The Great British Cheese Festival  returns to the splendid setting of Cardiff Castle on September 24 and 25 (tickets: 029 20 230 130 and www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk), and this year visitors have a greater opportunity to meet their makers with around 25 SCA members, such as J&E Montgomery, Stichelton, Two Hoots and FW Read and Sons, and award-winning cheeses such as Lincolnshire Poacher, Cornish Yarg and Barkham Blue.

James Montgomery of the SCA said:

The SCA stand is in Britain biggest cheese market alongside the many other cheese makers from across Britain. The festival also features a programme of over 20 inspirational master classes and demonstrations on the arts of the artisan cheese maker and the best way to eat the fine foodstuff that will seriously enhance your cheese knowledge.

Recognised as one of Frommer’s 300 Unmissable Events and Festivals Around the World, the event also features:
*       Britain’s Biggest Cheese Market

*       The True Taste of Wales Market with both traditional and new Welsh food and drink

*       The Best of British Market for foodies everywhere

*       The Cardiff Arms containing the best ales and ciders selected by CAMRA

*       Entertainment on the Castle Green featuring the World Cheese Tossing Championships and Cheese Skittles!

Cardiff Councillor Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture said: “We work very closely with the Specialist Cheesemakers Association and this year there will be an even greater number of their artisan producers at the show, providing a very popular and tasty attraction for our many thousands of visitors.”

Also available, of course, are the medal winners from the British Cheese Awards taking place once again in Cardiff on the eve of the festival.

The location of the festival in the grounds of Cardiff Castle gives visitors the chance to explore its history and tour the Castle Apartments during the weekend, while enjoying everything the Welsh capital has to offer, from the bars and restaurants on the waterfront of Cardiff Bay to the iconic Wales Millennium Centre arts venue, and  the magnificent St David’s Dewi Sant shopping centre, containing the largest John Lewis store outside London, plus Cardiff’s ornate Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades filled with specialist shops and boutiques.

www.greatbritishcheesefestival.co.uk

Become a history detective and join the Holiday History Club at Cardiff Castle where children can delve a bit deeper into the past.  Each session will cover a particular period with themed games, trails and craft activities.  Amongst the activities planned will be the chance to dress up as a Roman soldier, see what life was like as medieval knight, help with some household Victorian chores or visit the Castle’s Wartime Shelters for a taste of life on the Home Front.  Entertaining, informative and great fun, these activities will make the summer fly past:

July 28 – Roman

Aug 4 – Medieval

Aug 11 – Tudor

Aug 18 – Victorian

Aug 25 – WWII – Home Front

All sessions start at 10.30am and run until 1pm.  Please note anyone arriving late may miss part or all of an activity.

Children can choose to join the Holiday Club for just one day or attend every week, but places must be booked in advance as numbers are limited.

Tickets:  £10 per session per child.  (One free adult place for up to 3 child tickets)    Please note children do need to be accompanied by an adult.  Not suitable for under 7s

For tickets call: 029 2087 8100

Walking the grounds will be Lord Bute and genius architect, William Burges, planning their radical alterations to the Castle, and within the house meet the maids and butlers who were part of the Bute household staff.    

Victorian parlour games for children, a Magic Lantern show,  croquet on the lawn and brass band music conjure up the atmosphere of this bygone era.          

Free entry if you come in costume yourself, plus there will be a prize for the best adult and child’s outfit.   

Castle Grounds
Normal admission applies
Free to Cardiff Castle Passholders

Special event ticket*: Adults £3.95; Seniors £3.25; Children £2.50

The beautifully decorated apartments adorned with all the Christmas trimmings, the table set in the Banqueting Hall in preparation for a lavish Christmas feast, the carol singers in the Library and the aroma of mulled wine makes for a wonderfully nostalgic start to Christmas.  And of course, Santa is in residence too, settled in his comfortable armchair, with time to chat and a present for every child.

The tour around the House, in the company of one of the Bute family’s housekeeping staff, in full Victorian costume, offers a glimpse of Christmas past.  One of the richest families in the world, the Bute family celebrated Christmas at Cardiff Castle. Hear about the detailed household preparations, the Christmas rituals and the Bute family traditions.

By way of contrast, ‘Christmas Present’ will be in full swing in the Castle’s Interpretation Centre, with letter writing to Santa and Christmas music from local school choirs.

The perfect appetiser to the Christmas season, last year’s Victorian Christmas Tours sold out completely, so the advice is to book as early as you can for this year’s treat.

• Victorian Christmas Tours
• Limited availability

• Sunday 6 December – Tuesday 8 December
• Saturday 12 December – Tuesday 15 December

• Times: from 4.45pm
• Adults: £10.50; Children (2-18) £7.50; Under 2s free

• Tickets now on sale
• To book call the Castle Ticket Office on 029 2087 8100

For further details visit www.cardiffcastle.com

Sir Tasker's daughter: Lady Mair Griffith-Williams unveiled the statue

A bronze statue of Sir Tasker Watkins, VC, has been unveiled today (Sunday 15 November) at the Millennium Stadium in the heart of Cardiff as a permanent memorial to one of the most accomplished Welshmen of the late 20th century.

