GAZETTE AND DIARY MAGAZINE - FEB ISSUE

& Diary MagazineGazette

The Winter IssueFebruary / March

Issue 11 / 2012

& Diary MagazineGazette

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■ Style & Fashion ■ Home & Garden ■ Entertainment

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02 ● The Winter Issue ● February / March

PARC LODGE, STATION ROAD, RAGLAN, NP15 2ERFOR MORE INFORMATION CALL CHRIS MURPHY ON 07719662634 / 01291 690077

OR VISIT WWW.RAGLANPARC.CO.UK . EMAIL [email protected]

Weddings / birthdays / anniversaries / events / coprorate / discos / parties

JOIN NOW AND ENJOY 15 MONTHS GOLF FOR THE PRICE OF 12 -* 2012 / 2013 SUBS £545 INLCUSIVE OF INSURANCE AND UNION FEES.* PREMUIM CREDIT FACILITY AVAILABLE.* WINTER GREEN FEE OFFER OF £100 FOR 10 ROUNDS OF GOLF BETWEEN JANUARY AND APRIL 2012.* NEW DRIVING RANGE AND ACADEMY COURSE AVAILABLE APRIL 2012. FULLY STOCKED PRO SHOP.

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Seventeen years on our coursenow provides us with mature treelined fairways leading to what arenow some of the best greens in theCounty.

We are continuing with our policy ofproviding enjoyment and challenge,in equal measure, for the full range ofgolfing abilities off the 6131 yardyellows, to 6615 yard whites andvisitors able to use the full 7100yards off black tees this year. Seniorsparticularly enjoy the comfortablewalk, sometimes interrupted by golf,playing at the level they feel happywith in a seriously convivialatmosphere.Developments over the coming yearwill see us opening a three hundredand fifty yard, ten bay Driving Rangeand an Academy Course, for familiesand those just starting out can beginto experience the pleasures of golf.The range will be open from April2012.Buggy tracks for winter golf are nowavailable on the front nine holes.These will be consolidated andimproved this year and a start madeon the tracks for the back nine holes.Chris our pro has a new receptionarea/shop and will be involved inproviding lessons and instruction inparticular for juniors on the newacademy course.Equally important to the playing golfis the friendly atmosphere within theclub and the many social events thatmembers have during the year.

SOME GOLFING HIGHLIGHTS OF2011.

Raglan Parc Golf Club celebrated theclosing stages of this year with twospecial occasions, the ClubPresentation Night, and the Seniorand Dinner Dance. Both were wellattended and much enjoyed, even bythose who were not prize winners.A major winner was the Club’schosen charity, Help for Heroes. TheClub and Ladies Captains Tom Rigbyand Eirlys French, kicked off the Clubproceedings by presenting the charityrepresentative Diana McCrea with acheque for £2300.This year has proved particularlyrewarding for the Club, as membersin various sections, and eachgeneration, have gained successes innational and regional competitions.Teams from the Senior Men’s Sectionwon the Woodlakes Challenge Trophy,competed for by 8 teams at The Bells

Golf Club Coleford and the SouthWales Classic Plate, a knockoutcompetition with the final at TheGrove Golf Club, South Cornelly,Bridgend.Individual achievements were;Graeme Fletcher who won the Welshnational championship cup and AlysThomas who won the under 18'sMonmouthshire county netcompetition.All these achievements crowned agreat year, and it is hoped that theywill prove inspirational for the future.

LADIESRaglan Parc has a thriving andfriendly Ladies section with Ladies ofvarying ages holding a range of Golfhandicaps, who meet every Tuesdayand Thursday throughout the year.The section has 2 league teams,enters teams in the Daily Malnational competitions and alwaystakes part in the Ladies Welsh TeamChampionship. They also play many

friendly matches each season, whichstarts in April, and field a mixed teamin the local Wydean league as well asour own mixed league, which meetseach month during the season.There are not many junior ladies inthe section but the club wouldwelcome more and activelyencourage those we do have to playin both Ladies and juniorcompetitions.Last year the section programme waspacked to the hilt with events, for allages and abilities. In addition to theregular Ladies competitions our Clubdays – Captains Charity, Captains andPresidents are always popular. TheLady Captains away day this yeartook them to Wenvoe Castle and avery enjoyable day was had by allwho attended. The section is grantedcourtesy of the course for 2fundraisers and an invitation eventeach year – the Spring CoffeeMorning and the Winter ChristmasBazaar are always well supportedfrom within and without the Club,whilst the Ladies invitation day isalways popular. In addition the Clubhosts 2 Ladies opens and 2 mixedopens each year.The children’s Christmas party,always attended by Santa Claus, washeld recently and to really get thefestive season underway our annualChristmas Carols evening is heldevery December in the clubhouse.

SENIORSThis thriving section increased innumbers during the year and providesregular golf in a friendly andcompetitive nature.

There are currently 77 members andfor much of the year between 30 and40 members turn up on Monday andWednesday morning for stablefordcompetition including a monthlymedal competition between April andSeptember.Throughout the year there are alsoother competitions, individual andteam for the members.During the summer there are some28 friendly matches, home and awayagainst other clubs with members ofall handicaps welcome to participate.Our Club’s carvery meals after thesematches are considered t be the beston the circuit.Teams have been successful this year,winning the Woodlake Park Challengecompetition and the South WalesSenior Classic Bowl; however weconsider the crowning achievement isthe camaraderie of the members.

The future’s green for Raglan Parc

GRAEME FLETCHER

WOODLAKE CHALLENGE CUP

HELP FOR HEROES CHEQUE

SOUTHWALES CLASSIC

ALYS THOMAS

03● The Winter Issue ● February / March

For more information please contact Jane or Jemma on 01873 890271or visit our website www.theparkhotelwales.com

Tuesday 14th February 2012St Valentines Evening Menu

£29.95 per person. 5 Course Candlelit Dinner for two or more

Sunday 18th February 2012Mothering Sunday Lunch

£25 per person. Three Course Lunch including a glass of housewine on arrival, tea or coffee to finish and Gift for every Mum

Friday 2nd March 2012Adele 2 Tribute

£20 per person includingtwo course dinner and

entertainment until midnight

Sunday 11th MarchWedding Fayre

11am - 4pm Free Admission

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At NWN Media we are committed to addressing the keyenvironmental impacts of printing and the production process, andpreserving the environment for future generations. Ourenvironmental policy is achieved through continuous monitoring,annual targets and action plans.

The sourcing of newsprint is a major environmental concern forpublishers and we at NWN Media source our newsprint from UPMKymmene in Deeside, utilising their 100% recycled paper, which isproduced as a natural, renewable and recyclable fibre fromsustainable, responsibly managed forests. UPM is committed toforest management and forest harvesting practices based on theinternationally accepted principles of sustainable forestmanagement.

UPM Kymmene is just a mile from the press site, which alsokeeps carbon footprint to a minimum in the obtaining of our paper.All newsprint waste is taken back to UPMʼs site and fully recycled.

When you have finishedreading the Gazette & DiaryMagazine - please recycle it.

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The Abergavenny Chronicle

DESIGNERS:Dave [email protected]

John [email protected]

ADVERTISING:Jenna Hopkins ext 26Hazel Walding - Advertising ManagerFor information on how to advertise in our next issue,contact: [email protected] or telephone01873 852187 ext 34 or ext 26

GENERAL MANAGER - Mary Purcell

WelcomeWelcome to the February edition of the Gazette and Diary Magazine. What a mild month its been, fingers crossed that it stays this way, We have even come to noticedaffodils in full bloom in the month of January! However, our sources tell us that early February is to bring rather cold and dry conditions with frost and perhaps a little snow...

For all our Rugby fans, Six Nation Fever is upon us this month, with matches taking place on the 4th February onwards it's going to be an exciting time, will Wales win???Romantics this Valentines take a look inside this month for great places to eat and exciteable ideas for gifts for him and her.Finally for all you homemakers, we have a great guide for home improvements including kitchens all the way through to solar panels, so if moving or just improving this is amust for you!

Page 05Building for thefuture - TheHaberdashers’MonmouthSchools

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Page 22The all-new FordRanger

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Page 14DIY your way tofeeling warmer

Page 20Spotlight on AbergavennyMarket

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Page 19M&D CyclesAbergavenny

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Page 12Making solarpower pay

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Page 11Titchmarshworks towardshis ideal garden

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Page 29Five minuteswith... SirCameronMackintosh

▲Page 26Valentines Giftsfor him and her

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Inside...

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Page 06Let the tranquil waters flow

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Page 27Recipe Corner

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Building forthe futureThe Haberdashers’Monmouth Schools benefitfrom strong links with theHaberdashers’ Company andoffer exceptional facilities andeducational expertise. A teamof experienced and dedicatedteaching staff are geared upfor the different learningstyles of girls and boys. Sport,music, drama and dance addto the rich variety of life atthe Schools, encouragingchildren to achieve their ownpersonal best and instil alifelong love of learning. Eachyear a high number ofscholarships are awarded asboys and girls moveconfidently onto MonmouthSchool and Haberdashers’Monmouth School for Girls.The Governors have recentlyintroduced means-testedbursaries up to 100% of thefees for entry from age 7.

The Grange - Boys aged 7-11, with boarding from 9

Independent research hasplaced The Grange,Monmouth PreparatorySchool, as one of the topthree prep schools in theUK. Boys thrive in a happy,vibrant, atmosphere with anew, state-of-the-art building,providing excellent facilitiescomplete with a large centrallibrary, spacious classrooms,dining facilities with fullyequipped kitchen, science lab,ICT suite and music studios.In addition, the new site isright next door to theMonmouth School SportsComplex with indoor sportshall, astro-turf, 25m pool andover twenty five acres ofsports fields. There is a fullprogramme of after schoolclubs and activities, enablingus to offer 8am to 6pm careis available. Subject specialistteachers transmit theirpassion for their subject totheir pupils who excel in thisschool community.

