The view from the Pier Head:

The year 2004 will see some new and exciting progress in certain areas of the Flat Holm project as well the continuation of the work already carried out.

Personnel
There are not so many changes to report this year which is good news for the project.
Sadly Ray decided not to return to the Project in January, instead he has taken up a permanent position with the RNLI as a training inspector.
His experience and stories will be missed but I am sure he will continue to pop into the office to see us when he is in Barry. As a result the Coxswain position has been advertised and I look to appoint a permanent member of staff to this post in March. Tracey left the project to go on maternity leave before Christmas and Morwenna Harris was appointed to cover the position. Morwenna has settled in well and I look forward to continuing to work with her this year. We currently have 2 volunteers and will be recruiting more this month in preparation for the busy summer season which is fast approaching.

Resources
Double glazed windows were fitted in Driftwood last year and the farmhouse was rendered on the west side. A complete electrical re-wire was carried out on the boat last year, which should solve many of the minor problems that were being experienced.

Grants
The Project was successful in being awarded an Adfwyio grant, joint funded by the Wales Tourist Board, the Welsh Assembly and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW). The grant is being used to produce a guide book on the history and ecology of the island, 5 pocket guides: lighthouse, first military occupation, second military occupation, plants and birds. A sixth guide on geology and landscape is being funded by CCW. In addition a set of exhibition boards, traffic direction signs and an interpretive timeline which is to be housed in the barracks are planned.
The guide book priced at £4.95 will be available from the project office, island and at various outlets to be confirmed. The pocket guides priced at 75p each will be available at the project office and the island. All information on these materials will be available on the website www.cardiff.gov.uk/flatholm

Sustainable Buildings
A consultant from the Carbon Trust has been appointed to complete an assessment and produce a report to take forward renovation of the Keepers cottage. The recommendations will outline how the cottage can be powered by renewable energy sources such as wind power and energy from the sun. Prior to any systems being fitted permissions will be sought from both Cadw and the Countryside Council for Wales due to the buildings Grade II listed status and any impacts such systems may have on the biological interest of the island. Fingers crossed that the cottage will be open for business in 2005!

Trips
The Christmas publicity visit was held on December 19th and Santa graced us with his presence. Yet again the mulled wine and mince pies went down well and the hospitality laid on by the Vale of Glamorgan council was as good as ever.
The visitor season starts on 16th March and ends on 10th October this year. Please help us publicise these visits - leaflets available from the Project Office, tel. 01446 747661.

Charges
Charges for day visits have been increased this year in line with council policy, but residential costs are remaining the same.
I would like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for their continued hard work. I look forward to seeing everyone again this year.

Natalie Taylor   Project Officer