All the fun of the fair

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

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All the fun of the fair 

A big day out! 

This week RICHARD THOMAS heads to the Swansea Spring Funfair to enjoy the rides and win some prizes.

WHY? Today is the last day to catch the Spring Funfair at St Helens car park in Swansea. Whether you enjoy fast and furious rides or just want to test your skills on the stalls, there's lots to keep the whole family entertained for an afternoon. So don’t miss out on winning some giant bears and other special prizes!
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? There's a wide variety of rides and games to choose from at the fair, with something to suit all ages. Younger children will enjoy the Jump And Smile Dome indoor bouncy castle, and for slightly older children there’s a Mini Coaster and Fun House. Parents and grand parents might prefer to try their luck on the stalls where you can win everything from toys of your favourite Walt Disney character to your own pet goldfish. For £2 you get a chance to win £10, all you have to do is knock all the tins off a shelf when you throw a ball. You get three tries but this is harder than it looks, a much more fun option is the air rifle stall game, where you shoot at different playing card targets to win a prize. There are also dodgems or bumper cars depending on whose doing the driving.
LOOK OUT FOR? Thrill seekers won’t want to miss out on the Insomnia ride, where you get to find out what it’s like to get whirled around like you’re in a giant washing machine.
ANY HISTORY? The first fairground rides began to appear in the 18th century. These early rides were small and made of wood and propelled by gangs of boys. In 1868, Frederick Savage, an agricultural engineer from Kings Lynn, devised a method of driving rides by steam. His invention, a steam engine mounted in the centre of the ride, transformed the fairground industry.
WHAT TO TAKE? Chips, hotdogs, popcorn, candy floss and other treats are all for sale in the funfair’s food booths. Most rides cost £2 per person, with the exception of the dodgems which cost £3 per car. Stall game prices vary between £2 and £3. Hook A Duck costs £2.50 for each attempt but you're guaranteed to win a prize every time you play, making it the best option for younger players. Don't forget to bring some bags with you to take home all your prizes at the end of the day.
WHEN TO GO? Today is the last day to enjoy the attractions at the funfair before it closes. The fair will be open today between 2pm and 10pm.
TELL ME MORE: You can find the funfair in the car park adjacent to the St Helen's Rugby Ground. For sat nav users the address and postcode is: 1 Bryn Road, Brynmill, Swansea, SA2 0AR. Find out more at www.funfairwales.co.uk.
Visit Richard Thomas's website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Have an ice day out

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

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Have an ice day out 

A big day out! 

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Mumbles for a Joe’s Ice Cream and some sightseeing. 

WHY? With the weather improving Joe’s Ice Cream Parlour in Mumbles is the best place to head to for an ice cream this Easter. Just across the road is the Tivoli Amusements Arcade where you can win a prize on the cranes and play on the slot machines. There are also other neat places to visit nearby like the fabulous 225 metre Mumbles Pier built in 1807, Mumbles Lighthouse completed in 1794 and Oystermouth Castle built in the 13th century.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Joe’s Ice Cream has been famous for its unique blend of Italian ice cream and Welsh ingredients since it was first established in 1922. Although Joe’s do have different flavours, it’s the original vanilla ice cream that you want to go for, as there’s not another ice cream quite so rich and tasty. The inside of the Mumbles parlour is adorned with photos of the ice cream parlour’s founder, Joe Cascarini, and there is also plenty of space, making it the perfect option for large families or groups. To make this Easter extra special Joe’s are currently selling ice cream filled chocolates shaped like Easter eggs, bunnies and chicks available in all their most popular flavours, vanilla, mint and strawberry. Sold in boxes of 18 this is a great treat for Easter at just £4.95.
ANY HISTORY? Once a small fishing village, Mumbles was discovered by wealthy Victorians in the 19th century and has been a highly popular holiday retreat ever since. In 1898 Luigi Cascarini came over to Swansea from the Abruzzi Mountains in Italy. Astonished to discover that there were no cafes open to the workers of the Swansea valley, Luigi decided to setup a haven for the working classes open from dusk till dawn. Before long, Luigi had opened a chain of cafes and when his eldest son, Joe, was old enough he brought him over to Wales from Italy to run the café on St Helens Road. A passionate ice cream lover, Joe brought with him from Italy a secret recipe from his home in Italy and Joe’s Ice Cream was born.
LOOK OUT FOR? You can buy a cone or tub with nuts or chocolate bits for just £1.20. To find out more about the prices at Joe’s Ice Cream go to www.joes-icecream.co.uk.
WHAT TO TAKE? Don’t forget to bring a camera with you to take some photos of the spectacular views of the bay and Mumbles Head.
WHEN TO GO? Joes Ice Cream Parlour in Mumbles is open every Saturday between 9.30am and 6.30am. The parlour is also open on Sundays between 11am and 6pm and on weekdays between 9.30am to 5.30pm, except Mondays when they open at 10.30am.
TELL ME MORE: Joe’s Ice Cream Mumbles Parlour is located on Mumbles Road, next to the post office, but it is probably best to park in the nearby Quarry pay and display car park. For sat-nav users the Quarry car park postcode is SA3 4LQ.
Visit Richard Thomas’s website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Bay has plenty to offer

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, March 31, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Bay has plenty to offer

A big day out! 

