It was another good turnout of U3A members for our tip to Taff’s Well and it was nice to welcome some new members of Slow Train Coming aboard.
We started by having a look at the progress being made on the building of the new South Wales Metro Depot and control Centre adjacent to Taff’s Well station. We saw some of the new tram trains that have already been delivered to the depot and go out for testing at night. I was reminded afterwards that I had forgotten to throw in an ‘untruth’ for this section of the day so I have added one in the attached notes.
We strolled up the main street to Taff’s Well park and leant a bit about local residents including screenwriter Christopher Monger and cardiologist Sir Thomas Lewis.
We then went over to the thermal well and met Jon Arroyo, Energy & Carbon Reduction Manager – Rhondda Cynon Taff Council. Jon gave us an excellent talk on the scheme to use the warm water from the spring to provide heating to the nearby school and sports pavilion. His natural enthusiasm shone through.
Helen Edmonds, part of Friends of Taff’s Well Park, then kindly made refreshments for us at the nearby Hub.
I believe some people partook of lunch at the Taff’s Well Inn and some came up to the Gwaelod y Garth Inn. A group of four of us conquered the Garth, the highest point in Cardiff, and were lucky enough to meet Hugh Grant up there doing some measurements. Both pubs were thoroughly searched on the way down to make sure we hadn’t left anyone behind.
The notes I used for the chats are attached.
I’m thinking our trip next month will be to Rhoose and a walk along the cliff top. I’ll let you know for certain after I have done a recki visit.
In the meantime I wish you all the very best for the remainder of the month and thank you all for being such a pleasant group. Apologies for my rudeness in not always replying to your individual messages.
Notes used on the Taff’s Well trip.
Please join the Slow Train Coming group to receive more details about the forthcoming trips.