Portraits of Rhiwbina by Sarah Barnes Photography in Cardiff, South Wales

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Portraits of Rhiwbina

Photography & Design by Sarah Barnes

Foreword by Gareth Hill

“By sight and observation and thought, with the help of the camera, and the

addition of the date of the year, we can hold fast the history of the world.”

August Sander

This book is dedicated to the unknown photographer who captured one of the first images of the village in 1913 and

became the inspiration for this project.

Image printed courtesy of Ken Graham & Jim Taverner

Foreword by Gareth Hill

Photos capture a moment. They evoke memory and preserve history, allowing us to conjure up our past, to re-visit those people, places and events lost to time.

This is the essence of photography from which Portraits of Rhiwbina was born. A collection which encapsulates the Garden Village of 2013, while serving as a link to its heritage; to its beginnings a century before. It was a theme which endeared me to the project, drawing me in. It is indeed with considerable delight that Sarah offered me the opportunity to feature in her work; a face among the Rhiwbina crowd.

My own connection to the village is life long. It’s where I was born and raised in the latter quarter of the last century. Where I live and work, where my children go to school, beating the same path that I myself once did, to the familiar red bricked building at the end of leafy Lon Y Dail. Every street, every lane, every patch of green among the white walls and tall hedgerows offering a memory.

Each photo in the collection is a representation of a different Rhiwbina; individual portraits full of personal narrative, personal memories. Different people, different ages, different lives. The many varied faces of a modern community, connected through place and time. Connected by the village in which we live.

Portraits of Rhiwbina was crafted to commemorate the centenary of the Garden Village through the images of those who live here today. Photos which reflect a changing world yet soaked through with enough warm reminiscence to maintain an indelible link to the past.

Moments captured, memories evoked, history preserved.

Gordon Holten

Gordon has lived in Rhiwbina for 75 years. His parents moved to what is referred to as ‘The Square’ in 1938. After he was demobilised from his position as a wireless operator during the war, he was able to put his name down for a house. At that time, only sons and daughters of existing tenants were able to apply. With those in charge giving extra points to ex-army personnel, he was successful and moved to his current house with his wife in 1950.

Gordon has been an active member of the village and he was the County Commissioner for East Glamorgan County Scouts Association. His local scout group was the 1st Rhiwbina. He worked for the National Coal Board for over 40 years.

He regards the village as a wonderful place to live and notes the kindness of his neighbours with their frequent invites to tea.

Photographed in Y Groes

Rupert Sykes

“My wife Fran and I opened Snails Deli and Cafe for Rhiwbina’s annual Victorian Night on the 18th December 2006. With help from our family, we worked very hard to establish the new business and it grew rapidly – quicker than we could ever have imagined!

The compact kitchen had never seen so much action as the simple menu flourished with specials being added daily; from Welsh Rarebit, Beef and Pink Peppercorn Stew to Spinach and Coconut Dahl and Glamorgan Sausages. We developed our own chutneys and jams which are used daily and are also available to buy. Delicious quiches, pies and tarts are also made in-house. We were so popular that we had to expand into the old post office next door!

Snails now has ample seating for up to 50, as well as a relaxing garden space for when the weather allows. We have free wi-fi so you can work while you enjoy a fresh cup of coffee in the Snails Garden. We are fully licensed and now have regular live music events. The village of Rhiwbina is alive with food and drink, and there’s a buzz in the air, literally, as we have our own beehives and sell our own honey!”

Photographed in Beulah Road

Adrian, Isabel & Mary Prosser-Davies

The Deri Stores is one of the oldest shops in the village. Once a tea room and Post Office, it combines a variety of sections including a grocery store selling a wide selection of fruit and veg, plants, flowers and seasonal Christmas trees in addition to the general store.

Lancashire born Isabel and her husband Owen, originally from Ystrad Mynach, met whilst working in the hospitality industry. Owen took a detour, and drove Isabel past the shop one afternoon on a magical mystery tour down Wenallt Road, which was a small country lane at the time, “as soon as I saw it I fell in love with it. It was once surrounded by countryside and was just idyllic.” Owen had decided he wanted to run his own business and they soon discovered the Deri Stores was available and took over in 1957. The initial small shop was extended when Fairbrook Close was being built, as they exchanged land from the back of the property in return for land where once 2 cottages stood. This allowed for an extension of the main shop and later the grocery store.

Isabel and Owen brought up 4 children on Wenallt Road, “there was always plenty of room for the children to run around outside, it was a country existence and they loved it.” Isabel also remembers the old shops in Rhiwbina village, “I used to go into Commerce House, Raybould’s and my son Adrian especially loved Courtenay Morgan’s Toy Shop where they sold Dinky Cars. Adrian has been working in the shop since he was 18 and he, and my daughter Mary, took over the running of the business in 1980.”

Photographed on Wenallt Road

Flynn Barnes

Flynn attends Rhiwbina Primary School which is the largest in the County. He has attended numerous after school clubs, such as science, maths, and film club. He has a keen interest in computer games and there is a regular group of boys who come to his home to build new worlds in Minecraft. He has played for Heath Park Rangers Football Team since he was 7 and is currently a Blue Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has recently started art classes at The Art Workshop in the village, learning about famous artists such as Jackson Pollock and Picasso.

Photographed in Heol Cae Rhys

Alan & Avril Smith and Chloe Williams

Alan has lived in Rhiwbina since he was 2 years old, moving from his old home in Heol Delwyn to Heol Y Deri were he has lived for over 70 years. Alan’s father originated from London and worked for Trojan Ltd in Croydon as a motor engineer. He moved to Cardiff in 1929 and worked in the depot on Westgate Street.

Alan attended Rhiwbina Primary School and later Monkton House in Cardiff. With a chemistry background, he worked in the steelworks for GKN. Following his National Service, he and his father took a tenancy from Esso and opened a garage on Cowbridge Road West in Cardiff. He worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week with only Christmas Day as a designated holiday. Avril worked for the insurance sector and they met at the garage and married in 1969. She moved into the house in Rhiwbina with Alan and his father after they were married. Following the building of the M4, which Alan says, “took all their business away”, the garage closed in 1980.

Six year old Chloe is their next door neighbour and has been visiting ‘Uncle Alan’ and ‘Auntie Avril’ since she could walk. She and Avril spend hours crayoning, crafting and re-designing Avril’s collected card selection. She suggests they have a special auntie and niece relationship and Chloe benefits from the little ‘treats’ that such relationships bring. Chloe regularly brings handwritten notes and painted pictures over for her adopted auntie and uncle, as she loves creating art.

