Community

DARC radar: Campaigners ask Welsh Government to call in planning application

Published

3 weeks ago

May 15, 2026

PARC AGAINST DARC has submitted an official request asking the new Welsh Government to call in the planning application for the proposed DARC radar array in Pembrokeshire.

The campaign group, which was set up in 2024 to oppose the US military-linked Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability project, says the decision is too significant to be left to Pembrokeshire County Council alone.

Campaigners say the development, proposed for Cawdor Barracks near Brawdy, would have national implications for Wales, the environment, tourism, the local economy and military strategy.

The request follows the appointment of Rhun ap Iorwerth as Wales’ new First Minister and the naming of Siân Gwenllian as Cabinet Secretary for Local Government, Housing and Planning.

PARC said the election of a Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government marked “an extremely promising step forward” for the campaign, citing Plaid’s previous opposition to the scheme.

Planning decision

The Ministry of Defence submitted the planning application for the radar array to Pembrokeshire County Council in April.

The application is currently open for public comments, with the publicity period running until Wednesday (May 20).

The DARC project would involve the construction of 27 radar dishes close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Campaigners have described the proposal as a “military monstrosity” and claim it would allow the United States to project military power into space from Welsh soil.

They also dispute claims that the scheme would bring major local employment benefits, saying the MOD’s own environmental information describes the number of jobs as “low” and “not significant”.

PARC argues that any limited job creation would be outweighed by the removal of hundreds of personnel from Cawdor Barracks.

‘Call it in’

The campaign says the Welsh Government should take over the decision because of the scale and significance of the proposal.

In its request, PARC argues that DARC is “clearly a nationally significant development” and should be considered in the wider context of Wales’ national priorities.

The group is urging members of the public to use its online tool to ask Welsh ministers to call in the application.

PARC said: “We are thrilled that Plaid Cymru, an anti-DARC government, has taken the reins in Cardiff.

“The election of the new Welsh Government is a huge and seismic development from our perspective.

“Today, as we submit our official call-in request to the newly formed Welsh administration, we know that as we fight to save our precious St Davids peninsula from being turned into a massive military target, we do so in the knowledge that the party in control of Wales has a proud and strong history of standing up for the people of Wales and standing for peace.”

Public opposition

PARC says public opposition remains overwhelming.

The campaign claims that an updated MOD consultation summary shows 498 public responses were received, with 401 using PARC’s template objection email and the remaining summarised comments also appearing to oppose the scheme.

The group says it is preparing a 150,000-word planning objection, covering visual, economic, military, strategic and consultation concerns.

Campaigners also point to protests, widespread media coverage and a petition with around 19,000 signatures opposing the project.

Plaid Cymru figures have previously spoken against DARC.

In April 2024, Cefin Campbell tabled a statement of opinion in the Senedd opposing the proposal, while Plaid Westminster leader Liz Saville-Roberts later submitted an Early Day Motion at Westminster.

Mr Campbell said at the time: “Plaid Cymru has a long and honourable history of promoting peace around the globe and opposing militarism at every level.

“We cannot therefore support the construction of DARC and give space to American militarism on our land.”

PARC said the campaign was “still far from won” but had taken “a huge step change in the right direction” following the election result.

Community

Cardiff’s new Hollywood Bowl XL seeks enthusiastic ‘Chief Fun Officers’

Published

28 minutes ago

June 8, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

HOLLYWOOD BOWL XL has launched an exciting opportunity to find a lucky winner and their family to be the ‘Chief Fun Officers’.

With work set to complete on the stunning new multi-entertainment centre at St David’s shopping centre, local bowling enthusiasts are invited to apply for the chance to test and experience all that the new centre has to offer, ensuring it provides top-tier entertainment for the community to enjoy.

The new centre will feature 20 ten pin bowling lanes, interactive darts, electric go-karting and a live sports bar. This marks the first time the brand has added e-karting to one of its venues, adding a new layer of high-speed competition to the Hollywood Bowl XL experience.

The successful winners will get to test the state-of-the-art bowling lanes, complete with advanced scoring systems, indulge in sampling a variety of delectable food and drink, including American favourites such as hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, shakes, and signature cocktails (for adults only) and have a go in the state-of-the-art amusements area.

