Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Volunteers appeal to deliver new befriending service for unpaid carers
• Rare ‘Gabalva' apple trees planted in Cardiff for first time in 100 years
• Cardiff Council support for new fringe theatre at Porter's

Volunteers appeal to deliver new befriending service for unpaid carers

We're looking for volunteers to help us deliver a new befriending service for unpaid carers.

Volunteers will:

• provide friendship phone calls
• meet people in their local community or home
• help with light cleaning or gardening tasks
• help with shopping

If you are interested in helping us to provide support and friendship for people with caring responsibilities, get in touch.

Telephone: 02920 234 234

Email:CarersBefriending@cardiff.gov.uk

Rare ‘Gabalva' apple trees planted in Cardiff for first time in 100 years

A rare variety of apple tree that once grew in the grounds of the Bute family estate in Cardiff has been planted in the city for what is thought to be the first time in around 100 years.

Gabalfa apple trees, recorded historically as ‘Gabalva' apples, were thought to be lost until their rediscovery in Carmarthenshire in 2004.

Three of the trees have been planted as part of a new orchard being developed in Gabalfa Park. The orchard is part of Cardiff Council's ‘Coed Caerdydd' urban forest project, which aims to increase tree canopy coverage as part of the local authority's One Planet Cardiff response to climate change.

With the help of an army of community volunteers a further 47 Gabalva apple trees will be planted in Maitland Park, the Bute Park Community Orchard, and on school grounds during the current planting season.

450 other fruit trees including more varieties of apple, as well as pears, plums and cherries will also be planted as part of this year's planting programme.

Read more here

Cardiff Council support for new fringe theatre at Porter's

Popular city centre bar Porter's is to open a brand new 60 seat pub theatre in the basement of its premises on Barrack Lane. The venue aims to be a home to fringe theatre makers in the Welsh capital, prioritising developing artists and their work, as well as providing a platform for touring creatives.

Cardiff Council recently supported the popular venue's move to a new building on Barrack Lane and now with further support from Cardiff Council, and support from Stage Sound Services, Porter's is able to open a basement theatre, alongside its already thriving live music offer.

The theatre will open 1st March 2025, with a programme of work from local creators, as well as touring shows from across the UK.

Read more here