As the political debate surrounding the UK’s exit from the European Union rages on, the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society Annual Public Lecture will discuss citizenship in the age of Brexit.
‘Citizenship, ‘Race’ and Class: Hannah Arendt and Raymond Williams in the age of Brexit’ will be delivered by Professor Daniel G Williams, Director of the Richard Burton Centre for the Study of Wales at Swansea University.
Open to everyone, the lecture takes place on Friday 23 November 2018 at the Main Hall, International Politics Building, Aberystwyth University at 7:00pm, and follows a reception at 6.30pm.
Professor Williams, who is originally from Aberystwyth, will seek to understand Brexit by reflecting on the work of an unlikely pairing, Raymond Williams and Hannah Arendt.
Williams was a Welsh cultural thinker, while Arendt, who escaped Nazi Germany, was an influential analyst of totalitarianism and the fate of refugees.
Professor Williams will explore the connections between them, and reflect on what their thinking might reveal about citizenship, ‘race’ and nation-statehood as we face the looming possibility of Brexit.
Professor Michael Woods, Co-Director of the Centre for Welsh Politics and Society said: “With continuing uncertainty around Brexit and what it means for Wales, Professor William’s lecture will be a timely and thought-provoking talk on how we think about citizenship.”
Tickets for the lecture ‘Citizenship, ‘Race’ and Class: Hannah Arendt and Raymond Williams in the age of Brexit’ can be booked online here.
The Centre for Welsh Politics and Society (CWPS) is an interdisciplinary research centre at Aberystwyth University, which brings together academics from departments across the humanities and social sciences.
It is also the Aberystwyth arm of WISERD, providing links with social scientists at Bangor, Cardiff, South Wales and Swansea universities.
CWPS holds a range of events, many of them open to the public. Further information is available online here, where it is possible to sign up for regular e-mail updates.
Professor Williams will also be speaking at the ‘Writing Welsh Identities’ conference on Saturday 24 November between 1:30 and 5:00pm at Aberystwyth University’s Old College.
Sportswear retailer Intersport has extended its sponsorship of Scarlets, committing to another two seasons as one of the region’s kit sponsors.
As well as extending their sponsorship Intersport, in conjunction with Macron, will become the first third party supplier of Scarlets merchandise.
The groundbreaking partnership will see Intersport UK stock Scarlets’ home and away kit for the forthcoming season and beyond.
As part of Scarlets’ commercial strategy, Three Counties Three Years, the principle aim is to extend the Scarlets brand message and ensure a more cohesive approach to grassroots activity and cooperation right across the region.
As stockists of Scarlets merchandise, in stores right across Wales and online at Intersport’s specialised online rugby offering rugbystore.co.uk, supporters of the region far and wide will be able to purchase and wear their colours with pride wherever they may be.
With over 220 stores across the UK, Intersport is a community based sports retailer with local customers at the heart of the group. Each store is independently owned and run, understanding their local customers and sports clubs like no other. The online store was launched in 2016 further expanding Intersport’s offering to customers.
Nathan Brew, Head of Commercial at Scarlets, said; “We are delighted to see Intersport not only extend their sponsorship for another two seasons but also become our first third party retailer.
“Intersport offer performance sports clothing and equipment for men, women and children and are committed to offering the best products by the best brands to their customers.
“The new partnership, which will see Intersport stock Scarlets merchandise in its stores in Wales, is something that we’re particularly excited about and is another example of how our commercial offering is continuing to grow and evolve.”
Intersport reaches across the globe with over 5500 stores making it the world’s leading sports performance retailer.
“As a member of the Intersport family, rugbystore is proud to support the Scarlets and bringing grassroots rugby to a wider audience,” said a Rugbystore spokesperson.
Scarlets merchandise stockists;
Macron Store, Parc y Scarlets Macron Store, Neath Rugbystore.co.uk Interpsort stores – locations to be confirmed DW stores – locations to be confirmed
The Business Network International (BNI) Annual Awards Dinner at the Diplomat Hotel, Llanelli, was a big hit.
For the third year in a row, the event was well supported by West Wales businesses and community leaders.
The evening was hosted by comedian and newspaper columnist Phil Evans.
It featured the singing talents of Jimi Webb, the Welsh King of Swing.
Worthy members of the Llanelli BNI Group (The Endeavour Chapter) were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the team’s success.
BNI in Llanelli has been established for more than 12 years.
The very worthy winners were:
Graeme Fox, of Davies Craddock Insurance Brokers, Llanelli.
John Dray, of Cloud Genius, Llanelli.
Steffan Thomas, of Property Maintenance, Llangennech.
The awards were presented by Nick Romanello.
Business makes the world go round and the BNI members do their best to keep business ‘local’ and keep the West Wales economy moving and growing.
The event was supported by Llanelli councillors and other VIPs, including Ms Suzy Curry (Deputy Mayor of Llanelli), Miss Molly Curry and Mr John Prosser.
There was an emotional start to the Advent Christmas period with the annual Festival of Light at St Elli Shopping Centre, Llanelli.
The evening is organised as a fundraiser for the Ty Bryngwyn Hospice Appeal – and it also serves as an opportunity for people to remember relatives and friends.
