The Pembrokeshire Herald 09/05/2025

Tributes paid to Pembrokeshire fisherman

Family mourn loss of ‘kind and caring’ Jack Walker, 35

THE family of a man who died after being rescued from the sea near Milford Haven have paid tribute to a “kind, caring and loving” son, father and friend.

Jack Walker, aged 35, from Manorbier, tragically died on Thursday afternoon (May 1) after emergency services were called to reports of a man in the water approximately one mile off the coast.

Despite the efforts of lifeboat crews, paramedics, police and air ambulance staff, Mr Walker was pronounced dead after being brought ashore at the Port Authority jetty in Milford Haven.

In a statement issued today, Jack’s family said: “We are completely heartbroken at losing our kind, caring, and loving son, grandson, dad, brother, uncle, and brother-in-law.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

“A great friend to all. Jack tragically left us doing what he loved most.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt wishes go out to his crew mates that day. We would like to thank everyone for their support.”

The full circumstances of the incident are still under investigation. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that they are working in co-operation with the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to establish what happened.

Emergency services responded rapidly to the scene, with the Angle RNLI lifeboat, police boat, Coastguard helicopter and Wales Air Ambulance all involved in the operation.

Pregnant woman airlifted from Caldey Island

TEnby lifeboats and rescue helicopter respond to morning emergency

TENBY’S two lifeboats launched shortly before 8:30am on Monday (May 5) to assist the Welsh Ambulance Service with the evacuation of a pregnant woman from Caldey Island. The inshore lifeboat was first to arrive, putting crew members ashore to locate the woman and assess her condition. Meanwhile, the all-weather lifeboat transported a paramedic towards the island.

Due to tidal conditions, the paramedic and her equipment were transferred from the all-weather lifeboat to the inshore lifeboat, which then landed them safely on the island. Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187 from St Athan was also dispatched and arrived shortly after.

After a joint assessment by the lifeboat and helicopter paramedics, it was decided the safest and most comfortable way to evacuate the woman was by air, rather than risking a transfer between vessels in choppy seas.

Probation breach lands Milford Haven man with unpaid work order

A MILFORD HAVEn man who failed to keep in touch with probation after being released from prison has been ordered to complete unpaid work.

Joshua Skipper, aged 24, of Chestnut Way, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 1), where he

admitted breaching his post-sentence supervision requirements.

The court heard that Skipper failed to attend scheduled appointments with his probation officer on March 27, April 3 and April 9, in direct breach of condition 6.3 of his supervision.

Representing the National Probation Service, the prosecution said

Skipper had “failed without reasonable excuse” to comply, despite being given clear instructions on his post-release obligations.

A warrant for his arrest had previously been issued but was withdrawn when he surrendered to the court voluntarily.

Magistrates imposed a Supervision

Default Order, requiring Skipper to complete 60 hours of unpaid work before the end of his supervision period, which runs until November 1, 2025.

He was also ordered to pay £60 in costs, with the court granting permission to recover the money through deductions from his benefits.

St Davids lifeboat tows stricken trawler to safety

FIsHIng VEssEL

LOsEs pROpuLsIOn OFF sTRuMbLE HEAD

sT DAVIDs all-weather lifeboat was launched on Wednesday (May 7) to assist a 25-metre, 160ton fishing vessel that had lost all propulsion approximately 12 nautical miles north-west of strumble Head.

The Tamar-class lifeboat launched at 6:45pm and, on arrival, the coxswain and crew carried out a full risk assessment of the stricken trawler, which was adrift and unable to manoeuvre under its own power.

With no other vessels in the area able to assist and the trawler posing a significant navigation hazard, it was decided the safest course of action was to tow the vessel to Fishguard harbour.

A slow tow began ad took around four and a half hours to complete. On reaching the Fishguard breakwater, the crew attempted an alongside tow to bring the vessel to the quay wall, but the method proved ineffective due to the trawler’s size.

A short astern tow was then established. Utilising the calm sea conditions and with assistance from Fishguard lifeboat’s shore crew, the trawler was successfully secured

alongside the quay wall.

The lifeboat Norah Wortley and her volunteer crew departed Fishguard at around 1:00am and were rehoused at St Davids lifeboat station by 2:00am on Thursday (May 8).

Will Chant, RNLI St Davids

Coxswain, said: “Due to the size of the trawler — weighing almost 130 tons more than the lifeboat itself — this was a long, slow tow that proved demanding when trying to ensure a safe berth at Fishguard harbour. The rescue highlights the tremendous capabilities of both the Tamar-class lifeboat and our dedicated crew when challenged.”

Illegal cockling earns man hefty fine

Luke b urder admitted breaching cockle fishing regulations at Three Rivers Fishery

A MAN has been fined more than £600 after he was caught illegally harvesting cockles at a protected fishery in west Wales.

Luke Nigel Burder, aged 26, of Carreg Lwyd Farm, Velindre, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 1), where he pleaded guilty to breaching the conditions of a marine permit at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery on October 17, 2024.

The court was told that Burder was found using a net bag to collect cockles, a method explicitly prohibited under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

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The case was brought by the Counsel General for Wales, with prosecutors arguing that Burder’s actions undermined sustainable fishing practices designed to protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems.

Magistrates imposed a £300 fine, and ordered Burder to pay £200 in prosecution costs and a further £120 victim services surcharge—bringing the total penalty to £620.

The offences were prosecuted under Section 190 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, which governs access and activity in protected marine areas.

Burder has been given until May 29, 2025, to pay the full amount.

Man airlifted with serious injuries after four-vehicle crash on A40

A MAn has been airlifted to hospital with potentially life-changing injuries following a serious four-vehicle crash on the A40 near slebech.

The collision happened at around 1:35pm on Tuesday (May 6), prompting a major emergency response and the closure of the road in both directions between Scotchwell Roundabout and Canaston Bridge Roundabout for more than eight hours. The road reopened shortly before 10:00pm.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, including police, paramedics, fire crews and the Wales Air Ambulance.

A spokesperson for the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “We were called at approximately 1:44pm to reports of a road traffic collision on the A40 near Slebech. We sent one emergency ambulance, an advanced paramedic practitioner, a Cymru High

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Acuity Response Unit, and an operations manager.”

Critical care was provided at the scene by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, who arrived in the Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.

“One patient was flown to hospital for further treatment,” the spokesperson confirmed.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We received a report of a four-vehicle collision on the A40 near Slebech, Haverfordwest, at around 1:35pm on Tuesday, May 6.

“One man was airlifted to hospital with injuries believed to be potentially life changing. The road was closed and later reopened just before 10:00pm.”

Prolific shoplifters banned from entering Pembrokeshire by court

TWO prolific shoplifters have been banned from entering pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire for 12 months after appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Stephen Coray, 38, and Richard Pace, 40, both from Cardiff, were sentenced after stealing from multiple stores across west Wales.

On April 9, the pair stole items worth £154.94 from Boots in Milford Haven. Later the same day, Coray also stole a further £141.89 worth of items from the Boots store in Pembroke Dock.

The court heard that on September 29, 2024, Pace stole two coats valued at £159 from Mountain Warehouse at Trostre Retail Park, Llanelli. He also

attempted to steal two additional coats worth £179.98.

Coray, of Archer Road, Ely, and Pace, of Ninia Park, Riverside, both pleaded guilty to a total of five theft offences.

Coray was ordered to pay £219.37 in compensation to Boots. Pace was ordered to pay £77.48 to Boots and £141.89 to Mountain Warehouse. Both men must also pay £85 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

They were each handed a 12-month community order, requiring them to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and 35 rehabilitation activity days. Both are prohibited from entering Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire for the next year.

Former Withybush director flays Welsh Government over long ambulance wait

RETIRED DOCTOR CALLs FOR EMERgEnCy REspOnsE TO ‘FAILIng’ nHs

A FORMER Director of Withybush Hospital has launched a scathing attack on the Welsh government after his ninety-year-old mother-in-law was left waiting seventeen hours for an ambulance.

Dr Iain Robertson-Steele, who lives in Solva, told BBC Radio Wales’s Breakfast programme this week that he had “never seen the Welsh NHS in such a poor state.” He also criticised First Minister Eluned Morgan and the wider handling of health and social care by ministers in Cardiff Bay.

Dr Robertson-Steele explained that after his mother-in-law suffered a fall, 999 was called – but the ambulance did not arrive until 2:00am.

“She was found on the floor,” he said. “An ambulance arrived seventeen hours later at 2:00 in the morning, and, at 2:30am, she was taken to Withybush Hospital.”

Baroness Morgan admitted the delay was “unacceptable” and said the government was working to improve the system and address “blockages” in the care pathway.

But Dr Robertson-Steele said the situation required far more than promises.

“As a retired doctor, I’ve become increasingly aware of growing ambulance response delays — we’re talking about heart attacks, broken necks, and femurs,” he said. “It’s completely unacceptable for critically injured or ill patients to remain at home for such long periods. They become cold, hypoglycaemic, and develop skin damage. All of these increase the risk of poor outcomes.”

He was clear that frontline staff are not to blame.

“This isn’t the fault of nurses, paramedics, doctors or hospital staff. It’s a system that’s inadequate, badly organised and clogged up. The Welsh Government has been in power for

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

twenty-five years. Eluned Morgan can’t just say she’s ‘working on it’.”

Dr Robertson-Steele called for immediate action: “The government has failed to deliver, failed to organise, and the NHS is frankly on the point of failure. That is bad for patients, bad for staff, and bad for the country.

“That is why I’m calling on the government to organise an emergency response to address the current crisis. And let’s be clear — it is a crisis.”

In response to Baroness Morgan’s claim that delays in operations were due to her not being “in every theatre,”

he said: “Delays in theatre are often because there are no beds for patients or there’s a lack of staff. So it’s a bad example for her to give.

“The real problem is delayed discharges. Patients are stuck in hospital waiting for social care packages to go home. Bed numbers have dropped over the years. The population has aged. The demands of the elderly are much higher than those of younger people.”

He warned that superficial fixes would not solve the crisis.

“We’ve had the Bevan Commission. We’ve had report after report. We all know the answer is solving social care and elderly care.

“As the Senedd election nears, politicians will roll out magical solutions.

But none of it will work unless we deliver, pay and organise staff properly — and most importantly, train enough doctors and nurses.”

Turning to workforce issues, he added: “We’ve seen the cut in nursing places at Cardiff University. We train doctors in Wales but don’t retain them. We don’t train enough, and we don’t pay them well enough to keep them here. Many leave for Australia or New Zealand.”

Dr Robertson-Steele concluded: “It’s naive of the government — and very naive of Eluned Morgan, the former Health Minister — to suggest this is just about poor organisation or management. The crisis is systemic, and the responsibility lies squarely with those in power.”

Gang admit dealing drugs in Milford Haven after cash and cocaine seized

FOuR men have admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine and cannabis in Milford Haven.

Kai Bain, Alex Brown, Sam Daines, and Kaleb Thomas appeared at Swansea Crown Court where they pleaded guilty to three charges each — possession of cocaine with intent to supply, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property.

The court heard that the group were arrested on April 3 in Milford Haven. Officers discovered both drugs and

£2,799.40 in cash during the operation.

Bain and Thomas, both aged 19 and of no fixed address, will have presentence reports prepared.

Judge Paul Thomas KC said the reports would only inform the length of their sentence.

Brown, aged 31, of Chestnut Way, Milford Haven, and Daines, aged 33, of Larch Road, Milford Haven, were also remanded in custody.

All four men will be sentenced on May 30.

Prisons failings led to the death of inmate, 25

THE DEATH of a young prisoner at HMp parc has laid bare a catalogue of failings inside Wales’ largest private jail, with damning reports from the prisons watchdog and inspectors exposing shocking levels of drug availability, neglected mental health needs, and breached safety procedures.

Lewis Rhys Thomas Petryszyn, 25, from Pontardawe, was found dead in his cell on the afternoon of April 15, 2022. His death, confirmed by a coroner last month to be the result of inhaling a “bad batch” of the synthetic drug spice, followed what the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has called a series of missed opportunities and breaches of protocol by staff at the troubled Bridgend facility, which is operated by security giant G4S.

An inquest at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court concluded that Mr Petryszyn died from drug inhalation after ingesting spice, an illegal psychoactive substance known to cause hallucinations, erratic behaviour, and in some cases, death.

A DAngEROus pATTERn

Mr Petryszyn was jailed in 2021 for trafficking Class A drugs and intentionally wounding a man outside Swansea’s Fiction nightclub. He was moved to HMP Parc shortly after sentencing.

Inside the jail, staff soon suspected he was involved in distributing psychoactive substances (PS). In April 2022, officers found a “debt list” in his cell and intelligence suggesting he was bullying and assaulting vulnerable prisoners over drug-related debts. However, despite this, prison staff failed to properly apply the Challenge Support Intervention Plan (CSIP) – a national protocol designed to manage violent or high-risk prisoners.

On April 13, just two days before his death, Mr Petryszyn was moved to a different unit due to concerns he posed a threat to others, yet again, no formal CSIP plan was created.

bREACH OF pROTOCOL – A LOsT CHAnCE TO sAVE HIM?

At 1:40pm on April 15, a prison officer delivered disciplinary hearing paperwork to Mr Petryszyn’s cell. Instead of following local policy and handing it to him in person, the officer simply slid the document under the door. He looked through the observation panel and assumed both Mr

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Petryszyn and his cellmate were asleep.

Forty-five minutes later, a different officer arrived to deliver a prison shop order and found Mr Petryszyn slumped on the floor, unresponsive, while his cellmate sat on the bed “staring into space”.

A post-mortem later confirmed the presence of two psychoactive substances—ADB-BUTINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA—as well as olanzapine, a powerful antipsychotic that he had not been prescribed, and mirtazapine, one of two antidepressants he had been given inappropriately.

The ombudsman said the officer’s failure to check on him directly may have robbed staff of a chance to save his life, writing: “This meant that staff missed a possible opportunity to provide emergency medical care to Mr Petryszyn sooner.”

DRug sTRATEgy OuTDATED, InspECTIOns DAMnIng

The report also found that Parc’s drug strategy was out of date, despite widespread evidence that prisoners were able to easily obtain both illicit substances and diverted prescription medication.

One day before his death, staff smelled spice coming from Mr Petryszyn’s new cell—eight days after the last known batch was confiscated. This, the ombudsman said, was clear evidence that the flow of drugs in the prison was virtually unchecked.

A separate unannounced inspection of HMP Parc earlier this year found drugs were discovered on over 900 occasions in 2024 alone, and revealed that cell windows could be opened from the inside, enabling prisoners to receive drugs via drones.

Seventeen inmates died at HMP Parc in 2024. According to G4S, at least five deaths were drug-related. Inspectors warned of “a spate of tragic deaths”, linking the failures directly to G4S being awarded a fresh 10-year contract to run the prison, despite a significant decline in

safety standards since 2022.

MEnTAL HEALTH FAILIngs

Mr Petryszyn, who disclosed childhood trauma and PTSD symptoms to a prison GP in October 2021, was prescribed fluoxetine, later paired with mirtazapine. The ombudsman criticised this combination, noting that only a specialist doctor should have prescribed two antidepressants of that class concurrently.

Worse still, when Mr Petryszyn was seen by mental health staff again in February 2022, they failed to consider the PTSD diagnosis noted earlier. This failure, alongside inappropriate prescribing by a non-clinical pharmacist, highlighted serious gaps in Parc’s mental health provision.

OFFICIAL REspOnsE

In a formal action plan, HMP Parc has now accepted all recommendations made by the ombudsman. G4S claims it has updated its drug reduction strategy, issued new training for staff on medication supervision and CSIP procedures, and reinforced policies on in-person delivery of official documents.

But critics say these reforms come too late. Twelve inmates died at Parc in the two years leading up to Mr Petryszyn’s death—with further deaths since—and the pattern of staff misconduct, drug access, and medical negligence appears to continue.

A sysTEM unDER pREssuRE

Acting Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Kimberley Bingham said: “While we are satisfied that prison staff submitted intelligence reports and acted on them by conducting searches and drug tests, we remain seriously concerned about the availability of psychoactive substances at Parc.”

She added that both prescribed and illicit drugs must be tackled, and that failure to deliver paperwork correctly may have cost Mr Petryszyn his life.

With the coroner’s conclusion now delivered and yet another critical inspection on the record, the question remains: how many more lives will be lost before systemic change is delivered at HMP Parc?

Man headbutted his mother twice during Bank Holiday weekend

A MAn has appeared before magistrates after headbutting his mother on two separate occasions over the bank Holiday weekend.

Police were called to a property at Stop and Call, Goodwick, shortly before 7:00pm on Friday (May 2) after a 999 call was made by the mother of Scott Hughes.

“Hughes’ mother informed police that he was drunk and aggressive and had headbutted her, causing an injury to her

eye,” Dyfed-Powys Police solicitor Simon Schwarz told Haverfordwest magistrates. “There was no visible injury, but she was in pain.”

Hughes, 26, was arrested and, following a struggle with officers, was taken into custody at Haverfordwest Police Station. He was held overnight and released on Saturday afternoon after being served with a domestic violence protection notice, which prohibited him

from returning to his mother’s address. However, on Sunday evening, Hughes returned to the property, breaching the conditions of the notice.

“His mother called the police once again and when officers arrived, they found her outside with cuts to her face and fresh blood on her clothing,” said Mr Schwarz. “Her immediate words were: ‘Scott smacked me in the face.’”

Officers entered the property and

discovered damage to the kitchen, with a cupboard door hanging off its hinges.

Hughes was brought before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in custody, where he pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence protection notice.

Magistrates imposed a domestic violence protection order and ordered Hughes to pay £284 in court costs.

Parents admit failing to ensure daughter’s school attendance

TWO parents from Haverfordwest have admitted failing to ensure their young daughter attended school regularly, in a case brought by pembrokeshire County Council under education law.

The mother and father, both aged in their 40s, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on

Thursday (May 1), where they each pleaded guilty to the offence.

The court heard that between September 2, 2024, and January 24, 2025, they failed without reasonable justification to ensure the attendance of their nine-year-old daughter, who is registered at a local primary school.

The prosecution was brought under Section 444(1A) of the Education Act 1996, which deals with aggravated offences relating to school nonattendance where a parent knowingly allows a child to be absent from school without a valid excuse.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports to be prepared for both defendants and adjourned sentencing until May 15, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

The court imposed a reporting restriction under Section 39 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, prohibiting the publication of any material that could identify the child involved. This includes her name, address, school or photograph.

Fined for dropping fag butt

A HAVERFORDWEsT woman has been fined for littering after she was caught throwing a cigarette butt onto the ground in the town centre.

Catherine Cloud, aged 50, of Priory Court, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 1), where she pleaded guilty to the offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

The court heard that on October 2, 2024, Cloud was seen discarding a cigarette butt in High Street, Haverfordwest, and walking away without making any effort to pick it up or

dispose of it properly.

