The lights are twinkling and the trees are adorned. It’s CHRISTMAS MONTH EVERYONE!
Splott has a brilliant tradition of activities in the run up to Santa’s visit and, as usual, this year’s December is full of fun and festivities. So what’s going on this Splottmas? Here’s a handy list…
Sunday 1st December – St Saviours Church, Splott Road – African Celebration
Join St Saviours on Sunday December 1st from 4 to 6 pm for an authentic celebration of African food, music and culture. Brought to you by some of the Nigerian families in their congregation, it promises to be a fun and vibrant (and tasty!) event.
The event is free but donations are welcome on the night.
To help cater for everyone, it would be useful for the organisers to know if you would like to attend. You can let them know in person in church or by registering using the form in the link below.
To find out more, click here.
Monday 2nd December – Worry Club
Splott Community Volunteers in partnership with the Salvation Army and United Welsh is hosting an extended Worry Club, with lunch included, to help people experiencing the following issues:
•At risk of homelessness?
•Struggling to pay your bills?
•Home needs repairs?
•Moved into a new home?
•Not sure if you’re on the right benefits?
•Attend our friendly drop-in service and speak to our support workers for help and advice
Find them at the back of the STAR Centre, entry via the gates on Railway Street, opposite A1 Tyres.
Tuesday 3rd December – Stocking Making
Local play provider, Seren in the Community, in partnership with No Fit State Circus and the Youth Event Team, will be holding a stocking-making session in Adamsdown on Tuesday 3rd December between 3pm and 5pm.
Saturday 7th December – St German’s Winter Fayre
Just over the bridge in Adamsdown, St German’s Church will hold its annual winter fayre on Saturday 7th December between 11 and 1pm.
FYI, St German’s Church is a nineteenth-century Church in Wales parish church in Adamsdown, Cardiff, Wales dedicated to St Germanus of Auxerre. The building, located on the corner of Star Street and Metal Street, is a Grade I Listed building.
Saturday 7th December – Railway Gardens Winter Fair
Message from the organisers: Hi folks – we’ve had to make the horrible decision to postpone Saturday’s winter fair at RAILWAY GARDENS due to the amber weather alert. We’re honestly gutted.
We don’t like the weather to beat us though, so we’re planning for a night market next Wednesday evening, 5-9pm.
Thanks everyone for your understanding and please help us spread the word.
Where: Railway Gardens, end of Adeline Street, Splott
Is it free to come in? Definitely!
Do you need volunteers? Yes please! See here.
Sunday 8th December – Keep Splott Tidy Christmas Litter Pick
Join the Wombles of Splott (in a Santa hat!) as they tackle Splott Road and surrounding streets for their annual Christmas Litter Pick.
Meet at 10am on the corner of Splott Road and Railway Street (by the STAR Centre) for an hour or two of making Splott a little bit tidier. All equipment provided (and the odd mince pie). Great for individuals, groups and families.
Sunday 8th December – Christmas Market at Boomerang Cardiff
Boomerang will be holding their Christmas Market on Sunday 8th December at 11am – 1pm
Would you like a stall for your Christmas Crafts / Baked Goodies / Hampers or personalised gifts then get in touch to book your space 
Stalls are £5 please bring your own Tables if possible – they can provide them for £3 but are limited.
Stall Holders to Arrive at 10am
Comment from the organisers: We have the Lovely Amy and her Husband back again this year with some Brand new Free Toys for local families. They buy Toys all year and love to attend our Markets to give these out to families in need.
They will have donation buckets and a small donation is appreciated but not expected.
All Welcome 
Wednesday 11th December – Youth Circus Stay and Play
One for the young ‘uns – local circus company, Fiery Jacks, will be delivering a free hour-long youth circus stay and play session for children over the age of eight (and their families). Pop to Eastmoors Youth Centre on the corner of Sanquhar and Carlisle Street at 5.30pm on the 11th.
Sunday 15th December – Candlelit Christmas Service
It’s the Nine Lessons and Carols Candlelit Service at St German’s Church in Adamsdown (if you’ve never been in, this would be a chance to see how amazing the interior is – it’s stunning)! Carols and music sung by the Cardiff Chamber Choir, readings from members of the local community and all followed by Mulled Wine and Mince Pies in Church!
