#plantasia — Public Fediverse posts

A Record Sold With Houseplants

Mort Garson’s Mother Earth’s Plantasia was not initially distributed like an ordinary album. Customers received it when they bought a...

#MortGarson #Plantasia #MoogSynthesizer #ElectronicMusic

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A Record Sold With Houseplants

https://www.europesays.com/videos/61462/ Newly qualified midwives feel ‘left in limbo’ as over half cannot get a job | ITV Cymru Wales #Bardsey #Conwy #Dumplings #Fidget #GwentPolice #hospital #investigation #itv #ItvNews #ITVNewsInFull #jobs #monkeys #news #nhs #Plantasia #politics #senedd #SouthWales #Squishy #toys #Wales #Welsh #wildfire

SWANSEA: Leisure centre visits top two million — but the figures show what it costs to keep them open

Swansea‘s leisure centres are busier than they have been in years — but a council report has laid bare how much it costs to keep them running.

More than two million visits were made to leisure facilities across the city in 2024/25, according to the latest Leisure Partnerships Annual Report.

Usage at the centres run by Freedom Leisure alone reached 2,098,565 — up from 1,878,928 the year before — with gym memberships climbing to 13,274.

But the same report shows those centres cost more to run than they brought in, with the council topping up the gap.

Across the Freedom Leisure contract, the centres earned £8.5m in 2024/25 but cost £9.9m to operate.

On top of that, the council paid Freedom Leisure a management fee of £1.17m — up from £987,000 the previous year — plus a further £182,000 in contract support.

The cost of the National Pool

The picture is starker at Wales National Pool Swansea, which ran a net cost of more than £1.6m.

The council’s funding for the pool reached £680,800 for the year, after an extra £200,000 was agreed at Cabinet specifically to cover a deficit pushed up by rising energy costs.

The pool’s set-up is about to change. From August, the Wales National Pool — along with the rest of Swansea Bay Sports Park — will be run by Freedom Leisure, named as the site’s new operator in April.

It means the not-for-profit trust that already runs the council’s leisure centres will, from 1 August, also take on the pool, under a separate contract overseen by a council and university joint venture.

The change is tied to a wider £150m vision for a sport and health “superhub” at the Sketty Lane site.

Energy bills the recurring pressure

Energy has been the recurring pressure across the venues in the report, echoing the extra costs support the council stepped in with back in 2023.

The report notes that operators running large facilities with swimming pools have been hit hardest, given how much energy they consume.

There were brighter notes. The redeveloped Cefn Hengoed Leisure Centre and its new sports barn saw gym membership jump 32% and bookings reach 90% capacity within weeks of opening.

Freedom Leisure also won learn-to-swim provider of the year and a sustainability award at the 2025 Swim Wales Awards.

Plantasia bucks the trend

Plantasia, the tropical zoo run by Parkwood Leisure, told a different story — visitor numbers fell 4.8% to 111,697.

The report links that drop to a wider slump across Welsh attractions, with cost-of-living pressures blamed for visitor falls of between 15% and 25% in 2024.

Despite that, Plantasia still turned an operating surplus, and recently earned major industry accreditation from BIAZA, placing it among a select group of UK and Ireland zoos recognised for animal welfare and conservation standards.

Part of its surplus was reinvested in a £90,000 “Giants of the Past” dinosaur installation, with the council contributing £40,000 of its share towards the project.

The Wales National Pool, meanwhile, hosted 36 event days over the year, including international competitions, and saw its coaches and swimmers represent Team GB at the Paris Olympics.

Tracey McNulty, the council’s head of cultural services, parks and cleansing, said affordable leisure played an important role in supporting residents’ health and wellbeing.

She said that while rising energy costs continued to present challenges, the council’s partnerships were keeping services running and investing in facilities.

The report was presented to the council’s Cabinet for noting, rather than for a decision.

It follows a similar review a year earlier which charted the post-pandemic recovery in visits to the city’s leisure venues.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Freedom Leisure announced as new operator for Swansea Bay Sports Park
The company running the council’s leisure centres takes on the National Pool from August.

SPORTS HUB SHAKE-UP: Major changes approved at Sketty Lane
How the £150m superhub vision is reshaping the city’s biggest sports site.

More than 5,000 use sports barn in first month
The redeveloped Cefn Hengoed centre proved an instant hit.

SWANSEA: Plantasia awarded major industry accreditation
The tropical zoo earns full BIAZA recognition for its standards.

Inside Swansea’s deadly new zoo exhibit where venom could help cure cancer

Plantasia Tropical Zoo has unveiled its latest exhibit, Vital Venoms and Practical Poisons, bringing some of the animal kingdom’s most feared creatures face-to-face with the public.

But behind the fangs, stings and toxins lies something far more surprising — scientists are now studying these species in the fight against cancer, diabetes and chronic pain.

