Community

New life for lost playing fields

Published

11 years ago

March 2, 2015

CARNEGIE UK TRUST and Fields in Trust have launched a new campaign to find and protect over 900 ‘lost’ playing fields across the UK, two of which are believed to be in Pembrokeshire; with one expected to be in Milford Haven and one in Haverfordwest. The #FieldFinders initiative aims to locate and catalogue playing fields, which were set up with the aid of a grant from Carnegie UK Trust between 1927 and 1935. They want to ensure that they are legally protected from developers.

Between 1927 and 1935, Carnegie UK Trust allocated the sum of £200,000, which is the equivalent of around £10m today, to over 900 different playing fields across the UK. While some details are known about the towns and cities where the playing fields are, the exact location and details of some of these fields was never centrally recorded.

The #FieldFinders campaign is targeted at local communities with the aim of local residents finding the Carnegie playing fields in their area. They will have until August 31 to report back through a dedicated web portal (www.fieldsintrust. org/carnegie.aspx) about the playing fields. Investigative ‘Field Finders’ are also being encouraged to share images of the sites using social media, such as Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag, #FieldFinders to help spread the word of the campaign and encourage friends in other locations to join the hunt. Members of the specialist Fields in Trust team will then cross reference it with any surviving documentation and begin the process of improving legal protection for the site. Each confirmed location where legal protection can be added will be given the chance to win one of two £5000 prizes to make improvements to facilities such as children’s play areas.

Douglas White, Head of Advocacy at Carnegie UK Trust, said; “When these grants were made it was a significant sum of money for outdoor recreational spaces across the UK. A requirement of the grant was that the playing fields should remain public areas for the benefit of the community is perpetuity. We want to find as many of these fields as possible and ensure that that they remain legally protected for the local community.”

A pilot study by Fields in Trust looking at London, Surrey, Kent and Middlesex identified 107 grants in the area, and fourteen of those were confirmed to be Carnegie playing fields. The list of established grants will be available online alongside case studies of the newly confirmed sites to help inspire others to get involved. As each location is rediscovered and more details added, the list will be updated.

Kathryn Cook, Partnership & Communications Manager of Fields in Trust, who will be working to improve the legal protection to the sites, said; “Many playing fields in built up areas offer the only green space and safe playing area for children and families. They are places to relax, play sports, or hold community events. Ensuring they are around for future generations is an utmost priority.”

People who do find the ‘lost’ playing fields will have their names associated with the parks they have rediscovered alongside the online list so their efforts are recorded and the thanks of future generations can be given. The best of the photographs will be added to an online gallery where people can view photographs past and present.

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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.