Newsletter No.52

November 26th 2005

by Mike Caluan

Welcome to the November edition of the Expats newsletter ...

Remember a couple of months ago I told you Cardiff was changing at a head-spinning rate? Well, there looks as if there is no letting up!

The latest victim to fall prey to the tide of commercial development is the media centre (to the left of Cardiff Central train station as you walk out). And taking its place? Yep you guessed it, more new apartments are about to spring up!

The Hayes is also in full swing as stage two of St David's Centre begins it's primary development. More shops and rumour has it that retail giant John Lewis is going to make their Welsh debut.

I must admit to being a tad sceptical ten/fifteen years ago, when the rejuvenation story first began and the dawn of a cosmopolitan capital seemed just a city planner's dream.

But I'm glad to say I was wrong. It would seem that with every new wave of multinational stores and coffee shops comes a flood of new clientele. Business is booming.

I tell you now, if you haven't been to Cardiff in the last ten years, you are in for a bit of a surprise!

So without further ado here's the latest news from in and around your old backyard.

This month: In the wake of the Autumn rugby internationals we revisit a century old question that has haunted Welsh and All Blacks rugby fans alike...Swansea fans tell us what they think of their new stadium and the glorious Gower celebrates 50 years.

Also, we look at the fascinating life of the Welsh born actor Ivor Novello... We pose the question, "so what is a 'full Welsh breakfast'?" And finally, our colleagues in the South Wales Echo are trying to find out just how many of you Expats read their paper?

So until next month take care and enjoy the Expats newsletter.

Don't forget to check out the Expats Changing Wales and Expats Nostalgia sections for regular updates on what's going on.

Keep those articles and stories coming in, let me know what you've been getting up to. You can send them to me at mike.caluan@wme.co.uk

Pob lwc

Mike

Have your say on our messageboard...

A century old rugby question
Swansea's new stadium
Gower celebrates 50 years
Welsh born actor Ivor Novello
'full Welsh breakfast'?"
Expats read their paper?