Author: melyn

Here’s a message from Simon Field, who led the effort to stop the development of a housing estate o Radyr Court Rd. It seems the scheme was eventually blocked on grounds of safety. He writes:
“I am delighted to inform you that the appeal has been rejected by the planning inspector.

“Whilst the Inspector found that ‘the proposed development would not harm the open space resource in the surrounding area’, she did conclude that ‘there would be some detriment to the character and appearance of Radyr Court Road but not sufficient to be decisive by itself’.

“Her decision to dismiss the appeal rested on her main conclusion that ‘the proposal would have a significant detrimental impact on highway safety’.

“The full report from the Planning Inspector will be posted on the web site later today.

I’d like to thank you for your support over these past several years.  It is clear that the strong local opposition to this proposed development was heard by the Council’s Planning Committee, and the Inspector clearly noted the written and oral representations made during the appeal.

With kind regards,

Simon

Simon Field

www.saveradyrcourtroad.org.uk

If you’ve always fancied having a bash at croquet, there’s a devoted following for the sport by the Llandaff Croquet Club. Details are on the poster above.

If you’d like to give your time and volunteer with the Friends of Insole Court, you  can turn up there at 2pm on the third Wednesday of every month over the summer.

Many readers will be aware of the plans to build new homes on the green land of Radyr Court Road by Nabatean Ltd.

The aptly-named Simon Field of the Save Radyr Court Road group has written to say that the Planning Inspector appointed to make the final decision will visit the site at 2pm on Thursday 12th June 2014. He invites residents who oppose the plans to meet him at 2pm on the same day at the bottom of Spooky Lane at the end of Radyr Court Road.

If you want to go along to the appeal inspector’s site visit, go to the bottom of Spooky Lane at the end of Radyr Court Road at 2pm on Thursday 12th June 2014.

Cross-posted on RadyrPost.

In aid of George Thomas Hospice Care on Sunday 8 June at the Rowing Club.

A concert by Theatr Pena starring Rosamund Shelley and Christopher Littlewood on 19 June at Insole Court.

3 June 2014 at Jaspers – a meet-up of local traders

There’s a concert of choral favourites at the Cathedral on Saturday 14 June 2014 with Llandaff Cathedral Society.

The Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Llandaff and is the seat of the Bishop of Llandaf.

This is one of the oldest Christian sites in Britain.

In the sixth century St Dyfrig founded a community close to the ford where the Roman road crossed the river Taff.

Nothing remains of the original church but a Celtic Cross that stood nearby can still be seen near the door of the Chapter House.

The present cathedral dates from 1107 when Bishop Urban, the first Bishop appointed by the Normans, instigated the building of a much larger church.

Later in the 13th century the Chapter House was built and also before the century ended the Lady Chapel which has largely escaped the damage and decay that the cathedral sustained over the following 700 years.

Until the time of King Henry VIII, Jasper Tudor’s kinsman, pilgrims thronged to the shrine of St Teilo whose tomb still stands in the sanctuary, and their gifts supported the church. When pilgrims were forbidden and other revenues taken away it was no longer possible to maintain the building adequately and over the next 200 years it fell into a state of near-ruin.

In 1734 restoration began in the popular style of the day. And a hundred years later, new life and growing prosperity in the Diocese made possible a fresh restoration. The South West tower and spire were completed in 1869, replacing the early-12th century tower which collapsed in 1722.

Much of the 19th century work inside the Cathedral by WWII bombing.

Sir Jacob Epstein’s aluminium statue of Christ in Majesty was put in place as part of the post-war reconstruction.

When you visit, don’t miss Rossetti’s triptych of the Seed of David. It’s in the St Illtyd Chapel at the foot of the North West tower.

The new organ has a fabulous sound. Try to go along to one of the June Festival performances or – in the winter – to hear a carol service at this grand Cathedral.

The Cathedral is open to visitors daily:

Open Close
Sunday 7am 6.30pm
Monday 9am 6.30pm
Tuesday 9am 7pm
Wednesday 9am 7pm
Thursday 9am 7pm
Friday 9am 6.30pm
Saturday 9am 7pm

These times will vary for principal Festivals.
Closing times relate to term time only.
See the Music Scheme for details of services

Info from the Cathedral website.

Guided tours are available by arrangement
Please contact the Administration Office (10:00am – 1.00pm Monday – Friday)
Tel: 029 2056 4554 – Fax: 029 2056 3897
email: office@llandaffcathedral.org.uk

Photo by Susan Williams.

Ever wondered why so many Cathedrals are build in hollows, rather than on prominent hills? Think of St Davids. It’s because freshwater springs spring up on low ground and these springs and wells were often ancient sacred sites.

In Llandaf, it’s easy to miss as you walk down the hill alongside the Cathedral, but this well may be the reason the Cathedral was built here in the first place.

St Teilo was the second Bishop of Llandaf and was one of the three original Celtic saints cited as the inspiration for the establishment of the original church here.