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

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.

A LONG-STRANDING issue of fly-tipping at a cul-de-sac in Narberth town centre has led to a significant rodent problem and an unsightly accumulation of rubbish.

Pembrokeshire County Council recently removed dozens of black bags filled with waste from Queens Court, a residential street located just off Narberth’s High Street. Following the clean-up, the council issued a stern warning that such dumping should not happen again.

This action was prompted by the intervention of Narberth Urban County Councillor Marc Tierney, who has been actively involved in addressing the issue. However, concerns persist that the problem may re-emerge.

Councillor Tierney, who has pledged ongoing efforts to resolve the matter and keep the street free of rubbish, emphasised that Queens Court residents have been grappling with the issue of excess waste for several months.

A significant portion of the rubbish has been fly-tipped on land adjacent to a block of flats near the High Street. The situation has worsened with increased reports of rats and waste strewn across the road and pavements, prompting street meetings between concerned residents, council officials, and other stakeholders to discuss potential solutions.

In a statement, Councillor Tierney expressed his frustration with the situation, while praising local residents for their patience. “The whole situation has been frustrating, and I want to thank local residents who have been extremely patient while the issue has been investigated.”

He also commended the council’s operatives for their swift action following his intervention. “I am grateful to the council operatives who, after my involvement, cleared a large quantity of waste last week. But this situation must not be allowed to happen again. Queens Court is not a dumping ground, and everyone has a responsibility to manage their waste properly.”

Councillor Tierney urged both residents and businesses to stay vigilant and report any future incidents of fly-tipping to the authorities for investigation.

The issue has underscored the need for long-term measures to ensure Queens Court remains free from illegal dumping and the associated public health risks, as the local community seeks to prevent a recurrence of this unsightly and hazardous problem.