Community
Mid and West Wales Fire Service wins Project of the Year at national awards
On-Call Improvement Programme recognised for reversing long-term decline across Rural Wales
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has been honoured with the Project of the Year Award at the Excellence in Fire and Emergency Awards 2025, recognising the transformative impact of its On-Call Improvement Programme (OCIP).
The awards ceremony, held at the Institution of Civil Engineers at Parliament Square in London, brought together leaders and frontline personnel from across the UK to celebrate innovation and outstanding achievement within Fire and Emergency Services.

Turning around a long-term challenge
MAWWFRS’s OCIP was established in 2023 to address a sustained decline in On-Call firefighter availability — an issue of particular importance in rural areas such as Pembrokeshire, where many communities rely entirely on On-Call stations. Around 75% of MAWWFRS fire stations are staffed exclusively by On-Call crews.
Before the OCIP was launched, availability had dropped from 95% to 83% over seven years. Nationally, the number of On-Call firefighters has fallen by 25% since 2004.

The programme introduced targeted recruitment and retention strategies, improved training opportunities, and invested in evidence-led systems to strengthen resilience across the service.
As a result, MAWWFRS has already recorded a 3% increase in On-Call availability, beating the projected downward trend and standing out as one of the few services in the UK showing improvement.
Group Manager Phil Morris, who has led the programme since its creation, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that the OCIP has been named Project of the Year. This award reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. We set out to make a difference for our On-Call Firefighters and the communities they serve — and we have gone some way to achieving this. It is further proof that the On-Call duty system remains valid, provided it is properly supported.”
National recognition
In the National Fire Chiefs Council’s (NFCC) National On-Call Research Study published in September 2025, MAWWFRS was the only UK service to be featured twice as a case study, highlighting the scale of the improvements made.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig Flannery, Senior Responsible Officer for the programme, said the award reflected the service’s determination to solve a long-standing problem:
“This recognises our efforts to address the perennial challenge of On-Call availability and resilience. Using contemporary research to drive improvements has shown a real return. One size does not fit all, and I’m proud of the creativity and innovation shown across our area.”
A key innovation has been the introduction of new software enabling officers to identify skills and availability gaps, shaping recruitment and training decisions to help keep engines “on the run”.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Chair of the NFCC’s Strategic On-Call Forum, Steve Healey KFSM, praised MAWWFRS for bucking a national trend:
“Fire and rescue services across the UK are facing increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining On-Call Firefighters. The progress MAWWFRS has made through its OCIP is promising and will help inform national work to strengthen and future-proof the On-Call system.”
Call for new recruits
The service is using the award as an opportunity to encourage more people across Mid and West Wales to consider joining as On-Call Firefighters.
On-Call crews respond to a wide range of emergencies including fires, road traffic collisions, flooding, chemical incidents and animal rescues. They also deliver vital community safety work such as Safe and Well checks in local homes.
MAWWFRS says the role is “exciting, fulfilling and unpredictable” — and offers a unique chance to make a real difference in one’s own community.
If you’d like this adapted further with Pembrokeshire-specific references (Haverfordwest, Tenby, Pembroke Dock crews etc.), just tell me.
Community
Scooter rally brings colour and nostalgia to Tenby
TENBY is buzzing with the sights and sounds of classic scooters this Bank Holiday weekend as the Welsh National Scooter Rally continues in the seaside town.
Hundreds of scooter enthusiasts have travelled to Pembrokeshire for the four-day event, which runs from Friday (May 1) to Monday (May 4), bringing a splash of colour, chrome and Mod culture to the resort.

The rally, organised by Scooter Collective South Wales, is taking place across several venues, including De Valence Pavilion, Tenby United Rugby Club and the Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
Entertainment includes live music, Northern Soul nights, club events and the traditional rally atmosphere which has made Tenby a popular stop on the national scooter calendar.
A ride-out was also planned from Tenby RFC’s ground at Heywood Lane on Saturday afternoon, with scooters heading through the surrounding area. A Custom Show and Traders Fair were also due to be held at the rugby club.

Classic Vespas, Lambrettas and custom scooters have been seen around the town throughout the weekend, with visitors adding to the atmosphere in local streets, pubs, cafés and hotels.
This year’s event also marks 25 years since the first national scooter rally was held in Tenby in 2001 at Kiln Park, when soul legend Edwin Starr headlined.
Before that, smaller local rallies had taken place in 1999 and 2000, while Tenby had already become a regular weekend destination for South Wales scooterists during the 1990s.
The 2026 event is understood to be the 12th time a national rally has been held in Tenby, underlining the town’s long-standing connection with the scooter scene.

