Vale Of Glamorgan Walking Festival
Wyndcliffe Court Opens Summer Sculpture Shows
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WHAT ’ S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH .
ART
pic : ALUN HUGHES
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SOUTH WALES SECRETS # 32 :
The Factory , Porth
Author Rachel Trezise shares some of her favourite places to explore in South Wales
“ If I ’ m ever lucky enough to have a day off while the sun is shining , my favourite place to spend it is at Aberavon beach . My father grew up on the Sandfields estate and worked in the nearby steelworks so I have many fond childhood memories of playing on the large concrete whale sculpture , the water vapour rising from the blast furnaces in the background . Some of my family still live on the estate ; they ’ ll stuff me full of coffee and cake and then I ’ ll work it off , rollerskating along the promenade . For a night out in the Rhondda I love going to The Factory in Porth . It ’ s an unusual music venue based in the old Corona pop factory and still features the raised tile floor designed to drain drink spillage away . In 2011 the venue was taken over by local charity , Valley Kids . The music is a mixture of big names , local bands and club nights . For culture there ’ s plenty going on at the Park & Dare , Treorchy , which is celebrating its centenary this year . National Theatre Wales will be based in the theatre through October . My debut play , Tonypandemonium , will be staged as part of the residency .” Rachel Trezise was born in the Rhondda Valley in South Wales . Her first novel In And Out Of The Goldfish Bowl was a winner of the Orange Futures Prize . Her short fiction collection Fresh Apples won the Dylan Thomas Prize . Her current novel is Sixteen Shades Of Crazy and her latest collection of short fiction Cosmic Latte is published in May this year .
Info : www . racheltrezise . co . uk
Vale Of Glamorgan Walking Festival
Dig out those old walking boots and wet weather gear as the Vale Of Glamorgan Walking Festival returns for its fourth year . A favourite with seasoned ramblers and beginners alike , the festival offers a series of 21 walks over a period of three days . These walks range in difficulty and distance from gentle three mile-strolls to more challenging eight-mile hikes ; the perfect way to stretch those lazy legs . With many situated on the heritage coastline , these walks provide the perfect opportunity to take in some unique Welsh sites from the Neolithic burial chamber
The Vale Of Glamorgan Walking Festival , Fri 31 May-Sun 2 June . Info : www . thevaleofglamorganwalkingfestival . org . uk
at Tinkinswood to the ruins of castles and churches . With the promise of great views and landmarks , there ’ ll be plenty of photo opportunities for the aspiring photographer so whether you ’ re a seasoned walker or you just want to experience something different this summer , get outdoors and get walking .
Wyndcliffe Court Opens Summer Sculpture Shows
The artistic and the idyllic come together this spring as Wyndcliffe Court Gardens opens for its summer season from Fri 3 May-Sun 29 Sept every Friday , Saturday , Sunday and Bank Holiday . Situated just outside Chepstow , the Edwardian grade II-listed garden with its water fountains and woodland walks will undoubtedly provide the most fitting of backdrops for artlovers and day- trippers alike to appreciate the beauty and skill of the garden ’ s Elegance And Form sculpture shows which are set to showcase hundreds of contemporary pieces by both local and well-known British artists over the summer months . Three separate shows for spring , summer and autumn will include work in a large range of mediums , sizes and styles , all of which will be available for purchase . Admission and parking are free , though charitable donations are welcome and a range of refreshments will be available at the on-site cafe .
Elegance And Form , Fri 3 May-Sun 29 Sept , Wyndcliffe Court Gardens , Chepstow , admission : free . Info : www . wyndcliffecourt . co . uk
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