Talk About
THE NEWSLETTER FOR TAFF’S CUSTOMERS | SUMMER 2016
#notjusthousing
Changes at Taff
Allotment Action Day
Delicious falafel recipe
Special summer pull-out
And much more…
Building Futures for 40 Years
Building Futures for 40 Years
CONTENTS
2
3
Words from the editors
Ready for change at Taff
We’re making our Maintenance
Service even better
4
5
6
Hoarding
Tumble dryer safety
News of our Broad Street
development
Reminder of Housing Benefit
changes
Are you worried about debt
or struggling to manage your
money?
7
Cardiff MP visits one of our
projects for refugees
Syrian refugee project
8
A big hug for parents
Ty^ Enfy News
Ty^ Seren News
9
10
11
12
13
Meet Taff’s new Tenant
Scrutiny Panel
Do you like the new-look
Timebank Vouchers?
Taff’s Training Programme
Taff’s ‘CommUnity Together’
Days coming this Summer
Out and About
TRA Update
Regulator Visit
BME Housing Contact Group
TRA Visit Pembrokeshire
Housing Association
Poem by James Rides
14
Ernest Gallego
Allotment Action Day
Congratulations
15
16
Local schools visit allotment
Recipe Corner
Cover photo:
The Allotment Action Day
Created by Carrick - www.carrickcreative.co.uk
Words from
the editors
W
elcome to the summer edition of Talkabout! There
are some changes taking place at Taff and in this
edition our Chief Executive, Elaine Ballard, will let
you know a little bit about what’s happening.
You can read about a visit to one of Taff’s refugee
projects from Cardiff MP, Jo Stevens, and some of the
stories she heard from the Tenants there.
The Timebank vouchers have received a new facelift!
Find out how they now look, along with information
about how and where to use them.
We also have an update about one of our new
developments, information about Benefit changes, the
popular summer pull-out for children and much more.
Enjoy!
If you’d like to get involved in future editions,
or submit articles, please contact Gwion ap Rhisiart on
029 2025 9168 or Josh Dowdall on 0800 121 6064.
(From top left to bottom right): This issue’s Editorial Team
Mary Hayes; Xena Brunel; Josh Dowdall; Sam Shaw; Sue Stephens;
Fanwell Tandi; Sue Carleton; Elio Assuncao; Gwion ap Rhisiart; Keith Abdi;
Laurence Hurrell; Heidi Beverstock; Phil Hissey; Annette Kerr.
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TaffHousing
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TAFF TALKABOUT |
2
| SUMMER 2016
READY FOR CHANGE AT TAFF
by Elaine Ballard, Chief Executive
We all know the world
is changing around us –
every day we see a new
piece of technology that
does wonderful things we
couldn’t have dreamt of
5 years ago. The Housing
world is changing too, with
many more rules around
benefits and the way they are
paid. We know this causes
difficulties for you and for
us, and we want to be in a
position to help you stay on
top of your finances, so we
can continue to fund all the
services we provide.
So, what are we doing to
make Taff ‘fit for the future’?
Firstly, we’re cutting the
number of Director posts from
five to three, and changing
their responsibilities. We are
pleased to announce that we
have appointed the two new
Directors - Hayley Selway as
Executive Director of People
& Places, and Kate Innes as
Executive Director of Business
& Finance.
Secondly, we are changing
the way we work – we will
work together with colleagues
on projects, and with external
partners. We will shift the
focus away from working
in departments to working
across the organisation much
more frequently. Of course,
this doesn’t mean there won’t
be specialist teams there to
help you, just that we will use
their skills to help improve all
aspects of Taff, not just the
‘day job’.
We will also continue to
look for new business ideas
to generate profits which
come back to Taff. Adore,
our Lettings Agency, was
the first business we set up
and we hope to build on the
experience we have gained
there.
Lastly, we want to use
Tenants’ ideas to help us
design new services, or
improve what we currently do.
So we hope to get lots more
people involved, sharing their
experience of what it’s like for
them on the receiving end of
our services (good or bad!)
