News

Pembroke Dock Central

Published

8 years ago

April 4, 2017

Maureen Bowen – Labour

“Born in Wales, daughter of a Welsh Miner, and like my Father, a strong trade unionist and Labour supporter, as my father would say “ It is only Labour that cares about ordinary people” and that sentiment is still true today. I have been active in politics and the trade union movement for many years, I have held elected positions in both.

“Labour District Councillor for 14 years
• Health Scrutiny Committee
• Planning Committee
• Housing Committee
• Public Appeals Committee
• Trustee Citizen Advice bureau
• School Governor
• Trustee of a Community based charity

“Trade Union USDAW,
• Shop Steward
• Health and safety Rep
• Branch Secretary
• Divisional Councillor
• Executive Committee member.

“Having now returned home to Wales, both my children were born in Pembroke Dock Hospital, I would be honoured, if elected, to be able to use my knowledge of local Government for the benefit of the residents of Pembroke Dock Central.

“My pledges to you.
• A Living Wage for Carers
• Recruiting the best teachers to our schools through the Critical Skills programme.
• Delivering real regeneration in our town centre using some of £5m a year of capital funding made available every year to 2021.
• Reducing the cost of bridge tickets on the Cleddau Bridge to 20p per crossing starting in 2018.
• Never again sanctioning huge payoffs for wrongdoing or incompetence.
• Attract industry to the area that gives employment that pays a ‘Real Living Wage’”

Richard Day

Plaid Cymru

Paul Dowson

Independent

Phil Gwyther

Independent

“I have been married to Linda for 42 years and lived all my life in Pembroke Dock, my father worked all his life in the Dockyard and my grandfather ran a coal delivery business from the old King Street, so I can safely say that this town is in my blood! All my adult life I have taken part in various forms of public service and I want to continue this by serving the town at County Council level. I hope you feel you can give me the opportunity, with your vote.

“Town Councillor for 20 years – I am proud to have served the people of the town in this way as the second longest serving Town Councillor.

“Trustee of the Pater Hall for 10 years – I was co-signatory of the Pater Hall Trust Charter with former Mayor, Cllr. Ron Watts and have worked hard since, alongside a great team of volunteers to see the Hall repaired and greatly improved for the benefit of the community. The Trust has generated over £400,000 of grants in 10 years – money which has saved the people of Pembroke Dock having to pay through their council tax.

“Quins Player for 15 Years – I take pride in the fact that I represented my home town at Rugby as did my father before me.

“Scout Leader for 15 years – In my younger days I was a Scout Leader and a committee member for years. I still support this great organisation.

“Badminton Club Coach for 30 years – I am an active, qualified coach at the local Junior Badminton Club. I believe sport is vital for the children.

“Trustee on the Citizens Advice Bureau – I represented the Town Council on the C.A.B. which offers free advice and support to the Public.

“Improvements I want to see in our town:

“The Shopping Centre – It needs proper investment from the County Council. New pavements and roads are long overdue for our town centre and would be a good start to encouraging much needed new businesses. Reducing car park charges would also help.

“Parks and Play Areas – Outdoor green areas for Sport and activities for youngsters are vital. County Council’s policies have seen play areas in the town decimated. We must do better for our children and change that policy.

“Bridge tolls reduced – These are making a handsome profit for the council and are unfair to Pembroke Dock people who use it the most and are subsidising low rates for the rest of the County.

“More Toilets – This council seems to have forgotten the meaning of “Serving the Public” Toilets are one of the most basic facilities they can provide and yet our town of 9,000 people has only one set of toilets. We must improve this for both locals and tourists.

“Grants Scandal Resolved – Evidence seems to show that shoddy work on the Grants Scheme has left the town badly short changed and the county council reputation damaged. This will linger until the three year investigation is brought to court.

“Education – Our four children were all educated in Pembroke Dock and all went on to higher education. I am so pleased to see the rebuilding of Pembroke School underway and as a county councillor I would work to preserve and improve learning opportunities for all our children.

“Social Care – Services for vulnerable children and older people are sometimes seen as the Cinderella services. I would ensure they had the prominence they deserve.

“Openness and transparency – I will not join a party group because I think I can best serve you by being YOUR voice at County Hall. I will be open and I expect the council to be as well. No more secret meetings behind closed doors.

“No more reductions in front line services – The workers on minimum wages, who provide the services, are stretched to the limit while there are too many layers of highly paid administrative staff.”
Terry Judkins

George Manning

Independent

News

Young Changemakers Drive Wales Toward a Net Zero Future

Published

2 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AS world leaders gathered at COP29 to address global climate challenges, young people in Wales were making their own mark on the path to a greener future. The Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon, held last Friday, showcased the ingenuity, passion, and practical solutions of 26 young finalists from across Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

This flagship event, hosted by Pembrokeshire-based education enterprise Cymbrogi Futures, is part of a year-long programme empowering young learners with the skills and confidence to tackle climate challenges head-on.

THE WINNING IDEA: FAIR FASHION

The team from Queen Elizabeth High School, Carmarthenshire, stole the show with their innovative project addressing fast fashion waste. Their idea? Personalised soft toys crafted from discarded fabric destined for landfill. By engaging with local businesses and charity shops, the team not only demonstrated creativity but also gained practical insights into the environmental impact of textile waste.

Nia John, lead teacher for the team, shared: “This project allowed us to incorporate real-world learning into the classroom. Pupils were thrilled to interact with industry experts, growing their ideas through meaningful collaboration.”

Ariana, the team leader, reflected: “I enjoyed learning skills like collaboration and creativity, which will help me in the future. This experience has inspired me to start our school’s Climate Action group.”

