Community groups invited to Newcastle Emlyn event to learn about grants and reducing running costs

CHURCHES, chapels and organisations responsible for graveyards are being invited to a free event later this month aimed at helping them secure funding for maintenance and upkeep.

The open event will take place on Wednesday (Mar 25) at Newcastle Emlyn Rugby Club. Proceedings will begin at 12:15pm, with attendees able to enjoy a cawl lunch for £5 before taking part in discussions on funding opportunities and ways to reduce running costs.

A range of national funding bodies and support organisations will attend, including the National Churches Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the Architectural Heritage Fund, PLANED and Perthyn.

The event is open to any community group responsible for older buildings or community assets that require financial support, although advance registration is required due to limited capacity.

The afternoon is being organised by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator, Cris Tomos.

Cris Tomos said: “It is important that communities responsible for chapels, churches and graveyards are aware of current grant opportunities and understand what policies and reports need to be in place to secure funding. These buildings and assets are an important part of our communities and we want to help ensure the support is there to maintain them.”

He added that the event will include three panel discussions focusing on grant opportunities, sustainable development of heritage buildings, and practical ways communities can reduce running costs while generating income.

“There is ample free parking at the rugby club, and the event will provide a valuable opportunity for community groups to hear directly from funders and organisations offering support,” he said.

Anyone wishing to attend must register in advance. Places can be booked via Eventbrite by searching for “PLANED”, or by contacting the PLANED office on 01834 860965.

Further information and registration details can also be found online.

Historic oil paintings from Pembrokeshire County Art Collection showcased in “Reflections” exhibition

CLLR THOMAS TUDOR recently visited the VC Gallery to view a new exhibition celebrating the work of Narberth-born artist Edgar Thomas.

The exhibition, titled “Reflections,” features a collection of oil paintings by Thomas (1862–1936) and is drawn from the Pembrokeshire County Art Collection. The display has been organised in collaboration with Scolton Manor Park.

The Pembrokeshire County Art Collection holds the largest publicly owned collection of Edgar Thomas’ work anywhere in Wales.

During his lifetime, Thomas was recognised by the Welsh nationalist movement Cymru Fydd (Young Wales) as one of the artists who would represent the movement through the arts.

Despite a promising career, Thomas later fell into relative obscurity following the rise of fellow Pembrokeshire artist Augustus John. John’s major London exhibition opened just weeks before Thomas was due to launch his own, overshadowing the Narberth painter’s work.

Thomas was particularly fascinated by the use of chiaroscuro — the contrast between light and shade — and many of his paintings demonstrate considerable technical skill and delicate brushwork in capturing this dramatic effect in oils.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to rediscover the work of a significant but often overlooked Welsh artist.

SCHOOLS, families, local businesses and visitors from across Pembrokeshire came together in St Davids on Saturday 28 February for a colourful St David’s Day celebration marking the culmination of a major community arts project.

Hosted by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority at Oriel y Parc, Taith y Chwedlau / Journey of the Legends formed the centrepiece of a wider half-term programme inspired by Welsh legends and supported by Welsh Government funding. The project combined storytelling, art, music and bilingual activities, in the lead-up towards the annual parade through the city.

The celebration was attended by the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, along with invited guests, community groups and visitors, as St Davids burst into life with dragon wings, daffodils, boar headdresses and other handmade creations produced during workshops and drop-in sessions in the weeks leading up to the event.

Preparation for the parade involved extensive outreach work with local schools and community groups, as well as workshops and activities at the Authority’s sister sites, Carew Castle and Castell Henllys. In total, 255 participants took part in workshops and community sessions, including 102 school pupils and 153 children, young people and adults from various groups.

The project was delivered with artist Kate Evans and storytellers Phil Okwedy and Michael Harvey, who worked with participants to explore Welsh legend through a contemporary story rooted in creativity, community and environmental awareness.

Led by the dynamic drumming of Samba Doc, the procession set off from Oriel y Parc at 2pm, bringing music, movement and a strong sense of Welsh hwyl to the High Street of Britain’s smallest city.

Beyond the parade itself, Taith y Chwedlau continued along the High Street through a trail hosted by 16 businesses. Story stops were illustrated by Oriel y Parc team member Elen Beynon, while Chapel Chocolates in St Davids kindly supported the prize.

Oriel y Parc also hosted the Makers Bizarre Handmade Craft Market, which added to the day’s festive atmosphere and gave residents and visitors the chance to support local makers.

Rachel Perkins, Manager of Oriel y Parc, said: “Taith y Chwedlau was about much more than a single afternoon’s parade. It was the result of weeks of creative work with schools, community groups, artists, storytellers and businesses, all coming together to celebrate Welsh culture in an imaginative and inclusive way. It was wonderful to see so many people taking part, and to welcome the First Minister to share in such a vibrant community event.”

As part of the wider St David’s Day celebrations, visitors to Oriel y Parc, Castell Henllys and Carew Castle were welcomed with complimentary bunches of daffodils over the weekend.

To find out more about events, exhibitions and opening times at Oriel y Parc, visit www.orielyparc.co.uk

PHOTO:

Participants in the Taith y Chwedlau / Journey of the Legends parade bring colour and creativity to the streets of St Davids.