Trivia

In the Fifties and Sixties the most common prediction for the car was that it would take flight, after all, why waste the aerodynamic potential brimming up around the tailfins and bouncy windshields of a beautifully designed 1958 Cadillac 60 Special?

The car of yesterday's future?

Oil crises, security concerns and the sheer engineering challenge of a car that could take to the air has all but laid that idea to rest now, so where does the future of the car lie? Better yet, what are the prospects for the philosophy of the car? Is it in fact an idea that can survive supplanting, like its older Victorian cousin, the train, which has begun its expensive comeback as a high-speed low-carbon alternative for yesterday’s world of tomorrow?

The last twenty five years has seen the car tarred with the oily brush of those daydreaming Cadillacs – they’re thirsty, dirty, unwieldy things that clog roads and kill us at twice the rate drug use does. Solutions come in two forms – the overhaul of the car itself and the overhaul of the environment around the car, sometimes these intertwine to provide ephemeral glimpses of possible worlds, but the real question is whether we have the willpower and the cash to build them.

There is the obvious tinkering – hybrid cars and electrics, some in operation today like the garlanded -and subsidised- Nissan Leaf and the coming-soonTesla Model X , which play around with form and function but strive first and foremost not to be Pinocchio, to look and feel like a ‘normal’ car and avoid the costly mistake of being ahead of their time.

Most govts have had to put tax breaks on the Leaf

Perhaps in the future these cars will be completely different from today – new materials like carbon fibre nanotubes promise outstanding lightness and durability, and tyres that run without air could be not far off the horizon. It’s still just tinkering though, fixing the little idiosyncrasies, ironing out the kinks in an old but well-loved item. The designers of that 60 Special, their artful minds churning with rocket-ship travel and atomic liners, would almost certainly not have been impressed.

The real change in cars is going to have to be in their environment. Without the vast postwar investment in highways – especially in the USA – the car would still be second place to the train in terms of speed and reliability. In similar ways the car’s place in the future will be defined by the environment they travel through rather from what they are constructed or what powers them.

GPS tracking technology, already ubiquitous in the form of satellite navigation, could further serve as the foundation for a broad church of new technologies under the name of Vehicular Infrastructure Integration. The driverless car, a product of the pioneering DARPA Grand Challenge, has proven itself a near-term possibility, but on its own would it really be a viable alternative or just a gimmick?

Cars that drive themselves could be one future

Automate the car, automate the highway. Networked vehicles travelling in intelligent platoons, onboard computers liaising with the road itself and with each other, keeping exactly braking distance and reacting hundreds of time faster than a human could to changes in traffic flow or potentially dangerous situations. As your autonomous car weaves elegantly along the highway, the road spinning away under your wheels is generating the electricity that powers your home.

You step out in a vast underground car park a short transit ride takes you to the city centre, where all your destinations are within easy walking distance, new developments built with a mix of flats and houses, with a core of small businesses serving the local population. New Urbanism might yet provide this bold new reality for many, or perhaps it won’t defeat the oppression of the suburbs altogether, but the ideas are there to challenge the way we currently use the car.

Perhaps these ideas would work in the expanses of sun-drenched California, but what about the rainier, older urban landscapes? The car may face challengers for its very existence here – mature building regulations and medieval street plans already sit uneasily with the automobile, and are unlikely to adapt easily to the clutter of sensor banks or the reverberating installation of mega car parks either. Extensions to public transport laid down a hundred and fifty years ago would also cause exceptional upheaval, but what if there was another way?

PRT could solve congestion problems for older cities

A fusion of the car and public transport has already had its practice run. PRT or Personal Rapid Transit is an option that’s been trialled across the world. It offers the convenience of public transport with the directness of a car, travelling straight to your destination without stops. Their statistics are certainly impressive, a similar investment cost per km to a one-lane highway and certainly much less than an extra kilometre of subway. The current Crossrail Project in London would buy twelve thousand kilometres of PRT for the world capital.

A new environment for the car?

So we’ve seen the future of the car is tied inextricably to the environment, even more so in some planned developments like Masdar City in Saudi Arabia. Having the space and the money to experiment has led to the banning of the car from the city centre, a metropolis powered by solar and wind power, boasting tiny one-occupant PRT ‘pod’ cars that run underground to your intended destination in minutes. It may be a vision of the future completely alien to the designers and dreamers of yesteryear, and perhaps as unlikely, but at least it is a vision.

A look at the possibilities of the car in the future, by JC.

In the Fifties and Sixties the most common prediction for the car was that it would take flight, after all, why waste the aerodynamic potential brimming up around the tailfins and bouncy windshields of a beautifully designed 1958 Cadillac 60 Special?

