UFO road sign erected in village subject of new Netflix documentary

WITH new Shared Prosperity funding secured from the UK Government, the Springboard, Learning Pembrokeshire project has been able to extend its reach to new schools and double the support it offers to its already established school partners.

Springboard can now offer schools support and training possibilities for adult family members to compliment the Family Learning opportunities that the project has focussed on in recent years.

To celebrate Adult Learner’s Week Springboard ran three Fayres of free family activities in Milford Haven Community Primary School, Waldo Williams and Ysgol Glannau Gwaun.

Each event was extremely well attended by families. Families with children from nursery through to Year 6, all new to Springboard, took to the activities with real enthusiasm.

Pottery, cake decorating, mark making, story spoon craft and bushcraft were among the many free activities available.

Springboard activities planned for October at both Waldo Williams and Ysgol Glannau Gwaun are now all fully booked thanks to the interest generated from the Fayres.

The Fayres mark the launch of free activities for families in both Waldo Williams and Ysgol Glannau Gwaun – schools which Laura Phillips, the Springboard Coordinator, is thrilled to be able to work with.

Laura said: “Springboard Family Learning has the power to engage, enthuse, inspire and support families explore new skills and interests that can have a life changing impact for all involved.

“To be able to offer these opportunities to more schools across Pembrokeshire than ever before is something which we have only been able to do thanks to this Levelling Up grant”.

Next to benefit from this grant will be Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Prendergast.

Waldo Williams Headteacher, Debbie Bond said: “The families of Waldo Williams are so excited to have this opportunity to learn new skills with their children.

“We feel so lucky to have Springboard to engage with and support our families. Exciting times ahead!”

Mari Jones, Headteacher of Glannau Gwaun said “We are privileged to have the opportunity to welcome the Springboard project to Ysgol Glannau Gwaun.

“Our pupils and parents have already experienced the exciting and engaging opportunities available to them through a highly successful launch afternoon.

“The pupils talk with enthusiasm about the coming weeks and as a school we know this project will be highly beneficial to both our pupils and their families”.

Much more information on Springboard is available on the Project’s Facebook page

THE 405 Poppit Rocket bus service which operates along the coast between Fishguard and Cardigan is now being operated as a fflecsi service.
Rather than operating six days in the summer and one day in the winter, the new service will operate Monday to Saturday all year around.
The service will cover the area between Fishguard and Cardigan as well as the area to the south as far as Crymych.
This will provide a more sustainable and usable service for communities, many of which do not currently have a regular bus service all year around.
The new fflecsi service will also provide a link to the Cardigan Integrated Health Centre.
The service is being funded using existing bus subsidy.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “The expansion of this fflecsi service is fantastic news for residents and visitors.
“The existing provision has proven to be very successful in opening up the service to a wider area and providing greater travel options for passengers.
“This new fflecsi service will also enable residents and visitors with access to transport 6 days a week all year around which has not previously been the case.”
The service started on Monday 2nd October and it is available anytime between 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday.
Booking can be made via the fflecsi app or by phoning 0300 234 0300.

THE PEMBROKE DOCK community and Greenacres Rescue centre rally behind an 11-week-old spaniel pup, found abandoned and possessing unusual physical features, as inquiries into her abandonment commence.

In an unusual case capturing local attention, a black spaniel puppy, now named Ariel, was left abandoned in Pembroke Dock town centre, presenting not only a vulnerability due to her age but also due to her distinct physical characteristics – two additional rear legs and a possibility of two vulvas.

Ariel was discovered and subsequently brought to Medivet in Pembroke on September 27 by a concerned citizen, whose attempts to provide contact information proved fruitless due to an incorrect phone number. Given the pup’s unique and potentially complex medical needs, Sally Bland, the local authority dog warden, coordinated Ariel’s transfer to Greenacres Rescue, near Haverfordwest, for specialist care.

Mikey Lawlor of Greenacres Rescue recalled, “Sally informed us of the abandoned pup and her notable birth defects, prompting a unanimous decision for a thorough veterinary examination at Fenton Vets in Haverfordwest.”

The ensuing examination, performed by Dr Charlotte Biddle, was shrouded in uncertainties due to Ariel’s unknown history and distinctive physical traits. “Our investigations elucidated that Ariel boasts two additional hind legs and an embryonic second vulva,” Dr Biddle detailed. Anomalies with her pelvic formation, attributed to an extra hip joint, were also noted.

Despite the initial medical ambiguities, Ariel demonstrated a reassuring resilience and normal functionality during a meticulous 48-hour observation period. Furthermore, her apparent comfort around other dogs during her temporary foster care has been a heartening observation.

The aptly named Ariel – a nod to a mermaid-like semblance noted by a commenter – is scheduled for a reassessment in a month’s time, post-recovery from her initial ordeal. The prospect of multiple surgeries, including potential limb removal and further exploration of her pelvic region, looms in her future.

Meanwhile, a social media appeal has been instigated, aimed at uncovering both Ariel’s origins and identifying the individual who initially provided her to the vet, in a bid to clarify the circumstances surrounding her abandonment.

Ariel will continue to be sheltered in foster care until her subsequent assessment, placing additional financial demands on Greenacres Rescue. Mikey Lawlor expressed, “With our monthly bills for regular animal treatments already averaging around £20,000, instances like these undoubtedly impose a significant strain on our resources.”

Established in 2008, Greenacres Rescue, the only all-animal rescue centre in Pembrokeshire, remains dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming of animals ranging from hamsters to horses. Donations towards Ariel’s veterinary costs or Greenacres’ operational expenses are encouraged and can be sent via their website or directly to Greenacres Rescue, Talbenny, Haverfordwest, SA62 3XA.