22 June 2022

A south Powys primary school that has created a positive environment for Service children has received a prestigious award from the Minister for Education and Welsh Language.

Mount Street Junior School in Brecon has become the first school in Wales to achieve SSCE Cymru Armed Forces Friendly Schools Bronze Status.

The school received their certificate from the Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, On Monday, June 13.

Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the Armed Forces Friendly Schools Status aims to:

1. Embed good practice for supporting Service children
2. Create a positive environment for Service children to share their experiences
3. Encourage schools to become more engaged with their Armed Forces community.

The status demonstrates a school’s commitment to the Armed Forces community.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “Mount Street Junior School is leading the way in providing a warm and friendly welcome to Service children, while building really important relationships with the local Armed Forces community. Congratulations to Mount Street on becoming the first school in Wales to attain the Armed Forces Friendly School Bronze Award.”

Cllr Pete Roberts, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “To become the first school in Wales to achieve bronze status is a great achievement and I would like to congratulate everyone at Mount Street Junior School for their success.”

Mr Julian Hopkins, Headteacher of Mount Street Junior School, said: “The Award is indicative of the inclusive ethos of the school.  The life of service families can be challenging and it is fundamental to our approach as a Community School, that all new members of the community are welcomed and receive the best possible support to settle in.

“The wonderful thing is that Service pupils assimilate quickly into school. That is great credit to the other children and staff. The school recognises that transition for Service families is a way of life, and this is not only a challenge, but also to be celebrated, as children from diverse backgrounds join our roll.

“We are very proud of the Award and working with SSCE Cymru has provided us a clear strategy in developing this provision. To be the first school in Wales to receive this is a great honour.”

Brigadier Andrew Dawes CBE, Head of the Army in Wales, said: “On behalf of the military community based or settled in Wales, I’m thrilled that this scheme recognises the vital support our children receive in the wonderful schools that we are blessed with right across Wales. Thank you for your amazing support and for continuing to nurture the education of our children as a Forces Friendly School. Congratulations for this special recognition.”

Millie Taylor, SSCE Cymru Programme Manager, said: “The launch of Armed Forces Friendly Schools Cymru has been a huge success and a fantastic way to recognise the growing collaboration between education and the Armed Forces community. The SSCE Cymru team work closely with school across Wales to support them in understanding the needs of Service children, celebrating their experiences and engaging with the Armed Forces.

“Congratulations to Mount Street Junior School on being the first school in Wales to achieve their Bronze status. This achievement is well deserved and we look forward to sharing examples of their good practice with many more schools in Wales.”

28 June 2022

New interim executive management arrangements are being put in place at Powys County Council following the departure of an Executive Director.

Ali Bulman, Executive Director for People and Organisation Development is leaving the Council to start a new role of Strategic Director-Care and Wellbeing with Cornwall County Council.

Chief Executive, Dr Caroline Turner said: “We thank Ali for her hard work and dedication, particularly over the past two years when services were under severe pressure. We wish her well in her new role.

“Her departure has provided the Council with an opportunity to revisit executive arrangements and to strengthen the links between the Education Service and Children’s Services, and between Adult Social Care, Commissioning and Housing.

“The Council has a new Cabinet following the local elections in May and has agreed its Progressive Partnership Agreement, which is being developed into a new Corporate Plan.

“It is important that the senior structure of the Council is therefore aligned to best support and deliver these priorities. Following discussions with the Leader and Cabinet we have agreed to put in place an interim executive management structure for up to 12 months.

“The interim structure will include a Director of Social Services and Housing, responsible for Adult Social Services, Commissioning and Housing, as well as holding the statutory designation of Director of Social Services. 

“The current Head of Housing and Community Development, Nina Davies has been appointed to the post and will take up her duties on Friday (July 1).

“We are strengthening the links between Children’s Service and the Education Service by creating the role of Director of Education and Children, and the current Director of Education Lynette Lovell will take up the new post from Friday.

“The final executive management change will see Emma Palmer, current Head of Transformation and Communications appointed Director of Corporate Services, responsible for Workforce, Organisational Design, Digital Services, Transformation and Communications.

“The new role will have joint line management responsibilities with the Executive Director Economy and Environment for the Head of Digital Services, in regard to the council’s internal ICT and those provided jointly to the PTHB.

“The Executive Director, Nigel Brinn, will maintain line management responsibility for the other areas of the Service, in particular Economic Development, and also Culture and Leisure.

“We have informed Welsh Government officials, Care Inspectorate Wales and Estyn of our proposals and they are supportive. We wish the new executive officers well in their new posts and look forward to working with them,” she added.

28 June 2022

A selection of the nation’s favourite artworks will soon be in Brecon as part of Celf ar y Cyd on Tour, an initiative to share the national art collection with communities and galleries across the country.

Around 30 pieces of art from the Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales collection will be on show at y Gaer from 9 July to 30 October.

Celf ar y Cyd on tour follows an Instagram vote held during the Covid 19 pandemic. While National Museum Cardiff’s galleries were closed in 2020, curators from Amgueddfa Cymru selected 100 artworks and shared them digitally via the @celfarycyd Instagram. 

The public were then asked to vote for their favourite artworks from the collection using the ‘like’ button. This helped produce a shortlist of their Top 30 artworks culminating in the exhibition which is touring to galleries across Wales.

From neolithic stone carving to the most recent contemporary art, ceramics and photography, the selection reflects the rich diversity and experience of life in Wales. Artists include Thomas Jones, Betty Woodman, Adam Buick, David Hurn, Laura Ford, Elizabeth Fritsch and many more.

Celf ar y Cyd is a group of four projects which were developed to share the visual arts across Wales at a time when museums and galleries were closed to the public. Funded by the Welsh Government, the project is a partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru and Arts Council for Wales. As well as Celf ar y Cyd on Tour, the projects also include Art in Hospitals, the digital arts magazine Cynfas and series of commissions which asked Wales based artists to use the museum’s collection to inspire new work.

Cllr David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “We are excited to be able to bring this collection of treasures from Amgueddfa Cymru to Powys and to host this exhibition at y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery & Library, Brecon, our new cultural hub combining the Brecknock Museum and Brecon Library in a state-of-the-art building.  We hope visitors will enjoy the exhibition and explore the new facility.”

Dr Kath Davies, Director of Collections and Research, Amgueddfa Cymru said: “The national collection belongs to everyone in Wales. This project is a starting point in our ambition to build a new sense of ownership and collaboration, and to ensure that art works can be seen in different locations across the country on a regular basis. The public choice has resulted in a rich and varied mix of work with something for everyone to enjoy.”

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said, “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to provide funding support for Celf ar y Cyd. It’s great news that this exhibition – which has been voted for by the public – is now making its way around Wales. This is an excellent way for more people to see the wealth and variety of artworks at Amgueddfa Cymru and for this to be shared with communities across Wales.”

27 June 2022

The hunt is on to find the best companies, social enterprises and charities in Powys following the launch of the county’s annual business awards.

Showcasing the diverse range of successful enterprises in the county, Powys Business Awards are organised by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group (MWMG) with support from sponsors. This year, there are eight categories.

The launch event was held at Focus Business Hub in Newtown where Councillor David Selby, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys, said: “We have a unique, varied and thriving busy community here in Powys and it is right and correct that success is recognised. These awards give us the opportunity to do that.

“We must create the right environment for business start-ups and Powys County Council’s role as an enabler is to help businesses develop. I am excited about the opportunities for Powys businesses to bid for UK and Welsh Government funding for projects of different types, particularly through the Shared Prosperity Fund.”

Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething added: “As a Welsh Government, we’re committed to supporting businesses across Mid Wales to grow and thrive, as we strive to deliver a greener, fairer and more prosperous Wales. So, I’m pleased we’re able to sponsor the Powys Business Awards again this year. 

“The awards are a great opportunity to showcase the diversity and quality of businesses operating, growing and succeeding in Powys. I encourage all businesses in the county to take a look at the breadth of award categories available, and to consider entering.”

This year’s categories are: Start up Business Award sponsored by EvaBuild, Entrepreneurship Award sponsored by Welsh Government, Micro Business Award (fewer than 10 employees) sponsored by Welshpool Printing Group, Growth Award sponsored by The County Times, Small Business Award (under 30 employees) sponsored by WR Partners, Social Enterprise/ Charity Award sponsored by Myrick Training Services, Small Business Growth sponsored by EDF Renewables and Technology & Innovation sponsored by ForrestBrown.

From the category winners, an overall Powys Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Powys County Council, is chosen. In addition, the judging panel can make a discretionary Judges Special Award to recognise an outstanding achievement by a business or person who is not one of the category winners.

Entries must be received by Sunday, July 31 and the awards presentation will be held at Dering Lines, Brecon on Friday, October 7. Entry forms may be completed online or downloaded at https://www.powysbusinessawards.co.uk/entry-form .

The awards, which began in 2009, are an opportunity for all businesses, social enterprises and charities of all sizes in Powys to compete for a chance to be a finalist at the county’s main business event of the year. 

Ceri Stephens, MWMG’s group manager, said: “The Powys Business Awards provides a fantastic platform for businesses to raise their profile.  Those who enter the awards are independently judged on their excellent standards. 

“After the pandemic challenges of the last two years, it will be great for businesses to gather to celebrate their achievements at the awards ceremony in October.”