From fear to frontline science

The new exhibit features eight venomous and poisonous species — each with a story that goes far beyond their bite.

Among them is Lucy the beaded lizard, one of only two venomous lizards in the world. Her venom is already being explored in research into type 2 diabetes.

Brightly coloured poison dart frogs — famous for their toxic skin — are helping inspire powerful new painkillers, while fire-bellied toads are being studied for compounds linked to breast and prostate cancer treatments.

Visitors can also come face-to-face with:

• A mangrove snake, whose venom could play a role in colon cancer research
• A Brazilian salmon pink bird-eating tarantula, linked to chronic pain studies
• An Asian forest scorpion that glows under UV light
• And even assassin bugs, whose venom is being used to develop eco-friendly insecticides

‘Look closer and be amazed’

Zoo bosses say the aim is to turn fear into fascination — and show how nature’s most dangerous creatures could hold the key to future medicine.

Paul Sheppard, Attraction Manager at Plantasia, said the exhibit is designed to get people thinking differently.

He said: “We’ve taken a familiar part of the zoo and turned it into something completely different.

“This new area invites visitors to look closer, ask questions and discover just how clever nature can be.”

A bold new chapter for the city centre attraction

The exhibit is part of a wider expansion at Plantasia, which has been growing its offering with immersive experiences including its dinosaur-themed Giants of the Past and large-scale escape room challenges.

Cllr Elliott King, Swansea Council cabinet member, said the latest addition is another boost for the popular attraction.

He said: “It’s great that Plantasia has this fantastic new exhibit… I highly recommend a visit.”

More than just a day out

As well as giving visitors a close-up look at some of the world’s most misunderstood animals, the zoo says the exhibit plays a key role in its conservation and education work.

The long-term plan even includes adding a critically endangered species and contributing to international breeding programmes.

And while the creatures inside may look intimidating, the message is clear — they could be helping to save lives.

Charismatic Monkey and colourful Chameleon among latest arrivals at Plantasia Tropical Zoo

Meep, born on 23 November 2017, arrived from a wildlife park in Hertfordshire in April and completed a standard quarantine period before joining the zoo’s Geoffroy’s marmoset, Marmalade, in a shared habitat.

Although the team initially hoped to find another Geoffroy’s marmoset, it was important to act quickly following the loss of Marmalade’s previous companions. Monkeys are highly social animals and need companionship, so it was important to find Marmalade a new companion as soon as possible for her wellbeing. Meep was an ideal match and provided that much-needed social connection.

Cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 7,500 believed to remain in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. Plantasia Tropical Zoo’s role in housing and educating visitors about endangered species like Meep helps raise public awareness of global conservation issues.

Meep quickly made an impression on her keepers, earning her name during the journey to Swansea thanks to her energetic and expressive vocalisations. She bonded almost instantly with Marmalade, and the two now share their lush mixed-species habitat with white-cheeked turacos Kiwi and Lime, and Big Momma the red-eared slider.

“Their bond was a joy to witness,” said Zoo & Education Manager Lucy, who travelled with Zookeeper Amy to collect Meep.

“It’s wonderful to see how well they’ve adapted to one another. Meep is full of character and Marmalade is thriving with her new companion.”

Barry the Sambava panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) joined the zoo from Chester Zoo and, following quarantine, moved into a spacious new enclosure built specially for him in the zoo’s underground zone.

Born on 27 November 2023, Barry is significantly larger than his predecessor Mittens, and required a taller and more complex habitat to match his needs. Swansea Glass generously donated the bespoke glass for the build, with construction carried out by JMBuilding and internal planting by the zoo’s expert keepers.

“Barry is an incredibly striking individual, and his new environment gives him everything he needs to grow and display his vivid colours,” said Paul Sheppard, Attraction Manager.

Also joining the team is a White’s tree frog (Ranoidea caerulea), who arrived from Combe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park. This calm and charismatic amphibian will not be on public display but will appear regularly in the zoo’s VIP animal experiences and educational workshops.

White’s tree frogs are known for their engaging personalities and are ideal for helping children connect with nature through hands-on learning.

These recent arrivals reflect Plantasia Tropical Zoo’s mission to inspire, educate and connect people with wildlife – both exotic and endangered.

Plantasia Tropical Zoo is run by Parkwood Leisure on behalf of Swansea Council.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis Davies said:

“It’s fantastic that there are more exciting new reasons to visit Plantasia. These three fantastic new residents will bring new charm and exciting educational opportunities to Swansea’s indoor rainforest.”

To learn more or plan your visit, go to www.plantasiaswansea.co.uk

[Lead image: Plantasia Swansea]

#Plantasia #SwanseaCouncil

Stop the Poachers: Plantasia launches new Jungle Escape Game

Plantasia Tropical Zoo has partnered with ‘The Escape Game’ Swansea, an in-real-life escape
room company based in Llansamlet, to develop its Jungle Escape series.

