News
St Davids RNLI welcome The Prince and Princess of Wales

ST DAVIDS RNLI volunteers were honoured to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales to St Davids RNLI Lifeboat Station during a visit to Wales to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Royal couple were in Pembrokeshire to attend a special service of thanksgiving at St Davids Cathedral in honour of the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. During their visit, they enjoyed a trip to a local seaweed farm and had an opportunity to find out more about the RNLI’s lifesaving work in Wales.
Prince William was an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot, stationed at RAF Valley off Anglesey, which included working with the RNLI’s lifeboat crew on rescues during his time in the role.
Their Royal Highnesses boarded the station’s Tamar class all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley and were taken on the short trip around the headland to the new station. They witnessed the modern lifeboat being winched back to safety on the slipway.
Once their feet were on dry land, they had an opportunity to meet with volunteers who help save lives at sea off Pembrokeshire.
St Davids RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager John Williams told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “It was such a pleasure to welcome The Prince and Princess of Wales to our lifeboat station. They were genuinely interested in the work of the RNLI and spent time talking to volunteers about their different roles.
“The Royal couple were invited onboard the Tamar class lifeboat to see our stunning coastline from a different perspective. It was great to show Their Royal Highnesses how we recover our lifeboat on the slipway and day-to-day operations. Our volunteers are very proud of what they do. Meeting The Prince and Princess was a real honour and something none of them will forget.’
It was also a day to remember for Isla Kohler, four and her two-year-old brother Albert, children of St Davids Deputy Coxswain Judd Kohler and crew member Ellen Evans, who signalled the end of the visit by presenting a posy to The Princess of Wales.
Did you know?
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
Charity
Emergency food parcels in Wales top 170,000 as child hunger rises

Trussell Trust warns of ‘wake-up call’ for government as 60,000 parcels go to children
MORE than 170,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Wales last year by food banks in the Trussell Trust network—equivalent to one every three minutes. The charity says the scale of demand is a damning indictment of a broken welfare system and is calling on both the Welsh and UK governments to act urgently.
Of the 171,673 parcels issued between April 2024 and March 2025, over 60,000 were for children. That figure—60,158—represents a 16% increase in child food parcels compared to five years ago.
While the total number of parcels issued in Wales has fallen slightly—down 9% from the previous year—the Trussell Trust says need remains “persistently high” and warns that the situation for families is worsening. The number of parcels going to households with children has risen by 19% since 2019/20, with a notable 8% increase for children under five.
Many food banks are now reporting “heartbreaking” levels of hardship. Some parents are skipping meals to feed their children, while others are opening food parcels and eating immediately upon receiving them.
Andrew Butcher from Taff Ely Foodbank said: “We are witnessing a significant and growing number of individuals and families turning to our food bank for support—all struggling to afford the essentials. Sadly, food donations are not keeping pace with this increasing demand.
“No one should have to rely on charity to eat. While we remain committed to pushing for systemic change to eliminate the need for food banks altogether, community support remains vital.”
According to Trussell, over 420,000 people in Wales now face hunger and hardship. Disabled people remain disproportionately affected: three in four households referred to Trussell food banks report having at least one disabled member.
The charity is urging the next Welsh Government to commit to ending the need for emergency food as part of a wider anti-poverty strategy. This includes investment in affordable housing, improved access to employment and childcare, and a “cash-first” approach to financial crises.
Trussell is also calling on the UK Government to update Universal Credit to ensure all households can meet basic living costs. It has criticised proposals to cut disability benefits, warning such changes could push even more people into hardship.
Jo Harry, Trussell Trust’s Network Lead in Wales, said: “Thousands of children, families, disabled people, and older people across Wales relied on emergency food in the past year. A generation has now grown up seeing food bank use as normal.
“With Welsh elections less than a year away, all political parties must take a stand and commit to reducing the need for food banks.
“Ending hunger must be a priority if we want to improve public services, grow the economy, and build a better Wales.”
Members of the public can support local food banks by donating food or funds. To find out how many food parcels were distributed in your area, visit: campaign.trussell.org.uk/parcels-by-postcode
News
Car fire closes Market Street in Haverfordwest

FIREFIGHTERS were called to tackle a vehicle blaze in the centre of Haverfordwest on Monday afternoon (May 19).
The incident occurred at around 2:50pm on Market Street, where a car was reported to be alaze.
A crew from Haverfordwest Fire Station responded swiftly and brought the fire under control within half an hour. The road was temporarily closed while emergency services dealt with the situation.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 2:51pm, firefighters from Haverfordwest attended a car fire on Market Street. The vehicle was well alight on arrival. One hose reel jet, a thermal imaging camera, small tools and a breathing apparatus set were used to extinguish the blaze.
“The crew left the scene at 3:24pm.”
No injuries were reported.
Education
Excellent progress on the construction of new lower school building at Portfield School

PUPILS from Portfield School have had the exciting opportunity to leave their mark on history as work continues at pace at their fantastic new school.
The pupils attended an event to mark the reaching of the highest point of the new building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony. The event gave pupils a chance to sign one of the first steel beams, and leaving handprints on a wall, symbolising their role at the heart of the school community and the bright future ahead.
The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and was attended by staff, pupils, governors, senior Council officers and officers from the project team to celebrate the key milestone.

Headteacher Sarah Hartley said: “We were thrilled to involve our pupils in this important moment. The new building represents a new chapter for Portfield School, and it’s wonderful that our children could be part of its foundations.”
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr. Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased at the progress being made.
“Whilst I was unable to attend the event myself, my colleagues have shared with me their experience of the event, and the excellent progress being made on the new building at the school.
“This development will provide much needed modern, inclusive accommodation for the learners, and I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Portfield School will be in a position to move into the building in December 2025.”
Following their visit, pupils made the following comments: “We had to wear protective clothing before entering the building site. Being able to write my name on one of the walls in the new building was really cool. I am very grateful to have been chosen to write my name in the new build it is extremely cool. Even though I am leaving this year my name will be there for ever.”
“Oh it was fun! I put my hand in paint and then put it on the wall.”
The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Capital programme.
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