Community
Meet the funders at PAVS Annual General Meeting & Funding Fair 2024

JOIN us at the PAVS Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Funding Fair on Thursday, 14th November, at the Queen’s Hall, Narberth. The Funding Fair will run from 11:00am to 3:00pm, offering a valuable opportunity for community groups to connect directly with funding officers and explore a range of grant opportunities.
Navigating different priorities, application forms, and changing criteria can be challenging when applying for funding. This event offers a chance to discuss your project ideas directly with funders, gain insights into current grants, and receive expert tips on crafting successful applications.
PAVS members are invited to attend the AGM starting at 9:00am, which includes a light breakfast. The meeting will highlight the achievements of 2023/2024 and outline the Association’s future plans.
From 11:00am, the Funding Exhibition will showcase local and national funding opportunities, featuring exhibitors such as the Bluestone Foundation, Port of Milford Haven, South Hook LNG, the National Lottery Community Fund, and WCVA. This annual gathering is an excellent chance for funders to learn more about local projects, bringing to life the ideas detailed in grant applications.
Participants are encouraged to bring a summary of their project ideas and identify the funders they wish to engage with. The PAVS Third Sector Support Team will be on hand, offering guidance on PAVS support services, PAVS Managed Funds, and other valuable resources.
Attendance is free, and tickets can be reserved through Eventbrite by searching “PAVS Funding Fair,” via the booking link on the PAVS website (www.pavs.org.uk), or by emailing development@pavs.org.uk for more information. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and grow your community projects!
Community
Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund brings joy to school children

THE ENHANCING PEMBROKESHIRE FUND PROJECT, with the support from Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration programme, has been hailed a huge success by the school children of Milford Haven Community Primary School.
An 11-week course, with the Torch Theatre at the helm, saw arts experts deliver a term of expressive arts sessions concluding with the young people sharing their hard work in a performance in the Torch’s studio theatre.
The Torch Theatre’s professional team worked with the school’s year 5 pupils on a playwriting and theatre design project in the company of playwright, Katie Elin Salt and theatre designer, Ruth Stringer. The creative activity was designed to support the school in the development of young people’s languages, literacy and communication skills.

The children created an epic play called Famous Authors which allowed each class to explore different aspects of a chosen favourite author’s life. Full of dramatic twists and featuring spectacular handmade props and costumes, all created by the young people themselves, the project opened doors to many.
Three quarters of the children said they would recommend the project to other year groups in the school as Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch explains:
“We’re so pleased the project was a success. Over three quarters of the children in this project indicated that they were more likely to write more stories after having completed the project; over half the children described their writing skills as excellent or good as a result of this project and almost half the children described their presentation skills as excellent or good.”
Rhian Johnson Year Leader for Year 5 and Expressive Arts Lead at Milford Haven Community Primary School said: “I’m so proud of the creative journey our students have been on. Over the Autumn term, they had dived into scriptwriting and prop making, building key skills in literacy, design, and collaboration. Working with creative professionals inspired them and opened their eyes to the possibilities of theatre. The culmination of their hard work, showcased on the Torch Theatre stage, was a true reflection of their creativity and determination. This experience has not only enriched their learning but also helped them develop critical thinking and teamwork—skills they’ll carry forward.”
One of the pupils undertaking the project said: “I have really enjoyed working with the Torch Theatre this term as the Torch has helped me understand how a play is put together.”
The children were asked the open question “Tell me what you learned from the Torch Theatre project.” Approximately a quarter of the young people spoke about how brave it made them feel or the courage it gave them to speak in front of people. A similar number of young people spoke about the importance of creativity and imagination and 20% of them spoke about teamwork and working with other people.
Tim added: “They were incredibly analytical in this with some talking about positives, and others discussing how they overcame issues presented by working in a team.
“We know that providing this opportunity for the children and staff has had a meaningful and lasting impact. Not only did our young people improve their literacy skills, but we also hope it gave them aspirations to be part of the creative sector. We know that maybe one day they will be writing plays for the Torch Theatre.”
Community
Supply chain event to showcase housing project opportunities

A MEET THE BUYER event will be held next month for companies to learn more about the supply chain opportunities from a major Pembrokeshire County Council housing project.
Morgan Construction Wales has been appointed by PCC under a Pre Contract Service Agreement for the Brynhir project in Tenby.
In total, 125 new homes and associated infrastructure will be constructed with commencement planned for autumn 2025, and overall completion in 2029.
These homes will range in size and consist of 93 affordable houses (social and intermediate rent), 16 shared ownership, and 16 open market sale.
The homes will be built to high standard complying to the Authority’s commitment of developing Net Zero Energy in Use buildings.
As part of their design and procurement scope Morgan Construction Wales are keen to engage with suppliers – new and existing to discuss the scheme and opportunities for the supply chain in the following areas:
- Masonry – below ground & retaining walls
- Timber frame (design, manufacture and erect)
- Roofing
- Doors and windows (manufacture and install)
- Internal carpentry
- External carpentry
- Rendering
- Dry lining and plastering
- Plumbing (including renewables)
- Electrical (including solar)
- Finishes – flooring
- Finishes – decoration
- Tiling
- Screeding
- Mastic application
- Soft and hard landscaping
- Tarmac surfacing
- Traffic management
- Scaffolding
- Loft insulation
- Cleaning services
- Tree surgery
- Block paving
The event, which is free to attend, will take place on Wednesday March 19th at the De Valence Pavilion, Tenby, SA67 7JD between 9am and 5pm.
Booking and further details are available at: https://wales.business-events.org.uk/en/events/morgan-construction-wales-ltd-meet-the-buyer-event-brynhir-housing-project/
For further information on the Brynhir development, please contact devCLO@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Community
Gas upgrade plans for Pembroke: Residents invited to drop-in event

WALES & WEST UTILITIES is set to carry out a £500,000 gas pipe upgrade in Pembroke St. Michael and Pembroke St. Mary South, with work scheduled to begin on March 31 and expected to finish in September.
The project aims to ensure a safe and reliable gas supply for local homes and businesses for years to come. Residents are invited to a drop-in session at the Town Hall foyer, Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4JS, on March 24, from 1:15pm to 5:45pm, where they can view plans and speak with the project team.
Wales & West Utilities is working with Pembrokeshire County Council to manage the project, and traffic measures will be put in place. Further details will be announced in due course.
Adam Smith, who is overseeing the work, said: “We know working in areas like this is not ideal, but this upgrade is essential to keep the gas flowing safely. Our engineers will be on-site throughout to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible, while keeping disruption to a minimum.”
He added that the upgrades will also future-proof the gas network, making it ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane as part of efforts to support a greener energy system.
-
Crime2 days ago
Man to stand trial after abandoned Audi found in hedge
-
Crime2 days ago
Woman dies after violent incident on ferry from Fishguard
-
Health4 days ago
Delays in ambulance response ‘likely led to mother’s death’
-
Top News3 days ago
Drunk man jumps into Milford Marina, sparking multi-agency search
-
Crime6 days ago
Driver arrested after crash near Sentry Cross roundabout
-
Crime2 days ago
Dairy farm worker caught drink-driving after whisky binge
-
Crime6 days ago
Man found not guilty over Goodwick pub bust-up
-
Community1 day ago
Woman arrested in Johnston by armed officers following ‘disturbance’