A PEMBROKESHIRE charity has launched an ambitious bid to restore Foley House, one of Haverfordwest’s most significant historic buildings, through the creation of a new community cooperative called The Bucketful Centre.

Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, with support from PLANED Community Development, has established the cooperative to take forward plans to refurbish and repurpose the landmark building.

Foley House was built during Britain’s naval heyday and designed by renowned architect John Nash for the brother of Captain Foley, who served alongside Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile. Nash later went on to design the Brighton Pavilion and parts of Buckingham Palace. At the same time he was working on Foley House, Nash was also designing Priory House in Cardigan, located on the former hospital site at the entrance to the town.

Haverfordwest was once known as “the Bath of the West” and boasted many grand homes, but Foley House has fallen into significant disrepair over recent decades.

The four-storey building is currently owned by Pembrokeshire County Council and is now in the process of being leased to The Bucketful Centre cooperative. Once renovated, it will become the new base for Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, operating as a cancer support centre with expanded services for patients, carers and people living with life-limiting conditions.

Founder and CEO of Adam’s Bucketful of Hope, Chris Evans-Thomas, said demand for the charity’s services had risen sharply since the Covid pandemic.

He said Foley House offers the space, parking and future disabled access needed to deliver improved support for patients, particularly as some hospital services are being reduced or lost.

The campaign will be formally launched at a public presentation at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:30pm.

The event will be led by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator Cris Tomos, who has extensive experience in saving historic buildings, alongside well-known historian Mark Muller.

Further information about the project is available at www.bucketfulcentre.co.uk or by contacting Chris Evans-Thomas on 01437 779400.

RYANAIR has announced its Summer 2026 schedule from Cardiff Airport, offering five routes including popular holiday destinations Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Tenerife, as well as the city break favourite Dublin.

The low-cost airline said it will increase frequencies on four routes — Alicante, Dublin, Faro and Malaga — giving Welsh passengers more travel options and improved connectivity throughout the summer season.

Flights are now available to book via the Ryanair app, with fares starting from £29.99.

Ryanair’s Director of Communications, Jade Kirwan said: “Ryanair is pleased to launch our Summer 2026 schedule at Cardiff, offering five routes with extra frequencies on four of these routes, including holiday hotspots like Alicante, Faro and Malaga, as well as the top city break destination Dublin. This provides Welsh customers with even more low-fare choice and regular connections for their Summer 2026 getaways.”

Cardiff Airport Chief Executive Jon Bridge welcomed the announcement, highlighting the importance of the Dublin route in particular.

He said: “It’s great to see Ryanair strengthening its commitment to Cardiff Airport, with the Dublin service now operating daily throughout the summer and increasing to twice daily on selected days in October 2026. This is a hugely popular route, particularly for business travellers, providing a vital gateway between Ireland and Wales and strengthening economic ties between our Celtic nations.

“Alongside Dublin, we’re delighted to see Ryanair offering a strong portfolio of summer destinations from Cardiff, including Alicante, Faro, Malaga and Tenerife. These routes provide fantastic choice for Welsh travellers seeking a well-earned break, while also supporting tourism and connectivity.”

The airport said the expansion reflects continued demand for convenient low-cost travel from Wales.

POLICE have issued a warning to motorbike sellers after a spate of thefts linked to Facebook Marketplace across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that five motorbikes and one electric bike were reported stolen between Tuesday (Feb 4) and Tuesday (Feb 18), with offences typically occurring late at night or during the early hours of the morning.

Officers say suspects have been contacting sellers who advertised motorcycles online, posing as genuine buyers in order to obtain home addresses for viewings. Shortly after these details were shared, the bikes were stolen.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the incidents and have since been released on bail while enquiries continue.

Police are now urging anyone selling a motorbike online to take extra precautions.

A spokesperson said: “We are advising sellers to choose a public location for any viewing or exchange, avoid engaging with suspicious accounts that appear newly created or incomplete, and always use secure payment methods.”

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police, either online or by calling 101.