Things to do this summer in South Wales

Things to do this Summer!

Techniquest

What’s on at Techniquest this Summer? It’s going to be even more mind-boggling at Techniquest this holiday!  To celebrate 100 years since the birth of Roald Dahl, Techniquest is running an amazing new show, Splendiferous Science, inspired by the spectacular work of the Cardiff-born author.

Take part in interactive demonstrations and explore the most memorable and best-loved characters and events from Roald Dahl’s children’s books. Ever wondered if there was an easy way to find a golden ticket?

How did Augustus Gloop get stuck in the pipe? Can you move objects with your mind like Matilda? Find out the answers to these and more in this exciting new show. Take a journey through space for a close-up look at distant galaxies and exploded stars in a fascinating presenter-led Star Tour at Wales’ only digital Planetarium. 

There’s also Pawprints in the Summer Sky for younger visitors to discover the stories of mythical creatures in the summer stars. Techniquest is open every day from Saturday 16 July to Sunday 4 September from 10am to 5pm. 

See www.techniquest.org for details or ring 029 20 475 475.  Splendiferous Science is supported by Literature Wales and Welsh Government as part of the Roald Dahl 100 Wales celebrations.

Eisteddfod
Miliwn o Siaradwyr Cymraeg: Digwyddiadau Cymdeithas yr Iaith yn ystod ‘Steddfod y Fenni
Yn ystod yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol bydd Cymdeithas yr Iaith yn cynnal wythnos llawn adloniant amrywiol yng nghlwb pêl-droed y Fenni am 7.30pm bob nos, gyda chyfle hefyd i wersylla ar faes gwersylla rhataf yr Eisteddfod.

Bydd Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Kizzy Crawford, Gwibdaith Hen Frân, Eden, Ani Glass a Bob Delyn yn perfformio yn ystod yr wythnos, i enwi rhai yn unig. Ar y nos Fawrth bydd noson o farddoniaeth a chaneuon yn dathlu pethau cofiadwy a gorau Sir Fynwy, mewn noson a drefnir ar y cyd gan y Gymdeithas a Bragdy’r Beirdd.

Ar y nos Fercher dangosir y ffilm ‘Penyberth’, gyda thrafodaeth i ddilyn. Bydd y Gymdeithas hefyd yn cynnal llu o ddigwyddiadau ar ein stondin ar y maes bob diwrnod am 2pm, yn ymwneud â’r thema ‘Miliwn o Siaradwyr Cymraeg.’ Ymhlith y digwyddiadau mae rali yn galw am addysg Gymraeg i bawb, ar y dydd Gwener am 2pm ar Uned y Gymdeithas.

Bydd bandiau’n perfformio ar y stondin, cyfle i glywed beth sy’n digwydd yn eich ardal, sut gallwch chi fod yn rhan o’r mudiad, a llawer mwy! A Million Welsh Speakers: Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s events at the Eisteddfod. 

During the Eisteddfod, Cymdeithas yr Iaith will hold a week full of various entertainment in Clwb Pêl-Droed y Fenni (Abergavenny Football Club) at 7.30pm every evening, with a chance to camp on the Eisteddfod’s cheapest camping site.

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, Kizzy Crawford, Gwibdaith Hen Frân, Eden, Ani Glass and Bob Delyn are among those performing. On the Tuesday night there will be an evening of poetry and song celebrating the best of Monmouthshire, in an evening organized in conjunction with Cymdeithas and Bragdy’r Beirdd. On the Wednesday night there will be a showing of the film ‘Penyberth,’ followed by a discussion.

Cymdeithas will also hold events at their stand on the Eisteddfod field at 2pm every day, about their plans to create ‘One Million Welsh Speakers.’ On the Friday at 2pm at the Cymdeithas stall there will be a rally calling for Welsh-medium education for every child. Bands will be performing on their unit every day, a chance to hear what’s happening in your area, how you can be part of the organization, buy revolutionary merchandise and more!
www.cymdeithas.cymru/steddfod.

National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon

Summer Events at the National Roman Legion Museum, Caerleon.  A fantastic weekend of Roman re-enactment awaits you at Caerleon Amphitheatre on 27 and 28 August. Come and be part of it!  Watch Roman soldiers and cavalry horses in the arena. Talk to our Romans to find out more about medicine and food.  Or take part in archery or the ‘Ancient Games’ – think the Olympics meets It’s a Knockout – for your chance to be a star in the arena.  We’ll also have a small company of First World War living historians, The Great War Society, demonstrating what life was like as a Tommy or nurse, or meet a modern TA soldier and have a go at their climbing wall. 

They will be plenty to keep everyone entertained for a family day out to remember.  If you can’t wait until August the National Roman Legion Museum has plenty of other events over the summer.  Come meet our soldier who can tell you about life in the Roman army, or pop along for one of our ‘Lucky Dip Days’ where we’ll be running activities like archery, gladiator fighting, making pizza or mosaics.

For more information on these events and more, go to www.museumwales.ac.uk/roman or phone the Museum on 029 2057 3550.

Bit Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon

A FREE day out at Big Pit, Blaenafon, on YOUR doorstep–we’re closer than you think! Experience the thrill of the world famous Underground Tour and travel 300ft down the mine with a former miner, listen to stories and join in with the ‘banter’. 

If an underground adventure isn’t for you then pop in to ‘King Coal’ our interactive mining galleries or the Pithead Baths exhibition to find out what life was like for the thousands of men and their families who worked at the coal face. 

Of course, a visit to Big Pit wouldn’t be complete without a cuppa and souvenir!  Come along and enjoy summer activities for the whole family including crafts, soft play, dressing up and games during our Miners’ Fortnight, from July 25 July until Friday 5 August (Monday – Fridays only).  Our Living History Weekend, 6 & 7 August will be chance to step back in time and learn about the extraordinary lives of the heroes and heroines of coal mining in WWII.

Find out about Ernest Bevin and the Bevin Boys who spent the war on the ‘underground front’, plus hear from and meet 89 year old Warwick Taylor who was a real life Bevin Boy. A chance also to find out about the lives of women at the Homefront.
www.museum.wales/bigpit/

 Dean Heritage Centre

A very familiar friend is returning to the Dean Heritage Centre woodland this Summer! Back by popular demand, THE GRUFFALO woodland trail will be officially launching on Saturday 30th July. Our talented onsite chainsaw carvers will once again be carving these much loved characters to create a trail depicting scenes from one of the best loved children's book.

With Gruffalo themed arts and crafts, film showings, story telling, facepainting and a procession to take part in, along with tasty Gruffalo themed snacks to enjoy in our onsite cafe this is definitely a date for your diary.
Plus, why not be one of the first to see The Gruffalo return to the Centre before it's official launch date and join us during our exclusive preview week from Saturday 23rd July until Friday 29th July. What's more, if you visit during these dates you can receive 25% discount off your entry ticket if you return again during the Summer holidays! (Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Valid until Friday 26th August)
www.deanheritagecentre.com

Chepstow Show
This year’s show will take place at Chepstow Racecourse, so join us on Saturday 13th August gates open at 8am with admission from 9am.  Chepstow Show is a great family friend day for all with livestock, horses, vintage, homecraft, dogs, horticulture, YFC and many tradestands and attractions for all to enjoy. 

We will have a variety of musical entertainment and childrens races, The Curre and Llangibby Pony Club mounted games and Bob Hogg’s Lamnb National and Black Mountain Falconry Display.  Ticket Prices – Adult - £10, Senior - £8, Children (5-16) - £4 and family tickets (2 adults and 3 children) - £25.
www.chepstowshow.co.uk