News
Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant helps bring community together
A UNIQUE project in Pembroke Dock ‘Tackling Loneliness’ is bringing the local community together with veterans.
An Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant of £20,000, in collaboration with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, has funded a Peer Mentor, who supports many people, not just veterans, at its former Catholic school site.
The funding also allowed the continuation of weekday Naafi breaks where participants can chat and enjoy the company of other veterans.
There is a focus on older veterans living in the local area, but all ages and people from all walks of life are now involved.
Peer mentor Kevin Stanley, a Royal Navy veteran, offers support in accessing digital platforms, paperwork, referrals, housing and benefits as well as a “friendly ear.”
As well as this support there are around 26 activities on offer throughout the week, ranging from knitting to IT skills.
Steph Cross, VC Gallery Project Manager, said what’s unique at the Pembroke Dock centre is how closely residents and veterans support each other, “they merge so well,” she added.
A food poverty grant has allowed for a weekly lunch to be offered, and this has been increasing in popularity, and the centre saw more than 450 people attending throughout May.
Volunteers prepare the lunch and The VC Gallery works closely with PAVS to find people willing to volunteer for activities and lunches, with around 4,000 hours given across the organisation this year.
The Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant distributes funds raised by Second Homes Tax for new projects to help address the negative impact of second homes and add value to communities.
“The VC Gallery is run as a community hub, supporting veterans and the community – it’s a big project. PATCH and Frame are use rooms here as well. We have around 1,000 engagements a month, lots of different people and these people probably wouldn’t have crossed paths necessarily,” Steph added.
Cabinet Member for Corporate Improvement and Communities Cllr Neil Prior said: “The Enhancing Pembrokeshire grants can make a real difference to communities, supporting a wide range of projects and schemes. I would encourage anyone working in their communities to find out more about what’s available.”
Armed Forces Champion Cllr Simon Hancock added: “It was inspiring to see the work being done in Pembroke Dock at The VC Gallery. The support for both veterans and residents is something to be proud of.”
More information about the Enhancing Pembrokeshire grant and its five well-being objectives is available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. You can contact the Regeneration Team on 01437 775536 or via [email protected] to register your project and apply for an Expression of Interest form.
Armed Forces Covenant Liaison Officer, Hayley Edwards emphasised the vital work that the VC Gallery does for Veterans and the Armed Forces Community.
She added: “The VC Gallery is the cornerstone for support for our veterans in Pembrokeshire. The great work that Kevin does as the Armed Forces Peer Mentor is vital for our Veterans wellbeing quality of life.’’
More information about the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust can be found online.
Pictured at The VC Gallery in Pembroke Dock are Steph Cross and Kevin Stanley, Cllr Simon Hancock, Hayley Edwards with Veterans and visitors to the centre.
Business
Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire
FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.
Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.
Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.
The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.
According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.
The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.
In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.
TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”
The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.
News
UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner
FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.
An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.
The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.
In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”
Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
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