Template - Front page: Swansea’s seasonal line-up has something for everyone

Swansea’s festive line-up promises treats for all ages and tastes this Christmas. From classic ballet such as the Nutcracker, through to raucous pantomimes, festive fairs, ice skating and Santa’s grotto for younger members of the family, the city is bursting with seasonal attractions.

For a day out to get you into the Christmas spirit, Swansea’s Waterfront Winterland is hard to beat, promising street parades, festive shows, a bustling market and all the fun of the fair. This is the tenth year that Museum Park, in the grounds of the National Waterfront Museum, has been transformed into the Waterfront Winterland.

Once again the stars of the show are the Admiral ice rink and the children’s rink – the only one of its kind in Wales. You will also find Santa’s Grotto, a funfair with an iconic a big wheel, plus some tasty, delicious food from the Alpine Dining Cabins.

A stroll into the shopping centre, festooned with Christmas lights and decorations, adds to the atmosphere of the visit. Oxford Street is lined with the popular Christmas Market’s green and red wooden chalets offering arts, crafts, handmade gifts, fine foods and speciality products.

This is a great place to soak up the atmosphere whilst sipping a glass of mulled wine and a hearty hog roast, crepes or hot turkey rolls.

Entertainment for children includes lantern making, Santa’s workshop ‘Frozen’ activities, story telling, carol singing, Dickensian characters and a Reindeer Route Treasure Hunt. After dark, the Grand Theatre has plenty of family entertainment with the classic seasonal ballet “The Nutcracker”, while dancer Louie Spence will take the leading role in the annual pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Brangwyn Hall boasts more traditional performances, including Handel’s Messiah, Christmas by Candlelight as well as pantomime of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. At the Dylan Thomas Centre there are plenty of workshops including making snow globes and stitched decorations, along with performances of Dylan’s classic tale, ‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’.

For further details pick up a copy of “Enjoy Swansea Bay This Christmas” from Swansea City Council at www.swansea.gov.uk or go to www.swanseachristmas.com

Template - Front page: Transform your conservatory into a room you’ll want to Livin

Are you are after a modern crossover of the conservatory and extension?

Then the LivinRoom Orangery combines the light and sky views of a conservatory with the walls and perimeter ceiling of an extension. Cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Hence, the LivinRoom Orangery is a year-round, addition to your home.  Additionally it is much quicker to build than a traditional extension.

The showpiece of the LivinRoom Orangery is a glazed roof attached to a steel work ladder system at the eaves and glazing bar positions. This steel work can be plaster-boarded and skimmed to form a perimeter ceiling.  Perfect for downlighters, giving the interior a striking and contemporary feel. As well as being quicker to build than a traditional extension, the LivinRoom Orangery is versatile.

If light and views are a priority, you can opt for floor to ceiling windows all round. Alternatively, for a cosier feel, opt for brick pillars or super insulated Loggia columns.  This makes the interior more similar to a traditional extension.

In fact, the design technology is so versatile that we can even transform an existing conservatory into a modern LivinRoom Orangery. By changing the roof, glazing, adding brick pillars or Loggia columns, your conservatory can be transformed into a stylish living space.  This creates a current and contemporary extension.  This transformation improves the room’s thermal insulation, creating a space for your family to enjoy all year round.

Benefits of a LivinRoom Orangery:

• A real room/living room feel means more styling and furnishing options.  The perimeter ceiling is a perfect place for down lighters.
• You can maintain light and space by using windows all round. Or you can add brick piers for a greater solid feel to the room.
• Enjoy the best of both worlds with the light from a conservatory and the feel of a home extension.
• Improves thermal efficiency compared to a standard conservatory.
• Improves the external visual aesthetics by adding the Cornice aluminium gutter shroud.

Who to Contact

Interested?  Then give Securahome in Swansea a call or come down to our showroom.

Template - Front page: A window to the best of all worlds

For those who live in a conservation area, have a period property or simply prefer the look of traditional windows, timber is no longer the only option.

