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Housing Provider picks two Important Causes as its Charities of the Year

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Wales Air Ambulance

WALES & WEST HOUSING ASSOCIATION has chosen the Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes as its charities of the year.

The two important causes will benefit from funds raised by staff during a two-year period after over 850 staff were invited to nominate charities that were close to their hearts.

A shortlist was drawn up of the most popular suggestions and staff voted for their preferred charity.

Diane Barnes, Senior Administrator at Wales & West Housing said: “The Wales Air Ambulance and Blood Bikes Wales had the most support.

“One of the staff members who nominated Wales Air Ambulance had personal experience of the service when one of the older residents living at the housing scheme she manages was taken ill. Wales Air Ambulance flew the resident to hospital and our staff member was in no doubt that the speed of the service was critical in saving the person’s life, so we are delighted to be able to support the Charity’s vital work.”

This will not be the first time that Wales & West Housing has raised funds for the Wales Air Ambulance, they raised more than £6,000 in 2006.

Some of the other charities they have supported in recent years include Cancer Research Wales, Stroke Association, Help For Heroes, Alzheimer’s Society, NSPCC, Tenovus and Guide Dogs.

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. 

The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.

Speaking on how valuable the company thinks the lifesaving service is, Diane added: “Wales Air Ambulance is hugely important. It saves lives every single day of the year. When we learned that the service relies entirely on public donations to keep their emergency helicopters flying to all parts of Wales, our staff were keen to help support the Charity and make a difference to its fundraising for the next two years.”

The staff kicked off its fundraising with an Easter egg raffle which raised more than £400.

Diane said: “We also have people running marathons, doing sponsored challenges and baking cakes over the coming months and are looking forward to many other innovative and fun fundraising ideas and suggestions that we can take part in and support over the next two years. We also asked staff to donate the odd number of pennies from their pay to our charity. This way we can raise thousands of pounds every year without having to do anything!

“In the past we have held regular raffles in our offices, bake sales, dress down days and special events such as a Ride the Nation charity cycling challenge from North to South Wales and a rugby tournament, which helped to raise money for a previous staff charity Age Cymru.”

Katie Macro, Campaigns Manager for the Wales Air Ambulance said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been chosen as one of Wales & West Housing’s charities of the year for the next two years. Support from businesses like Wales & West Housing is vital in helping us to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.

“It sounds like Wales & West Housing have some exciting fundraising plans coming up and we wish them well. Their support of our lifesaving charity is much appreciated.”

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711. For more information on Wales & West Housing visit www.wwha.co.uk

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Community

New venue for the highly anticipated Pembrokeshire Classic Car Show

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PEMBROKESHIRE classic car enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn that this year’s highly anticipated Classic Car Show will be held at a new and exciting location. The Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, known for organizing this popular event, has decided to move the show to Carew Airfield. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023.

The decision to relocate the event came about due to certain challenges with public parking at the previously favored Scolton Manor venue. By shifting the show to Carew Airfield, organizers hope to alleviate any parking difficulties and provide a more convenient experience for attendees.

Classic car enthusiasts from all over Wales and beyond can expect a spectacular display of various classic vehicles at the show. From vintage and classic cars, including some American models, to modern-day marvels, there will be something to captivate every car lover. In addition to cars, the event will showcase motorcycles, tractors, military vehicles, and commercial vehicles.

The Classic Car Show isn’t just about vehicles; it offers a complete day of fun for the whole family. Attendees can explore attractions such as the West Wales Model Boats, children’s rides, a car boot sale, and an auto jumble. Moreover, a variety of craft and trade stalls will be present, offering an opportunity for some shopping. The show will also feature charity stalls, including Paul Sartori and The Wales Air Ambulance, allowing visitors to contribute to worthy causes. To add to the excitement, both the Police and the 223rd Transportation Army Squadron will be in attendance, showcasing their impressive vehicle displays.

To further enhance the experience, the Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club will be running a raffle during the event. Hunger and thirst will not be an issue, as a selection of food outlets will be available, offering hot and cold food and drinks, ice cream, Welsh cakes, and even a public bar. St. John’s Ambulance will also be present to provide necessary medical support.

In addition to all the fantastic attractions at the show, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the nearby wartime museum, which will be open for exploration on the day.

The Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club is thriving, boasting over one hundred and eighty members. The success of the show in previous years has enabled the club to donate substantial sums to local charities. This year, the selected beneficiaries are Paul Sartori, Wales Air Ambulance, and Pembrokeshire Care Share & Give.

The organizers extend their gratitude to the club members, Gravells Kia of Narberth for their support, the participants, stallholders, car booters, landowners, FRF Toyota for providing trophies, and, of course, the public for attending. It is their collective efforts that make this event possible year after year.

The Classic Car Show will welcome the public from 10:30 am onwards on Saturday, June 3rd, and will conclude at 4 pm. So, mark your calendars and head over to Carew Airfield on the A477 for a truly unforgettable “Classic” day out.

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North Pembrokeshire community exceeds fundraising target to purchase local pub

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CRYMYCH, the tight-knit community in North Pembrokeshire, is celebrating a significant milestone in their journey to acquire the beloved local pub. The villagers have successfully raised an impressive £191,000 within a remarkable eight-week period since launching their community share offer on April 1st. This achievement far surpasses their initial target of £175,000, which was set as the necessary amount to proceed with their mission to revive the Crymych Arms, which has remained closed for the past 18 months.