One thing we won’t be
changing is our total focus
on people, and the places
they live. If it weren’t for our
Tenants and Support Clients,
there would be no Taff. We
want to continue providing
great places to live and work,
with a friendly but professional
service to you, our Customers.
We’re making our Maintenance Service even better!
Work is under way
to expand our in-house
maintenance service.
We will be using fewer
contractors and employing
more operatives, such as
plumbers and carpenters.
This will build on the success
of the small team we have
at present and allow us
to provide more services
directly to Tenants. We
are also expanding our
maintenance team to make
sure that we continue to
provide you with the best
quality service.
So, what are we doing to
make Taff ‘fit for the future’?
Mobile working! We are
introducing a new electronic
system which will allow
our operatives to respond
quicker and more efficiently
to requests for repairs.
Our surveyors will be able
to raise repairs and make
appointments when
they visit your home.
We are planning to
make these changes
over the next few
months, so please
bear with us. We are
doing everything we
can to make these
changes as smooth as
possible and the new
service will be up and
running by October.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
3
| SUMMER 2016
As part of the changes,
we’ve just appointed Lisa
Jones as our new Senior
Customer Service Advisor.
You may know Lisa, as she has
worked at Taff for some time
dealing with Tenants’ requests
for repairs.
HOARDING
The issue of hoarding has been in the
media spotlight over the last year or so.
When people find it difficult not to dispose of
items such as newspapers, paper and plastic
bags, cardboard boxes, clothing and even food,
it can be problematic – especially if they are in
large quantities. Hoarders can often live with
broken appliances and without safe lighting
and put up with poor property conditions.
Sometimes, rooms can become so cluttered that
they cease to function as a living space and can
become unhealthy or dangerous areas.
As a result, this behaviour can have emotional,
physical, social, financial, and even legal
consequences for a hoarder and their families.
Customer Services Manager, Phil Hissey, said:
“We recognise our duty of care to Tenants who
may be experiencing this problem, but we also
have responsibilities to their neighbours who
may be adversely affected by hoarders through
additional fire risk, infestation or odour. We will
work with people who have a hoarding disorder
to help them tackle these issues and help provide
support to enable them to maintain their tenancy
and achieve a good quality of life.”
We recognise that resolving hoarding issues can
be complex. We can work with other agencies
in a multi-agency approach to tackle these
problems or take further action if necessary.
For further information, please contact Phil
Hissey at [email protected] /
Tel: 029 2025 9122
Tumble dryer safety
Tumble dryers and washing machines
contain powerful motors with fast moving
parts that get very hot. If you do not clean
and maintain your machine, excess fluff or
lint can build up over time and catch fire.
taking longer to
dry? Do the clothes
feel hotter at the
end of the cycle?
Does the external
vent flap stay shut
when the dryer is
on?
Remember to:
• Always read and follow the manufacturer’s
instructions before using your dryer
• Never leave your appliance unattended or
running overnight
• Never overload your washing machine or dryer
or put items in that have been used to soak up
flammable liquids
• Keep your dryer well ventilated, ensuring the
vent pipe is kink free, not blocked or crushed in
any way
• Clean the filter in your dryer after every use
• Have your dryer serviced regularly by a qualified
engineer
• Look out for the warning signs – Does your
tumble dryer smell of burning? Are your clothes
TAFF TALKABOUT |
If you notice any of the
above, clean the filter
and check the vent
pipe immediately.
Some tumble dryers
have been recalled as
electrical fires from
these appliances have caused serious incidents.
You can check your dryer on the following website:
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/
product-recalls/brands/indesit
Please Note: Photograph is for illustrative purposes and is
not representative of the models that may be affected.
4
| SUMMER 2016
News of our Broad
Street Development
One of our latest developments is on
the site of the former Sacred Heart
Church on Broad Street, Leckwith and
is progressing well.
The project was delayed last year as we
discovered bats (Soprano Pipistrelles) in the
old church roof. Bats are protected by law
and there are strict guidelines on how they
are managed. We employed a licenced bat
ecologist to assist us in relocating them to
a bat box nearby, before we could safely
demolish the church.
