News

Community raises funds for refugees

Published

9 years ago

February 2, 2016

WEST WALES refugee support group Hiraeth Hope’s ‘Greek Supper’ helped raise over £2200 for families who have made the harsh sea crossing to Lesvos, Greece from Turkey.

Hiraeth Hope supported group members Cara and Steve Wilson with their Greek Supper event which took place on Friday January 15, and raised over £2200 to send Steve Wilson and Ian O’Donahue to the Greek island of Lesvos for 10 days, where they will be helping to rescue and take care of refugees who have reached and are crossing the sea to the small island.

Speaking to The Herald Steve said: “It’s much easier to take over money, than items. The money will be spent on aid for some of the 500,000 refugees who have made the crossing from Turkey to Lesvos.”

Cara Wilson, supporting her husband arranged a fund raiser in St. Dogmaels Memorial Hall. Expecting only 40 people to turn up until two-weeks before the night, she was overwhelmed by the support received with over 200 people attending.

She said: “I cannot believe how well this has gone, we only had the idea a month ago, and with little advertising, it really goes to show that despite the negative media image, lots and lots of people do support refugees.”

“I would love to get the message out that anybody, anywhere can do what we have done, there are no big organisations fighting for this cause locally, so it is up to us in communities to get together and raise funds, and when available go and visit these places where men, women and children are in need,” Cara added.

170 Greek dinners were served, with entertainment from the St. Dogmaels choir and Rasallilah, a Greek music group, the evening also held a raffle and auction which included outdoor benches made by volunteer refugees.

Adele from Swansea brought along three refugees, Karim, Tamo and Ayesha who have gained asylum to the UK who all stood before the crowd to speak about their former professions and lives before coming to Wales.

The events supporter Hiraeth Hope, offer respite and working holidays to those already in Wales. Hiraeth Hope’s director and the evenings chef, Fred Luckman works with Swansea refugee organisations like Unity and Diversity.

In the UK refugees are not allowed to work while their papers are being processed. Many fail to get asylum at which point they must leave their accommodation within 28 days and are not allowed to rent or work at all, despite this they are not sent back to their countries which are generally considered too dangerous so they are left in limbo, often having to rely on others who have been granted asylum for support.

“We are also particularity looking for people in Pembrokeshire who are interested in perhaps providing some weekend housing for these refugees. Activities and craft work, staying with a family in West Wales provide a breath of fresh air for some of them.” Fred Luckman said.

“The present policies are a recipe for problems” said Vicky Moller, a Plaid Assembly candidate and a director with Hiraeth Hope. “I am urging the UK to allow a sponsorship scheme, which could be piloted in one county or in Wales. Then we could invite in refugees who would fit in, on the basis of friendship and avoid using any public money. They could work without taking local jobs.”

“I am taking two MEPs and an MP to the refugee camp in Calais to discuss with the people living within them and aid workers what we could do to respond to the crisis more intelligently.”

All counties in Wales have been asked to take a small number of Syrian refugees, first to answer was Ceredigion Council who took a group in before Christmas. Carmarthenshire has also responded and is taking a number of Syrians shortly, despite continued pressure from Pembrokeshire locals and Hiraeth Hope, Speakers said: “Pembrokeshire County Council refuse to take in any refugees and sometimes don’t even reply to questions regarding the topic.

“With very little monetary support we could work together to with the council to house and provide activities for Syrian refugees.”

One North Pembrokeshire resident who had a phone call with a housing officer for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The counties around us are responding but Pembrokeshire officers cite lack of political will as the reason for inaction.”

St. Dogmaels Councillor Mike James, was prevailed upon to look in on the fundraiser. He was shocked at the level of support and promised to ask for a progress update at County Hall.

A spokesperson for PCC told the Herald: “A report on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme will be presented to Cabinet for consideration in February.”

He also added that the issue: “is not only a matter for the local authority but for a number of agencies who will need to work together to deliver services to ensure that any placements are sustainable.”

To find out more details about Hiraeth Hope and the work they do visit: www.hiraethhope.org.uk

Community

Pembrokeshire Lottery £8,000 Spring Superdraw winner announced

Published

7 hours ago

March 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE LOTTERY held their Spring Superdraw on Wednesday (Mar 5) and the lucky player who scooped the £8,000 prize was Miss Laura Mullins with lottery number 47185.

The draw was aired on Radio Pembrokeshire. Shortly afterwards, the Pembrokeshire Lottery team called Laura to share the news of her win and she visited the office later the same day to claim her prize.

And what will the lucky winner do with the money? Laura told the Pembrokeshire Lottery team that she’d already decided to book a family holiday and a day trip to Legoland for the children.

