News
Enabling works start at regeneration site in Pembroke
WORK has started on the highly anticipated South Quay regeneration project in Pembroke.
Ambitious plans by Pembrokeshire County Council will see the site next to Pembroke Castle developed into a Visitor Centre, celebrating the town’s history and heritage and incorporating a new Library and Café.
The scheme will also include major enhancements to the public realm and landscaping improvements and public access to the building’s gardens at the rear.
Cllr Paul Miller, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economic Development, welcomed work starting on site.
“I’m delighted to see work getting underway. These buildings, right in the heart of Pembroke, have been left to rot for more than a decade by previous Council administrations but thankfully no longer. I am committed to Pembroke and am personally determined to help the town see a brighter future.
“Our investment in South Quay is just the first and most visible part of our commitment to the future of Pembroke and I’m looking forward to engaging with the community on the next steps over the coming months.”
The enabling works, undertaken by contractors Lloyd and Gravell are to ready the site for the development contract. They include the clearing and preparation of the site ready for the stabilisation of derelict buildings in Castle Terrace.
The South Quay project has secured £901,590 of Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding to support delivery of the first stage enabling works.
Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government Hannah Blythyn said: “The regeneration of South Quay is a fantastic example of how support though our Transforming Towns programme can be used to breathe new life into an old building to create a centre that will become as asset to the local community and celebrate the town’s history. I look forward to seeing how this work progresses.”
Cllr Aaron Carey, County Councillor for Pembroke St Mary South, said it was good to see progress on site.
“No amount of plans or drawings can prepare you for the huge task at hand when the project is seen up close,” he said.
“We as a community are putting our generation’s mark on a thousand year old town and it’s really exciting to see the work being started on site after so many years as an eyesore in the castle’s shadow.”
(Pictured are Cllr Paul Miller and Cllr Aaron Carey at South Quay in Pembroke, where work has started on a key regeneration project.)
Business
Wales’ favourite seaweed-spiced rum now available in Tesco nationwide
WELSH pirate-inspired rum maker Barti Rum welcomes a brand-new partnership with Tesco as it unveils two new products, its spiced rum, and Cream Liqueur drink to stores nationwide.
The two beverages have hit shelves, exclusively, as of September 16 and are the first Barti Rum products to appear in mainstream supermarkets.
Both the spiced rum and cream liqueur are packaged in a sustainable model, being made from 50% recycled glass with the label being made from fully biodegradable cane sugar byproducts.
Brewed with the culture of the Pembrokeshire at the heart of it, the silky smooth and elegant taste is married together with the infusion of wild hand-picked laver seaweed from the Pembrokeshire coast, having umami undertones which further soften and enrich the taste at 35% alcohol.
Managing Director, Fran Barnikel said: “We understand the importance of history and tradition and we instil this into every bottle we brew.
“Our rum is the perfect marriage between Caribbean distilling and Welsh flavour.
“With this new spiced rum, we are able to bring the Pembrokeshire flavour reaches every corner of the country and we can’t thank Tesco enough for being a part of this.”
The Barti bottle label displays a traditional Welsh ship on top of waves, alluding to the historic past of the name ‘Barti.’
Barti’s Cream Liqueur is a plant-based drink that provides a creamy full-bodied taste combined with vanilla, clove, cinnamon and hint of orange. The drink is a great choice for vegans and those that enjoy lactose free diets.
The cream liqueur is also Barti’s most awarded beverage having won seven awards at the World Drinks Awards some of which being “Best in Country”, “Best New Launch” and “Best Bottle Design”.
The Barti name goes back to the 17th century when a young man named John ‘Barti Ddu’ Roberts from the small village of Casnewydd Bach, Pembrokeshire, took to the seas with the hopes of making a name for himself in the British Royal Navy.
Where John searched for fame, he in fact found infamy when he was captured by pirates and forced to become a part of the crew.
The Barti beverage listings are the latest milestones from owner and creator of Barti Rum drinks, Jonathan Williams.
Since leaving his day job 14 years ago, Jonathan has created various business using his home county of Pembrokeshire as influence and inspiration.
