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Free multi-sports events for 5-7 year-olds in Haverfordwest

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SPORTS mad youngsters aged 5-7 and those looking to try out new sports and activities are invited to free multi-sport sessions in Haverfordwest.

The sessions run from 4.15pm to 5pm every Thursday during term time and are based on the Tennis Courts at Haverfordwest High VC School.

All sessions are free and there are a wide range of activities to try.

The sessions are run by Sport Pembrokeshire Staff and assisted by Young Ambassadors from Haverfordwest High

Local clubs also take part to run sessions and provide information on how to continue with any sport.

Parents/Carers who would like to sign children up for the session are required to complete the online form.

Dan Bellis of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “It is great to see so many young people enjoying Sport and being physically active.

“The multi-sport sessions are great as they allow youngsters to try out so many different games and activities which really helps them to learn and develop.”

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Crown Estate profits soar – but Wales sees little return, says MP

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THE LAND and sea assets in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are amongst the most lucrative of those owned by the Crown Estate.

In 2023, they helped accumulate a Welsh financial handover totalling £853m, resulting in a record net profit to the UK public finance coffers of £1.1billion. This represented a marked increase in Wales’ contribution, compared to its 2007 asset value of just £21.1m.

The escalation is being driven by the rising demand for renewable energy projects, and with the offshore investments that are currently taking place in seabed of south Pembrokeshire, Wales’ contribution to the Crown Estate looks set to soar even further

But how much of this contribution finds its way back to Wales? The answer, sadly, appears scant.

Instead of finding their way back to the Welsh public purse, profits generated from Wales’ green wealth are being distributed to the HM Treasury and the monarch’s Sovereign Grant, which funds a handful of senior members of the Royal family. In 2023-24, the sovereign grant amounted to £86.3m.

Now, in a bid to ensure greater transparency and a fairer financial management, pressure is being put on the Government to allow the Crown Estate to be devolved to Wales, putting it on equal footing with Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“The value of the Crown Estate in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion is hugely significant,” commented Ben Lake, MP for Ceredigion and Preseli.

“The Crown Estate owns 65% of Wales’s foreshore and riverbeds, and more than 50,000 acres of land. And a considerable amount of this lies in the foreshores around south Pembrokeshire and the more rural areas of Ceredigion.

“Welsh County Councils, including Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, are having to make payments to the Crown in leasing fees and in 2023, this sum was nearly £300.000 Yet this is happening at a time when local services in Wales are under severe pressure. It doesn’t strike me as fair that we have these significant natural assets which are generating significant amounts of profit, yet they’re not returning back to Wales.

“The UK government says it’s spending money here, but when it comes to the provision of health, education and social services, Wales only gets a Barnett formula of roughly just under 5%.”

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In 2024, Scotland, which devolved from the Crown Estate in 2017, saw more than £100m enter its coffers as a result of its offshore energy.

“And the potential for Wales is just as significant,” said Ben Lake. “Engineers and experts are all pointing to the fact that the regeneration of renewable energy in Wales is going to be big and over the next ten years, the waters around Wales are going to see some of the biggest developments in offshore wind. But unless the Crown Estate is devolved, Wales is going to be severely shortchanged.”

The Crown Estate owns more than £603m of land in Wales which includes:

65% of Wales’ coast and riverbeds;

  • The seabed which extends up to 12 miles out to sea;
  • 50,000 acres of land;
  • 250,000 acres of mineral deposits and
  • All gold and silver deposits.

Last week Westminster blocked the transfer of Crown Estate management to the Welsh Government by voting down an amendment tabled by Plaid Cymru to the Crown Estate Bill.

The Liberal Democrats also tabled an amendment calling for Crown Estate assets to be handed to Wales. But both amendments were blocked by Labour MPs.

The stance contradicted recent comments from Wales’ First Minister, Baroness Eluned Morgan, who said she was “fighting very hard” for more control.

