A fresh fir for Christmas

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, November 24, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
 
 























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A fresh fir for Christmas

A big day out! 

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Gower Fresh Christmas Trees at Three Crosses, Swansea. 

WHY? Forget your old plastic tree in your attic, at Gower Fresh Christmas Trees you can shop for the best fresh cut trees this Christmas and visit Wales’ largest reindeer herd.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? There are a huge selection of trees to choose from at Poundffald Farm this Christmas. This year's crop includes every type of tree from Norway Spruce to the Noble Fir. What really sets the farm apart from other Christmas tree retailers, though, is their outstanding Winter Wonderland exhibits where you can come and meet Santa and his reindeer as they prepare for Christmas Eve.
LOOK OUT FOR? In Winter Wonderland the farm's Arctic display includes penguins, polar bears and seals. There are also singing Santa's and you can even have your photo taken in Santa's sleigh or visit Father Christmas himself in his grotto. There is even a life size 12 piece nativity display with baby Jesus, Mary, the three wise men, and shepherds. They also have a shop full of all types of Christmas items to purchase.
ANY HISTORY? Gower Fresh Christmas Trees was set up nine years ago by Poundffald Farm owner and fifth generation farmer Robert Morgan. What began as a concrete slab and a small number of Christmas trees soon became the largest grower in South Wales with over 250,000 trees for sale. Robert added the Christmas grotto five years ago to add some more Christmas cheer to the farm and to give children something to enjoy while adults are busy scouting for this year’s Christmas tree.
WHAT TO TAKE? Tree prices start at £5. Trees that are eight foot plus are more expensive. Decorations, gifts and tree stands are all for sale in the Christmas Shop. To visit Winter Wonderland and see Santa in his grotto costs £5.50 per child but is just £2.50 each for adults.
WHEN TO GO? Gower Fresh Christmas Trees is open 9.30am to 7pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Their Christmas attraction Winter Wonderland is open at the same times as the tree site. Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto all day until 3pm on Christmas Eve.
TELL ME MORE: The tree site and Christmas grotto is located at Poundffald Farm in Three Crosses, Swansea, just five minutes from Junction 47. For sat nav users the postcode is SA4 3PB. For more information go to www.gower-fresh-christmas-trees.com or phone 07811 949239.
Visit www.richardthomas.eu.

Nice and treesy does it

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, December 17, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Nice and treesy does it

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Gower Fresh Christmas Trees

in Swansea.

WHY? At Gower Fresh Christmas Trees at Three Crosses you can shop for the perfect fresh cut tree this Christmas while the children visit Santa at Winter Wonderland and see Wales’ largest reindeer herd as well as guinea pigs and other animals.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? There are a huge selection of trees to choose from at Poundffald Farm this Christmas. This year is their biggest crop yet, including every type of tree from Norway Spruce to the Noble Fir. What really sets the farm apart from other Christmas tree retailers, though, is their outstanding Winter Wonderland exhibits where you can come and meet Santa and his friendly, mostly, reindeer as they prepare for Christmas this year.

LOOK OUT FOR? In Winter Wonderland their Arctic display includes penguins, polar bears and seals. There are also singing Santa's and you can even have your photo taken in Santa's sleigh or visit Father Christmas himself in his grotto. New this year is a life size 12 piece nativity display with baby Jesus, Mary, the three wise men, and shepherds. They also have a shop full of all types of Christmas items to purchase.
ANY HISTORY? Gower Fresh Christmas Trees was set up eight years ago by Poundffald Farm owner and fifth generation farmer Robert Morgan. What began as a concrete slab and a small number of Christmas trees soon became the largest grower in South Wales with over 250,000 trees for sale. Robert added the Christmas grotto five years ago to add some more Christmas cheer to the farm and to give children something to enjoy while adults are busy scouting for this year’s Christmas tree.
WHAT TO TAKE? Christmas trees cost between £4 and £6.50 for non drops and £2 and £4 for spruce. Trees that are eight foot plus are more expensive. Decorations, gifts and tree stands are all for sale in the Christmas Shop. To visit Winter Wonderland and see Santa in his grotto costs £5.50 per child but is just £2.50 each for adults.
WHEN TO GO? Gower Fresh Christmas Trees is open 9.30am to 7pm on weekdays and 9.30am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Their Christmas attraction Winter Wonderland is open at the same times as the tree site. Children can visit Father Christmas in his grotto all day until 3pm on Christmas Eve.
TELL ME MORE: The tree site and Christmas grotto is located at Poundffald Farm in Three Crosses, Swansea, just five minutes from Junction 47. For sat nav users their postcode is SA4 3PB. Christmas trees can also be bought from their other retail sites at Penllergaer Woods Forestry Commission, Gnool Country Park in Neath and Afan Argoed Park in Port Talbot.
For more information go to www.gower-fresh-christmas-trees.com or phone 07811 949239.

Gateway close to home

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, September 24, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Gateway close to home

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to … Gower.

WHY?
The Gower Peninsula is an area of immense unspoilt natural beauty unparalleled in South Wales. Home to some of world’s best coastal scenery, the Gower had the honour of being the first part of Britain to be designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means you will not find high-rise hotels or neon-lit beach bars spoiling what the writer Wynford Vaughan Thomas called: “a secret that people hug to themselves.”
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The Gower is home to some of Britain’s best beaches. These include neat Caswell, tiny Bracelet, and the stunning Three Cliffs Bay, with its odd tidal pools. But most families will often choose sturdy Langland. The picture-perfect bay with its beach huts, rock pools and cliff path walks is ideal for beach goers of all ages.
A stroll along the cliff tops almost anywhere in the peninsula will take your breath away. The most spectacular is the walk from the cliff tops of Rhossili out along the promontory known as Worm’s Head.
But Gower isn't all about the world class beaches, there are a wide range of activities to enjoy down Gower too. The Gower’s ancient churches host a series of intimate music events, which feature the Swansea Bach Choir and the Prince of Wales’s personal harpist, Claire Jones.
At Gower you can also enjoy sailing round the coast with Gower Coast Adventures, departing from either Port Eynon or Mumbles. The purpose-built jet boat can manoeuvre safely in shallow waters, so you can get close to secluded bays and local wildlife. On the voyage you can see animals ranging from gannets and shearwaters to seals and porpoises.
Afterwards you can have dinner at Welcome to Town in Llanrhidian. Master chef Ian Bennett specialises in local produce. Items on the menu include hand-dived scallops, tian of dressed crab, and lobsters and crabs fresh from Oxwich bay.
ANY HISTORY?
The Gower is also rich in myth and history. Arthur’s Stone is just a short walk away from Cefn Bryn Common. The 25-ton capstone roofs a Neolithic burial chamber, long ago emptied by relic hunters. Legend has it that the stone is a pebble that King Arthur removed from his boot on his way to his last battle at Camlann in 539 CE. From this point you have a 360-degree view of the Gower, from the salt marshes to the north to the Southern bays.
WHAT TO TAKE?
There are lots of other hotels and restaurants to choose from. On the common in Reynoldston is the King Arthur Hotel, which is everything a country pub should be. The King Arthur is renowned for traditional ales and delicious home-cooked food, suited to all tastes. On their specials board you can chose from seasonal game, Welsh black beef, locally caught fish, as well as vegetarian options. All are served in their restaurant, family room, main bar and at outdoor tables on the green. You can also sample local Welsh brew or any of their range of beers, fine wines or spirits
WHEN TO GO?
The Gower is only five miles from Swansea city centre and buses from Swansea regularly run passengers to and all over the Gower. First Cymru, the region's largest bus operating company, even run an open top bus service between Swansea city centre and Bracelet Bay.
TELL ME MORE
For more information visit www.swansea.gov.uk/aonb.

Take crafty look at history

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, July 30, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Take crafty look at history

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to ...

the Gower Heritage Centre.

