JUNE 2010

The Ultimate Bad GirlWe catch up with Eastenders star Charlie Brooks

Summer FunWays to keep the kids busy this summer Facts about the

Killer Hornets heading to the UK

or for more info call us on 01633 262626 or visit us at Usk Way, Newport, NP20 2BX

Keep Kids Busy

Cool Motor

Business

Recipe Corner

World Cup Sickies

Occupational Health

Reporter In The Water

Gadget of the Month

Charlie Brooks

Log Off

Wembley Pics

Bee Careful

What’s Occurring

Dear Claire

Reader’s Lives

Classic Cocktails

Current Affairs

Surf’s Up

Football Focus

¡Hola!Welcome to the June edition of

our increasingly popular My Valleys Magazine.

June’s edition of MyValleys Magazine is, as always, crammed with interesting articles and for this edition we’re really pleased to have had the pleasure of an exclusive interview with Wales’ best known soap star, Charlie Brooks.

A lot has happened since our May edition found it’s way to you... We now have ‘Ant and Dec’ at Downing Street and we almost saw our capital city’s football club reach the Premiership. A BIG My Valleys Magazine well done to all at the club for a superb effort; onwards and upwards!

This month also sees the kick off of the football World Cup and I can confirm that as Wales (or even Scotland or the Republic of Ireland) failed to qualify, that I am now an official supporter of Spain during the tournament. I am now Spanish for a month!

June also sees the launch of our new “Readers Lives” campaign. The concept is simple. Get your photograph taken holding our magazine, either on your own or with your mates, at home, out and about or on holiday and email it to us at readers@myvalleysmagazine.co.uk and win a T-Shirt if we feature it in the mag. Feel free to be as daft as you like as we don’t mind.

We’ll be sitting down and choosing the very best of our readers’ photos in December and the winners will receive some very special prizes.

Let’s hope June brings some sunshine, some great football, plenty of BBQ’s, an economic upturn, good health, and happiness to each and every one of you.

Enjoy and be lucky.

Easy and effective advertising to over 20,000 consumers in the South Wales valleysEditor: Ross PorterDesigner: Oli Salisbury

Contributors:Paul Corkery, David Jones, Claire Louise, Nikki McLaughlin, Oli Salisbury, Charles Sinclair, Nigel Courtney

Tel: 0845 230 1937

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What’s Inside

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We make room for you

There are few other phrases in the English language able to produce more of a spine chilling feeling in a parent than “I’m bored”.

It is a phrase used more in the school holidays than at any other time. Just when your children should be out there enjoying their youth while you slog away at work; it becomes apparent that your offspring just can’t keep themselves busy. Here are a few ways to save your sanity and stop your children dragging themselves around the house like manic depressed zombies during their break from school.

Daub your little urchins with sun protection and send them outside into the sunshine. Allocate each of them a portion of the garden and get them to design and cultivate their own area of land. Give prizes for the best work done (although we do not recommend alcohol as a prize as we find this has a detrimental affect on their gardening ability and you don’t want a scruffy garden). The advantage to this activity is that it can keep them occupied for days while getting them outside and away from the PC, television and those ghastly computer gaming consoles that are taking over the world.

Get the kids to use their creative genius and write and produce plays for you. Allow them access to certain props such as make-up, clothes and sheets.(We do not recommend encouraging the use of White pillow cases as hats unless you live in the deepest Redneck regions of America where such attire may well be the norm). Let them dress up and make believe. Little ones may need more help from you and teenagers may just look at you stupid and make some sort of a hand gesture towards you as a reply. While we

are being creative try doing this. Through the year collect eggshells, egg boxes, polystyrene trays and other odds and ends for the kids to use. Give them glue (water-based PVC glue), paint and a free rein and see what they create. Try making up different themes, for example: they must create something to be used in space or in the desert. Challenging and fun this will keep them occupied for a long time.

Lunchtime can become a nightmare with the whole tribe home at once. Let the kids take turns making lunch. You may be subjected to things like peanut butter and noodles but hang in there, the kids will enjoy it and it will help you.

Those ghastly computer gaming consoles are taking over the world

Devise a clean-up competition, where the children get to clean up either the house or garden areas and the one with the largest bag (just check it isn’t filled with rocks) getting a prize of some sort.

If the children are going stir crazy try taking them for a stroll or even just rig up a hamster wheel in your living room, get them to run around constantly and sell the excess electricity back to the National Grid. At least this way they will earn their pocket money.

Extend a walk to include a trip to a local park where they can play on jungle gyms and interact

with other kids.

Should finances permit, allow the children to go on pottery courses, art courses, pony camps, football training days and other activities. An afternoon matinee at a local theatre or cinema will also amuse the children no end. Some theatres offer holiday activities for them as well. Keep your eye on the local newspaper or in the ‘What’s Occurring’ section of this magazine as many places offer activities and cheap courses for the kids to attend for a few hours a day.

I’m not telling you how to suck eggs, but children need the interaction of other children. Invite their friends around to play or to hang out if your little darlings have almost reached that pleasant Kevin and Perry stage; but it may be an idea to keep an eye on them at all times, as we all know that they can be as cunning as one-eyed foxes when together.

Enjoy some quality time with your kids during the holidays if you are fortunate enough to do so.

Keep The Children Busy This Summer

Ross Porter

Bookings for July’s edition are now being taken. Call us today!www.myvalleysmagazine.co.uk Tel: 0845 230 1937

Cool MotorFerrari 599 GTO

Now this is cooler than a penguin’s dangly bits! A sensational version of the 599 GTB Fiorano supercar is set to have grown men (and women) dribbling uncontrollably if they are ever fortunate to see one growling past them in the street.

This is the first time the GTO badge has been used since the 288 GTO went to the US twenty five years ago. Ferrari

CEO Amedeo Felisa recently remarked that the company had changed the internal

classification of its flagship 599 from being a ‘GT’ car to part of the ‘Sports Car’ division, alongside the newly launched 458 Italia.

It’s this change that has allowed the development of this more extreme version of the 599, much in the same way that the Scuderia was developed from the standard F430.

