Fans and players come out in support of McPhail

Cardiff City’s Stephen McPhail has been diagnosed with stage one malt lymphoma.

The midfielder will undergo treatment, expected to last for three weeks, with the hope of a return to football by January.

Malt lymphoma is a relatively rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and develops in lymphatic tissue such as the stomach, thyroid glands, lungs or the eyes. It is mostly caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori and can be treated by a course of intensive antibiotics.

McPhail has made 10 appearances for Cardiff this season, but was sidelined at the start of the month in the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest with a thigh injury that required surgery.

Bluebirds legend Andy Legg is also cancer survivor. He said: “If he needs me, I’m here. He’s a fit lad; they’ve caught it in the early stages so that’s good news. I wish him all the luck in the world."

McPhail’s midfield teammate Gavin Rae also offered his support, saying: "He’s got everyone’s support here. It certainly puts football into perspective; all the players and staff at the club are rooting for him."

The club have requested that Stephen's privacy is respected during his treatment and recovery but supporters have been pouring in their get-well-soon messages on the club’s message board: www.cardiffcitystadium.co.uk/mb.

By Alex Winter

Alex is a journalism student and the editor of the Gloucestershire cricket blog, The Shire Blog

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Dafydd Wyn wins the 2009 John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry

The 2009 John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry came to a head on Thursday 19 November as Academi hosted the much anticipated Grand Final in Cardiff. An unprecedented number of supporters, writers, literary enthusiasts and those who were just curious flocked to The Wharf to see who would be named Wales’ best performance poet. Following a dash for extra chairs, stools and with people almost literally hanging from the rafters the scene was finally set, the finalists chosen, the judges poised and the bar, luckily, fully stocked.

MC Ifor Thomas led what proved to be an evening full of diverse and original poetry performances from 16 new and familiar faces to the performance scene. Judging the competition were 2009 Wales Book of the Year winner Deborah Kay Davies, poet and Editor of New Welsh Review, Kathryn Gray, and Wiard Sterk Executive Director of independent public art consultancy Safle.

The competition was intense but only one poet could walk away with the title and the First Prize of £500. It was experience and a traditional approach to performance poetry however which won out in the end as the judges picked Dafydd Wyn from Ammanford as the overall winner. Dafydd Wyn, who performed a series of three heartfelt poems about his nephew, has published two novels including a children’s book The M4 Cats (Lolfa 2008). As well as teaching English in London, Bala and at Ystalyfera he is also a former Mayor of Cwmaman and a former runner-up in the John Tripp Award.

It was the “verbal pyrotechnics” of the Grand Final’s youngest competitor Liam Johnson, though, which landed him both the judges’ Runner-up prize and the coveted Audience Prize voted for on the night by the throng of literary enthusiasts in attendance. 19 year-old Liam, who is currently studying English and Creative Writing at UWIC University, started writing poems and lyrics at fifteen and states the Beat Generation as his most significant influence. After making such an impression in his first performance poetry competition Liam is definitely one to watch for the future.

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Cardiff alcohol and violence research wins top award

Pioneering Cardiff University research into violence, alcohol and late-night safety has been recognised with one of the highest awards in the academic world.

The University’s Violence and Society Research Group is among the winners of a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for excellence in higher education, announced on Wednesday at a ceremony at St James’s Palace, London. Her Majesty the Queen will present the award to the University at Buckingham Palace in February.

For more than a decade, the Research Group’s findings have been translated into practical action to tackle late-night injuries in city centres. A key part of winning the Award was the Group’s work in setting up the prototype Crime Reduction Partnership in Cardiff in 1996. Academics, health professionals, South Wales Police and Cardiff Council worked together to identify violence hot-spots. In this period, Cardiff became the safest city of its size in the UK. Following Government legislation, many other communities have now adopted Cardiff’s partnership model, now known in Wales as Community Safety Partnerships.

