John Paul Maunders 9:37am Wednesday 7th May John Paul Maunders, director of the Midsummer Festival, held at Duffryn Gardens in June, talks about his life in the Vale Tell us a bit about yourself I am currently on a career break from South Wales Police working for the Welsh Local Government Association as team leader of Excellence Wales, a scheme set up to identify good practice in Welsh local government, making sure it is shared to improve standards of service. During my early days with the police I spent many years patrolling the streets of Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major and as a Diversity Trainer before taking up the opportunity to experience the outside' world in an attempt to add more skills to my repertoire! I am also festival director of the annual open air Midsummer Festival of Music and Theatre which this year runs from June 16 to 29 at Dyffryn Gardens. I have been involved in the theatre as an actor, director and over the past five years as a writer, having written two successful family musicals. Most recently I have written, directed and produced two short films.

My Vale life - Ted Arbuthnot 9:46am Wednesday 6th February VCL: Tell us about yourself Ted Arbuthnot: I am Ted Arbuthnot, an optician in Barry. Apparently I have been in practice there for 33 years (but I don't believe it). In fact the practice, which is the largest independent in the Vale, has been in existence for almost 75 years, and virtually in the hands of just two people, myself and the well known and still thriving 96 year old Norman Alexander. I am also married and the father of five daughters so I may have to work for another 33 years yet!