Children call for easier free Cardiff Castle access

A group of young people in Cardiff are campaigning for simpler access to Cardiff Castle's free access pass for all residents and workers in the city. Following the 5th Marquess of Bute's handing over of the castle to "the people of Cardiff" in 1947, Cardiff Castle currently grants free access to its grounds providing you present proof you live or work in Cardiff in the form of a tax bill or employers note. But many young people do not have easy access to this documentation and now a group of 10 and 11 years olds are taking matters into their own hands to make sure their right to free access is adhered to. A spokesperson for Cardiff Castle has said the young people can access the free pass. We are waiting on a full response from the castle. Update 14:25 - Here is the full response. What the young people want School children must currently pay the full entry charge if they wish to enjoy the castle grounds, and Cardiff schools are also forced to pay if they wish to visit on a school trip. Pupils at Millbank Primary School, Ely, have written to their local MP Kevin Brennan, sent letter to Cardiff Castle and written to the executive for leisure and tourism but still seen no response to their request. The Millbank pupils want to see the Cardiff Castle pass become more young people friendly by allowing them to present identification which young people would own – such as a library card or the Max card (available for 16+ year olds giving 30% discounts on leisure facilities - the castle is not part of the scheme). Mike Jones, who volunteers at the school, has been involved in setting up the website which outlines the project . He said: "We're trying to campaign in a positive way to encourage children to exercise their rights. "But I don't think children were actually considered in this free access scheme – the webpages aren't very children-friendly and the application process excludes them. School children should automatically be given free access to the castle." The headteacher at Millbank School, Gail Allen, said: "It's strange that it takes some children to highlight this. I don't suppose it's an issue anyone has considered before and hopefully the right hand will start talking to the left." "This has really opened up for them to see the whole process because it's something they can see is very wrong and they can see does not change quickly. But it's something they could have an effect on." The school ambassadors project The campaign to make Cardiff Castle's free pass accessible to all was sparked by a visit to the castle by pupils who wanted to grab some lunch in the grounds but were asked to pay. As part of the school's ambassadors project the young people had been thinking about their rights and how to ensure they're used. On the road to getting free access to the castle the pupils have learnt a great deal about civic engagement. They set up a website to document the steps they took to raise awareness of the problem. But since November they say they have had no response. Chief executive for leisure and tourism Nigel Howells said he was sympathetic to the group's request and keen to meet with them to discuss it further. "From my point of view I want the castle to be accessible to everyone and as many people as possible," Howells said. You can contact your local councillor on this issue using our 'Contact your councillor' tool here. See the Millbank School school ambassadors website here. Do you think young people should have free access to Cardiff Castle? Leave your comments below.