Save Maindy Velodrome!

Cardiff Council plan to demolish Maindy Velodrome and take away most of Maindy Park. We plan to stop them.

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

As G acknowledges Maindy velodrome on his way past, the community continues to push for independent trustees to be appointed so that it is never again under threat from political control
@MaindySave
@TedPeskettNews
@NationCymru
@BBCWalesNews
@ITVCymruWales
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[Geraint Thomas @GeraintThomas86]

I don’t really have any words right now. But, if you were in Cardiff today…

Cheers 🍾❤️

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Gr8 to see & hear Maindy velodrome being mentioned so much today as G brings down the curtain on a truly memorable cycling career
Time now for the Labour politicians in Cardiff to agree it should now come under the stewardship of independent trustees … 1/2

[David Wilde @porticotech]

So exciting watching ⁦@TourofBritain⁩ going straight past Maindy velodrome where ⁦@GeraintThomas86⁩ started. ⁦@MaindySave⁩ still doing a great job!

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Cracking picture of the youngster G at Maindy …one replicated a thousand times or more over the years
And one we hope will continue to be so in years to come
@MaindySave
@TedPeskettNews
https://t.co/GLCgeXVKkt

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

BREAKING NEWS

Cardiff Council confirms that there was no lawful permission for Blackweir Live to have taken place in Grade 1 Listed Bute Park

In giving this project his personal backing, Council Leader Huw Thomas should now consider his position

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

When we face weeks - often months - of delays in getting important questions answered, like where is the invisible Heritage Impact report - glad that local councillors pick up on this …let us hope the answer provide some real insight

https://t.co/AOwPOodULM

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

“[Cardiff Council Leader] Thomas said the [tourism tax] levy would allow the city to "recoup some of the costs" of holding events like the recent Oasis shows.”
Why? Has he been failing to recoup enough from gig organisers? Have residents been subsidising his pet project?
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[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Looking very likely Cardiff Council failed to conduct legal due diligence before giving go ahead to Council Leader’s pet project, Blackweir Live, that could be in breach of planning law/regs
Instead trees felled, habitats uprooted and normal use of Bute Park disrupted ..1/2

[John Urquhart 𓅿 @TheDryhtscipe]

@CardiffCivicSoc Aren't we told these shows are tremendously profitable for the city already? 🙄

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

3 July 2025

The date when every person in Cardiff heard and felt in their own homes the truth that when Council Leader Huw Thomas says there is a balance between events and the community it means that the weight of the Council is wholly on the side of his corporate partners …

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Both as Council Leader & personal champion of Blackweir Live, Cllr Huw Thomas should not delay in meeting with the community to explain whether there is a lawful basis for his project and if not what he is doing to ensure Bute Park is returned to full use by 9 July …1/3

[Nation.Cymru @NationCymru]

Bute Park is to be used for Blackweir Live, a series of gig events in the height of summer. But what happens if there is concern about planning and it involves the local authority? How can it police itself? ✍️ Jeremy Sparkes https://t.co/EPNCjqB9K0

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Confirmed by Welsh Govt Minister in the Senedd today - Cardiff Council must ensure it follows regulations in relation to use of public space

https://t.co/axUdT7l29Y

Thanks to @JoelJamesSWC for raising this important point about Blackweir Live

Council has failed… 1/2

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

So it’s true …post-modern irony is alive and well and Cardiff Council doing its bit to keep it so

Plonks mega-sized metal containers on the wild meadow in Bute Park and then tries to shield it with corporate verbiage about it being the Green Heart of the City

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

As sound checks boom across the city ahead of the opening Blackweir Live gig tomorrow the Council meets with it still unclear whether it has a lawful basis for the change of use of Bute Park
A year ago the deal was done so why with less than 24 hours to go is it still unclear 1/3

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

We welcome his commitment to set up a proper stakeholder group for the use of Bute Park and look forward to ensuring this now happens

Pl do sign & share the petition asking for this - thanks ~ diolch …5/6

https://t.co/Tisa5RkiNc

[ceri @ceritheviking]

Cardiff bay barrage.
One side a 2 million pound plus event space no longer on use, city centre parks now preferred option.
Other side one of the Victorian associations most at risk buildings.
Both pretty sad stories with some of the background I’ve been told.

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Gosh @MaindySave 3 years ago today we held the public meeting at Cathays Community Centre because the Council refused to acknowledge well-founded concerns over their land swap scheme ..
156 weeks on and Maindy Park is still charity land :)

[Jeremy Sparkes @JeremySparkes]

Council Leader claims Blackweir Live will generate income for the Council yet Council appears to have a profit share agreement - if the rumours of poor tix sales are true then the people of Cardiff could end up with next to nothing :(