Community
Newport: Rescue dog still looking for forever home

THE longest-staying resident at the RSPCA’s Newport Animal Centre is hoping it will finally be third time lucky in his quest to find a new home.
Staff were hopeful that five-year-old Charlie, who was rescued by RSPCA Cymru from a run-down barn in Ceredigion along with 44 other dogs in January 2021, had finally found his special someone.
But sadly, two potential offers of homes have come to nothing and the crossbreed canine – who is also the RSPCA’s joint longest-stay dog in Wales – is still waiting for his happy ending.
Newport animal centre’s deputy manager Kathryn Logan said: “We were feeling so hopeful that Charlie would be enjoying life with new owners by now, but sadly the two offers of homes have fallen through and we find ourselves back at square one.
“He’s come such a long way from the scared and nervous dog he was when he arrived at the centre back in January 2021; he had never gone outside, worn a collar or been on a walk, but his transformation has been quite incredible.
“For the first few weeks he wouldn’t move from the corner of his kennel, and it was only when he began to trust his carers and feel more at ease that he would place his chin on our hand, although it wasn’t until four months later that he was confident enough to take his first steps outside the kennel.
“Charlie really is a different character now, his beautiful personality shines through and he loves a cwtch from his carers. We all think the world of him, but of course we’d love nothing more than to see him finally settled in his own home.”
Volunteer Danni Wilson (below), who has built up a close bond with Charlie over many months and regularly takes him for walks, said: “It’s been wonderful watching Charlie come out of his shell and start to enjoy life. He wouldn’t let us go near him when he first arrived, but now he can’t get enough attention and showers me with kisses and affection!
“I think his favourite pastimes are rolling around on the nearest patch of grass when we go out walking and then wrapping himself up in towels when he’s had a bath. Despite what he’s been through, he’s exceptionally friendly and he would definitely enjoy, and benefit from, the company of another canine companion.”
Like the rest of the dogs, Charlie had experienced very little human contact before he was rescued from the property in West Wales, after the owner agreed to work with the charity when the situation got out of control. The sheer number of dogs meant the owner was struggling to meet their basic needs, with a lack of shelter, parasite control and poor diet all areas of concern.
Because of his background, Charlie will, understandably, require a specific type of home. He can still find new stimuli scary, so he will need a patient and quiet adult-only environment where he can get used to different noises slowly. A big garden would also be beneficial so he can bond with his new family in a bigger space before gradually going out on walks with them.
His sociable nature means he would really benefit from living with another calm and confident male dog, or neutered female, who can help his progress and get him used to dealing with everyday life. His new family will also need to come to the Newport centre multiple times to build up a bond with him, so they will ideally need to live nearby.
Community
Dredging work takes place at Tenby harbour

TENBY HARBOUR and North Beach users are being asked to be aware of heavy moving machinery as dredging work is carried out.
Sand will be removed from the mouth of the Harbour and deposited at the north end of the beach. The work will not affect vessel movements at the Harbour.
The work started on Monday and will continue to Thursday, March 13.
Tenby Harbourmaster Chris Salisbury said a licence for the dredging is in place.
“We ask that the public please keep clear of the operating area and that dogs are kept on a lead during this time,” Chris added.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “I’m grateful to our officers for the work being undertaken at Tenby Harbour – this dredging is essential for the operation of Tenby Harbour.
“The timing of the work has been governed by the tide and the dates represented the last opportunity for the work to be carried out before the boats are placed back in the water.”
Community
Planning a VE Day street party? Don’t forget to apply for a road closure

ARE you planning a street party to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day this May?
If so, please ensure you apply for a temporary road closure to Pembrokeshire County Council’s traffic team by March 24th.
There are four days of celebration planned for the UK from May 5th to 8th including military processions, flypast, concerts and a special service at Westminster Abbey.
Communities are also invited to come together to celebrate this historic occasion and the Council will waive road closure application fee. Costs associated with any required Traffic Management would be payable by applicants.
The Council will be collating all successful temporary road closure applications into one order
To allow time for processing, applications must be received by Monday, March 24th.
In order to consider a road closure application, please provide:
· Name of applicant
· Contact details – email address, full address and telephone number
· Location of event – this would need to be residential street/close/estate and not a main arterial route
· Date (specify May 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th) and times of the proposed event
· Plan – please provide a plan or sketch of where you wish to hold the event
All temporary road closure applications must be sent to Roadclosures@pembrokeshire.gov.uk by March 24th at the latest.
Requests will be assessed for suitability before permission is granted.
Information will then be provided on how to proceed, clear signage will be required for closures of the Public Highway. A traffic management company would be required to advise on what is necessary and to supply at the applicant’s expense.
Please note an application should only be submitted where the event is requested to take place on the highway.
Applicants are kindly asked to liaise with their local town or community council before submitting to ensure there is no duplication of applications.
Events ‘off road’ on grassed areas, village greens, play parks etc. would need the landowners’ permission.
Community
Sign up now and join Spring Clean Cymru 2025: March 21– April 6

COMMUNITIES across Wales are invited to join Spring Clean Cymru 2025 and help pick up the litter that pollutes our neighbourhoods, beaches and parks.
The 2024 event saw 5,000 volunteers take part in 700 events across Wales. Keep Wales Tidy hopes to beat that in 2025, making this year the most successful spring clean yet.
Families, friends, community groups, schools, businesses and individuals can get involved between Friday 21 March and Sunday 6 April 2025.
Participants can register their own event – such as litter picking their street, local park, beach or other beauty spot – or sign up to join an organised clean-up on the Keep Wales Tidy website.
Spring Clean Cymru is part of the Great British Spring Clean, run in England by Keep Britain Tidy and in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful.
Every single piece of litter collected and safely disposed of makes a difference in protecting the environment in Wales, whether you pick up one bag or 100.

This year Spring Clean Cymru will kick off with a World Record Attempt. Keep Wales Tidy, and other likeminded organisations are partnering with leading environmentalist Kate Strong and freshwater expert Dr Numair Masud to break a new Guinness World Record for Most Participants in a River Clean-up (at Multiple Locations). The attempt will begin in locations along the River Taff, including Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Cardiff’s Taff Embankment from the stroke of midday on Friday 21 March.
Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire said: “Every year we are inspired and humbled by the thousands of people across Wales who take part in Spring Clean Cymru and give their time to make a cleaner Wales for everyone. Our message this year is #LoveWhereYouLive and we really see that in the commitment of those who take part.
“In an ideal world, there would be no need for people to spend time litter picking, but we are continually grateful to everyone who does so, making their local communities and beauty spots cleaner and safer for everyone.”
He added: “Litter picking is a great way of coming together as a community, getting active outdoors, and benefitting your health and wellbeing. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never taken part before – all the information you need is on our website. Every single piece of litter picked up makes a difference and we’d love for you to join us in looking after and protecting the environment in Wales.”
You can register or search for a Spring Clean event near you on the Keep Wales Tidy website: www.keepwalestidy.cymru
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