The offence was prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council, which brought the case as part of its ongoing effort to tackle environmental crime and maintain clean streets.

Magistrates imposed a £150 fine, alongside a £60 victim services surcharge and £40 in council legal costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £250.

A collection order was made to allow the amount to be deducted from Cloud’s benefits if unpaid by the deadline of May 29, 2025.

Littering case adjourned for plea

A LETTERsTOn woman will return to court later this month after her case for alleged littering was adjourned to allow her to enter a plea.

Linda Coates, aged 49, of Spring Gardens, is accused of dropping a cigarette butt on Old Bridge, Haverfordwest on October 8, 2024, and leaving it there — an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

She did not attend Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 1), and the case was formally adjourned

to May 29, 2025, for plea.

The prosecution is being brought by Pembrokeshire County Council, which continues to pursue littering cases as part of its “zero tolerance” approach to environmental offences.

If found guilty, Coates could face a fine of up to £2,500, although most littering cases dealt with by magistrates result in fixed penalties or modest fines when offenders plead guilty at an early stage.

Man to face Crown Court over baby assault charge

A p EM b ROKE s HIRE man is to appear before a judge at s wansea Crown Court charged with inflicting a spinal fracture on his baby son.

It is further alleged by the Crown Prosecution Service that the infant also suffered a fractured arm during the same incident.

The alleged assault took place at an undisclosed location in Pembroke on February 4, 2022.

This week, the defendant—who cannot be named for legal reasons—

appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

No plea was entered.

Following a brief summary of the case by the Crown Prosecution, magistrates declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the charges. The case has been committed to Swansea Crown Court, where the defendant is due to appear on June 6. He was released on unconditional bail.

Police officer sentenced for careless driving while on duty

a £275 fine, and a £110 victim surcharge, all to be paid within 28 days.

The incident took place on Monday, September 29, 2024. PC Thomas was originally charged with dangerous driving, a charge he denied. However, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving, which was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The court heard that PC Thomas, driving a marked police vehicle, was pursuing another vehicle travelling at excess speed when he veered into the opposite carriageway. He struck the offside panel of an oncoming vehicle before colliding with a lamppost. The other driver sustained minor injuries, including cuts and lacerations, and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Superintendent Phil Rowe, Head of the Professional Standards Department, said: “PC Thomas is a police response driver and had undertaken training, which included following and attempting to stop vehicles with blue lights illuminated. However, his driving on that day fell below the standard expected of an officer trained in such circumstances. It is only proper that he has been held to account for his actions.”

Since the incident, PC Thomas has been re-deployed from frontline duties. A parallel gross misconduct investigation is underway by the Professional Standards Department. A decision on whether there is a case to answer will be made by the Appropriate Authority in due course.

Former teacher from Carmarthen found guilty of historic rape

A FORMER teacher and current restaurant manager has been found guilty of raping a woman more than 20 years ago.

Daniel Gravell, aged 43, of Porth Y Plas, Johnstown, Carmarthen, was convicted by a jury at Swansea Crown Court following a two-week trial. The offence took place at a property in Carmarthen in 2002.

The court heard that the victim had been feeling unwell after a night out and

was helped to bed by friends. Gravell later entered the room where she was sleeping and raped her.

Giving evidence, the victim told the court: “I moved my head, opened my eyes and saw this awful face in front of me, really, really close. There was no sensation in my body. I couldn’t feel anything apart from weight on my chest. I said get off twice.”

Gravell, the court was told, attempted to reassure the woman by claiming

he was her ex-boyfriend. After more than six hours of deliberation, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

Gravell also faced two further charges of rape. He was found not guilty in relation to an allegation from 2022, while the jury was unable to reach a verdict on an alleged incident from 2005.

Judge Geraint Walters told the court that the 2005 allegation may be subject to a retrial, with a decision expected

from the Crown Prosecution Service next week.

Gravell, who had previously worked as a teacher in Swansea and more recently as manager of the Baltic Inn and Restaurant near Carmarthen, was remanded in custody.

He is due to be sentenced at a later date.

The court also heard that Gravell was acquitted of rape in 2016 following a separate trial in Swansea.

Row over £60m Newgale bypass plan

COunCIL urged to pause project amid environmental and financial concerns

OPPOSITION is mounting against Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans for a new inland road at Newgale, as local campaigners accuse the authority and its consultants of using “shock tactics” and outdated data to justify the controversial scheme.

The £60 million Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project (NCAP) is currently in the statutory consultation phase, with the public invited to submit comments before the deadline of May 11.

The scheme, designed in partnership with Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRéalis, proposes diverting the A487 inland through the Brandy Brook valley. The council says the route is necessary to future-proof a flood-prone stretch of the existing coastal road, which was severely affected during storms in 2014.

CAMpAIgn gROup sTun RAIsEs ALARM

But campaigners from Stand Up for Newgale (STUN) claim the 2014 storm— often cited in council communications— was an isolated incident and should not be used as the sole justification for such a major project.

“Using dramatic images of one rare event to promote this scheme is

misleading,” said a STUN spokesperson. “The 2014 overtopping cost the council just £13,000. That is a world away from the £60 million now being proposed. Even if storms like that happened every year, it would take thousands of years to justify this level of spending.”

STUN’s alternative proposal involves moving a section of the existing shingle bank around 10 metres seaward and constructing improved beach access infrastructure. Costed at under £500,000, they say it would protect the road for the next century without requiring a new bypass.

The group has published artist’s impressions of its plan and launched a crowdfunder to fund their own planning submission.

Environmental impact is a key issue for campaigners, who warn that building the new road would irreversibly alter the Brandy Brook valley—a landscape currently part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

According to technical documents seen by The Herald, the proposed bypass would require a 120-metrelong, 15-metre-high concrete bridge supported by over 100 buried columns. Construction would involve thousands of tonnes of materials and temporary access roads, which STUN claims would

pose pollution risks to the watercourse and destroy natural habitats.

They also argue that the loss of facilities such as public toilets, the T11 bus stop, and nature trails through campsites could harm the local tourism industry.

suppORT FROM LOCAL COunCILs AnD pOLITICIAns

Several community councils in the area—Brawdy, Solva, Nolton and Roch—have submitted formal objections. Senedd Member Paul Davies has also publicly backed STUN’s alternative, warning that the current proposal is financially irresponsible.

“I am very disappointed that the council is pushing ahead with its plans rather than working with the community on a much more affordable scheme,” Mr Davies said. “We know the council is struggling financially, and yet somehow it is content to find millions of pounds for a scheme the local community opposes.”

suspICIOns OVER MILITARy COnnECTIOn

Some residents have raised questions about the scheme’s timing, given a proposed US military radar installation at nearby Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy. The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project, involving 27 large radars, would require substantial construction traffic.

STUN believes the bypass may be intended to facilitate this and argues

that, if linked, the road and radar plans should be submitted together for planning approval.

COunCIL REspOnsE

Pembrokeshire County Council has maintained that the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project is vital for ensuring long-term resilience to climate change. The council has previously stated that sea level rise and worsening storm conditions present a growing risk to the A487.

A spokesperson said the scheme remains at the consultation stage and that all feedback submitted before the May 11 deadline will be carefully considered.

pubLIC uRgED TO TAKE pART

Campaigners are encouraging members of the public to submit objections or comments during the consultation window.

HOW TO HAVE yOuR sAy:

Email: newgale@atkinsrealis.com (copy: contact@stun.wales)

Post:

Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project Team AtkinsRéalis 12 Orchard Street Swansea SA1 5AD

The consultation runs until Saturday, May 11, 2025.

New pubic defibrillators at local hospital sites

MEMbERs of the public now have access to four new defibrillators on each of Hywel Dda university Health board’s main hospital sites. This has been made possible by collaboration between the health board and save a Life Cymru to install public access defibrillators for use in the community. These have been installed at the following sites and are available for use:

• Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, at the main entrance by the hospital sign

• Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, by the bus stop at the entrance to the hospital

• Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, by the pharmacy entrance

• Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, at the roundabout on the main entrance

For every minute that CPR and defibrillation is not commenced the

chance of survival decreases by 10%. Immediate CPR and early defibrillation can significantly increase survival. The purpose of this project is to increase the availability of life saving defibrillators for public use.

Save a Life Cymru generously provided the four defibrillators, at no cost to the health board. The defibrillators are housed in heated cabinets and will be checked regularly by volunteer ‘guardians’. Each public access defibrillator is registered with the National Defibrillator Network (The Circuit) and this means that should they be needed, the 999 ambulance call taker will be able to direct someone to them.

The defibrillators are really easy to use and offer voice prompts. In the event of a cardiac arrest, members of the public will need to call 999. They will be advised where the nearest defibrillator is located and to follow the instructions provided (visual, phone, defibrillator) while performing CPR and providing defibrillation. Never stop CPR, always send someone else to fetch the defibrillator for you.

Professor Len Nokes, Chair of Save a Life Cymru said: “We are delighted to have provided new public access defibrillators at four key locations on the Hywel Dda estate. This gives the surrounding communities and visitors to these sites 24/7 access to lifesaving defibrillators. We know that for every

minute someone’s in cardiac arrest without receiving CPR and having a defibrillator used on them, their chance of survival decreases by 10%.

“Marc Gower, our Save a Life Cymru’s Community Co-ordinator in west Wales, will be supporting the defibrillator guardians to make sure defibrillators continue to be registered on The Circuit so that their locations are made available to the Welsh Ambulance Service. This will ensure that the 999 call takers can direct a bystander to a registered defibrillator and help save more lives.”

