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The Update: 02 May 2025
Here is your Friday update, covering:
- Cardiff Castle to glow red as VE Day marked in Cardiff
- Capital funding provided to support grassroots music venues in Cardiff
- Commitment to Children Looked After highlighted in annual report
- St Mellons C.I.W. Primary School evidences positive progress following recent inspection
Cardiff Castle to glow red as VE Day marked in Cardiff with a celebration picnic, street parties, and ‘Victory Days' exhibition
Cardiff Castle will glow red as Cardiff marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a special celebration picnic in the Castle grounds, residents host street parties, and a ‘Victory Days' exhibition exploring how the city's residents celebrated the end of the Second World War is held at the Museum of Cardiff.
VE Day Picnic
Organised by Cardiff Council and supported by Welsh Government, the celebration picnic in Cardiff Castle's public open space will take place from 11am - 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday May 5th.
The family-friendly event will feature a range of free entertainment. Expect music from the bandstand, walkabout entertainers including circus and puppet shows as well as children's craft activities.
Firing Line Museum of the Queen's Dragoon Guards and The Royal Welsh will also be taking part in the celebrations with a display of artifacts from World War II and remote-controlled miniature tanks to play with.
Castle light up
The external walls of Cardiff Castle will be lit in red overnight on Tuesday May 6th as part of a national programme to mark the anniversary.
‘Victory Days' exhibition
Residents' memories join objects such as bunting that flew at VE Day celebrations in Llandaff and a programme of VE Day celebrations at Heath Park, to tell the story of Cardiff's original Victory in Europe Day and Victory in Japan Day celebrations 80 years ago in a special exhibition at the Museum of Cardiff.
Street parties
Residents in a number of residential streets have also organised VE Day community street parties.
To foster a sense of unity and community spirit, residents were offered the opportunity to submit applications to hold organised VE Day street parties over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
Capital funding provided to support grassroots music venues in Cardiff
Grassroots music venues in Cardiff have been awarded close to £200,000 through a grassroots venues fund established by Cardiff Council.
The grants have enabled live music venues including Clwb Ifor Bach, Porters, Chapter Arts Centre, The New Moon, Paradise Garden, Acapela, Tiny Rebel and The Canopi to make improvements and buy essential new equipment.
The funding forms part of the local authority's Cardiff Music City work to protect and develop the city's music sector which has also seen a new talent development scheme launched in the city's schools, the launch of a new ‘Academi' for young musicians, and the first ever Cardiff Music City Festival take place.
Commitment to Children Looked After highlighted in annual report
A report released by the Council's Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee highlights Cardiff's strong commitment to providing high-quality care and support for the city's looked-after children and care leavers.
The Committee works in partnership with a range of sectors including Social Services, Health, Education, and other statutory agencies, to promote shared responsibility for the wellbeing of looked-after children. Together, they aim to protect these young people's interests and create the best possible opportunities for their success in life.
The 2024/2025 Annual Report highlights the range of initiatives undertaken by the Corporate Parenting Advisory Committee over the past year and notes a number of key activities and improvements:
- Emotional Health and Wellbeing: Services provided by the Cardiff & Vale Health Board, including holistic health assessments, developmental trauma services, and mental health support.
- Better Connections and Improved Relationships: Targeted support programs like the Cardiff Commitment, which collaborates with various services to support children in education, employment, or training.
- A Comfortable, Safe, and Stable Home: Initiatives like the Young Persons Gateway and Tai Ffres, providing housing and support for young people.
- Educational Achievement, Employment, and Training: Programs like the Children Looked After Virtual School and Bright Futures, offering education and employment opportunities.
- Celebrating Our Children and Young People: Events like the Bright Sparks Awards, recognising the achievements of care-experienced young people.
St Mellons C.I.W. Primary School evidences positive progress following recent inspection
St Mellons C.I.W. Primary School has recently been inspected by Estyn. At the time of the inspection, the headteacher had been in post for 16 weeks following the resignation of their predecessor. During this period, a number of improvements were introduced to help steer the school in a positive direction, laying the groundwork for further progress - a development noted by Estyn.
Estyn praised the school for a number of positive outcomes and rapid progress in its inspection report.
Executive Headteacher Claire Cook said: "I would like to thank our staff for their hard work and unwavering commitment to the school. They have embraced the recent changes with enthusiasm, and their dedication to continuous improvement is commendable. The efforts of our teaching and support staff are central to the progress we make, and I am proud of how they have worked tirelessly to adapt and innovate in the best interest of our children."
