Community

Hubberston Park committee’s first fun day a ‘fantastic success’

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2024

THE FIRST-EVER Family Fun Day at Hubberston Park on Saturday (Aug 24), was a resounding success, with hundreds of families from the community and beyond coming together for a day filled with laughter, activities, and a strong sense of togetherness. Organised by the newly appointed trustees of the Hubberston Community Association, the event was a testament to the power of community spirit and the hard work of dedicated volunteers.

The event featured a variety of attractions that kept children and adults alike entertained throughout the day. The inflatables, provided by Pembrokeshire Bouncy Castles, were a massive hit, with children eagerly queuing up to bounce, slide, and play. The presence of local heroes from the police and fire departments added an extra layer of excitement, with youngsters thrilled to explore a police car and meet the officers.

A special appearance by beloved characters, including Spiderman, Olaf, and a friendly dinosaur, delighted the young attendees. These characters, brought to life by local volunteers Kerryanne Thomas and Kirsty Salter, roamed the park, posing for pictures and adding to the festive atmosphere.

In addition to the fun and games, the event also featured stalls run by community members, offering everything from face painting by Rachel to temporary tattoos by Ashley and Keely. The raffles and guessing games, meticulously organised by Claire and Cody, added an element of friendly competition, while the bric-a-brac stall managed by Kelly, Kaitlyn, and Laci was a treasure trove for bargain hunters.

One of the highlights of the day was the generous donation of fresh fruit by Milford Haven Tesco, ensuring that all the children had access to a healthy snack amidst the sugary treats of the sweet shop. The inclusion of this gesture was well-received by parents and helped promote a message of healthy eating.

The event wasn’t just about fun; it was also an opportunity for the community to provide feedback on plans for an inclusive play area in the park. The trustees took the chance to engage with parents and children, gathering input on how to improve the park facilities to better serve all members of the community.

Reflecting on the event, Stephen Hughes, a local resident, remarked, “Community starts with a strong following. Today’s fun day was excellent; the volunteers put everything they had into keeping the park maintained and making this day a success. Every town needs this—a sense of community helping people enjoy the day. It was inspiring to see everyone come together because they truly care.”

The Hubberston Community Association, led by trustees Lauren Medlicott, Keely Hilton, Debbie Anthony, Mirelle Fisher, Blaire Rimmer, Jessie Allerton, Zac Bassett, and Dan Hatch, has big plans for the park. Their vision includes replacing ageing play equipment, adding more benches, and reopening the park shop on weekends and school holidays. This event marks the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at revitalising the park and fostering community engagement.

The trustees extended their heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the day, from the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to the families who came out to support the event. “We are blown away by the turnout and the generosity of our community,” said Mirelle Fisher, one of the trustees. “This day has shown us what we can achieve when we all come together.”

As the event wound down Hubberston Park, the laughter of children and the smiles of families lingered—a reminder of the enduring power of community and the promise of more to come.

Community

New women’s support hub opens at Parc Dewi Sant

Published

14 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WOMEN across the Dyfed-Powys area are set to benefit from improved access to specialist support following the opening of a new Women’s Centre Hub at Parc Dewi Sant.

Operated by The Nelson Trust, the hub forms part of the continued development of trauma-informed services for women experiencing multiple disadvantage.

It provides a safe and supportive environment where women can access practical advice, guidance and specialist help to address the challenges they face.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has worked alongside The Nelson Trust and partners from the Local Criminal Justice Board to support the development of the facility.

The project forms part of the board’s wider commitment to improving outcomes for women throughout the Dyfed-Powys area.

The hub was officially opened on Friday, July 3, bringing together organisations involved in delivering support and recognising the partnership work that helped establish the new service.

Peer support will also play an important role, with volunteers drawing on their own lived experiences to help women facing similar circumstances.

Referrals to the Dyfed-Powys service are currently made through the Community Rehabilitation Service via probation. The hub is not presently accepting self-referrals.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Women experiencing multiple disadvantage deserve access to the right support at the right time.

“By working closely with our partners, we can help ensure that women across our communities are able to access the specialist services they need to address the challenges they face and build safer, more positive futures.

“This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a shared commitment to supporting vulnerable members of our communities.”

Community

Green Flag flies at Manorbier Community Garden for first time

Published

15 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer-run garden recognised among record number of award-winning green spaces across Wales

THE DEDICATION of local residents has secured Manorbier Community Garden its first prestigious Green Flag Community Award.

