Latest news with #JulieWalters
Pembrokeshire Herald
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Pembrokeshire MP praises Neyland therapy centre
171,673 emergency parcels distributed across Wales last year A GROWING number of Welsh families are relying on food banks, with new figures showing that nearly 172,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025. The data, released today (Friday, May 23) by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust, shows the scale of food poverty in the UK – with 2.9 million parcels handed out nationally. Over one million of those were for children. In Wales, food parcel distribution has increased by 26% since 2019/20, a sign that for many communities, hunger is becoming normalised. The figures have sparked renewed calls for government action, with well-known faces including Dame Julie Walters and Lesley Manville urging ministers to address what they describe as a national emergency. Dame Julie said: 'Emergency food distribution is being normalised in the UK. These stats highlight the need for us to come together and play our part in saying this isn't right.' In Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales, campaigners warn that the situation is worsened by isolation, limited services, and higher energy bills – all pushing vulnerable people to crisis point. Actor Lesley Manville, who recently won an Olivier Award, said: 'I'm shocked at the extremely high levels of emergency food parcels being distributed by food banks, especially the sharp rise in children under five needing support. This has to be a wake-up call for the UK government.' In Wales, more than 187,000 parcels were distributed the previous year – a drop in 2024/25, but still far above pre-pandemic levels. Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said this cannot be seen as a success: 'Thousands of families, disabled people, and working households had to access food banks. This should be a massive wake-up call.' Comedian Rosie Jones said that proposed UK Government cuts to disability benefits could make matters worse: 'Slashing the income of someone already struggling to cover life's essentials is cruel and counterproductive.' In Pembrokeshire, food banks such as PATCH in Milford Haven and the Trussell-linked outlets in Haverfordwest and Fishguard have seen sustained high demand. Volunteers warn that without local donations and support, they would struggle to meet needs. TV presenter and Trussell ambassador AJ Odudu added: 'Right now, someone needs an emergency food parcel every 11 seconds. It's never been more vital that we all play our part.' The charity is calling for an urgent re-think on proposed welfare cuts and for the UK Government to take decisive action to reduce hunger and hardship. Campaigners are also urging the public to donate food or money to their local food bank. A postcode search tool showing how many parcels were distributed in each area is available at:
Pembrokeshire Herald
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Milford Haven Inner Wheel donates £700 to Megan's Starr Foundation
171,673 emergency parcels distributed across Wales last year A GROWING number of Welsh families are relying on food banks, with new figures showing that nearly 172,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025. The data, released today (Friday, May 23) by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust, shows the scale of food poverty in the UK – with 2.9 million parcels handed out nationally. Over one million of those were for children. In Wales, food parcel distribution has increased by 26% since 2019/20, a sign that for many communities, hunger is becoming normalised. The figures have sparked renewed calls for government action, with well-known faces including Dame Julie Walters and Lesley Manville urging ministers to address what they describe as a national emergency. Dame Julie said: 'Emergency food distribution is being normalised in the UK. These stats highlight the need for us to come together and play our part in saying this isn't right.' In Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales, campaigners warn that the situation is worsened by isolation, limited services, and higher energy bills – all pushing vulnerable people to crisis point. Actor Lesley Manville, who recently won an Olivier Award, said: 'I'm shocked at the extremely high levels of emergency food parcels being distributed by food banks, especially the sharp rise in children under five needing support. This has to be a wake-up call for the UK government.' In Wales, more than 187,000 parcels were distributed the previous year – a drop in 2024/25, but still far above pre-pandemic levels. Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said this cannot be seen as a success: 'Thousands of families, disabled people, and working households had to access food banks. This should be a massive wake-up call.' Comedian Rosie Jones said that proposed UK Government cuts to disability benefits could make matters worse: 'Slashing the income of someone already struggling to cover life's essentials is cruel and counterproductive.' In Pembrokeshire, food banks such as PATCH in Milford Haven and the Trussell-linked outlets in Haverfordwest and Fishguard have seen sustained high demand. Volunteers warn that without local donations and support, they would struggle to meet needs. TV presenter and Trussell ambassador AJ Odudu added: 'Right now, someone needs an emergency food parcel every 11 seconds. It's never been more vital that we all play our part.' The charity is calling for an urgent re-think on proposed welfare cuts and for the UK Government to take decisive action to reduce hunger and hardship. Campaigners are also urging the public to donate food or money to their local food bank. A postcode search tool showing how many parcels were distributed in each area is available at:
