THIS Autumn, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Tywi Centre are delivering a series of free training opportunities in and around Haverfordwest for people to learn about heritage building skills. The series of workshops has been funded by UK Government as part of a focus by the Council on the regeneration of the County Town.

This is a unique initiative aimed at equipping Pembrokeshire residents with the skills needed to preserve and celebrate the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage and will run from October to December 2024.

For homeowners, the ‘Repair, Maintenance, and Energy Efficiency in older buildings’ is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to maximise the potential of their historic property by learning how to care for it properly.

If your building is listed, there is a course to guide you through the process of applying for Listed Building Consent. For people wanting to learn more practical skills, there’s an opportunity to dive deep into the art of ‘Working with Lime in Buildings,’ using a traditional Pembrokeshire cottage or “Ty un nos”, as a case study to explore common building defects and their solutions. Central to this course is understanding the various types of lime, along with their preparation, application, and aftercare.

The sessions are being run by a talented team of heritage building experts from the Tywi Centre on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Heart of Pembrokeshire Project and supported by UK Government funding. The first session is October 16^th and courses can be booked independently online via https://www.eventbrite.com/o/heart-of-pembrokeshire-90032525753.

The Tywi Centre has been delivering heritage construction training throughout Wales since 2009. Over the last decade the Tywi Centre has built a reputation for delivering high quality, engaging training by experts with extensive knowledge in their field of heritage construction.

Rowan Matthiessen, Client project manager for the Heart of Pembrokeshire project said, “We are thrilled to be offering this initiative which is a unique opportunity for people to learn and refine heritage skills, ensuring that Pembrokeshire’s history and culture are preserved for generations to come. We invite everyone to get involved in this transformative project.”

The Heart of Pembrokeshire project is redeveloping Haverfordwest Castle to become a bustling heritage-based discovery centre attracting a footfall of 40,000 annual visitors. As part of the project, the team are engaging with local residents and organisations to help develop the vision, direction and content of the attraction. A series of pilot workshops and volunteering opportunities will be held throughout 2025 and beyond, so if you are interested in finding out more get in touch with [email protected] or book online via https://www.eventbrite.com/o/heart-of-pembrokeshire-90032525753

A PEMBROKESHIRE farm barn attraction previously refused by planning officers, which has gained a 3,500-strong petition of support to keep it running, will be decided later this year.

Late last year, Stuart Williams of Home Farm, Leweston, near Camrose, was refused retrospective permission by planning officers to retain the Willhome Farm Barn farm park – and ancillary buildings – built in June 2022.

The site – whose facilities were used by council educational providers and parents of children with learning difficulties – is home to rabbits, llamas, donkeys, poultry, owls, goats, ponies and pigs, along with a café building, public conveniences, a children’s play area, and parking.

It was refused due to highway safety concerns and fears it would generate additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River.

Since the refusal by planners, a change.org petition, Grant Planning Permission for Willhome Farm Barn in Pembrokeshire, was set up by Hook-based Jessica Austin, which has attracted more than 3,500 signatures to date.

Jessica’s petition said: “This decision not only affects this resilient family but also impacts schools attended with over 6,000 pupils, by adults from local wellbeing centres and families with children who have autism or learning difficulties like mine.

“It’s important to note that there are no apparent issues with existing amenities. Roads or waterways. The refusal of planning permission seems unjustified and is causing unnecessary distress within our community.”

Earlier this year, the applicant submitted a fresh call – supported by local community council Camrose – for permission to be granted, which was again due to be decided by planning officers.

At the request of local county councillor, and former council leader, Cllr Jamie Adams, a special meeting was held in July to discuss whether a decision could be made by councillors rather than officers.

Despite a recommendation it be decided by officers, members unanimously agreed to remove delegated powers for approval or refusal, meaning the application would be heard at a future planning committee.

The application was due to be heard at the October 8 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, with a recommendation of refusal, reasons including those given for the previous application.

A report for members concluded: “The proposal would have a negative environmental impact through additional traffic movements.  In addition, insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate management and reduction of traffic to support sustainable travel or to ensure that the public highway remains free and clear from obstruction.”

It added: “The proposed development generates additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in Phosphate levels in the Afon Cleddau, adversely affecting the Cleddau Rivers SAC.”

At the start of the October meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to allow the applicant’s agent more time to address highways and foul water drainage concerns, with the plans expected to return to the December planning committee.

AGE CYMRU has expressed deep concern over the Westminster Government’s decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments, which will leave more than 100,000 pensioners in Wales without this crucial financial support. The charity has described the move as “appalling,” particularly given that over 86% of pensioners living in or just above poverty in Wales will be affected—the highest proportion of any UK nation or region.

Many of the affected pensioners are already facing significant challenges, including living with disabilities, being isolated, or residing in older, less energy-efficient homes that are harder to heat. Age Cymru is calling on the government to reverse its decision, particularly in Wales, where more than 56,000 eligible people are not claiming Pension Credit—a key factor in determining Winter Fuel Payment eligibility under the new rules.

The charity has been receiving distressing reports from older people across Wales, describing the tough choices they will have to make without this essential financial lifeline. Some have already indicated they will need to reduce their spending on food, heating, and hot water. Of particular concern are those with long-term health conditions who need to maintain a warm home, but are now facing the prospect of having to choose between staying warm and eating properly.

In Age Cymru’s 2024 annual survey, which gathered responses from over 1,300 older people across the country, nearly half reported that the cost of living had been a significant challenge in the past year. More than half cited concerns over their physical health, which is likely to deteriorate further as a result of the cuts.

Age Cymru is urging the Westminster Government to reconsider its decision, or at the very least, to expand eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payments. The charity is advocating for automatic payments to those receiving Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, and Carer’s Allowance, to ensure that vulnerable pensioners are not left without the help they need during the cold winter months.

Voices from Wales: Struggling to cope

When asked how they would manage with up to £300 less this winter, older people across Wales shared their concerns:

• “It will be a huge struggle to make do on my pension. I lost my husband two years ago, and with a single pension coming in, it is a constant worry how I will pay my bills.”
• “We will have to turn the heating off more and find ways to cut back on cooking, heating, and hot water. Because of health reasons, this will be really difficult.”
• “This payment makes a real difference to my winter energy costs, allowing me to avoid reducing the temperature in my flat. I have medical problems that mean I spend most of my time inside.”
• “We live in a rural community off mains gas. Our heating is oil-fired, and the Winter Fuel Payment covered a sixth of a tank of oil. My wife has chronic kidney disease and feels the cold terribly, so the payment certainly made things easier for us.”
• “I am chronically ill and need a warm home. Without this help, I will not be able to stay warm enough to have a decent quality of life. I will have to reduce my food intake.”

Call for Government action

Age Cymru is urging the UK Government to reconsider its cuts, warning that many pensioners, especially those living in Wales, face an increasingly harsh winter without the vital support they once relied on. For the most vulnerable, these cuts may not just represent financial hardship but could have serious consequences for their health and wellbeing.

The charity continues to advocate for a fairer system that ensures older people across Wales, and the rest of the UK, are not forced to choose between warmth and other basic needs.