The service was led by the Rev Euryl Howells and the Rev David Jones.
There was a reading from the Leader of Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Emlyn Dole.
The lights were officially turned on by Mrs Linda Williams, former county director of the Hywel Dda University Health Board.
Cor Meibion Llanelli Male Voice Choir anchored the evening with an emotional rendition of Anfonaf Angel (soloist Anthony Bowen) and Can You Feel The Love Tonight (from the musical The Lion King).
The ‘stars’ of the evening were the children of Ysgol y Felin Primary School in Felinfoel, who sang a rousing This Is Me, from the musical The Greatest Showman.
The Phil Harmonics ladies choir from Llanelli also performed, along with the Salvation Army Band.
The congregational hymns Calon Lan and Cwm Rhondda added to the emotion of the evening.
There was also a touch of drama with the lights being switched on during the anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Carmarthenshire County Council is once again showing its support for the White Ribbon campaign – which aims to end male violence against women.
White Ribbon Day takes place annually on November 25.
White Ribbons are available to buy at Council reception areas at County Hall; Building 2, St David’s Park; town halls in Ammanford and Llanelli; Ty Elwyn, Llanelli and Spilman Street from Monday, November 19. All donations made will go towards services for local victims and survivors.
This year the local authority has been awarded White Ribbon UK accredited status. Achieving the status shows an organisation’s commitment to The White Ribbon Campaign.
For the first time this year, the council has been working together with partners more to spread the word that you don’t have to suffer in silence, and there is help available. Partners include: Dyfed Powys Police; Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue service; Wales Ambulance Service; University of Wales Trinity Saint David; Hafan Cymru; Citizens Advice; Threshold Llanelli; Calan Domestic Violence Service (Calan DVS); Women Survivors Support Project; Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Service (CDAS); Carmarthenshire Federation of Women’s Institute and more.
This year residents in the county will be made aware of the campaign in a number of ways, including animation information videos which will be played on screens in locations such as leisure centres, libraries, hospitals and more; posters in licenced premises across the county as well as in leisure centres, sports clubs and within police and fire brigade stations as well as posting information and signposting to help available on the council’s social media pages. Carmarthenshire County Council staff have been encouraged to wear white on Friday, November 23, in a bid to raise awareness of the White Ribbon Campaign.
A Candlelight Walk will take place in Carmarthen once again on Thursday, November 22. The silent procession by men and women coming together to end violence against women, will leave the Vue cinema in St Catherine’s Walk at 5.15pm. The event will end with refreshments, music and speeches at St Peter’s Civic Hall.
Cllr Cefin Campbell, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Community Safety, said: “As a council we have supported the White Ribbon campaign for a number of years, and are proud to have achieved White Ribbon UK accredited status this year. By working with partners our aim is to gain more awareness of the campaign and the help available county-wide.
“I am very proud of my role as a White Ribbon Ambassador for Carmarthenshire County Council and will do my upmost to raise more awareness of the campaign amongst my fellow councillors, council staff and residents in the county.”
Council staff have also been encouraged to sign the online pledge “never to commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women.” You can do this by visiting www.whiteribbon.org.uk/pledge
An account from a survivor of domestic abuse who has received support from CDAS: I was 29 when I met him. I’d just got divorced and I felt raw.
I didn’t stop him moving in and by the time he’d set foot through the door for good I really really wished I had but it was already too late.
I’d only just decorated my house but within a fortnight it was redecorated to his taste. Pictures were removed, furniture thrown and furnishings changed. It didn’t feel like my home anymore.
I had given him the control he wanted.
My family stopped calling and my friends disappeared whilst all the while he said he was the only person I needed.
I was stopped from using the internet, the telephone, writing letters or accessing a post box. We did everything together.
I was told what to eat, wear, watch on TV – everything. He took over my bank account and paid off all of his extensive debts.
We were together for 17 years and in that time I managed to convince myself that it was “normal”. Normal to feel self-hate, disgusting, for someone to be controlled totally. So 17 years later I found my inner courage and the ability to say “No, No more am I doing this”.
I will honesty tell you I do not know how I managed to get away. Something inside me, somewhere, made it happen.
I found Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services (CDAS). They saved me to be honest. I found their number and contacted them only to nearly persuade myself I was wasting their time! I can honestly say that there are no words that can explain how I got into this situation and no realistic way of saying why you stay in a relationship like I was in. It’s complicated and complex and if you’ve never been in that situation you will never understand how you are tangled and tied up with so many emotional knots that it’s impossible to leave. But it can happen to anyone – I mean anyone.
It’s been a long hard stressful journey but I’m getting there….slowly becoming more alive day by day. But I’m free. I’m me and I’m still here.
Although the White Ribbon Campaign aims to end male violence against women, domestic abuse affects both sexes and support is available to everyone.
Local support contact details: Calan DVS Amman Valley – 01269 597474 Carmarthen Domestic Abuse Services – 01267 238 410 Threshold Domestic Abuse Services, Llanelli – 01554 752 422 National support contact details: Live Fear Free – confidential 24-hour all Wales telephone helpline 0808 80 10 800 www.livefearfree.gov.wales
