ALEX JONES TO MEET HER DAFFODIL AT RHS SHOW CARDIFF

Posted by Now Cardiff on Apr 17, 2012

BBC One Show presenter Alex Jones will be at the RHS Show in Cardiff over the weekend of April 20-22 (www.rhs.org.uk/cardiff) to see her own Alex Jones Daffodil on display.

The popular Welsh TV star was given a lovely surprise on the live show when champion grower Ron Scamp came into the studio to present her with her own flower.

Alex follows in the footsteps of Kathryn Jenkins and the ‘Duffydil’ by having a Daffodil named after her.

The beautiful pale white and pink flower is unusual for a Daffodil, and is being grown by Ron’s company Quality Daffodils, which has won the Best Floral Exhibitor at the Cardiff spring show for the past six consecutive years.

Ron is looking forward to welcoming Alex to his stand at the show, and he will be taking orders for the bulbs, so that people can see ‘Alex Jones’ bloom in their gardens or on their windowsills next spring.

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Youth orchestra winds up season on high note

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 19, 2011

Cardiff County and Vale of Glamorgan Youth Orchestra will end their season of concerts for 2010 -2011 on a high note at Llandaff Cathedral this week.

The young musicians will perform Saint-Saens’ Organ Symphony on Thursday July 21 (7.30pm), featuring the new Nicholson organ which has been recently installed at the cathedral.

The organ will be played by the notable Welsh organist, Huw Tregelles Williams, former Head of Music at the BBC, who has given organ recitals at venues all over the world during his illustrious career.

The programme will also include Verdi’s “Force of Destiny” overture, Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Mussorgsky’s “Night on a Bare Mountain”. Tickets for the performance are available at the door, costing £10 and £6 for concessions.

Executive Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Freda Salway, said: “This is a terrific way for the youth orchestra to bring the year to a close in an inspiring venue and with such a distinguished performer in their midst. The youth orchestra concerts are always of an extremely high standard and I’m sure this week’s performance will be as enjoyable as usual.”

Tennis fever hits the Hayes

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 5, 2011

Last weekend marked the end of the 2011 Wimbledon Championships and with the final tournaments played over Saturday and Sunday (2 July and 3 July) it was set to be an action packed finale for tennis fans.

Novak Djokovic celebrated his first Wimbledon title after beating Rafael Nadal in an exciting centre court clash and in the women’s final Petra Kvitova kept her cool to beat Maria Sharapova.

As the world’s greatest tennis players compete in London, live coverage was aired on the BBC big screen situated in the Hayes.

The screen is positioned next to St David’s Hall, so shoppers and sports enthusiasts didn’t have to miss a minute of the action.

The event was supported by Sport.Cardiff and in addition to the live coverage there were free activities on offer throughout the day.

A local tennis professional was on hand to give top tips and skills to members of the public and visitors to the event were able to take to the court and challenge a John McEnroe impersonator.

The celebrations took place on two astro turf pitches equipped with umpire, and tiered seating was erected so that visitors could imagine they were watching the action from centre court.

Before the live finals commenced footage from some of the greatest finals of the past were screened, including highlights from the 2008 Nadal v Federer match, Virginia Wade and Bettie Stove in 1977, and the thrilling Men’s Final played on People’s Monday in 2001 by Ivanesevic and Rafter.

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “To have live coverage of Wimbledon aired on the BBC big screen means that people of all ages can enjoy first class tennis competition.

“Sport.Cardiff’s support of the event furthered the atmosphere in the city centre and gave people the opportunity to try out tennis for themselves.”

Olympic hopeful joined by Pudsey

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 1, 2011

 

 

Olympic archery contender, Amy Oliver was joined by BBC Children In Need star Pudsey Bear on a special visit to St Teilo’s High School last week.

The event saw Amy, Pudsey and the school’s 5×60 archery team photographed for an official 2012 BBC Children in Need charity calendar.

Amy has been keen to show the beneficial effects that the Sport.Cardiff 5×60 programme has had on schools in Cardiff enabling young people to take up sports such as archery.

The initiative encourages young people in Cardiff to be more active by taking part in 60 minutes of exercise five times a week.

It comprises a variety of different activities from which the children choose what they want to participate in. Activities include competitive, team and individual sports as well recreational activities such as climbing, dance and swimming.

The charity calendar is a fundraising project established by Hybu Pobl Ifanc, a young group of volunteers aged 16 to 20 years who dedicate their time to raising money for BBC Children In Need.

Each month features Pudsey taking part in a different sport such as snowboarding at the Manchester snow dome , racing a horse at Ffos Las, playing a game of golf and rafting racing .

Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “I am thrilled that Sport.Cardiff is involved in this project, helping to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

“We are committed to providing a diverse sports provision across the city and the 5X60 programme has given opportunity for young people to become more active and healthy through sport.

“BBC Children in Need is a fantastic charity and Hybu Pobl Ifanc should be praised for their work in raising vital funds for the cause.”

Marc Phillips, Head of BBC Children in Need in Wales, said: “The idea of this calendar has been initiated by young people in Cardiff and is a testimony to their considerable maturity, generosity and professionalism.

“BBC Children in Need is very grateful to them, Sport.Cardiff and to Amy Oliver. The ultimate beneficiaries will be children and young people in Wales who need our help to overcome disadvantage in their lives.”

Hybu Pobl Ifanc consists of a team of over 100 volunteers are based in Cardiff, Newport and Bleanau Gwent and meet up every week throughout the year to organise and take part in various fundraising exercises.