Neyland News

The photograph shows outgoing Chairlady Carol Scale and incoming Chairlady Trisha Campodonic.

After a long break of 18 months from singing because of Covid restrictions Neyland Ladies Choir were able to reconvene in September for the AGM.  There was a change of rehearsal venue, a necessary change in how rehearsals are conducted and a change of committee.

The choir made the move for weekly rehearsals to the schoolroom at Bethesda Chapel in Neyland.  The schoolroom is bigger than the previous rehearsal room enabling the ladies to be socially distanced from each other and everyone is currently wearing a visor or a mask whilst rehearsing.  Big thanks to the Pastor at Bethesda for helping with these new arrangements.   

The new committee were elected and the photograph shows the outgoing Chairlady, Carol Scale, being presented with the Waterford Bowl to mark her 2 years as Chairlady of the choir.  This bowl was specially made for the choir and presented to them on their visit to the Waterford Crystal factory in 1977 in honour of the choir’s 20^th anniversary.  It is now presented to each outgoing Chairlady for safe keeping until it is time to pass it on.

The choir are now rehearsing items to be sung at the ordination of Robert Waygood as Pastor at Bethesda on 20^th November and arrangements are taking place for the choir to share the stage with Barry Male Voice Choir on their planned visit to Pembrokeshire in April 2022.

Further information about the choir can be found on their website – neylandladieschoir.weebly.com or email –  neylandladieschoir@hotmail.com

Hale Construction are ahead of schedule as they build much -needed social housing for Ateb. The site, just off Belle Vue will comprise 33 properties including eight one-bedroom bungalows, three elderly bungalows and twenty- two houses. The latter has bedrooms ranging from two to four bedrooms. Work is estimated to be completed in October 2022.

The site plan and ariel views make for an interesting view of the development.

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The very first talk held at the new Neyland Community Hub took place last Friday evening to a very good, socially-distanced audience. The talk was given by Dr Simon Hancock and was entitled ‘Visions of Greatness: The South Wales Hotel, Neyland 1858-1970.’ The presentation covered the whole history of the building and those  who owned and stayed there from its opening in July 1858 until it was demolished in May 1970.  The hotel  was one of the most iconic and important buildings in the history of the town and served the railway terminus and especially the steamers which went to Waterford and Cork from Neyland for exactly fifty years. The loss of the steamers and  later closure of the Royal dockyard were terrible economic reverses which left  the very large hotel with little business. It was used as hostel accommodation during the oil boom around the Haven in the 1950s but was demolished as a dangerous structure fifteen years later. 

Neyland and District Enthusiasts (NADEE) met for the first time since lockdown to do some weeding in the Neyland Terrace flower beds: beds they created in 2019 and give a lovely display of colour to residents and passers-by.

‘Neyland Town Council is delighted to be able to support this enhanced learning opportunity for local children. Working in collaboration with Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools (PODS) we are pleased to see the inclusion of so many exciting features including a sensory/memory garden, covered area and log circle. The council wishes the school every possible success with this very worthwhile project. ‘

“We are thrilled with the kind donation of £2,000 from Neyland Town Council for the development of our outdoor area. The children have been working hard on sharing their ideas on what they would like to see and also clearing and preparing the area for some upcoming works. We are all excited to see our plans come to life! On behalf of our school community, a big thank you to Neyland Town Council.” Clare Hewitt (Headteacher).

Included in the picture along with myself and Simon is Mike Harry (Chair of the Neyland Town Improvement Committee).