The local football club, established just three years ago, has taken the lead in this initiative by registering as a mutual society cooperative. By doing so, they have been able to issue shares and rally support in their efforts to purchase the pub and transform it into a vibrant community hub, doubling as the new club house. This unique concept combines the functions of a pub, a club, and a hub, giving birth to the ingenious notion of a “Pubclubhub.”

The football committee members eagerly anticipate the outcomes of grant funding bids, which will provide the final piece of the financial puzzle needed to acquire and reopen the community pubclubhub by this August. To date, several hundred people have invested in £100 shares, with many purchasing them as thoughtful gifts for supporters of the idea of community-owned pubs. Additionally, numerous football enthusiasts are buying shares to lend their support to local grassroots sports. By owning a share, individuals not only become part owners of a pub but also stakeholders in the football club, as the funds raised through share purchases will be utilized to acquire the historic pub in North Pembrokeshire.

The closed pub is listed at a full asking price of £275,000, and the football club committee continues to welcome new members who are interested in acquiring the £100 shares. Those intrigued by this venture and the prospect of becoming co-owners of a pub and football club can visit www.cpdcrymych.cymru for the share offer prospectus and to learn more about the community investment, which offers a promising 3% gross interest per year.

Furthermore, the next public meeting, open to anyone seeking more information about this exciting community venture, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14th, at 7 pm. The meeting will take place at Crymych market hall, providing an opportunity for interested individuals to engage with the project’s leaders, ask questions, and further familiarize themselves with the vision and goals of this community-driven initiative.

Crymych’s remarkable achievement in surpassing their fundraising target exemplifies the power of community spirit and highlights the determination of its residents to preserve and revitalize their cherished local pub. The collective effort to transform the Crymych Arms into a thriving pubclubhub not only ensures a vibrant social gathering place but also strengthens community bonds and supports grassroots sports.

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New Carmarthenshire custody suite and policing base opens its door for first time

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DYFED-POWYS POLICE will open its new Carmarthenshire Custody Suite and Policing base in Dafen, Llanelli today (May 26).

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and Chief Constable Dr Richard Lewis will open the building in the company of local community representatives in Llanelli who will be given an opportunity to walk around the new modern, sustainable development, which has taken over 18 months to construct.

Planning permission was granted to the Dyfed-Powys Office of Police and Crime Commissioner by Carmarthenshire County Council back in April 2021 for the £18.6 million development, which Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn describes as a significant investment that has delivered a fit for purpose, modern facility for Dyfed-Powys Police.

As well as housing a new custody suite with 18 cells, some specialist departments and facilities will be based at the new policing hub as well as local response officers.  PCC Dafydd Llywelyn confirmed that the Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to work out of their base at Llanelli town centre.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “It is a privilege for me to be here today opening this brand-new facility and to finally see what was originally considered to be an ambitious vision, now becoming a reality.

“This has been a significant investment for us which has provided us with a modern, sustainable fit for purpose policing hub and custody suite that will meet the needs and expectations of modern policing.

“During the planning application process between 2020 and 2021, we engaged widely with the local community, and It is a pleasure to invite community representatives here today to mark this occasion.

“I’ve worked extremely hard with partners for several years to ensure that we get to this position and I would like to thank everyone who has worked with us during its development”.

The construction has been given a BREEAM excellence rating, for its sustainable credentials which include a photovoltaic solar power installation to minimise the carbon footprint of the building; a rainwater harvesting facility for toilets and non-potable water, and electric car charging facilities.

PCC Llywelyn added: “We are going to have to make difficult decisions over the coming years about the future of some of our estates within Dyfed-Powys Police. 

“The current Llanelli Police Station has served the town and surrounding area well for decades but does not reflect the high standard and working environment required by a police force in the 21st Century.

“This new policing base is part of our commitment to work with key partners to deliver long-term sustainable improvements to our estates and ensure that Dyfed-Powys Police retains a visible and accessible presence in the heart of the communities it serves.

Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable, Dr. Richard Lewis said:“We are delighted to have this state of the art policing hub and custody suite opening in Llanelli. The building was designed and built for the future with the wellbeing of our staff and the community in mind.

“It is an energy efficient and sustainable construction, and will become a base for a number of Policing functions across Llanelli and Carmarthenshire, complementing the Neighbourhood Policing Team that will remain at the town centre.

“I am grateful to PCC Mr Dafydd Llywelyn and the project team as a whole for delivering the facility, which will serve local communities for years to come.”

Chief Inspector Richard Hopkin, Dyfed-Powys Police’s operational lead on the new build said:  “Our new Policing Base in Dafen will allow a number of specialist departments and facilities to be co-located under one roof at Llanelli which will ensure less travelling to various sites which will lend itself to a more efficient and effective operating model.

“The custody suite is also a state of the art facility which will significantly raise the standard of care being provided to detainees at the suite which includes a dedicated vulnerability wing which will ensure the safeguarding of the most vulnerable detainees that are housed at the facility.”

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