Community
Youngsters to build school in South Africa
A YOUNG chef from West Wales has been completely overwhelmed by the response to his latest fund raising initiative.
21-year-old Scott Pinion, from Haverfordwest, is one of more than fifty young people from Wales and Canada, including some ten from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, who will heading off to South Africa in March to build a school at an informal settlement near Zanspruit.
Following a well attended Curry and Quiz night at the Ocean Restaurant in Broad Haven where he has worked on a seasonal basis Scott said “I never thought we would raise that much in one evening – it looks like the evenings total, after costs will be £400. People are so generous”
Steve Blunt, Area Director of Young Life International said “For over 20 years YMP (Youth Mission Project) have been sending youth to various parts of the world to learn more about other cultures, and Young Life International Pembrokeshire, has joined in since 2012. Every year several groups heading back to South Africa to build modular orphanages, school and community buildings or housing for the poor in the informal settlements of Johannesburg and also in Cape Town”
The building process is quite straightforward according to Bill Hebner, former Regional Director of Young Life International and now head of Youth Mission Projects. “We make a large quadrangle, using shipping containers as walls” he said. “And once we have put a roof on it, there is a massive school hall and the containers become classrooms, offices, etc.”
These simple buildings can have a profound impact both on the life of the community and on those going to help according to Steve Blunt. “Official Government statistics show how the build undertaken by Pembrokeshire young people in 2012 have seen the infant mortality rate drop from 5 a week to zero” he explained, “It put a lump in my throat when I saw those figures”.
“Young Life has a relationship with Youth Mission Project ” he added. “Its great to know that once we get off the plane in Africa al we need to concentrate on is the young people – someone else has organised everything else such transport, building materials, food and accommodation”
“But,” he continued, “what really thrills me is the difference it makes to young people from here”. “For example, one girl who Is returning to South Africa this year was so moved by what she saw that paying £3.00 for a coffee reduced her to tears and has altered how she buys clothes”.
Young Life International is a “missional arm of the church” according to Blunt. “That is for all the churches in the area that care to use it. And it has a specific heart for adolescents who have no relationship with church – loving kids in their world, encouraging them to know Christ. Young Life International has a weekly club that is a celebration of friendships – and could end in being invited to a mash potato fight!”
“Some of the other fund raisers:- made, cooked and sold 2000 welsh cakes in 2 days in Fishguard festival Sold hot dogs and popcorn at Christmas fair Bowling marathon in Xcel bowl Auction Designing, Making and Selling t shirts”
“Young Life International starts with concerned adults who spend time building bridges of authentic young people where are, listening to their stories and learning what’s important to them” says Tom Hammon Director of Scandinavia and United Kingdom Young Life. “Because their leaders believe in them unconditionally young people begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose”
“Young Life International leaders offer young people adventure, hospitality and unconditional friendship. We believe that young people’s lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them. And for hose wanting to explore the spiritual dimensions of their lives more deeply we offer small group gatherings that allow students to more fully investigate the teaching and life of Jesus of Nazareth”
Community
Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).
The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.
Shaping the future together
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”
The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.
A data-driven approach
The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.
Get involved
Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.
For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].
About MAWWFRS
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.
Community
Landfill odour sparks calls for inquiry and legal action
RESIDENTS near Withyhedge landfill in Haverfordwest are demanding a public inquiry and considering legal action after foul odours returned just weeks after the site reopened on 6 January.
The landfill, closed last May to address odour issues, was declared fit to reopen by operator RML, which claimed its improvements would protect nearby communities. However, Colin Barnett, of campaign group Stop the Stink, said: “People in Crundale, Haverfordwest, and Spittal are being subjected to horrendous smells again.”
Describing the site as a “stink bomb on steroids,” Barnett supported Conservative MS Paul Davies’ calls for a public inquiry. “We’ve been flanneled by NRW, public health, and Pembrokeshire council. It’s disgraceful,” he said, adding that delays in resolving the issue had left litigation as the only option.
RML, part of Dauson Environmental Group, is owned by businessman David Neal, who has previous convictions for environmental crimes in 2013 and 2017. Last year, another of Neal’s companies pleaded guilty to environmental offences.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reported receiving 34 complaints since 6 January, with a rise in recent days coinciding with the end of a slurry-spreading ban. However, NRW stated no odours attributable to the landfill were detected and plans to inspect the site with Pembrokeshire council on 29 January.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “I’ll keep a very close eye on this, and if concerns persist, we’ll discuss further steps with NRW.”
RML and the Welsh Government declined to comment.
Community
Public transport users urged to ‘check before travelling’ due to storm
TRANSPORT FOR WALES and Network Rail are urging all customers to check before they travel on Friday morning and into the weekend with weather warnings in place across the country.
With Storm Eowyn set to hit Wales and winds reaching 90mph on Friday morning, customers should expect disruptions and are strongly urged to check before they travel.
There will be alterations to rail services, replacement road transport on certain routes and blanket speed restrictions at some locations, meaning journeys could take longer than usual.
Stand by buses are being planned at key locations around the network in preparation for travel disruption.
Across Wales and the Borders, Network Rail have positioned response teams to address any storm related problems to keep disruption to a minimum.
TfW Operations Director Sarah Higgins said: “It’s so important for our customers to plan ahead when looking to travel this Friday.
“While we’ve made a number of changes to our services based on detailed forecasts, storms can still be unpredictable.
“We’ve seen the impact storms can have, with damage to trains and infrastructure sometimes taking weeks or months to repair, so our cross-industry approach will hopefully limit that and keep our colleagues and customers safe. We apologise to customers for any disruption to their journeys as a result.”
Network Rail Wales & Borders Operations Director Rachel Heath added: “Our priority is always keeping safe everyone who travels and works on the railway.
“Unfortunately, there will be some delays and cancellations on Friday, as trains will not run on some lines and there will speed restrictions on other parts of the route.
“We are working closely with our train operator colleagues to ensure we can safely reopen affected lines as quickly as possible and urge passengers to check before they travel.”
Rail service changes:
- No services to run on the Conwy Valley Line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
- No services to run on the Heart of Wales line all day, with replacement road transport in place.
- Speed restrictions at various locations around the network, meaning some journeys will take longer than usual. These include:
- 50mph speed restrictions imposed from 0200 to 1500 Friday on the North Wales Coast – Bodorgan to Llandudno Junction.
- 50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Carmarthen to Kidwelly.
- 50mph restrictions from 0200 to 1200 between Neath and Swansea.
- 50mph restrictions from 0100 – 0800 between Newport and Llanwern.
Customers who have connecting tickets for the following operators who have suspended services due to the adverse weather conditions, we’ll honour tickets dated 24 January on either Thursday 23 January or up to and including Tuesday 28 January.
- London Northeastern Railway
- LUMO
- TransPennine Express
- Northern
- Grand Central
- Avanti
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