Young people enjoy international exchange trip from Oberkirch to Haverfordwest
The visit, which began on April 7, was part of a return leg following a successful exchange in August 2024, when members of Haverfordwest Youth Club and their youth workers travelled to Oberkirch. The two towns have enjoyed a strong twinning relationship since 1989.
Both visits were supported by Taith, the Welsh Government-funded programme that promotes international learning exchanges in Wales.
During their five-day stay in Pembrokeshire, the visiting group immersed themselves in Welsh culture through a wide-ranging programme of activities. The trip began with a warm welcome event at The Edge Youth Centre, where the group met members of the local community and enjoyed a special performance by the Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir.
The itinerary included a scenic walk along the coastal path, guided visits to historical landmarks, and a tour of Haverfordwest High VC School. Participants also enjoyed cultural sessions designed to promote friendship, understanding, and personal growth.
Feedback from the group was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the stunning Pembrokeshire landscape and the warm hospitality of their hosts.
Liz Griffiths, Community Youth Team Manager, said: 'Taking part in this international learning exchange programme has been an enriching experience for the young people, broadening their cultural horizons and providing valuable opportunities for travel and learning.
'They conducted themselves with great maturity and courtesy, serving as outstanding ambassadors for Oberkirch. We are hopeful that this marks the beginning of more frequent exchanges between the young people of our twin towns.'
Pembrokeshire Youth continues to offer a wide range of experiences, support and opportunities for young people aged 11 to 25 across the county.
Photo caption: Visiting students and teachers from Oberkirch enjoyed a packed itinerary during their stay in Pembrokeshire (Pic: Pembrokeshire Youth).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh village often mistaken for Lake Como boasts stunning views and secret gardens
Welsh village often mistaken for Lake Como boasts stunning views and secret gardens Travel lovers have been raving about a picturesque village here in Wales that could make you believe you are in Italy. It boasts colourful buildings, secret gardens and so much more This amazing village boasts beautiful, peaceful gardens (Image: ITV) This picturesque village, often mistaken for Italy and described as like "walking through a storybook", is said to be perfect for getting your steps in or enjoying some delicious food. People cannot believe the location is in Wales. While travelling abroad is amazing, it can be expensive, especially in popular tourists spots in Italy. However, you don't need to travel far to the peaceful village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, which is located in north Wales, and looks like Lake Como. This remarkable location, which has received an abundance of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, offers stunning landscapes, sub-tropical gardens, charming cottages, and a host of shops, cafes, restaurants – even boasting an authentic Italian-style gelato shop. This hidden treasure features vibrant buildings, palm trees, and ample outdoor seating and hospitality spots with views over the stunning seafront. Tripadvisor describes this spot as a "dreamlike world, full of surprises" steeped in rich history. The scenic location has served as a backdrop for numerous films and TV shows. A travelling couple known as Cez and Gaz recently shared a viral video of the spot along with their review on TikTok. Cez posed the question: "Would you believe me if I told you this isn't an Italian village but it's actually somewhere in the UK." She continued: "This magical village was conceived in the 1920s by a Welsh architect who wanted to bring Mediterranean flair to Britain, and construction spanned almost five decades. It's nestled along the coastline, brimming with vibrant buildings, hidden gardens, sandy shores and even features a giant chessboard." Cez went on: "It genuinely feels like stepping into a fairytale. It's an ideal location for summer photography, getting your daily walk in or savouring some delightful cuisine." Content cannot be displayed without consent "My mum got married here, it was so special," shared one viewer. "How have I never heard of this?" questioned another. "No way, really I can't believe this," exclaimed a third. Another person revealed: "I had a mini holiday there last year and I stayed in the castle upon entry." Someone else disclosed: "Well worth the entry price. We got there early and it wasn't too busy. If it looks familiar it was the backdrop for the show The Prisoner in the '60s." You have to pay to visit the village. It is priced at £20 per day for adults, £17.50 for students and visitors over 60. Children between ages five and 15 can visit for £15, while children under five can visit for free. Visitors can also get family tickets. Article continues below All tickets can be purchased from the Portmeirion website.
