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<title>Cardiff - Capital of Wales Information and Resources | Cardiff | Cardiff hotel</title>
<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/article.xml</link>
<description><![CDATA[Cardiffworld.com is your guide to Cardiff, Capital of Wales. Cardiff News, Cardiff views, Cardiff issues, Cardiff resources and history of Cardiff, places to visit in Cardiff, Cardiff articles and information.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:11:37 -0400</pubDate>
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<language>en</language><item>
	<title>Things to do in cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff/Things-to-do-in-cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Mar 2008 09:11:37 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff/Things-to-do-in-cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[  
Cardiff is one of the greatest cities of Wales and the UK and is definitely worth a visit even if one is visiting for a weekend. There are great shops and restaurants to the busy and attractive nightlife of Cardiff bay. There&rsquo;s usually something for everyone. Its position is easily reachable from the M4 and its airport.
Here are some places to go and things to do in Cardiff. 
 
Bute Park 
Bute  Park city centre park 
Bute Park Animal Wall 
City centre outdoors 
Art gallery and park 
Butetown History and Arts Centre 
4-5 Dock Chambers, Bute St Cardiff Bay library and archive art gallery 
Cardiff Arms  Park 
Westgate St Old Brewery Quarter stadium/oval park 
Cardiff Bay and Cardiff  Bay Barrage 
Cardiff  Bay 
Cardiff Castle 
Castle St city centre castle 
Cardiff International Arena 
Mary Ann St Old Brewery Quarter stadium/oval 
Church of St John the Baptist 
St John's Cres city centre religious/spiritual 
Civic Centre 
Civic Centre miscellaneous 
Coal Exchange 
Mount  Stuart Sq  Cardiff Bay significant house 
Glamorgan County Cricket Ground 
Cathedral Road Area park 
Goleulong 2000 Lightship 
Cardiff  Bay lighthouse 
Llandaff 
North Cardiff square 
Llandaff Cathedral 
Cathedral Rd Llandaff religious and spiritual centre
Mermaid Quay 
Cardiff  Bay waterfront 
Millennium Stadium 
Westgate St city centre stadium/oval 
National Assembly  Building 
Cardiff  Bay government building 
National Assembly Visitor Centre 
Maritime Rd Cardiff Bay miscellaneous 
National Museum and Gallery of Wales 
Gorsedd Gardens Road Central Cardiff museum art gallery 
National Museum Wales 
Gorsedd Gardens Rd Civic Centre museum 
Norwegian Church 
Harbour  Dr Cardiff  Bay museum art gallery 
Pierhead Building 
Maritime Rd Cardiff Bay significant house 
Techniquest, Stuart   St 
Cardiff City museum 
Wales Millennium Centre 
Bute  Place Cardiff  Bay theatre/cinema 
Welch Regiment  Museum 
War related city centre museum]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Cardiff - What To See, Where To Go When Staying In Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Entertainment/Cardiff---What-To-See--Where-To-Go-When-Staying-In-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:13:34 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Entertainment</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Entertainment/Cardiff---What-To-See--Where-To-Go-When-Staying-In-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Cardiff, the capital of Wales, has undergone massive redevelopment in recent years. It boasts that it is the largest city in Wales and the 11th largest in the UK.
  
Recently, it has been famous for the television series Dr Who being filmed here.
  
So what should you do when you visit Cardiff?
  
1. Cardiff Castle
  
For those who like history, Cardiff  Castle should be on the top of your list. Originally built in medieval times, the castle has more recently been host to rock concerts, the Welsh Mardi Gras as well as the Cardiff University Summer Ball.
  
2. Festivals
  
The Welsh National Eisteddfod is regularly held in the city and the two stone circles are used as part of the event. Alternate years see the opera world focus on the famous BBC Cardiff Singer of the World. Almost a quarter of a million people flock to the Big Weekend Festival held here each year for the rides and other attractions. There is also an annual free outdoor Cardiff Festival, one of the UK's largest outdoor festivals.
  
3. Music and Nightlife
  
Whether your musical style is Shakin' Stevens, Charlotte Church or something else altogether, many acts have started their careers in Cardiff. The city centre is home to a wide range of bars, pubs and clubs - check out the Brewery Quarter if you don't like to travel far between a variety of bars and restaurants.
  
4. Shopping
  
Choose from the three main shopping arcades: St David's Centre, Capitol Centre and Queen's Arcade. These are host to hundreds of shops and a number of different department stores. If you prefer more traditional shopping, you will find yourself at home wandering around Cardiff's numerous Victorian shopping centres, where you can admire the architecture as well as the goods on sale. Take time to visit Howells, the oldest and largest department store in Wales. Cardiff is also home to Spillers Records, which is reckoned to be the oldest record shop in the world.
  
5. Sports
  
As you would expect in Wales, the Cardiff Blues are a rugby union team who play at the Cardiff Arms  Park stadium. Football isn't ignored either, so you could choose to watch the successful Cardiff City F.C. Cricket fans will migrate towards the Sophia Gardens ground, close to the centre of the city to watch a test match and maybe even part of the Ashes. The Millennium Stadium can cope with up to 75,000 spectators and hosts both rugby and football matches on a regular basis. Speedway fans aren't neglected either: they have their own speedway stadium so they can watch the thrills and spills of this sport.
  
6. Visit Television Locations
  
As well as much of the recent Dr Who series, Cardiff is regularly used as a backdrop for television shows, closely rivaling London in this respect. It was the subject of a &quot;time rift&quot; in both Dr Who and Torchwood.
  
7. Attractions
  
As well as the castle mentioned earlier, there are plenty of other attractions to visit if you have the time. Fans of the author Roald Dahl, who was born here, can visit the Roald Dahl Plass (or Plaza). The Welsh National Assembly meets in the city. There are plenty of museums to take your interest. Cardiff Bay has a Coal Exchange and the more recently constructed barrage, which was one of the large projects completed in Europe in the late 20th century. If you prefer more leisurely activities, take a stroll around one of the many parks located in the city.
  ]]></description>
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	<title>Cheap Flights to Anglesey From Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Travelling-Tips/A-Visit-To-Cardiff-Castle.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Dec 2007 12:29:03 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Travelling Tips</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Travelling-Tips/A-Visit-To-Cardiff-Castle.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[  
With the new Anglesey Cardiff air link open you can get cheap flights to the island from the Welsh capital from as little as &pound;20 ($40) one way.
Highland Airways, who operate flights to Anglesey from Cardiff, aim to attract both business and leisure travellers.
With such cheap flights now available, the company expects the new air link, supported by the Welsh Assembly Government, to open up this remote corner of Wales.
Just imagine you are planning a visit to the UK next year, you can now pencil in the beautiful island  of Anglesey into your journey plan. And with a stay in Cardiff on route, you&rsquo;ll get a good feel of 21st century Wales.
Why not visit the magnificent new Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, built using Welsh slate, timber and other local materials. There is also Cardiff  Castle and the Millennium Stadium, where Wales play international rugby.
Cardiff  International Airport is a good 20 minute ride out from the city centre and can be reached by coach or car. With internal UK flights, it&rsquo;s a breeze getting from London Heathrow or Gatwick to Cardiff.
You take off from Cardiff International and fly over the vast green of Mid Wales below. Passing the Black  Mountains, Snowdonia and the Cambrian coast to the West, you will arrive at Anglesey Airport within an hour.
As you approach Anglesey you may see the Menai Straits below, which separates the island from mainland north   west Wales.
Equally, if you are looking to set up business on Anglesey or need to meet established clients, the cheap flights and short flight time from Cardiff are very attractive.
So many people comment on how long a car journey takes from South Wales to Anglesey, at least four and a half hours. Now all this has changed with the twice daily flights.
You can get a cheap flight from Cardiff international at 0730 and this arrives at Anglesey  Airport at 0835. There is also an afternoon flight, leaving at 1615 (1515 on Fridays) arriving on the island at 1720 (1620 on Fridays).
The Anglesey Cardiff return flight leaves at 0855 and again at 1740 (1640 on Fridays).
Remember your personal baggage allowance is 15kg on the twin-prop 18 seater plane operated by Highland Airways.
So now is your opportunity to enjoy this new route and tell others about the cheap flights to Anglesey.
]]></description>
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	<title>Wales - Haunted Cardiff Castle</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Wales---Haunted-Cardiff-Castle.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2007 19:12:46 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Castle</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Wales---Haunted-Cardiff-Castle.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Wales is a country in the United   Kingdom. Its culture is made up of the Welsh language, its evolved secular legal system and a literary tradition. Wales is a land that has fought for its freedom form England rule to become an independent country that relies on itself to maintain life and harmony.
Wales is deeply rooted in its culture. The people are proud of their heritage and they love to share that with others. One of the biggest ways Welsh culture is shared is through stories and tales about its varied past.
Wales is a land of many tales. There are stories abound about Wales past and its colorful people and places. These tales can be rooted in truth or purely folklore. They are, however, always interesting and help to paint a picture of the country, both present day and from the past.
The stories you will hear from Wales are a mixture of many things. Some are obvious folklore, like the tales of elves, dragons and fairies, but even the folklore plays an important part in the past of Wales. People tell these tales to explain the unexplainable or to teach a lesson.
The Tale of haunted Cardiff Castle is about a former owner. Many old buildings are said to be haunted by former owners who loved their home so much that they refuse to leave, even after their death. Cardiff Castle in located in South Glamorgan, Wales. It is said that Cardiff castle is quite haunted, particularly by past inhabitants.
The Second Marquis of Bute's family owned the castle for six generations and it was here he died. His ghost is said to haunt the area where he died which is a small chapel located behind the library. A bust in his honor stands at the very spot where he died.
Most often his ghost is spotted in the library. He appears as a man in a long coat.There is also an unknown ghost roaming about the castle. A young woman has been seen floating about, but nobody is quite sure who she is.
A coach also has been said to haunt the castle. Mostly in the 19th and 20th centuries reports of a phantom coach were recorded. People said they could both see and hear the coach.The ghosts of Cardiff castle seem to be rather friendly. The phenomena is usually limited to catching glimpses of the ghosts and unexplained locked doors and moving furniture.
Cardiff castle still stands and one place you can visit to see if you have any ghostly encounters.]]></description>
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	<title>History of Cardiff Reform Synagogue</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/People-of-Cardiff/History-of-Cardiff-Reform-Synagogue.html</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:53:30 -0500</pubDate>
<category>People of Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/People-of-Cardiff/History-of-Cardiff-Reform-Synagogue.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Founded in 1948 the Cardiff New Synagogue as it was called then, is in fact by now one of the older constituents within the Movement for Reform Judaism. It was brought about by a fortunate combination of circumstances. Two prominent Cardiff residents had (separately) experienced a Reform service and preferred it to what was then available in Cardiff. 
At the same time the Cardiff Jewish community had been swelled by a strong contingent of recent immigrants (mostly from Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia), who, on the strength of skills and/or money they had brought with them, were given permission to establish their enterprises in what was then a deeply Depressed Area. Most of them were used to synagogue services very different from the strictly traditional and were glad to join in the effort to found something more familiar. As many of their enterprises prospered they were eager and able to contribute to the founding of the new Reform Synagogue. 
At first services were conducted by visiting rabbis and held in a building called the Temple of Peace in Cardiff&rsquo;s Civic Centre. But the search for a resident rabbi and for a suitable building began almost immediately.
The late Rabbi Dr. L. Gerhard Graf, trained at the Berlin Hochschule and previously Rabbi at Bradford and Leeds, was appointed in 1949 and continued in office until his retirement 31 years later. Since Rabbi Graf's retirement the Synagogue has had three rabbis (as well as a number of student rabbis). Two of the rabbis, Kenneth Cohen and Rachel Montague, had relatively short spells in Cardiff, but Elaina Rothman came as a student rabbi in 1990 for two years, at the end of which she became our full, though part-time, rabbi. She is retired in December 2002.
During 2004 Rabbi Dr. Charles Middleburgh began taking services while the search continued for a rabbi to replace Rabbi Rothman. It was soon apparent that the solution to the communities search had been staring them in the face for almost a year.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Beauty of Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Beauty-of-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 28 Oct 2007 13:41:05 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[Cardiff is the capital and the largest city in Wales of Great Britain, located in South Glamorgan on the South Coast of Wales, between Newport and Swansea. Cardiff is the capital of the principality of Wales. Cardiff is a modern city as the youngest capital city in Europe with a brilliant post-industrial history. Not only Cardiff is a great place to shop but also a fantastic place to live and work. Cardiff is booming in investment and culture. The name Cardiff is the English name of Welsh name &quot;Caerdydd. If you're up for wild and great hen nights then Cardiff is the place for you to. Cardiff is overflowing with nightclubs, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes. Cardiff is small enough to be friendly and big enough to amuse. Anyway it&rsquo;s a delightful town. Cardiff is the first Fair-trade capital city to offer the Third  World a better deal. Cardiff is a vibrant and bustling city, with a wealth of museums and galleries. Cardiff is home to Cardiff Arms  Park, the home of Welsh rugby, but is also full of history with some wonderful buildings. Cardiff has a conspicuous waterfront city with wonderful buildings and parks. Cardiff has been the birthplace of the Marine Geography discipline in UK. The city is home to Cardiff Castle, the National Assembly for Wales, the National Museum and Gallery, Cathays and Bute  Park, and the Millennium Stadium.
Cardiff is a great city to visit for a weekend and shot excursions. Its easy to get to and a delightful city to explore. The city is also an outstanding base from which to explore other parts of Wales. It&rsquo;s ideal for a stay in Wales, a model destination for short breaks. Cardiff is the capital and doorway to the awesome country of Wales. 
Cardiff is reachable without difficulty by all modes of transport. It has one of Britain's major teaching and research universities and is a modern student city. Recently it won a Nobel Prize in Medicine. It&rsquo;s the jewel in the Welsh crown. As capital of Wales, It has obtained the reputation of a cool and a truly international city. ]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Llanrumney Hall</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-sites-of-Interest/Llanrumney-Hall.html</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 06 Oct 2007 12:39:27 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff sites of Interest</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-sites-of-Interest/Llanrumney-Hall.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Llanrumney (Llanrhymni) Hall is situated at the end of a large playing field on Ball road off Llanrumney avenue opposite eastern leisure centre.&nbsp; It is situated about 5 miles of Cardiff city centre and on the banks of the River Rumney close to the Bluebell and Squires woodlands along with the 33-acre international standard university playing fields.

