Community

Carmarthenshire Council announces free summer activities for families

Published

2 years ago

July 22, 2024

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has unveiled an array of free activities for children and families this summer, aiming to offer enjoyable, educational, and active experiences in a secure and supportive setting.

The Summer of Play sessions, taking place in local parks, promise a variety of activities. The first session is scheduled for 29 July at Cross Hands Park from 12:00pm to 2:00pm, followed by Pontyberem Park on 30 July from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Activities include messy play, arts and crafts, sensory play, and more.

On 29 July, the Ffwrnes Family Festival will be held at the Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli. This free event includes street theatre, arts and crafts, yoga, and a music workshop. Full details can be found on the Theatrau Sir Gâr website. For more information, contact Theatrau Sir Gâr at 0345 226 3510. No tickets are required.

The Council is organising two free bus trips, offering families the chance to visit new places. On 7 August, families can visit Wiggleys Farm Park in Bridgend, and on 22 August, there will be a trip to Tenby. Pick-up points across the Gwendraeth Valley make it easy for families to join. To book, email [email protected].

An event on 15 August from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Leekes Cross Hands Car Park will feature local professionals such as police officers, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Dental Service, and the Coastguard. This offers children a chance to learn about these roles while enjoying interactive activities.

The Food and Fun programme, running over 12 days during the school summer holidays, is available to schools in Carmarthenshire with 16% or greater Free School Meal eligibility. Eight participating schools have shared full details with eligible pupils. Four schools will visit Bremenda Isaf County Farm for vegetable growing and harvesting, with produce used in cooking lessons.

Free open-access play sessions, organised by People Speak Up, will be held during the summer holidays across Carmarthenshire. Street Play Sir Gâr provides a safe space for children to play in the street. Sessions are held during term time on Saturdays: 11:00am – 1:00pm at Park Hall Estate, Carmarthen, and 2:30pm – 4:30pm at Maes y Gors, Tyisha, Llanelli (near Home Bargains).

Three free National Playday events will be held in Carmarthenshire:

5 August: Carmarthen Park, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
7 August: Tyisha, Llanelli, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
9 August: Ammanford Park, 1:00pm – 4:00pm

For more information, visit Street Play Sir Gâr – People Speak Up.

The Active Young People Team supports various events and organisations, such as Food & Fun, Scarlets in the Community Fit, Fed & Fun, and community council events. Details about Scarlets Summer Camps can be found here.

Additionally, Carmarthenshire Actif leisure centres offer a variety of paid activities for children this summer. For further details, click here.

Cllr. Linda Davies Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes, said: “We are delighted to offer these fantastic activities for children and families in Carmarthenshire. During these challenging times, it’s essential to provide free, engaging, and supportive experiences that not only entertain but also educate and enrich the lives of our young residents. Carmarthenshire County Council is committed to working with our partners to deliver these valuable opportunities.”

For more information about summer activities in Carmarthenshire, visit the Discover Carmarthenshire website.

Community

Milford Haven Sea Cadets celebrate offshore voyage success

Published

4 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

6 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

7 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.