News

Former First Sea Lord renews local links

Published

11 years ago

March 28, 2014

ADMIRAL The Right Hon The Lord West of Spithead was the guest of the Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman at a private reception in County Hall, Haverfordwest, on Monday (March 10).

As Commander Alan West, he was Captain of the frigate HMS Ardent which was Milford Haven’s adopted warship when it was sunk by Argentine aircraft with the loss of 22 men during the Falklands conflict in May, 1982.Lord West has strong Pembrokeshire connections. His great-grandfather worked on the construction of the Royal Yacht, Victoria and Albert, at Pembroke Dockyard in the 1890s.

His grandfather and his mother were born in Pembroke Dock and he also had an uncle and aunt, Reg and Eva Phillips, who lived at Hillside, Freshwater East, where he spent holidays, Indeed the first time the Lord West braved the sea he was only 11-years-old and in a small boat off Freshwater East while staying with his uncle and aunt.

He retired from the Royal Navy as First Sea Lord in 2006 and later served in the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s administration as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office with responsibility for security.

After being created a Life Peer, he took his seat in the House of Lords in 2007.

Lord West was in Pembrokeshire to launch a book written by Pembroke Dock-born naval historian, Lieutenant-Commander Lawrence Phillips.

The book ‘Pembroke Dockyard and the Old Navy – A Bicentennial History’ is being published to mark the 200th anniversary of Pembroke Dock.Lt-Cdr Phillips, who lives in London, is a former reporter and spent a distinguished career in the Ministry of Defence. He is the brother of former Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Brian Phillips of Pembroke Dock.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

5 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.