Monthly Archives: February 2013

Star Gazers

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By Jupiter (with luck)
Star-gazers have their fingers crossed for a good view of some heavenly bodies at the National Botanic Garden on Friday February 22.
Organisers from Swansea Astronomical Society are praying for clear skies as this is an ideal opportunity to see Jupiter and the Moon, not to mention the Orion Nebula and a host of other fascinating objects.
The event will take place in the Great Glasshouse from 6-9pm and Brian Stokes will be giving a talk entitled  “What Earth Type are you?”.  Admission is £3, under 16s free, snacks and drink in the Med cafe. Entry via the ‘Corporate’ entrance – it will be signposted.

For more information about this or other events, call 01558 667149

London Vegetable Orchestra

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Amazing article from the National Allotmentment Magazine regarding an orchestra who play with vegetables 🙂

London Vegetable Orchestra – London Vegetable Orchestra.

CAVS Meeting re: Public Toilets in Carmarthenshire

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There will be a joint meeting with community council representatives to discuss the future of public toilets in Carmarthenshire on Friday Feb 15th at 12:30 in Carmarthen.

AMs, MP,s and local councillors and representatives will attend:

Some key issues to be addressed:-

  • Whilst CCC has made a slightly improved transfer offer, this overlooks the grave reality that local councils with very low precepts (some as low as £8.5k for 2013/14) have no chance of generating the annual capital and revenue income required of approx £8k pa to keep the public facility open. To illustrate charging machines in Llansteffan would raise less than £1.5k pa. If CCC cannot afford to keep them open, however can local councils!
  • The user and promoter should pay, principally day visitors and day walkers to the coast and tourist hotspots like Cenarth. Of note Wales Coast Path is a Welsh Gov initiative and public conveniences represent an essential facility that should receive on-going central funding to avoid closure. Small tourist villages have in reality very few businesses that will benefit from day walkers, unlike towns like Tenby in Pembs.
  • CCC has imposed an impossible deadline on local councils of closure by 31 March. Letters informing councils of this political decision were only received in Nov 2012 and it has not been feasible to undertake the necessary research, negotiations and consultations in time to influence the precept decisions taken at the January local council meetings.

How to improve your charity’s digital service delivery

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Some top tips for charities about improving digital service delivery

http://www.guardian.co.uk/voluntary-sector-network/2013/feb/08/improve-charitys-digital-service

Ferryside Social Enterprise Group

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At its  recent meeting, the  Ferryside Social Enterprise Group emphasized the importance of developing a core business or businesses at the education centre to ensure a sustainable revenue income. The refurbishment and hire of the residential buildings, including catering facilities, would be central to such a business.

          As a first step the group are to investigate  fast track sources of funding such as the national lottery people and places fund, to cover the capital costs of the project. Following initial contact with the medical centre, it is intended that talks also begin on the establishment a  community well being facility which might be able to offer respite care .
          The sports group was asked to investigate any local demand for the current hall at the site and to liaise with the boxing club and County council in this respect. Members were also keen to investigate potential future uses for the huts and inquiries in respect of potential arts and crafts were encouraged. Note was made that the RSPB might also be interested in establishing a display area describing local birds.
           Officers of the group are scheduled to meet with officers of the County Council and the local member to discuss progress on these issues.
 Delme