A week of highlighting a decade of European-funded projects in Pembrokeshire is to begin shortly.
Europe Day on 9th May – the date in 1950 when the first treaty was signed leading to the creation of what is now the European Union – will mark the start of the seven days of celebrations.
They will be led by Pembrokeshire’s Spatial European team (SET) and Rural Development Plan (RDP) team, both based in County Hall, Haverfordwest.
Pembrokeshire has benefited greatly from the investment of over £100 million as a result of the previous 2000-2006 Objective 1 programme.
And its successor – the current Convergence (2007-2013) programme – is proving to be just as valuable. Both were, and are, delivered through the Welsh Assembly Government.
Convergence has helped to develop of a range of ground-breaking projects for the benefit of Pembrokeshire residents at countywide and South West Wales level through partnership working with a range of public, private and third sector organisations.
Some of the projects which have benefited from Convergence money include:
- the £7 million project ‘COASTAL’ in collaboration with other local Authorities in South West Wales. It has helped people access training and improve skills
- the recently approved £4 million Coastal Tourism ‘Centre of Excellence’ project which will improve visitors’ experience at a range of coastline locations throughout the county
- the Pembrokeshire County Council-led Gypsy Traveller Learning project. Worth £2.5 million, it helps increase educational opportunities and recognise cultural values
- the £3 million ‘Stackpole Rediscovered’ project. It will create 14 new jobs and will enable the National Trust to carry out remedial work and help attract more visitors into the area
- the A40 Penblewin to Slebech Park by-pass improvement. This is a £19 million infrastructure investment boost in the county.
In addition, Pembrokeshire has received 23 project approvals totalling approximately £8.9 million worth of investment under the RDP programme to date. A second round of project bidding is imminent with large sums of further investment anticipated. Current RDP projects being delivered in the county include:
- the ‘Veggie Bus’ project. This is a fleet of Pembrokeshire buses which are run on vegetable oil operating through the coastal network in the county. The buses are also equipped for full wheelchair access
- Pembrokeshire Fish Week. The popular currently holds ‘Food Tourism Destination’ and ‘Premier Event’ awards. Last year it was attended by 25,000 visitors
- the St Dogmaels Coachhouse project is regenerating and invigorating the community by utilising a visitor centre in the Victorian coachhouse that stands at the entrance of the grounds of the ruined Abbey.
For your chance to find out more about Europe Day and what the EU has done for you, why not visit the Europe Day exhibition in County Hall between the hours of 9 am to 5pm from the 10th to the 14th May.
For more information contact: [email protected]
