Crime

£10,000 campaign launched to help hundreds access outdoor education

Published

1 year ago

February 18, 2025

HUNDREDS of young people across the UK are set to benefit from outdoor learning experiences in 2025 following the launch of a major fundraising campaign by the Field Studies Council.

The charity, which has been providing environmental education for more than 80 years, has launched an ambitious £10,000 fundraising campaign aimed at providing vital outdoor learning experiences for school children.

The Re-Boot and Raise campaign has been spearheaded by the charity’s new Fundraising Manager, Gemma Edmonds with support from newly recruited Fundraising Officer, David Plant.

The challenge will see participants collectively walk, run, cycle or swim 514 miles – the distance between the charity’s most northern and southern field centres – as part of a Virtual Hike challenge this March.

Gemma said: “This campaign comes at a crucial time when many young people, particularly those experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are missing out on essential outdoor learning experiences.

“These experiences are not just educational – they’re transformative, holistic, offering vital skills development opportunities that can shape future career choices.”

The campaign will raise funds for the charity’s Grants for Schools programme, which provides bursaries enabling young people to participate in curriculum-based outdoor learning at a range of centres in England, Wales and Scotland.

“With £35 covering a day trip for one young person and £225 providing a full two-night residential experience, this campaign could help up to 285 students access vital learning opportunities,” added Gemma.

“Some visitors to our centres have never left their home city, have never been in the countryside, been on a beach or worn wellington boots. Through this fundraising initiative, we aim to change that reality for hundreds of young people.”

Teams of seven to 10 people are being invited to take part in the virtual challenge, with each participant asked to cover between 51-73 miles during the month and raise £100-£150. The full route mirrors the distance from Millport in Scotland to Slapton Ley in Devon.

In response to the Government’s recent curriculum review, experts at the charity emphasised that practical fieldwork experiences are essential for developing the green skills needed to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

They also stressed that these experiences are particularly crucial for nurturing future ecologists, conservationists, habitat managers, wildlife restoration officers and biodiversity managers.

The charity’s evidence shows that practical, hands-on experiences in the natural world not only create better scientists and geographers but also helps to nurture curiosity, give context to classroom learning and engage those who sometimes struggle in a classroom environment.

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.