News
Future of learning centre uncertain
COUNCIL officers have said they will continue to consult with members of the public on proposed changes to the Learning Pembrokeshire service.
A public consultation meeting was held at the Fishguard Community Learning Centre on Monday afternoon (Jun 22).
Many people who use the centre packed out the lecture room as they voiced their concerns to council officers.
County Councillors Pat Davies, Myles Pepper and Keith Lewis were also amongst the crowd along with a few town councillors.
The council’s Lifelong learning co-ordinator Chris Birch gave a presentation to those in the room about the cuts the council is facing and ways forward.
One of the main concerns that were raised was about finances as a number had asked for a detailed breakdown of how much it costs to run the centre.
Some among the audience were concerned that the council did not have a plan going forward for the learning centres.
Chris Birch told those present: “We want to deliver a service that is value for money and that is something we have always endeavoured to do. The last year has been one of the most difficult in terms of funding. We want to take everything on board. This is a public survey of everything that is happening.”
Anne Garside said: “We were told these centres would be closed by Easter, it has taken till June to have a consultation and we are supposed to have a plan by September. This is an inadequate amount of time for us and if this centre were to close it would have a devastating socio-economic impact on our community. We understand the situation but don’t discount the views of the user-base. We want to work with you and we want time to evaluate and look at the financial figures. Each centre should be evaluated on a case by case basis and every centre is in a different situation. This is a relatively new purpose built building in good shape and in a central location. We question why there is a proposal to close this one when the one in Haverfordwest is falling apart, the one in Tenby is so large and in Pembroke Dock there is a plan which involves the school. I would ask that you give us at least another 1-2 years. There is no long-range planning and this is one of the great weaknesses. To assess the impact, we need more than the year to evaluate this. To get a plan by September is ridiculous.”
The council’s Head of Performance and Community James White responded: “We have had four meetings now and one thing that is clear is that the potential solutions will not be the same in each area. We have to say and recognise that there are constraints to how we can long-term plan. The Welsh Government does not know what its block grant will be. We do not know that long in advance.”
He was then asked if he thought there would be an adult education service running by 2020. James White replied: “There will be some; it would be alarmist to say that there will be no service by 2020.”
James White added that he would be willing to meet with anyone who wished to do so.
Another member of the audience was concerned about where courses would be held if the centre closed and added: “This centre is eminently suitable.”
James White said: “The courses can take place in a variety of different places and we can use a lot of different venues.”
One user added: “We come here to socialise. The quality of life for older people will diminish if this centre is closed. It is places like this that can combat that.”
The meeting closed with the comment: “We want to make an arrangement with you to meet so we can provide some concrete solutions in order to do what this meeting is about which is to keep this centre open.”
Entertainment
St Davids Cathedral Music Festival representatives attend Royal Garden Party
SIMON PEARCE, the esteemed Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Davids Cathedral, was honoured to attend a royal garden party at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The event, celebrating the UK’s Creative and Cultural Industries, featured an array of celebrities, stunning displays of spring gardens, and performances by the Band of The Marines.
Mr Pearce, who attended with his wife Katherine was appointed in 2022 as the Director of Music at the cathedral—a position he has held since 1998 in an assistant capacity—expressed his delight at the opportunity to represent the festival. “Every single moment was to be savoured,” he remarked, noting the “wonderful music, fantastic host of celebs, a sumptuous tea party, stunning gardens and Palace, and glorious British spring weather.”
The St Davids Cathedral Music Festival 2024 will open with a dazzling performance by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales on May 25. The orchestra will treat audiences to Mathias’s Festival Overture and Brahms’ Second Symphony.
Adding to the splendour, award-winning violinist Inmo Yang will grace the stage with his rendition of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto.
This year’s festival will also introduce several new performers. The Choir of Royal Holloway is set to debut on May 27, enchanting attendees with choral arrangements of orchestral classics. Local talent is also in the spotlight, with Pembrokeshire-born horn player Simon Lewis performing alongside Trio Preseli on May 26, showcasing works by Welsh composer Anthony Randall.
Adding a touch of environmental consciousness to the festival, clarinet virtuoso Emma Johnson returns on May 28 with her Orchestra for the Environment.
Their repertoire will include pieces by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Johnson’s own composition, ‘The Tree of Life’.
The festival will kick off with the 150-strong Children’s Festival Chorus on May 24, captivating audiences with their youthful energy and a live band.
Throughout the week, the cathedral musicians will feature prominently in several concerts, with the highlight being the full Cathedral choir performing Choral Evensong live on BBC Radio 3.
This prestigious invitation to Buckingham Palace came just two years after Mr Pearce’s official appointment as the Master of Choristers, a role in which he has pledged to continue enhancing the cathedral’s distinguished musical tradition.
At the time of his appointment, the Very Revd Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, as Dean of St. Davids, praised Mr Pearce’s exceptional talents, saying, “It has been a pleasure to enjoy the excellence of Simon’s playing and conducting over the years.”
Under his leadership, the Cathedral Choir and Choral Foundation have been furthering their well-deserved reputation for excellence. “St Davids Cathedral is a spiritually inspiring and beautiful place in which to make music,” Mr Pearce said, acknowledging the special connections the cathedral maintains with the local community, school, and the wider Pembrokeshire area.
News
Council works to reduce empty properties in Carmarthenshire
CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council is reducing the number of empty properties within the county through the introduction of the Empty Properties Framework.
Combining enforcement, the implementation of council tax premiums on empty properties and providing support to help owners bring empty properties back into use, the Empty Properties Framework aims to:
• Reduce the number of long-term empty homes across the county
• Increase the supply of affordable housing to meet demand
• Tackle issues relating to property nuisance, blight and the impact on communities
The following case study is an example of how Carmarthenshire County Council is supporting communities and owners to bring empty properties back into use.
An empty property was reported to the Council with loose rendering falling onto a neighbouring driveway and refuse/waste material in the garden. Investigations revealed that the property had been recorded as empty for seven years and was privately owned by a limited company.
The property was visited by the Council’s Empty Homes Officers and scored as high risk (Category A), requiring enforcement. The owners responded positively to the notice served and assisted with the Council’s formal inspection of the property, during which various category 1 (the most serious) hazards were identified.
As a result, statutory notices were served on the property. These notices provided varying timeframes for work to be carried out. In the event of non-compliance, the Council may choose to undertake works, recovering all costs from the owner.
The owner complied with the work which posed an imminent risk and then sold the property at public auction. The Improvement Notices remained with the property when sold. Upon purchase, the new owners immediately began work to improve the property and this is progressing well.
Cllr Linda Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes said: “The introduction of the Empty Homes Framework aims to be bold in bringing about the improvement and occupation of empty homes, increasing the supply and use of housing to all.
Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to reducing the number of empty properties in the county, with various methods of support in place to assist owners of these properties to bring them back into use including financial assistance, subject to eligibility.”
From 1st April 2024, council tax premiums were also introduced on properties empty for more than 12 months to encourage owners to reflect on whether they could make better use of their property.
For more information on the support available to owners of empty properties visit the Council’s website – Carmarthenshire.gov.wales/housing
News
Free disability sports event heads to Pembroke Leisure Centre
PEMBROKE Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try.
The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event.
It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome.
On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.
The event takes place Pembroke Leisure Centre, on Wednesday May 29th between 10am-2pm.
Booking for the event and swim places is required.
For more information please contact: Jess West from Sport Pembrokeshire byemail [email protected] or by calling 07795305871.
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