Community
Pembrokeshire care home worker scoops national award ceremony
A PEMBROKESHIRE service manager has been recognised for their outstanding contribution during the past year at the annual Shaw Star Awards 2023.
The 14th Shaw healthcare national awards ceremony took place at The Tortworth Court Hotel in Gloucestershire on Thursday 23 November and was hosted by Welsh singer, TV presenter and actor Wynne Evans, best known as the face of GoCompare, and the recently crowned winner of Celebrity MasterChef 2023.
Sarah Lees, a service manager at Pembroke Dock in Pembrokeshire, won the ‘Outstanding Management Contribution’ award after being nominated by staff members and residents’ families. The award – sponsored by Nexon Group – recognises and celebrates those within management roles who demonstrate a high level of expertise combined with exceptional leadership skills.
She was commended by colleagues for showing an unwavering commitment to her work and exceptional leadership skills, which has resulted in the care service having a healthy waiting list for people wanting the best care.
Ms Lees said: “It’s been really rewarding seeing Pembroke Dock develop positively in the time that I have been here. It’s been a brilliant team effort. To be recognised with this award for the work I do is wonderful.”
Her colleague, Laura Holbrook, was also a finalist in the ‘Rising Star’ category which recognises and celebrates team members who are new to Shaw but have made a positive impact on their team and residents in a short period of time.
The care home in Pembroke Dock provides rehabilitation and enablement for residents, many of whom have experienced extended periods of hospitalisation.
Ms Lees was one of eight award winners who were recognised at the event, which aims to celebrate the achievements of outstanding staff members across Shaw’s 60 UK facilities.
Russell Brown, CEO of Shaw healthcare, added: “The Shaw Star Awards are always the highlight of our calendar and this year’s event was no exception. The quality of submissions was terrific, and it was – as always – extremely hard to pick a winner from the incredibly talented pool of finalists.
“As an employee-owned company it is important that we celebrate the Shaw family, so I want to say a huge congratulations to Sarah, our other winners and also all the nominees – all of whom exemplify Shaw’s ethos of going above and beyond to provide the best possible care to our residents.”
As part of the event, the guests were treated to a powerful burst of song from Wynne Evans and also to music from rock and pop covers band, The Forgery, and a prize draw sponsored by Arjo.
Community
Final chance to invest in historic Boncath community cottage
RESIDENTS in North Pembrokeshire have just days left to invest in a unique community project to purchase a historic Victorian corrugated cottage in Boncath for £12,000.
After a month of gathering support, volunteers behind the initiative are holding a final public meeting at the cottage on Saturday (Apr 4) from 11:00am to 12:00 noon. The event offers a last opportunity for new investors to join the cooperative and for existing supporters to view the building they now collectively own.
The cottage has served the community for more than 130 years. Since the 1930s it has been home to the Boncath WI, while earlier uses included a sawmill office and a rent collection point for the local estate.
The meeting will be led by Cris Tomos of Narberth-based community development organisation PLANED, who will explain how the scheme works and the financial incentives available. Investors contributing £500 may qualify for 50% tax relief through the UK Government’s Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS).
A similar model was successfully used in nearby Crymych, where community investors raised £210,000 to purchase and reopen the Crymych Arms pub.
Supporters can invest by contacting [email protected]
or downloading forms via the Bwthyn Boncath Facebook page. Printed forms are also available from Boncath Village Shop and Post Office.
Following the purchase, organisers plan to launch a wider community share offer at £50 per share to encourage broader local ownership.
The long-term vision is to transform the building into a small heritage centre, celebrating Boncath’s history and collecting local stories, photographs and artefacts for future generations.
For further information, contact Cris Tomos on 07974 099738 or email [email protected]
.
Community
Port launches waterway safety competition with monthly prizes
THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.
The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.
As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.
Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.
The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.
For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/
Community
Bishop returns to Llanelli for Palm Sunday celebrations
Visit described as ‘coming home’ as Bishop Dorrien joins worshippers in Bro Lliedi
BISHOP DORRIEN marked Palm Sunday (Mar 29) with a series of visits and services across Llanelli, describing his return to the area as “coming home.”
The Bishop of St Davids spent the day in the Bro Lliedi Local Ministry Area, beginning with the main parish Eucharist at St Elli Church, where he both preached and presided.

Following the service, he joined members of the local ministry area for lunch, before spending time visiting parishioners in the community.
The day concluded with a Songs of Praise service in Felinfoel, bringing together worshippers for an evening of reflection and celebration.
As a token of appreciation for his visit, Bishop Dorrien was presented with a print of St Davids Cathedral.
The Bishop has strong personal ties to the Llanelli area, having served his title there earlier in his ministry. Speaking during the visit, he said returning to the town always feels like “coming home.”

Church leaders said the visit was a valuable opportunity for the Bishop to connect with congregations across the area during one of the most significant periods in the Christian calendar.
Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a central time of reflection for Christians leading up to Easter.
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