 This week RICHARD THOMAS heads to Swansea Prom. 

  
WHY? With its wide range of attractions the spectacular five mile stretch of Swansea Bay is a great destination for visitors of all ages. Whether you want to start getting back in shape for the summer using the fitness trail adjacent to the foot path, ride your bike, or, just want to kick back and relax with an ice cream by the sea, the Swansea prom has it all.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? This April sees some of the prom's most popular attractions returning for the Easter holidays. Nestled between Singleton Hospital and Swansea University just across the road from the prom is Singleton Boating Lake, where you can hop aboard a pedalo and glide around the lake or enjoy a round of crazy golf on their 18 hole course. There's also a bevy of resident Swans to see and an adventure playground. The prom is also home to Ashleigh Road Pitch & Putt, Swansea's only 10 hole golf course, as well as Blackpill Lido, Swansea's very own mini outdoor water park.
ANY HISTORY? Returning to the promenade today until Sunday April 15 is the 72 seater Swansea Bay Rider Land Train. Running between Blackpill Lido and Southend Gardens, Mumbles, it's a journey with strong echoes of the the old Mumbles Train which carried the world's first fare-paying railway passengers on March 25, 1807, and has been missed by locals ever since it closed in 1960.
LOOK OUT FOR? You'll find plenty of family fun at Blackpill Lido, where you can catch the Bay Rider Train. Although the paddling pool won't be open until June, with its superb children's play area and picnic facilities Lido is a great place to stop and take five by.
WHAT TO TAKE? A standard Bay Rider Train ticket costs £2, but you can opt to buy a family ticket for one adult and three children or two adults and two children for £5 instead. Tickets are available on the train. A packed lunch is a good idea but overlooking Singleton Boating Lake is the fabulous Pub On The Pond which serves great value food for the whole family. With the pub restaurant’s Squire Deal you can enjoy two main meals for just £10!
WHEN TO GO? The pedalos and crazy golf course at Singleton Boating Lake, as well as Ashleigh Road Pitch & Putt golf course and Swansea Bay Rider Land Train will be open daily from today until April 15. You can hop aboard the Bay Rider between 10am and 4pm. The other attractions will be open between 10am and 6pm.
TELL ME MORE: There are several pay and display car parks off Mumbles Road and Oystermouth Road, adjacent to the promenade. For-nav users the Blackpill Lido postcode is SA3 5AS. For more information about all the attractions on the prom go to www.swanseaprom.com.
Visit Richard Thomas's website at www.richardthomassite.com.

Roll up for derby fun

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

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Roll up for derby fun

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to Cwrt Herbert Leisure Centre in Neath to see the Swansea City Slayers.
   

WHY? The Swansea City Slayers are Swansea's first flat track roller derby team, providing fun and exciting roller derby action for all ages.
WHAT'S THE BUZZ? Roller derby is the UK’s fastest growing all female sport. The game is played by two teams of five skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short “jams” in which both teams designate a scoring player called a “jammer” who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team. Both teams attempt to assist their own jammer while hindering the jammer on the opposing side. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins!
ANY HISTORY? The Swansea Slayers were formed in May 2010. On March 3, the amateur team won their first home bout at Cwrt Herbert Leisure Centre in Neath against Oxford Roller Derby.
LOOK OUT FOR? The Slayers’ home venue at Cwrt Herbert Leisure Centre boasts a fully licensed bar and merchandise stalls, where you can pickup one of the Slayers’ famous t-shirts and other cool stuff.
WHAT TO TAKE? On the door tickets cost £7, but children under 12-years old go free and if you buy your ticket in advance you can save a pound. As well as a full day entry to both the mixed scrim and headline bout, ticket prices include an event programme and entry to the Slayers’ after party. To buy tickets online go to www.wegottickets.com.
WHEN TO GO? The Swansea City Slayers have a full years worth of battling lined up against some formidable foes. The team’s next big bout is against the Cardiff Roller Collective on May 19. More details about this and other upcoming fixtures are on the Swansea City Slayers website at www.swanseacityslayers.com.
TELL ME MORE: Swansea City Slayers are currently recruiting, you don't need to know how to skate to take part, they will teach you everything you need to know, and it won't be long before you're able to compete in your first match. The Slayers currently hold a fresher training session on Wednesdays between 8pm and 10pm in the sports hall in Tycoch College, but you have to be both female and over 18 in order to participate. If you would like to get involved you can send an email to contact@swanseacityslayers.com or visit the Swansea City Slayers Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/swanseacityslayers.

