A SOLEMN Remembrance Service took place today (Nov 9) at Llanion Military Cemetery, Pembroke Dock, organised by Pembroke Dock Town Council. The service brought together local residents, veterans, and cadets to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in service to the country. Attendees gathered around the central cross in the cemetery, with veterans and youth groups paying tribute to the fallen.

The cemetery is the final resting place of many service members, with 71 war graves marking those who served in conflicts across the 20th century. Among those remembered today were:

• Alexander Overton, Shipwright 4th Class, who served on H.M.S. Puckeridge in the Royal Navy and died on Dec 13, 1941, at age 33.
• Terence George Jackson Pascoe, a Sergeant in the Royal Air Force, who lost his life on June 28, 1940, at the age of 25.
• Norman Jack Rolfe, a Sergeant with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who died on March 5, 1942, at the age of 29.
• Ronald Bruce Scutts, Flying Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force, who perished on June 27, 1941, at the age of 23.
• William Edwin Thomas, Chief Shipwright of the Royal Navy, who served on H.M.S. Penelope and died on April 19, 1946, aged 56.

These individuals, alongside many others, gave their lives in service, leaving a legacy of courage and sacrifice. Today’s service not only paid tribute to their bravery but also reminded the community of the ongoing importance of remembrance.

For residents of Pembroke Dock, Llanion Military Cemetery serves as a poignant symbol of both the cost of war and the resilience of those left behind.

WITH more than 7,000 young people in care across Wales, the need for more Foster Carers is increasingly pressing. 

In January the national network of 22 Welsh local authority fostering teams, Foster Wales, launched a campaign to recruit an additional 800 foster families by 2026.

Foster Wales Pembrokeshire joined the campaign, ‘Bring Something to the Table,’ to share realistic experiences from the fostering community to respond to common barriers to enquiries.

Some of these include a lack of confidence, misconceptions around criteria, and a belief that that fostering doesn’t fit with certain lifestyles.

The latest phase of the campaign focuses on the role of foster care social workers and the ‘support bubble’ that exists around foster carers.

The latest ‘Bring something to the table’ campaign is guided by a newly commissioned survey to better understand preconceptions and motivations of social workers.

In the research, foster carers highlighted the importance of close and long-lasting working relationships to support young people to overcome challenges. They were also keen to dispel myths about social workers and the support you receive, and paid tribute to the dedication of their social workers.

Vanessa, a foster carer with Foster Wales Pembrokeshire shares her experience of support from her fostering social worker.

“We have had the privilege of the same Social Worker during our six year fostering career. This is invaluable as they know us and the children and their past history.

“My Social Worker is approachable and understanding. When we have encountered difficulties and struggles, we have been able to convey them in an open and honest way, we don’t feel judged.

“The services are undoubtedly far stretched yet our Social Worker always tries to support us as best she can. A good, understanding Social Worker with good ethics and morals are vital.”

Cabinet Member for Social Services Cllr Tessa Hodgson welcomed the Foster Wales campaign.

“Foster carers are so important to our young people that find themselves in extremely vulnerable circumstances through no fault of their own but it is also important to remember that these carers also need support.

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Contact: Communications

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The Council’s press releases are also available on the Authority’s Newsroom

CONNETING THE COAST, an ambitious three-year Nature Recovery project backed by Welsh Government funding, is drawing to a close, having taken impressive strides in protecting and enhancing the fragile ecosystems of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The project, designed to safeguard coastal habitats and enhance biodiversity in farmland adjacent to the iconic coastline, works in close collaboration with local farmers and landowners, to restore habitats, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and promote sustainable land management.

Connecting the Coast has yielded impressive results, with land management changes creating flourishing habitats for wildlife. This is evident in the reappearance of coastal wildflowers like centaury and sheep’s bit where conservation grazing has been implemented and the appearance of scarce arable plants, such as weasel’s snout and bugloss, in crop margins that have been left unsprayed.

New hay meadows are also thriving, offering sanctuary to pollinators and birds, while species-rich pastures are helping to secure soil health and protect carbon stocks. These biodiversity-rich areas form vital buffers in the coastal ecosystem, offering increased resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Connecting the Coast Project Officer Clare Flynn said: “At the heart of Connecting the Coast is a strong partnership with the local farming community and landowners, ranging from large dairy farms to smallholders with just a few fields – and we’ve been met with overwhelming support and a warm welcome from everyone.”

Throughout its duration, Connecting the Coast has achieved several significant milestones in its mission to restore and protect habitats. These include installing almost 19,000 meters of fencing to improve conservation grazing and safeguarding over 80 hectares of coastal slopes to protect iconic coastal species. In addition, over 50 hectares of hay meadows and 50 hectares of species-rich permanent pasture have been created, enhancing biodiversity and supporting soil health.

As the project enters its final months, the team will continue to provide tailored support and advice to landowners, while closely monitoring the ecological outcomes of habitat restoration efforts. The project is committed to deepening conversations with both farmers and the Welsh Government to secure sustainable farming support and ensure that nature recovery remains a top priority in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Connecting the Coast has received financial support from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places fund.

Although applications for funding are now closed, further information about the project can be obtained by emailing Clare Flynn at [email protected].