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Zoned digging introduced at The Gann

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The Gann: Site of Special Scientific Interest

The Gann: Site of Special Scientific Interest

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) has introduced dig and no-dig zones at The Gann, Pembrokeshire in order to protect its biodiversity.

The Gann is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) found within the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is used heavily for bait digging.

There have been concerns for some time that the large scale digging has the potential to impact on the biodiversity of the Gann.

Following recent partnership work NRW may now be a step closer to managing these impacts.

Recreational digging requires no licence because anyone can dig for bait that is for personal use whereas commercial diggers need the land owner’s permission.

Problems arise when commercial diggers try and pass themselves off as recreational because the two are very hard to tell apart.

The environmental damage caused by uncontrolled bait digging is not a problem unique to the Gann so any management strategy must address commercial and recreational digging equally.

NRW was very fortunate in that The Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Relevant Authorities Group (SACRAG) were able to fund a review which considered case studies from across the UK.

This proved to be invaluable in understanding the different options available to us and where the responsibilities lie.

Sue Burton, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer, organised a series of meetings where stakeholders agreed to zoning the beach into ‘dig’ and ‘no dig zones’.

Restricting bait collection through zoning will eventually require a byelaw or statutory instrument to back it up. A voluntary code will be used until byelaws are put in place.

Chris Lawrence, Senior Conservation Officer for NRW, said:

“Safeguarding habitats like this is one of NRW’s main priorities.

“The area is used by local businesses and residents alike so it’s important to protect the local habitat and biodiversity from excessive digging”

“Implementing the zoning plan will help protect biodiversity at the Gann and encourage habitat recovery while continuing to allow recreational digging activities and support industries like fishing.”

NRW completed a review of the available science during the summer of 2015 and with help from partners, investigated the wildlife of The Gann, both at the surface and within the sediment.

Early results indicate that the lower, sandier shore has a high level of species including red algae, peacock worms and sand mason worms.

The upper muddy/gravel shore had the highest levels of bait digging and lower amounts of species were recorded there.

Work is being done to determine whether this is because of the digging activity on site or a natural difference due to shore height.

In future, NRW hopes to repeat the survey to ensure the efficiency of the code of conduct and ensure that any additional or alternative management measures are based on solid evidence.

A sign was put up to inform bait collectors of the new code and NRW have begun activity monitoring to ensure people are following the new rules.

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Police ask motorists to avoid A44 trunk road due to heavy snowfall

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE have issued an appeal to motorists to avoid a 25 mile section of the A44 trunk road between Aberystwyth and Llangurig due to it being impassable due to heavy snowfall.

In a warning issued at 4am on their social media accounts the police said: “Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

Meanwhile, last night The Nags Head in Lampeter uploaded pictures of the snowy scenes in the area, and were encouraging customers to come in and sit next to their ‘nice warm fire’.

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Egg and farm shop to open at award-winning west Wales farm

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A SCHEME for a self-serve egg and farm shop at an award-winning 32,000-chicken Ceredigion farm, to allow it to receive a UK Shared Prosperity fund grant, has been approved by county planners.

Ben Edkins, of Edkins Eggs, Coed Farm, Cilcennin sought permission to site a self-serve farm shop on an existing yard area at the site.

A supporting letter submitted through agent Morgan & Flynn Architectural Services described it as “a more advanced version of an egg stand, with honesty box, which has been a staple for people producing eggs for centuries”.

It added: “This method of selling eggs has already proven to be a hit with communities in Ceredigion, given the success of the already established egg dispenser located in Aberystwyth town centre.”

Family-owned Edkins Eggs, which supplies multiple businesses across the area with eggs, including Aberaeron’s Y Seler, Hive, Harbourmaster, and Costcutters, has been awarded a grant to cover the cost of part of the proposal, on the condition that planning approval is granted, the statement added.

“The grant, which is a UK shared prosperity fund for the Mid Wales region as part of the ‘Cynnal Y Cardi Fund’ provided by Ceredigion County Council was granted in December 2023.

“For this grant to be claimed, it is required that planning permission is granted, the construction is completed and also the egg dispensers are implemented by December 2024. This gives the applicants a 12-month window from the point of the grant awarded to completion of proposal.”
The building itself will include a solar panel array providing the power for the egg dispensing unit and lighting, and it is hoped to create one extra job at 227-acre Coed Farm, home to 32,000 chickens producing free range eggs, 90 beef cattle and 200 sheep.

A green infrastructure statement by the agent added: “The creation of this building to house the self-serve farm shop to enhance the established family-owned business ‘Edkins Eggs’, which also has provisions to allow for other local companies producing items such as vegetables and honey to sell their products, will provide a facility for the local community to purchase locally produced goods directly from the supplier.

“This will not only provide an enhanced shopping experience in terms of being able to purchase directly from the farm, which could act as an educational benefit especially for children, but also provide the additional facility of a small-scale shop to the local area, whereas currently the community would either have to travel to the service centres of either Aberaeron or Felinfach.”

The application was conditionally approved under delegated powers.

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Entertainment

John Singer Sargent’s ‘Fashion & Swagger’ to light up the Torch

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IN an unparalleled celebration of one of the late 19th century’s most revered portrait artists, the Torch Theatre is set to host “John Singer Sargent – Fashion & Swagger” on Tuesday, 16 April, at 7:30 pm. This innovative exhibition, brought to life by Exhibition on Screen, delves into the remarkable artistry of John Singer Sargent, whose portraits are celebrated for their intricate depiction of his subjects’ persona, attire, and the subtleties of their presentation.

The event promises an insightful exploration of Sargent’s influence on modern art, culture, and fashion, featuring interviews with a diverse group of curators, contemporary fashion icons, and style influencers. Filmed at prestigious venues like the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and Tate Britain in London, the exhibition unveils Sargent’s extraordinary ability to capture the essence of his subjects’ identities, social standings, and the complexities of gender through his art during a pivotal time of cultural transformation.

Phil Grabsky, one of the producers behind this compelling film, shared his enthusiasm for spotlighting Sargent’s genius, stating, “As filmmakers, both director David Bickerstaff and I have been thrilled to make this film about Sargent, someone I consider a truly astounding artist.” Grabsky further reflected on the curious case of Sargent’s fading recognition despite his once-celebrated status and affirmed Exhibition on Screen’s commitment to revitalizing interest in artists who deserve renewed attention.

The exhibition promises a fascinating juxtaposition of over 50 of Sargent’s paintings with authentic items of clothing and accessories donned by his subjects, offering audiences a unique passage into the artist’s creative realm. It underscores how Sargent’s subjects, often hailing from affluent backgrounds, entrusted him with their public images — a theme that resonates with the ongoing dialogue around the construction of identity in the public eye.

Tickets for “John Singer Sargent – Fashion & Swagger” are available for £13. Those interested can secure their spots by visiting www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contacting the Box Office at 01646 695267.

For further details and imagery, or to arrange press inquiries, please reach out to Anwen Francis (Marketing, Press & Communications) via email at [email protected] or phone at 07854 772640.

ENDS

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