The best possible start for your son or daughter

Inglefield House - Girls aged 7-11, withboarding from 9Inglefield House is the preparatory schoolof Haberdashers’ Monmouth School forGirls, offering an outstanding educationwith a varied and exciting curriculum forgirls aged 7-11. This close-knit, happy

school has the additional benefit of sharingthe extensive facilities in the senior school.This includes the stunning swimming pool,extensive sports grounds, theatre, dancestudio, dining room, ICT and sciencelaboratories. A broad range of extra-curricular clubs and activities are available

to cater for all interests. An after-schoolclub allows flexibility for parents, extendingthe school day and giving a helping handwith homework if needed. With a strongemphasis on pastoral care and anexperienced teaching team, girls flourish inthis environment.


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If you want to attract wildlife and addcolour, light and movement to yourgarden, create a pond.

Time to think ahead to next Spring so getout into the garden and start planning asoothing water feature. Your pond should suit the style and size ofyour garden. Square, circular and rectangularponds are ideal for formal gardens, whileirregular-shaped ponds are best suited toinformal spaces. Choose a good place for your pond so youdon't spend too much time maintaining it.Avoid shady spots and those nearoverhanging trees and bushes. Becauseyou'll be sinking the pond into the ground,the site should be free from undergroundobstacles, such as drainage pipes. You also need to think about how the pondwill fit into its surroundings. Look for a spotwhere you can plant a border along oneside, because this will help the pond tomerge into the rest of the garden. Larger ponds are generally easier to lookafter, providing you put them in the rightplace. If you want a pond filled with fish andaquatic plants, you'll need a surface area ofat least five metres squared for it to be self-

sustaining. The deepest area should bearound 60cm, with 15cm-deep shelvesaround the edges where shallow-waterplants can grow. If you want a smaller pond, be prepared tomaintain it regularly, or don't have fish in it.Plant-only ponds can look just as nice andare great for wildlife - in fact, fish will eatmany of the creatures you're trying toattract.

For more information, seewww.getintogardening.co.uk

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Bespoke Kitchens, Furniture and Interesting Carpentry

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Bespoke Kitchens, Furnitureand Interesting CarpentryMick McNamara specialises in bespokekitchens, furniture and unusualassignments.

Mick feels that the demands placed onkitchens in the 21st century are very exactingand he believes they must be ‘seriouslybeautiful and effortlessly functional’, whatevertheir style.“The key to ensuring a seamless combinationof the two is the bespoke kitchen, designedand built to provide unique solutions to yourspecific needs.” This includes an innovativesolution for flood prone areas.He works with a variety of woods and manmade materials. Items can be fitted or stand-alone. Style could be minimal orcontemporary, traditional with a twist or even

just timelessly traditional.Kitchens are only one element of the Mick’sportfolio as he provides the creativity andexpertise to bring any idea to life. He has atalent for problem-solving and he loves theopportunity of facing a challenge to createexclusive solutions.From initial concept to completed project,Mick provides unrivalled attention to detail andfinish and the promise of individuality. Whenhe undertakes commissions on older buildingshe aims to work in harmony with the structureto ensure a sympathetic solutions withoutsacrificing 21st century efficiency.Mick emphasises that every commissionedpiece is tailor-made, with every project beingof a unique design which is created exclusivelyto the most exacting standards.

Doleq Carpets"I liked the business so much, I bought thecompany," is a variation on a well knownslogan, but for two local entrepreneurs it’s justwhat they have done.

For the past couple of decades Alan Watson ranDoleq Carpets from the Noble Square IndustrialEstate in Brymawr and the factory outlet was verymuch part of the fabric of the town. But at the end of last year the owner decided toretire and sell up. However two of the company’sfitters who had been working for Doleq Carpets forover 25 years each, had other ideas and broughtthe company between them.Shane Whelpton and Anthony Lewis swapped theiroveralls for suits and took over the organisation,which employs five people, at the end of December2011.

The company, which is renowned for selling a goodrange of carpets and stocks of other floorcoverings, including laminate flooring and vinylcoverings has even taken on an apprentice in itsfirst weeks of trading under new management.Shane said: “I’ve compared the order book with thistime last year and we have already doubled lastyear’s fittings. “We are ambitious and while we aim to continueto cultivate our regular customers we are planningan expansion. This will be done over a period oftime as we don’t want to run before we can walk.”Anthony added: “Taking over the business has givenus renewed enthusiasm and we are up for themany challenges that will be presented to us.“We don’t intend standing still and we shall belooking at broadening our customer base bygaining additional contract work and our long termaim is to open up a second outlet.”Neville Whitestone, who has also been with thecompany for more years than he can remembersremains as the showroom’s salesman.

■ The new owners of Doleq Carpets Shane Whelpton and Anthony Lewis outside their outlet in Brynmawr.


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UPVC windows can reallytransform the look of yourhome; as well improve securityand energy efficiency.

uPVC windows are the mostpopular kind in the UK "The mostpopular type of window framesare definitely uPVC" says TomRawcliffe, from Dee Windows inCheshire. UPVC stands for un-plasticised polyvinylchloride(sometimes referred to as Vinyl orridged plastic) and is a commonwindow and door frame material.

UPVC windows are:

Energy efficient - because uPVC keeps the heatin and is an insulating material; "they can reduceheat loss from your home", says Graham Dear,from Addlestone Windows and Conservatories inSurrey. "This helps to lower both your fuel billsand carbon footprint".

Low cost - in comparison to other windowframe types like wood, uPVC is a cheaper option. Good for reducing noise pollution the thicknessand insulating nature of uPVC window frameswill reduce noise pollution, which is especiallyhandy if you live near a main road.

Durable - "uPVC is hard wearingand durable, much more so thanwood frames," says windowinstaller Tom. Unlike othermaterials, uPVC won‚t rot; warpor crack, even in extreme

conditions and is fire resistant.

Long lasting - good quality uPVCwindows can last around 35 years

Good for security - "Because it issuch a tough material, uPVC

provides good security,"explains Graham. UPVCwindows can be fitted with

extra safety features like locks andchildproof hinges.

Attractive - new windows will appeal to buyersand may even increase the value of your home.

Low maintenance - the occasional clean is allyour uPVC windows will need; "Unlike woodframes which need repainting or stainingregularly," points out Tom.

Available in different colours and finishes -this means you can choose uPVC windows tosuit your homes existing style. UPVC frameswith a wood grain finish are popular.

What are Sash Windows?Sash windows, are sliding windows, whichusually slide vertically, but which can slidehorizontally and which are normally inpairs.

The original design of the sash window isattributed to the English inventor, RobertHooke (1635 - 1703) and sash windows werea very common type of window, especially inGeorgian residences and also Victorian houses.In these residences, the most common sashwindow used was and is the classical style oftwo frames each with six panels. Thishowever, was a style particular to those typesof residence and is not a fixed rule - manydifferent styles of these windows survive andare in use today.

Sash windows have an advantage that allowsthem to be partially opened without thewindow falling back into the closed position,as would be expected of a heavy verticalframe. This can be achieved in different ways.Earlier types of these windows had ropes andcounter weights (or sash weights) that wereset into the window frame. More moderntypes of sash type windows use friction tracksto achieve the same result. This is a preferablemethod in the construction of modern houseswith thinner outer walls.Other types of windows with sashes can havehinges on one side, which, when the counterbalance is disconnected on the other side,allows the window to be swung open. Thiscan be used as a safety measure or forcleaning purposes.

In the past the materials used in theconstruction of these window frames wasentirely of timber. With the development ofnew products, it is quite usual to see metal(particularly aluminium) and uPVC being usedinstead of wooden sash windows. Manypeople have to make what can be a difficultchoice between timber and uPVC sashwindows. In a further development withregard to the evolution‚ of sash windows, it isnow common to install double glazed sashwindows or triple glazed windows, and therehas been a reversion to traditional sash timberwindows, which can be painted or stained,according to the owner's wishes.

Sash Window Restoration.Sash windows have contributed in a majorway to architecture, and the evolution indesign of these windows show the changes inarchitectural and social history over severalcenturies.There are window companies which specialisein the sash window repairs - some olderwindows can have quite a complicatedcounter weight system. If at all possible, it isin the future interest of our architecturalheritage that every effort be made to repairyour sash windows and retain their fantasticfeatures for future generations. Maintainingyour timber sash windows and painting yoursash windows can be a slow and sometimesdifficult undertaking and installingreplacement sash windows can be a temptingoption, but they are tasks that will bring theirrewards.

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As the ideal gardens ambassador forthis year's Ideal Home Show, TVgardening expert Alan Titchmarshneeds to stay ahead of the times.

Keeping a keen eye on gardening trends,landscaping designs and what the public will begrowing in 2012 and beyond, he predicts thatthe 'grow your own' campaign will be as strongas ever this year."Growing your own will still be popular," he says,"and veg can be fitted into pockets on the flowerborder as well as on a dedicated veg patch."Climbers on house walls are set to make aresurgence - who needs to look at boringbrickwork? Just make sure that adequate wireor trellis supports are provided."And repeat-flowering roses should be in everygarden - in and among border perennials andshrubs - dedicated rose beds are now out," hesays.Despite heavy TV commitments, Titchmarshwill be out in his Hampshire garden this winter,preparing it for spring and beyond."Getting my garden ready for spring issomething that, like everybody else, I try to fitin around work. But it's vital and my garden ismy safety valve as well as my canvas."My garden has good lines. Perspective,proportion and form are every bit as importantto me as colour. There is lots of evergreen

topiary - clipped box and yew - but within theborders there are billowing banks of perennials,shrubs and roses."I also have a wild flower meadow and a wildlifepond, providing great entertainment and areally good way of doing my bit forconservation. My garden is my sanctuary."Winter offers time for planning new bordersand allows gardeners time to do jobs little bylittle, he says."The great thing about winter is that thingsmove slowly in the garden and we have achance to catch up. It's not all about tidying,though there is some of that to do - borderperennials to cut back (I like to leave some oldfoliage on in winter to help insects and birds),the last of the leaves to clear up and compost."I lightly fork over the earth between plants inearly spring, working in a sprinkling of blood,fish and bone and then, among shrubs inparticular, I mulch with chipped bark to seal inmoisture and keep down weeds."Winter is a great time to take a long, hard lookat the garden and work out where there aregaps in terms of interest, he reflects.Deciduous trees and shrubs are best plantednow (provided the soil is not waterlogged orfrozen) to give them a head start in spring,while perennials should be ordered now forplanting in early spring so that the year can getoff to a flying start.

