News

Trip of a lifetime for schoolboy

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2016

Welsh group: Including youth leaders with Charlie Marsh third on the right (standing up)

FOURTEEN YEAR OLD Pembroke schoolboy Charlie has just returned from the trip of a lifetime, as the solitary Pembrokeshire representative in a St John Cymru- Wales team of twelve cadets aged 14 to 17 selected to take part in the 2016 International Cadet Camp.

This exciting initiative, which brings together members of St John from different parts of the world, has been organized since the midnineties in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and leads to the strengthening of relationships among its members from different parts of the world irrespective of differences in culture, beliefs and resources.

Hong Kong was a particularly fitting location for this year’s camp, which was held between January 2- 10, because this is its centenary and the ICC was but one of a series of activities planned for this special year in the society’s history.

Charlie was clearly delighted by the Welsh team’s success (they came fifth overall) and is convinced that the experience has given him greater confidence to deal with his future work as a volunteer and then hopefully, as he pursues a career in medicine.

As for the teeth Charlie explained: “Hong Kong was fantastic. The food was brilliant and the weather was interesting and sticky. There were different scenarios in which we were all judged and I was really chuffed that Team Wales came fifth.

“We did a lot of different things such as working in homes for the elderly and in homeless shelters. The language barrier was obviously a challenge though, and my best memory is that of teaching a WW2 veteran how to clean his teeth when we didn’t speak the same language.

“I remember trying to explain that I was not going to touch his teeth. I told him ‘I’m not doing it for you. I don’t speak the same language as you but somehow I am going to have to get this done’. He did brush them eventually, and I am glad to tell you that he was smiling broadly at the end.

“But the best thing of all was meeting lots of people from so many diverse cultures. This has given me so much more confidence and I’ve been told others have noticed it too.”

Charlie had to raise £2500 to cover the cost of the trip and did much of this through such ordinary fund raising activities as bucket collections and curry nights. But he also raised support in more exotic style too by abseiling down the keep at Pembroke Castle.

He is keen to say thank you to all who helped him raise the funds not least St John Cymru Wales who covered the shortfall with a grant.

Charlie says he would do it all again without any hesitation and adds: “It’s definitely something worth doing. It might seem pretty daunting when you realize you have to raise that amount of money but I can truly say it’s definitely worth the effort”.

Speaking on behalf of the local St Johns group Sam Davies, Member in charge of cadets, said: “All of us at the Tenby/Pembroke division of St John Cymru-Wales are extremely proud of what Charlie has achieved. Charlie raised nearly £2500 which funded the trip and has come back a much more confident and enthusiastic person.

“I want to stress that this was a genuine competition in which they competed for Wales as a team and they were genuinely tested on their first aid and nursing skills. As a division we look forward to sending more young people from the area on international trips with St John Cymru-Wales.”

The next International Cadet Camp is scheduled for 2018 and will be held in South Africa.

News

Angle Lifeboat tasked to disabled yacht 22miles from St Ann’s head

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2021

Carli Newell

Image Credit - RNLI Penny Harris

ANGLE LIFEBOAT and her crew saw out April when they were tasked on 30th of April to a yacht 22miles from St Ann’s head.

Angle Lifeboat and her crew saw out April when they were tasked on 30th of April to a yacht 22miles from St Ann’s head.

The lifeboat was launched at 10:43pm to a 26ft yacht that had reported smoke coming from their engine compartment. The casualty vessel was 22 miles south west of St Ann’s with two crew onboard.

The lifeboat arrived on scene at 11:46pm. The on scene assessment was carried out and both crew were safe and well but the vessel would need to be towed to Milford Haven. The tow was set up and the casualty vessel was under tow at 11:56pm.

The conditions were perfect for the slow tow back which saw a beautiful moon rising and the early glow of dawn.

Lifeboat arrived at Milford and swapped the casualty vessel to an alongside tow to take it alongside in to the lock at Milford Marina where the casualty was safely tied up at 04:49am.

The lifeboat rehoused at 05:15am where she got her well deserved washdown and the crew headed home to get some sleep.

News

Meet the Pembrokeshire Mower Doctor

Published

14 hours ago

May 6, 2021

Carli Newell

A NEW Pembrokeshire business is proving to be an inspiration for young people after its recent launch.

The Pembrokeshire Mower Doctor is the brainchild of Ewan Griffiths, who turned his dream into reality thanks to the advice and support of Cam Nesa.

The project aims to reduce the number of young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, training or employment.

Before signing up to Cam Nesa, Ewan was out of work and struggling for direction, and anxiety was preventing him from maximising his potential.

Throughout his journey with Cam Nesa, Ewan worked closely with youth worker Donna Wright to devise a plan that provided support and guidance to improve his confidence and self-esteem, and provide mechanisms for coping with anxiety.

In addition, the project provided Ewan with opportunities to gain qualifications and obtain information that would help him with starting his own business.

Ewan’s message to other young people is simple, “If you find yourself struggling, there is help.”

“Cam Nesa supported me in all aspects of my plan, and working with Donna was fantastic.”

“I would definitely encourage others to reach out for support.”

Donna Wright, who supported Ewan throughout his Cam Nesa journey, said that the launch of his new business is a great source of pride for Cam Nesa and Pembrokeshire Youth Service.

“Ewan has come on leaps and bounds, and it was his engagement and determination that has made his outcome with Cam Nesa so successful and inspiring”, she said.

“Congratulations Ewan on your achievements, and we all wish you good luck with your new business.”

The Pembrokeshire Mower Doctor provides repairs and servicing for mowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, and most agricultural engines, with the mobile service providing collection and returns.

For more information, search ‘Pembrokeshire Mower Doctor’ on Facebook.

News

Milford Haven: Mount estate death not being treated as suspicious say police

Published

15 hours ago

May 6, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

POLICE have confirmed that following a welfare visit to a property in Mount Estate, they discovered a male occupant, in his 30’s, in need of medical help.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff he sadly passed away on Sunday.

A spokesperson for the police confirmed to The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a property at the Mount Estate, Milford Haven on Friday 30th April 2021, following a report of concern for the welfare of the occupier.

“A male was taken to hospital where he died on Sunday 2nd May 2021.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”