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Holiday lodges get go-ahead despite neighbours' anger
Holiday lodges get go-ahead despite neighbours' anger The lodges are set to be built 68 metres from the nearest house The site off Station Road, Llanwrtyd Wells, where three holiday lodges can be built (Image: Google) Controversial plans for tourist accommodation have been given the green light. The scheme, from a Mr G Davies, will see three holiday lodges built on land south of Station Road in Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys. The "farm diversification project" includes a sewage treatment plant as well as three timber-clad two-bedroom lodges, each 13 metres in length, 6.1 metres in width and 3.9 metres in height. It was met with 35 objections over issues including noise nuisance, parking, the being "out of keeping with the character of the area", and how close the site is to people's homes. It is not the only hotly-debated Welsh planning application to hit headlines recently. Planning agent Richard Corbett said: "Mr Davies would like to offer a unique holiday experience, allowing visitors to relax and escape in this rural setting." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter . He added: 'The proposal has been sited on grazed land to the south of Lasswade House Hotel and benefits from the ability to screen the proposed lodges from the surrounding views and ensure visitors have total privacy. 'Llanwrtyd Wells may be Britain's smallest town, but it punches well above its weight when it comes to history, music and culture. The area has excellent nearby attractions including Elan Valley, Brecon Beacons, museums, and plenty more.' Mr Corbett stressed that tourism makes a 'substantial contribution' to the Powys economy and supports over 12,300 jobs in the county. He went on: 'With rising uncertainty in rural businesses, diversification offers a way of supplementing incomes and improving the economic viability of a rural business.' Addressing the objections, council planning officer Catherine James said the lodges would be 68 metres away from the nearest house. Ms James said: 'At this distance loss of privacy is minimal particularly if landscaping is put in place. It is recommended that a condition be attached requiring additional landscaping to mitigate any adverse impacts. 'With regard to noise, it is acknowledged that use of such lodges may have a different pattern of use to normal residential use. 'However, they would be for a restricted residential use, and the lodges are for two-bedroom units only, which limits the number of people using them at any time.' Concluding the application complied with policy, she granted conditional consent. Article continues below Before any building work can take place, a sustainable drainage application needs to be submitted and approved by the council. Llanwrtyd Wells town council raised no objections to the proposal.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Dreamy 'fairytale' UK village with breathtaking views gets mistaken for Italy
Tourists have been raving about a picturesque UK village that could make you believe you are in Italy. It boasts colourful buildings, secret gardens and so much more People have been wowed by this beautiful village said to be "like walking though a storybook" which is often mistaken for Italy – but it's in the UK. While travelling abroad is amazing, it can be expensive, especially in popular tourists spots in Italy. However, just a train ride away or short flight is the peaceful village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, north Wales, that looks like Lake Como. The amazing spot, which has been inundated with five star reviews on Tripadvisor, boasts breathtaking scenery, sub-tropical gardens and adorable cottages as well as plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants – and even an authentic Italian-style gelato shop. The hidden gem boasts colourful buildings, palm trees, and plenty of outdoor seating and hospitality spots overlooking the beautiful seafront. Tripadvisor describes the spot as a "dreamlike world, full of surprises" full of rich history. The picturesque location has been used as a backdrop for a number of films and TV shows. A couple, who call themselves Cez and Gaz and love travelling, shared a viral video of the spot and their review on TikTok recently. Cez said: "Would you believe me if I told you this isn't an Italian village but it's actually somewhere in the UK." She added: "This dreamy village was designed in the 1920s by a Welsh architect to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to Britain and it took nearly 50 years to build. It's tucked away on the coast, it's full of colourful buildings, secret gardens, sandy beaches and even a giant chessboard." She added: "It honestly feels like walking through a storybook. It's the perfect spot for summer photos, getting your steps in or enjoying some delicious food." "My mum got married here, it was so special," added one. "How have I never heard of this?" commented one other. "No way, really I can't believe this," added another. One other said: "I had a mini holiday there last year and I stayed in the castle upon entry." Another shared: "Well worth the entry price. We got there early and it wasn't too busy. If it looks familiar it was the backdrop for the show The Prisoner in the '60s." You have to pay to visit the village. It is priced at £20 per day for adults, £17.50 for students and visitors over 60. Children between ages five and 15 can visit for £15, while children under five can visit for free. Visitors can also get family tickets. All tickets can be purchased from the Portmeirion website. How to get there If you are travelling from England, a train from London will take you a minimum of five hours and 50 minutes. From Manchester it takes around five hours, and generally about four hours and 45 minutes from Birmingham on a train. Many people opt to drive or travel by coach when holidaying to Wales. If you would prefer to fly, you can catch a plane to Anglesey Airport – 30 miles from Portmeirion. The hub hosts twice daily flights from Cardiff Airport on weekdays. The nearest major international airports to Portmeirion are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport, both approximately two hours away by road. The journey from Manchester airport and Liverpool airport is around 100 miles, and takes about two hours. So if you live down south, it might be a good idea to fly up to northern England first if long car or train journey are not for you.