Part of the ecology works we will
undertake will be to provide new bat
boxes when the project is complete, in order to
encourage their permanent return to the site.
Following the safe removal of the bats,
the church was then safely demolished last
Autumn, and construction works started in
January this year.
The scheme consists of 16 one bedroom
flats and 4 three bedroom houses, with
handover anticipated in December 2016 for the
flats and January 2017 for the houses. This is
subject to change.
Photographs:
Inset: An artist’s impression
of the new development
Main: Building progress at site
TAFF TALKABOUT |
If you are interested in living here, you will
need to register on the Council Waiting List
and choose Leckwith as one of your options.
To do this, you will need to contact your
Housing Officer on 0800 121 6064.
For information about our other
developments, please go to
www.taffhousing.co.uk/currentdevelopments/
5
| SUMMER 2016
REMINDER OF HOUSING
BENEFIT CHANGES
If you go abroad you will only
get Housing Benefit for 4 weeks
a
Changes for
under 35s
If you are away any longer than 4 weeks your Housing
Benefit will be cancelled and you will have to pay your
rent yourself and then make a new claim when you
return home.
If you are single and under 35
and you sign for a tenancy after
1st April 2016 then you may not
qualify to have your full rent paid
by Housing Benefit from April 2018.
The Benefit Cap limit
is reducing
Universal Credit
At present the amount of benefit a single person can
claim in total is £350 a week and for couples and
families it’s £500 a week. From Autumn 2016, this
will reduce to £258 for single people and £385 a
week for couples and families.
Child Tax Credit Changes
From April 2017 support provided through Child
Tax Credit will be limited to only 2 children. So any
subsequent children born after April 2017 will not
be eligible for further support. Universal Credit will
also be limited to only 2 children in the same way.
If you are single and have a change
in your circumstances, meaning that
you need to claim benefits, then it is
likely you will have to claim Universal
Credit. This will also apply to couples
and families from 2017.
If you think you may be affected by
any of these changes please contact
a member of Taff’s Rents team on
Freephone 0800 121 6064 (Option
1) and we will be happy to help and
provide advice.
Are you worried about debt or
struggling to manage your money?
Here are some of the organisations which may be able to help you:
• Money Saviour – for a free referral please
contact Taff on 029 2025 9100.
Website: www.moneysaviour.org.uk
• Cardiff Council’s Hub Services – drop in to
one of the Hubs or call 029 2087 1000
to book an appointment.
Website: www.cardiffhousing.co.uk
• Citizens Advice – based in Cardiff
Central Library and can be contacted
on 029 2087 1016.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
TAFF TALKABOUT |
• Riverside Advice – call in to 41a Lower
Cathedral Road, Riverside, Cardiff or contact
029 2034 1577 for an appointment.
• Shelter Cymru – Advice surgeries are held
at Llamau Limited at 23 Cathedral Road,
Cardiff. Tel: 029 2055 6120.
Website: www.sheltercymru.org.uk
• Money Advice Service –
Call on 0800 138 7777 or visit
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk.
• StepChange – Call 0800 138 1111
or visit www.stepchange.org.uk
6
| SUMMER 2016
CARDIFF MP VISITS ONE OF
OUR PROJECTS FOR REFUGEES
The MP for Cardiff Central,
Jo Stevens, recently visited
one of our supported
housing projects for
Refugees.
We were pleased that
Jo wanted to see with her
own eyes the support we
are offering these vulnerable
groups of people in Cardiff.
Why are there so
many refugees?
People flee from their
homes and become
refugees for many different
reasons, such as war
between countries, civil
war, persecution of minority
ethnic groups or religious
groups, or members of
political organisations.
Many of our Tenants have fled
civil war from countries such as
Syria and Sudan.
Jo asked the Tenants she
met about their experiences
and difficulties, so that she
could take recommendations
back to Parliament and
support Refugees in her own
constituency.
One of the Refugees she
spoke to told of how their
home had been blown up and
he was in so much fear that
he abandoned everything and
swam for 5 hours to escape
the country and the fear of
torture or death.
