This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/8423273.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ice forces garden to close gates | Ice forces garden to close gates |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Cold weather has forced the National Botanic Garden of Wales to close its doors amid fears for some of the less hardy plants in the grounds. | |
| The entrance to the Carmarthenshire site was coned off after the caretaker spun his car on an icy service road. | The entrance to the Carmarthenshire site was coned off after the caretaker spun his car on an icy service road. |
| Spokesman David Hardy said: "This little spell is as bad as it has been in the 10 years we've been open." | Spokesman David Hardy said: "This little spell is as bad as it has been in the 10 years we've been open." |
| The One Planet Adventure mountain bike centre at Llandegla, near Wrexham, is also closed due to icy conditions. | The One Planet Adventure mountain bike centre at Llandegla, near Wrexham, is also closed due to icy conditions. |
| Meanwhile, Ffos Las Racecourse in nearby Trimsaran is hopeful of holding its Christmas fixtures after a track inspection. | Meanwhile, Ffos Las Racecourse in nearby Trimsaran is hopeful of holding its Christmas fixtures after a track inspection. |
| The botanic garden was expecting hundreds of visitors on the last Sunday before Christmas, with attractions including Santa and Carmarthen Choir. | The botanic garden was expecting hundreds of visitors on the last Sunday before Christmas, with attractions including Santa and Carmarthen Choir. |
| But icy conditions have left paths and steps inside the garden treacherous, forcing the decision to shut. | But icy conditions have left paths and steps inside the garden treacherous, forcing the decision to shut. |
| There is a danger we might lose some of the non-hardy grasses but the rest of them are pretty robust Botanic garden spokesman David Hardy | There is a danger we might lose some of the non-hardy grasses but the rest of them are pretty robust Botanic garden spokesman David Hardy |
| Mr Hardy said: "The caretaker had spun his car trying to get down the back road at 7am. He has been there eight years and said he has never known conditions like it. | Mr Hardy said: "The caretaker had spun his car trying to get down the back road at 7am. He has been there eight years and said he has never known conditions like it. |
| "So, with temperatures expected to hover around freezing all day, the decision has been taken not to take the risk the health of staff and volunteers and keep the gates closed today." | "So, with temperatures expected to hover around freezing all day, the decision has been taken not to take the risk the health of staff and volunteers and keep the gates closed today." |
| Mr Hardy said off-site controls means the temperature of the Mediterranean glass house will not fall below 9C. | Mr Hardy said off-site controls means the temperature of the Mediterranean glass house will not fall below 9C. |
| He said: "The staff will have ensured the tropical house is all fine and heating was working alright. The gardeners have been wrapping the banana trees and other non-hardy trees growing outside. | He said: "The staff will have ensured the tropical house is all fine and heating was working alright. The gardeners have been wrapping the banana trees and other non-hardy trees growing outside. |
| Track inspection | Track inspection |
| "There always a danger to the New Zealand grasses. We haven't had many bad winters since we opened in 2000. | "There always a danger to the New Zealand grasses. We haven't had many bad winters since we opened in 2000. |
| "There is a danger we might lose some of the non-hardy grasses but the rest of them are pretty robust. If it has to be under glass, it is under glass." | "There is a danger we might lose some of the non-hardy grasses but the rest of them are pretty robust. If it has to be under glass, it is under glass." |
| A small amount of snow has fallen at Ffos Las Racecourse but Clerk of the Course Tim Long said the track was raceable on Sunday morning. | A small amount of snow has fallen at Ffos Las Racecourse but Clerk of the Course Tim Long said the track was raceable on Sunday morning. |
| He said he was hopeful Monday's Christmas fixture would go ahead as planned after a precautionary inspection at 0800 GMT. | He said he was hopeful Monday's Christmas fixture would go ahead as planned after a precautionary inspection at 0800 GMT. |
| The first race is scheduled for 1230 GMT with the entertainment including up to 500 Santas running a full circuit on the path inside the racetrack to raise money for the childrens hospice Ty Hafan. | The first race is scheduled for 1230 GMT with the entertainment including up to 500 Santas running a full circuit on the path inside the racetrack to raise money for the childrens hospice Ty Hafan. |