News

PM visits the Royal Welsh Show

Published

10 years ago

August 5, 2014

royalwelsh THIS WEEK saw the Royal Welsh Show take place in Llanelwedd, North Wales. The four-day agricultural event broke all records for the third year in a row as it specifically commemorated the World War 1 and D-Day anniversaries. Show Director, Harry Fetherstonhaugh said: “We are very proud to be part of Wales’ single, biggest cultural event. When you put it into a sporting perspective, we have the same sort of crowds as they do at Aintree on Grand National Day and at Cheltenham on Gold Cup day. On our big days we have a crowd of 70,000. This demonstrates the support we get from across Wales and much further afield – it is people’s annual holiday really.” This year saw the show boast a very special guest; the Prime Minister. As the first serving British Prime Minister ever to visit the show, Mr Cameron was greeted by the Show Director and other dignitaries before being taken on a guided tour of the showground. Whilst at the show, Mr Cameron announced a potential £400m of new business for the British food industry as part of a Government plan aimed at supporting British businesses. With Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss, Mr Cameron explained how from 2017, all of Central Government would commit to buying fresh and locallysourced seasonal food. This would be made possible by a new food and drink buying standard, called The Plan for Public Procurement, which is targeted at helping thousands of British farmers, small businesses, rural economies and the British public. Attending the event was new Welsh Secretary, Stephen Crabb, who said: “As the new Welsh Secretary I’m absolutely clear that providing support to local communities in rural Wales is critical. That’s why this Government is backing businesses and hardworking families across Wales by reducing energy costs, lowering job taxes and freezing fuel duty to encourage job creation, boost growth and raise living standards in the Welsh rural economy. Of course there’s still more to do. But only by sticking to our long term economic plan will we build a more resilient economy across all parts of Wales and the UK.” Before attending the event AM Paul Davies told The Herald: “I’m delighted to be attending the Royal Welsh Show this year where the goods and foods on display will showcase the very best of Wales once again. The Show provides an excellent opportunity not only to celebrate Welsh food and produce, but also engage with the farming and food industry to better understand some of the challenges facing the sector. “Sadly, agriculture and rural affairs have been demoted to a junior position around Welsh Government’s cabinet table, which clearly demonstrates their attitude towards the industry. I hope to use my time at the Royal Welsh Show to engage as much as possible with farmers and food producers, establishing what some of their challenges are and listening to how we can best support the industry.”

Education

South Hook delivers vital safety lessons to Pembrokeshire children

Published

10 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE’S CRUCIAL CREW event returned earlier this month, delivering essential safety lessons to year six pupils from across the county.

Now in its 31st year, Wales’ longest-running Crucial Crew programme hosted nearly 1,300 children from 44 schools at Scolton Manor Park’s Barn – the event’s first time at this venue. The initiative, organised by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Road Safety Team, is supported by South Hook LNG Terminal.

Since its inception in 1993, more than 40,000 Pembrokeshire schoolchildren have taken part in the interactive workshops designed to teach critical safety skills. Aimed at year six pupils, the programme continues to play a key role in preparing children for a safer future as they transition to secondary school.

Covering a wide range of everyday scenarios, the workshops provide guidance on water, fire, road, and rail safety, as well as school bus evacuation, electrical hazards, internet safety, and handling dogs. The programme also addresses serious topics such as domestic violence. Through these hands-on scenarios, children develop practical knowledge that can stay with them for life.

Hamad Al Samra, General Manager of South Hook LNG Terminal, expressed pride in supporting the initiative: “Having backed Crucial Crew for the past fifteen years, we are incredibly proud to continue our involvement in a programme that teaches our children such diverse and valuable safety skills. Our thanks to all the dedicated individuals from various agencies who make this event possible.”

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, echoed this sentiment: “Pembrokeshire County Council is proud to be a partner in this fantastic scheme, supporting our young people to be safer now and in the future. We are grateful for the commitment of everyone involved in delivering Crucial Crew.”

This year’s event featured contributions from key organisations, including:

Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Services
Road Safety and School Transport teams
National Grid and Network Rail
Welsh Ambulance Service
Dyfed Powys Police
Mid and West Wales Fire Service
John Burns Foundation
HM Coastguard and the RNLI

Charity

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society donate £1,400 to all-Wales charity

Published

10 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

WALES AIR AMBULANCE has continued to benefit from being the chosen charity of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s president Adam Thorne.

Throughout the year the society has come together to raise much-needed funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.

Adam chose the Wales Air Ambulance Charity because of how valuable the service is to the rural and farming community in West Wales.

Following a successful harvest festival service and pre-Pembrokeshire County Show service, donations were made towards the charity of £1,400.

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery.

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every ensure to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s fundraising journey will continue, with a carol concert on 16 December and a luncheon in February.

Mike May, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for West Wales said: “Firstly a huge thank you to President Adam Thorne for picking our Charity as Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s Charity of the Year. Thank you to everyone who has helped to raise the funds and will continue to assist with fundraising events for Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

“The Charity relies on donations, like these to be able to continue to provide our lifesaving service for the people of Wales. We hope the up and coming concert and luncheon is just as successful as their previous fundraisers.”

Business

Millin Brook Luxury Dog Boarding wins three top industry awards

Published

10 hours ago

November 27, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILLIN BROOK Luxury Dog Boarding, a family-run business in Wiston, has received three major industry awards this year, cementing its place as a leader in pet care services.

The first accolade came in September when the business was named Business Service of the Year at the PetQuip Awards. Co-owner Sian Smith said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Business Service of the Year. We put our heart and soul into providing the highest possible level of service to our wonderful clients, and it’s great to have this recognised by industry experts.”

THE UK’S BEST

On November 7, Millin Brook was crowned Best Kennels in the UK at the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) Awards. These awards, which celebrate excellence across the pet care sector, saw Millin Brook score highly in customer satisfaction.

Nigel Baker, CEO of the Pet Industry Federation, said:

“Millin Brook particularly impressed the judges. They scored very highly on their customer satisfaction scores.”

Co-owner Dave Smith added: “This is the biggest accolade we can receive in the pet industry, and we are so very proud.”

A LONDON CELEBRATION

The year was rounded off on November 21, when Millin Brook won the Kennel and Home Boarding category at the Dog Friendly Awards, held at the Kennel Club in Mayfair, London.

Mrs Smith reflected on the occasion, saying: “It is such a beautiful venue and full of history. Following the award ceremony, we were treated to a fabulous spread of afternoon tea. One of the highlights was meeting Ted, the dog from Gone Fishing. We finished the day with a tour around the Kennel Club museum and enjoyed a few celebration drinks.”

These three awards highlight Millin Brook’s commitment to providing outstanding pet care and confirm its status as a standout name in the UK pet industry.