Another young man had
heard that his father had been
killed by a bomb in Syria the
day he moved into one of our
Projects.
Jo also asked how welcome
the Refugees had felt, and it
was heartening to hear that
everyone felt very welcome
and loved Cardiff, although
many wished to return to their
homeland when it became safe.
Janice Bell, Head of
Floating Support, said: “It
can be quite overwhelming
leaving everything, including
family members, homes and
employment. With emotional
and practical support from Taff
we are able to help Refugees
study, find employment and
accommodation. Many have
great skills that they can use
in the UK, although some
Refugees need to improve
their English and of course
understand our culture and
economy.”
For more information go to:
www.welshrefugeecouncil.org
or to oasiscardiff.org.
SYRIAN REFUGEE PROJECT
Taff is proud to have won the contract to provide support services to Syrian refugees
in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, under the Government’s Syrian Vulnerable Person
Resettlement programme (VPR).
Taff’s specialist team will provide a range of services including language and ESOL (English for
Speakers of Other Languages) support, education and employment advice, and assistance with
cultural inclusion and resettlement.
The first family arrived in early June and have already said how happy they feel here. One of
the young children said ‘I feel like I’m in a dream, walking around safely’.
Taff has a long history of working with refugee communities, both in its refugee specific
schemes and with refugee Tenants and their families.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
7
| SUMMER 2016
‘A BIG HUG FOR PARENTS’
That’s how the Shine project
has been described and
it’s certainly made a lot of
parents in Cardiff and the
Vale feel more confident
about being a parent.
Shine staff work with young
mums and dads, helping them
understand their children’s
behaviour, deal with things like
temper tantrums and bedtimes
or setting routines so that the
whole family can relax and
enjoy being together.
There are lots of fun activities
like trips and days out and stay
and play sessions, but Shine
also goes into the family home,
giving practical help and oneto-one support. Then there’s
the Parent Nurture Programme,
a 10 week course that helps
parents look at their own
emotional health and wellbeing
and manage their children’s
behaviour in a positive,
nurturing way. Does it work?
Well, this is what some of the
parents who have completed
the course said:
TY ENFYS
“I have a lot more patience with
my children, I’ve learned how to
deal with situations better.”
“I’ve loved being on this course,
I no longer feel alone and I’ve
made many friends here.”
To be eligible for Shine’s
services, you or your partner
must be aged 16 to 25 and
either homeless or in danger of
becoming homeless. For more
information please call 029
2025 9114 or take a look at our
website page at taffhousing.
co.uk/shine
We babies have been very busy in Ty^ Enfys, as usual.
We’ve cooked, played Humpty Dumpty, made Bedtime
Boxes full of our favourite bedtime things and had lovely
breakfasts and playtime fun with our mums at Mini
Munchers. And as you can see, we’ve also put in some
time into looking seriously cute!
What’s been going on in Ty Seren?
Ty^ Seren residents recently
showed everyone what
they’re made of at the
Daerwynno Outdoor
Adventure Centre. Those
who came along got lost
and muddy in the woods,
took part in challenging
team building exercises
and conquered their fear of
heights on the rock climbing
wall! Everyone enjoyed lots
of new experiences and were
often surprised at how far
they could push themselves.
Slightly less edge of your seat,
but no less fun, was our recent
workshop on the pros and cons
of bottled water. With people
spending money on bottled
water, we wanted our residents
to understand the financial and
environmental costs of drinking
bottled water instead of water
from the tap. They were then
challenged to tell the difference
between tap and bottled water
in a blind tasting session… they
couldn’t!
And finally, last week they
donned their glad rags for a
TAFF TALKABOUT |
8
| SUMMER 2016
spot of culture at the ballet
when we took them to see
Matthew Bourne’s modern
retelling of Sleeping Beauty incredible dancing, beautiful
music!
Meet Taff’s new Tenant Scrutiny Panel
Taff has a new Tenant Scrutiny Panel and
they have been busy reviewing our AntiSocial Behaviour (ASB) Service.
