Community
Ex-teacher cycles for charity
RETIRED physics teacher Mike Phillips recently took on a gruelling charity cycle challenge to raise money for The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and MacMillan Cancer Support.
Mike, who is also a town councillor, helped raise around £3,000 and completed a 1,000km cycle through Spain. Joined by his friend Peter Munt-Davies and Dr Sam Lewis (who travelled in a campervan), Mike cycled one of the Camino routes to Santiego de Compostella in north-west Spain in memory of two friends.
Mike said: “I also thought that I might get fit for the trip as well as losing a few kilos. The training began in October 2014 as well as a bit of weight loss. At 66, I am now quite fit as a result of the whole experience. As well as Spinning at Fishguard Leisure Centre on winter nights, I got some training rides in with Pete and even did three testing rides in Eire with my good friend Graham Coles, who is a keen mountain biker and runs Carningli Bike Hire in Newport.”
The cyclists joined The Confraternity of Saint James, and can now nail three scallop shells above their doors to show that they have made the pilgrimage.
“In Spain, we were known as ‘Peregrinos’,” Mike said, “and we carried a scallop shell, which prompted much kindness and hospitality en route.”
The pair set off from Seville Cathedral and met several challenged along their way, including mechanical issues, extreme weather conditions, tough terrain and illness.
Mike had to have his bike fixed before getting on the road at the start of the route after it suffered steering problems.
“After losing our way twice, we finally got on the ‘Camino de Piata’, which is an ancient trail across farm tracks. The heavens opened complete with thunder and lightning and we got very wet and muddy with a bit of hyperthermia in my case. At this point, after cycling across some very slippery, muddy fields, we elected to take on the Spanish roads, which were really cycle friendly.”
On arrival at the cathedral precinct in Santiago, Mike and Peter claimed their Compostellas (certificates for making the pilgrimage).
“Overall it was an experience well worth doing, and, looking back, enjoyable,” Mike said, “Would I do it again? Maybe, but I would need a roadie like Same Lewis, who is the unsung hero, but who, alas, did not qualify for the Compostella because he drove.”
To donate to the charities supported by the trip, you can visit www.justgiving.com/Mike-Phillips10 or go to the websites of the charities.
Community
Council Chairman in Haverfordwest Fire Station visit
IN one of his final duties as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Thomas Baden Tudor visited Haverfordwest Fire Station yesterday, accompanied by Fire Authority Member Councillor John Davies. The visit included a comprehensive briefing on the services provided by the Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
During their visit, the Council Chairman and Councillor Davies were presented with an in-depth demonstration of the station’s firefighting equipment, focusing on the capabilities of the turntable ladder callsign 31A1. “It was a privilege to see our dedicated firefighters in action and to learn about the sophisticated equipment they use to keep our community safe,” Mr. Tudor remarked.
The engagement highlights the ongoing commitment of Pembrokeshire County Council to support the vital services provided by the fire and rescue teams across the region. This visit also served as an opportunity for council members to see firsthand the challenges and advancements in local firefighting efforts.
Mr. Tudor’s term as Chairman has been marked by his active involvement in community safety and support for emergency services. As he prepares to step down from his role, this visit stands as a testament to his dedication and the strong collaboration between the council and the fire services.
Community
Emergency response drill scheduled at Pembroke Oil Refinery
VALERO ENERGY has announced plans to conduct an emergency response drill at the Pembroke Oil Refinery on May 16. Residents in the vicinity are advised that the exercise will involve active participation from local emergency services and will include the use of sirens.
The drill is a routine safety exercise intended to ensure preparedness in the event of an actual emergency. Valero Energy officials have emphasised that there is no cause for concern and that the activities are purely simulation.
Community members can expect to see emergency personnel and hear sirens periodically throughout the day as part of the drill. The company urges residents to remain informed and calm, and to communicate with neighbors, particularly those who may not have received the announcement, to prevent any undue alarm.
Local officials and emergency services are coordinating closely with Valero Energy to facilitate a smooth execution of the drill and to minimize any disruption to the community. The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to maintain high safety standards at the facility and to ensure effective response capabilities in emergency situations.
Residents seeking more information about the drill or with specific concerns can contact Valero Energy’s community relations department or visit their website. The company thanks everyone in advance for their cooperation and understanding as they continue to prioritise safety in the Pembroke area.
Valero says on it’s website: “Training plays an important part in developing and maintaining the skills required to respond effectively to emergency situations.
“We are committed to providing each member of the Emergency Response Team the opportunity to attend training necessary for developing and maintaining the skills and knowledge required to be an ERT member.
“During training, ERT members prepare for a variety of scenarios, expand their skills, share information from experience and mentor new members. At each site, the ERT maintains strong relationships with local community response personnel by participating in joint drills and assessments.
“Frequent ERT training exercises promote excellent response readiness.”
Community
Carmarthen Youth Opera receives King’s Award for Voluntary Services
CARMARTHEN and District Youth Opera has been honoured with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services in recognition of its outstanding contributions to providing musical theatre opportunities for young people in the West Wales area.
Recognising outstanding examples of voluntary work, the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee and previously known as The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award has been shining a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups from across the UK for many years. Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.
Established in 1979, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has been a cornerstone of the performing arts community in Wales for over four decades. What began as a small group of dedicated individuals at Carmarthen’s Further Education Centre youth club has flourished into one of Wales’s most successful cultural societies, thanks to the dedication of volunteers.
Under the leadership of the late Elizabeth Evans MBE and her husband David, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has grown from strength to strength, showcasing high-quality musical entertainment and earning accolades such as the Lord Snowdon Award for its first annual music production of “Snow White” in 1979. Over the years, Carmarthen and District Youth Opera has continued to captivate audiences with productions ranging from “Oliver” to “Jesus Christ Superstar,” garnering national praise.
Further major Lyric refurbishment works in the early 1990’s and later, gave a home to the Youth Opera with a venue and facilities in which it could deliver productions of the highest quality to an audience of approximately 500 people. For a period of 15 years, it functioned as an entertainment centre run voluntarily by the Lyric Trust, drawn from the Youth Opera’s supporters. The theatre is since owned and run by Carmarthenshire County Council as a venue for current and future generations.
Carmarthen and District Youth Opera’s impact extends beyond the stage, with many former cast members pursuing successful careers in music and dramatic arts. The organisation’s commitment to excellence and inclusivity has earned it widespread recognition, including from Her Majesty the Queen, the Emir of Qatar, and their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.
As Carmarthen and District Youth Opera celebrates this prestigious award, it remains firm in its commitment to nurturing young talent and enriching the cultural landscape of Wales.
Councillor Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism said: “Carmarthen and District Youth Opera embodies the spirit of community and dedication to the arts that enriches our region. Receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Services is a testament to the unwavering commitment of its volunteers and the profound impact the organisation has on nurturing young talent. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions to the cultural vibrancy of West Wales.”
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