Pancakes, bugs, rockets and piglets...... oh and steam train adventures!

February Half Term Family Fun in Carmarthenshire - pancake flipping, mini-beast hunting, rocket launching, junior farmer courses and steam train adventures

Head to Carmarthenshire this February half term where there is plenty on offer to keep families of all ages entertained; from minibeast hunting and bird watching at WWT Llanelli, to rocket launches at Dinefwr Park and pig keeping courses for budding young farmers at Cwmcrwth Farm.

With tons of exciting activities and events planned, plus a host of family-friendly accommodation options available, Carmarthenshire is the perfect destination for a fun family getaway this February half term. For more information, visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.com.

Half Term Events...

Rocket Launches and Tractor Tours at Dinefwr Park and Castle, Llandeilo

There's nothing quite like fresh air and family time, and Dinefwr Park offers this in spades, and there are plenty of events and activities for families of all ages to enjoy this half term. Families can look out for wild animals in the specially built nature reserve, head to a science-themed workshop where kids can make and launch their own paper rockets, blow off some steam in the adventure playground or stop beneath a 400-year-old oak tree for a picnic. After lunch, hop on board Dinefwr’s popular Tractor Trailer Tours, where families can get up close and personal with the Park’s ancient breed of White Park Cattle whilst learning more about the work that goes on at the Nature Reserve.
Details: £6 per car for admission to the parkland. No additional charges for other activities apply. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dinefwr.

Minibeast Hunting and Pom Pom Owls at WWT Llanelli

Head down to WWT Llanelli for a fun-filled wildlife weekend this half term. From 16th - 20th February, the centre will be running a range of daily activities suitable for mini David Attenboroughs in the making. Start off the day with a ‘minibeast hunt’, where young adventurers will visit the purpose made minibeast area - complete with old rotting logs and dark, damp hideaways - to discover what creepy crawlies love to call this home. They can then bring their findings back to have a closer look at them under a microscope, using ID books to discover what they’ve caught. Then, families can head to the observatory for a guided bird-watch- using telescopes and binoculars to spot as many species of wildfowl as possible. Plus, a craft workshop is on offer later in the day, where little ones can have fun making pom pom owls and bird feeders.
Details: All events included in admission cost - £8.14 per adult and £4.50 per child over 4. Under 4s go free. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/llanelli.

50th Anniversary Celebrations at Gwili Steam Railway

Visit Gwili this half term, where the Steam Railway is commemorating 50 years since the last public passenger train between Aberyswyth and Carmarthen. Hop on board a 1950’s steam hauled service, running daily from Sunday 15th to Friday 20thFebruary, where families can have an authentic taste of the golden age of railway. Take a ride alongside old station buildings, vintage carriages, steam locomotives and diesel railcars, all with picturesque views of the village cricket pitch and Gwili River. Plus, on Friday 20th there will be 1960’s costumes, pop-up exhibitions and nostalgic treats- giving families the chance to take a real step back in time.
Details: Open from 10am each day during Half Term. Tickets available from £10 per adult, £4.50 per child and under 3s go free. A family ticket is priced at £24.50. www.gwili-railway.co.uk.

Walk in the Footsteps of the Romans - Dolaucothi Gold Mines

Nestled in the heart of a huge 2,500-acre estate, Dolaucothi offers many waymarked walks for active families keen for a taste of the great outdoors this half term. Travel back in time by 2,000 years at what is the oldest known Roman gold mine in the UK, where free self-guided audio walks will be running throughout February half term.  Families can follow old Roman trails through the Carmarthenshire countryside, whilst audio headsets bring exciting stories of Celts and Romans to life around them. Keep eyes peeled for the boundary of a Roman fort, mining pits, pick marks and the Pumsaint Stone – surrounded by ancient history.
Details: Self guided trails on the estate are free of charge. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dolaucothi-gold-mines or call 01558 650177.

