Charity

Marloes Mere restoration ‘will benefit both nature and people’

Published

10 months ago

February 4, 2024

ON WORLD WETLANDS DAY (Feb 2), National Trust Cymru celebrated a significant project milestone in the restoration of Marloes Mere wetlands to benefit nature and people.

This recent phase of the ongoing Pembrokeshire based project has seen 1.5 hectares, or an area about three times as big as a football field, of precious habitat restored. With deep-water reservoirs reconnected to surrounding shallower wetlands and improvements made to path networks.

This phase builds on over 20 years of habitat enhancement work carried out by the Trust’s tenant farmers at Trehill Farm on the Mere. Previous works have included the creation of scrapes and pools, cutting management of rushes and conservation grazing with traditional cattle to improve the wetlands condition.

The Marloes Peninsula is nestled on the very western edge of Wales. Overlooking the Celtic Sea, the area offers dramatic coastal landscapes and habitats, with expanses of coastal heathland and the hidden gem of Marloes Mere.

Designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the Mere is vital to a diverse range of wetland birds and wildlife and home to some particularly rare plants such as the three-lobed crowfoot as well as ten different sedges grasses and marsh orchids.

The winter months bring an array of wildfowl including mallard and teal ducks, declining species such as lapwings and golden plover and other migratory waterbirds. Whilst in the summer resident insects such as dragonflies, including the emperor dragonfly, damselflies, beetles and the great green bush-cricket fill the marshland.

However, agricultural reservoirs dug in the 1970’s had left their mark on the landscape. Now, with support from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the tenant farmers at Trehill Farm work continues to improve wetland habitats at Marloes Mere.

Mark Underhill, National Trust Cymru’s Countryside Manager for Pembrokeshire said: “In this first phase of restoration work on the Mere we have removed a large amount of natural material that was placed there when the reservoirs were excavated in the 1970s. This has opened up the landscape and the views across the mere are now fantastic.

It has also revealed nearly 1.5ha of wetland that has been buried for the last 50 years and reconnected the shallows of the Mere to the deeper waters of the reservoir. This will improve the wetland habitats and boost a wide range of flora and fauna.”

But it’s not just nature that will benefit from this recent work, visitors now have new and improved access to the reformed wetlands.

The relocation of 500m of wet and muddy footpaths onto higher, drier, ground has improved links to the Mere and popular Wales Coastal Path. In addition to this access routes from Marloes Sands car park are now suitable for all-terrain mobility scooters (trampers), connecting to Runwayskiln and places to view impressive wetland vistas and wildlife watch.

Mark Underhill adds: “Access to nature and beauty has proved to be essential to our health and wellbeing. By improving the network of footpaths at Marloes Mere we are increasing access to this wonderful wetland on the edge of Wales for everyone to enjoy.”

An additional 5 hectares of wetlands restoration is planned with the addition new permissive paths to create circular routes and new bird hides.

Donations towards the restoration of Marloes Mere Wetlands were received from the Waterloo Foundation, Natural Resources Wales, The Langdale Trust and private donations.

To find out more about how National Trust Cymru care for Marloes Mere and the wider peninsula visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/marloes-sands-and-mere.

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

Charity

Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir

Published

3 days ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.

The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.

Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.

“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”

The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.

Charity

NHS staff take on Parkrun for charity

Published

1 week ago

November 7, 2024

Richard Lewis

STAFF from the Frailty Unit at Withybush Hospital took part in the Haverfordwest Parkrun and raised a fantastic £1,478 for the unit.

The staff took part in the 5k Parkrun in August at the Haverfordwest cricket club, whilst others volunteered, sold refreshments and held a raffle.

Lisa Marshall, Senior Sister, said: “I am so proud of Estelle and the team for organising a successful fundraiser and helping to raise money for our unit.

“It was a great team building day and we all had lots of fun. We are as always grateful for the support and donations we receive, and we look forward to our next fundraiser!”

Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a big thank you and well done to Estelle, Lisa and the Frailty Unit team for completing their Parkrun fundraiser.

“Thank you so much for dedicating your time to once again raising funds for your amazing unit.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

For more details about the NHS charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to the Hywel Dda Charities website.