News

Social worker wins national award

Published

7 years ago

March 28, 2019

A SOCIAL worker in Pembrokeshire has received a prestigious national accolade thanks to her inspirational leadership of a new family support Team.

Amy Slater, who is based at the Flying Start centre in Pennar, won the ‘Innovative Social Work’ category in the BASW Cymru Social Work Awards 2019, held last week.

The small team – set up less than 12 months ago – is ground-breaking in its work on early intervention, says Amy’s supervisor Trish Mellor, who nominated her for the award.

“Amy has been influential in moving this service area forward, being creative and innovative in her approach,” she said. “She has a very modest, yet sensitive and ethical approach to building purposeful relationships with families and other professionals.

“Her particular skills lie in her ability to be non-oppressive with parents and carers who are vulnerable and are also very often anxious and totally overwhelmed in their role as parents.”

A range of parents supported Amy’s nomination. One said: “The support we had has been a massive help. I have been put at ease with everything from my mental health after pregnancy to dealing with a previous landlord and getting a new home. Literally couldn’t have done it without Amy over the past year.”

Another parent said: “Flying Start have helped me to make a completely new start. I couldn’t have done it without Amy. I feel brilliant.”

Originally from Abergavenny, Amy qualified as a social worker 18 years ago and worked for many years in the voluntary sector in London, including with Action for Children, Barnado’s and organisations combating child sexual exploitation.

For the last five years she has worked in Pembrokeshire County Council’s social care service based in the county’s Flying Start centres.

Her team takes a holistic approach towards early intervention, working with families on anything from mental health support and relationship problems to ensuring they have access to community resources and tackling hardship issues.

Amy said she was glad the work of preventative services had been recognised.

“Some people think it’s a fairly straightforward area of social work but it can be quite challenging,” she said. “It’s all about helping families to build up resilience so that their child can reach their potential in their early years and participate fully when they go to school.

“It’s a crucial period for children and families. This is the time we should be investing in; it sets the scene for their whole lives.”

A social care colleague said: “It is an inspiration and a joy to work alongside Amy. She is professional at all times without losing her empathic approach with families.”

Amy’s health colleagues in other areas of the Flying Start programme were also generous in their praise. “Her preventative approach to working has been invaluable in supporting Health Visitors and Community Nursery Nurses to safely manage families on their caseloads who are not quite meeting the threshold for statutory social care,” said one.

Another colleague said: “The Health team would love to see an “Amy” available to every community team in the County.”

Amy said an important feature of the Family Support Team are that they are flexible, responsive and compassionate in their delivery.

“We’re quite a new team and have had a busy year of trying to get things done but it makes my job really enjoyable working alongside people who are committed and enthusiastic and believe in what they’re doing.”

Community

Milford Haven EarthCam back online after brief technical issue

Published

9 minutes ago

July 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN’S popular EarthCam is back in action following a brief technical issue.

The camera, positioned on top of the Pembrokeshire Herald building at 11 Hamilton Terrace, provides panoramic views across the town, marina and the Milford Haven Waterway.

The live feed captures shipping movements and changing weather conditions along the Haven, with striking views towards the refinery and energy terminals further upstream.

Viewers can also follow the progress of the new block of flats being constructed on Charles Street, on the former Motorworld site.

The camera has proved popular with residents, former Pembrokeshire residents living further afield, maritime enthusiasts and visitors keen to check conditions around the town and waterway.

WATCH THE MILFORD HAVEN EARTHCAM LIVE

Entertainment

Torch Theatre reveals full Sunset Cinema line-up for summer 2026

Published

1 hour ago

July 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Outdoor screenings will take place at waterfront and historic locations across Pembrokeshire, including Milford Haven, Saundersfoot, St Davids and Pembroke Castle

DECKCHAIRS, blankets and picnics will be at the ready as the Torch Theatre’s popular Sunset Cinema returns for another summer of outdoor screenings.

The 2026 season will take audiences from Mackerel Quay in Milford Haven to Saundersfoot Harbour, Tŵr y Felin in St Davids and the spectacular surroundings of Pembroke Castle.

