News

Lifeboat goes to aid of veteran ketch

Published

10 years ago

August 5, 2014

RNLI Angle’s all-weather lifeboat was launched in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 20, after a report that a 10m veteran ketch – with six crew members on board – was drifting somewhere near the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway.

The ketch was unsure of her position due to the poor visibility. The Tamar class lifeboat Peter and Lesley-Jane Nicholson was launched at 3.34am and conducted a radar and direction finder search. At the entrance to the East Channel, with a weak VHF and radar signal from the ketch, the lifeboat requested that the casualty fire a flare. The flare sighting confirmed that the radar target was the casualty. When the lifeboat reached the ketch she transferred a crew member to assist with rigging a tow, and at 4.16am a course was set for Dale Roads. On arriving at Dale, just before 5am, the tow was slipped, the lifeboat crew member recovered, and the historic ketch, with no engine, skulled her way alongside the outer pontoon. It was the first of two call-outs in two days for Angle’s relief lifeboat. At 5.10 pm on Monday the lifeboat was launched to go to the aid of a 10m yacht which had broken down just off the SemLogistics jetty in the Milford Haven Waterway. Coastguards subsequently reported that the yacht, with three persons on board, was at anchor and required a tow to Rudders Boatyard, Burton, where she was due to be lifted out for a repair on a leaking stern gland. The lifeboat transferred a crew member to the yacht to assist the owner with recovering the anchor and rigging a tow. A course was then set for the boatyard at Burton, where the yacht was safely secured to the pontoon. St Davids RNLI were also called out on Tuesday at 4.20pm following reports of the possibility of kayakers in difficulties. A group of kayakers were seen in the sea off Whitesands beach, when suddenly thick fog descended. With visibility down to approximately 40ft, it could not be confirmed that they had all made it ashore safely. Both lifeboats carried out thorough search of the area, until the fog lifted and it was confirmed that nobody had been reported missing.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.

Community

Neyland Community Christmas Lunch a festive success

Published

6 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL rolled up their sleeves to support this year’s Community Christmas Lunch, spreading festive cheer and warm hospitality to attendees on Christmas Day at the Alumchine.

Councillors Steve Campodonic, David Devauden, Steve Thomas, and Brian Rothero began their efforts as early as 7:30am, working tirelessly to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The dedicated organisers, including Trish Campodonic, Pam, and Lloyd Hamilton, along with other volunteers, created a welcoming space filled with festive spirit and a delicious meal with all the trimmings.

The event brought together members of the community who might otherwise have spent the day alone, highlighting the warmth and generosity that Neyland is known for.

A heartfelt ‘Well done’ to everyone involved for making this Christmas lunch a resounding success and spreading joy to so many.