Latest news with #HelenDavies
Pembrokeshire Herald
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Citizens' Awards recognise Milford Haven's community champions
MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has announced the winners of the Citizens' Awards 2025, honouring those who have made outstanding contributions to the life of the town. This year's recipients include individuals and groups whose voluntary work has helped shape and support the community across a range of sectors, from youth services to animal welfare and the arts. Alexia Morgans-Hurley and Helen Davies were presented with a joint award for their dedication to Girlguiding Pembrokeshire, supporting young girls across the area to develop confidence, skills and friendships. Lizzy Austwick was recognised for her tireless work in animal rescue through South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue, where she has been instrumental in caring for and rehoming cats in need. Chief Petty Officer Margaret Gage (SCC) received her award for her longstanding service with Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, mentoring young people through discipline, teamwork and maritime skills. Robert Hoggins was honoured for his cheerful dedication to the Precelly Place planter, where he has helped brighten the community through gardening, volunteering and fundraising. The Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society was also among the winners, receiving recognition for its contribution to the town's cultural life and for bringing live theatre and music to local audiences year after year. A spokesperson for Milford Haven Town Council said: 'We are incredibly proud of all our award winners. Their efforts truly make Milford Haven a better place. Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations.' The Citizens' Awards Ceremony will take place on the evening of Friday, June 6, where the winners will be formally celebrated.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scottish coastal spot with picturesque beaches named one of the best seaside towns in the UK
TOP SPOT Scottish coastal spot with picturesque beaches named one of the best seaside towns in the UK A SCOTTISH coastal spot with picturesque beaches has been named in a list of the UK's best seaside towns. Writers at National Geographic Traveller compiled a guide to seven "gems" worth visiting this summer. 2 North Berwick was praised for its spectacular beaches and thriving food scene Credit: Alamy 2 Fringe by the Sea boasts 10 days of comedy, live music and culinary masterclasses Credit: Alamy The travel magazine hailed the destinations for bouncing back amid tough economic conditions. As the only Scottish addition to the list, North Berwick in East Lothian was praised for its Fringe by the Sea festival and thriving food scene. Situated just 20 miles from Edinburgh, the town is great for yachting, surfing, sea kayaking, paddleboarding or open-water swimming, not to mention golf. National Geographic wrote: "Granted, there are coastal resorts that have suffered greater travails than this affluent East Lothian town. "But it still had to endure a choppy few decades at the close of the 20th century as its 'Biarritz of the North' epithet slipped, hotels closed and local tensions around the courting of tourists grew. "A healthy truce has since descended and visitors can enjoy a town that's lauded for everything from its long sandy beach to its nation-leading living standards." Fringe by the Sea boasts 10 days of comedy, live music and culinary masterclasses. Meanwhile, the town's Lobster Shack serves up tasty langoustine, sweet crab, meaty mussels and line-caught mackerel. National Geographic Traveller added: "Berwick's foodie reputation is well deserved. Leading the charge are harbour-front Lobster Shack, serving the likes of lobster and crab rolls and smoked haddock and salmon fishcakes, and Drift, a cliff-edge medley of upcycled shipping containers with rousing Firth of Forth views and an indecently good brunch." The other locations on the list are Margate, Penzance, Barmouth, Scarborough, Weymouth, and Whitley Bay. UK beach named one of the top 100 in the world Meanwhile, North Berwick was also named the best place to live in Scotland. It was hailed by The Sunday Times Best Places to Live list thanks to its combination of beaches, quality schools and independent businesses. Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: "It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world, but there really is so much to celebrate closer to home, from small gestures that lift the everyday from verges blooming with daffodils to volunteer-run dementia cafés, to new initiatives from repair cafés to new railway stations."