For many years, foiled UPVC windows were clearly distinguishable from those made of wood. However, thanks to advancements in design and technology there are now products available that offer the appearance of timber with the advantage of being low maintenance.

Created using the hallmarks of traditional joinery, the Heritage range of flush, sash windows are designed with 19th century detailing but made from modern, composite materials.

The authentic appearance of the Heritage range has been created considering Article 4 Conservation regulations to conform to historical design guidelines. Details include traditional putty lines, butt joints and ironmongery.

The foil that helps create the textured appearance of timber is continued throughout the window, including the reveal at the edge of the frame.

To maintain the period appearance it’s important to choose the correct colour and finish. The Heritage range comes in a number of classic shades as well as natural finishes including English and Silvered Oak. It’s this attention to detail that has helped the Heritage range win the approval of planning officers*.

*Conservation guidelines vary between local authorities, so it is advisable to check for your specific area.

Template - Front page: Window ratings explained

Window Energy Ratings were created to offer a more reliable and relevant measure of the total performance of windows than the traditional measure of U- value.

The British Fenestration Ratings Council (BFRC) window energy rating scheme checks allthe components to ensure the final window achieves the energy efficient standard claimed. That includes:

• The heat loss through the frame material
  The surface coatings on the glass to reflect or trap energy
  The air leakage between the moving opening parts of windows
  The solar gain it can expect during the year
  With this system, A is best and G is the lowest performing window. The higher the energy rating, the more energy efficient it is.

To put this into context, latest Building Regulations require all new homes in England and Wales to have windows with a minimum ‘C’ WER rating.

Securahome fits ‘A’ rated windows as standard. The windows are manufactured and rigorously tested to withstand the European climate, keeping you warm, safe and comfortable in your home, whatever our British weather throws at us!

Template - Front page: Laverbread: Welsh caviar, a true superfood

Richard Burton called it the ‘Welshman’s caviar’, while others cringe at the thought of swallowing seaweed.

Whatever the difference of opinion, there’s no doubt that laverbread – or ‘bara lawr’ – remains a popular delicacy in restaurants not just throughout its homeland but further afield.

However there’s no getting away from the fact that it is deserves better recognition given its nutritional profile and unique flavour.

At Bwyty Sosban Restaurant in Llanelli, head chef Ian Wood knows only too well the popularity of this Welsh superfood, which he serves as a garnish, in sauce or as an addition to the main meal itself.

He said: “We source our laverbread locally from the Gower and it is a popular item which we tend to serve as a sauce with muscles from neighbouring Penclawdd.

“It is also something I use with sea bass and cockles because the flavours complement one another so well.”

Made from seaweed, washed and pureed, then cooked to make a soft greenish black paste, laverbread is nutritious and filled with health benefits.

Traditionally eaten fried with bacon and cockles as part of a Welsh breakfast, it is also commonly used as a sauce to accompany lamb, crab or monkfish and can even be made into soup.

Rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and low in calories, it is a rare plant source of vitamin B12, that also includes iron and iodine.

Ian, the former head chef at Terence Conran’s Boundary and Islington’s Almeida explained: “Laverbread really is a superfood in that respect and is a versatile ingredient which can be used creatively in restaurants and in traditional home cooked recipes alike.

“Although it doesn’t appear on our menu every day of the week, there’s no doubt that our customers enjoy the taste.”

Bwyty Sosban Restaurant is based on North Dock, Llanelli. For further details visit www.sosbanrestaurant.com

Recipe: Traditional Welsh laverbread breakfast cake

Ingredients:

225g laverbread
4 – 6 slices of streaky bacon
2 tbsp oatmeal

Method:

1. Take a small pudding basin and tip in the oatmeal. Shake to coat sides.

2. Tip in laverbread and toss several times until the laverbread is coated with the oatmeal.

3. Fry the bacon until crisp. Remove bacon from the pan and tip the laverbread into the hot fat.

4. Keep shaking the pan until the laverbread is cooked.

5. Turn the laverbread and oatmeal onto a hot plate and serve with the bacon.

Delicious!

