Buddy Magazine - March 2026 - The Vale & Cardiff by Buddy_Magazine

MARCH 2026 / THE VALE & CARDIFF EDITION

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Strange But True

Dogs develop eyebrow movement by mimicking humans.

A man su ering from a mysterious cough that would not go away underwent surgery for suspected lung cancer, surgeons discovered it was not cancer but actually a toy tra c cone he had inhaled 40 years ago.

Wild rabbits can catch a rare disease that makes them grow horns, this is believed to be the biological basis for the jackalope myth.

In urban areas some crows drop tough nuts close to pedestrian crossings allowing cars to break the shells, and then they safely gather the pieces when the tra c lights are red.

We can actually hear our bodily organs shifting around when we roll over, our brain just decides to tune it out.

Pom poms on the top of knitted hats were made to protect sailors from hitting their heads on low ceilings on their ships.

Manatees fart as a way of controlling their buoyancy.

Parrots imprint on people and can die of grief if their owner dies before them.

Gira es and humans have the same number of neck vertebrae.

The fallopian tubes are not xed in place they move to catch the eggs. If you have one tube removed the remaining tube plays catch for both ovaries moving side to side like a snake.

Scientists have found that camel tears can neutralise venom from 26 species of snakes, o ering potential as a natural antivenom that could revolutionise snakebite treatment.

Raccoons can see in the dark using their hands, they have a nerve that runs from their hands directly to their optic nerve and can visually see what they touch.

Most of the ags on Main St, Florida aren’t real ags, they are missing a star or stripe. This way Disney doesn’t have to follow o cial ag protocols like lowering them at night.

In 1984 a teenager named Zak Brown appeared on Wheel of Fortune USA and won $3,050. He spent all the money on a Go-kart. He went on to become the CEO of MacLaren F1 Racing.

The sound of your stomach growling is actually the sound of your intestines rubbing together.

Yawning is contagious because the brain senses a lack of oxygen in the room.

We never really bite down as our lower jaw is hinged to our skull so we bite upwards.

Salt hurts white lilies and the ower actually screams in pain but it’s too high of a frequency for humans to hear.

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1. What music format did most people buy in the early 60s?

2. What was the most fashionable miniskirt designer?

3. What iconic British band formed in Liverpool in 1960?

4. What type of household phone was common?

5. What was a popular family car in Britain?

6. What sweets were commonly bought in a corner shop?

7. What kitchen appliance started appearing in homes in the late 60s?

8. What hairstyle was popular with women mid-60s?

9. What men’s hairstyle was fashionable?

10. What was a typical Sunday lunch?

11. What did children do outside instead of being on screens?

12. What was the main TV channel in most homes?

13. What popular 60s drink was served in little bottles?

14. What fashion trend involved bold geometric prints?

15. What did families do on holiday?

16. What was a popular household ooring?

17. What makeup look was fashionable?

18. What was the most common form of home heating?

19. What magazine would many women read?

20. What transport did most people use for daily travel?

Why everyone should get writing a Will o their to-do list!

Research by the Association of Lifetime Lawyers in 2024 found that nearly half of UK adults do not have a will.

The data revealed that 43% of UK adults aged over 30 who don’t have a Will said it’s been on their to-do list for more than 12 months, whilst 1 in 10 UK adults had started making a Will but haven’t nished it, and nearly a third (32%) said they hadn’t made a Will because they didn’t know how to get started. A quarter of people said they would prioritise watching TV over getting a Will.

The Association of Lifetime Lawyers represents a community of the most quali ed legal professionals in the UK and supports vulnerable and older people with expert advice and support.

Hannah Thomas, an accredited Lifetime Lawyer and Partner at Harding Evans Solicitors, says that bereaved families could be left distressed if their loved ones haven’t communicated their wishes legally through a Will.

“We all know how important this type of life admin is, but the research shows just how hard people nd it to get started. It doesn’t need to take a long time to prepare or update your will, especially if you have an expert to guide you through the process. And it’s time well spent, reducing the burden on your loved ones after your death and the risk of costly disputes that can take time and money to resolve.

“Many people think they’re too young to write a will, and understandably don’t like to think about the worst that could happen, but we often deal with cases where a badly drafted or non-existent will has caused undue distress to those left behind.

“The research showed 21% of wills are handwritten or have handwritten amendments, which could make them illegible and therefore di cult to understand. To get your will right, it’s always safest to speak to a specialist, who can help you plan for the future and communicate your wishes in the right way.

