Tour this sweet treat

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, August 13, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Tour this sweet treat
A big day out! 
RICHARD THOMAS heads to ...
 The Chocolate Factory in Swansea.

WHY?
The Chocolate Factory is unique in Swansea: a real, working chocolate factory offering informative tours for individuals and groups of all ages. With the popularity of the Charlie And The Chocolate Factory film starring Johnny Depp, and the original novel by Roald Dahl, The Chocolate Factory is a fun place to take the kids during their summer break from school. And tour guide, Gareth John, almost like a real-life Willy Wonka, makes sure everyone on the tour gets a chance to see the different factory equipment and taste all the chocolate.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
After getting kitted up in the factory’s fashionable hairnets and aprons, the tour begins with a detailed talk about the history of chocolate, from its popularity among the ancient Olmecs and Aztecs of Central America to its discovery by Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Conquistador who conquered Mexico, Hernando Cortes.
This is followed by a walk on the factory floor where you are shown the factory machinery and given a demonstration by Gareth John of how they melt, temper and re-mould chocolate into football shaped lollies, chocolate hearts and other bespoke items.
ANY HISTORY?
The Chocolate Factory was founded by Tony and Michelle Wadley. The brother and sister team moved to the UK from South Africa in 1992, bringing with them their secret recipe for delicious sugar lollipops which they were able to sell to the major high street retailer, Harrods. Building on this success, the two moved to their current premises in 1999 and The Chocolate Factory began doing school tours.
LOOK OUT FOR?
Tour guide Gareth Johns begins the tour by saying, “We’re going to eat a lot of chocolate today!” and this is no exaggeration. As well as the factory’s white, dark and milk chocolate varieties, you also get to taste the new strawberry chocolate being tested by the factory. Gareth also hands out marshmallow lollies, freshly dipped in melted chocolate from one of the factory’s chocolate kettles.
WHAT TO TAKE?
Tours cost £8 for adults and £6 for children aged between three and 16, but group discounts are available for groups of 25 people or more. Cameras are allowed and visitors are encouraged to take photographs throughout the tour. There is also a gift shop where you can buy all the products made in the factory.
WHEN TO GO?
The Chocolate Factory is open for group tours Monday to Friday. They run between four and five tours a day between 9am and 4pm. The summer is The Chocolate Factory’s busiest period of the year, with staff regularly welcoming around 200 costumers a day, so booking in advance is essential. To book phone Gareth John on 01792 561617 or email tours@michton.com.
TELL ME MORE
For sat nav users their address and postcode is: The Chocolate Factory, Swansea West Industrial Park, Fforestfach, Swansea, SA5 4DL. Visit their website at www.thechocfactory.com.

Go ape for cinema

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, August 6, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
 

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Go ape for cinema
A big day out!
RICHARD THOMAS heads to …
The Odeon cinema in Swansea.　