They are working on a report which they
hope to have ready to present to our Board
of Management and our Have Your Say
Panel in the summer. We will then use their
recommendations as the basis of our new ASB
policy. We will provide an update on this process
in the next edition of Talkabout.
What is Tenant Scrutiny?
We believe that involving our customers in how
we deliver services means that these services
improve for everyone. Our Scrutiny Panel looks at
different areas of service delivery and has access
to documents, procedures and performance
information to help highlight areas of concern
and recommend improvements.
If you would like to find out more about joining our
Tenant Scrutiny Panel, please call Phil Hissey on 029 2025 9122.
Do you like the new-look
Timebank vouchers?
We have new Timebank vouchers that you can use at
all of our Partner venues.
Don’t forget our newest Partners – Parc (the indoor/outdoor
park) where one child in the family goes in for FREE!
Also, the toddlers & parent fun to be had at Canton
Community Centre and Shining Stars Parent and Toddler
Group, where entry is FREE with Timebanks.
You can also enter the monthly raffle with ONE Timebank
voucher. Hand it over at reception at Alex House to receive
your raffle ticket, which is drawn on the last working day of each month.
If you are lucky enough to win you can choose your prize from a range of household items!
For more information about how to earn and how to spend Timebanks please go to
www.taffhousing.co.uk/community or contact Annette Kerr at
[email protected] / Tel 029 2025 9154
TAFF TALKABOUT |
9
| SUMMER 2016
Taff’s Training Programme
one module at a time, a few
hours per week. During the
course, Caroline from our
Shine Family Support Team
visited learners to talk about
the project and volunteering
opportunities. By the end of
the course, 3 learners had
completed volunteering
application forms and 6 had
signed up to more training,
including Paediatric First
Aid, Counselling and Youth
and Community with Cardiff
Met University.
Community
Investment Officer,
Clare, helped
Winnifreda and
another learner,
Hodo, complete a
DBS background
check to
enable them to
volunteer with
children. Using
our community
contacts Clare
was able
to secure a
volunteer
interview for
both learners at
a local nursery.
Shining Stars
Nursery School
is a creative
pre-school for
Photograph:
2-4 year olds.
Winnifreda volunteering at Shining Stars
The nursery
Nursery School
has recently
become
The first course was
a
Timebanking
partner.
the Introduction to Child
You can earn Time bank
Development Course, one
voucher by joining one of
of 12 modules that make up
our community groups
the full Childcare Level 3
and then trade them in at
qualification. It takes around
Shining Stars for free entry
1
1-1 /2 years to complete fullto their mother and toddler
time but as this is a very
mornings.
big commitment we offer
Following high demand,
this year we introduced
a range of new training
courses focused around
volunteering and working
with Children and Young
People. We now offer
a mix of courses with
follow-on options and
have created volunteering
placements linked to
theory learnt in the
classroom.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
10
| SUMMER 2016
Winnifreda, a Taff
Tenant, was looking for
a career change after
previously working as a
personal assistant. Both
her husband and daughter
have volunteered with Taff
through our work placement
programme and community
groups.
It’s been a busy few weeks
for Winnifreda since finishing
the course and starting her
volunteer placement.
“The Childcare course was
great. It empowered me
to think about working or
volunteering with children
in the community, as my
dream is to set up a centre
for disadvantaged children.
I really enjoy volunteering
at the nursery, it’s a nice
environment. Recently I
cooked Sadza - an African
snack for children made with
cornmeal and similar to thick
porridge. It is a staple food in
Zimbabwe and other parts of
Southern Africa. I taught them
African nursery rhymes whilst
they ate (and played with!) the
new food. It was really fun!”
If you would like to find
out more about training
or volunteering with Taff
please contact Community
Investment Officer Clare
Parry on 029 2025 9146
or email clare.parry@
taffhousing.co.uk
Taff’s ‘CommUnity Together’
Days coming this Summer
This summer we
will be hosting two
events promoting
community cohesion
and togetherness
during the month of
August in Riverside and
Grangetown. There will
be fun and entertainment
as well as the opportunity
to meet other people
from our community. We
will also be promoting
training and volunteering
opportunities within Taff
and with our partners.
