Community

Concern over ageing dads

Published

12 years ago

November 19, 2014

PEOPLE across Great Britain with older parents have spoken out about their fears for their lonely Dads after new research revealed that 63 per cent believe their Dad is lonely even though 30 per cent say they don’t think their Dad would admit to it. Half (50 per cent) of people with an older Dad (over 75) who lives alone said that they don’t think their Dad enjoys his hobbies as much as he used to.

The reasons for older men letting go of their hobbies include a lack of motivation (35 per cent), having no one to enjoy them with (19 per cent) and 10 per cent said a lack of transport was a reason for letting hobbies go. The research is released to coincide with the launch of Royal Voluntary Service’s ‘Let’s Tackle Loneliness’ campaign which aims to recruit more male volunteers. The initiative will help the charity to rekindle dwindling social lives of older men who live alone. A host of high profile rugby clubs have pledged support and the charity is calling on more to come forward now to help raise awareness of the issue and encourage their supporters to become volunteers.

‘Let’s Tackle Loneliness’ clubs including Cardiff Blues, Leicester Tigers, Castleford Tigers and Harlequins, and rugby legends including Dan Cole and JPR Williams, are pledging their support by joining the charity’s virtual Silver Squad (#tackleloneliness), calling on men across Great Britain to share their skills and hobbies and a small amount of time to help local older men stay connected. David McCullough, Chief Executive at Royal Voluntary Service, said: “Supporting your local or national sports team gives a feeling of belonging and comradery for many men and women.

Our research shows that on average men spend 3.3 hours a week chatting about sport with their friends and family. So it also provides an excellent common ground to grow new friendships. “Through the Let’s Tackle Loneliness campaign we want to minimise the barriers to continuing with hobbies and interests. Our volunteers can provide companionship, give a lift where it is needed or buddy-up go to the local rugby game.”

JPR Williams, Welsh rugby legend is supporting the Let’s Tackle Loneliness campaign: “It’s hard to imagine what life will be like when we are older when we are in peak physical fitness but it is important to realise that everyone has something to offer. We all have different skills and interests, whether that’s supporting your local or national team, playing golf, popping to the pub for a pint or going for a drive, those skills and hobbies can easily be shared with someone local to you.

As part of the Let’s Tackle Loneliness campaign I encourage you to register to volunteer for as little as an hour a week to share your skills and interests with an older man who may be suffering from loneliness in silence.” Launched in 1938 as the Women’s Voluntary Services, the charity’s founder, Lady Reading, attracted over one million female volunteers to lend their support on the home front during the war.

Now called Royal Voluntary Service, the charity supports older people and wants more men to volunteer. The charity currently has an army of over 35,000 volunteers but less than a fifth of its cohort are men. Royal Voluntary Service helps over 100,000 older people with services such as Good Neighbours (companionship), Meals-on-Wheels and Books-on-Wheels that help alleviate loneliness. Royal Voluntary Service also provides practical support for older people who have been in hospital through its On Ward Befriending and Home from Hospital services. To volunteer or find out more about Royal Voluntary Service or to sign up as a volunteer call 0845 608 0122 or visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Community

Pembroke Fair praised as well-organised community event

Published

8 hours ago

May 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HORSES, STALLS AND FAMILY CROWDS RETURN TO MONKTON

FAMILIES, horse owners and visitors turned out in force for Pembroke Fair on Saturday (May 23), with many praising the event as one of the best organised in recent years.

Held at the Community Centre Field in Monkton, the annual fair brought together horse owners, traders and local families for a traditional day centred around horses, ponies, stalls and socialising.

Coloured cobs, heavy horses, ponies and horse-drawn traps attracted attention throughout the day, with many visitors gathering around the field to watch the animals being shown and led around the site.

A variety of stalls selling everything from clothing and ornaments to tack and second-hand goods helped create a lively market atmosphere, while food vendors kept visitors fed throughout the day.

Despite overcast conditions at times, the event remained busy, with many attendees staying for several hours to enjoy the traditional fair atmosphere.

Community members later took to social media to praise the smooth running of the event, with several publicly thanking organiser Charlie Price for his efforts in bringing the fair together.

Comments described the day as “well organised” and praised the welcoming atmosphere, with many saying it was encouraging to see a long-standing local tradition continuing to thrive.