WHY?
Set in the heart of the Gower Peninsula the Gower Heritage Centre is a fun way to spend your day, whether you’re a group or school and would like to take a coach tour to the Gower and explore what they have on offer, or if you're just passing by and are popping in for a bite to eat at their Tea Rooms.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The Gower Heritage Centre is a visitor attraction and rural life museum based around a working 12th century water-mill. Located only a 15-minuet walk from the breath taking Three Cliffs Bay, the Centre offers fun activities for all the family, including craft shops and craft activities.
ANY HISTORY?
A water powered corn and saw mill was established on the site sometime during the 12th century, with the first written references to the water-mill appearing in government records from about 1300 onwards. In 1990 the Gower Heritage Centre was opened, the 12th century mill was renovated, and experienced craftspeople took up residence on site. Today the Centre welcomes visitors from all around the world.
LOOK OUT FOR?
You can watch the craftspeople resident at the Centre at work and visit their stores as you go round. Some of the gifts available to buy at the Centre include various items in different turned woods made by woodturner John De Filippo, puppets and puppet making kits at Poppet Puppets, as well as paintings and artwork by Cheryl Firths.
Other special items available to buy at the Centre include some amazing driftwood gifts and hand made candles, as well as a range of garden furniture made at the Mill.
There’s also an old fashioned games arcade, as well as a sandpit area, adventure playground, soft play area, and tractor play area. There’s even an animal farm with ducks, baby rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, sheep, horses and other animals.
And, if all that wasn’t enough to see, the Centre is also home to the smallest cinema in Wales, the La Charrette.
WHAT TO TAKE?
There is a small entry fee of £5.50 for adults and £4.50 for children. Seniors and disabled visitors only pay £4.50 and you can opt to buy a family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children) for just £18.00. More information about entry prices can be found on the Gower Heritage Centre website at: http://www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk/ Also, don’t forget to bring a camera with you to take some snaps of your trip.
WHEN TO GO?
The Gower Heritage Centre is open from 10am to 5pm Monday to Sunday.
TELL ME MORE
You can contact the Gower Heritage Centre at the following address:
Gower Heritage Centre,
Parkmill,
Gower,
Swansea,
SA3 2EH
You can also telephone on:
1792 371206
And fax on:
1792 371471
or Email at: reception@gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

Farm targets visitors

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, June 25, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
 

  
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Farm targets visitors
  A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

Perriswood down the Gower.

WHY?
Located on the A4118 in the heart of the Gower overlooking the stunning Oxwich Bay, Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre is only a 20 minuet drive from Swansea. The centre provides a range of activities that can be enjoyed by individuals and groups of all ages. Whether you are looking to try something new; relax and take in the surrounding scenery; have fun with the family; or celebrate a special occasion ... Perriswood is a good place to visit.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
Archery lessons are available all day everyday on the centre’s outside range, or inside if the weather is not good. The lessons are suitable for the whole family from 6 years old up and for all abilities. At the end of an hour lesson you get the chance to win a solid gold, Celtic design ring! All you have to do is shoot an arrow into the centre of a ring on your target.
There are also 38 different birds of prey to see at Perriswood, including owls, hawks, and falcons. And visitors get to hold the birds for themselves. You even get the chance to see one fly to your own gloved hand!
Very few falconry centres let members of the public so close to their birds, setting Perriswood apart from other centres.
For a more relaxing option you can enjoy a herbal tea or freshly ground coffee with a cake in the Perriswood coffee shop. You can also take a look around the rest of the centre’s animal attractions, including monkeys, micro pigs, honey bees, and others.
ANY HISTORY?
Brian Williams and his family have lived at Perriswood Farm for over 200 years. In 2004 Brian decided to diversify into teaching archery. The centre originally started off with seven bows and two targets in one of the fields. Over the last seven years the centre has developed and today Perriswood can have up to 80 people shooting at one time!
By spring 2007 it was decided that changing the way that archery is taught wasn’t enough and Brian struck out to bring birds of prey to the masses.
WHAT TO TAKE?
The centre offers visitors three different length lessons. A 15 minute archery lesson costs £6.00, and 30 minuets costs £8.00. An hour lesson costs £14.00. Whereas “Arrows, Talons & Tea” costs only £12.00 per person.
LOOK OUT FOR?
If you would like to try archery and falconry then “Arrows, Talons and Tea” is the best package. An introduction to archery is followed by a hot drink and cake before you take part in a bird display.
WHEN TO GO?
Perriswood is open seven days a week. Their opening hours are 10.00am to 7.00pm.
TELL ME MORE
You can contact Perriswood and find out more via their website at www.perriswood.com or phone on 01792 371661. Their address is: Perriswood Farm, Penmaen, Gower, Swansea, SA3 2HN.