Community

Church lowers a voting age to sixteen

Published

11 years ago

November 12, 2014

16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS will now be able to have their say at key church meetings following a motion passed last week. For the first time, under-18s will be able to become members of Diocesan Conferences and play a full part in their decision-making. The motion was passed with strong support by the Church’s Governing Body at its meeting last week.

It had been brought as a Private Members’ motion by the Archdeacon of Montgomery, Dr Peter Pike, and seconded by lay member, Dr Huw Lloyd – both from the Diocese of St Asaph. Proposing the change, Dr Pike referred to the Scottish referendum taking place that day at which younger teenagers were also allowed to vote. He said, “Those between the ages of 16 and 18, who will be voting for the very first time today, are being consulted and invited to make up their minds in a mature manner about a range of complex issues.

They are being respected for the energy and insight that they bring to life in Scotland. “Our Private Members’ Motion asks for something similar: that our young people aged 16 and over have the opportunity to take a full part in our six Diocesan Conferences. He added, “The young people of this age group are established and gifted in life, and have all sorts of perspectives on things which we who are older have either dulled or forgotten. But I wonder if our over cautious, utterly sensible and mildly hierarchical approach to governance in our church life has resulted in a huge blind-spot for those who would have so much to offer?”

During a lively debate, Carol Cobert, a lay representative from Llandaff Diocese, reflected that experience isn’t everything, telling the hall in Lampeter, “We have been making decisions for years and we still get it wrong!” Others commented that lowering the age of service would encourage young people to take part, “Giving young people responsibility will encourage participation, ” said Ros Crawford, a lay member from St Asaph Diocese.

Community

PCSO clocks in after villagers raise speeding fears

Published

37 minutes ago

April 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HERBRANDSTON residents flagged fast-moving traffic as a key concern, prompting police to carry out speed checks in the village.

Concern over speeding in Herbrandston has prompted a local police response, with PCSO Adam out in the village carrying out speed checks after residents raised the issue through DPP Connect.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police said the concerns emerged after officers signed local people up to the messaging service, which allows residents to share feedback and receive updates from police.

Many of those who responded said speeding through the village was one of their main worries.

In response, PCSO Adam was deployed to monitor traffic and check vehicle speeds.

The move is likely to be welcomed by residents who have grown tired of motorists treating the village like a racetrack.

Community

Walk the Path for Wellbeing to span three counties in 2026

Published

17 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY is inviting communities, workplaces, families and friends to take part in the 2026 Walk the Path for Wellbeing challenge, with this year’s event expanding across three counties for the first time.

Taking place on Sunday, May 10 and Monday, May 11, the challenge will bring people together to celebrate the spectacular West Wales coastline through walking and other forms of active travel, while highlighting the strong links between nature, movement and wellbeing. A reserve weekend of May 17 and 18 has also been set aside in the event of severe weather.

Building on feedback from last year, the event will now take place over two days rather than one, giving more people the opportunity to get involved and creating a longer window for celebration, storytelling and community spirit.

While last year’s challenge focused on the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast, this year’s event will also include sections of Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, bringing even more communities into the shared coastal celebration.

The two-day event will feature self-led sections for group entry. With the focus firmly on enjoyment, there is no pressure to complete every stage, and participants are encouraged to do only as much as they feel comfortable with. Together, those individual efforts will contribute to a shared goal of covering the full 313 miles of coastline.

Angela Robinson, Health and Wellbeing Officer at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The coast has an extraordinary ability to lift people, connect communities and create lasting memories. By extending the event across two days and into neighbouring counties, we’re opening the door to even more people to celebrate that connection together and share their experiences on social media.”

Community

Ex-commercial hens need homes in Boncath or face slaughter

Published

2 days ago

April 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Spring appeal launched to rehome 180 birds by Friday deadline

AN URGENT appeal has been launched to find homes for 180 ex-commercial laying hens in Boncath before next weekend, with campaigners warning the birds may otherwise face slaughter.

The British Hen Welfare Trust is holding a rehoming event in Boncath on Saturday (Apr 11), but says kind-hearted adopters must register by 2:00pm on Friday (Apr 10) if the hens are to be given a second chance.

The charity says the birds, all around 18 months old, have reached the end of their commercial laying lives, despite still having plenty to offer as pets.

Supporters say hens are friendly, curious and easy to care for, and can continue to provide eggs while enjoying retirement in a garden or smallholding setting.

Andy Hill, of the British Hen Welfare Trust said: “People are often surprised by how much joy hens bring. They’re funny, curious little characters, they love routine, and they’re genuinely a delight to care for. Plus, they’re still more than happy to pop out the occasional egg.

“With spring finally here, this is the ideal time to start. These girls are more than ready for a fresh beginning, and they really do make wonderful pets.”

The trust says anyone willing to adopt must be able to provide food, water, shelter, security and a little care and attention.

The charity, founded in 2005, says it has now found retirement homes for more than one million ex-commercial hens across the UK, all of which would otherwise have been destined for slaughter.

People interested in adopting can visit the British Hen Welfare Trust website and select the Boncath rehoming event, or call the rehoming team on 01884 860084.