A cracking time for all! (From Penarth Times)

A cracking time for all!

PENARTH is basking in glory this week after a successful Easter promised a cracking start to the summer tourist trade.

Hundreds of visitors poured into the town and surrounding areas over the three-day break.

Cosmeston Lakes and Country Park reported a very busy bank holiday weekend, while Penarth Leisure Centre and Cardiff Bay were also popular, despite changeable weather.

Children were already excited after brilliant end-of-school activities such as Easter bonnet parades, special assemblies and even egg-rolling at Llandough Primary School.

But the best was yet to come as, over the weekend, kids were treated to special events at Penarth's top visitor attractions and other venues such as Dyffryn House and Gardens, Llancaiach Fawr Manor and the Welsh Hawking Centre.

At Cosmeston, children and adults took part in a 'living history' event which showed Wales in the 14th century in the popular mediaeval village.

Ranger Aaron Jones said: "The weather didn't help with most places, but our car park was pretty full for most of the time on Sunday and Monday.

"The best day was Friday when the park was packed.

" There was a steady flow of people in and out. I think there would have been a lot more people if it had been summer. The mediaeval village was really popular with the living history event and the park itself was also full of visitors."

It was very different to last Easter when foot and mouth was at its peak. Mr Jones said: "Last year we had a lot of schools and colleges cancelling bookings because of foot and mouth. They didn't want to travel through an area and bring it here or take it back with them.

"Since it's died down they've been booking up again for our education schemes."

At Penarth Leisure Centre, youngsters went swimming in the big pool or took part in special activities and workshops.

A spokesman said: "We were open all weekend and it was very busy." Cardiff Bay's popular waterbuses Cygnet and Sapphire were also a great hit. In fact, because of the increasing popularity of the service operating between Penarth and Mermaid Quay, there have had to be changes.

Captain Ben Salter said: "It has been decided that due to the constraints of our timetables, the waterbus will no longer pick up passengers in Penarth Marina. This means all trips to Cardiff will now leave from the landing on the Barrage instead."

Crew members had a very busy Easter break with both waterbuses taking trips up the Ely at 1.30pm and Taff at 3.30pm departing from Mermaid Quay, as well as their usual 35 minute bay cruises.

For more information, visit www.imagesofpenarth.co.uk/cardiffcats.html