Journey's so historic

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, February 4, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Journey's so historic

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

Swansea Civic Centre and Swansea Museum.

WHY? “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” A special exhibition in the foyer at Swansea Civic Centre tells the story of Jewish refugees from Nazi-occupied Europe who came to live in South Wales before the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Jewish Refugees in South Wales 1933 to 1945 has been organised by the West Glamorgan Archive Service as part of Swansea Council's commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day. Part of the display is dedicated to the history of the Kindertransport, the government-sanctioned mission to rescue Jewish children from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia. The exhibition also demonstrates the contribution adult refugees made to the South Wales economy after escaping the Third Reich.
Thankfully history isn’t all so sombre. Swansea Museum has just opened a new exhibition celebrating 100th anniversary of Roald Amundsen's historic journey to become the first explorer to reach the South Pole. Cold Recall is a photo exhibit featuring actual images from the lantern slides used by the Norwegian explorer in his talks and public lectures. The exhibit shows visitors the extreme challenges of arctic exploration between 1910 to 1912 when Roald Amundsen led the much talked about expedition to end of the world.
A second South Pole explorer exhibition dedicated to Captain Robert Falcon Scott's 1912 ill-fated journey to the South Pole opened on January 22.
ANY HISTORY? Approximately 10,000 children were helped by concerned groups in the UK to flee Hitler’s Germany and occupied Europe before the outbreak of war in 1939. After their arrival at reception camps on the east coast of England, the children were then sent to homes across the UK where they were placed with foster parents. Many of these children were sent to live in South Wales.
There is also a South Wales connection to Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic expedition. Five members of Scott's historic expedition perished on the desolate Antarctic ice-cap, marching back from their fateful visit to the South Pole. The first of which was Swansea man Petty Officer Edgar Evans.
WHAT TO TAKE? Admission is free at both Swansea Museum and the exhibition at Swansea Civic Centre.
LOOK OUT FOR? After you’ve checked out the Cold Recall exhibition there is much more to see at Swansea Museum. The museum’s six galleries contain all kinds of unusual objects from Swansea’s past and the rest of the world, including a collection of Victorian antiques and even an Egyptian mummy.
WHEN TO GO? Swansea Museum is open from 10am to 5pm every Tuesday to Sunday. Last admissions are at 4pm. The museum is closed Mondays and bank holidays. The museum’s Antarctic explorer exhibitions will be open until April 22.
The Jewish Refugees in South Wales exhibition is open all day at Swansea Civic Centre until February 5. So tomorrow is your last chance to visit this exhibition at the Civic Centre before it closes.
WHERE TO GO? You can find Swansea Museum’s main building next door to the LC2 on Victoria Road. For sat-nav users the postcode is SA1 1SN. Swansea Civic Centre is only a short drive away from the museum on Oystermouth Road, the postcode is SA1 3SN.
TELL ME MORE: You can find out more about the exhibits at Swansea Museum by phoning 01792 653763 or by visiting the museum’s webpage at www.swansea.gov.uk/swanseamuseum. More information about Swansea Civic Centre’s Jewish Refugees in South Wales exhibition is also available on the Swansea.gov.uk website.

Enjoy a spot of peace

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, January 28, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
 

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Enjoy a spot of peace
A big day out!
RICHARD THOMAS heads to ….
the Botanical Gardens at Singleton Park in Swansea.

