Caerphilly Castle will throw its doors open for free on March 1 in celebration of St David’s Day.
The free entry is part of a series of events by heritage body Cadw and BBC Wales – which is currently screening its series ‘The Story of Wales’.
In addition to the free entry on St David’s Day, the Castle will also be holding a special ‘Story of Wales’ event on Sunday March 4.
The Marquess and the Monument at Caerphilly Castle sees the Marquess of Bute inspecting his ruined castle. Join him for tours throughout the day where he will detail his plans for rebuilding in a symphony of stone around 1890.
Prices for Sunday’s event are: £4 adult, £11.60 family and £3.60 for senior citizens, students and children under 16.
Also on St David’s Day residents across Caerphilly County Borough are being encouraged to show their Welsh pride by attending a series of special lunchtime concert celebration events.
Local schools and choirs will take part in simultaneous lunchtime concert events across the county borough in Caerphilly, Blackwood, Bargoed and Risca – all starting at 12 noon.
Cllr Allan Pritchard, leader of the council said: “St David’s Day really is a wonderful opportunity for us all to demonstrate our Welsh pride, and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and join in the celebrations at one of these special concert events”.
The concerts will take place at:
- Twyn Car Park, Caerphilly
- Market Square, Blackwood
- Emporium Car Park, Bargoed
- Tredegar Park, Risca
Ysgol Bro Sannan in Aberbargoed will be holding an extra special Eisteddfod this year to show they are Welsh and Proud.
Not only will the children celebrate St David’s, they will also launch their commitment to the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games, and it’s legacy.
As part of their commitment the school will be encouraging more physical activity and sports within the school.
They will also inspire the children to take up an hour of fun physical activity each day after school, helping them join clubs and community activities.
Visitors to the Senedd at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff will be offered a taste of the best food and drink the country can offer.
The National Assembly’s Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM, will welcome some of Wales’ foremost food producers to the Senedd. There, they will show off some of the skills and produce that is allowing Welsh food to make its mark the world over.
“Farming and food production are some of our biggest industries here in Wales,” said the Presiding Officer.
“So what better way to mark St David’s Day than by celebrating the wealth of food that we produce?
“It is such an important sector in terms of creating a sustainable forward-looking economy, and it’s important that we recognise the financial contribution these producers are making to Wales.
“It will also put a smile on everyone’s face in the Senedd as they get the chance to taste some fine Welsh food.”
The Presiding Officer will welcome guests to the Senedd at 12.10pm followed by a performance by the Caldicot Male Voice choir.
Following that performance guests will be able to enjoy food demonstration by the Welsh Culinary Team until 1.30pm.
First Minister Carwyn Jones will be attending a St David’s Day dinner at Cardiff Castle to recognise the hard contribution of the Voluntary Sector in Wales.
The First Minister said: “St David’s Day is a time of celebration for all of us in Wales, but it also provides us with a unique opportunity to raise our international profile as a place to invest, do business and visit.
“The Welsh Government will be using the days leading up to St David’s Day and the day itself to showcase to the world the very best of what our country has to offer, from top class food and drink to being an excellent place to locate and do business.”
Students at Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus will be holding a Welsh week with Welsh-themed food, language tasters and the launch of their very own Eisteddfod.
Send us your pictures of your St David’s Day celebrations and the best will be published on Caerphilly Observer. Email them to news@caerphilly.observer
This is welcome departure by CADWR, i.e. to allow free entry into the Castle to visitors to the town.
Perhaps Councillor Alan Pritchard Leader of Caerphilly Borough council, can convince them (CADWR) this year to allow free entry to the castle, and, the attractions inside, during the towns Christmas Fair. In previous years CADWR have applied crippling entry charges to those families who come into town for this annual attraction, the Caerphilly council events staff work particularly hard to make the Christmas event, and others in the borough, as enjoyable as possibly for visitors, but in times of finacial restraint it is not proper for this Welsh Assembly `QUANGO` to continue to continue to make such charges year on year.
As CADW and the Welsh Assembly government are not one and the same entity. The WAG are in no way responsible for admission fees. Given the reasonable admission fees raise much needed revenue for CADW in order to maintain and make the castle available to the public. Then alternative sources of funding would be needed. At a time of cuts and financial constraints I would rather the WAG focus on vital services and infrastructure rather than free jollies for visitors to Caerphilly.