Time to cool off with some Ice Cream talk

By now, most of us have encountered sweltering summer days and had our fans turned up to the max throughout the 25-degree nights. Summer is well and truly upon us, and what better way to cool down than with a scoop or two of the frozen goodness that is ice cream. 

We tend to turn to this sweet treat when the warmer weather hits, but really, it’s a staple that’s enjoyed all year around- surely, I can’t be the only one to eat a Ben and Jerry’s tub in front of the fire on a winter’s eve? 

Some fun facts about ice cream:

·      It takes 12 pounds of milk to produce just 1 gallon of ice cream.

·      According to the International Dairy Food Association, chocolate mint ice cream is the second most popular flavour of ice cream in the United States, after vanilla.

·      The average number of licks to finish a scoop of ice cream is 50.

·      The country that consumes the most ice cream is USA, followed by Australia then Norway.

It’s not all about scoops and cones though. The humble ice cream is more versatile than one may think. National Ice Cream Sandwich Day happened on 2nd August, and this fun and whimsical holiday highlights one of the creations that can be made with the tasty treat.

Many countries around the world have their own version of the ice cream sandwich. For example, in Iran, rose or pistachio ice cream is sandwiched between two thin wafers, however in Vietnam, street vendors will be found selling ice cream stuffed between two layers of bread as their take on the indulgent creation. 

Fancy making your own sweet sandwich? Well never fear, we have a recipe here just for you!

To make 12 you’ll need…

Ingredients

- ice cream, any flavour of choice  

- 24 cookies (shop bought or homemade) 

If making homemade, follow the below recipe:

• 280g light soft brown sugar

• 225g granulated sugar

• 250g butter

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 450g plain flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 300g good-quality milk chocolate , roughly chopped into chunks

1.     To make the cookies, tip the sugars and butter into a large bowl. Blend them together until the mixture looks smooth and creamy, and a little paler in colour.

2.     Carefully break in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each egg and pausing to scrape down the sides with a spatula. Mix in the vanilla. 

3.     Sift in the flour and baking powder, then mix well with a wooden spoon.

4.     Stir through the chocolate chunks. Use your hands to squeeze the dough together in 1 big lump, then split into 2 even pieces. Put each piece on a sheet of cling film.

5.     Roll each piece of dough in the cling film so that they form thick sausage shapes, then seal the ends. Put them in the fridge and chill for at least 3 hrs or overnight – can be frozen at this point.

6.     Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Take the dough rolls out of the fridge, unwrap and use a small knife to slice each one into 12 pieces, so you have 24 in total.

7.     Place the slices on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Ask a grown-up to put this in the oven to bake for 20 mins or until the cookies are golden brown on the edges, but still pale in the centre.

8.     Allow to cool slightly before lifting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

Method for ice cream sandwich:

1.     Simply take a biscuit, place a scoop of ice cream on top, and then sandwich it together with another biscuit on top. Make sure to place the biscuits together firmly so that the ice cream stays in place but not too hard so that the biscuits break. 

“O Arglwydd, dyma Gamwedd.”

Richard Lewis, neu Dic Penderyn i lawer o bobl. Arwr di-glod i Gymry. Wedi’i grogi ar gam am drosedd nad oedd o wedi gwneud. Dyn a hanes sy’n gorfod byw.

Mae’r stori o Dic Penderyn wedi ei cuddio am rhy hir nawr. Stori sydd wedi aros yn Merthyr am y rhan fwyaf. Cafodd Penderyn ei grogi yn y strydoedd o Gaerdydd yn 1831 ar ôl cael ei gyhuddo ar gam am trywanu milwr yn ystod y Gwrthryfel Merthyr. Roedd Penderyn yn ymladdwr brwd am hawliau I gweithwyr ac hyd yn oed ar ôl ei farwolaeth mae’r Cymry dal yn ymladd i gael pardwn ar ôl marwolaeth iddo fe.

Yn dilyn yr ymladd parhaus, yw drama newydd o’r enw ‘Iniquity (Camwedd)’. O freiddwyd dros gwîn rhyw 5 mlynedd yn ôl, cafodd Iniquity ei fragu am flynyddoedd cyn. Siaradom ni gyda Stuart Broad, Creawdwr a Chyfarwyddwr o Iniquity, amdano’r pwysigrwydd y drama, nid ond i fe ond i’r cynulleidfa hefyd. Dweithodd I ni bod e’n pwysig i ni gadw hanes o arwr Cymraeg gwir yn fyw.

Mae’r ddrama yn dweud y gwir amdano Penderyn a’i fywyd yn ystod yr amser poenus ac oedd y Gwrthryfel Merthyr. Mae’r cast a chriw yn annog i’r cynulleidfa i lofnodi deiseb newydd am pardwn. Nid yw’r her drosodd eto. 

