Welcome to the last update of the week from Cardiff Council, covering: Cardiff Castle lights up in response to global coronavirus pandemic; latest on the reopening of play areas and outdoor gyms; another Hub reopens on Monday; and celebrating all things silly with the Summer Reading Challenge.
Cardiff castle lights up in response to global coronavirus pandemic
On Thursday night, Cardiff Castle was illuminated in support of the Disasters Emergency Committee's Coronavirus Appeal, which is raising money to help the world's most fragile states threatened by Covid-19.
The appeal, which was launched on Tuesday (14 July), brings together 7 leading charities in Wales, who are already on the ground in places like Yemen, Syria, and South Sudan, helping communities to tackle the deadly coronavirus threat.
Councillor Huw Thomas, the Leader of Cardiff Council, said: "In Cardiff, we are blessed in having strong and diverse communities, communities that have come together to support each other through the current coronavirus pandemic. However, many of our residents come from places where coronavirus will have a devastating impact.
"War-torn fragile places such as Yemen, Syria and South Sudan where millions of lives are at stake as Covid-19 hits. As someone who has first-hand experience of the work that DEC members do, I know that every penny raised from the Coronavirus Appeal will reach those most in need.
"I'm very happy to see our magnificent castle here in Cardiff, being used to help aid this appeal. Let's come together, in Cardiff and throughout Wales, to show our solidarity and support for our neighbours overseas, and give them the best opportunity to deal with coronavirus."
Across Wales, the appeal has already received widespread support, with Wales' First Minister, Mark Drakeford, releasing a video message earlier this week.
It is hoped that the appeal, which is being matched by the UK government through the Department of International Development's Aid Match scheme, will help some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities access vital supplies and handwashing facilities.
The Chair of the DEC in Wales, Rachel Cable from Oxfam Cymru, has urged the people of Wales to back the appeal, adding:
"Wales is a small nation but has a big heart. Please support this appeal with a donation, however big or small, as soon as you can."
Donate to the DEC Emergency Appeal at:
Via text: Text HELPU to 70150 to donate £10 or on 0370 60 60 900.
Please send cheques to DEC Coronavirus Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.
Latest on the reopening of play areas and outdoor gyms
30 children's play areas in Cardiff will be re-opened on Monday (20thJuly) following the removal of Welsh Government restrictions on their use.
All nine of the city's outdoor gyms will also re-open on Monday.
Play areas are being opened on phased basis, following a safety first approach and with a view to ensuring that children across the city have some play provision in their local area as quickly as possible.
The 30 play areas that will open from lunchtime on Monday are:
Adamsdown Square(Adamsdown); Hodges Square(Butetown); Loudon Square(Butetown); Craiglee Drive(Butetown); Emblem Close(Caerau);Heol Homfrey(Careau); Jubilee Park(Canton); Sanatorium Road - Toddler(Canton); Cogan Gardens(Cathays); Green Farm Road(Ely); Beechley Road(Fairwater); Chorley Close(Fairwater); Maitland Road - agility area(Gabalfa); Sevenoaks Park(Grangetown); The Marl - Toddler(Grangetown); The Marl - Junior(Grangetown); Mill Heath Drive(LIsvane); St Martin's Crescent - Toddler(Llanishen); St Martin's Crescent - Junior(Llanishen); Coed y Gores(Pentwyn); Chapelwood(Pentwyn); Garth Olwg(Pentyrch); Cyncoed Gardens(Penylan); Shelley Gardens(Plasnewydd); Butterfield Park(Pontprennau / St Mellons); Fisherhill Way(Radyr / Morganstown); Wyndham Street(Riverside); Beaufort Square(Splott); Wilkinson Close(Splott); Heeol Maes Eirwg(Trowbridge).
For updates on more play areas re-opening, please follow our social media channels.
Read more here:
https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/24370.html
Llanrumney Hub to reopen on Monday, 20thJuly
Llanrumney Hub opens again on Monday July 20 on an appointment only basis, for click & collect library services and a range of advice services.
Green recycling & food waste bags can be collected without an appointment
Call our Adviceline☎️ 029 2087 1071 or📧advicehub@cardiff.gov.ukfor more information.
Celebrating all things silly with Summer Reading Challenge return
The Summer Reading Challenge is back in Cardiff Hubs and Libraries this summer with a focus on fun, fun, fun!
Now in the 21styear of encouraging four to 11 year-olds to enjoy reading six books during the school summer holidays, this year's theme is the Silly Squad celebrating funny books, happiness and laughter and featuring an adventurous team of animals who love to have a laugh and get stuck in to all different kinds of amusing titles!
Presented by The Reading Agency and delivered by public libraries and hubs across the country, the challenge's popularity grows in Cardiff year on year and last year more than 6,500 children took part in the challenge, which seeks to motivate youngsters to maintain their literacy skills outside of school and avoid a summer ‘dip'.
This year's challenge will be different to previous years as hubs and libraries across the city continue to reopen in a phased recovery of services following the lockdown measures. Young library members can still borrow books, using the click and collect library service available at a number of hubs and libraries or by taking advantage of the wealth of digital resources, including e-books, e-audiobooks and e-comics available in the online catalogue.
Read more here: