Community

Community facilities across Wales benefit from ‘crucial’ additional funds to meet rising costs

Published

2 years ago

December 28, 2022

COMMUNITY facilities across Wales are set to benefit from ‘crucial’ additional Welsh Government funding enabling them to complete refurbishment works.

The projects had struggled to stay within their original budgets due to rising costs of building supplies.

More than £303,000 will go towards additional funding for five larger projects.

In total fifteen projects are receiving funding totalling £467,000 in this round of the Community Facilities Programme. This included £164,000 towards ten smaller projects, all receiving under £25,000 grants.

Small amounts of grant funding can provide a big change for community facilities.

The programme funds the purchase and improvement of facilities which provide opportunities for local people to improve their day to day lives.

The smaller projects include £13,000 towards making a woodland space at Bluegreen Cymru in Glanteifi Woods, Pembrokeshire more accessible all year round through new paths, a log burner and a covered area; £20,000 towards urgent repairs to the roof to prevent water ingress at St Thomas Church Hall in Clydach Vale, RCT; £11,000 towards upgrading the kitchen and the play space to create a warm hub during the winter months at Victory Church in Cwmbran; and £17,870 towards an extension to the workshop and energy saving improvements at Brighter Futures in Rhyl, Denbighshire.

The larger projects include £50,000 towards new windows to make the building more sustainable for energy costs at New Life Church in Cardigan, Ceredigion; £50,000 towards improving sound insulation and renovating an outbuilding into a flexible space for music, dance and arts workshops at Tabernacl Bethesda in Gwynedd; and £87,100 towards refurbishing a community hub and installing new windows to make it more energy efficient at Hirwaun YMCA in RCT.

Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “This additional funding is crucial to allow these larger projects to be completed so they can benefit communities across Wales.

“Due to rising costs for materials they have seen their budgets squeezed as they neared completion. They wouldn’t have been able to carry out essential works like roof repairs, new windows and energy saving improvements if it wasn’t for our Community Facilities Programme.

“I hope everyone gets to enjoy these community facilities once they are finished and look forward to hearing about their progress.”

Stephen Johnson, sustainability co-ordinator at Brighter Futures in Rhyl, said the funding had made a massive difference to them.

“Thanks to this funding we have been able to extend the workshop and can get more people into it,” he said.

“We have been planning this for a long time, but now we are able to do it. It’s perfect timing as the numbers of people wanting to come are getting higher and higher.”

He added: “The energy saving improvements have also saved us so much money with our bills. People don’t want to stay in their houses, so they are able to come here and keep warm. We have started staying open six days a week now.”

Sue Lewis, the leading project officer on Aberporth Village Hall in Ceredigion, where work includes rebuilding one property and modernising and refurbishing an adjoining building, said they were hoping to be finished in time for Christmas next year.

“This funding has basically made the difference between the project happening or not,” she said.

“It’s going to completely transform our community. When it’s finished we will have this focal point in the village. It will be a warm and welcoming community hub that everyone can use.”

Clyde Thomas, Lead Pastor at Victory Church in Cwmbran, said: “The funding provided will allow us to upgrade our front of house space, creating a great place to work, play and keep warm and fed.

“With times becoming increasingly more challenging for many local families, the church seeks to be a valuable communal connection point offering hope and help to all.”

Community

Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

Published

13 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.

Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.

From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.

Community

RNLI lifeguard patrols extend across Welsh beaches for half term

Published

21 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THIS weekend RNLI lifeguard patrols are extending the number of patrolled beaches across Wales, as the lifesaving charity are encouraging the public to visit a lifeguarded beach.

This Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguard patrols begin at a number of beaches across Wales for the half term holiday. The RNLI are advising those planning a trip to the coast, to visit a lifeguarded beach.

Tom John Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘There are plenty of lifeguarded beaches around Wales to choose from during half term. Remember to swim and bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and surf, kayak or stand-up paddleboard between the black and white flags.

‘The lifeguards position the flags in the safest area of the beach, if you see a red flag the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as unsafe – so do not enter the water. If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards who will be happy to help and can provide local beach safety advice for the conditions that day.’

From Saturday 24 May, RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling from 10am-6pm at the following locations:

In Denbighshire, Rhyl and Prestatyn will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. They will then be patrolled on weekends only up until 29 June when they go live full time for the remainder of the season.

In Ceredigion Borth, Aberystwyth South, Llangrannog, Tresaith and Aberporth will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Borth and Llangrannog will continue to be patrolled full time, whilst the other beaches will be patrolled on weekends only up until 19 July when they go live full time until 31 August.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands, Newgale Central and Tenby South will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Whitesands and Tenby South will continue to be patrolled every day, Newgale Central will be patrolled on weekends only up until 15 June when it goes live full time.

In Swansea, Aberavon, Langland, Caswell and Pembrey will be patrolled every day from 24 May – 1 June. Aberavon, Langland and Caswell will continue to be patrolled every day, with Pembrey to be patrolled on weekends only up until 5 July when it goes live full time.

In Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan, Rest Bay, Coney Beach, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay will be patrolled every day from 24 May until the end of the season.

Chris Cousens RNLI Water Safety Lead said: ‘If you’re visiting the coast, remember to visit a lifeguarded beach. It’s safest not to go into the water alone – the person you’re with can help you stay safe and get help in the event of an emergency.

‘If you unexpectedly find yourself in difficulty in the water, float to live. If you see anyone else in difficulty anywhere along the coast, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.’

The RNLI’s advice for anyone struggling in the water is ‘Float to Live’:

Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged
Relax and try to breathe normally
Move your hands and feet to help you stay afloat
It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently.

Community

Safety plea issued for DIY enthusiasts after cable damage

Published

22 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DIY enthusiasts and builders in South and West Wales are being urged to take extra care when digging to avoid hitting underground electricity cables, which is dangerous and can lead to power cuts.

Digging into a live high voltage cable can cause explosions and fires that may lead to fatalities or severe injury, including burns to face, hands and body.

Most cables are laid in trenches between 450mm and one metre deep and often there are no permanent markers to show their presence.

National Grid Electricity Distribution is advising workers to:

find out if electrical equipment is near the digging area by checking cable location plans
ensure someone competent at using a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) locates all cables shown on the plans
mark cable locations on the ground surface with waterproof road paint or marker
dig trial holes by hand to locate exact positions of cables using an insulated spade or shovel – never a pick, fork or power tool
remember cable record plans are not guaranteed to be completely accurate. Kerb lines, roads and buildings may have been moved or altered since the cables were laid
if a cable is hit, clear the area of personnel and call 105 to report it

Chris Cleveland, National Grid Electricity Distribution’s Head of Safety, said: “There’s a high risk of serious injury if an underground cable is damaged and that’s why we want anyone carrying out excavation, drilling, piling, demolition and site investigations to check in advance if live cables are anywhere near their work area.

“As well as possible injury and delaying people’s projects, damaging cables can also cause significant disruption to other customers and lead to considerable repair costs for those responsible.”

Details of how to obtain National Grid Electricity Distribution cable location plans can be found at: https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk/our-network/check-before-you-dig-location-of-our-cables-and-equipment