Cardiff Council Leisure Services are one of the main sponsors for the event which saw 1400 athletes as well as primary school children compete in one of 12 races throughout the day.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “The Cardiff Cross Challenge is one of the most high-calibre events on the calendar and boasts an impressive number of different race events throughout the day.

“We are thrilled it was hosted here successfully for the 16th year despite the cold weather. Cardiff Council recognises the importance it has for the sport as it appeals to experienced runners as well as encouraging grass roots talent which leads to healthy and active lifestyles in young people”.

The event attracts competitors of all levels and ages from across the UK and takes place in the centre of Cardiff within the beautiful grounds of Cardiff Castle, Bute Park along the River Taff and leads into Blackweir fields.

The event is organised by Graham Finlayson BEM from Cardiff Cross Country and Road Events with the support of UK Athletics and Welsh Athletics.

Cardiff was the fourth fixture in the 2012 and 2013 series, which includes races in Bristol, Liverpool, Antrim and Birmingham.

The Cardiff Cross Challenge was founded in 1997 and has since become one of the most prestigious events in the UK.

The high-class competition incorporates a full range of men’s, women’s and young persons races for age groups including Seniors, Under 20s, Under 17s, Under 15s and Under 13’s.

The course is marked up to national standards and incorporates a mixture of flat fast running with interesting woodland and riverside sections.

Sarah-Jane Bailey, a team manager in the Council’s Youth Offending Team, has won a Butler Trust Award for her work on StaySafe.

StaySafe is a joint initiative run between South Wales Police and Cardiff Council and is aimed at engaging with vulnerable children and young people who may be at risk of becoming a victim of crime or involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Richard Cook, Cardiff Council’s Cardiff’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “To have your efforts recognised at a national level is a great achievement and I am delighted for Sarah-Jane.

“We take the health and wellbeing of young people in Cardiff very seriously and Staysafe is a great example of how we are working with our partners to help keep vulnerable children safe.

“I’d like to thank Sarah-Jane for all her efforts in helping to make the scheme such a success.”

The Awards, which were established in 1985 in memory of the former Home Secretary RAB Butler, are the most prestigious of their kind in the country.

They were set up to formerly recognise and celebrate outstanding dedication, skill and creativity by people working in prisons, probation and youth justice settings across the UK.

There were 250 entrants into this year’s competition and the winners were selected by a panel of judges.

Sarah-Jane will be officially presented with her award by the Trust’s Royal Patron, The Princess Royal, at a special ceremony being held at Buckingham Palace on 11 March.

The resurfacing, which is vital to maintain safety for high speed traffic, will start on Monday (January 28) and will last for five days, subject to extreme weather conditions.

The work will be carried out in stages

from 7.30pm to 6am each night, working eastwards from the Gabalfa Interchange to Junction 29A .
The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, January 28 from 7.30pm to 6am closing the A48 eastbound carriageway
• from Gabalfa to Llanedeyrn Interchanges, and from 10pm from Llanedeyrn to Gabalfa westbound.
• Tuesday, January 29 from 7.30pm to 6am from Llanedeyrn to Gabalfa, closure westbound.
• Wednesday, January 30 from 7.30pm to 6am from Llanedeyrn to Pentwyn, closure north eastbound
• Thursday, January 31 from 7.30pm to 6am from Pentwyn to Pontprennau, closure north eastbound
• Friday, February 1 from 7.30pm to 6am from the eastbound A48 turnoff at junction 29A to the Cypress Drive/Newport Road roundabout which will be closed for resurfacing;

Additional closures will also take place on Thursday, January 31 from 7.30 pm to 6am of the A48 south westbound off slip road at Llanedeyrn/Southern Way and on Friday, February 1 from

7.30pm to 6am of the A48 south westbound off slip road at Pentwyn.

Councillor Ralph Cook, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Highways, Traffic and Transportation, said: "This resurfacing work is vitally important to maintain one of the busiest roads in the city.  By carrying out this work at night we have taken great care to minimise disruption and ensure that this work can be completed as quickly as possible.”

Cardiff Council’s electronic signage will provide diversion information and advance warning of all the overnight closures.

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning‚ Highways & Transportation, Councillor Ralph Cook said: ““A robust plan has been put together to make sure we do everything possible to keep Cardiff moving through the predicted snow tomorrow and through the winter. The winter maintenance plan has been in place since the start of November and will run until the beginning of March, or longer depending on weather conditions.

“You can help the Council by being public spirited, for instance assisting any vulnerable neighbours you are aware of and by doing your bit to help your community if we experience heavy snowfalls. Information is readily available on the Council website which gives the advice you need, with the Snow Code providing step-by-step guidance on what to do when you are clearing snow from pavements and other public areas.”