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Funding boost for new mother support group
A community group that provides mental health support for new mothers has secured six-figure funding to continue the project for three more Matrescence is a six-week programme which provides a safe space for all new mothers in Warwickshire who are between six to 12 months by a local donor and supported by The Parenting Project will mean the group can go on supporting women until aims to run six groups a year for free in various locations, including Kenilworth, Stratford, Rugby, Nuneaton, Bedworth, Leamington Spa and Warwick. In 2023-24 NHS England estimated that perinatal mental illness - defined as significant stress, anxiety and depression - affected 57,000 new mothers."Becoming a mother, is a unique time of change in a person's life, affecting every part of their experience; physical, psychological, social, economic and existential" , said Helen Davies, psychotherapist and Project Matrescence lead."We know that community support, psychoeducation, open and shared conversations around the realities of motherhood, and its individual impact, are incredibly helpful."Groups are limited to 12 participants, and include group discussions and activities such as clay-work, drawing, collage, journaling and poetry.A free creche has also been provided for attendees. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Independent
21-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Independent
The ‘knockout' market town named the UK's best place to live
The Essex market town of Saffron Walden has been named the best place to live in the UK in The Sunday Times ' annual Best Places to Live guide. Judges praised the town's "knockout" good looks and compared its market to those found in the South of France. The accolade was announced online on Friday, with a condensed version appearing in a Sunday Times supplement this weekend. The guide assesses 72 locations across the UK, considering factors ranging from schools and transport to broadband speeds, culture, green spaces, and the health of the high street. Saffron Walden's appeal, according to the judges, lies in its blend of convenient commuter access to both London and Cambridge, high-performing state schools, and a thriving cultural scene. The town also boasts a burgeoning "foodie scene" and a revitalised high street, successfully combining chain stores with independent businesses. The guide notes that locals compare Saffron Walden's Saturday market to those found in the South of France. Helen Davies, editorial projects director and Best Places to Live editor, said: 'It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world, but there really is so much to celebrate as we look closer to home. From small gestures that lift the everyday – like verges blooming with daffodils and volunteer-run dementia cafes, to larger initiatives, from repair cafes to new railway stations.' Judges looked for thriving locations with a strong sense of community rather than famous names with high house prices. Locations on this year's list come in all shapes and sizes, from the island of Tiree in Scotland and the remote Welsh village of Maenclochog to the suburbs of big, cities like London, Leeds and Liverpool. Ms Davies added: 'High house prices are no barrier to inclusion – as long as they provide value for money. Different people will be looking for different qualities when they are choosing a place to live. 'One thing all our chosen locations have in common is that the people who live in them are proud to call them home.' Regional winners were also selected (locations are in alphabetical order and are not ranked): East: Chelmsford, Essex Judges praised its schools and transport connections. London: Walthamstow Walthamstow was described by judges as diverse, vibrant and cool without being frosty. Midlands: Ilmington, Warwickshire Ilmington, perched on the edge of the Cotswolds, was described by the judges as a blissful example of village life as it should be. North and North East: Ilkley, West Yorkshire The 'get up and go' of the community and the sporting and cultural opportunities for young people impressed judges. Northern Ireland: Dundrum, Co Down The setting for Dundrum was described as magical, with a strong food scene and the buzz of Belfast not far away. North West: Woolton, Liverpool Judges described it as a gloriously family-friendly place to put down roots, with excellent schools, parks and even a patch of woodland. Scotland: North Berwick North Berwick was named overall best place to live in the UK in 2024 and takes top spot in Scotland this year due to its beaches, quality schools and thriving independent businesses. South East: Petersfield, Hampshire Judges said there is always something happening in Petersfield's historic streets, set against the backdrop of the South Downs countryside. South West: The Chew Valley, Somerset Judges said the area is a rural idyll and home to an impressive selection of forward-thinking, sustainable rural businesses. Wales: Gower Peninsula, Swansea Judges were impressed with cool, creative and sustainable independent businesses springing up in villages and hamlets in the 'wilder corners of the peninsula'.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Wivenhoe named as one of the top places to live for second year in a row
A PICTURESQUE town in north Essex has been named one of the best places to live in the UK for the second year running by a prestigious guide. Wivenhoe is listed in this year's Sunday Times Best Places to Live Guide. The comprehensive guide includes 72 locations across the UK which represents the 'best of Britain'. Last year, Wivenhoe was crowned the best place to live in the East of England. Area - people at Wivenhoe Regatta (Image: Ant Niles) Chelmsford took the regional title for this year's guide and Saffron Walden was named the overall best place to live in the UK. Best Places to Live editor Helen Davies said: 'It is easy to feel overwhelmed by everything going on in the world, but there really is so much to celebrate as we look closer to home. 'The Sunday Times's expert judges have visited all the locations and assessed factors from schools to transport, broadband speeds and mobile signal to culture, as well as access to green spaces and the health of the high street. 'What makes our guide unique is that we actually visit all the places we choose and talk to locals to find out what life is really like there.' The judges described Wivenhoe as a 'pretty former fishing village' which is surrounded by countryside and has a 'creative and fiercely proud community'. They said: 'Its brightly coloured houses are home to artists, as well as writers, musicians and academics who work at the University of Essex. 'Although there's plenty of Farrow & Ball on display, Wivenhoe hasn't forgotten its bohemian, radical roots — earlier this year, plans to fell a historic oak tree were met with peaceful protests and sit-ins. 'The sense of community is strong too. Volunteers run a twice-monthly film club at the William Loveless Hall and serve a free Christmas meal to those who would otherwise be alone on December 25.' The guide refers to the Stop the Chop group who are trying to stop the High Street car park oak tree, next to the King George V playing field, from being felled. Campaign - the oak tree (Image: Newsquest) Following a fundraiser, the group has employed experts to research whether it needs to be felled. To find out more about the list, visit