Template - Front page: Raising the roof to upgrade conservatories

Once the preserve of the wealthy who wanted to cultivate exotic species of flora, today it’s estimated that around one in five UK homes have a conservatory.

Offering additional light, with relatively fast construction times, up to 200,000 conservatories were built per year during the height of their popularity.

However, some homeowners found that the full glare of the sun in summer and chilly temperatures in winter made older conservatories uncomfortable, with the only solution being a costly rebuild.

The good news is that building technology has moved on and, as with glazing, there are some thermally efficient roof options now on the market that can be added to the existing conservatory structure.

‘Activ’ glass roof

A straightforward upgrade for those who want to keep an uninterrupted view of the blue skies up above is to opt for a modern, low emissivity (low-e) ‘Activ’, energy efficient glass roof.

Helping to reduce the variations in temperature associated with older, traditional glass or polycarbonate roofs, ‘Activ’ low-e glass helps cut solar glare, protect furniture from fading and keep heat in during the winter months.

For even greater insulation there are now two solid roof options that can be retrofitted to an existing conservatory, without the need for significant structural modifications.

Tiled roof

The new, lightweight, tiled roof takes its design cues from the slates and tiles found on most UK houses. As a result it works well on most properties and comes in a range of finishes to match any existing architecture.

Created using aluminium panels, with Kingspan insulation, these roofs can achieve a u value of just 0.18, similar to that of a normally constructed, modern roof.

With this option, the interior of the conservatory can include a plastered ceiling with down-lighters or even roof windows to keep the view of the stars.

LivinRoof

For a more contemporary feel, there is a third option called the LivinRoof. This modern roof combines the sleek lines of a glass roof with the shade and thermal efficiency of a solid conservatory roof to create something that looks and feels very contemporary.

With the LivinRoof, entire panels can be replaced with glass to create a hybrid solid and glass roof meaning the homeowner can choose where to have shaded areas and where to have more light.

Once again there is the option to plaster the interior ceiling and add down-lighters. The LivinRoof also comes with the option of adding orangery detailing to enhance the interior and exterior styling of the conservatory.

Template - Front page: Jason gears up for new adventure

Securahome MD Jason Jenkins, who raised £5,000 for a two-and-a-half year old with a rare genetic brain disorder, is gearing up for his next charity challenge.

Jason raised the money with a sponsored skydive to fund therapy for youngster Felix Forbes.

Now he is planning to lead the Securahome team on a charity cycle ride to generate further funding for the youngster whose condition, Lissencephaly and Miller-Dieker Syndrome, means he has difficulty swallowing food and even holding up his head.

Felix’s mother, Alex Forbes, thanked Jason for his support and explained how important the funding would be to her son’s quality of life.

She said: “It has been overwhelming to receive this support from Jason. At the moment we are paying for two private therapy sessions a week and after just a few weeks I could see the difference it was making to Felix.

“Even the NHS staff members who look after Felix’s care commented on how much he has come along. He is progressing well and his general health has also improved.”

Jason initially decided to carry out his skydive challenge after asking Securahome’s social media followers to suggest causes in south Wales the company should support.

Jason said: “There was a groundswell of people suggesting the Go Felix campaign, and having met him I realised how much the money raised can make an impact on his quality of life.

“I have to thank all of the people who sponsored me to take part in the sky dive – suppliers, staff, family and friends all gave generously. I’d also like to thank those who had no personal connection with me but read about Felix’s plight and decided to make a donation.”

Jason’s skydive last month (April) raised £2,500, which was match-funded by Securahome to make the £5,000 total.

Although initially nervous Jason, who is originally from Gorseinon, admitted that the jump was an ‘unforgettable experience’.

The Securahome team are now in training to complete a sponsored cycle ride in September, with all funds going to the Go Felix campaign.

Template - Front page: Sky’s the limit as Go Felix charity fundraiser raises £5,000

Customers, staff and suppliers of Swansea-based Securahome jumped at the chance to support a charity skydive by MD Jason Jenkins that raised funds for a youngster with a rare condition.

