Community

First electric mobile post office tested in Pembrokeshire

Published

2 years ago

May 28, 2024

THE FIRST full-electric Post Office vehicle has been successfully trialled in the UK, and it has all happened in Pembrokeshire.

The pioneering effort is being led by Pembroke Postmaster, Mark Wilson, who, along with his team, has been serving 11 rural communities in Pembrokeshire with a new electric Mobile Post Office.

Replacing the traditional diesel vehicle, this new electric model has demonstrated its capability over the past several weeks, navigating the hilly terrain of the region without issue. The environmentally friendly vehicle can travel over 100 miles on a single charge, comfortably exceeding the longest 60-mile route covered by the Pembroke Mobile Post Office. This ample range alleviates any concerns about “range anxiety” and eliminates the need for mid-route recharging, as the vehicle is conveniently charged overnight.

Mark Wilson highlighted the positive reception from the community, stating, “Our electric Mobile Post Office is turning heads with its distinctive signage. People are used to the typical Post Office red vehicles, but the design on this vehicle emphasises its environmental benefits. It’s exciting to have the first of these in the UK. Customers have praised our new vehicle for being less polluting and visually appealing.”

The new electric vehicle maintains the same height as its predecessor but offers a slightly wider build, which has proven manageable on country lanes. Its interior design provides better layout and increased space, allowing for more retail offerings and greater storage capacity for parcels, accommodating the rising trend of home shopping returns and online sales.

Wilson added, “Colleagues working on the Mobile are pleased with its road handling and the smoother driving experience thanks to the automatic transmission.”

The Mobile Post Office has long been a vital service for maintaining Post Office access in smaller, rural communities. It offers a full range of Post Office services, including mail, pre-ordered foreign currencies, banking for all major high street banks, bill payments, and vehicle tax.

The 11 communities currently served by the electric Mobile Post Office include:

Cosheston
Milton
Carew
St Florence
Broadmoor
Lawrenny
Angle
Herbrandston
St Ishmaels
Marloes
Dale.

Nigel Parry, owner of the Post Office National Outreach Model, which includes Mobile Post Offices, underscored the environmental and economic benefits of these electric vehicles. “We know the green credentials of these vehicles; they are better for the environment as there are no emissions polluting communities. These vehicles are also cheaper to run and maintain.”

Parry emphasised the importance of real-world testing to ensure the vehicles’ fitness for purpose. “We want to see how they perform in real-life conditions. Hilly terrain, cold weather, traffic jams, and the age and condition of the battery all affect the vehicle’s range, so it’s crucial to ensure there is spare capacity to serve outlying communities throughout the year.”

An additional advantage of electric vehicles is their quicker maintenance turnaround, reducing downtime compared to the biannual servicing required for diesel vehicles.

Following this successful trial in Pembrokeshire, another electric Mobile Post Office will be introduced in East Anglia next month, with a third location yet to be determined. This rollout aims to further test the suitability and cost-effectiveness of electric vehicles for rural locations. Currently, there are 67 diesel Mobile Post Offices operating across Wales, England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

This move marks a significant milestone in the Post Office’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, ensuring that even the most remote communities can benefit from modern, eco-friendly services.

Community

Milford Haven Sea Cadets celebrate offshore voyage success

Published

7 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX CADETS from Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets have completed a challenging week-long offshore voyage aboard T.S. John Jerwood.

The cadets took to the water for a demanding but enjoyable week, gaining a number of qualifications despite difficult weather conditions.

The unit congratulated all six cadets on their achievements and thanked the Sea Cadet Offshore team for making the voyage possible.

A spokesperson said: “Voyages like this are only made possible by the brilliant Sea Cadet Offshore team. Thank you for the amazing work you do to allow this amazing opportunity to be possible.

“BZ all!”

The Milford Haven unit also thanked West Wales District Sea Cadets, South West Area Sea Cadets, Sea Cadets Offshore, South West Area Senior Staff Officer, and RFCA for Wales for their support.

Community

Welsh Government announces grassroots Pride fund open for applications

Published

10 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Ella Groves, ICNN Senedd Reporter

A WELSH Government fund supporting local Pride events will open for applications next week.

The Grassroots Pride Fund, delivered with support from Pride Cymru, aims to help organisers from across Wales with event costs.

From Monday June 15, organisers can apply to the fund to gain financial support for Pride events across Wales in 2026/27.

There is £69,250 available from the fund this year – up from £17,700 in 2022/23.

In 2025 the fund supported 21 Pride events across Wales, including Barry Pride, Pembrokeshire Pride, and Wrexham Pride.

Aiming to expand the fund to more rural areas and small towns, the Welsh Government has said it wants to create “opportunities for people to come together and be their true selves throughout Wales”.

When applying for the funding, organisations should nominate one lead applicant who will act as project manager and have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the funding.

The fund is administered by Pride Cymru and applications can be made on its website after June 15. The deadline for applications is August 17.

Discussing the importance of the fund and Pride events, Deputy First Minister and minister for social justice and equalities, Sioned Williams, said: “As LGBTQ+ rights face growing threats, the new Welsh Government is clear: we will do all we can to protect and strengthen those rights here in Wales.

“Pride Month is a chance to celebrate the strength and inclusivity of our communities, and to recognise the volunteers whose commitment makes that possible.

“Volunteers bring people together, create spaces of welcome and belonging, and make sure LGBTQ+ people can celebrate safely and openly in their own communities.

“I have already attended Swansea Pride and Pontardawe Pride this month, and I’m looking forward to attending Pride Cymru in Cardiff this weekend and meeting some of the amazing organisations that support our LGBTQ+ communities.

“Respect, solidarity, and fair play are values that have always mattered to people in Wales, and this Welsh Government is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion. I am proud that we committed in our manifesto to providing ongoing support to Pride organisations.”

Dan Walsh, chair of Pride Cymru, said: “Local Prides play a vital role in creating safe, visible, and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ people across Wales.

“This fund represents an important investment in grassroots Pride movements, helping community-led organisations develop, grow, and deliver meaningful events and activities that reflect the needs of their local LGBTQ+ communities.”

Community

Tenby 10k raises more than £20,000 for Paul Sartori

Published

10 hours ago

June 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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.