Community

Ludchurch petition for vital bus route to be established

Published

1 year ago

April 2, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PETITION call to establish a regular bus service from the Pembrokeshire village of Ludchurch to Narberth was heard by county councillors last week.

The e-petition, on Pembrokeshire County council’s own website, by Ryan O’Shea of The Ludchurch Village Committee, asked: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to implement a minimum of one daily bus service connecting our village to Narberth. This essential service would significantly enhance the quality of life for our residents by providing much needed access to other destinations such as Tenby and Haverfordwest.

“Ludchurch is a small rural village and many of our residents face difficulties in accessing essential services, employment opportunities, and social activities due to the lack of public transportation. A subsidised daily bus service would not only alleviate these challenges but also contribute to the overall well-being and inclusivity of our community.

“We believe that by offering this service, the council would be supporting the mobility and independence of our residents, fostering greater community cohesion, and contributing to a more sustainable and connected Pembrokeshire.”

After meeting the threshold for consideration, the petition was heard at the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Speaking at the meeting, Mr O’Shea said the village had no shop, post office, or access to a mobile library, and had not had access to a regular bus service for a number of years, asking for a reinstatement of a service, which he said would help social isolation as well as increased employment opportunities for residents and free younger residents “from a dependence on family and friends”.

He said the two-plus miles walk to the nearest bus services, at Summerhill and Princes Gate, on unlit routes without a pavement was “a significant safety concern,” with a Flecsi Bus service not available, and a once-a-week dial-a-bus scheme run from Narberth’s Bloomfield not addressing the community’s needs.

He suggested three ways of addressing the issue: By extending one of the nearby services to include Ludchurch, by enhancing the Narberth-based service, or by improving pedestrian access to the nearest services.

Members heard from Cabinet Member for Residents Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett the Flecsi service was viewed as the best way forward, constrained by funding and no previous offers to tender for the route; the option of re-routing other services adversely affecting timetables.

He reiterated council financial considerations: “As part of the budget for the forthcoming financial year we have had to take an £80,000 reduction in the bus service budget to make our costs and sums add up.

Committee member Cllr Rhys Jordan said he sympathised with Ludchurch, but said many of the county’s rural areas were disconnected from a service; fellow councillor, and committee chair, Cllr Mark Carter adding: “It’s certainly a desirable thing to have but there must be 30 or 40 villages that have the same.”

Local member – and former council leader – Cllr David Simpson said he had been a local county councillor for 20 years and supported the idea, but neither he nor the local community council had “had any approach for a bus service,” adding: “To get this on board in this day and age would cost a lot of money.”

Members resolved the petition be noted along with the Aspirational Bus Network for Pembrokeshire, which is being developed as part of bus franchising, including the expansion and enhancement of Fflecsi services to ensure all rural settlements, including Ludchurch, have access to a daily local bus service.

Community

New women’s support hub opens at Parc Dewi Sant

Published

2 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WOMEN across the Dyfed-Powys area are set to benefit from improved access to specialist support following the opening of a new Women’s Centre Hub at Parc Dewi Sant.

Operated by The Nelson Trust, the hub forms part of the continued development of trauma-informed services for women experiencing multiple disadvantage.

It provides a safe and supportive environment where women can access practical advice, guidance and specialist help to address the challenges they face.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked alongside The Nelson Trust and partners from the Local Criminal Justice Board to support the development of the facility.

The project forms part of the board’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for women throughout the Dyfed-Powys area.

The hub was officially opened on Friday, July 3, bringing together organisations involved in delivering support and recognising the partnership work that helped establish the new service.

Peer support will also play an important role, with volunteers drawing on their own lived experiences to help women facing similar circumstances.

Referrals to the Dyfed-Powys service are currently made through the Community Rehabilitation Service via probation. The hub is not presently accepting self-referrals.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Women experiencing multiple disadvantage deserve access to the right support at the right time.

“By working closely with our partners, we can help ensure that women across our communities are able to access the specialist services they need to address the challenges they face and build safer, more positive futures.

“This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable members of our communities.”

Community

Green Flag flies at Manorbier Community Garden for first time

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer-run garden recognised among record number of award-winning green spaces across Wales

THE DEDICATION of local residents has secured Manorbier Community Garden its first prestigious Green Flag Community Award.

