Young and old share skills to mark older persons day

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 31, 2012

Cardiff Council in partnership with Cardiff’s Older Person’s Forum and Cardiff’s Ethnic Minority Elders Group is marking Older Person’s Day on Monday 1st October with a number of events to help people think differently about older people, in particular, to challenge stereotypes and to share skills and experience.

The first of the activities, an intergenerational street dance session arranged in partnership with Sport Cardiff, takes place during lunchtime on Friday 28th September at Fitzalan High School in Cardiff. The session aims to highlight how different generations can learn from each other by getting younger people to teach older people to street dance.

On Monday 1st October, an event will take place at Peter Lea Primary School to celebrate an Intergenerational Project in which older people shared stories from their own lives with pupils at both Peter Lea Primary School and Ysgol Gyfun Plasmawr – many focusing on World War Two and other events that happened when they were children themselves. Older volunteers worked with pupils on creative projects to retell their stories through music, art and drama. The result of their efforts will be shown at the celebratory event and attended by Cardiff West Assembly Member, Mark Drakeford, and Cardiff Council Cabinet Member, Luke Holland

A session at Cardiff’s International White Water Rafting Centre takes place on Thursday 4th October when 10 lucky volunteers who attend will be able to experience the thrills of rafting at Cardiff’s award winning centre. The event is free with all equipment supplied by the centre and experts on hand to offer advice and assistance.

The final event is an opportunity for members to attend a Tea Dance hosted by Stan Stennett at St David’s Hall on Friday 5th October from 1.30pm.

The benefits of the activities can be significant for all involved. They:

* encourage older people to remain active as they age, remaining engaged with society and feeling valued. This in turn can help tackle the increasing isolation and loneliness experienced by many older people

* encourage children and young people to become active and involved citizens. Working across generations can address the negativity felt by adults towards young people and produce better motivated and more successful young people

* bring the young and the old together to learn from and about each other. By sharing skills and experiences, we can increase understanding and respect between younger and older generations.”

Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, Health & Wellbeing, Councillor Luke Holland, said: “Older people make an enormous contribution to our society and I am keen to promote positive initiatives to combat stereotyping and age discrimination. In addition, community safety is a key concern for many older people. Therefore, projects that make people feel safer are increasingly important. People get to know each other better so they are less fearful. Also, by working together, young and older people’s groups are able to plan how their neighbourhoods can become safer and reduce the risk of the young offending.”

Rumour has it …The Romans are Returning to Cardiff Castle

Posted by Now Cardiff on May 14, 2012

The might of the Roman army returns to the Castle on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May – a vivid flashback to when the site was once a Roman Fort teeming with soldiers and civilians over 2,000 years ago.

A great family weekend is promised with a series of dramatic military displays by soldiers in full authentic costume, a Roman version of ‘Ready Steady Cook’, mini – gladiator games for children and the chance to march with a Roman soldier.  Plus, everyday Roman life will be on display too with a close look at the ‘Day in the Life of a Roman Woman’ and the latest news on all the fashion trends.

With dramatic demonstrations of sophisticated fighting techniques and battle tactics, artillery and a working bolt thrower, it will be easy to appreciate how the Romans were such a formidable force and how they were able to establish control of Cardiff.

For centuries, Cardiff Castle’s Roman past remained hidden and forgotten beneath banks of earth until 1888 when the 3rd Marquess of Bute’s workmen made an amazing discovery and uncovered the original stone wall of the Roman fort.  Such was the excitement, Lord Bute, a rich and scholarly patron, ordered that the Roman walls be reconstructed. The walls you see today surrounding Cardiff Castle mark the footprint of the Roman fort and the original stonework is clearly identified by being outlined in red sandstone.

This weekend’s event, with all its action, sights and sounds will be a great way to celebrate the legacy of the Romans at Cardiff Castle.

The Romans Return

Sat 19 May – Sun 20 May, 10am – 5pm
Cardiff Castle Grounds
Special event ticket: Adults £4.50; Seniors £3.75; Children £3 (under 5s free)
Cardiff Castle Key holders and Season Ticket holders: £2 (Adults), £1 (Children)
For full details of all Cardiff Castle events and the 2012 programme visit www.cardiffcastle.com

Community Fun Day planned for Gabalfa and Mynachdy

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 5, 2011

A free community fun day is planned for this Saturday (July 9) at Lydstep Park between 11am and 3pm.

The event marks the end of the first annual Gabalfa and Mynachdy festival, a series of fun and informative events which are taking place throughout the week (Monday 4 July to Friday 8 July) to showcase the facilities, services and talents that exist in the local area.

The 23 different activities include Pedal Picnic, which encourages family members to pack a picnic and get on their bikes for a group bike ride, The “Gabalfa’s Got Talent” community talent show and a special library event for the under fives with songs, stories and a special appearance by the Bookstart Bear.

There are family arts and crafts sessions, allotment tours, a sports day and a local history event for people to enjoy.

All the events are open to the public and everyone is welcome to come along and attend.

The jam packed week of exciting events will culminate on Saturday with the Fun Day which will boast a range of activities including a bouncy castle, stalls and face painting.

Executive Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Judith Woodman said: “It is fantastic that local people living in Gabalfa and Mynachdy can come together and enjoy what their community has to offer.

“The schedule of events that have been planned for the week enable people of all ages to engage in different activities and meet other local people whilst promoting their neighbourhood and the groups and facilities available.”