Community

Independent journeys course praised

Published

11 years ago

May 13, 2015

independentjourney A NEW road safety course has been introduced teaching Year 7 pupils in Pembrokeshire how to be careful when travelling locally by themselves.

The programme – entitled ‘Independent Journeys’ – has been written specifically for local children by Pembrokeshire County Council’s road safety team.

To date, it has been delivered in three secondary schools – Tasker Milward, Sir Thomas Picton, and Pembroke – and it will be run at Milford Haven School in May.

Sally Jones, Child Pedestrian Coordinator, delivers the course. “The aim is to increase awareness and understanding of road safety among children aged 11 and 12,” she said.

“In many cases, these children are starting to make independent journeys for the first time. We look at lots of different scenarios like going to school, into town, or out with friends, and how they can plan a safe journey – whether it’s by bus, car, bike or by foot.”

The children discuss ways to improve their safety like planning their route, knowing their timings, and being aware of where pedestrian crossings are.

They talk about factors which could be helpful, like taking their phone with them, telling people where they are, and wearing suitable gear if visibility is an issue.

Sally said they also discuss potential dangers and risky behaviour like listening to music on headphones, being on the mobile, or playing by the road.

“We also talk about peer pressure – what it is, how someone can facilitate this, how to resist it, and giving children ways to deal with it,” she said.

“It’s about considering all these different factors before they set off on a journey by themselves.”

Lauren Davies, Head of Year 7 at Tasker Milward School, said the course had some very valuable messages for pupils.

“The safety of our pupils travelling to and from school is of paramount importance to us, and we welcomed this opportunity to provide them with some road safety advice specific to their age group,” she said.

“As well as taking on board the advice given, we hope these pupils will also provide role models to younger pupils starting in September.”

Isabel Winstone, a pupil at Tasker Milward, said: “It made us think about the dangers on busy roads and how we need to try and be safe when we’re near them.”

Fellow pupil Amber McFadden added that the course had made them think about many different issues to do with road safety.

“It teaches you a lot about the world around you, and how you need to keep your eyes open and be looking around for anything that might be a problem,” she said.

Cllr Rob Lewis, Cabinet Member for Transportation, said he was pleased that the new course had been introduced. “We have a range of different road safety interventions, including Kerbcraft – which is taught to all primary school children from the age of five – and Crucial Crew, which delivers safety messages to all pupils in Year 6,” he said. “The new ‘Independent Journeys’ programme is an important addition.”

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

21 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ANNUAL Rotary duck race and pig roast brought crowds to Cresswell Quay on Friday (May 29), with organisers hailing the evening a success.

The event, organised by Narberth and Whitland Rotary, saw yellow ducks released onto the water as spectators gathered along the quay to watch the race unfold.

Perfect conditions

ORGANISERS said the tide and weather “could not have been better” for the popular community event.

Families enjoyed a relaxed evening of entertainment, food and fundraising, with Bat-A-Rat proving popular with youngsters while adults enjoyed a pig roast, with pork provided by Tom at Andrew Rees Butchers.

Live music from Jack Castle added to the atmosphere as people gathered at the riverside venue.

***Rotary fun: Crowds gathered at Cresswell Quay for the annual Narberth and Whitland Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast***

Thanks to supporters

JOHN Sleigh, of Narberth and Whitland Rotary, thanked everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

He said: “What a fantastic evening. The tide and weather could not have been better for the annual Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast at Cresswell Quay.

“We thank you all for being there and making the event such a success.”

Community

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

Published

22 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.