A PEMBROKESHIRE respite provision centre supporting children and young people with disability needs has been rated ‘excellent’ in all areas by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

Following a recent inspection Holly House, in Haverfordwest, has met excellent standards in well-being, care and support, environment and leadership and management.

This follows substantial and sustained improvement thanks to the team at Holly House, having previously been considered a service of concern.

CIW inspectors said the move to an excellent rating is a direct result of highly effective leadership and management, which consistently places children’s safety and wellbeing at the heart of every decision.

The inspection report adds: “The Responsible Individual (RI) provides excellent strategic direction and demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement, while the manager is skilled and proactive in maintaining high standards. Oversight of the service is robust and has driven significant improvements, resulting in positive outcomes for children’s wellbeing.”

The report highlights the choice, independence, and opportunities the visiting children experience, enhancing their happiness and quality of life, adding they are supported to feel safe, valued and involved in decisions about their care.

There are strong relationships with families, with further plans to strengthen those along with a continued increase in a wide range of activities and community trips.

Feedback from families is highly positive. All families who completed surveys rated care and support as excellent.

Head of Children’s Services Chris Frey-Davies said: “The Council is delighted to hear the outcome of the recent CIW inspection of Holly House. Achieving excellent ratings across all four themes is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to the dedication and leadership within Holly House.

“As highlighted by CIW inspectors, to move from a position of significant concern to sustained excellence speaks volumes about the commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing at every level.”

Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Well-being and Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, echoed the positive CIW comments and congratulated the team at Holly House for their fantastic work: “It is clear to see that the young people who attend Holly House really do benefit from the quality of care provided by our hardworking, dedicated team.

“I want to thank them for their role in supporting our young people which also provides essential respite for local families from their caring responsibilities. This external report puts on record the high quality of this provision and underlines that our young people are at the heart of this vital service.”

PEMBROKESHIRE could soon see life-size artwork reproductions of many National Gallery masterpieces, including works by Turner, Constable and Cezanne at locations throughout the county, in a scheme submitted to the national park.

In a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park application to the park’s own planners, permission is sought for the installation of 12 life-size National Gallery artwork prints on various locations in the national park, between June and November of this year.

Of the 12 locations for the ‘Art on your doorstep’ project, 11 will be on existing structures, the last on a self-standing structure at Oriel y Parc, St Davids.

Carew will see four artworks: Constable’s The Hay Wain, at the tidal Mill Bridge; Koninck’s ‘An extensive landscape by a road, with a river,’ in the car park opposite Carew River which overlooks the castle; Hans Holbein the Younger’s ‘The Ambassadors,’ in the national park workshop; and Turner’s The Fighting Temaraire, by the village’s war memorial.

Castell Henllys will feature two works: Cezanne’s Bathers, and Titian’s Baccus and Ariadne.

St Davids’ Oriel y Parc will feature Van Gogh’s Wheatfield of Cypresses, and Canaletto’s The Stonemason’s Yard.

Porthclais will host Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, with Claude-Joseph Vernet’s A shipwreck in Stormy seas at Strumble Head.

Rosebush’s Tafarn Sinc will display Turner’s Rain, Steam, Speed, and a site at the skate park overlooking Tenby’s South Beach will host Monet’s Bathers at La Grenoville.

The application will be considered by the national park planning committee.

Residents and visitors across Pembrokeshire are preparing for a spell of unsettled weather as Storm Ingrid approaches, with strong winds and persistent rain expected to sweep in from the Atlantic. The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain and wind covering much of Wales and southwest England from 2 am on Friday, 23 January until 9 am on Saturday, 24 January, warning of gusts of up to 60 mph and significant rainfall.

Forecasters say the system, named by the Portuguese national weather service, will arrive from the southwest and intensify through Friday. An initial band of rain is expected early on Friday, with 10–20 mm possible in just a few hours. Because the ground across Pembrokeshire is already saturated from weeks of wet weather, even this first burst could lead to surface water flooding and travel disruption, particularly on minor routes and low‑lying coastal roads.

As the day progresses, the band of rain is expected to push northwards, but heavier showers and further spells of persistent rain will follow into the evening. The Met Office has warned that a further 15–20 mm of rain could fall widely by Saturday morning, with local totals of 30–40 mm not out of the question. Slow‑moving showers and saturated soils raise the likelihood of temporary road closures and swollen watercourses across the county.

Coastal communities around St Davids, Tenby, Milford Haven and Fishguard are likely to feel the worst of the wind. Gusts of 45–50 mph inland and up to 60 mph on exposed headlands and coastal stretches are forecast, making for blustery conditions along the Pembrokeshire coastline. Large waves and spray are expected to accompany the strong winds, with the potential for spray and sea foam across coastal roads at high tide.

Although the yellow warning expires on Saturday morning, blustery showers and breezy conditions are set to persist through the remainder of the weekend. Inland winds are likely to ease slightly on Saturday as the system begins to move away, but coastal gusts and frequent showers are expected to remain a feature.

Local authorities, including Pembrokeshire County Council, have urged caution on the roads and advised communities to secure loose outdoor items and check property drainage in advance of the worst weather. Travelers have been reminded to allow extra time for journeys and to stay informed with the latest forecasts from the Met Office as Storm Ingrid develops.