The 599 GTO will effectively be a road-going version of the track-only £1million Ferrari 599XX . The rev-limit of the 599’s Enzo-derived 6-litre V12 has been raised

to an awesome 9000rpm, power has been boosted to feature more horses than in the Cheltenham Gold Cup week i.e. a brown-pants making 700bhp (an increase of 89bhp over the standard car). If this wasn’t enough, then add quicker gearchanges and expect the 0-60mph time to fall from 3.7secs to a mind blowing 3.2. The top speed is thought to be around 217mph.

It is likely that 50 cars, priced at £300K each, are expected for the UK. If there’s ever been a reason to buy a National Lottery ticket, then this is it. Worth every penny if you’re a true Petrolhead.

Big Tax Hits On Way? with Nigel Courtney

Newport has once again shown the UK how to manage it’s affairs.  The Newport City Council position of a Conservative-Liberal coalition has just been replicated in Westminster!

On a more serious note, taxes are going to change significantly with some potentially big hits:

Possibly the biggest issue is the proposed increase in capital gains tax for individuals. Currently CGT is a maximum of 18% of gains over £10,100 annually. Aligned with income tax rates it would be up to 50% on gains over £2,000. Many more people will be caught in the

capital gains net than ever before. A gain of £10,000 with no tax could cost £4,000 of tax in the future. It may be possible to avoid this extra tax by acting quickly and those with land and property or non cash

investments should seek advice on this immediately.

VAT in the UK is one of the lowest rates in the EU. No announcement was made during the

election but a VAT increase to 20% would not be a surprise.

On a positive note the planned 1% rise in national insurance should be removed for those earning under £35,000 and company taxes should be reduced from 21% and 28% currently to 20% and 25%.

There will be a new budget sometime in the next 50 days so there is little time to get your tax plan in place.

For guidance and advice on any tax issues please contact UHY Peacheys’ Tax Associate Nigel Courtney on 01633 213318

Taxes are going to change significantly with some potentially

big hits

With the World Cup frenzy starting to build in your workplace, here are some practical tips on maintaining employee attendance and productivity levels, as well as avoiding sickies as staff get excited by what is deemed by many as the greatest sporting competition in the world.

Taking leave. Contrary to common belief, there is no statutory entitlement to take time off to watch football! Employers should check their annual leave policy and remind employees about the procedure for taking time off and the amount of notice required.

If an employer’s policy is silent or non-existent, the Working Time Regulations 1998 kick in (no pun intended honestly).This means that an employee must give an employer advance notice equivalent to twice the number of days they wish to take off.

Flexible working. Instead of allowing time off, an employer might agree a temporary flexible working practice, allowing an employee to work different hours or to make up missed hours on other days.

Moving rest breaks. The Working Time Regulations require employees to receive rest breaks (where their daily working time exceeds six hours) and adequate daily rest (11 hours in each 24 hour period). Employees can agree to forego their rest breaks or take them at the end of their working day to leave early to see a match.

Contrary to common belief, there is no statutory entitlement to take time off to watch football!

Sickies. Statistics clearly show a sudden rise in sick leave around major sporting events. Should they be paid? The answer depends an employee’s contract of employment. If there is a contractual right to sick pay and an employer refuses to make that payment, they may face breach of contract claims. If there is no contractual scheme in place, an

employee falls back on the Statutory Sick Pay Scheme - the first three day of which are unpaid.

Homeworking. If appropriate, employers could allow some staff to work from home. This could be on a first come, first served basis but it can be difficult to monitor whether an employee is being productive or skiving. The easiest option is to implement a blanket ban on homeworking.

Facilities at work. If you allow employees to watch matches at work, it can foster good industrial relations; just don’t let them crack the Stella open!

Internet use. Staff may seek to use their office computers to watch the games or track the score, which can have a negative impact on productivity. Having a clear policy in place on internet usage can help spell out what is acceptable - and what is not.

Whatever your approach as an employer, ensure your staff know the rules of engagement well in advance of the World Cup kick-off on 11 June. Also be evenhanded and non-discriminatory in the way you apply any flexibility - it is not just the boys that want to watch! I will be implementing my own Yellow and Red Card system and I will come down hard on any two-footed challenges in the office.

Employers’ Guide To Avoiding World Cup Sickies Ross Porter

It pays to advertise in My Valleys Magazine! Adverts start at just £45!www.myvalleysmagazine.co.uk Tel: 0845 230 1937

Gadget of the Month AK47 Aqua Fire

As any seasoned aqua-combatant will already know, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with taking it seriously - it’s all in the name of fun.

With that in mind, we present the latest in rapid-fire water pistol technology, the AK-47 Aqua Fire. Dispersing a pretty-darn-impressive four “bullets” of water per second, the Aqua Fire truly is the future of water pistols. If you’re unfortunate enough to be standing in front of that, then prepare to spend the next ten years of your life grappling with Post-Automatic Drenched Syndrome.

Unlike standard heavy-duty water guns, the Aqua Fire requires no pumping, and a full ‘clip’ will last you about 60 seconds. Gone are the days when any water-pistol fun was unduly halted when the tank ran dry. Instead, the Aqua Fire is easy to reload thanks to the removable water cartridge, so there will be minimal delay between dispatching your mates.

We found one for sale at www.iwantoneofthose.com for only £19.99 of your great British pound!

GET WETTHIS SUMMER!

Gadget of the Month AK47 Aqua Fire

Classic Cocktail Pimms & Lemonade

Pimm’s is the epitome of a British summer. Pretend you’re posh for the afternoon, switch the cricket on TV, or for the more energetic, knock a few rounds of croquet around the orchard.

In reality, nothing tastes like summer more, and we may need all the help we can get for that summer feeling. Try the simple recipe below for this classic cocktail, or break the mould a little bit and try some of our Pimms With A Twist ideas on the right.

Ideally, get Jeeves the Butler to serve it in your best crystal glasses!

