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Dedicated Pembrokeshire nurse Sarah shortlisted for top award after defying the odds

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A PEMBROKE DOCK mother-of-three who overcame huge personal challenges to qualify as a nurse has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

Sarah Lees, 47, is in the running for the Independent Sector Nurse of the Year category at this year’s Wales Care Awards, which celebrate the dedication of frontline social care professionals across the country.

Colleagues describe Sarah as “a champion in social care who transforms the lives of those around her.”

Overcoming challenges

Sarah completed her nursing degree at Oxford Brookes University as a mature student, juggling studies with a divorce and raising three children — one with learning difficulties and another diagnosed with ADHD.

“I was working nights as a healthcare support worker and felt I wanted to enhance my knowledge and influence the direction of care offered,” she explained. “Looking back, I don’t know how I got through my course, but I’m glad I finished. It required a lot of juggling, but I had lots of help around me which I am so grateful for.”

Turning around care home

After qualifying, Sarah worked as a district nurse before joining Shaw Healthcare’s Cartref Cleddau in July 2019 as deputy manager. She was promoted to service manager in December 2021.

Her proudest achievement has been transforming the 24-bed mental health nursing home — formerly Pembroke Dock Care Home — into a facility offering whole-of-life care.

“Previously we could not look after residents with dementia, meaning they faced huge disruption if diagnosed,” Sarah said. “Now all staff are fully trained, ensuring stable and secure care for residents.”

National recognition

Alongside her award nomination, Sarah has also been accepted as a Queen’s Nurse and will officially receive her badge and certificate at a ceremony in London this November.

Speaking about the Wales Care Awards, to be held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel on Friday, October 17, Sarah said: “I was lost for words when I had the call to say I’d been nominated. I am very proud and I’m really looking forward to the ceremony.”

Praised by colleagues

Sean Tregonning, Head of Marketing and Communications at Shaw Healthcare, said:
“Sarah is not just an outstanding service manager, she is a champion in social care. She doesn’t just manage a care home; she transforms lives — those of her residents, their families, and the staff she mentors.

“When Sarah took on the role, morale was low and the home had many empty beds. Her drive, passion and kind manner turned things around. Today, the home has a waiting list and a happy, motivated team.”

Celebrating social care

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, added: “Every single one of our finalists is a winner. These awards underline the vital role social care plays as the glue that binds our communities together, both socially and economically.

“If you don’t value the people who do the caring, you will never provide the standards society needs.”

Outside work, Sarah is a keen reader and enjoys spending time with her three dogs on the beach near her home.

 

Community

Tenby sailing club works approved by national park

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PLANS for works at Tenby’s historic sailing club building, part of the ‘iconic view’ of the town’s harbour have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Tenby Sailing Club, through agent David J P Morgan RIBA Architect sought permission for the two openings in second floor gable wall along with two new windows at Tenby Sailing Club, Penniless Cove Hill, along with a related listed building consent.

The application was supported by Tenby Town Council and Tenby Civic Society, the latter saying it will “add value to the use of the building and maintain the character and value of the listed building and the conservation area”.

Supporting documents for the application said: “The proposal is to form two new openings in the stonework and install two windows. These will replicate the existing windows at first floor level below. The openings will have red brick head as on existing original openings on the building. The proposal will have very little adverse impact on the listed building.”

They added: “The proposed new windows will improve observation of the harbour and bay from the second-floor level. This is where yacht racing is monitored and observed by officials and safety personnel.”

An officer report, recommending approval said: “The sailing club was built as a warehouse c. 1825, abutting the C17 sluice. Originally wine stores, it was later used by the local fishermen for stores and is now the home to Tenby Sailing Club, established in 1936. The rubble-built building is of three storeys and four bays, the glazing all later C20 with a slated roof and a modernised interior. There is a large steel stair to north (seaward) elevation.”

It added: “The building forms part of a group picturesquely clustered around the sluice, in turn forming part of the iconic view of Tenby Harbour. The proposal is to insert two windows at second floor level to the north (seaward) elevation, flanking the existing door,” adding: “The area retains its mercantile character not just in appearance, but also through its character due to ongoing use as fishing boat stores and winter moorings.

“The sailing club has occupied the building for many years and remains very active. The proposal is intended to improve the amenity of the building to provide better viewing at elevation and seeks to copy the detail and proportions of the windows at first floor stage.”

The application, and the related listed building consent, was conditionally approved by park planners.

 

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Community

Pembrokeshire students speak at national Holocaust Memorial Day event

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TWO Haverfordwest High School pupils addressed senior political and religious figures and a Holocaust survivor at Wales’ main commemoration in Cardiff

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked in Cardiff this week with a powerful contribution from two Pembrokeshire students, who were invited to speak at Wales’ national commemoration event.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal, both Year 13 pupils at Haverfordwest High School, attended the ceremony at the Temple of Peace on Monday (Jan 27) in their roles as ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The pair were asked to deliver speeches reflecting on their work with the Trust and their involvement in the “Lessons from Auschwitz” project, which educates young people about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice, discrimination and hatred.

They spoke in front of a distinguished audience that included the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, senior civic leaders and Holocaust survivor Peter Lantos.

The national event formed part of Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, which was held under the theme “bridging generations”, highlighting the responsibility of younger generations to carry forward the lessons of the past as the number of living survivors declines.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal were the only young Holocaust Educational Trust ambassadors representing Wales at the national ceremony, a distinction described as a significant honour for both the students and Pembrokeshire.

A parent said the occasion was “profoundly emotive and important”, adding that being invited to speak at such a high-profile event was an accolade for the students and a reflection of the strength of Holocaust education work taking place locally.

Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

 

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Business

Final wind turbine deliveries completed after months of disruption

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Last major component reaches site as Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thank communities for patience

DRAGON LNG and Dragon Energy have confirmed that the final large component for a new wind turbine project has now been successfully delivered, bringing months of complex abnormal load movements on Pembrokeshire roads to an end.

The companies said the final turbine blade was delivered to the site on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026), marking the completion of all major component deliveries associated with the project.

In a statement, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thanked the local community for its patience and cooperation throughout the delivery programme, acknowledging that the operation caused disruption on local roads.

Residents across parts of the county have previously experienced temporary road closures, traffic delays and police escorts as oversized turbine components were transported from the Port of Milford Haven to the site under tightly controlled conditions.

The abnormal load movements required months of detailed planning and coordination, involving route surveys, traffic management, police support and liaison with local authorities to ensure deliveries were carried out safely and with minimal disruption wherever possible.

The companies also apologised for the inconvenience caused during the delivery phase, saying the support and understanding shown by residents had been “invaluable” in allowing the project to reach this milestone.

A number of organisations were involved in supporting the operation, including Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, haulage specialists Collett & Sons Ltd and Green Light Traffic Management.

Local media outlets, including The Pembrokeshire Herald, provided advance notice and updates during the delivery process to help keep residents informed.

With the final major deliveries now complete, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy said the project would continue to progress to the next phase of construction on site.

 

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