We are still planning
these days and more
information will be
available soon on our
website and on Facebook.
The aim is for people
to become more aware of
others in their communities
and to help break down
barriers between them.
There will be an opportunity
to learn about other cultures,
religions and traditions
through the fun activities we
are planning.
OUT AND ABOUT
Taff Residents Association (TRA) had an amazing
day at the Grangetown Fête on a sunny Saturday
in June!
They had lots of information about how to get involved
with Taff, along with a lucky dip for children, a tombola for
adults and a colouring competition. Taff also provided a
pottery experience with ‘Ave A Go Ceramics for children
to make and take away a work of
art. Sue Carleton, TRA Chair, says
a big ‘Thank You’ to all members
who prepared everything in
advance of the day, which
helped to raise over £100 for
future events and activities.
Ashley Lister, Organiser of
the Grangetown Carnival and
Events, said “I just wanted to
say thank you so much for
coming along on Saturday
and getting involved with the
Grangetown Fête! Your stalls
were a huge hit and I really do
appreciate you coming along,
as did the community!”
TAFF TALKABOUT |
11
| SUMMER 2016
Accepting and embracing
each other’s differences can
lead to happier communities
and we would like to give it a
try with your help.
So, when you see the
events advertised please
come along with your
families and friends.
TRA UPDATE
The Taff Residents’
Association were entered
for the TPAS Cymru
Community Action Award
for their outstanding
work in expanding the
diversity within the group
so that it truly reflects
our community. They
recognised the need to
reach out to people who
would normally find it
harder to engage. They
have undertaken equality
training, team building
training and, following a
recruitment drive, we now
have a fantastic group of
members who are willing
and able to participate fully
in the group.
“We realised we needed
to understand the barriers
people have to overcome
when trying to access
services and join groups.
The training we received
helped us to do this and
so we were mindful of the
language we used in our
posters and also of the
dietary requirements people
may have either for health
or religious reasons”
Sue Carleton, Chair
The TRA have a full Action
Plan for 2016 and have already
assisted Taff at two community
events in conjunction with
Cardiff Council in April, a
Chocolate Hunt at the
Bangladesh Centre in Riverside
and a “Let Us Know” event held
at the newly refurbished hub
in Grangetown. They are now
preparing for the Riverside
Festival in August, organising
games and fun for the children.
They will also be promoting
Taff’s accredited training and
volunteering opportunities.
In addition, they are busy
selling tickets for the annual
seaside trip, so if you haven’t
bought yours yet, they are
on sale every Friday at the
Tenant Resource Room at Taff
between 10.00am and 1.00pm.
The TRA are looking for new members. If you are interested please contact
Annette Kerr at [email protected] or Tel: 029 2025 9154
Regulator visit
It was nice to welcome Welsh Government
Regulator, Ian Hibble, to the Taff Residents’
Association’s meeting again this month.
He is always interested in what we are doing
and I think we impressed him with being able
to get on with our action plan without having
TAFF TALKABOUT |
to call on staff for assistance very often. Ian
was particularly interested to hear about our
forthcoming children’s Eid party, which we put
on each year at the end of Ramadan, the month
of fasting for Muslims. We will make sure an
invite goes out to him!
12
| SUMMER 2016
BME HOUSING CONTACT GROUP
This group was nominated in the TPAS
Cymru Awards ‘Improving Services’ category.
They have worked tirelessly over the past
six years to improve services for black and
minority ethnic people.
department and Taff Housing Association
about a variety of issues and they were recently
consulted by the NHS Cardiff and Vale and
Public Health Board about services for BME
communities. The Chair of the Board, Maria
Battle, was so impressed that she is using
the information they gave her as part of staff
training within the NHS and has asked if she can
keep in touch for future consultations.
Amongst other things they have hosted BME
jobs events, a Housing event and are currently
planning training for refugees. They have been
consulted by Cardiff Council’s employment
TRA VISIT PEMBROKESHIRE
HOUSING ASSOCIATION
Our bi-annual visit to
Pembrokeshire Housing
Association went ahead on
Tuesday 21st June and was a
roaring success.
