A Grand Medieval Mêlée breaks out at Cardiff Castle

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 13, 2012

Take an amazing journey back in time to the sights and smells of castle life some 700 years ago at the Grand Medieval Mêlée on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August 10.30am – 5.30pm.

Knights in shining armour, amazing falconry displays and adventures with dragons await the crowds. The Castle Green, transformed into a medieval tented village, will be teeming with life with re-enactors going about their daily chores, cooking, sewing and preparing for battle.  Clashing armour and the sound of crossed swords will echo through the site as the knights take each other on in realistic combat displays. A highlight of the day will be the falconry show, with birds of prey swooping through the site, arriving on the gauntlet of the expert falconer with amazing speed and precision.

For children there is the chance to be a prince or princess for the day, dress up in authentic costumes, take part in the sword fighting school, Have- A-Go archery, or try out some juggling skills.  The story-teller, Dylan Adams will also be here to enthral with tales of the real and mythical characters that inhabited these times.  An appearance by a huge dragon is certain to create mischief on the day, with children invited to join the procession through the site.

Councillor Huw Thomas, Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, commented “Cardiff Castle has a 2000-year history to tell, and this event is an excellent example of how the castle team bring that story to life and make it meaningful and entertaining for visitors of all ages.”

Cardiff High Street plays host to street Tarnished Earth exhibition

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 30, 2011

A striking exhibition that has been making an impact across the UK arrives in Cardiff on Friday, July 1 and will run until Friday 29 July.

Tarnished Earth is a unique street gallery that features striking images of Canada’s magnificent Boreal Forest. Photographs show the contrasts between the damaged caused to the forest by oil extraction, with the area’s pristine wilderness and the traditional way of life of the indigenous First Nation Cree.

The exhibition which features large boards showcasing the photographs will be on display at the newly regenerated High Street throughout July.

The exhibition is one of the events featured in this year’s Cardiff Festival. The festival will run from June 30 until September 3, and will feature a diverse range of events including the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend, Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival and the Cardiff Mardi Gras.

Before arriving in Cardiff the exhibition has toured the UK, including London, Birmingham and Leeds. The images where also displayed outside the EU parliament in Brussels.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Tarnished Earth is the first street gallery to feature at the newly pedestranised High Street, and I am pleased that the area is able to host this important exhibition.

“The powerful images are incredibly eye catching and will make people think about how our actions affect the earth in which we live.”

Further information on the Cardiff Festival can be found at www.cardiff-festival.com

Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 30, 2011

Olive oil fresh from rural Italy; produce from twin city Stuttgart; award-winning cured and smoked charcuterie delicacies from rural Monmouthshire*; cockles, mussels and laver bread from the Gower; gourmet exotic pies from the legendary Pieminister; and award-winning homemade chocolate brownies are just some of the delights across the weekend of July 8-10 with the return of the ever-popular Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival to the capital’s scenic waterfront.

Over 100 food producers from Wales, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Spain and Italy will fill Roald Dahl Plass and around the waterfront for the many thousands of visiting foodies. There will be new features such as the food demonstrations from some of the leading culinary lights in Cardiff in the John Lewis Food Theatre.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr. Nigel Howells said: “The Cardiff International Food and Drink Festival is one of the most popular attractions in our summer-long Cardiff Festival, creating a fantastic atmosphere in a tented village that entices food lovers from the city and much further afield to this ideal setting overlooking the waters of Cardiff Bay.”

The John Lewis food Theatre features hands-on workshops, including those aimed at young culinary talent, and live food demonstrations from TV chef Angela Gray and some of Cardiff’s leading chefs who regularly spoil us at restaurants such as the new Crown Social in the Parc Thistle, the Park Plaza, and Jamie’s Italian.

Cardiff Bay offers the best locations to relax and enjoy the show. There’s the Food Piazza on the terrace in front of the WMC, a popular Champagne Bar right down on the water’s edge, and the Pimm’s Bar on the terrace of the newly refurbished Norwegian Church Arts Centre where you can watch the sun go down There are also wine tasting seminars going on here throughout Saturday and Sunday.

There is also a Craft Fayre and Farmer’s Market with a wide selection of Welsh and international goodies to chose from so you can even assemble your own picnic, accompanied by the views over the water.

The atmosphere is enhanced by a weekend-long programme of live music on the bandstand, and a variety of entertaining and interactive street theatre.

The Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival is mainly funded by the Welsh Government and represents a collaboration between Cardiff Council and Cardiff Harbour Authority, and a variety of local businesses.

The festival endorses Cardiff’s culinary credentials, with the Cardiff Harbour Festival including the British Fish Craft Championships to look forward to over August Bank Holiday, and the Great British Cheese Festival returning to Cardiff Festival over September 24-25.

The event is a staple of the summer’s Cardiff Festival, now in its 26th year and reflecting a broad and diverse range of colourful entertainment, largely free to enter and stretching over the summer holidays.