News

Grants open to help communities improve local spaces

Published

7 months ago

November 23, 2025

COMMUNITY groups across Wales can now apply for grants of up to £300,000 to improve local buildings, safeguard valued facilities, and support spaces where people can come together.

Since 2015, more than £70 million has been awarded to almost 500 community projects nationwide. The funding has helped keep important buildings open, repair ageing structures, refurbish community rooms and maintain facilities used for meetings, activities and essential local services.

A recent example is Llandyrnog in Denbighshire, where the village Post Office faced closure. Local residents stepped in, forming a community group to save the service and reopen a shop and community hub. A grant of £200,000 enabled them to buy the building and carry out essential refurbishment, securing a vital service for future generations.

Llandyrnog Community Shop Director Ian Wilson said: “Being able to save the shop made a real difference for the community. It is somewhere to buy what you need on your doorstep, but it is also where people come together, catch up and stay connected. The funding from the Welsh Government has helped us maintain an important part of village life.”

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt visited the shop on Friday. She said: “Visiting Llandyrnog was a great opportunity to see how the local community have protected and cared for one of their most loved buildings. The shop, post office and hub provide essential services and a place where people can meet and support one another.

“The intention of this funding is to give communities the chance to maintain, improve and shape the facilities they need. I encourage community groups across Wales to apply and think creatively about how their local spaces can meet the needs of the people who use them.”

Two grant streams are now open. Smaller grants of up to £25,000 are available for improvement works, while larger grants of up to £300,000 can support major refurbishments or the purchase of buildings.

Eligible applicants include community-led groups, charities, volunteer-run organisations and social enterprises.

Further information and application guidance are available from the Welsh Government’s website.

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

15 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

15 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.