Volunteer-run garden recognised among record number of award-winning green spaces across Wales

THE DEDICATION of local residents has secured Manorbier Community Garden its first prestigious Green Flag Community Award.

Around 50 people gathered at the garden to celebrate the achievement with food and refreshments before watching the Green Flag being raised.

The award was announced by Keep Wales Tidy as part of the 2026 Green Flag Awards, which recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across Wales.

A record 330 Welsh sites have met the standards required to fly a Green Flag this year. Of these, 93 received full Green Flag Award status, while 237 volunteer-run spaces were presented with Green Flag Community Awards.

Manorbier Community Garden was recognised for its environmental work, welcoming visitor facilities and strong level of community involvement.

Green Flag Community Awards celebrate high-quality spaces managed largely by volunteers, including community gardens, local nature reserves and other valued neighbourhood sites.

Wales has now secured more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country taking part in the scheme for the third consecutive year. The total has risen from 223 last year to 237 in 2026.

Work on Manorbier Community Garden began in April 2024, transforming an area of scrubland into a flourishing community space in little more than two years.

Led by local couple Ollie and Sian Cromwell, volunteers have built raised beds using repurposed materials and filled them with vegetables, flowers and other plants donated by residents.

Everything is grown organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and produce from the garden is available for the community to share.

The site also includes a secure chicken enclosure housing six hens, a children’s mud kitchen and spaces where residents can meet, play and enjoy the outdoors.

Pick-a-Pumpkin events have also been organised for local children.

Keep Wales Tidy supported the project by providing food-growing and orchard packages, a metal tool shed and a small polytunnel. Volunteers have since constructed a larger polytunnel using donated materials.

Sian Cromwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award. It means so much to our community and celebrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

“Just over two years ago, this was simply scrubland. Today, it is a thriving and welcoming space, rich in biodiversity and bursting with life.

“There are fresh vegetables for everyone to share, flowers, chickens, a mud kitchen for children and space for people to play, meet and connect.

“The garden belongs to the whole community. We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and warmly invite everyone to play a part in its sustainable future.”

The Green Flag Award scheme was established 30 years ago and now recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world.

In Wales, the awards are administered by Keep Wales Tidy.

FIFTEEN young chess players put their skills to the test when Pembrokeshire Chess Club welcomed visitors from Castell Nedd to Steynton for their annual summer fixture.

The match, held on Tuesday, July 21, saw players compete across four rounds, with each given 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite the start of the school holidays, the Royal Welsh Show and several late absences, organisers were delighted with the turnout and the high standard of chess on display.

The games were closely contested, particularly on the leading boards, with several decided by only the smallest of margins. Coaches said one of the main lessons from the day was the importance of taking time to consider each move rather than rushing.

Castell Nedd’s Advik Ram produced an impressive unbeaten performance. Pembrokeshire’s Harry Harling held him to a draw in one game before narrowly losing a second encounter during a tightly fought endgame.

Aarush Ram and Jakob Josh-Wright also performed strongly for the visitors.

For Pembrokeshire, Henry Malone and Emily Thomas each secured three points. Jozef Othen and Osian Griffiths collected two-and-a-half points apiece, while Sebastian Kummer finished with two points.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club said it was encouraging to see the standard of play continuing to improve each year and thanked Castell Nedd for making the journey west, with special thanks to Hywel Griffiths for helping to organise the visit.

Home advantage once again proved important, although the club said the greatest benefit was the opportunity for every player to gain experience against new opponents.

Pembrokeshire also recently played a friendly against the newly reformed Narberth Chess Club, giving its adult and junior members an opportunity to compete against different players. A return visit to Steynton is now being planned.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club, which has changed its name during its history, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its formation.

The club will resume its regular meetings ahead of the new season in September. It welcomes adults and juniors of all abilities, from complete beginners to players interested in friendly or competitive matches.

Anyone interested in joining can message the Pembrokeshire Chess Club Facebook page or contact Martin Jones on 07884 384131.

