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How the Lottery has helped Pembrokeshire

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AS THE NATIONAL LOTTERY celebrates its 25th Birthday next week, charities and community groups in Pembrokeshire are marking the incredible impact of the £63 million awarded to more than 2,400 good causes in the area over the last quarter of a century.
The National Lottery‘s first draw took place on 19 November 1994 and the 25th Birthday is a moment to celebrate the extraordinary impact the National Lottery has had on good causes in Pembrokeshire – large and small – in the areas of arts, sport, heritage and community.
Whether it’s funding for large iconic projects and landmarks; small community projects which make a big difference; producing the most amazing films; or supporting grassroots sports clubs – it’s thanks to National Lottery players, who raise more than £6.4 million each month for good causes in Wales, that brilliant projects which support our communities and make a vital and sustained contribution to our national life are possible.
A wide variety of other local projects in Pembrokeshire have received National Lottery funding over the last 25 years, including:

  • £4.8 million towards modernising and redeveloping the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven – a vibrant centre for the arts;
  • £2 million to Revitalise, renovate and conserve historic properties in Haverfordwest town’s conservation area so they can become more attractive and commercially viable; and
  • £427,000 to build Haverfordwest Skatepark – a free to access outdoor skateboarding, skating and biking facility in the town which opened in 2013. Wales and Pembrokeshire’s own World Champion wheelchair sports superstar, Lily Rice, can often be seen practicing her tricks here.

70% of all National Lottery grants however have been for small amounts worth up to £10,000, bringing benefits to communities far and wide. These include:

  • £10,000 for Pembrokeshire based The DPJ foundation in 2016 to launch and raise awareness of Share the Load – a 24/7 telephone and counselling service for people with mental health problems in rural communities. The charity was established by 31-year-old Emma Picton-Jones, whose 34-year-old husband, Daniel Picton-Jones, an agricultural contractor, tragically took his own life in 2016 after battling with depression and anxiety;
  • £4,885 for the Fishguard Unit 142 of the Sea Cadet Corps to create an IT suite which will benefit the cadets and the wider community; and
  • £1,500 for Fishguard and Goodwick Jemima Rowing Club to purchase new equipment and coaching training.

In the last 25 years, more than £166 million of National Lottery funding has been invested to 17,300 grassroots sports projects in Wales – creating opportunities for everyone to get fit and improve their lives through sport. The National Lottery has also helped develop some of Wales’ most successful and recognisable athletes to thrive. Those currently reaping the rewards from the National Lottery funded World Class Programme include 30-year-old Matt Bush from Neyland who became the first British man to claim a title at the World Para-taekwondo championships in Turkey this year. The World Class Programme affords athletes coaching, training, and competition support, medical, technology and scientific services. Matt, who stands at 6ft 5in is joined by Welsh Taekwondo star Jade Jones on the programme and has his sights firmly set on representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020.

Highlighting the impact of the National Lottery in Wales over the last 25 years, Nick Capaldi, Chair of The Wales National Lottery Forum and the Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Wales, said: “For 25 years, The National Lottery has been creating possibilities and making us proud of our communities whilst protecting the things we’re most passionate about in Wales. Without the funding, many of our most loved and iconic landmarks wouldn’t exist and many charities wouldn’t be changing lives to the scale they are now. The 25th Birthday is a time to recognise and reflect on the momentous and positive impact the National Lottery has had on the lives of people in communities throughout Wales.”

 

Crime

Three more arrested after 18-year-old dies in Gorseinon crash

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Five people are now in custody following a collision involving a car and an off-road motorcycle

THREE more men have been arrested after an 18-year-old died following a collision between a car and an off-road motorcycle in Gorseinon.

South Wales Police were called to Pen Cae Crwn Road at around 12:58pm on Thursday, where the teenager, who is believed to have been from Swansea, was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second man, aged 19, was taken to hospital with injuries.

Two 18-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday.

Police confirmed on Friday that a further three arrests had been made.

A 33-year-old man from Gorseinon was arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 38-year-old man from Gowerton and a 38-year-old man from Mount Pleasant were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The latest arrests bring the total number of people detained in connection with the investigation to five.

Several roads in the area remained closed on Friday morning while officers continued their investigation.

Cordons had been removed from some streets, although traffic cones, road signs and police tape remained at the roadside.

Gorseinon Rugby Club chairman Ian Murphy said the local community had been left in “deep shock”.

He said: “For youngsters to get involved in a tragedy like this is shocking and disturbing, very disturbing for us all.

“Everybody was talking about it. All the roads were closed by police and ambulances, so it took a while for it to sink in what was going on.

“We were aware that there might have been a chase involving a car and a motorbike, and the full tragedy unfolded from there.”

South Wales Police has not confirmed the circumstances leading up to the collision, and enquiries remain ongoing.