WHY? Although the gardens are at their most stunning in August there is still lots to see even in the winter months, with up to 200 different plants having been seen in flower during this time of the year. Set within the tranquil surroundings of Singleton main park, it is a very relaxing place to sit, relax and maybe seek some inspiration for your own garden.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The beautiful Botanical Gardens are based in the old Walled Garden which was used as the kitchen and flower garden by the Vivian family from 1853. Today the gardens contain fine specimens of rare and exotic plants from across the world. There’s plenty to take in, the Botanical Gardens house one of Wales' premier collections of florae, with spectacular herbaceous borders and large glasshouses packed full of displays. The gardens are also home to Ty'r Blodau, an educational and visitor centre available for school visits, workshops and meetings.
ANY HISTORY? In 1847 John Henry Vivian purchased Veranda House for his son Henry Vivian and his wife Jessie. Less than a year later, sadly, Jessie died giving birth to their son. Distraught by his wife’s death, the rich industrialist resolved never to live in the house and by 1853 only the estate lodge remained, the principal part of Veranda House
having been dismantled. St Paul's Church in Sketty was built as a memorial to Jessie and a bronze and red granite statue of Henry Vivian still stands near St. Mary’s Church in the city centre.
By 1919 the Singleton Estate as it had become had amalgamated some 12 farms to amass 250 acres. That year the Swansea County Borough Council decided to purchase the land
from the Vivian family for use as a public park. Daniel Bliss, who was trained at Kew Gardens, was chiefly responsible for the purchase of the estate and in 1920 began to oversee its transformation into a public park and garden. Today’s Botanical Gardens is largely the result of his vision.
WHAT TO TAKE? Singleton Botanical Gardens are free for the public to visit. Parking can be found on Sketty Road outside Singleton Park. Inside the park is the fabulous Pub On The Pond serving great value food everyday of the week for the whole family. With their Squire Deal you can enjoy two main meals for just £10! There’s even a children’s adventure playground just outside, so dress warmly.
LOOK OUT FOR? The glasshouses simulate a variety of different climates from around the world: in the hot Desert House environment you'll find cacti and succulent plants, while in the Tropical House you can see plants found in the rain forest and tropical jungles. These include the comprehensive collection of orchids and epiphytes such as bromeliads and tillandsias. In the Economics glasshouse you’ll find plants that come from mostly sub-tropical regions and some Mediterranean countries, and that are of economic importance, including sugar cane, coconuts, olives and coffee. This glasshouse also contains a colourful collection of begonias.
WHEN TO GO? The gardens are open everyday until 4.30pm. Regular plant sales take place in the gardens every Saturday.
TELL ME MORE: You can find them at Singleton Park in Swansea. For sat nav users the postcode is SA2 8QD. Phone 01792 298637.

Game on at centre

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, January 21, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.
 

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Game on at centre
A big day out!
RICHARD THOMAS heads to Crossfire in Swansea.

WHY? With a total of 53 computers spread over two floors, all with all with 17-inch TFT monitors and fast response times, Crossfire is Swansea's best Internet and LAN multiplayer gaming centre.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? The first-floor gaming room holds 25 computers, laid out in banks of five for ideal team play. Their gaming PCs run on Intel Core 2 Duo processors with 2GB RAM, and Radeon HD4870 or GeForce 8800GTS graphics cards. Every gaming computer has a wide range of games totalling over 400GB, all with their own speakers and headset, for you to use according to preference. Each computer also has a high-quality optical wheel mouse, although, hardcore gamers may prefer to bring their own mouse that they are more used to using. And all computers are networked together so you can play against any number of other players in the building at once.
ANY HISTORY? The history of video games goes as far back as the 1940s, when in 1947 Thomas T. Goldsmith, Jr. and Estle Ray Mann filed a US patent request for an invention they described as a "cathode ray tube amusement device."
WHAT TO TAKE? There is a small charge to use the computers and play the games. Basic internet access, including web browsing, using web mail and instant messengers only costs £2 per hour for members and £2.40 per hour for non-members. Full games access including all the games, plus internet access is £3 per hour or £15 all day for members. For non-members this is £3.60 per hour or £20 all day. Membership is only £10 for a full year and only costs £5 to renew for each subsequent year.
LOOK OUT FOR? There are lots of games, the most popular are the World of Warcraft and Modern Warfare 3.
WHEN TO GO? Crossfire is open all week but in the evenings between 5pm and 9pm and again on Sundays between 10am and 2pm you can enjoy a four-hour session for only £5! Also approximately once a month, Crossfire run an all-night gaming session, from 9:30pm until 9:30am for £15 per head, or you can go for 24 hours for only £25 total. For any all-nighter, you will need to reserve your place by paying either in full or just a £5 deposit. You can pay this using Paypal or a credit card via the Crossfire website, where you can also find information about the next all-nighter.
TELL ME MORE: You can find Crossfire in Swansea’s city centre opposite the Dragon Hotel. For sat users the full address and postcode is: Crossfire, 46 Princess Way, Swansea, SA1 5HE. You phone on 01792 461144 or email them at general@crossfire.uk.net. More information can be found on the Crossfire website at http://www.crossfire.uk.net/.

Bingo! A top day out

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, January 14, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Bingo! A top day out
A big dat out!
RICHARD THOMAS heads to …
Castle Bingo in Morriston. 

