Latest news with #JenniferBurke
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
New cafe set to open at one of Cardiff's less well-known parks that's actually beautiful
New cafe set to open at one of Cardiff's less well-known parks that's actually beautiful The city council is beginning its search for someone to take on the project at a park it hopes to attract more visitors to Cardiff Council has announced that it is looking for someone to open a new cafe at Cefn Onn Park in Cardiff (Image: Richard Swingler ) Plans have been announced to open a new cafe in one of Cardiff's most popular parks and now the city council is looking for someone to run it. Cardiff Council said on Wednesday, June 4, that it was advertising for someone to convert the former caretaker's bungalow at Cefn Onn Park in Lisvane into a cafe and enter into a lease agreement to operate it. Cardiff Council's cabinet member for culture, parks and events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said the move was the next step in a wider ambition to improve facilities at the Grade II listed park. Cllr Burke said: "Parc Cefn Onn is such a beautiful space, and a lot of work has been done over the years to attract more visitors, including improving access, upgrading toilet facilities, and restoring its historic features. Never miss a Cardiff story and sign up to our newsletter here. "Finding an operator to establish and run a park café is the next step in improving facilities and encouraging even more people to get outdoors and explore one Cardiff's slightly less well-known green spaces." The two-bedroom bungalow is located close to the main park entrance and the space includes a small outdoor area which could be used for seating. Article continues below Full details of the opportunity will be available towards the beginning of July on Cardiff Council's property website and on Fletcher Morgan's website. As a consequence of the proposal, legal notices have been published advertising the 'disposal' of 172.5 square metres of land at Parc Cefn Onn. 'Disposal' is a legal term which, in this case, refers to the granting of a lease. All facilities will remain in the ownership of Cardiff Council. Cefn Onn Park is also designated as a country park and provides access to the footpath network of Caerphilly Mountain. The upper section of the park, also known as the Dingle, was originally laid out 100 years ago by former owner, Ernest Prosser, who was the director of Rhymney Valley Railway. The park's website states that the site is a "rich haven for wildlife" and contains a collection of native and exotic trees. The Dingle contains a summerhouse and pond, which were constructed to alleviate the symptoms of tuberculosis suffered by Prosser's son, Cecil. A woodland garden was also laid at the southern end of the park after 1944. One of the last major upgrades made to the park came as a result of £454,000 of National Lottery funding that was awarded in 2014. Article continues below The money was used to improve access at Cefn Onn by adding a new boardwalk, upgrading toilet facilities and creating more car parking spaces for disabled visitors. A scheme which allowed less able bodied visitors to access all-terrain mobility scooters was also launched as a result of the funding.
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Welsh council extends 'No Mow May' to the entire summer and people are not impressed
Welsh council extends 'No Mow May' to the entire summer and people are not impressed The next time some areas in the city will be mowed is September The continuation of this initiative aims to help wildlife thriv (Image: Getty Images ) Cardiff City Council has announced they will not be mowing grassland in 144 sites across the city all summer, as an extension of their "No Mow May" campaign. The continuation of this initiative aims to help wildlife thrive, after it was discovered that approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and with them, vital food and habitat needed by wildlife. Cardiff Council joined the campaign for the month of May this year, and has now announced it will be extending this practice until the end of the summer. A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: "To help support nature there will be no mow until September again this year at 144 different sites across the whole city, covering an area of grass the size of 272 football pitches." Get Cardiff news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions, and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice A spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said: "Across Wales, the hum of lawnmowers is being replaced by the gentle buzz of bees. "We're once again joining the Plantlife Cymru 'No Mow May' campaign by stopping non-essential mowing on the land we manage. Article continues below "This will allow spring plants to set seed and grow to provide nectar and pollen for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. "There are things we can all do to make it easier for pollinators to survive. These can be relatively simple, such as managing grass verges in a more sensitive way, or leaving wild areas around our homes, offices and public buildings." 'Leaving the grass to grow throughout the summer has a really positive impact on local ecosystems,' said Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke. "We're seeing areas that used to be just grass, buttercups, daisies and dandelions flourish, and they are now home to more insects like butterflies and bees, as well as a much wider range of plant species including red clover, cuckoo flower, goatsbeard and even waxcap fungi.' Though the announcement by Cardiff Council has been met with concerns by local residents, who are questioning the safety of the decision, as well as the true motive. Beverley Venn said: "What about on roundabouts and coming out of some junctions around Cardiff?" This was echoed by Spencer Thompson's claim that this is "dangerous around junctions and roundabouts." Others say they are beginning to wonder if this campaign truly is for the sole reason of allowing insects and other wildlife to prosper, and not to simply save the council some money. Gavin Chapman said: "Or is because you're trying to save money? It makes the city look scruffy" Article continues below Gary Greatrex said: "But the council is planning to build houses on fields used for recreation... it'll be sod the wildlife then though." More than 100 commenters posted similar remarks underneath the council's announcement, with some even asking if the money they are saving from not mowing the grass could be taken off their council tax bills.