English

Annwyl randdeiliad,   Yn 2014, cyflwynodd Llywodraeth Cymru Ddeddf Teithio Llesol (Cymru) 2013, sy’n ei gwneud yn ofynnol yn gyfreithiol i awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru fapio llwybrau addas ar gyfer teithio llesol yn eu hardal a chynllunio ar eu cyfer. Mae teithio llesol yn cyfeirio at y defnydd o ddulliau llesol, h.y. cerdded a beicio (gan gynnwys defnyddio sgwteri symudedd a chadeiriau olwyn trydanol), i wneud teithiau bob dydd. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys teithiau i’r gwaith, i’r siopau, neu i gyrchu gwasanaethau, fel iechyd, canolfannau hamdden a gorsafoedd bysiau/trenau. Mae Cyngor Sir Penfro yn bwriadu gwneud teithio llesol yn ddewis poblogaidd ar gyfer teithiau lleol, er mwyn cynyddu atyniad cymunedau lleol fel lleoedd i fyw a gweithio ynddynt, i wella iechyd a llesiant, ac i helpu i fynd i’r afael â llygredd aer. Er mwyn helpu gyda’r nod hwn, mae Cyngor Sir Penfro yn cynhyrchu Map Rhwydwaith Teithio Llesol, sy’n gynllun o lwybrau cerdded a beicio mewn aneddiadau dynodedig yn Sir Benfro, fel sy’n ofynnol gan Lywodraeth Cymru. Defnyddir y Map Rhwydwaith Teithio Llesol i lywio lle y dylid gwneud gwelliannau i alluogi cerdded a beicio. Bydd yn helpu i wneud teithiau ar droed neu ar feic ledled Sir Benfro yn haws ac yn fwy diogel i bawb, yn enwedig y rhai nad ydynt yn cerdded neu’n beicio yn aml ar hyn o bryd, a phobl sy’n defnyddio cymhorthion symudedd. Er mwyn cynorthwyo yn y gwaith o ddatblygu’r Map Rhwydwaith Teithio Llesol, mae Cyngor Sir Penfro yn ymgymryd ag ymgynghoriad ar sut y gellir gwella llwybrau a chyfleusterau yn y sir er mwyn annog cerdded a beicio.  Teithio llesol sy’n gweithio i bawb Er mwyn cynllunio rhwydwaith sy’n gweithio i bawb, hoffai’r cyngor ddefnyddio’r ymgynghoriad hwn i gasglu barn cymaint o bobl â phosibl, yn enwedig y rhai nad ydynt yn cerdded neu’n beicio’n aml ar hyn o bryd. Bydd hyn yn helpu’r cyngor i sicrhau bod y llwybrau a adeiladir ar gyfer cerdded a beicio yn gweithio i’r gymuned gyfan. Mae’r ymgynghoriad yn canolbwyntiau ar y prif drefi a phentrefi yn Sir Benfro, sydd wedi’u dethol gan Lywodraeth Cymru fel y lleoliadau dynodedig yn y sir. Mae’r rhain fel a ganlyn: AbergwaunWdigHwlfforddJohnstonAberdaugleddauNeylandDoc PenfroPenfroDinbych-y-pysgodSaundersfootArberth   Rhowch eich barn Gallwch gymryd rhan yn yr ymarfer ymgynghori ar-lein trwy ein hofferyn mapio rhyngweithiol, sy’n cael ei letya gan Commonplace yn: https://pembrokeshire.commonplace.is/   Mae’r map rhyngweithiol yn caniatáu i gyfranogwyr dynnu sylw at faterion, problemau a llwyddiant ar gynllun o bob anheddiad teithio llesol ac ychwanegu sylwadau. Bydd cam cyntaf yr ymgynghoriad yn cau ar 31 Mawrth 2021.   Beth nesaf? Dyma gam cyntaf yr ymgynghoriad tri cham ar y Map Rhwydwaith Teithio Llesol. Bydd y canfyddiadau yn cynorthwyo’r cyngor i nodi uwchraddiadau i gyfleusterau teithio llesol cyfredol a chreu llwybrau cerdded a beicio newydd. Yn dilyn hyn, bydd ail gam yr ymgynghoriad yn gweld y cyngor yn rhannu canfyddiadau ac yn gofyn i bobl beth yw eu barn am y cynlluniau y mae’r cyngor yn eu cynnig o ganlyniad i’r adborth a roddwyd iddo. Bydd trydydd cam yr ymgynghoriad yn rhoi llais olaf i aelodau’r cyhoedd ar yr Map Rhwydwaith Teithio Llesol cyn ei anfon at Lywodraeth Cymru i’w gymeradwyo. Cynhyrchir y map gan ystyried adborth gan y cyhoedd a syniadau o’r ymgynghoriadau cychwynnol. Defnyddir y map rhwydwaith cerdded a beicio sydd wedi’i gymeradwyo i lywio lle y bydd llwybrau cerdded a beicio yn cael eu hadeiladu yn Sir Benfro yn y dyfodol, felly mae’n bwysig ein bod ni’n cael pethau’n gywir nawr.   Lledaenu’r neges  Diolch am gymryd rhan yn ein hymgynghoriad a dweud wrthym lle hoffech chi weld gwelliannau i gyfleoedd cerdded a beicio yn Sir Benfro. Rhannwch y wybodaeth hon â’ch ffrindiau, teulu, cydweithwyr a chymunedau. I’r rhai sy’n methu â chyrchu ein deunydd ymgysylltu ar-lein, gellir darparu copïau sydd wedi’u hargraffu o’r map rhwydwaith a’r arolwg trwy’r post, yn rhad ac am ddim. Gweler isod am fanylion cyswllt.   E-bost: surveys@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Post: Strategaeth Drafnidiaeth (Teithio Llesol)
          Cyngor Sir Penfro
          Neuadd y Sir
          Hwlffordd
          Sir Benfro
          SA61 1TP

Cymraeg

Dear stakeholder,   In 2014, the Welsh Government introduced the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 which makes it a legal requirement for Local Authorities in Wales to map and plan for suitable routes for Active Travel in their area. Active travel refers to the use of active modes, i.e. walking and cycling (including the use of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs), to make everyday journeys. These include journeys to work, to the shops or to access services, such as health, leisure centres and bus/rail stations.  Pembrokeshire County Council plans to make Active Travel the popular choice for local journeys, to increase the attractiveness of local communities as places to live and work, improve health and well-being and to help tackle air pollution. To help with this aim, Pembrokeshire County Council is producing an Active Travel Network Map (ATNM), which is a is a plan of walking and cycling routes in designated settlements in Pembrokeshire as required by Welsh Government. The ATNM will be used to inform where improvements to walking and cycling should be made. It will help to make journeys on foot or by bike across Pembrokeshire easier and safer for everyone, particularly those who don’t currently walk or cycle often, and people who use mobility aids. To assist in the development of the ATNM, Pembrokeshire County Council is undertaking a consultation on how routes and facilities in the County can be improved to encourage walking and cycling.  Active travel that works for everyone In order to design a network that works for everyone, the council would like to use this consultation to get the views of as many people as possible, particularly those who don’t currently walk or cycle often. This will help the council make sure that the routes built for walking and cycling work for the whole community. The Consultation focuses on the main towns and villages in Pembrokeshire which have been selected by the Welsh Government as the designated localities in the County. These are: FishguardGoodwickHaverfordwestJohnstonMilford HavenNeylandPembroke DockPembrokeTenbySaundersfootNarberth   Tell us what you think You can take part in the consultation exercise online through our interactive mapping tool, hosted by Commonplace at: https://pembrokeshire.commonplace.is/   The interactive map allows participants to flag issues, problems and success on a plan of each active travel settlement and add comments. The first stage of the consultation will close on 31st March 2021.   What Next? This is the first step of the three stage ATNM consultation. The findings will assist the council to identify upgrades to existing Active Travel facilities and create new walking and cycling routes. Following this, the second step of the consultation will see the council share findings and ask people what they think of the plans the council is proposing as a result of the feedback it has been given. The third stage of the consultation will give members of the public a final say on the ATNM before it is sent to Welsh Government for approval. The map will be produced taking into account public feedback and ideas from the initial consultations. The approved walking and cycle network map will be used to inform where walking and cycling routes are built in Pembrokeshire in the future, so it’s important we get it right now.   Spread the word Thank you for participating in our consultation and telling us where you would like to see improvements to walking and cycling in Pembrokeshire. Please do circulate this information with your friends, family, colleagues and communities.    For those unable to access our on-line engagement material, printed copies of the network map and survey can be provided via mail, free of charge. Please see below for contact details.   Email: surveys@pembrokeshire.gov.uk           Pembrokeshire County Council           County Hall           Haverfordwest           Pembrokeshire           SA61 1TP

Pembrokeshire County Council is asking the public to help the Authority set its budget for the coming financial year, 2021-22.

The budget determines the amount of money available for key public services that we all use in Pembrokeshire.

This includes education and schools, social services and waste collections as well as leisure facilities, road maintenance, libraries and many other aspects of everyday life.

County residents can use the special interactive budget simulator at https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/budget-consultation-2021-22 to determine how you would distribute money to services.

People can also fill out a short survey to have their say on the budget and ask questions.

Cllr Bob Kilmister, the Cabinet Member for Finance, will be providing regular video updates answering residents’ questions.

The Council is facing a £14.5m projected funding gap and is considering the best way to bridge that gap.

The Cabinet is proposing that individual service budgets are flat-lined for 2021-22, meaning all inflationary, demand and other pressures would have to be met through cost reductions and / or efficiency savings.

The Cabinet is also proposing to raise Council Tax to help meet pressures on services.

Assuming a 5% increase in Council Tax, there is £10m of additional funding which can be allocated to some services to help reduce some pressures.

With £1.3m of this funding already allocated, residents can use the budget tool to place the remaining £8.7m with the services you feel need it the most.

The budget tool shows the level of money that could be raised per Council Tax option and the level of cost reductions / efficiencies required as a result.

Over the past seven years, Pembrokeshire County Council has bridged a funding gap of £98.1m, mainly through substantial cost reductions and efficiencies, totalling £73.8m.

Other contributions have come from increased Council Tax income, Council Tax second homes income (one-off) and a £700,000 contribution from reserves (one-off).           

Cllr Kilmister, said: “Setting the budget is one of the most important functions of this Council.

“We expect a 4% rise in our grant from the Welsh Government but this still leaves a projected funding gap of £14.5m.

“The decisions to be made will have an impact on the services we provide and therefore impact on the people of Pembrokeshire. 

“We face some tough decisions ahead of us so it is very important that residents get involved, tell us their priorities and have their say.”

To give your views please go to https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/budget-consultation-2021-22 and fill out the short online survey. 

Alternatively, please print out a hard copy and once complete, please scan in and email to surveys@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or post to: Pembrokeshire County Council, Policy, 2D County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP

The closing date for responses is 7^th February, 2021.

The responses will be compiled into a report and made available to Council for consideration in its final decision making.

A final decision will made at the Council meeting on Thursday 4^th March 2021.

For press queries, please email: presspublicrelations@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

The Council’s press releases are also available on the Authority’s website: http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

As you may be aware we were delighted to finally open the Neyland Community Hub on Monday 7th September. The build is now more than 90% complete and some key areas of the building have been handed over by the Contractors. Covid-19 has meant we’re taking a very cautious, phased, approach to re-opening and keeping everyone safe is our priority.

Phase 1 : Multi-Function Hall In this first phase we’ve focussed on the main hall which is now open. All users must be part of organised activity which must be booked in advance. We’ve already had lots of interest and our first week has included Rika, Vibe School of Dance, VIP Class Acts and a return for the U3A with Table Tennis and Fitness Classes. Lot’s of our sports clubs are prevented by regulation from starting but we know Rugby, Football and Bowls are all keen to get underway indoors as soon as they are allowed. Anyone wishing to book the hall just need to register – please email neylandcommunityhub@gmail.com Once we’ve set up your account you can log-in and book online here. (Click ‘Members Login’)

Phase 2 : The Lounge Bar The Lounge Bar is now complete and looks fantastic. We had a ‘soft-launch’ on Friday (11th) and we’re planning (subject of course to tighter Covid-19 restrictions) a series of showcase events over the coming months so look out for those. We anticipate opening to the public in October.