WHY? There are lots of big cash prizes to be won at Castle Bingo in Morriston including prizes of £4,000 and more!
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Castle Bingo has bingo halls scattered across South Wales with eight purpose built bingo halls in locations including Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff and Newport.
Castle Bingo in Morriston was first opened in March 1993 and is renowned for its friendly and social atmosphere, as well as being lucky for its members, who have won to date over £4 million on the National Bingo Game. Many of Castle Bingo’s visitors travel from as far as West Wales to play at their favourite bingo club.
ANY HISTORY? Castle Leisure which operates the Castle Bingo chain is one of the oldest private companies in South Wales and has been based in the same Cardiff office continuously since 1856. The history of the game is much older, however.
Bingo or Housey-Housey, as it used to be called in Britain, began in Italy with the Italian lottery in the 1500s. From Italy, the popular pastime is believed to have migrated to Britain and other parts of Europe including France, where Le Lotto as it was known was played by the French aristocracy in the 1700s. Bingo as we know it today was used in 19^th century Germany as an educational tool to teach children the multiplication tables.
In the early 1990s a misconception about the Gaming Act was that if bingo was played using playing cards instead of numbers this would allow public houses to get around the law, which prevented bingo being played for cash prizes in a public place, however, since the Gaming Act has no description of how bingo is played this was to prove false. Despite the law a large number of public houses continued to play the game and still do so today. The government has since legalised all forms of small stakes bingo in public houses.
WHAT TO TAKE? On Saturdays prices start from as little as £4 for an eight page book during morning sessions and £8.50 for afternoon and evening sessions but these prices are different on other days. Hot drinks are available in the club’s coffee bar and just across the road is a McDonalds drive through.
LOOK OUT FOR? The Castle Jackpot where you can win £4,000. All you have to do to win is shout “house” on 45.
WHEN TO GO? Castle Bingo is open seven days a week with sessions starting as early as 12pm and as late as 9.35pm. Monday evenings is the biggest value session of the week, however, with all your bingo for just £10, and with five big £500 second half houses.
TELL ME MORE: For sat nav users the address and postcode is: 41 Clase Road,
Morriston, Swansea, SA6 8DS. You can phone on 01792 772211.
For more information about game prices and start times visit the Castle Bingo website at http://www.castlebingo.co.uk/.

Just the place to shop

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

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Just the place to shop

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to the Quadrant Shopping Centre in Swansea.

WHY? Still decorated for the holiday season, the Quadrant Shopping Centre is the best place to shop for new year bargains in Swansea.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? In the Quadrant you’ll find all the UK’s best chain stores including fashion and clothing stores Republic and Debenhams, as well as HMV and The Game where you can buy all the latest digital entrainment. In The Works you’ll find a wide range of discount books and Store Manager Chloe Lees and her staff will help you find the perfect book to start your reading list for 2012. There’s even a Disney shop selling toys of all your favourite cartoon characters and a Menkind store just next door where you’ll find all kinds of amusing gadgets.
ANY HISTORY? The heart of Swansea’s city centre where the Quadrant is located was bombed severely in 1941 in what has become known as “Three Nights Blitz.” Forty one acres of the city centre and 857 premises were destroyed beyond repair by the German Luftwaffe and the bombing necessitated the complete rebuilding of the city centre. The Quadrant was opened in 1979.
WHAT TO TAKE? All you need is your wallet and some carrier bags if you don’t like getting charged the extra 5p per bag. There is also a small charge for parking in the adjacent multi-storey car park, but until mid January this is just £1 for four hours instead of the usual £4.50. Food is available in the different cafes and restaurants in the Quadrant.
LOOK OUT FOR? The Quadrant is home to the Swansea Devil or Old Nick, a bizarre carved wooden statue of the Devil. The controversial Swansea icon dates back to the 1890s when it was decided that St. Mary's Church in the centre of Swansea would be rebuilt. When the design of the London architect Sir Arthur Blomfield was chosen instead of that of a Swansea artist, the local man took it as a snub at his talent. Angry, he bought a row of cottages adjacent to the church and tore them down. In their place he erected a red brick building to house the brewery offices, on which he placed a carving of the Devil, facing the church. He is reputed to have said: “When your church is destroyed and burnt to the ground my devil will remain laughing.” St. Mary’s Church was bombed during the war but the building on which Old Nick was mounted stayed standing throughout the war.
WHEN TO GO? There are always a lot of exciting events and promotions happening throughout the year at the Quadrant. The shopping complex is open most days between 9am and 6pm. On Wednesday they close at 7pm and on Sundays the are open between 11am and 5pm. The open hours of the individual stores varies, however.
TELL ME MORE: You can find the Quadrant in Swansea’s city centre, next door to the city bus station. For sat nav users their postcode is SA1 3QW.
For more information visit the Quadrant Shopping website at www.quadrantshopping.co.uk.