Photographed in Heol Y Deri

Sylvia Morgan

Sylvia will be 91 this August and was born at number 8 Y Groes and moved to number 13 when she married. She holds the accolade of being the oldest person born in the village. Two of her children were born in the house and she recalls having a bedroom full of visitors within hours.

Sylvia has never wanted to leave the village and continues to be part of what she refers to as a “good community”. Sylvia regularly frequents the Margaret Whittaker Lounge and Luncheon Club.

Sylvia is photographed standing in her garden, in front of the only remaining shed built in 1913.


Vicki Benedict

Vicki grew up in a home on Caerphilly Mountain. She used to ride her horse to The Deri Stores in Rhiwbina to pick up the local paper and was a regular at the Monico Cinema on Saturday mornings, where parents would drop off their kids for a few hours. Vicki is a textiles graduate and taught textiles as a supply teacher at Radyr High School and Gwent Tertiary College.

Her mother moved to Rhiwbina to care for her sister and Vicki bought her house in Pen Y Dre in 1995. As she had always known the village, she decided it would be the best place to settle with close family just around the corner. Her current home was attached to the original Rhiwbina Library, which is now an aromatherapy clinic. She enjoys the closeness of the community with easy traffic links into Cardiff, “it’s just an idyllic place to live.”

Photographed in Pen Y Dre

Kevin, Eben, Max & Mari Leonard

“We have lived in Rhiwbina since 1999 and ever since we moved in we have loved being on Heol Y Deri. It’s a fantastic place to bring up a family - the kids walk to school, you can walk to the shops, the station and the parks and there’s a real sense of community in the village.

We love Parc Y Pentre especially - it’s a great place for the kids to meet their friends and have a kick-about or cycle or scoot around and we often have a cuppa on ‘our bench’ which gets the afternoon sun. Both of our children learned to ride their bikes around this fantastic park.”

Photographed in Parc Y Pentre

Reverend Peter Cruchley-Jones

As Reverend of Rhiwbina United Reformed Church, Peter has attempted to use art in order to provoke reactions and encourage people of all walks of life to ask questions about their beliefs. He and the Art Committee work closely with artist in residence Jo Jones, to create works of art which explore ideas and values.

The first such artworks were 7 textile-based panels entitled ‘Life in Fullness’ which adorn the walls of Canolfan Beulah, the church community hall. Other artworks include, giant polka dot-adorned walls, and the widely acclaimed ‘Graffiti Jesus’, which told the story of his life in a very modern way and involved the skills of Jo and graphic designer Bleddyn Edwards. The art installations are not typically religious and Peter suggests this is because he wants art to provoke ideas and for viewers of all walks of life to not be confronted with sterile religious themes. Peter is standing in front of a commissioned sculpture by local artist Nia Wyn Jones.

Photographed in the James Horsburgh Memorial Garden

Jo Jones

“I am an artist based in Rhiwbina and have been doing community-based art since 1992. For the past 4 years I have been artist in residence for Beulah United Reformed Church; they were looking for an artist to work with them to bring art into the community of Rhiwbina, I was local and had worked on similar projects before.

Over the past 4 years we have worked on various themes, the photo shows me in front of the latest in the Graffiti Jesus series. Being artist in residence allows me to work in the heart of Rhiwbina, and to meet lots of people I would not have met otherwise. Creating the work is always interesting and thought provoking, and I love the interaction with and the reactions of local folk.”


Genevieve Loxton & Martha Lowry

Genevieve and Martha met at Cardiff University where they studied fine art and sculpture respectively. Genevieve admits to thinking about setting up an art workshop for years. After being disappointed at the lack of studio space for hire in Cardiff, they noticed the lease on the premises in Lon Fach. With strong aims and objectives regarding providing high quality art tuition to the area, they opened in early 2013.

They are committed to lifelong learning and making good quality art tuition accessible. Their youngest student is 9 and the oldest 91 years and they pride themselves on being able to cater for such a wide age range group. They offer after school clubs and parties for children and classes in drawing, painting and 3D sculpture for adults.

They have been overwhelmed with advice from fellow local businesses and messages of support from local people.

Photographed in Lon Fach

Gareth Hill

With a MA from Swansea University in Creative & Media Writing and a published author, Gareth chose to reflect on Rhiwbina in his own words:

“Rhiwbina was my childhood. It was walks home from school on unnaturally sunny days, buying Mr Freeze and a Fresh Minty Egg from Garrods, checking out the Star Wars figures on tantalising display in Courtenay Morgan’s Toy Shop. The sweat bands and Patrick Keegan footy boots of Phoenix Sports. It was adventure and imagination, cutting through the narrow paths, hedgerows that towered and enclosed my small self. It was Parc Y Pentre. The secret park, hidden behind the houses, unknown to outsiders. Everlasting football matches among the blossoming trees, the excited dogs and the swarming midges.

As I walk my children down to Rhiwbina Primary School my mind is awash with memory. It’s been thirty years since I attended the school, walked the same streets, the same narrow lanes between the grand white houses of the Garden Village. The school run is a sea of smiling faces, of red and green uniform and a smattering of themed costumes: Vikings, Romans and Celts. There was no uniform in my day, no dressing up that I can readily recall. But our faces still smiled. A different time, a different experience but the spirit remains unchanged.”


Chris Taylor

Originally a Whitchurch boy attending the Grammar School, Chris moved to Rhiwbina in 1984. He worked as an electrical distribution engineer, resulting in him eventually setting up his own corporate consultancy within the industry.

His father worked as an accountant within transport office of Cardiff County Council, which may have sparked Chris’s interest in road transport. He recalls fondly travelling in the engine with the drivers on the Pontypridd train, when he was a boy and the Cardiff trolleybuses. He holds an impressive archive of material on the subject in his designated library, where his portrait was taken. He has requests from far and wide to ascertain the history of specific vehicles and has written books on the subject.

Chris has been and still is, an active member of many societies over the years including the Rhiwbina Civic Society, Rhiwbina School Governor, a Magistrate, member of Cardiff Transport Preservation Group and Barry Transport Museum and Treasurer of the Garden Village Society. He is also a keen cyclist and regularly uses pedal power to cycle along the local trails.

Photographed in his library, Heol Wen

Carol Harry

Originally from Llwynypia in the Rhondda, Carol recalls “I always wanted to be a teacher, I used to drive my mother mad playing schools as a child.” At the age of 10 Carol moved to neighbouring Whitchurch where she attended school. Unfortunately her mining father suffered a terrible back injury and was unable to work. Instead of going to teaching college as she had planned, Carol instead took an administration job for the Education Department at County Hall, in order to contribute to the household income. As soon as her father was back on his feet, she enrolled at the Cardiff College of Education in Cyncoed.

