PEMBROKE DOCK HERITAGE CENTRE has marked the 200th anniversary of the launch of HMS Erebus with a special event celebrating one of the town’s most remarkable maritime stories.

HMS Erebus was built at the Royal Dockyard in Pembroke Dock and launched on June 7, 1826, before going on to become one of the most famous exploration vessels of the 19th century.

The ship later took part in major polar expeditions, including voyages to Antarctica, before being lost during Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. Its wreck was discovered in Canadian waters in 2014, reigniting worldwide interest in the vessel and its Pembrokeshire origins.

The anniversary event was attended by supporters, volunteers and visitors, with music from folk trio Broadoak and a presentation by Professor Russell Potter on the ship’s extraordinary career.

The Heritage Centre thanked everyone who helped make the event possible, including its volunteers, catering team, musicians and guest of honour Professor Potter.

The new exhibition, HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery, opens to the public on Monday (Jun 8).

Professor Potter will also give a public talk, From Land’s End to the Ends of the Earth: The Eventful Career of HMS Erebus, at 10:30am.

WELSH legal and housing advice charities are to receive funding from a £3.9 million grants programme using unclaimed money from a major class action case.

The Access to Justice Foundation has announced the recipients of its Improving Lives Through Advice 2026 programme, which will support 16 organisations across the UK over three years.

The money comes from unclaimed settlement funds from the Gutmann v SW Trains case, also known as the Boundary Fare class action.

In Wales, the organisations named include Citizens Advice Caerphilly Blaenau Gwent, Cyngor ar Bopeth Powys Citizens Advice, Speakeasy Law Centre, also known as South Wales Law Centre, and Shelter Cymru.

The foundation said the funding is being directed to areas where class members were based and where access to free legal advice is most needed.

Although no Pembrokeshire organisation is named directly, the funding is likely to support services used by people across Wales, including those facing housing problems, debt, benefits issues, consumer disputes and difficulties accessing legal advice.

Clare Carter, chief executive of the Access to Justice Foundation, said: “Unclaimed funds from collective actions represent a significant opportunity to strengthen access to justice.

“These organisations are the first point of call for people to understand and enforce their rights. This grant round will ensure that the outcomes of collective actions are felt by consumers across the UK.”

The foundation said the programme had been heavily oversubscribed, with 315 applications seeking more than £70 million in support.

It said the level of demand showed the pressure facing free legal advice services, with many charities now acting as the first and only place people can turn when trying to enforce their rights.

The Access to Justice Foundation said more than two thirds of adults in England and Wales face a legal problem each year, while more than 11 million people do not get help to resolve their legal issues.

The grants programme is the first in the UK to redistribute unclaimed class action money in this way.

HUNDREDS of local families are expected to flock to Withybush Showground this July as a huge free inflatable fun day promises bouncy castles, food, music and entertainment for children of all ages.

Organised by Pure West Radio in association with Haverfordwest Town Council, the “Free Family Inflatable Fun Day” will take place on Sunday, July 19, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

The event will feature a wide range of inflatables, an under-fives play park, street food vendors, music and family entertainment throughout the day.

Organisers say the event is expected to be one of the biggest family attractions of the summer, but spaces for children will be limited.

Tickets released this week

Tickets will be released on Thursday, June 11 at 7:00pm and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Only 600 child spaces will be available, with families being encouraged to book quickly to avoid disappointment.

While entry to the event is free, organisers say a compulsory £1 donation per ticket will go towards supporting Milford Youth Matters, Pure West Radio’s Charity of the Year.

Supporting local young people

Milford Youth Matters provides support, activities and opportunities for young people in Pembrokeshire, and organisers hope the event will help raise both awareness and funds for the charity.

A spokesperson for Pure West Radio said the event aims to offer a fun, affordable day out for local families during the summer holidays, bringing the community together for a day of entertainment.

Families interested in attending are being urged to keep an eye on Pure West Radio’s social media channels for ticket release details.

Photo caption: Summer fun: Families are being invited to a free inflatable fun day at Withybush Showground this July (Pic: Pure West Radio).