking for a comfortable year-round living space, then discover the contemporary way to enjoy your conservatory every day. Traditional conservatories can uplift and enhance any home, yet despite the extra light and space they provide, they can be subject to the elements, becoming too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Now there is a new tiled roof system, which enables you to transform your conservatory from an under-utilised space into a cosy, welcoming extension to your home which provides the same levels of comfort for every day of the year, 24-hours a day. The Monmouthshire Window Company can supply a fully insulated roof system, for simple retro tting to existing conservatories. This system is the ideal replacement for ageing glass or polycarbontate roofs or as an alternative roof for new conservatories and traditional extensions. Our system has insulated panels integrated within the structure, achieving an incredibly low U value of 0.15. Nothing could be simpler. Just go to www.monmouthshirewindows.com to get an online quote.

Monmouthshire Supper Club

Monmouthshire Supper Club started the year with the very best of intentions but what with the terrible weather, the mass of work, and general business of all members, we havent quite ploughed ahead as smoothly as we had planned with getting out to restaurants in the county. Indeed, our much-awaited and eagerlyanticipated, date at the much-lauded The Crown at Whitebrook restaurant, under new chef owner Chris Harrod, was booked but very sadly had to be cancelled. I was very keen to have been able bring you a first hand report from the re-born Crown restaurant about which many rave but que sera, sera... perhaps later. Meanwhile we are looking to discover more gastronomic delights throughout Monmouthshire for the MSC to explore and sample, so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please get in touch.

Weve been in the news quite a bit recently

T
he media and indeed the great British public, love a property story especially when the said property is, to coin another TV celebritys catch phrase, as cheap as chips and also has a certain amount of mystery. A place that ticked all the boxes recently was a one-up, one-down on the very edge of the former mining town of Brynmawr. The mid-terraced property was a virtual Marie Celeste of a place. The one room downstairs looked as if the previous owner had simply upped and left and the upstairs, a single bedroom and thats all, looked very similar. However, it also appeared to have been quite time since the previous inhabitant left and us stumbling into the place followed by a camera crew from ITV Wales. The previous occupants worldly goods were arranged throughout the smallest of the small terraced house but they had clearly been in situ for quite some time. Added to this, the place didnt have a bathroom. The kitchen was bijou, to say the least, with the remnants of the final meal and cooking implements on the cooker and the toilet was up at the back of the small garden. All of which was meat and drink to the TV and press for, as well as having what was dubbed the cheapest house on sale in the UK to feature, there was also plenty to film in side and outside. With a guide price of just 8,000, the property which incidentally is literally a few hundred yards form the Heads of the Valleys road and not that much further from the Brecon Beacons National park, intense interest was created. The property gained massive coverage in the UK and abroad and the auction room was buzzing when it came up for sale. Which was particularly pleasing as on the evening in question, when this tiny previously insignificant but now quite famous house was on offer among a catalogue listing some 70 others, the TV cameras from BBC1s Homes under the Hammer were with us to film the goings on and follow a property through from being sold at auction to renovation. I wasnt feeling at my best leading up the sale suffering from a lingering cold but the buzz of a packed Paul Fosh Auctions room, the excitement, the cameras, the fact that the South Wales Argus were also with us to do a feature on working as a auctioneer, and a pint of trusty Red Bull at my side, meant that come 5pm I was raring to go. The Brynmawr house, which was fiercely contested, eventually sold for a very reasonable 15,500. The new owner, a guy from Stratford-on-Avon who has bought a couple of other similar-ish places from me in the same area over recent months, was plainly thrilled. Im going to make this house into a little gem, he chuckled as, delighted with his purchase, he left the auction room with his equally thrilled wife excitedly discussing plans and various ways to renovate the South Wales valleys terraced home. Also on the night, and it was fortuitous that the TV cameras were there to record it, a young couple literally exploded with joy and joie de vivre, when, after another tight contest, they realised that they had managed to secure the property of their dreams. The TV cameras, as did the entire hall, homed in on the pair at the back of the hall as they hugged and kissed after the gavel fell and I declared them winners of the unique little property at Troedyrhiw in Merthyr Tydfil. The room exploded in spontaneous cheers and applause. Its moments like these and also the sale of the little place at Brynmawr that makes my job so magical and rewarding. Hopefully the TV guys will have got what they wanted and we will see the fruits of their labours on the BBC in months to come. I, myself, cant wait to see the programme I just hope that they managed to get my best side!