 
Llanrumney used to be a small village situated between Newport and Cardiff but now it&rsquo;s the eastern part of Cardiff. Llanrumney Hall was, until recently, the mansion of a 700-acre estate believed to be a monastery owned by the Kemys family of Cefn Mably later acquired by Captain Morgan, a native of Wales and Sheriff of Glamorgan in 1726. Later the estate and the house as taken up by a history professor called E. A. Freeman and then latter by Charles Crofts Williams of Roath Court in 1859 and then to Llewellyn, the &ldquo;Prince of Wales&rdquo;. It was rebuilt in 1852 and refurbished at around 1900. Today it stands amidst the estate built in the 1950&rsquo;s. It is supposedly rumored to contain a masonry block with the headless body of Llewellyn.

 


    
There are several strange stories about Llanrumney Hall. Locals will tell you its haunted and many children will not go near it and exchange ghost stories as to how he was killed at the Hall by being chopped into small pieces and plastered around his house. And now that his headless ghost would ride across the field with his head tucked under his arms. Many locals would say that it is the Prince Llewellyn, the last price of Wales who is actually buried at Llanrumey Hall after being beheaded. This is seconded by the Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust and the Welsh historical society.
    
It&rsquo;s now run as a great pub frequented by locals. It&rsquo;s got an L-shaped bar with a pool table in the middle along with bed and breakfast. It has all its original features, Morgans table, gothic windows, plasterwork, a plaque in the Hall commemorating Henry Morgan and even paintings. It also comprises of a large function hall that can be hired for private get-togethers such as children&rsquo;s parties.
&nbsp;]]></description>
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	<title>Short history of Ancient Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Short-history-of-Ancient-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:40:06 -0400</pubDate>
<category>History of Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Short-history-of-Ancient-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[The present town of Cardiff is said, by Caradoc of Llancarvan, to have been built by Iestyn ab Gwrgan, Prince of Glamorgan, in the year 1080, after defeating Rhys ab Tewdwr, Prince of South Wales, who had made an irruption into his territory, and demolished the castle  of Dinas Powys, Lantwit Major, and Dunraven. It is however evident that Iestyn only rebuilt it at that period, continuing the ancient Welsh name, derived from its original founder, Aulus Didius. The following extracts convey my Father's opinion on the subject. 
&quot;The town of Cardiff was originally founded by Aulus Oidius, called by the Welsh Didi Gawr, about A. D. 53, to curb the Silures, after their renowned Prince, Caractacus, who valiantly withstood all the powers of Rome for nine years, and was victorious over them in more than seventy battles, had been betrayed into the bands of the invaders, by Aragwedd Voeddig, called by the Romans&nbsp; Cartismandua, a Princess of the Brigantes. This town was for many years the seat of the successors of that immortal hero, Princes of Essyllwg (Siluria), which included the present Morganwg or Glamorgan. It was called by the Britons, from its original founder, Caeridi, corrupted by time into Caerdydd, Caerdyf, and Cardiff. 
It seems to have fallen into decay, and to have been demolished in the Saxon wars, and rebuilt about the year 900. The Romans called it Ratostabius, whence Roath, and Rhath, the English and Welsh names of a village in the immediate vicinity of the present town, are obviously derived. It was also called Iupupania; from which, possibly, Cwmiwbwb, the Welsh name of a place not far distant is derived. Such was the importance attached to Cardiff, in former periods, which, according to some ancient British poets and historians, the county was, for awhile, named from it, Sir Gaerdydd (Cardiflshire). Among the vestiges of antiquities still to be traced in the neighbourhood are, the Roman road in Pengam marshes; the Roman camp at Rumney bridge; the remains of another on the Heath, and Cardiff town walls, seemingly built on the fosse of a Roman bulwark. The Roman camps at Whitchurch and Caerau, and the foundations at Gwaun Troda, may also be included.&quot;&mdash; Edward Williams.
The period last mentioned is considerably prior to that given by Caradoc, and seems to rest on the authority of a Welsh manuscript, which states thus:&mdash;&quot; A'r Morgan hwn oedd y cyntaf a wnaeth dref a chastell Caerdyf o fewn Caerau Didi Gawr, lie bu Dinas a losgwyd gan y Saeson yu amser Cadwaladr.&quot; 
And this Morgan (Morgan ab Hywel ab Rhys, king of Glamorgan, about the commencement of the tenth century) was the first that built the town and castle of Cardiff within the fortifications of Aulus Didius, where a town had been before, that was burnt by the Saxons, in the time of Cadwalader:&quot; (about the latter end of the seventh century). The strong probability is, that the town and castle built by Morgan were destroyed in the ravages, as stated by Caradoc, that ensued, and that lestyn rebuilt them. 
Among a variety of extracts from ancient historical manuscripts, a Welsh list of the castles of Glamorgan commences thus: &quot;Castell y Ty Gwyn Caerdydd,&quot; Jic. &quot;The Castle of the White House, Cardiff, built by Owain ab Morgan, fell into the hands of Robert Fitzhamon; and Robert Earl of Gloucester took it down to construct Cardiff castle.&quot; The following notice of a place called Troeda Castle, situated probably on Gwauu Troda, is of a much earlier date:&mdash;&quot;In the year 831, the Saxons came, unexpectedly, by night, and burnt the monastery of Senghenydd, which stood where the present castle (Caerphlly) now is; thence they went to the castle of Troeda, and burnt it: they then escaped over the Severn with immense plunder.&quot; In the year 111 1, Robert Earl of Gloucester encompassed Cardiff with a wall, and drew a river about the town and castle. Several accounts state that the castle built by lestyn was taken down by Fitzhamon, and rebuilt by him and his successor in a much stronger manner.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Spend a Day Out in Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Spend-a-Day-Out-in-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:18:40 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Spend-a-Day-Out-in-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, is a great place to visit and to inhabit as well. There is a wide range of cultural and tourist attractions that will keep people entertained at all times, be it rainy or sunny. A fantastic thing about Cardiff is that it is full of surprises, and it will never stop amazing its visitors. Cardiff certainly has a diverse and cosmopolitan air to it.
Some of the most beautiful places in Cardiff are the green areas, seen in every corner of the city. This means that a day out in Cardiff or in the surroundings of Cardiff is an excellent way to relax and spend some quality time with your loved ones. It is also a great place to go on a date or simply take a long walk. Cardiff is full of green parks, the most popular being Bute Park, which is actually a garden that joins the Llandaff Fields with the Taff River. Other parks in Cardiff are Roath Park, situated in the north of the city or Victoria Park, which is full of colour in spring. Victoria Park was actually the first official park in Cardiff.
A weekend out in Cardiff or in the surroundings of this marvellous city is like a breath of fresh air. This is the reason why days out in Cardiff are very popular activities. You can hop on a Cardiff Bus, prices start from &pound;3 and fun is guaranteed. The most advantageous way to travel by Cardiff Bus is to purchase day-to-go and day-to-go plus rider tickets. These tickets can be bought on the bus. The regular tickets cost &pound;3, &pound;2 for children and &pound;7 for a family of 5. Tickets are valid for an entire day, and can be used in, around and beyond Cardiff.
One good idea for a day out in the surroundings of Cardiff would be to go to Barry Island, and you&rsquo;ll enjoy being by the sea all day. Close to Cardiff, the large sandy beach awaits you with plenty of souvenir shops, cafes and arcades. Go to the pleasure park on this island and try the rides. Try the thrilling Log Flume. You can also visit the Glamorgan Steam Railway Heritage Centre, or take a steam train ride. All these, plus panoramic views of the Bristol Channel.
If you want to visit some ancient locomotives and furnaces you should check out the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, the Pontypool and Blaenavon Steam Railway and Big Pit. There are many monuments in the area and there are structures of ironworks you can admire. You can take an underground tour at Big Pit, or see a locomotive collection at Pontypool.
For a relaxing tour with mountainous scenery, go to Brecon Mountain Railway, Merthyr Tydfil. You can take the steam train through the Breacon Beacons  National Park and enjoy the lovely view of mountains, forests and lakes. You can stop at a cafe, take a walk or stay for a picnic.
If you want a glimpse of history, go to the Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre and Legionary Museum. You will have the chance to see the Isca fortress, one of the most important military bases in Britain. The Amphiteatre is a great site to see. The Museum in High Street pictures the entire history of Roman Caerleon. You can take a look at his armours, arms, and lots more enciting things linked to Caerleon&rsquo;s time. Wales is very famous for its numerous castles. Around Cardiff you can visit Caerphilly Castle or Castle Coch.
Caerphilly Castle is an impressive castle with huge gatehouses, moats and lakes, towers and other beautiful architectural maneouvres. It will send you back to medieval times, the castle being built in 1268. There are also shops and cafes here, to make your trip even more pleasurable.
Castle Coch is another castle near Cardiff. It is a fairy-tale like castle also known as the Red Castle. The castle was built back in the 13th century but its foundations were laid in the 7th century. In the 19th century, under the orders of the Marquis of Bute, the castle was transformed into a romantic country retreat. You can see Aesop&rsquo;s fables illustrated on the walls of the Coch castle. All in all, the castle is a very extravagant building, worth visiting.
If you want to go on a picnic, you can choose the Comeston Lakes Country Park and Medieval Village. You can see amazing wildlife there as well as beautiful scenery and a medieval village from the 14th century.
If you want to experience life in the 17th century and the Civil War, just visit the Llancaiach Fawr Living History Museum. Another similar experience would be the Museum of Welsh Life. At Llanerch Vineyard, Hensol you can go wine tasting at Wales&rsquo; greatest vineyard. You can also take long walks in this country park and see the picturesque lakes and forests. A great tourist attraction and a good idea to spend a day out in Cardiff would be at the Rhondda Heritage Park. Experience the unique audio and visual presentations of Rhondda Valley. There is also a contemporary artifacts museum.
Last, but not least, you can go to the ancient site of Tintern Abbey. The area is splendid and you can also see the ruins of the old abbey. It is actually a place many artists have been drawn to, due to its outstanding beauty, and therefore, many works of art were created here. Currently, the Wye Alley, where Tintern Abbey is located, is a common attraction for those who are in love with the countryside. It&rsquo;s just pleasant to take the famous Wye Valley Walk on the Offa&rsquo;s Dyke path, which is situated on the hills above.
To make it easier, you can book an organized tour and let others worry about your itinerary. All you need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of Cardiff and its surroundings.]]></description>
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	<title>The Castle of Wales and Land of the Cymry: A poem</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/The-Castle-of-Wales-and-Land-of-the-Cymry--A-poem.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:06:58 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Castle</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/The-Castle-of-Wales-and-Land-of-the-Cymry--A-poem.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[THE CASTLES OF WALES.
By Rev. Daniel Evans, B.D.
Ye fortresses grey and gigantic &nbsp;&nbsp; I see on the hills of my land, To my mind ye appear terrific, &nbsp;&nbsp; When I muse on your ruins so grand; Your walls were a shelter the strongest &nbsp;&nbsp; From the enemies&rsquo; countless array, When they spilt with the blood of the bravest, &nbsp;&nbsp; Your sides in our ancestors&rsquo; day.
Around you the war-horse was neighing, &nbsp;&nbsp; And pranced his rich trappings to feel, While through you were frightfully gleaming &nbsp;&nbsp; Bright lances and spears of steel; The fruits of the rich-laden harvest, &nbsp;&nbsp; Were ruthlessly trod by the foe, And the thunder of battle was loudest, &nbsp;&nbsp; To herald its message of woe.
While viewing your dilapidation, &nbsp;&nbsp; My memory kindles with joy, To think that the foes of our nation, &nbsp;&nbsp; No longer these valleys destroy; By sowing his fields in the winter, &nbsp;&nbsp; In hope of a rich harvest-home, The husbandman now feels no terror &nbsp;&nbsp; Of war with its havoc to come.
When I look at the sheep as they shelter &nbsp;&nbsp; In safety beneath your rude walls, Where erst the dread agents of slaughter &nbsp;&nbsp; Fell&rsquo;d thousands, nor heeded their calls; p. 90The hillock where crossed the sharp spears &nbsp;&nbsp; Now shadows the ewe and its lamb, While seeing the peace of these years, &nbsp;&nbsp; My heart is with gratitude warm.
Ye towers that saw the wild ravens, &nbsp;&nbsp; And the eagles with hunger impell&rsquo;d, Exultingly gorge &rsquo;mid your ruins. &nbsp;&nbsp; On corpses of men which they held; How sweet for you now &rsquo;tis to hear &nbsp;&nbsp; The shepherd, so peaceful and meek, Tune his reed with a melody clear, &nbsp;&nbsp; While his flock in you shelter do seek.
Upon your battlements sitting, &nbsp;&nbsp; To view the bright landscape below, My heart becomes sad when remembering &nbsp;&nbsp; That silent in death is the foe, And the friends who bravely did combat, &nbsp;&nbsp; And raised your grey towers so steep, Declaring their life-blood should stagnate, &nbsp;&nbsp; Ere ever in chains they would weep.
When I think of their purpose so pure, &nbsp;&nbsp; The tear must fast trickle from me, Their hearts did Providence allure &nbsp;&nbsp; To their country, and her did they free; We now live beneath a meek power, &nbsp;&nbsp; And feel the full blessings of peace, While on us abundantly shower, &nbsp;&nbsp; The mercies of Heaven with increase.
MY FATHER-LAND.
Land of the Cymry! thou art still, In rock and valley, stream and hill, &nbsp;&nbsp; As wild and grand; As thou hast been in days of yore, As thou hast ever been before, As thou shalt be for evermore, &nbsp;&nbsp; My Father-land!
Where are the bards, like thine, who&rsquo;ve sung The warrior&rsquo;s praise? the harp hath strung, &nbsp;&nbsp; With mighty hand? Made chords of magic sound arise, That flung their echoes through the skies, And gained the fame that never dies, &nbsp;&nbsp; My Father-land?
And where are warriors like thine own, Who in the battle&rsquo;s front have shown &nbsp;&nbsp; So firm a stand? Who fought against the Romans&rsquo; skill, &ldquo;The conquerors of the world,&rdquo; until They found thou wert &ldquo;invincible,&rdquo; &nbsp;&nbsp; My Father-land?
And where are hills like thine, or where Are vales so sweet, or scenes so fair, &nbsp;&nbsp; Such praise command? There towering Snowdon, first in height, Or Cader Idris, dreary sight, And lonely Clwyd?&nbsp; Oh! how bright, &nbsp;&nbsp; My Father-land!
Oh! how I love thee, though I mourn That cold neglect should on thee turn, &nbsp;&nbsp; Thy name to brand; And oft the scalding tear will start Raining its dew-drops from the heart, To think how far we are apart, &nbsp;&nbsp; My Father-land.
And when my days are almost done, And, faltering on, I&rsquo;ve nearly run &nbsp;&nbsp; Life&rsquo;s dreary sand; Still, still my fainting breath shall be Bestowed upon thy memory, My soul shall wing its way to thee, &nbsp;&nbsp; My Father-land!]]></description>
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	<title>St. Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/St--Fagans-National-History-Museum-in-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:18:25 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/St--Fagans-National-History-Museum-in-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Wales is a picturesque land that will surely offer you a great variety of tourist attractions crammed with a sense of history and splendor. One of the highlights is in Cardiff - St. Fagans National History Museum, which attracts numerous visitors all year long with its architectural trails through Wales&rsquo; history.
The St. Fagans National History Museum is actually a museum organized in the open air, one of the biggest of this kind in the whole of Europe. You can see all sorts of architectural and cultural exhibits within the framework of this museum, from traditional cottages to luxury mansions, a gorgeous chapel and a few farms plus a Victorian shop complex and a toll house. All these are displayed in a huge area of over 100 acres and will show you Wales in a nutshell. It is like taking a walk though the entire history and sites of Wales in only one day, seeing buildings, establishments, photographs, crafts, books that have a connection to Wales throughout its history starting from Celtic times until nowadays. The St. Fagans National History Museum awaits you with open arms, and it is a great way to spend a day in beautiful Cardiff.
The St. Fagans National History Museum opened its gates to the public in 1948. It was built on the territory of St. Fagans Castle, a manor that dates back in the late 1500s, and was given as a gift from the Earl of Plymouth to the people of Wales. Today, in that space there are over forty original buildings that characterize different eras, and these buildings have been re-created to provide the visitors with an idea about Wales and its architectural history. The St. Fagans National History Museum hosts seven large collections: the buildings, corporate life collections, domestic and costumes, agricultural, craft and transport exhibits, a collection that records the cultural life of Wales, film archives, manuscript archives, a collection of highly interesting photographs, a sound archive and an enormous library. The buildings that you can see at the St. Fagans National History Museum incorporate all sorts of farms, luxury mansions, houses, a chapel, a toll house, and a lot of other interesting buildings. There is also a Workmen&rsquo;s Institute, where workshops are held on a regular basis. In these workshops, various craftsmen reveal their traditional skillfulness. You can also buy things made here, a great souvenir that will always remind you of the time spent at St. Fagans National History Museum.
The farms that you will be able to see at the St. Fagans National History Museum are full of farm animals and genuine farmers show the visitors how things happen on a farm. These farming demonstrations are a great show as you will find out so many fascinating things about the history and customs of Wales. In addition, you can also hear the rare Welsh language, as the farmers, craftsmen and the interpreters use it currently. If you are interested in Welsh costumes, you should check out the galleries that exhibit these. These are included in the domestic and costumes section. There are various costumes and adornments from the Middle Ages to the present day. The collection includes an impressive number of dresses from the 19th and the 20th centuries. There are also regular ancient items of clothing included in the collection. You will also see furniture and interior fittings from ancient times as well as cooking items and household appliances. There are also other events and temporary exhibitions organized on a regular basis at St. Fagans National History Museum. If you are lucky enough, you can witness traditional festivals, music concerts and Welsh traditional dances. The corporate life collections comprise all sorts of business and trade materials. You will be able to see in this section ironmongery, grocery, furnishings, plus medical, law and ecclesiastical articles. The agricultural, craft and transport section is made up of tools, vehicles and machinery used to help out in the daily life of Welsh people. These items are from the late 1700s up till the mid 1900s. The craft items include woodwork, metalwork, leatherwork, basket making, pottery, quilting, embroidery and lace making. The section that deals with Welsh cultural life covers the music, folklore and customs recorded throughout the centuries.
If you visit the archival collections of the museum, you will be amazed at the numerous audio recordings comprised in this collection, which are around 9,000. The majority of these recordings have original fieldwork, which you can easily access. These recordings contain data on the folk narrative, issues related to linguistics, folk medicine, traditional Welsh music as well as customs. There are also around 200 videos, which were produced by historians and staff from the St. Fagans National History Museum. The archives of manuscripts are mostly about the Welsh ethnology. There is also a large photographic archive, which has over 150,000 photographs. These photographs will surely give you at least a hint on the complexity of the Welsh culture. Last, but not least, the library section is made up of over 40,000 volumes and 200 periodicals, which will help you if you want a more detailed study on the Welsh ethnology, social and cultural history. Admission is free of charge, so this museum is certainly available to everyone. There are also Educational Visits available for schools, but it is lovely to spend some quality time with the family as well while visiting the museum.
The St. Fagans National History Museum is a great place for local people to visit, to learn more about their ancestors and is an outstanding museum for the tourists. For more details and info, check out the official website of the St. Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff at www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/stfagans/]]></description>
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	<title>Where To Eat And Drink In Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Where-To-Eat-And-Drink-In-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:52:32 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Where-To-Eat-And-Drink-In-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[A very entertaining way to spend a few hours in Cardiff would be to eat somewhere special and have a sip or more of tasty wine or beer. The Welsh, and especially the people living in Cardiff, are famous for their exquisite taste in food and their gifted chefs that prepare meals with Welsh meat and vegetables, plus those secret ingredients that make each dish incredibly tasty. The lamb, beef, vegetables, shellfish or salmon have never tasted better than those made by the Welsh chefs.
  