Other key achievements by the Group, which includes Cardiff University experts in surgery, medicine, psychology, business and statistics, are:

• · Use of anonymised Accident and Emergency data to identify trends in late-night violence. This is used by Community Safety Partnerships and in the Group’s annual national violence survey
• · New programmes of care for violence victims at every stage of their treatment, including a new service for post traumatic stress
• · Identifying risk factors for violence – including crowd movements, levels of CCTV surveillance and the price of alcohol.
• · Research on "glassing" injuries which has led to the introduction of toughened glass and plastic vessels in pubs and nightclubs
• · Research leading to the creation of the Universities’ Police Science Institute – a collaboration between Cardiff University, Glamorgan University and South Wales Police, which combines practical policing research with police training
• · International policy development for the World Health Organisation Violence Prevention Alliance

Welsh Assembly Government First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is one of the top honours a University can be awarded and Cardiff University should be really proud of their achievement.

"I would like to congratulate heartily Professor Jonathan Shepherd and his team because their work has made a real difference to so many people who live in and travel to the capital city of Wales to enjoy its attractions by night and day. It is important that these people feel safe and the University’s research into the cause of violent injury and possible pathways to reduction of harm is helping to achieve that.

"The Cardiff Violence Prevention Group was established to translate this research into practical action. The results of their work speak volumes – a 40 per cent decrease in violence levels in the Cardiff area."

The Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University, Dr David Grant said: “This is not just a triumph for Cardiff University, but for our entire community.

“The Violence and Society Research Group is a perfect example of how academic excellence can bring practical benefits. The team’s discoveries about the causes and consequences of violence have been recognised around the world as breaking new ground in research. This pioneering approach has then been put to work through the Cardiff Community Safety Partnership, creating a safer environment on our streets in a way which has now been adopted throughout the UK.

"Clearly, we at Cardiff University are delighted that Professor Shepherd and his team have achieved our fourth success in the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes - one of the most prestigious awards in higher education. We also believe that this is a success in which the NHS, South Wales Police, Cardiff Council and all our local partners can take pride."

Professor Jonathan Shepherd, of Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry and Director of the Research Group, said: "I first became concerned about this issue as a young surgeon treating the victims of facial injuries every week. It seemed amazing that many cases I saw were not being reported to the police. Over the years, my colleagues and I have worked to find practical solutions from health-based research. It is a great privilege to receive this Award, and hugely encouraging for our continuing work with our partners, locally, nationally and internationally in preventing community violence."

Cardiff’s success in the awards has also been welcomed by its partners:

South Wales Police Chief Constable Barbara Wilding said: “The University Violence and Society Research Group has been one of the key members of the Community Safety Partnership and together we have made great strides in tackling city centre violence and making Cardiff city a safer place. I am delighted that the research group has been the recipient of this prestigious award. Together with our partners we are now looking forward to extend this work throughout the whole of the South Wales area.”

Councillor Judith Woodman, Cardiff Council Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, said: "I am delighted the Violence Research Group is being recognised with this prestigious award. The work undertaken has made a great deal of difference. The partnership of the group which has seen health, the Police and ourselves working closely together with licensees and academics to tackle violent crime has made our city safer for everyone and it is fantastic this success is being acknowledged."

David Francis, Chair of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board and All-Wales Champion for reducing violence and aggression against NHS staff, said: "I want to congratulate Professor Shepherd and his Cardiff University colleagues on this achievement. It represents many years hard work and has resulted in many less injured people. This is an excellent example of partnership work, with the University and the Health Board working alongside local authority and police partners to make our streets safer and in supporting victims of violence and improving protection for staff from aggressors. Professor Shepherd’s work has been central to this success."

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Riverside market is top of the tastes

Riverside Community Market Association has been recognised in the Local Sourcing Initiative of the True Taste awards.

And, four of their regular storeholders - Penrhiw Organic Farm, Hafod Cheese, Oaklands Organics, and Greta’s Wholefoodies - have taken prizes too.

RCMA chairman Steve Garrett said: "The award is a reflection of the quality, commitment and consistency that local producers bring to our markets.

"The award also shows the increasing interest that Welsh consumers have in buying fresh locally produced food – and that is good for everyone because in Wales we have some of the best food in the world."

The Riverside Real Food Market is on Fitzhamon Embankment, opposite the Millennium Stadium, every Sunday from 10am to 2pm.

