Community
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)
READ THIS WEEK’S PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD HERE:Community
Milford Haven and Neyland Police issue appeal for missing man

POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a 54-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Milford Haven area.
Neil is described as being around 6ft 2in tall with a shaved head. He has tattoos on his arms and one of his fingers, and sometimes wears glasses.
He was last seen on Friday afternoon (Apr 26) wearing a black Superdry hoodie, ripped jeans, and orange and black Nike Air trainers. Neil is believed to be on foot.
Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police: 🖥️ | Online portal
📧 | [email protected]
📞 | Call 101, quoting reference 262 of April 26.
Community
Fire service delivers vital kit to Ukraine

Wales joins UK’s largest firefighting aid convoy
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has taken part in the UK’s largest ever convoy delivering vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, joining 17 other Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) from across the country.
The convoy, coordinated by FIRE AID and supported by the UK Government, left the UK in early April. It travelled through France, Germany and Poland, delivering over 30 fire service vehicles and more than 15,000 items of equipment to support Ukrainian firefighters on the front line of the ongoing war.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, UK fire services have donated 119 vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine. Each participating service ensured local needs were met before donating surplus kit.
Watch Manager Rob Kershaw represented MAWWFRS on the convoy. He said:
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this convoy and to represent both FIRE AID and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
We received invaluable support and assistance from fire and police services across every country we passed through. Their help in coordinating, escorting, and hosting the convoy was outstanding.”
Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM added:
“MAWWFRS is proud to support our colleagues in Ukraine by donating and delivering essential equipment.
The events in Ukraine have deeply affected the fire and rescue community, and this convoy is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to helping those still working under extreme conditions.”
The donated equipment will support firefighters in Ukraine who continue to operate in war zones to save lives and protect property—often at great personal risk. Since the conflict began, 100 Ukrainian firefighters have been killed and 431 injured. A total of 411 fire stations and 1,700 firefighting vehicles have been destroyed.
Community
Trefin to host VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations

TREFIN and surrounding communities will mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a full day of commemorative events on Thursday, May 8—culminating in the lighting of a coastal beacon.
The local programme closely mirrors events happening across the UK to honour Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe on May 8, 1945.
The day will begin at 9:00am in the centre of Trefin with the reading of the VE Day 80 Proclamation, Together We Stand, followed by the raising of a special VE Day 80 flag to unite the nation in remembrance of those who sacrificed so much during the war.
At 12 noon, in Trefin Square, piper LCpl Spencer of Cawdor Barracks will perform Celebratum, a tune specially composed for the occasion.

At 6:30pm, Llanrhian Church bell will ring out in unison with churches and cathedrals across the UK. Simultaneously in Trefin Square, the “Lamp Light of Peace” will be blessed, and a handbell performance by local adults and children will take place. Participants are encouraged to wear wartime-style clothing, with prizes awarded for the best costumes.
Evening celebrations will then move to The Ship Inn, where a fish and chip supper will be served (advance booking and payment required). A display of wartime memorabilia will also be available to view.
At around 8:00pm, the community will proceed from The Ship Inn to Penlac field, overlooking the coast, for the continuation of the festivities. Attendees will be invited to sample the official Women’s Institute VE Day 80 Orange and Ginger Cake. Warm clothing is recommended.
There will be music from the wartime era, and local choir Côr y Felin will lead a singalong of well-known songs from the period. Representatives from each decade since the end of the war will read the VE Day 80 Global Tribute, joining communities across the world. A minute’s silence will be held in memory of those who did not return home, followed by a bugler performing the Last Post and Reveille. The piper will then play Flowers of the Forest.
Just before the lighting of the beacon at 9:30pm, the community will join nearly 1,000 choirs across the UK in singing I Vow to Thee, My Country. The coastal beacon is part of the official chain being lit across the country and worldwide (in respective time zones). The “Lamplight of Peace” will also be lit in solidarity with lanterns around the globe.
Those wishing to continue the celebrations can return to The Ship Inn afterwards.
Organisers are encouraging all attendees to dress in wartime-themed attire throughout the day, with a prize for the best-dressed individual.
The events are being coordinated by the Gwelliant Trefin Improvement Group (GTI) and Llanrhian Connected Community. All are welcome.
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