Community
Ten Afghan refugee families could soon be homed in Pembrokeshire
SENIOR Pembrokeshire councillors are expected to back an MoD scheme which will see up to 10 Afghan refugee families homed in the county.
The MOD will be leasing 10 properties in Pembrokeshire to Afghan families who have a military connection, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on October 2, will hear.
In November 2021 Cabinet backed a call for support from the Home Office following the launch of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), launched in addition to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
This offers eligible current or former locally employed staff (who worked for or with the UK Government) and who are assessed to be under serious threat to life, priority relocation to the UK.
At that time Cabinet agreed to support the scheme by offering to accommodate two families in the private rented sector.
Due to pressures in the private housing market, no Afghan families have yet been placed in Pembrokeshire.
A report for Cabinet members says: “Due to the strong military linkages that many resettled Afghans have due to the historic conflicts in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has put forward 10 houses (mix of three and some four-bed houses) based in Pembrokeshire for use by people arriving from Pakistan and their families.
“This is part of their nation-wide support for the ARAP scheme.
“Only families with a military connection will be able to access these properties, in line with the ARAP policy. These houses are currently being renovated by contractors commissioned by the MoD, to ensure they meet housing standards and should be available by November 30.”
It is proposed the properties are leased directly to the families; The MoD responsible for furnishing and maintaining the properties, and setting and collecting rent.
The report for members says concerns have been raised around community cohesion, mainly due to the 10 properties being located in one – unnamed – town, based on experiences in other counties.
“We would mitigate against this through robust communications and community events,” the report says, adding: “The police have not raised any concerns relating to this matter.”
In order to support the families, the council is able to access Home Office grant funding, available for three years at a total of £20,520 per person. If all 10 households were occupied the Authority would receive an estimated £620,000 to £820,000.
It is recommended that Cabinet support the MoD using the houses, with the Pembrokeshire Migration Partnership Board and delivery team managing the Afghan resettlement scheme using the infrastructure currently in place.
Community
Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori
A POPULAR Tenby road race has raised more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.
Runners and sponsors taking part in last year’s Tenby 10k raised £20,559.07 for the Pembrokeshire charity, which provides hospice care to people in their own homes.
The race, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, took place in October 2025 and was well supported by locals and visitors, who lined the route through the town to cheer on competitors.
Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, has now received the cheque, presented by a selection of those who took part in the event.
This year’s Tenby 10k will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, on a closed-road, two-lap course through the centre of Tenby.
More than 400 runners have already signed up, with entries now past 40 per cent capacity and organisers expecting the event to sell out again.
Anyone wishing to take part can enter at www.waterfrontcommunityrunners.co.uk.
All proceeds from this year’s race will again be donated to the Paul Sartori Foundation.
Caption:
Laura Hugman, Chief Executive of Paul Sartori, receives the cheque from Tenby 10k runners and organisers.
Community
Forgotten wartime archive found in Pembroke Dock attic after 80 years
Remarkable family collection reveals story of father and son who served through two world wars
A REMARKABLE untouched family archive documenting the lives of two Pembroke Dock servicemen who fought for Britain across both World Wars has been discovered in the attic of a terraced house in the town.
The collection, found at a property on Lewis Street, contains original military papers, wartime identity documents, Army service certificates and an old Dyfed driving licence belonging to members of the Atcherley family.
The archive was uncovered by local resident Ryan Guy, who said he was stunned by what he found hidden away in the loft of his home at 33 Lewis Street.
At the heart of the discovery are records belonging to father and son Samuel and James Atcherley, whose military careers spanned decades of British history.

World War One soldier
Among the most significant finds is an original discharge certificate belonging to Samuel Atcherley, who served with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.
The document shows Samuel enlisted at Shrewsbury on July 19, 1909, before going on to serve throughout the early years of the First World War.
Military records found in the attic show he was discharged on September 6, 1916 after being declared “no longer physically fit for war service” following more than seven years with the Colours.
The papers also paint a vivid picture of the soldier himself. Samuel was described as standing 5ft 6in tall, with fair complexion, grey eyes and blonde hair.
Experts in military history say surviving original service records from the First World War are increasingly rare, particularly where complete family papers remain together.
Secret wartime work
The archive also sheds light on the military career of Samuel’s son, James Henry Atcherley, who served during the Second World War and into the post-war period.
Among the papers is an Army Certificate of Service confirming James reached the rank of Sergeant and served for almost twenty years.

One of the most intriguing discoveries is his wartime military service book carrying stark warnings about secrecy, including instructions that “Military Secrets Must Be Guarded In Peace And War”.
The wording suggests James may have worked in a sensitive military role during a period when Britain was developing radar and communications systems that proved crucial to the war effort.
A surviving wartime National Registration Identity Card lists James Atcherley as living at 33 Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, linking the documents directly to the property where they were uncovered.
A glimpse into local history
The find offers a rare snapshot of ordinary life in Pembroke Dock across much of the twentieth century.
Also discovered among the papers was an original Great Britain driving licence issued through Dyfed County Council in 1976, again showing James Atcherley still living at the same address.
The Herald understands the collection may include further military material and family records yet to be examined.
Ryan Guy said he hopes the discovery will help preserve the memory of the Atcherley family and provide a fascinating glimpse into the lives of local men who served their country during some of its darkest hours.
The Herald would be keen to hear from anyone who remembers the Atcherley family or has further information about their military service.















Community
Tenby station works to bring five overnight road closures
FIVE overnight road closures are to take place in Tenby as major work continues on the town’s £8.3m railway station upgrade.
Station Road will be closed overnight to allow heavy machinery and bridge steelwork to be delivered for the Access for All scheme at Tenby railway station.
The project, being delivered by Network Rail with contractor AmcoGiffen, will provide step-free access to both platforms through a new footbridge and lifts.
Work began earlier this year, with the old footbridge removed in March using 220-tonne and 60-tonne cranes. A temporary walkway was installed so passengers could continue moving between platforms while the new structure is built.
Network Rail said the scheme is now at the stage where permanent foundation works are being completed on the platform, ahead of bridge steelwork being installed from July 4.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “The scheme will provide step-free access to both platforms via a new footbridge and lifts, making it easier for disabled passengers, as well as those travelling with pushchairs or heavy luggage, to move around the station independently.
“To maintain the safety of both the public and our teams, Network Rail have worked closely with the local authority to implement a road closure while the steelwork and cranes are delivered and installed.”
Pembrokeshire County Council said Station Road will close from its junction with Warren Street south to its junction with Park Place.
The closure will be in place on Tuesday, June 30, from 9:00pm to 5:00am, and again from Saturday, July 4, for five nights between 9:00pm and 5:00am.
The council said the restriction is needed “to facilitate abnormal load movements in conjunction with the installation of the pedestrian bridge at Tenby Train Station.”
A signed diversion will be in place, with the route depending on the direction of travel.
Traffic management operatives will be on site throughout the works, and the one-way order affecting Harding Street will be temporarily suspended to allow limited two-way access to properties where practicable.
The station upgrade is expected to be completed this autumn.
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