Working with media partner Pure West Radio, the Torch Theatre will tour Pembrokeshire with a large LED screen designed to provide a clear picture in daylight and in changing weather conditions.

This year’s programme includes family favourites, Hollywood classics and blockbuster adventures, with screenings of Finding Nemo, Back to the Future, Shark Tale, Jaws, Jurassic World, The Greatest Showman, How to Train Your Dragon and Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

The season begins at Mackerel Quay on Friday, July 17, with a double bill. Finding Nemo will be shown at 2.30pm, followed by Back to the Future at 7pm.

The following evening, Saundersfoot Harbour will host a premiere screening of Near and Distant Things, a new film by local filmmaker Emily Batty that was shot in and around Saundersfoot.

Sunset Cinema programme

Friday, July 17, Mackerel Quay, Milford Haven

Finding Nemo at 2.30pm
Back to the Future at 7pm

Saturday, July 18, Saundersfoot Harbour

Emily Batty’s Near and Distant Things at 7pm

Saturday, August 8, Saundersfoot Harbour

Shark Tale at 2.30pm
Jaws at 7pm

Saturday, August 15, Tŵr y Felin, St Davids

Jurassic World at 7pm

Friday, August 21, Milford Haven Port Authority

The Greatest Showman at 7pm

Friday, August 28, Pembroke Castle

How to Train Your Dragon at 2.30pm

Saturday, August 29, Pembroke Castle

Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet at 7pm

The Torch Theatre’s Sunset Cinema season will run from Friday, July 17, until Saturday, August 29.

Tickets can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

Community

Neyland Carnival hailed a huge success after streets fill with colour and crowds

Published

2 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND CARNIVAL organisers have thanked the community, volunteers and local businesses who helped make this year’s event a memorable success.

Crowds lined the streets on Saturday, July 11, as a colourful parade made its way through the town before the celebrations continued at Neyland RFC.

Organisers said the day had exceeded expectations, with families turning out in the sunshine to support the parade, musicians, stalls and activities.

***Carnival King and Queen: Malcolm and Margaret***

Posting after the event, Neyland Carnival said: “Yesterday certainly didn’t disappoint. What a fantastic day we had.

“We hope everyone enjoyed it as much as we did. It’s always great to see how well the carnival is supported.

“Thank you to all that entered the parade and to everyone that lined the streets.”

Organisers also thanked Margaret and Malcolm, who served as the town’s King and Queen, along with everyone who entered the parade and helped create the floats and costumes.

Audrey John donated fabric to help decorate the Prince and Princess float, while Becki Lorch provided hair styling for the princesses.

Sinclair Neyland supplied the vehicle used by the town’s King and Queen, with John Gidman acting as driver.

Neyland RFC provided the use of its pitch, with members of the junior section helping with the clean-up. The Hub and its staff were also thanked for hosting and supporting the event.

Green Light Traffic Management provided vehicles and helped manage traffic, supported by Valero volunteers and other volunteers working on the gates and road closures.

The carnival’s three main sponsors were Ron Skinner & Sons, Community Interest Care and Neyland Town Council.

Further sponsorship was provided by Hart Windows & Doors, The Plaice to Eat, No Mercy Wrestling and Cleddau Memorials.

Organisers also thanked Rob Hymers for providing the stage, Communic8 for equipment hire, Phil Haskett-Smith for photography, Junk Monkey for skip hire and Pro Scaffolding Pembrokeshire.

Rose and Willow helped keep children hydrated during registration, while Arthur Day managed the carnival field.

Thanks were also extended to all of the musicians, stallholders and volunteers who supported the event, including those who returned on Sunday morning to help with the clean-up.

Stuart Rice was thanked for helping with advertising.

The parade was judged by Neyland Mayor Peter Hay, Pembroke Dock Mayor Tony Wilcox and Neyland East county councillor Simon Hancock.

Organisers said the strength of support from residents, businesses and volunteers had once again shown the community spirit behind one of Neyland’s most popular annual events.