News

Sun shines on Sensory Garden opening day

Published

8 years ago

July 12, 2016

At the opening ceremony: (l-r) Cllr Collier, Claire Gray, Cllr David Bryan, Mrs Leney (all school governors)
Headteacher Mrs O’Brien, Charles Young, Head of the LRC Mrs Byres, and Deputy Head Mrs Jones

AFTER MONTHS of hard work from a small band of dedicated volunteers, Mount Airey School’s ‘Sensory Garden’ was officially opened on Thursday , June 23.

The garden will provide opportunities for pupils, many of whom have highly complex needs, to access the outdoor environment in a ‘safe, engaging, and multi-sensory manner.’

The Sensory Garden was the brainchild of Milford Haven father Charles ‘Boney’ Young, whose son, Cai, was a pupil at the school’s Learning Resource Centre for four years.

Charles told The Herald: “In September 2012 , my youngest son was sent to speech and language therapy as a non-verbal child .

Speech and Language then put us into contact with the Doctors at Withybush Hospital for assessment of ASD.

“Not long after this , he was sent to Mount Airey. Needless to say , the results were outstanding and his speech , motor skills and confidence soon started to flourish .

“ In September 2015 , Cai was at an age where it was time for him to leave Mount Airey. In the final days of his schooling at this amazing school, I began chatting with Mrs O’Brien about how grateful I was to the school and its staff for all that they had done for Cai .

“I then suggested I could put Mount Airey up for a chance at a vote to win funding to help the school and , specifically , the LRC unit.”

Charles has previously raised funds for a number of charities, including Clic Sargent and the Cleft Lip and Palate Association, through the Charity Angling Festival, which was supported by The Herald in 2015.

After seeing a presentation from Mount Airey pupils in which they put forward the idea for a Sensory Garden in the school, the project was put forward for the funding competition

by the Charity Angling Festival. After a public vote on social media, Mount Airey LRC were confirmed winners with 75% of the vote.

After the Charity Angling Festival proved to be a resounding success, the hard work really began. After consulting with staff and pupils, a design for the garden, which focuses on providing individual and combined sensory opportunities for the user that they may not normally experience, was put forward.

After the plans were then developed, Lee Canny , of Canllin, prepared the necessary method statements and risk assessments for the work to take place.

Once the plans were approved, work could commence on clearing the site of the Sensory Garden – a plot of land adjoining the school which had been left to run wild for years.

Work started towards the end of 2015, and the site was eventually cleared. However, rain and gales hampered the efforts of Charles and fellow volunteers, Lawrence Drake and Byron Thomas-Jenkins.

Once Spring finally arrived, though, work was able to progress. Astonishing progress was made in turning a patch of wasteland into a feast for all the senses although , due to other commitments , Charles found himself regularly working alone.

Haverfordwest Mayor , Sue Murray , and local County Councillor, Jonathan Collier , also offered their support, with Jonathan even building the chimes and putting in a shift on the cement mixer!

Staff and pupils took the opportunity to thank Charles and his wife Claire for all their hard work at the opening ceremony on Thursday. Mount Airey pupils gave him a rapturous round of applause and sang a song dedicated to him before Cai cut the ribbon to officially open the garden on his return to the school.

On behalf of the pupils, parents, staff and Governing Body, Headteacher Mrs Cora O’Brien thanked the Young family for their tremendous generosity in creating a wonderful sensory garden.

She described it as: “A place to listen, a place to see, a place to smell, a place to taste, a place to touch.

“A place where we can all endeavour to remain forever young.”

Speaking after the event, Charles said: “I would personally like to thank Mrs O’Brien, Mrs Jones and Mrs Byres for allowing me to attend today. While I’m thanking individuals, I would also like to say a big thanks to Cllr Jonathan Collier and Chris , the Sheriff of Last Year , for attending today, and also to Cllr Sue Murray who was unable to attend. You have been instrumental in providing me with the emotional support to carry this out. I would also like to thank my wife and family, who often didn’t see me as I was up the garden at every dry opportunity.

“Everyone says that their school is their home away from home, but for these teachers and pupils , both past and present , this is their home, their playground and a stage for them to perform.

“The teachers here have taught friendship and given lessons in life, while conveying the values of authority and humbleness with equal perfection.

“ Today we were able to share in a dream that was once nothing but a passing comment in conversation.”

Even after the garden was completed, there were still funds remaining . After consulting with the teachers, it was arranged that some of the money should be put towards hiring a coach and sending the pupils and teachers of the LRC Unit on a free trip to Folly Farm, with the remainder to be put towards more gardening equipment for the Sensory Garden.

However, although the finishing touches were still being put to the Garden on the morning of the opening, Charles has no plans to rest on his laurels yet, and has planned to walk the Pembrokeshire Coast al Path without any food, money or camping gear later this summer to raise money for other good causes.

Charles thanked a number of people who contributed materials and expertise to the project free -of -charge, including Gareth Phillips at A and C Aggregate Tiers Cross, who provided sand, stone and concrete, Phillip and Steven Thomas of Tbs Turf, Lee Canny of Canllin, Andrew Gray and Son Plant Hire, local resident Fern Jones who donated the blocks for the wall, Scales and Tails who donated a fountain and pump, and finally The Pembrokeshire Herald and all the anglers who fished the Charity Angling Festival last year, who made it all possible.

Thomas Sinclair, Herald Editor, said: “Our newspaper is proud to support such an important community project, and we wish it every success for the future.”

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

2 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

6 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

17 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.