To enter, families must submit a 60 second video entry sent via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and explain why they think they should win by midnight on June 19, 2026.

Family participation is encouraged – children can apply for the role with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. Families also have the option to apply and enjoy the experience together (maximum 2 adults and 3 children). Entries will be judged on creativity, enthusiasm and personality

Jeremy Verecchia, Area Support Manager, said: “Getting the community involved with our new centre is important to us. We want to make sure we’re offering the best experience possible, so what better way to do that than by hearing directly from families and bowling fans? We can’t wait to see who will join us in this exciting new role at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s!”

Hollywood Bowl is the UK’s leading ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising brand and is encouraging families to apply via Instagram with the successful winner bringing their family with them for the experience.

All entrants under 18 will need parent/guardian approval and attendance on the day. Entries are now open via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and are being accepted until June 19.

The lucky family will be selected and contacted by June 26 and will need to be available when Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s opens to claim their prize. The winning family will be the first to step through the doors of the brand-new centre and bowl at an invite-only pre-opening event on July 15, making it a true VIP experience!

Bookings will open shortly at hollywoodbowl.co.uk and customers are encouraged to sign up to the VIP mailing list for updates and exclusive offers at https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/cardiff-st-davids

Want to work at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s? Recruitment is underway for over 50 roles including team members and management positions. Candidates who wish to find out more information and apply should visit https://careers.hollywoodbowlgroup.co.uk/our-roles.

Community

HMS Erebus exhibition opens as Pembroke Dock marks 200-year milestone

Published

10 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK HERITAGE CENTRE has marked the 200th anniversary of the launch of HMS Erebus with a special event celebrating one of the town’s most remarkable maritime stories.

HMS Erebus was built at the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke Dock and launched on June 7, 1826, before going on to become one of the most famous exploration vessels of the 19th century.

The ship later took part in major polar expeditions, including voyages to Antarctica, before being lost during Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. Its wreck was discovered in Canadian waters in 2014, reigniting worldwide interest in the vessel and its Pembrokeshire origins.

The anniversary event was attended by supporters, volunteers and visitors, with music from folk trio Broadoak and a presentation by Professor Russell Potter on the ship’s extraordinary career.

The Heritage Centre thanked everyone who helped make the event possible, including its volunteers, catering team, musicians and guest of honour Professor Potter.

The new exhibition, HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery, opens to the public on Monday (Jun 8).

Professor Potter will also give a public talk, From Land’s End to the Ends of the Earth: The Eventful Career of HMS Erebus, at 10:30am.

Community

Welsh legal and housing charities share in £3.9m consumer justice funding

Published

11 hours ago

June 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WELSH legal and housing advice charities are to receive funding from a £3.9 million grants programme using unclaimed money from a major class action case.

The Access to Justice Foundation has announced the recipients of its Improving Lives Through Advice 2026 programme, which will support 16 organisations across the UK over three years.

The money comes from unclaimed settlement funds from the Gutmann v SW Trains case, also known as the Boundary Fare class action.

In Wales, the organisations named include Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent, Cyngor ar Bopeth Powys Citizens Advice, Speakeasy Law Centre, also known as South Wales Law Centre, and Shelter Cymru.

The foundation said the funding is being directed to areas where class members were based and where access to free legal advice is most needed.

Although no Pembrokeshire organisation is named directly, the funding is likely to support services used by people across Wales, including those facing housing problems, debt, benefits issues, consumer disputes and difficulties accessing legal advice.

Clare Carter, chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation, said: “Unclaimed funds from collective actions represent a significant opportunity to strengthen access to justice.

“These organisations are the first point of call for people to understand and enforce their rights. This grant round will ensure that the outcomes of collective actions are felt by consumers across the UK.”

The foundation said the programme had been heavily oversubscribed, with 315 applications seeking more than £70 million in support.

It said the level of demand showed the pressure facing free legal advice services, with many charities now acting as the first and only place people can turn when trying to enforce their rights.

The Access to Justice Foundation said more than two thirds of adults in England and Wales face a legal problem each year, while more than 11 million people do not get help to resolve their legal issues.

The grants programme is the first in the UK to redistribute unclaimed class action money in this way.