If you are in the mood for some great food and wine, just go Cardiff&rsquo;s city centre, in the Brewery Quarter, where you can find all sorts of restaurants offering local and international cuisine. There are also other restaurants in other parts of the city, these also being great venues to please your appetite.
  
The list of restaurants and places to dine is endless in Cardiff. If you go to the Armless Dragon on 97 Wyeverne Road, Cathays, you will be welcomed by a lot of Welsh specialities and you can have a pleasurable meal in a relaxing atmosphere.
  
For some oriental food go to Bar Oriental. You can enjoy the special cocktails in this bar, located in Mermaid Quay. Are you looking for something new? Check out the Bali restaurant which will offer you a wide range of specialities from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. The bar is on 30-32 Caroline Street.
  
If you want to watch a cooking show, go to the Bayside Brasserie, which has an open kitchen as well as a pleasant view over Cardiff Bay. They serve all sorts of fish dishes and dishes prepared with meat, so this is not a place for vegans. However, a good place for vegans and vegetarians is the Crumbs Salad Restaurant, which will offer you numerous choices of huge salads, all served in wooden bowls. Another great venue for vegetarians is the Greenhouse Cafe, where organic and seasonal ingredients are used.
  
Take a glimpse at Italy&rsquo;s finest recipes at Bella Italia, and taste the spaghetti and pizzas they make here with Italian ingredients. This restaurant is on 6 High Street. If you want to compare Italian dishes, you can also check out Bella Pasta, which is a traditional Italian restaurant in the Red Dragon Centre. Or you can go to 48 Charles Street, to the Capsule Space and Cantina restaurant.
  
For Turkish traditional food, visit Bosphorus on Mermaid Quay and you will be able to sample Turkey&rsquo;s best dishes served in a pleasant ambiance. Listen to some jazz at Cafe Jazz, with live bands playing on a regular basis. For Moroccan food, go to Casablanca, a great place for couples. The Celtic Cauldron will offer you specific Welsh dishes in an atmosphere that will remind of the legendary times of Wales. For Spanish Tapas, go to Champers on St Mary&rsquo;s Street. There is also an open kitchen here, so you can witness your food being made. Are you up for a large steak? Go to Charleston&rsquo;s Brasserie, a place that is decorated in the 1920s style. Another place to eat a good steak is the Taurus Steak House on St. Mary Street.
  
China China is a restaurant where you can eat Chinese dishes. The place is on St Mary Street. Would you rather taste some Mexican food? Then Chiquito is the place for you. It is located in the Old Brewery Quarter. Da Venditto is a restaurant that has been awarded with the AA restaurant of the year 2003, so check it out on 7-8 Park Place. For the French Cuisine lovers, the Dome will offer you the best wine in a relaxing romantic atmosphere. The restaurant is at Atlantic Wharf.
  
If you want food served in a Swedish buffet, you should go to El Puerto, where you can choose from all kinds of fish and meats to put on your plate. An elite place in Cardiff is the Elements Champagne Bar and Restaurant, but make sure you book well in advance. The place is in Harbor   Drive. If you would just like some fish and chips while you are visiting Cardiff, stop at Harry Ramsdens, placed in the very heart of Cardiff bay. Juboraj is the restaurant that brings Indian and Bangladeshi dishes to Wales. It is located on 10 Mill Lane. For Peking, Szechuen and South East Asian cuisine, check out the Noble House on Wood   Street.
  
The Norwegian Church will offer you the best choice of Scandinavian dishes, and you can also enjoy the art exhibition at this restaurant.
  
As you can see, there are various themed restaurants scattered all around Cardiff. If you haven&rsquo;t decided yet on what type of cuisine you would like, go to Belllini&rsquo;s , where you&rsquo;ll find food from all around the world prepared in delicious dishes.
  
If you are full, and would like to drink something instead, you can choose from a wide range of wines, not to mention the delicious beers of Wales. You will find a multitude of bars on St.   Mary Street.
  
Mill Lane and the Mermaid Quay are also places crammed with bars and clubs, so you can check them out one by one.
  
Cardiff Bay is another place to go when you want some &lsquo;Brains&rsquo;, which refers to the local brewery, producer of Cardiff&rsquo;s most popular pint.
  
Choose from the Buffalo Bar, Bar XS, Buff&rsquo;s Wine Bar, Fat Cat Caf&eacute; Bar, Floyd&rsquo;s Bar, Kiwi&rsquo;s, Lava&rsquo;s Lounge, Rummer Tavern, Rosie&rsquo;s Bar, Salt, The Wharf, The Yard, Tiger Tiger, Varsity, Zync Bar&hellip;..the list could continue much longer.
  
