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

Chance of a “Good Life” in Ely Farm with new allotment announcement

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 29, 2011

Cardiff Council’s Park Services have announced new allotment plots are now available at Ely Farm, Cardiff.

A total of 32 additional plots have been marked out at the site and prospective tenants on the waiting list are currently being contacted.

Eight plots have already been allocated to new tenants keen to grown their own fruit and vegetables.

The plots have been provided on an area of the allotment site which has not previously been cultivated.

These new plots have been introduced as part of the Council’s allotment strategy which aims to reduce waiting lists and accommodate the growing interest in allotment gardening.

Further plots across five other allotment sites are due to be released by the end of the financial year. In the region of 300 extra plots will be made available for use.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said; “The Council recognises the importance of allotment gardening and the significant contribution it makes to health and social agenda.

“Due to the significant interest in allotment gardening the Council has made a commitment to reduce waiting lists by bringing previously redundant areas of allotment land into use.

“The allotment strategy has enabled further improvements to be identified and implemented and this has been cemented by the new plots being made available in sites such as Ely Farm.”

Cardiff Council has 26 allotment sites across the city covering approximately 190 acres.

Notes to Editor:

Photo from left to right: Chairwoman of Ely Farm Allotments Jan Moore, Cllr Nigel Howells, Secretary of Ely Farm Allotments, Terry Webb and Treasurer, Joe Moore

This is what happens when you black bag food

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 24, 2011

It’s a disgusting mess that attracts vermin and creates a health hazard, but a few Cardiff citizens are still putting food in black bags. This was never more graphically illustrated than when a the Cardiff Council Waste Management team came across this scene this week somewhere in Cathays or Plasnewydd.

The picture above shows the mess created when just one black bag filled with food waste is ripped open by gulls.  Factor in the wind and pedestrians finding it difficult to avoid, this unsightly mess can then spread a considerable distance up and down the street.

This is an area where food caddies have been issued; there is no need to put food waste in black bags.

Cardiff Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Cllr Margaret Jones said, “This horrendous mess could easily have been avoided.  There is no excuse whatsoever for putting food waste in black bags, every household in the area has been issued with a food caddy.  The vast majority of residents work with us to help us keep the streets clean but as you can see, it can take one bag to create a terrible impression of a street.  We urge all residents to deal with their waste responsibly and have consideration for their neighbours.”

Cardiff Council increases recycling options city wide

Cardiff Council has further underlined its commitment to recycling with the opening of four new facilities this year.  Working closely with the Libraries and Leisure departments, the Council’s Waste Management service has opened up recycling bring-sites at Llanrumney Library, Maindy Pool, Grangetown Library and Western Leisure Centre.  These new facilities greatly enhance the opportunities for Cardiff citizens to easily and conveniently recycle their waste.

Additional Recycling opportunities are as follows:

Llanrumney Library

• Mixed paper and card
• Mixed glass and plastic

Maindy Pool

• Cardboard
• Paper and Magazines
• Plastic and glass bottles and jars
• Metal food and drink cans

Grangetown Library

• Mixed paper and card
• Mixed glass and plastic
• Western Leisure Centre
• Paper and card
• Mixed glass and plastic
• Food and drink cans

Cllr Margaret Jones, Executive Member for the Environment said, “It is more important than ever to recycle our waste and these new facilities will add to the already extensive recycling offered in the City.  The sites have been carefully chosen and spaced to allow the most convenient access possible for as many of our citizens as possible.  Recycling of waste is a top priority for Cardiff Council and these bring-sites will further help people to make recycling part of their everyday routine.”

Treforest Car Parts Company fined £100k following worker’s death

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 20, 2011

An engineering company has been fined £100,000 after a worker was crushed to death at a factory near Pontypridd.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Melloy Limited after shift co-ordinator Paul Thorngate, 44, was crushed by a falling crate of aluminium car parts, while working overtime at the company’s Treforest Industrial Estate premises.

The father-of-three from Porth was working alone in the heat treatment area of the factory on the evening of 10 November 2006, but was fatally injured when the wire rope hoist that was supporting a suspended crate of parts failed, causing it to fall upon him.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Mr Thorngate, who had worked for the company for 27 years, was one of several men who would work overtime at weekends or nights as a lone worker.