Pembrokeshire team: Harry Harling, Jozef Othen, Sebastian Kummer, Osian Griffiths, Emily Thomas and Henry Malone.

Castell Nedd team: Advik Ram, Aarush Ram, Jakob Josh-Wright, Virat Nagari, William O’Connor, Oscar Purcell, Ethan Tirukoti, Misha Nigari and Cae Aubrey.

Residents, businesses and visitors are being urged to provide evidence after two High Street cash machines were removed, leaving the town with just one ATM.

A COMMUNITY campaign has been launched to restore convenient access to cash in Narberth following the removal of both cash machines from the town’s High Street.

Until recently, the busy Pembrokeshire market town had three ATMs. The closures this summer have left just one cash machine, located outside CK’s supermarket on Spring Gardens.

Cash can also be withdrawn over the counter at Narberth Post Office, but that service is limited to branch opening hours and is not the same as having an ATM available throughout the day, at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Campaigners say the loss of the High Street machines is causing particular difficulties for older residents, people who do not use online banking, visitors and businesses that rely on customers being able to withdraw cash locally.

They have now launched an urgent survey to collect evidence before the limited window to challenge an access-to-cash assessment closes.

Three-hour journey for cash

Among those supporting the campaign is Narberth pensioner Terry Pitts, who is approaching his 90th birthday.

He said: “I prefer paying for things in cash, but the one cash machine we have left is often empty when I try to use it.

“A round trip from Narberth to Kilgetty can take up to three hours by bus, and it really takes it out of you at my age.”

LINK, the organisation responsible for assessing communities’ access to cash, has concluded that the approximately 7,000 adults living in the Narberth area have adequate access to alternative facilities.

These include banks in Haverfordwest, Post Offices in Narberth and surrounding communities, an ATM at the Co-op in Kilgetty and a cash machine at Folly Farm.

Campaigners argue that the assessment does not reflect the practical difficulties faced by residents who do not drive or cannot easily travel outside the town.

Folly Farm cashpoint included

The inclusion of the Folly Farm ATM has attracted particular criticism.

The cash machine is situated by the attraction’s gift shop, and campaigners say it is within the paid visitor area. Standard on-the-day adult admission to Folly Farm is £29.

Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, said: “Paying £29 for a ticket to an attraction just to access a cashpoint is absurd.

“Local residents need free-to-use cashpoints restored to Narberth High Street.

“I will continue to engage with constituents, local businesses, the council, LINK and colleagues in Parliament to ensure better access to banking services right across our county.”

Concern for businesses

There are also fears that the loss of convenient cash access could damage Narberth’s independent businesses during the important summer tourism season.

Visitors who cannot withdraw money in the town centre may spend less, avoid businesses that prefer cash or leave Narberth to find another machine.

Traders can also face difficulties when paying cash takings into their accounts, particularly when nearby bank branches have closed and alternative services are only available during restricted hours.

A campaign spokesperson said: “We need to show clearly how these closures affect residents, businesses and visitors.

“Whether it means travelling further, struggling to withdraw cash or losing trade, we need to hear people’s experiences.

“The evidence collected through this survey will be used to challenge LINK’s decision. Every response counts.”

Narberth’s urban and rural county councillors, Marc Tierney and Elwyn Morse, are supporting the campaign.

They said: “We need strong evidence from local people and businesses to demonstrate why convenient access to cash still matters in Narberth.

“Every response will help build the case for better local cash services, so please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share it with others.”

Members of the Narberth Civic Week Committee and local businesses are also distributing campaign posters and encouraging people to respond.

The survey is open to residents, visitors, people who work in Narberth and anyone who runs or uses a local business.

It closes on Friday, August 7, and can be completed by scanning the QR code displayed on the campaign poster.

What cash access remains in Narberth?

• One public ATM outside CK’s supermarket, 7 Spring Gardens.
• Over-the-counter cash withdrawals at Narberth Post Office, 19 High Street, subject to opening hours and the customer’s bank.
• No remaining ATM on Narberth High Street.