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Tito & Millard look ahead to Australia clash

Cardiff Blues Captain, Paul Tito, relishes the chance of playing against one of the best teams in the world when the Blues take on Australia next Tuesday.

Speaking after the Cardiff Blues Boomerang Challenge at the Vale of Glamorgan training centre Tito said:

"I've obviously played a few of the Australian players in Super 14 but there are a lot of young ones coming through."

"They have a young and enthusiastic team that did a good job on Gloucester a few weeks ago."

"These guys have got a good opportunity to push for places, guys like Quade Cooper who got a place in the test team."

"These players have got a point to prove so they'll be really pushing for higher honours when it comes to the test matches."

"I think it's a touring party so they've got some young guys, who they're trying to blood in for the World Cup."

"However, I think there a good team and I think we'll see some young and exciting players roll out against the Blues next Tuesday."

Although building for the 20011 World Cup Tito feels that the Australians will be competing for places in the Test team and knows that the youngsters will psoe a real threat.

"They've had a pretty up and down start on this tour but they had a good win against England and I'm sure they'll be looking to kick on with the mid-weekers and the Tests coming up."

"They're quite a skillful outfit with really good skills in their backs."

"They like to give it a bit of air and chuck it about and I'm sure it'll be a good match and if the weather comes good and the crowd comes it should be a fantastic night."

With the big match between Cardiff Blues and Australia only a matter of days away Cardiff Blues Backs Coach, Bill Millard, looks forward to catching up with some of his former players.

Speaking after the Cardiff Blues Boomerang Challenge at the Vale of Glamorgan training centre Millard said,

"It's going to be a special occasion for me obviously but also for the team," said Millard.

"I coached the Australian 7's for about 5 years in total and a lot of these young kids in the Australia squad now came through and Sydney University team."

"So I've seen a lot of them come through the system and looking forward to catching up with them."

"I'm familiar with a lot of the boys and looking forward to stirring them up, there's already a bit of chat going on."

The Australian was appointed Blues Backs Coach in June 2008 and Millard still keeps a close eye on rugby from down under.

"It's been great to see them progress from when I had them and again it's going to be special occasion."

"I thought against England they were excellent, they played very hard at the breakdown and executed some of their plays well."

"At Gloucester there was a very nice style of play they have nailed and they've had a very good start to the tour, so we're looking forward to meeting them down here."

Tickets for the match to be played on Tuesday 24 November, 7.35pm kick off, are priced from £5 for juniors, £10 for students and £20 for adults. The Blues also have family tickets available, 2 adults & 2 children, for only £40.

Ticket Office 0845 345 1400 or www.cardiffblues.com/tickets

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AM backs efforts to provide land for steel-makers expansion

The go-ahead has been given for more talks to seal a deal to sell land to steel-makers Celsa for a future major expansion of its Cardiff operations, Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks has learnt.

Deputy First Minister for the Economy and Transport Ieuan Wyn Jones has agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government officials can continue to negotiate to sell 51 acres land at Pengam Green to the Spanish-owned business.

Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, who area includes Cardiff, said: “I’m pleased that negotiations will continue to conclude a deal with Celsa. They have become a hugely important employer in Cardiff since the collapse of ASW and it is vital that they are able to expand in the future, hopefully, creating a lot more manufacturing jobs for the people of Cardiff and South Wales.”

In September 2007 Ieuan Wyn Jones agreed that the Welsh Assembly Government should negotiate to sell land at Pengam Green in view of Celsa’s £150m investment and the creation of 800 jobs. Celsa want to protect the potential for future expansion of steel making operations from its existing constrained site. The Deputy First Minister has now agreed to a further period of negotiation to conclude an agreement.

The remaining landholdings of the Welsh Assembly Government in the area of around eight acres are required for a future strategic transport proposal led by Cardiff Council.

Appropriate clauses will be introduced in the disposal documents to ensure that the Welsh Assembly Government has a first option to buy the land back at market value in the event of Celsa going into liquidation, wishing to sell to a third party or declaring the land surplus to their requirements.

read more... “AM backs efforts to provide land for steel-makers expansion”

Cardiff Council funeral service

Did you know that Cardiff Council provides a low cost fixed price funeral service, available to any resident of the City?

