Community

Megan’s Starr Foundation awarded King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Published

2 months ago

November 14, 2025

From tragedy to a national honour recognising youth mental health support

MEGAN’S Starr Foundation, the Pembrokeshire charity founded in memory of teenager Megan Harteveld, has been granted The King’s Award for Voluntary Service — the highest honour available to a UK voluntary group and widely regarded as the MBE for charities.

The award, announced on the King’s Birthday Honours list, recognises the charity’s work supporting young people, raising awareness of youth mental health, and promoting suicide prevention through its “Be Kind” message.

***Nicola Harteveld with First Minister Eluned Morgan MS***

A legacy built from loss

The foundation was created by Megan’s mother, Nicola Harteveld, following her daughter’s death. What began as a small community effort has grown into a county-wide support network offering safe spaces, youth engagement, peer support and early-intervention work.

Speaking after the announcement, Nicola said the honour “belongs to Megan”, adding that her daughter’s simple message of kindness had become “a movement of hope, resilience, and life-changing support”.

She said: “We started this with nothing but love, lived experience, and a promise that no young person would ever feel as alone as Megan did. Today we’ve delivered more than 21,000 volunteer hours, supported hundreds of young people, reconnected families, rebuilt confidence and helped shape futures.

“This award is proof that hope can rise from tragedy and that kindness can transform a community.”

***Henry Tufnell MP and other dignitaries meet with volunteers in Milford Haven***

Impact across Pembrokeshire

The foundation’s “Be Kind” campaign has become familiar across the county, with schools, youth groups and sports clubs taking part. The charity now supports young people dealing with anxiety, grief, trauma, isolation and challenges around identity and wellbeing.

Nicola said the award also recognises the courage of the young people who have accessed the charity’s services: “This belongs to every young person who walked through our doors — scared, anxious, grieving or feeling they didn’t belong — and chose to try anyway. They built this with us.”

National recognition

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is given to outstanding groups whose work has a demonstrable impact on their community. Recipients are announced each year on the King’s Birthday.

Local leaders and youth services are expected to issue tributes later this week.

Nicola added: “From heartbreak to hope. From ‘Be Kind’ to The King’s Award. This one is for you, Megan.”

Community

Compensation window opens for A40 scheme affected homeowners

Published

4 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEWLY upgraded stretch of the A40 in Pembrokeshire has prompted the Welsh Government to remind nearby property owners that compensation may be available where the road changes have reduced the value of their homes or land.

The A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvement scheme was opened to traffic on Friday, May 2, 2025. While the works are designed to improve journeys and safety, the re-routing and altered road layout could, in some cases, lead to property depreciation.

According to a public notice, the formal period for submitting claims begins on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Eligible owners with a qualifying interest may be able to apply for compensation under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973, where depreciation is linked to the road being in use.

Further information is available by emailing [email protected].

Applications can also be submitted by post to: Part 1 Claims and Noise Team, Economic Infrastructure, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.

Claimants are asked to quote reference: BZ042035-421-1.

Details of the scheme and the relevant legislation can be found online at: gov.wales/a40-llanddewi-velfrey-redstone-cross-improvements. For residents without internet access, a longer version of the notice is available on request, and larger-print copies can also be provided.

The notice is signed by Thomas Maton, Head of Land Acquisition.

Community

Flood Alert issued for Pembrokeshire coast

Published

4 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Natural Resources Wales has issued a Flood Alert for the Pembrokeshire coast, meaning flooding is possible.

The alert covers the coastline between St Dogmaels (Cardigan) and Amroth. Residents and visitors are urged to stay prepared and keep an eye on local conditions.

What to do now

Follow your flood plan, if you have one
Check where family members and pets are, and plan how you would move them to safety
Move important items upstairs or to higher ground (documents, valuables, sentimental items)
Charge your mobile phone and keep it switched on
Make sure you know how to turn off electricity, gas and water
Pack essentials in case you need to leave quickly (medication, warm clothes, phone charger, baby/pet supplies, insurance documents)
If safe to do so, move cars, livestock and equipment away from flood-prone areas

What not to do

Do not walk or drive through floodwater
- Just 30cm (1ft) of water can move a car
- Around 15cm can knock a person off their feet

More information

Flood updates and details: flood-warning.naturalresources.wales/Detail/102WABT02
Floodline: 0345 988 1188 (Quick dial: 503013)
Water levels: naturalresources.wales/riverlevels

Community

Pembrokeshire asked to shape new walking, wheeling and cycling routes

Published

1 day ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being invited to have their say on where new walking, wheeling and cycling routes should be created or improved, as the county council updates its Active Travel Network Map.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s public consultation opens on Monday (Jan 26) and runs until Monday (Apr 20).

The map is intended to help identify where infrastructure improvements are needed to make everyday journeys safer and easier, including for people who use mobility aids or who are new to walking, wheeling or cycling.

A wooden post with a sign on it, in Pembrokeshire

The council says the work forms part of the Active Travel (Wales) Act, which requires local authorities to plan and map suitable active travel routes.

The consultation focuses on the county’s designated localities, which include Fishguard and Goodwick, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Haverfordwest, Neyland, Milford Haven, Johnston, Narberth and St Dogmaels.

People can take part online using an interactive mapping tool hosted by Data Map Wales, where users can view proposed future routes and existing routes and leave comments.

The online consultation can be found at: https://datamap.gov.wales/survey/Pembrokeshire-AT-survey/

Drop-in sessions have also been arranged for people unable to access the online material, with council representatives attending to answer questions.

The sessions are:

Thursday (Feb 5)
Pembroke Dock Library, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Pembroke Town Council, 2:30pm to 5:30pm

Tuesday (Feb 11)
Ocean Lab Café, Goodwick, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Fishguard Library, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Monday (Feb 24)
Neyland Library, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Johnston Baptist Church, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Wednesday (Feb 26)
Narberth Library, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Thursday (Mar 5)
Tenby Town Council, 9:30am to 12:30pm
The Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, 1:30pm to 5:30pm

Wednesday (Mar 18)
St Dogmaels Memorial Hall, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Wednesday (Mar 25)
Milford Haven Library, 10:00am to 1:00pm

Thursday (Mar 26)
HaverHub, Haverfordwest, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Paper copies of plans are available on request, although the council says hard-copy plans can only be provided for specific areas due to the extent of the consultation.

Residents who need alternative formats such as large print, easy-read, Braille, audio or another language have been asked to contact the council.

For more information, email: [email protected] or call 01437 775182.