Community

Giant seahorse sculpture to be built on coast despite backlash

Published

4 hours ago

September 29, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A COUNCIL scheme to site a seahorse sculpture and a wind-powered shoal of fish in Fishguard and Goodwick have been given the go-ahead by county planners despite potential safety and loss of privacy concerns.

A Pembrokeshire County Council application to its planners sought full permission for the two sculptures.

They are a five-metre-high wind powered artwork of a shoal of fish mounted and circling around a galvanized steel pole on a paved area outside Ocean Lab, The Parrog, Goodwick, belonging to Sea Trust CIC, and a near-five metre stainless steel sculpture of a seahorse surrounded by seagrass and mounted on a rock adjacent to Marine Walk, Fishguard.

The siting of a community funded sculpture to the on the north of the Ocean Lab was granted by planners back in 2022.

Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council agreed a “non-specified response” to the application. Document for planners listed its response: “Although the sculptures are very striking, there was concern raised over the ongoing maintenance of both of the sculptures being considered.

“Regarding the Seahorse Sculpture, there was also concern raised about safety relating to the design, with the potential of injury to people and wildlife. There does not appear to be anything in place to prevent climbing on the sculpture which has a lot of sharp protrusions, so the town council would like assurance that an appropriate risk assessment has been considered.”

One letter raising concerns about the seahorse sculpture was also received, referring to potential noise, loss of privacy, impact on views, saying it would be overbearing, out of context and character, and does not complement existing artwork and shift in the meaning of space, as well as raising concerns about a devaluation of property.

An officer report said the shoal of fish wind sculpture would feature an anti-climb mechanism, with the lower spikes of the seahorse covered by the seagrass element of the sculpture, which will also act as an anti-climb material.

It also said the sculptures are owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, who would be responsible for their maintenance and will be covered by public liability insurance.

It added: “In regard to the seahorse sculpture, the site is located along an existing formal walkway known as Marine Walk, which is already frequented by walkers and visitors to the area, with the path for the walk at a lower level than the built form to the east and south of the site.

“As such, the scale and location of the development is considered acceptable, whilst being viewed from the north within the context of the existing built form to the south. The proposed design of the sculpture as a sea horse pays due regard to the coastal nature and views from the site towards the harbour from the Marine Walk.

“The backdrop to the site, albeit of a residential nature, the proposed metal sculpture would not have a significantly detrimental impact on its surroundings, which is made up of a variety of materials and form. The proposed sea horse sculpture would be located approximately 16 metres from the boundary to the nearest dwelling, within the context of the Marine Walk path, therefore not having a significantly detrimental impact on the privacy or amenity of the occupiers of nearby dwellings.”

Community

Narberth Food Festival: A feast of flavours and fun for all ages

Published

22 hours ago

September 28, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NARBERTH’S annual Food Festival has returned this weekend, bringing together a delicious mix of food, music, and educational activities that highlight the best of Welsh culture and cuisine. Held in the picturesque town of Narberth, the festival promises an exciting lineup of chefs, musicians, and local artisans, showcasing the rich diversity and culinary talent of Wales.

The festivities began with an Education Day, an enlightening experience for local school children from Narberth School and St Oswald’s VA School. The day was packed with engaging workshops hosted in a large marquee, including sausage making by Andrew Rees Butchers, seaweed discoveries with Câr y Môr, cake decorating skills by Ysgol Greenhill School, essential food preparation with Corinne Cariad, and delightful chocolate making with Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Co.

This educational initiative, heavily supported by local businesses and volunteers, is designed to teach the young attendees about the origins and production of food, a foundational knowledge that the festival organisers are keen to impart to the next generation.

As the festival opens to the public, attendees are invited to a culinary journey through the Food Theatre events on Saturday. Highlights include chef demonstrations from noted chefs like Dougie Balish of The Grove and engaging taste sessions with local food innovators such as Owen Rosser from Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm.

The Music Stage offers a melodic backdrop to the delicious fare, with a lineup that spans folk, rock, and acoustic performances. Saturday’s performances will see the likes of Abbie Jebbers and the dynamic duo BoxSet, while Sunday welcomes talents like Rosey Cale and the unique sounds of Ella Guru.

