Printed by J & P Davison, 3 James Place, Treforest, Pontypridd CF37 1SQ Tel. 01443 400585

Three Ages Cub Camp ReportEarlier this year I volunteered to go with the RadyrCubs on their summer camp to Pendine sands as a‘parent helper’. Admittedly it’s easier to volunteerwhen things seem far off but I also thought itwould be good to spend time with my eldest sonFinn and enjoy the adventure that camping brings.I’d already helped out for the one night frostbitecamp at Miskin Scout Village so I had an inkling ofwhat I was letting myself in for! The Cub Scout leaders are amazing, the level oforganisation and planning that must go into a 4 day Cubcamp for 30 children is phenomenal. The whole time atcamp is based on a schedule of organised activities, hikes,building an observation platform, meals and free play timeand I think a very short amount of sleep.

We arrived at Pendine on Saturday 24th May hoping to getthe tents pitched and camp set up before the summer raindescended which we just managed to do. Despite the wetweather the Cubs were split into three groups and thrownstraight into the organised activities.

I went with one group to learn “bushcraft” from a Ray Mearstype chap. Building a shelter with tarpaulin and lighting afire on damp ground kept spirits up and when interest insurvival kits started to wane a rubber duck race in the streamrestored order. Also, we learnt a valuable lesson not to eatmushrooms with the word ‘death’ in the name.

The Cubs were reunited after the afternoon exercises andthe excitement of the first night on camp includingcampfire singsongs ensured that sleep would be put off fora while.

The 2nd day began early, really early as the sun woke mostand the noise of 30 Cubs took care of the rest. Therotational activities this day saw me and my group inwetsuits in a biting wind on Pendine Sands taking the longwalk to the cold sea to enjoy a morning of body boarding,the highlight of which was watching one young lads’attempt to get to England. The boys really enjoyed being inthe sea and I really enjoyed making my wetsuit warmpushing Finn around on his body board. (continued on page 7)

Dear Editors,I would like to express my thanks, throughthe Radyr Chain, to all those who sentcards, gifts and good wishes on the occasionof my retirement. I was quite overwhelmed

with the thoughtfulness and kindnessshown to me.I really have enjoyed my time in Radyr andthis was in large part due to the friendlinessand support of the local people. My

decision to return to Radyr in 2012 wasbased on two factors; the opportunity toreturn to the people from Radyr andMorganstown and the chance to work againwith Anne and Jen.

Jen and Anne have been brilliant colleagues,hard working, creative and great fun towork with. I know I will miss them. I willalso miss all our many readers and libraryusers who have made working in Radyrlibrary such a rewarding experience.

Retirement will be a new venture for me,which I am sure I will fill with hobbies andvoluntary work and spending more timewith family and friends.

I would like to thank everyone who hassupported the library over the last fourteenyears and for all the help and kindnessshown to me throughout that time.

With all good wishes,Caroline (Noall)

RADYR CHAINNumber 215 December 2014

Free to every home in Radyr and Morganstown

Happy 10th Birthday Radyr Beavers On 3rd November, 2004, threenervous Beaver leaders openedthe doors to twelve excited andeager beavers and we haven’tlooked back since!! Withinweeks the colony grew to a fullcomplement of 24 and it hasgrown from strength to strengthsince. We now have two groupson a Monday and Wednesdayevening with twenty children ineach.

In ten years over 150 Beavers havecome and gone and swam up theriver to cubs and have thencontinued their scouting journey toscouts and explorers. In fact some ofour young leaders were our originalbeavers, which has completed theirpersonal journey full circle. (See page 5)

Letters, articles, reports and other contributions are invited and should be submitted byJanuary 15th. Submissions may be subject to editing at the Editor’s discretion.The views expressed in the Radyr Chain are not necessarily those of the Editors.Editor - Mary & Robert Pearce, 91 Dan-y-Bryn Avenue, Radyr CF15 8DQ. 2084 2615E-Mail address - Chain@radyr.org.ukWhat’s On - Mary Pearce, 91 Dan-y-Bryn Avenue, Radyr CF15 8DQ. 2084 2615Advertising - Jerry Bray, 41 Hazel Tree Close, Radyr. 2084 3387E-Mail address - jerrybraychain@tiscali.co.ukHon. Treasurer - Ellis Jenkins, (to whom donations may be sent; they will begratefully acknowledged) 62 Windsor Avenue, Radyr, CF15 8BYDistribution - Chris Wills, 1 Llwyn Drysgol, Radyr. 2084 2197

COMING EVENTS

N.B. Details of all coming events can be found inthe Diary section of the website

www.Radyr.org.ukDecember5 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in

Morganstown, Lychgate Gardens and Station Road. More details to follow 6.00pm

6 Police Community Security Event Pugh's Garden Centre. Our PCSOs will be offering advice on domestic and vehicle security

10.00am6 Gêm rygbi / Rugby match Cwins Caerdydd /

Cardiff `Quins v Nelson Adran 1 Dwyrain / Division 1 East Croeso i bawb gymdeithasu yn y bar, cyn ac ar ôl y gêm. All welcome to socialize in the bar, before and after the game. 2.30pm

8 Radyr & Morganstown WI Celebration of Christmas. OCR 7.30pm

10 'The Chimes' by Lighthouse Theatre A wonderful adaption of a Christmas Story by Dickens. Morganstown Village Hall. Tickets £9 (£8 concessions, £5 students) from ener-chi in Station Road, Nick Hawkins, 2084 2561 and Allan Cook, 2084 3176. For full details and on-line sales go torma.ticketsource.co.uk. Supported by Night Out. 7.30pm

10 RCTS South Wales. Rails through the Tongwynlais Gap: A Survey of the last 35 Years. OCR 7.30pm

12 Twinning Fellowship Christmas Dinner DanceRadyr Golf Club. Dancing to Dave Escott....further details after AGM 7.30pm

January8 R&MCC Committee meetings OCR:

Environment Committee 7.00pm14 Radyr, Morganstown & District Gardening

Club "ORCHIDS I GROW". An illustrated talk by Roy Bayley-Wood. New School Rooms, Christchurch, Heol Isaf. All Welcome.See Village Notice Boards or contact Richard Gregory, 02920842084 or richardjgregory@btop 7.30pm

14 RCTS South Wales. South Wales & Bristol from the 1960s to 1980s. OCR 7.30pm

15 R&MCC Monthly Meeting. OCR: 7:30pm15 Radyr and Morganstown Local History

Society Annual Dinner. 19.00 for 19.30.For details contact Allan Cook on 20843176 or on cookatradyr@fastmail 7.00pm

22 Film Night Showing by the R&M Association of 'Boyhood' in the Old Church Rooms. Moredetails soon. 7.30pm

24 Barn Dance. RPMG is hosting a Barn Dance with supper at Morganstown Village Hall. £10 entry. All welcome. BYOB. Email chrisehill13@hotmail.com to reserve your place. 7.30pm

www.radyr.org.uk is…a one-stopshop for local information 3

CHRISTMAS SERVICES ATRADYR METHODIST

CHURCHSunday 21st December

6.00pm å by Candlelight (tea/coffeeand mince pies will be served).

Wednesday 24th December11.30pm Communion Service

Thursday, 25th December10.00am Christmas Celebration Service

All are welcome.

HOLY FAMILY RC CHURCH

Keyston Road, Fairwater, Cardiff, CF5 3NP

Christmas Masses 2014Christmas Vigil Mass on Wednesday

24th December at 8pm

Christmas Day Mass at 11am

Sunday Masses

Vigil Mass at 6pm

Sunday Mass at 11am

Please check the website for eventsand activities

www.holyfamilycardiff.org.uk

The above parish is served from St.Mary of the Angels Parish, Canton

Address: 67 Talbot Street, Cardiff CF11 9BX

Contact: 029 2023 0492

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

www.parish.radyr.org.uk

St. John’s Church

Friday 21st December6pm Carols round the Cribwith Danescourt Christian

Fellowship followed by refreshments

Sunday 23rd December9.15am Family Eucharist

Christmas Eve9pm First Eucharist of Christmas

Christmas Communion with Carols

Christ Church

Sunday 23rd December8am & 11am Holy Eucharist

6pm Nine Lessons and Carolsfollowed by refreshments

Christmas Eve6pm Crib service

The Christmas Storyled by the Sunday School

11pm Holy Communion forChristmas

‘Midnight Mass’

Christmas Day8am Holy Eucharist

A simple short service of HolyCommunion

11am Family EucharistHoly Communion with

Christmas CarolsBring along a toy or gift

to show us and make us smile!

RADYR FOOD FOR THOUGHTVenue: The New School Rooms, Heol

Isaf, RadyrTime: Tuesdays 12.15-2pm

Membership Fee: £20.00Lunch: £6.50. Talk only: £2.00

Spring Programme 2015January

13 Sex in honeybees and humansProf. Robert Pickard

20 The Work of the C.A.B. Dayne Owens

27 What does she do in that shed? Pat Williams

February3 The girl in the photograph

David Alexander10 Women in Car Design Jenny Hann

17 Half Term24 Economic Fraud Det. Insp. Roache

March3 Trip – Llanelly House

10 The use of honey in medicineAbdul Seckam

17 – Living with Aspergers SyndromeLeslie Wood

Next Term begins on 24 March 2015 New Members Welcome

Telephone Number 2084 2461 or20552610

Cover Illustration by John Hombel

www.radyr.org.uk is…a photo-archive for our local community 5

Amelia Trust Farm, Cantref Farm in Brecon,Dan y Bryn Cheshire Home, Radyr Church,Whitchurch Fire Station, Cardiff Central FireStation, Penarth Lifeboat Station, The LordMayor’s Mansion, Gelynis Farm, the CardiffGang Show and also our fantastic library inRadyr. We have travelled on fire engines,lifeboats, steam trains, tractors and grasssledges.