 

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Health

Hywel Dda patients waited average of 64 weeks for hip surgery

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Freedom of Information figures show more than 1,600 patients remained on the health board’s hip replacement waiting list in May

PATIENTS awaiting elective hip replacement surgery under Hywel Dda University Health Board waited an average of 450 days during the 2025/26 financial year, according to newly released figures.

The average wait was equivalent to just over 64 weeks, significantly longer than the treatment times set out under Welsh NHS targets.

The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request submitted to the health board by private healthcare marketplace My Medical Gateway.

In Wales, the stated aim is for 95% of patients to begin treatment within 26 weeks of referral, with no patient waiting longer than 36 weeks.

Hywel Dda confirmed that 1,608 patients were on its waiting list for hip replacement surgery as of May 28, 2026.

The health board also said 16 patients had been removed from the waiting list during the 2025/26 financial year after choosing to undergo treatment privately.

Hip replacement surgery is most commonly offered to people experiencing severe pain, stiffness and reduced mobility, often after other treatments such as physiotherapy, pain relief, injections and lifestyle changes have failed to provide sufficient relief.

Sara Gezdari, Head of Investor Relations at My Medical Gateway, said prolonged waits could have a serious effect on patients’ physical and emotional wellbeing.

She said: “Many people join NHS waiting lists after already spending months or years attempting to manage their condition through physiotherapy, pain relief medication, injections and lifestyle modifications.

“By the time surgery is recommended, they are often already struggling. The true impact of waiting is measured not in weeks but in declining quality of life.”

She said patients waiting for surgery could experience increasing pain, disrupted sleep, reduced mobility, loss of independence, social isolation and worsening mental health.

Long waits could also have financial consequences, particularly for people whose employment relies on physical mobility.

Ms Gezdari added: “Many patients continue working despite severe symptoms. As pain worsens, productivity often falls. Some reduce their hours. Others leave work entirely.

“The consequences can be particularly significant for self-employed individuals who depend upon physical mobility to earn a living.”

My Medical Gateway said private hip replacement surgery in the UK typically costs between £12,549 and £14,950.

The company, which connects UK patients with private hospitals in the European Union, said the average price offered by many European providers was approximately £9,088.

However, travelling abroad for medical treatment can involve additional considerations, including travel costs, insurance, post-operative care and arrangements if complications arise.

The Freedom of Information response was returned by Hywel Dda University Health Board on June 8, 2026.

 

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Education

Saundersfoot graduate secures teaching job before completing degree

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Local school placements helped Millie Brace gain the experience and connections needed to begin her career at Templeton Primary School

A SAUNDERSFOOT student is celebrating after graduating from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and securing a teaching job in Pembrokeshire before completing her degree.

Millie Brace graduated this week with a BA in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status from UWTSD’s Carmarthen campus.

She will begin her first teaching post at Templeton Primary School in September.

Millie said the opportunity to remain close to home and complete placements in Pembrokeshire schools had been a major factor in her decision to study at UWTSD.

“I chose UWTSD because it allowed me to stay close to my family and continue living at home while studying, which was important to me,” she said.

“Another key reason was the opportunity to complete local teaching placements.

“I knew how competitive teaching jobs can be in Pembrokeshire, so gaining experience in local schools was a great way to build professional connections and develop an understanding of the schools and communities I want to work in.”

Her placements allowed her to gain experience in a range of classrooms and helped her develop the confidence needed to apply for teaching roles.

“Before graduating, I was delighted to secure a teaching position at an amazing primary school in my local area,” she said.

Millie praised the support she received from university staff, school mentors and teachers during her final placement at Lamphey Primary School.

“Although I had not previously taught that particular year group, I received fantastic support from my class mentors and staff at Lamphey Primary School,” she said.

“Their knowledge and experience, combined with the research and understanding I developed through my course and assignments, greatly increased my confidence.”

Millie said the flexibility of the degree allowed her to explore subjects linked directly to her classroom experience and professional development.

“My favourite thing about the course was the flexibility of the assignments,” she said.

“They allowed me to explore topics that genuinely interested me and focus on areas that reflected my personal development targets from placements.

“This made the work feel relevant to my experiences in the classroom and helped me connect theory with practice.”

She also valued the sense of community at the Carmarthen campus and the friendships she formed with other student teachers.

“One of the biggest challenges during my studies was adapting to different placement schools and managing the increasing expectations placed on me as I progressed,” she said.

“Each school had its own routines, approaches and learning environments.

“What helped me most was the support of other student teachers. We shared resources, exchanged ideas and helped each other with lesson planning and preparation.”

Outside her studies, Millie continued to enjoy the Pembrokeshire coastline, spending her spare time paddleboarding, walking her dog and learning to surf.

She said she would recommend UWTSD to anyone considering a career in teaching.

“The course provided excellent placement opportunities, allowing me to gain valuable experience in local schools and build professional connections that helped me secure a teaching job before graduating,” she said.

“I have also made friends for life, and the relationships I built have been one of the most rewarding parts of my university experience.”

Millie will now take the next step in her career when she joins Templeton Primary School at the beginning of the new academic year.

 

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