Community

Disability training charity given grand boost

Published

10 years ago

August 19, 2016

A PEMBROKESHIRE charity which provides education and free training to people with disabilities has received a financial boost from Wales’ leading housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes West Wales has made a £1,000 donation to Haverfordwest-based Pembrokeshire FRAME.

The gift comes as part of Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions scheme, which sees the builder donate up to £2,000 to charities and community groups in West Wales each and every month.

Pembrokeshire FRAME supports local people from any disability group, including those with mental ill health or learning difficulties and those who are socially excluded.

The group achieves this by offering free training and employment opportunities. Last year , the charity delivered more than 75 training courses.

Jenny Sims, CEO of Pembrokeshire FRAME, said: “We are extremely grateful to Persimmon Homes for this generous donation.

“We desperately need funding towards the costs of our wonderful training support workers, who make such a difference to the lives, future, self-esteem and confidence of the people we work with.

“It is vitally important that we continue to offer this service to the people who need it in the Pembrokeshire area.”

As well as offering training, Pembrokeshire FRAME collects unwanted furniture from people in the area and, where necessary, it is renovated by the charity’s trainees before being sold at discounted prices.

The charity has furniture stores in Haverfordwest, Pembroke Dock and Goodwick.

The Persimmon Community Champions scheme began last year allowing charities and groups to apply for funding up to the value of £1,000 to match money they have already raised themselves. Nationally , Persimmon Homes donated a total of £750,000 across the UK in the first 12 months of the programme.

Sharon Robinson, Sales Director for Persimmon Homes West Wales, said: “We’re delighted to be able to hand over another £1,000 donation to a fantastic organisation.

“We have donated more than £30,000 to worthy causes since the Community Champions programme started last year, making a real difference to the lives of people who live in the areas in which we are building.

“We hope that this money will help Pembrokeshire FRAME continue the good work it is doing.”

Groups can apply for funding by visiting www.persimmonhomes.com/ charity.

Persimmon Homes West Wales currently has a selection of two, three and four bedroom properties available at its Martello Park development off Buttermilk Lane in Pembroke.

Community

River festival returns to Haverfordwest this weekend

Published

5 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CELEBRATION of the Cleddau will take place in Haverfordwest this weekend as the town’s River Festival returns for a second year.

The event will be held on Saturday (June 13), from 10:00am until late, centred on HaverHub and stretching along the quay towards the Bristol Trader.

Organised by The Cleddau Project, the family-friendly festival will include guided walks, demonstrations, art, science activities, live music, market stalls, free canoe trips and a boat race.

The event aims to celebrate the beauty, wildlife and heritage of the Cleddau, while encouraging more people to make use of the river and riverside area.

Organisers said the weather is looking promising and have invited families to “come on down” and enjoy the day.

Groups involved include West Wales Rivers Trust, Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Paddle West and Pembrokeshire Marine Wildlife.

Community

Mayors and community leaders join Milford Haven Founders Day celebrations

Published

18 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Town’s civic leaders praised as event highlights community spirit

A HOST of civic dignitaries and community representatives joined residents for this year’s Milford Haven Founders Day, helping to mark the town’s annual celebration of its heritage and community spirit.

The event, held on Saturday, welcomed mayors and representatives from towns across Pembrokeshire, alongside police officers, clergy and local business leaders.

Milford Haven Founders Day organisers thanked guests for attending and supporting the occasion, describing their presence as helping to make the day “even more special”.

Among those attending were the Mayor of Milford Haven, Mark Woodward, accompanied by Mayoress Evija Upeniece Woodward; the Mayor of Haverfordwest, Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, accompanied by Mayoress and Sheriff Councillor Dani Thomas-Turner; the Mayor of Pembroke, Jonathan Grimes; the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Councillor Tony Wilcox; and the Mayor of Neyland, Councillor Peter Hay, accompanied by Mayoress Mitzy Hay.

The event also welcomed local Police Community Support Officers from Milford Haven and Neyland Police, Reverend Dr Adrian Furse of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church, Milford Haven, Milford Haven Business Circle chairman Byron Thomas Jenkins, and treasurer Amanda Dyson.

Organisers said the strong turnout from civic leaders reflected the importance of Founders Day as a celebration of Milford Haven’s identity and local pride.

A spokesperson for Milford Haven Founders Day said: “Your presence and support helped make the day a memorable celebration of our town, its history and its community spirit. We are truly grateful that you took the time to join us and share in the festivities.”

Pembroke Mayor Jonathan Grimes later praised the event, commenting: “Thank you for the kind invitation – it was a wonderful event!”

Photo caption:

Civic guests: Mayors, community representatives and local officers gather during Milford Haven Founders Day celebrations (Pic: Captured Soul Photography).

Community

Community rallies to protect AJ Store after break-in

Published

18 hours ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New security gate installed thanks to generosity of Pill and Milford Haven residents

MILFORD HAEVN residents have rallied around the owner of AJ Store in Pill Lane after a recent break-in, helping fund new security measures to protect the independent business.

Just days after an appeal was launched to support the shop following another break-in, donations from local people helped pay for a new security gate, now installed at the front of the store.

The owner, who took over the business around nine months ago, had faced costly repairs and mounting concerns over security after the latest incident.

The fundraiser, launched with the owner’s permission, asked for help towards repairs and measures to safeguard the future of the business.

In an emotional message posted online, AJ Local thanked the community for its support.

The shop said: “I would like to thank everyone who have been so generous with your donations to the GoFundMe and have enabled us to have this amazing security gate made and fitted by an excellent local business, KGM Welding.

“A big thank you to Kyle Morris, I’m very, very grateful to you and all of the people of Pill and Milford community.”

Community spirit

The rapid response to the appeal has been praised as an example of Milford Haven residents coming together to support a valued local business during a difficult time.

Independent convenience stores often face significant financial pressures following break-ins, with repair costs, insurance increases and additional security expenses placing strain on small traders.

The Herald previously reported on concerns about shop crime in Milford Haven, with businesses in areas including Pill Lane and Charles Street affected by robberies and break-ins in recent years.

Protected:

The new security gate installed at AJ Store in Pill Lane following community donations (Pic: AJ Local).