PEMBROKESHIRE is among 20 areas in Wales set to benefit from a Youth Hub aimed at helping young people into work, training and education.

The UK Labour Government has confirmed that seven more Youth Hubs will open across Wales over the next two years, in addition to 13 areas already announced in the first year of the programme.

Pembrokeshire was included in the first round of areas allocated a hub, alongside Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Newport, Wrexham and others.

The hubs are designed to bring together job centre services, careers advice, skills and training opportunities, mental health support, housing advice and links to local employers offering live jobs and apprenticeships.

The aim is to ensure that every young person in Wales is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

Shav Taj MS, Welsh Labour spokesperson for Employment and Equalities, said local and tailored support was “invaluable” in helping young people take their first step onto the jobs ladder.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the hubs would help young people get “that vital first job” by providing support, training opportunities and connections to employers.

The UK Government says the Youth Hubs form part of a wider £2.5bn programme to tackle youth unemployment, with more than 360 local areas across Great Britain expected to be covered over the next three years.

Exact local sites will be decided by delivery partners working with local authorities.

THE STORY of the man who saved the ship that took on Moby Dick in a fight to the death can now be told for the first time.

The traditional skills of David “Davi” Owen proved invaluable when John Huston’s classic movie on the great white whale was being filmed off Fishguard in 1954.

The Elstree Productions crew turned to Mr Owen in desperation after a violent storm dismasted the ‘Pequod’ – in reality a 158-ton wooden topsail schooner named The Ryelands – in Fishguard Harbour.

Mr Owen’s grandson Peter Jones recalls how the one-time ship’s carpenter was working as manager of Brodog Timber Merchants in Goodwick when he answered the film company’s SOS.

“My grandfather was initially trained as a ship’s carpenter in the early part of the last century,” he says. “He used to make sailing ships in Lower Town.

“When Moby Dick was being made they had the Pequod moored in the harbour along with several white rubber model whales.

“One night there was a terrible storm and the ship was dismasted. All the whales broke away and went out into the Irish Sea. Most were never found again. 

“My grandfather was approached as he was known to have made masts many years before.

“The film people asked him if he could make a new mast. He duly undertook this in Goodwick and the ship was re-masted.”

Mr Jones, who now lives on the Gower, is hoping to visit Theatr Gwaun’s Moby Dick exhibition – which will form part of September’s Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival.

David Owen died in December 1960 – four years after the cinematic release of Moby Dick. 

Meanwhile, a postcard detailing a fan’s innocent quest to find Hollywood star Gregory Peck during the filming has come to light.

The family of Lower Town resident Julia Moffett spent many happy family holidays in north Pembrokeshire. 

“I thought that these family holidays were my Mum’s only visits here – I was wrong,” she says.

“When clearing my late Aunty Joan’s house, my cousin found a postcard with a picture of Pwllgwaelod on the front.

“It was sent by Mum, Sybil, to her sister Joan in 1954. Mum worked in a Barnado’s children’s home in Kent and they brought the children on holiday to Dinas in August 1954.

“The message from Sybil reads in part: ‘Gregory Peck is at Fishguard making a film. We went to see him today, but didn’t. Mrs May has seen him and Leo Gern (sic), love Sybil.’

“I like the idea that Mum was here well before she met Dad, who was Pembrokeshire born – and also that she spent her precious time off in Fishguard, searching for her screen idol.

“I remember that he always remained her particular favourite.”

Big turnout for event as enthusiasts gather at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm and reservoir

A LARGE convoy of classic, modified and performance vehicles descended on north Pembrokeshire this weekend as car enthusiasts from across west Wales took part in a popular summer run to Llys y Fran.

The event, organised by local enthusiast Pete Sharpe, saw dozens of vehicles travel together through the county, with participants describing a “massive turnout” for the mid-summer gathering.

Video footage shared online by organiser Matthew Cummings showed an impressive stream of vehicles making their way through the countryside, with drivers saying they had not realised quite how many cars had joined until seeing the convoy stretched out behind them.

One attendee wrote online: “Was near the back,” while another added: “We were at the back too!”

The run included a stop at the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm near Crymych, where owners and visitors gathered to admire a wide range of vehicles and socialise.

Many participants praised organiser Pete Sharpe for putting the event together, with several describing it as a “great day out” and thanking him for arranging the route and activities.

Sandra Collicott said: “Great day out and very well supported… well done Pete for organising it!”

Andy Davis joked: “Thanks Pete, great day – nice of you to sort out the weather as well.”

The convoy also called at Llys y Fran, where visitors stopped for refreshments, with staff reporting a steady stream of enthusiasts dropping in for tea and cake throughout the day.

The popularity of the event highlights the growing appeal of informal car meets across Pembrokeshire and west Wales, with enthusiasts regularly travelling significant distances to take part in scenic drives, showcase vehicles and raise awareness of local venues.

The gathering also helped promote upcoming motoring events in the county, including the annual Cadamm show at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm on Saturday, June 27, which will support local charities including the Oxygen Centre and Trotter’s Lounge in Pentood, near Cardigan.