Community

Police and Crime Commissioner to host webinar on Hate Crime

Published

4 years ago

October 12, 2020

ON Tuesday, October 13, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn will host a webinar for young people as part of Hate Crime Awareness week. The webinar’s focus will be on identifying hate crime, how to intervene and report a hate crime, the work that’s being done by organisations and campaigners to prevent and raise awareness of hate crime; and the call for action for young people.

The Commissioner will have experts and professionals who work to tackle hate crime and raise awareness of hate crimes, as guest speakers at the Webinar to share their experiences and advice to young people. They include Becca Rosenthal, Hate Crime Training and Engagement Officer in Dyfed Powys with Victim Support; Chief Inspector Stuart Bell who is Dyfed-Powys Police Strategic Lead on Hate Crime; Joanne Maksymiuk-King, Community Support Officer in South and West Wales with Race Council Cymru; Ali Abdi from Race Council Cymru; and Nirushan Sudarsan who is the Wales Hate Crime Service Delivery Assistant with Victim Support and who also is a member of the Race Council Cymru National BAME Youth Forum.

PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said, “Experiencing hate crime can be a particularly frightening experience, especially for young people, as you’ve been targeted because of who you are, or who or what your attacker thinks you are. Unlike non-identity related offences, the attack is very personal and specifically targeted, which means it’s less likely to be a random attack.

“This webinar will be an opportunity for us to discuss and identify the various forms of hate crime that affect young people, how they can often escalate to crimes or tension in a community, and how incidents are reported and dealt with by the Police and organisations.

“I’m extremely grateful to the guest speakers for agreeing to participate in the discussions, and I look forward to introducing them to the young people and all the attendees. The event will hopefully educate them about their responsibilities as young citizens and provide them with the knowledge and skills to help them challenge the attitudes and behaviours that lead to hate crime.”

Becca Rosenthal, from Victim Support said “Now more than ever it’s important for us all to understand more about Hate Crime and the impact it has on victims, their families and our communities. It’s really key to continue conversations in our communities about where hate crime is coming from and how we can all play a part in tackling it and reporting what we see.

“At Victim Support we’re really pleased to be invited to participate in this conversation facilitated by the PCC with young people. Young people have a better insight than sometimes we give them credit for and it’s really important to hear their voice….they’re the next generation of community campaigners and hate crime leaders after all.

“If you’ve been a victim of hate crime, know that it can affect people differently, there is no ‘right’ way to feel. You have a right to emotional and practical support to help you to overcome what’s happened.”

The webinar is part of a number of activities that the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Dyfed-Powys Police is involved in during Hate Crime Awareness week which runs from 10th – 17th of October. Victim Support Cymru will take over the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner Twitter feed on Wednesday evening to promote message around hate crime, and to encourage discussions, while the Commissioner will also be hosting a Facebook live ‘Commissioner in Conversation’ with Dyfed-Powys Chief Constable Mark Collins discussing many topics, including hate crime.

The OPCC, as well as Dyfed-Powys Police, in their preparation to hate crime awareness week have signed up to the newly launched Victim Support ‘Hate Crime Charter’ which outlines and reinforces victims’ rights.

Dyfed-Powys Police Strategic Lead for Hate Crime, Chief Inspector Stuart Bell said: “Hate crimes and incidents hurt; they can cause serious distress, confusion and fear. At Dyfed-Powys Police we are working hard to combat Hate Crime, understand its impacts and provide support to victims. Across the force, we have a wide range of activities and events planned to support Hate Crime Awareness Week, and have also signed up to the newly launched Hate Crime Charter.

“I would like to reassure our communities that by reporting crimes and incidents as they happen, police can investigate, bring offenders to justice and stop this from happening to someone else. Whether you are a victim or a witness to hate crime, please report it to us, we want to hear from you and stop this together.”

Anyone who wishes to attend the Hate Crime Webinar can register via Evenbrite, and there are further details available on the Dyfed-Powys Office of Police and Crime Commissioner’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DPOPCC .

Community

Port supports Cruising Free’s Atlantic Dash with donation of safety equipment

Published

12 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced a donation of vital safety equipment to support local group Cruising Free, who will be embarking on a challenging 3,200-mile rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The crew of Cruising Free will row from Lanzarote to Antigua to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Port of Milford Haven’s donation includes a comprehensive range of safety gear designed to support the crew’s journey and ensure their safety during this extraordinary expedition. Items provided include:

Flare Kit
Satellite Phone
VHF Radios
First Aid Kits
GPS Equipment
Lights
Safety Lines
And more

The Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s leading energy Port, is committed to supporting local maritime initiatives. This donation is a key part of the Port’s ongoing efforts to promote safety in all aspects of maritime activity, particularly for adventurous projects like Atlantic Dash.

“We are proud to support the amazing crew of Cruising Free as they undertake this monumental challenge,” said Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven. “Safety is paramount for anyone taking to the sea, and we hope that the equipment we’ve provided will support them as they navigate the Atlantic. Their journey will not only raise vital funds for two incredibly worthwhile causes but also inspire people across the UK and beyond. We are excited to be part of their journey and wish them the very best of luck.”

The Atlantic Dash will see the team of experienced rowers tackle the gruelling transatlantic journey, which is expected to take several weeks. The funds raised by Cruising Free will directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which supports research and care for people living with cystic fibrosis, and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides specialist palliative care services to individuals in West Wales.

“We are truly and eternally grateful to Port of Milford Haven who have provided us with the essential safety equipment needed to embark on our 3,200 mile journey from Lanzarote to Antigua. We are hoping not to need to use the flares or safety lines, but the satellite phone and VHF radio will keep us connected with land and loved-ones through the entire 2-month journey. Thank you!” said Polly Zipperlen, team member of Cruising Free.

Cruising Free’s row across the Atlantic will begin in January 2025, and the crew’s journey will be tracked in real time to allow supporters to follow their progress. The team is already actively fundraising and plans to hold several community events in the lead-up to their departure.

To learn more about Cruising Free’s Atlantic Row and how you can support their cause, visit their Linktree here.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

1 day ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.