News

Photography project kicks off

Published

11 years ago

February 10, 2015

MEMBERS of the public can help kick start a new photography project at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids by collecting plastic that has

Plastic Sea: Mike Perry

washed up on Pembrokeshire’s beaches.

North Pembrokeshire photographic artist Mike Perry will be using pieces of collected plastic to develop his series Môr Plastig (Welsh for ‘plastic sea’) in his role as Coastal Currents Artist in Residence at Oriel y Parc.

Môr Plastig focuses on images of washed-up, decayed items of plastic beach objects, including shoes, bottles and bags.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Arts Development Officer Kate Wood, said: “During his residency, Mike will be reaching out of the confines of the studio space to engage members of the public in the creation of a new work that responds to and engages with our coastal environment. His residency will also draw connections with the current exhibition Natural Images – Historic Photography Uncovered,which is on display in the main gallery at Oriel y Parc.”

People can get involved by joining community beach cleans at four locations on Sunday February 1. Mike is looking for items of plastic that look interesting and that may have a story.

He will be picking up collected plastic at Freshwater East at 1pm, Freshwater West at 2pm, West Dale at 3pm and Newgale at 4pm. Alternatively, people can bring their plastic finds to Oriel y Parc by 4pm on Sunday February 1.

Those taking part should take care when picking up the plastic. They should wear protective gloves, ignore glass, medical objects or nasty looking chemicals and never take risks over slippery rocks. They should also watch out for fast moving tides.

The collected plastic will be taken to Oriel y Parc and selected pieces will be photographed by Mike, and displayed in an exhibition in the studio commencing March 13.

Mike added: “It’s hard to study our coastline today without being aware of plastic pollution. My art involves collecting and photographing pieces of plastic that have been shaped by the sea. They are landscapes, but micro landscapes that people might walk past without noticing nature’s sublime power inscribing itself on the man-made.”

Mike Perry’s Coastal Currents residency, which runs until March 31, is supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru-National Museum Wales and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

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

41 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.