Penarth Summer Festival and Downhill Derby returns for 2022

After a two-year absence, Penarth Summer Festival and Downhill Derby returns to The Esplanade in 2022. It is a highlight of the Penarth calendar, where amateur drivers race homemade soapbox carts, powered by nothing except determination and gravity. This year’s Downhill Derby will take place on Saturday 16th June from 2pm-5pm along Cliff Hill, on a course that runs for 450 metres downhill towards Penarth Lifeboat Station and Penarth Yacht Club, but it’s really not that simple. Obstacles, ramps and tight chicanes are added to the course to add a challenge to the teams and some extra excitement for the crowd. Organisers especially welcome homemade go-karts racers who’ve never taken part before alongside returning veterans of the hill hazards. Anyone can enter, including under-16s, as long as the car is human-powdered, homemade and able to stop! Prizes are awarded for speed and creativity and entry is free. Those brave enough to race can enter on the Penarth Town Council website.

New Community Centre in St Paul’s Church

The Newydd Housing Association has agreed a lease with Glamorgan Voluntary Service. And in partnership with Vale of Glamorgan Council, they have decided to give back to the community but providing an idea space for residents to host events, especially for charities and non-profits. The Vale of Glamorgan council is providing £400,000 to help make this new community centre the best it can be.

A New, Exciting Start for Willmore’s 1938

We’ve all seen George, the Willmore’s van around cosmeston lake but now Willmore’s 1938 have another new exciting venture. We were surprised, and disheartened, to hear the news that Willmore’s will no longer be on Stanwell Road but it’s not the end for the popular coffee shop. They will be moving to their new home on the Cliff Tops and should be open by the summer. We can’t wait to see what they’ll do with such a great new space.

Sheep in Cosmeston?

Cosmeston is home to several important species, all of which help the natural eco-system on the park. So earlier this year, Vale of Glamorgan Council announced they will be allowing sheep to graze in Cosmeston to further help the eco-system. Cosmeston contains a number of species of conservation importance and allowing sheep to graze in certain areas is the best way to protect them.

PODS is back!

After too long, PODS are back on the stage! The people at Penarth Operatic & Dramatic Society have raised their curtains, with their brilliant performance of ‘Cinderella’ at Christmas and now their adaptation of ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ earlier this March. Their first play in over 2 and a half years! We were all excited to see them back on the stage and we look forward to their next show, ‘The Fully Monty’ in May. 

Benthyg Penarth E-Cargo Bike

The Benthyg Penarth e-cargo bike and volunteers are at your disposal for delivery and collecting items shared here on Wednesday and Saturdays in the Penarth area.

Penarth Businesses Celebrated in Love Local Day

Local businesses from across Penarth have been nominated as ‘most loved’ as part of national Love Local Day. Penarth View were proud to be nominated, along with businesses such as; A B Snell & Son, Apothecary64, oner-chi, Foxy’s Deli, Glass by Design, Griffin Books, Hamptons. 

Penarth Sees More Funding for Defibrillators

The Welsh Government announced a further £500,000 will be given to help with the funding of defibrillators in communities. This will mean residents will have more easy access to defibrillators, with plans to add more to community centres, schools, shopping centres, sports clubs etc.

Penarth Beach Now Recognised as ‘Bathing Water’

Earlier this year, the bid to get Penarth Beach classified as ‘bathing water’, meaning it’s safe to swim in, became the talk of the town. Although our beach has been an earlier-swimmers favourite within groups such as the Dawn Stalkers, we’re excited to see if this will become official, which might bring in some tourism to Penarth beach. 

Dinas Powys Woman A Finalist for Miss Wales

18 year old Anna Mears has been chosen as a finalist for Miss Wales 2022 and we can see why. Anna, as well as being a triathlete and has a real passion for sports, she is also a junior athlete ambassador and volunteers for Age Cymru, all while studying for her A-Levels in the hope to study nursing at University. Good luck, Anna.

Culture Club by Age Cymru 

The wonderful group, Age Cymru, is piloting a Culture Club scheme in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, which aims to support isolated older people and get them out doing things they enjoy. Visiting cultural sites, community creative work and getting them out in nature. This scheme will hopefully help those who are isolated, giving them the opportunities to makes new friends and to get out and safely enjoy cultural sites.

Penarth Actress Stars in BAFTA Nominated Short Film

Penarth resident, Alison Fitzjohn, stars in the now BAFTA nominated short film, Stuffed, written by Joss Holden-Rea and Theo Rhys. This dark film, described as belonging to multiple genres, comedy, romance and horror, has already received raving reviews and has won multiple awards.

New Bilingual Education Recourses for Welsh Schools

World Book Day saw an interesting announcement from the Welsh Government and the Minister for Education and Welsh Language. They are introducing a bilingual educational resources company, aimed in creating and providing useful resources for schools and learners. A new curriculum with be introduced in schools, along with new materials and better access to relevant resources for teachers.

5K Walk for RNLI

A group of four women who made it their mission to fundraise money for National Coastwatch Institution (Nell’s Point) and RNLI Penarth, have raised more than they initial targets. Linda Foye, Heather Stevenson, Ann Gripton and Rosie Collard braved the cold weather and walked the Prosecco 5k around Barry Island in January, dress in fun costumes and managed to raise almost £800!

A Service for Care-Experienced Young Mothers Comes to Penarth

A project for care-experienced young mothers are offering their services in Penarth. Project Unity aims to help break the cycle of children being born to care-experienced young mothers entering the care system in Wales, with one-to-one person-centred intensive support and advocacy offered. With peer support, opportunities, education and access to practical and emotional support.

Safer Link Between Penarth and Sully

Despite the two towns being so close together, traveling from one to the other without the use of a car can be difficult, and sometimes even unsafe. That is why the Vale of Glamorgan Council are putting plans in place to upgrade cycling and walking links between Penarth and Sully. No definite plan has been announced yet but we look forward to it.

Bicycle Repair Stations Installed Across the Vale

10 bike repair stations, with free pumps and tools, across the Vale of Glamorgan, in a bid to encourage more cycling to improve health and reduce emissions. Funded by Public Health Wales, these stations are long-lasting and are sure to help the increasing amount of cyclists in the Vale.

More Funding for Mental Health

The Welsh Government has announced they’ll be putting more money into supporting the free online tool, SilverCloud Wales, which helps people manage their mental health, particularly people with anxiety, depression and stress. Launch during the pandemic, the pilot scheme has proven very effective in supporting peoples wellbeing and will now be supported for three more years.

Penarth Food Pod Launched

Vale of Glamorgan council have now officially launched Food Pod in Penarth. Working out of a converted shipping contained on St Luke’s Estate, the Food Pod will be open Monday and Fridays, between 2pm and 4pm, and Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. The Food Pod will offer tinned and perishable goods, as well as toiletries and hygiene products on a pay-as-you-can policy.