Cinema Listings in march

Hoppers

Starring : Meryl Streep, Dave Franco, Jon Hamm, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Sam Richardson, Daniel Chong, Nicole Paradis Grindle

Introduces Mabel, an animal lover who seizes an opportunity to use new technology to 'hop' her consciousness into a life-like robotic animal: an adorable beaver.

The Bride!

Starring : Jake Gyllenhaal, Christian Bale, Annette Bening, Jessie Buckley, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro

In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein asks Dr. Euphronius to help create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as the Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change.

Reminders of Him

Starring : Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Rudy Pankow, Tyriq Withers, Colleen Hoover, Maika Monroe, Vanessa Caswill

Project Hail Mary

Starring : Ryan Gosling, Phil Lord, Lionel Boyce, Drew Goddard, Chris Miller, Ken Kao

After serving a ve-year prison sentence, Kenna returns to her hometown to reconnect with her young daughter. However, rebuilding relationships proves challenging, and everyone in her daughter's life seems determined to keep Kenna out. Local bar owner Ledger Ward o ers a glimmer of hope, and as Kenna and Ledger grow closer, they must navigate the risks their romance poses.

A solitary tale of an astronaut on a space ship who is tasked with saving the planet.

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Saturday Night Fever: The History of the Discothèque in the UK

Before superclubs and celebrity DJs, there was the discothèque the heart of British nightlife for decades. Long before streaming playlists and social media, the UK dance oor was where trends were born, friendships formed, and Saturday nights meant something.

The discothèque arrived in Britain in the 1950s and early 60s, inspired by clubs in France and the US. Instead of live bands, venues hired someone to play records and keep people dancing. This felt fresh, allowing clubs to experiment with sound and create a seamless musical ow.

By the late 1960s, discothèques appeared across London, Manchester and seaside towns. Youth culture boomed. Fashion and music evolved rapidly from soul and Motown to funk and early dance records. The DJ’s role grew; they read the room and built energy.

The 1970s brought the true golden era.

Disco fever swept the UK, fuelled by American hits and home-grown enthusiasm. Clubs embraced glitter, mirror balls and dramatic lighting. London venues like The Embassy Club and Scotch of St James drew fashionable crowds, while regional nightclubs ourished as local hubs.

Saturday night at the disco became a ritual. People queued in platform shoes and ared trousers, dressed to impress. Dance oors lled with swirling lights and thumping bass. Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and Chic mixed with British soul and pop for an electric atmosphere. It was glamour and grit, especially in working-class towns where the discothèque was the week’s highlight.

The DJ became a star. DJs experimented with mixing and extended versions. Sound systems improved, lighting became more elaborate, and the mirror ball symbolised the era. A good DJ kept the crowd moving, creating a shared, hypnotic pulse.

By the early 1980s, musical tastes shifted. Disco evolved into new dance music, and Britain again led the charge. Manchester became a cultural epicentre. The Haçienda, opened in 1982, later de ned a generation and became synonymous with house music and the acid house movement of the late 80s.

The discothèque had transformed.

If the 70s were about glamour and glitter, the late 80s and early 90s focused on underground sounds and warehouse spaces. Electronic beats, synthesised rhythms and longer DJ sets created a new experience. The focus remained rhythm, release, community but the soundtrack evolved.

Ibiza’s in uence shaped UK nightlife. Holidaymakers brought Balearic beats and open-air clubbing back to cities like London, Birmingham and Leeds. Superclubs such as Ministry of Sound emerged, cementing the UK’s global reputation in dance culture.

Fashion shifted with the music from sequins and satin to sportswear and minimalist club style. Nightlife trends re ected wider culture. The dance oor remained a place of reinvention.

Today, the word “discothèque” may feel nostalgic conjuring images of glitter balls and vinyl decks but its DNA runs through every British nightclub and festival stage. From local town venues to global DJ residencies, the foundation was laid decades ago in those early record-spinning rooms.

At its core, the UK discothèque was never just about music. It was about anticipation the build-up during the week, the transformation on a Saturday night, the collective energy when the bass kicked in. It gave generations a soundtrack to their youth.

And whether it’s a retro disco night in a village hall or a packed dance oor in central London, that feeling still lives on lights low, music loud, and everyone moving to the same beat.

