London, 1937. War once more looms over Europe and Jack Miller, frustrated with his lot in life and trapped in a dead-end job, takes the opportunity to escape his nondescrit existence by assuming a post as a wireless operator on an Arctic expedition to Gruhuken on Svalbard. One by one his companions, through various misadventures, […]
Focus Magazines
The local magazines for Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Brecon & Talgarth – Events, News and Advertising
Monthly Archives: October 2012
Zimele in Abergavenny
Zimele means ‘to stand on your own feet’ in Zulu. This sums up our ethos. Through training and mentoring we encourage women in rural KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, to start their own businesses and community projects. Zimele’s Self-Help Groups empower people to lift themselves out of poverty. What does this mean to us in Abergavenny? […]
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Obviously the quantity of seeds your pumpkin yields will vary, but the following is based on 300g seeds. Separate the seeds from your pumpkin and wash them well. Drain them and spread them out evenly on a baking sheet. Leave them to dry (or speed up the drying process with a hairdryer!) Dress your seeds […]
Spiced Pumpkin Soup
Some pumpkins are what’s known as lower grade carving pumpkins and are generally sold for this purpose only, meaning that the flesh won’t be much good for anything other than throwing away (although you can retain the seeds for roasting). If you want to get the most out of your pumpkin, invest in a good […]
The Manor Hotel, Crickhowell
Sir George Everest was born here at The Manor hotel in 1790. His pioneering mapping work as Surveyor General of India, led him to the Himalayas, and the highest peak in the world was named after him in 1865 – Mount Everest. Situated in possibly the most beautiful valley in the Brecon Beacons National Park […]
Pumpkin Lanterns
Halloween Lanterns or Jack-O’-Lanterns are popular at Halloween. Traditionally, turnips were carved and placed in windows to ward off evil spirits and ghouls. These days, pumpkins are much more common, being that Halloween has become such a celebrated tradition in the USA where this native fruit is typically used for carving. How to Carve a […]
BST to GMT
Yes, it’s that time of year when we must let go of Summer and say hello to Autumn and Winter. Don’t forget that the clocks go back 1 hour on Sunday 28th October as British Summer Time ends. The official time changes at 2am BST, moving back to 1am Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) across the […]
A Big Bang!
I am not too keen on autumn – the season of brown, mustiness, damp and firework’s night. Our dog hates fireworks; fireworks that come with our quaint tradition of burning effigies of terrorists. Storm and firework phobia is a terrible problem for many pets but vets have actually started to treat the condition better over […]
Riots sweep the Rhondda
Hundreds hurt as police clash with striking miners. Helen Morgan from Abergavenny Local History Society reports Few people outside of Wales would have heard of Tonypandy before 1910. But it was known across the world after the bloodshed and violence on November 7 and 8 made front-page headlines. Two months earlier, owners at Ely Pit […]
Nana’s Kitchen : Apple & Walnut Muffins
Last month I told you that my apple tree was heavy with fruit but not quite ready for picking. Well, a couple of weeks of the lovely Indian summer sunshine we recently experienced has brought the fruit on a treat and now I have a glut of apples! I therefore make no apologies to you […]