Just pitch up and play

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, July 7, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Just pitch up and play

A big day out! 

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Ashleigh Road Pitch & Putt golf course.

WHY? With the summer returning, the Ashleigh Road golf course, Swansea's only 10 hole golf course, is a great way to spend a Saturday. 

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Running along the promenade, and situated opposite the road it is named after, is Ashleigh Road Pitch & Putt golf course. The course has no handicap requirements so it is ideal for beginners of all ages and those who just want to have some fun. It is also a great course for more experienced players to brush up on their pitching and putting skills. 

ANY HISTORY? The game of golf has a long history in Wales. The years 1850-1900 were a time of dramatic changes in Wales. The population virtually doubled in this period. The Industrial Revolution hit the country and the people moved from the countryside to the towns. Suddenly, Welsh men and women had more time on their hands, especially the rich, and they began looking around for something to do with their leisure time. Tenby Golf Club is officially the oldest club in Wales, having been set up in the autumn of 1888. Many more Welsh courses came into being before the turn of the century. Borth and Ynyslas, Ceredigion, was in use from 1885, while Baron Hill, on Anglesey, was created in either 1889 or 1890. Most of the early courses were initially designed to have only nine holes and sometimes ten like the golf course at Ashleigh Road, half of today’s standard 18.

WHAT TO TAKE? Equipment can be hired for a minimal fee. Just turn up, and “pay and play” a round of golf. The prices are:

Pay and Play

Standard £4.70, Concession £3.45, PTL £2.10

Club Hire

Standard £2.25, Concession £1.90, PTL £1.00

Golf Ball Purchase

£0.50

Family Ticket

Standard £14.00, Concession £12.00

LOOK OUT FOR? Asides from the golf course there’s lots of other family activities to check out nearby. You'll find plenty of family fun for free at Blackpill Lido. The Lido is a must when the weather is good with its superb paddling pool, children's play area, climbing rock and picnic facilities. There’s also the award winning Clyne Gardens and the Bay Rider, a land train that runs between Blackpill and Mumbles, to see.

WHEN TO GO? Ashleigh Road Golf Course is open daily from 9am to 6pm. The last admission is at 4pm.

TELL ME MORE: Heading towards Mumbles on Mumbles Road, Ashleigh Road golf hut is opposite Ashleigh Road on the left hand side, before you get to Blackpill Lido. For sat nav users the postcode is SA3 5AU. For further information phone 01792 207544 or visit www.swanseaprom.com.

Visit Richard Thomas's website at www.richardthomassite.com.

More than a wild time

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, June 30, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

 
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More than a wild time

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Folly Farm near Tenby in Pembrokeshire.

WHY? Folly Farm is much more than just a zoo, the 200 acre park is also home to Europe's largest undercover vintage funfair with a huge collection of working rides and stalls including a vintage big wheel and giant helter skelter ride lovingly restored to their 20th century glory.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Located near the tourist town of Tenby in the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, Folly Farm offers affordable fun days out for the whole family. In total there are six fun-filled amusement and activity zones, some of which are undercover. So there's plenty to do even if the weather continues to be bad.
ANY HISTORY? Folly Farm opened in 1988 following the decision by the owners, the Williams and Ebsworth families, to diversify from dairy farming into the leisure industry. In 1997 Pets Corner opened and in 2002 the first zoo animals arrived. In 2009 Folly Farm welcomed Wales' only giraffe to their zoo, a move that coincided with Folly Farm winning Premier Family Day Out at the Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards that year. Today Folly Farm attracts 400,000 visitors each year, making it Wales' top paid-for tourist attraction. WHAT TO TAKE? Tickets cost £9.00 for adults and £8.50 for seniors and children (3-15 year olds). Toddlers two years old and under visit Folly Farm for free! Food and drink are available at Folly Farm’s Ploughman's Restaurant. And don’t forget to bring a camera with you.
LOOK OUT FOR? Folly Farm's Jolly Barn is home to a huge variety of farmyard animals, including sheep, pigs, donkeys, horses, chickens and other farm animals. There's also loads of opportunities for children to get hands-on during the Pet Handling sessions in the nearby Pets' Centre which is home to rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises, parrots and lots more. But with over 50 different species and more than 250 animals, Folly Farm’s zoo is the big highlight. As well as giraffe Folly Zoo has zebra, Bactrian camels, pythons and other animals to see. And with zoo keeper talks, the chance to watch the animals during feeding times, and a whole host of fascinating facts on Folly Zoo’s animal enclosure signs, you’ll go home knowing a lot more about the different species. And if all that isn’t enough there’s even a go-kart racetrack! WHEN TO GO? Folly Farm will be open 10am to 5pm daily throughout the summer months.
TELL ME MORE: For sat-nav users the address is and postcode is: Folly Farm, Begelly, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0XA. Go to the Folly Farm website at www.folly-farm.co.uk or call 01834 812731 for more information.
Visit Richard Thomas’s website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Snap up your popcorn

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, June 23, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

 

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Snap up your popcorn 

A big day out! 

