FOCUS OUTDOOR LIFE ART AT CRIC - THE ABERGAVENNY FOCUS
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APRIL 2021 ISSUE 83
THE
S OU T H PO WY S
FOCUS
OUTDOOR
LIFE
Art at
CRiC
Pg.10
Trewarren (detail) by Jantien Powell
Stump up for Trees
T
rees give life. It’s hard to woodland creation and enhancing donation of just £4.50 will cover
overstate their benefits. biodiversity in the Brecon Beacons the planting of one deciduous
Trees provide wildlife area of south-east Wales. Our key tree and 12 years of aftercare and
habitat, food, better air and goal is to plant one million trees maintenance.
water quality, medicine, shade, by encouraging upland farmers
sustainable timber, natural flood and other landowners to include If you would like to donate to
management and healthier, more trees on their farmland, and a climate-caring cause in the
more fertile soils. When we first to designate areas of their least beautiful Brecon Beacons, or
think about combating climate agriculturally productive land to simply would like to read more
change at a domestic level, woodland creation. about us, please visit our website:
using low-energy lightbulbs and stumpupfortrees.org
reducing our heating initially We are near completion with our
Bryn Arw plant of 120,000 native You can also check out our
comes to mind. Planting a tree is Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
not perhaps something people broadleaf trees, which is located
on the eastern edge of the Black pages for exciting updates and
immediately think of when they content: just search ‘Stump Up For
decide to be more environmentally Mountains. We hope to be able to
fund many more plants like this Trees’.
friendly. However, this is where
Stump Up For Trees comes in. in the coming years. We are using It’s more than planting a tree, it’s
innovative public-private funding planting the future.
Stump Up For Trees is an initiatives, so we are welcoming
Echo Murphy
ambitious charity, embedded in donations from individuals and
the community and focused on sponsorship from businesses. A
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15/10/2015 12:12:44 3
THE SO U TH PO WYS Dear Readers,
www.thefocus.wales
FOCUS C
CTheFocusMagazine
an you smell that? Yes! It’s the sweet sweet smell of
freedom! Having been confined to our homes and walks
Publisher: Focus Magazines Ltd from our doorstep for the past three months, we’re now
Tel: 01873 856614 allowed further afield and to visit friends and loved ones we
Contact may not have seen in many months. Enjoy it!
Hannah & Pete Hill:
hello@thefocus.wales As we head towards the peak of Spring and the beginning of
Cover Art: Trewarren, Jantien Powell
Summer (and hopefully warmer weather) our social meetups and
Contributions: reunions will still be restricted to outdoors; be that in gardens or
Emma Bevan
larger public spaces. Outdoor living is going to be a ‘thing’. We’ve
Dr Giles P Croft
Gail Jones put together this month’s Focus with that in mind, so we have
Tim Jones articles that embrace all aspects of being outdoors this season.
Pauline Mardell We hope you’ll enjoy leafing through. Don’t forget plenty of our
Karin Mear advertisers can assist you in getting your own space looking ship
Echo Murphy shape, so be sure to contact them if you need their services.
Jonathan Powell
Suzette Pratten Naturally there’s plenty more for you to enjoy in this month’s
Whilst every care is taken with materials magazine, so I hope you’ll find some time for yourself to relax and
submitted to Focus Magazines, the have a good read.
publisher cannot accept responsibility
for loss or damage to such materials. As we come out of lockdown, I hope you’ll continue to remain
Opinions expressed in articles are strictly safe, stay well and follow the rules in order to help keep our local
those of the author. This publication is
community safe too.
copyrighted and may not be reproduced
in any form without written permission Happy Reading and Happy Freedom!
from the publisher. Prices and details are
subject to change and conditions and
the publisher can take no responsibility
for ommissions or errors. The inclusion
of an advertiser in this magazine is not
necessarily a recommendation
© Focus Magazines Ltd 2021 hello@thefocus.wales
Tel: 01873 856614
A D V E RT I S E W I T H U S !
APRIL 2021 ISSUE 83
SOUTH POWYS
APRIL 2021 ISSUE 166
ABERGAVEN NY
THE
THE
FOCUS FOCUS Our Magazines are A5 sized, full colour
publications, delivered door to door for
free. We offer cost effective advertising
OUTDOOR LIFE OUTDOOR rates which start at just £25 per month.
