Dark days of war

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, March 3, 2013, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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  Dark days of war
A big day out!

   RICHARD THOMAS heads to the 1940s Museum. 

WHY? At the 1940s Museum on Swansea Bay, visitors go on a trek back in time, when Swansea was under attack from the German Luftwaffe and braising itself for invasion.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The museum is based in Crymlyn Burrows off the Fabian Way and contains exhibits showing what life was like in the Swansea Bay area during and in the iaftermath of the Second World War. The Museum offers a unique chance for people born after 1945 to discover for themselves what life was like for civilians on the Home Front during the war and experience the sights and sounds of an air raid first hand. You even get to find out what you could eat with a week’s rations and dress up in 1940s clothes and uniforms.

ANY HISTORY? The London Blitz are infamous around the world, but the ports and industrial towns of South Wales were also targets for the German Luftwaffe, a three-night bombing campaign on Swansea in February, 1941, left most of the city destroyed. The 1940s Museum was set up eight years ago to tell the story of the impact of the bombing raids on the area, and how locals managed to cope with the devastation of total war.

LOOK OUT FOR? One of the highlight is an authentic wartime grocer's shop, where visitors can see what products available back then are still on store shelves today. Items like Spam, tinned beans and Weetabix are all here on display - although the Weetabix used to come in a tin rather than a box, according to Museum director John Thomas. In addition short films and displays of actual material from the period help bring to life a time over 65 years ago when every Briton had to carry a gas mask and identity card with them. But the best part of the exhibition has to be the RAF plotting room, where you follow the course of the German bombers before taking cover in the air raid shelter. Then when the all clear sounds, you can stroll down the reconstructed 1940s street, past houses, shops and into the corner pub.

WHAT TO TAKE? Don’t forget to bring a camera with you to take some snaps.

WHEN TO GO? The Museum is open daily between 10am and 4pm, last admission is one hour before closing.

TELL ME MORE: For more information phone 01792 458864 or visit www.1940sswanseabay.co.uk.

Visit www.richardthomas.eu.

Go Ape! at Margam County Park

My column for the March 2013 issue of Swansea Life magazine.

  
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Go Ape! at Margam County Park

On location: At Go Ape thrill seekers can enjoy up to three hours in the tree tops tackling zip wires, Tarzan swings, rope ladders and hire-wire crossings, but you don't have to be adrenalin addict to have fun in Margam Park. Steeped in history, wildlife and natural beauty, there’s something for everyone inside the park. Located in Port Talbot, along the eastern rim of Swansea Bay, the 850 acre estate boasts a magnificent 18th century orangery, an impressive and picturesque Tudor-Gothic style Victorian mansion house, a 12th century chapter house, ornamental gardens and one of the best deer herds in Wales. Children will enjoy the narrow gauge railway, adventure playground, farm trail and Fairytale Land. For sat-nav users the full address and postcode is: Margam Country Park, Margam, Port Talbot, SA13 2TJ. More information about all of the activities at Margam Park can be found at www.margamcountrypark.co.uk, or you can phone 01639 881635.

Opening hours: Margam Park is open daily between 10am and 4.30pm. Go Ape! is closed Tuesday and Thursday, the rest of the week the Tree Top Adventure is available for bookings at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. To make a booking go to www.goape.co.uk/days-out/margam.

Crowd scene: Mostly teens and 20- and 30-somethings, many of them students. But there are also some dad's and mum's with their children tackleling the the Go Ape course. There's plenty to keep the rest of the family busy at Margam, if they don't want to swing from the tree tops. 

Back story: The history of Margam can be traced back to the Bronze and Iron Age, and it is even believed that the park’s deer herd was first introduced by the Romans some time after the Roman conquest of Britain in the 1st century CE. Adjacent to the Go Ape Tree Tops Adventure site is Margam Abbey built in 1147 and the magnificent Margam Castle, a Gothic-Tudor mansion house commissioned by Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot in 1830. 

Noteworthy: Borrow an mp3 player free of charge from the kiosk and you'll be able to eavesdrop on voices from the past when you visit eight different spots inside the park. Written by David Hughes and recorded by local actors, these echoes from the past offer a fascinating insight into the lives of people who have worked, visited or lived on the estate over the centuries.

Show business: Today Margam Castle has become a popular filming location for TV shows. Last July the production team for the new drama series the Da Vinci's Demons written by David S. Goyer, who also penned the scripts for Batman Begins and Blade, were busy setting up camp at the castle.

Minimum requirements: At Go Ape as long as you can climb a rope ladder you will be fine. But there are some restrictions. Participants must be at least 10  years old and 1.4 metres tall and no more than 20.5 stone.