Dr Eiry Edmunds, Interim Deputy Medical Director for Acute for the health board said: “I am proud of our collaboration with Save a Life Cymru to ensure public access defibrillators are available at our hospital sites. This collaboration provides potentially lifesaving equipment for our communities.”

Mark Henwood, Executive Medical Director at the health board, said: “I am very pleased to hear that we are the second health board in Wales to engage with Save a Life Cymru to provide public access defibrillators. This will be a great development for the health of our communities and will save lives. I wish to personally thank Save a Life Cymru, all those individuals who have donated and also the volunteer guardians.”

Drug-driver banned after routine stop

A DRIVER has been banned from the roads after being found with two controlled substances in his system during a routine police check.

Scott Macauley, 42, was stopped by officers at around 7:00pm on November 29 while driving a Vauxhall Corsa on Old Hakin Road, Herbrandston.

Blood tests revealed he had 2.9 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (the active compound in cannabis) and 116 micrograms of benzoylecgonine (a cocaine metabolite) in his system. The

legal limits are 2 and 50 respectively.

“There was no evidence of bad driving, and he was fully compliant with the officers,” said his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd told the court the mandatory driving ban would severely impact Macauley due to his arthritis and back issues. “It’s going to be very difficult for him to get around,” he said.

Magistrates disqualified Macauley from driving for 12 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £96 court surcharge.

Woman made over 1,000 unwanted calls

A MILFORD HAVEn woman has admitted harassing a man by making more than 1,000 unwanted phone calls over the course of just 11 days—despite having already been blocked.

Katerina Foster, 35, of Richard John Road, bombarded the man with 1,040 calls between October 16 and 29 while he was at his home address in Milford Haven.

“The calls just went on and on,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

A victim impact statement read in court described the significant toll the harassment had taken.

“The situation escalated so much I didn’t even feel comfortable in my own home,” the complainant said. “I slept in my van for a while and then went to stay with my sister. I’m worried about answering my phone now, in case it’s Katerina.”

At the request of Foster’s solicitor, magistrates adjourned sentencing until May 22 to allow time for a pre-sentence report to be prepared by probation. Foster was released on conditional bail. Conditions include that she must not contact the complainant in any way, must not enter his address in Milford Haven, must not reference him on any electronic device, and must fully cooperate with the probation service.

Vape shops closed by courts for three months

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

TWO vape shops in pembrokeshire have been forced to close for three months after enforcement officers seized illegal tobacco products and cash during a council-led operation.

KR Vapes in Milford Haven and Vape Zone in Haverfordwest—both operated by the same owner—were the subject of closure orders granted at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 1).

The orders were made under Section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Although the legislation is often associated with nuisance behaviour, in this case it was used by Pembrokeshire County Council to prevent further illegal sales of tobacco and related goods.

A council-led investigation led to the seizure of a large quantity of cigarettes at KR Vapes on Charles Street, Milford Haven. A local witness told The Herald they saw officers leaving the premises with “large clear evidence bags full of cigarette packets.”

It is understood the products seized were either counterfeit or unlawfully imported foreign brands, not legally available for sale in the UK.

The owner of both shops, who spoke to The Herald on condition of anonymity, claimed that approximately £3,000 in cash was also seized during the raid on the Milford Haven store.

No criminal charges have been brought at this stage. The court heard only that notices had been served on both shops on April 16, and that the council was taking action to stop further unlawful trading while investigations continue.

The owner had previously told this newspaper that he hoped to re-open in 30 days, but those hopes have now been dashed.

The closure orders apply to the entirety of both premises.

Entry is prohibited to all persons at all times unless specifically authorised in writing by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Prison ‘feels like heaven’ compared to Pembrokeshire, court told

A MAn accused of threatening behaviour told a court that life in swansea prison “feels like heaven compared to living in pembrokeshire.”

Steven Camp, 39, made the remarks via video link from custody, addressing magistrates at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 6) after being granted conditional bail.

“Everything is calm and tranquil in here, but out there it’s totally different,” said Camp. “It feels like heaven here, compared to being back in Pembrokeshire.”

Camp was remanded in custody following three allegations of using

threatening, abusive and insulting words or behaviour towards three individuals in Neyland on April 29.

The Crown alleges that the first incident took place in the Co-op supermarket in Neyland, where Camp is accused of directing abusive language at a customer. He then allegedly walked onto the cycle track linking Neyland and Johnston, where he is said to have used similar language towards two more people.

“Each of the victims were independent parties who were caused alarm or distress by his behaviour,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“In one of the incidents, he came so close to the woman and just burped in her face. These people are now so frightened, they don’t want to visit the area while he continues residing there.”

Camp’s solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said the defendant’s behaviour had been aggravated by ongoing abuse directed at him on social media.

“He’s being violated by Facebook, and people are linking this information to the fact that he walks the cycle track regularly to pursue people,” said Mr Kelleher. “That’s wrong, as many people are convinced Facebook is the fount of all knowledge. So he’s now taking pictures

of people he supposes are harassing him.”

Camp, of Silverdale Lodge, Johnston, entered not guilty pleas to all three charges.

A request by the prosecution to remand him in custody until trial was rejected. Camp was released on conditional bail. The bail conditions include that he lives and sleeps at Silverdale Lodge, does not enter the Haverfordwest-to-Neyland cycle track, does not contact prosecution witnesses, and does not enter Neyland. His trial is scheduled to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 23.

Business Circle to host gala fundraiser for Founding Day

MILFORD HAVEn busInEss CIRCLE is set to host a glamorous gala night to raise funds for the town’s much-loved Founding Day celebrations.

The black-tie event will take place on Friday, 30 May 2025, at the Boulevard Theatre on Charles Street, starting at 7:00pm and running until late.

Guests can look forward to an evening of entertainment, including a performance by renowned illusionist Mellusion Magic, lively speeches, and compering by the charismatic Drew Baker. A light table buffet is included in the £15 ticket price, and the evening will also feature a charity auction offering exclusive items and experiences. All proceeds will go towards funding Milford Haven’s annual Founding Day—a flagship community event that celebrates the town’s heritage. Organisers estimate over £6,000 is needed each year to deliver the celebration, with local business and community support proving vital.

A spokesperson for Milford Haven

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Business Circle said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome the community to this special night at the beautiful Boulevard Theatre. It promises to be

a fun and memorable evening in aid of a cause that means a lot to everyone in the town. We hope to see a strong turnout in support of Founding Day.”

• Event details

• What: Fundraising Gala Night for

Milford Haven Founding Day

• When: Friday, 30 May 2025, from 7:00pm until late

• Where: The Boulevard Theatre, Charles Street, Milford Haven

• Tickets: £15 (includes light buffet). Book via Eventbrite: MHBCFundraisingGala. eventbrite.com

• Entertainment: Mellusion Magic, speeches, auction, and more

• Purpose: Raising funds for Milford Haven’s Founding Day

Tickets are expected to sell quickly. For more information, contact Milford Haven Business Circle via email at secretary.MHBC24@gmail.com or visit their official Facebook page.

AbOuT THE ORgAnIsERs:

Milford Haven Business Circle is a non-profit organisation that supports local enterprise and promotes community engagement. The annual Founding Day event features free and affordable family-friendly activities to honour the town’s historic roots.

Pensioner fined over 23 nuisance calls and assault on officer

MAgIsTRATEs told: ‘she’s lonely and does silly things’

A 78-YEAR-OLD woman from Pembrokeshire has been handed a four-figure fine after making 23 nuisance calls to emergency services over the course of just three days.

Ann Gatley, of Chapel Hill Lane, Templeton, made the calls between April 7 and April 9.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that when police officers arrived at her home, Gatley scratched a female officer by digging her nails into her skin.

“Put simply, the defendant is lonely, so she does things that are silly,” said her solicitor, Tom Lloyd. “Until 2012, she was successfully running a caravan park and campsite. But after the breakdown of her marriage, she began offending. It’s a shame that it’s come to this.”

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said Gatley was well known to the courts for similar offending, including a previous prison sentence imposed in May 2024.

“This is a pattern of behaviour that continues,” said Ms Vaughan. Gatley pleaded guilty to persistently making use of a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety, and to assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

After reviewing a detailed probation report, magistrates ordered Gatley to pay a total of £2,119. This included a £1,399 fine, £75 in compensation to the police officer, a £560 victim services surcharge, and £85 in court costs.

As the sentence was passed, Gatley sobbed in the dock and was heard repeatedly saying, “I’m deeply sorry.”

Whitland woman fined for skipping drug assessment

A WHITLAnD motorist has been fined after failing to attend a drug assessment following a police blood test which indicated possible cocaine use.

Dion Morgan, 27, of Farmers Arms, Market Street, was asked to attend an initial assessment with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Services after a blood sample taken at Haverfordwest police station

in December 2024 suggested the presence of cocaine — a Class A drug.

This week, Morgan appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates and pleaded guilty to failing to attend the assessment.

She was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Man denies child sex assault

A 65-YEAR-OLD man from Hakin has appeared before magistrates accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Huw Bridges, of Haven Drive, is alleged to have intentionally touched a 13-year-old girl between October 3, 2020, and New Year’s Day, 2021, at an undisclosed location in Milford Haven.

He is also charged with sexually assaulting a female aged 16 or over at Carew on June 2, 2024.

Bridges denied both charges during an appearance at Haverfordwest

charges

Magistrates’ Court this week. Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where Bridges is due to appear on June 6. He was released on unconditional bail.