Who have we met? Radyr librarians,Radyr Church Wardens, Dog Groomers,Barry Swan Rescue who brought withthem owls and hawks, Radyr Police,Newport Forensic police, 25 local beavercolonies, Dogs Trust, 2 Spring lambs! Anurse from A&E, a samba band leaders,

the residents of Danybryn, three CardiffLord Mayors, the one and only BearGrylls and not to forget a 6ft python andhis friends!!

We have achieved badges galore fromcraft activity to the Global challenge andhave been extremely fortunate to havemany of our Beavers achieve the ChiefScouts Bronze award which is a tribute tothe children’s commitment anddetermination.

Recently we have been awarded TheDisability Awareness Award in the Localorganisation category for the promotionof positive attitude towards people withlearning disabilities. We were kindlynominated by a parent. I am extremelyproud to be attending the ceremony on18th November.

There are many, many people who needto be thanked for the enormous successour Beaver colonies are. Without doubtNicky Thomas whose brainwave it was in2004 and Julie Sakkas who was also amember of the original trio! Emma Dyerand Vicki Westwell for years of serviceand for putting up with me! AndrewHyder, Alistair Sloan, Andrea Darlington,Elaine Olsen, Rhian Mortimer, Sharon andJonathon Robbins, Liz Smith and ofcourse the current team of leaders!Apologies if I have left you off thisenormous list. The parents of past andpresent beavers who have always givenus their full support even when wepresent them with tired, dirty, wet andsometimes hyper children at the end of asession! But mostly the Beavers past andpresent, from the past 16 year olds to thepresent 6 year olds and everyone in-between. I commented recently that itnever ceases to amaze me thedetermination of our children whosometimes face their own personal fearswhether it is eating green potatoes totouching a 6ft python and never, never acomplaint or moan. I am remindedconstantly what a privilege it is to be aRadyr Beaver Scout Leader.

Happy 10th Birthday 1st Radyr Beavers –Fun and Friends – yes we did, do andcontinually do so !!! Simba

Happy 10th BirthdayRadyr Beavers

(from front cover)

What have we accomplished in ten years?Well we have celebrated: 100 years ofScouting, 25 years of Beaver Scouts, 50years of Scouting in Radyr. We have alsocelebrated The Golden Jubilee, theOlympics and recently theCommonwealth Games. We have alsobeen fortunate to attend and take part inten Remembrance Services.

Where have we been? We have been toTredegar Park, Brecon Beacons, Bristol Zoo,

STATION ROAD, RADYRTELEPHONE 029 2084 2437

JEFF, JANET, STEPHEN AND STAFFWISH ALL OUR CUSTOMERS A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS

AND NEW YEAR

AND

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU OVER THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

WITH MANY SPECIAL OFFERS

COME AND CHECK OUT OUR OFF-LICENCE PRICES THIS CHRISTMAS

OPENING TIMES FOR THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD

Christmas Eve - 8am to 8.30pmChristmas Day - CLOSED

Boxing Day - 10.00am to 1.00pmNew Years Eve - 8am to 8pmNew Years Day - CLOSED

ACCESSPOINT

www.radyr.org.uk is…a window on our local history 7

Three Ages CubCamp Report

(from back cover)

We spent the afternoon back on thebeach with the Cubs given the task ofworking in groups to make art withitems at their disposal along theseafront. I have never seen so manydead jellyfish. The creativity displayedthough ensured that they were allwinners of a kind.

The excursions of camp were startingto tell so a slightly earlier nightafforded the leaders and parents theopportunity to enjoy a well earnedglass of wine.

The following day saw the final groupactivity for my team, the climbing walland zip wire. This was an amazingactivity, physically demanding andtesting the courage of the cubs, and wefound out that we have some excellentclimbers in Radyr.

The sun came out before lunch and weenjoyed a good long hike in theafternoon along the coastal path to apebbled beach and back. By now wewere all pretty much good to drop andI think everyone had their best nightsleep before packing to head for homethe following morning.

The whole camp was brilliant and somuch fun, the leaders (who volunteerso much of their time and energy) areexcellent with the Cubs, and the boysand girls really enjoyed themselvesand learnt so much during the fourdays. It was a really rewardingexperience, I may even volunteer againnext year!

Andrew Ashby, Parent Helper

I was asked to go along as a helper tocub camp, as my brother is a cub himselfand my mum was also asked along tohelp out when taking care of 30 seven toten year olds. Obviously, as a helperwho is still in school, if the cubs wereout doing all the different activities, thenit meant I could help out preparingmeals for lunch and dinner whilst theywere out, and little things like that thatweren’t stressful. My personal favouritepart was singing traditional campfiresongs around the campfire with a hugepot of homemade hot chocolate andbiscuits, as it was a nice ending to theday.

Megan Chisman, Young Helper

As a cub, I found the camp reallyenjoyable as I got to take part in every

activity with a bunch of my friends Iknew from school. In my opinion, myfavourite activity of the entire trip wasbodyboarding in the sea, as it wasbasically lots of splashing around withmy friends, even if it was very coldwater! I also found that the food wasreally tasty, especially the breakfast asthey had full-cooked breakfasteveryday as well as cereal, and we alsohad a variety of meals for dinner. Iwould definitely recommend thiscamp to any cub! On the first full day,one of the definite highlights forprobably all of the cubs was themaking of the watchtower, although

Meet Father Christmas

The annual lighting of theChristmas Tree in Radyr and

Morganstown will take place onFriday 5th December.

The trees at Morganstown and inthe Sidings will be lit at 6.00pmand the tree in Windsor Gardens

at 6.40pm.

Many of the shops in StationRoad will stay open late and there

will be a craft market, BBQ andbar. Father Christmas will makean appearance in Station Road.

Please note that Station Road,from Heol Isaf to Windsor

Crescent will be closed from5.00pm.

THREAT TORADYR LIBRARY

As part of Cardiff Council’sbudget cuts, Radyr Library is

under serious threat of closure.Here is one of their

recommended options:

“To cease all council fundingand actively seek commercial,

community and partnerinvolvement.

If this is not forthcoming theservice will be delivered through

mobile provision.”

Please fill in the survey aboutbudget cuts, including the

proposed cuts to Radyr Library.

Go to:www.surveys,cardiff.gov.uk

/budget

lots of them were off making fires,playing football or run-around games,competing on a rope-based obstaclecourse or whittling their initials onto ahuge chunk of wood. A few hourslater, the watchtower was completedby a couple of the leaders, and in theafternoon of the next day, everyonewent on a, sometimes exhausting,coast walk, along the paths that camewith amazing views of the sea. It wasalso a very sunny day, so the viewswere even more clear.

Tom Chisman, Cub Scout

Remembrance Day photograph by Chris Sutton.

www.radyr.org.uk is…a place for you to air your views on local matters 9

Radyr andMorganstown

District GardeningClub

Our 25th season continued in Octoberwith a fascinating talk by Dr. IngridJuttner of the National Museum ofWales on microscopic algae. We haveall heard of or seen the Algae Bloomsthat occur in lakes and ponds in warmweather. Dr. Juttner discussed andillustrated these and many otherstrains of Algae, some toxic and othersessential to life as they are at thebottom of the food chain. She went onto explain how the relative proportionsof different types of algae in water canbe used as an indicator of the health ofthe water and how this is beingapplied in a project to assess the healthof rivers in Mid-Wales. Using themicroscopes provided by Dr. Juttnerthe evening concluded with membersexamining the samples they hadbrought, a number of types of algaewere spotted and identified by Dr.Juttner.

I am sure many of you will havevisited the “aMazing Hedge Puzzle” atSymonds Yat but I wonder how manyare aware of the ancient roots,mysticism and magic associated withthe Maze. For our November meetingthe Symonds Yat maze designed andbuilder, Lindsay Heyes, gave anillustrated talk with the title“Miraculous Mazes or Mazes, Myths,Maths and Magic”. Mr. Heyes withhis brother Edward planted the Mazein 1977 and he started his talk with thedevelopment of the maze, its plantingand the trials of getting the hedges tothe way you see them today. He thenwent on to discuss the history anddevelopment of the labyrinth and themaze, how they occur in earlycivilisations, the similarities betweenthe different occurrences and the factthat they “… were never intended tobe puzzles for people … they wereused as traps for evil spirits”. LindsayHeyes is an enthusiast who gave us afascinating and entertaining evening.

We now break for the Christmasperiod and recommence in January2015:

14th January – “Orchids I Grow” with Roy Bayley-Wood

Mr. Bayley-Wood will talk about thegrowing of orchids, their care and

cultivation, illustrated by examples ofthe orchids he grows.

11th February – “Natural Histories – The Art of Small

Things” with Laurie Young. Laurie Young is an illustrator and will

talk about botanical illustration.