The car of yesterday's future?

Oil crises, security concerns and the sheer engineering challenge of a car that could take to the air has all but laid that idea to rest now, so where does the future of the car lie? Better yet, what are the prospects for the philosophy of the car? Is it in fact an idea that can survive supplanting, like its older Victorian cousin, the train, which has begun its expensive comeback as a high-speed low-carbon alternative for yesterday’s world of tomorrow?

The last twenty five years has seen the car tarred with the oily brush of those daydreaming Cadillacs – they’re thirsty, dirty, unwieldy things that clog roads and kill us at twice the rate drug use does. Solutions come in two forms – the overhaul of the car itself and the overhaul of the environment around the car, sometimes these intertwine to provide ephemeral glimpses of possible worlds, but the real question is whether we have the willpower and the cash to build them.

There is the obvious tinkering – hybrid cars and electrics, some in operation today like the garlanded -and subsidised- Nissan Leaf and the coming-soonTesla Model X , which play around with form and function but strive first and foremost not to be Pinocchio, to look and feel like a ‘normal’ car and avoid the costly mistake of being ahead of their time.

Most govts have had to put tax breaks on the Leaf

Perhaps in the future these cars will be completely different from today – new materials like carbon fibre nanotubes promise outstanding lightness and durability, and tyres that run without air could be not far off the horizon. It’s still just tinkering though, fixing the little idiosyncrasies, ironing out the kinks in an old but well-loved item. The designers of that 60 Special, their artful minds churning with rocket-ship travel and atomic liners, would almost certainly not have been impressed.

The real change in cars is going to have to be in their environment. Without the vast postwar investment in highways – especially in the USA – the car would still be second place to the train in terms of speed and reliability. In similar ways the car’s place in the future will be defined by the environment they travel through rather from what they are constructed or what powers them.

GPS tracking technology, already ubiquitous in the form of satellite navigation, could further serve as the foundation for a broad church of new technologies under the name of Vehicular Infrastructure Integration. The driverless car, a product of the pioneering DARPA Grand Challenge, has proven itself a near-term possibility, but on its own would it really be a viable alternative or just a gimmick?

Cars that drive themselves could be one future

Automate the car, automate the highway. Networked vehicles travelling in intelligent platoons, onboard computers liaising with the road itself and with each other, keeping exactly braking distance and reacting hundreds of time faster than a human could to changes in traffic flow or potentially dangerous situations. As your autonomous car weaves elegantly along the highway, the road spinning away under your wheels is generating the electricity that powers your home.

You step out in a vast underground car park a short transit ride takes you to the city centre, where all your destinations are within easy walking distance, new developments built with a mix of flats and houses, with a core of small businesses serving the local population. New Urbanism might yet provide this bold new reality for many, or perhaps it won’t defeat the oppression of the suburbs altogether, but the ideas are there to challenge the way we currently use the car.

Perhaps these ideas would work in the expanses of sun-drenched California, but what about the rainier, older urban landscapes? The car may face challengers for its very existence here – mature building regulations and medieval street plans already sit uneasily with the automobile, and are unlikely to adapt easily to the clutter of sensor banks or the reverberating installation of mega car parks either. Extensions to public transport laid down a hundred and fifty years ago would also cause exceptional upheaval, but what if there was another way?

PRT could solve congestion problems for older cities

A fusion of the car and public transport has already had its practice run. PRT or Personal Rapid Transit is an option that’s been trialled across the world. It offers the convenience of public transport with the directness of a car, travelling straight to your destination without stops. Their statistics are certainly impressive, a similar investment cost per km to a one-lane highway and certainly much less than an extra kilometre of subway. The current Crossrail Project in London would buy twelve thousand kilometres of PRT for the world capital.

A new environment for the car?

So we’ve seen the future of the car is tied inextricably to the environment, even more so in some planned developments like Masdar City in Saudi Arabia. Having the space and the money to experiment has led to the banning of the car from the city centre, a metropolis powered by solar and wind power, boasting tiny one-occupant PRT ‘pod’ cars that run underground to your intended destination in minutes. It may be a vision of the future completely alien to the designers and dreamers of yesteryear, and perhaps as unlikely, but at least it is a vision.

A look at the possibilities of the car in the future, by JC.

A look at the possibilities of the car in the future, by JC.

In the Fifties and Sixties the most common prediction for the car was that it would take flight, after all, why waste the aerodynamic potential brimming up around the tailfins and bouncy windshields of a beautifully designed 1958 Cadillac 60 Special?