It will stand in prominence on the elevated section of the main stadium entrance in Westgate Street where hundreds of thousands of visitors pass by throughout the year when major events and games are staged.

The bronze statue was unveiled today by his daughter, Lady Mair Griffith-Williams at a ceremony following a march past by troops and the band from the 2nd battalion of the Royal Welsh Regiment.

More than 150 VIPs attended the ceremony including the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas, The Archbishop of Wales and Major General R J M Porter.

The Welsh Rugby Union was represented by President, Dennis Gethin, Chairman David Pickering and Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis.

Sir Tasker Watkins, who died in September 2007 aged 88, was widely regarded as one of the most influential Welshmen of the late 20th century and achieved global recognition for his achievements in several fields of individual endeavour.

Sir Tasker Watkins - one of Wales's greatest heroes

His rise to prominence in rugby administration and the law was achieved after his reputation was secured by a wartime act of bravery which earned him the Victoria Cross for exceptional valour.

He was President of the Welsh Rugby Union from 1993 until 2004 during 11 years which saw the game turn professional, the four Welsh Regions formed and the Millennium Stadium built.

As an accomplished barrister he rose through the judiciary to achieve one of the highest legal positions in the UK when he became the Deputy Chief Justice of England and Wales.

Throughout his life he retained a close and proud association and affinity with Glamorgan Wanderers RFC on the outskirts of Cardiff.

A military march began at Cardiff Castle today, through Westgate Street and to the Millennium Stadium where troops formed a guard of honour at the unveiling ceremony.

Lady Mair Griffith-Williams said: “”I am very proud that my father has been commemorated by this wonderful statue and particularly pleased it is here at the Millennium Stadium. The family is extremely grateful to everyone who has made this possible.”

The concept for a statue at the Millennium Stadium began when Cardiff based businessmen, Mr Stanley Thomas Senior and Sir Stanley Thomas, championed the idea which was then commissioned by the Welsh Rugby Union, the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff County Council.

WRU President, Dennis Gethin, said: “This statue is a fitting tribute to a Welshman who achieved such distinction through his involvement in the military, the law and rugby.

“His endeavours displayed astonishing courage, a remarkable intellect, profound wisdom and a sense of honour which earned him the respect of all who met him.

“This statue will serve as a signal to future generations that the dignity and humanity he always displayed are values all of us must strive to emulate throughout our lives.

“I am lucky to have counted Sir Tasker as a friend and, like everyone else who knew him, I was influenced by his example and humbled by his courtesy and caring nature.

“The impact he had on the professional, legal, sporting and cultural life of Wales cannot be underestimated and must be remembered by history.”

The First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, said: “Sir Tasker was a unique individual, and I stand by my belief that he was truly one of the outstanding Welshmen of the 20th century.

“The £25,000 funding from the Assembly Government towards his statue will ensure that Sir Tasker’s remarkable contribution to Welsh rugby and his services as a soldier and judge will never be forgotten, just as he never forgot his roots in the heart of the Welsh Valleys.

“When people visit the Millennium Stadium, they will look up to him as an iconic example of a man who was both gifted and determined, but at the same time, courageous and humble. Now Wales can continue to be inspired by his legacy for years to come.”

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said: “Sir Tasker’s lifetime of service to his country in so many different roles; war hero, lawyer, judge and sports administrator, is unparalleled.

“This statue, sited so closely to the national home of the game he loved, is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary man.”

The bronze statue of Sir Tasker stands nine foot high on a concrete plinthe above the ramp at ground entrance three to the Millennium Stadium.

It was sculpted by the Llantwit Major based artist, Roger Andrews, who has built an international reputation as a sculptor of human figures and landmark buildings.

He said: “This is by far the most thrilling project I have ever been involved in.

“I am so pleased that this statue of such a famous and well respected Welshman will be permanently housed outside the home of rugby here in Wales.

“If I never completed another work I am certain this is the one sculpture I passionately wanted to create.

“In order to achieve a true likeness of the man I have spoken to many of his friends and family because I wanted to capture his character as well as his physical likeness.

“Everyone I have talked to has spoken in awe of Sir Tasker who was clearly a great Welshman and also a genuinely likeable individual.”

The wheel celebrates the opening of the new John Lewis store in Cardiff and marks a new era for shopping in Cardiff. The Welsh branch is the biggest John Lewis opened outside of London and is the anchor of the new St David’s development.

Standing as tall as three double decker buses, the wheel boasts 24 heated, waterproof, enclosed gondolas that can accommodate up to 6 passengers on a 10 minute flight.

From the top of the wheel passengers will be able to spot the city’s best known sites, including Cardiff Castle and the Millennium Stadium.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “The John Lewis Wheel is a great Christmas attraction and this year the wheel will be fully waterproof so can be enjoyed whatever the weather.

“The wheel offers the best seat in the house with spectacular views of bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland and across the capital city.”

Liz Mihell, managing director of John Lewis Cardiff said: “We wanted to make a big impact for the people of Cardiff during our first Christmas and it seemed fitting to link up with the big Wheel and Winter Wonderland. I can’t wait to jump aboard.”

For more information on bmibaby Cardiff Winter Wonderland, including tickets news, session details and entertainment listings visit www.bmibabycardiffwinterwonderland.com