The Bill is expected to return to the House of Commons later this month for further debate and a bid to enforce a vote on the issue,

“Even if we’re able to get a small percentage of what Scotland is generating, Wales will be able to start investing in its public services given the acute pressures that are currently being placed on the NHS and the county councils,” concluded Ben Lake. “This will go a long way to alleviate the pressures they’re under.

“And further down the line, it’s possible that Wales could then start considering its own Wealth Fund, similar to what has happened in Norway as a result of its oil and gas licensing. Through its profits and interest, the Norwegian Wealth Fund has become one of the largest in the world. In 2024 it generated $220 billion to subsidise a significant amount into public services

“And Wales is no different.

“It’s now time for the money that’s being generated from Wales’ natural assets to come back for the benefit of the people who live here.”

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Wales set to ban supermarket junk food promotions

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New rules could reshape the way snacks are sold

SHOPPERS in Wales may soon find fewer tempting offers on unhealthy snacks as the Welsh government plans to ban the promotion of junk food in supermarkets.

Under the proposed regulations, retailers with 50 or more employees will be prohibited from placing sugary, salty, and fatty foods near tills, store entrances, or at the end of aisles. Similar restrictions will apply online, preventing junk food promotions from appearing on homepage banners, category pages, or checkout screens.

The crackdown, which could come into effect in March 2026 if approved by the Senedd next month, would also spell the end for buy-one-get-one-free deals and free refills on sugary drinks.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles defended the measures, highlighting concerns about childhood obesity. “With nearly a quarter of children in Wales overweight or obese by the time they start school, we must take action to help people make healthier choices,” he said.

Retailers who fail to comply with the new rules could face fines of up to £2,500.

Industry concerns

The proposed legislation is similar to rules introduced in England in 2022 and follows a consultation launched last year. However, the Welsh Retail Consortium has raised concerns, particularly over limits on promotional pricing, arguing that price competition benefits customers.

“Restricting meal deal offers and category promotions could impact affordability for consumers,” a spokesperson warned.

Some smaller businesses, such as independent sweet shops and specialist chocolatiers, will be exempt from the restrictions.

The Welsh government says the new rules are designed to curb impulse buying of unhealthy foods and encourage better dietary habits across the nation. However, with opposition from some in the retail sector, the debate over balancing public health and consumer choice is set to continue.

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Last chance to buy high-quality homes at Carmarthenshire site

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ONLY six properties remain for sale at a popular housing development in Cross Hands.

Parc Cerrig – which has easy access to the A48 and M4 – has three and four-bed homes for sale from £284,995 to £344,995. Help-to-Buy Wales is available at Parc Cerrig, meaning customers could buy a home with a minimum deposit of 5%.

The houses have been built by Persimmon Homes, West Wales’ largest developer, which has a five-star ranking from the Home Builders Federation, which means nine-in-ten customers would recommend them to a friend.

Cross Hands is a village close to Carmarthen, while the development is a short walk from a range of amenities, including big brands at the excellent retail park, two supermarkets, a number of independent shops and eateries, schools, a doctor’s surgery, and a cinema. Llanelli and Swansea are 20 and 30 minute drive away, respectively.

Interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly to secure their dream home in this desirable location. With interest expected to be high, potential buyers are advised to act quickly to secure their dream home on this desirable development.

During the housebuilder’s time at Parc Cerrig, Persimmon has overseen the construction of 198 new homes. For more information or to arrange a viewing of the final properties, please visit the Persimmon website at persimmonhomes.com or contact our sales team directly on 01269 503893.

Commenting, Persimmon Homes West Wales’ sales director, Sharon Bouhali, said: “With only six homes remaining at Parc Cerrig, we’re excited to offer this final opportunity to own a high-quality home built by a five-star builder at this development, where families will also benefit from the brand-new primary school and a local community centre.

“Located in the beautiful county of Carmarthenshire, Parc Cerrig is conveniently close to Swansea, Llanelli, the M4, and several coastal towns and their wonderful beaches.

“As we approach the end of our time here, we encouraging potential buyers to act swiftly and secure their dream home in this delightful part of the country.”

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