The charter was created by people with lived experience of learning disabilities and autism

THE MAYOR of Haverfordwest has pledged to strengthen links with Pembrokeshire People First after attending an event celebrating the launch and ambitions of the Dream Team Charter.

Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner joined campaigners, community representatives and fellow councillor Lucy Hinksman at the event, which focused on inclusion, equality and ensuring people with learning disabilities and autism have a stronger voice in their communities.

The Dream Team Charter was created by people with lived experience and sets out a commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect, supporting independence and ensuring people are fully involved in decisions affecting their lives.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the event had provided an opportunity to hear from advocates campaigning for the rights, dignity and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autism.

He said: “It was an inspiring afternoon, listening to passionate advocates championing the rights, dignity, independence and inclusion of people with learning disabilities and autism.

“The Charter, created by people with lived experience, is a powerful reminder that everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard, respected and fully involved in their community.”

The mayor said he hoped Haverfordwest Town Council could develop a closer working relationship with Pembrokeshire People First and support the ambitions contained within the charter.

He added: “As Mayor, I look forward to building even stronger links with Pembrokeshire People First and playing an active role in supporting the ambitions of the Dream Team Charter.

“Working together, we can create a more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone.”

Cllr Thomas-Turner thanked those who organised the event and said partnerships between local organisations, campaigners and elected representatives were important in making Haverfordwest more accessible and inclusive.

Pembroke Regatta, an international canoe polo tournament and the traditional River Rally will take place beneath Pembroke Castle

CASTLE POND will become the centre of Pembroke’s summer celebrations as three major events bring racing, water sports and family entertainment to the historic town.

The programme begins on Saturday, July 25, with the Pembroke Regatta, when teams will race against one another on the river beneath Pembroke Castle.

Businesses, schools, sports teams, clubs and other community groups are being encouraged to enter, with the event promising competitive racing and an entertaining day beside the water for spectators of all ages.

The action continues over the weekend of August 1 and 2 with the return of the Julie Morris International, also known as the 27th Welsh Open Canoe Polo Competition.

Hosted by Dragon Canoe Club, the tournament is expected to attract teams from across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Organisers are expanding the competition to three playing pitches this year, allowing as many as 30 teams to take part.

Canoe polo combines paddling, ball skills and physical competition, with players attempting to score in goals suspended above the water. The fast-moving matches will be staged in the striking setting of Castle Pond, directly below the walls of Pembroke Castle.

Pembroke’s summer programme will conclude on Saturday, August 8, with the town’s much-loved River Rally.

Boats are expected to begin arriving in Castle Pond from approximately 2:00pm, forming a colourful flotilla on the river.

The event will have a pirate theme, with children invited to take part in a fancy dress competition. Other attractions will include face painting, balloon modelling, a treasure trail and bacon butties.

Neil Thomas will compere the event and play music throughout the afternoon.

The annual rally is more than a community celebration. It provides a rare opportunity for the barrage gate to be lowered so vessels can enter Castle Pond, helping preserve the historic right of navigation along the Pembroke River.

The River Rally is being organised by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society in partnership with Pembroke Town Council, Pembroke Dock Town Council and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Residents and visitors are being encouraged to support the events and enjoy three weekends showcasing Pembroke’s maritime heritage, sporting community and spectacular waterfront setting.

Scunthorpe’s blast furnaces have been protected through public ownership, two years after primary steelmaking ended in South Wales

THE UK GOVERNMENT’S decision to nationalise British Steel has reignited questions over its handling of the steel crisis in Wales, following the closure of Port Talbot’s blast furnaces and the loss of thousands of jobs.

British Steel formally transferred from its Chinese owner, Jingye, into public ownership on Thursday after ministers said negotiations to secure the company’s future had failed.

The takeover is intended to protect approximately 2,700 direct jobs and preserve the Scunthorpe works, the last site in the UK still capable of producing primary steel from iron ore and coking coal.

However, the intervention is likely to cause renewed anger in Welsh steel communities.

Port Talbot’s final blast furnace closed in September 2024 as part of Tata Steel’s move towards electric arc production, bringing an end to traditional primary steelmaking at the South Wales site and contributing to the loss of approximately 2,800 direct jobs.

The UK Government committed £500 million towards Tata’s £1.25 billion transformation programme, with a new electric arc furnace now being built and expected to begin operating in late 2027 or early 2028.

Ministers say the investment secures a long-term future for steel production in Wales and safeguards around 5,000 jobs across Tata Steel’s UK operations.

Critics, however, are likely to question why public ownership was considered necessary to preserve blast-furnace production and skilled employment in Scunthorpe, while calls for similar intervention at Port Talbot were rejected.

Plaid Cymru MPs attempted to strengthen the legislation used to nationalise British Steel by adding protections for steelmaking sites and communities in Wales.

Caerfyrddin MP Ann Davies said during the passage of the legislation that Port Talbot remained a “painful reminder” of what she described as the neglect of Welsh steel communities.

The government previously confirmed that it had no plans to nationalise Tata Steel’s Port Talbot operation, arguing that its future was already underpinned by the electric arc furnace agreement.

The contrasting approaches reflect significant differences between the two companies. Tata Steel remains the owner of Port Talbot and is investing alongside the taxpayer, while ministers said they had been unable to reach a viable agreement with Jingye over British Steel.

Nevertheless, Thursday’s announcement means taxpayers will now own and support Britain’s remaining blast furnaces, while Wales has already lost the same primary steelmaking capability.

That distinction is expected to become central to the renewed political debate over whether Welsh steelworkers and communities were offered the same level of protection.