The normal £2,000 weekly draws continue, with more monthly Superdraws of either £4,000 or £8,000, leading up to the highlight of the Pembrokeshire Lottery’s year, the £10,000 Christmas Superdraw.

Community

Park welcomes First Minister with spectacular dragon parade

Published

7 hours ago

March 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY hosted a Dragon Parade in St Davids on Saturday (Mar 1), led by the First Minister and other distinguished guests.

The event celebrated St David’s Day with a dazzling showcase of community spirit, creativity, and Welsh heritage.

The lively procession set off from Oriel y Parc, filling the streets of St Davids with colour and energy and the dynamic sounds of drumming group Samba Doc.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said:

“The St David’s Day parade was a spectacular occasion this year. The city really comes into its own on the day of our patron saint and it was great to see the artwork of the local school children and Kate Evans, which provided a wonderful and very Welsh theme for the parade.

“Thank you to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for organising such a memorable event. It was an honour to join the Dragon Parade – a huge well done to everyone involved for their hard work.”

Parade participants included school and community groups such as Care in the Community, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (Non Campus) Years 2 and 3, Croesgoch School (Years 3 and 4), and Cylch Meithrin Croesgoch Playgroup.

As the parade returned to Oriel y Parc, the festivities continued with a captivating static performance by Samba Doc in the courtyard. The highlight of the event was the highly anticipated return of the baby dragon, a stunning creation developed in collaboration with local artist Kate Evans. Schools and community groups worked closely with Kate to bring this imaginative centrepiece to life.

Alongside the celebrations, a vibrant market featuring handpicked local stallholders took place throughout the day, offering a variety of handmade crafts and locally produced goods. The market provided a fantastic opportunity for visitors to support local artisans and enjoy a taste of Pembrokeshire’s rich creative community.

To mark the occasion, Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, presented a framed retro print featuring St Non’s Chapel to the First Minister to mark the St David’s Day celebrations.

Speaking of the day, Tegryn Jones, said: “It was our pleasure to welcome the First Minister to lead this year’s Dragon Parade, joined by notable guests and a host of community representatives, who all helped to make the event a resounding success. The parade has grown in significance over the years and now marks an important part of the city’s cultural celebrations for St David’s Day.

“On behalf of the Authority, I’d like to extend thanks to all participants, volunteers, and spectators for joining us on the day and ensuring the success and smooth running of this popular event.

Entertainment

Action for a better world – Exhibition at Cardigan Guildhall

Published

7 hours ago

March 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THERE’S a long and proud history of activists who have worked for a better world by rebelling against the status quo when change was needed. The suffragettes and civil rights protesters often spring to mind, but many others have also changed our world for the better over the centuries.

This history will be be brought right up to date at the Cardigan Guildhall Corn Exchange next week. The role of current-day activists will be illustrated in an exhibition of Faces of Rebellion from 17th to 22nd March.

It features the work of Mark Skipper, who uses the name Bitterjug for his art work. He says, “I’m a software engineer with a sketchbook. I’m also a climate activist, and reportage sketcher: I take my sketchbook to protests to capture scenes and atmosphere in ways that photography cannot.”

Mark’s sketches of activists’ faces are surrounded by the person’s own words about how and why they became active, and the variety is striking.

Mark continues, “Faces of Rebellion tells the stories of climate activists as humans in a way the media cannot. Its enduring themes are compassion and community.”

Mark encourages other artists to get involved, and portraits by Solutionairy, from The Netherlands, will also be included. Solutionary gives her background: “I trained as a solution focussed psychologist. We focus on people’s strengths and their unique ways to deal with life’s challenges. With Faces of Rebellion I get to apply this to our greatest challenge. I’m inspired by the variety of stories of courage and kindness in the face of climate breakdown.”

Caroline Juler is a local artist and film-maker who lives in Brynberian. She has made many short videos of Cardigan based climate activists, and these will also be part of the exhibition. “I’ve been very aware of the escalating climate crisis for some time, and recently I’ve been taking a more active part in trying to do something about it. We all bring our own backgrounds and talents to climate work, and these all feed into effective climate campaigning when we work together. I wanted to make the videos to show how this works for some of the many local activists.”

The exhibition has been arranged by West Wales Climate Coalition members, and Philippa Gibson has helped with some of the organisation. She says, “It’s easy to feel disheartened by slow progress, and Donald Trump’s denial of the climate cristis doesn’t help, but we need to be aware that we are part of an “ecosystem of change” that includes COP international climate conferences, national legislation, community action, industry innovation, and individual commitment, including protests and non-violent direct action to to challenge damaging practices.” She added, “All these parts work together to make meaningful impacts achievable. We ALL have a role to play. This exhibition aims to be inspiring and positive.”