Community
Gardener’s World presenter to design accessible garden for Scolton Manor
THE NORMAL INDUSTRIES team at Scolton Manor in Haverfordwest is helping Gardener’s World presenter Sue Kent to make her first ‘show garden’ at Hampton Court Flower Show.
The event, which is taking place between 4 – 9 July 2022, will showcase Sue’s design for a garden that enable people with disabilities to work in and enjoy a garden.
In return for the help, Sue has agreed that after the show the garden will come back to Pembrokeshire and be located long-term at Scolton Manor Park.
The garden will be developed to cater for a wider range of disabilities over the next year, and will be looked after by a team of disabled people supported by Norman Industries. Visitors will be able to see it in place at Scolton Manor from September.
The staff at Norman Industries have been working with Sue to design and create key elements of her garden. Progress made was highlighted on last week’s on Gardener’s World* and shows the fences being made by Norman Industries Site Manager Dai Brock and his team – and in particular how the new saw mill is being put to good use. Dai’s team will also get the opportunity to attend Hampton Court to help construct the garden.
Sue, who is from Swansea, has had a physical disability from birth. She is keen gardener and during the pandemic she sent in a one of the people’s videos that Gardener’s World were showing. They liked it so much that they snapped her up as a presenter.
Sue Kent said: “Working with Norman Industries is a richly rewarding experience. Their ability to creatively problem solve and their enabling approach is turning my idea for my RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden festival show garden into a high quality reality.”
Norman Industries provides training and work opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities.
Karen Davies, Programme Manager at Norman Industries added: “I have known Sue for more than 30 years and when we met up recently and she was telling me how she was struggling to find other disabled people to help her with the garden, I knew that Norman Industries had to help.
“The garden showcases the various ways that Sue has adapted her own garden to make it work for her – everything has to either be shallow or accessible by feet to accommodate her disabilities.”
“This has been a fantastic opportunity for everyone at Norman Industries to show that having a disability is not a barrier to creativity, good workmanship or hard work. I am really proud of the work that is being done and really looking forward to seeing the garden at Hampton Court in July.”
As part of the garden design, Sue wanted to include some artwork. When she visited recently she met Hannah John and Gethin Williams who are both autistic and employed by Norman Industries in their craft area, she really liked their work. Both artists will have work featured in the garden which has a daisy theme.
If anyone would like to help fund the garden build and its return to Scolton Manor Park, Sue has created a “Go Fund Me” page. It can be found at https://gofund.me/9ed5fd01
For further updates on Sue’s garden designs, checkout her Instagram
Community
Crowdfunding drive launched for documentary on forgotten 1967 football match
A CROWDFUNDING campaign has launched to support a new documentary capturing a nearly forgotten piece of football history—a 1967 charity match in Liverpool featuring Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, alongside British legends Billy Liddell and John Charles.
Daniel Metcalf, director of the film and grandson of Chester FC striker Mike Metcalf, who played in the match, describes the film as “a love letter to the beautiful game,” aiming to highlight community spirit and the unity of sport. “Through personal stories, historic footage, and expert insights, we’ll revisit this unique game and explore 1960s football’s influence over the decades,” he said.
The project has attracted substantial backing, including collaboration with Chester FC, endorsements from notable players like Neville Southall, and the involvement of a skilled production team with narration by broadcaster Kim Thomas.
Supporters can choose from various funding tiers, with contributions starting at £10 for acknowledgments and extending to £5,000 Producer credits. Rewards range from film credits to signed memorabilia and invitations to the UK premiere. The funding target of £3,300 aims to cover initial production costs, with stretch goals set to enhance production quality.
Filming will commence in Chester in May 2025, with the documentary slated for release in early 2026 for the festival circuit.
For more information or to support the project, visit Kickstarter.
Community
Carew Castle triumphs again as Visitor Attraction of the Year at Croeso Awards
CAREW Castle, one of Pembrokeshire’s most treasured landmarks, has once again been named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the prestigious Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, cementing its place as a top destination for visitors to the region.
The award, presented during a grand ceremony at Pembrokeshire College, recognises the Castle’s ongoing dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. This second consecutive win underscores Carew Castle’s commitment to excellence, from its welcoming guides to its expertly preserved grounds and engaging events, drawing visitors year-round.
Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, expressed gratitude for the continued recognition: “Winning this award two years in a row is a testament to everyone involved in bringing Carew Castle to life – from the knowledgeable guides to the conservationists, dedicated team of volunteers, and our hardworking tearoom team. It’s truly a group effort, and we’re honoured to be recognised once more as one of Pembrokeshire’s premier attractions.”
The Castle has become a hub of excitement year-round, with special charm during the quieter winter months. Seasonal events like Glow, an enchanting Christmas light display, featuring rooms of the Castle dressed for the festivities and live musical performances, draw visitors of all ages. This festive season also includes Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Needle Felting Workshop, and children’s Christmas Craft Workshops – ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the nights draw in.
Carew Castle is open daily from 11am to 3pm throughout the winter, with extended hours on Fridays through Sundays when Glow and Santa’s Grotto are in full swing.
For a full schedule of upcoming events and activities at Carew Castle, visit www.carewcastle.com.
Pictured: Carew Castle is celebrating its second consecutive win as Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Croeso Awards, recognised for its exceptional visitor experience and engaging year-round events.
Community
Pembrokeshire waste centres could soon be open on fewer days
A CALL for waste centre users across Pembrokeshire to “share the pain” in a cut in the number of days they are open rather than close St Davids’ recycling centre is being recommended to senior councillors.
Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, at their November 12 meeting, received a report on the provision of recycling centres in the county, which had been referred from full council at its March budget meeting.
Back at that meeting, St Davids recycling centre, at risk of potential closure against a backdrop of severe budget pressures, was given a reprieve.
A report for the November committee, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said the council’s medium term financial plan identifies “a ‘most likely’ projected funding gap of £84.6m over the period 2024-25 to 2027-28,” with the council needing to deliver at least £70,000 of savings against the waste and recycling centres, adding: “if this is not possible this saving will be required to come from alternative areas within environmental services impacting on collection arrangements and services provided across Pembrokeshire.”
Four options were presented to the committee: no change, with the £70,000 coming from other areas of the service; the closure of St Davids netting the £70,000; its closure along with reductions in the amount of days other centres at Winsel, Waterloo, Crane Cross and Hermon to save £110,000; the final option being a reduction in the number of days all were open, but keeping St Davids running, saving the £70,000.
The choice of the options, complicated by various capital investment requirements for the sites, before committee would take the form of a recommendation to the council’s Cabinet before a final decision is made.
Members heard many objections to the closure of St Davids had been received, with the city council “unanimously” opposed to it on many grounds, including its use by both the Coastguard and the RNLI for the disposal of maritime debris, and the distances involved for members of the public to use the other facilities.
Nearby local county councillor, Cllr Mark Carter of Solva said he had never seen as many responses to an issue in his seven-and-a-half years as a councillor, proposing the fourth option, later described as “a sharing of pain across all sites” be submitted to Cabinet.
He said the facility at St Davids was much valued by local residents.
“They understand Pembrokeshire County Council has got a severe financial problem, they understand doing nothing is not an option; they understand that, I understand that,” said Cllr Carter, adding: “The problem we’ve got with the budget is a county-wide problem, it’s not St Davids exclusively; logic says we should not be inflicting all the pain on this peninsula.”
He was backed by fellow local councillor Cllr Bethan Price.
Members, by nine votes to three, backed the fourth option of a reduction in hours at all sites but keeping St Davids open, be recommended to Cabinet, expected to be heard at its December meeting.
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