STALL HOLDERS INVITED AS HORSE DRIVE PLANNED

PEMBROKE Fair is set to return this weekend following the success of last year’s event, which drew families, visitors, horses and stalls to Monkton.

The fair will take place on Saturday (May 23) at the Community Centre Field, Pembroke, SA71 4LS, with free entry and everyone welcome.

Last year’s gathering was praised locally for its community spirit, with Pembroke Street Pastors paying tribute to organiser Charlie Price and county councillor Aaron Carey describing it as “very well organised”.

The event brought together horse owners, stall holders and local families, despite poor weather at times.

This year, organisers are again inviting stall holders to take part. A horse drive is also planned from 12:00pm on Sunday (May 24).

Anyone interested in further information or hosting a stall is asked to contact Charlie Price.

NEW affordable housing developments in North Pembrokeshire are helping local people remain in their communities while supporting rural schools and the Welsh language.

Since 2022, West Wales Housing Association has completed new social housing schemes at Parc Brynach in Dinas Cross and Golwg y Llan in Eglwyswrw.

A further development, Parc Nantwen in Dinas Cross, is nearing completion, with new tenants expected to move in within weeks.

The homes have been welcomed locally in an area where affordability remains a significant challenge for many residents.

West Wales Housing Association introduced a local lettings policy giving priority to applicants with strong links to Eglwyswrw and Dinas Cross.

For the Parc Nantwen development, applicants from the Dinas, Newport and Bro Gwaun communities were prioritised.

The approach has meant a number of local people have been able to secure homes who may otherwise have lost out to applicants with weaker links to the area.

The policy is also seen as important in communities where the Welsh language remains strong. Eglwyswrw and Dinas are served by Welsh-medium primary education at Ysgol Eglwyswrw and Ysgol Bro Ingli in Newport.

The impact is already being felt. Following the completion of Parc Brynach, pupil numbers at Ysgol Bro Ingli rose from 86 to more than 100.

Newport and Dinas county councillor Huw Murphy praised West Wales Housing Association for working closely with Dinas Community Council on the lettings policy.

Cllr Murphy said: “The recent lettings policy developed by WWHA, following close liaison with Dinas Community Council, has worked well in enabling houses to be allocated to local people with strong links to their community, where in the past they may have lost out to applicants with more tenuous connections.

“The benefit of a robust local lettings policy has resulted in increased pupil numbers at Ysgol Bro Ingli, while also placing a strong emphasis on protecting the Welsh language, which is very much welcomed.

“I hope that any future affordable housing developments will mirror the recent lettings policy implemented in Dinas Cross and serve as a template elsewhere in Pembrokeshire.”

Supporters say the developments are helping young people and families stay in rural Pembrokeshire, supporting village schools and safeguarding the social and linguistic fabric of North Pembrokeshire’s communities at a time when many rural areas face an ageing population.

AN ALSATIAN dog was rescued in Pembroke Dock after falling down an embankment and becoming trapped near the water’s edge.

Fire crews from Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest were called to the incident near Cleddau Bridge Business Park at 12:41am on Thursday (May 21), following reports that the dog, named Lunar, was unable to climb back to safety.

The rescue involved a multi-agency response, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service working alongside HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Drone Search and Rescue teams.

Lunar was located and safely recovered by the RNLI boat team before being brought back to dry land and reunited with her grateful owners.

A photo released after the rescue shows Lunar, her owners, and members of the teams involved.