Here is your Friday update, covering:

• Myanmar Earthquake Appeal
• Meet the people ‘Behind the Bay' as Cardiff Harbour Authority celebrates 25th anniversary
• VE Day Celebration Picnic at Cardiff Castle announced
• New ‘natural' play area at Sanatorium Park officially opened

Myanmar Earthquake Appeal

On Friday 28th March, Myanmar was struck by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake. The death toll continues to rise, and hundreds of people are still missing following the strongest earthquake to hit the country in decades. Millions of survivors have been left without access to safe shelter, food, clean water and medical care.

People in Myanmar were already facing a severe humanitarian crisis. A third of the population - 19.9 million people - was in need of humanitarian aid. Now the situation is catastrophic.

Despite the many challenges, DEC charities have worked in Myanmar for decades and have a strong local partner base, rooted in the affected communities and able to rapidly respond. They urgently need more funds to scale up their work and reach the most vulnerable. Please give now.

Most urgent needs

Safe shelter, clean water, food and medical care.

• £10 could provide [urgently needed] clean water to 10 families for a day
• £50 could provide emergency food for a family for one month
• £100 could provide essential hygiene supplies for 10 families for 3 months

How to Donate

Online:  dec.org.uk

Phone: 0330 123 0555 [Standard network charges apply]

Text to give/SMS: SUPPORT to 70727 to donate £10. [Texts cost £10 plus your standard network rate]

Send a cheque by post to: DEC Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.

For full terms and conditions visit  dec.org.uk

Meet the people ‘Behind the Bay' as Cardiff Harbour Authority celebrates 25th anniversary

Cardiff Harbour Authority celebrates its 25th anniversary today (1st April 2025).

To celebrate, the public are being offered the opportunity to find out more about the people ‘Behind the Bay' at a special photography exhibition which will be on display in Cardiff Bay from Monday 26th May until the end of the summer, before moving to the Norwegian Church.

The exhibition features stunning images, taken by travel and documentary photographer Nick Pumphrey, of staff working for Cardiff to manage the operation of the Cardiff Bay barrage, ensure the safe navigation of boats, monitor water quality, liaise with local businesses and communities, and look after the Cardiff Bay Wetlands Reserve and Flat Holm island.

The 25th anniversary celebrations will continue all year and will also include:

• the publication of a commemorative book, delving into Cardiff Harbour Authority's past and present, which will be available to read on the Harbour Authority website.
• a ‘Design a Bay banner' competition for primary school-age children, with the 25 winning entries displayed in the Bay during the summer holidays.
• a Visit Cardiff competition with 25 exciting Bay-related prizes to be won.
• Lighthouse Theatre will be running Cardiff Bay boat and cycling tours, with a Cardiff Harbour Authority anniversary theme.
• a special display flowerbed on Cardiff Bay Barrage, planted with a ‘25' design.
• anniversary themed social media on the Cardiff Bay social media accounts, featuring the public's special moments and memories, Cardiff Harbour Authority staff profiles, fascinating Bay facts and more.
• a podcast series with former staff recalling CHA's early days.

Read more here

VE Day Celebration Picnic at Cardiff Castle announced

Cardiff Castle will host a special celebration picnic, and residents are being encouraged to host street parties to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day later this year.

The free event, on Bank Holiday Monday May 5th, forms part of the Great British Food Festival campaign. Led by the Together Coalition, the campaign aims to bring communities across Wales and the UK together to mark VE Day with a street party, a picnic in their local park, or by joining a local community event.

Organised by Cardiff Council and supported by Welsh Government, the picnic in the Castle's public open space will take place from 11am - 5pm. The family-friendly event will feature a range of free entertainment. Expect music from the bandstand, walkabout entertainers including circus and puppet shows as well as children's craft activities. No tickets are required - just turn up and enjoy the fun.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Park and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "VE Day marks the end of nearly six years of war, at the cost of millions of lives. It's a significant event in our history and one that should be celebrated.

"This free event is a great opportunity for people to grab a blanket, pack a picnic and come together, in peace and unity with their friends and family, to enjoy a fun, family friendly day together."

Read more here

New ‘natural' play area at Sanatorium Park officially opened

A new ‘natural' play area in Sanatorium Park in Cardiff has officially opened to the public.

With a new 3-metre-high grassed mound at its heart, the play area features three slides, as well as climbing platforms, an ‘aero tilt' spinner, an accessible ‘roto roko' spinner, a wheelchair accessible roundabout, two new junior swings, a basket swing, and a range of other natural play features such as boulders and tunnels.

Although all play equipment is available to use, a small section of the play area will remain fenced off temporarily to allow time for grass to become established.

Read more here