Community

Family Information Service’s summer of fun brings the community together

Published

3 months ago

October 18, 2024

THIS summer, the Family Information Service’s ‘Summer of Fun’ initiative made a significant impact on the local community, offering a wide range of free activities and services designed to bring families together and create lasting memories.

What made these events truly special was that members of the public played a key role in deciding the locations for many of the activities, ensuring the programme reached areas most in need and reflected the wishes of local families.

In response to public feedback requesting more events, the Family Information Service is excited to announce a Halloween Pumpkin Trail taking place over October Half Term, inviting families to take part in a spooky scavenger hunt in Neyland Marina with pumpkins decorated by local school children.

More information on the trail can be found on the Family Information Service’s Facebook page in the coming days.

In the summer families had the chance to select venues close to home, ensuring that the events were convenient and accessible to everyone.

As a result, activities were spread across central locations such as schools, leisure centres, and community halls, bringing events closer to the communities they were meant to serve.

By letting families guide the decision-making process, the initiative not only boosted participation but also fostered a deeper sense of ownership and involvement in the community.

Steven Richards-Downes, Director for Education, said: “We are thrilled with the success of our Free Family Fun Days held across the county this summer. The overwhelming participation and positive feedback from over 700 children, young people, and families highlight the importance of community-driven events.

“We are especially proud to have distributed over 800 healthy snack pots. We look forward to organising more of these events in the future, bringing families together and fostering a sense of community.”

The Summer of Fun provided free food and a host of activities for families of all sizes and ages. From arts and crafts to sports and swimming, there was something for everyone. Local Leisure Centres, chosen by the community, became lively hubs for the events, utilising existing offers to provide diverse activities that families could continue to enjoy long after the summer fun had ended.

Milford Youth Matters in Milford Haven and Point Youth in Fishguard lent their support to ensure that families in those areas enjoyed a full range of activities, while Public Health Wales provided healthy food throughout the events. These partnerships, along with collaborations with local businesses, further expanded the programme’s offerings, giving families a wide variety of options for fun and engagement.

Eleanor Thomas, Family Information Service Officer, said: “We are delighted to have provided a wide range of free activities for families across Pembrokeshire. These events were a fantastic opportunity for children and parents to come together, enjoy quality time and create lasting memories.

“It is our pleasure to support our community with accessible and engaging activities that bring joy and enrichment to so many families.

“We’re excited to continue offering more events, such as our upcoming Halloween Pumpkin Trail, and look forward to creating even more memorable experiences for everyone involved.”

Pembrokeshire Family Information Service will also be sharing their popular “What’s On” guide on their Facebook page to ensure families have a range of activities to take part in across the county over Half Term. Members of the public and activity providers are encouraged to tag the Family Information Service in social media posts of any family friendly activities they’d like to promote through the page.

To stay up to date on upcoming events and activities, you can follow the Family Information Service’s Facebook page on facebook.com/PembsFIS.
You can also check out the What’s On Guide for each half term to discover even more fun-filled opportunities for your family.

Community

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

11 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]

Community

Storm Éowyn upgraded to ‘danger to life’ amber warning for Wales

Published

12 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE MET OFFICE has upgraded its weather alert for Storm Éowyn to an amber warning, signifying a “danger to life” as strong winds and heavy rain approach Wales and other parts of the UK. The warning is in effect from 6:00am to 9:00pm on Friday, covering northern Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England, and southern Scotland.

Strong winds and widespread disruption

The amber alert warns of winds reaching 60-70 mph inland and up to 90 mph in exposed coastal areas and high ground. The Met Office advises that flying debris poses a risk to life, while power cuts, travel disruption, and property damage are highly likely.

Road, rail, air, and ferry services are expected to face delays and cancellations. Homes and businesses may also sustain structural damage as the storm progresses.

Areas in Wales under amber warning:

Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey

Alongside the amber alert, two yellow warnings for wind cover all of Wales on Friday, lasting from midnight Thursday to midnight Friday. A separate yellow warning for rain is also in effect from midnight to 9:00am on Friday, predicting 15-25 mm of rain across much of Wales and 40-60 mm in higher elevations. The heavy rainfall may lead to surface water flooding in some areas.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing northeast by Friday night. This will bring a spell of very strong west to southwesterly winds, with a brief reduction in wind strength as the storm’s centre passes over certain areas. Winds will then increase rapidly before gradually easing later on Friday.”

Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor updates as the storm approaches.

Community

Mid and West Wales Fire Service backs Register My Appliance Week

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is supporting Register My Appliance Week (January 20–26) to help households stay informed about appliance safety and product recalls.

Millions of UK households are unaware of critical safety updates for their appliances, with over 40 million large appliances still unregistered. From brand-new purchases to second-hand machines, registering appliances ensures owners are alerted to any safety issues, extending their safe usage.

In the past year, MAWWFRS responded to 163 incidents involving white goods. Home Fire Safety Manager Wayne Thomas said:

“We all value how appliances have transformed our lives, but it’s essential to register them. Doing so is quick, free, and ensures you’re informed if a safety repair is needed. Just a few minutes spent registering can help you enjoy your appliances safely.”

The Register My Appliance portal, run by AMDEA, connects users with over 70 leading brands and accepts registrations for both new and older appliances.