Our Town
Canolfan Croeso
In 2018, after Pembrokeshire Coast National park closed its Information Centre, Newport Town Council acquired the building by a Community Asset Transfer. The building called Canolfan Croeso (Welcome Centre) now houses Newport Community Library and Newport Information Centre. Both are run by volunteers and provide a valuable service for the local community, businesses and visitors. You can find it opposite the car park on Long Street.
Newport Information Centre
The Information Centre was opened in April 2019 and occupies one half of Canolfan Croeso opposite the town car park. There are friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who run our tourist information service and share their knowledge of Newport, the walks, where to go, eat, or stay and what’s going on.
The Information Centre also provides the community with free promotion space for local businesses, shops and restaurants. Local groups, events, meetings and community news are all posted on the notice boards.
There is a newly refurbished meeting room that can be booked by small groups and for individuals meeting the Grants and Projects Officer, councillors, Sennedd members, or getting support from organisations such as Cruise, Citizens advice etc.
Everything is financed and supported by a shop selling books, maps and a wide range of Pembrokeshire products, cards, artwork and gifts.
Open 10am -1pm but on Mondays 1-4pm
Contact – janowilliamsntc@icloud.com
Newport Community Library
Threatened with closure in 2016, a group was formed to save Newport’s library and, with the support of Pembrokeshire County Council, volunteers were trained in how to run the library and operate its computer system.
The group gained charitable status in June 2016 and Newport Community Library was formally opened in July 2016.
Moving from its old building in December 2018, the library now enjoys the light, spacious atmosphere of Canolfan Croeso, which includes the bonus of a kitchen and the meeting room for the use of the community. In addition, there are two computers available for public use.
Occupying a great position in the town, opposite the car park and with improved access, this combined facility is a great asset to the town.
The group operates in partnership with PCC, who continue to provide books and equipment, plus a library service staff member for one-half day a week.
The volunteers work on a rota system, ensuring that the library is open for two additional mornings. The library is open throughout the year at the following times*:
Mondays: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm (volunteers)
Wednesdays: 12.30pm to 6pm (PCC librarian)
Saturdays: 9.30 to 12.30pm (volunteers)
Tel: 01437 776651
Anyone interested in volunteering for the library should contact Paddy Davies: paddy17davies@btinternet.com
Newport Memorial Hall
In St. Mary’s church, there is a framed list of the 112 local men who served in the first world war. Of these, thirty six (nearly 33%) never returned. In their memory Newport decided to build a Memorial Hall.
The project was led by Alderman J.O.Vaughan and Dr. David Havard, whose mother donated the site for the building. It was to have been a corrugated iron building with a stone front costing £2000, but this idea was rejected (our boys deserve better) in favour of a traditional stone hall.
The foundations were laid in 1921, and the women of Newport, led by Mrs.Tom Evans raised money to add a library and reading room, to draw the youngsters away from the public houses. These were opened by Alderman J.O.Vaughan in March 1923 and six months later the completed Newport Memorial Hall was opened by the incoming Mayor F. W. Withington.
During recent building works in the Memorial Hall a significant medieval pottery kiln from the 15th century was discovered. It is believed to be the only intact example in Britain. Finds included jugs, pots, ridge tiles and distilling equipment. Excavation was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2017 and the kiln and its artefacts are on display to the public at the side of Memorial Hall.
Today, thanks to the Herculean efforts of Mr. Reg Atkinson, the Hall has become a very popular social venue for events, concerts, weddings, senior citizens’ lunches, sporting activities, a youth club and a wide variety of classes.