Full details of these talks and the restof the programme are available on theRadyr website.

Meetings are open to all and take placeon the second Wednesday of eachmonth from September to April (withthe exception of December) withillustrated talks and demonstrations.Some speakers bring examples of theplants they talk about and others bringplants for sale.

Visitors and New Members will bemade very welcome. You don’t haveto know the Latin names of plants orhave green fingers to come to ameeting; few of our members wouldclaim to be experts. We just share aninterest in gardens, plants andgenerally growing things. So comealong – you will be very welcome.

All meetings (apart from visits) are atthe New Church Rooms, Heol Isafstarting at 7.30pm and are followed byrefreshments.

Please see village notice boards andRadyr website (www.radyr.org.uk) forprogramme details and any changes orcontact any committee member or ourchairman, Richard Gregory (029 20842084).

Radyr &Morganstown

AssociationBy the time you read this some of theevents we would like to tell youabout may well be over. Apologiesfor that but at least you will be able tojudge whether we did what we saidwe were going to do.

We are looking towards Christmasand weather permitting, will berunning (jointly with the CommunityCouncil) the ever-popular ChristmasTree Lighting Ceremony on Friday,5th December. The tree inMorganstown will be lit at 6pm withthe help of children from Bryn DeriPrimary School and the tree inLychgate Gardens will be lit at 6pmwith children from Radyr Primary.The tree in Windsor Gardens will belit at 6.40pm by the Festival Queen,followed by the ‘switching on’ of theChristmas lights in Station Road at

6.50pm by Radyr’s own celebrity,Professor Sir Martin Evans. Santawill arrive shortly afterwards. Foodand drink will be available from 6pm.Many of the shops will be open andthere will be a variety of stalls.NSPCC, our charity for the year, willbe collecting during the evening.

A few days later we have a treat forall ages – a wonderful stageadaptation of A Christmas Story byCharles Dickens, ‘The Chimes’. Thislatest performance by LighthouseTheatre is on Wednesday, 10thDecember at 7.30pm in MorganstownVillage Hall. Tickets are £9. (£8.concessions, 35. students) and areavailable from ener-chi in StationRoad, Nick Hawkins 2084 2561 andAllan Cook 2084 3176. For full detailsand on-line sales go tohttp://rma.ticketsource.co.uk It issupported by the Arts Council ofWales Night Out scheme.

In January we will be restarting ourregular Film Nights in the OldChurch Rooms. The film details willbe added to the ticketsource site assoon as they are known. If youwould like to get involved with theFilm Club – choosing the films orhelping with the event – do get intouch.

We are also starting to plan nextyear’s May Festival, which will runfrom 2nd to 17th May. Again, if youwould like to be involved with that inany way, do get in touch.

Our next meeting will be on Monday,2nd February, when our own AllanCook will be talking about ‘Soaps’ onTV. An interesting topic! All arewelcome but if you would like tobecome a member of the Association(no charge) or would like to hearmore about Association activities,contact the Secretary, Nick Hawkins(029 2084 2561 or rma@radyr.org.uk)or have a look at our web pages onwww.radyr.org.uk You can alsofollow our activities on the Facebookpage ‘Radyr & Morganstown Hub’.

Finally, the R&M Executive wouldlike to take this opportunity ofwishing everyone a very happyforthcoming Festive Season and asuccessful New Year.

www.radyr.org.uk is…a record of the work of our Community Council 11

CHAIN COOKERYCORNER

Chicken and WhiteWine Tagliatelle

A quick, easy and tasty recipe atthis very busy time of year. Serves 4

1 onion sliced

2 medium leeks sliced

1 Tbs oil

500g (1lb2oz) chicken strips

1 courgette sliced

2 garlic cloves chopped

400g can Cream of Chickensoup

Dash of white wine (optional)

Half can water + chicken stockcube or home made stock

Small bunch chopped parsley

400g (14oz) tagliatelle

200g (7oz) frozen peas

40g (2oz) grated Parmesancheese

Lemon Juice

Fry onion and leeks in oil untilgolden

Add chicken strips and courgetteto pan

Cook until brown

Add garlic, soup, stock cube orstock and wine (if used)

Simmer for five minutes

Meanwhile cook tagliatelle

Add peas and parsley to chicken

Cook for further five minutes

Drain tagliatelle

Stir in chicken, cheese andseasoning

Add lemon juice to taste

Serve

A.M.P.

The new bridge crossing the River Taff at the railway station being put into position.

Radyr Scouts apprehend poachers.

Whilst on their Annual camp in the Wye Valley the

scouts were foraging for firewood when a van drew

up alongside them. Three men alighted and began

to unload some hessian sacks and told the scouts to

”clear off”. The police were notified by the scout

leader and they lay in wait the next morning at

5.30am and arrested the three men for poaching. In

the van was hundreds of pounds worth of salmon.

They admitted in court that they had been poaching

for five years including killing deer in the Forest of

Dean. - Some 200 deer. The police thanked the

scouts for their diligence and being able to bring the

poachers to justice. The poachers were sent to

Gloucester prison.

Radyr & Morganstown WI

Congratulations to our darts team on winning the

first prize at the County competition held at

Tonteg during August.

It is the golden anniversary of the ACWW this

year and to celebrate some of our energetic

members carried the flag from Tongwymlais to

Tonteg on foot and also found time to do some

good deads along the way!

Flag flying

A number of people have commented that they

were pleased to see the flag outside the scout hall

flying at half mast, the day of Earl Mountbatten’s

funeral. The only flag in Radyr!

“THE ORCHARD TO THE RESCUE”

The Orchard Restaurant in Park Road came to the rescue of the Old Church Roomswhen the oven failed in the middle of a children’s party. The children were in themiddle of cooking when the gas oven failed. The Orchard proprietor, Dawn,agreed to bake off the goodies and saved the party. A great example of thecommunity spirit at work!

The Orchard has been nominated for the South Wales Echo ‘Food and Drink Award’2014/15. David Cargill

www.morganstown.org.uk is…a record of the work of our Community Council16

Letter totheEditor…

Dear Editors,

Through your pages I should like toexpress my appreciation of theOrganisers of the half-term showing ofthe film ‘Maleficent’ in the Old ChurchRooms. It provided an effortless andenjoyable afternoon for us, our 9 year oldGranddaughter and her two friends.

Lovely not to have to get out the car butto be able to stroll to the airy, welcomingHall.

No strident sound, no adverts, one trailerfor the next month’s showing of Belle (webought tickets) and the local atmosphereenhanced by the prelude of DavidCargill’s skilfully edited film of pastRadyr Carnival processions. I also have itreliably reported that Radyr ice-creamsare lush. We were all enchanted by themain feature.

While the surprising sparseness of theaudience worked in our favour as withMaleficent herself my better natureovercomes me and I commend theexperience to your Readers.

Yours sincerely, Zoë Pearce

Dear Friends,

Jen and I would like to thank everyonefor participating in Caroline’s retirementcelebrations. Caroline was thrilled withher cards, gifts and good wishes fromyou, the people of Radyr andMorganstown and surrounding areas.You made Carolineís last working dayvery special indeed.

Please look out for events in the library.

Communities 2.0 are providingcomputer tuition on a drop in basis.These sessions will be held every Fridayuntil Christmas from 2.30pm until about4.30pm. There is no need to book. Bringalong your laptop or iPad if you wouldlike. Alternatively, you may use thelibrary computers.

Radyr Library Knitting and Crochetgroup are holding their annual Charitycoffee morning on Monday, 1stDecember at 10.30 until 12.30. There willbe knitted Christmas crafts on sale aswell as a raffle and refreshments. Allproceeds are to be donated to theAlzheimer’s Society. Your support willbe greatly appreciated.

There will be a Christmas/winter crafttable for children from 15th December.Don’t forget our Children’s story timesare held on Tuesdays at 10.15 and againat 2.15. Amser Stori is on a Wednesday

fundraising team on 0203 188 3658 or atwalesappeals@nspcc.org.uk

Meanwhile, we hope you all have a goodChristmas and look forward to seeing youin February 2015 when we’ll be holdinganother of our popular soup-and-sandwich lunches and the speaker will bePeter Vaughan, retired Chief Constable ofSouth Wales, with some serious andamusing anecdotes of life on the beat inSouth Wales.

at 10.30. All are held during term timesonly.

We would like to thank you forsupporting Radyr library and would liketo wish everyone a merry Christmas anda very happy and health new year.

Raising Funds forthe NSPCC

Festival celebrations around Radyr thisDecember will benefit children in Wales byraising funds for the NSPCC.

The charity’s fundraising committee inRadyr has teamed up with the Radyr &Morganstown Community Association tohose the lighting of the Christmas trees onFriday, 5th December. There will be stallswith crafts, a bran tub and tombola. Foodand drink will be available as well as anappearance from Santa Claus himself.

Emma Brennan, NSPCC CommunityFundraising Manager for Radyr, said“We’re already feeling really festive here atthe NSPCC and can’t wait to crack openthe mince pies. We look forward to seeingall the local residents of the Radyr area onFriday, 5th December for the lighting ofthe Christmas trees.

“The money raised will help us provideservices for children and families in Waleswho are going through incredibly toughtimes. This includes helping families toovercome sexual abuse, drug and alcoholissues, funding our ChildLine counsellorsto be there for children over the Christmasperiod and also by supporting ourChildLine Schools Service which usesspecially trained volunteers to talk toprimary school children about abuse,giving them the skills to protectthemselves”.