Pimms With A TwistServe your classic Classic Pimms

Party Drink Recipe in unusually

shaped drinking glasses

Give your drinking glasses a frosted

edge by dipping the rim into Lemon

juice and then dipping it into sugar

Put the drinking glasses on colourful

drink coasters

The presentation of your classic

Classic Pimms drink is all important!

Add colourful decorations and

drinking glasses - drink umbrellas,

swizzle sticks, paper flowers, drink

coasters, straws and even sparklers!

Drinking glasses, drink coasters and

decorations are all cheap and easy to

obtain

Add some straws - just cut them up

for small drinking glasses and place

on a drink coaster!

Use cocktail sticks to twist or skewer

fruits and place on the rim of

drinking glasses

Place on drink coasters and use slices

of fruit to decorate drinking glasses

and add a twist to your classic Classic

Pimms Party Drink Recipe

Add crushed ice - To make crushed

ice just place your ice cubes in a

plastic bag and crush the ice with a

heavy object

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GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A BOOST WITH AN ADVERT IN NEXT MONTH’S MAGAZINE.Advertise in My Valleys Magazine from as little as £45.00 +VAT for a 10cm x 7cm full colour advert.

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SURF’S UPSurf Exploration Still Alive and Kicking In South WalesThere was once a time - a golden age of surf exploration, where a select few British surfers searched the rugged Welsh coastline for new breaks.

The world of surf was much less commercialised; there were no surf guides directing you to the exact latitude and longitude of a surf spot, there were no surf forecast websites giving you a projected rating for the swell every hour of every day, and no eyeball surf reports telling you to quit Internet Explorer and grab your board. Instead, the only way of surfing was to just go.

Now that said surf “luxuries” do exist, the usual procedure is to check the surf forecast before bedtime - if it’s going to be flat then you can justify a lie-in; if it’s going to be pumping then you can pretty much guarantee that you will be waking up at hourly intervals in the fear that you somehow missed your alarm.

Then insues the drive to your local spot. There are plenty of other places to surf, of course, but for some reason your local always seems the easiest and most welcoming place. After all, you know the place like the back of your hand.

One morning, me and a mate were driving the usual coastal road to our local spot. The mood was surprisingly mundane considering there was a big swell in, perhaps because we knew the standard onshore winds would be demolishing the waves by the time we got to the beach.

As we drove the road, we spotted a wave peeling off a stretch of reef like we’d never seen it before. Our ears pricked as we pulled in to the side of the road.

It took little persuasion for us to abandon plan A, get suited and booted, and scramble down the cliff to the waters edge. It was low tide and we picked our way out over the rocks before we started paddling.

From our calculations we had about an hour before we had to start worrying about the tide.

The wave itself formed as the relatively straight cliffs angled sharply towards the sea. It wasn’t the longest ride ever, but the excitement of finding somewhere new to surf, along with the pointy reef just a couple of feet below us, was enough to raise our pulses slightly.

In fact, we were enjoying ourselves so much that we got a bit carried away, and an hour and a half later we decided that it would be sensible to bring our fun to an end.

The problem was that the reef that we had first picked our way across had now become submerged, and turned into one big straight wave breaking directly onto the cliff face.

We looked at each other sheepishly, both acknowledging that we had made a bit of a school-boy error. But there was no drama, we had been surfing for years, and anyway, if the worst came to the worst we would just have to paddle up the coast to the next bay round.

We starting paddling just outside the line of the breaking waves, scanning the cliffs for some kind of exit point. About 100m up the coast, we spotted a small sandy bay hollowed into the cliffs.

We decided to head for this bay instead of the 30 minute paddle around the coast. The problem was the waves were now rearing up and crashing onto the reef in about a

foot of water, and the last thing we wanted was to get swallowed up by one of the set waves and dragged over the rocks like a cheese-grater.

The plan was to sit just beyond where the waves were breaking, wait for a lull and then power-paddle towards the shore in the hope that

we would be out of the impact zone by the time the next set arrived.

Taking a deep breath and with wry smiles, we picked our moment and steamed off towards the little bay. Just seconds later, the first wave of the set crashed down behind us, the whitewater carrying us towards our target.

As we got closer, a new problem emerged with a side current washing

us helplessly towards a patch of boulders on the edge of the bay. We clawed our way in the direction of the shore, but the current was too strong.

Just as we neared the boulders, the whitewater reflected off the rocks pushing us away from danger for a short time before the side current caught us again. This process continued with us nearing the boulders only to saved at the last second by the reflecting waves.

Each time this happened we inched our way onto the sandy bay and out of the ocean, with hearts racing and grins from ear to ear.

Now your probably thinking we were a bunch of idiots for even getting ourselves into this situation. But we didn’t care at that moment - we just had a taste of the golden age.

And thanks to this bit of surf exploration, our mundane trip to the beach had, quite literally, been blown out of the water.

Oli Salisbury

It wasn’t the longest ride ever, but the excitement of finding somewhere new to surf, along with the pointy reef just a couple of feet below us, was enough to raise our pulses slightly

Health Authority registered Full portfolio available for viewing

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PROFESSIONAL TATTOO CUSTOM DESIGN SERVICE

Recipe CornerAromatic Lamb Shank Stew

Ingredients:6 tablespoons groundnut or vegetable oil

8 lamb shanks

2 onions

4 cloves of garlic

sprinkling of salt

1 tablespoon turmeric

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 dried red chilli pepper, crumbled, or 1/4 teaspoon dried chilli flakes

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Black pepper

3 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3 tablespoons Marsala

6 tablespoons red lentils

3 tablespoons chopped pistachios, chopped blanched almonds

Serves 6

As the old saying goes...what’s the difference between an egg and a Shank? You can’t beat a Shank! Treat yourself to this scrumptious little dish this month and Shankers unite!

Method:1. Put 3 tablespoons of the oil into a very large, wide, heavy-bottomed pan and warm over medium heat. Brown the lamb shanks, in batches, in the pan and then remove to a roasting tin or whatever else you’ve got to hand to sit them in.

