Fundraising event for young Megan’s surgery

Published

9 years ago

January 1, 2017

Megan at the fundraiser: Delighted with the money raised (pic. Mike Hillen)

MEGAN, a 10-year-old girl from Pembrokeshire, is currently awaiting life-changing surgery in Philadelphia following her diagnosis with scoliosis at just six-years-old.

Over the past year, Megan’s spine curvature has increased from a 50 degree curve to 62 degrees, a significant curvature for a 10-year-old that will require spine straightening surgery.

Megan is currently wearing a Boston Brace 23 hours a day.

Her mother, Laura, has now discovered a life-changing surgery called VBT (Vertebral Body Tethering) that has been producing some amazing results.

This fairly new surgery is best performed on younger patients whilst their skeleton is immature and their curvature is less than 70 degrees.

The surgery will mean that Megan would maintain her flexibility and avoid further surgeries in the future. VBT also offers a quicker recovery time and a better quality of life.

Up until recently, VBT was offered in the UK as part of the NHS; however, it has now been cancelled. Megan’s only option now is to seek surgery abroad.

On Friday (Jan 27), the Milford Haven Gymnastic Club held a fundraiser for Megan’s VBT surgery at the Meads Sport Centre.

The squad gave a fantastic display of their gymnastic skills, with the West Wales Show Choir providing additional entertainment with music and songs.

Gymnastics show: Displaying their skills (pic. Mike Hillen)

West Wales Show Choir: Provided musical entertainment (pic. Mike Hillen)

To the delight of everyone who attended, £846 was raised on the evening, with the total raised for Megan’s fund by the club at £2321. The Rotary club donated £1000 towards this number.

Megan’s mum said: “We are so so grateful for this amazing club, £846 raised on Megan’s fundraising evening and with all the letters they sent out to appeal to people to help the total came to £2321!

“We are so blessed to have these amazing people in our lives who support and care about Megan so much to do all this for her.”

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

46 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Business

Main Street Music to close retail shop as owner focuses on handmade guitars

Published

51 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire music shop is changing the way it operates, with Main Street Music confirming it will no longer trade as a retail shop from September 1.

The business said there will be an immediate 15% sale on all stock, but stressed that Main Street Music is not disappearing completely.

The owner said the decision had been made “with a heavy heart”, adding that the shop’s closure as a retail outlet would be a loss for Pembrokeshire as the county’s last professional guitar dealership.

He said his long-term passion had always been making musical instruments, something he had done since his teenage years, later receiving scholarships and a fellowship for his studies.

After college, he was given the opportunity to buy the business at the age of 24.

He said: “I have had an amazing time running this shop, giving it everything I’ve got, met some wonderful people and sold some incredible guitars.”

Although the business itself remains successful, he said tighter retail margins, dealership pressures and rising costs had made it difficult to grow in a way that would allow him to employ others and spend more time in the workshop.

The shop will eventually reopen as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

Current repair work will continue on a case-by-case basis by appointment only.

Main Street Music thanked customers for their support over recent years, saying the owner was proud of where the shop had been taken.

Caption:

Main Street Music will close as a retail shop from September 1, but will continue as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

News

Crackwell Street set to reopen after five-month closure

Published

2 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ROADWORKS linked to structural repairs at Goscar House in Tenby are nearing completion, with Crackwell Street expected to reopen to through traffic today (Wednesday, June 24).

Scaffolding has now been removed from the property, with contractors carrying out a general clearance of the area.

The road has been closed for around five months while structural repair work has been taking place.

Local residents, businesses and visitors are expected to welcome the reopening, with Crackwell Street forming an important route through the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council has indicated that, all being well, the road will reopen later today.

Gareth Davies, of Gareth Davies Photography Tenby, said it was “good to see the removal of scaffolding today and general clearance on the property”.

He added that locals and visitors would be “so pleased” to see the road open once again.

Photo caption:

Clearance work: Contractors at Crackwell Street, Tenby, as scaffolding is removed from Goscar House (Pic: Gareth Davies).