Community

50th Anniversary celebrations for Rotary clubs

Published

9 years ago

May 4, 2016

Tom Sinclair

French twin club members: With Robbie and Liz Burns

THE ROTARY CLUB OF NARBERTH AND WHITLAND celebrated their 50th anniversary last week with a dinner at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth, attended by over 100 Rotarians and guests including representatives of Whitland and Narberth Town Councils and other local organisations and supporters.

During the much enjoyed evening Club President Dr Paul Crawford proposed a toast to the Club’s guests whilst South Wales District 1150 District Governor, Rotarian Chris Williams of the Fishguard & Goodwick Club replied on behalf of the guests with a toast to Narberth & Whitland Rotary Club and its Members who he said was a shining example of how a Rotary Club should be run and the enthusiasm and commitment of the members made it a real pleasure to visit. It was no surprise that the Club was so successful he said.

During the evening, District Governor Chris was delighted to be able to present three ‘Paul Harris Fellowships’ on behalf of the Club to Rotarians Robbie Burns and John Hughes and Robbie’s wife Mrs Liz Burns for her unstinting support to Rotary.

The PHF is Rotary’s highest award and recognises the recipients’ contribution to Rotary over many years and during the evening it was asked if a husband and wife had both previously been awarded the highly coveted award previously on the same occasion.

From its inception in 1966 to the present day, the club has strived to be of service to others, nationally, internationally and locally, in and around the communities of Narberth and Whitland.

Their work has included a wide range of activities from providing aid to those affected by natural disasters and supporting the “End Polio Now” campaign to delivering meals on wheels, assisting with transport of disabled sports participants and encouraging young talent in our local schools.

Through promotion of concerts with Welsh pop stars and ‘Racing the Dragon’ in the annual Welsh Dragon Boat Championship, the Rotarians of Narberth & Whitland have provided the funds to support worthwhile causes which improve the lives of those less fortunate both at home and abroad.

It will always remain a bone of contention concerning who actually thought up the idea of the formation of a Rotary Club in Narberth, but there is no doubt that a Mr Eric Shott (Customs and Excise) and Mr Alan Lock (Head Postmaster) were involved, with the assistance of Mr Tommy Nicholas (Groceries) who also had adequate accommodation at a nearby hostelry, the Dragon Inn, of which he was the licensee.

The District Extension Officer was the late Rtn Reg Pickett (Cardiff), whilst Rtn Roger Wright (Llandrindod Wells) was the then R.I. Representative and Chairman of District 1150 Council (to be known later as District Governor). The Tenby Club (President Joe Joseph) agreed to act as sponsors and act as ‘Mother Club’ to steer its ‘Daughter’ through the early difficult days.

A well-attended inaugural luncheon was held on January 19 1966 at the Queens Hall, Narberth and the late Mr John Lee Davies was appointed as the Clubs Founder President. He ably led the club through its ‘Interim’ days and the first year after the granting of its Charter (No.1023) at the Dragon Hotel, Swansea on April 20 1966.

In its earlier days the Tenby members who were frequent visitors assisted the club in no small way. The Clubs original founder members and officers are listed elsewhere.

One or two of the original classifications were a little dubious – Founder Secretary, the late Rtn Alwyn Morgan (Horticulture), was a retired banker and only tended his garden, and the preponderance of farmers was distributed amongst the various sub-divisions of that noble profession so there was room for everyone.

Had the Club been formed in the current climate with the more relaxed approach to classifications there would have been no problem in increasing membership.

And so from a slow start Rotary activities increased and the fledgling club made its presence felt in the community, principally Narberth, as there was only one Whitland member in the early days.

However, it would not be fair to conclude this detail on the clubs formation without a comment that subsequent membership from the Whitland area has had a marked impact on the success and achievements of the club.

The two most significant events to affect the club’s membership development have been the change from lunchtime to evening meetings and the admission of women as members.

Both decisions were taken despite resistance from a minority, some of whom resigned their membership as a result. Several years on from both decisions, there can be little doubt that they have resulted in a sustained improvement in recruitment and retention of new members, many of whom have transferred in from other clubs across the UK.

The club is a successful dual gender club with an enthusiastic and youthful (in spirit) membership. However, they are always looking to increase their numbers and are welcoming of new members. N&W now have a significant presence on social media and a wealth of further information on the World Wide Web.

Membership has remained at a comfortable level of between 30 and 35 for several years. The youngest member is 24 years of age she also happens to be female and is soon to be joined by another lady of the same age. The oldest member is 94 so as you can see they cater for everyone.

The club were delighted to have eight Rotarians visit on the weekend from their twinning club Fontenay le Comte, in France. Rotarian Ken Morgan first started the twinning process 20 years ago. The Clubs visit each other biannually.

The venue for meetings has also changed many times. The club now meets at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel in Narberth where food, service and value-for-money is envied by other clubs in south west Wales. For the future, membership recruitment and retention remains one of the main challenges that the club faces and it is looking forward to the next chapter.

Community

RWE launches hydrogen education programme to inspire future climate champions

Published

11 hours ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RWE has launched its Hydrogen Education Programme, an initiative aimed at educating schoolchildren about hydrogen’s crucial role in achieving net zero and decarbonising industries.

Developed in partnership with Generation C, the programme offers interactive, curriculum-based activities that connect classroom learning to real-world applications. Students of all ages will explore hydrogen’s properties, its production, and its growing role in industries driving the clean energy transition.

