A WEST WALES mother’s poignant call for a permanent Pembrokeshire memorial – and sanctuary – in memory of her late daughter has been backed by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, Emma Thomas, of Ammanford, sought permission for the extension of a forestry track to enable the planting of woodland along with a memorial pond to her late daughter Mia Haf Sahara Thomas Jones at a field off Brynheulog, near Llangolman.

A personal statement by Emma accompanying the application said: “My name is Emma Thomas, and I am setting up the Mia Sahara Sanctuary in memory of my beautiful daughter, Mia, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 16, on April 19, 2023.

“Mia was a very passionate young lady, and throughout her life enjoyed being in the natural environment absorbing everything it had to offer.

“As Mia’s mother, I must do something positive out of something so, so negative.

“As Mia was to inherit a property on her 18th birthday, as a family, we have decided to purchase land out of the proceeds from the sale.  The land is approximately 6.3 acres and lies on the western edge of Llangolman, Pembrokeshire.”

She added: “My aim is to develop the land by placing a wildlife pond to provide a breeding space for frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies as well as a habitat for a host of other creatures from pond skaters to water snails.  The pond will be shallow at one end and will provide areas for birds and a watering hole for hedgehogs.”

Emma said produce grown in existing polytunnels “will be given and shared amongst local charities to support the local population and hopefully a local educational establishment with healthy eating seasonal produce”.

Emma went on to say: “I worked within education before Mia’s health deteriorated at numerous educational establishments internationally.  I have a learnt understanding of the issues faced by individuals that live within Pembrokeshire as a single parent caring for a child with needs.

“There is a need for support for so many individuals and a lack of funding and resources can have detrimental consequences.

“In December 2022 Mia and I decided to set up a charity and Mia wrote her introduction to the Forum in advance.”

Mia, in her own words, explained her reasons for the charity: “I have struggled throughout my life with various of different things…  At the age of just 16, I got an official diagnosis as being Autistic. But that is why we are here to help each other and to thrive with each other with that help/support!  I have also struggled with making/maintaining friendships and hopefully with setting up this forum I could make new friends!

“Also make changes for the better.  Use this charity for a network of people as a safety net to help and inform each other with information that you and others may need…”.

Emma concluded: “I envisage the Mia Sahara Sanctuary to be a place where nature will flourish with new life.  I will meet with representatives from the community and local groups to determine what produce would best support their service users with the aim of working collaboratively for the benefit of the local people.

“Mia is no longer here physically however my love for her fuels me to plan the Mia Sahara Sanctuary and to create something that will benefit future generations within Pembrokeshire, and I have the determination and passion, with your support, to make this a reality.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

ST DAVIDS RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched at 5:50pm on Easter Monday (April 21) following reports of a dog that had fallen from the cliffs at Caerfai Bay.

The volunteer crew responded swiftly and located the dog in the sea. Sadly, it had died by the time they arrived. The lifeboat crew recovered the animal and brought it ashore, reuniting it with its owners at Caerfai beach, who were supported by HM Coastguard – St Davids.

The inshore lifeboat, Marian and Alan Clayton, returned to station at 7:00pm and was refuelled and ready for service again by 7:10pm.

A Pembrokeshire farming couple will be taking the bull firmly by the horns next month after  agreeing to take part in one of the toughest cycling challenges in Wales’ cycling  calendar – the Carten100.

Mark and Caroline Davies – who run the 265-acre dairy farm at New House, Little Newcastle – have agreed to do the 108-mile cycle to raise  funds for ‘Anna’s Song’, which is a charity set up in memory of Caroline’s 13-year-old  niece who died in a swimming tragedy in Florida in 2024.

“When my sister, Liz, first mentioned that she’d be cycling  the Carten100 to raise funds for ‘Anna’s Song’, I started googling it and decided  it would be a good idea to take part too,” explained Caroline.  “Liz did it five or six years ago, but  when I told them about my idea to take part too, they all laughed!”

But a week later, Caroline received a road bike, complete with a helmet, from Liz’s husband Pete, who is himself a highly accomplished cyclist.

“Pete had every faith in me, and this has helped to spur me on and start training for an event that I never imagined  would be possible.”

Last December Caroline’s husband, Mark, decided that he, too, would take part in the Carten100 which extends from Cardiff city centre to Cowbridge, Swansea, Llanelli, Burry Port, Carmarthen, St Clears and Tavernspite before finally terminating at Tenby Harbour.

But with around 400 head of cattle to manage as well as  three young daughters aged 11, 7 and 2, the couple’s training schedule has been challenging..

“It goes without saying that our lives are very hectic, but we’re managing to find time to either get out onto the roads  or have half and hour on the turbo,” continued Caroline,  “Obviously turbo training can be pretty boring, but at least there’s a little wild rabbit who comes out into the garden which I can watch  which helps relieve the monotony.

“This morning  I managed to do half an hour and I’lll be doing another 30 minutes  later this evening.  Over the weekend we’ll be going out for a much longer ride, but this takes a lot of planning.  The vet is coming out for a routine visit first thing on Saturday morning, I’ve got a meeting scheduled for later that day and then we have to make sure we have a babysitter on hand to look after the children.

“And when we get back from the ride, it’s back on with the wellies to do some more farming.”

‘Anna’s Song’ was launched following Anna Beaumont’s tragic death in May, 2024.  The 13-year-old was a highly accomplished singer, who had performed extensively with Only Kids Aloud and Only Girls Aloud on platforms across the UK as well as at Disneyland, Paris, and St Davids Hall in Cardiff.  The charity is raising funds to help support talented teenage singers with professionally led workshops, live events and partnerships to help them pursue a career in singing.

“The first workshop was held at the end of March at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and the feedback we’ve had from the families of the six young people who took part has been phenomenal,” said Caroline.

“The charity’s aim is to offer opportunities to inspire young singers by hosting workshops, events and mentorships.”

Meanwhile, with just three weeks to go before the Carten 100 takes place on May 10, Caroline and Mark are doing everything they can to step-up their training regime so they can complete the challenge together with Liz, Pete and their son, Jake Beaumont who, at  12 years old, will be one of the youngest cyclists taking part.

“Now that it’s getting closer, the stress levels are definitely starting to kick in, and it’s getting to the point where  I’m beginning to wonder whether it might be easier to sit all  my A’ levels again,” laughs Caroline.

“There’s no way that I would be doing the Carten100 if it wasn’t for the family circumstances, and at the end of the day, I’m determined not to fail.  Mark and I are doing absolutely everything we can to ensure our fitness levels are capable of completing it, and I know that once we set off from Cardiff on May 10, the adrenaline is going to kick in.  All we want to do is help to boost ‘Anna’s Song’ just that little bit more.”

If you would like to make a donation to Anna’s Song, click on the link.