The car of yesterday's future?

Oil crises, security concerns and the sheer engineering challenge of a car that could take to the air has all but laid that idea to rest now, so where does the future of the car lie? Better yet, what are the prospects for the philosophy of the car? Is it in fact an idea that can survive supplanting, like its older Victorian cousin, the train, which has begun its expensive comeback as a high-speed low-carbon alternative for yesterday’s world of tomorrow?

The last twenty five years has seen the car tarred with the oily brush of those daydreaming Cadillacs – they’re thirsty, dirty, unwieldy things that clog roads and kill us at twice the rate drug use does. Solutions come in two forms – the overhaul of the car itself and the overhaul of the environment around the car, sometimes these intertwine to provide ephemeral glimpses of possible worlds, but the real question is whether we have the willpower and the cash to build them.

There is the obvious tinkering – hybrid cars and electrics, some in operation today like the garlanded -and subsidised- Nissan Leaf and the coming-soonTesla Model X , which play around with form and function but strive first and foremost not to be Pinocchio, to look and feel like a ‘normal’ car and avoid the costly mistake of being ahead of their time.

Most govts have had to put tax breaks on the Leaf

Perhaps in the future these cars will be completely different from today – new materials like carbon fibre nanotubes promise outstanding lightness and durability, and tyres that run without air could be not far off the horizon. It’s still just tinkering though, fixing the little idiosyncrasies, ironing out the kinks in an old but well-loved item. The designers of that 60 Special, their artful minds churning with rocket-ship travel and atomic liners, would almost certainly not have been impressed.

The real change in cars is going to have to be in their environment. Without the vast postwar investment in highways – especially in the USA – the car would still be second place to the train in terms of speed and reliability. In similar ways the car’s place in the future will be defined by the environment they travel through rather from what they are constructed or what powers them.

GPS tracking technology, already ubiquitous in the form of satellite navigation, could further serve as the foundation for a broad church of new technologies under the name of Vehicular Infrastructure Integration. The driverless car, a product of the pioneering DARPA Grand Challenge, has proven itself a near-term possibility, but on its own would it really be a viable alternative or just a gimmick?

Cars that drive themselves could be one future

Automate the car, automate the highway. Networked vehicles travelling in intelligent platoons, onboard computers liaising with the road itself and with each other, keeping exactly braking distance and reacting hundreds of time faster than a human could to changes in traffic flow or potentially dangerous situations. As your autonomous car weaves elegantly along the highway, the road spinning away under your wheels is generating the electricity that powers your home.

You step out in a vast underground car park a short transit ride takes you to the city centre, where all your destinations are within easy walking distance, new developments built with a mix of flats and houses, with a core of small businesses serving the local population. New Urbanism might yet provide this bold new reality for many, or perhaps it won’t defeat the oppression of the suburbs altogether, but the ideas are there to challenge the way we currently use the car.

Perhaps these ideas would work in the expanses of sun-drenched California, but what about the rainier, older urban landscapes? The car may face challengers for its very existence here – mature building regulations and medieval street plans already sit uneasily with the automobile, and are unlikely to adapt easily to the clutter of sensor banks or the reverberating installation of mega car parks either. Extensions to public transport laid down a hundred and fifty years ago would also cause exceptional upheaval, but what if there was another way?

PRT could solve congestion problems for older cities

A fusion of the car and public transport has already had its practice run. PRT or Personal Rapid Transit is an option that’s been trialled across the world. It offers the convenience of public transport with the directness of a car, travelling straight to your destination without stops. Their statistics are certainly impressive, a similar investment cost per km to a one-lane highway and certainly much less than an extra kilometre of subway. The current Crossrail Project in London would buy twelve thousand kilometres of PRT for the world capital.

A new environment for the car?

So we’ve seen the future of the car is tied inextricably to the environment, even more so in some planned developments like Masdar City in Saudi Arabia. Having the space and the money to experiment has led to the banning of the car from the city centre, a metropolis powered by solar and wind power, boasting tiny one-occupant PRT ‘pod’ cars that run underground to your intended destination in minutes. It may be a vision of the future completely alien to the designers and dreamers of yesteryear, and perhaps as unlikely, but at least it is a vision.

A look at the possibilities of the car in the future, by JC.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus I pawb - like! Great Britain patiently waits all year round for St. David’s day to come around again. We love it. Everyone is getting their Welsh outfits together, discussing whether it’s the Leek or Daffodil in the button hole this year which is ‘in’. In a recent survey, it was found that children under 17 now think of St. David’s day as ‘the better Christmas’. Well it’s here everyone, let’s get out the Cockles and Laverbread and pop on some Tom Jones! Woo-hoo!