Catch a top match

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, March 17, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.




















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Catch a top match

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. It is also home to Swansea City and the Ospreys regional rugby team, and a result of Swansea City's promotion 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.

Fantastic family fun

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, March 10, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

 
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Fantastic family fun

A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

Heatherton World of Activities in Pembrokeshire.

WHY? Open all year round, Heatherton World of Activities near Tenby is a family leisure park whose wide range of indoor and outdoor activities offer something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ? Heatherton is perhaps best known for its fantastic paintball fields, scenarios and missions, but there’s no shortage of choice at the park, including go karting on the 300m race track, getting some target practice on the Big H Air Pistol Range and Laser Pigeon Shoot, or taking an archery lesson from qualified coaches. There’s also a regular and adventure golf course, baseball range, indoor and outdoor play area, maze, and lots more. All the equipment is provided by the park, so even for people who have never tried any of these sports or activities before, this is a great chance to come and have a go.
ANY HISTORY? Pembrokeshire first became known as a holiday and tourist spot in the late 18th century. With the Napoleonic Wars preventing rich tourists from visiting the spa resorts in Europe, Pembrokeshire provided a British alternative to the continent.
LOOK OUT FOR? The Tree Tops Trail is an outdoor tree top high ropes adventure activity that will give you a day out to remember. There are four thrilling courses to traverse, with enough rope bridges, swings, high altitude obstacles and zip wires to thrill both novices and adrenaline addicts alike. There is a height and age restriction, however, participants must be at least 10 years old and 1.4m tall. To book a place go to www.treetopstrail.com.
WHAT TO TAKE? Admission to the park is free, visitors only pay for what they want to play. Prices vary from £3.50 for Laser Clays, Bumber Boats, Junior Go Karts and other games, to £12 minimum to play Paintball and £25 to go on the Tree Tops adventure trail. Each activity at the park holds an individual price as well as a credit value. For the best value for money buy a credit pass. These range from five to 100 credits, and the more credits you buy the more money you can save on the attractions.
WHEN TO GO? Until Easter you will be able to visit the attractions at the park everyday between 9am and 5pm. But if you want to play Paintball it is advisable to phone first to book a place.
TELL ME MORE: For sat nav users the full address and postcode is: Heatherton World of Activities, St Florence, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, SA70 8RJ. More information about all the activities can be found on the Heatherton World of Activities website at www.heatherton.com, or you can phone 01646 652000.

Park has rich history

Below is my “Big Day Out” column from the Saturday, March 3, 2012, Swansea edition of the South Wales Evening Post.

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Park has rich history
A big day out!

RICHARD THOMAS heads to …

Margam Country Park.

WHY? Steeped in history, wildlife and natural beauty, there’s something for everyone at Margam Park on the slopes of Mynydd Margam, two miles from Port Talbot.
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. 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.
ANY HISTORY? The history of the site can be traced back to pre-historic times, Bronze and Iron Age relics abound the area and point to Celtic and Roman occupation at the site. It is even believed that the park’s deer herd was first introduced by the Italian invaders some time after the Roman conquest of Britain in the 1st century CE.
LOOK OUT FOR? 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, including visits by the TV series Most Haunted in 2006.
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.
WHAT TO TAKE? Entry to the park is free but there is a parking charge of £3.70 for cars, £6.40 for minibuses and £12.70 for coaches. Season tickets cover parking charges for a single vehicle for a whole year and are available from the car park kiosk or at the main office just off the Castle Courtyard. These cost £16 each but don’t cover the costs of some of the events hosted by the park, for which there is a separate charge.
WHEN TO GO? Margam Park is open all year round. Until the end of March the park gates will be open between 1pm and 4.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. The rest of the week (Wednesday to Sunday) the park will be open 10am to 4.30pm.
TELL ME MORE: Throughout the year the park hosts various events from Living History Weekends to clown festivals and charity walks the next of which is “Lets Walk Cymru” and will be held on March 9. Up to date information about these and other events and attractions at Margam Park can be found on the park’s website at www.margamcountrypark.co.uk, or you can phone 01639 881635. For sat-nav users the postcode is SA13 2TJ.