The fair once again brought together members of the travelling community, local residents and horse enthusiasts from across west Wales.

A horse drive was also due to take place on Sunday (May 24), continuing the weekend’s celebrations.

Photo captions:

Traditional gathering: Horses, ponies, horse-drawn carts and market stalls drew crowds to Pembroke Fair in Monkton on Saturday (Pic: Herald).

Business

New facilities at Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club agreed

Published

2 days ago

May 23, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL by a Pembrokeshire shooting club for more disability-friendly facilities has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Haverfordwest Target Shooting Club, through agent Andrew Sutton Architecture, sought permission for an extension to existing target shooting club building at The Firing Range, Withybush Road, Haverfordwest to improve accessibility and internal facilities, together with associated landscaping works.

A supporting statement said: “The club’s own published history states it was founded in 1968, moved from the Drill Hall to the old wartime airfield butts at Withybush by the early 1970s, and had developed facilities over time, including the clubhouse by 1999. The established leisure/community use has existed on the site for a number of years and the proposal does not seek to intensify the core activity beyond that already authorised/established.”

It added: “The primary objective of the scheme is to improve inclusive access to the club’s facilities for disabled users and those with reduced mobility. The internal arrangement will provide adequate entrance and lobby space, clear accessible routes and appropriately designed sanitary accommodation, including an accessible wetroom/shower and separate WC.”

It also said accessible parking and surfacing designed to provide a firm, even, slip-resistant route from parking to the principal entrance.

It added: “The Equality Act 2010 places duties on service providers to make reasonable adjustments so that people with additional access needs are not placed at a substantial disadvantage.

“The proposal is therefore a positive enhancement to a community/leisure facility and supports wider policy objectives for inclusive environments.”

It went on to say: “The club operates within a highly controlled environment, and the proposed works will maintain and enhance safety and security measures.”

The application was conditionally approved by planners.

Community

RNLI urges beachgoers to stay safe as warm weather hits Wales

Published

2 days ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lifesaving charity warns of cold water shock risk despite rising temperatures

THE RNLI is urging people planning trips to the coast over the Bank Holiday weekend to choose lifeguarded beaches and follow essential water safety advice as warm weather draws crowds to the seaside.

With temperatures expected to rise across Wales, the lifesaving charity has warned that, although conditions may appear ideal, the sea remains dangerously cold and poses a serious risk of cold water shock.

The RNLI says the safest place to swim is between the red and yellow flags at lifeguarded beaches.

In Pembrokeshire, RNLI lifeguards will be on patrol at Whitesands, Newgale Central and Tenby South Beach throughout the May half-term, operating daily between 10:00am and 6:00pm.

Other lifeguarded beaches across Wales include Langland, Caswell, Aberavon, Pembrey, Three Cliffs and Port Eynon in Swansea; Barry Island, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and Rest Bay in Bridgend; Llangrannog and Borth in Ceredigion; and Rhyl and Prestatyn in Denbighshire.

The RNLI is encouraging anyone unable to visit a lifeguarded beach to check local conditions before setting off, including tide times, weather forecasts and any safety signage.

Chris Cousins, the RNLI’s Regional Water Safety Lead, said: “There will likely be a huge number of people visiting the coast this weekend and we want everyone to remember Float to Live advice, which could save lives.

“Instinctively, most people who find themselves struggling in the water will begin to gasp, panic and try to swim or thrash about.

“We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float. Tilt your head back with your ears submerged, relax and try to breathe normally, and move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if needed.”

He added that practising floating in a supervised setting, such as a swimming pool, could help prepare people in case they find themselves in difficulty.

‘Phone, Float, Throw’

The RNLI is also reminding the public to remember the “Phone, Float, Throw” guidance if they see someone struggling in the water.

People are advised to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard, encourage the casualty to float on their back, and throw something buoyant to them, such as a life ring.

The charity recently relaunched its “Float to Live” campaign, citing new research suggesting younger adults, particularly Generation Z, may underestimate the dangers posed by the coast.

According to the RNLI, there were 193 accidental drowning deaths in the UK in 2024, with men accounting for 84 per cent of fatalities. Men aged between 20 and 29 represented the highest risk group.

The RNLI’s beach lifeguard service is marking its 25th anniversary this year.

For more information on staying safe at the coast, visit the RNLI’s Float to Live campaign.