The fundraising committee have alreadyraised more than £400. due to thegenerosity of Dance Angels in allowing theNSPCC to sell programmes and hold araffle when they staged a successfulconcert in St. David’s Hall involving 125children of all ages who are trained byDance Angels at venues all over Cardiff.The costumes were first-class and thewhole show was very well received by allwho were there – we wish them continuedsuccess and hope to collaborate with themagain in the future.

The charitable festivities will continuethroughout December with the NSPCC’sCarols by Candlelight event on Friday,19th December at 6.30pm in LlandaffCathedral. The evening will beconducted by S4C presenter AngharadMair and will feature readings fromspecial guests, as well as traditional carolsinging. It is £20. for a family ticket or£10. for adults and £5. for children. Tobook, contact the NSPCC Cymru/Wales

A Concert atChristchurch

On Saturday, 8th November, theaudience at Christ Church Radyr wastruly fortunate in being able to listen toan excellent musical performance givenby the Radyr and Morganstown ChoralSociety under their conductor PeterEsswood.

The programme centred veryappropriately on the theme ofRemembrance. It consisted of a wideselection of music interspersed byreadings which provided anemotionally-charged insight into thepain, anguish and heroism of so many ofthose who fought in the first-world war.These readings were delivered verysympathetically by members of the choirand guests.

The programme included works byHoward Goodall, Edward Elgar, JohnRutter, César Franck and PaulHindemith. The accomplished soprano,Ellen Williams, accompanied by BethanSemmons (harp), Peter Esswood (cello)and David Thomas (organ) gave anexquisite performance of Franck’s PanisAngelicus. The slow movement fromHidemith’s Sonata for Harp, which wasplayed most sensitively by BethanSemmons, complemented perfectly thedeeply reflective themes of the readings.

The main item of the programme wasHoward Goodall’s Requiem, entitledEternal Light. One can only admire thedetermination of the choir and conductorin deciding to approach this work. Itcertainly made significant demands onthe singers but it was clear that theirextensive preparation made for acompelling and very movingperformance which was beautifullydelivered. The excellent soloists, EllenWilliams, Andrew Henley, StevenHamnet and instrumentalists BethanSemmons, Rhiannon Pritchard andDavid Thomas contributed significantlyto the quality of the performance bymeans of their finely-honed musicalskills.

Thank you Radyr and MorganstownChoral Society for such a rewardingevening. BFE

London to Paris CharityBike Ride July 2014

our tyres pumped up, bottles filled,energy gels spilling out of our backpocks and Ibuprofens administered (1)we were off and the apprehension thathad consumed us over the precedingweeks evaporated in minutes as wesoaked up the beautiful morning thatwe had so thankfully been favouredwith along with the wonderfulcamaraderie that surrounded us withother fellow cyclists.

middle of the group, we were facedwith ten or more shocked cyclistsfalling off one by one in front of us,unable to tackle the incline in the gearsthey were in. Everyone was inhysterics and only by luck more thanjudgement, both Ben and I managed tochange down our gears, stay uprightand forge our way up the hill at asnail’s pace avoiding the road oflittered bodies that lay all around us.There were no broken bones or roadrash at that speed, just battered egosdecorated with a few expletives thatwe won’t go into here. That was to bethe talking point of the day when wefinally reached Dover and looked backon as all part of the fun of the ride!It wasn’t a difficult decision to make

with my son Ben when during one ofour many cycling rides together, wechatted casually about the possibilityof embarking upon a charity ride toraise funds for a cause we had seenadvertised recently with ActionMedical Research for children. Theroute we had an eye on was London toParis, a 280 mile ride over a period offour days, which sounded the idealchallenge for both of us.

Firstly, it would be a very worthwhilecause to support this particular charity,which relies solely on public donationsfor hundreds of thousands of sick anddisabled children who need help andwho have saved and changed livesthrough medical research, spendingover £100m. funding some amazingbreakthroughs. Secondly, it would bea great motivator for us both to trainmore often and get fitter and thirdly,maybe I would get to know my son alittle more! With nearly forty yearsbetween us I knew it would be achallenge for me to keep pace withhim, but equally a challenge for him tofrustratingly slow down for me. A lotwould depend on the generosity offriends, family and neighbours withregard to the raising of funding andwho thankfully never let us down.With over £2,200. raised between usboth, it was too late to back out andnow our turn to deliver by completingthe challenge and as the days grewcloser our anticipation grew andwavered between excitement andpanic.

Before you could say Bradley Wiggins,we were at the start line in Blackheath,London at 6am with 300 other cyclistsafter a calorie laden breakfast and anot too good a night’s sleep,apprehensive as to how the next fewdays would unfold. With a fifteenminute safety talk from the organisers,

Just as the organisers had promisedthere were orange markers on the sideof the road every mile for those thatsplit from the main group and everytwenty miles or so, cool drinks to topup your bottles and all the energy-packed sweets, nuts etc., you couldimagine from temporary roadsidemarquees erected by the organisersand a magnificent buffet lunch. Thestandard of support from the biketechnicians in their mobile vans,constantly monitoring every singlerider along the route to the generalmanagement and constantcommunication, including thepresence of doctors riding along withus, was second to none. Luckily andwith great astonishment I personallydidn’t need any but it was a nicecomfort feeling just in case!

The only incident that occurred beforewe reached the ferry and one that Ilook back on now as a little sadisticallyhumorous was at about the 60-milemark after descending a stretch ofnarrow downhill road in a split groupof at least thirty of us at quite a healthpace in the glaring sun and adornedwith de rigueur Oakley sunglasses ofcourse(!) We could see we were justabout to turn a left hand bend andenter into a darkened tree-lined roadso off come the glasses for fear ofriding blind, to turn into what I couldonly describe as a vertical wall! Thiswas a short but nevertheless 25%incline which without exception, no-one had expected. The majority of uswere in the wrong gear, totallyunprepared for a steep climb, withsunglasses in our hands hampering usfrom changing gear. Being in the

The weather was beautiful but theroads and scenery were absolutelymagnificent. If you have travelledthrough France by car before, you willknow how wonderful this is, but ifyou ever get the chance to cycle,please, I would urge anyone to try it.Cycling provides you with the time tobreath in the clear air, savour theviews and experience the joy of beingout in the open with friends you canchat to all day without beinghampered by the constant beeping,roaring and sucking in of exhaustfumes from cars we unfortunatelyhave to bear in the UK. Pin straighttree-lined roads adorned the routesurrounded by farmland along withthe welcoming site of colourfulumbrellas and tables outside the manycafes that lined the streets of the nextvillage, where you just could not passwithout stretching your legs andsitting down with a well-earned coffeeor chilled half pint of the local lager!A lager never tasted so good!

As we neared the imposing sight of theEiffel Tower, waiting to welcome us,our group were joined by even morecharity cyclists from other countries,who with their brightly colouredjerseys, swept in from adjoining roadsto swamp the convoy in the finalkilometres. There were friendly wavesand big beaming smiles fromeveryone, all soaking up the incredible

continued …

www.morganstown.org.uk is…a one-stopshop for local information12

www.radyr.org.uk is…a one-stopshop for local information 13

atmosphere that had developed. Itwas a sight for sore eyes and onewhich I will never forget.

Although I have thanked everyonewho donated personally, I would liketo thank them once again publicly andlet them know how grateful I and allthose less fortunate children are fortheir generosity. Without people suchas them, the word would be a farpoorer place to live.

If you feel that you would like to takethe L2P challenge in July next year andraise money to get vital funds formedical research to help sick anddisabled children and have somechallenging fun at the same time,please log on to www.action.org.uk/action-london-paris

With three different routes to choosefrom, Jeff and Ben opted for the ‘CoolRoute’, seeing as this was their firstmulti day cycling challenge.

• Dedicated fundraiser to support you• See the finale of the Tour de France• VIP entry into the heart of Paris• Amazing lunches• Highest standard of bike support• Great accommodation

Jeff Tester of Radyr Bikes

Spurred on by his love of bikes and hisL2P challenge conquered, Jeff hasrecently launched a new CyclingService & Repair business in the heartof Radyr, aptly named Radyr Bikes,with free collection and delivery for allRadyr residents. See advert on thispage for more details or visit theirwebsite at www.radyrbikes.co.uk

Please feel free to contact him if youare interested in either taking part innext year’s charity ride and would likeany help on this, or would like todiscuss booking in your bike to himfor a service or repair to enable you toget some training in for that ride toParis! Phone 07871 595 350.

ActionPhysio at Radyr Medical Centre

The Knee Part 1Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)The knee region is made of two joints – ahinged knee joint comprising of the longthigh bone (femur) which sits on top ofthe shin bone (tibia) and secondly thepatellofemoral joint – a triangular kneecap(patella) which slides in the groove at theend of the femur and is enveloped by atendon which comes from the quadricepsmuscles. The powerful quadricepsmuscles lie on the front of the thigh andare responsible for straightening and inpart bending the knee.

Pain from the patellofemoral joint is vagueand felt in the front of the knee, 25% ofthe population will have pain here atsome point in their lives. Patellofemoraljoint pain can present in the enthusiasticgardener undertaking a heavy winter dig,seated desk based office workers, keenramblers who tackle unplanned steeperslops and even sightseers climbing thestaircases and towers of Tuscany!