OTHER FINALISTS: CONNECTING COMMUNITIES

Equally impressive was Milford Haven School’s ‘Cafe Cleddau’, a visionary concept featuring a solar-powered boat to connect communities along the Haven waterway. With sustainable snacks, a soft-play area, and hydro-powered backup systems, the idea aimed to revolutionise tourism and nightlife in the region.

All finalist teams received vouchers for the ethical online store Social Supermarket, while the winning team took home a £300 cash prize to fund biodiversity projects at their school.

BUILDING A NET ZERO FUTURE

Cymbrogi’s founder, Liza Lort-Phillips, underlined the importance of initiatives like Tomorrow’s Changemakers:
“Today’s learners will face far greater challenges in a climate-changed world than any of us. By sparking their imaginations now, we can equip them to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.”

The programme was supported by major partners, including the Port of Milford Haven and Cwm Environmental, who provided real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities in Wales’ green economy.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, remarked: “This initiative is vital. Empowering the next generation with green skills and confidence ensures they are ready to lead the charge toward a net-zero future.”

A COMMUNITY-ROOTED CHALLENGE

The hackathon is the culmination of a three-stage learning journey inspired by the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the UN Global Goals. The programme began with an online course introducing topics such as the circular economy and systems thinking, followed by mini-challenges rooted in real-world scenarios in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Learners explored diverse challenges, including:

Sustainable Tourism: Imagining a car-free holiday in Milford Haven.
Energy: Exploring renewable solutions for rural Wales.
Fashion: Tackling fast fashion waste.

The finalists worked with industry experts, visiting sites such as the Port of Milford Haven and Cwm Environmental to gain hands-on experience.

A CALL TO ACTION

Samuel Kurtz, MS for South Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, praised the event:
“The curiosity and ingenuity of these students are truly inspiring. Their ambition shows they are ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead. Initiatives like this are essential for building a resilient and sustainable future.”

Cymbrogi Futures hopes to expand the programme to schools across Wales, with plans to reach Wrexham and Neath Port Talbot in 2025.

As Wales leads the charge toward a net-zero future, the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme reminds us that the solutions of tomorrow lie in the hands of today’s young minds.

Pictured above: Young innovators: Queen Elizabeth High students celebrate their Fair Fashion project victory (Pic: MHPA).

Community

Port supports Cruising Free’s Atlantic Dash with donation of safety equipment

Published

14 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced a donation of vital safety equipment to support local group Cruising Free, who will be embarking on a challenging 3,200-mile rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The crew of Cruising Free will row from Lanzarote to Antigua to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Port of Milford Haven’s donation includes a comprehensive range of safety gear designed to support the crew’s journey and ensure their safety during this extraordinary expedition. Items provided include:

Flare Kit
Satellite Phone
VHF Radios
First Aid Kits
GPS Equipment
Lights
Safety Lines
And more

The Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s leading energy Port, is committed to supporting local maritime initiatives. This donation is a key part of the Port’s ongoing efforts to promote safety in all aspects of maritime activity, particularly for adventurous projects like Atlantic Dash.

“We are proud to support the amazing crew of Cruising Free as they undertake this monumental challenge,” said Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven. “Safety is paramount for anyone taking to the sea, and we hope that the equipment we’ve provided will support them as they navigate the Atlantic. Their journey will not only raise vital funds for two incredibly worthwhile causes but also inspire people across the UK and beyond. We are excited to be part of their journey and wish them the very best of luck.”

The Atlantic Dash will see the team of experienced rowers tackle the gruelling transatlantic journey, which is expected to take several weeks. The funds raised by Cruising Free will directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which supports research and care for people living with cystic fibrosis, and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides specialist palliative care services to individuals in West Wales.

“We are truly and eternally grateful to Port of Milford Haven who have provided us with the essential safety equipment needed to embark on our 3,200 mile journey from Lanzarote to Antigua. We are hoping not to need to use the flares or safety lines, but the satellite phone and VHF radio will keep us connected with land and loved-ones through the entire 2-month journey. Thank you!” said Polly Zipperlen, team member of Cruising Free.

Cruising Free’s row across the Atlantic will begin in January 2025, and the crew’s journey will be tracked in real time to allow supporters to follow their progress. The team is already actively fundraising and plans to hold several community events in the lead-up to their departure.

To learn more about Cruising Free’s Atlantic Row and how you can support their cause, visit their Linktree here.

News

A48 closed in both directions following two crashes near Cross Hands

Published

19 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE A48 near Cross Hands remains closed in both directions after two separate crashes on Thursday evening (Nov 14).

Drivers are being urged to avoid the area as congestion continues to build.

The eastbound closure stretches from the A476 Llandeilo Road (Cross Hands Roundabout) to Heol-Y-Deri (Cwmgwili Junction).

Meanwhile, the westbound section is closed between the M4 at Pont Abraham Roundabout and the A476 at Cross Hands.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its attendance at the scene, noting that one of the crashes involved a single vehicle. Emergency services are currently working to clear the area.

Congestion has been reported on surrounding routes, including the A483 towards the Pont Abraham Interchange, the M4 leading to the interchange, and the A476 towards Cross Hands Roundabout.

At 9:50pm, the A48 was still closed in both directions. Earlier reports at 7:03pm confirmed the eastbound closure was due to a single-vehicle collision. Google Maps highlighted heavy traffic on nearby roads as drivers sought alternative routes.

By 9:30pm, traffic on surrounding roads had eased slightly, but delays persist as the main route remains inaccessible.

Motorists are advised to check for updates before planning their journeys and to follow diversions where possible.