Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give highlighted at Haverfordwest River Festival

A LONG-RUNNING Pembrokeshire charity that has quietly helped thousands of people over more than a decade was given recognition during the Haverfordwest River Festival.

County councillor Thomas Tudor met with charity founder Amanda Absalom-Lowe during Saturday’s (June 13) event at the Riverside Shopping Centre, praising the work of Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give.

Cllr Tudor said it was “lovely to catch up” with Amanda, describing the organisation as a charity that does “amazing work in our community.”

Founded in 2009, Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give has spent more than 13 years helping vulnerable people across Pembrokeshire and beyond by combining environmental recycling projects with practical community support.

The charity, based in Haverfordwest, helps redistribute surplus food, unwanted household items, clothing and essential goods to people struggling financially, homeless people, hospitals, charities and community groups.

Its work also includes providing “Rainbow Emergency Packs” for patients unexpectedly admitted to hospital, Christmas toy donations for children, emergency household support for families affected by fires or hardship, and aid for animal rescue centres.

The group says it has helped divert tonnes of waste from landfill through its recycling initiatives, encouraging residents to donate items rather than throw them away.

Amanda Absalom-Lowe, founder and chairperson of the charity, has received a string of honours for her work over the years, including the Radio Pembrokeshire Local Hero Green Award, the Haverfordwest Town Council Award of Merit, and the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services Volunteer of the Year Award.

In 2020, she was also recognised nationally after being named in the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Power List, celebrating inspirational women making a difference.

The charity has supported numerous causes including Patch Charity, Wales Air Ambulance, Paul Sartori Foundation, Blood Bikes, Greenacres Rescue, Bristol Children’s Hospital, children’s wards across Wales and homeless support initiatives.

Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give operates from Kiln Road in Haverfordwest and relies heavily on donations and community support.

The charity’s message remains simple: “Recycle4Charity — don’t throw it away, donate it.”

Community support: Amanda Absalom-Lowe with County Councillor Thomas Tudor at the Haverfordwest River Festival (Pic: Supplied).

Sanctioned vessel boarded in first UK-led operation of its kind as Britain targets Moscow’s oil revenues

ROYAL MARINE COMMANDOS have boarded and seized a sanctioned Russian-linked oil tanker in the English Channel in a major UK-led military operation targeting Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet”.

The vessel, named Smyrtos, was intercepted in the early hours of Sunday morning (Jun 14) as it attempted to pass through the Channel.

The six-hour operation involved Royal Marines, officers from the National Crime Agency, HMS Sutherland, HMS Ledbury, RAF P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft, and helicopters including Chinooks, Merlin Mk4s and Wildcats.

The tanker, which has been linked to Russia’s efforts to evade international oil sanctions, is now being held and monitored off the south coast of England while investigations continue.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said he had directed British forces to intercept the vessel, describing the operation as another blow to Russia’s war economy.

He said: “This successful operation delivers yet another blow to Russia and reminds those fuelling Putin’s war in Ukraine that we will not let them hide.”

The Ministry of Defence said it was the first UK-led operation of its kind against a Russian shadow fleet vessel.

The Smyrtos was reportedly sailing under a Cameroonian flag, although shipping reports say questions had already been raised over its registry status.

The tanker had travelled from Ust-Luga in Russia and was understood to be heading towards Port Said in Egypt. Some reports said it was carrying hundreds of thousands of barrels of Russian crude oil.

The “shadow fleet” is the name given to a network of ageing and often obscurely owned tankers used to move Russian oil around the world despite sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Western governments say the fleet helps generate billions of pounds for Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis praised those involved in the operation, saying missions of this kind required “skill, professionalism and courage”.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the UK for taking action, and called for European countries to go further by passing laws allowing not only detention of suspect vessels but the confiscation of their cargoes.

The operation was carried out in coordination with French authorities and marks a significant escalation in Britain’s enforcement of sanctions at sea.

Officials said the vessel would be monitored for environmental and safety concerns while the investigation continues.

Photo caption: Royal Marines board the tanker Smyrtos during the UK-led operation in the English Channel (Pic: Ministry of Defence / UK Defence Journal).

A CELEBRATION of the River Cleddau brought crowds into Haverfordwest on Saturday (June 13) as the town’s River Festival returned for a second year.

The event, centred around HaverHub and stretching along the quay towards the Bristol Trader, attracted families, visitors and local residents for a packed day of riverside activities.

Organised by The Cleddau Project, the festival showcased the beauty, wildlife and heritage of the Cleddau, with visitors enjoying canoe trips on the river, live music, demonstrations, art exhibitions, science activities and a wide range of community stalls.

County Councillor for Castle Ward, Thomas Tudor, attended the event and said it was “great” to see so many people visiting the County Town of Pembrokeshire.

He thanked organisers, volunteers and supporters for helping make the day such a success.

The sunny weather helped draw large crowds to the riverside, with many gathering along the embankment to watch activities on the water, including canoeing and boat displays. Free canoe trips proved particularly popular, giving people a chance to experience the Western Cleddau from a different perspective.

Community groups and charities were also out in force, sharing information about river conservation, marine wildlife, recycling and local environmental projects. Exhibitions highlighted the importance of protecting Pembrokeshire’s waterways, while stalls offered local produce, crafts and refreshments throughout the day.

A specially crafted coracle — a traditional small boat linked to Welsh river heritage — was also on display, helping visitors learn more about historic life on the river and Pembrokeshire’s maritime traditions.

Crowds lined the riverside near the Riverside Shopping Centre as the festival atmosphere continued into the afternoon, with families taking advantage of the warm weather to relax beside the water.

The festival was supported by a number of organisations including Haverfordwest Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, HaverHub, Riverside Shopping Centre and Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give.

Organisers say the event is aimed at reconnecting people with the river that helped shape Haverfordwest, while celebrating the Cleddau as one of Pembrokeshire’s greatest natural assets.