2. Peel the onions and garlic and process in a food processor or chop them finely by hand. Add the remaining oil to the pan, and fry the onion-garlic mush until soft, sprinkling salt over to stop it catching.

3. Stir in the turmeric, ground ginger, chilli, cinnamon and nutmeg, and season with some freshly ground pepper. Stir again, adding the honey, soy sauce and Marsala.

4. Put the shanks back in the pan, add cold water almost to cover, bring to the boil then put a lid on the pan, lower the heat and simmer very gently for 1–1½ hours or until the meat is tender.

5. Add the red lentils and cook for about 20 minutes longer without the lid, until the lentils have softened into the sauce, and the juices have reduced and thickened slightly.

6. Check for seasoning.

7. Toast the nuts by heating them for a few minutes in a dry frying pan, and sprinkle onto the lamb as you serve it.

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“Just had a copy of your magazine. A very good vehicle for interesting, relevant and up to the minute current affairs. At last! Well done.”Alison, Caerphilly

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Surgical procedures have significantly improved over the years, and the methods to assist diagnosis have become very technically advanced, however, for most conditions surgery is a last resort, and will only be performed when the potential benefits far outweigh the risks.

There is one area that is often overlooked but is equally as important as choosing your consultant and receiving a correct diagnosis, and that is pre-habilitation physiotherapy.

This process will assist in your recovery and your return to enjoying as normal a lifestyle as possible by receiving physiotherapeutic input leading up to surgery, which focuses on correcting imbalances and compensations that may have developed due to the presence of ongoing pain. Your recovery post operatively is normally greatly improved when this is delivered to you by an experienced clinician.

The role of the physiotherapistChartered Physiotherapists are specialists in the non-surgical treatment of musculo-skeletal injuries including conditions affecting joints, ligaments, nerves, muscles and tendons. They are responsible for the pre and post operative rehabilitation of patients who have undergone orthopaedic or trauma related surgery, and are often the first port-of-call immediately post op.

By following a specific physiotherapy programme both as an outpatient and through exercises you can do at home, you can help to speed up your recovery and healing

process and reduce stiffness, pain and increase your mobility. Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques to restore normal biomechanics, improve tissue healing and reduce pain, including: Human movement assessment and correction, Joint mobilisation/manipulation, Soft tissue massage/stretching, Electrotherapy, Exercise prescription.

Pre-habilitation physiotherapy is often overlooked but is equally as important as choosing your consultant and receiving a correct diagnosis

As standard at Baseline Physiotherapy, we offer the latest evidence based practice, regularly undergo continued professional development training and our entire clinicians share the ethos and core values of good communication, empathy, reliability and honesty. Further information on how we can help you please visit our website www.baselinephysiotherapy.co.uk. Or call free for a consultation on 0800 13 13 398. The website is provided as a service to help inform current and future patients of the latest treatment approaches available to them.

Occupational Health

Why Is Physiotherapy Important?

with Nikki McLaughlin

We’re delighted to have caught up with one of soap’s biggest and best known names, Charlie Brooks, who kindly gave My Valleys Magazine an exclusive interview for this month’s edition.

Despite her fame, this award winning Welsh actress remains a very down to earth and very pleasant individual who has not forgotten her roots and was an absolute pleasure to interview.

At the age of seven Charlie Brooks started taking part in pantomimes at the Dragon Theatre in the seaside town of Barmouth in Gwynedd where she grew up. Charlie went on to attend Ravenscourt Theatre School and Songtime Theatre Arts. In addition top her starring role in Eastenders, she has also appeared in episodes of The Bill, London’s Burning, Jonathan Creek and The Demon Headmaster. Charlie also trained at Songtime Theatre Arts in her younger years.

Charlie had a chance to show off her versatile acting skills whilst working at EastEnders as she was chosen to play the role of Janine Butcher in a number of harrowing storylines involving cocaine addiction, prostitution, and murder. She also filmed a behind the scenes show for the BBC ‘The rise and fall of Janine Butcher’ which aired in February 2004. It showed the history of the character Janine Butcher and also followed Charlie as she filmed her most dramatic scenes involving the murder of Janine’s husband Barry Evans.

In May 2004, Charlie left EastEnders after her character Janine was wrongly arrested for the murder of Laura Beale (Hannah Waterman). Her character’s trial took place 18 months later and the character was cleared of murder.

Charlie received a National Television Award nomination in 2000 for Most Popular Newcomer and she won her first award in 2001 for Best Bitch at the 2001 Inside Soap Awards an award she also won at the 2004 Inside Soap Awards. At the 2004 British Soap Awards, Charlie won the award for Villain of the Year and was also nominated in the category of Soap Bitch of the Year. At the British Soap Awards 2005 she won the award for Best Exit.

In December 2005, Charlie released the work-out DVD ‘Charlie Brooks - Before and After Workout’, which rapidly became the biggest-selling fitness release in the country.

In May 2006, Charlie played Beverley Allitt to much critical acclaim in a BBC1 docu-drama called Beverley Allitt: Angel of

Death. In 2007 she appeared in a short run of Our Country’s Good at the Liverpool Playhouse and later that year appeared in a second series of both Robin Hood and Love Soup for the BBC.

Charlie made her return to EastEnders in the spring of 2008, appearing for four episodes to attend the funeral of Janine’s father Frank Butcher, before returning to Eastenders on a permanent basis in Autumn 2008.

CHARLIE BROOKS

Exclusive Interview With Eastenders Star

Death. In 2007 she appeared in a short run of Our Country’s Good at the Liverpool Playhouse and later that year appeared in a second series of both Robin Hood and Love Soup for the BBC.

Charlie made her return to EastEnders in the spring of 2008, appearing for four episodes to attend the funeral of Janine’s father Frank Butcher, before returning to Eastenders on a permanent basis in Autumn 2008.

Q: What Was It Like Growing Up In Barmouth?

I have nothing but fond memories about growing up in Barmouth. It was a great place to grow up and the area is beautiful. I enjoy taking my daughter, Kiki, back there to visit my family.

Q: When Did You First Realise That You’d Become A Celebrity?

