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Community

Compulsion to Paint is ‘inspiring’

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[L to R] Barry John MBE and Steve Portwood: Showcasing Clashing Tornadoes as part of Compulsion to Paint

THE HERALD attended the fantastic show, Compulsion to Paint by Steve Portwood at The VC Gallery on Wednesday (Feb 8).

The work by Mr Portwood coincides with Bi-Polar Awareness Month, and truly is astounding. His work perfectly captures what it feels like to be plagued by depression, with dramatic, thought-provoking pieces of art.

Mr Portwood spoke to The Herald, and explained what his art work meant to him. We were shown a painting entitled Whirlpool, with it’s deep blue colours containing words that describe the feelings that you may have whilst suffering from depression.

Mr Portwood said: “With this piece, I was trying to show that you can feel suffocated in your own misery and pity, and the words tell you what you can feel.”

Next up was a dark piece called Clashing Tornadoes. Mr Portwood said: “This is the other end of the scale. This shows the manic stages of bipolar, when you’re feeling destructive and chaotic.”

Another piece entitled On The Rapids, showed a boat full of men wearing clothing that was suitable for being out on the water. All except one man at the back of the boat, wearing no safety clothing at all, siting with his knees up to his chest.

Mr Portwood explained: “The person at the back is throwing caution to the wind. He is beyond courageous, because he has no fear. It shows the impulsiveness and the recklessness you sometimes feel, because you simply don’t care any more.”

Breaking Chains was a piece that said ‘Live without restraints’, and shows a chain containing all of the words that Mr Portwood associates with depression.

Mr Portwood said: “Breaking Chains is a way of saying don’t let depression hold you back. and don’t let your diagnosis define who you are or stop you from doing the things you want to do.”

The Herald asked Mr Portwood how it felt to see his work on display, and what he hopes to achieve. He said: “I feel proud of what I’ve got. I wasn’t sure it would look as good as it does!

“Art helped me at the time. It helpoed me to keep busy and not let things get on top of me. And, if people like it, that’s great!

“I think the more stuff that’s out there about depression the better educated we are about it. Hopefully people who may have had these feelings before can see that they’re not alone. I hope they can see within the paintings and know they can live without restraints and live a normal life.

“Be yourself, not your illness.”

Barry John MBE, founder of The VC Gallery said: “Steve’s work is very passionate and reflective, and he works with an aim to portray a message, and to destigmatise mental health in the community.

“He paints biographically, but also can turn a hand to all styles of the artistic spectrum. I am confident when I say that Steve is one of the most productive and hard working members of the community at The VC Gallery. His shows are inspiring and a lot of mental health organisations have taken a huge interest in his work.”

Mr Portwood has also received international recognition, and his work will be sent to Italy to go on display in March.

Community

Spectacular evening of music at Ysgol Greenhill

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MUSIC lovers can enjoy a wonderful evening of entertainment at Ysgol Greenhill in Tenby next week, featuring talent straight from the West End.

The Denmark Street Big Band will headline the evening on Friday April 4.

The musical extravaganza also marks the launch of the Ysgol Greenhill Theatre to further promote and support the arts at the school and showcase the talents of young people.

The Denmark Street Big Band are a throwback to when exciting big bands electrified audiences and recreates the swinging sounds made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin among many others.

Having performed regularly on the London music circuit, the Denmark Street Band brings its show to Greenhill and will take to the stage with local favourites Tenby Male Voice Choir as part of the Choir’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

A special West End guest will also join the Choir to perform.

The event is also an opportunity to showcase incredible school talent and provide an opportunity for pupils to play alongside professional performers.

A further highlight will be a sneak preview of the return this summer of a major school production, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

This will be the first school production in six years and preparations are in full swing.

The event takes place at Ysgol Greenhill on Friday April 4 from 7pm. Ticket prices are £18 for adults and £16 for concessions.

For tickets, see https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/ and search Ysgol Greenhill or contact the school on 01834 840100.

