Community
Urdd to improve Eisteddfod’s accessibility ensuring ‘a festival for all’
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URDD Gobaith Cymru is committed to ensuring that the National Urdd Eisteddfod will be a more accessible festival for competitors and visitors in future.
As a result of a new partnership with Disability Arts Cymru and theatre company Taking Flight, the Urdd strives to improve the accessibility of its artistic events, including the Urdd Eisteddfod festival’s site, which attracts 76,000 competitors every year.
To help put improvements in place, the Urdd is searching for young members to join its new Accessibility Forum, with support from the Arts Council of Wales. The aim is to attract individuals between 16 and 25 who can share experiences or expertise in the field of disability and accessibility to the arts, to work with Urdd Eisteddfod Organisers, gain work experience in organising events, and ensure that the festival’s site and activities are accessible and inclusive, in line with the ‘Urdd for All’ strategy.
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To kickstart the partnership, the Urdd Eisteddfod’s staff have received disability access and inclusion training by DAC and will receive BSL and inclusion training from Taking Flight. In collaboration with partners, the Urdd will create resources and information packs for blind and D/deaf visitors. The Urdd will also be working closely with ‘Attitude is Everything’, an organisation that helps improve disabled people’s access to live music events.
Llio Maddocks, the Urdd’s Director of the Arts says: “As a part of our partnership with Disability Arts Cymru and Taking Flight, we are committed to improving accessibility and access to our arts events, including the Urdd Eisteddfod site.
“The Urdd Eisteddfod is a cultural highlight of our Welsh calendar, and festivals deserve to be enjoyed by all. As well as developing and adapting the Eisteddfod Maes, we also want to ensure opportunities for disabled, D/deaf, and neurodiverse artists to perform and lead in our arts provision.
“We encourage everyone who wants to be part of the Accessibility Forum to join us and look forward to working together to ensure the Urdd’s arts experiences continue to evolve and grow.”
Owain Gwilym, Disability Arts Cymru’s Executive Director: “We are very proud to be part of this important partnership and look forward to seeing one of Wales’ most important cultural organisations and events work with young disabled and/or Deaf voices to develop accessibility and inclusion.”
Steph Bailey-Scott, Taking Flight’s Access, Inclusion and Participation Manager: “At Taking Flight access and inclusion is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re very much looking forward to working with the Urdd to engrain access into its Eisteddfod. It’s vital for young people, whether Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or non-disabled, to start expecting access as the norm, to be prioritised, and to have those equal opportunities without any barriers.”
Information about the new Accessibility Forum can be found on the Urdd Eisteddfod’s website, where there’s also a form for individuals aged 16-25 to fill to be a member of the Forum.
The 2024 Urdd National Eisteddfod will be held in Maldwyn (Montgomeryshire) between 27 May and 1 June. It will be the first time since 1988 that the Urdd Eisteddfod has visited the area, and it will be held on the fields of Mathrafal Farm by Meifod.
Community
Growing concerns over fly-grazing in Pembrokeshire
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THE ONGOING issue of fly-grazing in Pembrokeshire continues to spark frustration and safety concerns among residents, with local authorities working to find a resolution.
County Councillor Jonathan Grimes (Pembroke St Mary South & Monkton) has been engaging with residents, Pembrokeshire County Council, and Dyfed-Powys Police to address the increasing problem of loose horses, particularly on St Daniels Hill. The presence of unmonitored horses poses a significant risk to road users and property owners.
One affected resident shared their experience, expressing frustration over repeated incidents involving loose horses damaging their property. “All I can say is when I looked out the window, I saw two horses running around my property and ran outside, where I saw the police.
“I told them that they were not mine and that it was the second time the horses had been at my property in less than 24 hours.
“It took the police and members of the public around 30 minutes to catch them.
“The road on St Daniels Hill was closed off.
“What happened to the horses afterwards, I couldn’t tell you, as I was trying to keep my children and dogs inside the house while the police dealt with it.”
Authorities have assured residents that they are working on a solution to prevent further occurrences. However, questions remain as to whether enough is being done to tackle the persistent problem.
Residents affected by fly-grazing incidents are encouraged to report concerns to Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police as efforts to address the issue continue.
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Community
Portfield Fair could return to St Thomas Green
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HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL wants to bring a popular fair back to St Thomas Green this year.
At its meeting on Thursday, February 20, councillors discussed potential locations for the Portfield Fair, due to take place in October.
Despite last year’s successful event at Rifleman Field Car Park, councillors agreed that St Thomas Green would be the preferred venue.
Cllr Randell Thomas Turner said: “The feedback on bringing the Portfield Fair back to St Thomas Green has been positive. We should push to have it back there.”
However, some councillors also acknowledged the benefits of holding the event at Rifleman Field Car Park, where last year’s fair was well attended.
Discussions will continue in the coming months before a final decision is made.
Community
Reverend Nicola Davies licensed as Assistant Curate in Bro Amman
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A WARM welcome was extended to Reverend Nicola Davies, from Milford Haven, as she was officially licensed as Assistant Curate in the Local Ministry Area (LMA) of Bro Amman in a special ceremony held on Thursday night (Feb 20).
The event saw members of the community, clergy, and well-wishers gathering to mark this significant milestone in Reverend Davies’ ministry. Many attended in person to offer their support, while others sent heartfelt messages of congratulations. Some even took the time to visit her personally, bringing gifts of plants and cake as a symbol of their warm welcome.
Expressing her gratitude, Reverend Davies shared her appreciation for the kindness and support shown by the community. “It’s a joy to receive such a welcome,” she said.
Special mention was given to those who traveled from Pembrokeshire, particularly from the Roose LMA, where Reverend Davies had previously served. She expressed her deep gratitude to her former parishioners, acknowledging that while she will miss them, she looks forward to the new beginnings ahead in Bro Amman.
The Plwyf Llandybie Parish, which was also part of the celebrations, echoed the sentiments of excitement and gratitude, highlighting the significance of Reverend Davies’ arrival in the community. Her appointment as Assistant Curate marks a new chapter in her journey of faith and service, and the warm reception she received is a testament to the impact she has already made.
As she embarks on this new role, the community of Bro Amman looks forward to her ministry and the contributions she will bring to the LMA. The evening was not only a celebration of Reverend Davies’ appointment but also a reflection of the strong spirit of faith and fellowship within the parish.
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