News

Conference highlights importance of playing

Published

7 years ago

March 17, 2017

‘If I Were a Child’: Tenby primary school perform at conference

FROM THE GREAT outdoors to Lego therapy, the importance of children playing was the subject of a conference held at Folly Farm last week (March 10).

Titled ‘Play Matters to Me’, the conference, which was attended by Children’s Commissioner for Wales Professor Sally Holland, saw pupils from several Pembrokeshire primary schools perform dramatic and musical pieces, deliver speeches and participate in a range of activities.

When it came to stage performances, Tenby P rimary S chool undoubtedly stole the show with their rendition of ‘If I Were a Child’ – a remake of Beyonce’s ‘If I Were a Boy’.

The conference also brought together numerous presentations by local organisations which enable children to explore the great outdoors, take up sports and build confidence through therapeutic and team-building exercises.

A prominent theme, the idea of playing outdoors and amongst nature began with a presentation by National Park Discovery Ranger, Tom Moses.

During his talk, Tom highlighted the abundance of outdoor opportunities that Pembrokeshire offers, from historical learning sites like Castell Henllys to sprawling beaches and woodland – all of which can earn children the Park’s John Muir Award.

Following on from this was a talk by a member of FIVE – an organisation centred on delivering five–week programmes to groups of five children aged 7–11.

During the programme, children learn about map reading, bush craft, tree planting, climbing, conversation and more.

In working alongside the National Park and the National Trust, those who take part also receive a John Muir Award at the end of the programme.

Perhaps most interesting of all was a presentation by Kiri Howell on ‘Pembrokeshire’s first purely outdoor nature play group’, Nature School in Llawhaden.

Situated in a five–acre woodland which includes a stream and grassland, Nature School includes a fire pit, traditional oven and composting toilet.

Seasonal fruit and vegetables are also grown on site and children can cook with local, organic and vegetarian food sources.

With reference to ‘environmental literacy’ and ‘positive risk taking’, Kiri said: “We cannot expect children to care for the environment if they have not been provided experiences in it.”

She added: “Not all classrooms have four walls.”

Aside from outdoor play, another prominent theme was sporting activities, with a highlight certainly being 11–year–old Libi Phillips’ inspiring speech on ‘inclusive play’.

Having been diagnosed with cerebral palsy from a young age, Libi took to the stage in her wheelchair and spoke of how ‘play is a right for all children’.

Now one of the youngest members of the Ospreys youth wheelchair rugby squad, Libi left audience members in awe of her incredible sporting achievements.

Fishguard resident Danni O’Conner and Cllr Pat Davies also told the audience of plans to build an all–inclusive play park and a new skate park in Fishguard.

This was not the only mention of Pembrokeshire skate parks. The conference also featured a talk by Barry John of VC Gallery who spoke of an art project organised in conjunction with Haverfordwest Skate Park Association, Drug Aid and Dyfed–Powys Police.

Dubbed ‘Havercolourwest’, Barry showed audience members a video production which demonstrated how the project had engaged with young people through art and photography, providing them with a ‘method to portray themselves positively’.

The project produced over 200 pieces of art, and also identified a need for toilet facilities at the skate park.

Another fascinating topic, the conference also saw Owain Roach talk about Lego therapy for children with disabilities.

Working in groups of three, children are assigned the role of a builder, engineer or supplier and work together to create various structures.

Centred on eight–week programmes, Owain and his colleague are currently working with Neyland School but are eager to partner with other schools in Pembrokeshire.

The conference received a closing speech from Mayor of Tenby, Cllr Laurence Blackhall who thanked all those who gave presentations and performances and ‘reminded us how important play is’.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”

Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.