All in all, Cardiff is a city that will offer you great sights, delicious food and, last but not least, good beer, perhaps even the best. Going out in a bar or a restaurant is a popular activity, and fortunately Cardiff has endless offers, so that no one is excluded.]]></description>
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	<title>First-time House Buyers in Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Articles-of-Interest/First-time-House-Buyers-in-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 May 2007 11:53:58 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Articles of Interest</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Articles-of-Interest/First-time-House-Buyers-in-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[First-time House Buyers Still Finding It Tough to Get into the Market
Buying a house in the current housing market is tough. Becoming a first-time house buyer is very tough. Recent research by the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru (CIH) has show just how difficult it has become for people in Wales aged 20-39 to get a foothold on the housing ladder, as the gap between house prices and wages increases.
&nbsp;The study showed that young working households in Wales currently earn on average &pound;27,039, however the cost of a two bedroom house is almost four times that at &pound;107,864. In some rural areas the situation is even worse, with house prices around five times the average household income. The most expensive areas according to the survey were Monmouthshire (&pound;147,084), Cardiff (&pound;142,773) and the Vale of Glamorgan (&pound;138,019).
&nbsp;A representative of the CIH said &ldquo;Young households are being forced out of the property market across the country &hellip; It is particularly bad in areas where wages and salaries are low yet demand for homes is high.&rdquo;
&nbsp;However the news is not all bad for first-time buyers in Wales, as the Royal Bank of Scotland has announced that the Rhondda town of Ferndale has been crowned the most desirable investment spot for new home buyers in the its first-time buyer property index.
&nbsp;A spokesperson from The Royal Bank of Scotland said, &ldquo;The index reveals that for savvy house hunters, the most crucial aspects determining future return on investment are the low house price to high income ratio and the recent house price growth rate of the area, alongside any regeneration prospects.&rdquo;
&nbsp;Ferndale topped the chart despite earlier this year gaining the dubious distinction of coming bottom in a house price league of 1,414 Welsh and English towns based on prices since 2000.
In the wake of the recent market upturn in the town, it is now boasting a large number of &ldquo;for sale&rdquo; and &ldquo;sold&rdquo; signs and looking to attract more first-time buyers.
According to The Royal Bank of Scotland, &ldquo;Buying in an up-and-coming property hotspot can help first-time buyers climb the ladder faster to their ideal property or location in the future&rdquo;.
Housing organization Rightmove believe that with property prices in Wales bucking the current UK decline in house prices and outstripping the rest of Britain by more 7% and correcting a previous 6% price slump, the housing market in Wales is starting to look brighter for sellers.
Rightmove also declared last month that almost 120,000 sellers in England and Wales cut their asking price in the four weeks up to 6th August and stated that this reflected that it is currently a buyers&rsquo; market as, &ldquo;There is too much unsold property still available to expect anything other than a continuation of static asking prices this year.&rdquo;
Rightmove said that with house prices doubling over the last five or six years and mortgage rates having also recently risen, the only affordable option for some people is to rent property rather than buying.
Isabelle Kassam writing for Moneynet believes that since, &ldquo;Interest rates fell recently but mortgage lenders have been slow to pass the reduction on to consumers. Borrowers who are holding out for an even lower fixed rate are playing an anxious waiting game.&rdquo;
The situation does not look good for those who are presently in rented accommodation hoping for the climate in the housing market to get better, as the Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed that rents have risen at their fastest rate for four years. This is rubbing salt into the wounds of would-be first-time buyers, as tenant demand is rising on flats as prospective first-time buyers struggle to afford their first property. A vicious circle has been created that is affecting many prospective buyers. While not being able to currently afford to buy, the higher rents are preventing the hopeful first-time buyers from saving enough to get out of the rented accommodation trap.
Mr Shipside of Rightmove indicated that those being hurt most, &ldquo;really is first-time buyers, and there is a lot of demand for flats. Two thirds of tenants are actually under 35, so they are the people that are being hurt by rising house prices and rising mortgage rates.&quot;
Useful Resources:
Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru (CIH)
Moneynet]]></description>
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	<title>The National Gallery in Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/The-National-Gallery-in-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2007 17:14:18 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/The-National-Gallery-in-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[If you are wondering what you can do in Cardiff on a rainy day, there are plenty of indoor activities. You could go to an art museum, the best choice being the National Gallery of Cardiff.
Cardiff is the city capital of Wales and it is a charming city with fascinating landscapes and a great personality. Cardiff, which is Caerdydd in Welsh, is Europe&rsquo;s youngest capital and an inspiring place to visit. If you are wondering what you can do in Cardiff on a rainy day, there are plenty of indoor activities. You could go to an art museum, the best choice being the National Gallery of Cardiff. The National Gallery, or in Welsh Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Caerdydd, is definitely a place where you can see genuine paintings and works of art in a beautiful setting. The National Gallery in Cardiff&rsquo;s collection is impressive and you can find great names from the history of art on display. The National Gallery is a component of the Amgueddfa Cymru, which is the National Museum of Wales.

One very special feature of this museum is that it hosts the national collection of fine and applied art, so it a great place to go and learn about the history of applied art in Wales. The collection contains pieces from as early as 16th century. The museum has international collections from Europe and Britain as well as art from other cultures from all around the globe.
The National Gallery in Cardiff was opened for the public in 1907. However, it reunites the collection from the past Cardiff Museum of Natural History, Arts and Antiques, which originated in 1882. Before its current location, which was established in 1920, the National Gallery was placed in the Cardiff Law Courts, occupying 11 police cells and a corridor. The National Museum in Cardiff contains 15 art galleries that comprise many pieces of art, which are the witnesses of the last 500 years of history in Wales and the whole of Europe as well.
The collection of art is huge and new pieces are acquired on a regular basis. This is made possible by the Derek Williams Trust. There are permanent exhibits as well as temporary ones that attract millions of visitors each year. The temporary exhibitions are partly from the collection of the National Museum of Wales and partly host touring exhibitions.
The National Gallery in Cardiff also contains the Prints and Drawings Study Room, where those interested can see over 28,000 selected works on paper. Within the institution, there are also three conservation studios that take care of the damaged pieces and re-condition them or prevent them from decay. The National Gallery in Cardiff has a framing workshop as well. Here, the frames for the paintings are made ready for display, so that they look impeccable for visitors.
The Welsh landscape has been a genuine source of inspiration for many artists, and Wales has been the home for many talented artists and art collectors. Some of the greatest collections are presently in the possession of the National Museum in Cardiff. One of the notable collectors whose collection is at the Museum is Sir Williams Wynn, who used to order paintings, pieces of furniture and silver items from the top artists from the 18th century. Sir Williams Wynn used to be known as the Welsh Medici due to his generous contributions in the artistic scene. Therefore, an impressive portrait of Sir Williams in Rome is featured in the permanent collection.
The most numerous collection present in the National Museum in Cardiff belonged to the sisters Gwendoline and Margaret Davies. They have gathered notable sculptures and paintings of French artists such as August Rodin, Honore Daumier, Jean Francois Millet, Claude Monet with his Waterlillies, Pierre Auguste Renoir with his The Parisienne and C&eacute;zanne. The sisters&rsquo; collection also includes a Van Gogh, namely the Rain at Auvers, which was finalized in Van Gogh&rsquo;s last year of life.
Other collectors who have contributed to the present compilation of art at the Museum were Wilfred Seymour De Winton with his precious porcelain pieces from Europe as well as Ernest Morton Nance, who was a ceramics fan.
The present collection of the National Gallery in Cardiff contains pre-18th century paintings and it records the cultural development of art up till the present time. The pre-18th century collection includes works by Poussin and Jan van de Chappelle. The Renaissance is represented in this collection by Palma the Elder, Amico Aspertini and Sandro Botticelli.
There are also famous portraits of Oliver Cromwell and Katherine of Berain. The famous Paul Rubens has four huge cartoons in this Gallery. Other illustrious Welsh artists include Richard Wilson, with his lovely landscapes, and Thomas Jones. John Gibson also has a place in the gallery, as well as Augustus John and Gwen John. David Jones is sometimes put out on display, however extra care must be taken with his work, as it was done on paper. Today&rsquo;s Welsh painting scene is represented by Sir Kyffin Williams.

