Charity

Fishguard RNLI Lifeboat station welcomes new Mechanic

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2022

CHRIS THOMAS, 41, is to become the new full-time mechanic at Fishguard RNLI lifeboat station after serving as an assistant mechanic for the charity’s lifeboat station for five years.

Chris will take over from Stephen (Hose) Philips who will retire from his post next month. Stephen, known locally as ‘Hose’ due this former role as fireman will this month begin a detailed handover to Chris.

‘Hose’ joined the crew in 1997 so has completed 25 years’ service. He joined the RNLI as a crew member, later became 2nd Coxswain and was made full-time mechanic in Feb 2005.

Following a family tradition as mechanics for the charity Chris Thomas became the full-time mechanic on 8 August. His father was the assistant mechanic for the RNLI during the 1970s.

Born and raised in Dinas Cross, near Fishguard and now living in Goodwick, Chris is excited to be the full-time mechanic.

Speaking about the new role, Chris said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Fishguard lifeboat crew on a full-time basis and to serving the Fishguard & Goodwick community for the foreseeable future.”

Fishguard RNLI lifeboat station has a rich history of outstanding crew with the likes of Coxswain Francis George who was honoured by Her Majesty The Queen, in the 2003 New Year’s Honours List with an MBE for services to the Institution.

Chris hopes to continue this as he takes on his new role at Fishguard.

Charity

Hub Cymru Africa announces Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel as its new host

Published

2 weeks ago

April 4, 2024

Tom Sinclair

TEN years after the founding of Hub Cymru Africa partnership, the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel will take over as the new host-partner, replacing the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.

Following 10 years as hosts of the Hub Cymru Africa Partnership, the Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA) will be replaced as host partners by the Sub-Sahara Advisory Panel (SSAP). WCIA will continue to remain a member of the partnership.

The Hub Cymru Africa Partnership does important work in supporting the global solidarity sector, and the Wales and Africa Community. We will continue to do this.

SSAP has brought invaluable expertise to the Hub Cymru Africa partnership from inclusion, diversity and our ongoing Reframing the Narrative project. This next phase of the Partnership will build on this work into the future, with an African diaspora-led organisation at the helm.

Announcing the move, Head of Hub Cymru Africa, Claire O’Shea said: “We’re grateful for the leadership and role that WCIA has given to the partnership and the global solidarity sector over the last ten years.”

“As we continue our work to better represent and serve our partners here in Wales and in Africa, and implement our values of justice and anti-racism, it is right that SSAP steps in as the new host of Hub Cymru Africa.”

Fadhili Maghiya, CEO of SSAP said: “The Wales and Africa Programme has grown from strength to strength over the years. Built on mutuality, lifelong connections and learning from each other, the programme has grown into a vibrant sector working in global solidarity. Through the inclusion agenda and important projects such as the Race Equality Action Plan, the sector is always pushing boundaries and involving communities across Wales.

“I’m looking forward to continuing this work and building on our successes as the new hosts of the Hub Cymru Africa Partnership.”

Dr Gill Richardson, Co-Chair of WCIA said: “I’d like to thank the amazing Hub Cymru Africa team for all they’ve done over the past 10 years that WCIA has had the privilege to host. We celebrate all that has been achieved in supporting the Wales and Africa community, led by its head, Claire O’Shea.

“This new phase of Hub Cymru Africa will see our close partner, SSAP, host the partnership. This is an important evolution in Hub Cymru Africa’s story. We are still supporting the Partnership, but now is the right time to hand on the baton of leadership. We look forward to supporting Hub Cymru Africa going from strength to strength in the future.”

Charity

Bags of Books returns to Milford Haven and surrounding areas this Easter

Published

4 weeks ago

March 24, 2024

Richard Lewis

THE INFAMOUS Bags of Books is set to return to Milford Haven and surrounding areas over the Easter holidays.

Milford Haven School who launched the project with Milford Youth Matters over 3 years ago are continuing in their bid to improve literacy skills and encourage a love of reading for pleasure by giving away over 700 books.

Thanks to funding from the South Hook LNG Community grant they have purchased books for young people of all ages and reading abilities and will be hanging them on the fences of the schools in their catchment area.

The community are invited to come and choose a book from the following locations over the Easter holidays:

Neyland Community Primary School – Monday 25th March
Johnston Community Primary School – Tuesday 26th March
Coastlands Primary School – Wednesday 27th March
Gelliswick Primary School – Tuesday 2nd April
Milford Haven Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April
St Francis Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April

Milford Haven Secondary School will also hang over 150 books on their fence after the Easter Holidays on Wednesday 10th April for those in our community who cannot attend the other locations.

Charity

St Davids RNLI tasked to assist yacht with gearbox issues

Published

4 weeks ago

March 22, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVID’S RNLI were requested to assess a 41 foot yacht with gearbox issues by HM Coastguard at 5:53pm on Thursday (Mar 21).

All-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley launched and headed in lumpy seas three nautical miles north of St Davids head where the yacht with two people on board was drifting.

Upon assessment, deputy Coxswain Mike Phillips made the decision that undertaking a tow was necessary and the safest way to assist the casualties.

The towed vessel was returned to the nearest safe and suitable port at Fishguard harbour where RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat provided St Davids volunteers with a welcome coffee break.

The charity’s lifeboat returned to station at St Davids at 11:30pm.