Newcastle Emlyn and Adpar / Castell Newydd Emlyn ac Adpar

Carmarthenshire County Council are asking for your help to develop the best community strategy for the County.

“Imagine yourself in the year 2020. What kind of Carmarthenshire do you want to be living in?

What kind of future do you want for yourself and your family? What would be the local newspaper headlines?

Imagine a Carmarthenshire that –

• Is the 1st County to get 100% of its energy from renewable sources?
• Is a County where 100% of its young people return to live and work?
• Is the 1st County to have 0% obesity?
• Is the wealthiest County in the UK?
• Has reduced crime to 0%?

If so, we need you to be bold, imaginative and creative. Forget about the boring and the ordinary – we want big ideas, big ambition!

What is a Community Strategy?

Building on the many successes of the original Community Strategy of 2004, the document brings together an agreed vision for the future of Carmarthenshire – one that the council, public and private sectors, voluntary and community sectors and the Welsh Assembly Government can help deliver by working together, planning together and doing together. It is the over-arching long term plan for the area which will influence everything we do.

Who is responsible for it?

The Duty to prepare a community strategy is placed on the Council, but it can only be done in partnership with a wide variety of other agencies and involvement of communities. The Carmarthenshire Partnership and the Local Service Board help oversee the delivery and progress of the strategy.

Why do we need a community strategy?

The Community Strategy will determine the kind of Carmarthenshire we want for the future for everyone – young, old, residents or visitors alike. For that reason we need to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to set the vision for 2020 and are conducting a series of consultation and engagement exercises to ensure we get wide ranging viewpoints.

We want your ideas for the future. Imagine the newspaper headlines in 2020, what should they say? Now is the time for you to let us know.

Complete the suggestion form at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Further details are available on: www.thecarmarthenshirepartnership.org.uk

Last night, live on ITV Wales Tonight, Newcastle Emlyn’s King George V Playing Fields Association learnt that it had won £50,000 from the People’s Millions Big Lottery Fund. Children and adults from right across the community gathered at the primary school, Ysgol y Ddwylan, to await the results, and there were screams of genuine surprise and delight as ITV news presenter Carl Edwards appeared through the curtains with a huge cheque.

Success in The Peoples Millions for the Playground Committee

The win follows months of campaigning, and a TV film which was shown on ITV Wales Tonight on Monday. Thanks to strong community support, and remote voting by family and friends across the UK, the playground committee was told they had won ‘by a comfortable margin’ against a rival project in South Wales.

But this isn’t the only success to have been enjoyed by the committee over the last week. Last week, the Association learnt that it has also been successful in securing a £40,000 Cwm Environmental (landfill tax) grant.

The two prizes together will allow the committee to completely refit the playing field with all of the equipment featured in the complete new designs, along with landscaping/flowerbeds and perimeter walkways so that the public doesn’t have to walk through wet grass to get around the park.

Said committee fundraiser Fiona White:

“We are absolutely delighted that the park is finally attracting the money it needs. As a committee, we have invested a great deal of time in fund-raising this year – particularly grant applications and national competitions – in six months we have raised £104,000 and this is mainly down to the support of everyone in our community, so a huge thank you to everyone who has helped with this.”

“It’s absolutely fantastic news – now, we will be able to give the community the best central public space it could wish for, breathing life back into the heart of the town, and providing a safe and stimulating outdoor environment that all of the community can enjoy,” added fellow campaigner, Sue Tabbitt. “Not a penny will be wasted, and we’ll be listening carefully to additional new ideas from local residents before we roll out the next stages of the project, so all feedback is very welcome.”

* The committee meets on the second Monday of every month in the town council chambers in the clock tower, from 7.30pm. All are welcome.

For further information, contact Fiona White, grounds manager and fund-raiser, KGV Playing Fields Association Committee: 07970 090343 Email: fionawhite1470@btinternet.com

Filming in Newcastle Emlyn for the ITV Programme “The People’s Millions” has been announced

It will take place at Newcastle Emlyn King George V Playing Field on Monday 17th November from 11.30 pm to 4pm in the park!

Cllr. Fiona White of the Playground Committee said:

“We need to show how much our community support the children’s park in our attempt to win £50,000 from the People’s Millions.

“People are welcome throughout the day for background scenes but we need everyone in the park at 3.30pm to film the final group scene. Everyone is welcome – children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, teachers & local businesses, everyone!”

“The film will be shown on ITV Wales Tonight at 6pm on 24th November 2008 at 6pm. We need your support for the filming and your VOTE on the day!”

The King George V Playing Fields Associated of Newcastle Emlyn has raised a further £1,500 towards the refurbishment of the playground, thanks to a fantastic Bonfire Night and firework display on Wednesday 5th November.

The annual event, in the grounds the castle ruins, this year raised just short of £1,500 in clear profit, with more than 1,000 paying visitors flooding through the gate. Cllr Fiona White, one of the committee’s fundraisers and its grounds manager, worked tirelessly with other committee members and friends and family to produce the event, which was blessed with perfect weather conditions. She said: “I’d like to thank all the committee members who gave up so much time – and all the many additional helpers – those who collected wood for the fire, built and managed it, made the guy and provided the food – to West Coast Fireworks who, once again, put on a tremendous display which could be seen far and wide.”

This year’s tickets were entered into a raffle, and we are pleased to announce that ticket number 626 win the prize of a delicious meal for two at the Emlyn Arms Hotel. Congratulations to the winning ticket-holder!

With the firework extravaganza out of the way, the committee is now turning its attention to generating votes for the playground’s £50,000 People’s Millions campaign, under which it stands to secure £50,000 if it wins high numbers of public votes when a promotional TV film is shown on the ITV Wales evening news on Monday 24th November.

The film is being shot in the playground on the afternoon of Monday 17th November, and the committee is keen to see all corners of the community represented, to emphasise the importance of the project to people right across the town and beyond. “We’re encouraging hoards of children, parents and grandparents, as well as teachers, vicars, brownies/guides/scout leaders – all corners of the community – to turn out and wave banners to show their support as the film is made,” said Sue Tabbitt, a committee fund-raiser.

“There is no question that people will know about the TV programme and the big prize that’s at stake – the big challenge is getting people to pick up the phone – and to use their full 10 votes!!” said Cllr Fiona White.

If successful in this latest quest, the Committee will be able to roll out the next stage of the plans for the playground, which include a fenced-off toddler area, a new zip-wire, basketball hoop and a new tyre-swing installation. Regular updates will be posted up on the new playground noticeboard.

The committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 7.30pm at the Council Chambers, in the clock tower, in Newcastle Emlyn. All are welcome.

The King George V Playing Fields Associated of Newcastle Emlyn has made the final shortlist for ITV’s People’s Millions – a TV show in which the public are called upon to vote (by phone and text) for community projects which need National Lottery funding.

Download the official “People’s Millions” Press Release (PDF)

The playground project is one of just 8 Welsh projects to have been short listed and, if they are one of the top five by numbers of public votes cast, they will receive the full £50,000 of funds applied for.

On Monday 24th November 2008, ITV Wales – on the evening news programme ‘Wales Tonight’ – two short films will be screened, the viewing public will be asked to choose between Newcastle Emlyn’s Playground and one other project from Wales. The one that receives the most votes will be declared the winner and offered a grant. For the remainder of the week, two further projects will go head to head each night and of the four unsuccessful projects, the one with the highest number of public votes will be ‘rescued’ – this means that five of the eight projects will get their desired funding.

Children and parents celebrate the news

Over the next two weeks, the King George V Playing Fields committee will be producing their TV promotion, and urging the local community – and everyone they know – to tune in and vote for the playground on the night this is transmitted.

“We would urge anyone and everyone to watch the broadcast and vote for the playground – by phone, text – they will accept 10 calls per phone line, so please make full use of this, and tell everyone you know, this is our big chance to finally get a fantastic park and secure the much needed funding to complete the next phase!”

urged Committee fund-raisers Fiona White and Sue Tabbitt.

Voting lines are open for a project from 9.00am on the morning of that project’s broadcast until midnight the same day. Callers will ring a national-rate number and for BT customers the cost of a call is less than 10p. This is NOT a premium rate call, and neither ITV or Big Lottery Fund will make any money from the calls. Any phone line can be used to vote up to 10 times. Votes will be accepted from anywhere in the UK.

If successful in securing the £50,000 applied for, the Committee will be able to roll out the next stage of the plans for the playground, which includes a fenced-off toddler area, a new zip-wire, basketball hoop and a new tyre-swing installation. However, to complete the project a further £35,000 is still required and additional grant applications have been made. Regular updates will be posted up on the new playground notice board.

The committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 7.30pm at the Council Chambers, in the clock tower, in Newcastle Emlyn. All are welcome.

Fiona White, Park Manager, KGV Playing Fields Association Committee: 07970 090343 Email: fionawhite1470@btinternet.com

Sue Tabbitt, Press Officer & Grants Application Manager, KGV Playing Fields Association Committee: Mobile: 07890 661459 Email: sue.tabbitt@gmail.com

An exciting new project is being planned for Newcastle Emlyn

The project has been designed jointly between older peoples, physical disabilities and learning disabilities sections of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Social Care, Health & Housing Department.

The land to be used is currently a sloped, lawn area at the back of the Teifi Valley Day Centre, Newcastle Emlyn covering approximately ¾ acre. The proposal is to develop six ‘allotment’ size plots (approx. 30×5 yds) for the use of growing fruit and vegetables. Each plot will be worked by a group/association. It is envisaged that these groups will be social care/health service users and all produce will be for their benefit and not for commercial sale. Some plots may be available for individuals. A management committee with representatives of each group will be formed to manage the site, establish terms of reference and form an ‘Allotment Society’ or be affiliated to a local society. Each plot will be rented on an annual basis (£25.00) and worked with agreed allotment rules and regulations.

The project would be entirely self funding, by the users committee, raising finance for equipment and groundwork and also be self sufficient by using rainwater and composting toilets. There is much evidence from government and health experts that ‘growing your own’ has benefits not only for nutrition but also in reducing ‘food miles’. In addition the practical and physical activity increases greater health and wellbeing.

It is hoped that individuals will benefit by growing produce for their needs, developing new skills and environmental practices, and that the local area will benefit by witnessing an exciting new project that will inspire others.

An inaugural meeting has been held with representatives from some interested groups and county council staff and it is hoped to widen interest, particularly from individuals with gardening, organisational and fundraising skills. The next meeting, to develop the project further will be held on Thursday January 8th 2009 at 7.00pm in the Day Centre (behind Holy Trinity Church) Anyone interested should contact:

Vivienne Kincaid, Direct Services Manager
vkincaid@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Len Saunders, Development Manager
lsaunders@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Title: Allen Raine Concert
Location: Emlyn Secondary School Hall
Link out: Click here
Description: A webcast concert of music and dramatised readings from her works.
Start Time: 16:15
Date: 2008-10-18
End Time: 20:30

Ar ddydd Sadwrn, Hydref 18ed. Fe fydd Cymdeithas Ddathlu Allen Raine yn cyflwyno datblygiad cyffrous o’r Wyl Ddathlu , sef dgwe-ddarlklediad byw o gerddoriaeth a darlleniadau allan o waith yr awdures. Darlledir y gyngerdd o Neuadd Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn yn fyw rhwng 6.15 y.h. a 8.30.y.h – ewch i wefan www.allenraine.com a cliciwch ar liverainewebcast i wylio’r sioe.

Bydd y rhaglen yn cynnwys artistiaid lleol fel Radwm, Marian O’Toole a Chwareuwyr y Daflod. Myfyrywr Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn bydd yn criwio’r cynhyrchiad, yn dilyn hyfforddiant gan Adran Ehangu Mynediad Coleg y Brifysgol, Llambed, mewn cydweithrediad a Chanolfan Cyfryngol y coleg a chwmni cynhyrchu Y Wennol Cyf.

Mae Prifysgol Cymru Llambed eisoes wedi arloesi ym maes darlledu cymunedol gyda Cllwb Ffermwyr Ifainc Cymru, Merched y Wawr ac ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd gan ddefnyddio yr Uned Darlledu Allanol i gynnig hyfforddiant. Defnyddir technoleg gyfoesol i ddarlledu yn fyw ar y rhyngrwyd. Fe all y math yma o ddarlledu arwaun at ddefnydd cynhwysfawr ac uchelgeisiol o dechnoleg cyfryngol i hyrwyddo gweithgareddau a diwylliant lleol.

Croeso i chi ymuno a ni yn Neuadd Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn; drysau ar agor am 5.45 y.h., gyda’r gwe-ddarllediad yn cychwyn am 6.30 y,h. Mynediad yn £5 i oedolion (Plant dan 18 £2 )i gynnwys tocyn raffl rhad am hamperi moethus a gwobrwyon eraill. Os y’ch chi’n dymuno noswaith “ffansi”, wel gwisgwch yn nillad y cyfnod (1896 – 1910) neu fel cymeriad allan o’i llyfrau , am gyfle i ennill gwobr! Beth bynnag yw eich dewis, ymunwch a ni – ar y We neu yn y Neuadd.

Am fwy o wybodaeth, cysylltwch a Carol Byrne Jones 01239 710360 atsg39@dsl.pipex.com

In under two weeks’ time, Newcastle Emlyn’s King George V Playing Fields will take delivery of the first phase of its much-anticipated new playground equipment, courtesy of the £10,000 Goodyear prize money scooped by the Association committee earlier this year.

The new equipment, which the committee emphasises is just one part of what will be a much more extensive installation, as funds allow, is due to be installed by Playworld Systems before the end of September.

New equipment

With the new installation imminent, the committee is appealing to local residents to keep dogs off the Playing Fields, in accordance with the Playing Fields’ constitution. “Since the old, condemned equipment was removed, some owners have been letting their dogs foul on the Playing Fields, creating an unsafe environment for children,” said Cllr Fiona White, who also holds a pivotal role on the committee as the park manager. “Not only do we need to ensure the grounds are clean before the new equipment can be opened to the public, the town’s junior football team begins practice on the Fields this week, and it’s appalling to see that people have let their dogs use this valuable public facility as a toilet, despite the risk of disease and the signs that state very clearly that dogs are not allowed on the field.”

The problem has also caused much distress to the town’s gardener/handyman, Wyn Davies, who looks after the playing field and cuts the grass, and who painstakingly restored the field following the damage caused by the circus during the wet weather this summer.

* The King George V Playing Fields committee, which continues to work tirelessly to raise ongoing funds for the new equipment, and has just submitted a new round of grant applications, is currently planning the annual November 5th Fireworks Night, to be held as usual in the grounds of the town’s castle, with hot food served from 6.30pm.

* The broader plans for the playground equipment, phase 2 of which will include a fenced-off toddler area, will incorporate feedback provided to the committee at the ideas tent at May’s Fun Day. This includes a new zip-wire, basketball hoop and a new tyre-swing installation (pictured below). A notice board will be erected showing progress, and offering residents regular updates.

Phase 2 of makeover 2009 – dependent on additional funding

Anyone interested in joining the committee is encouraged to contact the committee as follows:

Fiona White, Park Manager, KGV Playing Fields Association Committee: 07970 090343 Email: fionawhite1470@btinternet.com

Sue Tabbitt, Press Officer & Grants Application Manager, KGV Playing Fields Association Committee: Mobile: 07890 661459 Email: sue.tabbitt@gmail.com

The Tivyside Advertiser reports this week that:

“Permission is being sought to set up a permanent segregated airspace around Parc Aberporth so that frequent testing of unmanned aircraft can take place over land.

“The first announcement of the move was made at the annual unmanned systems show at the parc this week.

“A full public consultation is promised on the proposal this autumn, involving organisations and local councils over a wide area – from Cardigan, Newcastle Emlyn and Llandysul, possibly as far as Lampeter.”

Research into UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle) is mainly funded by the military. They are already used by the US and Israel to carry out reconnaissance and attacks. It is widely believed that the current generation of warplanes will be the last to actually carry human pilots.

Aerospace company Boeing in a high profile advertising campaign in 2006 exploited its close connections with the Welsh Assemby Government for public relations purposes. (click on advert on left for larger version). The advert only refers to developing “environmental and agricultural applications for unmanned aerial vehicles”. Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is the second-largest defence contractor in the world with a $30.5 billion turnover. It is responsible for 56% of Boeing’s total income. The Aberporth base has been a military weapons test establishment since 1948. The idea that Boeing’s UAV research at Aberporth has no military component is laughable.

The quote below from the WAG Cabinet Sub Committee on Jobs and Skills – JS(05-06)06 in November 2005 lists other companies invoved with UAV’s at Aberporth. Although it includes IGER – The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in Aberystwyth, arms-related companies predominate. ASTRAEA stands for “Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment”. QinetiQ is a leading British “defence technology” company. The British Ministry of Defence’s “Watchkeeper Programme” is the biggest UAV programme in Europe.