Ok ok, this is all lies. Not everyone thinks of it as the ‘better’ Christmas, some think of it as the ‘just as good as Christmas… day’. So in aid of everyone’s favourite day of the year (and because I’m Welsh) here is my ‘Top Five Favourite Welsh Charities’ (in no particular order of course…)

Un) Pit Pony Sanctuary

The Pit Pony Sanctuary are a lovely little charity based in Pontypridd. They look after neglected horses and ponies and rehabilitate them and try to find them good homes. They rely fully on public donations and are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand. So if you have some spare time – get in contact.

Dau) Wales Air Ambulance

Wales Air Ambulance provides a vital service through emergency air cover for those facing life threating illness or injuries. Because Wales has a scattered population and diverse landscape, many welsh people live in locations far away from an accident and emergency service. They dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival because of their quick response and medical expertise. A brilliant cause.

Tri) Swansea Sea Cadets

I was actually a Sea Cadet here… so obviously I am a fan. It’s an awesome organisation which educates young people on a naval theme. I learnt to sail and row whilst in Cadets as well go on training weeks to get qualifications (such as mechanics and leadership) and compete in Regattas and drill competitions. The Swansea Sea Cadets are always taking in new recruits and look for adult volunteers as well.

Pedwar) Size of Wales

The Size of Wales is a charity that is in Wales and aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. Still with me? If you like them on Facebook - £1 will go towards rainforest projects. It’s that simple to raise money for an excellent charity.

Pump) Sherman Cymru

At Sherman Cymru their aim is to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with in their community. They run a range of projects for people of all ages and levels of experience. So get involved and support Sherman Cymru!

So that’s it. 5 wonderful Welsh charities that need your support.

[summary] => A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day By CB [format] => filtered_html [safe_value] =>

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus I pawb - like! Great Britain patiently waits all year round for St. David’s day to come around again. We love it. Everyone is getting their Welsh outfits together, discussing whether it’s the Leek or Daffodil in the button hole this year which is ‘in’. In a recent survey, it was found that children under 17 now think of St. David’s day as ‘the better Christmas’. Well it’s here everyone, let’s get out the Cockles and Laverbread and pop on some Tom Jones! Woo-hoo!

Ok ok, this is all lies. Not everyone thinks of it as the ‘better’ Christmas, some think of it as the ‘just as good as Christmas… day’. So in aid of everyone’s favourite day of the year (and because I’m Welsh) here is my ‘Top Five Favourite Welsh Charities’ (in no particular order of course…)

Un) Pit Pony Sanctuary

The Pit Pony Sanctuary are a lovely little charity based in Pontypridd. They look after neglected horses and ponies and rehabilitate them and try to find them good homes. They rely fully on public donations and are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand. So if you have some spare time – get in contact.

Dau) Wales Air Ambulance

Wales Air Ambulance provides a vital service through emergency air cover for those facing life threating illness or injuries. Because Wales has a scattered population and diverse landscape, many welsh people live in locations far away from an accident and emergency service. They dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival because of their quick response and medical expertise. A brilliant cause.

Tri) Swansea Sea Cadets

I was actually a Sea Cadet here… so obviously I am a fan. It’s an awesome organisation which educates young people on a naval theme. I learnt to sail and row whilst in Cadets as well go on training weeks to get qualifications (such as mechanics and leadership) and compete in Regattas and drill competitions. The Swansea Sea Cadets are always taking in new recruits and look for adult volunteers as well.

Pedwar) Size of Wales

The Size of Wales is a charity that is in Wales and aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. Still with me? If you like them on Facebook - £1 will go towards rainforest projects. It’s that simple to raise money for an excellent charity.

Pump) Sherman Cymru

At Sherman Cymru their aim is to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with in their community. They run a range of projects for people of all ages and levels of experience. So get involved and support Sherman Cymru!

So that’s it. 5 wonderful Welsh charities that need your support.

A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day
By CB

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus I pawb - like! Great Britain patiently waits all year round for St. David’s day to come around again. We love it. Everyone is getting their Welsh outfits together, discussing whether it’s the Leek or Daffodil in the button hole this year which is ‘in’. In a recent survey, it was found that children under 17 now think of St. David’s day as ‘the better Christmas’. Well it’s here everyone, let’s get out the Cockles and Laverbread and pop on some Tom Jones! Woo-hoo!