LIFE
Art at Your advert will appear in full colour,
CRiC
Pg.10
we provide a free, professional design
HOMES FROM PARRYS
21 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 5AA
01873 736515 | abergavenny@fineandcountry.com | www.fineandcountry.com
Trewarren by Jantien Powell
6,000 copies
Focus banner - April 2021.indd 1 22/03/2021 16:54
8,000 copies hand service and big discounts for bookings
delivered monthly to delivered monthly
homes and businesses door to door covering
of 3 issues or more. Call Hannah or Pete
in Abergavenny,
the LD3 and NP8 today on 01873 856614 or email
Llanfoist, Gilwern and
Govilon, with additional
postcodes hello@thefocus.wales
local pick-up points
4 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALES
Contents
REGULARS
Editorial & Contents 4
Weather: April’s Outlook 15
Puzzles! 29 & 31 2
COMMUNITY
Stump up for Trees 2
Perk up the Park 7
7
Painted Windows 9
Welcome back to CRiC 10
The Bleddfa Centre 12
OUTDOORS SPECIAL
12
Bright and Beautiful, Daffodils Are 17
Illuminating Spring
Outdoor Cooking 20
20
LIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Wellbeing: Being in Nature 23
Recipe: Lemony Blueberry Squares 25
Bookish Live 26
25
24 23
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Residents and Councillors Join
Forces to Perk Up Llangattock Park
R
esidents and Councillors involvement in the design, are an accessible pathway going
in Llangattock are coming development and delivery of what around the park and linking to the
together in an ambitious happens here.” recently started Memorial Garden.
project to improve facilities in Other ideas include a bike track,
Parent Nell Batson, who has
Llangattock Recreation Ground. sheltered but open-plan seating
recently joined the Perk Up The
They say they want to win grant areas and a boules area.
Park Working Group, said: “The
funding to make it accessible and
park has become even more Cllr Jones said: “We want people
attractive to people of all ages
important over the past year, to have their say, whether they
and abilities.
during the pandemic, because are young people, older people
Llangattock Community Council people need a safe place to get and people with disabilities or
started the initiative, but Cllrs outside. But the play equipment otherwise. They need to tell us
voted this week to ask local is getting a bit tired, and the park what they want in the park and
people to lead the way in is not accessible or attractive to help us win the grants to deliver it.”
designing and developing the everyone. That’s why we have
Anyone who wants to get involved
new facilities. got this initiative going to see
in the Perk Up The Park Project
whether we can get some more
Cllr Tim Jones, Chair of the is urged to email the Council
equipment.”
Council’s Community Committee, on Llangattockcc@gmail.com A
said: “It is vital that we get the The working group plans to slideshow outlining the project
community behind us. The survey residents for their views is available online at www.
National Lottery make it clear that in the coming weeks before llangattock-cc.gov.wales/perk-up-
they won’t fund projects unless drawing up a list of what people the-park-project/
local people have meaningful want. Among the possible plans Tim Jones
7
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Painted Windows
A
rtist Karin Mear, whose but she also painted Swedish one day! She’s also hoping for
paintings and cards you tomtes (gnomes), snowmen, commissions for more permanent
may have seen in the Santa, Christmas trees, reindeer designs such as murals.
Makers Gallery in Crickhowell, and the occasional cartoon
Karin says that she likes to liaise
doesn’t only paint on canvas character. One of her most
with her clients, regarding their
and paper – she also paints popular paintings included the
ideas and she will paint any
on windows. She started last client’s dogs, two whippets while
subject. She paints on the inside
November when Shelly Swindale of the most unusual requests
of the windows, Covid restrictions
from Little Poppets in Brecon was for The Hulk alongside a
allowing, and always wears a mask
asked if she’d like to paint their Christmas tree.
and distances from her clients. The
shop window. The shop came
Karin has also painted Valentine cost depends on the size of the
second in the Brecon Town
and Mother’s Day windows and window and complexity of design
Council Christmas Window
she is currently painting Easter and and Karin also returns to remove
Competition and that led to more
Spring scenes. Birthday and other the painting, for a small extra
commissions from businesses
family celebrations, along with charge. Look out soon for a design
and home owners, all wanting
shop promotional images are also on Avenue Hairdo’s window in
Christmas scenes painted on their
popular themes. She hopes to be Crickhowell along with Karin’s
windows. Karin’s speciality was
asked to paint a wedding window latest paintings in The Makers
winter hares, birds and foliage
when it opens shortly.
