In depth: the 21st century seaside
How plans to inject the cool back into two Welsh seaside resorts could make them the new town hotspots During its 1950s heyday Penarth Pavilion was a magnet for young people wanting to experience rock n’ roll. With its twelve-piece house band, the pavilion became known as the place to go to dance the... Read More
In depth: Life in the fast lane
Speeding tickets, traffic jams, and diversions; an 80 miles per hour speed limit on the motorway could make all these problems disappear There is a dull ache at the base of your neck, your eyes are strained, a rhythmic tapping of impatient fingers on the wheel, the radio intermittently droning in and out of your... Read More
In-depth: Urban regeneration and the retail war
Independent retailers in battle with global brands to preserve the city’s cultural heart Cardiff’s urban and retail landscape has changed vastly in recent years. Since construction began on the extension of the St David’s shopping centre in 2006, the city has been locked in an architectural renaissance. The Welsh capital is seemingly on a mission... Read More
In Depth: Cardiff and the celebrity restaurant
Will proposed plans for a Marco Pierre White restaurant damage Cardiff’s independent diners? Over the past few years, the development of Cardiff’s city centre has been thriving. With the opening of St David’s 2 and the redevelopment of Mill Lane, the Welsh capital has never had more to offer to its residents and visitors.... Read More
In-depth: Cardiff City Ladies FC
Premiership footballers turned ASDA bag packers – Cardiff City Ladies FC reveal the void between the sexes in British football Packing bags in ASDA is not something you’d expect to find a Premier League footballer doing on their day off. The idea seems frankly alien to a sport that has made... Read More
In-depth: rise of Cardiff’s free culture press
Following the recent surge of free culture magazines and webzines in the Welsh capital, how do the publications stay popular, stay unique, and make their money? How do you get your culture fix? Perusing shelves for the latest magazine, scouring the internet, or filling your bag with the myriad of free magazines on offer? After... Read More
In-depth: safe injecting in Cardiff
Needle exchange is increasing but appears to attract divided opinion. Is it a means of helping users and protecting the public, or are we fuelling addictions? Recently a wheelchair bound man gave a talk on his experiences with drugs to young people at a homeless centre in Cardiff. This man only had one leg. Why?... Read More
In-depth: Welsh businesses adopt poets
One local businessman is opening up the office doors to poets You’re sat in the office waiting for inspiration to strike, all of a sudden poetry fills your ears, calming you and clearing your mind. After a brief interlude you find yourself refreshed and focused. Strange though it sounds, poets in the work place may... Read More
In-depth: Kotatsu promotes Asian culture and food
How anime and manga have propelled sushi from high-class cuisine to popular food for everyone One of Britain’s most popular trendy foods is sushi. But while some still think it’s fairly new, sushi has actually been around for some time. In fact by now it has been fully integrated into British culture and you can... Read More
In-depth: The pantomime effect
Pantos draw in record audiences every year, but could they play a greater role in the future of theatre? As much a tradition as late night shopping, mince pies and dodgy Christmas jumpers, the pantomime is close to the heart of a truly British Christmas. In a society where wide-screens and surround sound come as... Read More
In-depth: No such thing as a free ride
People on controversial work placements in Wales are working unpaid while unemployed. Critics see this as unfair but supporters argue getting experience is vital In the ‘big society’ there is no place for those who don’t pull their weight, but in Wales there are now 137,000 people unemployed, a record amount. Jobcentres arrange a variety... Read More
In-depth: the changing face
of libraries
Fashion shows, silent discos, speed dating and stand-up comedy. This is the face of the modern library in Cardiff As you enter the towering six-storey glass building through the revolving doors, the sound of a teenager playing scales on a grand white piano greets you while children run around screaming at the top of their... Read More
In-depth: Tackling racism in South Wales
Is racism a problem in South Wales’s lower league football? Fifa president Sepp Blatter recently caused a storm of controversy by suggesting that racism on the pitch was nothing that could not be solved with a handshake at the final whistle. In response to being asked whether he thought racism on the pitch was a... Read More
In-depth: The dark side of social media
Social media is now part of everyday life; however cyberbullying seems to be an increasing trend Social media is part of our lives whether we like it or not. However with our personal lives online potentially for all to see, it can leave us vulnerable to cyberbullying and abuse. According to recent Welsh... Read More
In-depth: Grow your own food
Does growing your own food bring local people together? It is Sunday afternoon, on a cold November day, and a local allotment holder works on growing her vegetables. There are only a few people around, but the care taken and the effort put in to their plots, shows. The striking thing about this allotment is... Read More
In-depth: The ongoing war
Enough support for British soldiers of Afghan conflict? It is 11 November. Silence. People stop and think. When the two minutes has been and gone there is a return to work, to chatting to a friend, checking a Facebook news feed. Meanwhile, young troops are fighting a contentious war abroad in Afghanistan. A war that... Read More