Ok ok, this is all lies. Not everyone thinks of it as the ‘better’ Christmas, some think of it as the ‘just as good as Christmas… day’. So in aid of everyone’s favourite day of the year (and because I’m Welsh) here is my ‘Top Five Favourite Welsh Charities’ (in no particular order of course…)

Un) Pit Pony Sanctuary

The Pit Pony Sanctuary are a lovely little charity based in Pontypridd. They look after neglected horses and ponies and rehabilitate them and try to find them good homes. They rely fully on public donations and are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand. So if you have some spare time – get in contact.

Dau) Wales Air Ambulance

Wales Air Ambulance provides a vital service through emergency air cover for those facing life threating illness or injuries. Because Wales has a scattered population and diverse landscape, many welsh people live in locations far away from an accident and emergency service. They dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival because of their quick response and medical expertise. A brilliant cause.

Tri) Swansea Sea Cadets

I was actually a Sea Cadet here… so obviously I am a fan. It’s an awesome organisation which educates young people on a naval theme. I learnt to sail and row whilst in Cadets as well go on training weeks to get qualifications (such as mechanics and leadership) and compete in Regattas and drill competitions. The Swansea Sea Cadets are always taking in new recruits and look for adult volunteers as well.

Pedwar) Size of Wales

The Size of Wales is a charity that is in Wales and aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. Still with me? If you like them on Facebook - £1 will go towards rainforest projects. It’s that simple to raise money for an excellent charity.

Pump) Sherman Cymru

At Sherman Cymru their aim is to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with in their community. They run a range of projects for people of all ages and levels of experience. So get involved and support Sherman Cymru!

So that’s it. 5 wonderful Welsh charities that need your support.

[summary] => A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day By CB [format] => filtered_html [safe_value] =>

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus I pawb - like! Great Britain patiently waits all year round for St. David’s day to come around again. We love it. Everyone is getting their Welsh outfits together, discussing whether it’s the Leek or Daffodil in the button hole this year which is ‘in’. In a recent survey, it was found that children under 17 now think of St. David’s day as ‘the better Christmas’. Well it’s here everyone, let’s get out the Cockles and Laverbread and pop on some Tom Jones! Woo-hoo!

Ok ok, this is all lies. Not everyone thinks of it as the ‘better’ Christmas, some think of it as the ‘just as good as Christmas… day’. So in aid of everyone’s favourite day of the year (and because I’m Welsh) here is my ‘Top Five Favourite Welsh Charities’ (in no particular order of course…)

Un) Pit Pony Sanctuary

The Pit Pony Sanctuary are a lovely little charity based in Pontypridd. They look after neglected horses and ponies and rehabilitate them and try to find them good homes. They rely fully on public donations and are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand. So if you have some spare time – get in contact.

Dau) Wales Air Ambulance

Wales Air Ambulance provides a vital service through emergency air cover for those facing life threating illness or injuries. Because Wales has a scattered population and diverse landscape, many welsh people live in locations far away from an accident and emergency service. They dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival because of their quick response and medical expertise. A brilliant cause.

Tri) Swansea Sea Cadets

I was actually a Sea Cadet here… so obviously I am a fan. It’s an awesome organisation which educates young people on a naval theme. I learnt to sail and row whilst in Cadets as well go on training weeks to get qualifications (such as mechanics and leadership) and compete in Regattas and drill competitions. The Swansea Sea Cadets are always taking in new recruits and look for adult volunteers as well.

Pedwar) Size of Wales

The Size of Wales is a charity that is in Wales and aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. Still with me? If you like them on Facebook - £1 will go towards rainforest projects. It’s that simple to raise money for an excellent charity.

Pump) Sherman Cymru

At Sherman Cymru their aim is to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with in their community. They run a range of projects for people of all ages and levels of experience. So get involved and support Sherman Cymru!

So that’s it. 5 wonderful Welsh charities that need your support.

A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day
By CB

A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day
By CB

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus I pawb - like! Great Britain patiently waits all year round for St. David’s day to come around again. We love it. Everyone is getting their Welsh outfits together, discussing whether it’s the Leek or Daffodil in the button hole this year which is ‘in’. In a recent survey, it was found that children under 17 now think of St. David’s day as ‘the better Christmas’. Well it’s here everyone, let’s get out the Cockles and Laverbread and pop on some Tom Jones! Woo-hoo!

Ok ok, this is all lies. Not everyone thinks of it as the ‘better’ Christmas, some think of it as the ‘just as good as Christmas… day’. So in aid of everyone’s favourite day of the year (and because I’m Welsh) here is my ‘Top Five Favourite Welsh Charities’ (in no particular order of course…)

Un) Pit Pony Sanctuary

The Pit Pony Sanctuary are a lovely little charity based in Pontypridd. They look after neglected horses and ponies and rehabilitate them and try to find them good homes. They rely fully on public donations and are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand. So if you have some spare time – get in contact.