Things can only get batter

The National Botanic Garden of Wales will be going flat out for pancakes this half term with making, baking and pancake races on the menu. There will be fun family activities every day of the upcoming mid-term school hols with cooking, magic and much more - and don't forget: Kids go FREE at half-term. Celebrity chef Lisa Fearn - from the Pumpkin Patch Cookery and Gardening School, in Whitemill, Carmarthen - will be on hand on Shrove Tuesday to show you how to cook - and flip! - the best pancakes. Lisa will also be in the Garden cooking up a storm on Wednesday, too. In addition to daily activities (every day from Saturday February 14 to Sunday February 22), there will be a visit from the Purple Routes play bus, on the Thursday and Friday of half-term. And, on the Saturday (Feb 21st), Folly Farm’s resident magician, juggler and balloon modeller Luke Jugglestruck will be in the Theatr Botanica to wow us with his magical stylings.
gardenofwales.org.uk  01558 667149

Discover Carmarthenshire launches new heritage trails in South West Wales

To help visitors uncover the county’s hidden heritage gems, Discover Carmarthenshire has launched three brand new trails, aimed to offer a ‘heritage light’ overview to be enjoyed by all age groups.

 

The trails are found online at www.discovercarmarthenshire.com  and make it easy to navigate the best sites and attractions of the county’s heritage highlights, giving an informative snapshot summary of each attraction, as well as a selection of audio links with interviews from the experts and tales of the past. The trails are available to view and print out www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/heritage-trail/index.html

The three trails are organised geographically and feature sites such as horticultural heritage spots such as Aberglasney House and Gardens (the house opened to the public for the first time this year), the iconic Museum of Speed at Pendine Sands where Malcolm Campbell first set a new land speed record in 1924, as well as the world’s only Museum showcasing the ancient mode of water transport - the coracle.

The three trails:
1) Central : A gardener’s delight – discover two of the Carmarthenshire’s horticultural hotspots with a dose of heritage thrown in and a visit to a castle with a herd of ancient breed White Park Cattle. Visit Aberglasney House & Gardens one of Wales finest gardens, known as ‘a garden lost in time’, National Botanic Garden of Wales in Llanarthne with its dramatic Norman Foster designed glasshouse and Newton House at Dinefwr Park, filled with 18th century period furniture and rare paintings.

2) South : A trail focusing on pioneers in land speed, aviation and literature as well as a visit to one of the county’s latest private houses to open its impressive art collection to the public. Tour Stradey Castle and see swooping views down to Carmarthen Bay, visit literary legend Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse in his former home town of Laugharne and then race to Pendine Museum of Speed at Pendine Sands to see Babs, the restored car that Godfrey Parry-Thomas clocked 170mph in, in 1926.

3) North West:  An eclectic journey revealing the secrets of the coracle and wool industries as well as an opportunity to relive childhood memories whatever your age.  Learn about the history of coracles at the National Coracle Centre at Cenarth Falls learn about the way they were used to guide the sheep along the river to clean their wool on our audio link: with an interview with Martin Fowler, the museum curator. See the ‘Fleece and Fabric’ exhibition at the National Wool Museum and round up the North West trail by reliving your childhood memories at the West Wales Museum of Childhood, to see toys and games collected from all time periods.

To explore Carmarthenshire’s heritage trail and find out more  about the myths and legends to be uncovered in the county visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/heritage-trail.





Er mwyn helpu ymwelwyr i ddatgelu trysorau treftadaeth cudd  y sir, mae Darganfod Sir Gar  wedi lansio tri llwybr newydd sbon , gyda'r bwriad i gynnig trosolwg 'ysgafn treftadaeth' i'w mwynhau gan bob grŵp oedran .

