News

Centre petition nears a thousand

Published

10 years ago

January 5, 2016

A PETITION, calling on the council to save the Tenby Avenue Centre from closure, has gathered nearly 900 signatures. It was announced at a recent Cabinet meeting that the Council would be going out to consultation on proposals to close the centre. Speaking at the November 30, Cabinet meeting, Cllr Simon Hancock said: “There are certain reasons why we are focussed on this and one of those is that the building requires a significant investment of around £360,000, it has the lowest occupancy rate and there are a significant number regarded as having low level needs.

“We want to engage and consult with those who use the centre. We want to seek views and opinions. Some of the users have attended the centre for many years. We also need to take into account friendship groups and be sensitive to the impact of any change.” A Facebook page has also been set up to help share the petition and many have commented on the importance of the centre. Gwyneth Woolley said: “As a mum of two adults who use the Avenue Centre, they would be devastated if it was closed and they would miss all the dedicated staff who look after them, it is also a life line for me as a carer.

Please sign the Save Tenby Avenue Centre Petition as we need all the help we can get.” On the petition, there is a letter from Kate Schofield, whose twin sister Maggie has attended the centre for many years, who states: “The reason for my concern with this closure is my twin sister Maggie, she is 53 years old and has attended the centre for most of her adult life. She has Down’s Syndrome.

She is not a ‘customer’ or a ‘client’ she is a human being.” She goes on to say: “Social Services made the Avenue Centre her world and now because there has been a much needed rethink people like Maggie and others of her generation should not have their world ripped apart because it’s the current trend.” Alistair Cameron, Liberal Democrat Candidate for West Carmarthen and South Pembrokeshire for the National Assembly for Wales is also opposed to the plans to close the Avenue Centre in Tenby.

The Avenue Centre is a place where adults with learning needs can socialise, make friends and get involved in activities. Alistair said: “The support provided by the Avenue Centre is just the type of support needed to help its users live a fulfilling life which is as independent as possible. This includes activities within the centre such as arts and crafts, computing, advocacy and drama.

The users can also join groups organised by the centre to take part in activities such as a shopping project, a walking group, a gym, the Colby Lodge Gardening Project and bowling. “Unfortunately, the County Council’s Cabinet paper on the future of the Centre provided no details of what support will be given to the adults who currently use it if it closes.

“There is therefore a real risk that many will not be given anywhere near the level of support and benefit they currently receive. This is why I am very concerned about the possibility of the Avenue Centre being closed. “I accept that Pembrokeshire County Council is in a difficult financial position with a cut in its budget of 2.8%.

However, I would strongly urge the Council to think again and pull back from its threat to close this valuable centre. “I strongly encourage residents to respond to this consultation by making clear their concerns over this closure. They can also express their opposition to the closure through the following on-line petition: https://www.change. org/p/pembrokeshire-county-councils- cabinet-save-tenby-avenue-centrepetition.”

The petition can be found by typing in ‘Save Tenby Avenue Centre’ on the change.org website.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.