News

Badger’s Easter message

Published

10 years ago

March 5, 2015

badgerseastereggs HELLO, READERS. Badger begins this week by acknowledging a grave error In last week’s column. In that article. Badger described the IPPG Cabinet as “a gang of time-serving nincompoops.” He apologises: Shelley wrote Ozymandias, not Keats. You know how it is. readers: distracted by the sheer commonplace idiocy of Jamie Adams saying that -change is never popular- (think winning the lottery. bucko!) Badger got his nineteenth century poets confused. Readers of Badger’s past columns will recall that he has. occasionally, expressed views which might lead his readers to suggest that while he appreciates and understands that others are possessed of religious faith. Badger is rather more sceptical. Badger is sceptical about many things: UFO’s. ghosts, the Loch Ness Monster, and conspiracy theories of any stripe.

Simply because some things are on the periphery of understanding does not mean that they cannot or could not be explained. With the caveat that Ken Rowlands clearly defies explanation. Every year. in December. national newspapers of a certain type produce acres of newsprint bewailing the loss of the spirit of Christmas. At some point in such an article painted wooden soldiers. nutcrackers. tangerines and the words “traditional Christmas fayre” appear with startling regularity. Along with an exhortation to say “Hurrah for the Black Shirts!” Easter is different. For an event that should be a celebration. there’s an awful lot of moping around and glumness. One expects on or around religious festivals a given number of (necessarily) pious pronouncements by Church leaders. a reaching for meaning and relevance.

But readers , are you ready for the zillionth showing of The Robe. Quo Vadis. The Greatest Story Ever Told, or Ben Hur as TV networks try to strike the right note of constipated cinemascope solemnity/ When he attended secondary school. Badger remembers one fervently devout teacher espousing the opinion that the television series Jesus of Nazareth, starring Robert Powell. was a blasphemous trivialisation of the message of the Gospels. Even then, Badger remembers thinking that this was a pretty rum position: now. Badger thinks it ignores – providing one believes in an all-knowing and all-powerful God – the likelihood that such a deity would be as much behind the making of television programmes and popular entertainments as he would be behind the oscillations of the stars in the heavens and the existence of the beasts of the field.

And that. for Badger, sitting in his sett and occasionally scratching his head, is at the heart of Badger’s Easter message. If you are inclined to believe in a deity. your faith does not exist in a vacuum. The world changes: faith – does not necessarily change but the context in which one exercises it does. A god – or gods. whatever one believes – did not create an unchanging world. The world might be “without end” but it is not pickled. Change, if one is inclined to believe Jamie Adams (please see above. then take two of the 80mg tablets and go for a lie down), is never popular. Badger could not agree less. Change for the better, whether personal or collective is always popular. It isonly with some people that some change is unpopular. For example the National Health Service is a jewel in the crown of public welfare provision. When it was first proposed it was as unpopular with the BMA as free thought is the County Council’s Cabinet.

The medical profession attended the NilS’s inception in the same way as – according to the Christian bible – Pharisees and Sadducees regarded the person of Jesus. Or as the !PPG greets scrutiny. Badger believes that change is the motor that drives us all forward: a necessary part of living; an essential pan of our growth as human beings. Badger notes that if you are a Christian. your faith is rooted in a radical change in Judaism that your belief tells you took place two millennia ago. While religious faith might he “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”, scripture is itself endlessly changeable. Politics – both worldly and ecclesiastical – as much as faith were behind the collation of the New Testament in the third and fourth centuries and the finalization of the Old Testament around the same time.

The same considerations underpinned the creed at the heart of the Christian faith. As Badger has noted before: words, even ones supposedly divinely inspired. are slippery and elusive. In such a way, doctrine and dogma change while faith can remain constant. Direction of travel remains the same. even when the highway code changes. And so it is with marriage. There’s been an awful lot of hullabaloo about same sex marriage in the sort of papers that buy into Christianity periodically and selectively. At the same time there has been an outpouring of outrage by those who regard the idea of changing the institution of marriage as a sign of the approaching end of times. Badger’s readers might know that before 1753 there was no statutory law underpinning marriage. The absence of banns or a licence – or even the fact that the marriage was not celebrated in a church – did not render the marriage void.

Then Parliament regularised and regulated marriage by statute. Statutes are drawn up and passed – however one regards George Osborne – by humans. And it is by humans they are changed. Human-made law governs the worldly actions of all of us. We render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Badger remembers reading that somewhere. Since 1753. it is the law of the land that has governed marriage. And now the law has changed. It has
changed because the: ad has changed and so has society. Put it this way, if the English language had not mutated and evolved we would have no way of describing how we live. We would be like the French: fighting a losing battle against the modern world of le weekend, e-mail. le parking and le budget. And readers, nobody – surely, nobody! – wants to be like the French.