Neyland Athletic Club The old Athletic Club, which has served the Neyland Community since the 1960’s was demolished this week. The site will be levelled over the coming week.

Next Period We’re expecting to take formal practical completion of the Hub in October and at that point we hope (subject to Covid-19) open the facility in full to the public. More immediately, the commercial kitchen will be fitted out this coming week – marking another important milestone. That’s it for now but as always Adam if you want to know anything further in the meantime please don’t hesitate to give me a shout. I hope you’ve had a great weekend.

NADEE (Neyland and District Environment Enthusiasts) has been busy doing volunteer work for Neyland despite the lockdown, although this has meant no full group activities.

The Walker family have been managing the Sportsway flower bed. PCC have received a Land Management Agreement application, and we’re in the process of doing a risk assessment for this. It’s been suggested this includes carrying a first aid kit and mobile phone.

Adam has been doing some weeding in Railway Terrace. The bees are loving the Marsh Woundwort (which is an accidental but welcome arrival)

Adam lent a hand to Peter Hay to clear the overgrown path down to the marina from Cambrian Road. Peter did most of the work!

We’ve had some issues at Neyland Vale pond. The stonemason did a great job of repairing the weir. I’ve built up a mud bank on either side, and this should stabilise over the next year. We then tried blocking the pipe, but found water was leaking under the dam / weir. Peter Hay has procured some bentonite clay and has an ingenious solution. Fingers crossed it works!
I don’t know how people feel about doing a socially distanced clearance of the growth around the pond in September, keeping an eye on Covid, of course. It is probably something we need to do annually. The flowers are finishing now, and don’t want it scrubbing up.

Stephanie Bridgeman has a load of apples if anyone wants some. Please phone her on [private number] and mention you’re in NADEE.

Also just to mention that our esteemed Chairman, Tim Brown has resumed the quizzes (outdoors) at The Alumchine, every other Tuesday. The next one will be on 1st September at 6.30pm.

Finally a shout out to all the litter pickers, who quietly go about keeping Neyland looking tidy.

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At the Neyland Town Council meeting, I supported an initiative to encourage a more nature friendly mowing regime. During lockdown in April and early May, we saw some beautiful wildflowers in some of the verges, providing a lot of pleasure for people passing by as well as nectar for bees and other pollinators. Sadly, these were mown in May and since.

This is what was decided to request from Pembrokeshire County Council.

• Default mowing for Neyland to be reduced from 14 to 10 times per year.
• No mowing in May in all areas.
• Designated nature friendly areas (NFAs) to be mowed twice a year, once in September and once in late March with cuttings removed.
• Short mown paths through, or alongside NFAs to show areas are being maintained.
• An appropriate sign to be placed at NFAs

NFAs to be decided but suggestions are Honeyborough Green (paths mown through like in photos), the bank below The Promenade, Honeyborough Road, and the grassy area below Cambrian Road.

Pembrokeshire Trading Standards and Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire are taking part in the annual Scams Awareness campaign which has been running from the 15^th June and ends on the 28^th.

This year protecting people against scams is more important than ever. The coronavirus crisis means some people are facing issues – from employment and debt to housing and health – resulting in them being in vulnerable situations.

Added to this, the overall heightened uncertainty and anxiety caused by the pandemic is increasing the likelihood of falling victim to a scam.

Trading Standards wants to spread the message that scams are crimes that can happen to anyone and that we can all take a stand to help stop them.

Sandra McSparron, lead officer of the Consumer Safeguarding Team of Pembrokeshire Trading Standards said: “Increasingly we are all becoming targets of scammers, whether by telephone, internet or door to door.

“This campaign will help people spot the signs and how best to avoid them. Knowing how to spot a scam is the best line of defence to avoid being caught out.”