WHY?
One of the biggest films of the summer, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, is released Thursday, August 11, and there are lots of other big summer blockbusters now showing at the cinema.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The Odeon is a 10 screen cinema situated in the Park Tawe shopping complex in Swansea’s city centre. The cinema is right next door to Tenpin Bowling and other leisure sites including Plantasia and Lazerzone are close by if you want to do something after seeing your film.
The inside of the Odeon is all on one level, allowing easy access for all filmgoers. The cinema has also been upgraded with large screens and digital projectors. Which means filmgoers at the Odeon are able to see 3D versions of the biggest blockbusters like Captain America: The First Avenger, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, and Transformers: Dark of the Moon.
ANY HISTORY?
The Odeon chain of cinemas began in 1928 when Oscar Deutsch opened the first Odeon Cinema in Brierley Hill, a town in the West Midlands, but there is a much older history of film going in Swansea. In 1914 Wales' first purpose built cinema, the Carlton Cinema de Luxe, opened in the city’s Oxford Street. It is now home to a Waterstone’s bookshop.
WHAT TO TAKE?
Ticket prices vary but Friday to Sunday an adult ticket (18 years) costs £7.75 and a child ticket (12 years and under) costs £5.45. Like students and seniors (over 60), a teen ticket (ages 13 to 17) costs £5.75. Don’t forget to bring a photo ID with you, especially if your seeing a film with a 12A, 15 or 18 certificate or want a student discount. More information about ticket prices is available on the Odeon website.
It wouldn’t be the pictures without snacks: popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, sweets and soft drinks are all available at the cinema’s snacks counter. Combos are available to save on costs.
LOOK OUT FOR?
Rise of the Planet of the Apes hits cinemas Thursday, August 11. This is a reboot of the popular Planet of the Apes franchise that began in 1968 with the classic film starring Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor. The film uses CGI apes and stars Andy Serkis, best known for playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, as a genetically engineered chimpanzee who starts a war for supremacy between humans and apes. Find out more at www.apeswillrise.com.
WHEN TO GO?
The Odeon is open seven days a week. Check the website for film times.
TELL ME MORE
Their address is: Odeon Swansea, Parc Tawe, Swansea, SA1 2BA. To book tickets you can phone their Filmline on 0871 22 44 007 or go to the Odeon in Swansea webpage at www.odeon.co.uk/fanatic/film_times/s19/Swansea.

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

A game for all ages

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, July 23, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
 

 

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A game for all ages
  A big day out!
RICHARD THOMAS heads to …
Tenpin Bowling in Swansea.

WHY?
Tenpin Swansea, formerly Megabowl, is the only ten pin bowling alley in Swansea, located in the Parc Tawe shopping and leisure complex near the city centre.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
Tenpin Swansea offers a host of family friendly activities for people of all ages and abilities, from first time players right up to veteran bowlers. The alley boasts 26 bowling lanes, three American pool tables, an amusements arcade and cosmic bowling nights. Tenpin Swansea also offers a range of kids birthday party packages.
Held every Saturday and Sunday morning, Tenpin’s Birthday Bash events are occasions to remember. For £12.00 per person you get two games of cosmic bowling, your choice from a selection off the Beach Road Cafe Bar menu, unlimited squash, as well as goody bags for all the kids. There is a minimum of six people for Tenpin parties, but they offer fun and excited for all children aged 12 years old and under.
ANY HISTORY?
Bowling is one of the oldest sports still played in modern times. The earliest forms of bowling can be traced back to Ancient Egypt. In 1930 when the famous Egyptologist Sir Flinders Petrie excavated the grave of an Egyptian boy dating to 3200 BC, the explorer discovered artefacts resembling the pins used in tenpin bowling today. The first standardised rules for the pastime were established in New York City, on September 9, 1895. Today bowling is played around the world in over 90 countries.
WHAT TO TAKE?
One game costs £6.49 for adults and £5.00 for juniors. Two games cost £11.49 (adults) and £9.00 (juniors), and three games costs £12.49 (adults) and £10.00 (juniors). There’s also special family deals available. Four people can play a game for £20.00 or two games for £35.00. Bowling shoes are provided.
Food and drink are available. Their Beach Road Cafe Bar was inspired by the sun bleached, chilled-out beach vibe of Bondi, and is where you can relax with a burger and fries before or after you bowl.
LOOK OUT FOR?
As well as normal ten pin bowling on some nights you can play cosmic bowling, a hybrid of glow-in-the-dark ten pin bowling with dance club music and lights. Up to date information about cosmic bowling times can be found on the Tenpin website listed below.
At Tenpin Swansea there’s also an amusements arcade where you can try to win a prise on the claw machines, or, if you like, you can just chill out watching Sky Sports in the fully licensed bar or playing pool on the three American pool tables.
WHEN TO GO?
The bowling alley is open 11.00am to 12.00am on weekdays and 10.00am to 12.00am on weekends. During the school holidays they are open 10.00am to 12.00am seven days a week. The bar closes at 11.30pm.
TELL ME MORE
For sat nav users their address and postcode is Parc Tawe, The Strand, Swansea, SA1 2AX. You can phone on 0871 873 3150 or book online at www.tenpin.co.uk/swansea.


