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Carmarthenshire takes leading role in latest Celtic Noir – ‘Out There’

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Carmarthenshire looks set to take another leading role as the location for ITV’s highly anticipated gritty drama ‘Out There’,

Produced by Buffalo Pictures and starring Martin Clunes, the programme will be aired on January 19.

The news means that Carmarthenshire is fast gaining recognition as a hub for the Celtic Noir genre of filming, and the new six-part thriller joins the many TV and film productions which have been drawn by the county’s dramatic, beguiling landscapes and attractive market towns.

It follows on from the highly acclaimed BBC’s Keeping Faith as well as The Light in the Hall/ Y Golau for Channel 4.

‘Out There’ will showcase Carmarthenshire’s natural beauty against the malice of an insidious crime wave sweeping the British countryside, led by county lines drug dealers and urban gangs that use the countryside as their field of operations.  Martin Clunes stars as farmer and single parent, Nathan Williams, who runs a farm which has been in his family for generations.

Many of the filing locations can now be visited by following Discover Carmarthenshire’s new ‘Set Jetter Trail’ which provides insider tips on how best to follow the sometimes eerie paths that many stars have taken around the county.

Community

Canolfan Bethlehem: A new Welsh heritage, culture and arts centre

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A HISTORIC chapel in Newport, Pembrokeshire, is set to become a vibrant hub for Welsh heritage, culture, and the arts. Bethlehem Baptist Chapel, now transformed into Canolfan Bethlehem, will celebrate and preserve the rich history and language of the local area, known as Trefdraeth.

The ambitious project was made possible by the dedication and generosity of local residents and investors, who raised an impressive £145,000 in just 14 days. Following the successful auction purchase in October 2024, the management group has been working behind the scenes to develop its vision, secure further funding, and plan a series of cultural events.

Preserving Welsh heritage

Chapels have historically played a crucial role in preserving the Welsh language, serving as community hubs throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. At a time when English dominated official and educational settings, chapels became strongholds of Welsh identity, fostering literacy, music, and cultural continuity. Today, Canolfan Bethlehem continues this tradition, ensuring that Welsh heritage remains at the heart of the community.

Upcoming Events at Canolfan Bethlehem

The centre is preparing to launch a programme of events celebrating Welsh history and culture. The first of these include:

  • February 26, 7:00pm – Historian Angela V. John presents Becoming Visible: Statues and Plaques of Welsh Women, exploring the stories behind commemorations of influential Welsh women.
  • March 1, 10:30am – As part of the Bore Coffi Dewi (St David’s Day Coffee Morning), Hefin Wyn will give a talk on Pembrokeshire Radicals, highlighting the region’s history of activism and change. Attendees can enjoy a traditional Welshcake and sing-song.
  • March 21 – Emyr Phillips will deliver a fascinating talk on the history of the Cardi Bach Railway.

For more information, visit Canolfan Bethlehem’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/canolfanbethlehem or email [email protected].

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Milford Haven Town Council holding special meeting on library’s future

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A SPECIAL meeting of Milford Haven Town Council is set to take place this evening (Monday, February 17) to discuss the future of Milford Haven Library. However, the meeting will be held behind closed doors under Section 100A(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, meaning that members of the public and press will not be permitted to attend.

The provision allows councils to exclude public access when confidential information is discussed. While the outcome of the meeting will be made available in due course, details remain limited at this stage.

HOPE FOR A POSITIVE OUTCOME

Town Councillors Malcolm Wood and Mark Woodward have been actively involved in the discussions surrounding the library’s future. While unable to speak on behalf of the council as a whole, Councillor Wood expressed optimism about the outcome of ongoing efforts, stating that he and Cllr Woodward have dedicated significant time and effort to securing a resolution that will be satisfactory to both the town and library users.

“I know there is a lack of faith and concern among the public right now, and this is one of the reasons I rejoined the Town Council – to help where I can,” said Cllr Wood. “I ask for patience and faith, as all going well, the work that has been done over the past week will lead to a positive outcome.”

He further indicated that his personal goal was to ensure the library service remains intact in its current form, though the final decision rests with the Town Council following the meeting.

ONGOING UNCERTAINTY

The debate over Milford Haven Library’s future comes as Pembrokeshire County Council continues to seek cost-cutting measures, with proposals that could see the library relocated or transferred into a Community Managed Partnership. With the County Council’s final budget decision expected on February 20, the outcome of this evening’s closed meeting could be a crucial step in determining the library’s fate.

Residents and library supporters now await further details on what was discussed and whether a viable solution has been reached to safeguard this key community facility.

COUNCILLOR COMMENTS

Councillor Lee Bridges also addressed the situation, acknowledging the public’s concerns and the importance of transparency. He stated that while details remain confidential for now, both he and Councillor Mark Woodward have worked hard over the past week to ensure the best possible outcome for the library.

“I have to be cautious in what I say as an appropriate press release will be provided in due course. However, I can say that both myself and Councillor Mark Woodward have put a lot of our time and effort into this issue. While I cannot speak for the rest of Milford Haven Town Council, we feel very hopeful that a positive outcome is imminent—one that I hope will be well received by both the council and the town.”

Bridges further reassured residents, stating, “I understand the lack of faith and concern in the general public, and that is one of the reasons I rejoined the Town Council—to try and do my bit to help where I can. My goal throughout this has been to ensure the library continues to operate as it does now and remains a valuable service for the public.”

While the final decision rests with the Town Council as a whole, his comments suggest that significant behind-the-scenes efforts have been made to preserve the library in its current form.

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Community

New trauma support workshops launching in Haverfordwest

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A NEW 10-week course which will help people understand and cope with their trauma is launching in Haverfordwest on March 19th.

The Trauma Toolkit Workshops will help participants try out practical techniques, skills and ideas about managing the impact of trauma.

The workshops are run by Pathway Counselling, a local mental health charity which is part of PATH (Pembrokeshire Action for The Homeless).

There will be two group sessions held every Wednesday from March 19th, the first for women at 10am – 12pm, and then a second for men at 2pm – 4pm.

The sessions will take place at The Green Shed, Old Hakin Road, SA61 1XF.

The workshops will be led by Meriel Goss, who has been offering practical sessions to cope with the impact of trauma for 10 years.

She trained at The Trauma Centre, Justice Resource Centre, Boston where Dr Bessel van De Kolk, author of The Body Keep the Score researched trauma therapies and approaches.

Meriel is also an Adlerian counsellor at Pathway Counselling and a regular at their offices at 19 Market Street, Haverfordwest.

Meriel said about the workshops: “Trauma is something that can impact any and every aspect of your life, so having a safe environment to learn more about it, and how to cope with it, is so important.

“Pathway Counselling ran a shorter trauma course last year which was extremely popular, so the need for another, bigger course was clear.

“The sessions aren’t a processing space for sharing your stories, and it’s perfect for people who maybe don’t feel like they are ready for counselling sessions.

“When you sign up the workshops, I always have a discovery call with you beforehand, which lay rest to any nerves.”

The sessions are free for anyone who is low income or on benefits.

The low cost sessions are available for £58 (standard) / £28 (concessionary).

To book, call Pathway Counselling on 01437 765335, email [email protected] or visit www.pathwaycounselling.co.uk

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