Gyda llawer o bobl lleol talentog o Dde Cymru, bydd y drama’n cael ei berfformio o Ddydd Mawrth yr 27ain o Gorffennaf i’r 31ain yn Theatr y Dywysoges Frenhinol, Port Talbot. Mae tocynnau ar gael trwy’r wefan y theatr.

Iniquity...The play, the truth about Dic Penderyn

“O Arglwydd, dyma Gamwedd.”

Richard Lewis, or Dic Penderyn as he is better known. An unsung Welsh hero. Wrongfully hanged for a crime he never committed. A man whose history must live on. 

All Images Subject to Copyright

The story of Dic Penderyn has been one that’s been hidden for far too long. A story that has been kept mostly to the Merthyr area. Penderyn was hanged in the streets of Cardiff in 1831 after being wrongly accused of stabbing a soldier during the Merthyr Uprising. Penderyn was an avid fighter for workers’ rights and since his wrongful death, the Welsh people have been actively fighting for a posthumous pardon on his behalf.

Alongside this ongoing fight, comes a brand new play called ‘Iniquity (Camwedd)’. From only a thought talked over wine around 5 years ago, Iniquity has been brewing for quite some time. We spoke with Stuart Broad, the Creator and Director of Iniquity, about the importance of the play, not only to him but the audience too. He told us that it’s very important that we keep the history of a true Welsh hero alive.

The play tells the truth about Penderyn and his life during the gruelling Merthyr Uprising. Cast and crew are urging the audience to sign a new petition for a pardon. The fight is as strong as ever. 

Filled with local talent from South Wales, the play will run from Tuesday 27th of July to the 31st in the Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. Tickets can be purchased via the theatre website.

Which weird and wonderful day is up next… ah! Happy Uncle and Aunt Day! (Yes, really)

It’s safe to say that there’s a fair few weird and wonderful holidays that are spread out across the calendar year, and I’m not talking your average Christmas or Easter.

Here at KCL, we like to look at the more unusual ‘unofficial’ holidays that people may not necessarily know about, educating you, if you will, about things you may not know about. 

So, following this fashion, today we wish you a happy uncle and aunt day! 

Perhaps often overlooked, uncles and aunts can take on an important role. From providing support, influence, guidance and fun, they can help shape who we are.

Now, not all of us have uncles or aunts with whom we have contact with, or any in the first place, but for some they play an integral role in our lives.  

Aunts and Uncles are similar to parents, except without most of the rules and regulations. Whether it’s getting spoilt with attention, showered with gifts that your parents refused to get you or providing some much-needed advice that you can’t seem to approach with mum or dad, they can be a huge part of a much-needed support system. 

But it’s not just those with whom you share DNA with that can be regarded as uncles and aunts.

In Western cultures, these terms are typically reserved for the close family members who are related by marriage or genetics, but many other cultures contrast this ‘norm’. Africa, Asia and Middle East cultures especially use the terms to refer to anyone from the generation of one’s parent, and that has followed, in a way, to Western cultures as of late.

For example, close or old friends of parents are often sweetly referred to as ‘aunty’ or ‘uncle’, especially if they are Godparents. Having that support network of people who are close to you but not necessarily related can be invaluable. Speaking personally, I would be a little lost without the support, advice and adventures I’ve been fortunate enough to experience with my Godparents.

My Godmother, who I refer to as an ‘aunty’, is essentially my second mother. Someone I know I can always turn to when it may not feel quite right talking to my mum about or I can go and experience new and exciting things with (including some questionable delicacies on our travels). This isn’t to say I don’t talk to or get on with my own mother at all, it’s simply been incredibly beneficial to me to have someone to go to when I may need advice on delicate topics, or just knowing there’s a place and person I can go to when I need space and support. 

It can be so important to have these people in our lives, and I feel extremely grateful that I have that, as I know not everyone is lucky enough. So, for those who are, try and not take them for granted, and take a minute this uncle and aunt day to let those people know how important they are to you, or simply have a perhaps overdue catch-up.

Family doesn’t always have to be down to genes and DNA. Often those we chose to be part of our families serve the greatest purpose and are the ones you value most. 

Did You Know…

…that "say uncle" is a phrase popularly used in the United States and Canada and is usually used to concede defeat in a game or match?

Fiasco Rocks

Fiasco is a four-piece South-Welsh band, born out of the experience of Swn Festival, as well as a mutual love of rock and blues-rock. The subtle blend of these genes with an energetic writing style gives rise to a unique live experience.

While volunteering at Swn Festival (2018), Alastair and Archie began writing together and founded Fiasco and by the beginning of 2019, Fiasco were playing shows in many of Cardiff’s music venues.

Since then (outside of Cardiff) Fiasco have played shows in Swansea, Newport and Wrexham, highlights being: USW’s fresher shows with Carolines and The Rotanas, as well as opening for Wood Burning Savages in Clwb Ifor Bach.

