Community

Community achieves major milestone to safeguard their beloved pub

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2023

IN a remarkable display of determination, a group of impassioned volunteers from the local community has brought the Cross Inn, the sole pub in Hayscastle Cross, on the cusp of salvation as it teetered on the edge of closure. The community-led initiative, driven by a shared resolve to preserve their cherished establishment, has surpassed their minimum target of £200,000 shares sold, marking an extraordinary triumph for the residents of this tight-knit locality.

The Y Cross Cas-lai Community Benefit Society Ltd. (the Society), the driving force behind this ambitious endeavor, has left no stone unturned in their quest to unite everyone under the common ownership of the pub. Alongside the successful share offering, the Society organized an array of events, from a spirited community auction and a bustling car wash to convivial coffee mornings, an epic tractor run, lively bingo and tippit evenings, engaging raffles, and even roping in the assistance of a local Dalek.

As the current owners, Wayne and Angela Phillips, prepare to bid farewell to the pub and explore new horizons, the establishment is slated to cease trading at the end of July this year. However, the Society has set its sights on acquiring the pub, giving it a much-needed facelift, and promptly reopening its doors with a fresh and revitalized ambiance.

Society Chairman Geraint Evans expressed his profound gratitude, stating, “We are immensely thrilled to have received the unwavering support of our friends, families, local residents, and numerous businesses, including the current owners, who have all displayed remarkable goodwill and backing throughout this endeavor.”

Evans further elaborated, “Our ambition has captured the imagination of the entire community, and despite the considerable challenges, we are relishing the journey because of its significance, and above all, because we are collectively making it happen. Our vision entails creating a welcoming and vibrant village pub that doubles as a community hub. With the profits generated from the pub, we intend to restore some of the essential services that the community desperately needs, having already lost two garages, a shop, a Post Office, and the local school.”

Even the Rt Hon Stephen Crabb MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire has joined the cause, lending his support. In a letter addressed to the Rt Hon. Michael Gove, Crabb highlighted the shared values between Y Cross Cas-lai Benefit Society Ltd. and the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund, which aims to “safeguard the small, but much-loved local assets on which we cannot put a price.” He continued, stating, “I endorse the bid from Y Cross Cas-lai Community Benefit Society Ltd., which will not only retain an important village asset but also foster community cohesion, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a sense of place and societal well-being.”

For those interested in investing in Y Cross Cas-lai and contributing to their ambitious goals, there is a limited window of opportunity, as the deadline for share applications is the 21st of May 2023. The share offer has been extended for a brief period to allow existing investors to augment their contributions and welcome new investors who are eager to partake in this remarkable project.

To obtain further information and play a role in propelling the Y Cross Cas-lai team across the finish line in style, please visit http://ycrossinn.cymru/how-to-invest/ to learn more about purchasing shares. Together, let us ensure the triumph of this community-led initiative, securing the future of the cherished Cross Inn for generations to come.

Community

Tributes paid to South West Wales SSAFA volunteer Valerie Griggs

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

COLLEAGUES across SSAFA are saddened to share news of the death of Valerie Griggs, a dedicated volunteer whose commitment to the Armed Forces community spanned many years.

Valerie joined SSAFA following her retirement from a career in healthcare administration and quickly became a valued member of the charity’s volunteer network in west Wales.

Over the course of her volunteering career, Valerie supported countless serving personnel, veterans and military families through her work as a caseworker, Divisional Secretary for Pembrokeshire, Branch Secretary for Dyfed, and later Branch Secretary for South West Wales.

Known for her professionalism, compassion and organisational skills, Valerie worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure those in need received support and guidance during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

Her dedication to SSAFA was recognised nationally in 2023 when she was invited to SSAFA’s Annual General Meeting in London and installed as an Honorary Life Member of the Association, one of the charity’s highest honours for long and distinguished service.

Valerie’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community reflected a lifetime spent alongside military service. As the wife of a Royal Navy submariner, she experienced first-hand the challenges faced by military families during postings across the UK and overseas, including Scotland, Hampshire and Gibraltar.

Away from SSAFA, Valerie was active within her local community, serving as Treasurer of her local Royal Naval Association branch, Secretary of St David’s Church and Lady Captain of her golf club.

Valerie passed away on May 17, 2026 at home in Pembrokeshire, with her husband David by her side.

Stephen Boswell, SSAFA Wales Regional Manager, said: “Valerie was one of those volunteers who quietly made an enormous difference. Her commitment to SSAFA, her compassion for others and her willingness to help wherever she was needed earned the respect and admiration of everyone who worked alongside her.

“Over many years she supported countless members of the Armed Forces community across west Wales and helped strengthen SSAFA through her dedication and professionalism. She will be greatly missed by friends and colleagues throughout SSAFA.

Our thoughts are with David and all of Valerie’s family at this difficult time.”

Charity

Voices at the Castle hailed a huge success for Paul Sartori Foundation

Published

12 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEMORABLE evening of music, warmth and community spirit filled Pembroke Castle as Voices at the Castle was hailed a huge success.