I don’t really feel like a celebrity and I try and avoid the whole celebrity scene. I guess I realised when I came back from holidays to find a photo in the papers of me in my bikini whilst on the beach on holiday.

Q: What Is The Proudest Moment Of Your Life?

When I gave birth to my beautiful daughter.

Q: What Is Your All Time Favourite Scene In Eastenders?

It has to be the scene where Janine pushed Barry off a cliff. It was filmed on location in a beautiful part of Scotland and we had great fun filming it.

Q: How Would You Describe Yourself As A Person?

I am an optimistic, ambitious, friendly and quite a chilled out person.

Q: What Was It Like Running The London Marathon?

Finishing the London Marathon was one of my proudest moments and doing it inspired me to run the New York Marathon also.

Q: What Did You Miss The Most During Your Time Out Of Eastenders?

I missed my friends that I had worked with on the soap and I missed playing Janine. It was really nice to return in 2008.

Q: Being As Though Your Fitness Dvd Is Extremely Popular, Have You Any Exercise And Weight Loss Tips For Our Readers?

Eat less and move more! I enjoy general aerobic exercises, pilates and running.

Q: What One Thing Would You Change If You Were Elected As Prime Minister?

The policy on the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Q: What Do You Love The Most About Wales?

The beautiful scenery and the friendly people. I was recently hiking in Peru and it made me a little homesick as the scenery reminded me of Wales.

If you’d like a copy of the ‘Charlie Brooks - Before and After Workout’ Fitness DVD, then it’s available from www.superfit.co.uk.

A big My Valleys thank you to Charlie for the interview and we wish her all the very best for her future career.

Current AffairsPostcode PoliticsWhere you live defines in part who you are; a country mouse, a city mouse or indeed even a valley mouse. The postcode under which you reside also has profound implications for your health, your potential wealth, and many other facets of your progress through life.

Just how much are we bound in terms of success and failure relative to others by the address upon our mail? If you are an adult male and you live in Blackpool then statistics suggest you’ll die a whole decade of taxation and ill-health earlier than if you live in Kensington or Chelsea.

In 2005, a study tagged Merthyr Tydfil as the place with the lowest female life expectancy in all of Wales.

Affluence and an expensive house aren’t the only measures of the quality and richness of anyone’s life, but the further around the Monopoly board you can travel, the longer you can reasonably expect to live. Wealth and health are inextricably linked, and in Wales as the rest of the UK, it is no falsehood to state, that, as the prosperity gap widens between the so called rich and the poor, the life expectancy gap follows suit.

One of the successes of the Labour administration has been a reduction in real terms of the number of children in poverty. A recent U.S. based study by an academic in Columbia University suggests that we are in fact doing considerably better than our counterparts in America at helping the poorest kids in our society.Almost 2 million less kids in Britain have escaped our worst levels of hardship over the past decade.

Unfortunately 1 in 7,  or 13%, remain rooted in the poorest economic conditions with all the associated health and social implications. The studies suggest that government campaigns have led to families spending less on alcohol and tobacco and more upon their children’s standards of living.

For that alone the Labour administration is to be commended. People seldom like being lectured however and it is often easier for middle class households to display the flexibility necessary to absorb, and put into practice, health advice offered to them.

Try telling a knackered single mum to eat “5 a day “ and less processed food and she’s likely to tell you to B.O.G.O.F. By this I don’t mean a rude response, only that her shopping budget is governed by orange discount labels and value rather than long term health effects. I’d  enjoy watching Jamie Oliver feed his tribe of strangely named children for a week on benefits, before being quite so holy whilst telling the rest of us what to eat .

During the early pre-election TV debates all the candidates for election stressed rightly the need for a fairer society where wealth and indeed health are distributed rather more equally. New Labour has measurably put more money into the poorest pockets but in overall real terms the “Super rich“ have put yet more ground between themselves and the rest.

Perversely we’ve seen the wealth gap widen to record levels under Labour’s 13 years. The poor have got richer but not as quickly as the top echelons have.

From a Welsh perspective, specifically a valleys point of view, the question you’ll want answering by the new administration is what can possibly be done to help post-industrial areas where on the face of it, secure long-term jobs are very scarce.

The blunt reality we must all grasp is that the country is frankly facing cuts the like of which those under the age of 65 have never before witnessed.

Areas such as Merthyr and Blaenau Gwent currently have two and a half times as many folk on out of work benefits as Ceredigion and Monmouthshire. Anti-poverty initiatives are a temporary fix, a sticking plaster on a broken leg in truth,  but we must be careful as a constrained economy that we don’t produce a system where people are funded by the state so sufficiently well that there’s no impetus or need to seek out gainful employment.

I’d enjoy watching Jamie Oliver feed his tribe of strangely named children for a week on benefits

Any new Government is going to be making unprecedented cuts across the board.  I’ve a very real feeling that in the “overgrown benefits garden“ there are lots of weeds to kill, and deadwood that needs pruning, before the oft-heralded “green shoots“ of economic recovery can break ground and subsequently bloom.

Our welfare state is frankly being exploited. We are currently supporting a second generation of people that fully expect the state to keep them in the manner to which they’ve come accustomed like some overfed trophy wife. The state needs a divorce, and quick, from any existing system that rewards inertia and stagnation of any kind.

The bad news for long term claimants and bogus incapacity sharks is that you’re very likely to be the first deadwood for the new garden bonfire when Whitehall brings out it’s shiny, new, post-election reality shears

These grinning paper tigers we’ve seen giving out polished, inoffensive answers for the TV debates, will collectively and brutally sprout real teeth and real claws. They can’t afford not to. We are after all £163 billion in debt. That’s a lot of Pounds/Drachma/Euro wherever you happen to live.

with Charles Sinclair

Who will Welsh football fans support during the World Cup extravaganza in South Africa this summer? There are controversial “Anyone but England” t-shirts on sale in Scotland, but is the feeling quite as deep here in Wales? I would guess the answer is a resounding “yes”.

Imagine the English if they win the World Cup, we still haven’t heard the last of the 1966 victory, so who are the teams that we might follow during the month long tournament?

