A tax consultant from Cardiff has written a novel in a bid to become an independent MP. Alun Mathias, 49, distributed 1,200 free copies of his book Vicky and the Pit to homes in Cathays at a personal cost of nearly £3,000.

CARDIFF Council has issued a plea for bidders which could give the capital its long-awaited Snow Dome, a permanent ice rink and a city-centre conference centre – but still no housing.

The property slump and the recession still threaten deals at the International Sports Village (ISV) in Cardiff Bay. One company has already gone bust and another lost its original contract with Cardiff Council.

Housing firm City Lofts bought an area of land at the site which the council sold to raise money for the ISV. They were supposed to build up to 40% affordable housing on the site, but they went into administration in 2008 and the land remains barren having changed hands several times.

An interview with Alun Michael, the MP for Cardiff South and Penarth, at his constituency office in Cathedral Road, Riverside.
Topics included the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, a hung parliament and working with Plaid Cymru, whether he has been damaged by the expenses scandal, devolution, fighting a general election through social media, and banning khat.

After it was announced as one of Wales’s top restaurants last year, Cardiff’s prime Indian eatery Mint and Mustard is preceded by its reputation.

But those diners expecting the restaurant in Whitchurch Road, Gabalfa, to have its head in the clouds and away from ordinary visitors will be happily proved wrong.

Primary colours and popular film themes enchanted a crowd full of children at St David’s Hall in Cardiff tonight.

The one-night show by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Journeys and Adventures, was the perfect introduction to classical music for youngsters.

A CHURCH which found fame in an episode of Doctor Who and has been forced to close celebrated its 120th anniversary with a service by the Archbishop of Wales last night.

Around 100 people attended the special service at St Paul’s Church in Paget Street, Grangetown at 7pm.