News
Pembrokeshire’s six Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs) are set to re-open
Pembrokeshire’s six Waste and Recycling Centres (WRCs) are set
to re-open on Tuesday, 26 th May, for essential use only and under
strict new guidelines.
All visitors will have to pre-book a slot and follow a number of
restrictions and guidelines to ensure that social distancing is
observed.
This is to make sure that the facilities are used in a safe manner for
staff and the public while remaining fair for all households in
Pembrokeshire.
The booking system will open from 9 am, Wednesday, 20th
May.
Slots can be booked at: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/waste-bookings
or by phoning the Council’s contact centre on: 01437 764551.
People are asked to book online if possible and only phone the
contact centre if they do not have internet access.
Initially the first two weeks of slots will be opened and this will
continue on a two-weekly rolling basis.
Over 6,300 slots per week will be available initially across all sites
and we will work to improve this number while ensuring the sites can
operate in a safe manner for staff and the public
Please see the new guidelines for Waste and Recycling Centres
below:
Do not visit a WRC if you or anyone in your household has COVID
19 symptoms – you will not be permitted on site.
Anyone shielding must not put themselves at risk by visiting the
WRCs. The same applies to other vulnerable people.
WRCs will be open to Pembrokeshire householders ONLY.
Initially no commercial users will be allowed on site and are asked to
use private waste disposal companies at this time.
Only bring items that can’t be stored safely at home or cannot be
collected through your kerbside waste and recycling collections
Only cars and small vans will be permitted on site – no high sided
vehicles, large vans (i.e. transits or equivalent) or trailers at this
time.
Only households who have a pre-booked a 15 minute slot will be
permitted on site. Anyone who hasn’t booked a slot will be turned
away.
Slots will need to be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
Only ONE visit per household to any site within a 14-day period to
enable more households to access the facilities.
There will be a strict 15-minute slot per vehicle to dispose of items in
the correct containers. Therefore please sort all waste and recycling
into the different material types before arriving at the site to help
keep your visit short.
Vehicles should arrive no more than 15 minutes before their booked
time slot (to avoid traffic queues on the highway).
Please display ID (eg driving licence / utility bill) in the windscreen
for staff to view and verify the booking.
A maximum of five vehicles will be allowed on a site at any one time
(staff will monitor this). This number will be kept under review.
Only ONE person may exit the vehicle to unload the waste and
recycling. Staff are unable to help unload or carry any items,
therefore householders need to ensure that this person is able to
safely unload items from the vehicle and place them in the correct
container.
Strict social distancing rules will be in place at all times.
Householders must observe two-metre social distancing on the site
and only one user will be able to access each skip or container at a
time.
We are currently unable to accept tyres. Please store them at
home safely until this service resumes.
Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before and after visiting
the site.
Please be patient and follow instructions on site. For the benefit and
welfare of everyone, any users not following instructions or abusive
to staff will be instructed to leave the site and further action taken if
necessary.
County Councillor Cris Tomos, Cabinet Member for the
Environment, said: “People must feel confident and safe if they have
to visit our sites.
“That is why we are restricting numbers and are asking people only
to visit if absolutely necessary. Please think carefully before deciding
to visit one of our Waste and Recycling Centres.
“All of us must do our bit to help continue to reduce and slow the
spread of coronavirus.”
He added that the re-opening of WRCs is in response to changes to
Welsh Government (WG) regulations and that Pembrokeshire had
worked closely with WG and other local authorities on the new
guidelines.
WRCs will be re-opening under normal summer opening hours,
namely opening seven days a week.
To pre-book a slot at a Waste and Recycling Centre, please go
online at: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/waste-bookings
If you don’t have internet access, please phone the
Pembrokeshire County Council’s contact centre on 01437 764551.
For the latest information visit the Council’s website:
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
News
Poignant Poppy Walk created in Milford Haven following Remembrance Day
YOUNG people have again created a fitting tribute in honour of Remembrance Day with a Poppy Walk established along Hamilton Terrace.
On Monday (Nov 11) veterans working for the youth service identify young people to support them in using wreaths laid at the cenotaph to mount them along the railings between the Royal British Legion in Milford down to the Cenotaph itself.
This has now become an annual event with the service, in previous years young people from Milford Haven School and members of Milford Haven Youth Club have completed this work. This year it was young people and staff from Futureworks who helped youth workers.
In previous years the feedback from the public has been extremely positive and this year was no exception with members of the public stopping and speaking to the young people to ask what they were doing and to share their thanks for adding to the community in a respectful way.
Milford Town Council has supported the Poppy Walk since its inception and again were grateful to the youth service and the young people for leading on this work.
Jimmy Wilson, youth worker and former member of the Kings’ Own Royal Border Regiment said: “The fact that these young people have come in on their day off to volunteer their time to create the poppy walk shows that they value the service of the armed forces and understand the significance of remembrance day and the sacrifices made by both serving and ex forces members.”
The above picture includes Alfie, Kaden, Lily, Megan and Jenna with staff from Pembrokeshire Youth Service and Futureworks.
Entertainment
Creatives connect in Fishguard: Mastering social media and sparking collaborations
Musicians, photographers, filmmakers, and content creators gathered for an inspiring evening of collaboration and conversation at Creative West Wales’ latest event.
A well-attended panel discussion and networking event held in Ffwrn, Fishguard last month, focused on the use of social media and digital images to market the music sector.
A panel of experts from the music industry including Siân Adler of Trigger Happy Creative, Alun Llwyd CEO of PYST Ltd and Owain Elidir Williams, founder of music magazine Klust, discussed the use of social media platforms as a tool for the creative industries.
A speed-networking session enabled those attending to connect with fellow creatives from across the sectors and explore potential collaborations, business opportunities and support.
Siân said: “It’s really exciting to see projects like Creative West Wales exist – it can be difficult to make new connections in the industry especially outside of the city but having opportunities like the panel/networking event held at Ffwrn was great.
“Every year our company films at Other Voices Festival and are always looking for local crew so to be able to meet and connect with local creatives was a great opportunity for us.”
The Creative West Wales event was funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Pembrokeshire County Council’s business team.
Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “It was great to get so many talented local people with a range of skills together in one room. Often people are unaware of fellow creatives who may be living and working just down the road.
“Hopefully this will lead to many future collaborations. We’ve already had positive feedback about the value of this event, and plan to arrange more networking events of this kind to bring people together from across the sectors.”
Creative West Wales aims to facilitate conversations and connections. Primarily focusing on the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors, the network links people working in the creative industries across the counties of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, in a bid to share opportunities, information and encourage collaboration.To find out more about the available activities or to join the Creative West Wales Network please visit: www.creativewest.wales
Health
Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter
NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.
The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.
As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.
In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.
To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.
Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.
The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”
Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”
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