News

New Older People’s Commissioner sets out her vision

Published

2 months ago

September 30, 2024

THE new Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, has set out her vision for a Wales that leads the way in empowering older people, tackling inequality and enabling everyone to live and age well.

Taking up post today (30 September), the new Commissioner has said she is looking forward to travelling across Wales to hear directly from older people about their experiences of growing older and how the issues affecting their lives can be tackled to deliver change and improvements.

Publishing a statement on her website, new Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Rhian Bowen-Davies, said:

“It is an honour and a privilege to serve as the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. This independent role is unique in its purpose to promote and champion the rights of older people and as Commissioner I will listen to what’s important and ensure their voices and experiences are integral to bringing about positive change.

“The quality of our lives as we grow older is influenced by a range of factors such as our health, housing and income, as well as where we live and the types of support, services and community networks accessible to us.

“So I’m keen to meet and hear from older people in all parts of Wales to understand the range of challenges they face in their day to day lives and to hear how they feel things could be done differently to enable and support them to live and age well.”

The Commissioner will begin this work by visiting communities across Gwynedd and Powys during her first week in post to speak with older people about the things that make a positive difference to their lives, as well as their concerns, which will support her as she develops her work programme. She is also developing plans for a large scale consultation with older people, inviting them to share their views and ideas about the key areas of work she should prioritise.

In her statement, the Commissioner also said she recognises the significant challenges facing older people in Wales as she takes up post, particularly in light of the Government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments, the rising energy cap and the potential implications of the upcoming autumn budget.

Highlighting the impact of these issues, the Commissioner said: “These issues, combined with pressures on public services and wider issues such as digital exclusion, loneliness and social isolation are resulting in multiple disadvantages for older people making it increasingly difficult to access the vital services and support they need.

“I do not underestimate the gravity of these issues, and from the outset, I will be the strong voice of older people, ensuring that their experiences and concerns are brought directly to decision and policymakers.

“I’m ambitious to establish common agendas, share learning, promote good practice and to support change that will make a difference to the lives of older people both now and in the future.

“But my team and I will also scrutinise a wide range of policy and practice that impacts upon older people’s quality of life, and I will not hesitate to hold organisations and individuals to account where this will deliver the best outcomes for older people.”

The new Commissioner will draw on a wide range of knowledge and experience within her role, having begun her career as a police officer, before taking on senior leadership roles in the third sector, including Chief Executive of Calan DVS, and being appointed Wales’ first National Adviser for tackling Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence in 2015.

Most recently, she has been recognised as an expert Chair of Domestic Homicide Reviews involving older people, in addition to undertaking a wide range of research and projects on behalf of key organisations and public bodies.

The Commissioner added: “Working with and on behalf of older people I look forward to making a positive contribution; safeguarding rights, challenging discrimination and tackling inequality.

“Together we will ensure that older people’s voices are heard at a local and national level, which will be crucial to create a Wales that leads the way in empowering older people, tackling inequality and enabling everyone to live and age well.”

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

8 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”

Welsh National Wedding Awards

The awards celebrate the best wedding venues and services across Wales, with attendees from all regions of the country.

***Celebrations: Andy and Mandy Stirling with wedding co-ordinator Lowri Nicholas (Pic: Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa)***

Community

Special guests for Torch showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’

Published

15 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was the most appropriate day for the screening before a Pembrokeshire audience of a remarkable film, narrated by the last surviving ‘Dambuster’ of the RAF’s 617 Squadron.

The RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods, and World War II Veteran Duncan Hilling, of Saundersfoot, were chief guests at the Torch Theatre for the showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’, one of three large dams in Germany attacked by 617 Squadron in May 1943.

They were joined by service representatives, air cadets and many locals – the evening being a fundraising event for the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincolnshire.

Exquisitely created in digital format, the film describes the story of Avro Lancaster bomber AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam, with the narration by the late Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson, who died in 2022. He was the bomb aimer on the aircraft which dropped an ‘Upkeep’ bomb on the dam.

It is the culmination of six years of work by film producer Andrew Panton and Pitor Forkasiewicz and is now part of the IBCC archive. Also shown was a short film ‘Remembering the Avro Lancaster’ in which four wartime aircrew visit a preserved Lancaster at a Lincolnshire museum. The film was launched that day by the IBCC, with the Torch audience being the first to see a live screening.

The event was organised by Andrew Panton’s brother, Ian, of St Davids, who commented: “There was no doubt that many found this a very special occasion for Remembering Them, and so many others, on Remembrance Sunday.”

On display during the evening was a Lancaster bomb aimer’s panel, re-created by Dr Andy Watkin, a Trustee of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.