Community

Video spreads hope

Published

9 years ago

July 12, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Hope for people with MS: Belynda and James raise awareness for the condition

HUNDLETON student Belynda Galliard and Chester-based James Martin are on a mission. They are determined to show people that MS (Multiple Sclerosis) need not prove the end of the world. Life, they argue, can be full of potential for those given the chance.

And so , to further their cause Belynda , who will soon commence an MA in Film and Drama, and family friend James, a musician and a recent graduate in Media Studies, are currently producing a video to help everyone adopt a more positive approach to life with MS.

MS is the most common condition of the central nervous system affecting young adults. Over 100,000 people in the UK have MS which is about one in every 600. It is nearly three times more common in women than in men. Most people are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s, but it can be diagnosed in younger and older people.

But Belynda and James are not motivated by bald statistics .

“I have just started my own media company called Blue Dynasty Media , ” James explained . “I knew that I would have to begin by doing projects for free to show people what I can do . I initially thought I would do something like a music video. But then I thought, if I am going to be doing it for free , I might as well try and do something that makes a difference instead of simply helping a corporate client who really should be paying for what I do .

“And then I spoke to Liz, a family friend who suffers from MS. I didn’t realise she had MS at first because it was not very noticeable. I didn’t appreciate at the time that this disease affects people differently. This led to do some research which in turn prompted me to produce this film for the MS Society . ”

Belynda’s contact is much closer to home. She has a mother who suffers from MS. She explained: “The MS society recently did an employment survey and I found it interesting because I discovered that lots of people have had good careers. Liz’s husband was a journalist for example, and it made me think that with a little bit more understanding and support from his employer , he would have been able to continue working much longer than he did.

“When my mum discovered she had MS her employer basically said ‘Well that’s that. I’m giving your job to someone else’. He was convinced that she would soon be in a wheelchair but she simply needed some help with her fatigue levels. We want to educate and inspire people like that .”

Belynda and James have received no funding to date and are meeting all the expenses incurred from their own resources, which is why they are very keen to meet and interview anyone who willing to talk about their experiences and offer hope to those who are scared as to what a diagnosis might mean.

As Belynda explained: “We need people with inspirational stories to get involved as soon as possible and once the video is complete , we want to share it as widely as possibly. It won’t matter how good it is if no one sees it.”

James added: “We have discovered that MS society, like other organisations ,

needs to look at the way it shares its information. We have discovered ,

for example, that the society has hubs all around the country but they are often not aware of what other groups are doing. We are keen to create an environment in which they communicate with each other.

“There is a Facebook page , for example, but we need to encourage the different hubs to use it more . The content can be improved too. We are hoping this initiative will inspire them to use their resources in a more effective way .”

As for success, Belynda believes 100,000 views o n line is not an impossible target and she says they would be thrilled if it were shared further afield, such as in the US , for example.

“Given the way we can share information today, the sky’s the limit , ” she added. “And the tone is the key to our approach. Lots of campaign videos and appeals follow the same format. They are a little dated. We are determined to highlight the positives. It’s not a case of feel sorry for me but give me a chance!”

For more information contact Belynda: [email protected] or James : [email protected].

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

10 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

11 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

Community

Cilgerran school could be discontinued as consultation launched

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CONSULTATION on proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school, which attracted a near-400-strong petition in opposition to the council, has been launched.

At its May meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation on proposals for discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School has said.

A later July meeting of the council, following May’s agreed consultation with St David’s Diocese, backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

The consultation was launched on December 16 and runs to January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closed after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council, meaning this petition will be heard by committee members at a later date.

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs.

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.

“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”