News
£1.5m funding boost for 25 projects to tackle child poverty across Wales
THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has awarded more than £1.5m to 25 organisations working with families in poverty across Wales. These projects will improve how services work together, focusing on practical solutions to help lift children out of poverty and create better opportunities for their futures.
The funding, from the Child Poverty Innovation and Supporting Communities Grant, will connect services better so families can more easily find the support they need.
Abergele Community Action will work with young people who face exclusion from opportunities. Their programme offers job skills and personal development, giving these young people a chance to build better futures.
In Powys, a project will look at ways to tackle rural poverty challenges and develop practical solutions tailored to the communities.
National Youth Arts Wales will provide free creative workshops to young people in Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent.
Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales, Evan Dawson, said: “Every young person in Wales has the right to flourish through inspirational cultural opportunities, boosting their wellbeing, education and future careers. This grant from the Welsh Government will bring together local and national partners to deliver creative experiences for young people in Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent – areas with some of the highest levels of child poverty and the least access to the arts in Wales.
“We know the arts are transformative. They spark creativity, build confidence, strengthen wellbeing, and open up real opportunities. This project supports the aims of the Child Poverty Strategy for Wales and will help create lasting change for young people in these communities.”
The Welsh Government has invested over £7bn between 2022 and 2026 in interventions which reduce costs and maximise the incomes of families and keep money in the pockets of Welsh citizens.
This grant funding is part of the Welsh Government’s continued efforts to help households struggling with poverty across Wales in 2025/2026.
The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “Every child deserves the best start in life, and addressing child poverty remains our absolute priority. We’re committed to breaking down the barriers poverty creates and expanding opportunities for our children.
“By investing directly in organisations who support families in poverty across Wales, we’re ensuring this funding reaches those who need it most. We will continue to do everything in our power to prevent poverty and provide meaningful support to those facing the toughest challenges.”
Community
Haverfoodfest hailed a success after busy day in town centre
HAVERFOODFEST has been hailed a success after bringing crowds, colour and community spirit to Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday (May 2).
The annual food and drink festival returned with artisan produce, street food stalls, entertainment and family-friendly attractions across the town.
County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, said it had been “brilliant” to help with the event, starting at 7:00am on traffic duties before assisting two of the festival’s popular characters, Mr Pizza Man and Mrs Strawberry, as they made their way around the town.














He said: “What an amazing day we all had, and thanks to everyone involved who made this event such a success, which is only getting bigger and better every year.”
The festival, promoted as “the big one” for 2026, ran from 10:00am to 4:00pm and attracted visitors into the centre of Haverfordwest throughout the day.
Organisers and volunteers helped support the event, which showcased local food, drink and produce while also providing a boost for town centre businesses.
Cllr Tudor thanked those involved, including Alison Tudor, Tim Evans, James Phillips and Cllr Bethan Price, for helping make the day a success.
The event has become one of Haverfordwest’s best-known annual attractions, bringing together traders, volunteers, performers and families for a celebration of local food and community life.
Climate
Welsh windfarms to power major construction materials firm
A MAJOR construction materials company has signed a long-term deal to use renewable energy from Welsh windfarms as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Energy firm RWE has agreed a 15-year contract to supply electricity to Breedon Group plc, which operates sites across Great Britain producing materials including concrete, asphalt and cement.
Under the agreement, RWE will provide around 70 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity each year from its windfarm portfolio.
The power will initially come from the Gwynt y Môr offshore windfarm, about 24km off the coast of North Wales in the Irish Sea. From 2033, supply will switch to the Brechfa Forest West onshore windfarm in Wales.
The electricity will support the production of key building materials, helping Breedon reduce emissions linked to its energy use in a sector widely regarded as difficult to decarbonise.
RWE said the agreement highlighted the role renewable energy can play in helping heavy industry move towards lower-carbon operations.
Olaf Lubenow, head of commodity solutions at RWE, said: “This agreement underlines our commitment to supporting the construction materials sector on its journey towards a more sustainable future.
“By supplying renewable electricity from our wind portfolio, we are helping to reduce the carbon footprint of Breedon’s operations.”
Breedon said the deal would also provide long-term energy stability while supporting its wider sustainability plans.
Donna Hunt, the company’s sustainability director, said the agreement marked “a meaningful step forward”.
She said: “It secures long-term energy supply and helps accelerate the reduction of emissions from our operations.”
The company has set targets to cut emissions across its business by more than 20% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050.
The agreement reflects a growing trend of major industrial firms turning to renewable energy to help meet climate targets while managing rising energy costs.
News
Lifeboat launched after pleasure boat suffers engine failure off Tenby
A 21ft PLEASURE boat was towed to safety after suffering engine failure between Lydstep and Giltar.
TENBY’S all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch shortly after 10:00am on Friday (May 1), after the occupants of the vessel reported that they had lost engine power.
The volunteer crew were quickly on the water and arrived at the scene around 10 minutes later.
After speaking with those on board, and with the boat in danger of drifting onto rocks, the crew decided the safest course of action was to tow the vessel back towards Saundersfoot.
Once at Saundersfoot, and with the tide out, the pleasure boat was moored in the bay. Its occupants were then taken ashore using the lifeboat’s Y-boat, where they were met by members of Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team.
The lifeboat returned to station at 11:25am.

Launch photo: Judd Kohler, St Davids Lifeboat Deputy Coxswain.
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