Since launching in early 2023, Jungle Escape: Rainforest Run has proven to be a hit, with
sessions running every Friday. With three game slots running each Friday evening, over 196
bookings have been made to date, with total attendance now exceeding 1,100 visitors.

The game continues to generate strong interest, with bookings remaining consistently high.
Over the past two years, the booking success rate stands at 60%, generating a total revenue of
over £22,000.

The Jungle Escape series was introduced to broaden the zoo’s appeal, engaging students,
adults, and corporate groups alongside families. With its immersive setting and thrilling puzzles, the game has firmly established itself as a must-try activity.

Plantasia say that by combining puzzle-solving with adventure, it is continuing to develop innovative, educational experiences for all visitors.

Jungle Escape – Poachers’ Lair:

In the secluded zoo’s rainforest, poachers have set up camp to conduct illegal activity. Players
have 60 minutes to navigate through the rainforest, solving puzzles, uncovering clues and
completing challenges to stop the poachers’ illegal activity.

The game is suitable for ages 12 and up and can be played in groups of 2–8 participants.

Paul Sheppard, Attraction Manager at Plantasia said: “We’re excited to expand our Jungle Escape experience with the launch of Poachers’ Lair. This new adventure offers even more choice for our visitors, especially those who’ve already tackled Rainforest Run. Held during the day on weekends, in a part of the zoo not usually open to the public, it’s a fantastic opportunity for families and visitors of all abilities to join in the fun. It’s an immersive, action-packed experience that brings conservation to life while offering a fresh reason to return to Plantasia Tropical Zoo.”

Sessions will run on Saturday and Sunday from the 5th April 2025 at 11:30am and 12:45pm.
Additional sessions will be introduced in the near future. Visitors are encouraged to check
availability and book in advance through the Plantasia website.

Plantasia Tropical Zoo is run by Parkwood Leisure on behalf of Swansea Council.

Council cabinet member Robert Francis Davies said: “It’s fantastic that there’s an exciting new reason to visit Plantasia. Jungle Escape: Poachers’ Lair will be another attraction to enjoy in our fast-transforming city.”

Carys Abraham, owner of The Escape Game, Swansea said: “After the incredible success of Rainforest Run, we’re excited to return to Plantasia with our thrilling new escape room, Poacher’s Lair. The positive feedback from players during our first collaboration exceeded all expectations, and we’re eager to bring a fresh set of challenges and adventures to our guests. At The Escape Game, we’re dedicated to crafting unique, immersive experiences, and working with Plantasia has been a perfect partnership in making this vision come to life. We can’t wait for players to step into Poacher’s Lair and embark on this exciting new journey!”

(Lead image: Plantasia)

#EscapeRoom #Plantasia #Swansea #Zoo

If you like #Plantasia you'll love this (amazing cover art by Robert Beatty 🌱):

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nUa_hP6UiD9BSbSphC6lvB3wiLv_eV-oA

#music #synth #moog #mortgarson #robertbeatty

#RightyAlmighty | #TheBoys are #Dressed and #Today will be a day in #TheOutside; I've #Decided

There are #Trees to #Trim; #Hedges to #Hedge and #Floofs to #Fluff | #StuffToDo

🧙⚔️🤖🐺🤖⚔️🧙 | :fediverse:​🦹:loading:​🦄​​​​:loading:​🦹:fediverse:

#Plantasia But It's All Images Of Plants (Music By: #MortGarson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQnPQPAifG4

Tonight, I attended #Plantasia, a concert at #GreenwoodCemetery. It featured several artists paying tribute to the "Plantasia" album by Mort Garson. The 1976 album was recorded for plants. (Think stoner Moog music.)

I met a man who was visiting his father's grave just before the cemetery closed for the concert. He was lost in the cemetery and came across the concert. He was like, "What is going on? People are partying on graves?!" I had to talk him down and explain it really wasn't a party.

Plantasia at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

https://www.moogmusic.com/news/celebrating-plantasia

#Music #Moog #MortGarson #Plantasia #Brooklyn #BrooklynBotanicGarden #DFAM #BanaHaffar #Patricia #GhostlyInternational #AtlasObscura #AdrienneAdar #Kirlian #SacredBones

Bon dia, es dissabte de redistribució de béns, d'acabar amb el treball assalariat i aguillotinar o penjar als rics! 🌿

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x7JLXsZk-w

#Plantasia #MortGarson #Synthwave #Psychadelia #MusicForPlants #MoogSynthesizer #ExperimentalMusic #AntiFascist #AntiFeixista #SuportMutu

Bon dia, es dissabte de redistribució de béns, d'acabar amb el treball assalariat i aguillotinar o penjar als rics! 🌿

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x7JLXsZk-w

#Plantasia #MortGarson #Synthwave #Psychadelia #MusicForPlants #MoogSynthesizer #ExperimentalMusic #AntiFascist #AntiFeixista #SuportMutu