It is very common! But also very treatablewith physiotherapy.

Pain is often felt:• Ascending/descending stairs, getting upand down from a chair, squatting,climbing ladders – whether at home orwork.

• If you sit for prolonged periods withyour knee bent e.g. long car or planejourneys and also when sitting at thecinema or theatre.

Why is there pain?• Research has demonstrated that peoplewith PFPS have poor gluteal (buttockmuscle) function on climbing stairs.Without this control the hip is less stableand the femur swings inwards stressingthe knee. The outer half of thepatellofemoral joint surface becomesoverloaded and produces pain.

• In sitting the quadriceps are tautcreating a strong compression forcebetween the kneecap and the thigh bonewhich over time produces pain. Thecontact pressure increases as the kneebends further. If the quadriceps musclesare already short and tight this furthercompounds the problem.

Possible contributing factors?• Old running shoes that no longersupport the foot allowing the foot arch toroll down creating torsion at the knee.

• Tight muscles e.g. calf, quadriceps andhamstring muscles.

• Weak ineffective muscles creatingimbalances

• A training programme or step usage

that is suddenly intensified e.g. distance,gradient, speed or step depth

• Swelling from knee surgery or traumacan inhibit the quadriceps causing thepatella to maltrack and induce pain

Quick wins• Avoid the pain provoking exercise andmodify your programme

• If welling is present, ice can help –wrapped in a protective covering appliedover the front of the knee for ten minutes– 3-4 times a day

• Avoid sitting with the knee bent forprolonged periods. Try to swing the kneeforwards and backwards 2-3 times every20 minutes while sitting to reduce thepressure, or get up and have a walk

• In discussion with your GP orpharmacist a gel-based or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may offerbenefits in reducing swelling andinflammation

• Review your footwear if they areshowing signs of age and lack appropriatesupport

• Physiotherapy – a comprehensiveholistic approach to assessing you isessential. Once your specific needs havebeen identified a treatment plan is createdwith you and your recovery begins.

Physiotherapy treatment is multi-facetedand can consist of – joint and soft tissuemobilisations, muscle imbalancecorrection, stretches, core stabilityexercises and even taping.

ActionPhysio offers a comprehensive 45minute initial assessment followed by 35-40 minute follow-up sessions. A clearhome exercise programme forms anintrinsic part of your treatment andaccelerates your recovery. Home visits areavailable.

I have been based at Radyr MedicalCentre for eight years; having previouslybeen Head of the physiotherapydepartment at Bupa Cardiff andphysiotherapist to the WalesCommonwealth Games Team 2002.Please don’t hesitate to contact me if youwould like treatment or advice aboutongoing knee problems or any otheraches and pains.

Wishing you all an ‘ActionPacked’Christmas and a health 2015.

Claire Beeson Grad Dip Phys MCSP AACP– ActionPhysio at Radyr Medical CentreTel : 07809 766 002Email : actionphysio@btinternet.comwww.actionphysio.co.uk

Radyr &Morganstown Friendsof TenovusAn extremely successful Autumnfund-raising morning was held on 9thOctober at Radyr Golf Club, with thisyear’s event taking on a differenttheme. This year Julia Hallinan of theCookShop Pontcanna had agreed togive us a Celebration Cuisinedemonstration.

Visitors enjoyed looking at thedisplays on the various stalls beforetaking their seats, with refreshmentsserved prior to Julia commencing herpresentation. Her samples of syllabubtrifle and assorted vol au vents provedto be most delicious and thoroughlyenjoyed by those present, with copiesof her recipes available for everyone.

The room was decorated with pinkballoons with many friends wearingpink in recognition of Breast Cancerawareness month.

Douglas Hogg a very kind supporterand good friend of Tenovusgenerously donated one of hispaintings of the Wenallt to be raffled.This raised £100. in support of thefund-raising event, with the very luckywinner, Una Scott, being delighted tobe presented with her picture.

The morning’s event was mostsuccessful with sales from the variousstalls including the Tenovus Christmascards and raffles helping to raise thetotal sum of £1423., which will helpsupport the various ongoing Tenovusprojects.

Chairman Rosanne and her committeeare more grateful to all those whocontinue to give so generously toensure our fund-raising eventscontinue to be such a success. Gratefulthanks also go to the management andstaff of Radyr Golf Club whose helpcontributed to the overall running ofthe event.

In 1985 the first committee of Radyrand Morganstown Friends of Tenovuswas formed and next year in 2015 wevery much look forward to celebratingthirty years of fund-raising activities inthe local area.

Alison Skidmore

Hello! My name isZoe Delport

me so much, like how to wash myselfin a basin, peel potatoes with a knife,cook traditional meals, wash myclothes by hand and also some basicXhosa – the local language … andmuch, much more. They were andhave become my family.

The sad reality is that in the EasternCape, nine out of ten women havesuffered some form of abuse in theirlived whether it be physical,emotional, verbal or sexual. Anotherissue I saw was a very high rate ofteenage pregnancy. Approximately30% of teenagers in South Africa reportto have ever been pregnant. The issuewith teenage pregnancy is that it oftenmeans that the young mothers areunable to carry on with school,reducing their employmentopportunities for the future.

Part of our aim whilst being inSulenkama was to go into schools,young people to young people andhave discussions to try and addressand dispel myths on Sexual Relationsand Gender Based Violence. We alsohanded out information on support forabuse. What we were doing were onlysmall steps in reducing Gender BasedViolence and Teenage Pregnancy butmy hope is that perhaps over manyyears these small steps couldeventually make a big difference.

I know that it made a big difference tome personally. Having to stand up infront of a class of teenagers and talkabout sexual relations was by far oneof the most challenging things I haveever done! But by putting myself in asituation that was perhaps a little outof my comfort zone, I learnt so muchand grew a lot in confidence, alongwith making some real friends for life.

www.morganstown.org.uk is…a place for you to air your views on local matters14

As you may remember, I wrote anarticle in April about going tovolunteer in South Africa with thegovernment funded InternationalCitizen Service which sends youngpeople aged 18-25 to work on projectsin developing countries. I firstlywanted to say thank you very much toanyone who donated to myfundraising page – it was hugelyappreciated!

I was accepted through InternationalCitizen Service to the charity RestlessDevelopment. Restless Developmentbelieves that if we focus on addressingthe issues that young people indeprived communities face such asHIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy andunemployment then that can work tomake those communities overcomethose problems.

I was volunteering in the ruralcommunity of Sulenkama in theEastern Cape of South Africa forRestless Development for threemonths. We were staying in a localMama’s home – Mama Phelicia, withher grandson Latita, with five goats,four geese and seven chickens. Wewere without flushing toilets, had asingle tap in the garden for drinkingwater and had limited electricity withfrequent power cuts, yet we hadeverything we could’ve needed. I wasworking with and sharing a room (andalso a bed!) with two other local girls,Thembela and Sinovuyo. They taught

If anybody aged between 18-25 isthinking of taking a year out orbetween jobs or just wanting tochallenge yourself and make adifference, I would stronglyrecommend International CitizenService. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetimeopportunity! If you’re interested tofind out a bit more about ICS thenplease visit www.volunteerics.org/

www.radyr.org.uk is…a place for you to air your views on local matters 15

The ChimesThe Chimes is the second in Dickens’series of Christmas books, the firstbeing A Christmas Carol, with aspowerful a punch now as it had at thetime.

In the run-up to the festive season,local porter, Trotty Veck, falls asleep inthe doorway of a church. Woken bythe bells, and magically dragged upthe tower, he had just one chance tochange the world…but will he listen tothe bells?

The Chimes is a Victorian It’s aWonderful Life, filled with all of themaster story teller’s colourfulcharacters and heart-rendingpoignancy. The Chimes is brought toMorganstown Village Hall by Swanseabased professional theatre companyLighthouse Theatre. You may rememberLighthouse’s delightful adaptation ofDylan Thomas’ Reminiscences ofChildhood at the R&M May Festival.Lighthouse are on a fifteen venue tourfrom Pwllheli to Porthcawl and fromChepstow to Swansea.

Lighthouse will bring their signaturestyle to this classic by the mosttheatrical of authors, with a cast offive, carols, music and - of course -bells. This show will be fast, funny,inventive and entertaining, but most of

all a Christmas treat at this festive timeof year.

“One of the most innovative productions ofthe festival year”. The Daily Telegraph.

The Chimes is at Morganstown VillageHall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 10thDecember. Tickets: £9, £8 (concessions)£5 (students) from Ener-Chi, StationRoad, Radyr, Nick Hawkins 20 842 561or Allan Cook 20 843 176. Tickets mayalso be booked online, see the R&MAssociation website. Licensed Bar

Don’t miss this pre christmas treat.

News from Radyr &Morganstown WI

Our October meeting took place onMonday the 13th. We were privilegedto have as our speaker Keith Moger, aformer Senior National HealthAdministrator whose talk was entitled“The history of health care in Cardiff,the capital city of Wales”. It proved tobe an interesting journey through thehistory of Cardiff’s hospitals taking inthe former isolation hospitals andworkhouses of the city. Our audience,most of whom had been born and bredin the capital, listened attentively.