The rally continues until Monday, with organisers and visitors hoping the Bank Holiday atmosphere will provide another boost for the town.
Photo caption:
Scooter spectacle: Riders and enthusiasts gather in Tenby for the Welsh National Scooter Rally 2026 (Pic: Malcolm Richards)
Community
New officer appointed as Pembrokeshire Pride expands year-round work
PEMBROKESHIRE Pride has appointed Jamie Rees as its new Community Liaison Officer as the organisation looks to strengthen its year-round presence across the county.
The role, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, will focus on building closer links with LGBTQ+ people in Pembrokeshire, as well as wider community groups, local organisations and partner agencies.
Jamie, who is originally from Pembrokeshire, brings experience in marketing, communications and community engagement within the arts and cultural sector.
He will help expand Pride’s regular programme beyond its annual event, creating more opportunities for people to meet, feel supported and take part throughout the year.
Monthly events
Current events include Pride Brunch on the first Saturday of the month, Pride Book Club on the second Thursday, Pride Quiz on the last Wednesday, and Pride Friday Dinner Club on the last Friday of the month.
Pembrokeshire Pride said the appointment marks an important step in its ambition to become a more visible and active organisation across the county all year round.
Chair of Pembrokeshire Pride, Donna Humphrey said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jamie to the team as our new Community Liaison Officer.
“This role is a vital part of our vision to grow Pembrokeshire Pride into a visible, active and supportive presence throughout the year.
“We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for making this role possible. Their support allows us to invest in our community, strengthen connections, and ensure that Pembrokeshire Pride continues to grow in a meaningful and sustainable way.”
Main Pride weekend
Jamie Rees said: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into this role at such an important moment for Pembrokeshire Pride. This is about building something that lives and breathes all year round, not just at one event.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting people from across the county – both within the LGBTQ+ community and the wider community – and creating more opportunities for connection, visibility and understanding.
“Pembrokeshire has always been home for me, and I care deeply about helping to build a county that feels welcoming, inclusive and full of pride for everyone who lives here.”
Plans are already underway for this year’s main Pembrokeshire Pride event, which will take place at Dewslake Farm on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20.
The team is keen to hear from stallholders, food vendors and entertainers interested in taking part in the weekend.
Tickets are due to go on sale later this month.
Anyone wishing to find out more, attend an event, or contact Jamie directly can follow Pembrokeshire Pride on social media or email [email protected].
Community
Reduced hours at Hakin Post Office spark concern
Councillor says the change appeared to have been made without proper consultation or adequate warning to the community
RESIDENTS in Hakin and Hubberston have been left shocked after opening hours at Hakin Post Office were suddenly cut without warning.
The branch, based inside CK’s Supermarket on Gellyswick Road, is now only open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm, and on Saturday from 9:00am to 12:30pm.
It means the Post Office is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with only limited Saturday morning access.
Local councillor Vivien Stoddart has raised concerns that the sudden reduction represents a serious loss of a vital community service, particularly for elderly residents, people without access to transport, and those who rely on the branch for banking, parcels, pensions and other essential services.
Cllr Stoddart said the change appeared to have been made without proper consultation or adequate warning to the community.
The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted the Post Office after being provided with evidence that opening hours at the CK’s-operated branch had been significantly reduced.
The Herald asked whether the Post Office was aware of reductions at CK’s-operated branches, whether the changes had been approved, what minimum opening hours were required, and what safeguards were in place to ensure communities retained reasonable access to Post Office services.
In its initial response, the Post Office referred to Milford Haven Post Office, but later issued a clarification confirming that the Milford Haven branch is fully open and not affected.
The reduced hours apply to Hakin Post Office, at CK’s Supermarket on Gellyswick Road.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the short notice change and for the lack of communication informing them of this update for Hakin Post Office.
“We are currently working with the operator to review the opening hours for its branches. Alternative branches for Hakin is Milford Haven and The Mount.”
The statement confirms that the Post Office accepts there was a lack of communication with customers about the change.
For residents in Hakin and Hubberston, the practical impact is significant. The branch now operates for only three full weekdays and one Saturday morning each week.
The Herald understands there is concern locally that the reduced hours could hit vulnerable residents hardest, particularly those who depend on nearby services and cannot easily travel to alternative branches.
The Post Office has not yet provided detailed answers on minimum contractual opening hours, whether the changes were formally approved, or whether similar reductions have been made at other CK’s branches.
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