Yet another bribe from the Assembly government - and a hint of a political clash.
On the heels of free prescriptions for everyone and free bus travel for pensioners, we now have free admission to Cadw sites.
Admittedly, that’s worth far less than the other bribes, although the two or three quid a time for the oldsters is not to be sniffed at.
But let’s hope they don’t muddle their ancient fortresses. The same day on which heritage minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas (Plaid) makes his announcement, another statement was being made about the only ancient fortress housed in our capital city.
Rodney Berman, lord of Cardiff’s castle (as well as of its council), was ensuring that a posh new interpretation centre was opening within that castle’s grounds.
But Mr Berman, being the friend of the people that he is, was having nothing of this free-entry lark. People who will be able to traipse for nothing around those dozen-or-so castles and abbeys where Cadw charge for admission will have to fork out around £7 for entry to the inside rooms in Lord Berman’s empire.
Perhaps we should not be surprised at the need to pay. Berman is a Scot, as was Lord Bute, who rescued and rebuilt the then-tumbling, town centre Roman and Norman remains. And are not all Scots supposed to be (like Cardies) mean ?
Yet perhaps I can smell politics here. Another Lib Dem, Jenny Randerson, Cardiff Central AM, has been a consistent critic of free drugs.
And I see her party is at it again with its plenary attack on free fortress admissions. OK for this to be free - but only once “all other WAG spending commitments to children have been met”. In particular the troubled foundation phase in primary schools, I presume.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Alwyn ap Huw // Jun 10, 2008 at 1:30 am
The only news story that I can find about this, is one from the The Denbighshire Free Press, saying that free access will be available to Denbigh Castle to residents of the borough.
Is there a wider policy that I haven’t come across?
2 cambria politico // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:42 am
I think we are muddling two policies here. A number of councils have arranged free admission to sites for local resident.
But the Rev Min’s plans are much wider; they apply to all Welsh (but not English) youngsters and oldsters. His idea is to maximise “intellectual benefit”.
Of course, the plan applies only to paid-for sites; most Cadw sites lack charging booths or, indeed, fences.
They also lack much in the way of guides. But that’s an argument to take up with the Rev Min at another time !
3 defynog // Jun 10, 2008 at 11:31 am
Why is Rhodri Glyn Thomas known as Rev Min?
4 cambria politico // Jun 10, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Because he is a reverend member of the Welsh Union of Independents, and also a minister of the Welsh government. A useful shorthand !
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