Merthyr Express column

12th August 10

Wildlife Photography Walk
Join a group of walkers on a Walking Wildlife Photography workshop, lead by a successful local wildlife photographer on parts of the Taff and Trevithick trails. Bring a camera along and see what you can find! The images collected will be used to paint a public art mural in Pentrebach, to celebrate the opening of a new Sustrans link. If you’d like to come along the group will meet this Sunday, 15th August at 10.30am in the Co-op Carpark, Pentrebach. For further information contact Carys Solman on 01685 726251 or carys.solman@merthyr.gov.uk

Colouring Master Class
As part of the activities to welcome the work of possibly Britain’s most celebrated artist, JMW Turner, Cyfarthfa Castle Museum, there are free family workshops inviting participants to have a go at colouring a landscape like Turner. Sessions run from Monday, 16th until Friday 20th August; 10.30am until 1pm and 2pm until 4.30pm. For further information please contact Cyfarthfa Castle on 01685 723112.

Cyfarthfa Greenhouse Activities
There are a number of summer activities being held at Cyfathfa Grerenhouses, Cyfarthfa Park this summer, on Thursdays at 2pm until 4pm. All activities are free and you can just turn up on the day so why not come along? Today, 12th August, you can take part in Recycled Flower Pot Making and Flower Planting. Then next Thursday, 19th August, you can take part in Grass Guy Craft and the following Thursday, 26th August, there’s Lettuce Potting and Healthy Salad Making. For further information please contact Leanne Williams 01685 722340 or email leanne.williams@merthyr.gov.uk

Biodiversity Blitz!
Come be a nature detective for the day with a Biodiversity Blitz! - Wildlife Identification Day at Taf Fechan Nature Reserve, where they will be trying to identify as many species of plants and animals as possible, to help the local biodiversity records centre. All ages welcome, and no experience necessary, the staff there will show you what to do. Meet outside Cefn-coed Community Centre at 10.30am, this Saturday, 14th August. For further information contact Carys Solman on 01685 726251 or carys.solman@merthyr.gov.uk

Meet Mrs Parry
This summer why not take the opportunity to experience some Merthyr Tydfil heritage by visiting the home of one of Wales’ most celebrated exports in the company of his mother. Until 1st August, you can pop into Joseph Parry's Cottage at Chapel Row, Merthyr Tydfil, where a character-led talk will give you a face to face experience of life in the 19th century Merthyr Tydfil, during the Industrial Revolution: A time of prosperity for the town, but for many ordinary people a time of great hardship. Entrance is free. Open 2pm until 4pm. Please contact 01685 723112 for further information.