We need Blue Tokens. Barry & District Rotary ‘Stop the Bleed’ project has been accepted into the Tesco Stronger Start Programme. Uncontrolled severe bleeding can result in death within minutes. In the aftermath of traumatic injuries, such as those caused by falls, cuts, sports injuries, or rare but high-impact incidents like stabbings or shootings, rapid intervention is crucial. Emergency services often take several minutes to arrive, during which bystanders are the first—and sometimes only—line of defence. Many schools are equipped with basic first-aid kits, but few contain the specialised supplies needed to stop catastrophic bleeding. Furthermore, while sta may be trained in CPR and basic first aid, few receive focused training on bleeding control. Our Project aims to supply a Bleed Kit and training to Schools in our District, with a view to expanding this initiative to Community Groups and other relevant organisations. Bleed kits are specifically designed to control severe bleeding in the event of trauma, such as a stabbing. It has been reported that, in most cases, the use of a Bleed Kit will keep a victim stable until Paramedics arrive. Please collect your blue token at participating Tesco stores and support us.

Are you 16 years of age as of July 2026? Then Barry and District Rotary Club is o ering the opportunity for two young people from within the area we work in as a club to attend one of three courses being held at Storey Arms in July and August 2026. The courses o er great leadership learning and personal development while meeting up to 40 other like-minded young people. The courses also qualify as the Residential Activity for The Gold Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. For further information or to apply, contact: Rotarian Malcolm Hallewell, rotaryhome1150@gmail.com

The Barry & District Club supports many individuals and organisations in the community from all age groups. Just some of our projects include: TUBS2PUB, Easter Egg Appeal, Easter Bunny Activity Events, Vale Foodbank support, Twiddle Mu s, Purple 4 Polio, The BIG SUMMER EVENT, Memory Café, Reading in Schools, Rotary Children’s Fun Day, Youth Competitions, Community Defibrillator Training, Bleed Kits, and Santa Grotto. The Club meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month, the second Thursday is business-oriented, whilst the fourth is the social evening, usually including a guest speaker or activity. Contact us if you feel the Club could support you or an organisation. The final count for TUBS2PUB could not be confirmed in time for this issue of Buddy, but at the last count, it was well over 4100.

Recently, Brian, our Club President, had the opportunity to attend the Rotary International Assembly in Orlando. Brian quotes, “Rather than a 'We had an amazing time' response, it doesn't really tell you what we did, why we went, and what we achieved over the week. It was a wonderful experience. This annual event is the primary training ground for incoming District Governors-elect (DGEs) from around the world. It was an opportunity to meet other Rotarians and their partners from other countries, just like us, and share what we are all doing. We were split into groups during the day to meet at specially prepared workshops around this year's message. We were treated to speakers on stage who are also Rotarians, who have done amazing things with their own clubs in their countries, and gave us inspiration.”

Are you looking to do more in your community? Do you have a little more time to spend socially? Then please consider joining Rotary and share your skills and interests for the beneﬁt of the community.

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Achieves a U-Value of just 0.15W/m2k - JHAI building control approved THE LEKA ROOF WITH EXTERIOR TILES & PLASTERED INTERNAL CEILING LOOKS LIKE ATRADITIONAL EXTENSION AS WELLAS SAVING ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS.

Story Behind The Song

Womens health Public Forum

Wednesday 11 March 2026 1pm - 3pm Whitchurch Community Centre

We often receive feedback from individuals around access and care around womens health.

We want to hear your experiencegood and bad - and understand what you want from your health and social care services.

Topics include:

• Pregnancy & Birth

• Gynaecology

• Menopause

• Pain & pain management

• Preventative Care

• Cancer

There will be short talks from Llais and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, as well as a Q&A session. This is followed by activities where you can share your views in a safe, supportive space, on any health topics you wish to discuss.

We hope you’ll join us and help shape better care for women.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Book your place: https://shorturl.at/pcfQK

Find out more: 02920 750112 cardiffandvaleenquiries@ llaiscymru.org

Born In March - Harrison Ford (1942)

Ingredients

225g plain our

85g caster sugar

½ tsp mixed spice

½ tsp baking powder

50g butter cut into small pieces

50g lard cut into small pieces, plus extra for frying

50g currant

1 egg beaten splash milk

Welsh Cakes

Pice ar y maen, a Welsh teatime treat passed on through generations and still as popular as ever. Perfect for making with the children.

