News
Pembrokeshire young carers light up This Morning sofa
TWO amazing young carers supported by Action for Children have appeared on the famous This Morning sofa. Lowis (15), step-sister Nyfain (9) and mum, Kelly, along with an Anglesey counterpart, chatted to Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby on Monday (4 Sep) about the issues affecting young carers including summer holiday loneliness and the support they receive from Action for Children.
Lowis (15), and their step-sister Nyfain (9), help their mum along with brother Owen (17) provide round-the-clock care for their disabled step dad/dad who has Friedreich ataxia (FA) – a rare inherited disease that has caused progressive damage to his nervous system and severe movement problems.
Lowis said: ‘It was lovely to meet Holly and Alison, they were so friendly and welcoming. It was great to talk about the issues we face every day and they were genuinely interested in the young carer experience. It’s really important to us to make people aware of young carers and the support we receive from charities like Action for Children. To be able to tell our stories on national television on such a popular programme was brilliant and great to be part of.’
Nyfain added: ‘I really enjoyed going on This Morning with mum and Lowis. Everyone was so nice and I liked being to talk about what we do for Dad within the family. I want people in the same position as us to know they are not on their own and that there is help, like Action for Children.’
Mum Kelly said: ‘It was wonderful to be with Lowis and Nyfain on This Morning and see yung carers get the recognition they richly deserve, I’m very proud of them and Owen. They help so much and make what is a very challenging family life that bit easier. We’re aware it can be hard, especially in the summer holidays when friends seem to be out all the time. It’s a big responsibility and it’s great Action for Children are there to give them a break and mix with other young people with similar experiences.’
More than eight out of ten young carers (82%) feel lonely during the summer holidays, according to research released earlier in the year by Action for Children and Carers Trust and Lisa Mansell, family support practitioner for Action for Children’s Pembrokeshire young carers, was delighted to see awareness being raised on This Morning.
She said: ‘Lowis and Nyfain are fantastic young people who provide essential support for her mother and brother Owen to their father. It was wonderful to see such a popular TV show like This Morning recognise what young carers experience day in day out and raise awareness of their amazing contribution but also their challenges that are so different to their friends and peers.
‘We are so proud to support young carers like Lowis and Nyfain, giving them a break and helping them cope with all the additional responsibilities they face. Summer can be particularly hard so we provide day trips and fun activities that give young carers a bit of time away from their caring role.’
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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