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Nurse hero wins top award

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Pembroke Dock nurse recognised with national honour after transforming care home

A MOTHER-OF-THREE from Pembroke Dock who defied the odds to qualify as a nurse has won a prestigious Wales Care Award.

Sarah Lees, 47, was honoured with the Silver Award in the Independent Sector Nurse of the Year category at this year’s ceremony, held at Cardiff’s Holland House Hotel.

Described by colleagues as “a champion in social care who transforms the lives of those around her”, Sarah was praised for her inspirational journey and her impact on residents and staff at Shaw Healthcare’s Cartref Cleddau care home.

Sarah, who is also due to receive her Queen’s Nurse badge and certificate at a ceremony in London this month, completed her nursing qualification at Oxford Brookes University as a mature student while going through a divorce and caring for her three children — one with learning difficulties and another with ADHD.

“It required a lot of juggling,” she said. “Looking back now I don’t know how I got through my course, but I had lots of help around me which I’m so grateful for.”

After several years working as a carer, Sarah decided to train as a nurse to enhance her knowledge and influence the direction of care. She joined Cartref Cleddau in 2019 as deputy manager and was promoted to service manager in 2021.

Among her proudest achievements is transforming the home’s care provision so that residents with dementia can now receive “whole of life care” without having to move elsewhere.

She explained: “Previously, a dementia diagnosis meant residents had to move, which caused huge disruption. That’s no longer the case — all staff are now fully trained to care for people with dementia, keeping their care stable and secure.”

Outside work, Sarah enjoys reading and spending time with her three dogs, who love chasing a ball along the nearby beach.

Sean Tregonning, Head of Marketing and Communications at Shaw Healthcare, said: “Sarah doesn’t just manage a care home — she transforms lives, those of her residents, their families, and the staff she mentors. When she took on the role, morale was low and many beds were empty. Through her drive and compassion, the home now has a waiting list and a happy, motivated team.”

Mario Kreft MBE, Chair of Care Forum Wales, said the awards celebrate the “unsung heroes and heroines” who make a vital difference to vulnerable people’s lives.

He added: “The Wales Care Awards underline the importance of the sector – it’s the glue that binds our communities together. Our mission has always been to stand up for the workforce and ensure their dedication is properly recognised.”

A poignant moment came when Mair Elis-Thomas, widow of the late Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, presented one of the evening’s awards in tribute to her husband’s long-standing support for the social care sector.

“Dafydd was a passionate believer in the power of the arts to enrich lives and support wellbeing,” said Mr Kreft. “He is greatly missed, but his legacy lives on through his immense contribution to public life and his impact on communities across Wales.”

 

Community

Pembrokeshire students speak at national Holocaust Memorial Day event

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TWO Haverfordwest High School pupils addressed senior political and religious figures and a Holocaust survivor at Wales’ main commemoration in Cardiff

Holocaust Memorial Day was marked in Cardiff this week with a powerful contribution from two Pembrokeshire students, who were invited to speak at Wales’ national commemoration event.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal, both Year 13 pupils at Haverfordwest High School, attended the ceremony at the Temple of Peace on Monday (Jan 27) in their roles as ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust.

The pair were asked to deliver speeches reflecting on their work with the Trust and their involvement in the “Lessons from Auschwitz” project, which educates young people about the Holocaust and the dangers of prejudice, discrimination and hatred.

They spoke in front of a distinguished audience that included the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, the Archbishop of Wales, senior civic leaders and Holocaust survivor Peter Lantos.

The national event formed part of Holocaust Memorial Day 2026, which was held under the theme “bridging generations”, highlighting the responsibility of younger generations to carry forward the lessons of the past as the number of living survivors declines.

Awel Jones and Olivia Beal were the only young Holocaust Educational Trust ambassadors representing Wales at the national ceremony, a distinction described as a significant honour for both the students and Pembrokeshire.

A parent said the occasion was “profoundly emotive and important”, adding that being invited to speak at such a high-profile event was an accolade for the students and a reflection of the strength of Holocaust education work taking place locally.

Holocaust Memorial Day is observed annually on January 27, marking the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

 

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Business

Final wind turbine deliveries completed after months of disruption

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Last major component reaches site as Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thank communities for patience

DRAGON LNG and Dragon Energy have confirmed that the final large component for a new wind turbine project has now been successfully delivered, bringing months of complex abnormal load movements on Pembrokeshire roads to an end.

The companies said the final turbine blade was delivered to the site on Wednesday (Jan 28, 2026), marking the completion of all major component deliveries associated with the project.

In a statement, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy thanked the local community for its patience and cooperation throughout the delivery programme, acknowledging that the operation caused disruption on local roads.

Residents across parts of the county have previously experienced temporary road closures, traffic delays and police escorts as oversized turbine components were transported from the Port of Milford Haven to the site under tightly controlled conditions.

The abnormal load movements required months of detailed planning and coordination, involving route surveys, traffic management, police support and liaison with local authorities to ensure deliveries were carried out safely and with minimal disruption wherever possible.

The companies also apologised for the inconvenience caused during the delivery phase, saying the support and understanding shown by residents had been “invaluable” in allowing the project to reach this milestone.

A number of organisations were involved in supporting the operation, including Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, haulage specialists Collett & Sons Ltd and Green Light Traffic Management.

Local media outlets, including The Pembrokeshire Herald, provided advance notice and updates during the delivery process to help keep residents informed.

With the final major deliveries now complete, Dragon LNG and Dragon Energy said the project would continue to progress to the next phase of construction on site.

 

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Community

New illustrated heritage map unveiled in Narberth town centre

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A NEW illustrated heritage and wayfinding map has been installed in Narberth town centre, highlighting the town’s rich architectural history, cultural heritage and key landmarks.

The hand-drawn map has been created by local artist Fran Evans and is part of a wider project aimed at improving interpretation and the visitor experience in Narberth.

The panels have been installed at two prominent locations: the undercroft, also known as Rebecca’s Cell, at the rear of the Old Town Hall, and the existing external display frame at the side of No.47, adjacent to the town’s museum.

Developed and delivered by Narberth Town Council, the project has been funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, with additional match funding provided by the Town Council.

The illustrated map features detailed drawings of historic buildings, local stories and notable points of interest. It is designed to function both as a practical guide for residents and visitors navigating the town, and as a visual celebration of Narberth’s heritage.

Town councillors say the project forms part of a broader effort to enhance how the town’s history is presented in public spaces, making it more accessible and engaging for those visiting the area.

The Town Council has indicated that further information about the project, including background details and images of the newly installed panels, can be made available, along with comments from the artist and council representatives.

 

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