Valentines Day in Cardiff

Valentines day is on its way and if you are looking to wow a loved one or woo someone new Cardiff offers a range of romantic and raunchy options

• If its not too windy a day then treat your loved one to candy floss while you stroll down and admire the historic beauty of Penarth pier, what could be more romantic than finding a plaque with your names on (Pre purchased here).  
• Cardiff Bay hosts a range of glamorous restaurants which are sure to impress, be sure to book ahead as its going to be a busy night. Think Mexican for a fun night of cocktails and dancing or French for a night of fine wine and candle light glances.
• Salsa dancing is the perfect way to impress that special someone and even impress yourself with surprisingly easy to pick up moves. Try Salsa classes great for couples or go alone if your looking to meet the next ex.
• If you would rather stay in the city then Bute park and Arboretum will fill you with the beauty of nature as you wander through the ornamental trees and ancient monuments.
• You could make your date feel like a prince or princess whilst taking in the romance of Cardiff Castle.
• If your more impressed with swans than seagulls then a stroll around Cosmeston lake country park could be just the place for you, with 100 hectares of land and water there will be plenty of wildlife to watch and good exercise if your evening is likely to involve an extravagant meal and boxes of chocolates.
• If Musicals put a song in your heart then check out St Davids Hall where the Rat Pack is Back for Lovers Everywhere!!!
• For Theatre lovers or anyone looking for something a bit different this year try The Gate Arts Centres’s Alternative valentines event, it runs from Saturday the 11th until the 14th so its ideal if you cant have your valentines on a school night.
• There is of course the ever enjoyable option of a DVD from blockbusters and tub of haagen dazs, great for a cuddly night in or even better if your alone.
• And finally if you dont fancy all the mushy stuff then take yourself and friends down to Bogiez Rock Pub and Nightclub for Hillbilly Rock Explosion on sunday the 12th. 

Picture: Mary Gold, Bella Endes, Miss Kitty, The Divine Miss M and Miss Dazzle gear up for the Sport Relief Mile in Cardiff - Photo by Mark Stanmore

Drag Race for Sport Relief 2012

Local drag divas run a ‘Drag Queen Mile’ to gear up for the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile this March

Charles Street is getting all revved  for Sport Relief with its very own drag race – but these queens will be running on heels not wheels! Charles Street’s ‘ladies’ pulled their Sport Relief Socks up, donned their deeley boppers and made a dash down the parade of gay bars in the heart of Cardiff city centre to stage their very own version of the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile – with a glitzy twist!

The drag racers, a very talented bunch of female-impersonators, cabaret performers and comediennes, were warming up in preparation for the Cardiff Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday the 25th March where thousands of runners are expected to run one, three or six miles around the Bay route.

The fabulous Miss Kitty a regular performer at Wow bar and club in Cardiff said: “I’m not in the habit of running in my heels but I thought I’d make an exception for Sport Relief and add a bit of sparkle to the campaign! Me and the girls have had loads of fun today and we can’t wait to get our lycra on for the big event in March!”

The risk of twisted ankles and broken fingernails was high but the girls bravely stepped up to the challenge and put their all into the race, bringing some Charles Street glamour to the Sport Relief campaign. This year, over one million people are expected to pull up their Sport Relief socks and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile to raise vital funds for vulnerable people across the UK and the world’s poorest countries. Enter the Cardiff Mile, or one of dozens of Mile events happening all over Wales, right now at www.sportrelief.com.

The boys are back in town!

Rock royalty Thin Lizzy do their bit for Sport Relief 2012

World famous rock band Thin Lizzy rocked St David’s Hall last night with their new show-stopping performance of ‘The Boys are Back’ tour whilst also doing their bit for Sport Relief 2012. Lead singer Ricky Warwick, bassist Marco Mendoza, guitarist Damon Johnson and Darren Wharton on keyboards donned their Sport Relief t-shirts to show their support of the campaign and to encourage the people of Cardiff to enter the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile on Sunday 25th March.

The legendary rockers who exploded ‘Live and Dangerous’ onto the scene over 20 years ago, are back  with an all-new, star-studded line up, as well as original members Brian Downey and Scott Gorham, and are taking their music to a whole new generation of music fans  in South Wales. Despite the hard rock legends’ busy schedule, the band couldn’t wait to get involved with this year’s Sport Relief campaign.

Ricky Warwick, lead singer of Thin Lizzy is encouraging the public to get involved too: “Come on Cardiff! Why don’t you show your support for Sport Relief and enter the Cardiff Mile on March 25th and help transform thousands of lives here in Cardiff, across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries. You can ‘do anything you want to’ – run, dance, walk or rock out along the route! Visit www.sportrelief.com to sign up and get sponsored.”

This year, over one million people are expected to pull up their socks and take part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in order to raise some serious cash for vulnerable people right here in Cardiff, across the UK and in the world’s poorest countries.

Join thousands of people in beautiful Cardiff Bay, with a route that takes in the Roald Dahl Plass, the Wales Millennium Centre and the Pierhead building as well as being packed full of entertainment and friendly faces (some famous) to cheer you on. Last time, more than 4000 people took part in the Cardiff Mile, and the people of Wales have raised and donated over £1 million. Since then, more than £1.9 million has been spent on local projects in Wales. Enter the Cardiff Mile by visiting www.sportreleif.com.

Cardiff council has created its bin collection service in order to be able to recycle more, something brought forward by residents of the city. The weekly recycling collections will also help Cardiff stay on track with Welsh Government recycling targets, whilst reducing the amount of waste going to landfill.

It’s important to note that your garden waste and general waste will be collected fortnightly on alternate weeks.

The weekly schedule for recycling collection days are as follows:

MONDAY
Caerau
Creigiau &
St Fagans
Ely
Fairwater
Pentyrch
Radyr &
Morganstown

TUESDAY
Butetown
Canton
Grangetown
Llandaff
Llandaff North
Riverside

WEDNESDAY
Cathays
Cyncoed
Gabalfa
Pentwyn
Penylan
Plasnewydd (Roath)

THURSDAY
Adamsdown
Llanrumney
Pontprennau &
Old StMellons
Rumney
Splott
Trowbridge

FRIDAY
Heath
Llanishen
Lisvane
Rhiwbina
Whitchurch &
Tongwynlais

Cardiff council have also produced a map to show the relevant recycling and refuse collection days in Cardiff: