Community

Fresh pleas to save much-needed Pembroke Dock day centre

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PLEA to keep Pembroke Dock’s Anchorage Day Centre open is to be heard at a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council next week.

The Anchorage Day Care Centre in Pembroke Dock has been a “safe and happy place” for adults with learning difficulties and additional needs for decades.

In more recent years it has expanded to support elderly dementia sufferers.

But now the centre is expected to close, with services instead being offered elsewhere in the county, including Haverfordwest and Milford Haven.

A series of engagement events have taken place at The Anchorage recently, outlining the reasons and the options in continued service.

One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “One young woman who attends ran out of the first meeting sobbing when she was told it was going to close. Another, at the second meeting, tried to address the meeting but was so choked up at the thought of not seeing her friends anymore she could hardly speak.”

In a submitted question to be heard at the May 9 meeting, member of the public Peter Welsh will ask: “Is the council aware of the huge impact the impending closure of the Anchorage Adult Day-care Centre in Pembroke Dock is already having to the health and mental wellbeing of my daughter and 20 other vulnerable adults with special needs and learning difficulties, who are unable to cope with changes to routine, or to process and understand what is happening to them?

“And would the council, therefore, please review its closure decision and retain the centre and the vital and invaluable service it provides not only to the individuals concerned but also to the parents?

“If not, what specific measures does the cabinet member have in place to support my daughter and these other individuals who need extra assistance to enable them to maintain their independence, value and allow their carers to have valuable respite from their caring responsibilities and what are the estimated costs for these substitute measures?”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman has previously said: “Following the engagement sessions held with families and service users regarding the future of the centre on April 10 and 17 at the Anchorage, families said that they would like to maintain the Anchorage Day Centre and explained that they would write to the council in order to ask for the decision to be overturned.

“People who attend the service will be offered alternative care, all service users are currently having their individual care needs assessed by social work teams to fully understand which other services best meet those care needs.”

An online e-petition, on the council’s own website has been launched calling for it to stay open.

Community

Milford paddling pool could close after rowdy adults seen throwing glass bottles

Published

10 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has warned that the town’s paddling pool could be drained and closed if anti-social behaviour continues.

The warning follows an incident today in which rowdy adults were reportedly drinking alcohol from glass bottles inside the pool enclosure and throwing a glass bottle around.

The council also said people were seen smoking cannabis just outside the gate.

In a statement, Milford Haven Town Council said the behaviour was “highly dangerous, irresponsible and inconsiderate” and “cannot and will not be tolerated”.

The council warned: “If this sort of behaviour continues we will have no choice but to consider draining and closing the pool.”

The paddling pool is run voluntarily by a dedicated group of councillors for the benefit of local families and visitors.

The council is now urging people to act responsibly so the facility can remain open and be enjoyed safely by everyone.

Community

Choir to sing at ten bandstands in one day for Alzheimer’s charity

Published

10 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Côr Meibion De Cymru will begin its South Wales challenge at Milford Haven before finishing in Cardiff

A WELSH male voice choir will sing at ten bandstands in one day as part of an ambitious charity challenge across South Wales.

Côr Meibion De Cymru, the South Wales Male Choir, will begin its Ten Bandstands Challenge at The Rath in Milford Haven at 7:00am on Sunday, May 31.

The choir will then travel east, performing short concerts at Tenby, Carmarthen, Kidwelly, Llandeilo, Neath, Barry Island, Penarth and Newport before finishing at Victoria Park in Cardiff at around 8:00pm.

The event is being held in aid of Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, with organisers aiming to raise £5,000.

The choir says the challenge is intended to create a “red wave of singing” across South Wales, while celebrating the Welsh male voice choir tradition and showing that it remains a powerful part of Welsh cultural life.

The full schedule is:

Milford Haven, The Rath: 7:00am to 7:20am
Tenby, Castle Hill: 8:25am to 8:45am
Carmarthen, Carmarthen Park: 9:55am to 10:15am
Kidwelly, Parc Y Bocs: 11:00am to 11:20am
Llandeilo, Penlan Park: 12:30pm to 1:00pm
Neath, Victoria Gardens: 2:00pm to 2:20pm
Barry Island, Friars Road: 3:55pm to 4:20pm
Penarth, Windsor Gardens: 5:10pm to 5:30pm
Newport, Belle Vue Park: 6:35pm to 6:55pm
Cardiff, Victoria Park: 7:50pm to 8:10pm

Organisers say timings may vary slightly depending on traffic on the day.

The challenge is being promoted as a celebration of music, community and Welsh identity, while raising money for a cause that affects families across Wales.

More information and donations are available through the choir’s JustGiving campaign.

Community

Police issue A477 crash appeal after five taken to hospital

Published

12 hours ago

May 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIVE people were taken to hospital, three with serious injuries, following a collision on the A477 between Llanteg and Red Roses on Sunday (May 24).

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 5:00pm and involved a grey Honda Civic i-VTEC and a white Kia Soul 2.

A 23-year-old man has been arrested and remains in police custody.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was driving on the A477 at around the time of the collision, or who may have dash-cam footage of either vehicle before the crash, to come forward.

Police said visitors to Pembrokeshire who may not know the area should check their route in case they were travelling along the A477 at the relevant time.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote reference: 326 of May 24.