Community
Food for thought at local food partnership event
MANY community growers, suppliers and wider partners involved in the food sector in Pembrokeshire recently gathered for the latest event hosted by the Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership.
Managed by PLANED, in partnership with PAVS and Pembrokeshire County Council, the Local Food Partnership is already working across our communities within the county, to see how through collaboration, we can deliver greater coordination of food related activities.
In addition, the aim of the partnership is to support the work of growers and suppliers in communities, to look at how we can all have a part to play within a more sustainable food system, that also enabled us to then tackle the root causes of food poverty.
Pembrokeshire College hosted the event on Tuesday 27th, where a full room of attendees present, heard from speakers including Green Up Farm, Cilrath Acre, and the Learner Executive students. All of them shared their journeys and thoughts on their own projects to support local food growing and supplies, and the promotion of wellbeing via people getting more involved generally, including the results of a student population survey on food pricing and food poverty.
Sue Latham from PLANED who coordinates the Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, explains “The broad range of speakers who are all involved in different aspects of the local food sector, really did spark some fantastic questions and debates at our event. Particularly popular was the display of hydroponic vertically grown micro greens from Toni & Alex at Green Up Farm, with many now looking at this as part of the wider solution to our local food needs”.
Iwan Thomas, Chief Executive of PLANED, and Chair of the College Board of Governors noted in addition, “Having the College host this Local Food Partnership event further demonstrates how we want to join up the current amazing work on food within our communities here in Pembrokeshire, with the innovation and future skills the college also enables and offers as part of a sustainable solution for addressing food wellbeing across the county.”
Funded currently by Welsh Government via the Welsh Local Government Association, the joint working promoted by the Local Food Partnership here in Pembrokeshire, through its independent facilitation and management continued to deliver key outputs and successful events that brings together people and projects with a common interest.
For more information on how you could get involved, and support the Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, please contact [email protected] or 01834 860965.
Community
Concert in aid of Mayor’s charities an outstanding success
A VIP audience greeted Pembroke and District Male Voice Choristers when they took stage at Pembroke Town Hall at the invitation of the town’s Mayor, Councillor Aden Brinn.
The concert, in aid of the Mayor’s charities – the Welsh Guards charity and the VC Gallery – was very well supported and the choir were in fine harmony, guided by Musical Director Juliet Rossiter and Accompanist Carole Rees.
Guests included Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Sharron Lusher, MBE, Stephen Crabb MP, Sam Kurtz MS, Councillor Tom Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, and County Council Leader Councillor David Simpson.
Two Welsh Guardsmen, in full ceremonial uniform, reflected the close connections between the Mayor and the town with the Regiment’s 1st Battalion.
Busiest chorister on the night was MC Matthew John. To his reputation for jokes, which had preceded him, he added poetry and, in a surprise to colleagues, joined soloist Alyson Griffiths in a delightful duet. They sang a medley of musical and wartime songs, accompanied by Carole.
In Alyson’s solo spot she played on flute ‘Moonlight serenade’ and ‘A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square’.
Audience wholeheartedly joined in ‘Men of Harlech’ and a medley of World War I songs and the choir’s 12 items were warmly received.
Choir and audience were thanked by the Mayor – this was the final fundraising event of his memorable year in office.
Next choir concert is on Friday May 10th at Tabernacle Church, Pembroke, 7.30 pm in aid of Tenby and Saundersfoot First Responders – a fully trained volunteer team who give their time to respond to life threatening calls in support of the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Community
Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine
FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.
The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.
This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.
Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”
The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.
This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
Community
Final ‘Stop the Stink’ protest planned for County Hall
RESIDENTS of Haverfordwest are gearing up for a pivotal demonstration outside the Pembrokeshire County Council at County Hall, scheduled for Thursday, May 14th. The protest, named “Stop the Stink,” aims to press the council and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) into action against the ongoing environmental issues at the Withyhedge landfill site.
From 9:00 to 10:30 AM, community members, environmental activists, and concerned citizens plan to converge on the steps of the county building to make their voices heard before the NRW’s critical deadline. This date marks when the landfill operators are required to complete necessary remediation efforts to prevent toxins from leaking into the local environment.
Colin Barnett, the organiser of the demonstration, highlighted the importance of the protest. “This gathering is crucial. It’s our final chance to influence the council’s decisions and push for real change before the deadline. Our community deserves a safe and healthy environment, and we must hold those responsible accountable,” Barnett stated.
The Withyhedge landfill has been the subject of intense scrutiny following reports that harmful toxins could be escaping into the surrounding areas, posing significant health and environmental risks. Despite ongoing investigations and some interventions by NRW, public trust remains low regarding the effectiveness and transparency of the measures implemented so far.
Demonstrators are expected to display signs with messages such as “Protect Our Children” and “No More Toxins,” calling for immediate and effective action. The protest aims to ensure that the community’s concerns are not only heard but acted upon with urgency.
As the May 14th approaches, the stakes are high for the residents of Haverfordwest, who are calling for decisive and immediate action from their local leaders.
This final “Stop the Stink” protest represents a critical moment in their ongoing fight for a cleaner, safer environment.
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