Let’s start with the three other teams in England’s Group C - USA, Algeria and Slovenia. It is a group that England will be strong favourites to win but don’t write off the others just yet.

United States - They are always confident about things in the USA and the same can be said about their soccer team. They are ranked in the top 20 teams in the world and have a number of players plying their trade in the English system. Goalkeepers include Tim Howard (Everton), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves) and Brad Guzan (Aston Villa). They also have three other premiership stars in Jonathan Spector (West Ham Utd), Clint Dempsey (Fulham) and Stuart Holden (Bolton), as well as Jay Demerit of Watford.

Algeria - Not a team of players that many will be familiar with but they do boast four English based players, Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth), Adlène Guedioura (Wolves), Kamel Ghilas (Hull City), and Hameur Bouazza (Blackpool). They are joined by the Rangers star Madjid Bougherra from the SPL. Algeria are the unknown entity of this group and only qualified after a hostile play off with arch rivals Egypt.

Slovenia - Ranked 23rd in the world (April 2010), Slovenia are a typical European team. They were only formed in 1991, following the break up of the former Yugoslavia. Captain Robert Koren is the only British player likely to make their squad, having just won promotion with West Bromwich Albion.

Australia - To be honest, many experts would expect England to qualify top of this group and go on to [probably] meet Australia in the last sixteen, again a difficult match but very winnable for England. The “Socceroos” are currently ranked 20th in the world, and have a number of players that

play in the UK. Their three main keepers are Mark Schwarzer (Fulham), Brad Jones (Middlesborough), and Adam Federici (Reading). The defensive line will include Rhys Williams (Middlesborough) and Shane Lowry (Aston Villa). In midfield, Brett Emerton and Vince Grella (Blackburn), Tim Cahill (Everton), Richard Garcia (Hull City), and Nick Carle (Crystal Palace), support Scott McDonald up front, another Middlesborough player.

Spain - If England do get to the quarter finals (penalties or no penalites) they could meet France, maybe even Uruguay or Mexico - anything could have happened by then so its difficult to forecast. having said that, I think they are bankers to reach the last eight. England are currently amongst the favourites to win the tournament but my choice has to be Spain, ranked second in the world behind another hot prospect Brazil. Spain has a plethora of talent including the English based superstars Fernando Torres (Liverpool) and Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), but their whole squad is filled with world class players from the giant Spanish clubs like Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid.

Imagine the English if they win the World Cup, we still haven’t heard the last of the 1966 victory

So, Welsh fans have an abundance of alternatives to England to support during the summer, but the real wish must be that Wales will one day grace a major finals. We finally have a decent foundation to build a team upon and promising young players that could finally see Wales qualify for a major final for the first time since 1958.

Euro 2012 is due to be held in Poland & Ukraine, and as the fates have it England are actually drawn in the same qualifying group as Wales. Imagine if Wales were to qualify and England remained at home...would they support us? Only time will tell.

Football FocusWorld Cup 2010 - Anyone But England with Paul Corkrey

“Having just taken delivery of the new MyValleys Magazine, I have read some very interesting articles - it’s also bright, vibrant and informative”Jude, Abergavenny

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Our Reporter InThe Water

Has fish had its chips?As we whisk our shopping trolleys past freezers full of fishy choice, queue at the local chippy or sit expectantly at our favourite seafood restaurants, have you ever wondered where our fish comes from?

Do you know whether the fish you are eating has been caught by trawling, long-lining, potting or netting? We all know how good fish is for us - but how long will it last?

While we are becoming aware of the threats of climate change, another human driven crisis is being left for our children. Within a single lifetime we are fishing our seas to the brink of collapse. Marine scientists and economists who have often been ignored when recommending fish quotas have predicted a global collapse of fisheries in the next 50 years.

Just think about that for a moment. If the world does not change the way it fishes there won’t be any more fish to catch. Over 1 billion people rely on fish as a source of protein and already things are changing.

Newfoundland, one of the biggest fisheries

in the world, whose fish-rich waters once attracted migrants in droves has almost run out of cod. Well established fishing communities in the Mediterranean are in danger of dying out. Young fishermen in Senegal, no longer able to compete with huge international boats and nets, can’t feed their families and are forced to consider moving to Europe, and the once productive fishing grounds of West Africa are now full of jellyfish.

Almost 70% of our global fisheries are now being fished close to, or beyond, their capacity, and as many as 90% of all the oceans large fish have been caught.

It is likely Blue Fin Tuna will be hunted to extinction very soon but still it is served at exclusive seafood restaurants throughout the world.

Out of sight out of mind is often the cause of many of the oceans problems. We use unsustainable damaging fishing techniques which are destroying the ecosystems that provide us with so much.

Public opinion has saved whales, elephants, rhinos and big cats from possible extinction. Whether we can do it to save the fish in our oceans remains to be seen. In the meantime while our politicians continue to stand back and ignore the “greatest

environmental disaster that no one’s heard of”, we can make a difference.

Ask if your fish has come from a sustainable well managed fishery and look out for the blue and white logo of MSC certified fish now becoming more popular in the supermarkets.

I like eating fish and chips and it would be a tragedy if one day our children didn’t have the chance.

While so much is uncertain about the future of our oceans, one thing is for sure - there isn’t plenty more fish in the sea.

Just think about that for a moment. If the world does not change the way it fishes there won’t be any more fish to catch

David Jones

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin. Once upon a time, many moons ago, people used to take their favourite pen and a pad of writing paper and actually write letters to each other.

Shock horror, many of the younger generation may be thinking...“no keyboard, no mouse, no texting, no iPhone, no spell check or printer...you mean you actually put ink on the paper yourself and sent a real life letter?”

As we’re now living in this hi-tech age of technology whereby you can do almost anything online, I must confess that I still take pleasure of sitting down with a cup of coffee and writing a good old fashioned letter to friends and relatives - just like in the old days. Call me old fashioned, but I can assure you I ‘ve been called a lot worse.