If the ground's too hard or wet to work on, curlup on a winter's evening with some seedcatalogues and work out what you want togrow this year, making your order quickly forthe best selection, he suggests.If you're creating a new veg plot, decide whatyou like eating and how much space such cropswill take up. Then work out sowing andharvesting times so that the best use is made ofyour veg patch."Order your seeds early and store them in ashoe-box in order of sowing times," he advises."Don't sow too much of quick-maturing cropssuch as lettuce and radish at the same time, butmake smaller sowings every few weeks toensure a succession of tender young crops."Indoors in January and February, you can sowgeranium (pelargonium) seeds early - they take

a long while to grow and will flower sooner ifthey are raised on a warm windowsill.Sprout seed potatoes so that they get off to aflying start when they are planted out later.At the Ideal Home Show 2012, Titchmarsh willbe judging the Ideal Young Gardeners of theYear competition in which six colleges go headto head to create sustainable show gardens."We need to do much more to promotehorticulture as a career and to pass on ourgardening skills. It is the most rewarding of jobs,tough at times, yes, but one which allows us todo our bit for the future of the planet."

● The Ideal Home Show at London's EarlsCourt runs from March 16 to April 1. To booktickets, visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk or call0844 858 6763.

Titchmarsh works towardshis ideal garden


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01562 745 265or email [email protected] visit www.eco2solar.co.uk

Just as you can’t fail to have noticed theincreasing number of solar panels thathave been appearing on roofs over the lastcouple of years, it’s almost impossible tohave missed the debate surrounding theGovernment’s proposed reduction in thefeed in tariff (FIT) – the amount of moneythat householders with solar panels receivefor generating their own electricity.

Midland’s based solar panel installer Eco2Solaris not immune from the fall-out of the FITreduction. However, according to its managingdirector Paul Hutchens, the news isn’tnecessarily as bad as it first seems. “Before the FIT announcement, householderswere promised annual returns of up to 15%from solar panels; which were alwaysunsustainable in the long-term. The proposednew 21p rate, for every kWh of electricitygenerated, is seen by the Government as morerealistic”. Eco2Solar believe that a 10% annualreturn is possible, based on the proposed 21ptariff; which if viewed simply as aninvestment, beats anything currently availablefrom any UK bank. “We can confidently offerthis return on the 21p FIT because Eco2Solarhas lowered its costs by reducing our marginsand working closely with our suppliers toachieve a better deal” he explains.

If you would like to know more aboutEco2Solar, call us on 01562 977 977, orvisit our website www.eco2solar.co.uk

Making solar power pay


Wye ValleyReclamation

Herefordshire’s largestreclamation yardFlagstones • Sleepers

Bricks • Stone TroughsGazebos • Garden Features

and much more!Monday–Friday 8-5

Saturday–Sunday 8-4Lloyd George House, Fordshill Road,

Rotherwas, Hereford HR2 [email protected]

01432 353 606

Kick start for self-build projectsWe looks at whether self-builds are ripe for acomeback and reveals how Britons are seeking outpotential bargains in Greece

Housing minister Grant Shapps has thrown his weightbehind a new campaign to persuade more families toundertake self-build projects in which they find theirown plot of land and build the home of their dreams.Self-building is hardly an easy option, but when pricesare rising, capital gains can be spectacular.When the housing market was booming until summer2007, self-builders produced about 20,000 homes ayear. Now self-build produces barely half thattotal, and interest in the concept hasplunged.According to the UK Self-Build report,compiled by Homebuilding & RenovatingMagazine, the number of self-build homesproduced in the year to March 31,2011 was13,860 - a decline of 11.5% on the previousyear.That is barely 10% of the total 105,000 newhomes we build each year, while the level ofdemand, say forecasters, means we should buildaround 240,000.Michael Holmes, editor in chief at Homebuilding &Renovating, says: "The average duration of a self-build

project is 18 to 24 months, compared to eight to ninemonths for the speculative development market, so thelatest figures reflect conditions and sentiment during2008/09 when the mortgage crisis was at its worst."Numbers are unlikely to improve significantly until theavailability of self-build funding returns to more normallevels and confidence in the housing market recovers. "The consensus is that this will not be until 2012 at theearliest."


1. Strip wallpaperAn electric wallpaperstripper is like a bigkettle and creates lotsof steam, so it's a greatway to get warm.Moving the scraper upand down will help, too, especiallyif the wallpaper is hard to remove.

2. Paint your wallsSimilarly, moving your paint roller up anddown can keep you warm. If you want topaint after dark, use powerful work lights soyou can see what you're doing - they giveoff a surprising amount of heat.

3. Paint your woodworkUsing quick-drying wood and metal paint is a goodidea at any time of year, but especially in winter.Freezing temperatures will slow down the dryingprocess, though, so train a fan heater on your freshlypainted woodwork to speed things up and make youtoasty.

4. SandSanding is often vigorous work, so it'll keep youwarm. You won't get a good finish if you don't sandthoroughly, so put your back into it and you'll benefitin more ways than one.

5. Silicone sealTo silicone seal around a bath, you need to fill it withwater. This replicates the weight of someone havinga bath and helps to prevent the sealant fromcracking. When you're doing the sealing, sit on theedge of the bath with your feet and legs in the water- as long as the water's hot, you'll be warm.

Ask the expert...Q: I like the look of a slate floor, but I'm worriedthat slate tiles will be too hard for me to laymyself, which I want to do to cut costs. Is therean easier alternative?

A: You should find ceramic intimations of slateeasier to cut and lay, or, if you want to avoidtiling altogether, slate-effect laminate, which isstraightforward to fit once you've got the hangof it. If you'd prefer real slate, choose tiles thataren't very thick and buy a diamond-wheelflatbed tile cutter - it's easy to cut them on oneof these. Cutting is the hardest bit, so as long asyou can do that, you should be able to lay thefloor yourself.

Seasonal task...Check the exterior of your home, especially the roof, fordamage inflicted by the recent storms and high winds.Missing tiles, for example, can cause leaks, so use a pair ofbinoculars to help you to assess the condition of the roofsafely, without having to go on it.

DIY news bulletinThe B&Q winter sale has already started and it's asale with a difference because the company will beatany price in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroommarket (terms and conditions apply).

It's also launched a four-year interest-free credit deal tohelp customers spread the cost of their kitchen,bathroom or bedroom in these cash-strapped times.The best deals include the Cooke & Lewis Helenabathroom suite, reduced from £1,036 to £642; the Cooke& Lewis Cascata walk-in shower enclosure, reduced from£549 to £275; and the Cooke & Lewis Carisbrookekitchen, reduced from £3,575.50 to £2,512.66 for aneight-unit example.

The event is on until the beginning of March.See www.diy.com for details.

Feel the warmthHere’s how to DIY your way to feeling warmer


Hereford Gas Services LtdFor all your gas requirements

Unit 4, Mortimer Trading Centre, Mortimer Road, Herefordwww.herefordgasservices.co.uk

Tel / Fax: (01432) 272329

● Central Heating● Installations● Boiler Servicing● LPG / Oil / Solar● Systems Updates● Repairs● Large display of fireplaces● Gas Fires● Cookers and Ranges on display● Showers● Competitive Prices

Hereford Gas Services is a local independent companyspecialising in gas installation, servicing and maintenance.

We have the largest showroom in Herefordshire with over 80 gas fires and fireplaces on display.Hereford Gas Services prides itself with an excellent reputation across the country with many of

our valued customers visiting us year on year.

7 Year Warranty on selected boilers!

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01981 570456

Potato Day atMcdonaldsGarden Centre,Llanfoist withMr DavidChappel, theexpert. 10am–3pm

13-18AbergavennyPantomimeCompanypresents PeterPan. Ticketsavailable fromthe BoroughTheatre –further details.Tel: 01873850805

16,17,18 LlangynidrPantomime “SheerLuck Homes”. 7 pm.Tickets £4,concessions £3.Tel: 01874 730179,01874 730287

Pick up your copy ofthe AbergavennyChronicle everyThursday

Pick up your copy ofthe AbergavennyChronicle everyThursday

Abergavenny Chronicle

Abergavenny Chronicle

Brecon. 15th AnnualConcert Rorkes Drift.Evening 7.30pm. Anoutstanding musicaloccasion with over ahundred musiciansand performance ofmilitary personneltaking part.

AbergavennyFarmers Market,Market Hall,Abergavenny, FreshLocal produce.

Borough Theatre,7.30pm, JonathanJenkins talk aboutHowick Farm -1306 to present.ALHS. Members tobring cards, nonmembers can joinon the night, or call01873 850220.

Pandy &MonnowsidePloughingSociety, FunBingo, 8pm,Pandy Hall.

Toy and TrainCollectors Fair,Gilwern VillageHall evening7pm to 9pm

Tony Benn willtalk about“Palestine”: aCentral MoralIssue of OurTime”, In StMary’s PrioryCentre,Abergavenny6.30p.m for7pm. Free entry.Contact Tel :01873 812541.

Brecon. 15th Annual ConcertRorkes Drift. Evening 7.30pm.An outstanding musicaloccasion with over a hundredmusicians and performance ofmilitary personnel taking part.Inclusive cost £20 per person,Coach/Theatre. Coach departsat 6pm from AbergavennyBus Station. Limited tickets.Reservations 01873 852567.

FFeebbrruuaarryy 22001122

For the fish● 2 sole fillets, skinned● salt and freshly ground black pepper● 1 monkfish fillet● 300g/11oz salmon fillet, skinned● 500g/1lb 2oz mixed Chinese greens● 1 mackerel, filleted● 1 tsp olive oilFor the plum sauce● 1 tbsp olive oil● 3 spring onions, sliced● 1 cinnamon stick● 2 whole star anise● 500g/1lb 2oz plums, stoned & roughlychopped● 125ml/5fl oz rice wine vinegar● 75g/3oz caster sugar

Method:1. Cut the sole fillets into four even-sized piecesand season with salt and freshly ground blackpepper. Roll each one up.2. Cut the monkfish and salmon into the samesized pieces as the rolled sole, then season lightlywith salt and black pepper.3. Place the fish into a steamer set over a pan ofsimmering water, cover and steam for 3-4minutes, or until just cooked through.4. Meanwhile, place the greens in a separatesteamer and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until justtender.5. Cut the mackerel fillets into four even-sizedpieces and season with salt and black pepper.6. Heat a frying pan until hot, add the olive oiland mackerel skin-side down.7. Fry for two minutes, then flip and cook for afurther minute. Remove from the pan and setaside to rest.8. For the plum sauce, heat a deep-sided fryingpan and add the olive oil and spring onions. Fryfor one minute, or until just softened, then addthe spices.9. Stir fry for a further minute, add the plumsand stir to combine.10. Add the vinegar and sugar and bring to theboil.11. Cover and simmer for five minutes, or untilthe plums have softened.12. Remove from the heat and remove the

cinnamon andstar anise.13. Place themixture into ablender andprocess to apurée.14. Pass througha sieve into abowl. Seasonwith a little saltand freshlyground blackpepper.15. To serve, pilethe greens ontoeach plate, placethe fish on topand a spoonful ofplum saucealongside.

