Community

Wales & West Utilities donates £1,000 to support Narberth community pool

Published

3 weeks ago

May 17, 2026

Donation will help charity fund energy-saving improvements and secure pool’s future

A COMMUNITY-RUN swimming pool in Pembrokeshire has received a £1,000 donation to support major sustainability improvements.

Swim Narberth, the charity which runs Narberth Swimming Pool, has been given the funding by Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service.

The money will go towards the charity’s energy-efficiency project, which aims to cut energy use, reduce carbon emissions and make the facility more resilient for the future.

The pool was saved from permanent closure in 2014 following a community campaign. It is now used by more than 500 children and 1,000 adults every week.

Planned improvements include replacing the ageing roof, installing a modern high-efficiency air-handling system and upgrading the pool’s existing solar panels. The upgrades are expected to reduce energy use by more than 30 per cent.

Chris Walters, chairman of Swim Narberth, said: “As a small rural charity, support like this plays a vital role in helping us reach our £40,000 community match-funding target, which will unlock significant investment from the Welsh Government’s Community Facilities Programme.

“We are so grateful for Wales & West Utilities’ support and the funding will go towards our extensive improvements at the pool, including roof replacement works and major plant efficiency upgrades to help secure the pool’s long-term future.”

Narberth Swimming Pool provides learn-to-swim programmes, water safety education, inclusive and disability-friendly sessions, and health and wellbeing activities for people of all ages.

It is also the only accessible swimming facility within a 10-mile radius, serving families, schools and community groups across the surrounding rural area.

Sophie Shorney, engagement and social impact manager at Wales & West Utilities, said: “We are proud to support the communities in which we work and are pleased to lend a helping hand to an organisation that provides such an important service for the local community.

“We are pleased that this money will be put to good use and drive improvements that will help safeguard the future of the pool, while reducing running costs and environmental impact.”

Wales & West Utilities delivers energy to more than 7.5 million people across Wales and the south west of England through a network of more than 35,000 kilometres of underground pipes.

Community

Milford Haven Sea Cadets celebrate offshore voyage success

Published

5 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX CADETS from Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets have completed a challenging week-long offshore voyage aboard T.S. John Jerwood.

The cadets took to the water for a demanding but enjoyable week, gaining a number of qualifications despite difficult weather conditions.

The unit congratulated all six cadets on their achievements and thanked the Sea Cadet Offshore team for making the voyage possible.

A spokesperson said: “Voyages like this are only made possible by the brilliant Sea Cadet Offshore team. Thank you for the amazing work you do to allow this amazing opportunity to be possible.

“BZ all!”

The Milford Haven unit also thanked West Wales District Sea Cadets, South West Area Sea Cadets, Sea Cadets Offshore, South West Area Senior Staff Officer, and RFCA for Wales for their support.

Community

Welsh Government announces grassroots Pride fund open for applications

Published

7 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Ella Groves, ICNN Senedd Reporter

A WELSH Government fund supporting local Pride events will open for applications next week.

The Grassroots Pride Fund, delivered with support from Pride Cymru, aims to help organisers from across Wales with event costs.

From Monday June 15, organisers can apply to the fund to gain financial support for Pride events across Wales in 2026/27.

There is £69,250 available from the fund this year – up from £17,700 in 2022/23.

In 2025 the fund supported 21 Pride events across Wales, including Barry Pride, Pembrokeshire Pride, and Wrexham Pride.

Aiming to expand the fund to more rural areas and small towns, the Welsh Government has said it wants to create “opportunities for people to come together and be their true selves throughout Wales”.

When applying for the funding, organisations should nominate one lead applicant who will act as project manager and have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the funding.

The fund is administered by Pride Cymru and applications can be made on its website after June 15. The deadline for applications is August 17.

Discussing the importance of the fund and Pride events, Deputy First Minister and minister for social justice and equalities, Sioned Williams, said: “As LGBTQ+ rights face growing threats, the new Welsh Government is clear: we will do all we can to protect and strengthen those rights here in Wales.

“Pride Month is a chance to celebrate the strength and inclusivity of our communities, and to recognise the volunteers whose commitment makes that possible.

“Volunteers bring people together, create spaces of welcome and belonging, and make sure LGBTQ+ people can celebrate safely and openly in their own communities.

“I have already attended Swansea Pride and Pontardawe Pride this month, and I’m looking forward to attending Pride Cymru in Cardiff this weekend and meeting some of the amazing organisations that support our LGBTQ+ communities.

“Respect, solidarity, and fair play are values that have always mattered to people in Wales, and this Welsh Government is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion. I am proud that we committed in our manifesto to providing ongoing support to Pride organisations.”

Dan Walsh, chair of Pride Cymru, said: “Local Prides play a vital role in creating safe, visible, and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people across Wales.

“This fund represents an important investment in grassroots Pride movements, helping community-led organisations develop, grow, and deliver meaningful events and activities that reflect the needs of their local LGBTQ+ communities.”

Community

Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori

Published

8 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Tenby road race has raised more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Runners and sponsors taking part in last year’s Tenby 10k raised £20,559.07 for the Pembrokeshire charity, which provides hospice care to people in their own homes.

The race, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, took place in October 2025 and was well supported by locals and visitors, who lined the route through the town to cheer on competitors.

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, has now received the cheque, presented by a selection of those who took part in the event.

This year’s Tenby 10k will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, on a closed-road, two-lap course through the centre of Tenby.

More than 400 runners have already signed up, with entries now past 40 per cent capacity and organisers expecting the event to sell out again.

Anyone wishing to take part can enter at www.waterfrontcommunityrunners.co.uk.

All proceeds from this year’s race will again be donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Caption:

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, receives the cheque from Tenby 10k runners and organisers.