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£9m extra care scheme opens its doors

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bro-preseliBRO PRESELI, Family Housing’s new £9million Extra Care scheme of 40 one and two bedroom apartments for rent alongside a new 20 space Day Centre and a new Health Centre for Hywel Dda Health Board will open on August 18. The new health centre will create new facilities for the existing GPs practice and Community Health Team on the former Livestock Mart site in Crymych. Phil Dennis, Director of Operations at Family Housing said: “Bro Preseli has been a great opportunity for us to build on our successes in the field of Extra Care.

We have created much needed facilities right in the heart of the community which goes to show what can be achieved when different agencies work towards a common goal. We aim to create a vibrant hub providing much needed state of the art facilities for the older generation and wider community of Crymych. “ An Open Day on Thursday, August 14 will be an opportunity for both prospective tenants and the community to see what Bro Preseli has to offer.

The first tenants will move in on August 18 and, while demand has been high, there are still some vacancies. County Director and commissioner for Pembrokeshire and Project Director for the University Health Board development, Sue Lewis said: “The new facility is a significant improvement from the current temporary buildings which the GPs have been working out of. It has been purpose built in consultation with the GPs and the community to ensure it meets the needs of residents not just now but in years to come.”

Building on the success of their Hazel Court Extra Care scheme in Swansea, and Maes Mwldan in Cardigan, and part of an ongoing programme of excellence in extra care, Family Housing have been able to put experience to good use in designing this new scheme which includes a large lounge, a restaurant, shop, wellbeing room and craft and hobby room. Bro Preseli forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s programme to provide extra care schemes throughout the county as part of their older persons’ strategy and will be officially opened by The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, on November 17.

County Councillor Simon Hancock, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Well-Being and Equalities said: “I am delighted to see the completion of this project that will provide excellent housing, the opportunity to reduce social isolation amongst older people and a health facility for the Crymych area all on one site. “The project will help further our overall aim to deliver services in people’s own homes that meet their needs in a flexible and sustainable way.” Pupils from Ysgol y Preseli worked with Family Housing, Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board to suggest names for the new development from which the community council chose Bro Preseli.

Jayne Jones, Head of Care and Support Services at Family Housing said: “Moving to a purpose built apartment can make a lot of sense as well as free up some extra money from the sale of a home that is maybe too big and too high maintenance for you. Our extra care apartments are maintenance free and designed for older people. You can retain as much independence as you choose.” Jayne added: “All of our extra care homes are designed to be part of the local community rather than separate from it and local people are encouraged to come in and use the facilities. “And the other important thing about our extra care apartments is that they are future proof against any changing needs as you age – with a range of safety and security features so that you can live well, age well and stay well.” Design and Build contractors Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd created nine apprenticeships in the building trade during construction.

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Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

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It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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