Recipe Corner

Steamed fish with Chinese greens & plum sauce


Nick Ramsay AMAssembly Member for Monmouth

Hospitals - Schools - TransportEnvironment - Housing

Write to:Nick Ramsay AM,Constituency Office, 16 Maryport Street,Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1AB

E-mail: [email protected]

For further information call:01291 674 898 or 029 2089 8735

CashbrokersValentines Day is the ideal opportunity tosurprise that special person in your life with abeautiful gift of jewellery.

Nothing compares to the sparkle of a clean cutwhite diamond or the lustre of fine gold and silverjewellery as a special gift for the one you love.Cashbrokers in Market Street, Abergavenny canprovide you with that special gift at a very specialprice.Shop owners, Dean & Iolanda said, ‘We are able to offer different and exciting piecesof jewellery at a fraction of the cost of the HighStreet Jewellers. Our jewellery does not attractthe high mark-up that is charged on newjewellery. Each item that is bought in isthoroughly checked and cleaned and only the bestpieces are offered for re-sale in the window. All

jewellery comes with our personal 28-dayguarantee and a no quibble refund is offered if thejewellery is found to be faulty in any way’.Cashbrokers take payment by cash or card andalso offer a Layaway scheme where you canspread the cost by paying in easy instalments. An added benefit is that you can exchange any ofyour old pieces of jewellery against the price ofyour new item, even if it is damaged or broken.In addition to the Gold, Silver and Jewellery,Cashbrokers services include Cheque Cashing,Short and Long Term Loans and Payday Advances.Dean & Iolanda are building upon their reputationby offering good old fashioned customer serviceand they have already built up a sound customerbase with much repeat business.The Cashbrokers line – ‘Your Friend with Some Cash’– is taken seriously by everyone within the Company.

Other items such as electrical items, phones,iPods, laptops, TVs etc are on sale atCashbrokers and are available throughCashbrokers website on E-Baywww.cashbrokers.co.uk or ask in store.You can be assured of a warm welcome whenyou visit the Cashbrokers store in Market Streetwhich is open 6 days a week. There is parking

available opposite in the Brewery Yard Car Parkin Market Street.

For more information call us on:Tel: 01873 850006 e-mail: [email protected], www.cashbrokers.co.uk


FOR FRIENDLY PERSONAL SERVICESCONTACT 01873 854980

BEST BY MILES IN THE BRECON BEACONS FORCYCLE SALES, REPAIRS, SERVICES & ACCESSORIES

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M&D Cycles AbergavennyOver the past couple of years M&D Cyclesin Frogmore Street have gone throughsome changes since it opened over eightyears ago.

In January this year Miles Preece took solecontrol of the Internationally knownAbergavenny Bicycle shop and is now movinginto the next stage of its development.Miles along with Argo Bowsher, mechanic,wheel builder and salesman are always thereto offer honest, impartial advice on all typesof bikes and accessories. They carry out repairs and servicing to thehighest standard, custom bike and wheelbuilds, and can get you just about anythingyou might need, want or desire for your bike. For many years M&D Cycles have beenrunning a cycle race team, taking part in timetrials, road races, track and mountain biking.The riders have had varying degrees ofsuccess, being Welsh team time trialchampions, the Ladies mountain bike teamtaking second place in the Mountain Mayhem24 hour race. Now with the new direction in the shop, anew challenge is being undertaken.Last year in the Junior Tour of Wales Miles wasaware that in the premier junior cycle race inWales, there were only seven WELSH riders. Asa result he made plans to form a Juniorcycling team made up of purely Welsh cyclists. A team of like minded people wanting todevelop young Cyclists was formed to follow inthe footsteps of people like Geraint Thomas,Jon Mould and Luke Rowe and they are lookingtowards the 2014 Commonwealth Games,Olympics and professional cycle contracts.Miles and the team then approached thegoverning body of Cycling in Wales, WelshCycling. With the ideas and commitment todevelop a group of young cyclists to a cyclingfuture. As a result, five riders were beenselected, those being Owen James, OwenThomas, Matt Cross, Robbie Westwood (one ofthe lucky people to be selected to carry theOlympic Torch through Wales) and Scott Davies. The first Team ride out saw all the juniors , themanagement team and some of the seniorteam, as well as Para-olympian, MarkColbourne, who along with other prominentpro-cyclists have agreed to be ambassadorsfor the team and will help mentor the youngerriders.Miles approached various suppliers within thecycling trade and secured sponsorship for theteam form Kinetica, at sports nutritioncompany, whose European Sales Manager liveslocally in Abergavenny, Merckx Bikes, KaskHelmets, Northwave Shoes and ContinentalTyres. With these sponsors, and the new the newdirection that Miles is taking the shop, theWhite and black cycling kit has undergone aradical change in both colour and design,which will be revealed soon when the team is officiallylaunched to the public.These five 16 year old racers already hold avarious number of Welsh Youth championshipmedals in track racing, road racing and timetrialing, with Matt and Owen both taking partin the televised Revolution track cycling seriesfrom the Manchester velodrome.The senior team of cyclists who stayed withthe team after all the upheaval, are noslouches either, NIck Jones and Ross 'Nogie’Farley competed in the Trans Wales seven daystage race, as a pair, finishing third, and both

of them getting regular high placings in the MTBMarathon series.M&D Cycles stock some of the best bike brandsin the world, including Specialised, Wilier, Felt,Whyte and their newest acquisition, bikesdesigned by the best cyclist in the world and fivetime Tour de France winner, Eddy Merckx. Theyalso stock entry level bikes for families and

children from Claud Butler, Falcon , as well asfrom Felt and Specialised.Accessories you can also find in the wide stockrange instore come from Shimano, Endura,Castelli, Kask, Continental, Polar Northwave,Fulcrum and Enve, to name but a few. A hugerange of accessories are available , and if wehaven't got it, we can get it.

■ The junior team on our first ride out as the M&D Cycles / Kinetica Cycle racing team.Left to right - Karl Nielson (Team Manager), Matt Cross, Owen James, Owen Thomas,Robbie Westwood, Scott Davies, Miles Preece (Team Director)


ABERGAVENNY

MARKETSituated in the middle of the town known as the Gateway to Wales, Abergavenny

Tuesday Market is well known as one of the major markets in Wales.

MARKETS EVERY TUESDAY,

WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY &

SATURDAYS

Antique Fair Sunday 19th February

Farmers MarketThursday 23rd February

Flea Marketsevery Wednesday

For further

details contact

Geoff Harris

01873 735811

St. Mary’s Bakery

Outside Catering:Delicious Finger Buffets for Birthdays, Christenings, Weddings,

Funerals, Children’s Parties or business lunches.Whatever the Occasion we can put together a tasty selection of

Sandwiches, Savouries, Fruits and confectionary to your specification.No matter how large or small the order, buffets start at just £3.75 per head.

For more information pop into the bakery or call -

Abergavenny: 01873 268183St. Mary’s Bakery, 15 Frogmore St, Abergavenny

COME AND SEE OUR SUMMER OFFERSLocal Llanbedr BlackMountain Welsh Beef

Local Welsh Glanusk Lamb

Local free range GloucesterOld Spot Pork

53 HIGH ST Crickhowell NP8 1BH

01873 810405

M. T. CASHELL& SONS LTD

High Class, High Street Butcher / Green Grocer / Delicatessen

Spotlight on Abergavenny MarketYou can never tell when life changing experienceswill occur.

And for one engineer, affected by the foot and mouthdisease epidemic in 2001, it was the time he decided toset up his own business as a market trader initiallyselling antiques - a hobby of his at the time.Today Frank Williams says that from selling bric-a-bracoddities, his stall has evolved into selling a wide rangeof tools and other items related to engineering,gardening and DIY.He said: “In the early days I noticed that another market

trader was selling a wooden box full of old toolsand I noticed how much interested this wasgenerating and I had to go and investigate.“It dawned on me that instead of competing withother glass and porcelain traders that I shouldspecialise in tools as this subject was also asubject that interests me.”Over the past eleven years Frank has travelled thecountry attending house clearance auctions andspecialist sales selling tools used by skilledtradesmen in the past that have almostdisappeared today as power tools and technologyhas made many of the traditional skills of thepast redundant.Mr Williams added: “Over the years I’ve got toknow what some of my customers are collectingor they have asked me to look out for somethingparticular. Its knowing what creates an interesthelps make the stall a success and the moreunusual the items, the better.”Odd spanners, a range of planes, a handful ofmallets and a grease gun are just some of theitems lining the stall.Mr Williams added: “People come from milesaround to see what I have got. One person I knowfrom West Wales regularly travels to the Marketin Abergavenny to see what scientific tools I haveand its surprising how many casket makers cameto me as they always seem to prefer traditionaltools like steel rules to help them make theircoffins.“I’ve got model engineers, vintage car restorersand gunsmiths who often tell me what I’ve got inmy possession if I am unsure of something. In thepast a tool was created for a certain job, however

some tools like a spokes-shave do have crossoveruses as it can be used by a cooper or awheelwright.”Running the stall is the easy side of the businessfor Frank as explains that there is a lot of runningaround to acquire his range of ordinary andunusual tools.John Norman from Bryngwyn, a regular customerto the stall interrupts and says: “The stall is like agoldmine to me and other model engineers as hehas items that are difficult to find along with lotsof other interesting and unusual items.”A woman then interrupts and purchases a job lotof spanners from a clearance box and reveals that

they will be used for a sculpting project.Mr Williams observed: “Examining the tools ofyesteryear, you can see they were of good qualityand made to last, which is why they are stillaround today - and in many cases a century afterthey were first made. I don’t think many oftoday’s tools made today will be around even in50 years time.”“I love everything about engineering and to mebeing a market trader is one of the best jobs inthe world. Its great to see the delight on people’sfaces when the find something that they havebeen looking out for over a number of years.”

