Community

Six-year-old honoured at British Citizen Youth Awards

Published

9 years ago

October 28, 2016

THE INAUGURAL British Citizen Youth Awards – honouring young people who have positively impacted society, communities, charities or other good causes – took place at the Palace of Westminster.

20 youngsters from across the country were honoured, with each having their own unique and inspiring story, including six-year-old Elly Neville from Pembroke.

The medal presentation ceremony, which is in association with Specsavers, cast a light on some of the nation’s brightest stars of the future.

The awards were presented by Kimberly Wyatt of the Pussycat Dolls, whose band has sold over 55 million records worldwide.

Elly Neville, a six-year-old girl from Pembroke, has helped raise more than £50,000 for Ward 10, a dedicated cancer ward, at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Ward 10 is special to Elly and her family because her 54-year-old father, Lyn, needed a bone marrow transplant in 2005 after he was diagnosed with blood cancer. Over the following four years he was a regular visitor to the ward for treatment, and he now visits a London hospital once a year for check-ups.

Despite being told that he wouldn’t be able to have any more children, Lyn’s wife, Ann, gave birth to Elly not long after his treatment ended. This was seen as a miracle considering what they had been through in the very same hospital just years prior.

In April 2015, Elly won £20 in a school competition for her collage of the Pembrokeshire county flag. She decided that she wanted to raffle the flag to raise money to go towards the refurbishment of the Ward 10, which was the start of her fundraising campaign called ‘Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal’.

She has continued to fundraise in the community, with her family organising fun days and local people helping with activities such as bungee jumping off Cleddau Bridge, which have all added to the ever increasing tally on her JustGiving page.

The money Elly has raised has gone towards improving the ‘patient environment and experience’ at Ward 10, adding in equipment that the Hywel Dda University Health Board couldn’t finance, such as a high-spec ‘Sara Stedy’ enhanced standing aid to allow patients to go to the toilet. The health board has since stated that it will submit a bid to the Welsh Government later this year for funds to refurbish the ward.

Elly’s father, Lyn, said: “Seeing Elly receive her award was inspiring. It was a wonderful way to celebrate all of her fundraising achievements for Ward 10 and it was an honour to meet with other families of young people who have done amazing things to improve the lives of others.”

Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, said: “The society we live in tomorrow will be shaped by the children of today, which is why championing amazing young role models is so very important.

“The young people that become the recipients of the first British Citizen Youth Awards will, I am sure, inspire other youngsters to emulate their good work and embody the spirit of transparency, integrity, determination and achievement that define these awards.

“Whatever it is that they have done to make a significant impact on society, their community, a charity or other good cause, it will have been with a selflessness and commitment that deserves to be publically acknowledged. These unsung heroes are the rising stars of the future – let us shine a light on them and celebrate!”

Community

Family safe after major house fire in Letterston, community told

Published

9 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Memorial hall opened to help those affected after blaze in Station Road area

A FAMILY escaped without injury after a major house fire in the Station Road area of Letterston, according to local residents.

The blaze prompted a major emergency response on Wednesday (Apr 15), with fire engines seen at the scene and the road closed while crews tackled the incident.

People posting in the Letterston community group said the family was safe, although one kitten was sadly lost in the fire.

One resident wrote: “They lost a kitten, but the family were ok. Nothing worse than a fire. There were 4 fire engines here at one time.”

Others described hearing multiple sirens and seeing smoke rising from the area, with one local woman saying her partner could see the fire engines from nearby fields.

As news of the fire spread, the local community quickly rallied round. The memorial hall was opened for anyone affected, while residents offered practical help and support to the family.

Messages posted online described the loss of the home as heartbreaking, with one resident writing that while the house had gone, the family were “alive and well to make more new memories”.

The Herald has approached the emergency services for official confirmation on the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage.

Community

Police investigate reports of door-to-door salespeople in Milford Haven and Johnston

Published

12 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents urged to stay alert as officers carry out patrols and work to establish whether the callers are legitimate

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland Police said they are aware of concerns raised by residents following reports of door-to-door salespeople operating in the Milford Haven and Johnston area.

Local officers, together with neighbourhood policing and prevention teams, are working to establish the legitimacy of those involved and will be carrying out patrols while enquiries continue.

In the meantime, members of the public are being advised to familiarise themselves with crime prevention advice relating to unwanted visitors, which is available on the force’s website.

Anyone with information that could assist enquiries is asked to get in touch online, by email at [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting its website.

Community

Big plant sale set to bloom in Narberth

Published

14 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family-friendly spring event will bring together local growers, craftspeople, food and live entertainment

GREEN fingers and creative talents will come together in Narberth next month as West Wales’ popular Big Plant Sale returns for 2026.

The event will take place at Narberth CP School on Saturday, May 2, offering visitors the chance to browse a wide range of plants, locally made crafts and eco-friendly products.

Organised with support from SPAN Arts, the annual sale has become one of the first major plant events of the season in the area, attracting gardeners of all ages and experience levels.

Stallholders are expected to offer everything from windowsill succulents and young seedlings to unusual and specialist plants, giving visitors plenty of choice as they prepare their homes and gardens for spring and summer.

Alongside the plants, there will also be a craft fair featuring handmade and environmentally conscious products, including soaps, textiles and wooden items made by local producers.

Organisers say the event is designed to be more than just a market, with locally produced food, live music and entertainment helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for families and visitors of all ages.

SPAN Arts is also inviting local growers, nurseries, craftspeople and makers to get involved, particularly those working with sustainable and eco-friendly products.

The Big Plant Sale will run from 10:00am until 3:00pm at Narberth CP School, Jesse Road, Narberth, SA67 7FE. Visitors are asked to make a suggested £2 donation on entry.

Anyone interested in booking a stall can contact [email protected].

SPAN Arts, which is based in Narberth, has spent 30 years supporting arts and community projects across Pembrokeshire. The charity runs a broad programme of music, theatre, comedy and wellbeing activities, with a focus on reducing rural isolation and improving access to the arts.

For more information about the event, contact SPAN Arts on 01834 869323 or email [email protected].