News
Pembrokeshire Volunteering Awards 2024 celebrating helpers across the county
VOLUNTEERS across Pembrokeshire were honoured at a gala dinner and awards ceremony held on November 28 at The Queen’s Hall, Narberth. The event, organised by PAVS (Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services) and supported by South Hook LNG, showcased the extraordinary efforts of local volunteers.
The Queen’s Hall provided a stunning setting for the evening, with decorations prepared by the venue’s team alongside PAVS staff. Around 80 volunteers and their guests enjoyed a meal by Block and Barrel, followed by a captivating performance by the Preseli Voices Community Choir.
Seven awards categories celebrated
The ceremony featured seven award categories, each highlighting the dedication of Pembrokeshire’s volunteers. Jessica Bickerton, Chief Officer of PAVS, introduced the finalists, praising their outstanding contributions to their communities.
Mariam Dalziel, South Hook LNG’s PR Manager, said: “Congratulations to all nominees. To be a part of these awards is to be part of something incredibly special, celebrating the tremendous effort of volunteers across our county. At South Hook, we are proud to continue our support for these awards, working with PAVS to highlight the positive impact volunteering brings to our community.”
Special guest presenters handed out each award, with winners later sharing their inspiring stories in interviews with Toby Ellis of Pure West Radio. These stories are available on the radio station’s website.
Winners and finalists
Young Volunteer (under 25)
- Winner: Zoe Jones – POINT Youth Centre
- Highly Commended: Charlie Evans – Milford Youth Matters
- Presented by: Anna Mullarkey, Stakeholder Engagement & Communications Manager, Port of Milford Haven
Mike Beckett Award (youth group aged under 25)
- Winners: POINT Youth Forum
- Highly Commended: Youth Ambassador Team – Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity
- Presented by: Gwen Beckett
Trustee/Board Award
- Winners: Andrea Farmer and Isobel Hall – Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity
- Highly Commended: Julie Fulton – Pembrokeshire People First
- Presented by: Claire Incledon, Chair of Trustees, PAVS
Long Service Award
- Winner: Paul Guisbourne-Hilton – Various charities
- Highly Commended: Julie Fulton – Pembrokeshire People First
- Commended: Kathleen Llewellyn – Paul Sartori Foundation
- Presented by: Cllr Marc Tierney
Individual Over 25
- Winner: Sue Canham – Royal Voluntary Service
- Highly Commended: Nadine Farmer – Sandy Bear Bereavement Charity; Neil Houghton – Redberth Croft CIC
- Commended: Cerian Goodbourn – Sea Trust Wales; Valerie Harrold – Paul Sartori Foundation
- Presented by: Neil Wooding, Chair, Hywel Dda University Health Board and WCVA
Mary Sigley Award
- Winner: David Bundock – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
- Highly Commended: Paul Guisbourne-Hilton – Various charities
- Presented by: Tom Dyer, Pure West Radio
Group Over 25
- Winner: ‘Found it @ Frame’ Volunteers
- Highly Commended: Esteam Volunteers
- Commended: West Wales Walking for Wellbeing
- Presented by: Mariam Dalziel, South Hook LNG
For more information about volunteering in Pembrokeshire, contact [email protected] or call PAVS at 01437 769722. Details are also available at www.pavs.org.uk.
Uplifting performances, heartwarming stories, and the celebration of remarkable individuals made this year’s event a memorable tribute to Pembrokeshire’s volunteers.
News
Indoor cricket: Lawrenny youngsters win low-scoring tussle
Lawrenny (82 for 4) beat Neyland B (63 for 5) by 19 runs
THE MATCH between Lawrenny and Neyland B turned into an unexpectedly low-scoring affair, with both sides struggling to rack up runs. Challenging conditions, possibly due to the newly introduced balls known for swinging more before being fully “knocked in,” appeared to hamper the batting.