Contact Karin by email
karinmear@gmail.com or call
07926 196714
Karin Mear
VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES
9
Welcome back to CRiC!
A
s spring unfolds,
dormant plants emerge
and lockdown starts
to ease, CRiC alongside other
businesses in Crickhowell, hopes
to re-open in mid-April.
Centre Manager, Jan Morgan
said, “We are very much looking
forward to welcoming back
the volunteer team who
enthusiastically help to staff
the centre, offering community
support and welcoming visitors
safely, whether for advice or to
be tempted by new ranges of
gifts, books and cards. CRiC is a
good place to start any visit to
ABOVE LEFt: Painting by David Roy Kerton. ABOVE LEFT: Swallows Gathering by Kay
Crickhowell or the surrounding Leverton. BELOW: Kissy and Emily by Jantien Powell
area. For those visitors still
not able to travel www. Truefitt-Baker, Alex Brown, Lee
visitcrickhowell.wales makes it Wright and Tim Rossiter. After
all the easier to plan a visit to the long periods of isolation renewed
area once travel is permitted or to pleasure can be found in the
shop online for guides, maps, art selection of paintings, prints,
and items with a flavour of Wales.” ceramics, sculpture, textiles and
jewellery. The inspiration found
The exhibition in the oriel CRiC in the Welsh landscape resonates
gallery holds the promise of fresh even more than usual when
colour and light in paintings and reconnecting with gardens, rivers
prints by amongst others Martin
10 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESDavid Roy Kerton is annually
one of the most popular artists
during the Crickhowell Open
Studios weekend. With the
unfortunate cancellation of the
event this year, collectors of
his paintings will be delighted
that his work is included in the
exhibition. Painting in acrylics
and working from sketches,
photographs and memories,
he captures the atmosphere of
the Welsh Valleys in the unique
style which makes his work so
appealing.
Please keep an eye on www.
orielcric.wales or on @orielcric
and @visitcrickhowell on social
media for confirmation of
opening dates and times. We will
be more than happy to see you.
Trewarren by Jantien Powell Suzette Pratten
and nature on our doorstep has studio at Llanddewi Rhydderch. Crickhowell Resource &
been valued so much. Jantien A varied selection - all bearing Information Centre, Beaufort
Powell has created a body of the hallmark of Jantien’s skill and Street, Crickhowell NP8 1BN
work in response to what is to charm - forms a core part of the gallery@visitcrickhowell.wales
be found within a mile of her exhibition this spring.
Local Information & Advice
Books * Maps & Guides * Gifts
Welsh Products * Cards
SPRING EXHIBITION
VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES
11The Bleddfa
Centre
The Bleddfa Centre, previously a little
village school and cottage, is an arts
centre and community hub, run by a
charitable trust, founded by James
Roose-Evans, and is set amongst the
rolling Radnorshire Hills.
Founder, James Roose-Evans
The Red Dress, a 10 year project by Kirstie MacLeod
T
he Centre hosts gallery, I am honoured to be the current The Bleddfa Centre are extremely
events, workshops and Centre Director and feel my long grateful to our followers for their
retreat spaces, as well as and varied range of experience in support, even during the current
a meditation chapel, orchard, arts, teaching and event-planning closure. The Centre would usually
gardens, café, and craft shop. have found a perfect partner in be inviting you all to visit, and take
There is even the little converted this beautiful venue. The fabulous part in the events and exhibitions,
schoolhouse which now runs as Board of trustees, and myself, are but for the meantime, we have
an AirBnB, open to the public supported by an amazing team, a set up some online activities,
and for use by artists. Our motto small core of staff and volunteers, which you can find out about on
is ‘For the creative spirit’ and has who all strive to make your visiting the website and Facebook page.
been running since 1978. experiences warm, friendly and You can also take a ‘virtual tour’
inclusive.
