Groups benefit from grant scheme

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 4, 2012

Community buildings across the city are to benefit from grants awarded by Cardiff Council.

Voluntary groups were invited to apply for a grant, under the Council’s Community Building Grants Programme.

A total of 15 grants were awarded under this year’s programme and will help local groups across the city to improve community buildings and provide better facilities.

Around £50,000 will go towards paying for a wide range of improvements including toilet refurbishments, window replacement, new heating systems, health and safety improvements and access improvements for disabled users.

One of the groups to benefit is St Fagans Village Hall, which received a grant for a new disabled toilet. Frances Lewis of the Village Hall said: “We are very pleased with the Community Building Grant, which will help us to further enhance our building and offer services to an ever wider number of people in the local community.”

Cardiff Council’s Community Building Grants Programme has been running for over ten years for the purpose of supporting local voluntary groups in providing and improving community buildings.

Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, said: “The Council recognises the important role that voluntary sector organisations play in running community buildings across the city. We are delighted to be able to help so many groups carry out improvements for the benefit of the people and communities that use them.”

St Mellons hub gets service of prize winning author for a day

Posted by Now Cardiff on May 1, 2012

Cardiff Council’s St Mellons Hub has won the services of a professional storyteller and award-winning author for a day in a National Libraries Day prize draw.

The prize, sponsored by one of the main library suppliers in the UK, Greswell, means that children at the Hub can expect a visit from storyteller, Neil Griffiths, a former primary head teacher.

He is also the inventor of the multiple award-winning “Storysack”, a collection of themed props, soft toys, activities and parental guides designed to make books fun and encourage children and adults to enjoy reading together.

Neil will be visiting the Hub on 5th May and will be running sessions for children, parents and staff on the day.

Customer service advisor, Gail Jones, who entered the Hub for the draw said: “I was over the moon when we won as having the experience of seeing and listening to a really good storyteller can help bring books to life and spark a love of reading that can bring benefit for years to come.”

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School’s out for summer

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 19, 2011

Leisure Centres across the city are gearing up for the most fun-filled summer holidays to date!

Children and families can expect to be kept entertained for the six week break with an exciting and new activity programme.

There are hundreds of different activities taking place at 12 venues across Cardiff with each facility running their own individual schedule of events throughout the school break.

Trampolining, dodgeball, cricket, street dance, cheerleading and indoor golf are among some of the events going on around the city with new arrivals such as teen Zumba, skate ramps and free running being added to the bill.

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Western Leisure Centre is hosting the renowned Street Striker Competition for football enthusiasts whilst Pentwyn returns with the hugely popular Pentwyn Academy of Performing Arts (PAPA), great for boosting children’s confidence and meeting new friends.

For children who like to get on their bike Maindy Centre are running their cycling activity Track Attack as well as holding Mums and Sons, Dads and Daughters football sessions.

At Llanishen Leisure Centre children can call into the Fun House or for those who like to have their cake and eat it, they are hosting Creative Capers which gives children the chance to have-a-go at creative activities such as cake decorating.

Fairwater Leisure Centre is preparing to give kids a forces experience with Army Orienteering and Eastern Leisure Centre are juggling the fun with circus skills and parachute party games.

There are soft play and inflatable sessions running for the under fives and the free school holidays swimming scheme for children is back for the ninth year running.

The free swimming initiative is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and allows all children and young people aged 16 years and under living in Cardiff to go swimming absolutely free of charge in any of the seven swimming pools

There are also several free swimming activities on offer such as fun with snorkels and masks and Wet and Wild Pool parties with pool inflatable and floats and for children who are less confident in the water the Council offers half price crash-course swimming lessons.

Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, said: “Every year we strive to provide children and families with an exciting and varied range of activities throughout the school break.

“We understand only too well the needs of parents and carers to keep children occupied and entertained during the summer holidays and we are committed to providing activities that keep children active and interested.”

For more information call in to your local Cardiff Council leisure centre to pick up a free programme of activities or browse the online brochures at www.cardiff.gov.uk/leisure

Cardiff angling club offers free fishing trip

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 15, 2011

A Cardiff fishing club has cast out a line to the local community by providing a free organised fishing trip.

Fairwater and Pentrebane Community Angling Club has been working in partnership with Cardiff Council’s Leisure Services, Ely Garden Villagers and drug and alcohol charity Kaleidoscope.

The club was established two years ago by Gary Smith, an employee of Fairwater Leisure Centre. Since then, organisers plan several fishing trips throughout the year to Sevenoaks Fishery, Pontyclun.

During the trips people are taught how to catch fish such as carp and bream as well as learning the skills to look after the fish properly and put them back into the water safely.

The initiative aims to bring communities together whilst providing recovering addicts with support and imaginative opportunities so they may build self-confidence.

The 60 member strong club was established two years ago and also attracts families and young people from the local areas.

The initiative is funded by Communities First and through sponsorship and fundraising. Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman said: “The community angling club offers invaluable opportunities to learn the skills needed to enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity.

“The partnership between the club, Ely Garden Villagers, Communities First and Kaleidoscope has meant that this hobby can be made more accessible to individuals who will benefit from it as well as engaging other members of the community.”

Kaleidoscope aims to provide life enhancing services to people on the margins of society. They provide support to people with drug and alcohol problems, enabling them to make positive changes in their lives.

Communities First is the Welsh Assembly Government’s flagship programme to improve the living conditions and prospects for people in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales.

Circle of Life – Cardiff Bay Salmon Release

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 5, 2011

On Wednesday 6th July, three Cardiff Primary Schools will return to Cardiff Bay to see the young salmon they have nurtured from eggs safely returned to the River Taff.

Gladstone, Lakeside and Thornhill Primary Schools have participated in the Salmon Coming Home Project; as part of the Cardiff Harbour Authority’s environmental education programme run by the Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre.

Since February 2011, the school classes have each looked after the precious eggs, monitoring the water temperature and gaining an understanding of nature whilst in the classroom.

Responsible for checking the equipment and daily inspections, each school has been successful in safely monitoring the eggs. Once the eggs hatched in to the Alevins, they were then collected and taken to Cynrig Hatchery, supported by the Environment Agency, for specialist feeding for a few months, to build up their strength prior to being released.

Tomorrow they will be released into the rivers as Salmon Fry and each class will be on site to see them as they swim free for the first time.

 

Community Fun Day planned for Gabalfa and Mynachdy

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 5, 2011

A free community fun day is planned for this Saturday (July 9) at Lydstep Park between 11am and 3pm.

The event marks the end of the first annual Gabalfa and Mynachdy festival, a series of fun and informative events which are taking place throughout the week (Monday 4 July to Friday 8 July) to showcase the facilities, services and talents that exist in the local area.

The 23 different activities include Pedal Picnic, which encourages family members to pack a picnic and get on their bikes for a group bike ride, The “Gabalfa’s Got Talent” community talent show and a special library event for the under fives with songs, stories and a special appearance by the Bookstart Bear.

There are family arts and crafts sessions, allotment tours, a sports day and a local history event for people to enjoy.

All the events are open to the public and everyone is welcome to come along and attend.

The jam packed week of exciting events will culminate on Saturday with the Fun Day which will boast a range of activities including a bouncy castle, stalls and face painting.

Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman said: “It is fantastic that local people living in Gabalfa and Mynachdy can come together and enjoy what their community has to offer.

“The schedule of events that have been planned for the week enable people of all ages to engage in different activities and meet other local people whilst promoting their neighbourhood and the groups and facilities available.”