As one of several measures to improve the Council’s resilience during a future snow event, a salt barn has been built and by the end of November, Cardiff will have approximately 6,000 tonnes of salt available.  This is approximately 50% more than the amount of salt that it used during the winter period two years ago and is greater than the Welsh Local Government Association recommendation.”

Resources are on stand-by 24 hours a day during the winter period (between November and March inclusive) to ensure that salting can be undertaken promptly once it is needed. The Council uses a fleet of 12 vehicles to spread salt on the roads following prescribed routes and vehicles are also fitted with ploughs to help with clearing snow from roads if needed. The pre-salting operation usually starts within one hour of the decision being taken to start salting and takes approximately four hours to complete.

Out of more that 600 miles of roads across Cardiff, a priority network of routes have been identified following a consultation with transport providers, the police and emergency services and will be salted when freezing conditions are forecast.

This network is a little under half of the total adopted highway within Cardiff and comprises Principal Roads, B Roads, some C Roads, and other non-classified roads [namely Bus Routes].

A list of roads that will   be   pre-salted   can be found on the Council’s website: www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather

Several cycle routes will be treated where they form part of the carriageway which is part of a designated salting route. In situations where the forecast conditions do not require all of the prescribed network to be salted, only the Principal Roads, roads identified as colder than average and known wet areas will be treated. This will be just over a quarter of the adopted highway across Cardiff. It is important that all road users take extra care at times when winter weather conditions are being experienced.

A limited network of footways will be salted when ice or snow is forecast.   A priority list of footways has been developed in accordance with guidance from the Institute of Highways & Transportation. The highest priority, which is based on footfall, are the main pedestrianised areas within the city centre.  These will be pre-treated when local surface temperatures are forecast to fall below zero. Further details on footway salting can be found on the Council’s website: www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather

Following a snow event, the Council’s objective will be to restore its Principal Roads and remainder of the treated network, and also the priority footway areas in the city centre to a serviceable condition as soon as practically possible.

The Council’s priority will be the Principal Roads and core bus routes throughout the city. Once the Principal Roads and core bus routes are returned to a serviceable state, the remainder of the pre-treated network will be tackled.

More than 500 Salt containers are provided across Cardiff where a need has been identified on routes that are not located along the pre-salting network. These salt containers are provided for use by members of the public and also the emergency services on the adopted highway.

The locations can be found on the Council’s website www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather. Each container is checked and refilled prior to the start of the winter season and any that are found to be damaged are replaced as necessary.

As well as keeping the website up to date with the latest service information during severe weather, the Council has also provided snow information and tips to help keep members of the public and their family safe during periods of bad weather. For more information including the Welsh Governments Snow Code, please visit at www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather,

During a hearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court yesterday (January 15, 2013), Mohammed Nabi was found guilty of refusing to take a fare to Tremorfa on April 7, 2012. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay court costs of £525.

Under the Town and Police Clauses Act 1847, it is an offence for a Hackney Carriage driver (black and white taxi) to refuse a fare that starts and ends within the city boundary without reasonable excuse.

Mr Nabi’s defence was that he refused the fare because there had been a number of violent incidents against taxis in the Tremorfa area.

After hearing all the evidence, the Magistrates decided that it was only reasonable to refuse a fare if the circumstances of that particular fare were such that the driver could be in danger. It was not considered reasonable to refuse a fare on the off-chance that there could be a problem.

As such, the Magistrates deemed that it would be unlawful to operate a blanket ban on a whole area.

Councillor Derrick Morgan, Chair of Cardiff Council’s Licensing and Public Protection Committee, said: “The council is supportive of any measures that protect the health and safety of drivers and passengers, including the installation of CCTV systems and radios in taxis and private hire vehicles. Indeed, such systems have already been approved for use by the Council’s Public Protection Committee.

“Other measures the Council has implemented to help enhance safety and protect drivers  include the City Centre Ambassador scheme and taxi marshalling system, which operate in the city centre over busy weekend periods and at major events.

“However, the law is the law and the Council has a legal duty to ensure that drivers of licensed vehicles do not breach the regulations. We will therefore initiate legal proceedings against any hackney carriage driver that refuses a fare without reasonable grounds.”

Cllr Morgan added: “Drivers must weigh up their own perception of health and safety risks associated with each job. It is reasonable for drivers to refuse a fare in circumstances such as where the passenger is drunk or acting aggressively. However, it is not lawful for drivers to place a blanket ban on a particular area of the city.”

The sentencing follows a previous hearing held at Cardiff Magistrates Court on December 21, 2012, where Mr Diar Wali Ali, the registered food business operator at the Adonis Kebab House, City Road, Cardiff – pleaded guilty to all charges Cardiff Council brought against him.