The festival is not only a platform for food and music but also a spotlight on the innovative local traders. Among them is James from Still Wild, who returns to share his foraging insights and his latest creation, Oystershell Vodka, already lauded with two Great Taste stars.

For the youngsters, the festival is packed with additional fun. Entry is free for under 16s, encouraging families to enjoy the face painting, circus skills workshops, and the antics of beloved street performers. These elements ensure that the Narberth Food Festival is a weekend where learning, fun, and gastronomy delightfully intersect.

Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or just in search of a vibrant community event, Narberth Food Festival offers a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to all tastes and ages. With its commitment to education, local entrepreneurship, and cultural celebration, the festival continues to be a standout event in Wales’s festival calendar.

Community

Pembs photographer shortlisted for British Photography Awards

Published

3 days ago

September 26, 2024

Richard Lewis

PEMBROKSEHIRE photographer Gillian Mackay has shot her way to victory after being shortlisted for the highly acclaimed British Photography Awards, 2024.

Her stunning photograph, entitled ‘Ice Cream Please’ displays a wild pony harassing a lady who’s standing in a queue for an ice cream. And it certainly wowed this year’s selectors with the result that it has now been included in the awards’ Street Category section.

“I’m delighted and thrilled to be shortlisted for this, because it was certainly a surreal moment when I saw a wild pony harassing a lady in a queue for ice cream,” said Gillian.

Gillian’s focus has always been to try and catch things from an unusual perspective, which makes street photography her ideal genre. Her photographs sometimes include people in high contrast silhouette and sometimes she exposes the image for the person, and other times for the background. Her photographs often catch people in action, or when they are unaware of her presence, such as when they’re sitting alone on a public bench or, in this instance, queuing for an ice cream.

Street photography was first established by Henri Cartier-Bresson, when his aim was to catch random incidents in public places, rather than posed images. And it goes without saying that street photography can be taken anywhere in a public area, not just on the street.

Gillian, who is a member of the Tenby Camera Club, will be travelling to London for the awards ceremony which takes place in November.

The final winner will be chosen by a panel of judges, however there will also be a people’s award which can be visited on the British Photography Awards website.

Community

Celebrating 15 years of Dragon LNG with donation to Paul Sartori

Published

3 days ago

September 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DRAGON LNG, a key supplier of energy in the UK providing up to 12% of its energy needs, proudly celebrates 15 years of safe and successful commercial operations this year. With a commitment to the local community, Dragon employs and supports numerous families within Pembrokeshire, and each year, its staff chooses a Pembrokeshire-registered charity to support as their Charity of the Year. This year, the Paul Sartori Foundation was selected in recognition of its vital services to the community.

In celebration of the 15-year milestone, Dragon’s shareholders Shell and VTTI have made a generous £15,000 donation to the Paul Sartori Foundation. This contribution underscores Dragon LNG’s dedication to supporting the community and reflects on the significant impact the company has made over the past 15 years in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and the wider UK.

VTTI and Shell remarked, “We are proud of the contributions that Dragon has made to Wales and the wider UK over the past 15 years. The dedication and hard work of Dragon’s employees ensure that the energy flows smoothly. We are delighted to support Paul Sartori, a cause chosen by our employees for 2024, and recognize its important role in the Pembrokeshire community.”

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, a charitable organization committed to providing compassionate end-of-life care, expressed their deep appreciation for the generous donation by the shareholders, which will positively impact the lives of those in need. From nursing care and night respite to equipment hire, complementary therapy, and bereavement counselling, The Paul Sartori Foundation is committed to taking care of its community when they need it the most. This incredible donation not only reflects the hard work of Dragon LNG within the sector and the area over the last 15 years but is also a testament to the great things that can happen when big industry and the local community work together.

Charity Manager Sandra Dade was grateful to be invited to Dragon’s staff and community celebration event held in Waterston, where the MD of Dragon, Simon Ames, presented The Paul Sartori Foundation with the generous donation.

“It’s because of organisations like this that we’re able to provide crucial care services to those with life-limiting illnesses, or those at the end of life. The charity does rely on the support of its local community to ensure the future of the charity and so we’re extremely grateful that an organisation of this size recognised our hard work within Pembrokeshire”.

Picture: Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy MD, Simon Ames presenting the cheque to Sandra of Paul Sartori at Dragon’ staff and community celebration event.