 RICHARD THOMAS heads to The Vue in Swansea to see Ridey Scott’s new film Prometheus. 

ON LOCATION: The Vue is a new state-of-the-art cinema located on York Street in the centre of Swansea. For sat-nav users the full address and postcode is: Vue Cinema Swansea, York Street, Swansea, SA1 3LZ.
CROWD SCENE: Mostly under 30s, many of them students, but depends what time you go. With 12 screens there's always something suitable for all ages.
HISTORY: The Vue opened in 2006, but there is a much longer histroy of film going in Swansea. In 1914 Wales’ first purpose built cinema, the Carlton Cinema de Luxe, opened on Oxford Street. The Carlton was closed in 1977, and is now home to Swansea's Waterstones branch. Nearby on the Kingway was Swansea's Plaza cinema designed by Cardiff architect Howard Williams, which was Wales' largest cinema from when it opened in 1931 until it was pulled down in 1964.
SHOW BUSINESS: Ridley Scott's new film Prometheus is now showing at the Vue. Set in the same fictional universe as Scott's 1979 genre classic Alien, but about 30 years earlier, Prometheus breaths new life into the franchise by focusing in on how the famous xenomorphs were first created. Alien fans will remember the "Space Jockey" seen in the 1979 film, in Prometheus this species make a return as the "engineers" of both the human race and the alien species. Throw in dynamite 3D and Ridley Scott's trademark attention to detail, and the end result is an exciting voyage to LV-223.
PARENTAL GUIDELINES: Kids and accompanying adults can get in from just £1.50 with special family screenings each Saturday and Sunday morning, and even weekdays during the school holidays. 
SENIOR SERVICE: Senior tickets cost £5.85 on weekends. There are also special screenings for the over 60s every Thursday at 11.30pm, tickets cost £3.05 and includes a free tea or coffee and biscuits. TICKETS: During the weekend tickets cost £7.85 for adults (19 and over). For younger film goers the prices are slightly cheaper, £5.85 for children (2-12) and £6.25 for teenagers (13-18). Tickets for students with a valid photo ID only cost £6.65. Family tickets for 4 cost £23.40. There is an extra charge of for 3D tickets of £2 for adults and £1.50 for everyone else. If you buy a family ticket this is £6. 
SWEETS: Completing your cinema experience a wide variety of snacks including popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, sweets and soft drinks are all available at the cinema’s snacks counter. Combos are available to save a little money. 
DRINKS: The Vue also benefits from a speed bar where you can kick back with a beer before your film starts. 
AUDITORIUM: With an impressive 12 screens, the cinema can seat up to 1,762 people and has all the latest facilities you would expect of a modern cinema. 
PROJECTION: The Vue is equipped with wall-to-wall screens and digital projectors, enabling film fans to experience all the latest blockbusters in ever better 3D animation! 
DISABLED ACCESS: There is a wheelchair bay available at the rear of some of the screens (1, 2, 3, 8 or 9) and a lift from the foyer to the upper level. 
TOILETS: There is an accessible toilet by the entrance to screens 4 and 9. Further accessible toilets are available on the second floor by the rear of screens 2 and 3. 
STAFF: Dedicated and happy to help costumers, be it finding the best money saving combo deal or holding your popcorn while you find your ticket. 
PROS: Film goers can save at least 25% by visiting the Vue Monday, Tuesday and Thursday before 5pm. CONS: Unlike the Odeon in Parc Tawe, 3D glasses are included in the price of a 3D ticket. However, this does mean you can't save money by keeping your glasses and bringing them back with you on your next visit. 
TOP TIP: If you’re an Orange mobile or broadband customer, you can enjoy 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Wednesday at the Vue. All you need to do is text the word Film to 241 from your mobile phone, or register your Orange broadband account. Visit www.web.orange.co.uk/p/film/cinema_tickets. TELL ME MORE: Monday to Saturday the Vue is open 9am to 5pm. On Sundays the cinema is open from 10am to 4pm. For film start times and to book tickets you can phone on 08712240240, or go to www.myvue.com. 
Visit Richard Thomas’s website at www.richardthomassite.com.

No better way to see bay

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, June 16, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
   























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No better way to see bay

A big day out!

This week RICHARD THOMAS takes a ride on the Swansea Seafront Open Top Bus.

