Community

Blue Marble Refill and Criwdem Celf thrive in new Carmarthen hub

Published

1 year ago

June 10, 2025

Urban Foundry and County Council support sustainable and creative regeneration of King Street

CARMARTHEN’S zero-waste shop, Blue Marble Refill, has gone from strength to strength after relocating to a larger, more central premises at 45 King Street. The move, made possible through an initiative supported by Carmarthenshire County Council and Urban Foundry, has breathed new life into a property that had stood empty for 18 months.

The relocation has enabled Blue Marble Refill to expand its reach, welcoming more customers and advancing its mission to promote sustainable living. The shop offers a wide range of refillable products—from food and household items to personal care essentials—and encourages customers to bring their own containers, helping reduce plastic waste and lower their environmental impact.

Owner Harriet Baggley said her goal goes beyond selling products. “I want to inspire people to change their habits and think more consciously about the planet,” she said.

Shared space fosters creativity

The new premises has also become home to Criwdem Celf CIC, a not-for-profit arts organisation founded by Harriet in collaboration with local artists Joanna Bond and Kelly-Marie Howlett. The space is now a vibrant hub where sustainability and creativity meet.

Criwdem Celf provides a platform for local artists to exhibit work, host community events, and run creative workshops. Recent highlights include the international touring exhibition Faces of Rebellion, celebrating climate activists, as well as regular family sessions, weekly artist socials, and support for local projects such as the Club Compostio initiative.

One artist taking part in the weekly socials said: “As someone who finds it difficult to stay motivated working alone, the social evenings have been incredibly valuable. It’s a supportive space that has encouraged me to keep creating and given me a sense of belonging.”

Criwdem Celf has already secured grant funding from the Town Council to host future creative events.

A landlord with vision
Harriet also praised local landlord Arwel Sharp, of Sharp Plumbing and Heating Ltd, for his backing.

“It’s been a pleasure seeing the revived bustle it has brought to King Street,” said Arwel. “As a proud Carmarthen man, this project has not only helped fill an empty space but created lasting friendships and working relationships.”

Urban Foundry’s role

Key to the success of the move was the involvement of Urban Foundry, specialists in pop-up regeneration schemes. The organisation worked closely with Harriet and the Council to identify the right premises and facilitate the transition.

Harriet said: “Carmarthenshire County Council and Urban Foundry have unlocked a new level of growth for my microbusiness. We’ve just signed a five-year lease following a successful pop-up period, and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Tara Tarapetian, Director of Urban Foundry, added: “It’s been a joy supporting Harriet. Her values align perfectly with ours, and it’s exciting to see how projects like this can revitalise town centres while promoting sustainable choices.”

Urban Foundry is working across Ammanford, Carmarthen, and Llanelli to bring empty town centre spaces back into use, drawing on previous success in Swansea, Bridgend, and Caerphilly.

Council support for local regeneration

Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “The transformation of 45 King Street is a prime example of the regeneration we’re championing. It supports not just our economy, but also creativity, sustainability, and community wellbeing. Projects like these are central to our long-term strategy for revitalising town centres across Carmarthenshire.”

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

13 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

14 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

17 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)