Community

Cardigan RNLI calls on local community to throw charity a lifeline

Published

4 years ago

October 18, 2021

Sarah Morgan at Cardigan

CARDIGAN RNLI is today putting out its own SOS to the local area in the hope more volunteers can be sought to keep the service afloat. The station will host a recruitment day this Saturday (23 October) where members of the public can come to find out more about the various roles on offer.

Operational roles include inshore RNLI lifeboat crew and shore crew, who help ensure the lifeboat can go to sea. An appeal has also been launched to find Deputy Launch Authorities to authorise the launch of the lifeboat. A launch vehicle driver is also sought.

Cardigan RNLI are keen to recruit many roles, where volunteers can help save lives at sea, without even getting their feet wet. The station is keen to attract a Lifeboat Press Officer to raise awareness of the crew’s lifesaving work, a Lifeboat Administration Officer and a Treasurer.

As a charity, the RNLI relies on voluntary donations and legacies for income and at Cardigan, the fundraising branch is also keen to find new volunteers to boost the funds raised locally. Volunteers are also sought to help run the Cardigan RNLI shop.

Sarah Morgan, who has been a volunteer crew member at Cardigan for the past two and a half years says:

‘Being a volunteer for the RNLI brings me joy on so many levels. The strong bonds I’ve made with my fellow volunteer crew is something I treasure. The team is everything from the volunteers in the shop to the lifeboat crew who go to sea, and all the roles in between. We all work together to get the best out of one another which enables us to work as a team to save lives at sea.

‘I enjoy the challenge both physically and mentally, learning new skills and gaining knowledge under the guidance of the senior crew members, whilst getting to enjoy the beauty of the sea and our fantastic coastline. The service we provide is such a rewarding one and I can honestly say that joining was the best choice I’ve made.’

During the recruitment day which will run between 1-5pm, current volunteers will be on hand to answer any questions and help explain the vacancies in more detail.

RNLI Area Lifesaving Manager Roger Smith said:

“Volunteering with the RNLI gives you the opportunity to make a difference in your local community and to help us save lives at sea. Our charity couldn’t function without the help of our selfless and hardworking volunteers. If you’re interested in helping our charity, I encourage you to drop into the volunteer recruitment day and find out more.’

The charity is hoping to attract people from all walks of life and most new recruits don’t need to have sea-going experience to get involved.

Find out more about volunteer roles at the RNLI here on our Volunteering Pages

When: Saturday 23 October, 2021, between the hours of 1 – 5pm.

Where: Cardigan RNLI Lifeboat Station, Poppit Sands.

Community

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

12 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.