Community

Preseli MP kicks off The Great British Spring Clean with roadside litter pick

Published

2 years ago

March 21, 2023

PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb has called for action to halt the growing quantity of litter discarded on roadside verges across Pembrokeshire. “Litter plaguing county could jeopardise Pembrokeshire’s tourism reputation”, he said.

The MP has used the start of The Great British Spring Clean 2023, which runs from 17th March to 2nd April, to draw attention to the state of the County’s green verges and hedgerows, some of which are now strewn with drink cans, coffee cups and fast-food cartons. As well as damaging the environment, the volume of litter risks undermining Pembrokeshire’s reputation as a wonderful place for tourists to visit.

Hearing direct from Pembrokeshire residents concerned about the increase in litter, Stephen Crabb MP has called on Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to step up and take action ahead of the busy tourism season.

Stephen and his team, together with Johnston County Councillor Aled Thomas, gathered for a litter pick around Johnston on the first day of the British Spring Clean on Friday 17th March.

Commenting during the litter picking session, Stephen Crabb said, “I’m really concerned right now about the amount of litter that I am seeing. It’s the worst it’s ever been. Today, we have been picking up lots of fast-food wrappers, cigarette packets, energy drink cans and coffee cups scattered along the roadsides – it’s a real disgrace.”

He commended local efforts by groups such as the Newgale Beach Wombles and Eco Dewi and others who regularly volunteer their time to help keep our beaches and County clear of rubbish. He urged residents to think about how they are disposing their litter and encouraged people consider becoming a Litter Champion – part of the Keep Wales Tidy campaign.

He added, “Locals are raising it with me all the time at the moment and it’s a wide-spread problem across the County. People are really fed up of it. I am also concerned about the impression that it provides to tourists who visit our County for its outstanding natural beauty.”

The MP used equipment provided by one of the six Caru Cymru‘s Keep Wales Tidy community litter picking hubs across Pembrokeshire. They provide equipment free of charge to members of the community. This includes litter pickers, hoops, hi-vis vests and bin bags. The kit also contains all necessary health and safety guidance and support on competing a Litter Picking Loan Agreement and a Risk Assessment.

Stephen Crabb has also called on Welsh Government Education Minister, Jeremy Miles, to use the new Welsh curriculum to educate and help influence behaviour in young people in primary and secondary education on litter prevention.

County Councillor Aled Thomas said, “We all have a responsibility to keep our communities as clean as possible and to show our natural environment at its best. We have to be pro-active and do our bit and stop turning a blind eye to the problem that we have here in Pembrokeshire.”

In his letter to the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, he wrote “I appreciate there is considerable pressure on the maintenance team covering Pembrokeshire but there is enormous strength of public feeling about this issue locally. Local people are being asked again to pay large increases in Council Tax; they want to see core functions delivered well.”

Community

Puffin found 110 miles inland released back into the wild in Pembrokeshire

Published

15 hours ago

July 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Rare rescue sees seabird named Oona nursed back to health after landing in Herefordshire garden

A PUFFIN that somehow found its way more than 100 miles inland has been returned to the sea in Pembrokeshire after being rescued in a Herefordshire garden.

The bird, affectionately named Oona after a children’s book character, was discovered in June in the landlocked county — some 110 miles from the coast — and taken to Vets for Pets in Hereford. At just 218g, around half the normal weight for an adult puffin, she was underweight but otherwise alert.

Wildlife vet David Couper from the RSPCA provided guidance on her initial care, and once stabilised, Oona was transferred to the charity’s specialist West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset. Staff there say puffin patients are extremely rare — only six have been treated at the centre in the past ten years.

Ryan Walker, Wildlife Supervisor at West Hatch, said: “Finding a puffin that far inland is extraordinary. She quickly became a bit of a star here. Our team gave her a good clean-up, helped her regain strength, and she did really well during her stay with us.”

Following her rehabilitation, which included nutritious fish meals and time in a recovery pool, Oona was returned to the sea off the coast of Pembrokeshire — home to Wales’ best-known puffin colonies, particularly on Skomer Island.