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Community

New library system coming to Pembrokeshire Libraries

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Temporary disruption to services between 8th–28th May

PEMBROKESHIRE Libraries will be upgrading to a new library management system this spring. The switch will affect services between Wednesday, 8th May and Tuesday, 28th May, with temporary disruption to the systems that manage library membership, customer accounts, book loans, item details, and access to digital services.

During this time, the current system will be replaced by a temporary platform provided by the new supplier. While core borrowing services will continue, other services such as:

  • Book reservations and requests
  • Access to the online catalogue
  • Use of self-service machines

…will be unavailable until the transition is complete.

Normal service is expected to resume from Wednesday, 28th May, as libraries begin using the new system.

A new all-Wales library system

Pembrokeshire Libraries has joined the all-Wales Public Library Service consortium, supported by grant funding from the Welsh Government. The change in supplier will not only improve the quality of service for customers but also reduce costs.

Benefits of the new system include:

  • A more user-friendly online catalogue
  • Better account management tools
  • Easier access to e-books, audiobooks, and digital resources
  • A new events calendar for library users

There are no plans to close any libraries, including the Mobile Library and Library at Home service, during the transition. However, unstaffed access (Open Plus) at Narberth and Neyland libraries will be unavailable until the upgrade is complete.

You can still borrow books during the changeover, but you must bring your library card, as staff will be unable to access your details manually.

Loan extensions and overdue charges

  • Loan due dates between 8th May and 14th June will automatically be extended to Monday, 16th June (or your next library open day).
  • No overdue fines will be charged during this period.
  • Any existing fines or charges will be carried over to the new system.
  • Up to two years of your loan history will be transferred. If you wish to download your full loan history, you must do so by Tuesday, 7th May, via the library webpage:
    www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/libraries-and-culture

Statement from the Council

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “There will be some disruption to library services as we switch over to the new management system. As our library staff learn new skills, there may also be temporary issues with e-resources, so we kindly ask for your patience.

If customers remember to bring their library card, they can still borrow books as normal. From Wednesday, 28th May, we’ll start using the new and improved system.”


Key dates to remember

  • Tuesday, 9th April
    Last day to place reservations, stock requests, or inter-library loan requests (including Reading Groups).
  • Tuesday, 7th May
    Last day to use self-service machines and Open Plus unstaffed access.
    Final day for courtesy and overdue notices to be sent.
  • 8th May – 14th June
    No items will be due back during this period. All loans will be extended to Monday, 16th June (or next working day).
  • Wednesday, 28th May
    Expected start of new system roll-out (depending on each library’s opening days).
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Community

Police assist as loose horses cause concern near Pembroke Leisure Centre

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A GROUP of loose horses caused alarm near Pembroke Leisure Centre on Sunday (March 30), prompting a police response and reigniting concerns over the ongoing issue of fly-grazing in Pembrokeshire.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended the scene to ensure public safety and attempt to secure the animals, which had been spotted wandering in the area.

This latest incident comes amid growing frustrations over repeated occurrences of horses roaming freely on roads and public land, or on private land without the landowner’s permission.

The problem of fly-grazing—where horses are left to graze on land without consent—has become a serious issue across the county, with multiple cases reported in recent months including at St Daniels Hill in Pembroke. In that case, horses were eventually removed following a long struggle by landowner Paul Hay, who said the situation had caused significant distress and called for new legislation to protect the public.

Last month, one local resident reported her father suffered head injuries and wrote off his car after hitting a loose horse on the A477 in the dark. Despite the severity of the incident, no further police action was taken, fuelling anger among residents.

Fly grazing has become a huge problem in recent years, with a large increase in incidents in the last few months (Image: File)

County Councillor Jonathan Grimes has been liaising with local authorities and police in a bid to address the issue, while members of the public have also come forward to share experiences of property damage and road closures.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for a statement about the latest incident.

Anyone with concerns about loose horses which may cause a danger to traffic or pedestrians can call the police on 101. In an emergency, always call 999.

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