Community

Skokholm Island stay inspires new exhibition

Published

10 years ago

July 26, 2016

‘Ob•serve – Colours of an Island‘: On display at Oriel y Parc until August 31 (Pic. Ruby Vaughan-Norris)

AN ARTIST’S residency at a bird observatory off the Pembrokeshire Coast is the inspiration behind a new exhibition in the Tower at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids.

The exhibition by painter and glassmaker Linda Norris, titled ‘Ob•serve – Colours of an Island’, is a new body of work that has been created following her six week stay on Skokholm Island, spread over the bird migration and breeding season.

Linda said: “On the island I was working alongside the wardens and other scientists and creating a new body of work inspired by observation as the basis of scientific and artistic research.

“Following on from my time on the island and as part of this residency, I was Artist in Residence at Oriel y Parc. In the studio at Oriel y Parc, I drew together the threads of my research, based on my island sketchbooks.”

Drawn by the feeling of the landscape, Linda first came to live and paint in Wales 35 years ago and now lives in North Pembrokeshire.

Linda will be running a series of activities at Oriel y Parc relating to the Ob•serve exhibition, beginning with ‘Colour in Landscape – A Painting Day’ on Thursday, July 28, from 10am until 4pm. The course costs £45 per person, including basic materials. This course is suitable for beginners and more experienced artists.

There will also be a ‘Colour Collecting – Family Art Workshop’ on Thursday, August 4, from 2pm until 4pm. It will cost £4 per person and materials will be provided. This workshop is suitable for families with children aged four to 18.

Linda will also be running a five-day painting course titled ‘Painting the Light’ from August 10 -14. The course costs £500 and includes tuition, a selection of art materials and an introductory meal on August 9.

She will also be giving a talk on the Ob•serve – Colours of an Island exhibition at 7pm on Wednesday, August 17. Tickets are £4 each.

To book a space at any of the events, please call Oriel y Parc on 01437 720392 or visit www.linda-norris.com for more information.

The Ob•serve – Colours of an Island exhibition will be on display in the Tower at Oriel y Parc until August 31.

This project was funded by the Arts Council of Wales with support from Dale Sailing Company, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Wildlife Trust South and West Wales and the Wardens of Skokholm Island Bird Observatory.

Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre is owned and run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and is the home of Amgueddfa Cymru–National Museum Wales in Pembrokeshire.

For more information on Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre please visit www.orielyparc.co.uk.

Community

Family safe after major house fire in Letterston, community told

Published

2 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Memorial hall opened to help those affected after blaze in Station Road area

A FAMILY escaped without injury after a major house fire in the Station Road area of Letterston, according to local residents.

The blaze prompted a major emergency response on Wednesday (Apr 15), with fire engines seen at the scene and the road closed while crews tackled the incident.

People posting in the Letterston community group said the family was safe, although one kitten was sadly lost in the fire.

One resident wrote: “They lost a kitten, but the family were ok. Nothing worse than a fire. There were 4 fire engines here at one time.”

Others described hearing multiple sirens and seeing smoke rising from the area, with one local woman saying her partner could see the fire engines from nearby fields.

As news of the fire spread, the local community quickly rallied round. The memorial hall was opened for anyone affected, while residents offered practical help and support to the family.

Messages posted online described the loss of the home as heartbreaking, with one resident writing that while the house had gone, the family were “alive and well to make more new memories”.

The Herald has approached the emergency services for official confirmation on the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage.

Community

Police investigate reports of door-to-door salespeople in Milford Haven and Johnston

Published

4 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents urged to stay alert as officers carry out patrols and work to establish whether the callers are legitimate

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland Police said they are aware of concerns raised by residents following reports of door-to-door salespeople operating in the Milford Haven and Johnston area.

Local officers, together with neighbourhood policing and prevention teams, are working to establish the legitimacy of those involved and will be carrying out patrols while enquiries continue.

In the meantime, members of the public are being advised to familiarise themselves with crime prevention advice relating to unwanted visitors, which is available on the force’s website.

Anyone with information that could assist enquiries is asked to get in touch online, by email at [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting its website.

Community

Big plant sale set to bloom in Narberth

Published

7 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family-friendly spring event will bring together local growers, craftspeople, food and live entertainment

GREEN fingers and creative talents will come together in Narberth next month as West Wales’ popular Big Plant Sale returns for 2026.

The event will take place at Narberth CP School on Saturday, May 2, offering visitors the chance to browse a wide range of plants, locally made crafts and eco-friendly products.

Organised with support from SPAN Arts, the annual sale has become one of the first major plant events of the season in the area, attracting gardeners of all ages and experience levels.

Stallholders are expected to offer everything from windowsill succulents and young seedlings to unusual and specialist plants, giving visitors plenty of choice as they prepare their homes and gardens for spring and summer.

Alongside the plants, there will also be a craft fair featuring handmade and environmentally conscious products, including soaps, textiles and wooden items made by local producers.

Organisers say the event is designed to be more than just a market, with locally produced food, live music and entertainment helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for families and visitors of all ages.

SPAN Arts is also inviting local growers, nurseries, craftspeople and makers to get involved, particularly those working with sustainable and eco-friendly products.

The Big Plant Sale will run from 10:00am until 3:00pm at Narberth CP School, Jesse Road, Narberth, SA67 7FE. Visitors are asked to make a suggested £2 donation on entry.

Anyone interested in booking a stall can contact [email protected].

SPAN Arts, which is based in Narberth, has spent 30 years supporting arts and community projects across Pembrokeshire. The charity runs a broad programme of music, theatre, comedy and wellbeing activities, with a focus on reducing rural isolation and improving access to the arts.

For more information about the event, contact SPAN Arts on 01834 869323 or email [email protected].