Community

£20,000 grant opportunity for rural Welsh communities to drive change

Published

5 months ago

July 10, 2025

RURAL communities across Wales are invited to apply for a new £20,000 grant to explore ideas that could help shape a better future for their area.

The Community-led Action Research Grant will fund up to six research projects and provide training and support from an academic mentor and opportunities to connect with other communities and researchers.

The grant is delivered by the Cymru Wledig Local Policy and Innovation Partnership (LPIP) Rural Wales, which is led by Aberystwyth University.

Professor Mike Woods from Aberystwyth University, Director of Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales, said:

“This programme is about giving rural communities the tools and support to investigate what matters most to them – whether that’s improving wellbeing, tackling climate change, or strengthening local culture – and to turn that knowledge into action.”

“This is an opportunity for communities to take the lead in shaping their own futures, and we are excited to support projects that reflect the creativity, resilience and ambition of rural Wales.”

The grant is open to communities in rural areas of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Monmouthshire, Pembrokeshire, Powys, and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Projects must align with at least one of four key themes of Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales: building a regenerative economy; supporting the Net Zero transition; empowering communities for cultural recovery; or enhancing wellbeing in place.

Further information about the Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales Community-led Action Research Grant, which is open for applications until 29 August 2025, is available on the Together for Change website.

The fund is provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and Innovate UK as part of Cymru Wledig LPIP Rural Wales led by Aberystwyth University.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

16 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)