Travel

Memories made in Tunisia

This year, on the second of September, I joined my partner and her parents on their holiday to Tunisia. I’ll let you in on two of my favourite memories. One isn’t of the holiday itself, but actually from the journey in travelling there. I have a fond memory of the time spent during the delay of the flight that I often revisit with affection. It was no more than a few hours but those of you who have flown before will understand the pain and boredom of prolonged sitting on airport seats all too well.My partner and … Continue reading Memories made in Tunisia

Contributing Writer
Travel

Under All the Pretty Lights: A Trip to Cardiff Bay to Trace the History of Nadifa Mohamed’s The Fortune Men

‘This is a story that belongs to Butetown.’ – Nadifa Mohamed, Acknowledgement to The Fortune Men. I get a rare moment of pride when I read a novel set in Cardiff. Normally, I prefer to use fiction as an escape into countries I’ve never been to and cultures I’ve never experienced; stories set in harsh Siberian winters, or the drab Midwestern suburban counties of America. But … Continue reading Under All the Pretty Lights: A Trip to Cardiff Bay to Trace the History of Nadifa Mohamed’s The Fortune Men

Contributing Writer
Interview, Music

Peter Hook: ‘How to handle it was to rebel. Which is what I did, I rebelled’. 

In conversation with Peter Hook, on the pleasures of performing, divided fans, gloomy 1970’s Manchester and ‘cocktail’ bass playing.  Amidst Peter Hook and the Light’s 2024 ‘Substance’ tour, I was able to catch up with Peter Hook, squeezing into his jam-packed schedule. With Hook’s musical career spanning over forty years, established by the formation of Joy Division in 1976, Peter is no stranger to the … Continue reading Peter Hook: ‘How to handle it was to rebel. Which is what I did, I rebelled’. 

Jemima Lake
Ed Sheeran Performs at Fitzalan High School
Music

The Ed Sheeran Foundation Visits Cardiff- The Importance of Funding the Arts in our Communities.

Music is such a big part of Welsh life. Singing at the rugby, school assemblies, anywhere we get the chance. For those of us with remarkable talent, though, there isn’t always the outlet to get further in the music industry. The Ed Sheeran Foundation aims to change this across the UK and allow young people the opportunities and industry links to turn their passion into success.  … Continue reading The Ed Sheeran Foundation Visits Cardiff- The Importance of Funding the Arts in our Communities.

Contributing Writer
Ticketmaster app on phone
Music

The War on Ticketmaster, Prices and Venues – Are Gigs becoming more inaccessible?

Dynamic pricing, outrageous costs and an increasing monopoly: Ticketmaster’s users cry out evermore for the company to relent on the underdog. The past year has seen the promotion of many hit tours: Oasis’ reunion concerts, Swift’s Eras Tour and the emergent Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet shows. Alongside the excitement and anticipation amongst fans for these gigs, frustration and disappointment has become a common theme … Continue reading The War on Ticketmaster, Prices and Venues – Are Gigs becoming more inaccessible?

Contributing Writer
Love

“Your Body, My Choice” Why Women Are Turning to the 4B Movement

After months of campaigning, America has elected its 47th president and with it, many women have turned to the feminist movement, 4B. When I first heard of the 4B movement, I felt hopeless and fed up with dating. Not that I went on many dates to begin with, but the ones I had were uneventful and left a bitter taste in my mouth. Too many … Continue reading “Your Body, My Choice” Why Women Are Turning to the 4B Movement

Contributing Writer
Travel

One Keychain at a Time

Last summer, when I went to Italy with my sisters, I unintentionally started a little tradition: collecting keychains from every place I visited. It started in Verona, where I picked two keychains shaped like keys, one for me and, of course, one for my mum. Then, in Lake Garda, I found a beautiful golden one with engravings of the lake, and at our final stop in Venice, a Venetian … Continue reading One Keychain at a Time

Contributing Writer
The oat and bean, Photo credits to Ellen Hollingshurst (@a_bakingmess)
Food

The Oat and Bean: a cafe review

A Cafe for Vegan struggles Speaking as a vegetarian, I have always admired vegans. Their struggle to find suitable places to eat must be incredibly stressful. Staple “Mediterranean pastas” or hummus bowls, which are often the only vegan options at many restaurants, must get so boring. So, it must be such a relief when a fully vegan cafe, offering a packed, changing menu of over … Continue reading The Oat and Bean: a cafe review

ellenhollingshurst
Travel

Mementos

Ever since I can remember, I have been super fortunate to travel the world. From city breaks to relaxing on a white sandy beach to exploring the USA. As a Starbucks enthusiast, a tradition of mine, in every place I travel to, is to visit a Starbucks, order an iced latte and purchase one of their location mugs as a precious keepsake. It is so important to me … Continue reading Mementos

Contributing Writer
Food

Anti-Resolution Revolution

Resolution or trend? New Year’s Resolutions are out, constant self-improvement is in.  It is futile to attempt to better yourself once a year, especially considering most resolutions fail anyway: I, myself failed Veganuary on day five this year. However, in attempting Veganuary it made me consider why I decided to take up resolution in the first place. I have never wanted to be a vegan, … Continue reading Anti-Resolution Revolution

Contributing Writer
Culture

Broadway to West End: Are Classical Musicals Disappearing?

With the recent premiere of Wicked skyrocketing the West End world levels beyond London, the gravity defying movie isn’t the first to turn classical musicals into cinema. At the turn of the decade, Hamilton became an on-screen hit. Newer and undoubtedly granted a bigger budget, Matilda also became a movie masterpiece in 2022. This evolution of theatre is not only comparative to cinema. Broadway is being reinvented, and the stage is … Continue reading Broadway to West End: Are Classical Musicals Disappearing?

boburt
Travel

Danger of Travel: Misconception or True?

Travelling is one of the best ways to expand your horizons, but there is no denying that safety concerns are often on our minds. We’ve all heard the stories: dangers lurking in places like Rio, pickpockets in Barcelona, or civil unrest in Budapest. But are these fears truly justified, or are they just misconceptions fuelled by media and hearsay? When planning our next trip, most … Continue reading Danger of Travel: Misconception or True?

Contributing Writer
Travel

Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

One of my best friends lives over 2000 miles away from me. We met online 4 years ago so we’ve always been long distance. As we’ve grown older, our lives have become a little busier. We don’t always have the time to send the daily flood of messages we used to during the pandemic. But we’ve grown closer over the years even with an entire … Continue reading Does Distance Make the Heart Grow Fonder?

carolinaperet
Love

The Trad Wife: A Redux

TikTok is flooded with this image of spotless kitchens, flowery aprons and picture perfect homes – neatly folding together retro glamour and domestic bliss. For audiences tired of hustle culture and girlbossing, the trad wife lifestyle holds a certain allure. It’s a throwback to an era we’ve been told was simpler and happier. Yet, like all nostalgia, there’s a catch: this rose-coloured view overlooks the … Continue reading The Trad Wife: A Redux

Contributing Writer