28/07/23

Here's your Friday update, covering; The re-opening of Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs; Cardiff Playday; £68,000 fine for Cardiff landlord; Cardiff's Bethany Baptist Chapel revealed and praise for St. Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Primary School by Estyn.

The re-opening of Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs

The re-opening of Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs has been welcomed by Cardiff Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas.

The news, announced recently by Welsh Water follows a major redevelopment to bring the iconic Victorian reservoirs back to life as a hub for health and wellbeing and a haven for wildlife.

Cllr Thomas said: "The opening of the new visitor centre signals the start of a brand-new chapter in the long history of the Lisvane and Llanishen Reservoirs. It has long been a commitment of my administration to see these important blue and green spaces back in use by the community and I'm delighted that we've been able to support Welsh Water to help make that happen."

The long school summer holidays are upon us and for parents of young children that usually means working hard to ensure they can play happily and safely.

But when it comes to safe, stimulating and adventurous play, however, there is help at hand and this year's National Playday in Cardiff is offering everyone low-cost or no-cost activities that children can enjoy.

National Playday has been a fixture of the summer calendar since 1991 and as well as a celebration of children's rights to play, it is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in their lives.

So come along, have some fun, take part in activities and gather some great ideas to take away and try at home over the summer!

Mulberry Real Estate Ltd, and its director, Mr. David Bryant, who are landlords of properties in Cardiff, have been fined for failing to carry out necessary repairs to fire doors, escape windows and kitchens and failing to re-licence two properties.

Mulberry Real Estate Ltd. was fined £31,995 and Mr. Bryant was fined £36,300.

In July and October 2021, two HMO licences held by Mr Bryant's company expired for properties on Alfred Street, and Arabella Street, in Plasnewydd. Both properties were licensed by the council in October 2016. The licences included conditions requiring the landlord to carry out work to the fire doors, escape windows, and to the kitchens in both properties within 3 months of the licence being issued.

More here:https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/31886.html

Cardiff's Bethany Baptist Chapel is revealed

A chapel which has been hidden from view for decades has been revealed as part of ongoing works at the former Howells Department Store.

The new image reveals the front façade of the historic chapel in all its glory as work continues to take place to prepare the building for regeneration and reuse, which will be subject to obtaining further consents.

The chapel which has been obscured from view for around 50 years was built in 1865 and replaced an earlier chapel from 1807.

Previously when Howells was trading, the ground floor of the front façade was visible within the men's tailoring department, with the ground floor occupied by footwear. The first floor was within Ladies clothing, with cast iron columns and decorative plasterwork visible. The attached Sunday School has a large balconied assembly hall, which was not part of the public store, having being used for storage only.

The chapel was listed by Cadw at Grade II* along with the rest of the department store in 1988.

More here:https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/31883.html

St. Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Primary School is inclusive, caring and welcoming, says Estyn

St. Cuthbert's Roman Catholic Primary School located in Cardiff Bay, provides an inclusive, caring and welcoming environment for pupils, says Estyn.

During a recent visit, inspectors from the Education Inspectorate for Wales found that all members of staff work closely together to celebrate the rich diversity of languages and cultures within the school community, and as a result, all pupils feel valued, have high levels of well-being and develop their confidence well, in a nurturing atmosphere.

The report draws attention to the highly effective practices for the integration of newly arrived pupils with no English into the school, which has had a positive impact on their well-being and says that pupils are provided with a high level of care, support and guidance.

Estyn noted that provision for promoting pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is strong and the emphasis on positive values, tolerance and respect towards others is a notable feature across the school. The school makes very good use of the pupils' diverse cultural heritage to ensure that they have a good understanding of the need to respect one another.

More here:https://www.cardiffnewsroom.co.uk/releases/c25/31881.html