News

County Library ‘redefines our heritage’ but is at risk, says Royal Commission

Published

5 years ago

March 31, 2021

HAVERFORDWEST’S old County Library building features in a list of twentieth-century heritage buildings at risk prepared by the Royal Commission of Ancient and Historical Monuments for Wales (RCAHMW).

Public libraries, as important places of free and accessible education for adults and schoolchildren alike, were highlighted by several post-war studies including the Education Act of 1944, the Ministry of Education report ‘The structure of the public library service in England and Wales and The Robbins and Newson Reports on Education of 1964.

The Public Libraries and Museums Act, also of 1964, made it a statutory duty for local authorities to provide a library service that was ‘comprehensive and efficient’ as well as encouraging cultural activities within communities.

The Pembrokeshire County Library of 1967-69, designed by Pembrokeshire county architect, Gilbert Ray, was part of the building programme that followed the Act’s passage.

Externally the facade is dominated by a sculpture by artist David Tinker designed to represent the pages of open books, the last of his Fibonacci Sequence inspired series, while the interior is characterised by large, well-lit, open-plan spaces. To the left, a round theatre is curtained by a curved stone wall, the slit lights evoking a sense of the origin of the medieval town.

The function of the building was replaced by the Glan-yr-Afon cultural centre built in 2018 and it is currently for sale.

RCAHMW is challenging the idea of what springs to mind when you think of ‘a historic building’.

Castles, medieval churches, timber-framed houses? Maybe nineteenth-century industrial complexes, nonconformist chapels and Victorian mansions?

The chances are that post-war theatre, civic centres or schools are not the first buildings that most people think of, or would consider, as being ‘of historic interest’ at all!

The twentieth century in Wales was one of major economic, social, political, technological, religious, and cultural change, and the built environment had to change and diversify drastically over the course of 100 years in response to this.

These buildings and planned landscapes have equally shaped our lives from our day-to-day experiences of transport, work, home and leisure to landmark civic and political structures.

The twentieth-century heritage, particularly of the post-war period, is increasingly under threat of demolition and redevelopment and the Commission urges planners and the public to think urgently about what this means for Wales’s heritage.

It is important that disappearing buildings and landscapes from this period are recorded for future understanding alongside those of earlier periods, but we also want to recognise and celebrate the achievements of twentieth-century developments in design, architecture and technological innovation and ensure that its importance as the latest chapter in our long history can be understood and appreciated.

While some of these buildings, because of their scale, materials or complex history, may not always be easy to love at first sight, they play a vital role as a visible marker of our society’s more recent past.

To this end, the Royal Commission is recording C20 heritage at risk and formulating strategic programmes of thematic research to take forward.

RCAHMW has also been involved in the formation of C20 Cymru; the Twentieth Century Society in Wales and are looking forward to co-ordinating the twentieth-century period for the forthcoming revision of the Research Framework for the Archaeology of Wales.

Whatever your view of the County Library’s appearance, it is a marker of a period in our shared history. The library building and its sculpture represent how the architect and planners behind it saw both their time and the future.

The 2012-2017 Council, under Jamie Adams’ leadership, found the cost of redeveloping it as a cultural centre too heavy a burden only after it closed the library and shunted it into temporary accommodation.

Facilities which that administration promised to house in the building, including a community centre for young people, remain unprovided.

Since its closure, the building has remained empty; the façade slowly mouldering away. It is now up for demolition and redevelopment.

The modernist sculpture has been offered for installation elsewhere in Haverfordwest.

It remains to be seen whether anyone will accept it as a valuable reminder of Haverfordwest’s 20th-century heritage and give it the home it deserves.

Local Government

Road resurfacing works welcomed after repeated pothole complaints

Published

4 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Castle ward councillor thanks residents for patience as long-running issue near St Thomas’ Green finally addressed

ROAD resurfacing works at St Thomas’ Green in Haverfordwest have been welcomed by local county councillor Thomas Tudor, who says a long-standing pothole problem near a bus shelter is finally being resolved.

Cllr Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, said he was pleased to see progress being made on the improvements, particularly in an area that had required repeated repairs over time.