Parental guidance: Under 18s who want to Go Ape must be supervised by a participating adult. An adult can supervise either two children, where one or both of them are under 16, or up to five 16 to 17 year olds.

Tickets: Entry to Margam Park is free but there is a parking charge of £3.90. The Go Ape! Tree Top Adventure trail costs £20 for 10-17 year olds and £30 for the over 18s. 

Food and drink: Margam Park's Discovery Centre Cafe serve a range of hot drinks and cakes, but a lot of visitors opt to bring picnic lunches to Margam when the weather is good.

Photography: Cameras are welcome, and the tree tops at Go Ape offer fantastic views of Margam Park and Swansea Bay to photograph.

Disabled access: Disabled parking is available within both the Orangery and castle car parking areas and wheelchair access to the facilities is possible from these areas. Margam also have wheelchairs and an electric tramper buggy available for those with disability problems.

Events: Throughout the year, Margam Park hosts various events from Living History Weekends to Clown Festivals and Charity Walks.

Facilities: In the Visitor Centre in the Castle Courtyard there is a gift shop, park office, toilets and baby changing facilities.

Staff: The staff at Go Ape are friendly and happy to give you all the encouragemnt and help you'll need to stay safe on the course.

Pros: After completing the Go Ape course, you are awarded a certificate to show you are now part of the tribe.

Cons: Swinging from the tree tops is fun, but landings can be a bit muddy if you haven't had much practice on the zip wire swings.

Top tip: Wear suitable footwear with good grip and something you don't mind getting a bit grubby in. Also the rope ladders can be a bit hard on the hands, so bring gloves if you have them. 

Richard Thomas is the author of Sci-Fi Worlds - Doctor Who, Doomwatch, Battlestar Galactica And Other Cult TV Shows available from Amazon and all good book retailers. Visit www.richardthomas.eu.

Tree-sy does it at park

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, February 23, 2013, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post



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Tree-sy does it at park

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Margam Country Park.

WHY? Steeped in history, wildlife and natural beauty, there’s something for everyone inside the park. Located in Port Talbot, along the eastern rim of Swansea Bay, the 850 acre estate boasts a magnificent 18th century orangery, an impressive and picturesque Tudor-Gothic style Victorian mansion house, a 12th century chapter house, ornamental gardens and one of the best deer herds in Wales. Children will enjoy the narrow gauge railway, adventure playground, farm trail and Fairytale Land. And at Go Ape thrill seekers can enjoy up to three hours in the tree tops tackling zip wires, Tarzan swings, rope ladders and hire-wire crossings, but you don't have to be adrenalin addict to have fun in Margam Park.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Since Margam Park was officially opened in 1977 approximately four million people have visited the park to enjoy the facilities and events hosted inside.

ANY HISTORY? The park is best known for being the home to Margam Abbey built in 1147 and Margam Castle, a Tudor mansion house commissioned by Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot in 1830. Although a relatively modern building, the castle was built on the site of an Iron Age hill fort, and during the ten years it took to complete the castle there were several deaths of masons involved in the contraction work. The Gothic building’s troubled beginning combined with the 4000 year history of the site has attracted many paranormal investigators to the castle.

LOOK OUT FOR? Borrow an mp3 player free of charge from the kiosk and you'll be able to eavesdrop on voices from the past when you visit eight different spots inside the park. Written by David Hughes and recorded by local actors, these echoes from the past offer a fascinating insight into the lives of people who have worked, visited or lived on the estate over the centuries.

FUN FACTS? Margam Castle doesn’t only attract TV shows about ghosts and the supernatural, scenes for episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures have also been filmed at the castle. Last July the production team for the new drama series the Da Vinci's Demons written by David S. Goyer, who also penned the scripts for Batman Begins and Blade, were busy setting up camp at the castle.

WHAT TO TAKE? Entry to the park is free but there is a charge for parking and some of the activities inside. Bring a camera and for Go Ape wear suitable footwear with good grip and something you don't mind getting a bit grubby in. Also the rope ladders can be a bit hard on the hands, so bring gloves. Margam Park's Discovery Centre Cafe serve a range of hot drinks and cakes, but a lot of visitors opt to bring picnic lunches to Margam when the weather is good. To make a booking go to www.goape.co.uk/days-out/margam.

WHEN TO GO? Margam Park is open most days between 10am and 4.30pm, the opening hours for Monday and Tuesday are 1pm to 4.30pm.

TELL ME MORE: Throughout the year the park hosts various events from Living History Weekends to clown festivals and charity walks. Information about these and other events and attractions at Margam Park can be found at www.margamcountrypark.co.uk, or you can phone 01639 881635. For sat-nav users the full address and postcode is: Margam Country Park, Margam, Port Talbot, SA13 2TJ.

Visit www.richardthomas.eu.