Paul Fosh Auctions is still number one A

s if to emphasise the point about us being busier than ever, Im very proud to be able to say that Paul Fosh Auctions is again top of the charts in Wales. For the ninth year in a row we are numero uno for the number and combined value of properties sold in Wales. Paul Fosh Auctions sold no less than 354 properties out of 454 lots we offered in the 12 months to December 2013, which amounts to a total sales value of 19,404,050 from eight auctions held in 2013. We were also listed at 29th in the UK-wide chart sales a chart which is compiled by UK industry experts the Essential Information Group and published in association with industry Bible Estates Gazette. John Francis, of Carmarthen, came second in the EIG Wales list with 185 sales from 203 offered, totalling 15,284,650 at its 10 auctions. Seel & Co, of Cardiff, was third with 187 sold from 213 offered for a total of 14,822,350 at its seven auctions. The EIG chart shows that the total number of sales at auction in Wales in 2013 was 1,281 from 1,597 properties offered returning a combined value of 103,445,400 at 145 auctions. The phenomenal success of Paul Fosh Auctions is not a small amount down to the simply superb team I have who continue to work their socks off to get the stock into the catalogue and then do their very best to get these properties sold at auction. The past 12 months were again tough, however I am thrilled with the excellent results the Paul Fosh Auctions team have achieved for our clients over that period. Increased knowledge about buying at auction has been kindled by increased exposure on TV, such as Homes Under the Hammer, which has acted as a catalyst to growth. The next Paul Fosh auction, which will be held at the Park Inn Hotel, Circle Way East, Llanedyrn, Cardiff, is on Thursday, March 27 starting at 5pm. Until the next time bon apetit and au revoir! www.paulfoshauctions.com 65

Hidden gems
By Naylor Firth

A Look BACk in TiMe...

wooden patterns and xing these onto wooden blocks which were inked and repeat-printed onto rolls of paper. When production nished, many of these blocks were acquired by the owner of Drybridge House in Monmouth, Mr CromptonRoberts, and a number can still be seen arranged on the facades of houses at the Bridges end of Drybridge Street. The main raw materials for paper making at all three centres were rags, used rope and straw. The Rag & Bone men performed a very useful function in one of the earliest examples of recycling when rags were in demand for paper making and bones for glue making. James Davies, who founded Devaudens School and Church in the early 19th century, was originally a rag & bone collector and known in the Mounton Valley as Jemmy the Rag. Rope, however, attracted a premium as a raw material (hence money for old rope) and the proximity of Mounton and Whitebrook to maritime operations helped in producing quality products. Esparto grass started to be imported as a major raw material for paper making around 1860 but by the early 1880s paper production had ceased at all three centres in Monmouthshire.

aper-making requires large volumes of clean water. The rivers and streams of Monmouthshire met both requirements and the early 18th century saw paper mills established on the Monnow, the Mounton Brook and in the Whitebrook Valley. One of the rst, a relatively minor centre, was located between Rockeld and Skenfrith using water power from the Monnow. However, two main centres developed, the rst on the Mounton Brook between Mounton and Kilgwrrwg where nine mills were operating by the end of the 19th century. Their main products were brown and blue packing paper, both of which were used by sugar producers in Bristol and Birmingham. Fragments of blue paper can still be found at the sites of some of the mills and the practice of packing sugar in blue paper bags continued even after the Second World War. The second, in the Whitebrook valley, was the site for four paper mills. Wire-making had been established there by the mid16th century as an offshoot from the main works in the Anghiddy Valley above Tintern leading to a culture of small-scale industry. By the mid-18th century papermaking had taken over and the four mills manufactured up-market paper for the production of banknotes, account books and ledgers. The owners recognised a market for their paper in the production of wallpaper for the grander houses of Regency Britain. Numerous designs for contact printing were made by fashioning

Top: The bottom of Frogmore Street, Abergavenny around 1901 to 1906. From Vanished Abergavenny from the collections of Abergavenny Museum Above: Main road Portskewett in 1930. From Caldicot and the Villages of the Moor Volume 1 by Malcolm D Jones

Above: Tidenham Band with a difference in the early 1920s. From Chepstow and the River Wye in Old Photographs from the collections of Chepstow Museum Right: Gilwern Halt in about 1957. From Around Gilwern by David Edge

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