Carol’s first teaching post was at the now closed Viriamu Jones Primary School in Gabalfa. Carol worked up to eventually becoming Deputy Head. In 1982 she came to Rhiwbina Junior School as a Deputy and in 1987 became Headteacher. Before they were amalgamated in 2000, Rhiwbina School was split into infant and junior sections. It was only after the devastating fire, which demolished the Infants in 1999, that the School officially became Rhiwbina Primary School.

The children of the School frequently attend community events. “We see ourselves as central to the village. The children have always taken part in local festivals and events. We have links with so many, in particular the local Library, and we have taken over the Summer Fun Run which is being held this July. The Jubilee Garden was created with the help and support of local volunteers who cleared and planted the area, to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.”

Carol’s main ambition for the School is to, “give pupils the best start possible in order to reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives.”

Photographed outside Rhiwbina Primary School, Lon Ucha

Anne Lee

Anne has lived in Rhiwbina for 36 years, her mother was also a resident but moved to Llanishen to start a family. A graphics graduate, she taught at Coleg Gwent for a number of years and was later in the civil service.

Following the sudden death of her father and Lesley, her English teacher sister, she was devastated. One day she noticed a ‘To Let’ sign above a very small shop in Beulah Road. She says she acted on impulse and took the lease, called her shop ‘The Book Nook’ and filled it with her late father’s and sister’s books. Anne notes, “This shop became a lifeline, a place to take my mind off my grief and gave me the focus to cope. I would probably have otherwise just fallen to pieces. I feel my sister would be proud of me, after all this is her legacy.”

Anne also creates and sells her own crafts and jewellery which are available to purchase. Open six days a week, the shop supports local authors, orders books for local residents and arranges book readings at least once a month.


Margaret Benedict

Having saved her travel money working in the Cardiff Law Courts, at the age of 21 Margaret left the UK to live with her Uncle in Rhode Island on the East Coast of America. She returned to be a bridesmaid at her sister’s wedding even though she knew she wouldn’t have the funds to return to her adopted home. The wedding was called off at the last minute and Margaret began working to save for her return ticket.

At the Overseas Club in Park Place, Cardiff Margaret met Claus Benedict, a German Jew. He and his family were forced to flee their hometown of Nuremburg in 1938. Having been successful manufacturers running a ribbon factory, the British Government offered them a rent-free factory in order to boost local economies. They chose Treforest over numerous other venues and began making webbing ribbon for army clothing and equipment. After the war, Porth Textiles transformed to become a large Christmas accessories factory. Claus was awarded an MBE for services to business in South Wales.

After they were married, Claus and Margaret bought 2 Caerphilly Mountain cottages and transformed them into a home, raising 3 children in what Margaret describes as a wonderful landscape. She used to travel to Rhiwbina village to do her shopping and knew the area and community well before selling her beloved mountain home and moving to the village. She is a member of the Rhiwbina Civic Society, Cardiff Rhondda Society and was Chairman of the Cardiff Juvenile Magistrates Court for 9 years. After winning her battle against advanced stomach cancer Margaret describes herself as “very fortunate” in all things.


Michelle Beales

Michelle grew up in Lakeside, Cardiff and remembers coming to Rhiwbina as a child with her mother, who played on the grass courts at the Rhiwbina Tennis Club. Maths graduate Michelle, found herself in the hospitality industry to fund her studies and a year travelling in Australia, the Pacific Islands and South East Asia after she achieved her degree. On her return, she worked as a Civil Servant and as a credit controller for an insurance agency. Later, finding herself back in the hospitality business, she was offered a managerial position at a restaurant. Michelle and her husband Paul, who studied Marine Geography at university, found themselves working for Wetherspoons managing establishments from London via Swansea to Edinburgh where they lived for 4 years until they moved back to Cardiff.

They have run the independent Butchers Arms in Rhiwbina for the last 10 years, close to the site where it is claimed that the last Welsh Prince of Glamorgan, Iestyn ap Gwrgant was killed. The nearby stream is called Rhydwaedlyd translated as ‘bloody ford’, which gives testament to the gory story. The pub appears on an ordinance survey map in the 1890s but little has been documented of its early history. Local sources suggest that it was once the site of an abattoir, which may have been how it achieved its name.

Although they serve food and cater for private functions, Michelle refers to the pub as “just a boozer really”. The car park is home to a Farmer’s Market every Friday, with vendors selling pies, jams, bread, cakes, groceries, meat, cheese, milk and a variety of other seasonal and homemade fair.

As a community pub, The Butchers Arms has a local pool team, live music, weekly quizzes and is the destination to many hungry sports teams. They also focus their charitable collections raising money for Childline, NSPCC and Tenovus. Michelle recently completed a Marie Curie 5km swim and Paul raised money for Childline cycling from Cardiff to Tenby. Mike, who works in the restaurant, recently completed the London Marathon raising money for Age Concern.

Although Michelle has no immediate plans to relinquish her landlady title, she would eventually like to travel around South America visiting Guatemala, Chile, Peru and Mexico.

Photographed outside The Butchers Arms

Wayne Hill

Wayne took over the lease for Rayboulds Butchers in Rhiwbina 16 years ago. As it had a good reputation and was known in the area, he saw no reason to change the name. Commuting from Barry every day, he states, “the traffic is not too bad at 6.00am.”

With free range, locally sourced poultry, the best selling product, Wayne has many regular customers who come in for a chat. The blackboard in the window often bears newsworthy slogans including “from stable to table” to “well done Cardiff City.”

He says that, “Rhiwbina is like an old fashioned high street, a tight community, with hobby and gift shops coming into the village, which can only attract more customers.” Open 6 days a week Wayne tries to sell all Welsh produce and makes his own sausages and burgers.


Victoria Matia

Victoria Fearn Gallery has been established in Rhiwbina for 9 years, and during this time has developed an excellent reputation for selling first class British crafts. Many of the top designers who show work in the gallery, are from Wales and most of the artists who have paintings in the changing monthly exhibitions are also Welsh. There is always a large selection of glass, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery and textiles to choose from.

Each month there are different jewellers and ceramics showcased to ensure that there is always something new and exciting to see. Victoria is married with 2 young children and lives in Rhiwbina. She has always found the area very friendly and welcoming and would not want to settle anywhere else. It is tremendously important to Victoria to be part of the community in which she lives and works.

Victoria studied Jewellery and Silversmithing BA Hons in UCE, Birmingham and has designed and made a wide range of silverware and jewellery in her workshop on the premises. With the demands of 2 small children, it has not been possible to expand this side of the business. However, when her youngest starts full-time nursery in September, she hopes to start designing and making a new range of work that will be ready for Christmas 2013.

