News
ESTEAM awarded grant by Greggs Foundation
The plot for the polytunnel: (L-R) Paul Cook, Marion, Anthony, Tommy (knuckles), Jason, John and Robert (pic. Mike Hillen)
ESTEAM is a local community based organisation, which provides work experience, training and education for people with learning disabilities in west Wales. It has just been awarded a grant from the Greggs Foundation to buy a poly-tunnel that will be used to set up a micro enterprise by the people who attend the organisation.
Esteam – the Environmental Sustainability Team – is based at The Warren, Warren, near Pembroke. They offer the chance to gain first hand experience and training in environmental work, and to work in partnership with other groups in the community. Esteam offer a supportive learning environment, where courses are tailored to meet the needs and interests of the individual.
Esteam provides an alternative to current day service provision to people with learning disabilities & with mental health issues. Participants can take part in a wide range of practical activities including: Tree planting, countryside conservation, beach cleaning, wood work, garden maintenance, growing and preparing food, bicycle renovation & maintenance, hand tool renovation with tools for self reliance, furniture making and woodland management. All participants receive on the job training and are able to do accredited courses of their choice through the Open College Network.
Tool Restoration Shed: Where the members work (pic. Mike Hillen)
The organisation was set up by Paul Cook 12 years ago, and since 2006 the organisation has been helping people in developing countries to get out of poverty through the Tools for Self Reliance scheme. The scheme sees Paul and his students renovate hands tools taken in from all over the county, the then make them into kits such as Builders, Cobblers and Blacksmiths kits which then get sent to Africa.
Esteam also make a range of signs and cards, available from shops in the local area, in their Screen Printing training room. They are given pallets which are used for furniture making and craft activities, and the broken bits of wood are made into kindling which are available for the public to buy at £5 for a sack.
Esteam is a not for profit organisation and recieves no funding, so the award from the Greggs Foundation is a great help.
The Organisation is holding an open day on Thursday (Oct 27) from 10am – 2pm at the base in Warren, and anyone wishing to see what they do will be made very welcome.
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
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