Mae'r llwybrau ar gael ar-lein ar www.discovercarmarthenshire.com ac maent yn gwneud yn hawdd i fynd o gwmpas y safleoedd ac atyniadau gorau treftadaeth y sir , gan roi crynodeb ciplun llawn gwybodaeth am bob atyniad , yn ogystal â detholiad o gysylltia sain gyda chyfweliadau gan yr arbenigwyr a straeon o'r gorffennol . Mae'r llwybrau ar gael i'w gweld ac argraffu at http://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/heritage-trail/index.html
Mae'r tri llwybr wedi cael eu trefnu yn ddaearyddol a safleoedd nodwedd megis mannau treftadaeth garddwriaethol megis Tŷ a Gerddi Aberglasne (agorwyd y tŷ i'r cyhoedd am y tro cyntaf eleni), Amgueddfa eiconig Cyflymder ar Draeth Pentywyn lle roedd Malcolm Campbell wedi torri y record cyflymder tir yn 1924 , yn ogystal,  ymwelwch a’r  Amgueddfa Cwrwgl, yr unig yn y byd sydd yn arddangos y dull hynafol o gludiant dŵr - y cwrwgl.

Y tri llwybr :
1 ) Canolog : Llawenydd i garddwyr - darganfodwch dau o'r mannau poeth garddwriaethol Sir Gaerfyrddin gyda dos o dreftadaeth wedi taflu i mewn ac ymweliad â chastell gyda Gwartheg Parc Gwyn o brid hynafol. Ewch i Tŷ a Gerddi Aberglasne, un o erddi gorau Cymru, a elwir yn ' gardd ar goll mewn amser ', Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru yn Llanarthne gyda'i tŷ gwydr dramatig a’i gynllinio gan Norman Foster a Thŷ Newton ym Mharc Dinefwr, yn llawn dodrefn cyfnod 18fed ganrif a paentiadau phrin.

2 ) De: Mae llwybr canolbwyntio ar arloeswyr mewn cyflymder tir, awyrennau a llenyddiaeth yn ogystal ag ymweld ag un o dai preifat diweddaraf y sir i agor ei chasgliad celf trawiadol i'r cyhoedd. Gwnewch taith tywys Castell Strade a gwelwch golygfeydd sydd yn disgyn i lawr i Fae Caerfyrddin, ewch i Boathouse chwedl llenyddol Dylan Thomas ' yn ei hen dref enedigol o Talacharn ac yna rasio i Amgueddfa Cyflymder Pentywyn ar Draeth Pentywyn i weld Babs, y car gwnaeth Godfrey Parry –Thomas clocio 170mya, yn 1926 .

3 ) Gogledd Orllewin: Taith eclectig i datgelu cyfrinachau y diwydiannau cwrwgl a gwlân yn ogystal â chyfle i ail-fyw atgofion plentyndod beth bynnag yw eich oedran . Dysgwch am hanes cwryglau yn y Ganolfan Genedlaethol Cwrwgl yn agos at Rhaeadr Nghenarth a dysgu am y ffordd y maent yn cael eu defnyddio i arwain y defaid ar hyd yr afon i lanhau eu gwlân ar ein cyswllt sain : gyda chyfweliad gyda Martin Fowler , curadur y amgueddfa. Gweler yr arddangosfa ' Fleece a Ffabrig ' yn Amgueddfa Wlân Cymru ac o amgylch hyd y llwybr Gogledd Orllewin drwy ail-fyw eich atgofion plentyndod yn Amgueddfa Plentyndod Gorllewin Cymru, i weld teganau a gemau a gasglwyd o bob cyfnod amser .

I archwilio llwybr treftadaeth Sir Gaerfyrddin a chael gwybod mwy am y mythau a chwedlau sydd i'w datgelu yn yr ymweliad sir gwelwch http://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/heritage-trail/index.html
 

The One Show at the National Botanic Garden of Wales

Keep an eye out for Carmarthenshire’s National Botanic Garden of Wales being shown tomorrow night on BBC One.

Cerys Matthews and Gyles Brandreth visit the Gardens in Carmarthenshire. Highlights will include the story behind a Tom Jones classic, a feature about a lion cub who lived in a London furniture shop and a report on the menace of aphids.