Extraordinary exhibits

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, February 16, 2013, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Extraordinary exhibits 

A big day out! 

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Swansea Museum’s Collections Centre at Landore. 

WHY? Swansea Museum operates over four locations. The Collections Centre is a fascinating place to visit because it houses the museum's reserve collection which include some extraordinary exhibits from Swansea’s industrial and maritime past.
WHAT'S THE BUZZ? The Collections Centre is housed in an historically important building on the former Hafod/Morfa Copper Works site in Landore, parts of which date back to 1830. The former copper rolling shed and warehouse building has been transformed into a public-access store and collections centre. The building is now home to the reserve collections of both Swansea Museum and the Maritime and Industrial Museum, providing more opportunities for the public to see some wonderful gems from history.
ANY HISTORY? In the mid-19th century the Hafod/Morfa copper-smelting complex was the centre of world copper smelting activity. Little evidence remains of this industrial past, however, save for the buildings on the site.
QUIRKY HISTORY? Considering the age of the building and the exhibits inside, ghost hunters won’t be surprised to learn that staff have even reported hearing “loud whistling” when nobody else should have been in the building.
WHAT TO TAKE? Admission is free but don’t forget to bring a camera with you.
LOOK OUT FOR? Some of the most popular items in the collection at Landore are the old vehicles like a traveller's van, lorries, a fire engine and also boats. There are even two lifeboats; the Naomi Beatty and the William Gammon. Gifted to the museum in 1992, the William Gammon was named in memory of the coxswain of the Mumbles lifeboat, who lost his life along with the other seven crew members on April 23, 1947, whilst attempting to rescue the crew of the Samtampa. The collection from the former Maritime and Industrial Museum in Swansea is also at the Landore site.
WHEN TO GO? Swansea Museum Collections Centre opens to visitors every Wednesday between 10am to 4pm.
TELL ME MORE: The Collections Centre can be found next to the Park and Ride car park, opposite the Liberty Stadium, on the Cross Valley Link Road, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2JT. For more information about exhibitions and events at Swansea Museum you can visit their website at www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseamuseum or phone 01792 653763.
Visit Richard Thomas's website at www.richardthomas.eu.

Pan creator's play

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, February 9, 2013, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Pan creator's play

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to ...

The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea.

WHY? The Dylan Thomas Centre is a beautiful building in the in the Maritime Quarter near to Swansea Museum. The Dylan Thomas Centre has a permanent exhibition on Dylan Thomas and his life and is also home to many literary events throughout the year.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The Dylan Thomas Centre regularly hosts different events, films and talks in its conference rooms and theatre. This February there are lots of events and exhibitions to look forward to, one of the big highlights at the centre are the "Theatre-in-Focus" presentations, which are all script-in-hand and preceded by a talk about the playwright. Next Saturday (February 16 ) Fluellen Theatre present J.M. Barrie's "The Old Lady Shows her Medals", a play set in 1916 about four ladies who are bragging about their sons, who are away fighting in the Great War, except that the biggest boaster, Mrs Dowey, isn't what she appears to be. From the creator of Peter Pan, this glorious and pointed comedy isn't too be missed. The play starts at 1pm, tickets cost £5. To book call 01792 463980.
ANY HISTORY? Formerly the city's Guildhall, which was originally built in 1825, the Dylan Thomas Centre building was restored and refurbished to host the UK Year of Literature and Writing in 1995. The centre was opened by former US President Jimmy Carter, one of the world's most famous Dylan Thomas enthusiasts.
WHAT TO TAKE? Tickets are available online from Ticketsource at www.ticketsource.co.uk/dylanthomas. Food and drink are available in centre’s restaurant and bar. There’s also a bookshop café.
LOOK OUT FOR? As well as hosting artistic events, the centre also houses the permanent "Man and Myth" Dylan Thomas exhibition, the largest collection of memorabilia of its kind in the world. This exhibit is designed to appeal to the Dylan Thomas expert and interested visitor alike. And just a short walk away from the centre is the Meridian Tower, the tallest building in Wales, where on the top floor diners can enjoy first class Mediterranean cuisine and spectacular views of Swansea in the Grape and Olive.
WHEN TO GO? The Dylan Thomas Centre is open 10am to 4.30pm seven days a week.
TELL ME MORE: For sat nav users the centre's address and postcode is: Somerset Place, Swansea, SA1 1RR. For information about the different events and start times at the centre visit www.dylanthomas.com.
Visit www.richardthomas.eu.

History of a Time Lord

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, February 2, 2013, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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History of a Time Lord

A big day out!

  RICHARD THOMAS heads to Cardiff Bay for the Doctor Who Experience.

