Public Affairs Cymru organises a range of events throughout the year. All forthcoming PAC events are displayed below. For details of events that we have run in the past please take a look at our Events Archive.
If you have an idea for an event that you would like to see PAC organise then please contact our Chair.
The annual PAC quiz took place on the 18th of January. Unfortunately our traditional venue of Harry Ramsden’s had to close for the day because of an issue with their water supply. Many thanks to Terra Nova for accommodating us and to PAC Executive members, especially Dominic Hannigan, for keeping the Quiz going at short-notice. It was a three horse race for most of the evening, but after a battle until the last round between Positif Politics, the Welsh Conservatives, and Welsh Liberal Democrats (and after a re-count!), Positf Politics were crowned 2012 PAC Quiz champions. Their knowledge of obscure manifesto policies, the Godfather films, and Welsh education ministers proved to be the difference. They have nominated that Motor Neurone Disease Association should receive the £82 proceeds from the evening. Many thanks to last year’s winners, ‘The Brick Fireplaces’ for setting the questions.
Bar Cwtch played host to the PAC Christmas Social this year, with entertainment supplied by local Cardiff singer El Parisa. The supply of free mulled wine, pizza and mince pies, and warm atmosphere, ensured that all guests soon forgot the December cold and rain lashing outside. Over 30 guests were in attendance, including AMs and party staff, as well as a cross-section of PAC members. Many thanks to PAC Executive members Clare Bath and Rhodri ab Owen who worked hard in organising the evening. Nadolig Llawen i bawb.
The first in our new series of ‘2020 Vision’ Breakfast Seminars took place in Mimosa Bar & Kitchen on the 30th November. Our guest speaker was Daran Hill, MD of Positif Politics, who took us forward in the metaphorical DeLorean to politics and government in 2020 Wales. Daran scanned the horizon for guests, offering thoughts and predictions on the electoral system; the Silk Commission; media scrutiny of decision-making; and public affairs in general. Keep an eye out for future Breakfast Seminars in 2012, on the last Wednesday of each month.
An account of what Daran said is available at Waleshome
Breakfast Seminar
Location: Mimosa, Cardiff Bay
Time: 8.30am, 30 November 2011
RSVP: clarebath@publicaffairscymru.org
On Wednesday November 30th, we’ll have our first Breakfast Seminar, 8.30am at Mimosa Kitchen & Bar, Cardiff Bay.
This will be the first in a regular series, under the theme of ‘2020 Vision’, where key opinion-formers and influencers will look forward to the end of the decade and beyond in their area of expertise and take questions from PAC members. Our first speaker, on November 30th, will be the Managing Director of Positif Politics, Yes for Wales Campaign Director and Wales’s leading independent political commentator, Daran Hill, who will offer some provocative insights into politics and government in 2020. This event will be FREE to members and there will be coffee, pastries and bacon baps available and will last no more than an hour. Places are limited so contact Clare Bath to book your place.
You are invited to: Is there a future for the Welsh MP? Trip to London!
Location: London (Westminster and City Hall)
Date: Thursday, November 24th
Time: Sessions start at 14:30 and 18:00
RSVP: cyswllt@fbagroup.co.uk by Friday, 11th November
Cyswllt has organised, for both its members and members of Public Affairs Cymru, two exciting sessions in London on the 24th of November:
RSVP: Please confirm that you are attending the event by Friday 11th November via e-mail cyswllt@fbagroup.co.uk Remember it’s first come, first served!
Any questions, please contact: Heulyn Gwyn Davies on 07710002904.
Mae Cyswllt wedi trefnu dwy sesiwn gyffrous yn Llundain ar y 24ain o Dachwedd ar gyfer ei aelodau ac aelodau Public Affairs Cymru
RSVP: Rhaid cadarnhau eich bod yn mynychu’r digwyddiad erbyn dydd Gwener 11eg
o Dachwedd drwy e-bostio cyswllt@fbagroup.co.uk. Cofiwch mai’r cyntaf i’r felin gaiff falu!
Unrhyw gwestiynau, cysylltwch â: Heulyn Gwyn Davies ar 07710002904.
The Annual General Meeting of Public Affairs Cymru will take place at 5:30 pm on Thursday 6th October 2011 in the upstairs function room of The Wharf Pub in Cardiff Bay. (http://www.thewharfcardiff.com/contact-us)
To be quorate the AGM must have an attendance of at least 25% of the PAC membership. We’d be grateful if all PAC members could make every effort to attend. It would be enormously helpful if you could let us know as soon as possible whether or not you’ll be coming. Please RSVP to liamurphy@publicaffairscymru.org
The draft agenda for the evening is as follows. All papers will be circulated via email the week before the meeting:
1. Minutes of the last AGM
2. Annual Report of the Executive
3. Financial Statement
4. Elections to the Executive Committee
Buffet & Refreshments - a buffet with wine and soft drinks will be served during the election process.
5. Members Survey results and vote on the membership fee
6. Amendments to the constitution – Any PAC member that wishes to propose an amendment to the constitution must submit this in writing to me at Chair@publicaffairscymru.org, at least 7 days prior to the AGM.
7. Any other motions – Any PAC member that wishes to propose a motion must submit this in writing to me at Chair@publicaffairscymru.org, at least 7 days prior to the AGM.
8. Election Results
9. Closing remarks
The new Chair will take over and make closing remarks to the meeting.
Rebecca Evans AM hosted the annual PAC reception at the Senedd this year. Rebecca, a former PAC member, welcomed Ministers, AMs, Assembly staff as well as PAC members to the drinks reception, and reflected on a busy year of campaigning, lobbying and electioneering.
Gathering in the Oriel at the Senedd, the turnout of 50+ meant it was a good opportunity for a wide cross-section of the PAC membership to catch up with old acquaintances, meet new members and discuss holiday (or should that be recess?!) plans with AMs. Hosting the event at the Senedd straight after the final plenary session of the term was a fitting end to a year of hard-work in politics and public affairs in Wales.
A group of PAC members attended an evidence-gathering session with the BBC Audience Council for Wales at Broadcasting House in Llandaf recently.
The Audience Council were keen to hear opinions and perspectives from PAC members on the BBC’s coverage of the recent election and referendum, and its wider Welsh and network news reporting on political developments in Wales. PAC members raised issues around the terminology used in reports, concerns on the ‘Anglo centricity’ of reporting health and education stories and some of the election-day coverage at both a Wales and network level. Members were also keen to congratulate the BBC on improvements in how the nation-applicability of political developments are reported and the Welsh language coverage of referendum and election day results.
Audience Council members thanked PAC for its input, and will look to further develop links with PAC on similar events and contributions.
With over 120 guests in attendance, the annual PAC dinner was held at the Park Plaza Hotel, Greyfriars Road this year.
Nick Bourne was the guest speaker, and he looked back at his time in the Assembly as well as looking forward to the future of Welsh Conservatism and his perspective on the issues facing the Welsh and UK Governments. Many in attendance are now eagerly awaiting the publication of Nick’s diaries!
With support from Grayling and Positif Politics, guests enjoyed a pre-drinks reception, three-course meal and an after-dinner party in the exclusive downstairs KuKu Club at the Park Plaza. With the annual dinner getting bigger and better each year, PAC Chair Michelle Matheron reflected on members’ contribution to one of the busiest years yet in Welsh public affairs. Organising such a large event requires a lot of work from the PAC Executive, and the efforts of Lia Murphy, Bobbie Davies, Clare Bath and Sali Davies in particular ensured an evening to remember.