“Unmanned Systems – Welsh Assembly Government is now clearly regarded as a global lead authority and player in the UAV sector, following its leadership and support of UK industry’s R&D programme ASTRAEA, its development of a collaborative UAV market development programme with Boeing, QinetiQ and IGER, and the highly successful ParcAberporth Unmanned Systems 2005 event which demonstrated the first ever UK flight of a large UAV, the Israeli Hermes 450, part of the MoD’s major Watchkeeper programme.”
Andrew Davies AM
Economic Development and Transport Minister”

Here is a promo film made by Boeing to sell its X-45 UCAV.

West Wales is already used by manned warplanes and Aberporth has been used for decades to test missiles and ordinance offshore. Most residents of the area and most elected representatives seem content with that. Will the the extension of the testing zone for UAV’s inland and above our heads be a cause for concern or protest? Will the “consultation” being promised over the proposals be anything more than a sham?

Whatever your feelings, please contact your elected representatives and let them know.

• Adam Price MP (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
• Mark Williams MP (Ceredigion)
• Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
• Elin Jones AM (Ceredigion)
• Nick Bourne AM (Mid and West Wales)
• Alun Davies AM (Mid and West Wales)
• Nerys Evans AM (Mid and West Wales)
• Joyce Watson AM (Mid and West Wales)

Heart of the Dragon CD to be launched at Newcastle Emlyn Castle
Wednesday July 16th 2008 6 to 8pm

Download event flyer as PDF
Download event flyer as RTF/DOC

The story so far…

Last year saw two and a half thousand people descend upon the small market town of Newcastle Emlyn, on the Carmarthenshire / Ceredigion border.

This place – where local legend tells the Last Dragon of Wales was killed – was destined to bring history and legend alive and right up to date!

The Heart of the Dragon Festival was held at the castle next to the beautiful River Teifi, with its cascading whitewater leat and riverside path.

The two day event, funded by Heritage Lottery, wove together a Medieval Market Fayre, Storytelling, Drama, Music and Dance pieces created by the local community, along with a Dragon Procession through town, of schools, youth groups, elderly and middle aged! Guarding the castle, a Copper Dragon from Rhyader and a Giant Metal Dragon – made locally by people with special needs – joined a Portuguese Water Dragon in celebration.

A dramatic Giant Dragon Fire Sculpture ensured the spirit of the Last Dragon was well honoured in the dark of the evening…and marked the place where a new history was to be born…

Hero Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr, historical revolution leader, fought a battle at the castle in 1403. His Red Dragon Flag flew to reclaim it from the occupiers…

The legend tells of the tragedy of this short lived resistance.

Appearane of the Dragon’s Egg…

However, mythology and history came full circle, when a Giant Dragons Egg mysteriously and magically appeared in a coracle on the river behind the castle on Midsummer Eve 2006.

Thanks to the children of the town guarding and protecting it in a nest in a shop window, it had grown to a giant size over the year and had been taken to people of Poland and Ireland for their good wishes.

This Giant Egg took pride of place at the Heart of the Dragon Festival and it was with great relief and satisfaction that a new Baby Dragon, the first new Dragon of Wales, was born at 2pm on Sunday July 8th 2007!

Beautiful, green and gold and very sleepy, as we all sang a lullaby for its welcome.

The first appearance in 2008…

So now, after being carefully guarded over winter, Baby Dragon is making its first appearance at the castle at a summer evening picnic on Wednesday July 16th 2008 from 6pm to 8pm.

You are all very warmly invited to come along and catch a glimpse of Baby in its magical Dragon Mobile Nursery.

We will share our food and drink, and listen with Baby Dragon to the wonderful music, songs and stories from the festival, recorded on heart of the dragons first bi-lingual CD called ‘Yn y Dechreuad / in the beginning’.

The CD blends mythology with place and history, and music ranging in styles from a light summer fayre dance to an epic Dragon World creation piece, a gentle lullaby and a stirring Dragon Anthem called ‘Red and Green’.

Artists and musicians, (including international jazz singer Maggie Nicols who is musical composer and director, and storytellers Pamela Gaunt and Haydn Jones) are all local talent, some professional and some volunteers from within the community.

They will be available to sign copies of CDs should you want to buy a copy to take the experience home and hear many times over…who knows, maybe Baby Dragon will give a claw print autograph…

Rumour has it even Owain Glyndwr may make an appearance…

Please come, listen to the stories, relax, dance and sing…

And don’t forget your picnic!