Julian Narbett of St. Clears expresses his views on some issue in the village of St. Clears, Carmarthenshire.

1. A Walk With Julian Narbett
Mr. Julian Narbett is a well known and some would say well-
loved resident of St. Clears. He refers to himself as a ‘Dock
Boy’, which is a reference to the area of St. Clears where he
was born. I took a walk with Julian along the riverbank. It is
a place that he is very familiar with as he travels along the
path most days. Julian has seen many changes in the area and
is quite forthright and unashamedly scathing about some of
the things, which have gone wrong in the town. As we walk toward the town library Julian
points out the boarded up window. “This is a disgrace,” he tells me, “this is the main car
park and a bus stop for coaches travelling to and from London. What must the people on
those buses think of this town when they see that?”
We move into the car park and Julian points out that the
Town Council are trying to bring heavy stones from
Pendine to use as seats in the car park. “Why don’t they
involve the youngsters and get them to make picnic benches
instead?” he asks. It appears that the decision has been
made with no community consultation and that the stones
will appear when someone volunteers to collect them.
When we reach a fishing area Julian points out that he is
unable to access the river bank to fish because the gateway
is too narrow for disabled access. “No thought” he says. It
is quite obvious that no consideration has been given for
disabled access here despite the laws on discrimination
against disabled people.
We get to the skateboarding area where Julian likes to go
and chat with people. “Look, they have placed two bollards
on the entrance.” It is quite obvious that the path is also
inaccessible not only for disabled access but also for
parents and grandparents pushing buggies. Julian points out
the dangers for children falling on the very uneven surface.
Now we start to get onto the river path proper. Julian
carefully manoeuvres his buggy into a well-worn track,
which he has made because the path itself is also too rough
for his buggy. It is obvious that the journey causes Mr.
Narbett some discomfort as he travels along. Julian asks
“How can old people and mothers with prams get along
here?”

2. As we progress along the path Julian points out that the stiles for river
access are in the wrong place. “Some men came along and put the stiles
there, but they didn’t even ask where the best place was. They go to
nowhere. The fishing areas are now fenced off”. Some young boys are
fishing and I ask them about the stiles. They too think that it is strange
that the stiles are not where the fishing pools are. Julian asks, “Why
don’t they ask people before making these decisions?” I am unable to
offer any answers as my own requests for information also go largely
ignored.
The St. Clears Town Council meet on the third floor of the building
known as ‘The Craft Centre’. I asked Julian whether it would be
difficult for him to access the building if he were to become a
councillor. He tells me “There is a lift but it is awkward, the meeting
room is very small as well.” There is no doubt that Julian cares deeply
about the community of St. Clears and that he believes that the people
of St. Clears have been let down by those charged with looking after
the town’s interests. Julian asks “Why don’t they stand down and make
way for some younger people?”
Editor’s Comment: There is an election in May 2012 and maybe Julian’s determination to
seek answers will result in those who have ignored him suffering at the ballot box.
Whatever the result, we need people like Julian Narbett to continue monitoring the welfare
of this community. Lest we not forget, the community does not serve one serves the
community. Perhaps the library window could be paid for by the revenue from the Town’s
car park. Perhaps the paths and hedges could be repaired and maintained using money
spent on a number of local fiascos. What becomes apparent when you talk to Julian and to
some of the elderly residents of St. Clears is that decisions are being made with little or no
consultation or that information is only provided at the eleventh hour so that the
community has no time to have a say.