WHY? This year the world's longest running science fiction series Doctor Who is celebrating its 50th birthday, so it is the perfect time to take a trip back through TV history and meet some of the Doctor's greatest foes, including the Daleks and their insane creator Davros, the alternate Earth Cybermen, space warrior clone Sontarans and many others.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ? At the Doctor Who Experience time travellers help the Doctor pilot the TARDIS and come face-to-face with some of the show's most iconic villains. Featuring exclusive filmed sequences with the Eleventh Doctor, Mat Smith, and packed with amazing special effects, this multi-sensory experience is fun for everyone and not just Doctor Who fans.

ANY HISTORY? The first ever episode of Doctor Who was broadcast on November 23, 1963, the day after President Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas, Texas. Entitled "An Unearthly Child" the episode introduced the Doctor, played by William Hartnell, as well as his grand daughter Susan - the "Unearthly Child" of the title. Although, an intriguing first episode which established the TARDIS and mystery of who this time traveller was - hence the name of the series Doctor Who, what followed were three very boring episodes where the Doctor and his companions were imprisoned by a tribe of cavemen in prehistoric  times. It was the next adventure "The Daleks" written by Welsh scriptwriter Terry Naton which saved the series from cancellation. Forty years later another Welshman, Swansea's own Russell T. Davies would save the Doctor from cancellation again, moving the series to Wales and reinventing Doctor Who after being on hiatus for 15 years.

LOOK OUT FOR? After your action-packed journey with the Doctor, there is so much more to see and explore. The world's most extensive collection of original Doctor Who props and artefacts includes the entire collection of Time Lord's iconic costumes from 1963 to the present day and the David Tennant TARDIS console set.

WHAT TO TAKE? Bring a camera with you to get your picture taken with Daleks, Sontarans and Cybermen. Tickets cost £15 for adults, £11 for children and £46 for a family ticket at the entrance, but discounts are available if you book your place. Advanced tickets cost £13 for adults, £9 for chldren and £38 for family tickets.

WHEN TO GO? The exhibition is open most days between 9am to 5pm. To check when they are closed visit www.doctorwhoexperience.com.

TELL ME MORE: The Doctor Who Experience is located just ten minuets from Cardiff city centre. Parking is available at Pierhead Street Car Park,  Cardiff Waterside, Pierhead Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4PH. To book tickets phone 08448012279.

Richard Thomas is the author of Sci-Fi Worlds - Doctor Who, Doomwatch, Battlestar Galactica And Other Cult TV Shows, available from Amazon.co.uk in paperback and as a Kindle ebook. Visit www.sci-fiworlds.com. 

Premier sporting venue

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, January 26, 2013, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post. 

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Premier sporting venue

A big day out! 
RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

WHY? Liberty Stadium in the Landore area of Swansea is the premier venue for sporting events and conferences in South West Wales. With a capacity of some 20,532 the stadium is the third largest in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the Cardiff City Stadium. The home to Swansea City and the Ospreys regional rugby team, the stadium is also the first Premier League ground in Wales.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Built on the site of the former Morfa Athletics Stadium and playing fields, the Liberty Stadium has become one of the foremost sporting venues in Wales. As well as being home to two hugely successful sports teams, the stadium also holds international sporting fixtures and sell out concerts, as well as well as providing a base for thousands of conferences and other special events each year.
ANY HISTORY? Despite their rich history by the end of the 20th century it was becoming clear that Swansea’s Vetch Field and St Helen’s were no longer adequate venues for major sporting events. The result was the Liberty Stadium, a world-class multi-use sporting venue to be proud of. During the Liberty’s construction the stadium was originally going to be called White Rock Stadium after the White Rock Copper Works which once existed on the same site. However, this name was only temporary and after the stadium was competed and the owners began looking for sponsors it became known as the New Stadium Swansea. Finally, on 18 October 2005 Swansea-based developers Liberty Properties Plc won the naming rights to call the new venue the Liberty Stadium.
FUN FACTS? The first capacity crowd recorded at the Liberty Stadium was on 1 November 2006 when the Ospreys beat Australia 24–16.The stadium has also hosted four Wales Football internationals.
LOOK OUT FOR? The stadium is home to Swansea City Football Club and the Ospreys regional rugby team. So you’ll be able to see some of the biggest stars in English football and Welsh rugby at the Liberty.
WHAT TO TAKE? All you need is a ticket, which can be bought either in person via the ticket office at the stadium, or, by phoning 0844 815 6665.
WHEN TO GO? For match times and days or to find out what other events are being held at the stadium, go to the Liberty Stadium website at www.liberty-stadium.com.
TELL ME MORE: The stadium’s car park can be found at the entrance to the Morfa Retail Park. For sat-nav users the full address and postcode is: Liberty Stadium, Landore, Swansea, SA1 2FA.

Visit www.richardthomas.eu.