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.

Have your say on the future of Flat Holm

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 18, 2012

The historic Flat Holm island is being reviewed by Cardiff Council and they want to hear what YOU have to say about it.

The Council want to hear from the public about their views and experiences of Flat Holm Island.

Cardiff’s Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee will be investigating the way Flat Holm Island is run and is inviting the public to have their say.

“If you have a view please email scrutinyviewpoints@cardiff.gov.uk and your comments will be considered as a part of the investigations.”

Councillor Craig Williams, Chair of the Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee

Flat Holm, just five miles from Cardiff and Barry, is steeped in history which dates back to Anglo Saxon and Viking times.

Among the historic buildings on the island are a lighthouse built in 1737; Victorian and World War II gun emplacements, a former Cholera hospital and fog horn station buildings.

The island is also Local Nature Reserve, Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area, because of the maritime grassland and rare plants such as Rock Sea-Lavender and Wild Leek.

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WELSH RUGBY NEWS: Cardiff Blues name side for RaboDirect opener

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 31, 2012

Cardiff Blues kick off their RaboDirect campaign against Connacht in Galway this Saturday

Something has to give in the west of Ireland as both Connacht and Cardiff Blues have begun with an opening weekend victory for the past two seasons.

The Blues have a good record against the Irish province, having only lost once to them since 2005: 18-16 at the Galway Sportsground on 18 September 2009.

Connacht, however, achieved their highest tournament finishing position last season (8th), and won three of their last four games and have lost only one of their last six matches at the Sportsground: 16-20 to Munster in March.

Speaking ahead of the match Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies said,

“We are looking forward to the start of the season, after a pretty gruelling pre season in many ways, the players have worked very hard to be fair to them.”

“The fitness standards that are needed for regional rugby are high and the players have all worked to achieve that standard.”

“Connacht are a pretty solid team and Dan Parks is now there.”

“I’m not sure if Dan is playing as he has suffered an injury but they have a pretty-workmen-like team and I have had experience myself over there with the Scarlets.”

“So I know how tough they are there and we are expecting a tough game.”

“A lot of work has been carried out over the summer to improve all our team system and hopefully that focus will be there Saturday and then there for the next 21 games after that.”

“We have about nine players out injured now with Czekaj added to the list.”

“Rhys Patchell is out injured with a bang on the shoulder from last week against Bath.”

“He has done exceptionally well for a young man and Jason Tovey has been unwell all week.”

“Michael Paterson is out with a shoulder injury and Scott Andrews is out with a knee injury but should be back next week .”

“We are also missing Ryan Harford, Sam Hobbs and Cooper-Woodlley from the front row.”

“Dafydd Hewitt is also out injured for this week but he is back training and should be ok for next week.”

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Cardiff City 1-0 Huddersfield

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 17, 2012

Cardiff City kicked off the new season with a 1-0 win over Championship new boys Huddersfield.

An injury time strike by Skipper Mark Hudson denied the Terriers a deserved point at the Cardiff City Stadium, with all three points handed to red strip clad City in a match that seemed set to end in frustration for the home team.

City manager, Malky Mackay, made ten changes to the side that went down to Northampton, with only Helguson surviving the cull.

It was Huddersfield who started the better, with Cardiff seemingly ill at ease in their red and black strip and it was not until the 20th minutes that Mutch had a glimpse of a chance for the home side. Indeed it was only the acrobatics of keeper Marshall that saved Cardiff from embarrassment after Norwood struck a beautiful volley in the sixth minute only to see Marshall tip it away with a creditable display of agility.

The Cardiff midfield was well corralled by the Huddersfield markers, causing the home side to pump balls over their creative players, Whittingham and Bellamy to Helguson up front, a tactic that left the Terriers defence in some comfort.

In the sixty-fourth minute, Helguson had a peach of chance, only to see the excellent Peter Clarke deny him what seemed like a simple tap-in.

Cardiff turned up the heat in the last twenty minutes with McNaughton almost benefitting from Bellamy’s pull back, then Mason shot high and wide before Hudson slotted in to give City the points.

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.”