WHY? Travelling by open top bus is one of the best ways to see Swansea Bay in style. Travelling on Service 1, also called the "Beach Bus", sightseers get to feel the wind blow through their hair as they take in some spectacular views of Swansea Bay. When the the sun is out, there really is no better way to travel around Swansea. The famous pink and white buses are waved on by children wherever they go, and are a great way to get to your destination and kick start any day out.
WHAT'S THE BUZZ? Linking Swansea City Bus Station with a number of key destinations, including Blackpill Lido, the shops and pubs of Oystermouth and popular Mumbles and Bracelet Bay, the Service 1 open top "Beach Bus" offers both locals and tourists alike an ideal way to get around Swansea in the summer weather.
ANY HISTORY? The open top bus service returned on June 2, after a very successful summer last year. The service is most popular among young children, who are not old enough to remember Swansea's original open top buses that replaced the Mumbles Train in the 1960s and stopped running in the 1980s. Oddly enough, although a bit of a summertime novelty today, until the 1920s most double-decker buses were constructed with no roof on the upper deck.
LOOK OUT FOR? On the journey between the bus station in the city centre and Mumbles there's some spectacular views of Swansea Bay and the lighthouse to photograph. So don’t forget to bring a camera with you to get the perfect cover for your Facebook timeline. Check out mine at Facebook.com/RichardThomasSite.
WHAT TO TAKE? Passengers can enjoy unlimited travel on the open top bus for just £4.20 a day, using the First Day Swansea City ticket, which also allows travel on the same day in the area bounded by the following places: Jersey Marine Village, Bowen Arms, Birchgrove, Ynysforgan Roundabout, Morriston Hospital , Penllergaer Roundabout, Gorseinon Bus Station and Loughor (Ship & Castle). Once you get to Bracelet Bay, in the famous Big Apple shop there's buckets and spades and everything else children will need to keep themselves busy on the beach. There are also restaurants and bars nearby for the adults. WHEN TO GO? The Swansea Seafront Open Top Bus will be running from Swansea City Centre to Oystermouth and Bracelet Bay throughout the summer. You can take a ride on the bus every day, except for Wednesdays, until September 1. The buses run on an hourly basis, but will not be running on days when there is bad weather, so make sure you check the weather forecast before you choose a day to go.
TELL ME MORE: For more information go to www.firstgroup.com.
Visit Richard Thomas’s website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Feel the need for speed

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, June 9, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post. 

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Feel the need for speed

A big day out! 

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire. 

WHY? With over 30 rides and attractions including three roller coasters and four water rides, Oakwood Theme Park in Pembrokeshire attracts 400,000 visitors each year, making it one of the UK's top ten theme parks. So with Oakwood re-open for the new season in early April, why not check it out?
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Located off the A40 motorway at Canaston Bridge, 8 miles east of the town of Haverfordwest, Oakwood park provides fun for all the family, from white knuckle rides to dazzling firework displays and other special events Oakwood has it all. Also other family attractions including Fully Farm and Scolton Museum can be found near Oakwood Theme Park, just six miles away.
ANY HISTORY? Oakwood Theme Park first opened in 1987 as “Oakwood Leisure Park”, a very small family park with BMXs, a wooden fort, a 3D-style cinema experience show, go-karts and a water chute ride. In 1996 Oakwood’s status as a small-scale regional attraction was completely transformed when the park opened “Megafobia” to the public. At that time Europe's largest wooden roller coaster ride. Since then the park has acquired a worldwide reputation for innovation and has since incorporated four more large thrill rides: Vertigo, Bounce, Hydro and the park’s newest roller coaster Speed opened in 2006.
WHAT TO TAKE? Standard tickets for visitors over 13 years old cost £21, while junior tickets for children 3-12 years old cost £15 each. Children two years old and younger visit the park for free and by booking online you can save £2 per person! Food and drink are available in the park’s restaurants, the Southern-fried chicken at Dixie's Chicken Diner is good. There are also gift shops with t-shirts, mugs and other Oakwood Theme Park merchandise available to buy. You can also purchase photos of yourself on Megafobia and the other rides, but don’t forget to bring a camera with you to take your own snaps.
LOOK OUT FOR? Oakwood has a good variety of rides to suit all people and ages. Megafobia and Speed are the park's two most exciting roller coasters. In the Detailed Wood Roller Coaster Poll 2010 the 85-foot-tall Megafobia ranked number 30 in the world. Speed is an exhilarating ride, twisting and turning at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Bounce is a vertical ride, shooting you up into the air at more than 40mph. Together with the Hydro water ride, these four attractions form Oakwood’s “Big Four”, the ultimate adrenaline rush for thrill seekers! For the more wary and younger children there are also more family orientated rides, including The Pirate Ship and Snake River Falls.
WHEN TO GO? Oakwood is open 10am to 5pm daily. For more information about opening times go to www.oakwodthepark.co.uk.
Visit Richard Thomas's website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Brewing up some fun

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, June 2, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

   

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Brewing up some fun
A big day out!
RICHARD THOMAS heads to Tomos Watkin Brewery in Swansea.

