Community

School scoops award after summer of Food and Fun

Published

7 months ago

November 18, 2025

Neyland praised for whole-school effort delivering holiday enrichment

NEYLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL has won a Welsh Government award for its work on the Food and Fun School Holiday Enrichment Programme, which kept children active, engaged and well-fed throughout the summer.

The Food and Fun 10-year celebratory awards were held on November 6 to recognise the outstanding contributions of schools, health boards, collaborations and individuals who have helped deliver the scheme to families across Wales.

Food and Fun provides free healthy meals, informal education and a range of activities for children and young people during school holidays, aiming to support wellbeing and tackle holiday hunger.

Neyland Community School secured the Working Together Award, presented by Sharon Davies, Chief Officer for Education at the WLGA. The judging panel described Neyland as a “shining example” of what can be achieved through a whole-school approach, with staff across all stages working together toward a shared vision to support and uplift pupils.

Participation in the programme has grown significantly over the last three years, with parents and carers responding with strong enthusiasm for the continuity, care and enrichment offered.

Headteacher Clare Hewitt said the impact has been “real, lasting and deeply appreciated.”

“In our first year, we welcomed 40 pupils. This rose to 60 in our second year and, this summer, we were proud to be delivering the scheme to 80 pupils — including children from our newly established Learning Resource Centre,” she said.

“This growth speaks volumes about the programme’s popularity and the trust our community places in it.

“Preparation begins well in advance of the summer holidays. Our dedicated team plans a varied schedule of activities promoting healthy lifestyles, physical wellbeing, social interaction and, of course, fun. Staff give up part of their own break to ensure pupils continue to receive high-quality support.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved. The expansion to include the LRC and the continued support of our wider community all highlight the strength of this provision.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, also congratulated the school.

“This award is a testament to the dedication and teamwork at Neyland Community School,” he said. “The programme not only tackles holiday hunger but enriches the lives of children and families across Pembrokeshire. Initiatives such as this show the power of collaboration, and I am proud to see Neyland leading the way.”

Seven Pembrokeshire primary schools currently take part in the Food and Fun programme, each reporting significant benefits to the wellbeing of pupils.

Caption:

Proud moment: Neyland Community School picked up an award for its Food and Fun programme.

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ANNUAL Rotary duck race and pig roast brought crowds to Cresswell Quay on Friday (May 29), with organisers hailing the evening a success.

The event, organised by Narberth and Whitland Rotary, saw yellow ducks released onto the water as spectators gathered along the quay to watch the race unfold.

Perfect conditions

ORGANISERS said the tide and weather “could not have been better” for the popular community event.

Families enjoyed a relaxed evening of entertainment, food and fundraising, with Bat-A-Rat proving popular with youngsters while adults enjoyed a pig roast, with pork provided by Tom at Andrew Rees Butchers.

Live music from Jack Castle added to the atmosphere as people gathered at the riverside venue.

***Rotary fun: Crowds gathered at Cresswell Quay for the annual Narberth and Whitland Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast***

Thanks to supporters

JOHN Sleigh, of Narberth and Whitland Rotary, thanked everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

He said: “What a fantastic evening. The tide and weather could not have been better for the annual Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast at Cresswell Quay.

“We thank you all for being there and making the event such a success.”

Community

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.