The service is provided by local Funeral Directors Roy J. Larcombe (branches in Splott & Ely) and Rose Mount Funeral Home on North Road who agree to the specifications drawn up by the Councils’ Bereavement Services.

The total cost of a funeral can often be difficult to estimate which can be a source of worry to many people. It is therefore important to the bereaved to know that their funeral director will handle arrangements in a professional way, provide a high standard of service, is affordable and adds no hidden costs.

These firms have no connection, financial or otherwise with the Council. The cost, which has been agreed with the Council, represents excellent value for money.

Cardiff Councils Bereavement Services Division pride themselves on offering a dignified service at a reasonable cost:

• A standard funeral including burial and the purchase of a new grave costs £1,591
• A standard funeral including a burial in an existing grave costs £1,045
• A burial service at either of the chapels at Thornhill costs £72
• A standard funeral including a cremation and a service in the chapel costs £1,102

Since its launch in 1992, over 2000 funerals have taken place under this contract

The costs of floral tributes, clergy, church fees and obituary notices are not included in the above costs but can be included at an additional cost if required.

Please note that this service is only available where the deceased is a resident of Cardiff and the funeral will take place in a cemetery or crematorium operated by Bereavement Services.

Councillor Nigel Howells, Cardiff Council Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture said: “The period immediately following the death of a loved one is probably the most distressing time we experience during our lives, yet it is also the occasion when a number of decisions have to be made regarding the funeral, a ceremony which will have an effect on the whole family.

It is important for the bereaved to know that the arrangements are being handled professionally and the service provided is to a high standard, affordable, with no hidden extras.”

For further information contact Cardiff Bereavement Services, Thornhilll Road, Cardiff, CF14 9UA Tel: 029 2062 3294 www.cardiff.gov.uk/bereavement

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Imitation flashing dummies warning

Cardiff Council Trading Standards Officers are warning of imitation dummies that could potentially kill babies or small children.

The dummies look very similar to normal dummies but are fitted with flashing lights and sold as costume jewellery. They do not conform to the relevant safety standards for dummies, pacifiers or soothers.

A number of these dummies have been seized recently by Trading Standards and Licensing Officers whilst being sold on the streets of Cardiff.

The dummies come apart easily and contain a small electronic circuit board inside which is sharp enough to cut children and small enough to the swallowed.

The dummies also contain three small batteries that could also be easily swallowed and they have long cords attached for putting around adults` necks which could strangle a child.

Trading standards officers fear that the dummies could be given to children instead of the real thing as they are more appealing, due to the flashing lights. Should the dummy come apart children could very quickly put the electronics and/or the batteries into their mouths which could form a choking hazard.

Councillor Judith Woodman, Executive Member for Communities said: "These imitation dummies would be very dangerous in the hands of babies and young children. They come apart very easily and could be life threatening. Our advice to parents is not to buy these imitation dummies or to throw them away before a child is seriously injured or killed.."

Trading standards officers are keen to hear from anyone who has seen the dummies being sold and to contact them on 029 2087 2059.

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Cardiff's old library hosts fascinating new exhibitions

The current Anne Frank Exhibition being held at the Old Library has proven to be very popular and Cardiff Council is pleased to announce it is going to be supplemented by two more interesting historical showcases on the ground floor gallery.

These will consist of the Polish Consulate's 70th Anniversary Exhibition of the outbreak of World War II - “From War to Victory 1939 – 1989, Polish Way to Independence” - as well as the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the 20th Anniversary of the first free elections in Poland after World War II.

The exhibitions will reflect about the meaning of the half century between the outbreak of World War II and the collapse of communism, linking the two dates and considering their meaning as cornerstones of the tragic history of the twentieth century.

Both Nazism and communism changed Poland to an almost irreversible degree, affecting its social, political and cultural life. Poland was the first European nation to oppose, in 1939, the spread of Nazism and communism, and was the first to remove their communist government from power in 1989.

