Latest news with #Caerphilly
BBC News
19 hours ago
- BBC News
Caerphilly Castle reopens after two-year renovation
Wales' biggest castle has reopened after two years of renovations aimed at "reconnecting communities with their heritage".The £8m worth of upgrades to Caerphilly Castle include a reconstruction of the Great Hall to how it appeared in its "medieval heyday", as well as new digital exhibits and accessibility improvements."The castle has stood as a guardian for over 750 years and… we're ensuring it remains at the heart of the town's identity for generations to come," said Jayne Bryant MS, housing and local government 13th Century structure was built by Gilbert de Clare, the Earl of Gloucester, as a fortress against Welsh resistance. The castle – the second biggest in the UK, behind Windsor - reopened on Saturday to include new interactive exhibitions that tell stories of the castle, including "power struggles, betrayals and liaisons with people who built and fought over the castle", according to Welsh heritage body is also an exhibit on John Crichton-Stuart, the fourth Marquis of Bute, who funded its reconstruction in the 1920s.A medieval passageway connected to the Great Hall has been opened for public access, while there have also been repairs to a major gatehouse. New paths and ramps, as well as a wildflower garden, have been for Culture Jack Sargeant, said the renovation has "made our shared history more accessible and engaging for everyone"."The Great Hall, interactive exhibits and improved accessibility demonstrate our commitment to preserving Wales' rich cultural heritage while ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations," he Bryant said, the upgrades were "about reconnecting communities with their heritage and boosting local economies".
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kristin Kone elated after Italy's thrilling win over Wales
Kristin Kone was left feeling elated after Italy edged out Wales 28-24 to round off their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series with a thrilling win. Hooker Chiara Cheli produced a stand-out performance – bagging herself a second-half hattrick which included the match-winning try - during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Italy made sure they were on the right side of the result despite Wales scoring four tries of their own. It caps a pleasing turnaround for Italy who lost to France 46-5 in their opening game before falling 36-20 to England on matchday 2 having led that match 15-0 at half time. And full-back Kone was full of praise for her team's resolve during their final battle with the competition's hosts. She said: 'We are feeling pretty awesome right now. It was a tough game, but we kept on going and we believed in our team until the last minute. We're pretty proud of what we've done during this whole experience.' Italy's physical prowess has been their strength throughout the Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score all of her tries from close range off the back of good work by her fellow forwards. But Kone admitted Wales didn't make things easy for her side. 'It was a very tough game as Wales played pretty well, but we're very excited and happy with the result,' she continued. 'Absolutely [it was a physical game]. The Wales players are really tough, pretty big, but our defence was pretty thick, and we kept on going. I'm very proud of my teammates.' This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development, something which Kone thinks has helped her side over the past two weeks. She added: 'Absolutely [this gives us confidence going forward]. From this match we've grown a lot. We started [the tournament] against France and then the English, we've come a long way, and we've enjoyed it.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hard work paid off says captain Roboam as France go unbeaten
France captain Lou Roboam said her team's hard work had paid off after they finished the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series as the only team with a 100 per cent record. After beating Italy 46-5 on Matchday 1 and Ireland 41-12 last Friday, Les Bleuettes downed England 52-39 in Caerphilly to complete a clean sweep of victories. Doubles from Faustine Piscicelli and Elina Folituu and further scores from Mailys Borak, Anaick Konyi, Zoe Jean and Julie Espinosa made sure France took the spoils in the battle between the two unbeaten sides. She said: 'We have had a really good Summer Series. We've worked incredibly hard and winning all our matches feels great. And to beat the English too, that makes me feel really good and very proud.' It was an entertaining encounter in the competition's final match, and although France had their noses in front from the 18th minute onwards, England refused to lie down. The young Red Roses scored six tries of their own through Amelia MacDougall, Grace Clifford, Lucie Sams, captain Lucy Calladine, Sophie McQueen and Zara Green. Roboam was always expecting their opponents to come at them as the two unbeaten teams competed against each other in South Wales. 'Our goal was to stick to the game plan and that's what we did,' she continued. 'The English team was a very good team and that's why we're even more proud to have won the game.' This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development. France won all three of their games in 2024 to go with this year's trio of triumphs and Roboam was grateful that her and her contemporaries had been given a platform to show what they could do. She added: 'Obviously, games like this are really important, and it gives an opportunity to players to be seen and to hopefully be able to go to the next level.'France captain Lou Roboam said her team's hard work had paid off after they finished the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series as the only team with a 100 per cent record. After beating Italy 46-5 on Matchday 1 and Ireland 41-12 last Friday, Les Bleuettes downed England 52-39 in Caerphilly to complete a clean sweep of victories. Doubles from Faustine Piscicelli and Elina Folituu and further scores from Mailys Borak, Anaick Konyi, Zoe Jean and Julie Espinosa made sure France took the spoils in the battle between the two unbeaten sides. She said: 'We have had a really good Summer Series. We've worked incredibly hard and winning all our matches feels great. And to beat the English too, that makes me feel really good and very proud.' It was an entertaining encounter in the competition's final match, and although France had their noses in front from the 18th minute onwards, England refused to lie down. The young Red Roses scored six tries of their own through Amelia MacDougall, Grace Clifford, Lucie Sams, captain Lucy Calladine, Sophie McQueen and Zara Green. Roboam was always expecting their opponents to come at them as the two unbeaten teams competed against each other in South wales. 'Our goal was to stick to the game plan and that's what we did,' she continued. 'The English team was a very good team and that's why we're even more proud to have won the game.' This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development. France won all three of their games in 2024 to go with this year's trio of triumphs and Roboam was grateful that her and her contemporaries had been given a platform to show what they could do. She added: 'Obviously, games like this are really important, and it gives an opportunity to players to be seen and to hopefully be able to go to the next level.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Calladine bursting with pride at teammates' efforts despite France loss
By Phil Campbell England captain Lucy Calladine was bursting with pride with her teammates' efforts despite falling to a 52-39 loss against France in their final match of the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series. France ran in eight scores during the gripping encounter in Caerphilly, but England gave as good as they got and scored six tries of their own through Amelia MacDougall, Grace Clifford, Lucie Sams, Calladine, Sophie McQueen and Zara Green. The result also represented a marked improvement from 12 months ago in Italy when France downed the U20 Red Roses 72-21. And Calladine, who plays domestically for Loughborough Lightning in Premiership Women's Rugby, said the nature of her team's performance made it feel like they'd won. 'I'm so proud,' she said. 'That scoreline is the closest it's ever been [against France] during the whole four years I've been involved. I'm so proud of the girls. They all worked so incredibly hard and it's a win in our eyes.' England beat Scotland 31-17 in their opening Women's Summer Series game before coming from 15-0 down at half-time against Italy to win 36-20 in their second. It means they finished alongside Ireland who also won two of their matches. Calladine explained she'd enjoyed being able to lead her team during the competition in Wales and hinted there is more to come from her side. 'This team makes it incredibly easy for me to be captain,' she continued. 'They're all so kind, so caring and they work incredibly hard for each other. Honestly, I couldn't ask for more from a team. What they do makes it so easy for me. We had a great two wins and obviously this [result] doesn't reflect how good we are as a team.' This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development. Calladine was grateful that her and her contemporaries had been given a platform to show what they could do. '[This tournament is] massive, especially with the World Cup coming up,' she added. 'It just shows you how cool the talent is coming forward. It's important to play these games, especially against the likes of France, because it just makes us a better team, and it makes for exciting rugby. 'More people are coming every year to watch. I've been doing it for three or four years now and the crowds have just got bigger and bigger. We always talk about how can we leave the shirt in the best place and I think we've done that today, so I'm really happy.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Italy overcome Wales in thrilling 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series contest
By Phil Campbell Chiara Cheli's second-half hattrick saw Italy to a thrilling 28-24 victory over Wales to round off their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series with a win. Cheli's third score proved to be the difference during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Wales came up just short despite bagging four tries of their own. The two sides were quick out of the blocks as they both looked to assert themselves over the other during the opening exchanges. Wales were then able to up the ante and enjoyed success down the left wing with Nia Fajeyisan in particular causing Italy problems with her speed and athleticism. But it was Italy who broke the deadlock after 18 minutes through talismanic captain Elena Errichiello. The No. 8 has been a constant spark for her side during this Women's Summer Series, and she was able to cross over following a strong showing from her forwards near Wales' tryline. Lavinia Pratichetti ensured the extra two points, but the competition hosts rallied after falling behind. Molly Wakely breached the Italian backline on 25 minutes, capping off a period of Welsh pressure to get them on the scoreboard, and the side led by Branwen Metcalfe took the lead 10 minutes later when the dangerous Savannah Picton-Powell skilfully scored. Italy hit back after the break and took advantage of a Welsh lineout error five metres from their line. The throw went long from the touchline and Cheli capitalised to drive over. Pratichetti was clinical from the tee once again as Italy found themselves leading 14-12. But the game continued to unfold in a pendulum-like fashion as four minutes later, Wales retook the lead. A blistering move got the home side within touching distance of the Italian tryline down the right, but when it became obvious the left side would prove fruitful, the ball was worked brilliantly out wide, and Seren Singleton was on hand to finish the move off. Italy's physical prowess has been a strength of theirs through this Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score a virtually identical second try to her first – burrowing over off the back of a ruck – to hand back the initiative to the team in blue. Much like a heavyweight slugfest, both teams continued to trade blows, and Chiara Pearce landed the next telling shot, dotting down to edge Wales back in front for a third time. However, Cheli's third close-range try with six minutes to go, and Pratichetti 100% conversion record, proved decisive in one of the games of the competition.
