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Inspirational Achievements recognised in 16th Sport Pembrokeshire awards

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ONE of the highlights of the local sporting calendar, the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2022 were held on Friday (25 November) at Folly Farm.

Celebrating the outstanding achievements of sportspeople, coaches and volunteers, the ceremony recognised 13 award-winners in a variety of categories, the winners of two special awards – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Special Achievement Award – plus the School Award.

The ceremony was organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, and sponsored by Valero, the Western Telegraph, Pure West Radio, Folly Farm and Pembrokeshire County Council. It was hosted by sports journalist Bill Carne and Cris Tomos.

The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was dual code international rugby player and coach Rowland Phillips.

A native of St Davids, Rowland played in the backrow for the legendary Neath pack and won ten caps for Wales between 1987-1990 before moving to rugby league and signing for Warrington.

He also played for Rochdale, Oldham and Workington; won the Regal Trophy and represented Wales and Great Britain.

His coaching career was equally impressive. In 2003, he returned to his beloved Neath and led them to four successive Premiership titles and three Cup Final victories.

He undertook top roles home and abroad with among others the Ospreys, London Welsh and Wales Under-18s.

He has also been coach of the Wales Women’s national side, with his daughter, Carys achieving international success too, in her dad’s footsteps.

“Rowland has achieved international success but remained close to his family and community. He’s a real role model,” said Geoff Williams, retired Head of BBC Sport Wales, who presented him with the award.

The winner of the Special Achievement Award, presented by the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Pat Davies, was Brian Griffiths of Burton Cricket Club – an active member of the club for 72 years.

Brian played his debut as an 11 year old when he turned up to score but was asked to play when the team found itself with only ten men!

As well as playing a huge number of games for club and county he was also an excellent coach for over 40 years, initially with Burton and later on in the Pembrokeshire coaching set-up.

In recent years, Brian also umpired the club’s second team but his major contribution has been as the groundsman at Oatfield Park.

Burton all-rounder Steve Jones said: “Brian Griffiths has always typified the very best of cricket, on and off the field.

“He has been an excellent player over such a long period and worked tirelessly as a coach and groundsman. But above all that he really is a gentleman of the sport.”

In addition to the worthy finalists and winners, Sport Pembrokeshire also recognised Johnston CP School for its commitment tohealth and wellbeing.

Sponsored by Pembrokeshire County Council, the School Award was presented by Steven Richards-Downes, Director of Education.

Johnston school has developed their provision of inclusive sport with 12 after-school clubs every week, introduced a Special Visitor Programme to introduce learners to professional athletes and interesting speakers from all walks of life, offers a huge range of opportunities in dynamic PE sessions, and promotes outdoor learning with the Outdoor Schools programme.

Matthew Freeman, manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, congratulated all nominees, finalists and winners.

“Once again we’ve heard about some truly inspirational achievements, and outstanding examples of teamwork behind the scenes,” he said. “Well done to everyone.”

The winners are as follows:

SPORT PEMBROKESHIRE FINALISTS 2022:

Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement

Gracie Griffiths

Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement

Oscar Willington

Club of the Year

Cresselly Cricket Club

Junior Disability Sport Award

Ben Stanton

Disability Sport Award

Lily Rice

Young Volunteer of the Year

Lucy Kerrison

Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year

Neyland Pirates U14s 2021/22

Unsung Hero

Kevin Jenkins

Team Achievement of the Year

Wiseman’s Bridge Women’s Coxed Squad

Male Sporting Achievement

Ioan Croft

Female Sporting Achievement

Heather Lewis

Club Organiser of the Year

Wendy Bradshaw

Coach of the Year

Guy Croft

 

Community

Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori

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A POPULAR Tenby road race has raised more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

Runners and sponsors taking part in last year’s Tenby 10k raised £20,559.07 for the Pembrokeshire charity, which provides hospice care to people in their own homes.

The race, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, took place in October 2025 and was well supported by locals and visitors, who lined the route through the town to cheer on competitors.

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, has now received the cheque, presented by a selection of those who took part in the event.

This year’s Tenby 10k will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, on a closed-road, two-lap course through the centre of Tenby.

More than 400 runners have already signed up, with entries now past 40 per cent capacity and organisers expecting the event to sell out again.

Anyone wishing to take part can enter at www.waterfrontcommunityrunners.co.uk.