Dau) Wales Air Ambulance

Wales Air Ambulance provides a vital service through emergency air cover for those facing life threating illness or injuries. Because Wales has a scattered population and diverse landscape, many welsh people live in locations far away from an accident and emergency service. They dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival because of their quick response and medical expertise. A brilliant cause.

Tri) Swansea Sea Cadets

I was actually a Sea Cadet here… so obviously I am a fan. It’s an awesome organisation which educates young people on a naval theme. I learnt to sail and row whilst in Cadets as well go on training weeks to get qualifications (such as mechanics and leadership) and compete in Regattas and drill competitions. The Swansea Sea Cadets are always taking in new recruits and look for adult volunteers as well.

Pedwar) Size of Wales

The Size of Wales is a charity that is in Wales and aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. Still with me? If you like them on Facebook - £1 will go towards rainforest projects. It’s that simple to raise money for an excellent charity.

Pump) Sherman Cymru

At Sherman Cymru their aim is to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with in their community. They run a range of projects for people of all ages and levels of experience. So get involved and support Sherman Cymru!

So that’s it. 5 wonderful Welsh charities that need your support.

[summary] => A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day By CB [format] => filtered_html [safe_value] =>

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus I pawb - like! Great Britain patiently waits all year round for St. David’s day to come around again. We love it. Everyone is getting their Welsh outfits together, discussing whether it’s the Leek or Daffodil in the button hole this year which is ‘in’. In a recent survey, it was found that children under 17 now think of St. David’s day as ‘the better Christmas’. Well it’s here everyone, let’s get out the Cockles and Laverbread and pop on some Tom Jones! Woo-hoo!

Ok ok, this is all lies. Not everyone thinks of it as the ‘better’ Christmas, some think of it as the ‘just as good as Christmas… day’. So in aid of everyone’s favourite day of the year (and because I’m Welsh) here is my ‘Top Five Favourite Welsh Charities’ (in no particular order of course…)

Un) Pit Pony Sanctuary

The Pit Pony Sanctuary are a lovely little charity based in Pontypridd. They look after neglected horses and ponies and rehabilitate them and try to find them good homes. They rely fully on public donations and are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand. So if you have some spare time – get in contact.

Dau) Wales Air Ambulance

Wales Air Ambulance provides a vital service through emergency air cover for those facing life threating illness or injuries. Because Wales has a scattered population and diverse landscape, many welsh people live in locations far away from an accident and emergency service. They dramatically increase the chances of a patient’s survival because of their quick response and medical expertise. A brilliant cause.

Tri) Swansea Sea Cadets

I was actually a Sea Cadet here… so obviously I am a fan. It’s an awesome organisation which educates young people on a naval theme. I learnt to sail and row whilst in Cadets as well go on training weeks to get qualifications (such as mechanics and leadership) and compete in Regattas and drill competitions. The Swansea Sea Cadets are always taking in new recruits and look for adult volunteers as well.

Pedwar) Size of Wales

The Size of Wales is a charity that is in Wales and aims to bring everyone in Wales together to help sustain an area of tropical forest the size of Wales. Still with me? If you like them on Facebook - £1 will go towards rainforest projects. It’s that simple to raise money for an excellent charity.

Pump) Sherman Cymru

At Sherman Cymru their aim is to make and present great theatre that is ambitious, inventive and memorable to create strong, responsive and enriching relationships with in their community. They run a range of projects for people of all ages and levels of experience. So get involved and support Sherman Cymru!

So that’s it. 5 wonderful Welsh charities that need your support.

A celebration of my favorite welsh charities on St David's day
By CB

That sadly was long ago. I am not taken on the Christmas outings anymore; they have a new car now. Apparently I have a broken cambelt but it feels more like my axel has been ripped into two. I heard that there is a service for unwanted cars where you are once again used to serve the needs of others. They are called Giveacar and they give poor neglected cars like me a new home, a new use. At Giveacar they accept any car, you don’t need to be new, shiny or even work. They take unwanted cars and make them feel special again. I don’t ask for much for Christmas but there is just one thing that I need, all I want for Christmas is Giveacar, Giveacar!