Following a social media appeal asking which cause could best benefit from Securahome’s support in 2015, a groundswell of followers nominated the Go Felix campaign.

The campaign aims to raise money for three-year-old Felix Forbes from South Wales, who has a rare condition called Lissencephaly and Miller-Dieker Syndrome, which means he has difficulty swallowing food and even holding up his head.

Securahome staff wasted no time in nominating Jason for a skydive at Swansea Airport. The parachute jump raised an impressive £5,000 thanks to the generosity of customers, staff and suppliers.

Felix’s mother, Alex Forbes, thanked Jason for his support and explained how important the funding would be to her son’s quality of life.

She said: “It has been overwhelming to receive this support. At the moment we are paying for two private therapy sessions a week and after just a few weeks I could see the difference it was making to Felix.

“Even the NHS staff members who look after Felix’s care commented on how much he has come along. He is progressing well and his general health has also improved.”

Although initially nervous Jason admitted that the jump was an ‘unforgettable experience’.

He said said: “There was a groundswell of support for the Go Felix campaign, and having met him and Alex I understood how much the money raised can make an impact on his quality of life.

“I have to thank all of the people who sponsored me to take part in the sky dive – suppliers, staff, customers family and friends all gave generously. I’d also like to thank those who had no personal connection with me but read about Felix’s plight and decided to make a donation.”

Jason’s skydive raised £2,500, which was match-funded by Securahome to make the £5,000 total.

Swansea-based Securahome installs windows, doors, conservatories and orangeries across South Wales and beyond.

Template - Front page: Solid roof creates a conservatory to ‘livin’ whatever the weather

Conservatories are a great way of adding a light and airy room to any home. However, depending on where the conservatory is positioned and the amount of shade outside, it can let in too much light.

Too much sunlight can mean the conservatory gets very warm in summer and, even on a bright winter day, make it difficult to watch TV, browse an iPad or work on a computer.

At Securahome we are now able to offer an alternative to polycarbonate or glass – a solid roof.

Called a LivinRoof, this system can be fitted to an existing conservatory, so there is no need to change the existing walls and glazing.

Thanks to Kingspan insulation, the Livin Roof is 15 times more thermally efficient than a polycarbonate or old glass roof without solar control, meaning the conservatory will be warmer in winter.

For those who don’t enjoy the, all-too-common, pitter-patter of raindrops, the LivinRoof also improves sound insulation compared to polycarbonate and glass.

The inside of the roof is a plaster-boarded to keep an airy and modern ‘vaulted ceiling’ feel, meaning it can be finished with down-lighters or pendant lights. With the option to add glazed panels to the LivinRoof, it’s even possible to keep a view of the heavens!

Template - Front page: The next generation of home extension

Mounting fuel bills have focused many a home-owner’s minds on energy efficiency, both as a means of saving money and ‘future proofing’ their property investment.

In recent years glazing products have seen huge strides forward in terms of window thermal efficiency, and now a new product looks to do the same to the conservatory extension.

The Loggia (pronounced ‘lodger’) can be twice as energy efficient as a traditional conservatory, but just as quick to build.

The energy efficiency of a Loggia comes from its innovative, super-insulated, columns (a typical Loggia column has a TOG value of 23.3, almost five times the 4.7 achieved by traditional bricks).

Added to this, A-rated, thermally efficient glass is used throughout. To further maximise its thermal efficiency, there is even an option to choose a highly insulated solid roof.

This energy efficiency means that unlike a traditional conservatory, there is no need to have interior doors, meaning it can be used to extend an existing room, for example to make a dining kitchen for more family or entertaining space.

Inside, the Loggia has the look of a contemporary, single storey extension, with plastered walls, and options for cleverly concealed heaters and modern lighting.

Best of all, this is an extension that can be quick to construct, taking far less time than a traditional orangery or extension. In fact you could be opening the doors of your Loggia before barbecue season is in full swing.