Around 50 people gathered at the garden to celebrate the achievement with food and refreshments before watching the Green Flag being raised.

The award was announced by Keep Wales Tidy as part of the 2026 Green Flag Awards, which recognise the best-managed parks and green spaces across Wales.

A record 330 Welsh sites have met the standards required to fly a Green Flag this year. Of these, 93 received full Green Flag Award status, while 237 volunteer-run spaces were presented with Green Flag Community Awards.

Manorbier Community Garden was recognised for its environmental work, welcoming visitor facilities and strong level of community involvement.

Green Flag Community Awards celebrate high-quality spaces managed largely by volunteers, including community gardens, local nature reserves and other valued neighbourhood sites.

Wales has now secured more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country taking part in the scheme for the third consecutive year. The total has risen from 223 last year to 237 in 2026.

Work on Manorbier Community Garden began in April 2024, transforming an area of scrubland into a flourishing community space in little more than two years.

Led by local couple Ollie and Sian Cromwell, volunteers have built raised beds using repurposed materials and filled them with vegetables, flowers and other plants donated by residents.

Everything is grown organically, without the use of pesticides or herbicides, and produce from the garden is available for the community to share.

The site also includes a secure chicken enclosure housing six hens, a children’s mud kitchen and spaces where residents can meet, play and enjoy the outdoors.

Pick-a-Pumpkin events have also been organised for local children.

Keep Wales Tidy supported the project by providing food-growing and orchard packages, a metal tool shed and a small polytunnel. Volunteers have since constructed a larger polytunnel using donated materials.

Sian Cromwell said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received the Green Flag Community Award. It means so much to our community and celebrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision.

“Just over two years ago, this was simply scrubland. Today, it is a thriving and welcoming space, rich in biodiversity and bursting with life.

“There are fresh vegetables for everyone to share, flowers, chickens, a mud kitchen for children and space for people to play, meet and connect.

“The garden belongs to the whole community. We are incredibly proud of how far we have come and warmly invite everyone to play a part in its sustainable future.”

The Green Flag Award scheme was established 30 years ago and now recognises well-managed parks and green spaces in more than 20 countries around the world.

In Wales, the awards are administered by Keep Wales Tidy.

Community

Young players make their move as Pembrokeshire hosts annual chess fixture

Published

15 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTEEN young chess players put their skills to the test when Pembrokeshire Chess Club welcomed visitors from Castell Nedd to Steynton for their annual summer fixture.

The match, held on Tuesday, July 21, saw players compete across four rounds, with each given 20 minutes on the clock.

Despite the start of the school holidays, the Royal Welsh Show and several late absences, organisers were delighted with the turnout and the high standard of chess on display.

The games were closely contested, particularly on the leading boards, with several decided by only the smallest of margins. Coaches said one of the main lessons from the day was the importance of taking time to consider each move rather than rushing.

Castell Nedd’s Advik Ram produced an impressive unbeaten performance. Pembrokeshire’s Harry Harling held him to a draw in one game before narrowly losing a second encounter during a tightly fought endgame.

Aarush Ram and Jakob Josh-Wright also performed strongly for the visitors.

For Pembrokeshire, Henry Malone and Emily Thomas each secured three points. Jozef Othen and Osian Griffiths collected two-and-a-half points apiece, while Sebastian Kummer finished with two points.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club said it was encouraging to see the standard of play continuing to improve each year and thanked Castell Nedd for making the journey west, with special thanks to Hywel Griffiths for helping to organise the visit.

Home advantage once again proved important, although the club said the greatest benefit was the opportunity for every player to gain experience against new opponents.

Pembrokeshire also recently played a friendly against the newly reformed Narberth Chess Club, giving its adult and junior members an opportunity to compete against different players. A return visit to Steynton is now being planned.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club, which has changed its name during its history, recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its formation.

The club will resume its regular meetings ahead of the new season in September. It welcomes adults and juniors of all abilities, from complete beginners to players interested in friendly or competitive matches.

Anyone interested in joining can message the Pembrokeshire Chess Club Facebook page or contact Martin Jones on 07884 384131.

Pembrokeshire team: Harry Harling, Jozef Othen, Sebastian Kummer, Osian Griffiths, Emily Thomas and Henry Malone.

Castell Nedd team: Advik Ram, Aarush Ram, Jakob Josh-Wright, Virat Nagari, William O’Connor, Oscar Purcell, Ethan Tirukoti, Misha Nigari and Cae Aubrey.