Grand day out!

Below you can see my old “Grand Day Out” columns I wrote for the South Wales Evening Post before I started writing my weekly “Big Day Out” column on Saturdays. Just click on the photos to read them.

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Grab your bargains

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, July 16, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Grab your bargains
  A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

the Singleton Park Car Boot Sale in Swansea.

WHY?
What with the economic downturn car boot sales are a good way to save money and even make some extra cash and one of Wales’ five biggest is held every Saturday opposite Singleton Hospital in the car park of the Wales National Pool in Swansea.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
The Singleton Park Car Boot Sale is a well run car boot sale in the heart of Swansea which helps to raise funds for Singleton Hospital. Attendance barring bad weather is usually very good and there are lots of good deals to be grabbed.
ANY HISTORY?
Father Harry Clarke, a Catholic priest from Stockport first introduced the car boot sale to the UK after seeing a similar event being held in Canada while on holiday there in the early 1970s. Car boot sales now happen regularly across the UK every weekend of the year.
WHAT TO TAKE?
A carrier bag for your purchases would be useful. Food and hot drinks are available. You can choose between burgers and hotdogs or a healthy option. There’s also an ice cream van and a bouncy castle to keep the kids busy.
If you want to have a go at selling your unwanted clutter, cars cost £10.00, and vans and cars with trailers cost £15.00. Aim to get there before 6.00am if you want a good pitch to sell from as the car park fills up very quickly.
LOOK OUT FOR?
Goods available to buy typically include clothes, ornaments, pictures, books, toys and games, CDs, Blu-rays, DVDs, VHS tapes and even electrical goods like digital cameras and game consoles. Videos only cost 50p each and sometimes as little as 10p.
There’s plenty for collectors. When I visited I saw on display classic Playstation, Super Nintindo and Gameboy games and consoles. There were also a lot of old figurines from classic kids TV shows and films like Star Wars and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Some of which are worth a lot more money on websites like eBay for collectors. You might even find some new furniture.
WHEN TO GO?
The car boot sale is open every Saturday all year round from 7.00am to 1.00pm. But begins to close around 12.00pm, so get there early. After 12.00pm prices start coming down if you want to look for some last minuet bargains. I bought a DVD of James Toback’s 2008 film Tyson for just £1.00, original price £5.00!
TELL ME MORE
You can find the Singleton Park Car Boot Sale across the road from Singleton Hospital Car Park. Go to Oystermouth Road, Sketty Lane, Sketty, Swansea, SA2 8QA. Details for this car boot sale and others can be found at www.carbootsaledirectory.co.uk.

Discover wartime past

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, July 9, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Discover wartime past
  A big day out!

   RICHARD THOMAS heads to ...

 the 1940s Museum. 

WHY?

Ever wanted to travel back in time? If so, then why not enjoy an educational day out at the 1940s Swansea Bay Museum. With the winter months here, it’s fun for all the family whatever the weather.

WHAT’S THE BUZZ?

The 1940s Swansea Bay Museum is based in Crymlyn Burrows off the Fabian Way in Swansea. The Museum contains exhibits showing what life was like in the Swansea Bay area during and in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The Museum offers visitors a unique chance 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?

Lots, it’s a museum after all. Most people have heard of the London “Blitz”, 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 Swansea Bay Museum was setup six years ago to tell the story of the impact of the bombing raids on the area, and how local people managed to cope with the devastation of total war. The Museum is preparing to mark the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Swansea, in February next year.

LOOK OUT FOR?

There are many highlights. The Museum have just recently opened a new exhibit, an authentic wartime grocer's shop, where visitors can see what products available 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! If you survive the German bombs, 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.

WHEN TO GO?

The Museum is open daily 10am-4pm (last admission 1 hour before closing).

TELL ME MORE

Visit: www.1940sswanseabay.co.uk

Tel: 01792 458864

Email: mail@1940sSwanseaBay.co.uk