You will always be sure of a warm welcome when you call in to the Gallery and there is always a wonderful selection of handmade British crafts for you to choose from.


Gail & Vivian

“When Maskreys closed in the Autumn of 2010 we were both left, not only feeling bereft, but wondering what on earth shall we do!

We had been employed with the company for over 15 years so we decided to take the knowledge we had gathered and open up Haus a soft furnishings business, but where? After much searching for our premises we stumbled across Rhiwbina and were thrilled to find this hidden gem. We instantly loved the feel of the village and after chatting to the other lovely shopkeepers we knew this was where we wanted to be.

We have just celebrated our 2nd birthday and hope to be lucky enough to celebrate many more in Rhiwbina village.”


Bill Williams

Bill was born in 1934 in Penrhyndeudraeth in North Wales. His family moved to Wrexham during WWII. They moved to Llanberis to live on a farm at the end of the war in 1944 and he attended Brynrefail Grammar School. Having spent his National Service based in the Royal Artillery in Stonehenge, he started his teaching career in 1957. He married Rhian, his childhood friend from primary school, in 1962. He taught maths and after working in a number of schools, became headteacher at Cilcennin County Primary School between 1965 and 1980. During this time Bill took a long leave of absence and moved to Ontario in Canada for 2 years with his family, to take up a teaching post. He had an unfortunate episode when he was chased by 7 grizzly bears, “they stopped after a few yards, unfortunately.”

In 1980 he decided to switch his career and attended Drama College in Cardiff. His first part came as a squadron leader in the popular Welsh language drama, Pobol Y Cwm. He was then given his own detective series Gwydion. He recalls, “once after acting as a judge in Y Byd Ar Bedwar I was mistaken by an elderly lady in a shop in Rhiwbina for a real judge. Much to my pleasure as you will appreciate!”

Bill and Rhian have visited the USA over 33 times and he is a Director of the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame in Moab, Utah. They have lived in Rhiwbina for 32 years, first renting a house in Lon Isa in the Garden Village, before moving to their bungalow in Heol Cae Rhys.


Anna Knight

Anna was brought up in Llanishen but has fond memories as a young girl, of Rhiwbina shopping trips with her mum. She was a nursery nurse at Rhiwbina Primary School for 9 years before the initial idea for Nest was born.

Frustrated at not being able to find what she refers to as a “bits and pieces” shop in Cardiff, she actively started looking for the ideal premises. In the meantime Anna bought some stock and hosted a vintage fair in the Wendy House as well as other local fetes. After almost two years of looking, a tip off regarding the lease of the current shop, started the ball rolling.

In November 2010, Nest Vintage Living opened its doors, just in time for Christmas. Initially the stock was what Anna describes as “kitchenalia” but the product choice has grown considerably, providing items from well known brands such as Cath Kidston, East of India and beautiful Welsh blankets from Melin Tregwynt. Anna also hires her eclectic collection of china for parties and functions.

A firm believer that in terms of the shopkeepers in the village, their strength lies in the ability to come together to collectively sell Rhiwbina as a shopping destination. Her strong views led her to set up the Rhiwbina Business Association last year and they will publish their 2nd ‘Garden Village Guide’ this summer.

In terms of her own business Anna says, “I am always looking forward, listening to customers and what they want. My focus for the business has always been customer based. The staff here are all excellent at keeping the focus on the customer, whether it is for advice on a gift, or those just popping in for a little chat. We actively make sure the shop looks nice, smells nice and shoppers are greeted with a warm welcome. Our aim is to provide a good experience and to us that concept is central to our business.”


Paul Rees

Paul has lived in Rhiwbina for over 40 years. Originally from West Wales he moved to Cardiff to undertake a Degree in Illustration. He later moved to London and worked at the Victoria & Albert and the British Museums as a conservation officer, working on famous works of art from the likes of Cezanne. He and his late wife Anne, also an accomplished artist and porcelain restorer, moved to Rhiwbina following Paul’s new role as a restorer at the Cardiff Museum.

With a keen interest in photography, Paul joined the Rhiwbina Camera Club and was a member for over 30 years. With the onset of the digital photography age, Paul found the art of photography less appealing and decided this new genre wasn’t for him.

Paul is a regular visitor in Snails Deli and goes to Cardiff once a week to talk over current matters with other “old cronies”. He continues to paint and is available for portrait commissions working in mainly an acrylic medium. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Art.

Photographed in Lon Y Dail

Leah & Liam Millinship

Leah was born in Swansea but moved to Cardiff, attending Cantonian High School going on to study music at Cardiff University. She has continued her studies and took an MA in Photography before establishing her own portrait and wedding business, Leah Photography, as well as continuing to lecture. Liam was born and grew up in Newport and moved to Cardiff after studying Humanities at the Open University. He is also a lecturer, songwriter and one half of the acclaimed folk band Barlow Cree.

“We moved to Rhiwbina in 2001 after living in Whitchurch. We moved across the road! We wanted to be next to the park and be able to walk the kids to school. We liked Rhiwbina because it was quaint and quiet and looked like a nice place for the children to grow up. We liked Parc Y Pentre (we called it the secret park). We have two children Luca, 10 and Ruby, 8 and Wilf the whippet. The kids have done various clubs in and around the village. Ruby does cheerleading and Luca plays cricket for Whitchurch. Our favourite places are: Caedelyn Park, The Secret Park, The Wenallt and the Rec for Sunday lunch and a pint.”

Photographed in Caedelyn Road

Gordon Bailey

Born in Birmingham, Gordon’s father worked as a menswear buyer. His job meant that he and his family moved around the UK. They moved from Birmingham to Manchester, Kent, Isle of White, Mumbles and then to Cardiff. By the age of 12, Gordon and his family had finally settled near Roath Park. He attended Allensbank Primary School and went on to King’s College.

At 18, Gordon was voluntarily conscripted as a Bevin Boy at Bedwas Colliery after a very basic induction at Oakdale, which consisted of being shown how to shovel a pile of coal from A to B. There were 48,000 men who worked in the coal mines from 1943 until 1948 and their contribution to the war effort has been largely unrecognised. One in 10 young men who were called up were sent to work down the mines. Unlike those serving in the armed forces, Bevin Boys didn’t get an allocation of coal or a demob suit, “we didn’t get a damn thing.” Bedwas Colliery was 800 yards to the pit face. Gordon recalls the double decker cages, dropping very fast only just slowing down before hitting the bottom. He had various jobs over the 3 years from a collier’s helper, cutting coal, timber carrier to his favourite job in charge of a dumper. Whilst waiting for the next load, he would attempt to design a mouse trap to catch the mine’s mice out of shotwire, unsuccessfully he admits. He was once asked during a dance if he was in the forces to which he replied, “I’m in the underground movement.”

