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Preparing the
site
(Photograph by Ingrid Taylor) |
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Parc Rhydlafar under
construction
(Photograph by Ingrid Taylor) |
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Snow at Parc
Rhydlafar - November 2005
(Photograph by
Liz Bourne) |
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After closure and demolition of the hospital, builders soon moved in and
started to create the new development of houses which now stand on this lovely site.
There are about 250 residences here, of different sizes and designs. The area is
maturing, with some tasteful gardens, trees and a pleasant and well used
playground for the children.
The children attend various schools around the area,
some going to
Pentyrch and
onwards to
Radyr. Others
go to
Creigiau,
St. Fagans or
Peterston
and even as far away as Cowbridge, sometimes depending on convenience
to parents’ work places. There are quite a few medical residents – some of whom,
no doubt, fondly recall the
old days.
The entrance on Rhydlafar Drive also carries on the medical theme with a Clinical
Supply shop and a Gym (for ladies only!), whose membership is approaching 500.
Neighbourhood Watch is in operation. And a dedicated police officer
from Fairwater is seen here
frequently - checking up on security and advising residents about the safety of their
properties. The noticeboard on Prince Of Wales Drive is updated regularly
with news of the
surrounding areas and events. A Royal Mail post box is
much appreciated as there is no
other within walking distance. Everybody who lives here
needs a car (or a bicycle if
energetic enough!) to get to the nearest shops in Pentyrch, Creigiau
or Fairwater. But there is a good half-hourly bus service into Cardiff
which also goes through other shopping areas at
Danescourt and Llandaff.
Plans are in hand to erect a permanent memorial to the Prince Of Wales Hospital. The
old
sundial
from 1918 has been retrieved, and we hope that, in due course, it can
be situated
in a nice location to recall those old days.
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