PEMBROKE Dock’s Anchorage day centre is to close in less than two months, following a decision by senior councillors today, September 9.

The county council is currently changing care provision for older adults and those with learning disabilities, and fears have been raised recently that Pembroke Dock’s Anchorage day care centre is to close.

A series of engagement events have taken place at The Anchorage recently, outlining the reasons and the options in continued service, part of which is much-needed building maintenence costs at the centre, set against a background of increasingly tight budgets, councillors have heard.

The Anchorage Day Care Centre in Pembroke Dock has been a “safe and happy place” for adults with learning difficulties and additional needs for decades.

In more recent years it has expanded to support elderly dementia sufferers.

At the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members received a petition calling for the council to keep the centre open, with an impassioned plea by Peter Welsh for the centre to remain open, saying of the service users: “They are a family, a happy group of individuals that enjoy being together in safety at their home, the Anchorage.

“They are effectively voiceless, we will be their voice.

“It’s an injustice; inexcusable targeting of the vulnerable. Please don’t use these vulnerable individuals as pawns for a money-saving gain.

“We may lose this battle today, but I hope not; they need your support. Just imagine if it was your son or daughter or grandchild being put through this uncertainty that is affecting their lives; you would feel the same sense of anger as us.”

Despite a plea by local councillors Tony Wilcox and Brian Hall to give the centre a breathing space ahead of a potential move to an as-yet-unbuilt facility in Pembroke, the matter was brought to the September meeting of the council’s Cabinet.

In a report presented at the September 9 Cabinet meeting by Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, it was recommended members “close the Anchorage Day Centre with effect from November 1, 2024,” along with, as part of wider changes in the service, establishing social enterprise models in the Crymych’s Bro Preseli and Narberth’s Lee Davies Centre with effect from April 1, 2025.

The recommendation, one of three presented to Cabinet, said it “will provide a longer time period to establish social enterprise models in two of the three centres, ensuring time for scrutiny from members and further engagement from families and users in the final model,” adding: “The model will further strengthen the links between PCC and the third Sector.

“The Anchorage Day Centre would be closed in [two of the three options], but the timescales set out would provide a transition to a new service before the winter and ensure that service users would not need unplanned placement if the building does require emergency closure.

“Service users at the Anchorage have all received support from senior social workers to review alternative placements and all have chosen options should the decision be made to close the Anchorage. Several additional options to retain services within the Pembroke Dock area have been included mitigating journey time to Haverfordwest.

“Meadow Park [in Haverfordwest] has capacity to support all of the current service users from the Anchorage and has the capacity and skill set to provide a single point of excellence. South Wales Advocacy will be approached once a decision has been made to support service users.

“Whilst Option 2 would not secure all of the budget savings required of adult services in 2024/25 it will ensure full recovery next year and reduce the need to enact any further budget savings which would require loss of staff and additional redundancy costs.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “It’s a sensitive issue  and one that really – if I was a parent, I would want to protect my young person or adult as much as possible – I guess part of all that is about the peer group or the friendship group that they have; wherever possible we must seek to offer something that preserves that as much as possible and is as close to wherever they live as possible.”

Council leader Cllr Jon Harvey stressed the need to keep the “cohort of Anchorage users together,” later quoting the reasoning behind the choice of options, as outlined in the report to members.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Hodgson said: “In Pembrokeshire, we want older people and people with disabilities to have a range of meaningful things to do, in their local communities that provides purpose, connection and where appropriate, progression.

“We have at every step tried to balance the needs of the service users and their families with the requirement for change and we will continue to support all service users as we go through this process.

“We have worked hard to identify alternative and suitable provision for all service users and put the direct bus in place from the Anchorage to Meadow Park after listening to feedback.

“I wish to emphasise that no service users will be left without provision following the decision here today and we will continue to work closely with everyone to ensure a positive outcome for all day opportunities users.”

National Trust Cymru, in conjunction with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, has closed the public access route leading to Traeth Llyfn beach sooner than planned due to increased seal and seal pup activity at the beach. The Blue Lagoon is scheduled to close to the public as planned from 21 September 2024 until 2 November 2024.

Mark Underhill, National Trust Cymru’s Countryside Manager for Pembrokeshire said: “We are fortunate to host grey seals year-round here in Pembrokeshire and the breeding season is vital for the ongoing health of these colonies given that it is estimated that around half of the world’s population of grey seals breed on our coastline. The total number of grey seals in West Wales is estimated to be about 5,000, with some 1,400 pups being born each year, making it extremely important that we take care to ensure the safety of these colonies.

