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Charity

Dramatic New Year’s Eve double rescue operation for Angle RNLI

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NEW YEAR’S EVE turned into a night of high-stakes drama for the Angle RNLI crew as they were called out twice within a few hours, battling treacherous conditions off the Pembrokeshire coast.

The first call came at 5:28 pm on Sunday, December 31, as the all-weather lifeboat was launched following numerous 999 calls reporting red distress flares in the Lawrenny and Llangwm area. Undeterred by wind gusts reaching 49 knots, the crew embarked on a comprehensive search using FLIR, night vision equipment, searchlights, and radar.

Despite their exhaustive efforts, initially, nothing was found. However, the crew turned their attention to a seemingly abandoned yacht anchored with lights on, accompanied by a dinghy and oars. Unable to raise anyone onboard, the Coastguard was alerted, prompting the RNLI to formulate a plan to board the yacht for investigation.

Deploying the Y boat for safer boarding in challenging wind and tide conditions, a crew member discovered the locked cabin devoid of occupants or signs of distress. A VHF call from Llangwm Yacht Club reported two individuals safely reaching shore in a dinghy, deeming the incidents unrelated. Nonetheless, the Coastguard urged the lifeboat crew to persist with their search.

After an exhaustive sweep from Jenkins Point to Picton Point and back, finding nothing, the crew was stood down by the Coastguard. Dale and Tenby Coastguard Rescue teams were then tasked to continue the search on both sides of the area.

Returning to the station by 8:10 pm, the crew’s brief respite was cut short. Just seven minutes later, they were called back to action, launching the all-weather lifeboat to search for a missing female in the Wards Pier/Milford Haven area.

Utilizing FLIR, night vision equipment, and searchlights, the crew spotted a torch and heat source on Scotch Bay beach. Challenging water conditions prevented a closer approach, leading Dale and Broad Haven Coastguard Rescue Teams to investigate the beach, finding nothing amiss.

The Angle crew persisted, extending their search towards Milford Docks before turning back towards Wards Pier. As they made their way back, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the missing female was found safe in a different location, leading to another stand-down. The lifeboat was readied for service again by 10 pm, capping off a New Year’s Eve marked by relentless dedication and extraordinary efforts by the Angle RNLI crews.

Charity

Inclusive volunteering through Pembrokeshire Coast Pathways project

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE Coast Charitable Trust has received generous support from the Swire Charitable Trust to expand inclusive volunteering opportunities across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The Pathways project enables a broad range of individuals from local communities to participate in supported outdoor volunteering activities. This initiative prioritises accessibility and inclusivity, offering opportunities for individuals who may not otherwise be able to engage in volunteering. Through tailored activities and the support of experienced lead volunteers, the project provides a safe and welcoming environment for participants to learn new skills and work collaboratively.

Graham Peake, Pathways Project Lead, said: “The Swire Charitable Trust’s support has been instrumental in ensuring that more people can experience the benefits of volunteering while contributing to conservation and heritage projects across the National Park. Through Pathways, we are not only enhancing our natural environment but also fostering a sense of community and belonging.”

In 2024, the Pathways project delivered 86 volunteering sessions, contributing a remarkable 825.5 volunteer days across more than 30 sites in Pembrokeshire. Volunteers took part in a diverse range of practical conservation and heritage tasks. These included community archaeology site work, where volunteers cleared gorse and helped preserve ancient monuments, as well as hedge laying and hedge bank restoration at St Brides. Other activities involved scrub clearance and coppicing at Brynberian and Newport, removing invasive species such as Himalayan balsam, and tree planting to enhance biodiversity.

Volunteers also worked on habitat creation by planting wildflowers to improve meadow ecosystems and undertook path maintenance and access improvements to support public safety and conservation work. The project further engaged in specialist activities, including fungal identification walks at Tŷ Canol National Nature Reserve and the installation of a new notice board at St Govans, Castlemartin.

Pathways has had a profound impact on the local community, providing opportunities for over 30 volunteers to contribute their time and skills. Evaluations conducted between November 2024 and January 2025 highlighted the project’s social, physical, and mental health benefits. Volunteers consistently reported increased well-being, a greater connection to nature, and the satisfaction of giving back to their community.