Magical Panto show

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, December 31, 2011, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Magical Panto show

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

The Grand Theatre in Swansea.

WHY? The Grand Theatre in Swansea has a 1,000-seat auditorium and hosts a wide variety of shows and exhibitions for everyone to enjoy.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? There’s lots to look forward to at The Grand this Christmas. This season’s pantomime spectacular Aladdin is the biggest and most ambitious yet! Set in old Peking and starring Jimmy Osmond as Wishee Washee, as well as Kevin Johns as Widow Twankey and Zoë George as Princess Jasmine, the cast share the stage with a most unusual co-star as the Genie of the Lamp comes to life in amazing 3D! Wearing 3D glasses at certain points throughout the show the audience can rub the magic lamp as it appears in front of them and summon the magical Genie from his lamp!
ANY HISTORY? Since 1897, Swansea's Grand Theatre has been providing the public with a broad range of cultural, artistic and general entertainment events. The Grand Theatre was designed by the architect William Hope of Newcastle in 1897. It was built by D. Jenkins and was opened by Madam Adelina Patti - an Opera Diva of her day - under the original proprietors Morell and Mouillot.
The Swansea Corporation leased the building in May 1969 and bought it outright in 1979. The Theatre was then refurbished and updated during the period 1983 - 1987 at a cost of £6.5 million. A further £1 million was spent for the Arts Wing to open its doors for the first time in 1999.
Over the last twenty years, the fabric of "The Grand" has been improved and enhanced considerably, thanks to the support of the former Swansea Corporation, Swansea City Council and more recently the City and County of Swansea. However, none of the theatre's unique identity has suffered as a result of this improvement and today's Grand is as full of charm and atmosphere as was the case when the theatre first opened its doors all those years ago.
WHAT TO TAKE? Morning tea and coffee, lunchtime specials and pre-show dinners are available in the theatre’s Footlights Café Bar. Located in the theatre’s delightful garden area it's the perfect setting to meet with friends for a drink or a light meal. The menu includes fresh Italian coffees, a variety of teas, sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, pasties, cold drinks and fresh pastries.
Information about ticket prices can be found in the Autumn Brochure, which can be downloaded at www.swanseagrand.co.uk.
LOOK OUT FOR? The Arts Wing is the most recent development at The Grand and adds almost 2000 square metres of extra space to the theatre. The contemporary space holds exhibitions, conferences and smaller-scale music and drama performances including lunchtime theatre on the last Saturday of each month and a regular comedy club featuring acts on the comedy circuit. On the top floor there is also the Rooftop Café, Restaurant and Bar with it's own terrace, affording unique views of Swansea.
WHEN TO GO? You wil be able to see Aladdin until 15 January. The Grand is open Monday to Saturday between 9.30am to 8pm, on non performance days they close at 6pm. On Sundays the theatre is open for one hour before performances.
TELL ME MORE: The Grand is situated in the heart of Swansea’s city centre on Singleton Street. For sat nav users their postcode is SA1 3QJ. To book your tickets call the Box Office on 01792 475715.

Celebrating a master

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

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Celebrating a master

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, including the annual Dylan Thomas Festival now underway at the centre.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Each year in October and November the centre holds its annual Dylan Thomas Festival, a multi-arts celebration of Swansea's most famous son, as well as his friends, contemporaries, and those he has influenced. This year’s festival featured talent not just from Wales but far beyond too, including verbal fireworks from two fine Swansea writers, Joe Dunthorne, whose novels are Submarine and the newly released Wild Abandon, and local poet Sarah Coles, whose writing has appeared in Planet magazine. There were also writers from as a field as the greatly respected Somali poet Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac 'Gaariye' speaking at the centre.
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 cost £6 each and 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? The Dylan Thomas Centre regularly hosts events, films and talks in its conference rooms and theatre. The centre also houses the permanent 'Man and Myth' exhibition, based on 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.
WHEN TO GO? The Dylan Thomas Centre is open 10am to 4.30pm seven days a week.
TELL ME MORE: For sat nav users their address and postcode is: Somerset Place, Swansea, SA1 1RR. For more information about events at the centre call 01792 463980 or visit www.dylanthomas.com.