■ Frank Williams at his tool stall at Abergavenny Market

● The Winter Issue ● February / March 21

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Do you have the dilemma of being adriver but without a licence?

A local driving instructor is offering help tounlicensed drivers the help they need topass the driving test. Mike Hassell who helps many students passtheir driving test says that for many reasonsunlicensed drivers, many who have beendriving for years, are increasingly turning tohim for help in obtaining a full licence. He said: “One pupil could not face theprospect of his teenage children embarkingon driving lessons when he had neverobtained a driving license himselfthroughout the years the children had beengrowing up. He knew he had to becomelegitimate and with our help he obtained hisfull licence.” Mr Hassell has been told of numerousinstances of people not taking a driving test

with others assumingthey were a driverbecause they hadalways driven.Mr Hassell: “I offer aservice with completediscretion and understand that adriver may not wish anyone to know whatthey are doing. I can assure anyone thatconfidentiality will be maintained and thetrain could be conducted in an area manymiles from where the driver lives or works.”There is no shortcut to obtaining a fulldriving licence. You need to obtain aprovisional licence; pass the theory test andthen pass your practical driving test. Mr Hassell concluded: “This is a confidentialway that an unlicensed driver, knowing itwas wrong to drive but did not know how toget out of the situation, to pass their drivingtest.”

Mike’s Driving School

Full hybrid Yaris set for GenevaHere is a sneak peek of the first full hybridsupermini on the market, the new Toyota YarisHybrid, which will have its world premiere at theGeneva Motor Show in March.With the ability to run solely on electric power, withzero exhaust emissions, it also acts as a closedsystem and never needs to be recharged. Thesystem is similar to that seen in the Auris Hybrid,but redeveloped in key areas to make it 20% lighter.The Yaris Hybrid's 1.5-litre petrol engine is new,while the motor, battery pack and associatedcomponents are smaller.The result is a Yaris just like any other with thefamily face to match, but combining 98bhp withwhat Toyota is calling "segment-leading CO2emissions." Its key rival is the Honda Jazz Hybrid,which doesn't run a full hybrid system and emits104g/km, so expect sub-100g/km from the Yaris.Toyota is staying tight-lipped about final

numbers until official tests have been run and thedata confirmed.What's particularly impressive is that Toyota hasbeen able to package all the hybrid technologywithout compromising interior or boot space atall, leaving it with the same 286-litre luggagecapacity as any other version.Modifications have been made, however, to theaerodynamics of the hybridmodel to make sure it's as efficient as it can be.There will be driving modes available for usingthe electric motor as much as possible, creating azero-emission, super-quiet car for in-towndriving. When the batteries' energy is depletedthe petrol engine will cut back in and help torecharge them.Final specifications are yet to be confirmed, butall models will come with continuously variableautomatic transmissions and climate control.

Gazette Motors

Vauxhall has announced details of anew 'Tech Line' trim which focuses onefficiency-boosting technology andcould mean significant savings overother models.

Applied only to the Astra and Insigniaranges, Tech Line trim means certainmodels of Astra fall to 99g/km of CO2,making them road tax free under thecurrent rules. The Insignia drops as low as115g/km, putting it in the same road taxbracket as much more expensive options.Tech Line has been designed primarily tooffer business users the cheapest cost ofownership, with the least-polluting ofthe models offering large benefit in kindsavings when compared to otherversions in Vauxhall's line-up.But these are no stripped-out boxesriding on small wheels to eke out everylast unit of MPG. All Tech Line modelshave sat-nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth, USB

connectivity for MP3 players and phones,17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control anda chrome-effect side window surroundas standard.There is also a massive choice of engines,although only certain diesel optionsachieve the lowest costs. In the Astra,that's the 1.7-litre EcoFlex withstop/start technology.Both 108bhp and 128bhp forms weigh inat only 99g/km.In the Insignia, the most efficient optionis the 2.0-litre, 158bhp CDTi EcoFlexdiesel, again with a stop/start system.It's narrowly more efficient than thecheaper 128bhp 2.0-litre CDTi EcoFlex;the more powerful motor recording115g/km while the less powerful versionmakes do with 116g/km.Tech Line specification is available nowon the Astra and Insignia, but there areno plans as yet to introduce it to anyother model lines.

Vauxhall ‘Tech Line’improves bottom line


MONMOUTH CHIROPRACTIC AND WELLBEING CLINICCommerce House Monnow Street Monmouth

Contact Lucy or Michele on 01600 714452 or 07585 552462or email [email protected]

FEBRUARY OFFER25% saving on:

❏ Initial Chiropractic consultation and one treatment❏ Clinical Hypnotherapy - Weight Management Sessions

❏ BodyTalk Holistic Therapy Sessions

The all-new Ford RangerThe all-new Ford Ranger - the latest in awave of global vehicles - made itsworldwide debut at the 2010 AustralianInternational Motor Show.

The all-new Ranger has a powerful presenceand promises to give pickup truck owners morecan-do capability and a transformed truckownership experience.From impressive gains in power and safety toexceptional towing capability, the next-generation Ford Ranger emerges as a clearsegment leader. It not only builds on thetremendous Ranger heritage of pickup truckcapability, but it also gives truck owners aspacious, comfortable, feature-filled interiorand sophisticated driving experience theywould expect to find only in a car.Amongst the most high-tech in its segment,Ford Ranger is the impressive result of an all-new global compact pickup truck platform

from Ford - the latest to emerge under thecompany's One Ford initiative - and Mazda. Itreplaces two previous-generation compacttruck platforms currently in production topresent a new face of Built Ford Tough tocustomers around the world.Built on innovation, it boasts a list oftechnologies and features to lead the segment- including a new Rearview Camera System,Rear Park Assist, Trailer Sway Control andAdaptive Load Control. Ford plans to revealeven more new Ranger technologies in thecoming months.Destined for sale across five continents andmore than 180 markets, Ford Ranger will beoffered as a complete family of compact trucks- with three different cab body styles, 4x2 and4x4 drivetrains, two ride heights and up to fiveseries choices, depending on the market.

Contact 01291 690423 Raglan Ford

How Chiropractics can support yourhealth and wellbeing in the New Year

Detroit: Audi goes off-piste with Q3Seen in public for the first time at theDetroit Auto Show, Audi has unveiled a newconcept based on the current Q3 SUV.

Dubbed the Q3 Vail, it is a more dynamicversion with a winter sports theme - althoughthe key change is the adoption of the 2.5-litrefive-cylinder engine seen elsewhere in the Audirange.The Vail adds a two-tone colour scheme with abespoke body colour - Energy Red - combinedwith matt grey lower sections, prominentrunning boards, a single-frame grille and a slick

roof rack with LED lights built in.However it is the powerful 310bhp engine that isthe most interesting feature, delivering a 5.5second 0-62mph time and a top speed of 163mph.Although many of the Veil's features remainconceptual, the adoption of this characterfulfive-cylinder engine points the way to a futureQ3 production model wearing the S badgewhich will be the flagship of the range.Although Audi remains tight-lipped on thesubject, a production Q3 with this enginelayout would be likely to appear towards theend of 2012.

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession thatprimarily focuses on the musculo-skeletalsystem and the spine and the effects on thenervous system as it relates to the patient’shealth.

The majority of patients who consult achiropractor do so for back and leg pain, neckand arm pain and headaches. Chiropractic is alsobeneficial in the treatment of sports injuriesaffecting joints as well as a variety of otherconditions including infantile colic, childhoodasthma and bedwetting and in treating pregnantwomen with chronic pelvic pain during and afterpregnancy. Another area chiropractic treatmentcan help is with sleep problems: learning theoptimum positions for rest and a good night’ssleep can be a primary factor in maintaining orregaining a healthy life balance.Lucy Benning, an experienced Monmouth basedchiropractor, believes that as we live longer thechallenge for all of us is to maintain an activelife for as long as possible. We are not helped,however, by our increasingly sedentary

desk/computer based lifestyles and it is notsurprising that more and more people areexperiencing lower back and neck pains andheadaches.Most people take medication when they are inpain and, as Lucy explains, there is nothingwrong with that but pain is the result of aproblem and not the cause of it. A professionallyqualified chiropractor aims to treat the cause ofthe pain. Chiropractic treatment can be the keyto a body functioning healthily throughout andchiropractics helps each person to get the bestof what they have by keeping things in line.Lucy practices Chiropractics at the newly openedMonmouth Chiropractic and Wellbeing Cliniclocated in Commerce House, Monnow Street,Monmouth. The Practice also includes a ClinicalHypnotherapy and Psychotherapy Practitionerand a Certified Bodytalk Practitioner (BodyTalk isa new Holistic Therapy system to Wales).

To make an appointment contact Lucy on07585 552462 or [email protected]

The cars used in F1 championships are quitedifferent from usual cars. Just go throughthese interesting facts on these cars andyou will know how different both theversions are.

Approximate 80,000 components cometogether to make an F1 car. The cars have to beassembled with cent per cent accuracy. If itwere assembled 99.9% correctly, it would goon the track with 80 components wronglyplaced. F1 car engines complete their life in about twohours of racing. Just compare this with normalengines which go on serving us faithfully fordecent 20 years. When an F1 driver puts brakes on his car heexperiences huge retardation or deceleration. Itcould be compared to a regular car drivingthrough a brick wall at the speed of 300kmph. An F1 engine usually revs up to 18000 rpm.This means that the piston travels up anddown 300 times a second. Road car engines revup to 6000 rpm at max. The brake discs in an F1 car have to withstandthe operating temperature of approximately1000 degrees Centigrade. They are made of

carbon fibre which is much harder than steeland has a higher melting point. The cars have more than a kilometer of cablelinked to about 100 sensors and actuatorswhich monitor and control the car. An F1 car can accelerate from 0 to 160 kphand decelerate back to 0 in just four seconds. An F1 car weighs around 550 kg. Gear cogs or ratios are replaced after each racefor they have to resist high degrees of stress. Gear levers are located on the back of thewheel. The clutch levers are located below thegear paddles. Most racing cars have their tyres filled withnitrogen. The reason being nitrogen has a moreconsistent pressure compared to normal air. Road car tyres can last 60 000 to 100 000 km.On the other hand, racing tyres are designed tolast only 90 to 120 km. The tyres lose weight during the race. In a GPeach tyre loses about 0.5kg in weight due towear. The cars can be refueled at 12 liters per second.The rig used would take just 4 seconds to fillthe tank of an average road car. Pit stop crews take only 3 seconds to refueland change tyres

The power of F1


Dear Duo...Dear Duo...if you would like dear duo to help with yourproblems, please write to Dear Duo, The Gazetteand Diary, 13 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AA.

Dear DuoI smoke and I am thirteen … and I cannotstop.I have been smoking ever since I wastwelve and I am finding it difficult to stopand I seem to smoke more and more eachday.My friends think its cool. I am too scaredto speak with my parents as I know theywill be mad. Im starting to think im goingto die at a young age. Please Help!S

Dear SCongratulations!Being able to see that something is a problem isthe first, and sometimes the hardest step.Quitting smoking isn’t easy, nicotine(contained in ciggarettes) is a drug, this makessmoking very addictive.The good news is that there is plenty of helpout there. It is very important to be able to talkto people for support, however if you do nothave anyone that you feel that you can talk toabout this, you could try using a telephoneservice like childline who you can talk to aboutany problems you have on your mind (08001111) or quitline (0800 00 22 00) who arespecifically there to help people quit smoking.The health effects of smoking in your futurecould be deadly, but that aside smoking hasimmediate effects for you too, it causes; badskin, bad breath,bad smelling clothes and hair,reduced athletic performance, greater risk ofinjury and slower healing time as well as anincreased risk of illness.Be strong, know what you want, try to resistpeer pressure (as hard as that might be) anddon’t be affraid to ask for help.You CAN do it!

J

I am glad that you have finally decided to giveup smoking. It will inevitability be hard as it isso addictive. I would make an appointment togo and get advice from your doctor. They willbe able to prescribe patches that could helpyou. This will eventually damage your healthbut after only smoking for a year the damagewill be less if you do give up now. Do niot beswayed by your peers, smoking is definately notcool !!!!!

H

Dear DuoI have a boyfriend and I have been with himfor 7months now, at the start of therelationship he seemed really keen aboutit, but now it seems as though he doesn’twant to know me, and I feel like his love forme is slipping.I have tried to let him know on how I feelbut every time I do it just leads to usarguing. I really do love him and I reallydon’t know what I would do without him.He used to make more of an effort but nowits been 3weeks and I haven’t seen him

once, we have talked over facebook but itseems as though he would prefer talk toother girls.When I ring him up he always has anexcuse to either having to go or a reasonthat he has to talk to one of my friendsinstead of me. Sometimes he makes mefeel really awful and hurts my feelings alot, but then he is all sweet and every timeI can’t help falling for him once again, andbefore I realise what mistake I made heturns on me again. He has made me cry alot recently.I feel like I forgive him to easy but I find itimpossible to be angry with him…pleasehelp me out!sara

Hi SaraI completely understand the struggle that youare in, it seems you know that he is bad for youand yet you can’t give him up. However, youneed too! He most certainly does not deserveyou, as you appear to care so much more abouthim then he does about you. You need toexplain to him that he simply isn’t treating youright and then really try and distance yourself.Delete his number, his friendship off offacebook or twitter or any other socialnetworking sites! If you happen to be at thesame party or something just stick with yourfriends and don’t get drawn into him! He seemsto be ignoring you and enjoying the attentionthat he gets, so just cut him off now! You areworth more.

J

Hi SaraIf I was you I would make myself less dependanton him, go out with your friends and when hecontacts you dont answer the phone. When herealises that you are not at his beck and call andhave another life he will not keep takingadvantage of you.While you are there answering his calls andtalking to him on facebook etc he thinks yoursat there waiting for him !!Eventually you will either start to gain respectfrom him or you will break away and find amuch more worthwhile relationship.

H

Sorry to those who have not had theirproblems answered yet we have limited space

but we will eventually get round to you!

Sudoku Solution

Sudoku Challenge

CCoolloouurr mmee iinn

Gazette Magazine Poll

TV to look out for

Are you enjoying EastEnders Ben‘out of control’ storyline

Let us know what you thinkText yes, or no to 07800 609944 or [email protected] rates apply please ask the bill payers permission.See next months edition for results.

RBS 6 NationsDate KO (GMT) Home Score Away VenueSat 4th Feb 12 14:30 France v Italy Stade de FranceSat 4th Feb 12 17:00 Scotland v England MurrayfieldSun 5th Feb 12 15:00 Ireland v Wales Aviva StadiumSat 11th Feb 12 16:00 Italy v England Stadio OlimpicoSat 11th Feb 12 20:00 France v Ireland Stade de FranceSun 12th Feb 12 15:00 Wales v Scotland Millennium StadiumSat 25th Feb 12 13:30 Ireland v Italy Aviva StadiumSat 25th Feb 12 16:00 England v Wales TwickenhamSun 26th Feb 12 15:00 Scotland v France MurrayfieldSat 10th Mar 12 14:30 Wales v Italy Millennium StadiumSat 10th Mar 12 17:00 Ireland v Scotland Aviva StadiumSun 11th Mar 12 15:00 France v England Stade de FranceSat 17th Mar 12 12:30 Italy v Scotland Stadio OlimpicoSat 17th Mar 12 14:45 Wales v France Millennium StadiumSat 17th Mar 12 17:00 England v Ireland Twickenham

Q: What didthe valentinecard say tothe stamp?

A: Stick withme and we'll go places!

Q: What did the boyoctopus say to the girloctopus?

A: Can I hold your hand,hand, hand, hand, hand,hand, hand, hand, hand,hand

Q: If your aunt ran off toget married, what wouldyou call her?A: Antelope.

Q: What is a vampire'ssweetheart called?A: His ghoul-friend.

Funny ValentineQuotes'Women are cursed, and menare the proof.' Rosanne Barr

'Get married early in themorning. That way, if itdoesn't work out, you haven'twasted a whole day.' Mickey Rooney

GazetteGiggles!


“Play & Tone”

designed to get you back in shape after havingyour little one, bring them along to play while

you tone (0-12 months)

@Abergavenny Leisure CentreTuesday 1.30-2.30pm

For more details visit www.befitmummies.co.uk,or call 07595739655

Places are limited so reserve yours now.

Post NatalProgramme

Post Natal ExerciseExercise as we all know is important atanytime in our lives keeping our heartshealthy and our weight in check, butnever more so than when you’ve justhad a baby.

There are always the questions, how sooncan I start, can I just resume my normalexercise regime, what if I’ve had a C-section? And most frequently what arethe best exercises to get my body back tohow it used to look?If you’ve had a baby you don’t need tohave it spelt out how your body changesduring pregnancy, these changes cause aMums posture to alter, the abdominalmuscles become stretched and weakened,in some cases even separate creating adiastasis recti., all of which put addedstrain on the lower back. The core musclesare compromised during pregnancy andare a first step to getting your shape,posture and strength back in the postnatal stage.Pelvic Floor Muscles are also a key part ofyour core muscles that become weakenedduring pregnancy not just from givingbirth but also from the strain ofsupporting the weight of the baby for 9months, so even if you’ve had a C-sectionthese muscles will be weaker and needsome attention to get back to full workingorder.Why Post Natal Exercise?Any exercise I hear you say has got to bebetter than none? True, but a post natal

body has specific imbalances that willneed to be corrected, a post natal exerciseclass targets the weakened muscle groupsto ensure that Mum’s body improvesposture and core strength first andforemost before progressing to morestrenuous exercise, more general exerciseclasses will target all muscles and so theimbalances won’t necessarily be correctedand may worsen. A post natal class willalso incorporate the all important fatburning element.The presence of the hormone relaxin in anew Mums body will also have an impacton the type of exercise that she shouldundertake, (the joints can feel loose for awhile following the birth) so it’srecommended that any high impactexercise is avoided or minimised for up to6 months post partum, a post natal classwill start off gradually and build up atMums own pace until she’s ready to moveon.But perhaps just as importantly, a postnatal class will be full of like mindedMums who’ll be able to share yourexperience and know exactly how youfeel, so you could come away with astronger body and some new friends. Article written by Gemma Hewitt, Be FitMummies, Personal Trainer, Pre & PostNatal Exercise Specialist.

For more information on classes in yourarea visit www.befitmummies.co.uk

Who - What - Where - When?WHO... had uncles called Stretch, Fatsoand Stinkie?

WHAT... fine parchment was madefrom the skin of a calf, kid or lamb?

WHERE... is the National Stud located?

WHEN... was Sven-Goran Erikssonappointed England manager?

Answers: Casper the Friendly Ghost;Vellum; Newmarket; (January) 2001.

WHO... in 1995 achieved the first hat-trick by an England bowler sincePeter Loader in 1957?

WHAT...is a rorqual?

WHERE... is the industrial port ofCatania?

WHEN... was the Democratic partyformed by Thomas Jefferson?

Answers: Dominic Cork; A whale; Sicily;1792.

WHO... is the Greek counterpart of theRoman god, Dis?

WHAT... was the name of the planethat dropped the bomb on Hiroshima?

WHERE... is Wytch Farm, the UK'slargest onshore oil field?

WHEN... was the Boston Port Act passed?

Answers: Pluto; Enola Gay; Dorset; 1774.

WHO... wrote Around The World InEighty Days?

WHAT... is the largest living bird?

WHERE...is the earthwork known asOffa's Dyke?

WHEN... was the US battleship Maineblown up in Havana?

Answers: Jules Verne; Ostrich; Along theWelsh border; 1898.