The event, held on Saturday (Jun 13), brought together local performers, an international star and a strong audience in one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic settings, all in support of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the historic castle, the evening offered an uplifting celebration of live music and charity. Organisers said the relaxed atmosphere, sunny setting and quality of performances helped make it a night to remember.

The event opened with Pembrokeshire Pop Voices, who entertained the audience with an upbeat set including their charity single Love the Bones of You.

They were followed by Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir, who delivered a rousing selection of classic male voice choir favourites, with many in the audience joining in.

The Paul Sartori Community Choir also impressed in one of its first outdoor performances, with a confident and spirited set which included a standout rendition of an ELO classic.

Bella Voce added to the occasion with a varied programme of melodic songs, their harmonies carrying beautifully around the castle walls.

Headline act Russell Watson brought the evening to a powerful close, captivating the crowd with his humour, warmth and remarkable voice.

His set included a mixture of classical and contemporary songs, with the audience joining him for a singalong of Volare before dancing along as the evening built to its finale.

He ended the night with a moving dedication to Paul Sartori staff, performing Someone to Remember Me.

Organisers also praised compere Rod Haynes, whose warmth, humour and natural stage presence helped the event run smoothly and created a welcoming atmosphere for all.

The charity said it remained extremely disappointed that Rock the Ramparts, due to take place on the Friday evening, could not go ahead.

High winds meant it was not possible to safely install the stage roof and associated sound equipment, forcing the cancellation of the event on health and safety grounds.

The charity thanked the bands The Candy Skulls, The Cleddau Kings, Milly and The Bandits, and Saltwater for their understanding, generosity and the time they had put into rehearsing and preparing.

Thanks were also given to the staging and lighting teams, who worked throughout the day in an effort to make the event happen despite the challenging conditions.

Special thanks were extended to staff at Pembroke Castle for their continued support and for providing the setting, as well as Wayne and the team at EPS, Magnum Sound, Bluesky Marquees, Merts Medical, Elite Security, Joshua Bennet and David Halsted for their contributions to food and drink provision.

The charity also thanked Ian Richards for photographing the event on behalf of Paul Sartori.

A spokesperson said Voices at the Castle stood as a testament to what could be achieved through collaboration, dedication and a shared love of live music, adding that organisers hoped the night would live long in the memory of those who attended.

The Paul Sartori Foundation, which operates as Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, provides end-of-life care and support for people with life-limiting illnesses across Pembrokeshire.

The charity says it is keen to dispel the belief that it is only a cancer charity, with almost a third of those it supports having a non-cancer diagnosis.

It operates an open referral system, with referrals coming from patients, family members, friends, district nurses, palliative care specialists and hospital staff.

The foundation was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care before his death from cancer at the age of 39.

Photo caption: Jon Williams from Pembroke Castle with Laura Hugman, CEO of the Paul Sartori Foundation, team members and headline act Russell Watson.

Community

Swiss granddaughter returns to Pembroke Dock to honour wartime heroine

Published

13 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SWISS woman has returned to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre to see a special display celebrating her grandmother’s remarkable wartime work helping Allied servicemen who escaped into neutral Switzerland.

Therese Burckhardt, from Zurich, is the granddaughter of Mrs Beryl Schaerer Morse, a former Pembroke Dock woman who was awarded the King’s Medal in 1952 for her service during the Second World War.

The rare medal, one of only around 2,500 awarded, is now on display at the Heritage Centre alongside photographs, family records and an information panel telling Mrs Schaerer Morse’s story.

Beryl Schaerer Morse was born in Pembroke Dock in 1887, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Harrison Morse, who lived in Pembroke Dock and later Tenby.

After marrying a Swiss banker in 1913, she settled in Switzerland for the rest of her life, but always regarded Pembrokeshire as home. She returned for many summers to the family’s house in Tenby, which her grandparents had built in the 1930s.

During the Second World War, Mrs Schaerer Morse led an organisation assisting Allied servicemen who had escaped into neutral Switzerland. Her work was later recognised with the award of the King’s Medal.

Therese first visited the Heritage Centre last summer with childhood friend Penny Tighe, of Pembroke, bringing the medal and family records with her. She has now returned with further documents and family photographs to add to the centre’s archive.

Joining her again was Penny Tighe, along with Ruth Waddington, who now lives in the Tenby house where Therese spent many happy childhood holidays with her brother Roland, known affectionately to his grandmother as “Chips”.

Mrs Schaerer Morse died in 1967 and had expressly wished to be buried near her father at Llanion Cemetery, Pembroke Dock.

Therese said: “I am very pleased with how my grandmother’s medal and her story are displayed at the Heritage Centre, and also pleased to bring more records to add to the archive there.”

Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is based at the Royal Dockyard Chapel and tells the story of the town’s maritime, aviation, military, social and community heritage.

Pembroke Dock was Wales’ only Royal Dockyard, a major garrison town, and during the Second World War was home to the largest flying boat station in the world.