In total there were 23 charges brought against Mr Ali for various food hygiene offences that were committed at the Adonis Kebab House. An E-coli outbreak in early August 2011 was traced to the Adonis Kebab House and the premises were closed by the Council on August 12 2011, on the grounds of health concerns following an unsatisfactory inspection by Environmental Health Officers.

Councillor Derek Morgan, Chair of Cardiff Council’s Public Protection Committee, said: “Local people and visitors to Cardiff have a right to expect that food served in Cardiff’s food businesses is safe to eat and has been prepared in hygienic conditions.

“However, where poor hygiene practices and substandard conditions are found, we take immediate action to safeguard public health.

“I hope this case helps to show how seriously we take this commitment and demonstrate that, where appropriate, we will use the full force of the law to ensure food safety regulations are met.”

Mr Ali will serve four months in custody and four months in the community.

This case relates to an outbreak of E.coli O157 that occurred in South East Wales in August 2011.

An Outbreak Control Team was set up in light of the incidents, which was made up of representatives from Public Health Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Food Standards Agency and Environmental Officers from Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taff Councils.

In total, the Outbreak Control Team investigated nine microbiologically confirmed cases of E.coli O157. One of the cases involved the young victim being hospitalised and having to undergo dialysis as a result of the poisoning.

E.coli O157 is a serious bacterial infection that causes abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The symptoms of E.coli O157 range from mild diarrhoea, stomach cramps and fever to bloody diarrhoea. Most people recover without complications, but the most severe cases can develop kidney failure.

Calennig celebrations once again return to the heart of the civic centre this New Years Eve with a whole host of free live entertainment.

Calling all Super Troupers! Get ready to don your platforms and take a chance on ‘Platinum’, Britain’s leading Abba tribute band.

Live music will kick off from 9.30pm with Super Deluxe a disco and funk party band led by Cardiff’s own Simon Kingman

From 11.10pm and seeing in the New Year will be Platinum who will perform all the greatest hits from Sweden’s finest.

Comparing the evening will be Real Radio’s Jason Harrold who will countdown the New Year and finally the evening will end with a spectacular firework display which will bring a magical end to the year in Cardiff.

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland will also be open on New Years Eve for people to skate in 2013 on the Admiral Open Air Ice Rink alongside the family funfair, which will be open 12noon until 1am on New Year’s Eve and until 2pm until 8pm on New Years Day

If all this wasn’t enough of a treat the Council will also be providing a free New Year’s Eve Bus. Service details can be found onwww.cardiffswinterwonderland.com

Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “There is plenty of family fun planned this New Year’s Eve and best of all most of the entertainment is free. Callenig is a firm favourite in the Christmas and New Years Celebration in the city, providing the biggest party in the capital.

“2012 has been a fantastic year in the Capital and Calennig will mark the start of 2013. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.”

And if you haven’t made it to skate in 2012 there is still plenty of time as the rink is open until 6 Jan 2013!

Asda, The Co-operative and WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC have withdrawn a number of batches of mild cheddar and red Leicester cheese because small pieces of metal may be present in the products.

The affected batches have been withdrawn from all stores and notices are being displayed in each of the supermarkets.

Residents are being advised that if they have bought any of the products listed below, under no circumstances should they eat the product. Instead they should return the item to place where they purchased it for a refund.

No other products from these supermarkets are known to be affected.

The products being withdrawn are:

ASDA Smart Price Mild White Cheddar, 385g
‘Best before’ dates:
*       7 February 2013
*       8 February 2013
*       12 February 2013
*       13 February 2013
*       16 February 2013
*       21 February 2013

ASDA Smart Price Red Leicester, 385g
‘Best before’ dates:
*       7 January 2013
*       8 January 2013
*       9 January 2013
*       23 January 2013
*       24 January 2013
*       25 January 2013

The Co-operative British Mild White Cheddar 250g
‘Best before’ date: 28 January 2013

The Co-operative Value Red Leicester
‘Best before’ date: 26 January 2013

Morrisons M Savers Mild White Cheddar, 350g
‘Use by’ dates:
*       21 January 2013
*       25 January 2013
*       31 January 2013
*       3 February 2013
*       7 February 2013

Morrisons M Savers Mild White Cheddar, 700g
‘Use by’ dates:
*       22 January 2013
*       30 January 2013
*       4 February 2013

Morrisons M Savers Grated Mild White Cheddar, 500g
‘Use by’ dates:
*       10 January 2013
*       12 January 2013
*       15 January 2013
*       21 January 2013

Morrisons M Savers 10 Mild White Cheddar Cheese Slices, 240g
‘Use by’ dates:
*       5 January 2013
*       9 January 2013
*       11 January 2013
*       14 January 2013
*       23 January 2013

Three young horticultural apprentices, who travelled to Cardiff’s twin city of Nantes in France to gain new skills and experiences, have presented their findings to project partners.