Puffins typically breed in coastal colonies, raising their chicks in burrows during spring and summer before spending the rest of the year out at sea. It’s rare for them to be found inland unless blown off course or affected by illness or exhaustion.

Oona’s story is just one of thousands seen by the RSPCA each year. In 2024, the charity took in over 10,000 wild animals across its four dedicated wildlife centres, with many found injured, orphaned or sick in people’s gardens.

The RSPCA is urging the public to act quickly if they find an animal in distress. Where safe, they should take the animal directly to a vet or consult advice on the charity’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/reportcruelty

Community

Wales tops global table for Green Flag awards

Published

3 days ago

July 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

More community green spaces than any other country in the world

WALES is once again leading the world in celebrating high-quality green spaces, with 315 sites across the country awarded Green Flag and Green Flag Community status for 2025/26.

Keep Wales Tidy has confirmed that Wales has broken its own record for the number of Green Flags flying—more than any other nation taking part in the international Green Flag scheme.

The awards recognise outstanding green spaces that meet the highest environmental and management standards. In Wales, they include parks, university campuses, community woodlands, cemeteries, allotments and housing estates.

New sites and growing community impact

Newly awarded sites this year include Llandegfedd Lake in Monmouthshire, Bronllys Hospital in Powys, Tredegar Park Sports and Recreation Ground in Newport, and Llandaff Fields in Cardiff.

A record-breaking 223 community sites in Wales have achieved Green Flag Community Awards—more than any other country in the world for the second year running.

Among the 35 first-time community winners are some unique new additions, including Wales’ first Women’s Institute garden in Llanafan, Ceredigion, and the first radio station garden at BGfm in Blaenau Gwent.

A shared effort to green the nation

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
“I am very proud that Wales continues to lead the world in community-awarded Green Flag sites.

“Our local green spaces play a vital role in connecting us to nature, supporting biodiversity, and providing opportunities for healthy recreation. It is particularly pleasing to see people not only using these spaces but also actively helping to maintain and improve them.

“The standards required to achieve Green Flag status are exceptionally high, so I want to congratulate everyone involved for providing outstanding facilities that benefit both local communities and visitors alike.”

Recognition for community dedication

Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy, added: “We’re delighted to see 315 green spaces across Wales awarded Green Flag and Green Flag Community status this year—a real testament to the hard work and dedication of those who care for these special places.

“We’re especially proud that Wales has broken the record for community award winners for the second year running. This achievement highlights the vital role these spaces play in supporting the health and wellbeing of communities across Wales.”

Community

Ogi backs Pembrokeshire community groups to switch off and connect

Published

3 days ago

July 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Grants fund projects helping people ditch screens and enjoy real-world connection

COMMUNITY groups across Pembrokeshire are among those receiving a boost from telecoms company Ogi, which is helping people across Wales “get offline” this summer.

The initiative, supported by £5,000 in local grants from Ogi’s community fund Cefnogi, will support wellbeing-focused events and inclusive activities – encouraging people to step away from screens and come together in person.

Among the recipients is the Pembrokeshire Vikings, a mixed-ability rugby team led by former Scarlets and Ospreys prop Simon Gardiner. The team will use the funding to host an inclusive sports day in west Wales, giving children of all abilities the opportunity to try adapted sports for the first time.

Other funded activities across south Wales include Scout camping trips, social breakfasts, BBQs for veterans, puzzle libraries and nature-based wellbeing sessions – all aimed at reducing loneliness, boosting confidence, and creating real-world connections.

Ogi’s Brand Marketing Director Sarah Vining said: “We set up Cefnogi to support the brilliant things already happening in our communities – and this round of projects shows off the creativity and spirit we have in abundance right across Wales.

“Whether it’s sport, getting together for breakfast, puzzle swaps or outdoor therapy, all of these projects are about people – and making space for the kind of moments that really matter.”

The “getting offline” theme launched earlier this year as part of Ogi’s long-term commitment to community wellbeing and aligns with the goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, supporting a healthier, more equal and more connected Wales.

Ogi has already brought full fibre broadband to thousands of homes and businesses in Pembrokeshire, including in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Johnston, Neyland, and Tenby – helping to modernise digital infrastructure while supporting offline connection through community investment.