From the “South Wales Echo”, 8th September 2005
New vision for castle revealed
Plans have been unveiled to transform one of Cardiff’s top tourist attractions into the jewel in the city’s crown.
The ambitious idea for Cardiff Castle, which includes making a free admission zone for the first time in its history, was revealed during a council meeting yesterday.
Corporate Director Tom Morgan told the Economic Scrutiny Committee meeting the key goals were to make the castle more accessible to everyone over the next 15 years.
He said: “The castle was put there to keep people out and for the last 2,000 years it’s done that very effectively. But now we want to open it up to the people of Cardiff so they can enjoy it more freely, and so it can become the jewel in the city’s crown once more.”
Plans would see the front of the castle open up so people could picnic or play in the grounds free of charge.
Mr Morgan said: “You can’t go in free of charge at the moment but for the first time ever visitors would be able to go into the castle gallery, battlements and green spaces free of charge.”
The paid-for areas of the castle would increase in price, but project managers have not yet decided by how much.
Under the plans castle-goers would be able to walk through the grounds, using new paths and bridges, to Coopers Field, Bute Park and the Royal Welsh College of Music.
Mr Morgan said it would help take the castle from an isolated island into the heart of the city, giving tourists and locals a “total experience of Cardiff”.
In 2004-05, 190,361 people visited Cardiff Castle and project planners hope the ideas will boost numbers by more than 45,000 per year within five years, to 235,066.
Full Version: Cardiff Castle
Some old postcards of Cardiff Castle from my collection.
More old postcards of Cardiff Castle from my collection.
More old postcards of Cardiff Castle from my collection.
Yet more old postcards of Cardiff Castle from my collection.
A selection of old prints and engravings of Cardiff Castle.
as always...an impressive collection! Thanks for sharing! So I take it the latest postcard sale was a good one?
Yep. Liz was not surprised when I came home with over 60 vintage postcards. Nor was she surprised that I'd sniffed out the bargains.
In general, when I buy postcards in the Canterbury postcard fairs, I avoid purchasing pictures of Kent or Sussex castles, as the local dealers more than double their prices, as locals will be searching for local views.
I headed for a French postcard dealer, who was so desperate to get rid of some English stock, that he offered me a 10% discount if I bought a large number of cards. I spent 3 hours looking through his stuff, and came up with more cards than I had expected. Cheap cards does not always mean uninteresting cards, and you never know what little gems can be found amongst these items. For me, it's the picture, not the special make of card. I baulk at paying more than £3 for a postcard, and even then, it's got to be very special.
For some which I paid 20p for, I've since seen the exact same card for sale over the internet for £2 or more. That way I know I have picked up a bargain - or someone is trying to fleece internet buyers.
So in answer to your question - yes, it was successful.
In general, when I buy postcards in the Canterbury postcard fairs, I avoid purchasing pictures of Kent or Sussex castles, as the local dealers more than double their prices, as locals will be searching for local views.
I headed for a French postcard dealer, who was so desperate to get rid of some English stock, that he offered me a 10% discount if I bought a large number of cards. I spent 3 hours looking through his stuff, and came up with more cards than I had expected. Cheap cards does not always mean uninteresting cards, and you never know what little gems can be found amongst these items. For me, it's the picture, not the special make of card. I baulk at paying more than £3 for a postcard, and even then, it's got to be very special.
For some which I paid 20p for, I've since seen the exact same card for sale over the internet for £2 or more. That way I know I have picked up a bargain - or someone is trying to fleece internet buyers.
So in answer to your question - yes, it was successful.
From the BBC Website, 12th September 2005
Glyndwr flag flies at city castle
The flag of Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndwr will fly above the battlements of Cardiff Castle all week from Monday (12th Sepember). It is believed to be the first time the standard bearing his coat of arms has been hoisted above the castle for more than 600 years.
Cardiff Council agreed the yellow and red "Four Lions Rampant" flag could be flown to celebrate Owain Glyndwr Day. Glyndwr established a Welsh parliament and was proclaimed Prince of Wales on 16 September 1400.
The decision to mark Glyndwr Day in this way follows a number of requests from members of the public. The flag of Glyndwr will fly over the east battlements of Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff council executive member for sport, leisure and culture Nigel Howells said he was "delighted" that the flag would be flying from the castle.
"Glyndwr was one of the key figures in Welsh heritage and it's fitting that we remember him this way," he said.
