The John Burns Foundation

14/01/2025

This week’s "meet the team" we have our outstanding Commercial Manager Ryan ✨

Ryan’s the cog that keeps the Centre ticking ⚙️

His role ranges from executing conferences to prepping the glamping pods, and even running a keep fit class for our regular groups🕺
Ryan is the master multitasker of the John Burns Foundation! 🙌

A random fact about Ryan: “I am playing Jesus in a upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar with Eclipse theater company 🧑‍🎤”

09/01/2025

We’ve had a whole new bunch of new recruits start training this week 🐶🐶

Meet : Winnie, Sid, Jessie, Lexi, Meg, Moose, Nova, Mabel, Hector-Charles, Bluey, Tedi and Bella.

And what a fantastic start they had had, from superb settles to loose lead legends each dog wowed us with their individual abilities.
Over the next 16 weeks, these gorgeous pups will be trained and assessed on skills needed for them to thrive as a learning support dog 🩷

Stay tuned to follow their journey to become a Burns By Your Side Reading Dog ✨

08/01/2025

If you haven’t already met our wonderful team, we’re going to take you behind the scenes at The John Burns Centre, and give a who’s who of all our staff members ✨

Up first is Natasha, one half of our dog training duo who has the great pleasure of training our Burns By Your Side Reading Dogs 🐾
With a wealth of dog training knowledge and 3 lively pups (and children!!) herself, Natasha is our “resident crazy dog lady!”🐶

A random fact about Natasha: "I have walked all 186 miles of the Pembrokeshire coastal path" 🚶‍♀️

20/12/2024

On behalf of the Coffee in the Cwtch Group I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who's supported us over the last year.
We've had some very interesting speakers, learnt new skills, kept fit but most of all had lots of fun and we hope to do more in 2025.
Thank you to:
Rev Eldon Phillips for his talk on Llanelly House
Tony Waters for an insight in the history of the Titanic.
Councillor Alun Lenny for sharing his life experiences as a reporter for the BBC/S4C.
John Gravelle for the history of the Optical Factory.
Dennis Wight and Crowsfoot for keeping us entertained with their lovely music.
Gino, aka Elvis with whom we danced in our 'Blue Suede Shoes'.
Kevin Hire who gave us an interesting tour of Ffos Las Racecourse, thank you for the lovely welcome.
Lis Duffy, Tai Chi Shibashi who worked with us to improve our health and wellbeing.
Bill Savage, Goldies Cymru, we sang some lovely sons.
We would also like to thank our local primary schools.
Ysgol Gwenllian
Ysgol y Castell
Ysgol Mynydd y Garreg
You've all been amazing, we've loved having you come to see us at the Centre. You've helped raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and kept us entertained with your lovely singing.
**Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi gyd**
We've also been very fortunate to have taken part in learning new skills with the Multiply Project, this was really interesting especially the bowling😀
Thank you also to Teresa & Rebecca, Gwendraeth Mobile Footcare for keeping us on our toes.
Most of all thank you to the wonderful team of volunteers at Canolfan John Burns, without we wouldn't be able to do as much as we do.

🌲🌲🌲Nadolig Llawen Pawb a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda🌲🌲🌲

16/12/2024

Burns Pet Shop closure, December 24th 2024.

Dear customers, it is with great regret that Burns Retail & Hospitality Ltd has to announce the closure of our lovely pet shop at Haverfordwest Showground on Tuesday 24th December 2024.

Despite significant time, cost and effort over many years, planning permission has repeatedly been denied by Pembrokeshire County Council and we have no other option but to close the shop.

Considering our shop is surrounded by many other retail businesses immediately adjacent, this is a frustrating interpretation and unfortunately will mean valued employees losing their jobs and customers having to travel further afield for their Burns products.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our many wonderful customers who have supported us over the years. We would also like to thank our staff for their hard work and commitment to the shop, which has made it the success it is.

Dog Park Customers:
The John Burns Foundation (who own and run the dog park) are actively seeking solutions to keep the dog park open. Please keep an eye on Burns Dog Park social media for any future updates: Burns Dog Adventure Park The John Burns Foundation. In the immediate future the dog park will be closed until further notice.

You can find your nearest Burns Pet Shop in Narberth on Moorfield Road (SA67 7AB) and you can also find other independent Burns stockists using the finder tool on their website at: https://burnspet.co.uk/stockists-map/

Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi gyd. Many thanks to you all x

10/12/2024

We would like to say a HUGE thank you to our wonderful schools who have raised an amazing £469.40 though various fundraising events in 2024 for Burns By Your Side.🐶

Thanks to your generosity we are now able to train 4 new volunteers teams in 2025!
This means your donations will provide approximately 560 new reading sessions for children across South Wales.❤

To all the pupils and staff of Sketty Primary School, Narberth County Primary School and Ysgol Bro Ingli, we thank you for your incredible donations and supporting the John Burns Foundation for another year ✨

09/12/2024

Hoping all of our followers are safe and well after Storm Darragh.

We know some of you locally may still be without power. We are a warm space, if you need a hot drink and a chat, or a shower, please call into Canolfan John Burns. We will be open until 5pm.

☕

Gobeithio bod ein holl ddilynwyr yn ddiogel ac yn iach ar ôl Storm Darragh.

Gwyddom y gall rhai ohonoch yn lleol fod heb bŵer o hyd. Rydym yn ofod cynnes, os oes angen diod Poeth a sgwrs, cawod neu gwefri ffonau symudol, galwch draw i Ganolfan John Burns. Byddwn ar agor tan 5pm.