Method

• Tip the our, sugar, mixed spice, baking powder and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Then, with your ngers, rub in the butter and lard until crumbly. Mix in the currants. Work the egg into the mixture until you have soft dough, adding a splash of milk if it seems a little dry – it should be the same consistency as shortcrust pastry.

• Roll out the dough on a lightly oured work surface to the thickness of your little nger. Cut out rounds using a 6cm cutter, re-rolling any trimmings. Grease a at griddle pan or heavy frying pan with lard, and place over a medium heat. Cook the Welsh cakes in batches, for about 3 mins each side, until golden brown, crisp and cooked through. Delicious served warm with butter and jam, or simply sprinkled with caster sugar. Cakes will stay fresh in a tin for 1 week. Makes 16 • Easy • Prep: 10 mins • Cook: 6 mins

History – Dinas Powys Truant by

Shirley Hodges

On a ﬁne Saturday afternoon in April 1899, Dinas Powys found itself at the centre of a major moment in local education history. Ladies and gentlemen from Barry, Cardiff and the surrounding district gathered for the opening of the new Truant Boys’ School, built jointly by the Cardiff and Barry School Boards. For a village more used to quiet lanes and country views, it must have felt like quite an event.

The ceremony had a touch of theatre. The Rev. F.J. Beck, chairman of the Joint Truant School Committee, was presented with a gilt key in a special case, complete with an inscription. He duly declared the school open and went to unlock the door, only to ﬁnd it already ajar, raising a ripple of amusement among the visitors. After inspecting the buildings, the guests assembled in the schoolroom alongside councillors, doctors, clergy and school board ofﬁcials from both Barry and Cardiff. Mr J. Lowdon, chairman of the Barry School Board, joked that some visitors were so impressed by the building that they were tempted to become truants themselves. Laughter followed, but the speeches quickly turned serious. The Rev. Beck spoke about the progress of education in Wales, while warning that attendance levels lagged behind England. Truant schools, he said, were a last resort, not a punishment for its own sake, but a way of pulling boys back from the edge of complete nonattendance. Experience elsewhere suggested that boys who barely turned up to school could be transformed into regular attendees. Better attendance also meant better funding, with funding,

School

even small improvements bringing extra government grants.

The building itself was proudly described as modern and well-equipped. Set on an elevated eight-acre site near the railway station, it was surrounded by an eight-foot boundary wall and arranged around a central quadrangle used as a playground. Inside were dormitories, classrooms, workshops, kitchens, baths, laundries and even a small infirmary set apart from the main block. The school was heated and run by steam power, had fire hydrants fitted and could accommodate up to 120 boys. Security features limited how far windows could open and ensured close supervision of dormitories at night. It was officially certified for use on 21 April 1899 under the Industrial Schools and Elementary Education Acts.

Seven years later, in 1906, the building was put to an unexpected test. A fire broke out in the boiler house when beams near the flue caught alight, filling the area with smoke and flames. Rather than evacuating the boys, the response was very much of its time. The lads, who were trained in fire drill, were turned out with hoses and put to work tackling the blaze themselves. Under the direction of the superintendent, Mr Wilcox, and the schoolmaster, Mr Black, they fought the fire for around an hour until it was finally extinguished.

Today, that incident feels shocking. Modern safeguarding would demand immediate evacuation, not the deployment of children to fight a fire. But it offers a telling glimpse into Edwardian attitudes to discipline, training and risk. Dinas Powys Truant School, built with confidence and good intentions in 1899, soon became a place where boys were expected not only to attend school, but to face danger head-on in the name of order and duty.From the exotic promise of Thompson Street’s saloons to the extraordinary life of the World Champion Hairdresser Harry Lacey Provis, they remind us that the barber’s chair was often occupied not just by customers but by history itself. At the end of it all, as a barber might have cheerfully called to a satisfied client leaving the chair: “Something for the weekend Sir?”

This is an extract from the new book: “Scoundrels, Cads and Vagabonds from Welsh History” by Graham Loveluck-Edwards. It is available from Amazon and all good bookshops. For more information or to book Graham for a speaking engagement, visit www.grahamloveluckedwards.com.