In 2021 Fiasco signed to the collaborative independent record label - Smash Mouse Records.

We have all loved the journey so far and with the release of the debut single “Animal” on the horizon, we cannot wait to show the world what Fiasco’s about.

Please Help Fiasco Rocks by Liking and Following them on Social Media and Spotify.

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Support your local bands - KCL

Space Touring Musical

Dr. Robert Smith of The University of South Wales explains how this great project came about in a difficult time to present a Musical.

We needed a big project for the Autumn Term (on the Performing Arts Course at the university of South Wales - USW) but we weren’t sure how we could all get together in one place as some were stranded by geography or family circumstances due to Covid. So myself and 3 friends wrote an original musical - script and songs - set in Merthyr and outer space thinking that we might at least manage a filmed or streamed version. In the end though we settled on a Radio version and this is it.

It’s a well known fact that radio can conjure up anywhere as a backdrop with the right background soundscapes so this version was perfect for our needs; a piece of music theatre for radio. It is a little camp, being grounded in the space disco fad of the mid to late seventies and maybe a little bit of panto, but we are all, creators and performers alike, proud of it. So, earthlings, enjoy The Naked Citizens’ SPACETOURING produced and performed by the School of Drama Dance & Performance at the University, of South Wales, in Wales, Earth, the solar system ….

Put in too many working hours? Today’s your day

Shutterstock images

Here at KCL, we like to appreciate the weird and wonderful, including fun themed holidays. This one, however, is probably slightly less of a fun-packed thrill. Why, may you ask? Well because today is national workaholics day. Ermmmm…woohoooo?

This unofficial holiday was created to raise awareness about overworking, and the fact that too much work and too little play can have negative impacts on mental physical health. So instead of celebrating this lifestyle, it’s more of a focus on encouraging workaholics to make lifestyle changes in order to give other aspects of their lives as much attention. Having a healthy work/life balance is important, and with the majority of us working from home in this Covid-era, it can be hard to separate the two worlds.

With 60% if employees working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, 77% of remote workers in the UK have said they’re more productive when working from home, with many hoping to continue this new way of life post-pandemic. But it’s important to draw a line when doing this. Many of us are getting carried away and taking laptops to bed with us, typing till the early hours, or taking on more work than possible. This can have a negative impact on those around you, as family and friends may not feel their having quality time with you. 

So, on this holiday, why not take some time out to look out for the workaholic in your life and ask them to join you in a fun activity? Maybe you’re the one guilty of spending a little too much time in the office, so take yourself out for a walk or phone a friend and just check in on yourself. It’s important to remember to look after our mental wellbeing, especially after the chaos of the last year, so there’s no shame in taking a little time out. 

Some ideas for today:

·       If there is a workaholic in your life, ask them to take the day off and take them out to do something fun. Perhaps a trip to a theme park or a hike?

·       Make a nice meal for the workaholic in your life and tell them about the problems associated with working all the time.

·       If you are a workaholic, take the day off to revaluate your life and take some time off for yourself.

Today we're talking Daylight Appreciation Day

Monday 21st June 2021, AKA Daylight Appreciation Day, is here for all of us to celebrate. Solatube International created this holiday to raise awareness about the advantages of daylighting.  

What is daylighting? You may be wondering. It’s the use of natural light to light up interior spaces. It can be achieved simply by opening windows and adding reflective surfaces to them, which allows for the maximum amount of sunlight to fill the inside. 

Daylighting is an ancient practise which is normally recommended by architects, interior decorators and energy experts. It can help with health and energy saving, as using natural light cuts down on energy and electricity costs. Studies have also found that daylighting in workplaces can help increase productivity, work performance, employee satisfaction and retention 

It’s no secret that the summer months put a smile on our faces. Heading out for days at the beach and sunny walks armed with sunglasses and ice cream is enough to boost anyone’s mood, and so bringing that inside is sure to boost moods all year round. It’s not only good for you mentally, but physically too. By bringing a dose of nature and the great outdoors into your home, it can help to reduce stress and increase happiness, and it is far better for you than spending time under artificial lights. 

Fittingly, Daylight Appreciation Day is celebrated on the longest day of the year for northern Hemisphere residents, as in most years, the June Solstice occurs on June 21st. 

You can celebrate this day yourself. Why not find a way to bring some sunshine and light into your home by speaking to an architect to see what they can create for you? Or just take some simple, cost-effective steps such as opening windows, installing light-coloured blinds and curtains and applying reflective surfaces to the windows to let the natural sunlight in. you could also fire up the BBQ and have some friends round to enjoy (socially distanced) food and drinks together- after all, we’re not lucky with many months of warmer weather here in the UK. 

You may be part of a culture that participated in June solstice events and celebrate its significance. Even if you don’t, you can read up about cultures traditions and educate yourself on their festivities- it may encourage you to join in yourself!