Henry Tudor High School in Pembroke has already piloted the programme with secondary school students, while Golden Grove Primary School is set to begin this week. The initiative will demonstrate how hydrogen, as a clean energy source, is integral to reducing emissions in transport, manufacturing, and energy sectors.

Engaging young minds

The programme features real-world case studies highlighting RWE’s hydrogen projects and includes group challenges designed to encourage critical thinking about global climate issues.

Golden Grove Primary School headteacher, Mr A Williams, welcomed the initiative, stating: “As head of a large primary school in Pembrokeshire, which is at the forefront of green energy growth, it is imperative that we build meaningful relationships with companies like RWE. The initial lesson captivated our learners, who now fully understand the importance of green energy and the new hydrogen plant. The flexibility of the New Welsh Curriculum allows us to tailor learning to our community’s needs—building an electrolyser to produce hydrogen is just the beginning of a journey that could lead to future opportunities in collaboration with businesses.”

Williams also highlighted the programme’s potential to shape future career paths, saying: “This project could provide highly skilled jobs in our county, and we need our learners to be at the forefront of that development.”

Building a sustainable future

Louise McDonnell, RWE’s hydrogen development manager, attended the event and emphasised the programme’s impact: “Our Hydrogen Education Programme equips young people with the knowledge and inspiration to make a difference. Hydrogen is a game-changer in the fight against climate change, and through this initiative, we’re helping students see the opportunities in clean energy. Education is key to building the skills and passion needed to achieve net zero and safeguard our planet.”

RWE’s Hydrogen Education Programme is more than just an awareness initiative—it aims to inspire careers in clean energy. By sparking curiosity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), the programme encourages students to explore future roles in the expanding hydrogen economy and renewable energy sector.

Hydrogen’s role in decarbonisation

RWE recently secured planning permission for the RWE Pembroke Green Hydrogen Project, a 100MWe electrolysis plant capable of producing approximately two metric tonnes of green hydrogen per hour. By replacing fossil fuels, the plant is expected to cut local CO2 emissions by about 93,000 tonnes annually, the equivalent of removing 18,600 cars from the road.

As the UK’s largest power producer and a leading renewable generator, RWE continues to develop hydrogen opportunities nationwide to support industrial decarbonisation and drive the transition to a cleaner energy future.

Community

New Men’s Shed opens at Milford Haven Station

Published

15 hours ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRANSPORT for Wales (TfW) has announced the opening of a new Men’s Shed at Milford Haven Station, transforming one of its stations into a valuable community hub.

Men’s Sheds are community spaces where people come together to make, repair, and repurpose items while supporting local projects. These grassroots initiatives play a crucial role in tackling social isolation and fostering a sense of community.

Research shows that Sheds offer significant health benefits, with 96% of members—known as Shedders—reporting a reduction in loneliness after joining. While traditionally associated with older men, Men’s Sheds are inclusive, welcoming people of all genders and backgrounds. Many involve women, and some operate exclusively for women.

The new Milford Haven Men’s Shed will provide a space for the community to connect, share skills, and form friendships. Shedders will have the freedom to decide how best to use the space to meet their needs.

Emma Collins, Station Manager for Milford Haven, said: “I am pleased that we are able to accommodate the Men’s Shed within the station and support this invaluable community group and the work they do.”

The Milford Haven Men’s Shed committee expressed gratitude to TfW for enabling the project, calling it a safe and welcoming space for older members of the community to build friendships and support well-being.

A spokesperson for the Shed said: “We hope to give back to the community some of the help we have received from TfW. We would also like to thank the National Lottery for the funding that made this project possible.”

They added: “Whether it’s crafting, working on projects, or simply dropping in for a cuppa and a chat, the Men’s Shed is here for the people of the town. We look forward to welcoming everyone.”

Community

Drop in sessions to help reshape Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

Published

6 days ago

January 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is pleased to announce the launch of a series of community drop-in sessions designed to gather feedback from residents and stakeholders. This initiative aims to identify issues and challenges that may impact the delivery of the Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The CRMP 2040 outlines the Service’s commitment to addressing risks, threats, and challenges faced by communities. These drop-in sessions provide an opportunity for residents to help shape the future of fire and rescue services in Mid and West Wales, ensuring safety and well-being remain a priority.

Shaping the future together

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray said: “We believe the best way to serve our communities is by involving them in the planning process. These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for us to listen, learn, and collaborate with the people we serve.”

The drop-in sessions, details of which are available on the MAWWFRS website, offer a platform for open dialogue. Residents can share their insights, concerns, and suggestions, contributing to the development of a modern Fire and Rescue Service tailored to their needs.

A data-driven approach

The CRMP 2040 adopts a data-driven approach, focusing on prevention, protection, and response to reduce emergencies’ impact and enhance public safety. By tailoring services to community needs, MAWWFRS is committed to building safer and more resilient communities.

Get involved

Community members are encouraged to attend these sessions and provide their feedback. To thank participants, MAWWFRS is offering a chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher. To enter, simply attend a session and complete the survey.

For more information about the plan or the upcoming drop-in sessions, visit the MAWWFRS website or contact the team at [email protected].

About MAWWFRS

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting and serving the communities of Mid and West Wales. Through prevention, protection, and response, the Service works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.