The works, being carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council and contractors, include resurfacing along part of the road close to the bus shelter near St Thomas’ Green.

Cllr Tudor said the pothole had been reported and repaired on numerous occasions before more permanent resurfacing work was approved.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward, which includes St Thomas’ Green, I am pleased to see works progressing very well with the road resurfacing, in particular the area by the bus shelter which had a pothole which I have been reporting and having repaired numerous times.

“Many thanks to Pembrokeshire County Council and the various contractors involved and I would also like to apologise to the residents and thank them for their patience and understanding during these essential works.”

The resurfacing has caused some disruption to local traffic while work is underway, with temporary traffic management measures in place.

Residents have been thanked for their patience as crews complete the improvements, which are aimed at providing a safer and smoother road surface for motorists and pedestrians.

Photo caption:

Improvements underway: Cllr Thomas Tudor pictured at St Thomas’ Green as resurfacing works progress (Pic supplied)

News

Cefn Sidan retains Blue Flag status as one of Wales’ top beaches

Published

4 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CEFΝ Sidan has retained its place among the world’s best coastal locations after being awarded Blue Flag status in the Wales Coast Awards 2026.

The Carmarthenshire beach, located within Pembrey Country Park near Burry Port, has now received the prestigious award 38 times — more than any other beach in Wales.

Cefn Sidan was also the first beach in Wales to receive a Blue Flag when the awards were introduced in 1988.

The awards, announced by Keep Wales Tidy, recognise beaches that meet high standards for water quality, safety, facilities, environmental education and site management.

A total of 48 beaches across Wales were recognised this year, with 20 receiving Blue Flag status.

Cefn Sidan is an eight-mile sandy beach backed by dunes and forms part of Pembrey Country Park, one of Carmarthenshire’s major visitor attractions. The park also offers woodland walks, mountain bike trails, a dry ski slope, toboggan ride, crazy golf, train rides and a family campsite.

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy said: “We are delighted to see Cefn Sidan once again retaining its Blue Flag Award status and continuing to hold the title of the Welsh beach which has received the most Blue Flags.

“As Wales’ very first Blue Flag Award winner, we appreciate the ongoing commitment of everyone at Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrey Country Park in ensuring Cefn Sidan meets the high standards needed to gain the Blue Flag Award.”

He added: “These awards recognise high and consistent standards and we would like to thank staff, volunteers and everyone else at sites across Wales who work so hard to protect and preserve our natural landscape in the face of increasingly challenging circumstances.

“All of these places are beautiful but seeing that flag flying means visitors can be assured that they are clean, safe and well-managed with excellent facilities too.”

Other Blue Flag beaches in west Wales include Llangrannog in Ceredigion, Saundersfoot, Tenby South and Poppit Sands in Pembrokeshire.

Thirteen Welsh beaches also received Green Coast Awards, including Mwnt and Penbryn in Ceredigion, Freshwater East and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire.

A further 15 beaches gained Seaside Awards, including Aberystwyth South and North.

Crime

Trial by jury protest planned outside Cardiff Crown Court

Published

5 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaigners say the proposed reforms would weaken one of the public’s oldest legal protections

CAMPAIGNERS will demonstrate outside Cardiff Crown Court on Monday (May 18) in protest against government proposals which they say would severely restrict the right to trial by jury.

Local activist Roz Royson said she will join other campaigners outside the court between 11:00am and 4:00pm, handing out leaflets and speaking to members of the public.

The protest forms part of a wider national day of action organised by the Jury Alliance, with demonstrations planned outside around 30 crown courts across England and Wales.

Campaigners argue that trial by jury is a fundamental safeguard in the justice system and should not be removed or heavily restricted.

Ms Royson said: “This government’s current plan to get rid of trial by jury is relevant to every person affected by the rule of law here in the UK.

“There was an overwhelmingly positive response outside the court last time we were there. People in the street, when they learn about the plan, are outraged that the government intends to almost entirely do away with jury trials.”

The campaigners say they hope to raise public awareness and build opposition to the proposals, which they believe are “passing all too easily” without enough scrutiny.

The demonstration will take place outside Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow.