MILFORD ATHLETIC’S under-11 football team traded their boots for litter pickers on Saturday (Dec 2) to give back to the community that has supported them throughout the year.

Despite the wet and windy weather, the young footballers took to the streets of Milford Haven for a litter-picking event, cleaning up the town and setting a great example for their peers. In addition to the cleanup, the team delivered a food hamper to the residents of Canterbury House, a care home on Priory Road, as part of their Christmas giving initiative.

Team coach Liam Duffield said: “We didn’t have a game this weekend, so we decided to do something worthwhile for the community. The kids had fun while doing something meaningful, and we hope it brightened someone’s day.”

The initiative highlights the team’s values of teamwork and community spirit, demonstrating that sports go beyond the field. The boys were thrilled to be involved in an activity that gave back to the town that has shown them unwavering support.

The team invites local businesses and individuals to reach out if they would like assistance or to partner with them in future community projects. For more information, you can contact Liam Duffield at 07971 979 546.

A £4,000 metal Christmas tree in Cardigan has sparked heated debate among residents, with opinions ranging from admiration to outrage over the cost and design.

The tree, leased by the council for one month, is described by officials as a “modern festive centrepiece,” intended to enhance the town’s holiday charm. At night, its illuminated frame has been praised as a striking addition to Cardigan’s streetscape. However, critics argue the daytime view reveals a less appealing “builders’ yard aesthetic.”

On social media, opinions are sharply divided. Some residents, like Francesca Loveday, appreciated the tree, saying it had attracted children and added to the festive atmosphere. “The whole town looks lovely at night with the lights and lanterns,” commented Wendy Yates.

However, others criticized the expenditure, especially during tough economic times. “It’s basically scaffolding poles with lights draped over it,” remarked Michelle Hughes, adding that it’s an “absolute eyesore” during the day.

Value for money questioned

Several residents expressed concern about the cost. “£4,000 for this? It’s outrageous!” said one local. Others suggested alternative ways the money could have been spent, such as funding community projects or supporting vulnerable groups.

Councillor Mal Evans defended the decision, stating that the tree aligns with efforts to modernize the town’s decorations and draw more visitors during the festive season. “Shops and businesses have worked hard to bring a fabulous Christmas display to the town,” he said. “This tree is part of that vision.”

In addition to debates over aesthetics and cost, safety concerns have been raised. Resident Anthony Probert warned of potential hazards, describing the tree as a “health and safety nightmare” due to its exposed electric components and climbable frame.

Mixed reviews on festive efforts

Despite the controversy surrounding the tree, many agree that Cardigan’s overall Christmas display is impressive. The decorated shopfronts, lanterns, and lights have been widely praised, even by those who dislike the tree.

The council has yet to comment on whether the £4,000 investment will result in savings or additional benefits in future years, but for now, the metal tree remains the focal point of festive—and fiery—debate in Cardigan.

A CALL to relocate Tenby Town Council’s office to a vacant café to improve access and allow a community hub and banking service to be created has been lodged with national park planners.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the town council seeks permission for a change of use of the café, empty since late 2022, to allow for the relocation of the town council office from its current location off the entrance corridor of the main De Valence Pavilion building, Upper Frog Street, to the vacant area at the front of the Pavilion to increase service provision through a community information hub.

The application also seeks permission to install a One Banx machine in association with an – as yet unnamed – national building society to provide access to cash deposit and withdrawal services across all banks who are part of the Open Banking Network.

In a supporting statement, Tenby Town Council says the new offices “will enable Tenby Town Council to provide office space that is more inclusive; it will be spacious, well-lit and step free, with wide access doors, ensuring people with mobility issues, visual impairment, cognitive challenges and other disabilities find the premises physically accessible,” as well as being visible and directly accessed from Upper Frog Street, in Tenby’s town centre; people with visual impairment no longer needing to navigate through the De Valence Pavilion’s corridor in order to locate the office.

It adds: “The present location of the office space, along a corridor inside the building with no natural light, a narrow door and very little space, makes it likely that most local residents and other potential visitors would avoid making an in-person visit unless they have good reason or are already regular visitors. There is no satisfactory way of addressing these barriers to accessibility in the present office location.

“Tenby Town Council is committed to providing an accessible, welcoming and equitable space for everyone as far as we can, and our new office is designed, and will be run, with this intention. While we appreciate there will always be space for improvements, we will continue to learn, adapt and improve the accessibility and quality of our office and public interactions in the future.”

The application will be considered by national park planners at a later date.