The 20th century art at the National Gallery in Cardiff comprises sculptures by Jacob Epstein and Eric Gill as well as paintings by Stanley Spencer, L. S. Lowry and the expressionist Oskar Kokoschka.
The contemporary art is also on permanent display. You can admire Sigmund Freud&rsquo;s grandson Lucian Freud&rsquo;s work, together with the unique style of Francis Bacon. There are paintings of Frank Auerbach, as well as installations by Rachel Whiteread. These artists are presented on rotational display, due to the fact that the collection is much too large.
The National Gallery in Cardiff wants to display and collect the works of Welsh artists, past as well as present. The National Gallery in Cardiff intends to give a full account on the cultural background of Wales and to situate it in European cultural scenery. The National Gallery in Cardiff is proud to have their present collection and will welcome you with various pieces of art that will amaze and enchant. The Gallery will make sure you will enjoy and understand all the art displayed. You can book a guided tour or equally experience art on your own.]]></description>
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	<title>Shopping in Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Shopping-in-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2007 12:38:42 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Shopping-in-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[The centre of the city is famous as one of Britain&rsquo;s largest and most interesting regional shopping centres, but outside the city centre also has a lot to offer. You can find anything from clothes shops to butcher shops or from grocers to bookshops.
If you are looking for a fun shopping day out, the city of Cardiff is the best place to go. Aside from the wide variety of products and services offered by its numerous shopping centres, Cardiff is also well known for its affordable life, which means that shopping in Cardiff provides you with countless different quality products at very low prices. It is no wonder that Cardiff has been the dreamland of all shopaholics for at least the past decade. The centre of the city is famous as one of Britain&rsquo;s largest and most interesting regional shopping centres, but the city also has a lot to offer outside the centre limits. You can find anything from clothes shops to butcher shops or from grocers to bookshops in the shopping centres from Canton, like Cowbridge Road East, or Roath, with the Albany Road shops.
Aside from the major stores represented in the city&rsquo;s shopping centres, including names like Marks &amp; Spencer, Vidal Sassoon, Armani, Hugo Boss and D&amp;G, the shopping life of Cardiff also offers quality products by local companies, such as the Welsh made home goods made by famous Melin Tregwynt, a favorite of Hollywood superstars like Catherine Zeta Jones. For music lovers Cardiff can pride itself as the owner of the oldest record store in the world, Spillers Records, located in The Hayes. Shopping in Cardiff can provide you with anything you may desire, from luxury clothing by famous designers to goods for the home or from collection records to friendly puppies, all at affordable prices.
Experian Retail Ranking in a survey that included 50 shopping centres around the country ranked Cardiff the 6th best shopping centre in the United Kingdom and the best in Wales in 2003. It has everything to offer to the experienced shopper from the biggest Next in the world, huge department stores like the well known Debenhams to smaller specialized shops.
An area offering a wide range of high quality stores is located close to the centre of the city and it features names such as Hennes and Mauritz ( or as you probably know it -H&amp;M), Vidal Sassoon, Oasis, Marks and Spencer, Jaeger or the Virgin Megastore. The very modern shopping centre combines famous designer name fashion clothes with seasonal display and occasional live music. The covered Victorian arcades of Cardiff city centre date back more than a century and offer alternative shopping experiences from designer labels and department stores through to a series of smaller, more intimate shops like boutiques, coffee houses, bookshops, bars and record shops. The High Street Arcade is filled with unusual and interesting smaller shops that range from vintage clothing shops to joke shops including Nice, which sells paraphernalia from inflatable chairs to fur bags or Buzz, a famous and funky Cardiff shoe store. The Morgan Arcade houses Woodies Emporium, a designer outlet that sells men&rsquo;s clothing by names like Armani or Hugo Boss, and women&rsquo;s clothing by D&amp;G or Sticky Fingers.
A House of Fraser store, Howell&rsquo;s, includes several designer outlets like D&amp;G and Pied &aacute; Terre and a very good cosmetics department that features products of famous cosmetics giants as well as products by Molton Brown, La Prairie, Benefit, Darphin, Aveda, Malika and many more. The Royal Arcade is the home of the famous Melin Tregwynt store of Welsh made home goods and it sells trinkets, blankets, cushions, candlesticks and other goods that have become favourites of some of the most stylish homes, especially since it became known that Catherine Zeta Jones does her shopping there!
Cardiff city centre is very compact and in just two main streets, St. Mary   Street and Queen Street, it manages to offer a multitude of shopping malls, markets and arcades. There are four major covered shopping malls of which Cardiff city centre can boast: Queens Arcade, Queens West, St. David&rsquo;s Centre and the Capitol Centre. Music lovers and record collectors can spend an entire day in the most famous record store that Cardiff has to offer, Spiller Records located in the Hayes, the oldest record store in the entire world.
The Cardiff Bay waterfront also offers a shopping experience to be remembered. Aside from super stores like Tesco, Asda or Morrisons, Cardiff Bay will soon be the home of the largest Toys-R-Us store in Europe. The Wales Millennium Centre for the performing arts is also a place that houses several interesting stores, bookshops and coffee houses in addition to its theatres and can offer a unique shopping experience.
There are two markets in the centre of Cardiff, a covered market and an open air market. They both offer accessible fresh fruit and vegetables and the covered one also sells meat and dairy products as well as fresh fish.
There are some very reliable supermarkets located outside the city centre, among them are Asda, Sainsburys, Safeways and a Tesco situated very close to the Talybont Hall of Residence.
Two very important shopping areas located outside the city are Albany   Road in Roath and Cowbridge Road East in Canton, both housing grocery stores, bakeries, butcher stores but also card shops, gift shops, supermarkets and clothes shops.
A visit to Cardiff offers an exhilarating shopping experience. With its two main shopping streets in the centre housing different department stores and designer outlets, the network of seven Edwardian and Victorian arcades with their intimate atmosphere housing delicatessens, bookshops, boutiques and small shops, the Cardiff Bay waterfront and its Wales Millennium Centre it is more than prepared to meet the highest standards of any shopping lovers. When you add to all this the accessible prices that the city is famous for, it becomes clear that Cardiff is the perfect destination for the shopping trip of your dreams.]]></description>
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	<title>Bute, Glamorgan Estate</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Bute--Glamorgan-Estate.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:09:20 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Castle</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[Administrative/Biographical history: John Stuart, Lord Mountstuart, (1767-94), was the eldest of the seven sons and two daughters of the first marriage of John Stuart, 1st Marquis of Bute (1744-1814), to Charlotte Jane, daughter and eventual sole heir of Herbert Hickman-Windsor, viscount Windsor. 
In 1792, Mountstuart married Elizabeth (1772-97), the daughter of Patrick Mackdowall-Crichton, 6th earl of Dumfries (1729-1803), and heiress to about 64,000 acres in Ayrshire and Galloway. Mountstuart died in 1794, leaving a son, John Crichton-Stuart (1793-1848). John spent his infancy in the care of his mother and her parents at Dumfries House. After the death of his mother in 1797 and of his grandmother in 1799, Windsor, as he was then known, came into the charge of his grandfather Bute. When Dumfries died in 1803, his grandson Windsor inherited his titles and lands. The Windsor estate and the titles were strictly settled, and passed to Dumfries on the death of the 1st marquis of Bute in Geneva in 1814. However, he was able to dispose of his substantial purchases as he pleased. Between 1780 and 1814, he had purchased lands with a rental of &pound;1,415 in South Wales. 
The 1st marquis left almost all of his personal estate to his second wife, with the remainder to her son, Lord Douglas Coutts Stuart; the estate was bought back by the 2nd marquis for &pound;32,000. His father having died before signing his will and marriage settlement, the 2nd marquis inherited almost all of his landed possessions in fee simple. On his marriage in 1818 to Maria North, he restricted his freedom by granting his estates in Wales and England to trustees. The marquis made further extensive purchases of land in Glamorgan. After the death of his wife, in 1845, he married Sophia, daughter of the 1st marquis of Hastings. When his wife was pregnant, Bute drew up an elaborate will bequeathing his Glamorgan estate to the heir of his body and placing two trustees in charge of it. 
It was under these powers that the estate was to be administered during the long years of the 3rd marquis's minority following the death of Bute in 1848. John, 3rd marquis of Bute (1847-1900), was an infant on the death of his father. His mother died in 1859 and recommended he become the joint guardianship of Lady Elizabeth Moore and General Charles Stuart. A quarrel regarding the guardianship arose and the boy was smuggled into Scotland. Following the dispute General Stuart was made sole guardian. Bute was received into the Catholic church in 1868. In 1872, he married Gwendoline, daughter of Edward Fitzalan Howard, first baron Howard of Glossop, linking the Stuarts with the most eminent Catholic house in Britain. He was president of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion from 1890 until his death. He redecorated Cardiff Castle and created Castell Coch. During the second half of the nineteenth century, the Bute estate spent &pound;200,000 on land purchases in Glamorgan, and received a similar amount in land sales. 
The sale consisted of &pound;159,323 received for the 57 acres of Cathays Park, and over &pound;40,000 for land sold to railway companies and other public utilities. The 3rd marquis also received the Pwllypant estate from W. E. Williams as a bequest in 1870. He accepted the property and divided the personal estate amongst Williams's relations. Bute died in 1900, by which time the Glamorgan estate amounted to 22,000 acres. A number of the 3rd marquis's estates were divided among his children. The Glamorgan estate was divided unequally between John, 4th marquis (1881-1947) and Colum, the youngest son, who received most of the Bute property in the Vale of Glamorgan. During the 4th marquis's lifetime the Bute family lost a number of their interests in Glamorgan. This began with the sale of urban land in 1909, followed by the sale of the Bute collieries and, in 1923-1924, a considerable portion of the farms and other freehold property within the coalfields was sold. 
In 1922, the Bute docks and the Cardiff Railway Company were absorbed by the Great Western Railway. In 1926, the remaining Bute property was incorporated under a private family company called Mountjoy Ltd. In 1938 Mountjoy sold its leasehold interests to the Western Ground Rents Company, and in the same year, mineral reserves were nationalized. Therefore, the major departments of the estate administration had been extinguished before the Second World War. By Bute's death in 1947, his son's inheritance in the county consisted of no more than Cardiff Castle and its 434 acre park. Later in 1947, John, 5th marquis (1907-1956), presented the Castle and park to the city of Cardiff.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Spend Your Day in Cardiff Bay</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Spend-Your-Day-in-Cardiff-Bay.html</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:10:56 -0400</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Spend-Your-Day-in-Cardiff-Bay.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Whether you feel like filling your day with sports, arts, shopping or just a walk on the waterfront, Cardiff Bay is the place that offers the entertainment or leisure experience that you need.
&nbsp;
Known in the past as the largest coal exporting port in the world, by the 1980s Cardiff Bay was an empty land filled with abandoned buildings but it has changed its image and profile with the introduction of the Cardiff Barrage completed in 1999. This barrage impounded the River Taff and the River Ely to create a regeneration area dominated by the newly formed freshwater lake at the south of Cardiff city&rsquo;s center.
&nbsp;
Completed with the attractions it offers today, Cardiff Bay draws nearly two million visitors to its waterfront every year. Among the main attractions available now you will find The Welsh Assembly at the Pierhead, the Norwegian Church Arts Centre, the Wales Millennium Centre or the Goleulong 2000 Lightship, while the Techni Quest Science Discovery Centre and the Atlantic Wharf Leisure Village provide entertainment for the whole family.
&nbsp;
Cardiff Bay plans for future attractions include a Welsh National Canoe and Rafting Centre complete with a 50m pool and a leisure water complex, an ice rink as part of St David&rsquo;s II, a Morrisons superstore and a Toys-R-Us store that will be the largest in Europe.
&nbsp;
A visit to Cardiff Bay may also bring you to a local, national or international festival like the Welsh Food Festival or the MAS Carnival. With all this and much more to offer, Cardiff Bay must be among your favourite destinations when you&rsquo;re looking for a fun time out.
&nbsp;
The largest coal exporting port in the world has certainly changed its image with the construction of Cardiff Barrage, creating a freshwater lake measuring approximately 500 acres and resulted in 8 miles of waterfront. The barrage was used to impound two nearby rivers, the River Taff and the River Ely and it resulted in the now regenerated area that continues to develop as a leisure destination and a favourite among tourists from all corners of the world.
&nbsp;
The Cardiff Bay Development Corporation, created in 1987, was the key player in the development of the area and by the year 2000 it had achieved most of its goals. The empty land and torn down buildings had turned into an unrecognizable area with a freshwater lake and habitats for several freshwater species at the mouth of the River Taff. This also resulted in an economic growth of the area with new apartments built, new jobs available, private lands becoming open to the public and much more.
&nbsp;
The main attraction of Cardiff Bay is probably the waterfront, a perfect destination for a romantic walk, and it draws over two million visitors every year. When you visit the Cardiff Bay waterfront you will encounter its other attractions like the visitors centre known among the locals as &ldquo;the tube&rdquo;, the Cat-cruisers, Techni Quest, the land train or the Norwegian Church Arts Centre. Another popular place to visit is the spectacular Wales Millennium Centre for the performing arts that can offer you a day filled with art, be it ballet, opera or a musical. This is just one of the many cultural attractions in Cardiff. If you prefer, you can just go shopping in the many shops the centre houses within its walls, or you can simply enjoy a refined dinner in one of the restaurants overlooking the beautiful Cardiff Bay. There are walking tours of the waterfront available and if you need to take a break you can choose from the wide range of bars and restaurants of Mermaid Quay. Cardiff Bay is also home to the MAS Carnival and several festivals of local, national or international importance like the Welsh Food Festival.
&nbsp;
One of the developments planned for the near future is the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay, located on the Ferry Road peninsula and intended to be used as an Olympic training venue if completed by 2012. Other projects under construction at this time include an ice rink temporarily framed in timber, a leisure water complex and a 50m pool as part of the Welsh National Canoe and Rafting Centre. The leisure water complex will be completed, like the International Sports Village of Cardiff Bay, around the year 2012. The growing development of the area also includes the building of new stores like the largest Toys-R-Us store in Europe meant to replace the one demolished in the city centre and a Morrisons superstore that will most likely reduce the dominance of local grocery market giants Asda and Tesco. Some of the historic buildings will be spared by the development plans like the Norwegian Church and the Pierhead building but the rest of the historic area of the quay side will be fashioned with leisure facilities like cinemas, restaurants, shops, offices and even housing. The plans also include a new home for the National Assembly for Wales that will be designed by Richard Rogers.
&nbsp;
Whether you are looking for a fun filled day, a romantic time out or you want to spend your time enjoying a quality artistic performance you can find it all in Cardiff Bay. The various shops and superstores offer you a wide variety of quality shopping at very low prices that can make your day a lot of fun. The Wales Millennium Centre for the performing arts is always ready to offer a quality show whether it is ballet, opera, dance or a musical. If you would prefer a more romantic pastime you can enjoy a refined candle light dinner for two with a view of the beautiful Cardiff Bay or simply take a walk along the Cardiff Bay waterfront. Either way, you can&rsquo;t go wrong if you spend your day in Cardiff Bay.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>A Short History of Wales</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Welsh-History/A-Short-History-of-Wales.html</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Mar 2007 18:56:06 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Welsh History</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Welsh-History/A-Short-History-of-Wales.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Wales is a row of hills, rising between the Irish Sea on the west and the English plains on the east.&nbsp; If you come from the west along the sea, or if you cross the Severn or the Dee from the east, you will see that Wales is a country all by itself.&nbsp; It rises grandly and proudly.&nbsp; If you are a stranger, you will think of it as &quot;Wales&quot;&mdash;a strange country; if you are Welsh, you will think of it as &quot;Cymru&quot;&mdash;a land of brothers.
The geologist will tell you how Wales was made; the geographer will tell you what it is like now; the historian will tell you what its people have done and what they are.&nbsp; All three will tell you that it is a very interesting country.
The rocks of Wales are older and harder than the rocks of the plains; and as you travel from the south to the north, the older and harder they become.&nbsp; The highest mountains of Wales, and some of its hills, have crests of the very oldest and hardest rock--granite, porphyry, and basalt; and these rocks are given their form by fire.&nbsp; But the greater part of the country is made of rocks formed by water&mdash;still the oldest of their kind.&nbsp; In the north-west, centre, and west&mdash;about two-thirds of the whole country,--the rocks are chiefly slate and shale; in the south-east they are chiefly old red sandstone; in the north-east, but chiefly in the south, they are limestone and coal. Its rocks give Wales its famous scenery--its rugged peaks, its romantic glens, its rushing rivers.&nbsp; They are also its chief wealth granite, slate, limestone, coal; and lodes of still more precious metals--iron, lead, silver, and gold--run through them.
The highest mountain in Wales is Snowdon, which is 3,570 feet above the level of the sea.&nbsp; For every 300 feet we go up, the temperature becomes one degree cooler.&nbsp; At about 1,000 feet it becomes too cold for wheat; at about 1,500 it becomes too cold for corn; at about 2,000 it is too cold for cattle; mountain ponies graze still higher; the bleak upper slopes are left to the small and valuable Welsh sheep.
There are three belts of soil around the hills--arable, pasture, and sheep-run--one above the other.&nbsp; The arable land forms about a third of the country; it lies along the sea border, on the slopes above the Dee and the Severn, and in the deep valleys of the rivers which
pierce far inland,--the Severn, Wye, Usk, Towy, Teivy, Dovey, Conway, and Clwyd.&nbsp; The pasture land, the land of small mountain farms, forms the middle third; it is a land of tiny valleys and small plains, ever fostered by the warm, moist west wind.&nbsp; Above it, the remaining third is stormy sheep-run, wide green slopes and wild moors, steep glens and rocky heights.
From north-west to south-east the line of high hills runs.&nbsp; In the north-west corner, Snowdon towers among a number of heights over 3,000 feet.&nbsp; At its feet, to the north-west, the isle of Anglesey lies.&nbsp; The peninsula of Lleyn, with a central ridge of rock, and
slopes of pasture lands, runs to the south-west.&nbsp; To the east, beyond the Conway, lie the Hiraethog mountains, with lower heights and wider reaches; further east again, over the Clwyd, are the still lower hills of Flint.
To the south, 30 miles as the crow flies, over the slate country, the Berwyns are seen clearly.&nbsp; From a peak among these--Cader Vronwen (2,573 feet), or the Aran (2,970 feet), or Cader Idris (2,929 feet)--we look east and south, over the hilly slopes of the upper Severn country.
Another 30 miles to the south rises green Plinlimmon (2,469 feet); from it we see the high moorlands of central Wales, sloping to Cardigan Bay on the west and to the valley of the Severn, now a lordly English river, on the east.
Forty miles south the Black Mountain (2,630 feet) rises beyond the Wye, and the Brecon Beacons (2,910 feet) beyond the Usk.&nbsp; West of these the hills fade away into the broad peninsula  of Dyved. Southwards we look over hills of coal and iron to the pleasant sea- fringed plain of Gwent.
On the north and the west the sea is shallow; in some places it is under 10 fathoms for 10 miles from the shore, and under 20 fathoms for 20 miles.&nbsp; Tales of drowned lands are told--of the sands of Lavan, of the feast of drunken Seithenyn, and of the bells of
Aberdovey.&nbsp; But the sea is a kind neighbour.&nbsp; Its soft, warm winds bathe the hills with life; and the great sweep of the big Atlantic waves into the river mouths help our commerce.&nbsp; Holyhead, Milford Haven, Swansea, Newport, Barry, and Cardiff--now one of the chief ports of the world--can welcome the largest vessels afloat.&nbsp; The herring is plentiful on the west coast, and trout and salmon in the rivers.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Cardiff to Holyhead</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Travelling-Tips/Cardiff-to-Holyhead.html</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:08:31 -0400</pubDate>
<category>Travelling Tips</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Travelling-Tips/Cardiff-to-Holyhead.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Very soon Anglesey Airport will open up a new travel opportunity for the eager international traveller. With Scottish company Highland Airways about to start flights from Anglesey Airport to Cardiff, this beautiful island off North West Wales will join the super league of international flyers.

