Community
A joyous conclusion to Pererin Wyf at St Davids Cathedral
THE ENCHANTING journey of Pererin Wyf, SPAN Art’s diaspora song mapping project, reached its grand finale at St Davids Cathedral.
Led by Côr Pawb, a vibrant community choir, the celebration event called Pererin Wyf – Y Canu Mawr brought together a multitude of voices for a magnificent a cappella rendition of the Welsh hymn, Pererin Wyf.
The project has been funded by Ancient Connections, a four-year project linking Wexford and Pembrokeshire, funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Co-operation Programme.
Pererin Wyf has been led by artist Rowan O’Neill and centred on the hymn composed by William Williams. It aimed to unite the Welsh and Irish diaspora, focusing on the newly established pilgrimage route from Ferns in Wexford to St Davids in Pembrokeshire; the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way.
From last September, people from around the world have been invited to sing and record this soul-stirring hymn, or any song that has the power to call them back home and to pin that recording to an online interactive map. This simple act connects participants from all corners of the globe.
Ever since Welsh singer Iris Williams recorded the hymn to the tune of Amazing Grace in 1971, it has captivated hearts and minds.
The hymn was arranged for the event in St Davids by Côr Pawb’s talented choir leader Molara Awen.
The concert began with a warm welcome from Cathedral Dean Sarah Rowland Jones, followed by speeches from Councillor Thomas Tudor, the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, and Aidan Brown from Wexford County Council.
The audience was treated to a captivating series of pilgrimage-related songs, leading up to the spine-tingling premiere of a new trilingual macaronic song An Dara Craiceann (The Second Skin), crafted in English, Welsh and Irish by Rachel Uí Fhaoláin as part of the project.
Visitors watched the short film that documented the project’s incredible journey. Created by radio producer Paul Evans and filmmakers Jacob Whittaker and John Ó Fáolain in collaboration with Rowan O’Neill.
The film showcased the voices of those who participated in the project, offering a glimpse into the broader Ancient Connections initiative. This film was presented as part of the Pilgrim Fayre organised by Small World Theatre in the Bishop’s Palace, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
Over the past nine months, the Pererin Wyf project has included a series of online workshops with world-class speakers exploring the themes of language, identity, travel, and song.
The Pererin Wyf / Is Oilithreach Mé / I am a Pilgrim project was devised, developed and produced by Rowan O’Neill in collaboration with SPAN Arts and co-facilitated in Wexford by Irish artists Rachel Uí Fhaoláin from Ceol Mo Chroí and John Ó Faoláin from the Traditional Archive Channel, and in West Wales by sound artist and film maker Jacob Whittaker. Alan Cameron Wills contributed his expertise in map coding, adding another layer of innovation to the project.
For more information about Pererin Wyf Is Oilithreach Mé I am a pilgrim visit Span Arts www.span-arts.org.uk
Community
Rent in Pembrokeshire rises 7% over past year
NEW figures reveal that private rental costs in Pembrokeshire have climbed by 7% in the past year, with the average monthly rent reaching £625 in October. This is a significant increase from £582 a year earlier and represents a 22% rise over the past five years, where the average rent was estimated at £511.
The data, collected by Rent Officers Wales as part of the Housing and Regeneration Division, highlights growing pressure on tenants amidst rising costs. The collection aims to cover approximately 15% of the rental market by gathering data from landlords and letting agents.
Across Wales, the average monthly rent has risen 8% year-on-year to £766. Cardiff recorded the highest rental cost in the country at £1,062 per month, while Powys had the lowest at £556.
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented on the challenges faced by renters in a press statement sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald. She said: “Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog. For many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but that’s far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income.”
The situation is compounded by a lack of available rental properties. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, explained: “As we continue to see further increases in rental prices across the UK, our members emphasize the lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants. Selling up or turning to the short-term letting market has become a more attractive option for landlords due to challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities.”
