History

April Events in South Wales

Powells Holiday Team — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

April Events in South Wales Powells Holiday Team Tue, 04/12/2016 - 00:00

With the start of a new month upon us we thought we’d select a mixture of upcoming April events across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and the Gower Peninsula to help you pass the time whilst you enjoy a relaxing Welsh cottage holiday.

Tour of Pembrokeshire

What better way to start than with the Tour of Pembrokeshire? Taking place on 23rd April, this annual event will kick start your season of cycling. No matter what level of ability you are, or even if you just want to cheer on the riders as they speed past, this tour offers plenty of excitement with coastal views, country roads, challenging climbs and satisfying descents encompassing Pembrokeshire in it’s finest! With 50, 75 and 100 mile routes available, be sure to head to St David’s and choose the one for you.

Barley Saturday

Bring the whole family to Cardigan on Saturday 30th April and enjoy the spectacle that is Barley Saturday. It's been running since the 19th Century and this fantastic event is certain to entertain with horse competitions followed by a parade including horses, vintage cars, motorbikes, tractors and more!

Gin Festival

If you’re a gin connoisseur then you will absolutely love what Brangwyn Hall, Swansea, has to offer on 22nd and 23rd April. Over 100 gins will be available to try including Tarquins Single Estate Tea Gin, exclusively made for this event. What’s more, both days will be filled with live entertainment and gin industry expert talks too.

Mediaeval Living History Day

If you’re thinking of exploring one of Wales’ well-known castles on your holiday then Saturday 30th April is the day to do so. Oystermouth Castle allows you to take a trip back in time as characters bring its mediaeval past back to life - great fun for both you and the kids!

Events

Understanding Pembrokeshire’s Prehistoric Past

Powells Holiday Team — Mon, 09 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding Pembrokeshire’s Prehistoric Past Powells Holiday Team Mon, 11/09/2015 - 00:00

Pembrokeshire has more surfing beaches than you could shake your board at as the Atlantic Ocean produces some of the best surfing conditions in Europe.

The beaches that accompany these great surfing conditions are also golden and, more often than not, are overlooked by rugged cliffs.

It is therefore no surprise that surfers from across the continent flock to Pembrokeshire to find the best breaks, rides and beaches; so, with this in mind, we have created a guide to the very best surf beaches in Pembrokeshire.

Pembrokeshire beaches

Pembrokeshire in South Wales is a common destination for surfers and every year thousands stay in Pembrokeshire cottages so they can go on surfing holidays. If you are planning to do something similar or are just interested in visiting some of the best surfing beaches in the area then read on!

Newgale Beach

Newgale Beach is enormous at around two miles of sand that is backed up by a pebble bank.

The beach has been recognised as a Blue Flag Beach for 2015, which is awarded to beaches that have good water quality, adequate safety and services such as lifeguards, an environmental management programme and an environmental education and information programme.

The beach’s lifeguards are on duty from the beginning of June until the end of September and the beach also boasts a number of great facilities such as three car parks, toilets, a surf shop and pub. Newgale has been known to offer hefty five-foot waves but is also renowned for being a great beach for longboarders and beginners to learn the art of surfing.

If you would like to try something different then the beach is also renowned for offering great windsurfing conditions too and if you want to give it go then look no further than The Big Blue Experience that operates on Newgale Sands.

The Big Blue Experience offers Power Kiting Courses, Kiteboarding Courses and Kitesurfing Courses where visitors can take advantage of consistent swells and clean un-crowded water. Customers can also expect professional tuition and flexible adventures that will make your trip to Pembrokeshire both a memorable and rewarding one.

Manorbier

Manorbier is a sandy beach that is south-westerly facing, making it a fantastic beach for surfing.

Experienced surfers can enjoy a good right-hander that picks up and peels over the rocks and finishes over the sandy beach, whilst beginners can stick to the sandy area as it also offers some good waves.

The beach is regarded by many local surfers as having the most consistent break in the area and if you are a beginner looking to test out the waves at Manorbier then you should consider buying some surf-related products to help you during your surf.

Surfboard wax, as more experienced surfers will tell you, is now an important product in a surfer’s armoury as it helps you stay upright, giving you the grip you need to pop up and stay up. If you are looking for the best of the best then Mr Zog’s Sex Wax is the perfect product for you.

Sex Wax was first created in Goleta, California and is now one of the primary surfboard wax companies in the world. Sex Wax’s Original Surf Wax is one of the business’ most popular formulas and provides effective levels of traction, whilst another popular product from Sex Wax is its Quick Humps Surf Wax, which is the “go to” choice for professionals and experienced surfers around the world as it ideally balances stability with stickiness. Though be sure to buy the right wax for the right temperature, as cold water wax will just melt too quickly in the summer water.

If you do decide to surf at Manorbier then you should definitely consider buying some of their products as it will help you, especially if you are a beginner prone to slipping.

Whitesands Bay

Whitesands Bay is a beautiful beach that is overlooked by the craggy hill of Carn Llidi and is regarded by many as one of the best beaches in the whole of Wales.

The surf break is at the northern tip of the beach and attracts surfers, body boarders and canoeists to its shores. The south end of the beach is a complete contrast to the north: quieter and sheltered.

Surfers looking for that perfect wave should head to the beach after high tide, but a few hours before low tide as Whitesands Bay is renowned for producing some nice right-hander waves.

The bay is also perfect for families as lifeguards patrol the beach from May-September and facilities include a car park, toilets and a café.

This content was written by James Dart. Please feel free to visit my Google+ Profile to read more stories.