Pembrokeshire Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Wales sees surge in food bank use as celebrities urge UK Government to act
171,673 emergency parcels distributed across Wales last year A GROWING number of Welsh families are relying on food banks, with new figures showing that nearly 172,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Wales between April 2024 and March 2025. The data, released today (Friday, May 23) by anti-poverty charity The Trussell Trust, shows the scale of food poverty in the UK – with 2.9 million parcels handed out nationally. Over one million of those were for children. In Wales, food parcel distribution has increased by 26% since 2019/20, a sign that for many communities, hunger is becoming normalised. The figures have sparked renewed calls for government action, with well-known faces including Dame Julie Walters and Lesley Manville urging ministers to address what they describe as a national emergency. Dame Julie said: 'Emergency food distribution is being normalised in the UK. These stats highlight the need for us to come together and play our part in saying this isn't right.' In Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales, campaigners warn that the situation is worsened by isolation, limited services, and higher energy bills – all pushing vulnerable people to crisis point. Actor Lesley Manville, who recently won an Olivier Award, said: 'I'm shocked at the extremely high levels of emergency food parcels being distributed by food banks, especially the sharp rise in children under five needing support. This has to be a wake-up call for the UK government.' In Wales, more than 187,000 parcels were distributed the previous year – a drop in 2024/25, but still far above pre-pandemic levels. Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie said this cannot be seen as a success: 'Thousands of families, disabled people, and working households had to access food banks. This should be a massive wake-up call.' Comedian Rosie Jones said that proposed UK Government cuts to disability benefits could make matters worse: 'Slashing the income of someone already struggling to cover life's essentials is cruel and counterproductive.' In Pembrokeshire, food banks such as PATCH in Milford Haven and the Trussell-linked outlets in Haverfordwest and Fishguard have seen sustained high demand. Volunteers warn that without local donations and support, they would struggle to meet needs. TV presenter and Trussell ambassador AJ Odudu added: 'Right now, someone needs an emergency food parcel every 11 seconds. It's never been more vital that we all play our part.' The charity is calling for an urgent re-think on proposed welfare cuts and for the UK Government to take decisive action to reduce hunger and hardship. Campaigners are also urging the public to donate food or money to their local food bank. A postcode search tool showing how many parcels were distributed in each area is available at:
The Guardian
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Tamsin Greig: ‘What is the worst thing anyone's said to me? 'And for you, sir?' It happens a lot'
Born in Kent, Tamsin Greig, 58, studied drama at the University of Birmingham. Her television work includes Black Books, Green Wing, Episodes and Friday Night Dinner, and she won the 2007 Best Actress Olivier award for her role in Much Ado About Nothing. Until 21 June, she stars in The Deep Blue Sea at Theatre Royal Haymarket in London. She is married to actor Richard Leaf, has three children and lives in London. Which living person do you most admire, and why? Nick Cave for his determination to hold a space for public discourse on the deep and difficult and mysterious elements of life. What was your most embarrassing moment? Throwing up all over the red velvet seats in the House of Lords on a school trip, aged nine. Aside from a property, what's the most expensive thing you've ever bought? Therapy. What is your most treasured possession? The ring with three faded amethysts that my husband bought me after the birth of our first child. Describe yourself in three words High-functioning introvert. What would your superpower be? Not seeing the mess. What makes you unhappy? The mess. What do you most dislike about your appearance? To quote a Mavis Staples line from one of her songs, 'I like the things about me that I once despised.' Who would play you in the film of your life?Sharleen Spiteri. What is your most unappealing habit? Interrupting. What scares you about getting older? Not knowing who my family are. Who is your celebrity crush? Julie Walters. What did you want to be when you were growing up? A ballet dancer. What is the worst thing anyone's said to you? 'And for you, sir?' It happens a lot. Would you choose fame or anonymity? A lovely cocktail of both. What was the last lie that you told? How lovely to see you. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion What is your guiltiest pleasure? Giant salt and vinegar Hula Hoops. What do you owe your parents? An apology for all the worry I caused. What does love feel like? Bees humming in a tree of blossom. What was the best kiss of your life? The first time my husband kissed me. We met at a wrap party on a TV show called Neverwhere. Lenny Henry was the exec producer; his band was playing – and it was him, Hugh Laurie, and Ben Elton's wife on bass, but all I could see was this wild man dancing, and he became my husband. What has been your biggest disappointment? Not standing up to bullies. If not yourself, who would you most like to be? More of myself. When's the last time you changed your mind about something significant? When I decided that Mavis Staples was right – I don't need to despise myself. How often do you have sex? Whenever. Would you rather have more sex, money or fame? I'd probably go for Hula Hoops.