Now I am not some old fuddy-duddy who is a complete technophobe, as in my ‘grown up’ job (if you can call it that) such technology plays an integral role in the way in which my business functions and I must admit that it would certainly struggle without it.

I am not saying that this internet age is completely bad, but I am coming across more and more poor standards of grammar and more and more individuals lacking in social skills each and every week and it’s annoying me to the point wherby I feel the need to get on my soap box about today’s society in general.

Whether you agree or not, I personally lay some of the blame to today’s culture of teenage kids and an alarming number of adults, spending most of their lives sat in front of their computer engaging with the internet and their so called ‘online friends’ as opposed to interacting with fellow Homo Sapiens.

There’ll be no need to actually go outside and interact with anyone one day at this rate. Can you carry an old person’s shopping home for them, open doors for people or give up your seat on the bus for a pregnant lady on the internet? Exactly.

Last year I went to a school reunion, which allowed me the chance to catch up with some old school pals which I had not seen for some 19 years. At the renuion, the most popular question I received from almost everyone I spoke to was “are you on Facebook or Twitter?” Needless to say that there were floods of tears when my reply was a negative.

Personally, I do not feel the need to waste hours, minutes, seconds or even mili-seconds of my life putting photographs of myself or my family up on the world wide web for all to nose at.

Neither do I deem it an essential part of my life to feel popular and have a tribe of virtual friends, the majority of whom who wouldn’t have a clue what I am really like as a person and no doubt would delete me from their list of friends as quick as they added me if I said something that they disagreed with (which is likely).

Believe it or not, I also have no desire to “Tweet” (or whatever it’s called) and log on to tell everyone that I’ve just eaten a mars bar or that my pet budgie has just broken wind.

In my opinion, it’s this obsession with the internet for a large number of individuals that is the cause of much of today’s antisocial behaviour problems. The world online reflects the world offline, and the absence of of social consequences to antisocial behaviour has, I believe, created a trend which is invading the real world.

Perhaps it’s time to log off and smell the roses.

Log Off And Smell The Roses

I have no desire to tell everyone

that I’ve just eaten a mars bar

or that my pet budgie has just

broken wind

Ross Porter

Radecarl Ltd South Wales Property Experts

Established by 3 partners who have worked together in the property business and other business ventures for over 25 years, 2 from the trade background and 1 from a business background. In 2009 Radecarl Ltd were in the top 10 fastest growing business in Wales.

Our company aim is to provide our customers domestic and commercial with quality service they require, we believe this can be achieved through clear regular client communication.

Our company aim is based on the belief that our customer needs are the utmost importance our entire team is committed to meeting those needs as a result a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.

Commercial MaintenanceWe carry out manitainance for many different customers in many different ways –from full time and event manitainance for Glamorgan Cricket Club at the new SWALEC stadium in Cardiff (visit tickets.glamorgancricket.com for ticket sales), to a once per month visit at a company like Thomas Carroll insurance brokers in Caerphilly and many more options in between.

DevelopmentWe purchase houses that are in need of refurbishment or from people who are looking to offload due to financial difficulty these properties then undergo a total refurbishment programme. The updated and refurbished properties are then put up for sale or rent.

Reliable Tenants FoundFor investors, we offer our properties with a tenant found reference checked and in place if required. First time buyers we offer our properties at below market value with the aim of moving our properties quickly this attracts first time buyers because we offer a ready to move in property.

Radecarl have provided a fantastic service to Glamorgan Cricket and the SWALEC Stadium for the past two years. They work to the highest standards and their staff are friendly, polite and extremely helpful

Have Your SayFor buyers looking to up or down size, we offer our potential buyer the opportunity to get involved in at the refurbishment stage this offers them the chance to have an input in to colour schemes kitchen design and carpet etc.

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Call us now on 02920 865118 or 07853 254421. Or visit us at www.radecarl.co.uk

Wembley PicsAs a large number of Cardiff City FC fans regularly read My Valleys Magazine, we thought that it would be nice to feature some piccies from the recent visit of the Bluebirds to Wembley Stadium in the Championship Play-Off Final. See if you can spot yourself below! Blooooooooobirds!

Get your business noticed in next month’s editionwww.myvalleysmagazine.co.uk Tel: 0845 230 1937

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Giant Hornets with a nasty sting are on their way to the UK this summer according to experts.

The Asian Hornet is a whopping four times bigger than our native Honeybee and it’s sting is said to be like a hot nail being hammered into your skin. Ouch!

The Asian Hornet is believed to take out the Honeybees as they leave their hives until the colony is so exhausted that the

hornets can move in and assume squatters’ rights (or stingers’ rights).

If you’re a Honeybee and you’re reading, then this is not good news as you’re also struggling to cope with changes in farming and the climate.

The Asian Hornet has been spotted in Northern France and experts believe it will pay us a little visit also. Rumour has it is that the hornet has travelled to France on some Chinese pot plants in 2004.

Since then, the insect has been reproducing quicker

than a bull on viagra, and huge colonies have now developed.

A few of these stinging machines can destroy 30,000 bees in just a couple of hours, hence the production of honey in France has taken a tumble.

Groups of these nasty little critters hover in front of a beehive, picking off solitary honeybees, decapitating them and stripping off their wings and legs in order for them to take the remaining ‘meat ball’ back to feed their young. Once the bees

have been defeated, the hornets break into the nest and pillage it as if there’s no tomorrow.

The hornet sting can be extremely painful to humans but, just like bee stings, it is only likely to kill if the victim has a severe allergic reaction. (I’m sure you’re pleased to hear that).

Although the main target for our Asian stingies are the honeybees, there were several people attacked by them in France last Summer. So BEE careful out there!

