Community

Firm fundraising plans for town library

Published

10 years ago

April 28, 2016

Newport Library literary festival: National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke will be headlining the fundraising event (Pic. BBC)

THE SMALL and quaint coastal community of Newport in Pembrokeshire may be small, but they are most certainly thinking big when it comes to fundraising for the running of their town library.

The National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, is just one in an exciting line up of well-known artists who are taking part in a series of literary and musical events in support of the Newport Library Working Group.

The group was initially set up in response to a series of governmental cuts, which would have meant the town’s library would been closed down and replaced by a mobile service.

Because there has been a lending library present in Newport for more than 100 years, Newport residents decided that this mobile service wasn’t an option.

So, from Friday July 1, the group will be in charge of running the community-led library in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council.

On Wednesday afternoons, the library will be manned by the current council librarian, but on Fridays between 10am and 2pm and on Saturdays between 9.30am and 12.30pm the service will be maintained by volunteers, with a view to expanding the hours and facilities offered.

So far, the Newport Library Working Group have had an incredible response to appeals for help, which now means that there are in the region of 40 different volunteers willing to undertake a wide variety of different duties.

Kate McEvoy, Chair of the Newport Library Working Group, said: “We are progressing really well and are on track to take over on July 1. We have had a fantastic response and volunteers have already undertaken initial training for working in the library – though we would love to hear from anyone else wanting to get involved.

“We are tremendously grateful to Richard Wheeler, who has been responsible for organising this fantastic series of events which are taking place at Llys Meddyg on Saturday April 23 and at Ebeneezer Chapel on Sunday May 8.”

The celebrated author and documentary maker John Gower will be the first to speak at a series of literary talks and readings in Newports at Llys Meddyg.

The programme of events for Llys Meddyg will commence at 1pm and will continue on throughout the day into the evening, allowing people to attend as many of the items as they wish.

The line-up will then continue with a host of different fasincating talks and readings from Welsh author and presenter Trevor Fishlock as well as author Jane Blank. Also there will be Newport’s own author of the popular Angel Mountain series, Brian John, and poet Menna Elfyn who will be reading in both Welsh and English.

Between 3pm and 4.30pm, there will be a special children’s event, with Pembrokeshire authors Eloise Williams, who penned ‘Elen’s Island’, and Diane Doona, whose first book ‘The Keeper’s Secret’ was released last year.

Rounding off the lively literary day at 7.45pm will be acapella group Scaramella, who are taking to the stage for a joyous musical finale.

Cost of entry to the event, which will have something for all the family to enjoy, is £10 for adults and free for children.

Community

Milford paddling pool could close after rowdy adults seen throwing glass bottles

Published

9 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has warned that the town’s paddling pool could be drained and closed if anti-social behaviour continues.

The warning follows an incident today in which rowdy adults were reportedly drinking alcohol from glass bottles inside the pool enclosure and throwing a glass bottle around.

The council also said people were seen smoking cannabis just outside the gate.

In a statement, Milford Haven Town Council said the behaviour was “highly dangerous, irresponsible and inconsiderate” and “cannot and will not be tolerated”.

The council warned: “If this sort of behaviour continues we will have no choice but to consider draining and closing the pool.”

The paddling pool is run voluntarily by a dedicated group of councillors for the benefit of local families and visitors.

The council is now urging people to act responsibly so the facility can remain open and be enjoyed safely by everyone.

Community

Choir to sing at ten bandstands in one day for Alzheimer’s charity

Published

9 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Côr Meibion De Cymru will begin its South Wales challenge at Milford Haven before finishing in Cardiff

A WELSH male voice choir will sing at ten bandstands in one day as part of an ambitious charity challenge across South Wales.

Côr Meibion De Cymru, the South Wales Male Choir, will begin its Ten Bandstands Challenge at The Rath in Milford Haven at 7:00am on Sunday, May 31.

The choir will then travel east, performing short concerts at Tenby, Carmarthen, Kidwelly, Llandeilo, Neath, Barry Island, Penarth and Newport before finishing at Victoria Park in Cardiff at around 8:00pm.

The event is being held in aid of Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, with organisers aiming to raise £5,000.

The choir says the challenge is intended to create a “red wave of singing” across South Wales, while celebrating the Welsh male voice choir tradition and showing that it remains a powerful part of Welsh cultural life.

The full schedule is:

Milford Haven, The Rath: 7:00am to 7:20am
Tenby, Castle Hill: 8:25am to 8:45am
Carmarthen, Carmarthen Park: 9:55am to 10:15am
Kidwelly, Parc Y Bocs: 11:00am to 11:20am
Llandeilo, Penlan Park: 12:30pm to 1:00pm
Neath, Victoria Gardens: 2:00pm to 2:20pm
Barry Island, Friars Road: 3:55pm to 4:20pm
Penarth, Windsor Gardens: 5:10pm to 5:30pm
Newport, Belle Vue Park: 6:35pm to 6:55pm
Cardiff, Victoria Park: 7:50pm to 8:10pm

Organisers say timings may vary slightly depending on traffic on the day.

The challenge is being promoted as a celebration of music, community and Welsh identity, while raising money for a cause that affects families across Wales.

More information and donations are available through the choir’s JustGiving campaign.

Community

Police issue A477 crash appeal after five taken to hospital

Published

11 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIVE people were taken to hospital, three with serious injuries, following a collision on the A477 between Llanteg and Red Roses on Sunday (May 24).

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 5:00pm and involved a grey Honda Civic i-VTEC and a white Kia Soul 2.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested and remains in police custody.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was driving on the A477 at around the time of the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage of either vehicle before the crash, to come forward.

Police said visitors to Pembrokeshire who may not know the area should check their route in case they were travelling along the A477 at the relevant time.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference: 326 of May 24.