Around 50 people gathered at the garden to celebrate the achievement with food and refreshments before watching the Green Flag being raised.

The award was announced by Keep Wales Tidy as part of the 2026 Green Flag Awards, which recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across Wales.

A record 330 Welsh sites have met the standards required to fly a Green Flag this year. Of these, 93 received full Green Flag Award status, while 237 volunteer-run spaces were presented with Green Flag Community Awards.

Manorbier Community Garden was recognised for its environmental work, welcoming visitor facilities and strong level of community involvement.

Green Flag Community Awards celebrate high-quality spaces managed largely by volunteers, including community gardens, local nature reserves and other valued neighbourhood sites.

Wales has now secured more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country taking part in the scheme for the third consecutive year. The total has risen from 223 last year to 237 in 2026.

Work on Manorbier Community Garden began in April 2024, transforming an area of scrubland into a flourishing community space in little more than two years.

Led by local couple Ollie and Sian Cromwell, volunteers have built raised beds using repurposed materials and filled them with vegetables, flowers and other plants donated by residents.

Everything is grown organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and produce from the garden is available for the community to share.

The site also includes a secure chicken enclosure housing six hens, a children’s mud kitchen and spaces where residents can meet, play and enjoy the outdoors.

Pick-a-Pumpkin events have also been organised for local children.

Keep Wales Tidy supported the project by providing food-growing and orchard packages, a metal tool shed and a small polytunnel. Volunteers have since constructed a larger polytunnel using donated materials.

Sian Cromwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award. It means so much to our community and celebrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

“Just over two years ago, this was simply scrubland. Today, it is a thriving and welcoming space, rich in biodiversity and bursting with life.

“There are fresh vegetables for everyone to share, flowers, chickens, a mud kitchen for children and space for people to play, meet and connect.

“The garden belongs to the whole community. We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and warmly invite everyone to play a part in its sustainable future.”

The Green Flag Award scheme was established 30 years ago and now recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world.

In Wales, the awards are administered by Keep Wales Tidy.

Community

Young players make their move as Pembrokeshire hosts annual chess fixture

Published

3 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTEEN young chess players put their skills to the test when Pembrokeshire Chess Club welcomed visitors from Castell Nedd to Steynton for their annual summer fixture.

The match, held on Tuesday, July 21, saw players compete across four rounds, with each given 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite the start of the school holidays, the Royal Welsh Show and several late absences, organisers were delighted with the turnout and the high standard of chess on display.

The games were closely contested, particularly on the leading boards, with several decided by only the smallest of margins. Coaches said one of the main lessons from the day was the importance of taking time to consider each move rather than rushing.

Castell Nedd’s Advik Ram produced an impressive unbeaten performance. Pembrokeshire’s Harry Harling held him to a draw in one game before narrowly losing a second encounter during a tightly fought endgame.

Aarush Ram and Jakob Josh-Wright also performed strongly for the visitors.

For Pembrokeshire, Henry Malone and Emily Thomas each secured three points. Jozef Othen and Osian Griffiths collected two-and-a-half points apiece, while Sebastian Kummer finished with two points.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club said it was encouraging to see the standard of play continuing to improve each year and thanked Castell Nedd for making the journey west, with special thanks to Hywel Griffiths for helping to organise the visit.

Home advantage once again proved important, although the club said the greatest benefit was the opportunity for every player to gain experience against new opponents.

Pembrokeshire also recently played a friendly against the newly reformed Narberth Chess Club, giving its adult and junior members an opportunity to compete against different players. A return visit to Steynton is now being planned.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club, which has changed its name during its history, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its formation.

The club will resume its regular meetings ahead of the new season in September. It welcomes adults and juniors of all abilities, from complete beginners to players interested in friendly or competitive matches.

Anyone interested in joining can message the Pembrokeshire Chess Club Facebook page or contact Martin Jones on 07884 384131.

Pembrokeshire team: Harry Harling, Jozef Othen, Sebastian Kummer, Osian Griffiths, Emily Thomas and Henry Malone.

Castell Nedd team: Advik Ram, Aarush Ram, Jakob Josh-Wright, Virat Nagari, William O’Connor, Oscar Purcell, Ethan Tirukoti, Misha Nigari and Cae Aubrey.