Community

Claire wins Inspire! Award

Published

11 years ago

June 25, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Inspirational adult learner: Claire Arnold

A PEMBROKESHIRE mum-of-three who helped adults in her community get back into education has been crowned overall winner at a major learning award ceremony.
Claire Arnold was presented with the Learner of the Year award for Wales at the Inspire! Awards as part of Adult Learners’ Week 2015.
The 39-year-old, who left school at age 15 with no qualifications, went on to set up a community-based degree course for people in one of the most deprived areas of Wales.
Adult Learners’ Week runs from June 13 to 19 and celebrates lifelong learning, whether work-based, as part of a community education course, at college, university or online.
Now in its 24th year, it aims to promote the range of courses available to adult learners, from languages to computing and childcare to finance.
The Inspire! Awards are hosted each year ahead of Adult Learners’ Week to celebrate the achievements of outstanding learners in Wales who have shown exceptional passion, commitment and drive for learning, often in the face of difficult circumstances.
“I struggled at school, I was never a high flyer,” said Claire, who also won the Learning Progression award. “I wanted to be a teacher. I was always making work sheets for my class mates on wet weather days. But I never thought I was good enough.”
Claire, who lives in St Twynnells in Pembroke, found work at an old people’s home, spending the next few years working as a care assistant.
“It wasn’t what I wanted to do but I’d messed around at secondary school and didn’t think there was any way of me following my ambition to be a teacher,” said Claire, who lives with husband Matthew and daughter Cara, 17; son Euan, 14, and daughter Amelia, three.
Ten years after leaving school, Claire found out about a learning support assistant job at her former primary school, Monkton Community Primary.
“I got the job and I loved it,” she said. “I loved working with children and found education had changed so much. I watched the teachers and learned from them and thought, maybe I can do that.”
Claire’s head teacher suggested she enrol on a new project set up to provide adult education in the community and, along with 15 others, she completed a Foundation Degree for Learning Support Assistants.
“We were travelling to the University of Wales Trinity St David, an hour away, and I realised it meant not everybody could have access to education,” she said. “So when more funding became available, I asked whether there was anything that could be done to help those who wanted to learn but struggled with childcare and transport.”
Claire, who has worked closely with the area’s gypsy families, arranged for a maths GCSE course to be run at Monkton Community Primary with Learning Pembrokeshire.
“It started at 5pm and we had a kids’ club, which meant childcare wasn’t an issue,” said Claire. “The year after, we started doing GCSE English, and science the year after that.”
Claire, who had by then also completed a BA Joint Honours Degree in Education and Social Inclusion, also arranged, with the school’s head Shelley Morris, for the University of Wales Trinity St David to run the same degrees at the school in Monkton.
While helping others, she was completing her own degree while living out of a static caravan with no internet access.
“We were building a house so we lived in the caravan for four years,” she said.
“I used to go to my sister-in-law’s every night to use their computer when the children were in bed.”
“I stay in touch with what’s going on at the degree courses at Monkton,” added Claire, who is now preparing to graduate with a teaching degree, in Primary Education with QTS.
“We have all ages and I’m really proud of what the scheme has achieved – it has around 20 students a year. I never want to stop learning. It’s never too late to learn.”
Adult Learners’ Week is organised by NIACE Cymru with the support of the Welsh Government and European Social Fund.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James, said: “Adult Learners’ Week gives everybody the opportunity to learn something new, whether you learn from home, in the workplace or in your local community.
“The Inspire! Awards recognise the people who have taken that step, and their examples should encourage anybody who thinks it’s either too late or too difficult to learn a new skill.
“We hope Adult Learners’ Week will encourage adults across Wales to find out more about their skills and career options by going along to events in their area. Adults can also access the Skills Gateway to get careers advice and guidance, whether they want to improve their skills and employability or get back into work.”
Cerys Furlong, Director of NIACE Cymru, said: “The Inspire! Awards remind us of the power of learning and every story is a testament to the hard work of the learners and the tutors. “Each winner has come such a long way and shown real determination and passion for learning and we wish each one every success for the future. Everyone can get involved with Adult Learners’ Week by joining a free learners’ event in their area on anything from first aid to digital photography.”
For more information on Adult Learners’ Week, go to www. careerswales.com/skillsgateway, call 0800 028 4844 or follow @ skillsgatewaycw

Community

Work on new 26-home Pembrokeshire development gets underway

Published

17 hours ago

February 6, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CONSTRUCTION work has started on a Haverfordwest scheme to provide sheltered housing apartments for the over-55s.

The Tŷ Haverfordia affordable housing and reablement development of 26 sheltered housing apartments for the over-55s alongside a dedicated 12-bed reablement centre to support residents returning home from hospital at the former Haverfordia House site, delivered by Wynne Construction, forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s “continued commitment to increasing high‑quality, accessible housing and deliver effective modern health and social care support across Pembrokeshire”.

Initial works began on January 26 and include securing the site, setting up a small compound and contractor parking area, installing controlled access for site personnel, and positioning temporary office and welfare units.

To maintain safe access to nearby facilities, including the GP surgery and Haverfordwest Leisure Centre, pedestrian routes through the area will remain open.

