Get Wild in St Davids!

Britain's smallest city goes wet as well as wild in July, when its annual celebration of the great outdoors stages its own water-themed games to mark the Olympics, making a great addition to any family holiday.
Now in its eighth year, The Really Wild Food and Countryside Festival in St Davids has become renowned for its friendly atmosphere, food and drink, wacky entertainment and hands-on madness for every member of this family.

And as the opening day of the two-day event, on July 27th, coincides with the opening ceremony of the Olympics, the festival will be splashing out with the Really Wild Eaulimpic Games. Teams will be challenged to take part in a crazy contest to collect as much water as possible to win the coveted Geauld medal.

If you'd like to stay dry but still have fun, why not try your hand at Bowling with Veg and wellie-wanging, or cheer on the racing pigs and ferrets?

It's all about the festival's theme of championing rural life, said festival founder Julia Horton-Powdrill. "It's all about what goes into the countryside, what comes out of it, and how we can benefit from what nature offers us," she said.

Over 80 exhibitors and producers will be showcasing what Pembrokeshire and Wales does best, whether it's serving up delicious tastes or offering a chance to try traditional rural crafts.

An Eye for Wales!

Beaumaris is gearing itself up to offer Anglesonians and visitors to the Island on a UK holiday a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world from a different perspective with the “Beaumaris Eye” which comes to town from Saturday 26 May to Saturday 9 June.

The Giant Wheel, which at 35 metres high and with 24 gondolas each taking six passengers, will open up everyone’s eyes with views across the Island, down the Menai Strait, over to Caernarfon and Llandudno as well as the Snowdonia Mountain Range and National Park.

The Wheel, which received permission from Beaumaris Town Council to be sited on The Green at the Council’s recent meeting, is being made possible by eight business people having the foresight to join together to underwrite the hiring cost knowing that the “Eye” will draw in visitors from near and far and firmly put the town on the map.

Robert Macaulay, chair of Beaumaris Chamber of Trade and Tourism said; “The Beaumaris Eye is a such a coup for the town and one that we are all very excited about as the view from the top will be truly spectacular. This really is a one off opportunity and it will be operational on the day of the Olympic Torch being in town, during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations as well as over the school half-term so yes we’re confident it will be a massive hit.”

The Wheel will be open for Rides from 10am most mornings to 7.00pm at night and will cost £5 per person.

RSPCA Cymru rescues a near-dozen ducklings!

The RSPCA Cymru has recently rescued 11 three-week-old mallard ducklings from a lake at Stryt Las Country Park in Johnstown, Wrexham (21.05.12).

RSPCA involvement came following a call to the helpline by a member of the public who had been monitoring the duck and ducklings' progress for the last 3 weeks.

The caller had become concerned, however, when the mother seemed to have disappeared on Sunday (20.05.12) leaving the ducklings alone to fend for themselves.

It is uncertain at present as to what has happened to the mother but it is likely she would have returned to her ducklings if she could.

The caller was able to stay and monitor the ducklings until the RSPCA arrived and with the help of park ranger Lindsy Bryan from Wrexham Council and her work experience student Andrew, Inspector Thomas was able to catch all 11 ducklings.

The ducklings are now in RSPCA care at Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre until they are old enough to fend for themselves.

Says RSPCA inspector Kia Thomas: "Ducklings are not fed by their mothers but do need protection from predators and so we did have to step in here.

"We will also be keeping an eye out for the duck and if anyone has any information relevant to this incident, please ring us on 0300 1234 999."