As usual, we enjoyed excellent
hospitality from our hosts. Our
day started with a presentation
from Ailinor Evans, their
Community Investment and
Tenant Participation Officer,
about the organisation and the
achievements of all their groups.
This was followed by a trip to
the local beach, Broadhaven,
where Sue Carleton trialled
a beach wheelchair which
enabled her to go into the sea
for a paddle!
POEM BY
JAMES RIDES
(Member of Tenant Advisory Panel
who accompanied us on our trip
to Pembrokeshire)
Thank you Taff Housing for just being there
Building new homes when you had none to spare.
Around Canton you are the premier HA
In a city of plenty ...I would have to say.
Other Associations, I could name a few
May be good but no patch on you.
From changing lives from a mad war zone
To changing tap washers from the answering phone.
Welcoming Tenants ...itself the reward
Knitters, kids parties or just on the Board.
Community spirit from your CIO flows.
Value for money ..the Taff tenant knows.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
13
| SUMMER 2016
ERNEST GALLEGO (ERNIE)
It was with great sadness that we learned
of the passing away of Ernest Gallego. A
long-time Tenant of Taff, he was also a great
friend and supporter of the Knitters and
Natters group, always emailing photographs
and interesting articles for the newsletter.
He will be missed by everyone involved with
the group and by all the staff who knew him.
Photograph:
This lovely photograph shows Ernie with
wife Maria, who is the facilitator of Taff
Knitters and Natters.
Allotment Action Day
After postponing the original date because of bad
weather, we had our action day on 28th April and the
weather was good!
Congratulations
Congratulations to our Tea & Toast Volunteer,
Ceriann, who recently won WCVA’s Volunteer of the
Year award.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
14
| SUMMER 2016
Lots of work was
done by the plot holders
at our community
allotment, as well as
staff who managed
to pop down for a
couple of hours. The
transformation at the
end of the afternoon
was obvious for all to
see, not a weed in sight
and lots of newly dug
over patches ready
for planting over the
coming weeks.
Thanks to everyone who
came along and made
the day a success.
Local Schools Visit Allotment
Shortly after our
Allotment Action Day
we were visited at the
allotment by two primary
schools, Kitchener Road
and Albany Road.
They came to learn more
about growing and to see how
and where things are planted,
which is something they
are all learning about at the
moment at school.
They all enjoyed the visit
and will return later in the year
to see how the produce has
grown.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
15
| SUMMER 2016
FALAFEL
RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
1 lb/450g (about 2 cups) dried chickpeas, or
2 cans of chick peas
1 medium onion, roughly chopped
1
/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
3-5 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tbsp flour
1 3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp black cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1
/4 tsp black pepper
1
/4 tsp chilli powder (if you like it spicy)
Vegetable oil for frying
1 egg
RECIPE CORNER
Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern
food - a good vegetarian source of
protein and alternative to meat.
The word falafel may descend from
the Arabic word fala^ fil, a plural of the
word filfil, meaning “pepper”.
METHOD
If using dried chickpeas, put them in a large
bowl and and cover them with about 3
inches of cold water. Leave to soak for 24
hours.
Pour into your food processor along with
the chopped onion, garlic cloves, parsley,
flour, salt, cumin, ground coriander, black
pepper. Process the mixture completely.
Once the mixture reaches the desired
consistency, pour it into a bowl, add the egg
and mix by hand; this will make the texture
more even throughout. Remove any large
chickpea chunks that the processor missed.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and
refrigerate for 2 hours.
Fill a skillet with vegetable oil to a depth
of 1 1/2 inches. Heat the oil slowly over a
medium heat. Meanwhile, form the falafel
mixture into round balls or slider-shaped
patties using wet hands or a falafel scoop
(about 2 tbsp of mixture per falafel).
Fry the falafels in batches of 5-6 at a time
until golden brown on both sides. Let them
drain on paper towels. Serve the falafels
fresh and hot on a plate with salad or in a
wrap or baguette.
TAFF TALKABOUT |
16
| SUMMER 2016