Mitch Hill, Pathways Project Lead, said: “One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been witnessing the personal growth of our volunteers. Many have gained new skills, increased their confidence, and even transitioned into further volunteering roles, employment, or education.”

In addition to hands-on conservation work, the project provided vital training for lead volunteers, including mental health awareness, first aid, and equality, diversity, and inclusion training. This investment in volunteer development ensures the sustainability and long-term impact of the programme.

As the project grows, Pathways aims to strengthen partnerships with local organisations, including Mind Pembrokeshire and community groups, to support an even more diverse range of volunteers. It will also broaden its impact on nature recovery through collaboration with the National Trust, the Wildlife Trust, and other conservation partners.

Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, concluded: “We are incredibly grateful to the Swire Charitable Trust for making Pathways possible. Their support has enabled us to reach more people, deliver meaningful conservation work, and create lasting benefits for both the environment and the local community.”

Visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/volunteering to find out more about Pathways and other volunteering opportunities in the National Park.

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Charity

Royal visit celebrates Pembrokeshire charity’s community impact

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STAFF, volunteers and visiting pupils at Lower Treginnis Farm were delighted to welcome a very special guest on Wednesday (April 2), as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the site in support of the charity Farms for City Children.

The Princess Royal, who has served as Patron of the charity since 1991, spent the afternoon touring the farm, which lies just outside St Davids and is the most westerly farm in Wales. It was her fourth visit to the site since first attending in 2010.

Farms for City Children was founded by author and former Children’s Laureate Sir Michael Morpurgo and Lady Clare Morpurgo. The charity provides immersive week-long farming experiences for urban children, helping them connect with nature, food production and rural life.

HRH The Princess Royal with pupils from Pembroke Dock Community School and Farm School Leader Jess Willcox (Pic: Supplied)

During the visit, The Princess Royal met children from Pembroke Dock Community School as they took part in hands-on farm activities including grooming donkeys, feeding rare-breed piglets, and planting vegetables in the market garden.

She also joined the children for a coastal workshop led by Câr y Môr, Wales’ first regenerative seaweed and shellfish farm, which operates just off the nearby shoreline.

Her Royal Highness was accompanied on her tour by Gethin Jones, Farm School Manager, and later met members of The Friends of Treginnis—a local fundraising group that has supported the charity since 1991. Over the past three years, the group has raised more than £30,000 to help schools from across Pembrokeshire, including Pembroke Dock Community School, take part in the farm’s week-long programmes.

HRH The Princess Royal meeting Farms for City Children staff and partner farmer Aled Davies (Pic: Supplied)

Before departing, The Princess Royal was introduced to members of the charity’s staff and to Aled Davies, the farm’s local partner farmer. She was then presented with a gift of fresh farm produce by two pupils, Erin Hubbard and Jack Kinnard.

Tim Rose, Head of Operations for Farms for City Children, said: “We were delighted to welcome The Princess Royal to Lower Treginnis and to share the experience of being ‘farmers for a week’ with her. Her visit was greatly enjoyed by everyone at the farm and it was our pleasure to be able to show her how the work of the charity interacts with so many different aspects of the Pembrokeshire community.

Car-y-Mor workshop-with children from Pembroke Dock Community School (Pic: Supplied)

“We are hugely appreciative of Her Royal Highness’s continued support and enthusiasm for the work that we do.”

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Charity

Air Ambulance boosted by donation from Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society

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WALES Air Ambulance Charity has received a donation of £1,850, presented by Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society President Adam Thorne at the Society’s recent Annual General Meeting.

The cheque was handed over to Mike May, the charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager, during the event, which marked the end of Thorne’s term as president.

In total, £3,250 was raised for the life-saving charity during Adam Thorne’s presidency, thanks to the generosity of members and supporters of the Society throughout the year.

Speaking after the presentation, Mr Thorne thanked all those who had contributed: “We’re proud to support the Wales Air Ambulance, which provides a vital service to rural communities across Pembrokeshire and Wales.”

Wales Air Ambulance relies entirely on donations to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road. The charity has become a lifeline for patients in hard-to-reach areas, especially in farming and coastal communities.

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