Train in emergency stop after drunk man jumped onto track

JAIL sentence following offender’s ‘dangerous’ bank Holiday stunt

A MAN who leapt from the platform at Narberth railway station into the path of an oncoming train has been jailed for more than seven months.

Warren Wall, from Cardiff, was sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week following the alarming incident, which occurred on Bank Holiday Sunday (May 4). The court heard how his actions caused an approaching train to make an emergency stop as it pulled into Narberth station.

“Calls were made from members of the public who were concerned about a male, who was either intoxicated or under the influence of drugs,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan. “He was shouting and jumping off the platform onto the track, which caused the train to stop.”

Karen Lewis, a passenger on the train, described the moment it came to a sudden halt. “I felt the brakes squeak and everyone lurched forward,” she said. “I’m just glad the train managed to stop in time and the bloke was okay. We were all quite worried.”

Wall’s behaviour continued to escalate after his arrest. While in the back of the police van, he was described as spitting

and clearly under the influence of alcohol or substances.

The court was told that the 32-yearold was already serving a suspended prison sentence for a conviction of assault causing actual bodily harm. That sentence – 32 weeks suspended for 18 months – had been handed down by Cardiff magistrates in February.

Wall pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, criminal damage to a police vehicle, and breaching his suspended sentence.

His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said Wall had no memory of the incident due to the extent of his intoxication. “He has no recollection whatsoever of what occurred, he was that drunk,” said Mr Kelleher. “And he apologises for his behaviour, if it caused any inconvenience.”

Magistrates activated a large portion of Wall’s previous sentence and imposed an immediate custodial term of 31 weeks. He was also fined £40, ordered to pay court costs of £85, and a £16 victim surcharge.

The incident caused delays to rail services and concern for public safety. Transport officials confirmed that while no injuries were reported, the train driver and passengers were “deeply shaken” by the event.

Fined for failing to attend drug assessment

A MILFORD HAVEn man has been fined after failing to attend a drug assessment appointment, which had been ordered following a police blood test indicating possible cocaine use.

Ryan Carlmain, 32, of Marble Hall Road, was required to attend the assessment on March 13 after a sample taken at Haverfordwest police station

in January suggested the presence of cocaine, a class A drug.

This week, Carlmain appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to failing to attend the initial assessment. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs along with a £32 court surcharge.

Cilgerran coracle fisherman fined after catching protected salmon

A TRADITIONAL fisherman from Cilgerran has admitted to illegally catching and selling a protected Atlantic salmon from the River Teifi — one of Wales’ most ecologically sensitive waterways.

Mark Dellar, 51, of High Street, appeared at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court where he pleaded guilty to handling fish in suspicious circumstances, contrary to Section 32 of the Salmon Act 1986. The offence stemmed from his failure to correctly identify and release the salmon, a protected species whose numbers have plummeted in recent years.

The incident came to light after a July 2024 Facebook post from the Pentre Arms pub in Llangrannog advertised a 16lb “locally caught sewin” — the Welsh name for sea trout — as a featured dish on its menu. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) enforcement officers, concerned that the fish was in fact a salmon, began investigating.

The Pentre Arms’ owner and chef fully cooperated, providing the fish cutlets, a receipt showing they had paid £135 for the fish, and a commercial carcass tag which traced the catch back to Dellar. The fish had been legally tagged — suggesting Dellar believed it to be a permitted catch — but subsequent analysis by NRW confirmed it was a salmon, not a sea trout.

CAugHT bETWEEn LAW AnD TRADITIOn

Dellar, who has fished the Teifi for more than 20 years using a coracle — a centuries-old boat unique to west Wales — said in a voluntary police interview that he had believed the fish was a sewin when he landed it on July 5.

Magistrates imposed an absolute discharge but ordered Dellar to pay £85 in costs. While the sentence was lenient, the case has reignited a broader debate around the clash between traditional fishing practices and modern environmental protections.

Coracle fishing has been practised in Wales for generations, with fishermen

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

using lightweight, round-bottomed boats woven from willow and covered with tar or canvas. The Teifi, along with the Tywi and Taf rivers, has long been home to this unique heritage — but fishers say the tradition is on the brink of extinction.

In 1975, there were over 50 licensed coracle netsmen on the Teifi. Today, just a handful remain. The season has been drastically reduced, now running only from May to July, and strict byelaws introduced in 2020 require all salmon — whether caught by rod or net — to be released immediately and unharmed. The sale or retention of salmon is banned altogether, a measure aimed at saving the species from collapse.

COnsERVATIOn In COnFLICT

Jeremy Goddard, who leads NRW’s enforcement team in mid Wales, said the case highlighted the importance of respecting conservation rules, regardless of fishing experience.

“The killing and sale of a prime adult salmon shows clear disregard for the law and for the health of our rivers,” he said.

“Mr Dellar, with his years of experience, would know how to tell a salmon from a sea trout. With salmon numbers in serious decline, all netsmen and anglers are expected to release every salmon they catch. It’s not just a legal requirement — it’s a crucial step to protect the species. Every spawning fish matters.”

Further analysis showed the salmon had spent two years in the Teifi as a juvenile before migrating to sea, where it spent another two years feeding before returning to its native river to spawn — a journey that underscores the ecological significance of every individual fish.

HERITAgE unDER pREssuRE

While NRW says its enforcement actions are necessary to protect the future of wild salmon, coracle fishers argue that their ancient craft is being regulated out

of existence. Many say they are being punished for mistakes while industrial pollution and large-scale farming runoff continue to degrade river habitats with little consequence.

“This is our heritage — not just a job, but our way of life,” one local netsman told The Herald. “We’ve followed the rules, bought the tags, shortened the season, but now even a simple mistake can lead to court. Meanwhile, slurry pours into the river and nobody is held accountable.”

Indeed, the Teifi has suffered

from repeated pollution incidents in recent years, with sewage overflows and agricultural discharge blamed for reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life.

The river is designated a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive due to its internationally important salmon population. Yet recent monitoring data from NRW shows that wild salmon numbers remain critically low, with fewer than 1,000 returning to the Teifi in some years — down from tens of thousands in the 1980s.

A quEsTIOn OF bALAnCE

NRW insists that its approach balances conservation with cultural heritage. Goddard said the agency would continue to inspect restaurants, fishmongers, and coastal buyers as part of its “Buyer Beware” campaign, aimed at preventing illegal salmon sales and educating businesses on the byelaws.

But for many in west Wales, Dellar’s case is a sign of a deeper unease — that a way of life is slipping away under the weight of bureaucracy and ecological crisis.

“Once the coracle netsmen are gone,” said another local, “they’ll be gone for good. And we’ll have lost something you can’t bring back — not just a fish, but a tradition.”

Morgan’s big speech a tired rehash of old hits

ELunED MORgAn’s big speech aimed to rally the faithful ahead of next year’s senedd election and reach out to those Labour voters alienated by the Labour government in Westminster. Artful leaks beforehand claimed she would “call out Keir starmer”, criticise Westminster’s welfare reforms, “put country before party”, and invite voters to join her on the “Welsh red way”.

LAbOuR’s suppORT CRATERs

Instead, it was desperate stuff, revealing the depths of Labour’s desperation in Wales. Labour’s share of the Welsh vote in last July’s General Election fell, and the edges of that vote are vulnerable. Reform UK has surged in opinion polls, which suggest that Nigel Farage’s policy-free limited company is taking votes from Labour in Wales at a rate even higher than it is stealing them from the Welsh Conservatives.

On the evening Baroness Morgan delivered her rallying call, a Barn Cymru/ITV poll revealed Labour’s support in Wales had fallen to an alltime low of 18% of those surveyed. The opportunity existed for Baroness Morgan to do the unthinkable and set out once and for all how she would strike out from Keir Starmer’s unpopular Westminster government, stand up to it in the interest of Wales, and produce real changes in its approach to benefit Welsh voters.

Then reality intervened.

OLD LInEs RE-usED

Even with devolution and the muchvaunted “partnership in power” at either end of the M4, the First Minister’s

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

influence on Labour’s direction at the UK level is virtually non-existent.

Carefully leaked excerpts from her speech and remarks the First Minister made to a meeting of Labour’s Welsh constituency MPs stand revealed as the efforts of a struggling First Minister and an exhausted government to cling to power in Cardiff Bay.

Her message offered nothing concrete that was new, and nothing new that was concrete. Instead, Baroness Morgan leaned heavily on old Labour rhetoric that has echoed through decades of Welsh political life.

She framed Reform UK as a growing threat to Wales. She urged voters not to “gamble with our future” by backing Reform or Plaid Cymru, warning that a split on the left could open the door to right-wing populism.

She did not seem to understand that the new electoral system Labour and Plaid Cymru imposed on Wales for 2026 reduced the scope for tactical voting and did away with the possibility of split votes, where you could vote for a candidate on the constituency list and a party on the regional one.

That no longer exists. A vote cast will be a vote for a party and not an individual. A vote for Plaid Cymru, Labour, Reform UK, the Welsh Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, or the Green Party is a vote for that party alone.

“yOu’LL nEVER TAKE OuR WInD!”

Even her efforts to connect presentday grievances with long-standing injustices came across as faintly

precisely the sloganeering Labour in Wales might want to avoid.

Again, the First Minister spoke to the metropolitan media and the magic circle bounded by the Cardiff Ring Road, saying, “This is our Wales. Not a Wales of division or decline—but of solidarity, fairness and progress.”