At the moment, The One Show is off air for its summer break but BBC One will be showing four compilation shows showcasing some of the finest films from the last year.

For more info, contact: marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Cadwch lygad allan am Ardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru yn Sir Gaerfyrddin yn cael ei ddangos nos yfory ar BBC One.

Bydd Cerys Matthews a Gyles Brandreth yn ymweld â'r Gerddi yn Sir Gaerfyrddin. Bydd uchafbwyntiau yn cynnwys y stori y tu ôl i Tom Jones, nodwedd am cenau llew oedd yn byw mewn siop ddodrefn yn Llundain ac adroddiad ar bygythiad y pryfed gleision.

Ar hyn o bryd, mae’r One Show bant or awyr am ei gwyliau'r haf, ond bydd BBC One yn dangos pedwar rhifyn casgliad yn arddangos rhai o'r ffilmiau gorau o'r flwyddyn ddiwethaf.

Am fwy o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â: marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

5 Things to do this Hot July Weekend in Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire is a beautiful location no matter what the weather. However, this week’s heat wave is a fantastic time to explore the wealth of activities and spectacular diverse landscapes in the area.

There is so much on offer that it’s difficult to know where to know where to start. This weekend, there are many events to consider as well as our beaches, walks, country parks, castles, camping and much, much more. This weekend features:

1. Ammanford’s Big Day Out. With a crowd of over 4,000 in 2012, the Big Day Out returns with Pant Glas World of Nature bird of Prey display, a fun fair, children’s entertainment, climbing wall, gigantic five-a-side football competition, stalls, scarlet’s rugby inflatables, refreshments and lots more.

2. On Saturday, International Day of Dance returns to the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Dancers from Russia and Ireland will join teams from all over Wales for a day of dancing.

3. Special Vintage is also taking place at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Members of the Vintage Motorcycle Club - the largest motorcycle club in the world - will be showing off their bikes to visitors in Millennium Square.

4. Taith Gerdded at Dinefwr Castle. Free event beginning at Dinefwr park entrance. Walking boots are recommended.

5. Llandeilo Fawr Festival of Music begins on Saturday. Some of the artists scheduled to appear include: The Chilinginian String Quartet, pianist Mark Bebbington and harpist Claire Jones to name a few.

So take your pick of our amazing events or visit our website: www.discovercarmarthenshire.com for a treasure chest full of places, activities, beaches, attractions, food and drink and plenty more to choose from.

Contact: marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk with any further enquiries.

Mae Sir gaerfyrddin dim ots beth yw'r tywydd yn lleoliad hardd. Fodd bynnag, yn ystod y gwres yr wythnos hon mae’n amser gwych i edrych ar y cyfoeth o weithgareddau a attyniadau amrywiol a trawiadol yn yr ardal.

Mae cymaint ar gael ei bod yn anodd gwybod ble i wybod ble i ddechrau. Y penwythnos hwn, mae yna nifer o ddigwyddiadau i'w hystyried yn ogystal â'n traethau, teithiau cerdded, parciau gwledig, cestyll, gwersylla a llawer, llawer mwy.

Mae'r penwythnos yn cynnwys: 1. Diwrnod Mawr Rhydaman. Gyda torf o dros 4,000 yn 2012, mae’r Diwrnod Mawr yn dychwelyd gyda Pant Glas, arddangosfa byd adar ysglyfaethus, ffair hwyl, adloniant i blant, wal ddringo, cystadleuaeth pêl-droed pump-bob-ochr, stondinau, Scarlets rygbi, lluniaeth a llawer mwy.

2. Ar ddydd Sadwrn, Diwrnod Dawns Rhyngwladol i ddychwelyd i Ardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru. Bydd Dawnswyr o Rwsia ac Iwerddon ymuno â thimau o bob rhan o Gymru am ddiwrnod o ddawnsio.

3. Diwrnod Clwb Beiciau Modur hen iw gynnal hefyd yng Ngardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru. – mae’r clwb beiciau modur mwyaf yn y byd yn dangos eu beiciau i ymwelwyr yr Ardd, yn Sgwâr y Mileniwm.

