THE CELTIC FREEPORT is officially “open for business” following the designation of its tax sites located in Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire by the Welsh and UK Governments.

The major step forward unlocks the investment incentives to deliver the freeport’s vision.

This milestone is also accompanied by the appointment of the first permanent Celtic Freeport Chair, Ed Tomp, to take this important re-industrialisation and regeneration project to fruition.

He started his new role on December 1^st, 2024.

Until 30th September 2034, businesses investing in Celtic Freeport’s designated development areas – tax sites – can access a suite of incentives, such as no Business Rates for the first five years, significant reductions in national insurance contributions and full capital expensing (a tax relief scheme), to support their investment decisions.

Forecasts indicate the Celtic Freeport is set to attract £8.4bn of private and public investment, deliver 11,500 new jobs and add £8.1bn of economic value.

Welcoming the news, the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Cllr Steve Hunt, said: “This is an extremely important day for Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas as these announcements mark the beginning of what the Celtic Freeport can offer – a new era of major investment in clean energy, innovation and other industries creating much needed, high-quality jobs for our residents.

“The tax sites which have been approved by Parliament will provide an incentive for businesses to breathe new life into this region and with a permanent Chair now in place it is very much ‘all systems go’ for the Celtic Freeport.

“I also wish to give my thanks to the Interim Chair of the Celtic Freeport, Roger Maggs, who supported us through this entire process until he handed the reigns over to the new permanent chair.”

Frances O’Brien, the Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council, added: “The Celtic Freeport is developing quickly and these announcements mark a significant shift in the fortunes of Neath Port Talbot, our neighbouring authorities and Wales as a whole.

“The Freeport’s involvement in the fast-growing Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) industry offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create thousands of clean, green jobs and to expand our economy. Our doors are now open to those who wish to join us on our journey.”

The Celtic Freeport is a public-private consortium whose partners include Associated British Ports (ABP), Neath Port Talbot Council, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port of Milford Haven, alongside renewables developers, energy companies, industrial complexes, innovation assets, academic institutions and education providers.

The Celtic Freeport covers the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot and spans clean energy developments and innovation assets, fuel terminals, a power station and heavy engineering across South-West Wales.

Celtic Freeport’s website for more information.

VOLUNTEERS across Pembrokeshire were honoured at a gala dinner and awards ceremony held on November 28 at The Queen’s Hall, Narberth. The event, organised by PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services) and supported by South Hook LNG, showcased the extraordinary efforts of local volunteers.

The Queen’s Hall provided a stunning setting for the evening, with decorations prepared by the venue’s team alongside PAVS staff. Around 80 volunteers and their guests enjoyed a meal by Block and Barrel, followed by a captivating performance by the Preseli Voices Community Choir.

Seven awards categories celebrated

The ceremony featured seven award categories, each highlighting the dedication of Pembrokeshire’s volunteers. Jessica Bickerton, Chief Officer of PAVS, introduced the finalists, praising their outstanding contributions to their communities.

Mariam Dalziel, South Hook LNG’s PR Manager, said: “Congratulations to all nominees. To be a part of these awards is to be part of something incredibly special, celebrating the tremendous effort of volunteers across our county. At South Hook, we are proud to continue our support for these awards, working with PAVS to highlight the positive impact volunteering brings to our community.”

Special guest presenters handed out each award, with winners later sharing their inspiring stories in interviews with Toby Ellis of Pure West Radio. These stories are available on the radio station’s website.

Winners and finalists

Young Volunteer (under 25)

• Winner: Zoe Jones – POINT Youth Centre
• Highly Commended: Charlie Evans – Milford Youth Matters
• Presented by: Anna Mullarkey, Stakeholder Engagement & Communications Manager, Port of Milford Haven

Mike Beckett Award (youth group aged under 25)

• Winners: POINT Youth Forum
• Highly Commended: Youth Ambassador Team – Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity
• Presented by: Gwen Beckett

Trustee/Board Award

• Winners: Andrea Farmer and Isobel Hall – Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity
• Highly Commended: Julie Fulton – Pembrokeshire People First
• Presented by: Claire Incledon, Chair of Trustees, PAVS

Long Service Award

• Winner: Paul Guisbourne-Hilton – Various charities
• Highly Commended: Julie Fulton – Pembrokeshire People First
• Commended: Kathleen Llewellyn – Paul Sartori Foundation
• Presented by: Cllr Marc Tierney