Glyndwr capitalised on the anti-English feeling in Wales in the early 15th century.
Backed by French military aid, Glyndwr took Carmarthen and Cardiff from the English in 1403 and Harlech and Aberystwyth in 1404.
But the tide turned against the Welsh as England's superior resources and weaponry were turned on them under the leadership of the future Henry V.
By 1409, the revolt was broken and the many towns and castles Glyndwr had taken were lost. He was forced to turn to guerrilla warfare until his death in 1416.
Glyndwr flag flies at city castle
The flag of Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndwr will fly above the battlements of Cardiff Castle all week from Monday (12th Sepember). It is believed to be the first time the standard bearing his coat of arms has been hoisted above the castle for more than 600 years.
Cardiff Council agreed the yellow and red "Four Lions Rampant" flag could be flown to celebrate Owain Glyndwr Day. Glyndwr established a Welsh parliament and was proclaimed Prince of Wales on 16 September 1400.
The decision to mark Glyndwr Day in this way follows a number of requests from members of the public. The flag of Glyndwr will fly over the east battlements of Cardiff Castle.
Cardiff council executive member for sport, leisure and culture Nigel Howells said he was "delighted" that the flag would be flying from the castle.
"Glyndwr was one of the key figures in Welsh heritage and it's fitting that we remember him this way," he said.
Glyndwr capitalised on the anti-English feeling in Wales in the early 15th century.
Backed by French military aid, Glyndwr took Carmarthen and Cardiff from the English in 1403 and Harlech and Aberystwyth in 1404.
But the tide turned against the Welsh as England's superior resources and weaponry were turned on them under the leadership of the future Henry V.
By 1409, the revolt was broken and the many towns and castles Glyndwr had taken were lost. He was forced to turn to guerrilla warfare until his death in 1416.
From the BBC Website, 12th January 2006
Clock hand thieves climb castle
The gold leaf coated hands of a clock on Cardiff Castle have been stolen by thieves who climbed 150ft (45m) up scaffolding to reach them. Police will examine CCTV footage to try to identify intruders at the landmark city centre castle, which is undergoing an £8m restoration.
The copper hands, worth about £500, were installed in the 1980s to replace the 1870 originals. Police do not know if the theft was planned or opportunist.
In June 2004, the seven 9ft statues representing the zodiac which surround the clock face were restored and work is ongoing throughout the castle site.
The theft took place on the evening of Thursday, 5 January. A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: "We believe that intruders then climbed the scaffolding tower and vandalised the castle clock."
He said that the damage done to the clock would be repaired within a week and that it would not delay the restoration project.
"The matter is now in the hands of the police who are carrying out an investigation," he said.
"Fingerprints have been taken from the scene and CCTV footage is being examined," he added.
"Cardiff Castle is a public building and a great part of the city's heritage. The council takes incidents like this very seriously .
"Assuming that the motivation was theft, the action was pure vandalism and these individuals need to be apprehended and dealt with as a mater of urgency to protect the assets of the people of Cardiff."
Clock hand thieves climb castle
The gold leaf coated hands of a clock on Cardiff Castle have been stolen by thieves who climbed 150ft (45m) up scaffolding to reach them. Police will examine CCTV footage to try to identify intruders at the landmark city centre castle, which is undergoing an £8m restoration.
The copper hands, worth about £500, were installed in the 1980s to replace the 1870 originals. Police do not know if the theft was planned or opportunist.
In June 2004, the seven 9ft statues representing the zodiac which surround the clock face were restored and work is ongoing throughout the castle site.
The theft took place on the evening of Thursday, 5 January. A spokesman for Cardiff Council said: "We believe that intruders then climbed the scaffolding tower and vandalised the castle clock."
He said that the damage done to the clock would be repaired within a week and that it would not delay the restoration project.
"The matter is now in the hands of the police who are carrying out an investigation," he said.
"Fingerprints have been taken from the scene and CCTV footage is being examined," he added.
"Cardiff Castle is a public building and a great part of the city's heritage. The council takes incidents like this very seriously .
"Assuming that the motivation was theft, the action was pure vandalism and these individuals need to be apprehended and dealt with as a mater of urgency to protect the assets of the people of Cardiff."
%^&^%$$&!
Couldn't agree more! Since they like heights 
From the South Wales Echo, 10th May 2006
Could Cardiff be much older than we thought?
