Final weekend for 'Light up the Night'

 

Dyffryn house lit upThe final weekend of this year's 'Light up the Night' experience at Dyffryn Gardens promises to be full of festive fun.

 

The event is held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (5.30-8.30pm) until 16 December, and added attractions include a visit from Father Christmas, and songs and music from the Barry Choral Society (15 December) and RAF St Athan Voluntary Band (16 December).

 

Officially opened by Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Margaret Alexander, the event is an opportunity for the public to view the local authority-owned tourist attraction's collection of beautiful trees and magnificent house illuminated against dark winter skies.

 

Cllr Alexander said: "Dyffryn is one of the Vale's treasures. I am delighted that, with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, major improvements have been undertaken to the gardens and that the council itself has carried out an external repair and refurbishment scheme on the Grade II star listed house."

 

Festive fun at Dyffryn Cllr Alexander thanked children from St Nicholas Church in Wales Primary School for contributing a number of Christmas songs, and congratulated a group of young members of the Prince’s Trust Cymru who, in conjunction with the event, braved the elements by camping out on a sponsored haunted night in aid of Children in Need.

 

Following the opening, Cllr Alexander was presented with a new book, 'Historic Gardens of the Vale of Glamorgan,' which features Dyffryn. It is edited by Hilary M Thomas and is available from the gardens gift shop and local bookshops.

 

Admission charges for 'Light up the Night' are adults, £6; children, £2, and family (2+4), £15.

 

Visitors are reminded that the trail through the gardens is partly on grass, and so it is advisable to wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch.

 

For the first time in two years, the gardens are open to the public, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, throughout the winter between 11am and 4pm (last entry 3pm). The attraction is, however, closed from 24 December to 3 January.

 

For more details, please contact Dyffryn Gardens on 029 2059 3328.

 

Captions:

 

Top: Dyffryn House has been illuminated as part of the 'Light up the Night' event at the Vale of Glamorgan Council-owned Dyffryn Gardens.

 

Above right: Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Margaret Alexander with a group of young members of the Prince’s Trust Cymru who, in conjunction with the 'Light up the Night' event, braved the elements by camping out on a sponsored haunted night in aid of Children in Need.

 

12/12/2007