A NEW £5,000 annual grant has been launched in West Wales to support youth-led climate and environmental projects.

Cwm Arian has announced the Daniel Blackburn Memorial Fund for Youth Action, created in memory of its late founding director, Daniel Blackburn.

The fund will award one £5,000 grant each year to a local group developing a bold, sustainable project in West Wales.

Daniel was known for his passion for science, renewable energy and inspiring young people. He brought environmental science to life in memorable and imaginative ways, from classroom demonstrations using toilet rolls to building miniature wind turbines for children to hold and explore.

Cwm Arian said the new fund is intended to continue that creative spirit by helping young people turn community-minded environmental ideas into reality.

The scheme is open to schools, registered charities and youth groups working with people under the age of 18 in North Pembrokeshire, South Ceredigion and West Carmarthenshire.

Cwm Arian is particularly keen to hear from youth-led projects focused on low-carbon living, sustainable transport, renewable energy or environmental ecology.

Young people must be at the heart of the applications, with Cwm Arian looking for projects that have been inspired, shaped and delivered by local youth from start to finish.

The fund has now officially opened, with full criteria and digital application packs available on the Cwm Arian website.

Formal applications will be accepted throughout September and October, with the first grant recipient due to be announced in January 2027.

Cwm Arian said Daniel Blackburn “built the change he advocated for”, pointing to the community wind turbine in Llanfyrnach as a lasting symbol of his tenacity, fundraising and voluntary dedication.

The organisation added that by keeping the fund flexible and open to bold new ideas, it hopes Daniel’s “unique spark” will continue to inspire local change.

Cwm Arian is a community benefit society based in North Pembrokeshire, South Ceredigion and West Carmarthenshire. Established in 2015, it develops community-owned renewable energy projects and supports work linked to woodland restoration, nature recovery, sustainable transport, food growing and community engagement.

A PEMBROKESHIRE sailor is leading a team of non-professional crew members on the final ocean crossing of one of the world’s toughest yacht races.

Lou Boorman, from Haverfordwest, is skipper of Team Tongyeong in the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race.

Her team has now departed Washington, DC, and is heading across the North Atlantic to Oban in Scotland, marking the last major ocean crossing of the global race.

The Clipper Race is unusual because it takes people from all walks of life and trains them to become ocean racers. No previous sailing experience is required.

Each of the ten identical Clipper Race yachts is led by a professional skipper and first mate, with up to 22 non-professional crew members on board. The teams race around the clock for up to 30 days at a time, covering a global route of around 40,000 nautical miles.

Lou has been leading Team Tongyeong since the race began in Portsmouth last August. The team has been representing the South Korean city of Tongyeong throughout the competition.

Speaking ahead of the final Atlantic crossing, Lou said: “It doesn’t feel quite real that we’ve nearly sailed around the world and are one hop across the ocean to home waters!

“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. A huge challenge. We’ve had three podiums so far and are hungry for more.”

At the time of the release, Team Tongyeong was leading the current stage of the race.

The route from Washington, DC, to Oban is just over 3,000 nautical miles and will see crews face changing weather systems, strong Atlantic currents and the unpredictable conditions that make ocean racing so demanding.

Lou said the challenge had not only been about sailing, but also about leadership.

She said: “In addition to the sailing and the conditions, the challenging part has been about people management and leadership. I’ve had to be a strong leader. That’s what my team expects and needs from me. So the development in this race is incredible.”

She added: “I think it’s going to leave a big hole in my life, leaving this team and leaving the boat. I’m going to have to fill that gap in my life fairly quickly. I’ll miss it too much!”

After ten months at sea, and with just over three weeks of racing remaining, the arrival in Oban will mark a major milestone as the fleet returns to UK waters.

Oban is due to welcome the Clipper Race fleet from Friday, July 10, with a programme of public events allowing visitors to see the yachts and meet the race crews and professional skippers.

From Oban, the teams will race for the final time in the 2025-26 edition, finishing in Portsmouth on Saturday, July 25, where the overall leaderboard positions will be confirmed.

Applications are already open for the 2027-28 edition of the race, which is due to begin next summer.

Town council donation will support two of the town’s biggest community events, with further funding for Santa visit

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has presented a £6,000 donation to Milford Haven Round Table to help support this year’s Milford Haven Carnival and Free Fireworks Extravaganza.

The cheque was presented by the Mayor of Milford Haven, Councillor Mark Woodward, at the Lord Nelson Hotel on Thursday, June 25.

The donation was agreed at a meeting of the full council on Monday, June 8, in recognition of the work carried out by Milford Haven Round Table in organising major community events for the town.

A further £500 will also be donated to the Round Table for its annual support with the Visit of Santa to Milford Haven.

Milford Haven Town Council said it was proud to support the Round Table and hoped the strong relationship between the two organisations would continue for many years to come.

The council added: “Thank you all so very much for giving up your time to put these fabulous events together for our beloved town.”