Batting first, Lawrenny posted a modest 82 for 4 in their 10 overs. Finley Lewis (12) and Will Allen (21 from 15 balls) top-scored, with Rhys Eynon adding a quickfire 23, including two sixes and two fours, before being run out. Noah Williams remained unbeaten on 16, with 10 extras boosting the total. Neyland B’s Tom Pritchard (2 for 12) and Iestyn Myles (1 for 21) were the pick of the bowlers.
In reply, Neyland B struggled against Lawrenny’s bowling attack, led by Finley Lewis (2 for 5). Early dismissals of John Tennick (3) and Iestyn Myles (2) left the team reeling at 5 for 2. Jamie Smith managed 13, while Tom Pritchard fought hard with a defiant 22, but it wasn’t enough. Additional contributions from Lawrenny’s bowlers Will Allen (1 for 16), Rhys Eynon (1 for 12), and Oscar Lewis (1 for 12) ensured Neyland B were restricted to 63 for 5, sealing Lawrenny’s 19-run victory.
Cresselly cruise to victory over Pembs Seniors A
Pembs Seniors A (97 for 5) lost to Cresselly (98 for 0) by 6 wickets
Cresselly continued their dominant run with a clinical performance against Pembs Seniors A. Chasing a modest target of 98, they cruised to victory in just 7.4 overs without losing a wicket.
The Seniors struggled with the bat after losing key player Kevin Bowen for 3. Andrew Williams (24) and Alan Webster (36 not out from 24 balls) provided some stability, but the rest of the lineup faltered. Stuart Carpenter chipped in with 15, including a six, but contributions from Huw Scriven (5) and Mark Hicks (0) were minimal.
Cresselly’s bowlers, led by Griff Jenkins (2 for 16) and Tom Arthur (1 for 20), kept the Seniors in check. In reply, Noah Williams (25, including three fours) and Griff Jenkins (26, with two sixes and two fours) retired unbeaten, setting the platform for Tom Rowlands (23 not out) and Milo Jones (16 not out) to finish the chase in style.
Haverfordwest Lightning strike Seniors B
Haverfordwest Lightning (128 for 4) beat Pembs Seniors B (88 all out) by 40 runs
Haverfordwest Lightning delivered a commanding performance, setting a strong total of 128 for 4 in their 10 overs before dismissing Pembs Seniors B for 88 to win by 40 runs.
Shan Pereira anchored the Lightning’s innings with an excellent 37, supported by Will Phillips (26) and Matthew Vaughan (19). Jake Merry contributed 12, and with 26 extras, the team posted a daunting total.
The Seniors’ response relied heavily on Jonathan “Taffy” Williams, who remained unbeaten on 38, smashing four sixes. His all-round effort included a stellar 4 for 24 with the ball, but he received little support. Martin Thomas added 28, but the rest of the lineup collapsed, scoring just 7 runs between them.
Haverfordwest’s bowlers, particularly Jake Merry with a sensational 2 for 2, ensured the Seniors never gained momentum. Sean Atyeo (1 for 14) and Dylan Lee (1 for 17) also contributed, sealing Lightning’s victory with an impressive all-round effort.
News
Lives at risk in Pembrokeshire as storm leaves many without power
LIVES are being put at risk in rural Pembrokeshire following National Grid’s failure to install generators for hundreds of properties still without electricity after Storm Darragh.
Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, county councillor Iwan Ward described a dire situation, warning that elderly residents are “freezing to death,” while families with young children are going hungry as power outages persist.
“It’s getting serious,” said Cllr Ward.
“My gut feeling, given the extent of damage the National Grid is dealing with, is that we’re not going to get our electricity back until the middle of next week. But by that point, we’ll start seeing deaths in the community.”
A village in crisis
Cllr Ward, who lives in Blaenffos near Crymych—one of Pembrokeshire’s hardest-hit areas—painted a bleak picture of life in his village.
“In my village, we have both ends of the spectrum,” he explained. “We have very elderly, frail people and families with young children who need warmth and food.
