Young people from Pembrokeshire’s secondary schools recently attended a special event designed to help them become Democracy Champions.
These Democracy Champions will raise awareness of the importance of democracy to everyone’s lives and encourage their peers to register to vote.
Organised by the Electoral Services Team and the Children and Young People’s Rights Office the event focused on what democracy means to the pupils and what impact it has on their everyday lives.
Young people from Ysgol Bro Preseli, Ysgol Harri Tudur, Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Ysgol Caer Elen, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High VC School and Castle School attended the event at Pembrokeshire Archives.
Throughout the day there were a number of activities that aimed to generate ideas and discussion, as well as raising awareness of the rights of young people in Wales to vote in some elections from age 16.
There was a game of democracy bingo, workshops on the history of democracy and why votes matter as well as a mock election and vote, including polling booths, along with discussions on how to get even more young people involved and share information.
They also heard from senior Council staff about the value in voting, with Assistant Chief Executive Richard Brown opening the event and a closing address from Director of Education Stephen Richards-Downes.
There was positive feedback from the young people involved and they will also be helping to shape the resource pack to be made available to all schools for future events.
Senior Youth Worker, Engagement, Performance and Community, Nadine Farmer said: “It was fantastic to meet such an enthusiastic group of young people who will help spread the word of the importance of democracy and using your vote. With the introduction of votes for 16-year-olds for some elections in Wales it is vital that more and more young people get involved in their democracy and understand that democracy is for everyone!
“The information and resources developed at the Democracy Champion events will allow the representatives of each school to hold future events and inform learning for their peers.”

ALTERATIONS to a bar in a seaside village’s conservation area, partly owned by a former county councillor, are expected to be turned down by national park planners next week.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Development Management committee, meeting on June 7, is recommended to refuse an application, by Ross Barnes, to replace an existing glass balustrade with a variable height glass balustrade and the installation of two permanent parasols at Harbwr Bar and Kitchen, Wogan Terrace, Saundersfoot.

The item is being considered by the Development Management Committee as former committee member – and former county councillor – Mike Evans, who had left the authority less than 12 months prior to the application’s submission, has a material interest in its outcome.

Local community council Saundersfoot had objected to the application, stating: “Following consideration of all the information provided by the Planning Authority, Saundersfoot Community Council advise the planning officer that it is not in support of this planning application, considering that the proposed plans are not within the keeping of the surrounding buildings nor in keeping with the conservation area in which the building is situated.”

The authority’s Buildings Conservation Officer recommended refusal, stating: “The property is prominent within Saundersfoot Conservation Area, denoted as a positive building.

“Section 72 of the 1990 Act requires that when considering planning applications, special attention must be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the area.

“The scheme includes extendable glass balustrading and two permanent ‘pergolas’ (gazebos), these extending across the whole of the fascia, filling the front courtyard.

“This is my view comprises over-development that cannot reasonably be said to preserve or enhance the character of Saundersfoot.”

The officer also raised concerns about the impact on the character and appearance of the conservation area.

The plans are recommended to be refused on the grounds of visual impact, overdevelopment within the conservation area, and “The proposal does not preserve the setting of Listed Buildings within Saundersfoot.”

Image Caption: The Harbwr Bar and Kitchen, Saundersfoot

ENGINEERING learner Reuben Whitehead has been turning heads with his mechanical talents when he recently designed and built his very own battery powered go-kart.

Reuben, who is a passionate Formula One fan, works part-time at West Wales Karting and decided to rebuild the kart earlier this year after they kindly donated a pre-existing kart to him.

The process involved stripping the kart down to a bare chassis and then refurbishing it. This was followed by implementing the electrical aspect of the kart and fabricating mounts for both the batteries and motor made from carbon fibre and steel.

The key components and materials used were steel for the chassis, aluminium for the rims, and an inclusion of carbon fibre for both the motor mounts and battery.

The motor produces 2.5hp and has an efficiency rate of 90% when in operation. The torque produced is 8.4-foot pounds when in operation and the motor revs 1500RPM.

Reuben explained the purpose of his project, “I built the Go-Kart because I am passionate about motorsport and enjoy karting both in local competitions and with friends so for me the opportunity to build an electric kart was exciting and something that would require me to use my skills that I have developed throughout my time at the College. I also built the project as I knew it was something that I would enjoy undertaking and be able to learn new skills along the way. Being able to get hands on with a kart and understand both the fundamentals and intricate aspects was important for my development as an aspiring motorsport engineer, hopefully one day with Formula One.”

Reuben took his first test drive in the car earlier this month using the track based up at West Wales Karting.

Reuben also discussed what inspires him to achieve his dream career.

Reuben explained, “The individuals who inspire me are my mum, for how brave and courageous she is, for always believing in me and supporting me. My late stepdad, he never gave up even at the toughest of times and always kept fighting even when the odds were against him as well as teaching me that if you work hard enough anything is achievable. Finally, Lewis Hamilton for showing that again with hard work you can achieve anything and that no dream/goal is too big, also the way in which he conducts himself after tough losses on the racetrack.”

An articulate learner, Reuben spends a large amount of time in the machine workshop whilst studying at the College where he has developed skills in working with lathes and milling machines, hand fitting tool techniques as well as CAD and precision measurement practices which has aided his knowledge into the world of car design and engineering.  

Aside from Reuben’s College studies, he has self-taught himself many transferable skills.

Reuben said, “I can’t take all the credit, having been fortunate enough to have experience of refurbishing classic cars with my stepdad growing up, as well as being able to build rally cars when on work experience whilst studying in my first year of College, this has certainly helped me learn and build a skillset that can be applied in numerous engineering environments. Spending time in the workshop and learning from tutors who have real industry experience has helped me.”

Curriculum Area Manager for Engineering Will Bateman, expressed how proud the department is of Reuben, “Reuben has worked at a consistently excellent standard throughout the two-year programme. We are incredibly proud of his final project, that has showcased his skills and learning from the course. Reuben is a true engineering ambassador having spoken to numerous 14–16-year-old groups on choices post-compulsory education.”

Reuben plans on becoming a Motorsport Engineer in Formula One after his studies and this project has fuelled his motivation to show potential employers just how talented he is.

To find out more about the Engineering courses available at the College please visit: www.pembrokeshire.ac.uk/courses/mechanical-engineering-3/