World of Boats at Cardiff Bay

World of Boats is a brand new attraction which opens this month on the waterfront at Discovery Quay, Porth Teigr in Cardiff Bay, featuring a unique collection of boats from around the globe. It also tells visitors of the history of evolution, navigation, use and restoration of boats. Using hi-tech displays and old fashioned craft, World of Boats highlights the best of boats and the skills used to keep them afloat. Interactive areas and fascinating displays mean there’s plenty for the whole family to ‘Sea, Discover and Explore at World of Boats’!

There are over 40 historic craft on display, from primitive dug outs and reed boats to current examples of familiar vessels. Many of the boats are the last surviving example of their kind anywhere in the world. The selection on display comes from the UK’s largest collection of historic craft run by the charity EISCA. Their collection of almost 400 vessels will mean that the display will be regularly changed and updated.

World of Boats will also feature the Boat Lab. Inside the Boat Lab, you can learn about the fundamentals of boat design and how it works. In addition, you have the chance to see current restoration techniques. New projects will be regularly undertaken by skilled craftsmen. Currently housed in the Boat Lab is the 70 foot ‘Tall Ship’ the Elena Maria Barbara. She is a version of an 18th century topsail schooner being lovingly brought back to sea-worthy condition.

Martin Wilkie of Experience Design, the company creating the attraction, says: “It’s a rare opportunity to see at first-hand the skills used in restoring such a huge vessel, and I mean huge!”

Dick Strawbridge, popular presenter of hit TV shows such as BBC’s Coast, ITV’s The Hungry Sailors and Channel 4’s Scrapheap Challenge, hosts the exhibition on-screen and takes us through the evolution of boats, the story of their propulsion, navigation and much more.

Supported by Visit Wales, World of Boats promises to be a major new attraction in Cardiff Bay and is the result of a new venture between the boat charity EISCA (Eyemouth International Sailing Craft Association) and exhibition designers, Experience Design & Management EISCA has an incredible collection containing hundreds of boats at their store and visitor attraction at Eyemouth in Scotland and their new dingy and river boat display at Beale Park near Reading.

Martin Wilkie, of Experience Design, says: “This collection is a fascinating glimpse into maritime history with vessels from almost every corner of the globe. I’m guessing that this must be the first time a Venetian Gondola will have been spotted in Cardiff Bay.”

Stephen Walters, EISCA spokesman, says: “We will endeavour to tell the story of man’s use of lumps of wood to cross the water; how this was then turned into a hollowed out log with a paddle, developed into a sea-going boat with sails, which then became both cargo boat and warship to take him across the world.  By 1860, mankind had developed a steam engine, fitted it into a boat to drive paddle wheels or propellers.”

World of Boats also features The Look Out Café Bar where visitors can take time out to enjoy a range of refreshments, meals, snacks and ice creams, while overlooking the water during their visit to the attraction. The 600 sq m exhibition, shop and café are located right next to the new Doctor Who Experience in the bay.

Martin says, “The venue is just so amazing, we couldn’t have asked to be nearer the water and what a fabulous view of Cardiff Bay. And it’s been great to have Dick Strawbridge involved; he’s such an enthusiast for these sorts of projects and really helps to tell the stories to the visitors.”

Martin continues: “I think there’s something for everyone here, it’s quite a unique exhibition and has certainly opened my eyes to the role boats have played in man’s evolution. The World of Boats really is a great new addition to Cardiff Bay, kids get in for free and there’s the best waterside café in the city - what more could you ask for?”

World of Boats opens to the general public on Saturday August 25 and then will remain open every day from 10.30am. However please check website for seasonal variations.

World of Boats Admission Prices:

Remember, children under 16 are admitted FREE with each paying adult!
All entry wristbands allow unlimited visits and re-entry on day of issue.
Adults: £7.50
Concessions: £6.50
Additional Child £3.50
Family 2+2: £14.00
Group and school rates are available, so please contact us for further details.

How to find World of Boats:
World of Boats
Discovery Quay
Porth Teigr, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4GA
Contact: 07971 055 811

World of Boats is right next door to the new Doctor Who Experience. There is extensive car parking available in Cardiff Bay, and plenty of rail and bus links, including the No 6 bus.

www.worldofboatscardiff.com

Wales’ biggest reggae festival celebrates Jamaica 50th anniversary - in Barry this weekend

A festival of Jamaican music, food, lifestyle, and children’s activities is taking place this weekend (August 3- 5) in Barry to mark Wales’ biggest event for the Jamaica 50th anniversary of independence celebrations.

The open air festival features top ska, reggae, and rappers reflecting 50 years of cultural exports from the Caribbean island.

The event, supported by the Jamaican High Commission, is attracting the Caribbean community from all over the UK to see-top line acts including Janet Kaye and rapper Junior Macee.

Visitors can enjoy during three days (August 3-5th) a trip through 50 years of music with Friday featuring early reggae and ska, Saturday during the day showcasing lovers rock and reggae sounds from the ‘70’s and 80’s with dancehall music into the evening, culminating on Sunday with a celebration of reggae and rap to the present day.