The "From War to Victory 1939 – 1989, Polish Way to Independence" exhibition, running until November 27 is being held by the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Manchester.

Vice-Consul Szymon Bialek said: "Our aim is to acquaint all the people with the fact that World War II started by the Germany’s invasion of Poland and the fall of the communist system in Europe also started in Poland. Without the events which took place in Poland in 1988 and 1989 - the Solidarity movement and free elections on 6 June 1989 - the Berlin Wall would not have fallen."

Meanwhile the new powerful and captivating exhibition, ‘Anne Frank + You’, will continue at the Old Library, The Hayes until November 29.

Cardiff Council and the Anne Frank Trust UK are jointly hosting this hugely successful multimedia exhibition which will powerfully bring the messages and voice of Anne Frank firmly into the 21st Century.

The exhibition is set to be visited by many school groups who will gain an insight into that period of history.

Executive member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Freda Salway, said: "The Anne Frank + You exhibition is going to be a poignant and fascinating experience for our young students. Anne Frank is a symbol of all those who lost their lives during the Holocaust, and her diary is just as relevant now as it was when she wrote it."

read more... “Cardiff's old library hosts fascinating new exhibitions”

Extra cash for Cardiff pensioners

Three thousand households in Cardiff are set to benefit from an additional reduction in council tax over the next year. Up to £55 will automatically be credited to the accounts of pensioners who qualify for the discount.

Cardiff Council’s Pensioner Reduction Scheme is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and is beginning this week. There is no need to apply for the reduction or contact the council as the money will be allocated to council tax accounts which meet the correct criteria.

To be eligible for the scheme, the person concerned must be:

• liable to pay council tax in respect of a chargeable
• dwelling which was their sole or main residence on November 1, 2009
• one of the persons liable must have reached the age of 60 or over by November 1, 2009
• he or she must be in receipt of partial council tax benefit as at November 1, 2009

Where two or more people are jointly liable for council tax, they will be eligible for the reduction if one or all of them meet the criteria.

Following implementation of the scheme, any money remaining from the Welsh Assembly Government’s allocation to Cardiff will be used in conjunction with Age Concern. Both the
council and the charity are proactively encouraging take-up of benefits in pensioner households and these funds will contribute to that scheme, between November 2009 and February 2010.

Executive Member for Finance Councillor Mark Stephens said: "I am delighted Cardiff is able to work with the Welsh Assembly Government to adopt the Pensioner Reduction Scheme.

"We are committed to giving extra help to the households most in need and the council has worked hard to ensure this is the best and most appropriate discount plan to offer."

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Poetry tonight! Grand Final for performance poets

Throughout October Academi has been holding heats across Wales for the 2009 John Tripp (pictured) Award for Spoken Poetry in a bid to find the nation's best performance poet. Over 70 poets have now performed and the judges have chosen the 16 who will battle it out at the Grand Final tonight at The Wharf, Cardiff.

The finalists are, from the Llanhilleth heat, Bernard Pearson, David John Davies, Gemma June Howell and Thaer Al-Shayei; from the Pontardawe heat Dafydd Wynn, Heidi Lorenz, Nicholas Whitehead and Sally Spedding; from the Cardiff heat, Amanda Rackstraw, Clare Syder, Geraint D’Arcy and Nick Fisk and from the Llandudno heat, Anne Forrest, Gareth Glyn Roberts, Rhys Trimble and Liam Johnson.

However, only one can be named Wales’ best performance poet and walk away with the first prize of £500. As well as the judges’ choice of winner, there will also be an award of £100 presented to the runner-up and a further £100 award to the winner of the Audience Prize.

The esteemed judging panel for the Grand Final will include New Welsh Review Editor, Kathryn Gray, 2009 Wales Book of the Year winner Deborah Kay Davies and Wiard Sterk, Executive Director of independent public art consultancy Safle. Poet Ifor Thomas, himself a former winner of the award, will introduce the evening.

The competition is widely renowned throughout Wales and has been exciting audiences and profiling new poets since 1990. Book your tickets now and be one of the first to find out who will come out on top and have your say as to who should be awarded the 2009 Audience Prize.