In Pembrokeshire some residents have been approached by rogue traders offering a range of property maintenance services from painting, power washing to roof repairs and hedge cutting. High pressure sales tactics are often used, no paperwork given and extortionate charges for often poor quality work.

Trading Standards advice is not to deal with anyone that cold calls at your home offering to do work. Instead speak to family and friends for recommendation of trades people and obtain a number of written quotes before deciding.

With more people shopping online, fake websites can be designed to steal money and personal details. People have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, COVID-19 testing kits, and other products, which have never arrived. In a lot of cases, if they have arrived, they have been sub-standard.

Trading Standards offers the following tips on how to shop online safely:

• if it is a company you’ve never purchased from before, carry out some research beforehand
• use strong separate passwords for email and shopping accounts
• keep software and anti-virus protection up to date
• be careful with links in emails/texts about offers. Check the shop’s website address by typing this into a search engine instead of clicking on the link.

Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, and the National Cyber Security Centre’s automated scanning system will check for scam emails and remove criminal sites.

Be wary of subscription traps in which ‘free trials’ of products and services are offered in a wide range of sectors and can sometimes end up costing more than people think.

Said Sandra: “We have received complaints where people have been unaware that they would be charged for items after the trial has ended and the need to pay return postage costs for the items at the end of the trial. As a result we would urge consumers to think carefully before signing-up.”

Business can also be the target for scams.

Malicious email attachments, bogus government grants, mandate fraud, demands for urgent payments, fake websites and impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sandra warned: “Criminals are trying to gain computer access or get hold of passwords and login details. Once they have access, criminals can search the hard drive for valuable information.”

If someone needs consumer advice or wishes to report a scam, they can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for a Welsh speaker. These details will be shared with Trading Standards who may also make contact by phone to offer support and advice.

For the latest advice and press releases relating to coronavirus, please view: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

For press queries, please email: presspublicrelations@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

An idea by Neyland Cricketer Gavin Rowland, a few WhatsApp messages between him and Neyland Athletic Club Steward Jonny Sutton and the Community based March In May was born. Thrown together at short notice and with Cricketer and budding Journalist Tom Pritchard on board as the ‘Number Cruncher’ what started as an epic challenge to walk / run 11,073 – The length of Great Britains Coast Line – became a feelgood event which encapsulated patrons from 70 years of age to Toddlers just out of their push chairs.

In total 233 participants took part with many more posting encouragement throughout the month. Completing the Coastline with over a week to go, they extended the challenge to take in the Coastline of Ireland and eventually settled on mileage totalling over 15,000. An amazing 46 people completed Half Marathons, many of whom weren’t particularly keen on exercise pre May!! Another 15 completed Full Marathons with 7 of those going even further and completing 30 mile plus Ultra Marathons – Father and Son combination Kevin and Jack Rogers (U15 All Black) leading the distance charts with a huge 41.19 miler on the last day.

Heading the overall chart was Neyland Legend Andrew “Moley” Cole with over 390 miles!! In total 46 members of the group hit over 100 miles, a further 4 hit 200, miles with 5 warriors join the 300 club!

With sponsorship being split between 5 charities with local links – Sandy Bear, VC Gallery, DAPS, Roko20 Academy and Paul Sartori.

Following completion of the epic challenge, Gav Rowland said; “We were amazed by the level of commitment and community spirit. It became bigger than we ever expected but also delighted by the effort everyday. Adults, children and families got out and put one foot in front of the other and went for it. People who hadn’t walked run or gone on a family walk for such a long time made the effort and really enjoyed it which apart from raising funds for some fantastic charities, was the most pleasing for us, quality time together is something special. Being able to look forward to going out each day and just being able to bump into fellow walkers/runners and saying a ‘social distance hello or quick chat’ has helped so many people. A fantastic community to be a part of, well done to everyone”

In light of current and probable future restrictions if anyone needs any help or advice or even just a chat please do not hesitate to contact me.  07968 225156. I will do my very best to help
Simon Hancock