Community

Pembrokeshire supports Syrian refugees

Published

7 years ago

December 2, 2014

Syrian refugees: Hardship after country was destroyed by war.

ON SATURDAY (Nov 1) a staggering £2,500 was raised at a concert for Syria. Jess Hope organised the evening in Newport and told the packed hall the history of her connection to Syria: Her son after his local education in Pembrokeshire visited Syria and fell in love with the country before it was destroyed by war. He also fell in love and later married his Syrian wife, Ola. He studied hard to improve his selftaught Arabic and now works as a translator. The war eventually drove them out to Lebanon where Ola works in refugee camps. Due to immigration restrictions Jess and Tony have only met their daughter-in-law over Skype. “She first contacted me to wish me happy mother’s day, I was so touched and we have stayed in touch ever since.”

Jess detailed the horrifying statistics, that half the population have become homeless and there is not enough of anything to go round. Families are sleeping on damp mud floors with only dirty water to drink. Ola works for refugee children with a small charity called Syrian Eyes. They are a non-political group of young Syrians who are dedicated to making life better in the camps, especially for children. They provide care, music, games and education. Learning about Syrian history and architecture teaches the children about their country, how it was before the wars. This helps the children remember or learn who they are, as war has blotted out other memories.

Brian Marks, compere for the evening, pointed out what a wonderful community we are, that can bring together this stunning concert of music, drama and cuisine with an Arab theme. “It is right” he said, “That we share our good fortune around a bit, so spend, spend, spend.” And people did. A film was made of the evening to show in the refugee camps so the Syrians know that they are not forgotten. This and the really generous sum raised is very important to them as they feel increasingly hopeless with Winter adding cold and illness to their bleak plight. Lebanon has well over a million refugees, about one in four of the population. Future events with a middle east theme are advertised on the hall website. The next is a Palestine evening with films, food and discussion on December 2.

Community

Public urged to take part in Council budget consultation

Published

17 hours ago

November 26, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being urged to participate in Pembrokeshire County Council’s budget consultation 2022-23.

Launched this week, the consultation asks the public where they think the Council needs to spend money, and where it can save it.

As part of the process, the Council has created an online budget simulator, which includes videos from Cabinet members talking about the financial pressure in their portfolio areas.
Cllr Bob Kilmister, Cabinet Member for Finance, encouraged all those interested in how the Council spends its funds to take part in the consultation.

“It’s very important that we hear from as many people in Pembrokeshire as possible,” he said.

“Like other Councils, we are once again facing significant budget pressures and understanding community and household priorities is vital in helping us to make the difficult choices necessary in setting the 2023-23 budget.

“We look forward to hearing from you.”

How to take part in the consultation:

Teams Live Stream event
Join a Teams Live Stream event on Wednesday 1st December from 7pm – 8pm. Put your budget questions directly to Cllr Kilmister or the Council’s Director of Resources, Jon Haswell, or listen to the discussion. Questions are welcomed in English and Welsh.

Budget Simulator
Give your views on the budget priorities for 2022–23 by using our Budget Simulator which is available at https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/

Download the survey and return to County Hall
Alternatively you can download and complete our hard copy Information and Response Form. Once complete please return to surveys@pembrokeshire.gov.uk or Pembrokeshire County Council, Policy & Partnerships, County Hall, Haverfordwest, SA61 1TP.

The consultation will end on Wednesday 5th January 2022.

Community

Milford Haven Council cancels annual Christmas lights switch-on event

Published

20 hours ago

November 26, 2021

Cerys Lafferty

Council cancels Christmas lights

MILFORD Haven Town Council have announced that they will be cancelling the official switching on the Christmas lights event this year.

The Christmas lights in Milford Haven will be turned on Wednesday, December 1 at 7pm. However, unlike previous years, this will not be an official event.

In the past, the event would see Father Christmas switching the lights on while on a balcony at the Town Hall. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the official turning on of the lights is unable to go ahead.

Community

County Hall to be lit up in orange as part of UN campaign

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2021

Carli Newell

COUNTY HALL is being lit up in orange tonight (Thursday, 25 November) to highlight the United Nations campaign against gender violence #OrangeTheWorld: End Violence Against Women Now!

The UN is holding 16 days of activism against gender-based violence from 25th November to 10th December 2021 under the global theme set by the UN Secretary General’s UNiTE campaign.

Among the local groups supporting the worldwide campaign are Soroptimists International Haverfordwest which requested the illumination. “This is a campaign that, as a women’s group, we feel it very important to support,” said member Susie Blacklaw-Jones.

Council Leader Cllr David Simpson supported their request, saying: “This is an incredibly important issue and we are grateful to Soroptimist International Haverfordwest for helping to draw attention to the campaign and raise local awareness.”