4. Taith Gerdded yng Nghastell Dinefwr. Digwyddiad rhad ac am ddim yn dechrau am fynedfa'r parc Dinefwr. Esgidiau cerdded yn cael eu hargymell.

5. Gŵyl Llandeilo Fawr of Music yn dechrau ar ddydd Sadwrn. Mae rhai o'r artistiaid i fod i ymddangos yn cynnwys: Y Chilinginian String Quartet, pianydd Mark Bebbington a'r delynores Claire Jones i enwi ond ychydig. Felly, cymerwch eich dewis o'n digwyddiadau anhygoel neu ewch i'n gwefan: www.discovercarmarthenshire.com am rhestr drysor llawn o leoedd, gweithgareddau, traethau, atyniadau, bwyd a diod a llawer mwy i ddewis ohonynt.

Cyswllt: marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk gydag unrhyw ymholiadau pellach.

Celebrating Welsh Success at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

The ‘Get Well Soon’ artisan garden designed by Kati Crome and Maggie Hughes has won a Silver medal at the 100^th RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It was created in association with the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Penn Pharma, South West Wales Regional Tourism Partnership and Growing the Future.
 

The Get Well Soon garden provides a backdrop for James Wong as he films at RHS Chelsea. Photo: Carl Stringer

Inspiration for the garden came from the National Botanic Gardens of Wales where the story of the 12^th century Physicians of Myddfai is told through their reconstructed apothecary and its gardens.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales' Get Well Soon garden. Photo: Carl Stringer

‘Get Well Soon’ demonstrates the many ways in which a garden and its plants can improve your health through ancient, traditional, modern and alternative forms of medicine. 

Kirstie Allsopp perches on a yew seat from the NBGW and incorporated into the Get Well Soon garden. Photo: Carl Stringer

Welsh pals Gareth Edwards and Rob Brydon share a joke on the Get Well Soon NBGW garden. Photo: Carl Stringer

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show “People’s Choice” vote line is now open.

 Follow the link below and vote for us

 http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2013/Gardens/People-s-Choice

 You’ll find ‘Get Well Soon’ in the “other gardens” drop-down menu (click on the downward arrow). All you have to do is add your email and then ‘submit’.

For more information contact marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Dathlu Llwyddiant Cymru yn  Sioe Flodau yr RHS Chelsea

Mae'r ardd “Brysiwch i Wella” crefftus a gynlluniwyd gan Kati Crome a Maggie Hughes wedi ennill medal arian yn y 100fed Sioe Flodau RHS Chelsea. Cafodd ei greu efo’r Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru, Penn Pharma, a Partneriaeth Twristiaeth Rhanbarthol De Orllewin Cymru ac Tyfu'r Dyfodol.

Daeth ysbrydoliaeth ar gyfer yr ardd o’r Ardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru lle mae stori Meddygon 12fed ganrif Myddfai wedi ei hadrodd drwy eu hailadeiladu apothecari a'i erddi.

Mae’r gardd “Brysiwch Wella” yn dangos y nifer o ffyrdd y gall gardd a'i blanhigion gwella eich iechyd drwy ffurfiau hynafol, traddodiadol, modern ac amgen o feddygaeth.

Mae’r shoe yn Chelsea ai llinellai pleidleisio er mwyn ddod o hyd i gardd "Ddewis y Bobl" ar agor nawr.

  Dilynwch y ddolen isod a phleidleisiwch am ardd y Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol

  http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2013/Gardens/People-s-Choice

  Byddwch yn dod o hyd i ardd 'Get Well soon' yn y "gerddi arall" cliciwch ar y ddewislen galw-i-lawr (cliciwch ar y saethfed i lawr). Y cyfan sydd raid i chi ei wneud yw ychwanegu eich e-bost ac yna 'anfon'.