The discovery of prehistoric relics at Cardiff Castle has led experts to believe that the Welsh capital could be thousands of years older than first thought.
Archaeologists excavating the grounds of the city landmark have found prehistoric remains, which suggest a settlement existed in the area years before the Romans built a fort there in AD55. Tests are being carried out on flint tools and pottery, which were unearthed in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, to find out their age. Experts believe the discovery mean the settlers arrived in the area thousands of years before the Romans.
Kate Howell, of the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, said: “This discovery provides some of the earliest evidence on record for the occupation of the area that we now call Cardiff city centre. We have unearthed several small pits and post-holes containing flint tools and coarse pottery, as well as a line of stake holes at least 15 metres long probably identifying evidence of occupation before the Romans. This is an exciting discovery and further analysis into these findings will help us gain a better understanding of the area and its activity.”
Archaeologists exposed the foundations by removing the four- metre-high ramparts surrounding the castle walls as part of the construction of a new visitor centre. They also uncovered Roman, medieval, and post-medieval artefacts, which they expect to give clues to the lifestyles of various settlers that lived in Cardiff through history.
Experts hope the discovery of two stone cesspits will shed light on the habits of the city's medieval residents. It is expected a full analysis of the findings will take six months.
The castle's £3m visitor centre is set to open in December.
Could Cardiff be much older than we thought?
The discovery of prehistoric relics at Cardiff Castle has led experts to believe that the Welsh capital could be thousands of years older than first thought.
Archaeologists excavating the grounds of the city landmark have found prehistoric remains, which suggest a settlement existed in the area years before the Romans built a fort there in AD55. Tests are being carried out on flint tools and pottery, which were unearthed in the grounds of Cardiff Castle, to find out their age. Experts believe the discovery mean the settlers arrived in the area thousands of years before the Romans.
Kate Howell, of the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust, said: “This discovery provides some of the earliest evidence on record for the occupation of the area that we now call Cardiff city centre. We have unearthed several small pits and post-holes containing flint tools and coarse pottery, as well as a line of stake holes at least 15 metres long probably identifying evidence of occupation before the Romans. This is an exciting discovery and further analysis into these findings will help us gain a better understanding of the area and its activity.”
Archaeologists exposed the foundations by removing the four- metre-high ramparts surrounding the castle walls as part of the construction of a new visitor centre. They also uncovered Roman, medieval, and post-medieval artefacts, which they expect to give clues to the lifestyles of various settlers that lived in Cardiff through history.
Experts hope the discovery of two stone cesspits will shed light on the habits of the city's medieval residents. It is expected a full analysis of the findings will take six months.
The castle's £3m visitor centre is set to open in December.
Another recent acquisition.
From the South Wales Echo, 11th May 2007
Why Cardiff is the king of the castles for restoration
Cardiff Castle has been recognised for the painstaking multi-million-pound project to restore it to its former glory. The project was named winner in the building conservation category of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) Wales Awards 2007. It won the award for the “groundbreaking” work carried out on its conservation.
The makeover has already seen the castle’s landmark clock tower restored, along with its Roman fort, towers and neo-gothic house. The restoration work was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw.
Conservation project manager John Edwards said: “Cardiff Castle has developed ways to do things which other projects will now follow.”
Deputy leader of Cardiff council Councillor Judith Woodman was at the Bangor ceremony to collect the award. She said: “The work being carried out on this project has been truly groundbreaking and it is great for everyone working at the castle that their efforts have been recognised in this way.”
Why Cardiff is the king of the castles for restoration
Cardiff Castle has been recognised for the painstaking multi-million-pound project to restore it to its former glory. The project was named winner in the building conservation category of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) Wales Awards 2007. It won the award for the “groundbreaking” work carried out on its conservation.
The makeover has already seen the castle’s landmark clock tower restored, along with its Roman fort, towers and neo-gothic house. The restoration work was supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw.
Conservation project manager John Edwards said: “Cardiff Castle has developed ways to do things which other projects will now follow.”
Deputy leader of Cardiff council Councillor Judith Woodman was at the Bangor ceremony to collect the award. She said: “The work being carried out on this project has been truly groundbreaking and it is great for everyone working at the castle that their efforts have been recognised in this way.”
Another recent purchase - vintage postcard of Cardiff Castle.
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