06/12/2024

A different day for Mencap yesterday, as JBF staff were all in a meeting for the day. Here's what Rory had to say:

"Myself, Ceri, Christian, Gareth, Seirian, Wayne, Brendan, Dai, Steve and Lynda went inside one of the downstairs rooms of the John Burns Centre to learn all about sustainability and recycling in a class taken by Adult Learning Wales.

In the morning session, the group learnt all sorts of things about sustainability and recycling such as why batteries shouldn't be thrown away in a recycling bag, which country in the UK is the best at being sustainable, and how harmful plastics can be to wildlife and the environment if not disposed of properly.

Also in the morning session, members of the group filled in enrolment and registration forms for the Skills 24 project.

During parts of the class, we were shown several YouTube videos on the topic of sustainability and recycling.

Once the morning session had finished, we had a lunch break. During the lunch break, everyone had a piece of Ceri's birthday cake. We also gave him a card signed by all of us and sang happy birthday to him.

After lunch, members of the group continued taking part in the sustainability and recycling class. Some of the things that we learnt in the afternoon session were how you can monitor your carbon footprint at home, why tree planting is important for the environment and how old materials such as plastic bottles can be turned into new things.

Before going home, everyone did an interactive quiz on the importance of sustainability and recycling.

Everyone found today's class on sustainability and recycling very educational and informative.

A BIG Thank you goes to Adult Learning Wales for coming in to see us."

04/12/2024

🎅 Our Elf's have been very busy making sure Santa received every letter from our Christmas Fayre 🎅

For those children who wished for a reply, their letters are making there way back to you as we speak 📨

We would love to see your children opening their letters, so please tag us in any pictures you may have 🥰🎄🎁

02/12/2024

A little late this week, but Mencap were hard at work as ever on Thursday preparing for another year of growing! Here is Rory's update:

"Myself, Ceri, Christian, Gareth, Brendan, Wayne, Simon and Steve went up to the polytunnel with Bridget and Chris to do lots of jobs.
Some of the jobs were removing weeds and stinging nettles, sweeping up, harvesting vegetables, and putting in new lines for the irrigation system.
As well as working in the poly tunnel, we helped to build two brand new compost bins out of upcycled wood.

While we were working hard in the polytunnel, Dai, Simon, Seirian and Lynda went upstairs to do some cooking with Kate.
This time they cooked three different varieties of pizza; one with ham and pepperoni, one with BBQ chicken and one vegetable, with sweet potato wedges, pasta and home made coleslaw
For pudding they made maid of honour cakes.

Once everyone up at the polytunnel completed their jobs for the morning, they all went back to the workshop to have some lunch.
Everyone really enjoyed their lunch very much..

After lunch, Dai, Simon, Seirian and Lynda went back upstairs to help Kate wash up and clean up.
Whilst they were busy in the kitchen, we helped Bridget and Chris to set the workshop up for a large school group that will be coming on Friday.

Before going home, we worked in the woodshed with Chris and Bridget to sand down old planks wood ready to be made into plant markers.

All in all a very busy but productive day at the John Burns Centre this week"

Fantastic work, and the polytunnel looks ready for another year!

29/11/2024

🎄CHRISTMAS RAFFLE🎄

Please support our charity to keep running the amazing projects throughout the year! Variety of fantastic prizes available to win!

Tickets available through The John Burns Foundation, or on sale at Parc Y Bocs Farm Shop 🎁

25/11/2024

There's still time to grab yourself the first ever 2025 Burns By Your Side Calender 😬

Only £7 with all proceeds going to the John Burns Foundation ❤️

A fantastic stocking filler for your loved ones this Christmas 🎄 🎅

🌟2025 is just around the corner 🌟

See our lovely reading dogs all year round with our charity calendar and help to support the Burns By Your Side reading dog scheme for another year 🐶

A cute gift for a dog lover this Christmas, see details below! 🎁

24/11/2024

🎄 One hour to go! 🎄

Our cheeky Elves are ready for you! 🌟

23/11/2024

18/11/2024

15/11/2024

🌟2025 is just around the corner 🌟

See our lovely reading dogs all year round with our charity calendar and help to support the Burns By Your Side reading dog scheme for another year 🐶

A cute gift for a dog lover this Christmas, see details below! 🎁

15/11/2024

The crisp winter weather is setting in❄️

This is what the Burns Mencap group did this week, by Rory.

Myself, Gareth, Dai and Lynda went upstairs to the kitchen to do some cooking with Kate.
This time we cooked home made cottage pie with gravy, peas and sweet corn.
As well as cooking, myself and Dai took it in turns to do an audio interview with Amber, Lynda, and Hayden about how taking part in the John Burns Foundation CLASH project has changed our lives and how it makes us feel. The audio interviews will be used as evidence to show the National Lottery how important the project is to the people that go there.

Whilst we were busy in the kitchen, Christian, Chris, Simon, Simon, Wayne, Brendan, Hayden and Steve went outside with Chris to do lots of gardening jobs. Some of the gardening jobs that they did were strimming back hedges, weeding, and mowing.

Once everyone outside completed their jobs for the morning, they went back to the workshop to have some lunch.

Everyone in the group really enjoyed their home made cottage pie, and gravy very much.

After lunch we went back upstairs of the John Burns Centre to help Kate in the kitchen to clean up and dry up.

Whilst we were busy in the kitchen, the rest of the group finished off the jobs they did in the morning.

All in all a very busy but productive day at the John Burns Centre this week.

13/11/2024

⭐ 🎄 Christmas Fayre 2024 🎄 ⭐