For years a traveller wanting to reach Anglesey from Cardiff in South Wales has had to negotiate the tricky 5 hour car journey along the winding A470 road through the middle of Wales. Leaving the South Wales Valleys near Merthyr Tydfil, you would head out for the Brecon Beacons and plunge into the heart of Wales. 

Alternatively, a train journey from Cardiff to Holyhead on Anglesey still takes over five hours as your train hopes back and forth over the Wales-England border. Given the huge stretches of mountains running through central Wales, the railway has to take the Eastern border route via Hereford and Ludlow.

So, if you keen travellers out there are up to a flight across the pleasant green landscape that is Wales, then take-off from Cardiff International and forty minutes or so later you will touch down at Anglesey Airport. This is the island which boasts the longest place name in the UK and is within a ninety nine minutes boat ride from Dublin, the Irish capital.

As a resident of this island off the North Wales coast and less than sixty miles East of Dublin, it is hard to convey fully to a regular international business traveller how much this new airport at RAF Valley brings the world to Anglesey. For many years our island has been seen as a quiet backwater where people would come in the summer to enjoy our excellent sandy beaches and magnificent sea views.

Economic activity has been confined mainly to tourism, farming and a few large companies, namely Wylfa nuclear power station and the Anglesey Aluminium smelter and RAF training facility.

With the advent of the new North-South air link a number of exciting possibilities will now present themselves. Business people from overseas will eye this area for potential investment.

There is ample coastline for developing marinas and yachting is a big draw over here. Our coast is great for cruising and anyone who has sailed these waters just comes back time and again.

So as one person said the other day, Anglesey Airport means our island is well and truly open for business.]]></description>
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	<title>Welsh job loss?</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Articles-of-Interest/Welsh-job-loss.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Mar 2007 17:30:54 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Articles of Interest</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[Although job outsourcing is a sensitive issue, social and political; it is unavoidable. It&rsquo;s been said that it is the effect of globalisation. Companies are in the business of making money and will move to places where production costs are cheaper.
Britain are now selling its companies as its difficult to maintain as production costs rise at home while it lowers elsewhere. Britain will now be a place for services where British expertise and experience counts, such as specialised management consultancies and advisory services oil exploration, training and engineering services, design and technology, and development services. Another industry will be the &ldquo;education sector&rdquo; such as hundreds of international students comes here for studies. Take Cardiff University&rsquo;s &ldquo;Business School&rdquo; of instance, hundreds of students comes here every year for a degree in Business Management (MBA) bringing in millions of hard currency to the country. The business school in Cardiff is considered the cream of all Cardiff university departments as it fetched millions every year. 
Only the British arms industry will survive, thanks to the constant hostility among neighbouring countries. Sometimes one wonders if this hostility and arms race is artificially created to encourage and maintain the arms export. Take Saudi  Arabia, for instance, why would it require billions of pounds worth of fighter jets while it has the USA as its God father. This is because the British government and the USA constantly fed its Saudi counterpart that it is in danger from rouge countries like Iraq. Now that Iraq is nearly &ldquo;Democratised&rdquo;, ideally there should be no danger.
Well coming back to jobs loses. These call centre job losses are bound to happen as companies&rsquo; identity cheaper sources of production. Now look at this scenario, India invests 30% of all of foreign investment in London&rsquo;s second after the USA at 50%. Who would have thought that India would be able to achieve such a status? Hence can we really blame India, China or other country for the failures of our government for job losses? It&rsquo;s the failure of our government to provide enough legislatures to prevent further losses. But governments do not want to hamper companies to thrive and prevent budding enterprises from achieving sky high success. A company&rsquo;s success is a country&rsquo;s success. Wal-Mart, MacDonald&rsquo;s and Microsoft will always be associated with the USA while even though &ldquo;every little hurts&rdquo; Tesco with Britain.

The above article is in response to this article below taken from Nates Blog.
  
So it seems that to wear Burberry in Wales now&nbsp;is as to&nbsp;sport&nbsp;the Swastika in Germany.
Of course, not that I am complaining. I&rsquo;m proud not to own a single checked baseball cap or polo-shirt, but the principle is what is important.
For the wife of an American diplomat to wear a coat by Burberry on Friday when visiting the National Assembly for Wales was headlined in the local rag as a &lsquo;gaffe&rsquo; or a &lsquo;clanger&rsquo;.
I have every sympathy for those who have lost their jobs due to Burberry moving work&nbsp;usually done by&nbsp;the factory in Treorchy to China, but does this mean that for every company that moves out of Wales we need to boycott their products and services?
Lloyds TSB moved a substantial number of jobs from their Newport call centre to Mumbai, India with a loss of 107 jobs and Norwich Union transferred 2,350 jobs to the Indian sub-continent in 2003. Yet, Aviva (parent company of Norwich Union) continue to thrive and are one of the leaders in the UK insurance market.
Fighting for your job, or the jobs of your constituents&nbsp;is an&nbsp;honourable cause, but there comes a time when you must admit defeat, in respect of the greater good. The campaign, headed at&nbsp;political level&nbsp;by Assembly Member Leighton Andrews has undeniably tarnished the reputation of Wales as a place to&nbsp;set-up business.
In the current climate, it is a given fact that companies require greater flexibility than ever, in a global market which one day&nbsp;would be fine,&nbsp;the next, as we saw last week with the market plunges across the globe, we could be in a totally different situation where jobs need to be moved in order to ensure the survival of the business.
Unfortunately, what Mr Andrews&nbsp;and his colleagues&nbsp;are doing&nbsp;in continuing this campaign against Burberry is portraying Wales as a country which will fight to the bitter end and do everything that can be done to discredit organisations who try to remove jobs from the country.
How would this look to a prospective factory owner or&nbsp;big business who want to find somewhere to put their new call-centre? Surely this would make us look hostile and most certainly not a great country with which to do business. This crusade to save 300 jobs may halt the creation of thousands in the future, and it has been said the at least 1/3 of the employees of the Treorchy factory have already found new jobs, so who knows any many more will find alternative employment once the gates are shut for the last time, the placards are put away and attention is on future livelihoods. The&nbsp;politicians may make out like it is, and the people believe them, but I&rsquo;m sure that&nbsp;the closure of this factory will not spell the end of Treorchy, just as, though again it was promised by MP&rsquo;s and union heads,&nbsp;the closure of the coal mines did not wipe out the Valleys as a whole in the 1980&rsquo;s.
 ]]></description>
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	<title>Donovan's Excursions through South Wales (1804)</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Subterranean-passages/Donovan-s-Excursions-through-South-Wales--1804.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:19:16 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Subterranean passages</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[&hellip;&hellip;Cromwell and his men obtained access to the Castle by means of one of the secret passages that laid immediately under the river. This, or some other subterranean passage, was discovered very lately in the town, close to the Cardiff Arms Hotel, by a party of workmen who for some purpose were employed to dig here. One of them, while busy at his work, perceiving the ground sinking beneath him, called lustily for help; when his astonished comrades had just time to throw a rope within his reach, of which he caught firmly hold, and thus saved himself from falling into the uncertain depth below. The magnitude of his excavation, or the course it pursued, is equally unknown. Neither of the workmen had the curiosity, or perhaps the courage, to explore it, and the opening which led to the discovery was closed up again as soon as possible. 
The following letter forwarded to the Editor of the Archaelogica Cambrensis
&nbsp;Sir,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I transmit for publication an extract the Cardiff paper, as to a discovery made on the 12th ult., of a subterranean passage, leading from the Castle, in the direction of the Cardiff Arms Hotel. I proceeded to the spot on the following evening. As the cutting for the sewer was of considerable depth, and ran parallel with the only entrance into Cardiff from the west, the utmost exertions were used to finish the barrel drain, and fill in the excavation. However I was enabled to see a few yards of the masonary composing the tunnel, which had been cut through and laid bare. There is a tradition that the Castle was surprised in the Great Rebellion by the Parliamentary soldiers. I have no means of enquiring as to whether Cromwell was present, but my impression is that he was far away at that time&hellip;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; JOHN M. Traherne,
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tenby, September 9th, 1856]]></description>
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	<title>Crime in Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Issues/Crime-in-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 25 Feb 2007 14:38:01 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Issues</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[Gun Crime in Cardiff
    
The last few weeks have seen a major increase in the profile of gun related crime in the UK with the spate of murders of young people in South London and in Moss Side, Manchester.
    
Is Cardiff safe?&nbsp;&nbsp; Yes and no.&nbsp; Last week for example there were two armed robberies involving guns on the same day.&nbsp; One at Betfred Bookmakers in Lakeside , Cardiff and one 3 hours later, only 12 miles away at Thomson's Holidays in Pontyclun.
    
Superintendent Tony Smith said,&quot; This is a rare crime in our area and we have begun a full investigation.&nbsp; This was a distressing incident for the people involved and we are doing everything possible to catch the people responsible.&quot;
    
Gun crime in Cardiff is rare and although cash was stolen using guns last week no shots were fired.&nbsp; Should we be worried?&nbsp; The concern the police will have is that if criminals are more successful in their crimes using guns and are not apprehended then they are more likely to adopt this as a successful modus operandi.
    
The incidents of gang gun crime in Cardiff is rare in comparison with other parts of the UK and guns are not prevalent on Cardiff streets - we can only hope that it stays that way.
    
Cardiff still one of the safest in UK
  
South Wales Police have released comprehensive statistics for areas of Cardiff for 2005-06.&nbsp; Overall there are an average of 119 reported crimes a day - 43,458 a year.&nbsp; 
  
As you would expect the highest number of incidents take place in the Cathays ward which includes the&nbsp;City Centre at&nbsp;7,846.&nbsp; This is exacerbated by the night time activities and alcohol induced behaviour plus of course the City fills with large extra numbers for major events.
  
Outside of the centre Tremorfa &amp; Splott suffered most with 49 incidents a week.
  
Each district has different issues, some have more burglaries or greater car crime or more incidents of anti-social behaviour but overall the Police maintain that Cardiff remains one of the safest City's in the UK.
  