The following week on 20th October,our annual birthday party was held atRadyr Golf Club. The reception drinkswere most appreciated and they werefollowed by a most enjoyable dinner.Our thanks go to the Committee fororganising it and to the Golf Club stafffor their service and hospitality.

We are now into November and thatmonth’s meeting was an Evening ofRemembrance marking the hundred

years anniversary of the First WorldWar. The Committee organised aWorld War One quiz and there wererelevant poems and readingsperformed by members. TheCommunity Council very kindlyloaned their commemorative displayabout the World War for the eveningand this special meeting ended withrefreshments.

We have one more date in Novemberprior to moving into the seasonalactivities of December. On Tuesday,18th November, a group is going to theNational Museum of Wales where theywill enjoy a guided tour.

On Friday, 5th December, Radyr’sChristmas tree lights will be switchedon and amongst the stalls and displaysin Station Road, you will find onerepresenting WI serving hot drinksand mince pies. Come down and joinin the fun. This event always gets thecommunity of Radyr into the festivespirit early in December.

Our December meeting will take placeon Monday, 8th December. As is ourtradition, the Committee members will

be hosting a Christmas celebration, theformat and content of which remainssecret until the night. However, ourSecretary, Gaynor Leaf, who wasresponsible for “masterminding” themaking of dresses for children inAfrica has received photographs of thefinished garments being worn proudlyby little girls in Uganda. Hopefully,these will be on display at our“surprise” Christmas celebration.

Our programme for 2015 is now beingplanned. A lunch club visit to theClink restaurant is due to take place on29th January, 2015 at 12.30. Otherevents are in the pipeline but will berevealed in the New Year. Why notjoin us in the New Year. OurPresident, Pat Williams, can becontacted on 029 2084 3843 or you cancontact us onradyrandmorganstown.wi@gmail.com.

Meanwhile, a Merry Christmas andHappy New Year to all Chain readersfrom Radyr and Morganstown WI.L.H.

1st Radyr Rainbows1990-2015

We will be celebrating our 25thBirthday on 28th February, 2015.We are hoping to find out what it

was like being a Rainbow 25years ago. What did you wear

and which games did you enjoyplaying?

If you have been a Rainbowwe’d love to hear from you

especially if you were one of theoriginal Rainbows back in 1990.Please contact our leader Minnie

on 029 2084 2923 orauntiejuliee@hotmail.com

Thank you1st Radyr Rainbows

www.radyr.org.uk is…a record of the work of our Community Council 17

We now know that the Examination ofthe Local Development Plan (LDP) willtake place between January 13 andFebruary 27 2015. Over these weeks,the Inspector and her team will takeevidence and hear arguments foramendments to the LDP and a report willbe published later in the year. R&MCChave been invited to appear at many ofthe sessions to represent R&M and wewill make our argument thatdevelopment in NW Cardiff must bephased to allow it to be aligned with theMetro. Without this, we say, transportproblems and unsustainable newdevelopment will make life for everyoneextremely difficult. Members of thepublic may attend to listen to theExamination’s discussions.

We responded strongly against therecent premature planning applicationson three sites in Radyr, Danescourt andFairwater. You can find a copy on thewebsite or ask us to send you one. We

Radyr & Morganstown Community CouncilCyngor Cymuned Radur a Threforgan

produced template responses to theplanning applications so that peoplecould submit their own. We will do thisagain. If you want to be added to amailing list, just call Helena Fox on20842213 or email clerk@radyr.org.uk.We are expecting an application for therest of the site for which the LDP hasallocated 5,000 homes and thedevelopers are trying to increase to7,000. To give that some perspective,R&M currently has some 2,700 homesand a population of some 6,700.

Alongside and coming into force at thesame time as the LDP is the CommunityInfrastructure Levy (CIL) which is set at afixed and non-negotiable sum perdwelling. The CIL is payable by thedeveloper to the planning authority,Cardiff Council in our case. Cardiff’sproposals for its CIL are now out forconsultation and we will be respondingto it. Any planning applicationsapproved before the CIL is adopted will

avoid paying the levy. We say that thatdeprives Cardiff and our community ofessential funds to pay for the extensiverange of infrastructure needed fordevelopment of greenfield sites.

Be assured that R&MCC and its partnersin the North West Cardiff Group aregiving the LDP top priority. A great dealof work is being done on behalf of R&Mto try to amend the LDP and theExamination is our last chance. If youwant to know about this in more detail,do ask.

Elsewhere in this issue you will find areport on our WW1 commemorationproject. If you are interested in beinginvolved, please contact Helena Fox.

Helena FoxClerk to R&MCC

The Old Church Rooms, Park Road, Radyr, Cardiff CF15 8DF

FILM CLUBThe first meeting in 2015 of the FilmClub will take place on Thursday,29th January at 7.30pm in the OldChurch Rooms.

Since the Film Club started in theautumn, several improvements havebeen made to the set-up and even icecream has started to be served in theinterval.

Although the Old Church Roomsdoes not have a license to sell alcoholat these events, members of theaudience are welcome to bring theirown drinks and even glasses will besupplied.

The film chosen for January isBoyhood. Real life adventure. (15) 166mins. Cinema release July 2014.

Filmed over twelve years with thesame cast, Richard Linklater’s film isa groundbreaking story of growingup as seen through the eyes of achild named Mason (a uniqueperformance by Ellar Coltrane), wholiterally grows up on screen beforeour eyes. Starring Ethan Hawke andPatricia Arquette as Mason’s parents.

Boyhood charts the rocky terrain ofchildhood like no other film hasbefore. Snapshots of adolescencefrom road trips and family dinnersto birthdays and graduations and all

the moments in between, comprise amoving and utterly compelling odeto growing up and parenting. Toquote just one rave review “As aRussian I must say I understandAmerican people and also myself much,much better with this movie. It was like… about me … I just COULD NOTimagine how much we are all the same…”

A truly epic film.

www.radyr.org.uk is…a one-stopshop for local information 19

REUNION WITH RADYRWARTIME REFUGEE BRUNOSUSSEMILCHI had the pleasure of visiting formerRadyr resident Bruno Sussemilch inRudna outside Prague a fortnight ago.Bruno lived in Radyr roughly from1940/1 to 1945 when he and hismother Kiara moved to Llandaff Northuntil they returned to Czechoslovakiain 1946, They lived opposite us for theduration of the war. The story of hislife is so remarkable I thought it mightbe a useful bit of Radyr history to getdown on paper while there are Radyrand Morgan residents who might stillremember to family.

My brother Prys and I hadn’t seenBruno Sussemilch for 68 years! We lastsaw him in 1946 when he wasrepatriated to Czechoslovakia.

We met up with him in Prague inSeptember. He arrived in Radyr in1940 and lived in the corner house ofHeol Isaf and Station Road with hisolder sister Herta and mother Kiara.They had the upstairs flat and theWilliams’s lived in the downstairs flat.We lived in the house opposite at 32Heol Isaf next to the WesleyanMethodist Chapel. The Williams wereevacuees from London and Mr.Williams was in the army in Burma. Idon’t think we ever saw himthroughout the war. The housebelonged to the Woods, the grocerfamily. The garden ran down to BertChapman’s cobbler’s shop.

Bruno had attended the Czech refugeeschool in Llanwrtyd Wells but didn’tenjoy it. The school was in theAbernant Lake Hotel, which had beencommandeered by the government.For understandable reasons, thespeaking of German was banned at theschool but Bruno, born in 1930, wasbasically first language German – thelittle town the family came from wasLitmerice in the Sudetenland, themainly German speaking part ofCzechoslovakia. Litmerice was righton the German border. When theCzechs were completely sold down theriver by the Munich Agreement of1938k Hitler’s armies marched acrossthe border – a disaster for theSussemilchs. The father Rudolf was acommunist activist and was fightingon the republican side in the SpanishCivil War with the internationalbrigade. He came home in 1938 butimmediately had to flee eastwards,somehow getting across to Poland andthen onwards to the Soviet Union.

They only saw him again on oneoccasion. The rest of the family wereinterned in the fort of Theresienstadtnearby, later the concentration camp ofthe same name – the so-calledshowpiece concentration camp. Thewhole family was under suspicionbecause of Rudolf’s political activities.

Mrs. Sussemilch went to Prague to tryto get exit travel documents from theGerman authorities and got the help ofSir Nicholas Winton, who arranged fortravel passes for thousands of Jewishchildren, to get them out ofCzechoslovakia before the impendingoutbreak of war, as Raoul Wellenbergdid in Hungary. (Amazingly SirNicholas is still in good health aged105!). The Sussemilchs weren’t Jewishbut their plight was very similar.Somehow they did get theirdocuments and travelled the length ofNazi Germany, across the channel andeventually finished up in Heol Isaf,Radyr via Orpington, Maidenhead andSheffield.

Kiara was quite a character. She wasborn in 1900 and had left school in1914 to go to Vienna to work as anurse when the First World War brokeout. You had to grow up very quicklyin those days! She’d had a badexperience working as a cook andcleaner for a family in Radyr so wasdelighted to work for my motherinstead. I still remember herdumpling stews! Bruno went to RadyrJunior School. That was when‘Bummer’ Griffiths was the headteacher and taught Standard 6&7 –that is the 12 and 13 year olds whohadn’t passed the 11-plus. He was stillthe head when my brother startedschool in 1942 and myself in 1944.Herta was old enough to work on warproduction straight away.

