Community

Get the most from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this summer

Published

2 years ago

July 19, 2024

FROM local craft markets to artist-led workshops, bat walks and a planetarium session, residents and visitors can look forward to a delightful variety of ways to enjoy Britain’s only truly coastal National Park this summer.

Situated just a stone’s throw away from St Davids Cathedral and stunning beaches, Oriel y Parc National Park Discovery Centre is the perfect starting point for any summer holiday adventure. Free to enter, it offers a wealth of information on where to find your best experiences in the National Park – along with the chance to hire an e-bike and explore the picturesque but hilly St Davids countryside with the aid of an electric motor. The Centre is also home to Amgueddfa Cymru in Pembrokeshire and features a changing programme of exhibitions, along with a packed schedule of activities and events throughout the school holidays.

The main exhibition during this period will be Courage and Community – RNLI 200, celebrating 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution saving lives at sea. As well as plenty of exhibition games and activities for the whole family, Courage and Community also features an Arancia-class inshore rescue craft and some RNLI equipment to offer a taste of a rescue at sea.

For an extra charge, younger visitors can participate in a Legends of the Sea Trail, where they’ll become a member of the RNLI crew and complete the missions on the islands and sea around Oriel y Parc to rescue those in danger and earn a reward.

Discover a unique array of handmade crafts at Oriel y Parc’s Summer Craft Market on Saturday 10 August between 10am and 3pm, or at one of the Handmade Craft Fairs, hosted by Makers Bizarre. The Handmade Craft Fairs will take place in the courtyard every Tuesday, from 23 July to 27 August, between 10.30am and 4.30pm. Perfect for adding a touch of local charm to your home or finding one-of-a-kind gifts, entry to all markets is free.

Wednesday Club! sessions will run throughout the summer holidays, offering a wide variety of art and craft activities for creative young minds.

The first is scheduled for Wednesday 24 July, with a drop-in Make your own Sea Trinket Workshop between 10am-3am. The next four sessions will be led by local artists and include: Ocean Navigation Chart Making with Hannah Rounding on 31 July; a Stars & Story Stones Workshop with Kerry Curson on 7 August; Fantastical Boat Collages with Kate Evans on 14 August; and a Beach finds – Drawing and Mark Making session with Kate Freeman on 21 August.

All artist-led Wednesday Club! sessions take place between 11am – 12pm and 1.30pm – 2.30pm and booking is essential.

The final Wednesday Club! workshop of the holidays will be a Seaweed Printing Workshop. This is a drop-in event and booking is not required.

Further information about Oriel y Parc’s exhibitions, summer activities and e-bike rentals can be found at www.orielyparc.co.uk.

There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about different areas and aspects of the National Park through the Authority’s exciting programme of summer events.

Tickets are still available for three Ranger-led walks through the spectacular Preseli Hills, taking in the history, legends and wildlife of this magical landscape.

The Craig Talfynydd Walk to the heart of the Preseli Hills will take place on Wednesday 24 July and Tuesday 13 August, and there are still places to join the Carningli Circular on Friday 23 August. Anyone interested in ancient history should consider joining the Foel Drygarn Walk, which takes place on Friday 9 August and Tuesday 27 August and visits one of the best archaeological sites in the Park.

Some fabulous historical walks with knowledgeable guides are also scheduled for the summer, providing opportunities to learn more about your favourite places – or discover new ones. A Nevern – Castles and Pilgrims walk will take place on Friday 16 August, while on Friday 30 August, the Porthgain, One Village, Three Industries walk offers the chance to explore one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic stretches of coastline.

The Park Authority’s popular Bat Walks will continue at various locations throughout July and August, which is generally the best time of year to observe these fascinating nocturnal creatures. The availability of bat detectors is guaranteed to make this a memorable experience.

At Manorbier’s Giraldus Centre, visitors will be able to enjoy a unique opportunity to explore the night sky in the middle of the day on 10 and 11 August. Several Planetarium Shows are scheduled over the two days in a state-of-the-art, high-resolution 360° planetarium. Those attending will be able to embark on a virtual journey through the solar system, land on other worlds, fly through Saturn’s rings, and marvel at Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Each 45-minute show features expert commentary and is suitable for visitors aged 5 and up.