Tell that to farmers, steel workers, the tourist industry, or the defence firms that the Welsh Government prevents from seeking funding from the Development Bank of Wales. Try saying it to the growing number of children who grow up in poverty in Wales and their parents, whose experience is almost identical to their own.

Political opponents and analysts were quick to point out that Morgan’s speech repeated themes long used by her Labour predecessors, from Rhodri Morgan’s “clear red water” to Carwyn Jones’ defiant calls for fairness from Westminster.

THE sAME OLD sOng

ridiculous.

“We saw them take our coal,” Eluned Morgan said in her Braveheart moment. “We saw them take our water. We will not let them take our wind”.

Worse, her next line unwittingly referenced fictional Prime Minister Jim Hacker’s efforts to save the British sausage from EU food standards: “Not this time. Not on my watch.” At least she avoided saying “here I stand, I can do no other.”

The problem with Baroness Morgan’s approach is that it doesn’t allow her to address, or even acknowledge, the sources of voters’ dissatisfaction with Labour’s record in the Welsh Government.

According to the First Minister, “The Welsh NHS is not a failing system in need of rescue. It’s a public service that works.”

Pull the other one, it’s got bells on. It’s worth remembering that the Welsh Government denies the existence of a crisis in the Welsh NHS, despite doctors, nurses, clinicians, and reviews commissioned by it highlighting its extent.

And, because Eluned Morgan cannot acknowledge that voters might have some reason to be unhappy, it is hard for her to explain how she intends to address their concerns. Instead of addressing voters’ concerns, she spoke to the faithful as though voters were incidental to democracy.

THE pOLICy VACuuM

Vacuous phrases, such as “Time for change isn’t just a slogan. It’s a demand,” added nothing to her message. She might come to reflect that “time for change” after being in power for a quarter of a century is

“The problem isn’t the message— it’s that we’ve heard it all before,” one Labour insider told The Herald. “Solidarity, NHS, devolution, anti-Tory sentiment—it’s the same script we’ve used since 1999.”

Welsh Conservative MS Darren Millar called the speech “a last-ditch, desperate attempt to save the Labour Party’s bacon,” adding: “Labour has broken the Welsh NHS, broken our education system, and broken our economy.”

Despite a clear effort to contrast Labour’s values with those of Reform— portrayed as “cynical”, “dishonest”, and “dangerous”—Morgan offered few fresh policies. Instead, she cited well-known Labour achievements like free prescriptions and school meals, and highlighted past battles with Westminster over steel, coal, and infrastructure.

Even Morgan’s call for “mutual respect” with a UK Labour government sounded like a rerun of speeches by former First Ministers, all of whom have, at one time or another, promised to “stand up for Wales” against London.

There was also pointed criticism of UK Labour welfare proposals, with Morgan insisting: “We will call it out if UK Labour get it wrong for Wales.” However, it remained unclear whether this marked a meaningful policy divergence or pre-election positioning.

“I can’t get a GP appointment, my son’s school is underfunded, and our train line is a joke,” said Julie Morgan, a retail worker in Pembrokeshire (no relation). “I’ve voted Labour all my life, but I honestly don’t know what they stand for anymore.”

And the problem for Eluned Morgan is that, nebulous aspirations and slogans apart, she couldn’t explain that either.

Father and son from Wales deliver truck to Ukrainian frontline

A pEMbROKEsHIRE man and his son have donated a pick-up truck to ukrainian soldiers and personally delivered it to the frontline in Donetsk.

Ashley Hawkins, aged 60, from Little Haven, and his 28-year-old son James, who lives in Abergavenny, set off in February to drive their old Ford Ranger some 1,500 miles across Europe to the city of Lviv.

The vehicle, which is 15 years old, was reinforced and repainted at a workshop run by the charity Car4Ukraine. It now proudly displays a Welsh dragon and the message “With Love from Wales.”

Ashley returned to Ukraine at the end of March to complete the journey himself—driving a further 600 miles east to Donetsk, where he handed over the truck to soldiers from Ukraine’s 46th Airmobile Brigade.

He told The Herald: “It was an incredible experience to drive the truck all the way across Ukraine and an honour to meet the brave men who will be using it.”

Ashley was escorted through a series of military checkpoints into a heavily damaged region that had previously been under Russian control. There, he was shown the destruction left behind before Ukrainian forces pushed the Russians out.

“One of the soldiers I met used to be a civil lawyer before the war,” he said. “He told me he no longer knows if he’ll ever be able to return to his former life.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

His only goal now is to survive. It’s a desperate situation, especially with the US stepping back its support, but the Ukrainian people are courageous and united. They’re determined to resist, whatever it takes.”

As well as delivering the Ford Ranger, Ashley transported a second donated vehicle to Lviv on his return trip in March, and he plans to deliver more in June and July.

The charity Car4Ukraine, which organised the modifications, has now sent more than 600 vehicles from the UK and other countries to support troops on the frontlines.

Bluestone wins King’s Award for Sustainable Development

OnLy pembrokeshire business recognised in 2025 honours PEMBROKESHIRE’S Bluestone National Park Resort has been named as a recipient of the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development – the highest official UK award for business success.

The resort, located near Narberth, is one of only eight businesses across Wales to be honoured this year. It is the only business in Pembrokeshire to receive the accolade, which recognises exceptional achievements in innovation, international trade and sustainability.

Founded by William McNamara OBE, Bluestone has become the UK’s most sustainable holiday park and was selected for its commitment to environmentally responsible tourism, support for local communities, and boosting the rural economy.

Mr McNamara said: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development is a hugely exciting and rewarding milestone for everyone at Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire.

“Our ethos is centred on the three pillars of sustainable development: actively protecting natural ecosystems, growing the local economy and supporting local communities. This has become our operational blueprint.

“the best of business right across Wales, producing and exporting high quality products and services.”

“The King’s Award gives us many reasons to celebrate, recognising the importance of our work as we continue to protect our planet for future generations.”

Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, congratulated all eight Welsh winners and said the awards highlight

Welsh Government Trade Head Richard Harris, who was also on the judging panel, described the King’s Award as “the gold standard – a benchmark for quality that can open doors around the world.”

This is the third year of the King’s

Awards for Enterprise, which were previously known as the Queen’s Awards. The programme, now in its 59th year, has recognised over 8,000 businesses since it began in 1965.

His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will present the awards locally over the coming months, with winners also invited to a royal reception later in the year.

Hundreds of vintage tractors descend on Pembrokeshire for annual run

IRIsH and Welsh enthusiasts unite at Masons bros quarry

MORE than 100 vintage tractors arrived at the Irish Ferries terminal in pembroke Dock on saturday (May 3) ahead of the annual Welsh-Irish Vintage Tractor Run, which took place this year in Haverfordwest.

Tractor drivers from across Ireland crossed the Irish Sea to take part in the long-standing event, now a cherished tradition celebrating shared heritage and a love of classic agricultural machinery.

The rally began at Tangiers Quarry, operated by Masons Bros, on Sunday morning (May 4), drawing crowds of

spectators and vintage machinery lovers from across the region. Drivers wound their way through the Pembrokeshire countryside in a convoy of colourful and lovingly restored machines, many of them decades old.

Organiser Hywel Mason, from the host Masons Bros quarry, worked closely with Irish counterpart Willie Day to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Mr Day, a veteran of the Irish vintage tractor scene, helped coordinate the group’s journey from Wexford with the support of the Bargy Vintage Club.

The Welsh-Irish Vintage Tractor Run alternates between Wales and Ireland

each year, strengthening the bond between the two rural communities. Previous years have seen runs take place across Wexford and other parts of Ireland, with the Pembrokeshire event offering a warm Welsh welcome in return.

The rally also helps raise money for local charities, with donations collected throughout the weekend. Many families turned out to show their support and enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Plans are already being made for the 2026 run, which will take place in Ireland.

Pembrokeshire prepares for Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Local services step up to support growing demand as communityfocused theme takes centre stage

pEMbROKEsHIRE will mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 from Monday, May 12 to sunday, May 18, with a renewed focus on connection, compassion, and local support.

This year’s theme — “Community” — highlights the vital role of relationships, grassroots services and social belonging in protecting mental wellbeing. Across the county, local charities, counsellors and volunteerled projects are rising to meet growing demand for mental health support in the face of deepening rural isolation, post-pandemic pressures and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

To coincide with the national awareness campaign, The Pembrokeshire Herald has compiled a

special eight-page feature showcasing the county’s key mental health charities and support networks — many of which offer free, local and confidential help to anyone struggling.

From professional counselling and crisis intervention to drop-in cafés and mobile outreach vans, these organisations form a lifeline for hundreds of people each year. Whether you’re a farmer facing mounting stress, a young person experiencing anxiety, or someone simply in need of someone to talk to, support is closer than you think.

The Herald’s feature begins with Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind, one of the county’s largest providers of mental health support, followed by indepth profiles on:

• Pathway Counselling

• Adferiad Recovery

• The DPJ Foundation

• West Wales Action for Mental Health (WWAMH)

• Megan’s Starr Foundation

• Give The Boys A Lift

Each article explores how these services operate, what they offer, and how to get in touch — offering a clear guide for anyone seeking help, or looking to support the work being done.

