This is a community website for Grangetown in Cardiff, highlighting people, business, community activities, local news and things to do in the area...and linking other websites.

We live locally; this is a voluntary project - in connection with Grangetown Community Concern - completely free and not a profit or money-making or political initiative.

The idea is to create a community resource, which can also act as a window for those outside the immediate area.

E-mail us if you'd like to help or to send any contributions for inclusion. Also if you'd like to be included FREE in our DIRECTORY, FILL IN YOUR DETAILS ON OUR E-FORM or email us.

COMMUNITY NEWS Last orders Pubs set for demolition + Muslim Centre + Pupils' DVD on local streets
GRANGETOWN COMMUNITY CONCERN Help your community - about GCC and how to volunteer
DIRECTORY Support your local Listing of shops, businesses, services and organisations.
HISTORY An introduction to Grangetown history And a chance to send your memories and photos
FEATURES My regeneration Youth tell businesses to give them a chance * North Grangetown's facelift
CRIME/POLICE Latest PACT and policing news Details of March police priorities
ENVIRONMENT Where you bin? Grangetown tops the city's litter bin league table + Recycling dates

DIARY DATES:

ADD YOUR Grangetown EVENT HERE!

Every Saturday: Bay Women Singing, 10am-1pm at Salvation Army Community Centre, Corporation Road, Grangetown (Free). Welsh National Opera poetry and songwriting project, leading to performances in June and July. Open to all women over 18 from the Butetown, Grangetown and Riverside areas. Drop in or contact: Asa Malmsten WNO Max producer, 029 20 635063, or email

Tuesday May 20th: Grangetown Community Concern annual general meeting, St Samson's church hall, 7.45pm, all welcome.

Sat June 7th: Bay Women Singing at the Tesco Open Stage, Wales Millennium Centre, 10.30am (Free). WNO Max presentation as part of WNO Open Day, and part of song-writing workshops for women in Butetown, Grangetown and Riverside.

Friday June 13th-Saturday 21st June: Grangetown Festival and Carnival. This is the 30th anniversary of the week, organised by Grangetown Community Concern, who are hoping to have a 1970s-theme to some of the activities, including the parade and carnival day on the Saturday. Anyone with ideas or who would like to volunteer to help, please contact GCC.
Events include: 70s disco at Grangetown Conservative Club, Corporation Road (Fri 13th); Open-air service and strawberry tea, St Samson's Church (Sun 15th, 3pm); Teddy Bear's Picnic for Under Fives, Grangetown Library (Mon 16th, 10.30am); Inter-School Sports (Wed PM, The Marl), Schools Concert, St Paul's Church (Thurs 19th, 7pm) and Carnival Parade and Day (Sat June 21st, parade starts at Courtmead Gardens at 12 noon, then onto Grange Gardens for fete)

Bay women in harmony

The Welsh National Opera is running a weekly song-writing workshop for women in Grangetown, aimed at performances in the summer.

Led by composer Stacey Blythe and performance poet Clare Potter, the sessions for women from Butetown, Grangetown and Riverside, encourage song-writing and poetry. There is currently a group of about a dozen women, but organisers say there is still time - and room - for more to join in the free Saturday morning sessions.

Asa Malmsten, producer with WNO Max, said: "We talk about issues close to women's hearts, and have so far delved into stories about our mothers, grandmothers and food.

"On Saturday (May 10th) we will start work on a new song about sisterhood and friendship. It is a singing project, but no previous musical experience is necessary."

Workshops run every Saturday morning, 10am to 1pm at the Salvation Army Community Centre, Corporation Road. It will lead to performances on June 7th (10.30am) at the WNO open day, and then again at 1pm and 3pm on July 12th - all performances on the Tesco Stage at WMC.

The project is free to join, and open to any women over 18 who would like to become involved in this amazing new project, for women, in the area. To take part please contact Asa Malmsten WNO Max Producer, 02920 6350 63, email asa.malmsten@wno.org.uk, or just pop along to one of the sessions.

Grangetown Rooftops

Every month we select a "photo of the month" to help showcase the work of the digital photographers from the Grangetown Flckr Group. The competition is just a bit of fun and is now into its second year!

There was a great selection for May to choose from and it was a difficult job. In the end, we opted for one of two excellent "aerial" shots of Grangetown housing by Steve Chapple. The winner gives something of a honeycombed, mosaic pattern effect to roofs. Check out others on the site too.

Share your photos of Grange

A photo-group website has been set up for people to share their images of Grangetown.

The Grangetown Flickr Group was created to allow people to add their photos of Grangetown places, people and events. "To be honest my prime motive was to put Grangetown on the map," says webmaster Sean Kisby.

A great idea and we're happy to help. What's good about the photos there so far, is there's a mix of people and places - the "disappearing" and sadly "disappeared" landmarks of Grangetown, as well as some more off-beat and domestic shots.

If you'd like to contribute, follow the link at www.flickr.com/groups/grangetown

Past months winners

Cardiff Bay Mirrorball (2) May's choice Evening Sun on St Patricks Church Grangetown view, May morning.Clarks Pies - Eating Competition Bartek Nowicki's Removal Fire Engine Outside I

Gasholder Sunset 1, photo for September, Sean KisbyGreen dancing/October by Chris HendenBen Salter's Under The Bridge Grangetown, CardiffLifesaver



NOW WE'RE THIRTYSOMETHING - TIME TO REMEMBER THE 70s

This year marks two special birthdays - it's the 30th anniversary of the Grangetown Festival Week and Carnival - and also it's 30 years since the Grange News community newspaper was first published. To mark the occasion in June, we're hoping to go back in time as part of the celebration. We hope to adopt something of a 70s theme for carnival week. A bit like the TV series "Life On Mars," we hope to be heading back to the 1970s - except we want to be back in our own time by the end of the Saturday!


Punch and Judy at the carnival at St Patrick's Highlights of past festivals from the 1990s and 2000 above.

We'd like schools and carnival-goers to think of 70s dress and themes for the parade and we hope to have a 70s feel to the events. A 70s disco and band will kick off the week on Friday 13th June, culminating in the annual parade and carnival day on Saturday 21st.

For the carnival day, we'd like people to think of a 70s theme for the parade floats and costumes.

The summer of 1978 when the carnival was first held, John Travolta and Olivia Newton John were Number One with You’re The One That I Want, Scotland were crashing out of the World Cup in Argentina and local MP Jim Callaghan was prime minister!


There will also be a special edition of the Grange News paper to mark its own 30th birthday.


Victorian library set for auction

Grangetown LibraryThe landmark old Grangetown Library building is set to be auctioned off, as part of plans to convert it into flats.

A "realistic price" of £400,000 has been put on the Victorian building, which has been empty for 18 months - since the new libary opened.

Residents, who submitted a 1,000-name petition, and local councillors had won a battle to save it from demolition. Plans were agreed last year to convert the distinctive redbrick building into 13 one and two-bedroomed flats. The proposal for the flats involves "making full use of the attractive internal features," including high ceilings, internal arches and high mullioned windows.

Newport-based agents Newland Rennie Wilkins, who have fixed the sale for 22nd May at the Parc Golf Club at Coedkernew near Newport (7pm), called it a "an exciting and rare" development or investment opportunity.

The proposal was put forward by London-based Deauville Developments, at the end of 2007 with designs by Cardiff-based CFW Architects, who have experience in projects involving restoring old buildings. The plans agreed by the council are for five one bed apartments and eight two bed apartments, The building in Redlaver Street, dating from 1900, had been under threat of demolition to make way for housing after it closed on August 19th 2006.

Cardiff council needed permission by the Welsh Assembly Government to accept a lower tender to save the building. There were two options on the table from the same company - they would pay more to buy the site to demolish it, or a lesser tender for the more costly option of converting it.

The Echo had previously reported that the council was likely to make £71,000 from any housing refurbishment of the old building but redevelopment could see the council pick up a £565,000 profit.

Grangetown councillor Francesca Montemaggi, appealing for the building to be saved back in 2006, said she hoped it could be conserved. "It's part of the community and although it's not Grade II listed, it's a much loved building".

Lorraine Barrett AM said: “It would be an act of vandalism to demolish this beautiful building which is held in high regard by people in the community. If it is to be used for residential purposes, it is possible to keep the structure of the building whilst redeveloping the inside.”

The petition was organised by local residents and the Grangetown Historical Society. Grangetown Community Concern also expressed its support for keeping the building, which is next door to the historic - and listed - Grange Farm, both on land once owned by Margam Abbey. It was built at a cost of £3,521 and the winner of a design competition.


A look back at Grangetown - a century ago

MAY 1908: A couple of stories of marital issues this month. Ellen Ann Harris summonsed her estranged husband to court for destertion and wanted a separation order. She had been married to Benjamin Harris, a boilermaker, for 13 years, lived in Penhaved Street and they had a child. The court heard that Mr Harris had treated his wife "in a diabolical manner" by "staying out night after night". She turned detective after obtaining certain information and found her husband in bed with another woman. He was told to pay the price, at 25 shillings a week.

Another story in the Western Mail involves a tugboat owner from Amherst Street who was after a separation order from his wife and to make an arrangement for maintenance. "The cursed drink" loomed large, with even his mother-in-law admitting to the court her daughter was "always, always drunk..and the children, the poor little lambs, are allowed to go around in an awful dirty state. " More next month

See more in our Grangetown Local History section.

Remembered - the wartime sailor who postponed wedding for action

The sacrifice of a Grangetown sailor during World War One has been remembered 90 years after his death in April 1918, thanks to the Friends of Cathays Cemetery.

The grave of John Cleal had become unkempt and overgrown until the group stepped in - and it was re-dedicated in a ceremony on April 20th to mark the anniversary of the sinking of his ship. The stoker on HMS Iphigenia died of his injuries on a hospital ship, the day after an attempt to sink three ships filled with concrete at Zeebrugge.

John Cleal, 24, had served in the Navy for six years and it is believed he lived in both Clive Street and Holmesdale Street. He had postponed his wedding to volunteer to take part in the raid. Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded, but the casualty rate was high with more than 200 killed and a further 300 wounded.

The South Wales Daily News reported ahead of his funeral: "He was engaged to be married to Miss May Price, and the wedding was only postponed in order that he might volunteer for the great exploit. His brother George is serving in the army, and one of his brothers-in-law has been killed."

His memorial was erected by public subscription but had been neglected over the years until his story was re-discovered last year by two researchers James Lister and Peter Gronow.

The friends group then contacted the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, arranged for the grave to be tidied up. The Royal Naval Association joined the friends group to rededicate the memorial.

* The Friends of Cathays Cemetery would be pleased to make contact with any living relatives of John Cleal. Contact GCC and we will pass the details on.

Thanks to those of you already interested in our Grangetown Local History section, as we continue to build up features and photos about the area.

Recently added to the wartime page are memories of growing up in Grangetown as a boy.

New on the other page is the story of a Cardiff RFC rugby player who died a tragic death on the ice

Our latest appeal for memories, is anyone with something to tell about the Irish in Grangetown. Maybe you had ancestors living in Grange in times gone by - in the old Thomas Street area for example? Memories, old family connections and photos all welcome.

Thanks to the Grangetown Local History Society (who meet the first Wednesday of the month, Grangetown Library, 2.15pm), we're starting to publish some photos from their archives, will hopefully re-tell some stories, include some interesting facts about the area and run a "then and now" section. It's been interesting already to hear from as far afield as the US and Australia from people with family roots in Grangetown! So Email your memories, stories and old photos

BASEBALL Grange Catholics are champions of the Welsh premier baseball league with a run of 12 league and cup wins, topped with win over reigning champions ISTL Llanrumney at Trelai. Back in July, Catholics' Mike Sullivan put one of the best Welsh Premier baseball performances of all time when the bowler sent all 11 St Albans' batsmen off the diamond for just two runs and an extra.

FOOTBALL: Grange Quins are playing in McWhirter Welsh League Two. Gareth Morgan is the new manager. The League have given dispensation so Quins can complete the move from the old to the new Leckwith athletics stadium, with some home matches being played in Ely while the new ground is being built. Full fixtures, including pre-season matches are on the Quins website.

Sites we like!

There are links to a lot of local websites at the bottom - and more in the directory. If you'd like to be included, please email us.

A few we came across recently, took the eye. First Cardiffians, which is dedicated to assembling photos of old Cardiff - or old buildings and landmarks in different districts across the city. A very promising heritage site, which we're missing.

There's also a fantastic zoomable map on the recently created Grangetown Map site, which homes in on local landmarks and shops too on the flash, animated street plan. A good tech-y feature and if they extend it across the city, it would be an excellent tool for locals and visitors.

Also, there's a very detailed and exhaustive Cardiff Pubs website, a real labour of love and very informative.

You may already be familiar with writer Peter Finch's excellent Real Cardiff series, which is a miscellany of prose, poetry and opinion from journeys around the city. He also has Real Cardiff web pages, which give a flavour of the books.

Among a few local community sites is one for Old St Mellons, being carefully put together by Rhys Gregory. Good to see more springing up in different parts of the city, which network together nicely.

Grangetown Community Concern's newspaper is a regular and long-running FREE link between thousands of homes in Grangetown and parts of Butetown.

  • It provides regular news of community organisations, schools, sports bodies and local people making the news.
  • It's a great way for local shops, businesses and traders such as plumbers, electricians and decorators to reach homes in a growing area.
  • The newspaper relies on the support of advertisers to continue this non-profit-making resource - covering the printing costs of the paper, which is written, edited and delivered entirely by volunteers.

The summer edition - a special to mark its 30th anniversary year - of Grangetown Community Concern's newspaper will be out in May/June

E-mail here for details and to volunteer to help deliver. FREE to more than 6,500 homes across Grangetown and some of Butetown - the newspaper is a long-running and vital community link, which is non-profit-making and depends on advertising and sponsorship to keep it going.

We still need volunteer deliverers - especially for Stafford Road. If you can spare half an hour every two or three months, contact Christine or Joan in the office, (029) 20 377 010!

The deadline for the summer edition is April 18th.

Advertising rates for 2008:

Full page: £130
Half page: £75
Quarter page: £48
Eighth page: £25
Small ads: £7

Copy and adverts - contact: Christine/Joan on 029 20 377 010. Email contributions to grangetowncardiff@yahoo.co.uk

Directory for Grangetown

A community directory of local organisations, services and activities was distributed FREE to homes throughout Grangetown and Butetown in May 2006.

Grangetown Community Concern assisted Butetown Healthy Living Programme in the project.

As well as the printed version, we're updating an online version, which also includes local shops and traders.

If you want to be included or amend your entry, you can e-mail us here

We hope one day to be able to publish an updated printed version, so help us keep it up to date. If there are any changes or inaccuracies, please let us know.

We'd be glad to receive contributions or relevant articles for the website, please email us at grangetowncardiff@yahoo.co.uk

LOCAL FACTS

Population: 14,367
Households: 6,230
Welsh-born 74%, English 11%, elsewhere 12%.
Average age: 34
Working full-time: 38.8%
Of the unemployed - long-term: 32%
Type of house: Terrace (59%), flat (15%), semi-detached (14%)
Renting home: 35%
Not owning a car: 39%
Ethnic group: White (77%), Asian (13%), Black (4%), Mixed (3.76%).
Welsh-speakers (or some knowledge) 14%
Based on the 2001 census data

City guides: Cardiff Council BIG Cardiff Cardiffians (history/photos) Cardiff city map
Visit Cardiff Cardiff Online Cardiff On The Web Itchy Cardiff Metroplex Pure Cardiff Cardiff Underground Cardiff Pubs Real Cardiff

Media: BBC Where I Live BBC Wales News icWales BBC Lleol i Mi (Welsh) Y Dinesydd (Welsh)
Web gateway: Wales on the Web (Nat Library) Worldwide Welsh City links: Millennium Stadium National Museum of Wales New Theatre Cardiff Bus Cardiff Castle Cardiff City FC Chapter Arts Centre
Local links: The Grangetown Flickr Group Grangetown Map Grangetown facts & figures Channel View Leisure Centre Green Up Grangetown Cultural Concerns Radio Cardiff Riverside Market Treehouse funiture BBC Wales - Clive Street
Misc links: Anecdotal City Voluntary Action Cardiff Switch Cymru Peter Finch
Other Cardiff community websites: Adamsdown City Road Radyr Old St Mellons Whitchurch/Llandaff North

Site last updated May 12 Webmaster or email us

© Grangetown Community Concern and webmaster 2008