Bee Careful This Summer!Giant Hornets heading for the UK The Asian Hornet is

neatly 2 inches long with a 3 inch wingspan (slightly smaller than a European Hornet but much more aggressive)

One Asian Hornet can kill 40 bees a minute. A handful can kill a hive of 30,000 bees in a couple of hours

They build rugby ball-shaped nests in trees, each housing some 500 hornets

They scare off intruders by sending a lone worker to ‘warn’ them. If that fails, the workers attack mob handed

Worker hornets have lifespans of 30-55 days

Asian Hornet Facts1

2

3

4

5

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Oh...what’s occuring?COMEDY IN THE LAUGHTER LOUNGE, Parc and Dare Theatre, Station Road, Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF42 6NL. Thursday 10th June. Tickets: £8.00. Enquiries Tel: 01443 775654. www.parkdare.rct-arts.org

ROMEO AND JULIET AT BLACKWOOD MINERS INSTITUTE, High Street, Blackwood. Thursday 10th June. Tickets £10 / £18 picnic & ticket. Over 16s Only. Box Office Tel: 01495 227206. Email: bmi@caerphilly.gov.uk

BARGOED CARNIVAL, Heolddu Playing Fields, Bargoed on Saturday 12 June. Enquiries Tel: 01443 864355. www.visitcaerphilly.com

TWYN SUMMER SCHOOL FETE - Friday 18th June. 3pm. The Twyn School, East View, Caerphilly. Over 50 stalls, bouncy castle, BBQ, grand raffle, live music and dance groups. FREE Entrance. Everyone welcome.

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE WINDING HOUSE, Cross Street, New Tredegar, Caerphilly, NP24 6EG. Sat 19 Jun 2010 . Free entry. Tel: 01443 822666. www.windinghouse.co.uk

EXHIBITION: The Lost Communities of Merthyr Tydfil - Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Cyfarthfa Park, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RE. Wed 23 Jun 2010 - Tue 31 Aug 2010. Enquiries Tel: 01685 723112. www.merthyr.gov.uk/Museum/Castle/English/home/

ADE EDMUNDSON AND THE BAD SHEPHERDS, Muni Arts Centre, Gelliwastad Road, Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, CF37 2DP. Tickets: £16.00 Valleys Roots £15.00. Thu 24 Jun 2010. Box Office Tel: 01443 485934. www.muni.rct-arts.org.

Your Questions Answered with Claire Louise

Dear Claire...Sometimes life deals some unexpected cards and we can often find ourselves faced with problems that get us down. Our Agony Aunt, Claire Louise, is here to help our readers via her monthly Problems Page. Send your emails to dearclaire@myvalleysmagazine.co.uk. We do not reply to emails and we cannot publish every email we receive. We do not take any responsibility for any actions taken as a result of reading our problems page, so please don’t stick your fingers in the fire if we tell you to do so as that’d just be silly.

Dear Claire, I am 19, single and in college, and I have a crush on my tutor. I have managed to get his mobile number and my mates are encouraging me to text him to try and take things further. He is married and is a lot older than me, but I think he likes me too. What shall I do? Louise.

Louise, despite your feelings for your tutor, it would be morally wrong to start texting him or to try and take it further. Firstly, you would put him in a very awkward position as it would be frowned upon by his employers and your actions could result in him getting sacked. Secondly, he is married! You should respect this fact and destroy his mobile number. Don’t let your friends encourage you to take it further and get out there and find someone else. Claire x

Dear Claire, my baby never sleeps and it’s really getting to me now. I feel so alone. Is it my fault? I feel like a bad mother. I need help! Sarah.

Sarah, it can be really hard when you feel like the only one who is going through this and it makes it even more difficult to cope when you are deprived of sleep. You are

not alone! You obviously want the best for your baby - do you still see your health visitor? You could talk to her/him abut it or even your GP failing that. They may be able to give you some sleep techniques to try out with your baby. Your local area may also have a sleep support group, where you can talk to other parents in the same situation. Can you ask a relative to help you and possibly look after your baby for a few hours? You could use this time to catch up on your sleep. You can always ring Parentline on 0800 800 2222 for more advice. Claire x

Dear Claire, I have been going out with my girlfriend for 2 years and we are about to get married. I am happy with our relationship, however, she recently went on her Hen Night and when the pictures came back, there was one of her kissing another man. I got upset when I saw the picture and now I think the worst. I thought I trusted her, but now I am not so sure and I am thinking of calling the wedding off. What shall I do? David.

David, have you tried sitting down and talking about this with your fiance? It may be a case whereby she’d got carried away with the

spirit of the Hen Night or perhaps she was dared by her friends to pose for a photograph with a man. It seems a shame for you to be even thinking about calling the wedding off over this. I personally believe that if there was more to it than this, then one of your fiance’s friends would have reminded her and the photo would have been deleted before you saw it, so I wouldn’t read to much into it until you’ve sat down and chatted about it. Life’s too short to worry about things that may not have happened, so get a grip and speak to her. Claire x

Dear Claire, I think my partner is developing a gambling addiction and am worried that we may lose everything. I have been with him for 5 years and he always liked the occasional bet at the bookies on a Saturday afternoon. However, in the last 3 months he has discovered online Poker and he stays up all night playing it. When I ask him how much he is spending, he becomes very secretive and sometime aggressive. We have a joint bank account but he does all of our banking online and I do not have access to the account, so I don’t know how much he is losing.

We’d managed to save several thousands of pounds to buy a house so I am really worried. Please help! Alison.

Alison, problem gambling can strain your relationship, interfere with responsibilities at home and work and can lead to financial castastrophe. It is a type of impulse disorder and is sometimes referred to as the “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers typically deny or minimise the problem and go to great lengths to hide their gambling. You must choose your moment carefully and talk to him. The biggest step will be for your partner to realise that he has a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this. Overcoming a gambling problem is never easy, however, you both are not alone on this. Visit www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk or call them on 0207 3843040 for some informal advice. This is a very serious issue Alison, that you need to address immediately. Talk to him and good luck. Claire x Send in your photos and win a free MVM t-shirt!

readers@myvalleysmagazine.co.uk

Not to be confused with a certain other publication...each month we challenge our ever-growing army of readers to take a

picture of themselves holding our snazzy little mag, email them to us at readers@myvalleysmagazine.co.uk. If you get your

photo published, then we’ll send you one of our sexy MVM t-shirts. Get out and about, grab your mates and don’t be shy

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