Parc Penallta near Caerphilly is the site for Wales’ heavist Easter Egg type installation…
“Breaking the Mould” by Andrew McKeown was installed in approximately 2000 as part of the Groundwork Organisation’s “Changing Places” programme whereby 21 projects on former industrial sites through out England and Wales were developed for the community for the 21st Century. Each one of these projects having their own sculpture.
The sculpture is set in the splendid Parc Penallta, formerly a mining tip linked to the nearby Penallta Colliery. There are other sculptures nearby including an entrance feature by Andrew Rowe. More on these later.
Enjoy the Easter Egg sculpture in the Gallery here.
Eisiau diwrnod allan i’r holl deulu’n rhad ac am ddim?
Dewch i Ffair Nadolig Menter Caerffili ym Maenordy Llancaiach Fawr ar y 30ain Tachwedd 2008.
Bydd yna gweithgareddau celf a chrefft i blant, dros 30 o stondinau gan fusnesau lleol, perfformiadau gan ysgolion lleol ac ymweliad gan Sion Corn!
Dyma’r manylion:
30ain Tachwedd 2008,
11yb-4yh Maenordy Llancaiach Fawr, Nelson
Mynediad am ddim
Nid oes llawer o lefydd i barcio yn Llancaiach Fawr, felly bydd Bws Wennol am ddim yn rhedeg o Somerfield, Nelson, i’r Ffair.
Easily Wales’ most DRAMatic sculpture is Andy Hazell’s Wheel of Drams near the Hengoed Viaduct, Maesycwmmer, a village near Caerphilly.
Andy Hazell was commissioned to create a landmark sculpture to celebrate the refurbishment of the Hengoed Viaduct and its inclusion into the National Cycle Network. Wheel of Drams is a dramatic eight metre high circular sculpture of six curved steel coal drams that commemorate the original haulage companies that operated on the goods line that passed over the viaduct. The circular shape also represents the move from the route being used by coal drams to bicycles.
Although this is an eye-catching landmark sculpture it is slowly being obscured by trees growing in front of it.
See the Full Set of Photos here
Added Machen War Memorial to the Gallery
here.
John Rawlins maintains a website dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Great War. From his website he writes : “Machen is a small village in South Wales that is situated half-way between the larger towns of Caerphilly and Newport
In 1914, the Parish of Machen comprised the villages of Upper and Lower Machen and Rhyd-y-Gwern. The combined population of the Parish was around 2,500. Like many similar villages in Wales, the impact of the Great War on the village of Machen must have been enormous. By mid 1916 there were over one hundred and fifty local men in the armed services, by the end of the war the figure would have been far greater. The loss of the 29 men who died was a massive blow to a small village community. It is to their memory that this site is dedicated.”
Photos from
Caerphilly war memorial are now available in the Gallery.
The memorial is situated in the town centre, near a busy junction. It has the spectacular backdrop of Caerphilly Castle.
The memorial was unveiled in 1922 by the Earl of Plymouth.
In the photograph : an unusual bronze relief which forms part of the war memorial
A feathery delegation from Aberdare Park’s Ministry of Silly Walks recently flew southwards to Caerphilly to discuss a possible ‘twinning arrangement’.
The Aberdarian delegation were keen to tread carefully near Caerphilly Castle, home to a much larger population of Canada Geese and other wild fowl.
Caerphilly Castle is one of the largest fortresses of its type in Europe and was built around 1268.
The local population of wild birds enjoy a spectacular backdrop and are very proud of their own brand of Silly Walks.
Forget the Monty Python joke about Cheesemakers…
Aberdare Blog discovers two real cheesemakers from Caerphilly…
Pictured : Julie (on left) and daughter-in-law Helen from Caerphilly
Helen and Julie are familiar faces at Farmers Markets across South Wales selling their tasty homemade craft items, including their legendary speciality cheese balls.
“Helen came from Canada and married my son,” explains Julie. “She brought her Canadian ideas and flair for cooking with her. We use local ingredients for our homemade craft items… and what better to use in Caerphilly than cheese.”
The cheese balls are a mixture of soft and hard cheeses, crushed in with various toppings, black pepper, walnut, cranberry and many other tasty treats. They are gaining quite a reputation and following across South Wales. We asked for the recipe but was told “it’s top secret… a Welsh Canadian recipe!”
The family-run business own a health-food shop in Caerphilly called The Source - see the website at http://www.healthstore24.co.uk/ – in the middle of Caerphilly town. For the Christmas season, Julie and Helen will be selling speciality packs of cheeses, flat bread, and other homemade craft foods.
You can see them at many local Farmers Markets, and they hope to be at Penderyn Farmers Market on 26th November 2006 10am until 2pm at the Community Centre Penderyn.
The Welsh Assembly Government will be lowering the drawbridge to some of Wales’ historic monuments and letting visitors in for free on March 1st to celebrate our national day and the official opening of the new Assembly Debating Chamber in Cardiff.
On St David’s Day, entry to 12 of Cadw’s properties will be free. Those historic monuments participating are Beaumaris Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Castell Coch, Conwy Castle, Harlech Castle, Caerleon Roman Fortress Baths, Caerphilly Castle, Chepstow Castle, Raglan Castle, Tintern Abbey, Kidwelly Castle and St David’s Bishop’s Palace.
Alun Pugh said: “As well as being St David’s Day, March 1st will be an extra special day this year. The new Debating Chamber is a landmark building for Wales and as this will be an important day for the whole of Wales, it is fitting that people are able to visit other landmark buildings, which have played such an important part in Welsh history and culture.”
Dean Kemp from Caerphilly has now launched an official Caerphilly Freecycle group.
Dean is an enthusiastic recycler who has recycled many things on Cardiff Freecycle group.
Caerphilly Freecycle is in excellent hands… so here’s wishing them all the best.
Menter Iaith Sir Caerffili’s Christmas Fair
Saturday 26th Nov 2005
10.00am – 4.00pm Free parking and entry to Christmas Fair
Llancaiach Fawr near Caerphilly
This year for the first time, Menter Iaith Sir Caerffili are holding a
Christmas Fair at the beautiful location of Llancaiach Fawr manor.
You’ll have an opportunity to purchase Welsh gifts and produce in a wonderful location without the hustle and bustle of the high street. The fair will be opened by Roy Noble radio presenter.
There will be a wide range of activities to keep the children busy and for good children a chance to personally hand deliver their letter to Santa.
Visitors are invited to browse around the stalls while listening to performances by local pupils and Carwyn Fowler the folk harpist. A chance to enter a free prize draw for a christmas tree.
Come along to see what delights are on offer!
Organised by Menter Iaith Sir Caerffili
Contact Telephone for Menter Iaith Caerffilli [01443] 820913
