Pembroke Dock Midsummer Festival

13th - 21st June 2009

June 2009 saw the 4th Midsummer Festival take place in Pembroke Dock. The Midsummer Festival Group worked tirelessly to fund and arrange 21 events that took place over 8 days in Midsummer. These events were preceded by a number of workshops for all the community.

A wide variety of events took place, including an art exhibition at the Anchorage Day Centre, community walks, a bike ride for over 60 children around the town, a cheese and wine evening at The Guntower, a Teddy Bears Picnic, a Big Band night, a Mexican Street Party and the Fun in the Park day at the Memorial Park. Over 2000 attendances were recorded at the events and the feedback has been extremely positive, with the Festival becoming a much loved occasion in the town.

The Festival Group is now looking towards a Midwinter event, following 2 years of Lantern Parades before planning begins on the Midsummer Festival 2010!

For more information on the Pembroke Dock Festival, or to get involved with the group, please call Sarah on 0845 345 5031 or email sarah.payne@co-op.co.uk

Training, Employment and Money Saving Coffee Morning

20th May 2009

On Wednesday 20th May, working in partnership with Pembroke Dock Community School, Llanion Communities First organised a Coffee Morning at the school which enabled the parents of the new Flying Start intake to learn more about projects within the ward.

Representatives from the Dockleaf Project, Springboard Project, Haven Credit Union and Want 2 Work were there to tell parents about the opportunities available in the ward. Following the coffee morning there was an assembly where all the Puffin Savers (young Haven Credit Union savers) collected a certificate congratulating them on being part of the scheme.

The coffee morning was designed to show what opportunities there are within the ward for people thinking of going back into training or employment, or even going into it for the first time!

Nordic Walking in the Memorial Park

19th May 2009

On Tuesday 19th May members of the Llanion Communities First Partnership and team took part in a Nordic Walking taster session in the Pembroke Dock Memorial Park, organised by Steps2Health.

The morning was thoroughly enjoyed by all attendees, so much so that the majority have expressed an interest in joining a 6 week Nordic Walking course so that they can improve upon their skills and make Nordic Walking a part of their weekly activity routine!

If you would like to give Nordic Walking a try, then why not come along to the next taster session, which will be offered as part of the 2009 Pembroke Dock Midsummer Festival Funday on Sunday 21st June?

Recognition and Celebration!
6th May 2009

At a civic award ceremony in May Pembroke Dock Town Council formally acknowledged the contribution of several Llanion Communities First Partners to the regeneration and development of the town. Individual awards were made to three community representatives for their work with: the partnership, St Teilos community hall, Haven Credit Union, the Pembroke Dock Food Co-op and Cleddau FM.

A group award was also made to the Pembroke Dock Festival Group,
represented by 4 Llanion partners, for their ‘sterling efforts’ to promote and reinvigorate the town and for creating ‘a greater sense of community pride’.

Mike Odlin, Llanion co-ordinator, commented, “recognition and celebration of such work is a vital part of the community development process. The evening provided an opportunity to step back and survey a very productive two years; something important to remember and reflect on when faced with the daily challenges of working hard in a their community”.

Open Access Play in Pembroke Dock

6th to 17th April 2009

Open Access provides open-air, school holiday play opportunities for children and young people aged between five and fifteen. A wide range of play equipment is provided and Open Access Play-workers are on-hand to encourage children to take part in play activities of their choice.

The Open Access Play Team visited Llanion on four occasions during the Easter school holiday, providing an opportunity for 64 children to join in and play in the park!

There are further session planned throughout the summer holidays an in addition, the Open Access Play Team are holding play sessions for children with additional needs in Pembroke Dock Youth Centre. These sessions will take place every Wednesday throughout the Summer holidays.

Welcome new partnership members
12th February 2009

Llanion Communities would like to extend a warm welcome to it’s five new partnership members:

Sarah Fletcher - Community Resident
Angie Harwood - Community Resident
Ruth Howell - Tesco Community Champion
Karen Simes - Health Visitor
Alison Rogers - Community Safety Partnership

Trust Fund 2008/09
31st March 2009

The Communities First Trust Fund is available to community groups that are based within, or can demonstrate that their work is directly beneficial to the Llanion ward. Over £20,000 was awarded in 2008/2009, including:

Pembroke Dock Encompass ~ £ 843

~ Banners and Equipment

Haven Credit Union ~ £ 935

~ Office and IT Equipment

Greenlinks Community Interest ~ £1,730

~ Carpentry Workshops

BAPTARA ~ £2,005

~ Folding Tables & Chairs

St Johns Community Hall ~ £3,553

~ Upgrade Heating System

Pater Pantomime ~ £1,399

~ Sound Equipment & Training

Pensioners Friendship Club ~ £ 600

~ Guest Speakers and Visit

Pembroke Dock Festival Group ~ £3,146

~ Marquee and Display Boards

St Teilos Hall ~ £2,230

~ Office and IT Equipment

Pennar Robbins Football Club ~ £1,512

~ Improve Lighting System

Community Activities Network ~ £ 933

~ Craft Workshops & Materials

Darby and Joan Club ~ £ 299

~ Guest Speakers & Equipment

Pembroke Dock Memorial Park ~ £1,000

~ Workshops and Performance

The Trust fund is now open and accepting applications for 2009/2010. If you would like more information or an application pack then please contact: Selena at Llanion Communities First on 0845 345 5031.

Child Poverty Training
9th March 2009

Following a consultation, Child Poverty Training was identified by the partnership as an area in which they would like to improve their knowledge and understanding. Attendees deepened their knowledge of the subject and looked at ways of tackling aspects of Child Poverty.

Llanion Communities First applied to the Welsh Assembly Government’s “Equality and Diversity” Fund and this was one of three training sessions that was facilitated in the community as a result of this successful application

Mental Health First Aid Training
2nd & 3rd February 2009

The team, partnership and members of the community took part in a 2 day Mental Health First Aid Training Course and were the first trainees in West Wales to successfully complete the course.

Llanion Communities First applied to the Welsh Assembly Government’s “Equality and Diversity” Fund and this was one of three training sessions that was facilitated in the community as a result of this successful application

Community Skip and Litter Pick
22nd January 2009

The team at Llanion Communities First, in partnership with the Pembroke Dock Environmental Action Team and Keep Wales Tidy organised a community skip and litter pick in the Kavanagh Court area of the Bush and Park Estate in January 2009.

The skip was available for two hours and, with the help of volunteers from the Pembroke Dock Community School, Bush and Park Tenants & Residents Association, Mentro Allan and many others. It was returned full to the brim with household waste, general litter and broken glass.

Diversity Training
21st January 2009

Members of the team, partnership and community learnt how to involve and treat people equally regardless of their race, gender, colour etc. Issues covered within the course included accessibility, equality, disability and much more.

Llanion Communities First applied to the Welsh Assembly Government’s “Equality and Diversity” Fund and this was one of three training sessions that was facilitated in the community as a result of this successful application