As Chief&nbsp;Superintendent Bob Evans says, &quot; Various factors including the demographic nature of an area, transient populations and the nature of local businesses can have a dramatic impact on statistics&quot;
  
In truth as the public, do we feel more vulnerable to crime than we have previously?&nbsp; That would depend on where you live in Cardiff and your individual circumstances.&nbsp; But overall 119 reported crimes a&nbsp;day remains a&nbsp;high figure and an enormous strain on police resources. 
Source: http://www.thebestof.co.uk]]></description>
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	<title>Asbestos factory in Bute Street destroys life</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Articles-of-Interest/Asbestos-factory-in-Bute-Street-destroys-life.html</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Feb 2007 17:55:45 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Articles of Interest</category>
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	<description><![CDATA[Dorothy Tobin died because she washed her family's dirty work clothes.
The dutiful daughter would wash her father and brother's work outfits after they came back from work at the Newalls asbestos factory in Bute Street, Cardiff.
Tragically, in the course of her chores she inhaled the deadly fibres that also killed her father, brother and sister.
Dorothy's husband Terry Tobin, 76, has now become one of the first to successfully claim compensation from the company.
Lawyers believe thousands of other people who lost relations who worked at the Butetown plant could also claim.
Mr Tobin, who now lives in Newport, said: 'This was never about the money for me. It was just such a tragedy to see my wife die of a disease after her father, brother and sister had all died of it before her, that I just wanted somebody to take responsibility.'
His wife Dorothy, of Camrose Road, Ely, Cardiff, died of mesothelioma last year.
Thompson's personal injury solicitors, based in Fitzalan Place, Cardiff, successfully claimed that the asbestos was passed on to her in her childhood by washing her father's and brother's clothes.
Her father Jim Pottinger worked at the asbestos factory in the 1930s and he died in 1969 from an asbestos related disease, believed to be mesothelioma. Her brother Jack Pottinger also worked at Newalls and died from the condition in 1999.
And her sister Beryl also died from an asbestos-related disease. Her only contact with the substance was from her father's clothing.
Mr Tobin said: 'When Dorothy went into hospital the surgeon was shocked she had a disease which could only be caught by excessive exposure to asbestos. It is horrible. It's hard to believe one substance can wipe out a whole family.'
Thompson's spokesman Eamon McDonagh said Mr Tobin will be able to make a claim to compensate for his wife's injury and loss of earnings, which could equate to &pound;10,000.
And he said thousands of other relations of employees of Turner and Newalls, who had several factories around South  Wales between the 1930s and 1970s, could make similar claims.
Decision paves way for others
Thousands of people indirectly affected by asbestos can now claim compensation because of a decision this week.
Asbestos company Turner and Newalls, which had several South Wales plants, was put into administration because it could not afford to make the full pay outs for claims from around the world.
But former employees and victims this week voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay out of 73 per cent of the full amount owed by the now-liquidated company for anyone who worked at a plant after 1969. People who were affected indirectly will be given 20 per cent of the full pay out.
Thompson's spokesman Eamon McDonagh said that even though fewer than 50 families have made direct claims to them, thousands more families could have been affected.
Mr McDonagh said: 'There are a few dozen people around South Wales who have made claims but there must be many more who have been affected because Turner and Newalls was such a large company.
The Rhoose Plant employed thousands of people and was described as very dusty in its early days.
'All of those families could be eligible to claim.']]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Prince William of Wales</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Articles-of-Interest/Prince-William-of-Wales.html</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 Feb 2007 06:00:06 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Articles of Interest</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Articles-of-Interest/Prince-William-of-Wales.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Prince William 2nd in line to the British throne was born on 21st June 1982 at St Mary&rsquo;s hospital, London. He was the first child of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales and was born to intense media interest, an interest that has followed him through his life. As a grandchild to the queen is official title is His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales. He has a younger brother, Harry and also two step siblings; Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Bowles from his father&rsquo;s second wife Camilla Parker Bowles.
He was educated at various private schools in London and Berkshire before moving to the prestigious Eton college at the age of 11. It was hoped such a school would provide a safer environment, relatively protected from the intrusions of the media. By and large the media did respect the Palace&rsquo;s request to &ldquo;leave William alone until he was 18&rdquo;. As a way of thanking the media, in his last year TV cameras were given a rare insight into the Prince at Eton, showing him enjoying various activities such as cooking and sport. Since leaving school relationship with the media have been less cordial, especially with regard to interest over his girlfriend Kate Middleton.
On leaving Eton, William decided to take a gap year and spent several months travelling, this included a time in Belize working on volunteer projects. Photographs of William cleaning toilets were broadcast around the world. After this time Prince William went to St Andrews University in Scotland where he successfully completed a degree in Geography, gaining an upper second class degree. His was said to have enjoyed his time at University, it was also in St Andrews that he met his current girlfriend Kate Middleton.
In January 2006 Prince William began his cadet course at Sandhurst, joining his brother Harry, who had been there since 2005. In the future Prince William intends to spend more time with the Royal Navy and RAF to help him prepare for his future role. He has said he would be willing to be engaged in conflict zones. Although it is uncertain whether that would be allowed given his position.
Prince William has to some extent followed his mother&rsquo;s footsteps in acting as patronage to certain charities. His first charity was Centrepoint, which is a charity working for young homeless people, he occasionally accompanied his mother when she was involved in this charity. He also serves as a patron for Tusk Trust an African conservation charity.
On 31st August 1997, when William was 15 years old, his mother Princess Diana was involved in a fatal car crash. This led to unprecedented grieving, in the UK and around the world, at the unexpected loss of such an iconic figure. Diana was close to both her sons and the loss would undoubtedly have come as a major shock to William. Both William and Harry were commended for the dignity of dealing with the outflowing of grief at a particularly difficult period for the Royal family. At the funeral his uncle Earl Spencer promised that he would take an active interest in looking after William and Harry, although they have had little contact since then.

Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Recently there has been intense media speculation about Prince William's current girlfriend Kate Middleton. They have known each other for several years and shared a flat at St Andrews in 2002. Kate has joined William on official visits such as at Sandhurst when Harry had his passing out ceremony. However both William and the Palace have denied any plans for an imminent marriage. William has stated that he has no desire to marry early, perhaps seeking to avoid a troubled marriage like his parents. The palace has sought to restrict the media&rsquo;s intrusion on to Kate Middleton, but with relatively little success.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Cardiff : Brief Background</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Cardiff---Brief-Background.html</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 21 Jan 2007 04:16:49 -0500</pubDate>
<category>History of Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Cardiff---Brief-Background.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Cardiff is a modern city with over 320,000 inhabitants established on the incredible wealth of a vast coal empire which is, through imaginative re-development, fast becoming one of Europe's finest maritime cities surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside in Britain.
Cardiff is recognised for its quality of life featuring amongst the best of British cities. Its residents live in pleasant suburbs yet are only 10 or 15 minutes from the city centre travelling by private or public transport. Many of the suburbs still offer the pleasure of a village atmosphere.
Cardiff's parks and leisure gardens are world famous - 1,200 of them. Uniquely Cardiff's parks extend to within yards of the city centre shopping area. Bute Park grew out of the grounds of Cardiff Castle and world acclaimed Roath Park and Lake are frequently visited by tourists and residents alike.
Fascinating Edwardian arcades and a Victorian covered market intermix with upto date modern shopping precints in the heart of the city gives Cardiff one of the finest shopping centres in Great Britain.
Cardiff's world renowned Civic centre, which never fails to impress visitors to the city, houses government offices, law courts, museum and university campus. One of the prime buildings being City Hall which was the venue for the European Council in June 1998.
The Welsh capital is a hive of cultural activity with music and drama top of the bill. Cardiff is also a city of festivals including a month long summer street festival, &quot;Music in the Bay&quot; events and the well established and respected &quot;Cardiff Singer of the World&quot; competition held in St David's Hall.
Cardiff offers tourists the opportunity to sample Wales, the fabled &quot;Land  of Song&quot; with its mystic castles, soaring mountains, lush valleys and spectacular coastline all within easy travelling distance.
Set in the heart of the city, Cardiff Castle is the jewel in the crown featuring Roman and Norman fortification and the magnificent lodgings that were rebuilt in the 19th century, the castle grounds are also home to The Welsh Regiment Museum and The Queen's Dragoon  Guards Museum.
Cardiff is a sporting city, which in recent years has widened its range of activities and facilities. Famous as a hot bed of rugby, other sports also feature including being home to one of Britains's top ice hockey teams.
In 1999 Cardiff hosted the Rugby world Cup Final at the impressive Millennium Stadium. The stadium incorporates a sliding roof and is located a stone's throw from other city centre attractions such as shops, museum, castle and theatres.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Roman conquest of Wales</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Roman-conquest-of-Wales.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2006 18:55:31 -0500</pubDate>
<category>History of Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Roman-conquest-of-Wales.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[The Roman Conquest of Britain began in A.D 43, and with remarkable rapidity all the more fertile portion of the island south-east of a line from the Wash to the Severn passed directly or indirectly under the Roman sway. In this process, the second &ldquo;Augusta&rdquo; ever trended westward until the vicinity of the Severn was reached. 
Perhaps the Romans did not contemplate further advances, but the Wash to the Severn line was by no means a scientific frontier, beyond it was wastes and hills of the North Midlands and of Wales were held by warlike tribes, safe from attack and ever prone to harassing incursions into the province. 
By force of circumstances, the Romans had to extend their conquests. Under Ostorius, a definite forward movement began. Much of the North Wales succumbed to the Romans arms, but in the south, the resistance of the Silures remained unbroken, and in A.D 54, Ustorius died, worn out by anxieties. Of what happened under mediate successors, little is known, but there seems to have been nothing in the way of expansion. Perhaps the policy of the government was the consolidation and development of what was gained. 
Under Frontinus (A.D. 75-78) the subjugation of the Silures was effected, and under his successor, Agricola, the conquest of Wales was complete.
Although subjugated, mountainous Wales was tardy in submitting to Roman rule. We find remains of forts and roads, but nothing to indicate that the hill men ever became as Romanised as the dwellers of the lowlands elsewhere. Hence the protracted presence of a legion of the Dee, and another at Caerleon on the Usk, the latter because Monmouthshire is the gate of South Wales. ]]></description>
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	<title>Cardiff Castle, Overview</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Cardiff-Castle--Overview.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:43:13 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Castle</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Cardiff-Castle--Overview.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[The Cardiff castle is a unique historical object lesson. Form the first century, when the Romans established their camp, the site has been in constant occupation, and on entering by the gateway from Castle Street, works may be seen covering a period of nearly twenty centuries. The roman, the Norman, and those of the Medieval age, as well as the builder of each successive century have all left their traces, and there is sufficient material, either mounds, moats, or stonework, to re-construct, not only the actual features, but the manners, habits, and customs of the inhabitants of each period.&nbsp; 
Immediately in front of the gateway is the North Gate of the Roman occupation, with wing walls extending on either side beyond the grate bank. The wall and bank can be seen on the east and south sides as far as the Entrance Gateway. The remaining portion on the south and west sides were originally defended by a similar wall and bank, and formed the Roman camp of the first to the forth centuries. The roadway passing through North Gate led to the Via Julia, roadway which marched men of the Roman legions, bent upon the subjugation of the Welsh. 
A little to the west of the Roman Gate is the Norman mound and Keep. This was the Castle of the eleventh to the fifteenth centuries, and its masonry shows the development from the rude and massive defensive work if the early Normans, through the period of skilled fortifications, to the time when the necessity for strong defensive castles gave way to comfort and luxury. 
In the thirteenth century, the Black Towers at the south entrance, the wall connecting it with entrance tower of the keep, and a curtain wall consisting of the reconstructed Roman wall on the west and south sides were built, forming a great ward which was again subdivided by cross walls into middle and inner wards, each of which had to be penetrated before the entrance to the Keep could be attacked. 
To the east of the great ward was a larger quadrangle forming the outer ward, in which were situated the lodging of the knights, the Shire-hall, and other buildings connected with the government and administration of the shire. This outer ward was enclosed on the north and east by high banks of earth formed by the strengthening and heightening of the remains of the Roman fortifications with soil taken from the moat, the position of which is indicated by the Canal on the course of the Dock feeder on the north and the Canal on the east.
The castle Lodgings, or present-day dwellings are situated on the west of the old middle ward and present a picturesque if not combination of styles from the fifnteenth century to the present day.&nbsp; ]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Cardiff Castle - A Brief History</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Cardiff-Castle---A-Brief-History.html</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Dec 2006 18:04:21 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff Castle</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff-Castle/Cardiff-Castle---A-Brief-History.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Cardiff Castle is situated in the heart of Wales&rsquo; capital city, occupying a large and historic site which has been enjoyed by visitors for many years. 
The Castle&rsquo;s history dates back nearly 2000 years from the arrival of the Romans in the first century AD. They realised the strategic importance of the site and used it as a naval base and trading post. Today, reconstructed Roman walls form the boundary of the Castle structure, although a large section of the original wall is still on display to the public. 
After the Romans left in the 4th Century AD, very little is known about the site until the arrival of the Normans in the 11th Century AD. The Roman defences were still in place and theNormans used them as the foundations of their own fortress. About 1090, Robert Fitzhamon built a motte (mound) with a wooden stockade within the site, and during the following century this was replaced by the stone shell Keep visible today. 
The 12th Century was one of great activity for the Castle. Robert of Normandy was held captive in the Keep from 1126 to 1134, after his capture by his brother, Henry I. In 1158 a Welsh chieftain, Ifor Bach of Senghenydd, kidnapped Earl William of Gloucester and his family from the Castle at night, lowering them bound and gagged from the windows; they were only released when Ifor&rsquo;s demands had been met.
Over the centuries, the Castle has been owned by a number of noble families; it passed by marriage from the De Clares to the Despenser family in 1399, and again by marriage to Richard Neville, &ldquo;The Kingmaker.&rdquo; After he was killed in 1471, it passed through his daughters, Isabel - who was married to the Duke of Clarence, and Anne - wife of Richard III, to the Crown. By 1550 it was owned by the Herbert family and by 1776, again through marriage, the Castle, and its large estate came into the possession of the Bute family. 
During the nineteenth century, the 2nd and 3rd Marquises of Bute developed Cardiff into a major port, exporting vast quantities of coal from their mineral-rich property. It was the enormously rich 3rd Marquess of Bute (1847-1900) who transformed the lodgings, which partly date from the mid 15th century, into the spectacular cluster of towers we see today. The 3rd Marquess employed the eccentric but brilliant architect William Burges (1827-81) to recreate a noble castle of the middle ages, and the resulting architectural and decorative scheme makes Cardiff  Castle one of the most important examples of the Gothic Revival.
In 1947, the 5th Marquess of Bute gave the Castle to the City of Cardiff and the local council has managed the site on behalf of the people ever since. From 1949 to 1974, the building was home to the Welsh College of Music and Drama, who later moved to their current home on North Road.
Even when the Castle was a private home, it was occasionally open to the public, but it was not until the 1950s that tourism was actively encouraged.
Today, visitors can wander freely around the Castle grounds, Norman Keep and Roman Wall plus the military museum of the Royal Regiment of Wales, which is also housed on the Castle site. Access to the lodgings is by guided tour, and includes some of Burges&rsquo; most imaginative and magnificent interiors. These blend the exotic, the historic and the mystical. The Arab Room and the three fantastic rooms of the Clock Tower celebrate such themes as astrology, astronomy and Greek mythology in a blaze of decorated tiles, gilding, marquetry and painting. The superb Banqueting Hall recreates a uniquely Victorian vision of the medieval and is a popular venue for weddings, dinners and other private functions.
The core part of the Castle&rsquo;s business today is generated by tourist admissions to the grounds and guided tours, although revenue is also earned from private functions, Welsh banquets in the 15th century vaulted Undercroft and outdoor events held in the grounds. 
In 1997, Cardiff Council made a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for further development and conservation of the site. New visitor facilities will be introduced at the Castle and extensive conservation work will be carried out on the fabric of the building which aims to be completed by 2008. This project will secure the future of the Castle throughout the new millennium and help to ensure that the Castle will be available for future generations of both local people and visitors to enjoy.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Mediaeval Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Mediaeval-Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2006 19:00:58 -0500</pubDate>
<category>History of Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/History-of-cardiff/Mediaeval-Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[The people of Wales were considered savages who dressed in skins and lived in tribes and kingdoms. When the Romans invaded Wales around 50 AD they established a fort on the banks of the River Taff. However, they dumped the fort years later after the decline of the Roman  Empire around 350 AD ending Roman rule in Britain. But the history of Cardiff as a settlement starts with the Vikings first and the later invasion by the Norman, William the Conqueror. After its invasion, the fort served as a protection of the inhabitants from the Welsh. It was the barons and lords of Glamorgan that gave a location for its centre. It was the landowner, Lord of Gloucester and the conqueror of Glamorgan, Robert FitzHamon who built a castle on the exact position of the Roman fort during his expedition in around 1090 against the Welsh. A small settlement grew around the castle&rsquo;s south gate and became a market centre.
Glamorgan became highly fortified as several additions were made to the castle. The lordship of Glamorgan became independent and subsequently the Welsh grew restless and gave rise to leader called Llewellyn Bren who had a grievance against the King. A revolt started when the army of Llewellyn Bren captured in 1314 the sheriff of Glamorgan and killed several Englishmen. Although Llewellyn Bren was captured and pardoned he was captured again in 1320 and murdered. The Welsh united and invaded Glamorgan. They destroyed Norman property and destroyed the Cardiff castle till the Earl of Warwick; Richard Beauchamp rebuilt it in 1423. 
During the 15th century Cardiff became leaderless till Owain Glen Dwr known as the independent &ldquo;Prince of Wales&rdquo; led the revolt for the Celtic Welsh against the English around 1400. Glen Dwr entered Glamorgan and destroyed it, particularly church property including Cardiff Priory and Bishop&rsquo;s place at Llandaff. 
Although the English galvanised their forces under Henry IV and lead a successful campaign against the rebels, Glyn Dwr was never captured and remained a hunted rebel. The English had once again taken control of Cardiff. Several succession of Cardiff took place and life was hard for the people of Cardiff as there constant struggle for control. 
The story of Cardiff and the Welsh people has been a story of struggle to survive all odds, to survive the advent of the Romans, Vikings, Normans, the oppression of the Lords and the onslaught of the English people and the English language.]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Where Am I? Where I Live / Cardiff</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff/Where-Am-I--Where-I-Live---Cardiff.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Dec 2006 11:49:59 -0500</pubDate>
<category>Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/Cardiff/Where-Am-I--Where-I-Live---Cardiff.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[The City and County of Cardiff is divided into sectors, based on combining council wards which each come under the command of a sector inspector. Each sector aims to deliver a locally accountable and equitable policing service, responding not only to national government targets but also to the needs and problems of all the communities of Cardiff.
&nbsp;
Cardiff was confirmed as the capital of Wales in 1955 and is the youngest capital city in Europe. It's maritime heritage, as one of the leading ports in the world at the end of the 19th century, dealing with the coal and iron trade has contributed to it becoming a multi cultural city with long established multi-ethnic groups as well as asylum seekers. Massive redevelopment has occurred in the dock area, which has included the completion of the Cardiff Bay Barrage.
&nbsp;
In recent years Cardiff has hosted a European Summit of Ministers and has seen the Millennium Stadium host the 1999 Rugby World Cup Finals. Devolution has seen the arrival of the Welsh Assembly Government in Cardiff Bay to provide a focus for politics. The number of visitors to Cardiff has also increased and this has led to greater diversification in the leisure and entertainment sector.
&nbsp;
Chief Superintendent R. A. Evans - Cardiff Area Commander
Supt Josh Jones - Deputy Commander
Supt Martyn Jones - (Operational)
Supt Pat Tucker - (Operational)]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Traffic problems in Cardiff: Every Little Hurts</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/keepingcardiffmoving/Traffic-problems-in-Cardiff--Every-Little-Hurts.html</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:35:37 -0500</pubDate>
<category>keepingcardiffmoving</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/keepingcardiffmoving/Traffic-problems-in-Cardiff--Every-Little-Hurts.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Traffic problem is high on the Cardiff council's agenda. One such idea is to introduce London style congestion charging. London's mayor announced that cars that pollute more would have to pay up to 25 pounds. Such a charge in Cardiff is being reviewed in traffic and political circles. This would bring about difficulty to private businesses operating in and around the city centre. This phenomenon has been observed in London, where there has been a significant drop in profits since congestion charging was introduced. Unfortunately a council spokes person said that Cardiff was committed to spending half a billion pounds on improving transport and that a new revenue source was essential hence the congestion charge.

