Sea Trust’s Cliff Benson announces future plans: A collaboration between Pembrokeshire County Council and Conygar Stena Line has been signed off

SEA TRUST have announced that the future of Fishguard and Goodwick’s Ocean Lab has been secured for at least two years as part of a collaborate partnership.

A two-year lease was recently signed between Pembrokeshire County Council and Conygar Stena Line, for whom Sea Trust manages the Ocean Lab.

It was three years ago when the authority decided to close the Ocean Lab as a part of their ongoing cost cuttings.

With the support of Conygar Stena Line, Sea Trust took it upon themselves to take over the management of the Ocean Lab back in April 2013.

Thanks to Conygar’s involvement, the life of the Lab has been extended under the control of Sea Trust, who have also managed to increase the contributions that the Ocean Lab makes to the surrounding community.

On top of this collaboration announcement, Sea Trust have also been assured that when the development of the marina goes ahead, the Ocean Lab will be involved in the refurbishments to be eventually highlighted as one of the significant features of the marina development.

Sea Trust’s Cliff Benson said: “I was lucky enough to meet with Dafydd Jones, Director of Conygar Stena Line, some years ago when he sponsored a groundbreaking live internet link with Sea Trust and a group of pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and some Marine Educators working on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

“I never thought that 12 years later, I would still be asking for and getting Dafydd’s support.

“Had he and Conygar not backed us, the seafront here at Goodwick would have, by now, been derelict. The windows of the Ocean Lab would probably have been broken and boarded up.

“I should point out that Conygar could easily not have helped us but they gave their word that they would and, as the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding!”

Mr Benson continued, stating that he has read of Goodwick residents who think that the regeneration of the marina will be an eyesore, and are suspicious of the changes that are appearing in the plans. He said: “Anyone who buys a house overlooking a commercial port must realise that change is inevitable and will probably add value to property.”

In the three years that Sea Trust have been working with Conygar keeping the Ocean Lab open as a community asset, it has been used by thousands of residents and visitors each year.

Hundreds of local school children have attended the lab to take part in activities that have been arranged for them.

“There can hardly be a parent or grandparent locally whose children have not been crabbing with us or making sand sculptures or used the soft play area,” Mr Benson added.

The lab is also a meeting place where societies, such as the University of the Third Age (U3A) hold events, and a host of small business meetings happen. Social workers also use the lab to meet clients and researchers sit with a cup of coffee using the lab’s free Wi-Fi.

“I happen to think that the marina is really going to open up opportunities for other businesses to grow in the area. In turn, that will mean jobs and visitors.

“I know Dafydd and the Conygar team are working hard and spending a lot of money to try and move the project on. It is a complex project and inevitably there will be tweaks to the plans.

“So far, in the 12 years I have known Dafydd Jones, he has been completely open and we have been kept informed of developments by Conygar as they have happened.

“In all that time, they have been true to their word. My trust in Dafydd and Conygar is not just blind faith, but built on over 12 years of experience!”