Am fwy o wybodaeth cysylltwch â marketing@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Weather it’s HOT or Weather it’s NOT

 If you’re looking for activities to get involved in, new

places to visit, day’s out to keep the kids entertained

(no matter what the weather), new recipes to have a

bash at or ideas for the perfect mini break right on your

doorstep. Your ideal location is just a stone's throw away!

The new FREE Summer supplement,‘Weather it’s HOT

or Weather it’s NOT’ has all this information and much more.

Summer Supplement

 It will be available inside the Llanelli Star, Carmarthen

Journal and Evening Post newspapers from 21^st May 2013

and is a very handy, informative brochure to keep close

during the summer months. Especially throughout the

summer holidays when keeping the children amused

is at its hardest.

It is packed full of creative ideas come rain or shine,

from rock pooling at some of Carmarthenshire’s blue

flag beaches, biking, walking and horseback trekking

through gorgeous countryside in many unique locations

and provides suggestions for the perfect BBQ hot spots

for visitors to relax and absorb the scenic surroundings.

For further information, contact

 www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

Glaw neu Hindda mae’n werth dod yma

 Os ydych chi'n chwilio am weithgareddau i gymryd rhan ynddynt, lleoedd newydd i ymweld, ddydd allan i gadw'r plant yn hapus (beth bynnag fo'r tywydd), ryseitiau newydd i roi cynnig ar,  neu syniadau ar gyfer egwyl bach perffaith, ar garreg eich drws . Mae eich lleoliad delfrydol tafliad carreg i ffwrdd! Mae'r atodiad Haf AM DDIM newydd, ‘Glaw neu Hindda mae’n werth dod yma’ ar holl wybodaeth hyn a llawer mwy.

Bydd ar gael y tu mewn i'r papurau newydd “Llanelli Star, Carmarthen Journal a'r Evening Post”  o 21 Mai 2013 ac mae'n, llyfryn gwybodaeth ddefnyddiol iawn i gadw yn agos yn ystod misoedd yr haf. Yn enwedig trwy gydol gwyliau'r haf pan mae cadw'r plant yn ddiddig ar ei anoddaf.

Mae'n llawn syniadau creadigol, o cronni graig ar rai o draethau baner las Sir Gaerfyrddin, beicio, cerdded a marchogaeth merlota drwy gefn gwlad hyfryd mewn nifer o leoliadau unigryw ac yn darparu awgrymiadau ar gyfer mannau BBQ, berffaith ar gyfer ymwelwyr i ymlacio ac amsugno'r amgylchedd golygfaol .

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

Email Promotion of Gardens in Wales by Visit Wales

The Gardens of Wales

On the 18^th May, Visit Wales will be releasing a

new email promoting the beautiful gardens on offer in Wales.

The Welsh Gardens email

The promotion will be broadcast to 260,000 recipients

 which is great news for our Marketing and Tourism

department as two images of gardens within Carmarthenshire

have been included, plus a competition to win a two-night

stay at the Cawdor Hotel with entry to the National Botanic

Garden of Wales.



National Botanic Garden

For more information about our gorgeous Welsh gardens, visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

 

Gerddi Gorau Cymru

Ar 18 Mai, bydd Croeso Cymru yn rhyddhau e-bost newydd yn hyrwyddo’r gerddi hardd sydd ar gael yng Nghymru.

Bydd yr ebost hyrwyddo yn cael ei ddarlledu i 260,000 o dderbynwyr, sy'n newyddion gwych i’r adran Marchnata a Thwristiaeth Cyngor Sir Caerfyrddin efo lluniau o ddau or gerddi yn Sir Gaerfyrddin yn cael eu cynnwys, yn ogystal â chystadleuaeth i ennill dwy noson yn aros yng Ngwesty'r Cawdor efo ymweliad ir Gardd Fotaneg Genedlaethol Cymru.
                  
Am fwy o wybodaeth am gerddi gorau Cymru ewch i www.discovercarmarthenshire.com