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‘Prayer warriors’ on patrol

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Prayer warriorsTHE HAVERFORDWEST Street Pastors are a group of Christian ‘Prayer Warriors’ that dedicate their Saturday nights to help make Haverfordwest a safer place for night time dwellers, clubbers and socialisers.

Founded in 2009, their ambition to care for intoxicated drinkers and injured individuals has seen the number of drunken disorderly and public disturbance incidents fall significantly over the last few years.

Co-ordinator Sam Scadden tells the Herald: “We observe from the side lines really, we never try to prevent fights before they happen as it would put our safety in jeopardy. Our job is to aid those that need help”.

And it’s not just the physical presence of the pastor team that has a positive impact. One of the methods that seems most effective is simply listening to people’s problems and showing empathy and understanding says Sam.

Each week the group congregate at Bethesda Church Hall at 9pm to prepare a wide range of paraphernalia that can be issued to those a little worse for ware.

Sam tells the Herald: “We start of the evening with a group prayer and sing a few hymns, we pray for the safety of our team on the sometimes volatile streets of Haverfordwest.

“Then we pack our bags with first aid equipment, bottles of water, anti-spiking devices and flip flops for girls that brake a heal”. The group relies on local donations from other churches, charities, the council and the police; this helps them cover the cost of the vital equipment required.

Although there are a small minority that are still skeptical about the real reasoning behind the street pastors, one individual who requested to remain anonymous told the Herald:

“Don’t get me wrong they provide a formidable service and I can’t condone that, but you have to think that there is an ulterior motive behind their actions. Every time I speak to them they force their beliefs on to me and try to convert me to becoming a Christian.”

Group Co-ordinator Sam denies this accusation: “Yes we do actively spread the word of Jesus, but our concern is for the safety of individuals. We don’t force anyone to change his or her beliefs. We welcome all religions and viewpoints.”

Since the group was established in 2009, the number of participants and volunteers has increased tenfold with over 40 members who serve on the streets or stay at the church to pray and accommodate any visitors.

“We make cakes and hot drinks for those in the team or visiting police members. We have formed a great working relationship with the police force as we rely on one and other,” a pastor told the Herald.

The street pastors have made Haverfordwest a much more safer and hospitable place through sheer dedication and commitment and we at the Herald welcome their contribution to the community.

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Community

Family gathers at Pembroke Dock to honour RAF airman

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FAMILY members from across the UK have travelled to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre to view a new exhibit honouring a wartime RAF airman who served aboard the Sunderland flying boat T9044.

Brother and sister Ross Burrows, from Grimsby, and Nikki Soysa, who travelled from the Hebrides, joined their cousin Shirley Shelley Hutchinson, from Yorkshire, and Ross’s wife Dianne, to view the poignant display dedicated to Wing Commander David Burrows. David was the navigator aboard the Sunderland T9044 on its final mission to Pembroke Dock in November 1940, which tragically sank in the Haven shortly after its arrival.

The family has generously donated Wing Commander Burrows’ logbook, uniforms, and other treasured memorabilia, now thoughtfully incorporated into the Centre’s collection, alongside other artefacts from the T9044.

Ross Burrows praised the Centre’s efforts, saying: “The museum team has created a wonderful exhibit about dad and his story. Their enthusiasm shines through clearly. We’re excited to encourage more family members to visit.”

The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

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Community

Carmarthenshire honours local heroes at British Empire Medal ceremony

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A SPECIAL presentation ceremony took place at County Hall on 29 May to honour two remarkable individuals who have been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of their outstanding service. The event, hosted by the newly appointed Chair of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Dot Jones, marked her first official engagement and was attended by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, who presented the honours on behalf of His Majesty The King.

The British Empire Medal, first established in 1917 and reintroduced in 2012, recognises individuals who have demonstrated hands-on, impactful contributions to their communities. Nominations come directly from the people who witness these contributions every day; colleagues, neighbours and friends, making the honour personal and meaningful.

Mrs Marian Louise Evans was recognised for services to business. As founder and Managing Director of Elevate Business Consultancy, Mrs Evans has delivered transformational change across the sector. As a multi-award-winning professional, she has been widely acknowledged for her leadership, particularly in championing women in business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she offered vital support to over 2,000 businesses through free resilience sessions and online content, reaching over 300,000 people each month. Her voluntary work has earned her titles such as UK Mentor of the Year and Inspirational Woman of the Decade. She received her medal from the Lord-Lieutenant and was presented with flowers on behalf of Carmarthenshire County Council by Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Chloe Faulkner.

Miss Judith Harvey received the British Empire Medal for services to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. Having begun her career as one of the UK’s first female wardens, she has dedicated her life to conservation, land management and inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders. As Head Warden since 2012, Miss Harvey has mentored countless apprentices and volunteers, led significant restoration projects and worked passionately to protect the park’s ecosystems and heritage. She was presented with her medal by the Lord-Lieutenant and flowers from Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Zuzzana Radkowska, before addressing the audience in a moving speech.

Closing the ceremony, the Chair of the Council praised both recipients for their service and reflected on the importance of role models in public life, especially for women and girls. She noted the growing presence of women in leadership roles, while recognising that progress must continue at all levels of local democracy. Their achievements, she said, lay a strong foundation for others to follow.

Cllr Phillip Hughes, Cabinet Member for Organisation & Workforce, said: “These awards are a true testament to the power of local action and leadership. Marian and Judith exemplify the values of dedication, service and inspiration. We are proud to celebrate their success and the example they set for others in our communities.”

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Community

Public feedback on Newgale Coastal Adaptation Plan under review

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL confirmed that feedback gathered during the recent statutory consultation on the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Phase 1 proposals is now being reviewed.

The Statutory Pre-Application Consultation (sPAC) ran from Monday, April 14, to Sunday, May 11, in line with the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 (as amended).

The council has thanked all residents and stakeholders who submitted responses. The project team is now carefully considering the feedback as it prepares the planning application, which will be submitted to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. All comments received during the consultation will be included as part of the submission.

The Newgale Coastal Adaptation Plan is a major infrastructure project aimed at managing long-term coastal change in the area, which has faced repeated flooding and road closures due to severe weather events.

Further information, including the background to the project, stakeholder engagement updates, technical assessments, and a project timeline, can be found on the Newgale Coastal Adaptation website.

A detailed Q&A section is also available, and members of the public are encouraged to register via the ‘Contact Us’ page to receive future updates.

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