𝐒𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲

So, to set the scene… it’s a Thursday night…it’s gone from a glorious crisp sunny winter day to an icy rain, ruin-your-blowdry kind of night…in fact it’s also Beaujolais day so town is full of atmosphere and many damp Cardiffians fueled with red wine. But stepping out of the rain and shaking off the brollies, this glamorous event held in Castle Fine Art Gallery was like a mirage…where we were handed a glass of fizz with a smile and given the pleasure of feasting our eyes on some fantastic artworks.

Plotting our Christmas list to Santa, Maggie and myself sauntered around the gallery, talking to the gallery staff who were all incredibly friendly and well-informed on each artist and their inspiration behind each piece. My personal favourite was the artist Robert Oxley, whose animal-themed pieces come to life, dripping in colour. Maggie was taken by the Paul Corfield Dorset-inspired dreamlike landscapes. So many modern artists are featured here and it was great to be immersed in art whilst drinking prosecco!

Their special guest was radio DJ, Polly James. Polly, who is expecting a baby in February next year, was full of smiles and excitement about both her pregnancy and about working with Style of the City as their new parenting columnist. We also had a great time chatting to Polly’s mum and partner who were such lovely characters, and really excited about the impending arrival!

The raffle raised a wonderful amount in aid of the bereavement charity, ‘2 Wish Upon a Star’. This charity was born out of tragedy, but it’s dreams and goals are so touching. The founder, Rhian lost her son suddenly through illness, but then just 5 days later her husband took his own life. He was later diagnosed as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. She felt that there wasn’t a support system in place. And whilst nothing could’ve prevented her son’s death, the right support could have prevented the loss of her husband. Rhian has worked hard to provide this system and works closely with Cardiff & Vale Health Board and local Police in order to set the structure of support. Comforting rooms are provided at hospitals, to provide a quiet space when such tragedy’s happen, staff are trained and prepared to help in such circumstances, and support groups are set up to help directly following the loss of a child. If you or someone you know is struggling with the loss of a child you can contact 2 Wish Upon A Star on 01443 853125

 

 

 

 

 

 

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So it seems running after a frustrating meeting is the way forward! I flew! I must have looked possessed!!!! I ran from the office home – the same route after we left our sons body at the hospital. The first journey we ever made knowing we would never see our Georgie again. When are those people who can facilitate change stand up and fight for what’s important. When are people who lose a loved one going to get the support they truly deserve. Mr Health Minister, Mr First Minister, Mr and Mrs Health Board Chief Exec – when will you listen and understand that the bereaved matter. My husband should be here today to see his children grow up. Instead he is buried 250 metres from their home because nobody felt he was important enough to reach out to. When will the husband get the support he deserves when he loses his wife of 70 years. When will the wife get the support she deserves when the father of her three children dies in a car accident. Will parents ever get the same support when their child leaves the world as when it enters the world? For the first time today I feel exhausted! I feel 7 years on – hours and hours of fighting may not have been enough! No family, no individual should feel alone and scared and many, many still are today. I will fight on in my boys memories and for everyone who needs a voice and deserves support! R xxx

A post shared by 2 Wish Upon A Star (@2wishuponastar) on Mar 26, 2019 at 1:09pm PDT

It was a real delight to meet the Spectrum sisters, Sophie and Hannah Pycroft, Style of the City’s regular Beauty columnists. Having followed their success from their early days it was wonderful to meet these uber stylish yet down-to-earth sisters. Their makeup brushes are renowned among countless celebrities and are deemed the ‘world’s most instagrammable!’ In their beauty column, they set out to teach us that our faces are our canvases and how selecting the right products can bring out the best in all of us!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A great evening celebrating our tenth issue @cardiff_castlefineart @spectrumcollections @hpycroft @spectrumsophie 💖

A post shared by Style of the city Magazine (@styleofthecitymag) on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:21pm PST

And what could be more exciting than to leave with a goody bag?! With gifts from Spectrum, Volvo, 2 Wish Upon a Star, Simon Constantinou and many more. We had an amazing time, thank you Style of the City! 🥂

#simonconstantinou #styleofthecity #cardiff