A YOUNG MAN receiving treatment at a local mental health unit has found hope and inspiration through a piano donated in memory of Matt Baker – just days after the instrument arrived at the hospital.

Matt, affectionately known as “Mr Good Times” of Haverfordwest, passed away in March aged 49. In tribute, his family used donations from his funeral to gift a Yamaha electric piano to Bro Cerwyn Hospital, where Matt had spent the final months of his life.

Now, in a moving story shared by Matt’s mother, Phyllis Oostermeijer, one of the patients on Matt’s former ward has already been uplifted by the gift – reconnecting with music and even expressing an interest in attending local art charity The VC Gallery, which also received a donation in Matt’s name.

Phyllis said: “I am writing this with tears of joy and emotion running down my cheeks. A mother got in touch with me. Her son, who is on the same ward Matt was, had discovered the piano. He was playing from the music book that came with it and told his mum, ‘It’s beautiful – it makes me want to make music again.’”

The patient initially thought his own keyboard had been brought in from home. When he learned it was a gift donated in memory of Matt, whom he remembered playing and singing on the ward, he was moved.

“He told his mum how wonderful it was to listen to Matt sing and play,” said Phyllis. “Now that he knows Matt gave the piano and supported The VC Gallery, he says he wants to go there – somewhere he never previously wanted to visit.”

For Phyllis, the encounter has reaffirmed the family’s decision to donate the instrument: “Did we do right to decide on a piano? I think this confirms we did. Mental health wards are desperate for this kind of help – activities to help unwell people find themselves again.”

She added: “So Matt is helping from the grave – or from the sky. We have to keep helping where we can.”

The story has touched hundreds online and highlights the power of small acts of kindness and the enduring legacy of a man whose love for music and people continues to ripple through the community.

FRESH plans for a Pembrokeshire holiday park extension have been submitted after a high court judgement overturned a council approval against repeated officer recommendations for refusal.

In late 2023 councillors approved a contentious application by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd for works including the installation of 48 bases for holiday lodges, a spa facility at a former pub, holiday apartments, a café and cycle hire, equestrian stables, a manège and an associated office at Heritage Park, Pleasant Valley/Stepaside.

It was said the scheme, next to the historic remains of the 19th century Stepaside ironworks and colliery, would create 44 jobs.

The final decision was made at full council after members of the planning committee had twice supported the scheme against officer recommendations of refusal, based on the Local Development Plan, included the site being outside a settlement area.

Approval was given, by 37 votes to 16, with two abstentions, as it was considered that greater weight should be afforded to economic benefits of the scheme rather than policy.

Since that approval, a successful legal challenge was launched by Stepaside & Pleasant Valley Residents’ Group (SPVRG Ltd), who had objected to the original application.

A March High Court hearing presided by Judge Jarman KC recently ruled against the council decision, quashing that approval, and saying “the reason given by the council did not deal adequately with the important principal issues of development in the countryside, sustainability and precedent”.

It added: “Nor did it deal adequately with the important principal issue of the extent to which detrimental impact on existing sites was or should be taken into account when weighing the economic benefit of the proposed development. The economic assessment of the interested party expressly dealt with the latter, but not the former.”

It said the “major departure from countryside and sustainability policies is likely to have a lasting relevance for the question of policy in future cases,” and the “council’s resolution [was] simply to endorse the resolution of the planning committee, which predated the fuller report of the head of planning to the council.”

A fresh application has now been submitted by Heritage Leisure Development (Wales) Ltd, through agent Lichfields, which is identical to that previously approved, aimed at addressing issues raised in the recent judgement.

In its lengthy submissions, Lichfields says “it is clear that members can reach a decision that is contrary to the development plan without setting a precedent”.

It adds: “However, given that there remains a conflict with the plan policies, there is also a need to consider the nature of the 2024 scheme that comprise unique circumstances that mean that the decision would not set a precedent.”

Listing a long list of ‘unique circumstances’ reasons, it says: “Together the application offers a unique development which, when considered in its entirety, is a bespoke offering that means that there are specific reasons why the proposed development at Heritage Park should be granted and that in doing so, this will not be setting a precedent for future decisions.”

It finishes: “The council has already granted planning permission for the development with members having grappled with many of the issues raised in the judgment. We would welcome the council reaching the same decision while also setting out the requirements raised in the judgment as part of the reasons for granting planning permission.

“This will ensure that there can be no further delays to the delivery of the proposed development and investment being made at Heritage Park while supporting the wider economic development and community offer for the local area and Pembrokeshire as a whole.”

Amroth Community Council has once again objected; councillors proposing the scheme be ‘called in’ for decision by Welsh Government organisation Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

The latest application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Commitment to local arts reaffirmed in St Davids meeting

ST DAVIDS was the backdrop for a show of cross-community support this week as MP Henry Tufnell met with members of the Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group on Wednesday (May 14).

The group, which has been instrumental in promoting and defending the gallery at Oriel y Parc, welcomed the local MP on a sunny afternoon to discuss the importance of retaining access to world-class art in Pembrokeshire.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “It was a privilege to spend the afternoon with the brilliant Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group here in St Davids. I’m proud to support their work in protecting our state-of-the-art gallery at Oriel y Parc.”

He added: “Art enriches our communities, and having access to world class art right here in Pembrokeshire is so important.”

The gallery, which is run in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, plays host to a rotating programme of exhibitions. The current display, a celebration of the RNLI, runs until 1 June.

Local residents have praised the gallery for its diverse programme. Jill Simpson commented online: “The Gallery at Oriel y Parc hosts some brilliant and varied exhibitions. The present one, a celebration of the RNLI, is certainly worth visiting before it closes on 1st June.”

Mr Tufnell encouraged residents and visitors alike to check the gallery’s website to see what’s on: “If you haven’t visited recently, take a look at their brilliant range of exhibitions and activities.”

During the visit, the group discussed their shared vision for protecting and enhancing Pembrokeshire’s cultural offering, amid wider concerns over council cuts and the future of community spaces.

A photo of the MP alongside members of the group was taken outside the gallery under a bright blue sky, symbolising a hopeful outlook for the arts in rural Wales.

Photo caption: Support for the arts – MP Henry Tufnell meets with the Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group in St Davids (Pic: Supplied).