Following his long awaited demobilisation he started as a furniture salesman for the Co-Op where he had previously worked before conscription. He then became a regional rep for clothing manufacturer Brettles, who were leaders in the knitwear and underwear market and historically supplied Horatio Nelson and Queen Victoria. On his way to Bindles in Cold Knap, Gordon met his future wife Irene. They will shortly celebrate their Diamond Wedding anniversary even though Irene admits she “hated him at first sight.” They have 2 children, one in London and the other in America.

Gordon enjoys spending time with friends in the Olive Branch cafe in the village, pheasant shooting and walking their black Labrador, Flossie who unfortunately has a penchant for other people’s picnics.


Carl Davies

Carl was born in Wales but moved to London when he was three. Deciding London may not be the best place to bring up his family, he moved back to Penarth a few years ago. Having been in the wine trade for 25 years, he and business partner David Houghton were looking for premises in the area. By a stroke of luck the owner of Snails Deli, Rupert, told them of a lease becoming available in Beulah Road. They opened the Wine Store three years ago initially trading as Houghton’s Wines but re-branded in December 2012.

They have a designated tasting room and offer wine tasting evenings where the produce of a particular region will be mulled over. They collaborate with Snails Deli once a month offering a different wine with every meal and a three-course dinner. Carl suggests that the village has benefited from shops such as Nest encouraging a bijoux shopping trip with independent shops and places to eat and drink.


Dr Alun & Marg Jones

Dr Alun Jones has played the organ at Beulah United Reformed Church for over 68 years. He met his wife Margaret when they were 10 years old in the old Sunday School held there. Dr Alun refers to the church as their ‘second family since childhood.’ Next year they look forward to celebrating their Diamond Wedding anniversary.


Ana Miah

Ana is the Group Director of the chain of Indian cuisine restaurants under the name The Juboraj. With 4 other Cardiff restaurants, including the takeaway and delivery Juboraj Express this is a growing brand.

The restaurant in Rhiwbina was the first, opening its doors in February 1989. Ana suggests that its success, “is due to the high quality of the food and wines we offer and also the attentive, but discreet service for which The Juboraj is renowned.” The best selling dishes are chicken tikka masala and kola puri.

Ana is also keen to support the local community. He has sponsored many local sports teams including Rhiwbina Cosmos Football Team and has been supporting Rhiwbina Squash Club for the last 6 years. His first sponsorship project was for a football kit for Rhiwbina Juniors in the early 1990s. He is also keen to support the Rhiwbina Village Events Committee and the Christmas Tree Appeal. Local charities also benefit from his involvement as he recently raised £1,800 to benefit Llamau, the Lord Mayor’s chosen homeless charity.


Gwilym E Roberts

Gwilym moved to Rhiwbina when he was 3, having been born in neighbouring Llanishen. His parents had moved from Penrhyndeudraeth in North Wales. His father was the secretary of the Town Planning and Housing Trust, which was set up to lend money at low rates of interest to housing associations in Wales. As he came from a Welsh speaking family, he was not permitted to speak English at home and he attended Penarth Grammar School. ‘Gunner Roberts’ completed 2 years National Service before applying to do a teaching course at Trinity College, Carmarthen. As a qualified Welsh language teacher, he taught at various schools across Cardiff before taking early retirement after 32 years.

In 1997, the Welsh Language Project received funds from Welsh Office, now known as Welsh Government, to develop the teaching of the language in the Chubut region of Patagonia. The aim of the project was to recruit teachers to undertake placements in the region and provide training and leadership to local tutors. Gwilym was selected and has spent a total of 3 years in the region on separate occasions.

Gwilym is Chairman of the monthly Cardiff Welsh newspaper ‘Y Dinesydd’ which features local news articles. Established in 1973, it is available from various outlets across the locality. Gwilym was awarded the Sir T H Parry-Williams Medal from the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1987. The medal is awarded annually to an individual who has contributed widely to supporting the language in their community, with the focus on working with young people. He also has an Honours Degree from the Open University for his services to the Welsh language. With a love for music, Gwilym plays piano, the organ in a Welsh Chapel and sings in the Pensioners’ Choir.

Photographed in Heol Wen

Alice Tinsley

Six and a half year old Alice attends Rhiwbina Primary School. She also attends ballet and Irish dancing classes in the Memorial Hall. Her father grew up in Rhiwbina and her grandparents still live in the original family home. Incidentally, at the age of 10 her grandmother used to help out at fetes and other fundraising events held in the village in the early 1950s, to raise enough money for the Hall to be built.

Photographed outside the Memorial Hall

Richard Forryan

Richard has lived in Rhiwbina on and off for 60 years. He was originally from Leicester and came to Cardiff when he was 10. He has been a School Crossing Patrol Officer for over 4 years. He took up the post shortly after his retirement from the Civil Service.

Richard enjoys his post as a ‘lollipop man’ and is overwhelmed by chocolates and gifts the last day of summer and Christmas terms.


Reverend Andrew James & Coco

Reverend James is affectionately referred to as ‘Father Andrew’ in the village. Originally from Yorkshire, he arrived in Wales to study Behavioural Science at the University of Glamorgan, later studying Theology at Cardiff University. He has previously served in Tremorfa and Radyr and has lived in Rhiwbina for the past 7 years.

His dog Coco is his constant companion and Father Andrew admits that most of his pastoral work is done whilst walking his dog. He found Rhiwbina to be ‘warm and welcoming’ and the Garden Village especially ‘a hidden jewel.’


Tom Edwards & Gwyn Hughes

Tom and Gwyn are weekly regulars at the Whittaker Lounge on Heol Y Deri. Run entirely by volunteers, the Whittaker Lounge is found at the rear of the Church and is open every morning apart from Tuesday from 10am—12.30pm serving light refreshments and Fair Trade products and homemade cakes and produce. It was opened to create a warm and friendly meeting place in the Village and was made possible by the most generous bequest of Margaret Whittaker. This provided Beulah with the funds to create the Lounge by extending the old vestry.

It is also the venue for many other meetings such as Breast Friends, a breast cancer support group, and ‘Tea for Two’ run by the Alzheimer’s Society on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month. Age Concern’s Good Neighbour Scheme is based in the Church and also uses the Lounge. This project befriends, supports and advises vulnerable older people in the Rhiwbina area.

