Community

Experience counts for Ormond!

Published

12 years ago

April 4, 2014

AN UNIQUE project aimed at helping older people back into work has chalked up another success story!

Experience Counts, the Big Lottery funded Life Skills project run by Futureworks – the County Council’s Regeneration service, has just marked its 80th success with Ormond Jones.

Fifty-three-year-old Ormond from Neyland gave up work five years ago to care for his wife. The highly qualified and experienced IT worker had worked at IBM for over 20 years before returning to Pembrokeshire in 2001. On deciding to return to the jobs market he found himself facing challenging times with a somewhat “stale” CV.

Taken on by Experience Counts, which aims to help older people by offering a range of supportive and skills opportunities, he was helped to develop his CV and applications. Within four weeks of sending a speculative CV to Neyland company Merit Software he was called for interview and offered a position. He has now worked for the company for three months.

“It was difficult coming back into what was for me unknown job territory,” said Ormond Jones.

“All I needed was someone to believe in me and Experience Counts certainly did that.”

Mike Arran, Managing Director of Merit Software said the company looked forward to developing its relationship with Futureworks especially if they continued to introduce talented individuals like Ormond.

“We employ over 30 people at our offices in Neyland where we design, develop and support innovative payroll and billing solutions for recruitment agencies and umbrella companies throughout the UK,” he said.

“With a multi-million pound turnover and a strong pipeline of new business we are always on the lookout for talented individuals who, like Ormond, will contribute to the success and future growth of the company.”

Experience Counts is a Big Lottery funded Life Skill scheme aimed at the over 50’s. We offer IT training; help with employability skills and gaining employment. For more information contact Futureworks at Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 776437

For more information about the Experience Counts project please contact Futureworks on 01437 776437.

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

43 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

20 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 days ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.