Butetown regeneration scheme provides training opportunities

Posted by Now Cardiff on Dec 13, 2012

A major revamp of the Christina Street area in Butetown is providing local employment opportunities as well as helping to transform the local area.

The project is part of the Butetown regeneration programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council.

The improvements at Christina Street include new pedestrian and parking layouts, better lighting, new garden walls and boundaries, tree planting and landscaping.

The principal contractor appointed by the Council to undertake the scheme is civil engineering company, Alun Griffiths Ltd.  As part of their winning tender bid, Alun Griffiths proposed a community benefits package which included training and employment opportunities.

Working in partnership with Cardiff and Vale College, who run a range of construction skills training courses from their Cardiff Construction Training Centre, Alun Griffiths has implemented a work experience programme for students studying Bricklaying Level 3. Six students have been provided with two weeks work experience in bricklaying on the Christina Street project.

Kevin Robinson, Campus Manager, thinks it has been a great opportunity for students to get practical experience on a ‘live’ construction site just across the road from the College’s Dumballs Road training centre.

He said: “The students have found that the on-site experience complements the training in the classroom.  It has improved their confidence but also helped them to develop the speed of their bricklaying.  It has been a positive experience, with the students being more focussed and more motivated on returning from the placement.”

For one student, Kieron Ellis, his placement at Christina Street has led to a longer-term role with Alun Griffiths on a construction site in Bridgend.  Kieron will work three days a week whilst he completes the final year of his studies.

Gail Jones, Community Liaison Officer for Alun Griffiths Ltd, said: “As a company, we are committed to provide community benefits on all our major contracts. Having the opportunity to link up with local training provider, Cardiff and Vale College, has allowed us to offer practical work placements which will help deliver a skilled workforce for the future.”

As well as the work experience placements, they have also employed Butetown resident, Kahader Suleman as a labourer.  Gail highlighted the benefits for the company as well as the community.   In the case of Kahader, he was able to assist Gail with translation when she was consulting local residents on the plans.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Councillor Lynda Thorne said: “Our Administration is committed to maximising training and employment opportunities for the people of Cardiff. Christina Street is a practical example of how our regeneration programmes are delivering on this commitment. I am pleased that Alun Griffiths has provided these work experience placements. Such opportunities can be an essential first step for young people looking for secure employment in a skilled occupation”.

CARDIFF NEWS: Education Improvement Partnership to boost standards

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 13, 2012

Plans to establish the first Education Improvement Partnership in Wales to transform life chances for pupils, and address concerns about standards of education are to be discussed by Cardiff Council’s Cabinet.

The EIP, which will cover the city’s east schools’ catchment areas and will be made up of representatives from the school, local authority, the community as well as key partners, will focus on improving quality in leadership, teaching and learning with clear emphasis on addressing the causes of under performance, so that pupils have the best possible chances to achieve their potential.

The model, which is being introduced first in the area where there is most need, could be used as a blueprint for improvements across the city.

Proposals to deliver a new secondary school in the east will also be considered by the Cabinet, which will be determined after a full public consultation. The previous suggestion to build on the site of the Eastern Leisure Centre has been ruled out by the Cabinet and will not be an option.

Cabinet Member for Education, Lifelong Learning and Libraries Cllr Julia Magill said: “It’s crucial that education standards in the east of the city are addressed and raised without further delay. Both schools have dedicated staff and Governing Bodies who have worked hard, however, there is a real need for a fresh approach which must begin at the earliest opportunity to ensure we are helping pupils achieve their full potential.

“Previous plans to address the issues in the east have all fallen by the wayside but the time to act is now and we cannot wait until we build a new school to start the process of turning these schools around which is why we need an Education Improvement Partnership which will involve representatives from the schools, the community and other key organisations to work together to start making a real difference.”

Previous proposals to build a new school in the east of the city have so far failed leaving two schools with falling rolls in poor accommodation and while a long term approach to establish a brand new school on a suitable site, with both academic and vocational provision for over 16s has already begun, there is a need for immediate action to raise school standards and performance in the east of the city, before this new school is built. The previous suggestion to build on the site of the Eastern Leisure Centre has been ruled out by the Cabinet and will not be an option.

An EIP would enable the Council to tackle the causes of educational under-performance and place resources and decision making at the heart of the community in the east of the city in order to ensure students have every opportunity to achieve the best of their potential.

It is planned that the EIP will gradually transfer pupils from poor accommodation in Llanrumney High School to Rumney High School. If the Cabinet agrees with the proposals a full public consultation will take place which will help and inform the plans as they move forward.

Cllr Magill continued: “We want to work with schools, parents and other professionals and also the wider community to develop sustainable long-term arrangements for schools in the east of the city. It is important that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential, supported by the right environment and culture.”

A Grand Medieval Mêlée breaks out at Cardiff Castle

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 13, 2012

Take an amazing journey back in time to the sights and smells of castle life some 700 years ago at the Grand Medieval Mêlée on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 August 10.30am – 5.30pm.

Knights in shining armour, amazing falconry displays and adventures with dragons await the crowds. The Castle Green, transformed into a medieval tented village, will be teeming with life with re-enactors going about their daily chores, cooking, sewing and preparing for battle.  Clashing armour and the sound of crossed swords will echo through the site as the knights take each other on in realistic combat displays. A highlight of the day will be the falconry show, with birds of prey swooping through the site, arriving on the gauntlet of the expert falconer with amazing speed and precision.

For children there is the chance to be a prince or princess for the day, dress up in authentic costumes, take part in the sword fighting school, Have- A-Go archery, or try out some juggling skills.  The story-teller, Dylan Adams will also be here to enthral with tales of the real and mythical characters that inhabited these times.  An appearance by a huge dragon is certain to create mischief on the day, with children invited to join the procession through the site.

Councillor Huw Thomas, Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, commented “Cardiff Castle has a 2000-year history to tell, and this event is an excellent example of how the castle team bring that story to life and make it meaningful and entertaining for visitors of all ages.”

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

Free fitness day across the city

Posted by Now Cardiff on Apr 30, 2012

Cardiff Council is offering people the chance to try out fitness taster sessions at leisure centres across the city, absolutely free of charge!

The free fitness days are taking place throughout the months of April and May with five leisure centres offering a selection of group fitness classes for people to participate in.

Western, Llanishen, Channel View, Star and Eastern Leisure centres will host a variety of fun group fitness sessions such as Zumba, Spin, Circuits, Aerobics, Pilates and Boxercise to name a few, to showcase the diverse and varied exercise options they regularly have on offer.

During the free fitness day visitors will be also be able to take advantage of a fantastic discount on the committed membership to the Active Card, the Council’s leisure membership scheme which allows people to commit to paying the same price for their Active Leisure membership for as long as they remain members of the scheme.

If they sign up on the day they will be given the special offer of one month free, a huge saving of £32.

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