Photographed outside the Whittaker Lounge

Robert Cimponeriu

Robert has become the resident seller of The Big Issue magazine in Rhiwbina. His regular patch is just outside the Spar store. With 4 children to support, he works 6 days a week and sends money home to support one of his children in his native Romania.

Originally based in Cardiff City centre, his office suggested the village, as there was a high density of sellers in the Capital. He says he likes the people of Rhiwbina as they are very friendly and it is a community of “nice, nice people.”


Jack Butt

Jack was born in Valiant Street in Splott, Cardiff. An orphan by the time he was 18, Jack lived with his auntie and worked as a fitter’s mate on the hydraulics of Blenheim and Beaufighter planes for John Curran during the war. His National Service at the age of 18 and a half took him from Brecon to India.

After trying to ‘look for his Jill’, Jack met his future wife Joyce in Ketterick. Originally from Northumberland, Joyce worked in the bakery where he was posted. They met at a New Year’s Eve dance in 1944 in the Bagdad Gym. Having arranged a first date, the next night Jack found himself in the wrong place and by coincidence a stranger pointed him to the correct corner, where he was to meet up with his future wife.

After moving back to Cardiff with Joyce, Jack left engineering and ran The News Box on Carlisle Street for 26 years. They had 2 children, but tragically lost their son Kenneth following a mugging in Liverpool. Jack began a new career at 51 and started as a Civil Servant in the Regional Transport Office in Cathedral Road. Another job at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Caerphilly kept him in post until his retirement at 65. Jack and his late wife continued to enjoy ballroom dancing and frequently attended the local Sybil and Harry Marks School of dance. They also travelled regularly to Weston-Super-Mare to the Winter Gardens to dance.

Photographed in Heol Y Felin

Rhiwbina Library

With a combined service history of over 135 years, Branch Librarian Geraint Bowen together with Sandra, Jen, Barbara, Wayne and Carole, open Rhiwbina Library 5 days a week, closing on Sundays and Tuesdays.

“The present Library was opened to the public on September 29th 1960. It was refurbished in 2003 to create a more open-plan and lighter modern library. Prior to 1960, the Library was located on Pantbach Road at the site of the current ‘Fragrant 227’ Beauty Salon. At one point, it was run by the wife of the local author Jack Jones. Rhiwbina is the busiest branch after the Central Library.

We run regular storytimes and rhymetimes for pre-school children, babies and toddlers. Adult Education classes are held most days in the Jevons Room. This room can be booked for community events at a small cost. Three reading groups are held in the Library. We are the focal point for community information.”

Photographed in Pen Y Dre

Jim Taverner

“I was born two weeks after the outbreak of WWII and lived at 48 Lon Isa along with elder brother Anthony, sister Mary, mother Esther and father Chris. (Younger brother John was a post war addition!) To further complicate things for my dear parents, I contracted Polio nine months later, so for them it must have been a worrying time.

My cousins, Brendan and Rosary Hill lived close to the massive Ford factory at Dagenham and so became refugees and stayed with us for the duration of the war. My wartime chums (and still are) were John Hyland of Heol Wen, David Evans of Heol Wen and Charlie Blackburn who lived next door to my grandparents in Pen Y Dre.

My father was in the construction industry (and a member of the Home Guard serving the anti-aircraft guns at Western Avenue and built concrete air raid shelters at the bottom of our garden and also at the home of my grandparents who lived at 56 Pen Y Dre. So the war was an exciting time for a young boy with frequent trips to the shelter accompanied by the sound of aircraft overhead. I was certain in my young mind that my Uncle Bill Cox, who was in the RAF, was in his Spitfire above us shooting down the bombers. It transpired he was in the Intelligence section and didn’t know a propeller from a rudder! These ugly structures were so well built that they remained for many years. I pity the subsequent owners who had the job of removing them! An American cousin of my mothers, John Sliney, was serving with the US Army and based for sometime on Whitchurch Common. I remember my mother being mortified that he over indulged one evening and spent the night in the phone box next to Beulah Church! I remember the air raid shelter that stood on the site of the present Public Library in Pen Y Dre. I wonder if anyone has a photograph of it?

Whitchurch Hospital once again became a centre for wounded servicemen having served the same function during the Great War. The trains carrying them passed through Rhiwbina Halt. The station and its trains were, of course, also a magnet for boys of the village. I left Rhiwbina in 1959 but returned with my own family when we moved into 13 Lon Y Dail in 1973. This was a particularly happy time for us and we have great memories. It is interesting that my elder brother and sister who also left the village, returned and live here today. Rhiwbina, what a great place to live!”

Photographed in Lon Isa

Baloo, Chil, Akela, Kaa & Bagheera

The 1st Rhiwbina Cubs meet on Monday nights in the Scout Headquarters Heol Y Bont. The Scouters have a combined service record Rhiwbina Scout Movement has been thriving in Rhiwbina since a meeting in November 1927 voted in favour of a Scout Group. January 1928 marked the first investiture of 15 Cubs and 22 Scouts in the Recreation Hall. With limited equipment, the group hired tents and gear and held their first camp at The Cwm, Rudry in May of the same year.

The first Scout Hall was a garage donated for use by George Williams of Plasnewydd House. Following numerous meetings, a site was secured from Lord Tredegar and the building of a Scout Headquarters commenced in October 1928. With hard work through a very bleak winter, the job was completed the following June and officially opened by Sir Rhys Williams. Of the 96 Rhiwbina Scouts who saw active service during WWII, 11 paid the ultimate sacrifice.

There are currently 3 Rhiwbina Scout Groups. The 2nd Rhiwbina meet in Lon Ucha and the 3rd Rhiwbina in All Saints Church Hall.

Photographed in Heol Y Bont

Paul & Mags Ballard

Serenade sell a wide range of cards, gifts and balloons for every occasion. The previously established card shop in the village called Cascades, was purchased by Paul and Mags following Paul’s redundancy after 22 years in the motor trade industry.

“We immediately changed the name to Serenade and completely refitted the shop to what it is today. Mags was my Saturday girl for about 2 years until she retired from Lloyds bank after 38 years service, joining me to work full time running the shop together.

Our earliest concerns were that not being residents of Rhiwbina, would the community accept us? However, within a few weeks it felt like home and as if we had been here all our lives. The community are very friendly and welcoming but we never lose sight of the fact that customers make a choice to support us. We are very appreciative of the support they have shown us over the last 13 years.

We have both served on the Rhiwbina Village Events Committee for 5 years and continuously support events and initiatives of the local charities, schools and churches. We see this as a way of giving something back to the community and thanking them for their business over the years.

We were lucky enough to be nominated and eventually win the South Wales Echo, ‘They’re the Business’ awards in 2010 and have been finalists in a national greeting cards regional awards taking us to the Dorchester Hotel in London. We are so grateful to be nominated and the congratulatory messages we received from customers is lovely .”