Valentine’s Hamper£40.00 for 2 people

Please choose 2 dishes from each course

A selection of canapés

❤ Black Mountain smoked salmon and king prawn terrine with a herb and caper dressing

❤ Oriental duck and noodle salad with a soy and sesame dressing

❤ Leek and goats cheese filo pastry tart with caramelized onions

❤ Slow Cooked wye valley Beef with red wine and thyme sauce served with fondant potatoes

Local Lamb with cider honey and mint served with Chive mash

❤ Breast of free range chicken wrapped in smoked bacon with a creamy wildmushroom and white wine sauce

❤ Fillet of sea bass with a pea and mint puree served with roasted cherry tomatoes

❤ Polenta with spiced aubergines sweet potato and taleggio

❤ Chocolate fondue to share

❤ Welsh cheeses with oat cakes and red onion marmalade

❤ Platter of mini desserts (Crème brulee lemon and lime mouse chocolate roulade)

To Order your Hamper Please call 07814401117Orders can be collected from Unit 2 Castle Meadows Park Abergavenny NP7 7RZ

Or delivered to you door (delivery charges may apply). All Items are fully prepared andhave cooking instructions where applicable.

Latest time for collection and delivery is 5.00pm on 14th February

Sam’s Floral DesignsHeavenscent Flowers

78 The Avenue, Govilon,Abergavenny, NP7 9PR

Contact:

Florist

01873 831508 07984 055572heavenscentflowers.net

[email protected]

Samantha Smith

Auto Stunt Schoolavailable fromwww.treathim.com£149

The Tantalising Tapas Kitavailable fromwww.notonthehighstreet.com£42.50

Name a staravailable from www.gizoo.co.uk£19.95

You Captured My Heart Necklaceimage attached to email - availableat www.treather.com

£29.99 Pop Phone (Pink)available atwww.alittlebitdifferent.co.uk£23.99

Air Swimmer -Remote Control Sharkavailable fromwww.iwantoneofthose.com£40.49


Carpenters ArmsWalterstone, Nr. Pandy

01873 890353

A warm welcome awaits youfrom Vera Watkins & family.

VALENTINES BOOKING NOW BEING TAKEN

Ingredients:

● 1.8 kg/3lb 15½oz belly pork, skin on● 4 tbsp cider vinegar● 3 tbsp pork dripping or● 8 bay leaves, crushed● 1 whole garlic, sliced in halfFor the root vegetables● 4 parsnips, cut into long wedges● 400g/14¼oz carrots● 6 whole shallots● 3 sprigs fresh thyme● 1 tbsp olive oil● 55g/2oz spinach

Method:1. The night before, boil a kettle and pour theboiling water over the pork skin (this methodwill give you better crackling). Discard thewater.

2. Next, baste the raw joint with cider vinegar;rubbing it all over to ensure the vinegar getsinto the rind. Place the joint on a plate in thefridge, uncovered, overnight.

3. Remove the pork from the fridge and spreadwith the dripping or butter, crushed bay leavesand garlic. Season with salt and freshly groundblack pepper, set aside for the flavours todevelop.

4. Pre-heat the oven to200C/400F/Gas 6.

5. Place the pork ,skin side up, on awire rack that fits over an empty roastingtray. Roast for one hour and then reduce theoven temperature to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

6. Place the parsnips, carrots and shallots intothe bottom of a roasting tray; add the thymeand olive oil and a glass of water.

7. Remove the tray from beneath the pork andpour any fat that has gathered in the bottom ofthe tray over the vegetables; place thevegetables tray underneath the pork.

8. Roast for a further hour, basting thevegetables with the juices from the pork in thebottom of the pan from time to time.

9. Remove the pork from the wire rack andallow to rest for 15 minutes in a warm place.10. Toss the spinach leaves with the vegetablesfrom the roasting pan. Drain off any fat leavingthe cooking juices behind.

11. Carve off the crackling in one piece andportion. Serve the pork with the roasted rootvegetables and gravy.

Recipe Corner

Serves 4

Roast belly of pork with root vegetables


From the field to the freezer...How Wiltshire Farm Foods carefullyprepared frozen meals are helpingpeople stay independent

For those who’ve worked hard all theirlives, maintaining independence isparticularly important - especially whenit comes to mealtimes.Wiltshire Farm Foods is one companythat’s keen to help those who can’t getout and about as much, so they can eatwell and look after themselves.Established for more than 20 years,Wiltshire Farm Foods creates and deliversa delicious range of frozen meals thatcan be cooked in minutes. From thefield, to the freezer, every detail isconsidered in order to offer nutrition,value, flavour and award-winningpersonal service.Ingredients are selected from carefullyapproved suppliers and are then preparedby a team of nutritionists and award-winning chefs in their Wiltshire kitchens.Once cooked, the meals are placed intohandy trays that fit easily into thefreezer, then frozen almost immediatelyto lock in the freshness.Convenience is a key part of the Wiltshire

Farm Foods offering. All meals can beordered over the phone or online.They’re then delivered by a friendly, localdelivery driver, who is always happy toput meals away in the freezer ifpreferred.With the freezer stocked up, you knowthat a hot meal is only ever a fewminutes away. Most dishes take 8-12minutes in the microwave or 35 minutesin the oven. As they are cooked in theirtrays, there is no preparation, no potsand pans, just delicious meals that youcan enjoy in your own time. Maintainingindependence has never been easier.Recently, national treasure RonnieCorbett has joined Wiltshire Farm Foodsfor a TV and magazine campaignpromoting the delicious meals - and theindependence they bring.The TV adverts also feature Edith andEric, who talk to Ronnie about thebenefits of the service. If you’ve not seenthem yet, keep a look out.

For more information about WiltshireFarm Foods in Abergavenny, you cancontact 01600 892855 or visitwww.wiltshirefarmfoods.com for afree brochure.

Wiltshire Farm Foods


SKLcars.comCar sales announcement!Please be informed that: Stephen Lowe can no

longer be contacted at Raglan Ford.However, I have now formed my own car sales companyand car brokerage: SKLcars – Stephen Lowe car broker.

I will be specialising in nearly new Ford cars and vans. Also, I will value or buy yourcar or offer it for sale via my adverts, and of course, the internet.

If you require any help or advice regarding your motoring needs, I canbe contacted at home:

20 Ty Brith, Dingestow, Monmouth NP25 4DPTel: 01600-740388 Mob: 07904047569

Email: [email protected]

I look forward to hearing from you, customers and friends - longstanding and new.Customer care, as always, will be my number 1 priority. Best wishes and good Health.Join me on Facebook and Twitter. Many thanks for your continued support, Stephen Lowe.

NEARLY NEW - CAR LIST:11 Ka Studio 1.2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £745011 Fiesta 1.4 Titanium Automatic 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1129511 Fiesta 1.4TDCi Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1049511 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Econetic 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1099511 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1099560 Fiesta 1.6 TDCi Zetec S leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1149560 Fiesta 1.25 Edge 3dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £845061 Fiesta1.25 Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £999561 Fiesta 1.4 Titanium 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1099561 Fiesta 1.4 TDCi Titanium 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1199560 Focus 1.6 Tdci Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1199560 Focus 1.6 Automatic Zetec Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1099511 New Focus 1.6 Edge 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1299511 New Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1329561 Ka 1.2 Zetec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £949511 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium 163ps 6sp. 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1599511 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium 163ps Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £1699561 Mondeo 2.0 TDCi Titanium X Sport 163ps. 5dr . . . . . . . . . . . . . £19995

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Choice of EOS, New Sharan, Passat, Touran @ tremendous savings – P.O.A

VANS:57 Transit Connect T200 L SWB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £5995 + VAT08 Transit Connect T200L SWB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £6295 + VAT58 Transit 280 SWB LR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £7995 + VAT10 Transit 260 SWB LR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9795 + VAT10 Transit 280 SWB LR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £9995 + VAT10 Transit 350 1-Way Tipper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £14995 + VATChoice of 60 plate 350 med.roof /Minibus/Luton with tail lift.

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There has never been a better time to drive a cost saving nearly new vehicle dealCall Stephen Lowe: WWW. Sklcars.com

Monmouth: 01600 740388 Mob: 07904047569 email: [email protected]

Stephen Lowe

St. Davidʼs FoundationHospice Care

Castle - Coast - Forest - CastleChoice of two routes available: 26 miles or 40 miles

Sunday 25 March 2012For an entry form please contact the fundraising office on 01633 271364

Enter online at www.stdavidsfoundation.co.ukEmail: [email protected]

Spring Bike Rides

Registered Charity No. 1010576

The Belgrave Hotel

Arrive Friday or SaturdayEnjoy 2 nights mix and match

£89.95 pp3 Nights £127.45 pp

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on SaturdayBed & Breakfast Friday and SundayCandlelit Dinner & Dance Thursday

and Saturday Gala Menu, Breakfast in Bed SundayMorning

Ring now for Birthdays, Anniversaries and otherspecial breaks.

Come and enjoy the hotels superb

seafront position overlooking Tenby’s

beautiful south beach in a friendly and

comfortable atmosphere.

MidweekB&B from

£37.50pppn

The Esplanade, Tenby, Pembrokeshire SA70 7DUTel: 01834 842377 Fax: 01834 842626

The Belgrave Hotel

SIR CAMERON, NOW THE PHANTOM OF THEOPERA ANNIVERSARY CONCERT IS AVAILABLETO BUY, IT MUST BE A THRILL TO SEE YOURWORK ON SCREENYes, a thrill and a relief. It seems so easy to say, ‘Oh,let’s do it at the Albert Hall with a great cast', andthen, ‘Of course we can do the whole show!', whenthe actual reality of what we had to achieve in verylittle time... And it came over so miraculouslyboth as a theatre show,and I’m glad to say on theDVD and in cinemas.Everyone seems to haveabsolutely loved it.

IT HELPS THAT FANS GETTO SEE IT HIGHDEFINITIONAbsolutely, and thewonderful things you cando with close-ups andthings like that, which isobviously something youcan’t do in the theatre; itgives it a different feel, andso you don’t feel in anyway, ‘Oh, I wish I’d see thaton the stage'. People whohave seen both the DVD

and were in the Albert Hall love it equally.