Please note that booking is essential for all walks and activities around the Park. Further information is available at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events.

Angharad, the Park Authority’s Summer Ranger will also be out and about throughout the holidays, with plenty of advice and information about places to visit and things to do. If you’re looking for some activities for the children this summer, Angharad will also be delivering some family favourites such as rock pooling and bug hunt sessions. Why not stop and say hello?

Community

West Wales trainer offers free first aid talks to community groups

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FREE LIFE-SAVING SESSIONS AVAILABLE ACROSS THE REGION

A CARMARTHENSHIRE-based training company is offering free first aid awareness talks to community groups across West Wales.

Pinnacle Workforce Training Ltd, founded by trainer and health and social care professional Andrew James-Deakin, is inviting organisations including Women’s Institutes, U3A groups, Rotary Clubs, Probus Clubs, churches, charities and community groups to book an interactive presentation.

The session, titled Could You Save a Life? Practical First Aid for Everyday Emergencies, covers CPR awareness, defibrillator use, choking, stroke recognition, heart attack awareness, burns and scalds, falls, seizures and anaphylaxis.

Andrew, who has more than 25 years’ experience in training, assessment, quality assurance, leadership and health and social care, said: “Many people worry that they would not know what to do if someone collapsed, suffered a stroke, had a heart attack or started choking.

“These talks are designed to give people confidence and practical knowledge that could make a real difference while waiting for professional help to arrive.”

The sessions are designed to be informative, engaging and interactive, giving participants practical knowledge that could help them support family members, friends, colleagues or members of the public during an emergency.

As part of a community introduction programme, Pinnacle Workforce Training Ltd is currently offering the talks free of charge.

Organisations within 20 miles of Llanelli can book a session at no cost, while groups further afield are only asked to cover travel expenses.

Andrew added: “One of the aims of Pinnacle Workforce Training is to support local communities by making valuable skills and knowledge accessible to as many people as possible.

“If even one person leaves a session feeling more confident to help in an emergency, it will have been worthwhile.”

Community organisations interested in arranging a talk can contact Andrew James-Deakin on 07364 138827 or email [email protected].

Andrew James-Deakin: Director of Pinnacle Workforce Training Ltd, pictured on the River Towy footbridge in Carmarthen (Pic: Supplied).

Community

Graffiti condemned after Johnston wall vandalised

Published

8 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

‘PETTY AND MINDLESS’ ATTACK CRITICISED BY LOCAL COUNCILLOR AND MS

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has condemned “mindless” graffiti daubed on a wall in Johnston, saying it sends the wrong message to children, visitors and residents.

Cllr Aled Thomas, who represents Johnston, said he was “really angry” after seeing the words sprayed in blue paint in the village.

He said he was not personally offended by the abuse, but was upset by the impact on the wider community.

Cllr Thomas said: “What really angered me was what type of message this sends to visitors and young people in our community, particularly as there are so many hardworking people behind the scenes just trying to make Johnston a better place for everyone.”

He said Johnston Community Council had worked hard to improve local green spaces, including Glebelands Field, the Woodland Walk and Vine Field, as well as ensuring play parks were safe to use.

He added: “Someone throwing all that hard work by local residents down the drain by detracting from it with petty graffiti makes me angry.”

The councillor also said children walking to Johnston School should not be exposed to “mindless disgusting language”, adding that staff and governors worked hard to foster “decency and respect”.

Addressing whoever was responsible, he said: “If you have a personal problem with me or my party, I suggest you reach out to me to discuss your problems without ruining the village for everyone else.

“Failing that, you can graffiti your ballot paper next May instead and vote me out as your local councillor — but until that day comes, I’ll continue doing my very best to help Johnston and its residents thrive, and no graffiti will ever stop me.”

Paul Davies MS also criticised the vandalism, saying: “This is absolutely disgraceful. Of course, I realise that people disagree with our views as Conservatives but to vandalise, use this language and spoil our environment is totally unacceptable.”

Photo caption:

Vandalism condemned: Graffiti sprayed on a wall in Johnston has been criticised by Cllr Aled Thomas and Paul Davies MS (Pic: Facebook).

Community

Milford Haven Sea Cadets celebrate offshore voyage success

Published

20 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.