News

Pembrokeshire consultancy buys own premises

Published

7 years ago

March 12, 2019

PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED technical consultancy InSite Technical Services has completed the purchase of new premises at 1 Cleddau Bridge, Pembroke Dock.

This is an important milestone for the company, which has spent its first four years in serviced offices at the Bridge Innovation Centre, an incubation hub for new businesses. It now plans to move to the new premises, located opposite the Bridge Innovation Centre, at the end of March. The move is a result of the company’s dramatic growth. Founded after the closure of the Murco Pembrokeshire Oil Refinery, InSite has expanded from six founding directors in 2014 to its current workforce of 80, comprising a blend of full- and part-time employees, supporting contractors and associates. The company operates both locally and internationally, supplying engineering design, technical consultancy and operational services to the oil, gas, metals, chemicals, renewables, technology licensing and financial industries.

General Manager Jonathan Scarr said: “Due to our consistent growth over the past four years, we have outgrown our current premises.

“The Bridge Innovation Centre has been great at leasing additional office space to accommodate our requirements, but we have certainly stretched the intent of the incubation hub set-up, and it is time to move into our own place and spread our wings. By moving out we will be freeing up office space in the building that will allow other start-ups and growing companies to flourish.”

In order to continue serving its clients and reduce impact on its workforce, it was critical for the company to move to a building close to its current location.

Mr Scarr added: “The new premises are a mere stone’s throw away, so the location is ideal. The other major requirements were a modern purpose-built office building designed to a high specification, and sufficient space for future growth. Again, the premises over-performed on these criteria.”

In order to make the transition a smooth one, the company has created a steering committee that will plan both the refurbishment works to the new building and the actual relocation. The building is larger than InSite’s current required space, so they are also actively pursuing leasing arrangements.

Mr Scarr, who sees great potential in the new location, said: “We are in talks with a company which would be a good cultural fit with ourselves, to lease some of the surplus space.

“The main opportunities created by the move are obviously more room to grow, but also a chance to re-affirm our own identity as a company. The opportunity to change the physical appearance and configuration of the office interior will benefit the existing workforce, potential recruits and visiting clients.”

Mr Scarr added that the company has only been able to arrive at this point because of the support provided by the Bridge Innovation Centre, which is run by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“The serviced office environment was invaluable when we started out as it cut out a lot of the bureaucracy that would have come with an independent office such as long-term tenancy agreement, utility bills, internet, facilities and so on.

“We were able to move into a small office immediately and focus on winning work and delivering to clients. As we expanded, the building management team and the Council have been incredibly accommodating in offering us the additional space that we required. Without the flexible incubation hub, we would have struggled to grow as much as we have since inception four years ago.”

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

14 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

29 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

12 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)