LAST Saturday, Span Arts, based in Narberth, launched their new programme of activities for 2003. Bryn Jones representing Arts Council Wales, Pembrokeshire County Councillor Mickey Folland, Phil Thompson from Texaco, and Pembrokeshire MP Nick Ainger attended the event.
New project leader Lisa Angberg explained how Span would be promoting arts workshops in various parts of the county, a Narberth history project, new media workshops and a course for learning Welsh traditional music.
These are just some of the developments set to take place over the coming months at the workshops in Narberth and in community halls. These would be additional to Span's programme of public performances at the Queens Hall and other Pembrokeshire venues.
Nick Ainger welcomed the fact that Span would be working with needy communities that had little provision for creative activities without travelling long distances. He and other guests released 25 'little peace people' attached to helium filled balloons to mark the Span launch.
These images had inside them a folder of peace related quotations and a return address for the finders. All the balloons and attachments were made of biodegradable materials so they will not be a hazard to wildlife and the environment.
This was part of the 'Hopeflight' project initiated by American artist Grace Frankforter which had taken place in over 1000 places all over the world since the start of the year.