12 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESof their Gallery, Hall Barn and
holiday cottage, as well as keep up
to date with monthly exhibitions
and events, via the website: www.
bleddfacentre.org.
You can also keep up to date with
events and activities by signing
up to the newsletter, either by
clicking the form on the webpage,
or emailing hello@bleddfacentre.
org . As a charitable Trust, we also
rely on donations of all sizes, so
if you would like to help the trust
maintain our creative programme
for the community, you can
donate via the website, or sign
up as a Friend of Bleddfa. If you
are feeling the pinch, as many are
during the pandemic, you can
simply share our posts and follow
us on social media, as that is also
extremely helpful.
Another way of supporting us, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT: The Bleddfa Centre; The Hill by Alison Grimley - part of the
and treating yourself or a friend Abstract Edge exhibition; A story telling course at the centre; Our hand foraged Bleddfa
at the same time, would be to Spirit Gin
collaboration with The Hours Edge is a group of artists who
Bookshop & Café in Brecon, have a shared interest in painting
currently available online via in an abstract or semi –abstract
Zoom. The Centre invites writers, way. Collectively their work has
performers, and artists to a been shown in different local
conversation with Leigh and I, and venues, aiming to raise the profile
a Q&A with the audience. of Abstract art by bringing it
to a wider public .Some of the
Or you can sign up for the
work is semi abstract, taking a
Mindfulness Sessions, run by the
landscape, organic form or still life
Chair of the Bleddfa Trust, Matthew
as it’s starting point. Some of it is
Trustman.
purely abstract, making no explicit
Perhaps you will enjoy browsing reference to the external world but
each exhibition, available on the relying on shape, colour, line and
website, and when the Centre texture to create an image which is
is open, also on display in Oriel engaging in its own right.’
Bleddfa.
We look forward to you visiting as
Coming up this year, the Centre is soon as the Centre opens (this date
order a bottle of our hand-foraged hosting The Big Skill Crafts Festival will be announced next week!), and
Bleddfa Spirit Gin; we are very (a weekend of free workshops in would highly recommend a visit,
lucky to have had the assistance the Orchard); a night of stories as there is so much to see and do,
of Adele Nozedar who foraged with The Devils Violin; an oboe you can spend a whole afternoon
the botanicals, and the Gower Retreat; participating in h.Art; the exploring the Centre, the Church
Gin Company for their expertise annual Apple tree Blessing, and and medieval churchyard, the local
in creating this for us. Each bottle this year’s Annual Lecture is with walks, as well as the pub opposite
is £40, and it has proven very Horatio Clare. for an evening meal!
popular!
The current exhibition, which is With all our best wishes,
You can take part in the available online, is that of Abstract The Bleddfa Team.
monthly Conversation series, our Edge: ‘Formed in 2004, Abstract Emma Bevan
VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES
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14 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESApril’s Outlook
Forecast from Jonathan Powell
After a challenging March weather-wise
with winter delivering a curtain call across in, we could well enjoy some decent spells
the region in the form of frost, ice, and of settled and at times warm and sunny
at times generally chilly weather, spring weather for April, allowing for blossoming
looks set to stamp its authority on April. colour in the gardens under blue skies, a
March also delivered some very wet and much needed natural tonic for all of us.
windy conditions as the jet stream slipped However, whereas we should enjoy a fair
south allowing for several low pressure swathe of dry weather, we won’t have the
systems to produce not only sustained weather all our own way with ‘April showers’
periods of rain, but gale force winds. plus a little extra at times to be expected.
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16 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESBright and Beautiful,
Daffodils Are Illuminating
Spring
T
he daffodil (narcissus) is ANY GOOD AT FACEBOOK?
most commonly known
You could be just what we’re
for being a symbol
looking for to help us publicise
of hope and rebirth.
the mainly private gardens
This national flower for Wales
opening in Powys to raise funds
has added flower power to our
for the nursing and health care
beneficiary charity Marie Curie.
charities we support. We’re after
Explore our wonderful daffodil
someone:
gardens, fun facts, and visit a
selection of our spring gardens • familiar with Facebook and
including Fron Heulog, Powys, a passion for supporting
managed for wildlife creating a nursing and health care
haven for birds, butterflies and charities,
pollinators. Enjoy from your
home this garden bursting with • to share posts from our
blossoms and birdsong at ngs. Facebook page to relevant
org.uk ‘What’s On?’ pages across
Powys.
