Community

Rising demand for food banks sparks concern despite fewer parcels in Pembrokeshire

Published

3 years ago

November 8, 2023

NEW DATA released by the Trussell Trust, the UK’s leading food bank charity, has revealed a concerning trend: while Pembrokeshire saw a decrease in the number of food parcels distributed between April and September this year, the overall demand for essential items across the UK has reached unprecedented levels. The figures have raised alarms, prompting calls for urgent action to address the root causes of hunger and poverty.

According to the Trussell Trust, five food banks in Pembrokeshire distributed 1,629 emergency food parcels during the specified period, marking a slight decline from the 1,674 parcels handed out in the same timeframe the previous year. However, this decrease in Pembrokeshire contrasts sharply with the national landscape. Across the UK, a record-breaking 1.5 million food parcels were distributed, indicating a surge of 200,000 more parcels than in the summer of 2022.

Emma Revie, the Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, expressed her deep concern, describing the escalating demand for essentials across the country as “extremely alarming”. She highlighted the grim reality faced by many families, where parents and children are forced to rely on food banks to meet their basic needs. “An increasing number of children are growing up in families facing hunger, forced to turn to food banks to survive,” Ms. Revie stated, adding that such a situation was far from acceptable for any community.

The figures released by the charity showed that 607 of the food parcels distributed in Pembrokeshire during the summer months were specifically allocated to children. Ms. Revie emphasized the profound impact that hunger and financial hardship have on individuals, communities, and the nation as a whole. She further expressed her concern that a whole generation might grow up perceiving food bank reliance as a normal part of life.

Wales and the North East of England emerged as the regions with the highest levels of food bank usage, with one parcel distributed for every 35 residents in both areas. In response to the rising crisis, the Trussell Trust has called for an “essentials guarantee”, urging that Universal Credit should shield people from going without basic necessities. Additionally, they have advocated for benefits to rise in line with inflation in the upcoming Autumn Statement.

However, the Department for Work and Pensions defended its efforts, pointing out that there are 1.7 million fewer people in absolute poverty than in 2010. A spokesperson stated, “We are providing a record support package worth £3,300 per household, including cost of living payments directly to over eight million households, a 10% increase in benefits earlier this year, and our £2 billion Household Support Fund to help people purchase essentials.” The government’s focus remains on getting more people into employment through strategic investments and an increase in the national living wage.

Despite the apparent efforts, the statistics reflect a sobering reality: many families continue to struggle, and the need for comprehensive, sustainable solutions to tackle the root causes of poverty has never been more urgent. As the nation grapples with this crisis, community leaders, policymakers, and citizens alike are left pondering the future, hoping for a day when food banks are no longer a necessity but a relic of a more equitable past.

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

8 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)