23/06/23

Here's your Friday update, covering:Line up confirmed for Cardiff Food and Drink Festival; Plans progress for the development of the new home for Willows High School; £1.3 million funding to support nature in Cardiff; Llanishen High School opens a Sustainable Prom Store.

Line up confirmed for Cardiff Food and Drink Festival

The food, drink, and music line up for Cardiff Food and Drink Festival in Cardiff Bay has been revealed, and it includes a feast of festival favourites as well as first timers serving up foodie delights fit for a king.

Among the newcomers at the festival, which runs from Friday 7thuntil Sunday 9thJuly, are Cardiff-based ‘Let Them See Cake,' with their range of cupcakes, macaroons, cookies and cookie sandwiches. Also at the Producer's Fair will be festival regulars ‘The Garlic Farm,' bringing their range of condiments and chutneys from the Isle of Wight.

Lovers of Welsh Cakes can head to another festival newcomer ‘Fat Bottom Welsh Cakes' at the Farmer's Market, whose range also includes some unique and unusual versions of the traditional bakestones. Also making their debut this year, with a selection of lovely gins, will be ‘Cascave Gin.'

Over at the Street Food Piazza, stars of the Cardiff Street Food scene and Cardiff Market residents Bao Selecta will be bringing their bao buns filled with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, peanut powder and fresh herbs to the festival for the first time. They'll be joined by festival first-timers ‘Smokin Griddle,' serving up a range of mouth-watering burgers, with a side of house-seasoned skin-on fries, and ‘MacDaddies Gourmet Mac and Cheese' whose homemade marinades, and incredible toppings like hot pulled meat with truffle and gold, bring a new twist to a classic dish.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "Cardiff Food and Drink Festival is a great opportunity to support independent businesses, and have a great day out. With some exciting new stalls alongside all the festival favourites, the line up for this year is shaping up to be a treat."

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Plans progress for the development of the new home for Willows High School

The contract to carry out the enabling works associated with the development of new build accommodation for Willows High School has been awarded to Morgan Sindall Construction, Cardiff Council can announce.

The enabling works is a £3.4m investment towards the latest scheme to be delivered under Cardiff Council and Welsh Government's Band B, Sustainable Communities for Learning programme which will see the existing school relocated and rebuilt on land off Lewis Road, Splott.

The new secondary school will offer comprehensive sports facilities, including sports hall, gym, drama studio and grass pitches which will be available for public use outside school hours.

Subject to planning and procurement, construction of the new campus is expected to start in Autumn 2023.

Morgan Sindall Construction have been chosen to undertake the enabling works associated with the scheme, which include:

• A stopping up order on Lewis Road and relevant highways works, to allow development to take place
• Construction of active travel routes to the eastern perimeter of site
• Installation of new utilities and relocation of existing services
• Excavation and groundworks including the removal of contaminated material following disturbance of ground
• Demolition of existing buildings located on Portmanmor Road and at Splott Market site
• Installation of secure fencing around site boundary
• The contractors will also take the design of the main school forward, under a Pre services contract.

Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: "The enabling works associated with this project are an integral part of the development and the awarding of this contract is an exciting milestone in establishing a brand-new home for Willows High School.

"When complete, the new school will provide exceptional facilities, expertise and teaching opportunities for students, staff and the community, representing a significant investment in the local area."

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£1.3 million funding to support nature in Cardiff

A Local Nature Partnership that has planted thousands of ‘bee-friendly' bulbs, installed green ‘living walls' at schools and community centres, and helps communities in Cardiff take practical action to support biodiversity, has secured £1.3 million of funding.

The funding, from Welsh Government's ‘Local Places for Nature' scheme, will enable Cardiff's Local Nature Partnership to:

• Continue its programme of pollinator-friendly planting
• Help create and restore wildlife habitats
• Improve how grassland in parks and open spaces is managed for biodiversity
• Help community groups make their local green spaces more nature-friendly.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "Since it was established in 2020 Cardiff's Local Nature Partnership has worked closely with communities across the city, providing project grants, gardening equipment, bug hotels, living walls, native seeds, and more, to help them take positive action to support nature in the city's parks and green spaces.

"With nature in decline globally, this two-year funding is really important and means two more years where we can continue to our work to support the nature on our doorstep, here in Cardiff."

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Llanishen high School open a Sustainable Prom Store

Llanishen High School are taking a whole school approach to sustainability and reducing waste, have opened a prom shop in a bid to tackle throwaway culture.

Pupils can borrow any outfit for their end of school prom, free of charge and return it after the event, thanks to generous donations of suits and dresses.

The initiative also addresses the financial pressures that many families are currently experiencing, due to the cost of living crisis.

Headteacher, Sarah Parry explains; "In terms of uniform and clothes, we want to tackle the throwaway culture that exists, particularly in fast fashion.

"The cost of a school prom can be prohibitive for some families which goes against our school principles of equity and inclusion.

"Members of staff, school governors and parents have brought in beautiful items including dresses and suits, and after reaching out to Zara in the city centre, we have receivedcontributions including handbags shoes and accessories."

She added, "The scheme has been hugely motivating for many of our students who really enjoyed browsing through the prom store and trying on a wide selection of dresses/suits until they find the one that they like."

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