Monday 16th December – Splott Sound Journey
From 6pm to 8pm on Monday 16th December, Sonarius Sounds will run a two-hour transformative experience that promotes relaxation, healing, and inner peace. Taking place at the Old Splott Library on Singleton Road, the session costs £15 per person and will involve Crystal Singing Bowls, Gong, Chimes and Drums and much more.
Find out more here.
Saturday 21st December – SCV Christmas Grotto
The annual Splott Community Volunteers’ Christmas Grotto is back this year on the 21st December. See poster for more details.
Various dates this December – St Philips Church, Tremorfa
There are a number of activities planned at St Philips Church on Tweedsmuir Road (CF24 2QZ) this December. Call 029 20 619211 or email office@stmarks-cardiff.co.uk
Weekly activities
Let’s have a gander at the regular list of things going on…
Mondays
What’s on your mind, Splott? Are things getting you down? Concerned about rising costs? Having a tough time, or worried about friends or family? Splott Community Volunteers has an open drop-in session called the Monday Worry Club where you can pop in for a cuppa and a chat and maybe find some help or sign-posting to those who can lend a helping hand.
Oaks and Acorns – All Age Community Meet Up
At Redeemer Church on Railway Street (just behind Splott Road). Includes snacks and drinks for children.
Tuesdays
Every Tuesday morning in term time, a community group at St Philip’s Church on Tweedsmuir Road in Tremorfa provides free coffee and cake and the chance to chat.
There is a free community lunch and warm space just over the bridge in Adamsdown every Tuesday at No Fit State Circus.
Welsh learners’ practice group at Railway Gardens on Tuesday afternoons!
At 1.30 on Tuesdays at Railway Gardens there’s Baby & Parent Support Group for free. Pop along and meet other parents and other babies! Find them at the top of Adeline Street off Railway Street.
Do you have a handy skill to share? Pop along to the GoodShed at Railway Gardens between 2pm and 4pm to build stuff and drink tea!
Wednesdays
Join Splott Community Volunteers for Knit and Natter between 10am and 12 noon for a cuppa and a cake and learn some new knitting skills while having a chat. Refreshments provided for free. Also, once a month, there will be a mobile wool and embroidery shop, Wool on Wheels, joining them.
Forces of Nature after school nature club for children runs at Railway Gardens from 3.15pm to 4.30pm. Find out more here. No need to book though -just pop along (and there’s a free snack for kids).
Splo-Down, a food cooperative operating from a container at the back of the old STAR Leisure Centre on Splott Road offer great quality and value for money bags of fresh veg for affordable prices between 5pm and 7pm. Pay what you can. More information here.
You can also pop along to Railway Gardens for Natter with Neighbours at 10.30am.
Thursdays
For £4 at the Splott Community Volunteers’ Breakfast Club you can get a hot cooked breakfast and a bag of 10 items from their food pantry, including a fridge item, freezer item and tinned goods, fried goods and fresh fruit & veg. Find them at the back of the old STAR Leisure Centre on Splott Road, entry opposite A1 Tyres on Railway Street.
Breakfast Club runs from 8.30am to 10.30am. Find out more here.
There are two cool activities at Railway Gardens on a Thursday morning: Tai Chi at 10am and Creative Writing at 10.30am. Find out more here.
There is also stay and play thursday afternoons at the new flying start unit in Moorland School 1.15-2.45. This is mostly outside in moorland park if the weather is good. There are snacks and drinks for children.
Fridays
Digital skills at Splott Community Volunteers runs from 10am to 12 noon and is open to all, regardless of abilities. Come in for a cuppa and a cake and get help from the Cardiff Council digital skills team.
So there we have it! As always, if I’ve missed anything, do let me know. I’d love to update this article with other cool stuff going on.
Saturdays
Tremorfa Park Run
Every Saturday morning, an amazing group of volunteers gathers in Tremorfa Park to host the weekly Tremorfa Park Run.
Starting at 9am.
Find out more here.
Samba Galez
From Sat 12th Oct Samba Galez are going to be running free weekly half hour fun drum sessions from 10.30-11.00 at Willows High School Tremorfa, Cardiff CF 24 2YE.
No need to book, just pop along, bring a friend and try out different instruments and rhythms.
Throughout the month
Boomerang has a number of activities taking place each week…
As usual, let me know if I’ve missed anything – email hello@inksplott.co.uk