Pembrokeshire gallery invited to prestigious London venue

Published

1 year ago

December 2, 2024

A leading Pembrokeshire art gallery has been invited to exhibit at one of London’s most prestigious venues thanks to the innovative work of its director and curator, David Randell.

This year the Wales Contemporary exhibition will be exchanging its regular venue at Milford Haven’s Waterfront Gallery for the Garrison Chapel in Chelsea Barracks, which is run by the King’s Foundation.

“It’s a great honour for the Waterfront Gallery but also for all the international and local artists who have been entering the competition for the past six years,” David Randell told The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“The standard of work they submit is truly amazing, so for them to have the opportunity to exhibit at the Kings Foundation Gallery in Chelsea Barracks is very special.”

David launched the Waterfront Gallery in 2002 after its predecessor – The Dockside Gallery – was closed down by the Port Authority. The Waterfront Gallery was subsequently registered as a charity, and has been run on a purely voluntary basis ever since.

“I knew just how important the former Dockside Gallery was to so many artists and craftspeople here in Pembrokeshire, so I was determined to do everything I could to keep it going,” he continued.

From the outset, David was committed to retaining a high standard of exhibits, and his ethos has continued through each of the gallery’s exhibitions, and this was what prompted the launch of The Wales Contemporary exhibition back in 2019.

“As we continued to see the Waterfront Gallery develop, we knew it was important to try and do something different. We wanted to tap into the international market, and so we launched the Wales Contemporary.”

Assisted by leading art consultant Penny Harris of Parker Harris, the international open fine art competition attracts some of the world’s most competitive and inspired artists in both two and three dimensional genres.

“We’ve watched the exhibition get bigger and bigger year on year,” continued David. “In its first year we saw around a hundred pieces of art and last year, we had 1,400 entries.”

The entries are then whittled down to approximately 110 pieces which are displayed in the exhibition.

The competition attracts artists from around 50 countries all over the world and includes sculptures, bronzes, needlework, pottery, enamelled copper pots and paintings.

Meanwhile David and his team of volunteers are seeking to raise £70,000 to fund the 2025 Welsh Contemporary exhibition at the Chelsea Barracks Chapel Gallery.

“Because we’re a charity, we’re now looking for sponsors who will all be invited to attend the official opening which will take place on St David’s Day,” he said. “The exhibition will also coincide with ‘Wales Week in London’ which celebrates all things Welsh that are based in London. So naturally this will be a very good marketing and advertising opportunity for all of our sponsors.”

The Wales Contemporary exhibition opens in London on February 24 and will continue until March 8. It will then move to the Waterfront Gallery, Milford Haven, where it will continue for the remainder of the month.

If anyone is interested in finding out more about how they can sponsor the exhibition they can contact David Randell at the Waterfront Gallery on 01646 695699.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

15 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

40 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

56 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.