Photographed on Heol Y Deri

Evan Jones

Evan lives in Rhiwbina and goes to the local Primary School.

He is a Lodge Leader of 2nd Rhiwbina Beavers, is a member of Rhiwbina Tennis Club, an Under-8 (soon to be Under-9) player with the Squirrels Rugby Team, and plays football with a local club.

Photographed outside Canolfan Beulah

Adam & Emile Bines

Emile and his wife moved to Rhiwbina in 2000, attracted by the good reputation of the school and with recommendations from friends who lived in the village. It was considered an ideal place to bring up a family.

Emile has been surfing since he was 18 and says that “it’s a natural progression for you to then get the kids involved, in something you love doing.” Adam was introduced to the sport at the age of 4. They frequently travel to West Wales to surf and even further afield to France and Spain in their mobile home.

Adam attends the local school and plays rugby for the Rhiwbina Squirrels. He is learning to play the drums and enjoys computer games and Nerf wars with his friends.

Having worked in the music industry since he left school, Emile supports fundraising efforts for C Major Music for Life, who are a group of musicians who raise money for Velindre Hospital and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Photographed in Waun Y Groes Avenue

Andrew & Ioan Williams

Andrew, with the help from other parents, set up their own football team with one age group starting at Under-9 level. After completing all the necessary paperwork, they formed the Rhiwbina Cosmos in 2010. With the help from local businesses for sponsorship, and the local Butchers Pub for after match meals, they now have a squad of 16 players. This Rhiwbina football team has recently begun competing at Under-7 level with another group of local Dads forming and maintaining the team.

Andrew is originally from neighbouring Whitchurch and after a spell in Reading, decided to move back to the area 13 years ago. He and his wife Claire now bring up 2 children, Ioan and Chloe in the Village, and mark the Primary School as one of the main reasons they settled in Rhiwbina. They regularly walk their dog and play football in Parc Y Pentre and Caedelyn Park. Photographed in Heol Y Deri

Sam & Ben Lawrence

Sam and his brother Ben moved to Rhiwbina from Tongwynlais when they were 8 and 5 respectively. They both attended Rhiwbina Primary School and the 4th Rhiwbina Scouts. They enjoyed sailing in Tenby when they were growing up which led to Sam studying Marine Biology in Plymouth. Cycling was another hobby and Sam competed at Welsh series level.

Having heard Muddy Bums was up for sale, Sam decided to take a leap of faith and took over the business. The initial vision was to move the business from Beulah Road to bigger premises which became available on Heol Y Deri a year ago. They are also members of the Rhiwbina Business Association and actively contribute to the shopkeepers community in the Village.

Sam describes his business as a ‘one stop shop’ for bike enthusiasts selling new bikes, accessories, clothing and repairs. They also have their own Muddy Bums downhill team of 8, who compete all over the UK.

Photographed on Heol Y Deri

Joan Miller & Sophie

Joan moved to Rhiwbina after she and her late husband Gordon married in 1963. She had a part-time position at ‘Jones the Chemist’ on Beulah Road. He encouraged her to take a 2 year pharmacy course, which she successfully completed. She went on to work for the NHS for 30 years.

After Joan lost her beloved husband to cancer, she was at a loss as to what to do with herself, as she had already retired. Joan decided she wanted to help cancer sufferers and applied for a nail and beauty course. Already in her 70s, Joan thought she didn’t stand a chance of a place with competition from youngsters. A few days after the interview, she was surprised to have her place confirmed. Now qualified, she provides complimentary hand massages, manicures, pedicures and facials for cancer patients in Velindre Hospital.

Joan is a member of the Tenovus Sing for Life Choir. The Choir was initially started in 2010 to measure the health and psychosocial benefits of singing for cancer patients and their families. Research demonstrated that each choir member benefited from an improvement in his or her mental health and wellbeing. Her philosophy of life is “live everyday, make the most of things and take it as it comes.”


Tracy Bell

Tracy grew up in Whitchurch and regularly came to visit friends in Rhiwbina in her teenage years. She attended Pencoed College of Agriculture and worked in the Flower Lodge on day release during her studies. She has worked alongside 2 of the previous owners of the Florists, Mary Fundell and Jane Major, purchasing the business from Jane 12 years ago.

Tracy introduced a new member of the team last year in the form of Baxter, the border terrier, who on occasion has slipped out of the door and taken himself on a wander to the shops in Heol Y Deri. The Flower Lodge has an account holder option for regular customers and also prepares bouquets for weddings, funerals and parties. Tracy has also introduced a variety of gifts from designers Angel Lodge Studio and local jewellery designer Karen Dell’armi. Roses are the best selling flowers closely followed by gerbera and lilies.


Councillors Jayne Cowan & Adrian Robson

Jayne was born in Cardiff and has lived here all her life. She attended Howells School in Llandaff, then went on to do a BA Hons and MA in Education in Cardiff. “I was elected to serve Rhiwbina in 1999 and was re-elected in 2004, 2008 and 2012. In 2012, The National Assembly of Wales told each local authority that they needed to have a Democratic Services Committee. I was approached to be the Chairman of the Committee, an appointment I was delighted to accept. I had the backing of the full Council, and was recently re-appointed again in 2013 for the next municipal year. I enjoy meeting residents, representing their views at planning and licensing committees, have regular meetings with the Police and hold surgeries with my ward colleagues Adrian Robson and Eleanor Sanders throughout the ward on a regular basis. Rhiwbina is a very special place, and has a true sense of community. There are so many events planned throughout the year, and are well supported by local residents. Residents in Rhiwbina and Pantmawr look out for each other and this is why the community is so strong. A lot of Rhiwbina is steeped in tradition, but the traditions are important to maintaining the sense of place which residents feel. In addition, the shops which have opened in recent years have been smaller independent retailers which fit in with Rhiwbina’s village feel.”

Adrian was born in Watford, but also grew up on the Wirral. After graduating with a BA in Geography from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, he moved to Cardiff.

“I was first elected as a Rhiwbina Councillor in 2004 and re-elected in 2008 and 2012. I see the role as championing the community whenever possible in the Council Chamber and Committees. I sit on the Planning Committee, Policy Performance & Review Scrutiny Committee and also have a place on the Glamorgan Archives Committee.

I think Rhiwbina (including Pantmawr) is a fantastic community to represent. There is a very wide range of issues and concerns, ranging from properties at risk of flood to a memorial for a much loved local sheep. The community are also very supportive of many groups locally, including the Rhiwbina Festival. The strength of the community spirit is why I believe Rhiwbina is the best ward in Cardiff.”