ROSES IN THE GARDEN
Note: garden openings are subject
To celebrate the generosity of our to the coronavirus restrictions in
other health-based charities. If
garden owners who invite the place at the time. Before travelling
you are redesigning part of your
public to enjoy their beautiful, visitors are advised to check the
garden, please consider adding
private spaces through the details of the gardens they want
a rose arch and plant this pale
National Garden Scheme, in to visit, and to book online, on the
pink climbing rose with an ‘old
2021 David Austin will make a National Garden Scheme website
rose’ scent. The beautifully formed
£2.50 donation from the sale of ngs.org.uk
flowers nod gracefully from late
the Generous Gardener to the Gail Jones
spring through to early winter. National Garden Scheme
National Garden Scheme and
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1718 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALES
VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES
19Outdoor Cooking
The chances are that this Spring and Summer, any kind of
social gathering will need to happen outdoors. By way of
embracing this new kind of normal, we’ve put together our
ultimate guide for the best outdoor cooking solutions for all
budgets and sizes of space!
Best for… Woodfired Pizza
OONI FRYA
Not a BBQ in the traditional sense, however we couldn’t
resist including our pick of the bunch for woodfired pizzas.
The Ooni Frya is a woodfired portable pizza oven weighing
in at just 10kg, meaning you can enjoy a woodfired pizza
wherever you wander! It is ready to use in just 15 minutes,
reaching temperatures as high as 500 degrees celsius and
cooks a pizza in just 90 seconds. Your guests will never go
hungry and the results are wonderful.
Fuel: Wood pellets
RRP: £249
20 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESBest for…Small Spaces
CAMPINGAZ PARTY GRILL 400CV CAMPING STOVE
Not your average camping stove! This is ideal for those with a
smaller outdoor space, but can cook for up to 6 people. As well
as the grill, there’s a cast iron griddle plate for beautifully char-
lined veg, as well as a hot plate for frying ingredients like eggs or
potatoes. The lid will even double as a wok! It packs up neatly into a
5kg carry case, making it portable too.
Fuel: Propane gas
RRP: £129.99
Best for…Budgets
JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS 2 BURNER GAS BBQ
This is a solid choice that will see you through many summers. The
thermometer in the lid will help you keep an eye on the temperature, and
the generous cooking area means you can easily cook for four people at
once. It doesn’t double up as anything else like some other models, but
with its warming rack, two burners, flame tamers and easy to remove
grease tray, this is straightforward, easy barbecuing at its best.
Fuel: Propane gas
RRP: £199.99
Best for…Artisans
THE WOODEE
These beautifully crafted artisan fire pits are made just
across the border in Herefordshire. Each one is made to
order, to a straight edged design using mild or stainless
steel, featuring around 100 oak leaves cut out of each one,
making them both functional in drawing air from every
direction as well as beautiful. They feature a heavy duty
grill, cooking tray and a lid and come in three different
sizes, with the 600mm size recommended for families.
Fuel: Wood
RRP: From £595
Best for…Gastronomes & Big Budgets
BIG GREEN EGG
The makers of Egg Barbecues claim that these will revolutionise the
way you cook, allowing you to produce restaurant quality food at home
(and being unable to eat out at the moment, we all want some of that!) Eggs have
been developed using NASA-grade ceramics and permit lots of different ways to
cook: smoking, roasting, slow cooking, grilling and baking. Yes, you can cook your
Sunday joint in it, but you can also achieve crusty sourdough loaves and flaky
based tarte tatins too! The price tag isn’t small, but as an investment you’ll get a
quality build and superb cooking results.