“I know of children who aren’t eating properly because their parents don’t have electricity to cook. For some, the only place they can get hot food is at school.”
He recounted one particularly distressing case involving a resident who requires an electric hoist to move around. After being sent to Haverfordwest for respite care, the woman now faces being sent home despite the lack of power.
“The respite home can’t keep her any longer, and with no electricity at her house, she has nowhere to go,” said Cllr Ward.
Communication and connectivity failures
The power outages have also disrupted the EE mobile network, leaving many residents without a reliable phone signal, further isolating affected communities.
This week, Cllr Ward and local Senedd Member Paul Davies contacted National Grid to request generators for the worst-hit areas.
“It doesn’t happen often, but there are cases when National Grid installs generators if they know homes will be without power for an extended time,” said Cllr Ward.
However, the response has been far from satisfactory.
“Myself and Paul Davies emailed National Grid on Monday afternoon, but we’ve yet to receive an answer. They’re ignoring us,” he said.
Criticism of national grid’s response
While Cllr Ward commended the efforts of National Grid engineers working on the ground, he criticized the organization’s communication during the crisis.
“They shouldn’t keep giving us set times for power restoration only to change them daily,” he said. “They should have been upfront from the start about how long this would take, so people could make arrangements.”
Cllr Ward and Paul Davies remain determined to secure generators for the worst-affected communities.
“If we don’t get a response from National Grid by this afternoon, we’ll be going back to them and will keep on fighting,” vowed Cllr Ward.
“These are very frightening and scary times for so many people, and we’re determined to do all we can to help them.”
On Monday, National Grid confirmed that 26,959 customers across South Wales are still without power, with teams working tirelessly to restore supplies.
The company told The Herald “Our engineers, control rooms, contact centre, and support teams have been working around the clock to maintain power,” said Emma Philpin, National Grid’s director of Customer Excellence.”
“We’ve seen extremely high call volumes, and it’s taking longer for customers to get through. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Rest assured, we are doing everything possible to restore power across the region as quickly as we can” the firm said.
News
Extensive historical child sexual abuse and institutional failings at Caldey Abbey
AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW into historical child sexual abuse at Caldey Abbey, situated on Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire, has uncovered extensive abuse by members of the monastic community and critical institutional failures in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
The report, led by safeguarding expert Jan Pickles OBE, was commissioned in April 2024 by Father Jan Rossey, the Abbot of Caldey Abbey, to address longstanding allegations and promote transparency and healing within the community.
The comprehensive review examined allegations of child sexual abuse spanning several decades, focusing on the actions of specific monks and the abbey’s responses to these allegations. It incorporated survivor testimonies, historical records, and an evaluation of the abbey’s safeguarding policies and practices.
Key findings
The review highlighted multiple monks involved in child sexual abuse, with significant attention on Father Thaddeus Kotik, who lived at the abbey from 1947 until his death in 1992. Kotik is alleged to have abused numerous children between 1972 and 1987.
The abbey failed to act on abuse allegations, allowing perpetrators to continue unchecked. Safeguarding policies were inadequate, and reports of abuse were ignored or mishandled.
Survivors have endured long-term trauma, worsened by the abbey’s failure to acknowledge their suffering or provide meaningful support.
The report outlined several key recommendations:
- Public Apology: Acknowledge the abuse and institutional failures.
- Support for Survivors: Establish accessible counseling services and avenues for redress.
- Policy Reforms: Implement robust safeguarding policies, ensuring all staff are trained to report abuse.
- Collaboration with Authorities: Establish clear protocols for reporting allegations to law enforcement and child protection agencies.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Engage independent bodies to review safeguarding practices regularly.
Response from Caldey Abbey
Father Jan Rossey expressed deep regret for the abbey’s historical failures and committed to implementing all recommendations. He emphasized the abbey’s dedication to creating a safe environment and supporting survivors.
The findings at Caldey Abbey underscore a broader issue of child sexual abuse within religious institutions, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and rigorous safeguarding measures.
