Community
Young people shine at this year’s Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards
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THE THIRD Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards celebrating children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference was held recently.
The Awards – a collaboration between Education, Social Services and The Children and Young People’s Rights Office – took place on 17th November at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College and celebrated the achievements of Pembrokeshire’s young people.
A huge well done to the young people from Milford Haven Youth Council who were involved in the whole process, from conception, to planning, to being involved on the night of the awards.
This was truly an event ‘For Young People, By Young People.’
Thanks also to BAM Nuttall for sponsoring this year’s awards. Unfortunately, they were unable to attend the event but have said it had been a pleasure to have been part of the awards and that they would like pass on their appreciation to all.
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Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “It was an honour to be presenting the awards, with friends and colleagues, for the 2023 Spotlight Awards at Pembrokeshire College.
“The awards celebrates children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference in society. I presented the Fundraising Award, given to a young person who has demonstrated commitment and has gone that extra mile to raise money for a great cause, and congratulations to Esme
Morgan the winner and to Sophie Howell and Caiden Meacham the shortlisted candidates.”
The award ceremony was followed by refreshments and entertainment including a surf simulator, inflatable assault course, magician, photo booth as well as candyfloss and popcorn in the foyer of the college.
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The event saw some amazing achievements noted and celebrated and the winners and runners up are as follows:
- Most inspiring story: Thomas O’Leary (winner), Casey Arnold and Joe Zugasti (runners up)
- Making a difference in the community: Lily Ramsey (winner), Futureworks Jobs Growth Wales+ Milford Centre and Milford Haven Youth Centre After School Club (runners up)
- Achieving positive change: Greenhill School SAT (Social Action Team) (winner), Danna Sleman, Elisha Newton, Jesse Ormond + Judah Brookes and Michaela Hodgson (runners up)
- Young Leader / Peer Mentoring Award: Leon John (winner), Helin Mohammed and Haverfordwest Period Dignity Project (runners up)
- Music Award: Eliza Bradbury (winner), Erin Morgan (runner up)
- Sport Award: Bleddyn Gibbs (winner), South Pembs Sharks U14’s Girls Rugby Hub and Imogen Scourfield (runners up)
- Education Award: Toby Haynes (winner), Bethan Walters (runner up)
- Eco Champion Award: Megan Absalom-Lowe (winner), Thrift Project (runner up)
- Voice Award: Riley Barn (winner), Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly (runner up)
- Arts Award: Amy Miles (winner), William Screen and Let Your Voice Be Seen and Heard Art Project (runner up)
- Fundraising Award: Esme Morgan (winner), Sophie Howell and Caiden Meacham (runners up)
- The final award of the night was the special ‘Spotlight Award’, given to a single young person for a particularly important contribution or achievement. For 2023 this award was given to Leon John.
- There was a special mention to John Russell and Darian Smith for their achievements.
Also, at the end of the ceremony, those in attendance paused to remember a sadly departed young person.
Special thanks also go to those who attended the event to present the young people with the awards as well as to those who took the time to nominate a young person / group; Charlie Royal, Josh and the rest of the team at Pembrokeshire College for hosting this event; Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore for their assistance in organising this event and to the young people from Milford Haven Youth Council for their hard work.
Community
Cresswell Quay conservation consultation launch backed
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A PUBLIC consultation is to be held on potentially making one of south Pembrokeshire’s most scenic estuarial villages, home to a CAMRA award-winning pub, a conservation area.
At the July 24 meeting of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, members backed a public consultation being launched for potentially designating Cresswell Quay as a Conservation Area.
Cresswell Quay, home to the Cresselly Arms, is “one of the most scenic villages within the National Park and is highly significant as a very early coal port, retaining several buildings of architectural importance,” a report for members stated.
There are some 500 conservation areas, defined as “areas of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance” across Wales, 14 in the national park.
The report for Park members added: “The designation of a conservation area at Cresswell Quay would recognise the special architectural and historic interest of the village and would ensure that future development either preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“The designation would introduce controls over the demolition of buildings which would require conservation area consent and affords greater protection of works to trees. Officers consider that part of the special interest of Cresswell Quay is the relationship between the village, the estuary and its wooded setting, which is unusual in a Pembrokeshire context.”
The consultation on the conservation status has been backed, rather than simply be designated in-house as Cresswell Quay is the home of the Buildings Conservation Officer; the consultation being launched “to avoid any potential conflict of interest or wider public misconception”.
It will be undertaken by Linda Jones of Babb Architects, Whitland and Emily Holder, Conservation Assistant, supported by members of the Strategic Policy team.
Initial engagement with key landowners and the three community councils of the area has already taken place, and a public drop-in event is expected to take place in early August.
Further information on the consultation will also promoted at events including the Pembrokeshire County Show and Martletwy Show.
At the national park meeting, member Cllr Simon Hancock expressed his surprise the ‘Quay was not already in a conservation area.
The eight-week consultation is expected to be launched on July 29, finishing on September 23.
Earlier this year the Cresselly Arms won the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year award for the whole of Wales.
The Cresselly Arms averaged 89 points out of a maximum 120 after surveys were conducted across the country by members of other branches.
Community
Public reminded to stay away from Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay
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THE PORT of Milford Haven is reminding members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay (sometimes known as the offshore jetty) in Pembroke Dock due to concerns over public safety.
Despite significant security measures, people continue to access the sites illegally, ignoring and sometimes damaging the onsite signage and fences.
Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven said: “Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves and members of our team at risk of serious harm by trespassing in these areas.”
“Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay are unsafe for public access. They are isolated areas next to deep water and are susceptible to slips, trips and falls.”
Both sites are owned by the Port of Milford Haven and are private property. Anyone found onsite without consent is trespassing, and any criminal damage could result in prosecution.
Anyone who sees any suspicious activity at Ward’s Yard or Criterion Quay is asked to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101 urgently.
Community
Port sponsors water safety programme for Pembrokeshire pupils
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OVER 200 children from coastal schools in Pembrokeshire have learnt important water safety skills in a project sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven.
Dale-based water sports provider, Windswept CIC, has been running the Swim Safe programme for Year 5 and 6 pupils from St Francis Catholic Primary School, Milford Haven Community Primary School, Neyland Community School, Broad Haven Primary School and Cleddau Reach School over the past few months. Swim Safe was started by the RNLI and Swim England and consists of a teacher-led school session with materials and lesson plans provided, followed by a beach session covering a wide range of topics including what to do in an emergency situation, survival techniques and recognising risks associated with water.
Director of Windswept, Sarah Bagley, said “This is our second season conducting Swim Safe training to schools in Pembrokeshire, supported by the Port of Milford Haven. Swim Safe is such a great initiative and is so important for all young children to equip them with life saving skills prior to the summer holidays. We’d like to thank the Port of Milford Haven once again for supporting this great cause!”
Sara Richards, PR and Communications Executive at the Port of Milford Haven, attended a session with Cleddau Reach School from Llangwm and commented “Living near the sea means it’s vital that young people know what to do in an emergency and are aware of the risks associated with the water. We want everyone to enjoy the coastline as much as possible this summer armed with the safety tips that they will have learnt with Windswept.”
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