“With this in mind, we ask that visitors refrain from accessing Traeth Llyfn from 5 September 2024 and the Blue Lagoon from 21 September, whilst also following guidelines laid out by the Seal Alliance and Pembrokeshire Marine Code when on the rest of the coastal path. It is also imperative that dogs are kept on short leads and away from beaches during seal breeding season at the coast in Pembrokeshire.”

The Blue Lagoon closes to the public each year from late September to November, with recent years seeing increasing numbers of the grey seal population breeding in and around Traeth Llyfn as well, leading to its temporary closure in 2023. The Blue Lagoon’s sheltered location, making it so attractive to seals, combined with high visitor numbers in this area, creates a situation where there is a high potential for disturbance to seals.

The time seals spend resting on land is vital to their health and that of their pups as they digest recent meals, socialise, and feed their young. Visitors will still be able to watch these wild creatures in their habitat from a distance on the Wales Coast Path, but to avoid disturbing seals at this important time of year, National Trust Cymru recommend following the Pembrokeshire Marine Code: stay quiet, keep your distance (at least 50m away from seals), never come between a seal and her pup, or a seal and the sea, and don’t take dogs near a seal breeding area.

They also ask that if a seal is spotted in distress or alone, never approach the pup. Seals are often left alone on the beach and distress can be caused by contact with people. To raise any concerns about seals or seal pups, contact the conservation group Welsh Marine Life Rescue on 01646 692943 or 07970 285086 who will be able to offer you further guidance.

TO commemorate Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Prince of Wales, children will be able to visit all Cadw locations across Wales for free.

On Saturday 14^th and Sunday 15^th September, families will be able to visit monuments and learn about the history of Wales and its people – including Owain Glyndŵr – who played such a pivotal role in shaping the history of Wales.

Owain Glyndŵr Day is celebrated annually on 16^th September and marks the proclamation of the Welsh national hero becoming Prince of Wales in 1400. This date also symbolises the beginning of the ‘Glyndŵr rebellion’ – a 15-year uprising that sought to restore Welsh independence against the English rule of Henry VI. Although ultimately unsuccessful, it reclaimed a sense of identity and sovereignty for the people of Wales.

During his rebellion, Owain Glyndŵr besieged many of Cadw’s famous castles, including Caernarfon, Coety, Dinefwr and Kidwelly. 

Across the weekend, a series of events will be held across some other Cadw locations:

• Owain Glyndŵr Day Costumed Tour (Castell Cricieth)

Sunday 15^th September, 11am-4pm

Visitors can hear the tale of this most unlikely rebel as they take a tour of one of the castles he attacked and discover why his fame still lingers as a legacy for the modern age.

• Owain Glyndŵr Day (Castell Harlech)

Sunday 15^th September, 11am-4pm

Owain Glyndŵr took Castell Harlech in 1404.  Join the Ardudwy Knights at this iconic location to celebrate Owain Glyndŵr Day.

• Owain Glyndŵr Day(Castell Rhuddlan)

Sunday 15^th September, 11am-4pm

Join Cadw’s fabulous storyteller, as they bring to life the legend of Owain Glyndŵr through story, music and song, with various activities for children to take part in too.

• Beaumaris Castle History Tour(Beaumaris Castle)

Monday 16^th September, 11am-4pm

Explore the history of this captivating World Heritage Site and discover how Welsh princes (like Owain Glyndŵr) are intertwined with the story of this castle.

The ‘children go free’ offer also comes as part of Cadw’s 40^th anniversary celebrations – a significant milestone as it continues its mission to care for Wales’ historic places, inspiring current and future generations to engage with the nation’s rich history.

Head of Cadw, Gwilym Hughes, said: “The cost of living is still having an impact on families so by offering free access to children across our magnificent monuments, we hope that people will be encouraged to visit Cadw locations and give children a real taste of Wales’ extensive history.

“Each Cadw location has a unique story to tell. Indeed, many of these shaped Owain Glyndŵr’s rebellion and although ultimately unsuccessful, his legacy endures through locations like this as a testament to his determination and patriotism.

“We hope this weekend to commemorate his life and legacy will give an insight into our deep roots as a nation – making our rich heritage accessible to all.”

For more information on events and opening times across the weekend, search https://cadw.gov.wales/.