With 1 in 4 people experiencing a mental health issue each year in the UK, and rural areas often facing greater barriers to access, the importance of community-based support has never been greater.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help, the following services are available in Pembrokeshire and nationally:

Key Support Contacts:

• NHS Mental Health 111 (Option 2) – 24/7 urgent mental health support: Call 111 and select option 2

• Samaritans – Free, 24/7 confidential listening: Call 116 123

• Shout – Text-based crisis support, 24/7: Text “SHOUT” to 85258

• The DPJ Foundation Helpline – 24/7 for rural and farming communities: 0800 587 4262

• Mind Infoline – Information on mental health and services: 0300 123 3393

• YoungMinds Textline – Support for young people: Text “YM” to 85258

Over the coming pages, The Herald explores how Pembrokeshire is responding to the mental health crisis — not just with words, but with action.

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind: Supporting mental wellbeing across West Wales

LOCAL branch of national charity provides vital mental health services and community support

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind is a leading mental health charity operating in the heart of West Wales, delivering essential services to individuals experiencing mental health challenges across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. As part of the larger Mind network, this independent branch has become a lifeline for many people in rural communities where access to services can be limited.

The charity offers a range of services designed to promote emotional wellbeing and resilience. These include drop-in sessions, oneto-one mental health support, and a specialist Evening Mental Health Support service operating from 5:00pm to 2:00am, Thursday through Sunday. This out-of-hours provision has been particularly well received, offering critical assistance to people when many other services are closed.

Additionally, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind runs a series of

free wellbeing activities, including art therapy, gardening projects, and yoga sessions — all designed to help people reduce stress and build a supportive network. The charity also provides employment support, working with individuals who are looking to return to work or retain their job while managing mental health conditions.

One of the key strengths of the organisation is its focus on lived experience. Many staff and volunteers have personal experience of mental health issues, creating an empathetic and nonjudgemental environment. Their “Peer Support” groups bring people together to share experiences, reduce isolation, and build confidence in a safe and welcoming space

Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind also works closely with local GPs, schools, and public health teams to improve awareness and early intervention. Their outreach into schools and colleges helps

young people understand mental health and access help early on, potentially preventing long-term issues.

With a dedicated team based in both Haverfordwest and Carmarthen, the charity remains firmly embedded in the local community. It continues to adapt and grow in response to rising demand, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing cost-of-living crisis, which have significantly impacted people’s mental wellbeing.

For anyone seeking support or wanting to get involved, whether as a volunteer or donor, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Mind offers a welcoming hand.

Contact information: Website: www.pcmind.org.uk

Phone: 01267 222990

Email: enquiries@pcmind.org.uk

Address: The Mount, 18 Wellfield Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1DS https://www.pcmind.org.uk/

Pathway Counselling:

Free, accessible support for those in emotional

H AVERFORDWE s T -b A s ED service offers professional counselling to people across pembrokeshire

Pathway Counselling is a vital mental health service based in Haverfordwest, providing free counselling support to individuals facing emotional and psychological challenges across Pembrokeshire. Run as part of the wider Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless (PATH) organisation, Pathway Counselling is open to everyone — not just those experiencing housing difficulties.

Established to bridge the growing gap in mental health services, the charity offers a lifeline for individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, and other emotional difficulties. Unlike many mainstream services, which often come with long waiting lists or financial barriers, Pathway Counselling is committed to accessibility. Sessions are provided completely free of charge, thanks to funding from the National Lottery and other grants.

The charity employs qualified, experienced counsellors and also supports the development of student counsellors, offering placement opportunities under professional supervision. This model enables Pathway to expand its reach while maintaining high standards of care.

One of the strengths of Pathway Counselling is its flexibility. Clients can access support both in person at their discreet Haverfordwest location and online via secure video platforms, making it easier for people in rural or remote areas of Pembrokeshire to engage.

This hybrid approach has proved especially valuable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping those who may struggle to travel or feel more comfortable receiving support from home.

In addition to one-to-one counselling, Pathway also offers workshops and group sessions on topics such as managing anxiety, building self-esteem, and developing coping strategies. These group offerings help foster a sense of community and mutual support among participants.

Pathway Counselling is particularly aware of the stigma that can surround mental health, especially in rural Welsh communities. Its approach is sensitive, person-centred, and confidential, ensuring that clients feel safe and respected at all times.

The charity also works closely with other local services and can signpost clients to additional support, including housing advice, food banks, and domestic abuse services.

By providing timely, compassionate, and professional support to those in need, Pathway Counselling continues to be a trusted mental health resource for the people of Pembrokeshire.

Contact information: Website: www.pathwaycounselling. uk

Email: counselling@ pembrokeshireaction.org

Phone: 01437 765335

Address: 21A Cartlett, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2LH

distress

Adferiad Recovery:

Practical help and housing support for people with complex needs

pembrokeshire services provide tailored assistance for those managing serious mental illness and substance misuse

Adferiad Recovery is a Wales-wide charity that offers specialist support to individuals and families facing complex challenges — including serious mental illness, addiction, and housing instability. In Pembrokeshire, the charity runs several dedicated projects that provide practical, emotional, and social support to

some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.

The name “Adferiad” means “recovery” in Welsh, reflecting the charity’s core mission: to help people rebuild their lives and regain independence. Through local services based in Pembrokeshire, Adferiad’s staff work closely with clients to understand their individual needs and deliver personalised support.

One of the standout projects in the region is the Seibiant Mental

Health Community Support Project, which offers one-to-one support and group activities to people living with serious mental illness. It also provides respite and wellbeing support for unpaid carers — an often overlooked group under immense pressure. Seibiant’s focus on community, compassion, and continuity of care helps foster trust and long-term engagement.

Another crucial service is the Mental Health Community Housing Support Project, which helps individuals with enduring mental health conditions to live independently. The service supports clients in finding and maintaining accommodation, managing finances, accessing healthcare, and developing life skills. For many, this kind of wraparound support is what makes independent living possible.

Adferiad’s approach is holistic and trauma-informed. They understand that mental health difficulties are often intertwined with other issues — such as substance misuse, domestic violence, or poverty — and they provide

coordinated responses rather than siloed services. In Pembrokeshire, staff work closely with local authorities, NHS services, housing providers, and community groups to ensure seamless support for those in crisis.

The charity also plays a vital advocacy role, campaigning for better mental health services and contributing to Welsh Government consultations on health and social care. Their lived-experienceinformed model ensures that service users have a voice in shaping the help they receive.

For people who feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges, Adferiad Recovery offers practical steps forward and hope for a better future.

Contact information: Website: www.adferiad.org

Seibiant Mental Health Project: Seibiant Project Details Housing Support: Housing Support Project Details General enquiries: info@adferiad.org Phone: 01792 816600

The DPJ Foundation:

Tackling rural mental health in Wales’ farming communities

spECIALIsT support for those in agriculture facing stress, depression, and isolation

The DPJ Foundation is a unique Welsh mental health charity dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of people working in agriculture and rural industries — especially farmers, who are at significantly higher risk of depression and suicide than the general population. With roots in Pembrokeshire, the charity has grown to serve rural communities across Wales while remaining deeply committed to its local origins.

Founded in memory of Daniel Picton-Jones, a young Pembrokeshire farmer who took his own life in 2016, the charity was set up by his wife, Emma, to address the silence around mental health in farming communities. Since then, the DPJ Foundation has become a vital and trusted voice, offering practical help and emotional support tailored to the unique pressures of rural life.

Farming can be physically isolating, financially precarious, and emotionally draining — factors that often prevent individuals from seeking help. Recognising this, the DPJ Foundation created a 24/7 confidential helpline called “Share the Load,” staffed by trained counsellors who understand the realities of agricultural life. Farmers and their families can call without fear of judgement and get immediate access to advice, support, and ongoing counselling referrals.

The charity also offers a fully funded counselling service, ensuring

that those who need professional help receive it quickly and locally. Counsellors will travel directly to farms or offer telephone/video sessions, removing common barriers to access like travel or stigma. The waiting time for counselling is often just days — significantly faster than many NHS routes.

In addition to reactive support, the DPJ Foundation works proactively to improve awareness. They deliver mental health awareness training to businesses, agricultural organisations, and colleges, aiming to normalise conversations about mental health. Their “Are Ewe OK?” campaign uses clever branding and real stories from farmers to engage hard-to-reach audiences.

Crucially, the charity listens to the farming community itself, regularly adjusting its approach based on what people say they need. Whether it’s attending livestock marts, visiting Young Farmers’ Clubs, or running community events, the DPJ Foundation meets people where they are — both literally and emotionally.

Their motto, “It’s OK not to be OK,” is more than a slogan — it’s a lifeline.

Contact information: Website: www.thedpjfoundation. co.uk

Email: contact@thedpjfoundation. co.uk

Helpline: Call or text 0800 587 4262 (24/7)

Registered Address: Ty Twt, Clynderwen, Pembrokeshire, SA66 7NP

West Wales Action for Mental Health: Championing rights and recovery in the community

suppORTIng mental health services, carers, and service users through advocacy and partnership

West Wales Action for Mental Health (WWAMH) is a regional charity that plays a key coordinating and advocacy role in the mental health landscape across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion. While not a frontline clinical service provider, WWAMH works behind the scenes to strengthen the mental health support system, raise awareness, and ensure that the voices of those

affected by mental illness are heard at every level.

Established in 1992, WWAMH acts as a bridge between individuals with lived experience, voluntary organisations, statutory services (such as the NHS), and local authorities. The charity supports collaboration, partnership, and dialogue — all aimed at improving mental health outcomes in West Wales.

One of WWAMH’s core missions is empowerment. The organisation helps individuals and carers to understand

their rights, navigate the mental health system, and participate in decisions about their care. They provide information sessions, service user forums, and advocacy support to ensure people are informed, respected, and included.