Give your car a great Christmas, give him to Giveacar. [summary] => [format] => filtered_html [safe_value] =>

Christmas used to be my favourite time of the year, but that was long ago. I remember those cold crisp mornings when I had been up all night in eager anticipation hardly feeling the cold, all the family would get together and go on a great expedition. The fun we would have and the places that we used to go! Everybody was so cheerful, it really warmed my insides. They were very generous with the seat warmers and let me tell you it is not just humans who enjoy the use of seat warmers.
That sadly was long ago. I am not taken on the Christmas outings anymore; they have a new car now. Apparently I have a broken cambelt but it feels more like my axel has been ripped into two. I heard that there is a service for unwanted cars where you are once again used to serve the needs of others. They are called Giveacar and they give poor neglected cars like me a new home, a new use. At Giveacar they accept any car, you don’t need to be new, shiny or even work. They take unwanted cars and make them feel special again. I don’t ask for much for Christmas but there is just one thing that I need, all I want for Christmas is Giveacar, Giveacar!
Give your car a great Christmas, give him to Giveacar.

That sadly was long ago. I am not taken on the Christmas outings anymore; they have a new car now. Apparently I have a broken cambelt but it feels more like my axel has been ripped into two. I heard that there is a service for unwanted cars where you are once again used to serve the needs of others. They are called Giveacar and they give poor neglected cars like me a new home, a new use. At Giveacar they accept any car, you don’t need to be new, shiny or even work. They take unwanted cars and make them feel special again. I don’t ask for much for Christmas but there is just one thing that I need, all I want for Christmas is Giveacar, Giveacar!

Give your car a great Christmas, give him to Giveacar. [summary] => [format] => filtered_html [safe_value] =>

Christmas used to be my favourite time of the year, but that was long ago. I remember those cold crisp mornings when I had been up all night in eager anticipation hardly feeling the cold, all the family would get together and go on a great expedition. The fun we would have and the places that we used to go! Everybody was so cheerful, it really warmed my insides. They were very generous with the seat warmers and let me tell you it is not just humans who enjoy the use of seat warmers.
That sadly was long ago. I am not taken on the Christmas outings anymore; they have a new car now. Apparently I have a broken cambelt but it feels more like my axel has been ripped into two. I heard that there is a service for unwanted cars where you are once again used to serve the needs of others. They are called Giveacar and they give poor neglected cars like me a new home, a new use. At Giveacar they accept any car, you don’t need to be new, shiny or even work. They take unwanted cars and make them feel special again. I don’t ask for much for Christmas but there is just one thing that I need, all I want for Christmas is Giveacar, Giveacar!
Give your car a great Christmas, give him to Giveacar.

Christmas used to be my favourite time of the year, but that was long ago. I remember those cold crisp mornings when I had been up all night in eager anticipation hardly feeling the cold, all the family would get together and go on a great expedition. The fun we would have and the places that we used to go! Everybody was so cheerful, it really warmed my insides. They were very generous with the seat warmers and let me tell you it is not just humans who enjoy the use of seat warmers.

That sadly was long ago. I am not taken on the Christmas outings anymore; they have a new car now. Apparently I have a broken cambelt but it feels more like my axel has been ripped into two. I heard that there is a service for unwanted cars where you are once again used to serve the needs of others. They are called Giveacar and they give poor neglected cars like me a new home, a new use. At Giveacar they accept any car, you don’t need to be new, shiny or even work. They take unwanted cars and make them feel special again. I don’t ask for much for Christmas but there is just one thing that I need, all I want for Christmas is Giveacar, Giveacar!

Give your car a great Christmas, give him to Giveacar. [summary] => [format] => filtered_html [safe_value] =>

Christmas used to be my favourite time of the year, but that was long ago. I remember those cold crisp mornings when I had been up all night in eager anticipation hardly feeling the cold, all the family would get together and go on a great expedition. The fun we would have and the places that we used to go! Everybody was so cheerful, it really warmed my insides. They were very generous with the seat warmers and let me tell you it is not just humans who enjoy the use of seat warmers.
That sadly was long ago. I am not taken on the Christmas outings anymore; they have a new car now. Apparently I have a broken cambelt but it feels more like my axel has been ripped into two. I heard that there is a service for unwanted cars where you are once again used to serve the needs of others. They are called Giveacar and they give poor neglected cars like me a new home, a new use. At Giveacar they accept any car, you don’t need to be new, shiny or even work. They take unwanted cars and make them feel special again. I don’t ask for much for Christmas but there is just one thing that I need, all I want for Christmas is Giveacar, Giveacar!
Give your car a great Christmas, give him to Giveacar.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.

Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

In one of the more shocking raids, metal tiles protecting the 100 year-old Barr Beacon War Memorial in Walsall were taken by thieves seeking a quick buck.