Tonight, 7.30 pm at The Wharf, Schooner Way, Cardiff, CF10 4EU. Tickets cost just £5.00 / £4.00 (concessions for Academi Members and Associates).

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A fox among the pumas

An urban fox has been spotted on the Millennium Stadium pitch just days before Wales take on the might of the Pumas.

Staff are hoping the arrival of the four legged intruder is an omen of good luck ahead of Saturday's clash with Argentina.

The fox was photographed by security staff who have been on the look out after several late night sightings of the elusive animal in the shadows around the pitch.

It is not known whether the fox has adopted the iconic stadium as its home or pays visits from its lair elsewhere in the capital city.

The photograph was taken late on Tuesday night after most of the Millennium Stadium staff had left for the day.

After being snapped the fox fled into the terraces and disappeared from view for the rest of the night.

In recent weeks security staff have spotted what looks like a fox on CCTV cameras which scour the building inside and out 24 hours a day.

It is believed those sightings are of the same animal which decided to take a stroll on the newly laid turf this week.

Millennium Stadium Manager, Gerry Toms, said: "We've had skydivers, a helicopter, and abseilers drop in on us before now but never to my knowledge a fox.

"This is a huge stadium and we learn to expect the unexpected but none of us can hide our delight and surprise at knowing a fox has decided to turn up.

"They are notoriously shy so there is no threat but we are now on the trail to try to find out how he or she gets in and where he or she likes to hide here.

"We've had plenty of pigeons in the past and we introduced a hawk to frighten them off but I think some of the staff are quite pleased to know we now have a fox for company.

"Foxes are quite nimble creatures so let's hope it's a good omen before we take on the strength and power of the Pumas on Saturday.

"I'm sure the fans will now keep a sharp look out for our fox but I'm pretty sure he will keep a low profile when the stadium is busy for the game.

"They tell me that our young centre, Jonathan Davies, is nicknamed The Fox so maybe he'll have an extra fan barking instructions to him at the weekend.

"We won't be encouraging our fox to stay around the Stadium but we're advised that it is not a real problem.

"Urban foxes are extremely common and all big towns and cities have quite large populations of these creatures who tend to be spotted late at night or in the early hours."

Turf farm manager, Chris Medley, from Country Turf snapped the picture of the fox on his phone as he was turfing the pitch late on Monday evening.

"I had a shock when I noticed the fox but I was more surprised at how close I was able to get with my camera phone to take a picture of the Millennium Stadium's newest fan."

read more... “A fox among the pumas”

Pudsey visits Cardiff's coolest attraction

Everyone's favourite bear, Pudsey, paid a special visit to bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland on Sunday, November 15.

Pudsey was there to show his support for the special Children in Need Happy Hour which took place at bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland.

Over £300 was raised during the hour with all money from the 11am till noon skating session being donated. The John Lewis Wheel operated by Sayers Amusements also gave their hour’s takings to Children in Need.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “I would like to thank everyone who took part in the special Children in Need hour and helped to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.”

For more information on bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland including ticket news, session details and entertainment listings, visit www.bmibabycardiffwinterwonderland.com

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Music, beer, rugby, what could possibly go wrong?

For many years Man struggled and sought in vain for the pleasure to surpass all pleasures - alchemists brewed their elixirs, druggists dug their drugs and writers described the debauched palaces in their own twisted minds, all in search of Big Screen Rugby, beer and top notch live music.

Well, look no further mankind, because Rugby, beer and music is here in our very own capital - the Diff they call Car - at The Globe in Roath.

Wales v Australia, on the biggest screen in Roath (they say), kicks off at 5:30pm, then just while you're arguing over the finer points of the refereeing of the breakdown and whether or not there's still any room for imagination in modern rugby - I mean, would Phil Bennet or Barry John have prospered in these times of the great thud? Sorry, that's a debate for another time.

