Community

Family first for Trust Fellowship

Published

11 years ago

February 17, 2015

THE FIRST ‘Fellowship Family’ has been signed up by the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust as it launches an exciting new fundraising phase designed to see a

Brian Wiggins: Celebrating his 84th birthday at Solent Sky museum in
Southampton.

major flying boat display at the town’s Heritage Centre.

The Wiggins Family of Pembroke Dock and Abingdon – long supporters of the Trust’s initiatives – joined up during the Christmas holidays. Dad Brian, who lives in Abingdon, donated £1,000 to become one of the early recruits to the ‘Fellowship’ category of membership.

Joining Brian at the Heritage Centre were son, Simon, daughter-in-law, Michele, and grandson Joe – one of Simon and Michele’s nine children.

The Sunderland Trust Fellowship carries the name of the Trust’s Patron, Wing Commander Derek Martin, who died last year, aged 94. A wartime flying boat pilot with a very distinguished RAF career, Wing Commander Martin flew Sunderland T9044, the actual aircraft which in November 1940 sank off Pembroke Dock.

Derek was another massive supporter of the Sunderland Trust and its heritage initiatives and his legacy lives on through the Fellowship funding. This will contribute to the recovery of much more of T9044 from the Haven Waterway and to a major Sunderland flying boat and Battle of the Atlantic exhibition – already in advanced planning by the Trust.

After a tour of the Heritage Centre Brian Wiggins commented: “I am very impressed by all that has been achieved at the Heritage Centre, and also so pleased that my family can enjoy regular visits there. It is very important that the Centre and the work of the Trust are supported and this is a way in which we as a family can do so.”

Showing the family around the Centre were Sunderland Trustee Martin Cavaney and Project Manager John Evans. Added Martin: “The support of Brian and all his family is crucially important to our successes in the future and our ability to deliver a unique, world class attraction about a key part of our recent history, all enacted here in ‘PD’.

For further details of the Sunderland Trust’s Fellowship and other membership opportunities see the website www.sunderlandtrust. com or telephone 01646 684220.

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ANNUAL Rotary duck race and pig roast brought crowds to Cresswell Quay on Friday (May 29), with organisers hailing the evening a success.

The event, organised by Narberth and Whitland Rotary, saw yellow ducks released onto the water as spectators gathered along the quay to watch the race unfold.

Perfect conditions

ORGANISERS said the tide and weather “could not have been better” for the popular community event.

Families enjoyed a relaxed evening of entertainment, food and fundraising, with Bat-A-Rat proving popular with youngsters while adults enjoyed a pig roast, with pork provided by Tom at Andrew Rees Butchers.

Live music from Jack Castle added to the atmosphere as people gathered at the riverside venue.

***Rotary fun: Crowds gathered at Cresswell Quay for the annual Narberth and Whitland Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast***

Thanks to supporters

JOHN Sleigh, of Narberth and Whitland Rotary, thanked everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

He said: “What a fantastic evening. The tide and weather could not have been better for the annual Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast at Cresswell Quay.

“We thank you all for being there and making the event such a success.”

Community

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.