IT IS now three months since Cardigan Castle opened to the public and I thought it apt to present a factual appraisal of the situation to date.

So far over 11,000 people have visited the site. This gives us every reason to believe that the predicted footfall of 33,000 during the first year of trading, expected by our funders, will be achieved and hopefully surpassed.

The trust has an arrangement with our funders, who remain hugely supportive, that the project would provide employment for 19 people. I am proud to report that currently 25 local people are employed on the castle site.

There have been a great number of hugely successful cultural events held at the castle, notably the Beirdd a Chantorion concert, Talwrn y Beirdd, a pageant performed by the children of Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi, the open air Illyria production and the 9Bach/ Bellowhead concert held last weekend.

The future is bright and I would encourage any local people who have the interest of the project at heart to enrol in any capacity. Tours of the castle site have been very popular and since opening approximately 80 groups have been accompanied around the site by our excellent volunteer guides.

The future direction of the project will continue to be decided by the trustees and members of Cadwgan Building Preservation Trust (BPT). If anyone feels that they have a talent or expertise that could benefit the project I would encourage them to put their names forward for consideration.

Trustees are appointed annually at an AGM, usually held in late autumn, by a democratic vote of the members of Cadwgan BPT.

Information about becoming a member and about voting rights can be obtained by contacting the trust administrator at the castle office.

I wish to conclude by expressing my enormous appreciation for the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the castle staff, volunteers as well as the wider community and all should be hugely commended for the success to date.

JANN TUCKER

Chair, Cadwgan BPT