So, pretty much straight after the game you'll be assailed with the bluegrass styles of - Ginge and Cellboi, something like this in fact (although, hopefully they'll have turned off the audience repelling force field that seems to be in action here):




Following them will be the much-loved and rather hirsute Whistling Biscuits, who like Wales on their third appearance of the Autumn season, are on a run of gigs and - as they won't have been tackled into casualty by 17 stone southern hemispherics who can run the 100m in eight seconds - are really hitting their stride. Like this:




Right, that's it with the rygbi, I pushed it too far I know and for that I am truly sorry, but it's just that I think players are getting all the flare coached out of them in a welter of systems and units and moves, oh for a side-step, oh for a dummy, up here for thinking and all that.

Well, finally, the headliners are also much loved and a real and genuine Cardiff legend (that doesn't mean they're made up) Cakehole Presley - "You'll dance, you'll sing along, you'll drink too much, you'll love every second," say the Globe and they should know.

Here's Cakehole:



Entry after 7.30pm is £5 for just music, or free for ruby and music - do the math, as annoying people say, and I'm nothing if not that.

read more... “Music, beer, rugby, what could possibly go wrong?”

Australian men with tatoos, yes, it's Butterfly Effect

So then, Australian men, tatoos, guitars etc, that's where we going with Butterfly Effect, perhaps the above video has confounded your preconceptions or confirmed your prejudices about Australian men, tatoos, guitars, etc. On youtube it's gone off on one and into a debate about whether Britney's world-wide fanbase means she's any good or, even if you don't like her you should admit that she does have talent.

Oi, people! This is what we call subjective, you see, it's not objective - meaning it can be measured against a set of criteria and judged, it's all in your very own little brain that these things are decided, so just decide them and then shut up, and stop posting comments on youtube you dolts. Sheesh.

All very interesting I'm sure you'll agree, but hardly getting to the root of the matter, which is where can I see these tatood Australian men with their guitars?

Funny you should ask that, you can see them at Cardiff Barfly this very Saturday, in the company of Slaves of Gravity and Touchfinder.

Barfly's just off the end of Queen Street, so you can do your shopping first, because I bet you'll look just great in the subsequent metal club night with your La Senza carrier bag.

The doors open at 7:30pm and if you're under-18 you can just flipping well sod off until you stop being under 18. And all this joy is yours for a bargain £7.50 - I suspect many of you will be drinking lager too, so take about £30 and forget shopping.

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Cuba Cuba @ Barfly Barfly

Cuba Cuba, the balmy tropical island liberated by Fidel Castro Castro and Che Che Guevara in 1958, hold on, no. Cuba Cuba are a rock and pop band. Now, my dear old mother God rest her... Oh, no she isn't is she. Well, my mother always advised me not to wear white, perhaps that's why I'm a Leeds United fan with possibly the largest acreage of sweat-shopped white polyester in all of Cardiff (I'll take on challengers).

But, we're digressing here.

Cuba Cuba, who we now know to be a band, with a touch of the Futureheads to these ears, play Cardiff Barfly on Monday, December 7.

And, it's not just them, oh no indeed. Blitz Kids (do they loot bombsites or something? Only attendance we feel will answer this question adequately) will also be bouncing around while playing electronic guitars on a small raised platform in the time honoured fashion that's proved such a success since Vera Lynn was but a nipper. Here they are doing just that sort of thing - rationing out now!



And, if that weren't enough, Samoans will be doing similar things too! Wow, and the last time Samoans got lively in Cardiff Warren Gatland had to use the word errors 17 times in his post-match interview, so we're expecting big things here.

Three bands and the good people at Barfly offer as their main selling point, and I quote, "Cheap entry and Cheap Drinks," (their capitals) which strikes me as hiding your lights under someone else's bushell.

Time will tell.

Doors at half-past the seven in the PM. Tickets from the usual suspects.

read more... “Cuba Cuba @ Barfly Barfly”

Carols for a good cause at Advent

The Reflections Carol Concert in aid of The Lewis Gold Appeal takes place at St John the Baptist Chruch, Cardiff on Tuesday, December 1, the perfect time to celebrate the onset of advent and get your caroling in tune for another Christmas.

The service promises a feast of festive music and readings featuring the Welsh tenor, Alun Rhys-Jenkins, 60 strong Cor Aelwyd y Waun Ddyfal Bechgyn mixed Choir, Bro Taf Choir and Radnor Primary School Choir.