He created and has run the successful café Mor at Pembrokeshire at Freshwater West for the past 14 years along with the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company for 12. Here he won gold at the British Street Awards and has catered at major events such as the Olympic Village and Glastonbury.
Tesco Wales buyer Nathan Edwards expressed his excitement about the new launch and is certain that it will go down well with shoppers.
“We are enormously proud to be the first retailers to have Barti Rum drinks on its shelves.
“The Barti Rum drinks are synonymous with enjoyment and fun in Wales, and we are happy to be a part of their journey in bringing the Pembrokeshire flavour and culture to the whole of Wales.
“I am proud that we have landed the exclusive launch, and I look forward to an ongoing partnership with this company that is so rich in history.”
Barti Spiced Rum is the latest new Welsh product to be launched by Tesco in Wales, with the supermarket’s Wales-based buying team planning further product launches this year to further expand its industry-leading range of Welsh products in stores.
Health
Prepare for winter: vaccinations and self-care to stay well
AS we head into autumn and winter, the Welsh Government is reminding everyone a few simple actions can help protect you and your family from common winter illnesses and support the NHS to focus on people who need the most care.
Vaccination is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and other common respiratory viruses, which traditionally increase during the colder months, alongside the occasional peaks of Covid-19 cases throughout the year.
Flu vaccinations for children are already underway in schools and the adult flu and Covid-19 vaccination programme will begin on 1 October.
For the first time, pregnant women are being offered the RSV vaccine to help protect newborn babies from this virus, which can lead to serious complications, especially in winter. The RSV vaccine is also being offered to people as they turn 75 years old as part of a year-round programme which launched earlier this month in Wales.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles, said: “As our health and care services prepare for winter, we can all take steps to protect ourselves and each other.
“Taking up the offer of vaccination if you are eligible for a flu jab, for a Covid-19 booster or the new RSV vaccine will help protect you from these common illnesses. Pharmacies provide expert advice and treatment for a wide range of common conditions from coughs and colds to stomach issues and can help to ease the pressure on GP and other NHS services to make sure they are there for those who need the most care and support.”
The Welsh Government has today issued a Winter Respiratory Framework to help health and care services manage the expected rise in respiratory illnesses over the winter months to protect the most vulnerable in society from serious illness.
Health boards across Wales have also been given guidance to ensure infection prevention measures in healthcare settings are robust to keep people safe and maintain the efficiency of health services throughout the winter.
The Public Health Wales website provides details about eligibility for the NHS flu and Covid-19 vaccines: Eligibility for the vaccine – Public Health Wales
Community
Active Travel plans in Narberth – your views wanted!
AN online survey is being launched to gather views on improvements to Narberth’s Active Travel Network.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Transport Strategy Team is consulting on improvements within the town to help people travel on foot, bikes and other wheels with the creation of shared use paths.
This includes a diversion for heavy goods vehicles to bypass the town centre unless making local deliveries, to ease congestion.
A Shared Use Path for pedestrians and cyclists is being proposed along a section of Kiln Park Road as well as a 6.5mile Multi-User Route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders from Narberth to Haverfordwest.
Officers also want feedback on the works that have been carried out to Jesse Road to provide improved pedestrian/cyclist accessibility to and from the primary school.
The aim of the proposals include providing a high quality direct access between Narberth and Haverfordwest, encouraging inclusive active travel and creating a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
Public engagement sessions will take place at Bloomfield House Community Centre, Narberth, on 26th September from 10am to 12pm, 1pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 8pm. The online survey will go live on the same day.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “Supporting the health, well-being and safety of Pembrokeshire residents is important to the Local Authority and Active Travel can play a vital role in that. We would encourage Narberth residents and visitors to get involved in this latest survey and help shape improvements in the area.”
The proposed plans are available to view on our website https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/transport-strategy hard copies are also located at Bloomfield House Community Centre and County Hall.
Please contact the team at [email protected] or telephone 01437 764551 if you have any questions.
Please feel free to complete the whole of the survey or just the sections that are relevant to you.
This online survey will close on 7th November 2024 at midnight.
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