Bruno’s big friend in school andlifelong pal was Billy ‘Boxer’ Davidfrom Windsor Crescent. Billy and hisother big mate Dave Newman, werepart of Bert Chapman’s gang ofteenagers, always hanging around thecobbler’s shop listening to Bert’s viewson the ways of the world. In the endthat’s how we tracked Bruno Down.Dave Newman bumped into me andout of the blue and said “You knowBilly Boxer’s been to visit BrunoSussemilch over in Prague?” HowDave knew I would be absolutelyoverjoyed and excited to hear that I donot know but I was and rang mybrother that night. The only problemwas how to get in touch with Billy. Hehadn’t lived in Radyr in decades. I

knew his younger brother Johnnyworked in Pembrokeshire but wasprobably retired by then. I had gotJohnny’s assistance on a similar littlebit of Radyr history years before by acoincidence. I’d met the retired TVactor Jon Rollason, formerly of TheAvengers, in North Wales. He’d toldme he’d lived during the war inJunction Terrace as an evacuee fromBirmingham. He’d been billeted withthe Proberts at Number 1. I didn’tremember him nor did my brother, so Iemailed Johnny for help. He emailedback to say that Billy his brother usedto walk to school with Jon every day!I’d lost Johnny’s email address by nowbut as luck would have it I bumpedinto one of his ex-colleagues atPembroke Power Station. He told methat Billy had spent his working careerthere as well. He promised to get me aphone number and was as good as hisword. Eventually I phoned Johnnywho directed me to Billy, who gave meBruno’s address in Rudna, outsidePrague. So I got my letter off, not at allsure if he would reply. Ten days laterhe wrote back in remarkably goodEnglish, enclosing a photo of himself inRadyr Scout’s uniform!

Then my brother wrote, enclosing thelast Christmas card Mrs. S had sentcirca 1949, which miraculously mybrother had kept. Bruno wrote back tohim so we planned a trip. We met upin our hotel and he took us to hishome, self-built by him. I didn’t thinkthe communist regime would allowself-build housing but Bruno was asresourceful as his mother. Bruno is oneof those guys that I’m always jealous ofbecause he’s fantastically skilled withhis hands. Not only did he and hiswife build the house themselves, hehad gone on to build a touring caravanfrom the ground up. Likewise, thewalls are covered with brass andwrought iron ornaments. Although heis now 84 and suffers with his back, hestill spends a huge amount of time inhis beloved workshop.

He is also hot stuff with the music,plays the guitar and the harmonica.He also burst out into song during ourvisit with a Welsh folk song he’d learntin Bummer Griffiths’ class, ‘Ble r’wytti’n myned, fy eneth ffein i?’ That’sthe Welsh version of ‘Where are yougoing, my pretty young maid?’ I’mnot sure of the English version, but hecould still remember it seventy yearsafter leaving Radyr School. That’s apretty good tribute to Radyr VillageSchool! (continued on page 21)

www.radyr.org.uk is…a photo-archive for our local community 21

Come 1944 and his 14th birthday,Bruno left school and went to work onthe Treforest Trading Estate producingelectrical switches. I think he said thecompany was called Elkay Switches.When the war was over he got a job atHarborne’s Garage, the petrol fillingstation and motor repair garagebehind the shops of Station Road. Sixmoths later he had walked out of therebecause Mr. Harborne had given him aferocious telling off for taking a weekoff to look after his mother. Herta hadmarried a Czech airman by now andwas living away. Anyway, fortunatelyfor Bruno he went to try his luck at theWestward Ho Garage on LlantrisantRoad and hit it off big time with Mr.Evans, the owner. So well, in fact, thatMr. Evans who had no children askedBruno if he could adopt him. Hecould then take over the garage whenMr. Evans’s time to pass on came.However, Bruno felt he mustaccompany his mother back toCzechoslovakia in 1946. That waswith a view to Rudolf coming backfrom the Soviet Union. Sadly thatnever happened. He had met someoneelse and became part of the communistbureaucracy of East Germany. Theonly thing he did to help Kiara was toget her a job as a cook on the EastGerman Embassy in Prague. Brunomeantime got a job in the hugesteelworks in Kladno where 2400people worked and that was where hemet his wife. They worked five yearsworth of overtime to save up enoughto buy the land and build their dreamhouse in Rudna.

I should also add that Bruno was avery active and proud member of theRadyr Scouts. His house was coveredin decorative versions of the Fleur deLys, worked with brass and copper onwooden backing plates, beautifullydone – he said he had taken the Scoutoath in Radyr and had tried to live bythe Scout oath for the rest of his life.He had lots of photographs of him andother members of the troop in Pant-tawel Woods and so forth.

That’s why I say there is so much ofRadyr’s history and indeed Europe’shistory all wrapped up in Bruno’sstory. Does anyone else in Radyr orMorganstown remember him and canthey fill in any more details?

Rhodri Morgan

Bryn DeriRemembers…They shall grow not oldas we who are left grow old;Age shall not weary them,Nor the years condemn,At the going down of the sunand in the morningWe shall remember themLaurence Binyon 1914

learning context Blitz. Theyinvestigated the reasons for World WarTwo and the impact that it had on theeveryday lives of people includingchildren. Pupils got a taste of wartimelife when they took part in their veryown evacuation. The 24 pupils, led bytheir teacher Miss Elizabeth Berry,dressed up like wartime children andcomplete with gas masks, suitcasesand teddies, were waved off by theirparents at the station, ready for a newlife in “Danesbridge”. When theyarrived at Danescourt Primary, it hadbeen made into a billeting office andall their pupils were in families such asthe Bakers and Butchers. They weresurprised by an air raid siren and theDanescourt Primary school pupilsshowed them what to do. It was afantastic afternoon of real and relevantlearning that the children willremember for a lifetime!

On Remembrance Sunday members ofYear 6 were once again honoured to beasked to present a wreath of poppiesfrom the children and the wholeschool community at Bryn DeriPrimary. The children proudly joinedthe procession and attended theservice held at Christ Church as didmany more of our children who aremembers of the local Scout or GuideAssociations.

As part of their context for learningFallen Fields, Years 5 and 6 at BrynDeri set out to explore the ‘War to endall wars’ the conflict that had adevastating effect on millions ofpeople across the world and indeedthe families of Radyr andMorganstown. Working with stafffrom the War Memorials Trust thechildren investigated first handevidence to find out about theconditions soldiers had to endure inthe trenches and the huge scale ofhuman loss. They visited Radyr andMorganstown cenotaph and followedthe events of those people affected.For some it was a personal journey asthey found information aboutmembers of their own families.Poppies of all shapes and sizes werecreated by the children as theyremembered the heroes andheartbreak. The work that theyproduced was displayed in the OldChurch Rooms as part of the Radyrand Morganstown World War OneProject Launch.

The children continue to learn aboutwar and peace this term through the

Following the Church Service pupilsfrom Bryn Deri joined The RoyalWelsh College of Music and Drama atSt. David’s Hall in a specialperformance of Britten’s War Requiem.They were conducted by Carlo Rizziwho ranks among today’s leadingconductors. It was a very proudmoment for families and staff alikeand a fitting way to end RemembranceSunday 2014.

www.radyr.org.uk is…a window on our local history 23

Running the LondonMarathon in April 2015My name is Maria Spiteri and I live inCardiff. I have been hoping tocomplete in the London Marathon fora couple of years now – and it’s farfrom easy to get a place. It works on aballot system and you have to enter atthe end of April. Out of all the manythousands of applicants, only 25,000are accepted as competitors. InOctober, I heard that I had not beensuccessful – and this was for thesecond time! It only made me moredetermined than ever to compete.

Another route is via a charity. Theypay for a number of entrants and allthe hopefuls can then apply to acharity of their choice. I have chosenthis route because I am determined totake part whilst raising awareness of aworthwhile charity.

The charity I am proud to support iscalled Sense which is a national charitythat campaigns for children and adultswho are deafblind. The charity setsout to improve the lives of thosewhose sight and hearing is seriouslyimpaired, to help them and theirfamilies to cope with the challengesthey face on a daily basis. It providesnew opportunities for the deafblindenabling them to do things that wouldnot have been possible without thehelp that Sense offers. The mostupsetting part for the deafblind is theisolation that so often accompaniestheir condition and Sense helps them toovercome this barrier. The deafblindhave far fewer choices than those whohave normal vision and hearing andan important aspect of the charity’swork is to enlarge the horizons of thedeafblind and to enrich their lives in arange of new ways.

I am currently working on a supplybasis as a Teaching Assistant and Ihave also had considerable experienceas a qualified Nursery Nurse. Thistakes me all across Wales and I oftenhelp and care for pupils with specialneeds, who have a wide variety ofdisabilities. Working in closeproximity with these children makesme keenly aware of their problems andthe challenges they face.

The charity entrants to the LondonMarathon are required to raise aminimum amount for their chosencharity. In my case that is £1,600. So Ineed all the sponsorship and supportthat I can get. After I had obtained myguaranteed place, which meant so

much to me, I started trainingimmediately. This began in October2014 and I have increased my practicedistance by one extra mile every week.In April 2014, I completed the ParisMarathon which was my greatestachievement so far. However, I amdetermined to complete the LondonMarathon for a charity that is close tomy heart and founded in the UK.

