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FONMON
The Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show



can’t think of a better way to spend a Wednesday in August and this year will be no exception as the Vale of Glamorgan Agricultural Show hits the grounds of Fonmon Castle again on the 19th August from 8.30am to 8pm.

Vale Life were delighted to have had a marquee at last year’s show. For those of you who went and popped their heads in, ours was the African inspired mirage conjured up by those incredibly talented guys, Andy and Peter of Hamptons in Penarth. Last year’s event was a bit soggy but we’re all hoping for better weather this year and expect visitor numbers to be well up on previous years as the momentum builds.

It’s a jolly good day out for all of the family with trade stands galore, food hall, craft fair, home produce, agricultural and horticultural. This year’s attractions include Katy Cropper Ducks and Dogs Display, Circus Workshops, Punch and Judy Shows, Road Train and Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting. We’ve already got our thinking caps on for our next theme – unless anyone’s got any suggestions?

If you’d like to sponsor the event or represent your business at the show, there are various ways of getting involved. Check out how on www.valeofglamorganshow.co.uk

See you there!

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BRIDGEND
Urban sophistication in a tranquil rural setting

If you are looking for a home that has been individually designed, somewhere that hasn’t compromised on quality and yet is still affordable, then Woodridge is the place for you.

Integrating seamlessly into the surrounding natural environment, Woodridge offers an outstanding collection of two and three bedroom penthouses and apartments and one five bedroom detached house.

Situated within a private, gated development with landscaped communal gardens, Woodridge enjoys the tranquillity of its beautiful woodland setting and yet is within walking distance of Bridgend town centre and only ten minutes from the M4.

Traditionally built with contemporary interior specifications and ‘top-of-therange’ fixtures and fittings, each apartment has a large timber balcony or paved terrace for you to fully experience the pleasures of outdoor living.

Bordered by the spectacular Heritage Coast to the South, the dramatic Brecon Beacons to the North, the glorious countryside of the Vale of Glamorgan to the east and the beauty of the Gower Peninsula to the West, Woodridge is ideally placed to benefit from everything South Wales has to offer.

This is a unique development offering urban sophistication within an idyllic rural setting and with prices ranging from £159,000 for a two bedroom apartment to £499,000 for the five bedroom house, there really is something for everyone!

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WICK
Golden girl Nicole Cooke wins MBE



After a momentous year for the Welsh queen of the road, Nicole Cooke, comes the announcement that more awards have come her way. Nicole, along with many in the Great Britain Cycling team was awarded an MBE in recognition of her Olympic Gold and then Nicole learnt she had also been named Transworld Sport Female Athlete of the Year by the Channel 4 Global TV Sports Programme.

Nicole admitted to being surprised and really pleased at winning this award, “I think winning an award outside of the sport of cycling that compares people across different sports is very special and that was a big surprise when I found out. I was really proud to have that award, especially alongside some one like Usain Bolt who won Male Athlete of 2008.”

“The MBE was never something I thought about when training or racing at the Olympics or the Worlds but it is a very nice bonus and to get it in 2008 just makes the whole season a very special one to remember!” she added.

The 25 year old, from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan, has also announced an exciting new project for the future and a new team for 2009 - Vision1 Racing. It has always been her goal to create a new strong team in women’s cycling with the best environment possible for riders to perform to their abilities and with the spirit and focus on personal development as well sporting success.

“When I began cycling, there was no British rider racing at international level and so I had to go to Europe and join different professional teams and make my own path which also meant learning everything by myself, sometimes the hard way through my own mistakes on my way to top of women's road racing. It would make me very proud now to help younger riders follow their sporting ambitions leading by example and sharing my experiences of the last fifteen years so that hopefully they too can realise their own dreams in cycling like I have been able to. This will initially be a four year project and I believe we can create the most united and strongest team ready to try and repeat the success of 2008 in 2012.”