POLICE and Crime Commissioner joins construction students on tour of Dyfed-Powys Police Custody Suite Construction Site

As part of a national open doors to construction sites campaign, this week there is an opportunity for the public in Carmarthenshire to go on site with construction company Willmott Dixon, to see construction work going ahead on the new Dyfed-Powys Police Custody suite in Dafen, Llanelli Carmarthenshire as it nears completion.

Today, 14 March 2023, Police and Crime Commissioner was invited to attend one of the site tours with a group of construction students from nearby Coleg Sir Gar.

As part of the open doors event, members of the public are shown around a construction of approximately 4000m2 over two storeys, that includes 18 new cell custody suites, interview rooms, cells, charge desk, open plan office space and associated meeting rooms and a significant area for mechanical and electrical plant. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “This is a major investment for us which will see an ambitious, modern, sustainable fit for purpose policing hub and custody suite that will meet the needs and expectations of modern policing.

“I am grateful for Willmott Dixon, for including the construction site on the menu of construction sites for the national Open Doors campaign this week.  I’ve worked extremely hard with partners over recent years to ensure that we get to this position, and it was great to be able to walk around the building today with a group of students from Coleg Sir Gar as it nears completion.”

The new Carmarthenshire Custody Suite, based in Dafen Llanelli, will offer a more sustainable environment, while also help protect natural resources.  Amongst some of the sustainable credentials of the new building will be a photovoltaic solar power installation to minimise the carbon footprint of the building; a rainwater harvesting facility for toilets and non-potable water, and electric car charging facilities.

LAST week staff and students from Pembrokeshire College were delighted to be able to officially open their teaching space at Folly Farm.

Designed for Level 3 Animal Management learners, this unique teaching facility exemplifies what can be achieved by educators and employers working in partnership.

Jointly funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire College, the facility opened for learners just prior to lockdown back in February 2020. Overlooking the rhino enclosure, learners are exposed to a wide variety of opportunities including shadowing zookeepers and working with exotic species – opportunities made possible due to their location at the centre of a working zoo.

During the opening Chris Ebsworth, Folly Farm Managing Director, highlighted the excellent opportunities that are available to learners; not only in working directly with animals, but also in the wider field of conservation. Meanwhile, learner Georgia Pike gave her perspective on what the centre brings to learners. Being based at Folly Farm provides a truly unique learning experience, something that just wouldn’t be possible on the main College campus.

MP Simon Hart rounded off by cutting the ribbon and officially opening the centre. The opening was also attended by representatives from Pembrokeshire County Council, Coleg Sir Gar, CITB and The John Burns Foundation (Burns in the Community).

OVER 40 young musicians from across Pembrokeshire recently enjoyed a weekend residential trip to Cardiff as part of the Pembrokeshire Music Service String Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Band. The purpose of the weekend was to enjoy music making and, most importantly, to have fun!

Saturday started with sessions with guest conductors, Christopher Vale (Wind Band) and Roger Clarkson (String Orchestra). Christopher is a professional bassoonist who performed with the Welsh National Opera for over 30 years while Roger is a former Director of Music with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain.

The pupils worked extremely hard throughout the day, improving the pieces they are preparing for the Music for Youth Regional auditions in March.

A final rehearsal session on Sunday morning culminated in the groups performing to one another, and it was fantastic to see the improvement in pieces in only a day of rehearsing. Later, pupils watched the BBC NOW perform Faure, Messiaen and Brahms at St. David’s Hall. For many, this was their first professional concert experience.

“We are immensely grateful to the conductors for sharing their time and expertise with us this weekend” said Miranda Morgan, music coordinator for PMS who organised the trip. “This weekend has undoubtedly been a really valuable experience for our pupils in so many ways and they have been a credit to themselves and their families.”

Philippa Roberts, head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, added: “Learning an instrument and playing together in an ensemble allows each and every pupil to share and communicate a wide range of emotions, provides a strong sense of achievement and also makes lifelong friends and memories.

“I am proud that Pembrokeshire Music Service is able to continue to provide these valuable experiences for our young musicians. Many thanks to the dedicated tutors who go above and beyond to encourage and nurture the next generation of ambitious, capable and confident learners.”

The conductors were full of praise for the pupils, with Christopher Vale saying it was ‘a great pleasure to conduct the pupils of the Pembrokeshire Music Service over the weekend’.

“They worked so hard and the results were stunning! Please pass on my best wishes to all involved. What a great opportunity for the pupils to learn and develop their musical skills.”

Pupils now look forward to preparing for their Music for Youth regional festival auditions in Porthcawl at the end of March.