Anthony Davies, Joshua Thatcher and Magdalena Szczerbinska spent three weeks with the Nantes Parks Department Beaujoire as part of the Cardiff Council Parks and Gardens Horticultural Apprenticeship Scheme, funded by the European Leonardo da Vinci Programme.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “We are extremely proud of the Council’s horticultural apprenticeship scheme which continues to provide young people with opportunity to learn valuable skills in an outdoor environment, utilising the city’s excellent parks and green spaces.

“This event will showcase what they have learnt and how the scheme has benefitted their studies as well as demonstrating how positive and credible the scheme is, having been awarded European funding.”

The event which took place on Wednesday 12, December at the Bute Park Education Centre also gave family members of the apprentices and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the major funder of heritage skills in Wales, the opportunity to discover what the group learnt during the work experience placement, including looking at the various differences and similarities between the two cities Councils and parks departments, vehicles and mechanisation, organisation and horticultural methods. They will also demonstrate some ideas that Cardiff could possibly implement here.

The apprentices undertook several French language tutorials in preparation for the placement improving language skills in addition to horticulture.

They worked with gardeners in the Jardin des Plantes, the Grand Blottereau park and the Beaujoire flower gardens.

Cardiff Council was successful in securing over 12,500 Euros from the Leonardo da Vinci Programme to develop the exchange programme for the Parks Services horticultural apprentices.

The Nantes exchange scheme has been a highly valuable part of the horticultural apprenticeship training programme which has the benefits of improving their horticultural skills and assisting in contributing to the apprentice’s curriculum for their studies in horticulture.

Jennifer Stewart, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Wales which is supporting a range of heritage skills work based placements, said: “This scheme has provided invaluable experiences and opportunities for the apprentices. It’s great to see Anthony, Joshua and Magdalena so passionate about developing the skills they need to take Wales’ heritage forward.

“In a tough job market it’s more important than ever that we invest in training placements to provide job-seekers or career changers with the practical skills and confidence they need to get jobs within the heritage sector. Such is the demand for these opportunities we have invested further in our Skills for the Future programme which is now open to new applicants until 31 January 2013.”

The Leonardo da Vinci Programme is part of the European Commission’s Lifelong Learning Programme which supports education and training across Europe. It also provides opportunities for UK vocational education and training.

Cardiff Council’s horticultural apprenticeship scheme aims to develop skills through an in-house programme of practical training, combined with day release study. The scheme addresses the current skills gap in the industry and contributes to promoting career development and retaining a highly skilled workforce in the Parks Service.

As part of the programme, the apprentices benefit from a diverse range of activities and operations associated with horticulture including plant production and propagation, plant identification, conservation and tree management and fine turf.

A major revamp of the Christina Street area in Butetown is providing local employment opportunities as well as helping to transform the local area.

The project is part of the Butetown regeneration programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.

The improvements at Christina Street include new pedestrian and parking layouts, better lighting, new garden walls and boundaries, tree planting and landscaping.

The principal contractor appointed by the Council to undertake the scheme is civil engineering company, Alun Griffiths Ltd.  As part of their winning tender bid, Alun Griffiths proposed a community benefits package which included training and employment opportunities.

Working in partnership with Cardiff and Vale College, who run a range of construction skills training courses from their Cardiff Construction Training Centre, Alun Griffiths has implemented a work experience programme for students studying Bricklaying Level 3. Six students have been provided with two weeks work experience in bricklaying on the Christina Street project.

Kevin Robinson, Campus Manager, thinks it has been a great opportunity for students to get practical experience on a ‘live’ construction site just across the road from the College’s Dumballs Road training centre.

He said: “The students have found that the on-site experience complements the training in the classroom.  It has improved their confidence but also helped them to develop the speed of their bricklaying.  It has been a positive experience, with the students being more focussed and more motivated on returning from the placement.”

For one student, Kieron Ellis, his placement at Christina Street has led to a longer-term role with Alun Griffiths on a construction site in Bridgend.  Kieron will work three days a week whilst he completes the final year of his studies.

Gail Jones, Community Liaison Officer for Alun Griffiths Ltd, said: “As a company, we are committed to provide community benefits on all our major contracts. Having the opportunity to link up with local training provider, Cardiff and Vale College, has allowed us to offer practical work placements which will help deliver a skilled workforce for the future.”

As well as the work experience placements, they have also employed Butetown resident, Kahader Suleman as a labourer.  Gail highlighted the benefits for the company as well as the community.   In the case of Kahader, he was able to assist Gail with translation when she was consulting local residents on the plans.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Councillor Lynda Thorne said: “Our Administration is committed to maximising training and employment opportunities for the people of Cardiff. Christina Street is a practical example of how our regeneration programmes are delivering on this commitment. I am pleased that Alun Griffiths has provided these work experience placements. Such opportunities can be an essential first step for young people looking for secure employment in a skilled occupation”.