Cardiff Cross Challenge Returns to the City for the Sixteenth Year

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jan 29, 2013

Cardiff has successfully hosted the 16th annual McCain Cross Challenge this month.

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.

Keeping Cardiff moving through the winter

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jan 22, 2013

Cardiff Council has plans in place to ensure the city is kept moving during severe winter weather such as tomorrow’s predicted snow.

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,

Bute Park Education Centre Celebrates its First Birthday

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 19, 2012

This month Bute Park will celebrate the first anniversary of its Education Centre.

The unique facility, which was officially opened last year, provides a venue for a range of educational and nature-based craft activities, and also lets families pick up a variety of guided trails and activities to go out and use in the park itself.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “In the last 12 months the Education Centre has already reached out to large numbers of people in the community, giving them the opportunity to understand more about the park’s rich history and wildlife.

“As well as being a venue where schools, community and educational groups can further their learning about the park, it also gives an insight into the work that goes into creating the floral displays across our city through its views out over the Council’s working plant nursery.. .

Unsurprisingly, it has also proved to be a popular and distinctive venue for organisations and businesses to hire as an inspirational alternative to regular meeting rooms and conference centres.

“The Education Centre has been a welcome addition to Bute Park and already has established itself as an important facility which will continue to be well used by the people of Cardiff.”

The centre, set behind a new garden wall, plays on the concept of a ‘secret garden’ and is accessed through a large, beautifully carved oak door. The panels of the door were specially designed by local wood carvers as part of the ‘’People’s Door’’ competition and help tell the park’s history through imagery.

Cardiff Council’s award-winning horticultural apprentice scheme also uses the centre as a training resource for staff and visiting students.

Over 35 different groups and organisations have chosen to use the centre for a diverse range of functions including workshops, team building, training sessions, meetings, book launches, conferences and children’s events, all of which help sustain the free public use of the facility.

Regular events include the Friends of Bute Park’s Wildlife days, talks and lectures on the history or wildlife of Bute Park, as well as botanical art classes. ‘Painting in the Park’ is run by local artists Christine Wilson and Louise Young and offers people the chance to improve their technique in botanical illustration in the park’s beautiful setting.

Louise said: "The Education Centre is beautifully situated for classes like ours, surrounded by the park and looking out on the plant nursery.

“The peaceful atmosphere of the building encourages creativity and learning and having the lovely cafe close at hand is much appreciated by our students.”

Over 3000 members of the public have utilised the facility since it opened its doors free of charge on weekends and school holidays last February.

Cardiff once more steps into Christmas

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 3, 2012

With less than 100 days to go before Christmas Day the countdown to the festive season has truly begun.

Christmas celebrations in Cardiff will once again be full of sparkle with the return of ‘Step into Christmas’.

‘Step into Christmas’ is an innovative event to mark the official start to Christmas in the city.

On Thursday, November 15 between 4 – 8pm the city centre will come alive with an array of festive entertainment for the young and the young at heart.

Step into Christmas will offer an action packed programme of entertainment for all the family set against the glittering spectacle of Cardiff’s Christmas lights.

Last year thousands of people enjoyed the entertainment across the city centre and created a truly magical night

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: ”Step into Christmas is a unique Christmas celebration which interacts with crowds around the city centre.

“The walkabout entertainment continues to be a crowd pleaser in Cardiff and is a format that the events team have been developing for a number of our big events including the Cardiff Harbour Festival.

“Step into Christmas puts the city centre at the focus for Christmas celebrations and provides the ideal opportunity for people to discover the great shopping opportunities available, from the Victorian arcades to the markets and the high street names Cardiff is a one stop shop for Christmas presents and Christmas cheer.”

Entertainment will be city centre wide, including Queen Street, The Hayes, and Trinity Street as well as around the Castle Quarter in High Street and St John Street.

Following ‘Step into Christmas’, Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland with Admiral Open Air Ice Rink will open on November 22. Now in its 12th year the festive favourite which is situated in Cardiff’s iconic Civic Centre will run up until January 6, 2013 and with more than six weels of skating on offer this is a must do Christmas experience.

Ceri Assiratti, Head of People Services at Admiral said, “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Admiral Open Air Ice Rink again this year. Cardiff at Christmas time is a truly magical place to be and we hope everyone enjoys the Winter Wonderland and everything else the City has to offer over the festive period.”

Tickets go on sale on Tuesday 2 October 2012 via Ticketlineuk 02920 230 130 or visit www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com’

Another festive highlight at Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is the spectacular Star Ride. This thrilling 60m high spinning chair ride, which is returning for its second year and gives visitors spectacular panoramic views of our capital city, is the only one of its kind in the UK.

Throughout the Christmas period Winter Wonderland will host a number of events including the ever popular ‘Calennig’ the city’s traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations.

For more information on Winter Wonderland including how to buy tickets visit www.cardiffswinterwonderland.com

Bute Park through to the final of Lottery Best Heritage Project awards

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 25, 2012

Cardiff’s very own Bute Park has succeeded in getting through to the final of the 2012 National Lottery Award under the category Best Heritage Project, but it needs your help to win!

The National Lottery Awards are an annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects and aim to celebrate and recognise the difference that those projects have made to people, places and communities all across the UK.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “For the Bute Park Restoration Project to make the final for this national award is fantastic news both for those working in the park as well the people of Cardiff.

“Lottery funding has helped transform the park into a must-visit destination at the heart of Cardiff’s city centre and it is a great tribute to the many people who are working hard to transform Bute Park into a place of heritage, education and enjoyment.

“This is a great achievement for the city and I would like to encourage people to vote for this project –it’ll only take a few clicks online. This puts Cardiff on the map and recognises what a fantastic attraction we have at the heart of our city.”

The Bute Park Restoration Project is one of only three projects to make it through in the Best Heritage Project category as a result of public votes, in the annual search to find the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects.

The final will be televised on the BBC One National Lottery Draw Show.

Please support Bute Park by voting. Either call 0844 836 9711 or log on to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards. Voting ends at midnight on Sunday 28 October.

The Bute Park Restoration Project has transformed Cardiff’s largest city centre park into a place celebrated by the city’s residents and visitors alike.

The project, supported by a new flourishing friends group, has preserved the park’s unique heritage while creating educational and recreational opportunities.

The project has enhanced the parks historical features, provided new facilities, widened access and has helped tell the park’s stories.

Bute Park has a listed building, famous listed boundary wall, historic waterways and a scheduled ancient monument; the park’s medieval Friary site, all of which are being restored and interpreted as part of the project.

There are also many opportunities for community involvement and examples of several great projects to date including the work of the park’s regular litter champions, clearance of invasive species by volunteer groups, and clearance of litter from the park’s waterways.

Exciting new facilities developed through the project support in-house training of horticultural staff and apprentices, offer educational visits, provide a wealth of guides and information for family and tourist visits to the park, and provide refreshments and toilet facilities.

Lottery funding has helped restore the iconic Animal Wall, build a new outdoor eatery echoing the style of an old park Summerhouse, build a new education centre and transform the old park keeper’s lodge into a tea room, gift shop and art gallery.

Improved pathways, benches, bins and signage have also been provided through the project.