FOUR original paintings of Sunderland flying boats have been donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre by one of its leading supporters, Welsh aviation and military artist John Wynne Hopkins.

John, who lives in Llanelli, has also gifted several large prints and a collection of greetings cards, all depicting iconic images of the Sunderland aircraft.

“I have followed the excellent progress of the Heritage Trust over many years and I am so pleased that my art can support them,” said John. “The Sunderland is a favourite subject of mine and its long connections with Pembroke Dock have provided me with many topics to paint. I shall certainly continue this.”

The Heritage Centre already displays one of John’s earlier works — a dramatic World War I battlefield scene created in 2018 for its trench exhibit. The painting is featured in the original entrance of the Centre, housed in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel.

The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

£500 grants available to fund local projects across Wales

A NEW funding scheme has been launched by Compassionate Cymru to help communities across Wales come together during times of death, dying, and bereavement.

The Compassionate Communities Grant Fund, supported by Macmillan Cancer Support and administered by Age Cymru, offers grants of up to £500 to support local initiatives that foster care, connection, and compassion in the face of life’s most difficult moments.

Compassionate Cymru is a national movement dedicated to building a more caring and supportive society. It believes that by empowering local groups to respond with kindness and empathy, Wales can become a place where no one faces death or bereavement alone.

The grants are open to a wide range of applicants — from small community organisations and workplaces to care homes and informal neighbourhood groups. Examples of eligible projects include:

• A workplace peer support group for employees affected by cancer
• An art project in a care home exploring themes of end-of-life
• A local Death Café event offering tea, coffee and space to talk openly about dying

The funding can be used for one-off events or longer-term programmes, and projects can be delivered in person or online, depending on local needs.

Heather McLean, Director of Communities and Systems Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“Macmillan is proud to support the work of Compassionate Cymru and Age Cymru. When someone hears they are approaching the end of their life, the right support can make a huge difference to their wellbeing.

“Local initiatives like these will play a vital role in ensuring that people in Wales can access support that’s right for them — when and where they need it. And for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, Macmillan’s team is always just a phone call away.”

The Macmillan Support Line is available seven days a week on 0808 808 00 00, from 8:00am to 8:00pm, offering free advice, emotional support, and information.

Compassionate Cymru is urging communities across Wales to apply and help create a more compassionate culture around death and dying.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 23 May 2025.

To apply or find out more, visit www.compassionate.cymru, email contact@compassionate.cymru, or call 029 2043 1555.

Together, we can make Wales a place where no one faces loss alone.

DWR CYMRU Welsh Water is urging a shift away from traditional concrete-heavy infrastructure in favour of nature-based solutions to improve river water quality across Wales.

At an event held today (Apr 9) at the Royal College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, organised in partnership with Wildlife Trusts Wales and Afonydd Cymru, Welsh Water will highlight the environmental benefits of “green” solutions—such as wetlands and catchment interventions—over carbon-intensive alternatives.

The utility company argues that relying on ‘grey’ infrastructure, including large-scale storm tanks and chemical-based treatment systems, contributes to high carbon emissions and doesn’t provide long-term sustainability for rivers or surrounding ecosystems.

Among the projects being showcased is a pioneering wetland scheme in North Wales. The scheme, based near the Tremeirchion wastewater treatment works on the River Clwyd, will use over 30,000 wetland plants to remove phosphorous from treated water—improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing carbon output. It is the first of its kind in Wales to use wetlands for wastewater treatment.

Although green infrastructure can be more expensive upfront, Welsh Water emphasises that these systems are climate-resilient and better suited to long-term environmental goals.

More than 60 organisations from across Wales, Herefordshire and Chester are attending the Cardiff event. The agenda includes storm overflow reduction, urban drainage innovations, boosting ecosystem resilience, and addressing phosphorus pollution in rivers.

Key speakers include Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs; Owen Derbyshire, CEO of Keep Wales Tidy; Gail Davies Walsh, CEO of Afonydd Cymru; and Rachel Sharp, CEO of Wildlife Trusts Wales.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: “Improving the health of our rivers is one of the defining environmental challenges we face—and it’s clear that the old ways alone won’t deliver the change we need.

“Nature-based solutions offer a powerful, climate-resilient alternative to traditional infrastructure. They restore biodiversity and support our communities. I welcome Dŵr Cymru’s commitment to working across sectors to put nature at the heart of our approach.”

Jenny Grubb, Environment Advisor and Stakeholder Manager for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, said:
“Welsh Water is investing £2.5 billion over the next five years on projects to improve the environment. No single sector can fix our rivers alone. That’s why we’re seeking partnerships with organisations focused on delivering environmental improvements. Our hope is that collaborative working will boost our investment and lead to the water quality improvements we all want to see.”

Rachel Sharp of Wildlife Trusts Wales added: “In a changing climate, nature is one of the most effective and affordable ways to absorb the impacts of extreme weather—whether flooding or drought. From restoring upland peat bogs and planting trees to creating wetlands, nature-based solutions can offer real win-win outcomes for people and wildlife.”

Gail Davies Walsh, CEO of Afonydd Cymru, said: “We’re pleased to be part of this collaborative event. Long-term, realistic solutions to climate and human-driven river issues must be co-designed by organisations from all sectors. Wales has real potential to scale up catchment-wide, nature-based approaches that secure clean and healthy rivers for the future.”