TO CELEBRATE National Volunteers’ Week from June 1-7, local community enterprise Cwm Arian is inviting people to help transform their CoedUNO site, which is an exciting community growing and agroforestry space nestled in Tegryn. 

Thanks to a financial Community Grant from the Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG)- delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with the National Forest for Wales programme – these free, hands-on sessions will run every Tuesday morning for the next few months.

The project offers a unique opportunity to step out into nature, connect with a friendly team, and learn practical, regenerative land skills directly from an industry expert. All sessions are guided by volunteer coordinator Kevin Rabbitt, an experienced horticulturist, woodsman, and agroecology advisor. 

Under Kevin’s expert guidance, participants will gain rich, practical experience in everything from tree planting and plant species identification to mastering composting systems and nurturing soil health. Volunteers can also delve into traditional woodland crafts and broader regenerative land management.

Because the team wants these sessions to be shaped by the people who attend, volunteers are encouraged to share their own ideas and focus on the specific skills that interest them most. No prior experience is necessary, and a supportive, welcoming environment is guaranteed for everyone.

This collaborative effort comes at a pivotal time for CoedUNO, as work is actively underway to transform the site into a fully inclusive and accessible space. The project has already made fantastic progress with the completion of new, mobility-friendly pathways. 

The next phase of development will bring a dedicated tool-shed shelter, a disability-friendly compost toilet, and significantly improved vehicle access.

Since  active construction is taking place to upgrade this infrastructure, CoedUNO remains closed to the general public for safety reasons. Joining these supervised Tuesday sessions is currently the only way to experience the space and witness its transformation first-hand before the official public opening later this summer.

The sessions begin promptly at 10:00 am every Tuesday morning, with volunteers meeting in front of Ysgol Clyda in Tegryn (SA35 0BE), where convenient roadside parking is available. Due to the ongoing building works, organisers ask that participants approach the site with care and observe all safety signage.

To book a place, share project ideas, or find out more, please contact Kevin Rabbitt directly at [email protected]. 

FOLLOWING the overwhelming success of Craft Festival Wales 2025, which welcomed over 4,000 visitors from across Wales, the UK and overseas, Craft Festival Wales will return to Cardigan Castle from 11–13 September 2026.

Craft Festival has quickly become a major cultural highlight for Ceredigion, celebrating world-class craft, creativity and community in one of Wales’s most iconic heritage locations.

Sarah James MBE, Founder and Director says: “‘I am so thrilled that Craft Festival Wales is returning to Cardigan Castle in September. It represents a year of planning, working across a wide range of organisations to benefit as many people as possible. The people of Cardigan has welcomed Craft Festival with open arms and I cannot wait’.

New for 2026 is an exhibition, Aur/Gold, in partnership with the National Eisteddfod, celebrating past Gold Medal winners from Y Lle Celf. Hosted at Canfas Gallery, opening on August 1st, timed to coincide with the National Eisteddfod taking place just outside Cardigan.

Craft Festival Wales 2026 will once again showcase over 100 exceptional makers, carefully selected by an independent panel for the quality, originality and making of their work. Visitors can explore textiles, ceramics, glass, wood, metal, jewellery and more, all sustainably handmade and deeply rooted in skill, tradition and innovation.

Across Cardigan Castle, Craft Festival will feature workshops, demonstrations, The Capital of Craft talks, live music, new commissions, theatre and free children’s activities in partnership with local cultural organisations. Building on 2025’s success, the Craft Town Trail will return, expanding to more venues and featuring work displayed in windows across Cardigan, deepening links between heritage, place and creativity.

Craft Festival Wales continues to be a catalyst for economic and cultural growth, attracting tourists, supporting small creative businesses and providing a platform for emerging makers through awards, commissions, training and professional development including Preparing to Sell workshops and partnerships with Futureworks, Novus and QEST supporting young people and prison learners.

Ben Lake MP/AS, Ceredigion Penfro said: “The festival plays a significant role in fostering connections within the craft community while also enabling artists to reach new customers and markets, opening doors for future opportunities. The diversity of work on display, from ceramics and textiles to metalwork and woodcraft, demonstrates the rich tapestry of artistic talent we have in Wales, and it’s through events like this that such talent is nurtured and celebrated.”

Craft Festival Wales is proudly supported by Event Wales (Welsh Government) and local publicly and privately funded business partners. With its focus on quality, community engagement and Welsh culture, it is now firmly established as an annual flagship event.

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has become the first fire service in Wales to install specially designed sanitary bins for men with incontinence.

The service has installed 26 male incontinence bins across 22 sites as part of the Dispose with Dignity initiative, led by phs Group and Prostate Cancer UK.

The scheme supports men who experience bladder leaks, including those who have undergone life-saving treatment for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with one in eight men expected to develop the disease. The risk doubles to one in four for Black men. Urinary incontinence can be a side effect of treatment, including radical prostatectomy surgery.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service employs 1,420 people, 81 per cent of whom are men.

The organisation has now achieved the Gold level of The BOG STANDARD Charter, which recognises employers and organisations that install suitable disposal facilities, provide support, and help raise awareness of prostate cancer and incontinence.

Kelsey Tiffin, from the service’s estates department, said: “Like many employers, we didn’t know this was an issue that affected so many men, but as soon as we became aware, we wanted to take action to support our team.

“We want to ensure that all the men at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue can feel confident to come to work, knowing they will have the facilities they need to dispose of their incontinence pads.

“Talking about bladder leaks is never easy, but it’s so important for us to do this and reduce the stigma associated with it, because prostate cancer is so prevalent.

“We really hope having the bins will raise awareness of prostate cancer, as well as being a good reminder for men on our team to get their PSA checked at the GP sooner rather than later.”

More than 2,170 businesses and organisations across the UK have signed up to The BOG STANDARD, with more than 21,700 specially designed bins installed since the campaign launched in February 2023.

Matthew Brabin, chief executive of phs Group, said too many men were avoiding work, social events and everyday activities because suitable facilities were not available.

He said: “Whether it’s going to work, a conference, to their local sports club or even to the local for a pint, when there are no sanitary bins, men with incontinence are staying at home, when they should be with us.

“This is what our Dispose with Dignity initiative is trying to change, and we’re so pleased to see Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue join the fight by signing up to The BOG STANDARD Charter.”

Nick Ridgman, Head of Support Services at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically — but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men’s loos.

“It’s causing men stress and shame, and keeping them from going to work and doing the things they love.

“Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue is making the organisation more welcoming and accessible for every employee, and we hope other organisations will follow.”

Anyone concerned about prostate cancer can contact Prostate Cancer UK’s Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org.