Things to Do

Pembrokeshire to celebrate life’s work of Tenby mathematician

Anita Lee — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0000

Pembrokeshire to celebrate life’s work of Tenby mathematician Anita Lee Wed, 09/30/2015 - 01:00

The Tenby Museum has brought together a unique exhibition to celebrate the life and studies of a local Pembrokeshire man who helped create one of the standards for modern mathematics.

“Robert Recorde: All Angles Covered” has opened at the museum. Born over 500 years ago, Recorde has been credited with creating the “equals sign” in maths equations. He is also recognised for bringing algebra to Great Britain, and worked to develop the square root. Born and raised in Tenby, Recorde has been described as one of Wales’ most important yet unheralded residents. He was a Renaissance scholar, physician and mathematician.

According to historical records, he introduced the concept of the equals (=) sign in his book, The Whetstone of Witte, saying “bicause noe 2 thynges can be moare equalle.”

“This is such an exciting adventure, and we are so pleased to be involved in this national event of celebration,” museum collections manager Mark Lewis told local media. “The support of the London Mathematical Society, both financially and in an advisory capacity, has been invaluable and we hope that people get to learn a great deal more about this fascinating Tenby man who has had such influence on our everyday lives.”

Lewis said experts on Recorde will be giving talks at the museum in conjunction with the exhibition. The exhibition is being supported by the London Mathematical Society as part of its 150th anniversary Local Heroes programme, and it will be open to the public until October 31. The museum’s celebrations will include a series of bilingual interpretive panels, illustrated art works and mathematical artefacts.

The idyllic seaside village of Tenby is a Pembrokeshire gem. There are a number of beautiful holiday cottages in Tenby that can be the centerpiece of your next great holiday to Wales. With many just steps from the beach, they are perfect for exploring one of the finest coastal destinations in the UK.

For more information on the Recorde exhibition, visit www.tenbymuseum.org.uk

Image Credit: Richardjo53 (flickr.com)

Events

Experts confirm treasure discoveries in Pembrokeshire

Anita Lee — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 01:00:00 +0000

Experts confirm treasure discoveries in Pembrokeshire Anita Lee Mon, 09/07/2015 - 01:00

After being reviewed by local experts, several recent finds in Pembrokeshire have been determined to be discoveries of actual treasure. Several rings uncovered have been traced back to the 15th and 16th centuries and therefore deemed as “treasure” by the H.M. Coroner of the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire District.

The artefacts were found over the last two years and were presented to scholars and researchers for examination. Among them was a 15th century silver ring found in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire in the last year, and a late 16th century silver gilt religious ring found in Carew. A post-medieval gold ring was also found in 2013 at Hundleton. In most cases, the rings were found with people using metal detectors on beaches and fields.

“These finds each provide new information about personal adornment circulating at different period in Wales,” said Dr Mark Redknap from the National Museum Cardiff, talking with the BBC.

One of the most special finds was a post-medieval gold mourning ring found in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire. The ring has a stylised skull on the outside of the hoop. The inner face of the hoop is inscribed with the text “J. A. ob 25 July 98 aeta 37” in italic script – meaning that J. A. died 25th July ..98 aged 37.

"The skull and death head on the Hundleton and Kidwelly rings is a motif which occurs on the earliest mourning rings, dating to the fifteenth century,” Redknap said. “The motif remained popular thought the seventeenth century. As the rings are commemorative, they post-date the date of death, but are likely to have been engraved within a short period."

The Kidwelly ring will now find a home in the Carmarthenshire Museum.

Once settled by the Romans because of the discovery of gold in the region, many would-be treasure hunters have found their luck in Wales. Earlier this summer, a pensioner came upon a trove of medieval treasure when metal detecting in a friend's field. Cliff Massey, 86, found an impressive hoard of three 23 carat gold and 25 silver coins during two separate visits to Iford Edwards' farm near Bronington

Known for its history and pure natural beauty, Pembrokeshire is the ideal location for a cottage holiday. With access to the coast and rugged hills and countryside, the area is a favourite for holidays in the UK.

Image Credit: David Blaikie (flickr.com)

News

Doctor Who filmed in Wales

Powells Holiday Team — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Doctor Who filmed in Wales Powells Holiday Team Wed, 09/10/2014 - 00:00

Wales is often visited by hundreds of holidaymakers every year looking for a staycation with a difference, but this year Caerphilly Castle was visited by individuals from another universe as the Doctor Who cast rolled in for the filming of the eighth series.

Usually a popular stop-off on the way to holidays in Pembrokeshire cottages, Caerphilly Castle was the subject of attention for a different audience earlier this year as the Doctor Who cast filmed the third episode of the series, Robot of Sherwood.

Peter Capaldi met with fans

Having filmed scenes of the popular television programme earlier in April of this year on the outskirts of Cardiff, the Doctor Who team then moved onto the famed tourist attraction of Caerphilly Castle on Good Friday, where visitors were met with explosions and gun fire. The new Doctor Who character, played by Scottish actor Peter Capaldi, has been welcomed by fans and producers alike and he even met with fans on set at Caerphilly, as shown in this article, stopping to chat with families and pose for photographs.

The episode, which aired last weekend on Saturday 6th September, televised a Robin Hood theme, and displayed the great architecture of the 13th century Caerphilly castle. Wales is home to many interesting castles that make up some of the most visited tourist attractions on Tenby cottage holidays and in the nearby area, and Caerphilly has proven to go one step further, making its name in the media spotlight as well as recently being named one of Wales’ most visited tourist attractions, taking the tenth position.

With over 500 castles in Wales, there are plenty to see no matter where you are staying in the country. Take a read of this guide for an overview of some these historic buildings; you never know which one could be making an appearance on the small screen next.

Image Credit: Allison Stein (flickr.com)

This content was written by Emily Bray. Please feel free to visit my Google+ profile to read more stories.

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