As you drive in Cardiff every morning, it&rsquo;s a complete logger jam on Newport road. Everyone seems to be coming to Cardiff from all sides and amazingly everyone seems to be going towards the city centre. All of them intend to park around the city centre. Try coming to Cardiff on a sunny weekend - its horrific. Amazingly it's predicted a 3% annual rise in traffic coming to Cardiff. According to a survey, commuters spend half their time being stuck in traffic than actually driving. 
The council has tightened its nozzle on traffic recently around the city centre. Many free parking has been converted to one hour limits and several 5 hour voucher parking limits converted to 2 hours. There has been an increase in hike at the toll bridge surpassing the 5 pound mark. Taking into consideration that public transport is not cheap it's not an option for many to hop on the bus every morning. Several sites have been acquired by the council to expand the park and ride schemes. Llanrumney and Coryton are two such sites were &quot;park and rides&quot; are being developed. Park and rides at County Hall, Companies House and Cardiff Bay are already serving weekend shoppers while the ones at Ocean  Park and Leckwith for special events. This is a good system but people have to be encouraged to park their cars outside the city. This will not only reduce traffic and congestion on major roads to Cardiff, it will keep heavy traffic away, keep essential traffic flowing and reduce pollution. ]]></description>
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<item>
	<title>Cardiff City Guide, Including Cardiff Hotels</title>
	<link>http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Cardiff-City-Guide--Including-Cardiff-Hotels.html</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Nov 2006 17:29:27 -0500</pubDate>
<category>What to do in Cardiff</category>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.CardiffWorld.com/info/What-to-do-in-Cardiff/Cardiff-City-Guide--Including-Cardiff-Hotels.html</guid>
	<description><![CDATA[Introduction:
The Welsh capital, Cardiff, is really a city on the move. Home to over 350, 000 people, this city underwent a tremendous and progressive development over a period of time. It is home to an impressive coal empire and has evolved into one of Europe&rsquo;s most beautiful maritime cities, embraced by lovely countryside. Of all the major reconstruction that the city has witnessed, a prominent mention should be given to the impressive appearance of the Millenium Stadium, which greets you as you come out from the railway station. The Millenium Stadium dominates the skyline on the western edge of the city center and is home to many major sporting and entertainment events.
If you visit Cardiff, you are sure to be impressed by the peaceful and carefree life that greets you. The city is famous for its quality of life. Though most of its residents live in the suburbs, they have to travel only for 10 or 15 minutes by public or private transport to get to the city center. The suburbs have a unique charm akin to villages and hamlets that dreams are made of.
Places of interest:
Cardiff Castle: Also known as Castell Caerdydd, Cardiff Castle was founded in Roman times and became the foothold of the Norman Empire. Even now you can see the ruins of the Norman Empire here. The Victorian look of the castle was the brainchild of the third Marquis of Bute (1848-900). He employed an architect called William Burges who decorated the ornate interiors of the castle with murals and added neo-Gothic towers with murals, stained glass windows and decorative carvings. The castle also has two military museums and massive grounds. The famous Bute Park came into existence from the grounds of the Cardiff Castle.
Millennium stadium: This 72,500-seater stadium is one of the most modern and luxuriant sports stadiums in Europe. You can take advantage of the guided tours to visit the pitch, the royal box, the dressing rooms of the players and other areas.
Cardiff Bay: This beautiful place introduces you to some of the finest architectural work in Cardiff. The Cardiff Bay barrage was open to the public after June 2001. This led to a creation of a fresh water lake and a 12 km long waterfront with parks, shopping complexes, entertainment centres, bars and restaurants. Techniquest, a science museum, and Norwegian Arts church arts centres are the other prominent landmarks here.
Museum of Welsh Life (Amgueddfa Werin Cymru): This beautiful museum is set in 104 acres of Parkland, in St. Fagans, west of the city centre. You would be impressed with the extensive collection of precious Welsh literature, works and craftsmanship. There is a collection of historic Welsh townships, farms, tannery, pottery, Victorian schoolrooms etc, which have been purchased from different places in Wales and rebuilt in the huge grounds of the museums. Another notable image would be of the Iron-age Celtic village.
Things to do:
Travel- The public transport in the city is provided by the bus. The main provider is the Cardiff Bus. The buses have an operation time of 0530-2330 hours. The buses have reduced hours during the public holidays and the weekends. Alternatively, you can hire the services of a taxi. They are either black hackney cabs or cars with company logos that indicate that they are used for public transport. There are companies like Black Cabs, DragonTaxies and Central Taxis, which can help you hire the services of their taxis. Visitors are expected to pay about &pound;4.00 for a trip across town. The traffic is quite heavy during the peak hours, which would be Monday through Friday 0800-0900 and 1700-1800. If you want to rent a car, then you would have to own a valid driving license. It could usually be a national driving license. If you are a tourist, then you may also do with an International Driving Permit. You need to check the kind and the grade of insurance given to you along with the car hire.
Eating: Follow the gradation of the restaurants as per the prices, if you plan to eat out at any of the restaurants in Cardiff: Assuming you eat a three course meal accompanied by a half litre of wine, then you should expect to pay the following prices for different grade restaurants: **** (over &pound;40) *** (&pound;25 to &pound;40) ** (&pound;10 to &pound;25) * (under &pound;10) The prices usually include taxes and tips.
Shopping: You can shop till you drop in the specialist shops and boutiques within the seven Victorian and Edwardian arcades situated in the city centres. Important departmental stores such as Howells are open from 9am to 6pm, although this is not a rule. There are some shops that are open on Sundays too.
Special activities: Wales is home to a lot of Eisteddfod festivals around the country. You can feel the ancient Celtic heritage in their music and movies. You can purchase the tickets to the cultural events in Cardiff through phone, box offices or online. The city is famous for the male choir voice, which is the hallmark of the Welsh pride.
Food &amp; Drink:
Tiles: This is an internationally acclaimed part of the St. David&rsquo;s hotel. The restaurant has the best seafood in Cardiff and you could also have a breathtaking view of the Millennium Waterfront as you savour the seafood with a tasty glass of wine.
Underdeb: This is one restaurant that is so popular that you would have to reserve seats 