WHY DO YOU THINK THE PHANTOM OF THEOPERA IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST LOVEDMUSICALS?It’s one of the greatest scores Andrew’s (LloydWebber) ever written. Part of its attraction is itssimplicity; it is a brilliant reinvention of The

Beauty and the Beast myth; it’s a wonderfullove triangle, which is thething Andrew brought toit, which wasn’t really inany of the films or indeedeven the Gaston Lerouxbook; it’s sketched but it’snot as defined. None ofthe other versions are asemotionally overwhelmingas this one.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT’SNOW 25 YEARS OLD?I know! For Andrew and Ithis has really wound theclock back for us because wehaven’t done another showtogether for 25 years. Wehad great fun doing it at theAlbert Hall.

TELL US ABOUT THE TOURING VERSIONOF ‘PHANTOM’ WHICH CAN BE SEEN IN2012I’m doing a completely new version of itwhich opens in February, March, withcomplete new scenery; staging; newdirection, choreography and everything likethat. I’m delighted to say that having justopened the box office in Plymouth andManchester, it looks absolutely marvellous. Ithink people are intrigued to see somethingnew as long as we make sure it’s as good asthe original.

IS THERE ONE PARTICULAR THING THATDRIVES YOU TO CREATE A SHOW?My career has been entirely driven by myreaction to writing. The gift I was blessedwith was spotting a piece of original writingand then helping the writers make the mostof it. I’m great at rewriting, but someoneelse has to come up with the idea! I havethis chameleon ability with many, manydifferent kinds of writers to go, ‘I think we’remissing this or I’m missing that', and get thepiece written to the best of its ability. That’sthe bit that I enjoy the most.

THEATRE FANS IN WALES WILL BEENJOYING ANOTHER OF YOURPRODUCTIONS FROM DECEMBER 12Yes, I’ve got a new version of Oliver, which isopening in Cardiff just before Christmas withNeil Morrissey and Samantha Barks takingthe leads. It’s in very good shape. I’m thrilledwith it.

TELL US ABOUT THE BIG FILM YOU HAVEIN THE PIPELINEWell, I’m flat out at the moment producingthe movie of Les Miserables, which we’re

getting an astonishingly good cast for, with TomHooper at the helm. We’ve got Russell Crowe andHugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayneand many more to follow. That starts filming in Marchin England.

WHEN CAN WE SEE THAT INCINEMAS?We’re certainly shootingthrough to the summer. I don’tknow how long it’ll take us todo post production. I don’t knowif we’ll make it by Christmas ofnext year, but certainly by somepoint in 2013.

Theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh was born in Enfield, London in 1946. He has beenresponsible for some of the most successful theatrical productions of the past 30 years, includingCats, Les Miserables, The Phantom Of The Opera and Mary Poppins.

Five minutes with... Sir Cameron Mackintosh

The Phantom Of The Opera At The Royal Albert Hallis out now on DVD, Blu-Ray, CD and download.


Abergavenny67 Frogmore Street

Telephone 01873 859898

With this Voucher(usually £20)

✁

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FEBRUARY SPECIALYOUR EYE TEST

FOR £10

WEIGHT loss£10 discountwhen taking a month’s course on your first visit

usual price £17 per week or £49 per month

• Successful, tried and tested method

• Consultations with fully qualified Doctors

• Continued support

• Works equally as well for men

ALBANY CLINICSNEWPORT 01633 243533 PONTYPRIDD 01443 400391

Cash Paid for MOTFailures/ Scrap Carsand CommercialVehiclesContainers Supplied

01981 580412

or 07795 565702

Gallop & RiversArchitectural AntiquesAntiques, Ironmongery, Paving, InteriorFlooring, Garden Features, Fire Places,

Building Material & Much More

Ty-r-ash, Brecon road, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1SFTel :(+44)-01873-811084 Fax: (+44)-01873-811084


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In the corner of her manager’s office, hidingunderneath a giant floppy hat, sits RebeccaFerguson.She looks like a singer, but one that would havegraced the stage of a smoky jazz club in the1950s, rather than someone who appeared on aprime-time TV talent show.Underneath the big brim, however, is a rathernormal girl; mum of two and reality TV fan(she’s been watching, and laughing at,Desperate Scousewives) who enjoys a rare nightout with friends over the weekend."Hiya," she says in broad Scouse, leaping up tosay hello, before ordering a cup of tea. Milk andone sugar, if you were wondering.Ferguson says she’s coming out of the busiestweek she’s ever had; 3am alarm calls, 11pm

bedtimes, and non-stop talking, promotion andtravelling in between. She’s not had a chance todo any Christmas shopping yet, but is planningto "get to Argos and do it all in one hit".Fortunately for her, time spent dreaming ofbeing a singer since she was seven has stood herin good stead for the reality of being a popstar."I always knew what it was going to be like," shesays. "I don’t know how, maybe it was things Iread or saw, but I’ve always known it was goingto be hard work," says the 25-year-old."I think a lot of people are disillusioned andthink being a singer is more about turning up atfancy events, having loads of money and notreally working for it. The reality is earlymornings and lots of hard work, but I wouldn’twant it any other way."

The recent work-relatedplane journeys, zippingher around the countryfor interviews andperformances, have beenon easyJet flights, ratherthan British Airways asshe was promised, butthere were no diva fitshere."I’m not bothered aboutstuff like that. I just satdown and went to sleep."Ferguson finished secondon 2010’s X Factor, runner-up to Matt Cardle.As his career already shows signs of stalling -an album at No 2 and a single only reachingNo 6 in the charts is deemed a failure intalent-show-TV world - hers is getting off onthe right foot.There have been positive reviews in thebroadsheets - one gave debut album Heavenfive stars - and a general feeling thatFerguson could go on to become one of themost popular former contestants in theshow’s history."The feedback has been amazing, and thealbum’s been getting praise from people Ireally didn’t expect to like it," she explains."I was saying to Eg (White, co-writer andproducer) when it was finished ‘If this doesn’twork, I’m leaving that big house, packing thekids up and going back to Liverpool', to whichhe said, ‘No pressure then, Becky', and workedeven harder."While Ferguson was in X Factor, she wasconstantly told by the judging panel that she

had the voice of aready-made recordingartist and, thanks toher renditions ofAnthony Newley’sFeeling Good, SamCooke’s A Change IsGonna Come and jazzstandard Why Don’tYou Do Right?, that sheshould concentrate onretro soul.Her album doesn’tstray too far from that

formula, and given the popularity of Adelethis year, it’s certainly very current. Whitehad actually worked with Rolling In TheDeep singer Adele, while other collaboratorson Ferguson’s album include Steve Booker,who has written songs with Duffy, andFraser T Smith, best known for hisproduction work with Ellie Goulding, JamesMorrison and, again, Adele."I wrote a song a day for about sixmonths," begins Ferguson, "but wescrapped loads before recording."I was looking for songs that I felt especiallyconnected to, and while some of the songswe got rid of were brilliant tunes, I justdidn’t think I could sing them night afternight for a year, if not longer, withoutfeeling really close to them."Too Good To Lose is Ferguson’s favouritesong on the album, while she says TeachMe How To Be Loved has the mostmeaning for her.When she first appeared on X Factor andstunned the judges, it wasn’t the first timeshe’d auditioned on the show.There were failed attempts in 2005 and2006, a rejection from Britain’s Got Talentin 2009 and, most painful of all, she wasturned away from P Diddy’s Starmaker in2007, which her family had clubbedtogether to fund."I didn’t just dream of becoming a singer,"she points out. "I was really active in tryingto make it happen. When I was 14, I got a jobto be able to afford my singing lessons, and Iwas constantly looking for other things.

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"I thought ‘Maybe if I do a bit of modelling,maybe I’ll get noticed and I’ll have a foot onthe ladder that way'."Getting those rejections was hard, though,"she continues. "The first time was really bad,because I thought I had talent and could doit. I thought ‘Maybe I can’t sing. Maybe I’mone of those deluded ones who just thinksthey can'."It was tough, but I went back again, and gotknocked back again. I still thought they werewrong, but with the third and fourth knock-back, I started to doubt myself."I tried sending demos off, and got nothingback. It’s funny that people say they love myvoice now because it hasn’t changed at all."So what has changed? Whatever changes inmusic, there has consistently been a demandfor beautiful voices and pretty faces to gowith them."I’m a lot more chilled. And maybe I ‘really’wanted it before," she says, impersonating atypical X Factor-hopeful, "and that putpeople off?"I don’t know what it was, but I believe intiming and things happening when they’remeant to."With two children, now aged five and seven,it’s perhaps easier that Ferguson’s careertakes off now.Her own childhood has been written aboutextensively since she first appeared on XFactor, but she doesn’t regret for a secondtelling journalists about her time in fosterhomes while she growing up."I’m too honest to lie, and I’m too polite tosay ‘I’m not talking about that’ so if I’m askedsomething, I just answer," she explains."My childhood was hard, and I was in fosterhomes, but it’s no different from whatthousands of kids are going through today.And me talking about it might help someone."I could shut up about some things - and youhave to keep some things back - but a childin foster care could see me and think ‘She’s

doing OK, maybe there is hope?' and that’sgreat."There are positives and negatives, and I’mlearning fast. I’m still Becky from Liverpool,but this is what I always wanted, and nowI’m doing it."

■ Rebecca Ferguson’s debut albumHeaven is out now. She begins her firstheadline UK tour in Rhyl, North Wales onFebruary 17.

Tour dates:February

17 - Rhyl, Pavilion18 - Rhyl, Pavilion20 - Manchester, The

Bridgewater Hall21 - Gateshead, The Sage22 - Glasgow, Clyde Auditorium

SECC24 - Oxford, New Theatre25 - Sheffield, City Hall27 - Nottingham, Royal Centre28 - Portsmouth, Guildhall

March

1 - Birmingham, Symphony Hall2 - York, Barbican Centre3 - Blackpool, Opera House8 - Cardiff, St. David’s Hall9 - Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall12 - Bristol, Colston Hall13 - London, Theatre Royal Drury

Lane

Extra time - Rebecca Ferguson● Rebecca Ferguson was born in Anfield, Liverpool.● She is a qualified legal secretary.● Ferguson has two children, Lillie May and Karl.● After X Factor, she was in a relationship with One Direction’s Zayn Malik, but it ended after

four months.● She predicts Little Mix will win this year’s X Factor, and is still an avid fan of the show.● Rebecca Ferguson’s debut album Heaven is out now


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