Photographed outside All Saints Church, Heol Y Felin

Beulah Youth Fellowship

Liz and Elaine run the Youth Fellowship held on Sundays for 14-18 year olds during school term time. Even though it is part of the Beulah Church community, the Fellowship is also open to friends of church members. This project has been running for over 45 years and was originally held in people’s houses for age groups outside of Sunday school normal age. The concept of the Fellowship is to provide teenagers with the opportunity to discuss relevant issues, play games, watch videos, listen to visiting speakers and if funds allow, an annual activity holiday.

The current group are leaving this year. Oliver, (2nd from left) would like to be a superhero or an MI6 agent, Elin (centre) is going to University College London to study medicine but would also like to travel the world and Eleri (2nd from right) would also like to travel, go to music festivals as well as studying for a Sociology Degree from the University of Bristol. They all agree that their time together each Sunday gives them the opportunity to talk about things they wouldn’t normally discuss. None of them are in the same school, which also provides for a separate circle of friends.

Both Liz and Elaine take inspiration from the group regarding activities. They have put on a Fair Trade fashion show, held a ‘Come Dine with Me’ night, with varying degrees of culinary success, and are currently planning a trip to London before the group leave for pastures new. Liz and Elaine are looking forward to a new intake of 15 teenagers in September.

Photographed outside Canolfan Beulah

Mike & Joseph McCarthy

Mike has been coach of the current Under-11 Rhiwbina Squirrels side for the last 4 years, his son Joseph also plays in the team. A Rhiwbina Primary pupil, Joseph also plays for Under-11 County and Lisvane Cricket teams, plays football for the Rhiwbina Cosmos and rugby for Cardiff Schools as well as his local team. His favourite subject at school is maths and he loves sushi. Mike and his family have lived in Rhiwbina for 18 years. He briefly joined the Merchant Navy but now works with young offenders in Newport and surrounding areas. “Rhiwbina is a lovely place to live, low crime rates and good facilities, although I am a bit disappointed in the lack of youth provision in the area.” He used to be a youth worker at the local Greenhill School Youth Club, which has since closed, “there used to be a popular Cyber Centre too, but even that has closed down now.” Mike supports the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, an agreement which has just been adopted by Welsh Government as the basis for policy making since 2004. The UNCRC is an international agreement that protects the human rights of children under the age of 18 from actions that affect their freedom and human dignity.


Phil Taylor

Phil grew up just over the boundary in Pen Y Groes Road and as a result attended Ton Yr Ywen Primary School. He became the Regional Director for Aon, an insurance broker company and current sponsors of Manchester United football kit. He celebrated his retirement at the age of 53 by going on the 2001 Lions Tour to Australia. He still works part-time, is Chairman of the Rhiwbina Recreation Club, Secretary of the Cardiff Wanderers Cricket Club and plays golf regularly. The Recreation Club is nearly as old as the first houses built in Y Groes. Documents from 1914 show that permission was granted for 5 acres of land for the purposes of sport. The first sports played were lawn tennis, croquet and cricket. The Club is now home to the Rhiwbina Rugby, Bowls, Squash, Tennis and Table Tennis Clubs.

The Club hosts weddings, funerals, parties, zumba and ballroom dancing, with over 1,100 members between the ages of 6 and 90. The Club also has a licence to show the big Sky Sports games which regularly attract a large crowd.

Phil has joined the squash, tennis and bowls sections of the Club and relishes the fact he can come to the Club on his own and there is always someone to talk to. “Rhiwbina is a wonderful place to live, it’s accessible to everywhere and it has lots to offer. Cardiff centre is not far away and it in itself is a great City.”

Photographed at Rhiwbina Recreation Club

Christine & Richard Tinsley

Christine was born on the top of a Morrison air raid shelter on July 9th 1940 at number 22 Y Groes. The same day German fighter planes bombed Cardiff docks and sunk the steamer the San Felipe, taking a number of lives in the process. After her twin sisters were born a few years later, resulting in a brood of 4, her parents requested a bigger house. They moved to 17 Lon Y Dail shortly thereafter. She attended Rhiwbina Primary School, went to Sunday School and was part of the Red Cross and junior PDSA groups. She remembers an idyllic childhood catching Bullheads in the brook, and cycling to Cefn Onn Park and the Wenallt Woods with her friends.

Following a blind date, she met her Middlesborough born future husband Richard. He had moved to Barry when he was 3, after his RAF-serving father was posted there during the war. Following their marriage they requested a house and were successful. They moved into number 2 Y Groes where they continue to live after raising their 4 children. They have recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and are photographed seated on the bench purchased by their family as a gift.

Having lived in the village all her life, Christine has no intention of leaving. She says “there is nowhere else like it, you wake up in the morning and it is just a beautiful place to be, why would I want to move?”


Mary Clarke

Mary has lived in Rhiwbina for 54 years in the same house on Pen Y Dre. Her father was a foreman who used to maintain the houses of the Garden Village. She applied for a house and was successful and her father suggested she took the ‘home by the brook’. “Rhiwbina has green open spaces, friendly people and it’s home.” As the Chair of the Rhiwbina Garden Village Residents’ Association, Mary is partly responsible for organising social events and is especially busy this year with the centenary celebrations. The Wendy House was originally the office where tenants would pay their weekly rent. It is now used for community events and funds are raised each year to pay for its upkeep.

Gardening is Mary’s passion and she is a member of the National Garden Scheme. There are 4 other registered open gardens in Rhiwbina, 3 in the Garden Village area. The scheme enables members to open their gardens to the public on specific days, for a combined cost of £5.00 which is donated to charity.

Photographed outside the Wendy House, Lon Fach

Thank You

The Portraits of Rhiwbina exhibition would not have been possible without the help of so many people. Firstly, I would like to thank each and every person who volunteered to be part of this photography project. It has been a pleasure meeting you all and learning about your personal stories.

To Martha & Genevieve from The Art Workshop for offering their gallery to hold the exhibition, I can’t thank you enough. To my University lecturers, David Lewis, Shaun McDermott and Aled Hughes and my fellow students, for your constant support and encouragement. To Gareth Hill for proving what an amazingly creative wordsmith he is. To my friends, who kept me believing this was possible. To my lovely children, for being the best photographic assistants I could wish for. To my husband, for helping put up the exhibition and turning a blind eye to the unfinished housework. To my parents, without whose love and financial support, this exhibition would not have been possible.

Lastly, to the people of Rhiwbina, who collectively make this village a very special place to call home.

Sarah x

Limited Edition Exhibition Copy 2013

[email protected] 420488