This has all come on the back of month on month price rises in many metals, which have continued to rise with signs of a recovery both here in Europe and across the Atlantic. To add to this, industrial expansion in Asian has given no indication of slowing, meaning demand has begun to outstrip supply.

Despite the thefts, the metal price rises are not all bad news. The coffers of the charities supported by are scheme are also starting to feel the benefit too.

According to Lets Recycle, the main component of a car, Light Iron, grew by almost 25% between December 2010 and January 2011. With this astronomic rise, the amount donated for each car we receive has also increased. So now really is the best time to donate your car!

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.

Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.
In one of the more shocking raids, metal tiles protecting the 100 year-old Barr Beacon War Memorial in Walsall were taken by thieves seeking a quick buck.
This has all come on the back of month on month price rises in many metals, which have continued to rise with signs of a recovery both here in Europe and across the Atlantic. To add to this, industrial expansion in Asian has given no indication of slowing, meaning demand has begun to outstrip supply.
Despite the thefts, the metal price rises are not all bad news. The coffers of the charities supported by are scheme are also starting to feel the benefit too.
According to Lets Recycle, the main component of a car, Light Iron, grew by almost 25% between December 2010 and January 2011. With this astronomic rise, the amount donated for each car we receive has also increased. So now really is the best time to donate your car!
 

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.

Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

In one of the more shocking raids, metal tiles protecting the 100 year-old Barr Beacon War Memorial in Walsall were taken by thieves seeking a quick buck.

This has all come on the back of month on month price rises in many metals, which have continued to rise with signs of a recovery both here in Europe and across the Atlantic. To add to this, industrial expansion in Asian has given no indication of slowing, meaning demand has begun to outstrip supply.

Despite the thefts, the metal price rises are not all bad news. The coffers of the charities supported by are scheme are also starting to feel the benefit too.

According to Lets Recycle, the main component of a car, Light Iron, grew by almost 25% between December 2010 and January 2011. With this astronomic rise, the amount donated for each car we receive has also increased. So now really is the best time to donate your car!

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.

Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.
In one of the more shocking raids, metal tiles protecting the 100 year-old Barr Beacon War Memorial in Walsall were taken by thieves seeking a quick buck.
This has all come on the back of month on month price rises in many metals, which have continued to rise with signs of a recovery both here in Europe and across the Atlantic. To add to this, industrial expansion in Asian has given no indication of slowing, meaning demand has begun to outstrip supply.
Despite the thefts, the metal price rises are not all bad news. The coffers of the charities supported by are scheme are also starting to feel the benefit too.
According to Lets Recycle, the main component of a car, Light Iron, grew by almost 25% between December 2010 and January 2011. With this astronomic rise, the amount donated for each car we receive has also increased. So now really is the best time to donate your car!
 

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.

Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

In one of the more shocking raids, metal tiles protecting the 100 year-old Barr Beacon War Memorial in Walsall were taken by thieves seeking a quick buck.

This has all come on the back of month on month price rises in many metals, which have continued to rise with signs of a recovery both here in Europe and across the Atlantic. To add to this, industrial expansion in Asian has given no indication of slowing, meaning demand has begun to outstrip supply.

Despite the thefts, the metal price rises are not all bad news. The coffers of the charities supported by are scheme are also starting to feel the benefit too.

According to Lets Recycle, the main component of a car, Light Iron, grew by almost 25% between December 2010 and January 2011. With this astronomic rise, the amount donated for each car we receive has also increased. So now really is the best time to donate your car!

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.

Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.
In one of the more shocking raids, metal tiles protecting the 100 year-old Barr Beacon War Memorial in Walsall were taken by thieves seeking a quick buck.
This has all come on the back of month on month price rises in many metals, which have continued to rise with signs of a recovery both here in Europe and across the Atlantic. To add to this, industrial expansion in Asian has given no indication of slowing, meaning demand has begun to outstrip supply.
Despite the thefts, the metal price rises are not all bad news. The coffers of the charities supported by are scheme are also starting to feel the benefit too.
According to Lets Recycle, the main component of a car, Light Iron, grew by almost 25% between December 2010 and January 2011. With this astronomic rise, the amount donated for each car we receive has also increased. So now really is the best time to donate your car!
 

A spate of shocking and seemingly bizarre recent thefts has highlighted the boom in the price for scrap metal and the vast sums available to those who can get their hands on it.
Police forces up and down the country have been inundated by reports of increasingly desperate attempts to cash in on the recent rises in the prices of many metals.  In addition to a rise in vehicle thefts, police have also have had to contend with thieves removing rail and overhead cables from train tracks, metal roofing from churches, and even manhole covers.