A PEMBROKESHIRE charity has launched an ambitious bid to restore Foley House, one of Haverfordwest’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation of a new community cooperative called The Bucketful Centre.

Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, with support from PLANED Community Development, has established the cooperative to take forward plans to refurbish and repurpose the landmark building.

Foley House was built during Britain’s naval heyday and designed by renowned architect John Nash for the brother of Captain Foley, who served alongside Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Nash later went on to design the Brighton Pavilion and parts of Buckingham Palace. At the same time he was working on Foley House, Nash was also designing Priory House in Cardigan, located on the former hospital site at the entrance to the town.

Haverfordwest was once known as “the Bath of the West” and boasted many grand homes, but Foley House has fallen into significant disrepair over recent decades.

The four-storey building is currently owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and is now in the process of being leased to The Bucketful Centre cooperative. Once renovated, it will become the new base for Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, operating as a cancer support centre with expanded services for patients, carers and people living with life-limiting conditions.

Founder and CEO of Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, Chris Evans-Thomas, said demand for the charity’s services had risen sharply since the Covid pandemic.

He said Foley House offers the space, parking and future disabled access needed to deliver improved support for patients, particularly as some hospital services are being reduced or lost.

The campaign will be formally launched at a public presentation at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30pm.

The event will be led by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator Cris Tomos, who has extensive experience in saving historic buildings, alongside well-known historian Mark Muller.

Further information about the project is available at www.bucketfulcentre.co.uk or by contacting Chris Evans-Thomas on 01437 779400.

THREE local girls are preparing to take on a sponsored cycle along the Brunel Trail as they continue raising money for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Disneyland Paris with their dance school.

Saskia, Elise and Nyla have already won support from the community through previous fundraising efforts, and are now hoping their latest challenge will help them reach their target.

The trio will be cycling the popular Brunel Trail route, putting in both effort and determination to move closer to their goal of travelling to France with their dance group.

Organiser Kelsy Merritt said the girls have been working hard to raise funds and are grateful for the encouragement they have received so far.

She said: “They’ve been amazing with their fundraising and are really excited about this next challenge. Every bit of support makes a huge difference and helps them get closer to their dream.”

Community backing has played a key role in the campaign so far, with friends, family and local supporters helping through donations and encouragement.

Those wishing to support Saskia, Elise and Nyla can do so by sponsoring their cycle or sharing details of the fundraiser to help spread the word.

Photo caption: Fundraising effort: Saskia, Elise and Nyla prepare for their Brunel Trail cycle challenge to raise money for their Disneyland Paris trip (Pic: Supplied).

PLANS for a new “in-house” council children’s care home near Milford Haven have been given the go-ahead by the county council itself.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the local authority, through agent Oochitecture, sought permission for a change of use of a residential dwelling to a children’s home, along with associated works, at Sentry Cottage, Jordanston, near the Sentry Cross roundabout on the approach to Milford Haven.

An officer report recommending approval said of the two-storey, six-bed house some 1.3km east of Milford Haven: “Alterations and extensions are proposed to the dwelling including a single storey extension is proposed to the west elevation to create a larger office and storeroom, with a two storey extension to the east to provide a larger lounge and dining area and bedroom to the first floor. Externally a large parking area would be created to the east of the dwelling.”

It went on to say: “The application is for a new facility, although there is a suggestion within the submitted information that the dwelling has previously been used as a children’s care home although there is no planning history at the site to suggest this was formally approved.

“However, the use being sought under via this application would be located within an existing dwelling subject to extensions. The application contains detailed information outlining the need for the proposed development including detailed information about the loss of three existing places when the site stopped operating as a children’s home in February 2025.

“As such, supporting information confirms the site as an excellent opportunity to increase ‘in-house’ provision for Pembrokeshire County Council, allowing children from Pembrokeshire receive care closer to home. Information has also been provided to show the year-on-year increase of children requiring the type of care the proposal will offer.”

It further added: “The proposed single storey and two storey extensions would be of a scale that would appear subservient to the host dwelling and have an acceptable visual impact on the host dwelling, with the use of appropriate finish materials.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.