In addition, a minimum number of public parking spaces, including disabled bays, have been kept with Pay & Display machines relocated to reduce inconvenience.

In keeping the minimum number of parking spaces as well as needing to accommodate essential contractor welfare facilities, a small section of Rifleman Field has had to be used during the duration of the development of the site.

This space will be securely fenced off, and the footprint minimised. Any areas of Rifleman Field affected by the works will be fully reinstated on completion and restored to a condition that is equal to or better than at present.

To ensure residents and stakeholders are kept informed and have the opportunity to engage with the development, Pembrokeshire Housing Services will be hosting a Community Engagement Drop-in Event on Thursday, February 19, 5-7pm, at The Green Room, Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman, said: “I am pleased that we have finally reached the stage of commencing on site and look forward to seeing the development progressing.

“We have been able to progress with the development after receiving much-needed Welsh Government grant assistance for both the reablement and housing parts of the development.”

Last year, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members approved awarding a fixed contract of £13,560,454.21 to C Wynne & Son for the Haverfordia House works.

In 2019, Cabinet backed the acquisition of the freehold of Haverfordia House, with the overall intention to deliver a new housing and wellbeing facility following its demolition.

A report for members at last year’s June meeting said: “As well as providing long-term residents with a sense of place and community, it will provide short-term reablement users with the facilities and in-house support which they need to relearn the skills required to keep them safe and independent when they return home.”

It said there was a need for one-bed properties, and a review of sheltered over 55 accommodation was undertaken in 2018-19 which identified that existing sheltered housing stock is “no longer fit for purpose”.

Community

Milford Haven community mourns loss of dedicated volunteer Robert Duncan

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Tributes paid to former RBL chairman and Citizens’ Award recipient

MILFORD HAVEN has been left saddened by the death of Robert Duncan, a well-known and much-respected community figure who devoted decades of his life to voluntary service.

Milford Haven Town Council said it was “so sorry to learn of the passing” of Mr Duncan, describing him as a dear friend to many and a man whose generosity touched countless lives.

Mr Duncan served as Chairman of the Milford Haven branch of the Royal British Legion and was widely recognised for his tireless work supporting veterans and local causes. Alongside his wife Carol, he received a Citizens’ Award in 2016 in recognition of their years of voluntary service to the town.

The couple also fostered children for many years, opening their home to young people in need and providing stability and care to families across the area.

Beyond his work with the Legion, Mr Duncan was involved with the local R.A.O.B. lodge and Milford Haven Museum, contributing time and energy to preserve the town’s history and strengthen community life.

In a statement, the Town Council said: “Robert was a wonderful family man and a most dedicated public servant. So many of us will have stories of his generosity and community activities that we would like to share. Thank you for everything, Robert. We will truly miss you.”

Councillors added that his quiet commitment and willingness to help others made him a familiar and trusted figure across Milford Haven.

Sympathies have been extended to Carol and the wider family, as well as friends and colleagues who worked alongside him over the years.

Those who knew him say his legacy will live on in the many lives he helped shape and the strong sense of community he worked so hard to build.

Photo caption: Robert Duncan and his wife Carol receive a Citizens’ Award in 2016 alongside the Mayor of Milford Haven (Pic: Milford Haven Town Council).

Community

Fishguard juniors host friendly chess clash with Pembrokeshire youngsters

Published

2 days ago

February 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG players from Pembrokeshire and Fishguard enjoyed an evening of friendly competition and learning as Fishguard Junior Chess Club welcomed Pembrokeshire Chess Club Juniors for a lively inter-club match.

Fourteen juniors took part in a series of games, gaining valuable experience across the boards while putting their developing skills into practice. Coaches from both sides said it was encouraging to see not only improving tactics and confidence, but also the traditional etiquette of the game on full display.

Handshakes, quiet concentration and respectful play summed up the night, with sportsmanship praised as highly as the results.

While everyone enjoys winning, organisers stressed that chess is also about patience, discipline and respect — qualities that serve players well both at the board and beyond.

One standout performance came from Pembrokeshire captain and board one Harry Harling, who secured two impressive results against an opponent around 150 grading points higher and several years his senior.

Growing numbers

The club continues to go from strength to strength, with ten new junior members joining in recent weeks. That brings total junior membership to 25, prompting sessions to be split into two groups to ensure coaching can be tailored to different ages and abilities.

Plans are already in place for Fishguard to make a return visit to the Pembrokeshire club’s Steynton headquarters, giving those who missed out this time a chance to take part.

The wider aim, organisers say, is simple: to grow junior chess locally and give as many young people as possible the opportunity to play competitively.

That philosophy is already bearing fruit, with under-11 Henry Burton recently stepping up to represent the adult side on board one — an opportunity he is said to be relishing.

What’s next

Attention now turns to the half-term trip to Llanelli on February 18 for a return fixture against White Knights, with thanks given to Jason Garcia for organising the match.

There is also talk of arranging games against the newly formed Haverfordwest Chess Club, with both senior and junior players expected to take part, ensuring newcomers and experienced competitors alike get time at the table.

The club also congratulated friends at Redhill High School for fielding three teams at the Welsh Secondary Schools Championship, where they competed with distinction.