Next Generation Takes Over Family Business
Tidal’s Store is a family run business located on High Street in Blackwood town centre specialising in home furnishing. The business has been run for five generations by the “The Edwards Family” and is currently managed by Huw Edwards who has taken over following the retirement of his parents Ian & Beverly. Over the years shops have opened and closed but since 1939 Tidal’s has remained a constant on Blackwood’s High Street. Huw said: As a respected family business it’s important that our prices are honest and a true reflection of the value of the goods. The philosophy that underpins what we choose to sell is that our customers should buy once and buy well.
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Strictly Amazing Result
Kelly Whitefoot represented ITaSK CIC at the New Cottage Dance Centre in Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly and helped raise an amazing £9,000. Strictly Top Dancer 2016 was a fun yet very competitive night and saw eight staff members from local companies in Caerphilly paired with professional dancers and challenged one and other in the name of charity. Kelly had to learn three dances for the competition, and gave up her time over a number of months in preparation for the dance event. Kelly helped raise funding for The Breast Centre in Llandough Hospital, a charity which helps patients through holistic therapy and fitness studios. The money was raised through sponsorship, donations, raffles and ticket sales, with the event attracting nearly 400 people across the weekend it was a brilliant event. Kelly and her dance partner finished a very respectable second and ITaSK are so very proud. ITaSKCIC work within Caerphilly community to identify needs, implement solutions, and measure impact over time. ITaSKCIC believe when communities work together to improve lives, the result is a permanent strengthening. Kelly Whitefoot said: This was an experience I will cherish and raising money for such a worthwhile charity was a pleasure
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Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience – Kickstarter Campaign
“Two men, in a shed, in Risca” have launched a crowd funding campaign to get their BAFTA award winning BBC TV series Rhod Gilbert series out on DVD. In an “it won’t happen without you” venture the local video production team Rhys Waters and Nathan Mackintosh from Zipline Creative are hoping to join with fans and release the DVD box set complete with exclusive extras & limited edition backer rewards. You can check out the project and what’s on offer here. Rhys said: It’s a bit of a valleys underdog story, since we are two men, in a shed, in Risca, trying to compete with the likes of Universal and 20th Century Fox. From their Kickstarter campaign: Without your help there is a very good chance Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience will never be available to fans to own at home in any format. Some of the episodes include Series 4, Episode 2: Scout Leader If anyone’s a role model for children, it’s not Rhod Gilbert. Using a total lack of navigation skills, non-existent wilderness awareness and general ignorance of anything outdoors, Rhod puts on his woggle and leads a scout camp. Series 3, Episode 1: Primary School Teacher (*Producers Series 3 Favourite!) Rhod takes charge as a primary school’s newest teacher. Featuring arts, crafts, English, maths, and desperately funny kid based chaos. Check out their Get Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience on DVD + bonus features Kickstarter project to see the full episode listings.
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Glanmor’s – One Man’s Dream
Glanmor’s Bakery and Tearoom in Caerphilly town centre are well known, but the story behind them is less well known. Glanmor Evans was a senior lecturer at the Cardiff College of Food technology and always dreamed of opening a bakery baking traditional bread and confectionery with no additives or preservatives. In 1980, he opened a small bakery in Trethomas with his wife Lynne and following its success they opened a larger bakery in Caerphilly in 1983. After qualifying, their son Russell came into the business and in 1995 Glanmor’s Tearooms with its famous waitress service was opened in Castle Court Shopping Centre. When Glanmor sadly passed away in 2002, Lynne and Russell continued with the business. Lynne Evans said: Russell and I have stayed true to my husbands values and high standards. We still bake the majority of cakes we sell in Glanmor’s Tearooms and our fresh bread doesn’t contain any additives.
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Ex Player Starts Sports Shop
When sports mad Matthew Pegler retired from playing rugby and football, he decided to do the next best thing and leave his job in Panasonic to set up a sportswear business. After its humble beginnings in a garage, TSS Sports located to Bartlett Street in Caerphilly town centre and has steadily grown. The retailer specialises in sports wear, especially Under Armour, but has recently diversified into supplying and embroidering school and team wear. Matthew said: I like to think that at TSS Sports we offer a personal touch working with our customers to make sure they get the right product. I know from experience that a big part of enjoying sport is having the right equipment which gives you confidence.
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New Ladies Fashion Retailer Opens
A new independent ladies clothes boutique called Miss Label has opened on High Street in Blackwood town centre. The shop is the fourth to be launched in South Wales as part of a new independent chain developed by entrepreneurs Gary Bailey and Andrew Owen. Miss Label is managed by experienced retail manager Jayne Williams. Jayne said: We are really excited about showing the people of Blackwood our range of elegant ladies fashion at great prices and we aim to combine this with fantastic customer service.
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“Kiss Me Quick”
We were invited to something a little different, a provocative cocktail of feathers, sequins, dancers and tassels; an evening with the unforgettable burlesque performers of kiss me quick. It’s a warm and sunny Saturday evening in Newbridge, South Wales. Walking into the nostalgic 19th century memorial hall of Newbridge Memo proves to be an enriching and relaxing haven; free from the chaotic madness of the M4 traffic. The memorial hall was built in memory of the 75 residents of Newbridge who lost their lives during World War 1. Originally it was intended to be a reception in loving memory and celebration of what would have been their homecoming. Today however, we are here for an entirely different occasion, a celebration of the theatrical 1840s art form of striptease with the fabulous seaside burlesque show, “Kiss Me Quick”. Tonight, whilst still maintaining it’s endearing character, the historic memorial hall is a provocative cocktail of feathers, sequins, dancers and tassels. Excitement fills the air as the crowd begin to fill the theatre and take their seats. The lights soon go down and the show is about to begin. First on stage (or attempting to climb up on it) is the beautiful and ever so tipsy Kheski Kobler. Kheski is both hilarious and seductive as she struggles to undress in front of a very amused yet encouraging crowd. She is warmly received and sets the scene perfectly with her staggeringly quirky performance. The charming host, FooFoo Labelle entertains the crowd throughout the evening as she warmly welcomes each performer to the stage.…
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Home Furnishings Retailer Committed to Bargoed
Home furnishing retailer Chisholm’s are still committed to Bargoed over 60 years after they first opened a shop in the town. In 1952, Ivy Chisholm started a small business selling babywear in Bargoed. Over the years the business developed into selling toys & bicycles before moving into furniture in the early 1970s. The location has changed too, the original shop was situated in Lower High Street (opposite the Cosy Corner Café) before relocating to Hanbury Road and then finally to its present shop in the former Lucania Snooker Hall in what is now known locally as ‘Chisholms Lane‘ next to Barclays Bank. Today, the store is owned by the next generation of the family. Anne Chisholm-Jones and Andrew Tugwell with Andrew’s dad Ray (Ivy’s brother) helping out too. Andrew said: We are still very much a family business delivering throughout the Rhymney Valley. I like to think we go the extra mile to look after our customers
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Llancaiach Fawr nominated for Best Family Day Out
Llancaiach Fawr Manor has been nominated for Best Family Day Out in the Junior Design Awards 2016. The manor house is set to go up against other attractions from throughout Britain for the title of Best Family Day Out, an award voted for by readers. To vote for Llancaiach Fawr in the Junior Design Awards please visit http://tinyurl.com/z38m2qe Llancaiach Fawr Manor is a restored Tudor Manor House with costumed servants who live and work in 1645, immersing visitors into the life and times of the 17th century. The Junior Design Awards is an annual celebration of design of products, brands and experiences that enhance the lives of parents and their families. To find out more about Llancaiach Fawr Manor go to www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk