Category: Photo

The snowman on stilts and the choirs from Howells and Ysgol Pencae stole the show on this busy, mild evening. Here are some photos:

The Llandaff 50 Plus group has an archeological project going on at the old Llandaf cattle pound, between the old public conveniences at the top of the steep hill alongside the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Castle. Here’s a photo of volunteer students from Bishop of Llandaff School who have been digging to reveal the old cattle pound’s secrets. Donna Howard of the group explained the history of the Pound and visitors to the dig are able to learn about the history of the Bishop’s Castle, along with a timeline. This and work on the Heritage Centre is all thanks to a series of generous grants, listed on their website: “£200,000 Welsh Government grant , £3,000 from Cardiff YMCA (1910) Trust, £10,000 for National Lottery Heritage Fund, £5,000 from National Lottery Community Fund and £10,000 from a local charitable trust to help provide a 50+ community activity centre and heritage room in the heart of Llandaff village. ”

The Christmas lights were switched on in Llandaf on 28 November 2018. Here are some photos taken towards the end of that magical evening.

The redeveloped Insole Court in Llandaf Cardiff brings an old-world feel of the Cotswolds or Cheshire to the Welsh capital. The Christmas Market there today really helped to increase the quota of Christmas spirit. There was delicious lentil soup, Italian leather handbags and woven scarves, original pastels by local artists and lots of Festive hustle and bustle. Here are some photos I took:

The Cathedral School has bought the site of Jazzy Jungle, flattened it and is preparing to build a new Memorial Hall for the school and city. The photos below outline how the hall will look and how the local community will be able to use the new facility.

Here’s just one story of many from the George Thomas Hospice fundraising Charity Raft Race at Llandaf Rowing Club today (Sunday 7 June). It’s a photo story of the Pencae Dad Rafters team of spacemen, using photos from @Pencae_rafters on Twitter. They may not have won the race but they captured the spirit of adventure needed for this fun yet challenging event. Da iawn tadau Ysgol Pencae! Donate.

If you have a view about the way the BBC Llandaf Broadcasting House is developed, the buyers Taylor Wimpey want to hear from you. They’re holding a consultation day at the Llandaff Institute from 11am – 8pm on 12 February, and everyone’s welcome to attend. This sounds like an open house, rather than a public meeting approach.

There are bound to be discussions about the extra car traffic through Llandaf village which the potentially-close-to-400-homes will bring. Some may lament the potential loss of Dale Owen’s modernist building which has become a bit of a local landmark. Other will want to suggest community facilities like libraries, community centres and health facilities.

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.

A medieval Bishop’s Castle that was probably first constructed by William de Broase (Bishop 1266-87) during the thirteenth century, and is still remarkably well preserved.

The Bishop’s Palace is the only surviving residence of the medieval clergy of Llandaf.

There are remains of an almost rectangular enclosure of about 52x40m.

There are towers and a monumental gatehouse at the western side, as you walk from the Cathedral.

The castle was shown complete on John Speed’s plan of 1610, with the gatehouse and four other towers, so it was probably dismantled at the time of the Civil War.

It was restored in 1971.

(The above info is a summary of a long piece by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales )

It’s a great place for a picnic and a game of Dump123.

Photo by Susan Williams.