Since launching in May 2015 we’ve had over 1500 visits to The lab and attendances at our events. But what have the people of Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire and the UK had to say in the press and social media? The local and national media set a challenging baseline in both print and radio:
Sarah Moore’s piece on BBC Radio Wales provided a platform for a range of perspectives and responses to the award of funding for Confluence, through the Arts Council of Wales strategic initiative, Ideas: People: Places.
I think it’s a load of pointless, hippy rubbish.
– David Jones in the Western Telegraph
As the project has unfolded local and national press have responded more positively to the events we’ve hosted, sharing information about upcoming events and promoting our calls for artists commissions across the country:
I can’t believe how many people came along. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything this beautiful before. My children were so chuffed to be carrying lanterns they made themselves. This was definitely a night we will never forget
– Sandy King in the Western Telegraph
As the momentum of the project has grown, events designed to build support for arts and regeneration, like our Open Space and Vital Places seminars have seen just as much positive response online, with local people committing themselves to making positive changes in Haverfordwest:
Our Facebook group currently has 625 members (our Twitter following is now 154), and as the project grows so are people’s ideas for the town. Members of our online community regularly share inspiration for creative regeneration projects from towns and cities around the world, pointing out the creative potential for our own town, and exploring different ways of doing art and responding to our surroundings.
