News

New project seeks memories of beloved Parish priest

Published

3 years ago

July 25, 2022

TO mark the 40th anniversary of the formation of the Paul Sartori charity an exciting new project ‘Voices from the Community Oral History Project’ was officially launched at Paul Sartori House last week.

Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project aims to gather memories of Father Sartori, to understand his impact on individuals, the wider community and his inspiration in forming the charity which bears his name.

The bilingual project is keen to hear from people who knew Father Sartori and who will agree to be interviewed so that their memories are preserved.

Volunteers from across the community will be recruited to help with the interviewing and collating of information. Full training will be given.

The interviews, together with photographs, documents and other artefacts will be digitised and made accessible via The Peoples’ Collection Wales and the Pembrokeshire Archives.

There will also be a permanent multi-panel display produced at the end of the project which runs through to November 2023.

When Father Paul Sartori passed away on 16 April 1980 at the tragically early age of 39, the shock was felt far beyond the Catholic community of Haverfordwest where he had ministered as a priest since 1966.

He arrived from North Wales that year, serving as curate until 1977 when he became the parish priest. During his brief ministry he became much loved by all sections of the community on account of his kindness, compassion and concern for others.

He saw the need for hospice care in Pembrokeshire and he was working towards that aim when he became ill with cancer and died three months before his fortieth birthday.

In his memory his parishioners together with a wide variety of other friends worked hard to bring his ideas to fruition.
On 18 July 1982 the Paul Sartori charity was officially formed and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home charity which supports people in their final stages of life, together with their loved ones, is now celebrating forty years.

The Project Officer, Simon Hancock said: “We look forward to reaching out across Pembrokeshire enabling people to play an essential role by sharing their stories of Father Sartori and by volunteering to a significant heritage story for a local charity.”

The project team can be contacted by email: [email protected] or telephone: 07796973998.

News

Fire crews test skills in airport training exercise

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FIREFIGHTERS from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven were put through their paces last week during a specialist training exercise held at Withybush Airport.

The operation, known as Exercise Red Kite, was carried out on Wednesday (Apr 29) and saw teams from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) simulate an emergency response at the airport, putting their incident command and rescue skills to the test.

As part of the exercise, crews deployed foam carriers and a water bowser, practising a complex rescue scenario designed to mirror the challenges of a real-life airport incident.

Station Manager Aled Lewis described the day as a valuable learning opportunity.

“Exercise Red Kite gave crews the chance to work together across stations, sharpen their operational response, and train in a realistic setting,” he said. “We’re very grateful to Withybush Airport for making the site available.”

The training forms part of the fire service’s ongoing commitment to readiness and teamwork in high-pressure environments.

MAWWFRS is currently looking to recruit new on-call firefighters across the region. Anyone interested can visit the service’s website for further details and to register their interest.

Health

Tufnell secures pledge to improve GP access across Pembrokeshire

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CAMPAIGN to improve GP access across Pembrokeshire has taken a significant step forward this week following a meeting between local MP Henry Tufnell and the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board.

The Herald understands that during the meeting, held earlier this week, it was agreed that best practice would be established across all GP surgeries in the county—something Mr Tufnell has been calling for since launching his primary care campaign several months ago.

The move follows a detailed public survey conducted by the MP, in which hundreds of residents voiced concerns over delays in securing GP appointments and inconsistent service levels across different practices.

In a video message posted to social media, Mr Tufnell said: “After a constructive meeting with Professor Phillip Kloer, I am pleased that we are both on the same page and recognise the need for real action in response to the needs of our community.

“For months now, I have raised the need for improvements, and thanks to the powerful feedback from my recent survey, we are on the right path to establishing best practices that will benefit everyone across Pembrokeshire. We must finally see an end to the postcode lottery of accessing primary care.”

Mr Tufnell is expected to meet with Professor Kloer again later this summer to assess whether the promised improvements are being implemented effectively.

He added: “I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to complete my survey on GP services. Your input is making a real difference, and together, we can continue to improve the healthcare services that are so vital to our community.”

The MP has also launched a new survey to gather public feedback on access to NHS dental services in the area.

Residents wishing to take part in the dental survey can do so online HERE.

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/mid-and-south-pembrokeshire-nhs-dentist-access-survey/

Entertainment

SPAN Arts presents: An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A contemporary dance-theatre experience by Deborah Light

SPAN ARTS is proud to present Deborah Light — acclaimed choreographer, movement director, and mother — in her first solo show, An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge. This bold and visceral work of contemporary dance-theatre delves into the complexities of motherhood through three seemingly unrelated objects.

With a distinctive blend of clinical precision, raw vulnerability, feminist fury, and wicked humour, Deborah unpacks the symbolic connections between a mother, a bear, and a fridge. In doing so, she lays bare personal truths and the societal pressures that weigh on the female body, in a powerful critique of patriarchal systems.

Known for her collaborative work across dance, theatre, film, and site-based performance, Deborah is also co-director of Light/Ladd/Emberton and lectures in movement at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This new solo show is supported by Arts Council Wales, Chapter, NDCWales, YMa, SPAN Arts, and Taking Flight.

The performance will take place at Canolfan Hermon on Thursday, May 16 at 7:00pm. After the show, audiences are invited to stay for an informal post-show conversation with Deborah over tea and cake, to reflect on the themes of the piece.

Please note: The show is recommended for ages 14+ and contains references to death, motherhood/matrescence, surgery, violence against women, gender-based inequality, ageing, climate change, and may include strong language.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2025
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Canolfan Hermon, Hermon, Glogue, SA36 0DT
Tickets: £12.00 (full price) / £8.00 (concessions)
Box Office: www.span-arts.org.uk/book or call 01834 869323
Access: Free companion/carer tickets are available. Please call 01834 869323 to arrange.

Refreshments and snacks will be available at the venue.