The Vision for Bethlehem
The purchase of this eighteenth century chapel is the ideal opportunity to create a centre which can be used as a base to portray the history of Newport and its connections to the town. We aim to preserve and enhance the historical aspects which have created the Newport of today, from the maritime, agriculture and architectural aspects, to the influence of the non-conformist and high church traditions through the ages. A well planned thematic approach could be used to vary the use of the artefacts which are in plentiful supply.
To ensure that this vision can be financially viable a small housing development can be created within the site, as well as the development of a cafe using culinary recipes from Newport and Welsh history.
Y Weledigaeth ar gyfer Bethlehem
Mae prynu’r capel hwn o’r ddeunawfed ganrif yn gyfle delfrydol i greu canolfan y gellir ei defnyddio fel canolfan i bortreadu hanes Trefdraeth a’i chysylltiadau â’r dref. Anelwn gadw a chyfoethogi’r agweddau hanesyddol sydd wedi creu Trefdraeth heddiw, o’r agweddau morwrol, amaethyddiaeth a phensaernïol, i ddylanwad y traddodiadau anghydffurfiol ac uchel eglwysig ar hyd yr oesoedd. Gellid defnyddio dull thematig wedi’i gynllunio’n dda i amrywio’r defnydd o’r arteffactau sydd â chyflenwad digonol.
Er mwyn sicrhau y gall y weledigaeth hon fod yn ariannol hyfyw gellir creu datblygiad tai bach o fewn y safle, yn ogystal â datblygu caffi gan ddefnyddio ryseitiau coginio o Drefdraeth a hanes Cymru.
The Team
Cris Tomas
PLANED representative.
Cris has been involved with community social enterprise developments for over 25 years. He is a Board Member of 4CG Cooperative – Community owned Car Parks, Retail units, Offices, Bunkhouse & Craft Centre in Cardigan. Cris is the Chair of Cwm Arian Renewable Energy cooperative that has put up a 700kw community-owned wind turbine in October 2019 with enough energy produced to power over 500 homes. Also, he spearheaded the Canolfan Hermon project.
Cris received the award of Welsh Co-operator of the Year in 2012 and Welsh Social Enterprise Champion of the year in 2013. Currently, Cris works for the social enterprise charity PLANED as a Community Development Manager and supported the community purchase of Tafarn Sinc where 380 people raised over £400,000 to buy the iconic pub in North Pembrokeshire. In May 2017, Cris was elected as the county councillor for Crymych ward and became the Pembrokeshire cabinet member for the Environment, Public Protection, and the Welsh Language.
Ros Mcgarry
Retired Welsh teacher who lives in Tydrath. BA Hons Welsh Prifysgol Llambed, PGCE Welsh Prifysgol Aberystwyth. Newport Town Councillor. Chair of Newport Community Library. Vice chair of Newport and Area Environment Group. Taught in Secondary Schools in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion. Taught adults to speak Welsh in informal groups from home and individuals on a one-to-one basis. Has been involved with numerous community groups in Tydrath. Currently on the steering group for the Newport for Nature Project. Involved as a committee member in acquiring HAVARDS-the first community owned Hardware Shop in the UK. Has run small businesses in tourism, hospitality and catering in Tydrath.
Sue Davies
With over 25 years in the museums and heritage sector, Sue has specialised in learning, audience engagement, interpretation, and funding at senior levels. Sue has managed numerous National Lottery Heritage Fund projects, both during her career and as a consultant in Wales, where she has been a named consultant for the past 8 years. As a senior manager at Leeds Museums and Galleries, she led major capital projects, including the £25 million new museum for Leeds, and transformed the service into a multi-award-winning, family-friendly success.
As a consultant, Sue has supported diverse cultural organisations across Wales. Notable projects include advising Aberystwyth University on audience development, leading to a successful £10 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and working on various strategic funding plans and interpretation projects. Locally, Sue contributed to the Newport Medieval Pottery Kiln project and evaluated the Llanwrtyd Wells Heritage Chapel conversion for the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
John Harries, Newport Pembrokeshire.
Newport native, with a background in education in the UK & US. Also worked in Theatre,TV, Film industries as actor, writer, director, producer. He’s been involved with HAVARDS- the first Community Hardware Store in the UK from the start & proud that his family founded it in the early 1800’s. His father was a member of Bethlehem Chapel many years ago.