Fuel: Charcoal
RRP: £1,175
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21Painter &
Decorator
J L STEPHENS LTD
BUILDERS & CONTRACTORS
New Builds, Extensions and
Conversions, Refurbishments
and Renovations
Qualified Wallpaperer 70 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE
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Over 25 years experience Brecon, Powys LD3 7YZ
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07531245158
Fax: 01874 676442
Email: jlstephensltd@aol.com
22 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESWELLBEING
Being in
Nature
I
’m always keen to hear what The good news is, the gap between This is when we retain that sense of
people like about spending what’s real and what’s fiction has invigoration and renewal, long after
time in nature. Here are some a feeling to it, and we can use this such forays into the wild: because
examples: “If I’m in a bad mood, I as our guide. Negative emotions when we are there, our attention is
know it’ll get my head straight,” or don’t need to be analysed, they’re so narrowed to the now, we hoover
“It helps me regain perspective.” simply alerting us to the fact that up data that would otherwise have
And, “I seem to solve problems we’re lost in the story; that we’ve gone unnoticed.
thought our way out of the truth,
easier, out on a walk,” or “A few So here, in the guise of a love letter
again.
hours outdoors can stay with me for to nature, is your monthly reminder
days afterwards.” And that is brought into stark relief
that the formula for a happy life is
out in nature, where everything
What is it about being in nature devastatingly simple: we are either
that surrounds us is made of real
that offers up these benefits? What in life—at one with its natural ebb
life, just getting on with it. It’s
do they all have in common? How and flow—or we’re in our heads,
a rich, sensory experience that
does it work? continually reminds us of the fact making out like we’re separate
that we are not separate from from it; waging war against our
The answer is hiding in plain sight,
nature. We are nature. experience of the now.
so much so, that I’ve typed it twice
already and it’s probably passed This is why spending time outdoors Put on your shoes and celebrate
you by. In truth, we miss it all day makes us feel better; not because the great outdoors, and in doing
every day, and yet it’s the same of some magical property of the so, take heed from naturalist John
answer, whatever we’re up against. outdoors itself, but simply because Burroughs, who said, “The kingdom
when we’re immersed in it, we of heaven is not a place, but a state
Nature allows us to be. To be in are present to life. Now, is where of mind.”
the now, which is the only thing happiness is found.
that’s real for us humans. We are
This is what gaining perspective Dr Giles P Croft
so adept at thinking ourselves out
actually is: falling out of our gilespcroft.com
of it—with past and future and fictional personal thinking and Healing • Coaching • Speaking
judgement and analysis—that back into the reality of now.
we have come see the present as
This is where solutions come COMING SOON! “A Fresh perspective
alien, and identify instead with the
from – not the lifeless form of on Wellbeing” mini-course. More than
fictional narrative that overlays our what already is, or has been, but 3 hours of FREE material in the form of
experience of life. from our connection to the infinite short, bite-size online video lessons. Learn
In short, we’re living inside the potential of the now; from insight more and register your interest to hear first:
story, believing it to be true. that arrives ‘out of the blue’. gilespcroft.com/fresh-perspective/
VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES
23YOUR LOCAL INDEPENDENT OUTDOOR STORE
Big Reductions on apparel
www.crickhowelladventure.co.uk
info.crickhowelladventure@gmail.com
Tel: 01873 810020
1 High Street, Crickhowell, POWYS NP8 1BW
C@crickhowelladventure M@crickadventure crickadventure
Gender neutral, fun,
organic clothing celebrating
outdoor adventures and the
magic of childhood.
www. wildthingsarehere.co.uk
24 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESLIFESTYLE & CULTURE
Nana’s Kitchen
Lemony
Blueberry
Squares
If you’re getting out and about to enjoy Nature’s Glory this month,
this is a lovely tray bake that can be cut into squares and
packed into a lunchbox for a picnic. The squares are bursting with
Ingredients:
flavour, moist and more-ish. Blueberries are now
• 250g self raising available all year round, but can be expensive.
flour
It is about now that they start coming into season.