On the night of the incident, a metal basket containing aluminum brake parts was being hoisted into a furnace for high temperature treatment. The crane raised and lowered its cargo by extending and shortening a wire rope. However, Mr Thorngate was killed when the rope supporting the weight snapped, and the basket landed on top of him.

The court heard that after the company relocated to Treforest in May 2005, the hoist mechanism was reassembled at the new premises. The HSE investigation found the firm failed to ensure the hoist was examined by a qualified specialist after reassembly, and was done without first conducting a suitable risk assessment.

Following the incident, it was discovered that the wire rope had broken, as it had been seriously damaged from rubbing against the frame. The safety devices on the hoist were also incorrectly adjusted.

Melloy Ltd of Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(2)(b) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The company was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £75,000.

Mr Thorngate’s partner, Jayne Beer, said:

“Words cannot describe how much of a gap Paul’s death has left in all our lives. He was a vibrant and fun-loving person and he was much-loved by friends, family and colleagues. His untimely death has devastated all that knew him, including his children and four brothers.

“He was dedicated to his job and worked hard to make sure his work was completed to the highest standard. If only his employers had had the same attitude and work ethic then perhaps in a different life Paul would still be with us today.”

HSE inspector, Janet Viney said:

“This tragic incident that has left a family without a father could have been easily prevented had the failed hoist been thoroughly examined when it was moved from one factory to another.

“If a competent person had examined the hoist, the changes which were made to accommodate its new position would have been recognised and the safety mechanisms would have been adjusted.

Lewis gets recognition for giving disadvantaged a sporting chance

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jun 20, 2011

A young volunteer from Cardiff has been awarded the Co-operative StreetGames National Young Volunteer Award 2011, as recognition for the positive impact he has made on his community.

Lewis Bratcher is a volunteer for StreetGames, an award-winning charity that brings sport straight to the doorstep of young people living in disadvantaged communities.

20 year old Lewis has been volunteering with Active Opportunities in Cardiff since 2009, where he was referred to the project by the local youth centre. Having been in trouble with the police previously, Lewis wanted to get his life back on track and give something back to his community.

Lewis helped to start a youth action group called ‘Goodies in Hoodies’ to challenge people’s perceptions of young people and reduce the barriers between generations. This award-winning group has gone from strength to strength.

Lewis is an inspiration to younger members of his community – they can see first-hand how someone can turn their life around. With his help the local leisure centre has become a central hub in the community.

Doorstep sport tailors sport sessions to suit the specific demands of young people and the community in which they are run. StreetGames delivers this through a network of organisations such as Active Opportunities a scheme run by Fairwater Leisure Centre in partnership with Communities First and Waterhall Youth Centre which provides participants with training and skills in return for volunteering in the community.

The sessions are supported by members of The Co-operative StreetGames Young Volunteers Programme, a scheme that enables 16 – 25 year olds gain sports qualifications and community leadership skills whilst volunteering for the project.

Lewis was nominated to volunteer for StreetGames after he got involved in petty crime and anti-social behaviour. He made the decision to turn his life around and give back to the community.

Since being involved in the scheme he has gained qualifications in lifeguarding, gym instructing and volunteering and community work and has helped to set up a community youth project called Goodies in Hoodies which aims to encourage intervention into anti-social behaviour.

He has received outstanding praise from his mentors and local police officers who have been impressed with how he has changed the direction of his life. As a result of his hardi work in the community Lewis has now secured a job as a centre assistant at Fairwater Leisure Centre.

The young people taking part in StreetGames also hugely benefit from the programme, showing that they are more active, healthy and happier now they are playing sport regularly.

Volunteers like Lewis are able to gain valuable qualifications and experience to help them move forward in life.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “Lewis is a role model and an excellent example of someone who has changed the direction of his life for the better.

“The Active Cardiff initiative has had a vast positive impact on young children and communities and has lead to decreased levels of anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

“Lewis should be extremely proud of his achievements to date, he has made a considerable difference to his local area and to the quality of his own life.”

Lewis said: “I am thrilled to have even been nominated for the Co-Operative StreetGames Young Volunteer Award but to win is fantastic, I very proud of my achievements.”

Jane Ashworth, Chief Executive of StreetGames said:” “Lewis is an excellent example of how sometimes a young person, who is heading for trouble, can turn their lives around by becoming a community leader.  Their frustrations and energy can be channelled into creative behaviour to find themselves and give positive answers at a local level.”