Breakdown of Rental Costs in Pembrokeshire
The figures show a range of costs depending on property type and size in Pembrokeshire:
– A one-bedroom property: £462 per month
– A two-bedroom property: £576 per month
– A three-bedroom property: £732 per month
– Homes with four or more bedrooms: £934 per month
By property type:
– Detached houses: £768 per month
– Semi-detached houses: £653 per month
– Terraced houses: £629 per month
– Flats or maisonettes: £521 per month
In October, the average rent for private properties across Great Britain stood at £1,307 per month—up 9% compared to the same period last year. This equates to an increase of £105 per month.
As landlords adapt to changing regulations and financial pressures, the shortage of rental properties continues to push prices higher, creating further challenges for tenants across Pembrokeshire and beyond.
Climate
Pembrokeshire group plans for larger community wind turbine
A NORTH Pembrokeshire group which has raised more than £76,000 from its community wind turbine for local projects is hoping to expand with a bigger turbine.
In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Abergwaun Community Turbine Ltd, through agent Machynlleth-based Dulas Ltd is hoping to get permission for a larger turbine to replace the existing Abergwaun Community Turbine.
The proposed turbine, in a pasture field at Trebover Farm, to the south of Fishguard, would be 67m tall, the existing 2015 one being 45 metres.
In supporting statements, parent company Transition Bro Gwaun said: “The Community Climate Fund (CCF) is the mechanism by which Transition Bro Gwaun (TBG) is fulfilling our ambition of funding projects in Fishguard, Goodwick and across North Pembrokeshire, using income from the community wind turbine.
“The core themes for grants are climate change mitigation and adaptation, enhancement of biodiversity and improvements to community resilience through promotion of community engagement and resource sharing.”
In 2015, TBG raised its 50 per cent share of capital funding for the project by means of loans from 28 local individuals and four community groups, contributing a total of £286,500, the other 50 per cent contributed by landowners Parc-y-Morfa Farms Ltd.
The statement added: “Profit generated by sale of electricity from the turbine is split 50:50 between TBG and Parcy-Morfa Farms Ltd through the jointly owned trading arm, Abergwaun Community Turbine. By the end of 2022, all loans had been repaid, allowing the launch of TBG’s Community Climate Fund. This year we have awarded our third round of grants bringing the total amount granted to £76,036.”
In 2022, £15,274 was awarded to seven projects, including Fishguard Sports AFC to install solar panels on their clubhouse as part of their Tregroes Park development, Ysgol Bro Gwaun for their Increasing Biodiversity and Bees project, and Nevern Valley Veg / Llysiau Cwm Nyfer to install a solar powered vegetable irrigation scheme.
In 2023, £39,85 was made available for seven projects, including Sea Trust Wales to part fund the installation of solar panels on the Ocean Lab roof and to produce a display on solar technology, Letterston Memorial Hall to part fund the installation of an air source heat pump heating system, and Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club to install solar panels on their clubhouse.
2024 awards of £20,917 were made to six projects, including Theatr Gwaun to insulate their loft to reduce heating loss, Parc Cerrig Growers for developing a rainwater harvesting system with a pond to irrigate their allotments, Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture for an electric cargo bike for delivering organic vegetables in the Fishguard and St Davids areas, and Nevern Valley Veg to develop wildlife ponds and rainwater harvesting for food production.
The supporting documentation concludes: “The repowering of the existing turbine at Trebover would require a limited increase in turbine size which would result in a very limited change in landscape and visual effects in comparison to the existing Trebover turbine.”
The application will be considered by planners at a later date.
Community
Council warns of icy conditions as temperatures drop
ROAD users in Pembrokeshire are being urged to exercise caution tonight as temperatures are forecast to dip below freezing.
Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that road surface temperatures could reach as low as -2°C, with the possibility of sleet or snow on higher ground. In response, precautionary salting of the county’s primary routes will be carried out this evening and overnight.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Road users are advised to take care if travelling on untreated roads.”
Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and drive carefully, particularly in areas that may not have been treated.
Stay tuned to The Herald for updates on road conditions and weather warnings.
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