• 1tsp baking powder
• 225g golden caster
Try this easy recipe for a tray bake with a difference.
sugar
• 4 large eggs (beaten) Pauline Mardell
• 225g softened Method:
butter (you can use
margarine if you
1. Preheat oven to 170C/150 Fan/ 7. Spoon the mixture into the
Gas 3 ½ prepared tin and bake in the
prefer)
2. Line a straight sided baking middle of the oven for 35
• 3 tbsp milk tin approx 30cm x 25 cm with minutes or until risen and golden
baking paper in colour
• Grated zest of 3
lemons 3. Into a large mixing bowl add 8. Turn out onto a wire cooling rack
all the dry ingredients and leave to cool
• 250g blueberries 4. Make a well in the middle, 9. Mix lemon juice to the icing
add the eggs, butter, milk and sugar, a spoonful at a time – the
Icing: icing should be loose enough
lemon zest
for drizzling over the top of the
• 200g icing sugar 5. Beat with an electric mixer sponge
until smooth and combined
• Lemon juice for
6. Add the blueberries
10. Leave to set before cutting into
mixing squares
25LIVE
very many people who have
already read The Thursday Murder
Club and enjoyed it Richard will
be releasing his second novel in
In
the Autumn, which you can now
pre-order from Book-ish.
this month’s Book-ish Live – a The wine is a proper old school
monthly live session on Facebook in gentleman’s Claret, perfect for
which Emma discusses new titles, top solving a murder mystery! Equal
parts Cabernet and Merlot, this is
picks, upcoming events and all things bookish quality Bordeaux, ripe and juicy
– Emma joined forces with Lloyd and Ben from hedgerow fruits with fine tannins
and supple mouth feel.
Chesters Wine Merchants in Abergavenny who
All wine is available from Chesters
expertly paired some marvelous red wines with Wine Merchants in Abergavenny
fantastic literary selections.
THIS MONTH’S TOP LITERARY
PICKS
The
Lamplighters by HARDBACK FICTION
Emma Stonex
paired with Klara and the
Distant Noises Sun – Kazuo
Pinot Noir Ishiguro. A new
novel from
This novel is
this Nobel
an evocative
prize winning
novel about
novelist. It
the unresolved
explores
fate of three Cornish lighthouse
our rapidly-
keepers, which haunts the
changing
community and especially the trio
modern world through the eyes
of women who loved them.
of an unforgettable narrator to
Distant Noises is a Pinot Noir from explore a fundamental question:
the Yarra Valley with a complex what does it mean to love? £20
nose of cherries and a savoury note
with crushing red fruits. The
Manningtree
The Thursday Witches – A.K
The pairings were: Murder Club by Blakemore. Set
Richard Osman in 1643, this
Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan
paired with novel plunges
paired with Beck Ink
2016 Cailloux its readers into
Insatiable is the incisive and De By Bordeaux the fever and
tantalising fiction debut by the
The Thursday menace of the
author of The Sisterhood. It charts
Murder Club English witch
a vulnerable young woman’s entry
is laced with trials, where
into a world of power, ambition,
killer one liners suspicion, mistrust and betrayal
influence and greed.
and artfully constructed twists, ran amok as the power of men
Beck Ink, is produced by winemaker went unchecked and the integrity
Richard Osman’s debut novel
Judith Beck – a woman headed to of women went undefended. It
centres on a posse of pensionable
the top! This is a blend of Zweigelt & is a visceral, thrilling book that
Poirots investigating the
St Laurent, expressive and juicy, full announces a bold new talent.
suspicious demise of a property
of violets entwined with black fruits £12.99
developer. If you are one of the
and hints of spice.
26 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALESThe Best Things of turning your life around. £8.99 Panenka – Ronan Hessian
– Mel Giedroyc. (released 20th May)
This is a debut NON-FICTION
novel from Panenka has spent 25 years living
comedian, Michael with the disastrous mistakes of
actress, Rosen – Many his past, which have made him
presenter Different Kinds an exile in his home town and
and national of Love: A story cost him his dearest relationships.
treasure. It is a of life, death Now aged 50, Panenka begins
funny tender and the NHS to rebuild an improvised family
and timely Michael Rosen life with his estranged daughter
story about a family on the brink. wasn’t feeling
It’s a life-affirming tale of failing, and her seven year old son.
well. Soon he But at night, Panenka suffers
falling and finding a way back up.
was struggling crippling headaches that he calls
£12.99
to breathe, and then he was his Iron Mask. Faced with losing
PAPERBACK FICTION admitted to hospital, suffering everything, he meets Esther, a
from coronavirus as the nation woman who has come to live
American
teetered on the edge of a global in the town to escape her own
Dirt – Jeanine
pandemic. Combining stunning disappointments. Together, they
Cummins. An
extraordinary new prose poems by one of find resonance in each other’s
story of the Britain’s best loved poets and the experiences and learn new ways
lengths a moving coronavirus diaries of his to let love into their broken lives.
mother will nurses, doctors and wife Emma- £12
go to to save Louise Williams, this is a beautiful
her son. book about love, life and the NHS. Visit the Book-ish pre-order
American Dirt Featuring original illustrations by section of the website for a
has sold over Chris Riddell, each page celebrates comprehensive list of upcoming
a million copies worldwide. the power of community, the releases as there are lots coming
Lydia Perez owns a bookshop in up. You also have the opportunity
importance of kind gestures in
Acapulco, Mexico, and is married to order limited edition
dark times, and the indomitable
to a fearless journalist. Luca, their independent versions of certain
eight-year-old son, completes the spirits of the people who keep us
well. £14.99 titles.
picture. But it only takes a bullet
to rip them apart. A real page Book-ish very much hopes to
turner. £8.99 be able to welcome customers
UPCOMING
Saving RELEASES back into the shop for browsing
Missy – Beth from 12th April (subject to
Morrey. Missy Circus of Gorvernment advice). The café
Carmichael Wonders – remains closed for the time being,
is prickly, Elizabeth with re-opening to be confirmed
stubborn – and MacNeal at a later date.
terribly lonely. (released 13th
Until a chance May) If you would like to tune in for
encounter Moving from Book-ish Live each month, where
in the park the pleasure gardens of Victorian there are giveaways, exclusive
with two very London to the battle-scarred special offers and prizes, you can
different women opens the door do so by following the Facebook
plains of the Crimea, Circus of
to something new. Something page.
Wonders is an astonishing story
wonderful. Perfect for fans of
Eleanor Oliphant, this debut novel about power and ownership, 18 High Street, Crickhowell, Powys.
has a memorable central character fame and the threat of invisibility. NP8 1BD 01873 811256
and is a gentle, tender dissection £14.99 www.book-ish.co.uk
of love, loneliness and the power
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2728 TO ADVERTISE CALL 01873 856614 OR EMAIL HELLO@THEFOCUS.WALES
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29CASTLE BATHROOM & TILE CENTRE
CASTLE BATHROOM & TILE CENTRE
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T: 01291 431192 T:02920 885293
T:02920 464234 T: 01495 767993PUZZLES
Spot the Difference
ACROSS DOWN Quick Crossword
1 Denied (7) 1 Disagreements (5)
5 Not ours (5)
QUICK CROSSWORD
2 Supporter (3)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Across
8 Amazing (9) 3 Used for cleaning (7)
1 Denied (7) 8 9
9 Spot (3) 4 Insistence (13)
5 Not ours (5)
10 Nap (5) 5 Sailboat (5)
8 Amazing (9) 10 11 12
12 Replies (7) 6 Vests, boxers (9)
9 Spot (3)
13 Nearly (13) 7 Fulfil (7)
10 Nap (5) 13 14
15 Mum’s mother (7) 11 Made clear (9)
12 Replies (7)
17 Healed (5) 13 Fishing (7)
13 Nearly (13) 15 16 17 18
19 Lodging house (3) 14 Sale by bidding (7)
15 Mum's mother (7)
20 Ethereal (9) 16 Covered with fine powder
17 Healed (5)
(5) 19 20 21
22 Dizzy (5)
19 Lodging18house
Hold up(3)
(5)
23 Convent (7)
20 Ethereal21(9)
Employ (3) 22 23
22 Dizzy (5)
Solutions on our website:
4 Insistence (13) www.thefocus.wales
13 Fishing (7)
23 Convent (7) VISIT THE FOCUS ONLINE AT WWW.THEFOCUS.WALES
31
Down 5 Sailboat (5) 14 Sale by bidding (7)3 CIRCLES CARE
Caring, Compassionate, Consistent
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