WHY? At Tomos Watkin’s brewery in Llansamlet, Swansea Enterprise Park, groups can take a tour of the famous Welsh brewery and sample their award wining beers and ciders for free after paying for the tour.
WHAT'S THE BUZZ? The tour consists of a three hour visit and starts with drinks and a warm welcome on arrival from one of the brewers who will give you a 20 minuet talk about the history of the Hurns Brewing Company and Tomos Watkin. This is followed by a tour around the brewery which lasts around half an hour where visitors are shown the full brewing process from raw material to packaging the product. After the tour visitors relocate back to the brewery tap for more sampling of the finished products and there is also a cold buffet including sausage roles, crisps, chicken legs, cocktail sausages and other snacks available.
ANY HISTORY? The present incarnation of Tomos Watkin was started in 1995 by Simon Buckley and first operated from a small brewery in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire before moving to their current premises in Swansea Enterprise Park in 1999. The Hurns Brewing Company acquired the Swansea brewer in 2002 and today Tomas Watkin exports their beers and other beverages to countries around the world, including the United Arab Emirates, China, Singapore, France, and the United States.
LOOK OUT FOR? At the start of the tour chief brewer and tour guide Alex Cunningham hands out samples of the different varieties of malt the brewery uses to make their world famous beer. There's even a chocolate flavour to try. Later visitors get a chance to look into the vats where 16,000 pints worth of beer ferments every day for export across Wales and around the world.
WHAT TO TAKE? There is a minimum of 12 people and a maximum of 25 people per tour. Cameras are allowed on the tour and visitors are encouraged to take as many photos as they want of the brewery, or even make a video of their tour. Go to http://youtu.be/G2TQ7w_DESE to see a You Tube video of my visit to Tomos Watkin.
WHEN TO GO? The tours cost £22.50 per person Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 9pm, there are also Friday tours available at £25 per person from 6pm to 9pm. For the same price as Friday tours, visitors can book a tour anytime between 12pm and 8pm on Saturdays. You must be over 18 to visit the brewery at these times, but there are school tours available at other times. To book a tour or find out more, send an email to shop@tomoswatkin.com.
TELL ME MORE: For sat-nav users the address and postcode is: Unit 3, Century Park, Swansea Enterprise Park, Swansea, SA6 8RP. More information is available on the website at www.tomoswatkin.com, or, you can phone 01792 797280.
Visit Richard Thomas's website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Ultimate laser fun

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, May 19, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

Ultimate laser fun

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Laserzone in Swansea.

WHY? Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger's favourite alter ego the T101 will recall the high-tech laser battle fought between humans and machines at the beginning of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. At Laserzone in Swansea you can get a taste of what it would have been like to be on the the set of James Cameron’s classic film, while you and your team take part in your own futuristic warfare.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Located opposite Castle Square next to Swansea Castle, Laserzone is a high-tech, live action laser game played in a multi-level themed arena with special effects, fog, laser beams, pulse pumping music and other players/targets combining to create the ultimate laser adventure!
ANY HISTORY? Lazerzone is located inside the former Castle Cinema which first opened in 1913. The former cinema building located adjacent to the grounds of Swansea Castle was the only building left still standing in vicinity of Swansea's Castle Street after the end of the Second World War.
LOOK OUT FOR? There are some arcade games to keep you occupied while you wait for your turn to play, but the highlight is definitely the Laserzone game itself. Each player is given a laser pack consisting of a laser weapon and body armour. The gun and body armour both have hit sensors built into them, all of which have different score ratings. Your end score depends on your hit to shots fired ratio and how many times you’ve been hit by other players. Up to 30 players can play at once and you can choose to either play as part of a team or go it alone as an individual.
WHAT TO TAKE? Wear casual clothes, dark colours would be best. Anyone aged eight years old and over can play at Laserzone. Prices are just £4 each for one game or during off peak times £6.50 each for two games. During peak times (weekends and school holidays) it costs £7.50 for two games. Becoming a member is a good way to save more money and only costs £10 for one year, after you become a member you get money off each time you return to play. Also, every Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm and again between 8pm and 10pm students with a valid NUS card get to play for £5. And on Sundays between 10.30am and 12pm under 16’s get to play a minimum of 3 games with a free squash drink for just £7.50. If you feel hungry after playing there are some snack machines to use and a pizza restaurant, Pizza Express, is just next door as well as other restaurants.
WHEN TO GO? Laserzone is open seven days a week. Monday to Friday groups can play from 12pm to 10pm, and on weekends games are played between 10am and 9pm. During school holidays games start at 11am and finish at 10pm.
TELL ME MORE: For sat-nav users the address and postcode is: Laserzone, Castle Buildings, Worcester Place, Swansea, SA1 1JQ. More information about game prices and opening times can be found on the Laserzone website at http://www.laserzone.org/ or by phoning 01792 653433.
Visit Richard Thomas's website at http://www.richardthomassite.com/.