News
Funding boost on offer for local sports groups

INVESTING in grassroots and community sport has led to more than £300,000 being accessed by local clubs in 2022 and this year it could be your chance for a share.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Sport Pembrokeshire helped 55 sports clubs receive a share of £335,388 from Sport Wales via the Be Active Wales Fund grants system last year.
In 2023 there are grants available for a variety of schemes or activities including coach education courses, essential items of equipment, new team start-ups and developing ‘on field’ activities.
Examples from last year include a Sea Cadet unit receiving £16,522 to buy a new safety boat as well as powerboat and safety boat courses, a table tennis club that got £700 for two new tables and a local football club accessed a grant of nearly £8,000 for training courses, balls, bibs, cones and goalposts.
Graham Willcocks at Trefloyne Junior Golf Academy, said: “The grant we received from the Be Active Wales Fund got us off to a flying start. We didn’t have much in the bank so it was a massive leap for us when they provided all the equipment we needed to get youngsters starting to play golf.
“With the support of Alan Jones at Sport Pembrokeshire, it was easy, with a straightforward application process and a really fast turnaround. Without that grant we wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today.”
Sports Development Link Officer at Sport Pembrokeshire, Alan Jones added: “We would love to hear from any clubs and sports groups, large or small, to see if we can help access some grant funding to support community sport, and encourage people to get in touch.”
Any sports clubs interested can find out more about the grants from Sport Pembrokeshire and the Sport Wales websites.
Email sport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk for more information and to tell the team about what your club needs and what you would like to do.
News
Two lives saved after children get in trouble in surf off Pendine

TENBY’S all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1.40pm on Thursday 1st June, following a report of children in difficulty in the surf off Pendine.
The volunteer crew were soon on the water and made best speed to the scene, some 8 miles north-east of Tenby.
On arrival, they discovered that the crew of the range safety vessel ‘Spartan’ had pulled both casualties from the water. As they were being transferred to the lifeboat, a coastguard rescue helicopter arrived overhead and their paramedic was lowered aboard the lifeboat to check the children over.
It was decided to winch them into the helicopter and land them on the beach that that a land ambulance could take them to hospital as a precaution.
With both children now safely on the beach, the lifeboat was stood down to return to station arriving at 3.10pm.
News
Templeton man pleads guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child

A 53-YEAR-OLD man from Templeton has pleaded guilty in front of a Crown Court judge to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child whom he believed to be under the age of 16.
Phillip Bowley confessed to the offense, which took place between March 6 and March 9, 2023. The admission was made during his appearance before Judge Paul Thomas at Swansea Crown Court earlier today (Thursday).
Following a request from Bowley’s defense counsel, Ms. Hannah George KC, the sentencing has been adjourned until June 30. This delay will allow the Probation Service to prepare a pre-sentence report.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that Bowley has no prior convictions or police cautions on his record.
Bowley, residing at North Gate in Templeton, Narberth, was released on conditional bail. The conditions of his bail include mandatory residence and sleep at his home address, no unsupervised contact with children, and a restriction on using devices capable of accessing the internet.
Judge Paul Thomas made a noteworthy observation regarding the case, stating, “I can’t remember the last time I saw a pre-sentence report in a case like this that didn’t contain the fact that the defendant had no [sexual] interest in children. But that it was done out of curiosity. This does not help the defendant’s case. There may be other reasons for doing it, but as far as the court is concerned, it doesn’t help.”
The adjournment of the sentencing allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the circumstances surrounding Bowley’s offense. The court will consider the pre-sentence report when determining an appropriate penalty for his actions.
Business
Bluestone invests £30m into its Pembrokeshire resort to expand facilities

BLUESTONE NATIONAL PARK RESORT is investing £30million to expand its facilities and further support its efforts in meeting high environmental and sustainable standards that protects and enhances the local area and community.
The multi-million-pound investment projects at the luxury holiday destination include the launch of 80 new platinum lodges, transformation of a disused 19th century mill into a heritage restaurant, and development of an 11-hectare solar farm.
As well as enhancing guest experience, the exciting developments are set to boost the Pembrokeshire economy, with the new lodges alone estimated to increase visitor spend in the area by £1million a year.
This is in addition to the local employment opportunities and £1.5million injection that Bluestone brings to the local economy each year.
Around 250 jobs have been sustained during the construction phase of the platinum lodges and a further 100 operational jobs will be created once they open to guests. These figures add to the 800 people that Bluestone currently employs.
Bluestone’s Director of Sustainability, Marten Lewis, said: “Our ‘Free Range Future’ movement is at the heart of everything we do to ensure all our investments and initiatives benefit the local community and environment.
“It was key for us to channel this ethos through our latest investments, which have demonstrated our commitment to furthering our green credentials and making sure our environmental footsteps are as light as possible.
“Sustainable building practices have formed a huge part of construction of these projects, such as the platinum lodges which have been built upon the principles of biophilic design to bring elements of the natural world into the modern designs. Once complete, they will be heated by air source heat pumps.
“Guests are set to benefit from these major milestones coming to life as we open the doors to our highly anticipated Black Pool Mill restaurant and platinum lodges this month.”
Black Pool Mill is set to launch this week (Friday 19th May), after a £3million investment transformed the disused 19th century mill into a rustic heritage restaurant.
Designed to incorporate the mill’s original features and centuries-old architecture, chefs will create seasonal menus that are inspired by Pembrokeshire’s warm microclimate, rich soil and clear seas. They will strive to use locally sourced or foraged ingredients, to provide a unique and authentic local dining experience.
The family-run company has also invested £3million into the creation of an 11-hectare solar farm, which is part of its commitment to reduce carbon emissions and become net zero by 2040. The farm is set to generate 3.2 megawatts of electricity a year and has a lifespan of up to 40 years.
Bluestone’s chief executive, William McNamara, said: “The addition of the solar farm allows us to put money into a more sustainable future for Pembrokeshire, something we are incredibly passionate about at Bluestone.”
A large proportion of the investment has gone towards the development of 80 new Platinum Lodges on the resort which have been built in line with the company’s environmental values.
The lodges will offer new levels of comfort and luxury living with sunrooms, designated outdoor areas, picturesque surroundings, and ‘cwtch’ rooms to accommodate groups up to eight people.
Mr McNamara added: “All three projects are set to bring a boost to the local community, and being able to create so many jobs from these has been at the heart of driving forward these projects. At Bluestone, we’re always aiming to give something back to the community, and we’re delighted to be able to do that while building on the future of rural Pembrokeshire.”
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