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MARCELLUS MELANCHOLY MESSENGER

MURDER

Local News - Cowbridge U3a

Event type: Whale & Dolphin Conservation - Bernard Purrier

Date: 8th April 2026

Time: 2:00 PM

Venue: Cowbridge Town Hall - Main Hall

Cetaceans – Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises. The largest and most intelligent group of sea-based mammals are at the top of their food chain. This talk gives lots of fascinating facts, a look at their evolution, their behaviours linked to their advanced intelligence, the ways in which they have adapted to their environment, the increasing threats to their habitats that threaten their ultimate survival, and the actions that WDC are taking to protect them.

Cetaceans resemble humans more closely than the sh that surround them – does this go some way to explaining the interest that so many humans seem to have in them? Do they really seek out human company and interact with us? And why do their major threats emanate from humans?

Bernard Purrier has been speaking about Wildlife, Marine Life and the Marine Environment for sixteen years, following a UK career in Clinical Microbiology in the NHS, research at Southampton Medical School and then joining the Pharmaceutical Industry as a Commercial Development Manager for SW England. He retired early from GlaxoSmithKline [GSK] at 55 and then spent time with an international charity, Whale & Dolphin Conservation.[WDC]

He now presents regularly to a wide variety of groups, including both schools and adult audiences throughout the UK & also as a Cruise Enrichment Lecturer with several cruise companies.

His other interests are the Roman occupation of Britain and live music.

MAG

7 Commodities o ered for sale (11) 8 Mystery (6)

Filch (6) 10 I've found it! (6) 12 Refuse to acknowledge (6)

(3)

(6)

Hazard (6)

Reprimand (6)

Quickly (2,3,6)

(8)

Fourscore (6)

Drink in (6)

(6)

(8)

Smell strongly (4)

Retain (4)

(4)

Sudoku Solution

Local News -Walking with Valeways

Valeways Walks –March 2026

March Time Name of Walk

Grade Start

1 Sun 14:00 Park and Coastal Path Gorsedd Stones, Romilly Park, Barry CF62 6RQ

2 Mon 10:30 Walking Books: I can hear the Cuckoo, Kiran Sidhu

5 Thu 9:30 Penllyn Circular

Railway Station c p, Llantwit Major, CF61 1ST

The Fox, Penllyn, CF71 7RQ

8 Sun 10:00 Walterston Wander Amelia Trust, Five Mile Lane, Barry, CF62 3AS

11 Wed 10:00 Castell Coch to Caerphilly Mountain Castell Coch, top car park, CF15 7SS

15 Sun 14:00 Penarth fields and parks

Cliff Parade car park, Penarth, CF64 5BP

18 Wed 10:00 Spring Floral bilingual Llantwit Major Beach, car park, CF61 1RF

19 Thu 9:30 Ups & Downs

22 Sun 14:00 Wick Roundabout

26 Thu 10:00 Llanfair and Three Castles

29 Sun 14:00 Tumbling Down

St Mary’s Church, Wenvoe, CF5 6AL

Ewenny Rd, near Star Inn, Wick, CF71 7QA

St Mary Church, CF71 7LT

Grants Field, The Downs, St Nicholas, CF5 6SB

Progression Walks: Approximately 1.5 hours, gentle terrain with limited stiles, steps or steep inclines.

Secondary Walks: Approximately 2 – 2.5 hours with some stiles, steps or steep inclines.

Extended Walks: Approximately 3 – 4 hours. Many stiles, steps or steep inclines. Bring a drink and a snack.

Valeways invites you to join one (or more) of our free walks led bytrained walk leaders o our by trained walk and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and exercise in the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan.

For information on Valeways walks, strollers and volunteering, visit www.valeways.org.uk

Book Review by Tessa Blissett

We All Live Here by

Jojo Moyes

Bestselling author Lila Kennedy shares her large, quirky London house with her two daughters, Believed and Violet, her widowed stepfather Bill, Truant the errant dog, and… Gene, her biological father, who arrives unexpectedly.

Lila’s errant husband has deserted her and the girls, leaving heartbreak in his wake, not to mention endless expensive plumbing problems, which keep Lila from writing her next novel, which will pay her plumbing bills.

Life rambles on, punctuated by school pick-ups where she meets handsome parent, Gabriel, and by garden ‘rescuing’ done by Bill's friend, Jensen.

Meanwhile, when teenage Celie feels isolated at school, Gene comes to her aid and, despite causing domestic disharmony, is a star at Violet's school too.

As Lila forges a path between fathers and eligible men, Bill's health causes concern and threatens to upend their lives. Will they find a way forward?

Happy Reading!