The abbey plans to collaborate with survivors, safeguarding experts, and authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations. Survivors and advocates stress the importance of sustained vigilance to prevent future abuse.
Statement from Abbot Father Jan Rossey
“It is with deep sorrow and regret that I have read in the review of the great suffering of children who were abused by Father Thaddeus Kotik and the culture of secrecy and cover-up that kept this hidden.
Opportunities were missed to stop the abuse of children. It is particularly heartbreaking to hear children spoke up to adults, and no action was taken.
Children and their families were failed when they should have been supported and listened to. The abuses should have been reported to statutory authorities.
On behalf of the monastic community, I sincerely apologise to all those who have been hurt and have suffered because of the abuse of Thaddeus Kotik and past failures to protect children.
It is a matter of great shame that this abuse was allowed to happen.
We are committed to implementing all the recommendations in the review and to ensuring that safeguarding is at the heart of our mission.
We will do all that we can to support those who have been harmed and to ensure that Caldey Island is a safe place for all.”
Safeguarding overhaul: Caldey implements comprehensive reforms
CALDEY ISLAND has undertaken a major overhaul of its safeguarding protocols and governance structures under the leadership of Father Jan Rossey. Initially appointed as acting Abbot in January 2023, Father Jan was confirmed in the role in April 2024 and has since spearheaded a series of reforms to enhance the safety and well-being of residents and visitors to the island.
Leadership and governance
One of the key developments has been a reshaping of the abbey’s leadership framework. In June 2023, Caldey appointed a new Island Manager alongside a volunteer Safeguarding Lead to focus on ensuring the highest standards of safety. By July 2023, a revised Board of Directors and Trustees was established, including lay members with legal and financial expertise. Safeguarding now features as a standing agenda item in the Board’s bi-monthly meetings, ensuring it remains a priority.
Further governance changes have made the Island Manager directly accountable to the Board, supported by newly agreed Terms of Reference and other governance structures.
Strengthening safeguarding practices
Caldey Abbey has conducted a thorough review of its safeguarding files, completed in December 2023, and commissioned an external review into historical abuse allegations. Initially launched in March 2024, this review was expanded in June 2024 to include all allegations, both historical and recent.
Training and enhanced policies
Ahead of the 2024 tourist season, the abbey provided safeguarding training to all monks, employees, volunteers, and islanders to bolster awareness and improve reporting mechanisms. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were also expanded to include all individuals working or residing on the island. The monastic community underwent DBS checks as early as January 2023.
New policies have been introduced to address safeguarding concerns comprehensively. These include a code titled Caring Safely for Others, which monks must read and agree to, and updated processes for tenant and visiting priest applications that require rigorous vetting.
In collaboration with local authorities, the abbey has also adopted missing child forms and emergency planning measures. Safeguarding posters and dedicated reporting channels via phone and email have been implemented, making it easier for concerns to be raised.
Expertise and collaboration
A key milestone in 2024 was the appointment of a part-time Professional Safeguarding Lead, a qualified social worker, to oversee the abbey’s safeguarding practices. Additionally, a Safeguarding Subcommittee comprising independent professionals in health, education, and human resources now provides oversight.
The introduction of a GDPR-compliant system, My Concern, has further enhanced the secure storage and analysis of safeguarding concerns.
Caldey Abbey has also strengthened its partnerships with Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police, ensuring appropriate safeguarding referrals are made when necessary. The abbey benefits from guidance provided by Religious Life Safeguarding Services (RLSS) and is preparing for an audit by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) in 2025.
A safer future
Looking ahead, Caldey Abbey has advertised for a permanent part-time Safeguarding Lead and continues to expand its safeguarding culture. These reforms are part of a wider commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
The Herald says: The publication of this report is a significant step toward justice and healing for the victims. It serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals in all communities. The measures now in place mark a significant step forward for Caldey Abbey, signaling a new chapter that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all who live on or visit the island.
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