Business

New development in Haverfordwest showcased to Welsh Government

Published

29 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council toured Augustus Grange, a new housing development in Haverfordwest created by Lovell in partnership with housing association Pobl Group.

The development, located off St David’s Road, will provide 115 two and three-bedroom homes, including 36 homes for open market sale and 79 affordable homes. Of these, 37 will be available through Shared Ownership, and 42 will be for affordable rent.

The Welsh Government has contributed more than £8.6 million through its Social Housing Grant to fund the affordable rent homes, addressing a significant demand for accessible housing options in the area.

A collaborative vision

During the visit, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, praised the project’s contribution to increasing housing availability.

“Delivering more homes is a key priority for this government, and it’s fantastic to support Lovell and Pobl’s vision for Augustus Grange,” she said. “This investment will provide high-quality, affordable housing for individuals and families in Haverfordwest.”

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey, and Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman, also attended alongside other officials, including Gaynor Toft, Head of Housing, and David Meyrick, Housing Strategy and Affordable Housing Manager.

Cllr Bateman highlighted the importance of the development: “Increasing affordable housing is a key priority, and it’s fantastic to see a mix of open market, affordable, and social rent homes being developed in our county town.”

Progress on display

Lovell and Pobl showcased the site, including the sales office and a newly launched Lambourne-style show home. The Augustus Grange development is Lovell’s first project in West Wales and represents a key part of its growth strategy.

“We are incredibly proud of Augustus Grange,” said James Duffett, Lovell’s Regional Managing Director. “This project demonstrates our team’s achievements, combining the best of our partnerships and sales expertise to create a development people will be proud to call home.”

Designed for community

Claire Tristham, Director of Development at Pobl Group, underscored the collaborative effort behind the project.

“This development secures much-needed housing for the community, designed to meet high sustainability standards, ensuring affordability in both rent and heating costs,” she said.

The site’s proximity to Haverfordwest’s rich history and natural beauty further enhances its appeal. Future residents will enjoy access to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Haverfordwest Castle, and excellent shopping and commuter links.

To learn more about Augustus Grange, visit www.lovell.co.uk or call 01437 468 024. Sales offices are open Thursday to Monday, 10:00am to 5:00pm.

News

Body of missing woman found near Llanwrtyd Wells

Published

45 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed the discovery of a woman’s body during the search for 62-year-old Sally, who was reported missing from Llanwrtyd Wells on Monday (Nov 18).

A spokesperson for the police said: “We are saddened to confirm the body of a woman has been found during the search for Sally.

“Formal identification has not yet taken place, but her family has been informed. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing.

Officers are urging anyone with information that might assist the investigation to come forward.

Sally was last seen at her home around 1:30pm on Monday.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police via social media, email at [email protected], or by calling 101, quoting reference DP-20241118-296.

Entertainment

Carew Castle’s ‘Glow’: A festive wonderland of light and music awaits

Published

1 hour ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAREW CASTLE is thrilled to invite families and visitors of all ages to experience Glow – a magical event illuminating the season every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 29 November to 15 December, between 4:30pm and 7:30pm.

Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a stunning display of lights throughout the Walled Garden, creating an enchanting atmosphere that leads into the heart of the festivities. At Nest Tearoom, visitors can indulge in seasonal treats, adding warmth and flavour to the experience.

This year’s event brings new areas and captivating displays, transforming the Castle into a Christmas wonderland with fresh elements designed especially for the 2024 season. Children are invited to join Santa’s Workshop Trail, an interactive adventure where they can hunt for clues hidden around the Castle, with a special treat awarded upon completion. Entry to the trail costs £2 per child.

Committed to sustainability, Glow’s impressive display uses only the most energy-efficient LED lights, designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising visual impact. The lighting setup uses approximately 85% less energy than traditional bulbs and can even operate from a single household socket.

Visitors will notice that all lighting is focused on the Castle’s east face and east range, illuminating beautifully preserved rooms such as the Lesser Hall, undercroft, chapel and kitchen, all decorated for the season and open to explore. To safeguard the resident bats, who have their own spaces within the Castle and are cherished members of the Carew community, lighting and access to certain areas are limited at night.

Adding to the festive spirit, local choirs and musical groups will fill the Lesser Hall with seasonal melodies each weekend, bringing an extra touch of holiday magic to the experience.

Due to high demand, visitors must pre-book arrival slots to secure entry. Tickets are available online, priced at £2.50 for adults and £1.50 for children aged 4-16 years. This nominal fee helps maintain and enhance Glow each year, ensuring it remains affordable for the community.

Free entry is offered to holders of annual passes, Carew parish residents, wheelchair users, and accompanying carers, though these visitors must also book online and present proof of eligibility.

Visitors purchasing tickets for daytime admission to the Castle and Grotto are welcome to attend Glow on the same evening without further booking.

For a full schedule of live performances, and for Castle and Nest Tearoom opening hours through November and December, please visit www.carewcastle.com