Latest news with #BritishEmpireMedal
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Founder of community fridge service recognised in King's Birthday Honours
The founder of a local food service has made the King's Birthday Honours list. Sabrina Cresswell aged 42 runs Tasty Not Wasty a 'community fridge' based in Cwmbran. The service provides free food and aims to fight hunger poverty and reduce waste. Sabrina has been running the service for three years and has now been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community. Sabrina Cresswell leader of Tasty Not Wasty (Image: Sabrina Cresswell) Speaking of this achievement she said: 'It's a great honour even just the nomination and when I got the call to say I'd been on the list it was a huge surprise.' Sabrina added: 'We collect food from supermarkets so that it doesn't go to waste our group is for anyone and everyone that wants to come. 'Some people come because they like the ethos, some people might come if they need a bit of extra food. There's a complete mixture of people.' Sabrina first took an interest in volunteering back in 2020 and was heavily influenced by the pandemic. Fruit at Tasty Not Wasty (Image: Sabrina Cresswell) She said: 'During Covid I was helping people by getting prescriptions and I was helping set up some of the food bank provisions. 'When we were donating it, I realised there was overwhelmingly need for it, and it was becoming a group. 'Our primary aim is to reduce food waste and helping people who need it.' Of course, none of this would be possible without some additional help. Fruit at Tasty Not Wasty (Image: Sabrina Cresswell) Sabrina also gave thanks to Tasty Not Wasty's volunteers. 'I wouldn't be anywhere without the volunteers they literally set it forward and have been an amazing support for the community we've got probably week to week 35 and extra's at Christmas.' Tasty Not Wasty is located in Llanyrafon Methodist Church and runs every Tuesday to Saturday 10am to11:30am. On average 40 to 50 people rely on the group every day.
South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran: Community fridge leader wins King's Birthday Honour
Sabrina Cresswell aged 42 runs Tasty Not Wasty a 'community fridge' based in Cwmbran. The service provides free food and aims to fight hunger poverty and reduce waste. Sabrina has been running the service for three years and has now been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to the community. Sabrina Cresswell leader of Tasty Not Wasty (Image: Sabrina Cresswell) Speaking of this achievement she said: 'It's a great honour even just the nomination and when I got the call to say I'd been on the list it was a huge surprise.' Sabrina added: 'We collect food from supermarkets so that it doesn't go to waste our group is for anyone and everyone that wants to come. 'Some people come because they like the ethos, some people might come if they need a bit of extra food. There's a complete mixture of people.' Sabrina first took an interest in volunteering back in 2020 and was heavily influenced by the pandemic. Fruit at Tasty Not Wasty (Image: Sabrina Cresswell) She said: 'During Covid I was helping people by getting prescriptions and I was helping set up some of the food bank provisions. 'When we were donating it, I realised there was overwhelmingly need for it, and it was becoming a group. 'Our primary aim is to reduce food waste and helping people who need it.' Of course, none of this would be possible without some additional help. Fruit at Tasty Not Wasty (Image: Sabrina Cresswell) Sabrina also gave thanks to Tasty Not Wasty's volunteers. 'I wouldn't be anywhere without the volunteers they literally set it forward and have been an amazing support for the community we've got probably week to week 35 and extra's at Christmas.' Tasty Not Wasty is located in Llanyrafon Methodist Church and runs every Tuesday to Saturday 10am to11:30am. On average 40 to 50 people rely on the group every day.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Two arrests for alleged sex offences after police raid at industrial estate firm
Two people suspected of sex offences are in custody after police raided a business at a Swindon industrial estate. Officers, a specialist search team, and forensic investigators visited a business on the Transfer Bridges Industrial Estate near the busy double roundabout on Wednesday morning. A police cordon was in place for much of the day, and it has since been removed. A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "We have arrested two men following the execution of a warrant at Transfer Bridges Industrial Estate, Swindon, on June 18. Recommended reading Wiltshire police officer Damien Penman receives British Empire Medal Well-known business near Swindon closes after almost 60 years Royal International Air Tattoo organisers speak out about cancellation rumours "The men, aged 71 and 53, have been arrested in connection with an investigation into sex offences, and they have been taken into custody for questioning. "We have set up a scene at the estate while further enquiries are carried out." The exact nature of the alleged offences, and the identity of the two men, are not yet known and likely will not be revealed until the point that Wiltshire Police are in a position to charge either or both of the men. Businesses near the one raided by police were open and trading as normal.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran County Councillor honoured by King in honours list
Julian Simon Davenne, aged 52, runs Chwarae Torfaen (Torfaen Play.) The service is a free play scheme for children in the local area and has over 52 community provisions weekly. Now founder and Cwmbran community councillor for Fairwater Julian Simon Davenne has been awarded British Empire Medal for services to the community. Play leader Julian Simon Davenne with volunteers (Image: Julian Simon Davenne) Speaking of this achievement Julian said: 'I was pleasantly surprised Saturday Morning when the news came through. 'I have been working with young people over 30 years now.' Julian explained what the group does: 'So, we offer play services seven days a week, and what we do is take on young people that volunteer empower them and give back to the community. 'It's a free service for families and a double-edged sword because there's support for children, families, and the community. 'We have a mixture of paid and unpaid volunteers.' Play leader Julian Simon Davenne with volunteers (Image: Julian Simon Davenne) The group also provides support for children with additional learning needs. Speaking of this Julian said: 'Every child is different and their needs. I work with parents and carers and adapt to change. 'We take on children with disabilities up to age 18.' Children who rely on the play service (Image: Julian Simon Davenne) Julian credited the volunteers that make the service possible. He said: 'I love the hustle and bustle of the staff, none of this possible without my team and volunteers past and present.' The service looks after children aged five to eleven and provides for 2800 children across all its settings.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire women receive British Empire Medals
Marian Louise Evans and Judith Harvey were honoured in a ceremony at County Hall in Carmarthenshire on May 29, marking the first official engagement of the newly appointed chair of Carmarthenshire County Council, Councillor Dot Jones. The medals were presented by Miss Sara Edwards, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed. Phillip Hughes, cabinet member for organisation and workforce at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "These awards are a true testament to the power of local action and leadership. "Marian and Judith exemplify the values of dedication, service and inspiration. "We are proud to celebrate their success and the example they set for others in our communities." Ms Evans received the BEM for services to business. As founder and managing director of Elevate Business Consultancy, she has delivered transformational change across the sector. She has been widely recognised for her leadership, particularly in championing women in business. During the pandemic, Ms Evans supported more than 2,000 businesses through free resilience sessions and online content that reached at least 300,000 people each month. Her voluntary work has earned her titles such as UK Mentor of the Year and Inspirational Woman of the Decade. Ms Harvey was awarded the BEM for services to the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park. She began her career as one of the UK's first female wardens and has spent her life working in conservation and land management. Since 2012, she has served as head warden, mentoring apprentices and volunteers, leading major restoration projects, and working to protect the park's ecosystems and heritage. Both recipients received their medals from the Lord-Lieutenant and were presented with flowers by Lord-Lieutenant cadets Chloe Faulkner and Zuzzana Radkowska. There was also a moving speech from Ms Harvey. Councillor Jones used the ceremony to reflect on the value of female role models in public life and the ongoing need for greater representation in leadership across all levels of local democracy. The British Empire Medal was first introduced in 1917 and reintroduced in 2012 to recognise hands-on service and outstanding contributions to the community.
