CARDIFF LOOKS FORWARD TO ‘DOCK CENTENARY COMMUNITY DAY’ AS ABP CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF QUEEN ALEXANDRA DOCK
On 22 September, Associated British Ports (ABP), which owns and operates the Port of Cardiff, is holding an 'open day' at the port to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Queen Alexandra Dock.
Due to security and health and safety concerns, the Port of Cardiff is normally inaccessible to members of the public, but on Saturday, 22 September 2007, all are welcome to get a view of life in the modern day. From 11am until 4pm, there will be dock tours by road-train and boat, as well as stalls, displays, street theatre, live music, children’s entertainment, a public exhibition and food. Money raised from the event will be distributed to two Dock-based charities - The Mission to Seafarers and the Cardiff Sea Cadets.
Queen Alexandra Dock is integral to the history of the port and the city of Cardiff. Once the main artery through which South Wales exported coal during its mining heyday, the Dock has developed with the times and continues to support the city and the region’s economy.
John Fitzgerald, ABP Port Director, South Wales Ports, explains:
“The centenary of the Dock is an extremely important event in the modern history of the Port of Cardiff. When the Dock was originally opened - by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, in 1907 - Cardiff had only very recently been made a city and the coal industry was enormous in South Wales, making Cardiff one of the busiest ports in the world at the time."
He added: “While coal shipments are no longer part of the cargo mix at today's port, the operation is still vital to the city and the regional economy, supporting a significant number of local businesses and providing a gateway for millions of tonnes of goods each year. We hope our 'open day' will be a fun way to remind local people of the port’s part in Cardiff’s heritage, while educating visitors to the city who are as yet unfamiliar with its history.”
Visitors who wish to go on the port tour are advised to book at www.qadock100.co.uk or call telephone no. 029 2083 5214, to avoid disappointment.
Park-and-ride is available at the port’s Queensgate entrance. Charges will apply. Alternatively, visitors can park at the pay-and-display car park on the Penarth side of the barrage and then walk across to the port.
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