For the family there are traditional Jamaican food stall, cakes, beauty products, and even a Caribbean psychic reader, along with award-winning children’s activities.

The role of Rastafarians in Jamaican culture is highlighted in a special Rasta Village area, where story-telling, workshops and demonstrations of religious ceremonies will be held.

Making sure the triumphs of Jamaica’s top athletes are not missed, the festival will be following the Olympic performances of Usain Bolt and his team mates on large screen televisions.

The festival has been widely featured on Jamaican television, including a feature on Barry Island on the equivalent of the country’s breakfast television.

The festival has been organised by Strickly Roots, run by South-Wales businesswoman Hilary Brown, with the backing of the South Wales Jamaica Society and the London-based Jamaican Diaspora.

The festival follows a successful sold-out young people’s Summer Camp of Jamaican culture held in Barry last weekend.

Looking ahead to the festival weekend Hilary Brown said: “This is the biggest celebration in Wales of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary. We are welcoming everyone to join in the celebrations and share our pride of Jamaica’s rich cultural contribution to our world.”

The festival is being held at the Goods Shed site at Barry Waterfront. Tickets are priced £11 in advance or £12 on the day for each of the festival days and are available from Barry Memorial Hall telephone 01446  738622.

Further details about are available from www.jamaica-indepenmdence.com

Cardiff 2012 Olympics Events

The 30th Olympiad may have got its official regal all-singing, all-dancing, bell-ringing and flame lighting opening in London on Friday night, but the capital of Wales saw the first sporting action two days earlier when the Team GB women’s football team beat New Zealand 1-0 in Cardiff’s famed Millennium Stadium.

In fact, Cardiff will host a grand total of 11 matches in the men’s and women’s football competition. Ryan Giggs will play in his home city when the Team GB men take on Uruguay on August 1.

Sadly this showpiece match is already sold out but tickets for most other games are still available and can be had from the London 2012 website (http://www.tickets.london2012.com/) for as little as £20. Beware of scamming websites and bogus ticket sellers though.

You also need to plan ahead as it has been taking some time to collect tickets and get through the tight security in the stadium. You can check all the hoops you’ll have to jump through at the Millennium Stadium site. (http://www.millenniumstadium.com/events/26967.php)

One of the beauties of Cardiff’s compact centre and the Millennium Stadium is its accessibility to locals, but if you’re travelling you should consider using the park and ride scheme to get into the city centre. You can find the latest travel advice on Cardiff Council’s visitors’ website. (http://www.visitcardiff.com/the-olympics-in-cardiff)

But enough of the boring details here’s the full schedule for Cardiff’s Olympic events…

Cardiff Olympic Games Travel Info

Park and Ride

Park and Ride is an ideal method of transport for getting to and from the city centre during the Games.

The park and ride sites have provisions for the disabled with parking adjacent to the bus pick-up point within the site, as well as low-floor access buses.  The sites are adjacent to major road networks in Cardiff.  

Drivers are advised to leave the M4 at Junction 33 and follow the signs to the available parking site at the time of arrival. 

The Park and Ride service is £10 per car.  To reserve your parking space, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

The hours of operation are outlined below on an individual event basis.  Sites will open 30 minutes before the first bus, and close 30 minutes after the last bus leaves the city centre.

We suggest that you allow 15 minutes walk from the drop-off point to the Stadium, and a further 40 minutes to reach your allocated seat.

Coach Parking
Free coach parking will be provided in Cardiff's Civic Centre.  Travel by coach is ideal as a means of contributing to the minimising of highway congestion.

Drivers are advised to leave the M4 at Junction 32 and follow the signs for coach parking.

Cycling
For those closer to the city centre, secure cycle parking is located in Sophia Gardens.

Road Closures in the City Centre During the Games
The city centre will be subject to a full event road closure two-and-a-half hours prior to the event, and for at least one hour afterwards.

The road closure is outlined below:

 
• Kingsway from its junction with North Road / Boulevard de Nantes to its junction with Duke Street.
 
• Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate St.
 
• Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street
 
• Plantagenet St and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street
 
• The following roads will be closed in their entirety: Duke Street, Castle Street, High Street, St Mary Street, Caroline Street, Wood Street, Central Square, Westgate Street, Quay Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Park Street, Havelock Street and Scott Road.
• The following roads will be closed to cars on each event day from 6am - 10pm: King Edward VII Avenue, Museum Avenue, City Hall Road, Gorsedd Gardens Road, College Road

Rail Travel
Cardiff Central Railway Station is a short walk from the Millennium Stadium.  Passengers are advised that Cardiff Central Station will be extremely busy on Olympic event days and to allow plenty of time to travel before and after events.

More information, including useful phone numbers and a printable map of the queuing system at Cardiff Central Station on match days, is available here.

For further information, please contact Traveline or Network Rail.

Bus Travel
Bus services in the area will be affected.

Cardiff Bus Olympic travel information can be found here.

For further information contact the bus companies or visit their websites.

Source: Cardiff Council