Community

Funding from wind farm helps expand community electric car scheme

Published

2 minutes ago

May 22, 2026

WELSH communities have benefited from more than £3.3m in renewable energy funding during 2025, according to a new report by RWE.

The company’s 2025 Community Fund report says its renewable energy projects invested £5.7m into community funds across the UK, including more than £3.3m in Wales.

Among the projects supported is the Dolen Teifi community electric car share scheme, which received help from the Brechfa Onshore Wind Farm Fund.

The scheme provides affordable shared access to electric vehicles for more than 400 registered users in a remote rural area, helping people reach education, healthcare and other essential services.

It also reduces transport costs and carbon emissions, while a team of volunteer drivers supports disabled and vulnerable residents.

RWE’s funding initially supported the salary of a part-time volunteer coordinator and helped provide a six-seater accessible electric vehicle.

The project has since secured lottery and government funding, allowing it to expand across West Wales with a fleet of more than 12 vehicles and hundreds of volunteer drivers.

In North Wales, a three-year funding package from RWE’s Clocaenog Onshore Wind Farm Fund has helped support the South Denbighshire Community Partnership, which works across the rural Ederynion area.

The partnership provides services including Meals on Wheels, community transport, prescription delivery, parent and toddler groups, and exercise classes.

Margaret, chief executive of SDCP, said: “We are delighted to be in receipt of funding from Clocaenog Wind Farm Fund.

“We know the positive impact that the services we are able to provide with it has on our service users and communities. Without this support, we wouldn’t be able to provide those services.”

Katy Woodington, of RWE, said: “Our community funds are all about putting local people in control, with a key feature being an independent community panel made up of local residents, who play a central role in shaping priorities and deciding how funding is allocated.

“With over £78.5m committed to community projects over the lifetime of our Welsh operating renewable generation portfolio, it will be really exciting to see what communities can achieve.

“RWE remains committed to putting communities at the centre of the energy transition, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future, one small project at a time.”

RWE says first-generation wind farms have invested more than £24.9m into Welsh communities neighbouring their sites.

Over their lifetime, wind farms operated by RWE Renewables are expected to invest more than £78.5m into Welsh communities.

Community

Lydstep Haven swimming warning lifted after sewerage repairs

Published

11 hours ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BATHERS have been told they can return to the water at Lydstep Haven after warnings linked to a pollution incident were lifted.

Pembrokeshire County Council had advised people not to swim at the beach after an “abnormal situation” was declared earlier this month over concerns about bathing water quality.

Natural Resources Wales has now confirmed that the status has been lifted following repair works to a private sewerage system.

Water samples taken in the days after the repairs indicated that the bathing water was no longer being affected.

Signage warning people not to swim will now be removed by the council.

An NRW spokesperson said: “The ‘abnormal situation’ status at Lydstep Haven beach in Pembrokeshire has been lifted by Natural Resources Wales.

“The lifting of this status means that Pembrokeshire County Council is no longer advising people not to swim at Lydstep Haven.

“The private operator has carried out repair works to their sewerage system and results from several water samples taken indicate the bathing water is no longer being impacted.

“NRW is continuing its investigation into any possible regulatory breaches.”

Community

Safe Haven Homeless breakfast raises more than £170 in Whitland

Published

11 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FUNDRAISING breakfast held at The Station House pub in Whitland has raised more than £170 for Safe Haven Homeless CIC.

The event saw supporters gather at the pub, where landlord Mike provided a dedicated area for the organisation to display leaflets and posters, sell mugs, and explain more about its plans.

Collection tins were placed on each table and organisers said several generous donations were made during the morning.

Safe Haven Homeless CIC is being set up to provide a safe location, together with a wider support package, for homeless people who are desperate to get their lives back on track.

Organisers said the money raised would go towards the group’s work and help demonstrate to grant funders that the organisation is able to raise support locally.

A spokesperson said: “We intend to fund our initial start-up costs from grant funding, and by holding events like this we show grant funders that we are capable of raising funds ourselves.”

Safe Haven Homeless is also in the process of having a website built, which is expected to include a donations portal. The front page is currently live at www.safe-haven-homeless.org.uk, with OROGO Advertising working on the full site.

Photos:

Dave, founder and general manager, with his wife Lynne; director Steve Cox; supporters at the breakfast; the display area; and The Station House, Whitland.

Community

Caffi Festri opens as new community café in Dinas Cross

Published

12 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW community café has opened in Dinas Cross, offering affordable food and drink in a welcoming space for local families, dog walkers and visitors.

Caffi Festri opened on Wednesday (May 20) under the tenancy of local chef Lydia Taylor, who is well known in the area.

Lydia previously owned and worked as chef at Tides in Newport, and has now taken on the lease at Caffi Festri with the aim of giving something back to the community which has supported her.

The café has been set up at her own expense and is intended to provide a friendly, accessible space where people can enjoy good food and drink at affordable prices.

Caffi Festri is both dog-friendly and child-friendly, with a small play corner available for younger visitors.

The café is also supporting local creativity by showcasing work from local artists and makers, including Thomas J E, a local blacksmith, and James Fels, a local painter.

Those behind the project say the aim is to create more than just a café, but a community space where people can meet, relax and feel welcome.

Caffi Festri is now open in Dinas Cross.