This brings me to the point at which Ihave considered ways in which I canraise the vitally important £1,600. forSense:

Babysitting/Childminding: Chargedat £8. per hour. As a fully qualified Level Three childcare professional (CRB checked), Ihave worked in a private care nurseryin Radyr for three years and currentlyas a supply teaching assistant.

Dog Walking/Sitting: Charged at £7.per hour. I have my own much-loved pet dogand am very fond of animals andenjoy walking.

I am available for either jobs after 4pmon weekdays and any time onSaturdays and Sundays. Please feelfree to contact me on 07961 491 284 orby email maspi1@yahoo.co.uk

These fees will be payable direct to6the charity via my fund-raising page.You can donate at any time via the linkbelow. The reference is

https://www.justgiving.com/mariaspiteri-vim/

or

text my unique code MAZZ85 and anamount of either £5. or £10. to 70070 –for example (MAZZ85 £5. to 70070)

My other fund-raising ideas includesponsored skydiving and there mayalso be opportunities to take part incharity treadmill running insuperstores.

Your help will make an enormousdifference to the work that Sense is ableto do. £5. will enable a deafblind childto have a set of musical bells tostimulate what little hearing they have.£15. will provide a tactile book todevelop a child’s sense of sight andtouch at the Sense family centre. £50.will pay for a vitally importantprofessional assessment of a child’sspecific needs. Every donation, ofwhatever size, will enable a deafblindperson to participate in enjoyable andstimulating activities, which wouldhave been denied to them without thehelp of Sense.

Do give all the help and support thatyou can and follow the progress of myjourney via my fundraising page.Warmest thanks in advance for yourhelp and support.

Radyr Chiropractic andWellness Clinic

A new health business has opened inRadyr by Dr. Alexander Clark (M Chiro).Alex is a fully qualified Chiropractorwith Master’s Degree gained at theWelsh Institute of Chiropractic affiliatedwith the University of Wales andregistered with the General ChiropracticCouncil. He practices in London andhas progressed to specialize in posturalrehabilitation and the continuedmaintenance, education and well beingfor patients affected by poor skeletal bio-mechanics. He has recently returned toWales and opened his own clinic.

The Clinic at 6-8 Station Road, Radyr iscomfortable and welcoming with flexibleappointment times. Your initialconsultation includes a physicalexamination, your medical history,reaching a diagnosis, explaining themechanism that caused your complaint,time to agree on a suitable treatmentprogramme appropriate to your needsand the first treatment, if deemedrelevant and suitable.

The importance of becoming pain freeand mobile cannot be overstressed by inaddition to Chiropractic treatment it isalso important to try and maintain thatwith wellness programs which attemptto facilitate life improvements thoughrecommending positive lifestylechanges. Wellness programs are oftenpursued by people seeking recoveryfrom an illness, a specific healthcondition or injury and by thoseinterested in improving their overallhealth.

There are many physical and financialstresses in all our lives which can oftenlead to us placing the most importantaspects of our world “our personal andfamily’s health and well being” downour list of priorities and Alex is currentlyoffering a promotional reduction incharges for new patients alongside out-of-hours booking (all consultations areappointment only). They believe this isa start and one of many ways they canaid patients and their families in makingthe decision to help themselves for ahealthier future.

Alex is happy to discuss any queries andcan be contacted on 07732 391 912, emailRadyrchiroclinic@aol.com and at RadyrChiropractic and Wellness Clinic onFacebook.

Merched yWawrBro Radur

Ddeng mlynedd union yn ôl i fisTachwedd eleni agorwyd drysauCanolfan y Mileniwm am y tro cyntaf.Priodol felly oedd i ni wahodd BetDavies, un o Uwch-reolwyr yGanolfan i ddod atom Nos Fercher,Tachwedd 5ed i fwrw golwg yn ôl a“chymryd stoc” fel petai o’r hyn agyflawnwyd yn ystod y ddegawd.

Dros y blynyddoedd mae’r Ganolfanwedi croesawu 13.5 miliwn oymwelwyr,wedi gwerthu can miliwn odocynnau ac wedi llwyfannu tair mil ahanner o sioeau yn ogystal â’r pedairmil o gyflwyniadau ar lwyfan Y Lanfa.Dyna rai o’r ystadegau moel a’nsyfrdanodd ond daeth yn amlwg nady rhifau mawrion oedd wedi rhoi’rboddhad mwyaf i’r siaradwraig.Gwelsom ei bod yn ymfalchio yn yffaith fod cynifer o blant, ieuenctid aphobl gyda gwahanol anableddauwedi gallu manteisio ar adnoddau’rGanolfan yn ystod y cyfnod. Roedd eibalchder yn amlwg wrth iddi adroddambell stori am blentyn oedd wediblodeuo ar ôl cael y cyfle iwerthfawrogi’r cyfleoedd a’ rprofiadau a gynigir iddyn nhw o fewn

www.radyr.org.uk is…a record of the work of our Community Council 27

Eirlys Eckley (gyflwynodd y gwestai), Bet Davies a Carys Puw Williams (llywydd)

yr adeilad.

Nodwyd fod nifer helaeth o staff ffrynty ty yn ddwyieithog ond y byddai’nfalch i gyflogi mwy eto o Gymry sy’nmedru’r Gymraeg.

Y weledigaeth wreiddiol pan godwydCanolfan y Mileniwm oedd i ddangosy gorau o Gymru i’r byd a dod â’rgorau o’r byd i Gymru. Gyda’ihymroddiad, ei hegni a’i brwdfrydedd

mae Bet Davies yn sicir yn parhau igyrchu at y nod o hyd ac yn caelmesur helaeth o lwyddiant a phleseryn y gwaith. Gwerthfawrogwyd eisgwrs a’i harddull fyrlymus gan bawbyn ddiwahân a dymunwyd yn ddaiddi hi ac i Ganolfan y Mileniwmymlaen i’r ddegawd nesaf.

Rhiannon Evans

Operation ChristmasChild

(Christmas Shoe Boxes)

The generosity of Radyr community hasbeen outstanding with the number ofboxes reaching 243 .Once again we have broken our record!

On Sunday November 16th a hugemulticoloured wall of boxes was built atChrist Church.Each shoe box had beencarefully and lovingly packed with alarge selection of gifts. I am amazed bythe vast variety of presents included.The Sunday School children and

congregations of Christchuch and St.John’s Danescourt carefully carried theirboxes to help build our ‘Wall oflove’.Early the next morning the boxeswere collected and taken to a largewarehouse in LLandough forsorting.Next , they will be crated andthe first consignment from this area sentto Zambia. Later boxes will be sent todisplaced Christians in Iraq.In the NewYear we shall learn the destination ofother boxes.

Operation Christmas Child is theworld’s largest Christmas project-devoted to spreading love, joy and hopeto children living in war torn regions or

areas of desperate poverty.

You are all to be thanked most sincerely,but I must select a few by name.

Our ‘super knitter ‘ Gill Davies -RPMGknitted over 60 beautiful Beanie hats (alldifferent colours and designs). HilaryKitcher also knitted a bag full of brightlycoloured bags, hats and mittens.RoseKing despite being very poorly wasresponsible for 10 boxes and MarilynMorgan pursuaded her friends to fill 8boxes. Other groups are ChristchurchSunday School, Mothers Union,Choirand congregation,St. John’s SundaySchool and congregation, Radyr andMorganstown W.I.,Ladies of Radyr GolfClub , The Housewives Register (ChairMaureen Edmund ),Radyr Parish MusicGroup,

Inner Wheel Cub of Machen (Chair Pam.St. Leger) and the French class -Rhiwbina.Also to be thanked are thosewho gave me donations.

We were delighted when Bryn DeriSchool telephoned for leaflets andinformation and I am pleased to reportthat 60 boxes were collected there.A bigthankyou to them all.

That means our grand total is 303boxes! Anne-Marie PhillipsThe photo is of some of the Sunday School children at Christchurch

www.radyr.org.uk is…a place for you to air your views on local matters 25

Third BiennialRotary PeaceConference

Thirty Rotary InternationalAmbassadorial Scholars from allover the world met at the WelshNational Assembly in Cardiff toattend a Peace Conference. Themain speakers were former hostageand peace campaigner, Terry Waite

and Rotary Peace Fellow, MelhemMansour from Syria.

Rotary scholars are funded byRotary worldwide to study abroadin order to build good relationsand foster peace and goodwillbetween the sponsoring and hostcountries. At present there aremore scholars studying peace andconflict resolution than any ofRotary’s other five areas of focus.

Terry Waite spoke briefly of histime in captivity. He used thisexperience to get his audience tothink how they would react tocertain situations. It was athought- provoking andquestioning presentation givenwith conviction. Each member ofthat audience was left with ethicalissues to think over.

Rotary Peace Fellow, MelhemMansour pointed out that areas of

the world where the most conflictoccurs have the fewest peacefellows, due to the small number of

Rotary clubs in regions such as theMiddle East. He gave an insightfulpresentation of the role of a peacefellow and over dinner thatevening explained to me in simpleterms what was happening in hishomeland.

After the conference, Cardiff WestRotarians Eric Blackwell and LizDavies showed their guestsCardiff’s World Harmony PeaceStatue.