Community

Commemorative China Exhibition

Published

10 years ago

September 5, 2014

The flags of the 1914 War Allies around the Castle Green greeted the hundreds of people who came to view the Heritage Lottery-supported exhibition at Little Newcastle entitled Interpreting World War I through Commemorative China.

Hosted by St Peter’s Church and put on jointly by the Little Newcastle Community Association and the Royal British Legion, the event was an unique way of marking the outbreak of the Great War. There were over 250 items on view with over 220 being pieces of ceramic which looked at five war themes: the Outbreak, the Battlefield, the Home Front, Victory and Peace and the Centenary. It was opened on Saturday, August 2, by the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Tom Richards, who gave a very apt address. Also present were many representatives of the armed forces, the church and the council. The booklet Little Newcastle, A Village at War, 1914 – 1919, which had been compiled by Richard Davies, was then launched and the first copy was presented to Ted Sangster on behalf of Heritage Lottery who gave a short reply. It was then a pleasure to hear the two commissioned pieces of music for the occasion: Remember, words composed and music written by Little Newcastle resident Janice Roberts. Michael Lewis sang the first and third verses, Emily Fearon the second and Cantorion Casnewy the final verse. The second piece, entitled, The Old Lie: Dulce et Decorum est pro patria mori was composed by John Hughes, visiting organist of the church which was well received by all who heard it. The event, which was a huge success, would not have been possible without the assistance given by dozens of locals who helped in so many practical ways, including providing refreshments for such large crowds.

Exhibition Re-opening.

Following the closure of the exhibition on Tuesday, August 5, numerous requests have been made to see the exhibits by those who could not visit the event. Consequently, it has been decided to re-open the exhibition during the afternoon of the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the forthcoming Bank Holiday, from 1 to 5pm. On the evening of Saturday, August 23, a concert will be held at the church which will feature Richard Morris (baritone), Eric Sheldon (flute) and John Hughes (organ). Remembrance. St Peter’s Church, Little Newcastle was packed for the World War One commemorative bi-lingual service held on the afternoon of Sunday, August 3. The service was conducted by former Royal Naval Chaplain, Rev Michael Brotherton, M.B.E., B.D., who preached a very appropriate sermon based on the experiences of various Great War military chaplains. Also present was the Ven Dennis Wight, the Archdeacon of St Davids, who read not only the names of the fallen, but also listed those from the parish who had fought in the conflict. The Fishguard & Goodwick RBL Branch Standard was carried in by Sea Cadet Thomas Hughes at the start of the service, before being laid on the altar. The organist was John Hughes, the lesson was read in Welsh by Richard Davies and the collection was taken by Alison Evans and Roy Griffiths. Following the service, the congregation proceeded to the war memorial. Members of the families of the fallen laid crosses, whilst wreaths were put on behalf of the L.N.C.A. by the Chair and by Squadron Leader Bill Holloway, President of the Fishguard & Goodwick R.B.L., who also gave the Exhortation. The Kohima Epitaph was given by Gwilym Price. The bugler was Ffion Haf Williams, whilst the blessing was by the Archdeacon. Following formalities, the entire congregation was invited to the Old School to partake in a 1914 Cottage Tea which consisted of tea, breadand- butter, jam, cheese, Welsh cakes, potato cake and fruit cake. The afternoon ended with community singing of World War One songs, led by Lilwen McAllister. On Monday at 10.45pm a couple of dozen met at the war memorial to take part in the Lights Out Vigil to mark the precise moment when hostilities commenced in 1914. A Welsh prayer for peace and an English prayer for the departed was read, as were the names of the fallen. Two minutes silence and the Lord’s Prayer terminated the brief, but very dignified event.

Community

Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters

Published

22 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Port of Milford Haven has strengthened its commitment to supporting the development of young people via a renewed partnership agreement with Milford Youth Matters. The two organisations have been working in collaboration for over five years to improve skills, aspirations, confidence levels and positive experiences for young people in Milford Haven. The new three-year agreement will enable Milford Youth Matters to deliver Friday night youth provision at a new venue based in Haven’s Head Business Park.

The partnership between the Port and Milford Youth Matters has resulted in hugely successful youth projects including the award-winning Under the Bridge project, WAVE – a water-safety initiative – and Winter Warmers, which provided young people with free meals and a warm space to socialise in a safe environment. All projects are supporting young people to achieve their full potential with many learning new skills, gaining qualifications and taking up volunteering activities. They have also led to a decreased anti-social behaviour in the area.

The new premises at Haven’s Head will allow Milford Youth Matters to expand their current offering and focus more on their academy work, which includes upskilling young people.

Dayle Gibby, Co-Ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “Its fantastic that the Port of Milford Haven shares our vision in providing ongoing opportunities for young people in our community. By working together we are able to align our resources to ensure that young people are provided with experiences that will enhance their future potential, whether that be employability, volunteering or to become active members of our town. Our ongoing and enhanced partnership looks to ensure the maximum impact is achieved with long lasting benefits for our future generations.”

Lauren Williams, PR & Communications Officer added: “We’re lucky to have organisations like Milford Youth Matters on our doorstep, offering young people creative outlets and skills opportunities. Our partnership over the past 5 years has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to increase our support over the coming years.”

Community

Castle tearoom serves up new sensory-friendly sessions

Published

22 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW sensory-friendly sessions at a popular castle tearoom will enable visitors with additional needs to enjoy a welcoming and accommodating environment tailored to their specific requirements.

As part of an initiative to boost engagement with a more diverse audience, Carew Castle, which is run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, will be running a new Quiet Hour and Power Hour at Nest Tearoom on the second Monday of each month.

The Quiet Hour, designed to provide a safe space for anyone who feels anxious or overwhelmed when out in public, will take place between 9am and 10am, before the Castle opens. Bright lighting and noise will be kept to a minimum and visitors will be able to enjoy quieter activities in a relaxing environment.

The Power Hour is scheduled for 4.30pm to 5.30pm and offers an energetic and engaging session, tailored to promote physical movement and social engagement. The aim is to create an opportunity for individuals who thrive in more active settings to connect with others, without concern for excessive noise or social interaction.

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new sensory-friendly sessions at Carew Castle, as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

“The Quiet Hour and Power Hour sessions aim to cater to the specific needs of our visitors, providing them with an environment where they can truly be themselves. As well as being able to use the café facilities, visitors will be able to explore the Castle garden. For those who wish to explore the Castle, entry is free with a Carers Card. Otherwise, normal entry fees apply.”

The Castle, which was named Pembrokeshire Visitor Attraction of the Year in last year’s Croeso Awards isn’t the only Park Authority-run site to adapt the visitor experience to accommodate more diverse audiences. A Sunday morning Quiet Hour was introduced at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village in 2019 to encourage people who would not otherwise have visited the site to come along and discover more about the lives of their ancient ancestors.

To learn more about the sensory-friendly sessions and to plan your visit, please contact Carew Castle directly on 01646 651782 or visit www.carewcastle.com. Further information about Castell Henllys’ Quiet Hour can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/castell-henllys/about-castell-henllys/accessibility-2/.

Community

Four-day community engagement at Haverfordwest Castle Square

Published

22 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THOMAS Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and local councillor for Castle Ward, says he was delighted to participate in the opening of the “Sharing The Square” event. The four-day programme, running from April 24 to 27 at Haverfordwest Castle Square, invites the community to exchange memories and ideas for the future development of this historic area.

The initiative, in collaboration with local artists and Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to collect community input on potential improvements and address existing challenges in the square. The event also seeks to enhance the connectivity with the adjacent Haverfordwest Castle, focusing on pedestrian routes from the square to the castle.

A variety of public activities are scheduled to take place during the event. These include gardening, creative workshops, games, and musical performances, ensuring an engaging experience for all attendees. Among the highlights is an art workshop led by renowned artist Janetka Platun. Her session titled “What is Lost and What is Found?” offers participants of all ages and abilities the chance to develop model-making skills. Each attendee will create a small model housed in an acrylic box, using diverse and intriguing materials.

Local community groups have been invited to reserve a slot for this free workshop, which is available on the afternoons of 24th, 25th, and the morning and afternoon of 27th April. The project aims to provide a platform for residents to reflect on their personal connections to the square and envision its future.

Further details on the ongoing and future activities can be found on the project’s official website at www.sharingthesquare.org, and updates are regularly posted on their Instagram account @sharingthesquare.

The event has already attracted attention with various stakeholders, including Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, Danielle Thomas-Turner, and Guy Norman from Spacetocreate, contributing to the discussions and activities.

Photos from today’s activities can be viewed at The Edge Youth Centre’s social media, highlighting the community’s enthusiastic participation in shaping the future of Haverfordwest Castle Square.