All proceeds from this year’s race will again be donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Caption:

Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, receives the cheque from Tenby 10k runners and organisers.

 

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Community

Forgotten wartime archive found in Pembroke Dock attic after 80 years

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Remarkable family collection reveals story of father and son who served through two world wars

A REMARKABLE untouched family archive documenting the lives of two Pembroke Dock servicemen who fought for Britain across both World Wars has been discovered in the attic of a terraced house in the town.

The collection, found at a property on Lewis Street, contains original military papers, wartime identity documents, Army service certificates and an old Dyfed driving licence belonging to members of the Atcherley family.

The archive was uncovered by local resident Ryan Guy, who said he was stunned by what he found hidden away in the loft of his home at 33 Lewis Street.

At the heart of the discovery are records belonging to father and son Samuel and James Atcherley, whose military careers spanned decades of British history.

World War One soldier

Among the most significant finds is an original discharge certificate belonging to Samuel Atcherley, who served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

The document shows Samuel enlisted at Shrewsbury on July 19, 1909, before going on to serve throughout the early years of the First World War.

Military records found in the attic show he was discharged on September 6, 1916 after being declared “no longer physically fit for war service” following more than seven years with the Colours.

The papers also paint a vivid picture of the soldier himself. Samuel was described as standing 5ft 6in tall, with fair complexion, grey eyes and blonde hair.

Experts in military history say surviving original service records from the First World War are increasingly rare, particularly where complete family papers remain together.

Secret wartime work

The archive also sheds light on the military career of Samuel’s son, James Henry Atcherley, who served during the Second World War and into the post-war period.

Among the papers is an Army Certificate of Service confirming James reached the rank of Sergeant and served for almost twenty years.

One of the most intriguing discoveries is his wartime military service book carrying stark warnings about secrecy, including instructions that “Military Secrets Must Be Guarded In Peace And War”.

The wording suggests James may have worked in a sensitive military role during a period when Britain was developing radar and communications systems that proved crucial to the war effort.

A surviving wartime National Registration Identity Card lists James Atcherley as living at 33 Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, linking the documents directly to the property where they were uncovered.

A glimpse into local history

The find offers a rare snapshot of ordinary life in Pembroke Dock across much of the twentieth century.

Also discovered among the papers was an original Great Britain driving licence issued through Dyfed County Council in 1976, again showing James Atcherley still living at the same address.

The Herald understands the collection may include further military material and family records yet to be examined.

Ryan Guy said he hopes the discovery will help preserve the memory of the Atcherley family and provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of local men who served their country during some of its darkest hours.

The Herald would be keen to hear from anyone who remembers the Atcherley family or has further information about their military service.

 

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Community

Tenby station works to bring five overnight road closures

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FIVE overnight road closures are to take place in Tenby as major work continues on the town’s £8.3m railway station upgrade.

Station Road will be closed overnight to allow heavy machinery and bridge steelwork to be delivered for the Access for All scheme at Tenby railway station.

The project, being delivered by Network Rail with contractor AmcoGiffen, will provide step-free access to both platforms through a new footbridge and lifts.

Work began earlier this year, with the old footbridge removed in March using 220-tonne and 60-tonne cranes. A temporary walkway was installed so passengers could continue moving between platforms while the new structure is built.

Network Rail said the scheme is now at the stage where permanent foundation works are being completed on the platform, ahead of bridge steelwork being installed from July 4.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The scheme will provide step-free access to both platforms via a new footbridge and lifts, making it easier for disabled passengers, as well as those travelling with pushchairs or heavy luggage, to move around the station independently.

“To maintain the safety of both the public and our teams, Network Rail have worked closely with the local authority to implement a road closure while the steelwork and cranes are delivered and installed.”

Pembrokeshire County Council said Station Road will close from its junction with Warren Street south to its junction with Park Place.

The closure will be in place on Tuesday, June 30, from 9:00pm to 5:00am, and again from Saturday, July 4, for five nights between 9:00pm and 5:00am.

The council said the restriction is needed “to facilitate abnormal load movements in conjunction with the installation of the pedestrian bridge at Tenby Train Station.”

A signed diversion will be in place, with the route depending on the direction of travel.

Traffic management operatives will be on site throughout the works, and the one-way order affecting Harding Street will be temporarily suspended to allow limited two-way access to properties where practicable.

The station upgrade is expected to be completed this autumn.

 

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