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Cardiff Council Update: 14 June 2024
 14/06/24

Here is your Tuesday update, covering...

·       Travel advice for Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour

·       Organised Crime Group sentenced to a total 25 years in prison, with a further 9 years of suspended sentences

·       Traders at Wales’s biggest free food festival revealed

·       Lollipop Lady celebrates an incredible 50 years of dedicated service.

Travel advice for the Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour on June 18 at Principality Stadium in Cardiff

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour will be playing at Principality Stadium on June 18th. With the gates to the stadium opening at 4pm, there will be a full city centre road closure around the stadium from 12 noon until midnight – but Cowbridge Road East, Castle Street and Duke Street will remain open until 3pm.

The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy due to this concert – so please plan ahead - and avoid the congestion in Cardiff by using the park & ride at Cardiff City Football Club in Leckwith – CF11 8AZ.

For up to date traffic information on the motorway and trunk roads go to the Traffic Wales website, or @TrafficWalesS on Twitter and Facebook.

Those attending the concert are strongly advised to plan their journey and get in early.  Please pay attention to the prohibited items listed at principalitystadium.wales, in particular the bag policy (no large bags permitted) before travelling into the city.

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Organised Crime Group sentenced to a total 25 years in prison, with a further 9 years of suspended sentences

Members of a South Wales Organised Crime Group (OCG) which sold illegal tobacco, cigarettes and Nitrous Oxide while money-laundering more than £1.5m were sentenced today to a total of 25 years of immediate imprisonment and 9 years of suspended sentences, at Swansea Crown Court.

All eleven members of the OCG initially pleaded not guilty to a fraud in excess of £1.8m carried out between September 6, 2013, and February 5, 2022. 

But during an initial trial three defendants changed their plea to guilty part way through, and two more defendants pleaded guilty during a second trial in which the remaining six defendants were found guilty of fraud by unanimous verdict.

Four members of the criminal organisation were also found guilty of money laundering offences to the value of more than £1.5million.

During the investigation, officers from Cardiff, and Bridgend and Vale councils’ Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) seized £600,000 of illegal tobacco, based on market cost, along with £12,500 worth of Nitrous Oxide cannisters.

Read more here

Traders at Wales’s biggest free food festival revealed

Serving up some of the tastiest treats in town and an eclectic line-up of local musicians, Cardiff Food and Drink Festival is back in Cardiff Bay for summer 2024 - and it promises to be a real feast for the senses!

Taking place in the Oval Basin from Friday July 5th- Sunday July 7th, Wales's biggest free food festival supports more than 100 small businesses including festival favourites like The Mighty Softshell Crab, Café Cannoli, and bringing their garlicky goodness all the way from the Isle of Wight, The Garlic Farm.

There are also plenty of local heroes to celebrate, whether it's renowned Cardiff eatery, Purple Poppadom's street food with an Indian twist, Samosaco's vegetarian and vegan snacks -including their famous Onion Bhaji Scotch Eggs - or the dangerously delicious premium brioche doughnuts and cookies baked by Cardiff Dough & Co less than 5 miles from the Festival site.

Notable new faces at the festival this year include Artur Brew & Co, a new independent microbrewery that have been selling high quality craft beers from their base in Crickhowell since April this year. If you're in the mood for mead, make a beeline for fellow festival first-timers Hive Mind Mead who make their drinks from honey collected across the Wye Valley.

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Lollipop Lady celebrates an incredible 50 years of dedicated service

Pentyrch Primary School will celebrate a remarkable milestone this week, as Hazel Davies marks 50 years of service as a lollipop lady.

Known for her motto, "Safe Journey Home" Hazel has dedicated her life to ensuring the safety of children and their families on the roads and, regardless of the weather, she has become a consistent and reassuring presence at the school.

During her time as a Cardiff Council School Crossing Patrol, Hazel has been awarded the British Empire Medal for her services and her commitment and inspirational spirit have made her a beloved figure in the community. She has educated generations on road safety and has even inspired her daughter and husband, John to take up the role.

Sarah Coombes, Executive Headteacher of Pentyrch Primary School, praised Hazel's dedication, stating, "Hazel is an integral part of the Pentyrch School Community and we would all like to congratulate her on this remarkable achievement as she celebrates 50 years as a Lollipop Lady.

"Hazel has given her life in service to the families of Cardiff schools, spending the last 27 years at Pentyrch Primary School. She makes a point of getting to know all of our families and goes out of her way to chat to everyone. Her spirit never wavers and come rain or shine she is out on the crossing day in day out keeping the children safe. The school community is hugely grateful to her for her dedication and commitment as she celebrates her special day."

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