Individual Over 25

• Winner: Sue Canham – Royal Voluntary Service
• Highly Commended: Nadine Farmer – Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity; Neil Houghton – Redberth Croft CIC
• Commended: Cerian Goodbourn – Sea Trust Wales; Valerie Harrold – Paul Sartori Foundation
• Presented by: Neil Wooding, Chair, Hywel Dda University Health Board and WCVA

Mary Sigley Award

• Winner: David Bundock – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
• Highly Commended: Paul Guisbourne-Hilton – Various charities
• Presented by: Tom Dyer, Pure West Radio

Group Over 25

• Winner: ‘Found it @ Frame’ Volunteers
• Highly Commended: Esteam Volunteers
• Commended: West Wales Walking for Wellbeing
• Presented by: Mariam Dalziel, South Hook LNG

For more information about volunteering in Pembrokeshire, contact [email protected] or call PAVS at 01437 769722. Details are also available at www.pavs.org.uk.

Uplifting performances, heartwarming stories, and the celebration of remarkable individuals made this year’s event a memorable tribute to Pembrokeshire’s volunteers.

PANELS installed at Paul Sartori Foundation’s Head Office highlight and celebrate Father Paul Sartori’s legacy and community impact.

Known as Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, the Pembrokeshire-based charity is proud to highlight the installation of a series of information panels at Paul Sartori House, its Head Office. These panels are dedicated to the memory and work of Father Paul Sartori, the inspiration for the charity.

They offer visitors a visual and educational journey through the life of Father Sartori and the extraordinary legacy he left in Pembrokeshire. The installation is part of the charity’s commitment of preserving and sharing the history of Father Sartori’s inspiring work. They were part of the ‘Voices from the Community: Father Paul Sartori’s story from Priest to Hospice Care’ project, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This project recorded personal memories and stories from those who knew him, ensuring that his vision and impact on the community were preserved for future generations.

Sandra Dade, the Charity Manager at Paul Sartori, commented, “We are thrilled to have these panels in place at Paul Sartori House. They serve as a powerful reminder of Father Sartori’s enduring influence, and they beautifully complement the work of the project. We hope that both the panels, the resources on The People’s Collection Wales website and the documentation safeguarded at Pembrokeshire Archives allow visitors to have a deeper understanding of Father Sartori’s life and the profound impact he had in Pembrokeshire.”

The panels showcase key moments in Father Sartori’s life, from his early life, education, his ministry background and time as a Parish Priest in Haverfordwest. They mention Father Sartori’s untimely death on 16^th April 1980. The legacy he left and also explain his recognition of how Pembrokeshire lacked any form of hospice care and his vision for hospice care in Pembrokeshire. A vision that led to the creation of the charity, Paul Sartori Foundation. The panels also highlight his character, and how his compassion and leadership was loved by many in the community.

The ‘Voices from the Community…’ project, recorded 64 interviews with people who knew Father Sartori, and was a remarkable success. The interviews are accessible via The People’s Collection Wales website (https://www.peoplescollection.wales/users/108536). Photographs and other materials are available to view at Pembrokeshire Archives. This and the panels all ensure that the rich history of Father Sartori’s work is preserved for future generations to explore.

David Evans, Chair of Trustees for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, said, “Father Sartori’s dream of providing hospice care in Pembrokeshire lives on in the incredible work our charity continues to do today. These panels at Paul Sartori House are an important way of honouring that legacy, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of this project.”

Father Sartori’s vision has inspired many thousands of people over the years, with the charity currently supporting around 400 people annually in Pembrokeshire. The new panels, along with the ongoing preservation of Father Sartori’s personal possessions and documents, will ensure that his story remains a source of inspiration for generations to come.

The panels are now on permanent display at Paul Sartori House, and the charity invites the public to visit and learn more about the life and legacy of Father Paul Sartori.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home provide a range of services to Pembrokeshire people living in the final stages of any life-limiting illness, including home nursing care, equipment loan, complementary therapy, bereavement and counselling support, physiotherapy, future care planning and training.

The services provided by the charity enable people in the later stages of any life-limiting illness to be cared for and to die at home with dignity, independence, pain free and surrounded by those they hold most dear, if that is their wish.

All of the services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, thanks to the generosity of the Pembrokeshire Community.

Further information on the charity and its services can be obtained by visiting their website www.paulsartori.org, or by phoning 01437 763223.