Community
Clarbeston Road AFC parking and mini-pitch approved
A CALL to expand a Pembrokeshire village football club’s facilities to ensure its viability has been given the go-ahead by county planners.
Stephen Brown of Clarbeston Road Association Football Club sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council to extend car parking and to create a mini football pitch for junior football at the Graham Roberts Playing Field, Wiston Road.
A supporting statement through agent Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services said: “The submitted scheme is required to sustain and ensure the viability of the existing Clarbeston Road AFC offer and community provision.”
It added: “Clarbeston Road AFC has grown considerably in recent years and now has approximately 370 playing members pertaining to 25 teams. The club prides itself in prioritising local children for recruitment to the mini teams to sustain long term viability and community ethos. Players of all abilities are welcome, and the club has a pan-disability group serving a wider area. The girl’s section has scope for further growth and new recruitment is still taking place.
“The club holds FAW Platinum accreditation, the highest level, in recognition of the standards of governance, coaching and community outreach. In order to grow and improve the existing community offer, the submission seeks to increase parking provision to minimise occasional disruption to local residents from roadside parking when matches on the existing two pitches overlap.
“Despite efforts by the club to schedule games to avoid this, some occurrences of overlap are unavoidable to ensure all fixtures can be accommodated. Time constraints relating to the mini and junior fixtures result in matches having to be completed in a 3.5-hour window on Saturday mornings.”
It said the new mini-pitch “is in response to specific difficulties experienced recently with accommodating under 10 and 11 fixtures as there are four existing teams at this age group which cause stretch to the existing pitch offer when home games for more than two teams in these age groups are scheduled”.
It added: “Provision of this extra mini pitch and associated parking, would address foreseeable needs and improve highway safety by reducing on street parking.”
The application has now been conditionally approved by county planners.
Community
Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia
A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.
Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.
A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.
Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.
Police initially treated the death as unexplained.
Movements traced
The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.
He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.
The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.
The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.
A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.
The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.
Community
Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments
ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.
The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.
New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.
At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.
One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.
The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.
Community
Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home
A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.
The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.
The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.
The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.
Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.
The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.
Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].
The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.
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