The Lewis Akrill Gold Appeal will help to reflect on the lives of patients like Lewis Akrill from Caerphilly, who received a kidney transplant from his mum, Tracy, five years ago.

In spite of his health problems, the youngster won gold medal competing for Wales at the British Transplant Games In Coventry this year and is now launching a 'Lewis Gold Appeal' to raise awareness about the urgent need for more organs and support for the children's Kidney Unit.

Lewis said: It’s a chance to remember the donors like my Mum, who have helped children and other patients like me by donating their organs. Without their help, I wouldn't have had the chance to win gold medal.

We hope that you will be able to join us with family and friends for a wonderful festive evening.

For tickets please contact Kidney Wales on 02920343940 or contact andrew@kidneywales.com Donations are welcome at the service.

read more... “Carols for a good cause at Advent”

Athlete go accoustic at Buffalo

Here's Athlete:



They are playing accoustically. OK, so there are plugs on that keyboard and laptop, but we don't need to be sticklers about this do we?

This is what they will be doing at Buffalo Bar, Windsor Place, Cardiff next Friday, November 27.

It's part of Peter Lawrie's residency at the bar. This is Peter Lawrie, he has a very interesting voice and he will be 'projecting' it, that's a technical term, around the same room on the same evening, making up what is called the line up or bill.



What you do is buy tickets at Cardiff University Students Union shop and then you attend what is often called the 'gig'. Easy see, and you made all that fuss about it.

read more... “Athlete go accoustic at Buffalo”

Cardiff schools on parade for Pudsey

Soldiers from five Welsh regiments will visit a special school in Cardiff on Friday, as pupils learn more about military life, while also helping Children in Need.

The troops will work with the youngsters on a variety of team-building exercises including shelter construction, camouflage painting, first aid and putting basic army rations together.

The Royal Artillery, the Welsh Guards, the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Welsh and the Welsh Rifles will all be represented at The Court Special School, in Llanishen, on November 20.

Between them, all the regiments have taken part in a large number of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pupils and staff will be able to dress with a link to the military for a small contribution to Children in Need.

Headteacher Peter Owen said: "We hope to create a good fun day with a serious message about the sacrifices made by our armed forces."

Among the other schools taking part in fundraising activities for Children in Need is Fitzalan High, where children can participate in a number of sporting activities. Cheerleading will be taking centre stage, while a mini fete will also be held.

St Monica's Church in Wales Primary will mark the day by allowing pupils to wear their pyjamas. At Allensbank Primary there will be a Pudsey shop, an opportunity to wear fancy
dress, pitch 'n putt and the legendary Allensbank Chocolate Raffle.

Millbank Primary will be having a wacky hair and recycled costumes day, while Pudsey biscuits will also be on sale. At Llysfaen Primary all pupils and staff will be dressing up in spotty clothes or pyjamas.

Executive Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning Councillor Freda Salway said: "This snapshot of school activities is a great indication of how many pupils now get involved in Children in Need. As ever I am delighted to see this level of participation for a very worthwhile cause. I know all the schools are hoping to raise more money than last year and I wish them all the very best of luck!"

read more... “Cardiff schools on parade for Pudsey”

Clwb Ifor Bach angular triple bill

Coming up at Clwb Ifor Bach on Tuesday, December 8, are Kutosis, Joy Of Sex and We're No Heroes - and it's only £4.

Kutosis, are in the over-used phrase, hotly tipped, but have been picked out by the BBC for their Introducing stage at this year's Reading and Leeds festival, on which you can now see them here.



Joy of Sex - and try searching Youtube for that! - remind this old man of The Fall in a way, and are also hotly tipped by the behemoth-like Beeb.

We're No Heroes have won this slot with some impressive demos.

And to top it all, your hard-earned, nicked or borrowed £4 gets you Free Dancing too!

www.myspace.com/kutosis
www.myspace.com/joyofsex
www.myspace.com/werenoheroesband

read more... “Clwb Ifor Bach angular triple bill”