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Bird of Prey Centre secures £154,000 investment for new Carmarthenshire home

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A NEW visitor attraction in Carmarthenshire has been backed by a £154,000 investment from the Development Bank of Wales.

The British Bird of Prey Centre, the UK’s only native bird of prey attraction, has used the funding to support its move from the National Botanic Garden of Wales to a purpose-built centre at a former equestrian site in Idole.

The investment, made through the Wales Tourism Investment Fund, has provided working capital during the redevelopment and helped create eight full-time jobs.

The new centre includes 20 aviaries, an indoor all-weather flying arena, a café, retail space, an interactive hub, parking and associated groundworks.

Visitors can see daily flying displays, with every bird on site flying free in the indoor arena. The centre also offers close-up experiences with British birds of prey.

The attraction has been designed to operate year-round and to be accessible to a wide range of visitors, including those with special educational needs, dementia, and hearing or visual impairments.

Future plans include soft play facilities, camping and glamping accommodation, and developing the centre as a wedding venue.

Emma Hill, Director at the British Bird of Prey Centre, said: “As a tourism business, high-street banks didn’t have the appetite to invest in us at the point we were looking to grow.

“The support from the Development Bank gave us the investment we needed to move forward and establish a centre that really reflects who we are.

“Moving has allowed us to develop our own identity as a visitor attraction, while continuing to deliver high-quality experiences every day.

“The new centre gives us the space and facilities to grow, welcome more visitors and play a stronger role in the local tourism economy.”

Donna Williams, Senior Portfolio Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, said: “The British Bird of Prey Centre is an excellent example of a tourism business with a distinctive offer and clear growth plans.

“This investment has supported the creation of a high-quality visitor attraction that will draw people into the area, support local supply chains and create well-paid jobs.”

Caption:

Donna Williams, Development Bank of Wales; Emma and Alex Hill, British Bird of Prey Centre.

 

Business

Pembrokeshire workers among Wales’ higher earners, new study finds

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PEMBROKESHIRE workers are among the higher earners in Wales, according to new research analysing full-time weekly pay across the country.

The study by CV Maker, using Office for National Statistics data from April 2025, placed Pembrokeshire eighth out of Wales’ 22 local authority areas for median gross weekly earnings.

Full-time workers in Pembrokeshire earn an average of £711.30 per week, putting the county slightly above the Welsh average of £704.

The figure also places Pembrokeshire ahead of Swansea, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire, Powys and Gwynedd.

By comparison, Monmouthshire was named the highest-paid area in Wales, with full-time workers earning an average of £773.50 per week. Merthyr Tydfil recorded the lowest figure, at £619.20 per week.

That means the gap between the highest and lowest-paid areas in Wales is £154.30 per week, equivalent to more than £8,000 a year.

Pembrokeshire’s average weekly earnings are £7.30 above the Welsh average, but £62.20 below Monmouthshire.

The figures also show a marked difference between Pembrokeshire and neighbouring Carmarthenshire, where full-time workers earn an average of £657.70 per week. That puts Pembrokeshire workers £53.60 per week better off on average, or around £2,787 a year.

Ceredigion sits closer to Pembrokeshire, with average weekly earnings of £675.70 — £35.60 lower than Pembrokeshire.

The research ranked the ten highest-paid areas in Wales as Monmouthshire, Newport, Flintshire, Cardiff, Bridgend, Wrexham, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire, Swansea and the Isle of Anglesey.

Nicky Klaasse, CEO at CV Maker, said: “These figures highlight the significant wage disparities across different regions in Wales.

“While the national average weekly earnings sit at £704, there’s a notable £154 gap between the highest and lowest-paying areas.

“For job seekers in Wales, this data provides valuable insights into where the highest earning potential might be found.”

The company said the figures were based on ONS median gross weekly earnings for full-time employees, ranked by local authority.

 

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Charity

Voices at the Castle to bring picnic-style day of music to Pembroke

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A CHARITY music event will take place at Pembroke Castle this month, offering visitors a picnic-style day of live entertainment in historic surroundings.

Voices at the Castle, presented by Paul Sartori Hospice at Home and Pembroke Castle, will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026.

Organisers are encouraging people to bring chairs, blankets and picnics for the event, which promises a relaxed outdoor setting inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most recognisable landmarks.

Visitors are asked not to bring tents or gazebos. Sealed fizzy drinks may be brought, but alcohol is not permitted as there will be a charity bar on site. Additional food options will also be available.

The event is expected to raise funds and awareness for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides end-of-life care and support for people across Pembrokeshire.

Tickets and booking information are available through the Pembroke Castle events page at www.pembrokecastle.co.uk/events/

 

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Entertainment

Young people and families urged to support SPAN Arts

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SPAN Arts is calling for more young people and families to join its volunteer team as demand grows for its events programme at a time when volunteer numbers are low.

The Narberth-based community arts charity has brought people together through creativity for more than 30 years, using the arts to spark ideas, build connections and inspire positive change across Pembrokeshire.

Like many community organisations, SPAN Arts relies heavily on volunteers, and that support is now more important than ever.

A CALL FOR SUPPORT

The SPAN Arts team said: “Volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and at the moment we’re low on numbers.

“With more events coming up, we really need more people to step in, especially young people and families.”

The charity says there are opportunities for people who can spare a small amount of time, as well as those looking for a longer-term role.

WHY VOLUNTEER?

Volunteering with SPAN Arts offers the chance to become part of a welcoming creative community while gaining useful experience.

Volunteers can meet new people, build confidence, develop new skills, gain hands-on experience for their CV, and see behind the scenes of the creative industries.

Roles may include supporting live events, working alongside professional artists, and learning about areas such as marketing, lighting, sound and production.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

For young people, volunteering can provide an introduction to the arts and events sector.

SPAN Arts says it offers the chance to join a friendly team, learn practical skills outside the classroom, gain experience in live events, and build confidence through new challenges.

FAMILY VOLUNTEERING

Families are also being encouraged to take part.

With workshops and performances designed for young audiences, SPAN Arts says volunteering can be an enjoyable way for families to spend time together, support children in building confidence and teamwork skills, share new experiences with the local community, and do something meaningful together.

GET INVOLVED

Anyone interested in volunteering is invited to contact SPAN Arts’ Volunteer Coordinator, Belinda, for an informal chat.

She can be contacted on 01834 869323 or by emailing [email protected].

SPAN Arts is a community arts charity based in Narberth, with a 30-year history of contributing to the arts in Pembrokeshire.

The charity delivers music, theatre, comedy and spoken-word events, alongside arts and wellbeing projects in areas where people may otherwise have limited access to the arts.

SPAN Arts says it is driven by the belief that the arts can improve quality of life, health and wellbeing, while helping to reduce social exclusion and rural isolation through community-based participation.

 

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