Community

Retailers support council’s e-cig scheme

Published

11 years ago

December 30, 2014

Tom Sinclair

No more for under 18s: Council scheme puts a stop to e-cigs being sold to youngsters.

TWO-THIRDS of Pembrokeshire retailers which stock e-cigarettes have signed up to a voluntary scheme prohibiting their sale to under-18s. The E-cigarette Responsible Retailer scheme was launched by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection trading standards team in September. The initiative aims to prevent young people developing nicotine addiction or smoking behaviours.

Cllr Huw George, Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, welcomed the number of retailers signing up to the scheme. “We are especially pleased in the light of new national research published this week, which says three times as many children have tried e-cigarettes compared to tobacco,” he said. “The study found that six per cent of 10 and 11 year olds had tried e-cigarettes, compared to two per cent who had smoked tobacco. It also said children who tried e-cigarettes were seven times more likely to say they might start smoking within two years.

This study has reinforced our concerns in Pembrokeshire that using e-cigarettes can become a gateway to smoking tobacco cigarettes.” Out of the one-third of retailers not signed up to the responsible retailer scheme in Pembrokeshire, the majority are national retailers who already have a similar arrangement in place. They are followed by a smaller number of premises which are unsure or pending signing up.

Only three premises have declined outright. “At present there is no legal restriction on the sale of e-cigarettes to children and young people in Wales or the rest of the UK,” said Nigel Watts, Trading Standards, Animal Health and Welfare Manager. “We hope that, through this initiative, we will help to prevent young people from accessing e-cigarettes and becoming used to the idea of smoking.

The feedback from local retailers has, in the vast majority of cases, been very No more for under 18s: Council scheme puts a stop to e-cigs being sold to youngsters. supportive of the initiative.”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

6 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

1 day 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

1 day 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)