WWAMH also works with smaller grassroots mental health organisations, helping them develop projects, secure funding, and improve governance. This support strengthens the local mental health network as a whole, ensuring that help is available in communities rather than centralised in a few urban centres.

In Pembrokeshire, WWAMH has partnered with various community organisations to deliver innovative wellbeing projects. These include arts for wellbeing programmes, mental health training for community workers, and initiatives supporting older adults, carers, and young people. They also support suicide prevention work and promote trauma-informed practices across sectors.

A key part of WWAMH’s work

is influencing policy and strategy. The charity sits on health boards and planning groups, bringing the lived experience of service users into strategic decision-making processes. They campaign to challenge stigma, improve services, and promote mental health equality.

The organisation is also involved in crisis planning and safeguarding work, advocating for systems that support recovery rather than punitive approaches. This includes contributing to regional mental health strategies and ensuring service user feedback informs future models of care.

WWAMH’s quiet but powerful presence in West Wales continues to make a real difference to how mental health is understood, supported, and prioritised across the region.

Contact information: Website: www.wwamh.org.uk

Email: admin@wwamh.org.uk

Phone: 01267 245572

Address: The Mount, 18 Wellfield Road, Carmarthen, SA31 1DQ

Megan’s Starr Foundation:

Healing hearts through hope, youth outreach, and community care

Milford Haven charity offers counselling, creative projects, and safe spaces for young people and families

Megan’s Starr Foundation is a Pembrokeshire-based mental health charity rooted in both heartbreak and hope. Founded by family and friends in memory of Megan Louise Davies –a young woman who tragically took her own life in 2017 at the age of 20 – the charity’s mission is to support children, young people, and families affected by mental health struggles, suicide, and trauma.

Operating from its base in Milford Haven, Megan’s Starr Foundation offers free, professional counselling for children, young people, and adults, with a trauma-informed approach that centres compassion and confidentiality. The charity’s therapeutic services are tailored to individual needs, including support for self-harm, grief, anxiety, and depression.

What makes Megan’s Starr Foundation unique is its strong focus on prevention and community outreach. One of its standout features is the Community Coffee House in Milford Haven — a safe, welcoming drop-in space offering hot drinks, snacks, and informal support. It’s a place where anyone, regardless of background, can simply come and talk, be heard, or seek help without pressure.

In an effort to reach rural areas where isolation is high and services limited, the Foundation also operates a mobile Speakeasy Coffee & Shake Van, taking its message and services to villages, school car parks, and

events throughout Pembrokeshire. This innovative outreach approach breaks down barriers, particularly for those who might not normally engage with mental health support.

Beyond counselling and crisis support, Megan’s Starr Foundation delivers awareness workshops in schools and community centres, educating young people about mental health, self-care, resilience, and suicide prevention. Their youth team works with schools to help embed a culture of openness around emotional wellbeing.

The charity also provides peer support groups, including a bereavement group and regular youth sessions where young people can socialise, take part in creative activities, and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Driven by a personal story but powered by community spirit, Megan’s Starr Foundation continues to grow its reach and reputation. Its name, and its work, are reminders that every life matters — and that no one should face mental health challenges alone.

Contact information: Website: WWW.megansstarr.com Email: megansstarrfoundation@ gmail.com phone: 07709 479555

Community Coffee House: 18 Charles street, Milford Haven, sA73 2HE Facebook: @ megansstarrfoundation

GET The Boys A Lift:

Driving mental health awareness through coffee, culture, and conversation pembrokeshire charity breaks down stigma with creative outreach and open-door support

Get The Boys A Lift (GTBAL) is a mental health charity based in Pembrokeshire that has carved out a unique space in the local landscape by combining support, creativity, and social enterprise. Known for its warm, community-centred approach, GTBAL helps people talk about mental health openly—through coffee, music, art, and friendly faces.

The charity began in 2018 as

a grassroots initiative by a group of friends determined to start conversations about mental health in a relaxed, accessible way. Since then, it has grown into a registered charity with its own mental health hub, a quirky and welcoming coffee shop in Haverfordwest that doubles as a drop-in centre and community space.

GTBAL offers free counselling sessions, a listening service, and low-cost therapy delivered by qualified professionals and supported volunteers. Their approach is informal

and stigma-free, aimed especially at young people and men—two groups who are statistically less likely to seek help through traditional channels.

One of the charity’s key strengths is its ability to blend mental health support with creativity and social enterprise. The GTBAL café is not only a safe space for conversation but also a hub of activity. Local musicians perform there, young artists exhibit their work, and community groups meet regularly. All profits from the café go directly back into providing free mental health services.

The team also runs outreach programmes in schools, workplaces, and events across Pembrokeshire. These include mental health awareness talks, interactive workshops, and creative therapy sessions. The aim is always to make mental health conversations as normal as talking about the weather.

GTBAL has also produced its own merchandise line, with thought-

provoking slogans designed to get people talking. Hoodies, mugs, and posters bearing messages like “It’s okay to not be okay” help spread awareness while generating income for the cause.

Run by a team of passionate staff and volunteers, GTBAL stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when a community pulls together. Whether someone wants to talk, needs counselling, or just wants a cup of coffee in a safe space, GTBAL is there — no judgment, just support.

Contact information: Website: https://gtbal.co.uk/ Email: info@givetheboysalift.co.uk

Phone: 07394 739866

Address: GTBAL Coffee House, 27 Dew Street, Haverfordwest, SA61 1ST Instagram/Facebook: @ givetheboysalift

A487 Fishguard-St Davids 50mph speed limit could be reduced

THE spEED limit through a pembrokeshire village, which has previously seen ‘serious safety concerns’ raised, could be reduced.

Pembrokeshire councillors, last November, considered a petition calling for a reduction in the speed limit at Square and Compass, north Pembrokeshire, calling for a reduction of the current 50mph limit on that section of the A487 Fishguard-St Davids road.

The petition, which attracted 127 signatures on the council’s own website, and a further 152 signatures on paper, was started by Emma Tannahill, who hopes the speed will be lowered to 40mph.

It read: “We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to reduce the current speed limit of 50 miles per hour on the main road (A487) through Square and Compass as it is a serious safety concern for the community. This road is home to many families with young children.

“A school bus from Croes Goch Primary School has a drop-off point on this stretch of road which further exacerbates the risk of accidents. In addition, there are young families that

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

cycle to and from Croes Goch primary school along this road.

“This section of road also serves as a thoroughfare for traffic to and from Croes Goch petrol station and Torbant caravan-site. Both of which see a high volume of traffic and pedestrian

activity. The high speeds of traffic on the main road is a risk to those coming in and out of these sites.

“In addition to the petrol station and caravan-site there is also a pub and public bus stop, both of which are adjacent to this 50 mile-per-hour section of road. Reducing the speed limit would significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclist.”

At that scrutiny meeting, committee chair Cllr Mark Carter said he had driven through the area after the petition was received, feeling it was “bizarre” it should have a 50mph limit when similar stretches of road in other villages had 40 and even 20mph limits.

A public consultation has now been launched, local member Cllr Neil Prior saying: “Following years of work and campaigning, Pembrokeshire County Council is formally consulting on reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40mph from Mesur-y-dorth to the bottom end of Square & Compass.

“Thank you to all who have helped with this, and I hope that it will see a reduction in speed and an improvement in the quality of people’s lives as a result.”

The consultation documents states: “The review concluded that the current limit should be reduced from 50mph to 40mph to maintain a safe and consistent speed distribution along this length of the A487 and ensure the safety of all turning movements from the accesses, junctions and through traffic.”

Haverfordwest town centre regeneration given multi-million pound funding boost

EXTRA funding has been secured for two regeneration projects in Haverfordwest, and increases in costs will see no additional burden to the council, senior pembrokeshire councillors heard.

At the April meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members received an update on both the budget position and latest funding received for the Heart of Pembrokeshire (HoP) and Western Quayside schemes.

The approved capital budget for delivery of the HoP scheme is £26,277,487, while the Western Quayside scheme approved budget is £11,624,000, a report for members, presented by Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said.

“Additional external funding has been obtained to undertake green infrastructure works at Western Quayside and to allow the physical linkages between the key town centre locations of Haverfordwest Castle and the town centre, via Castle Square, to be enhanced in order to widen the town centre offer under a discrete Shared Prosperity Fund 2 (2025-26) work package to a value of £1,261,512,” the report said.

funding to the post-HoP fitout scheme. This would not increase PCC’s capital contribution to either scheme.

and risk allowances. This is made up largely of costs associated with the gaol building due to its worse than anticipated condition, and restrictions imposed by archaeology, together with addressing the challenges realised at Castle Back and the associated work to address the safety issues in this area (risk of landslip).

“With regards to Western Quayside, there have been a number of changes to the extent of the works within the public realm and the works associated with the Foundry Warehouse. These changes will bring the foundry building into productive commercial use and fully link the Western Quayside building, foundry building, bridge and Library into a fully integrated public realm.

“Achieving these outputs, compliant with planning consent, has necessitated an increase to the budget of £1,736,845. These costs are fully covered by the recently received uplift to the Welsh Government Transforming Towns grant.”

An additional £2,700,000 funding for Western Quayside has also been secured through the Transforming Towns Fund, to support the Western Quayside Fit Out and phase 2 elements, including Foundry and Public Realm space.

It said costs had risen, but would be covered by the extra funding:

It also said fundraising consultants were preparing a separate Transforming Towns application for funding for further enhancement to the castle link and town centre wayfinding elements of the HoP scheme and

“Since the capital bid was approved by Cabinet, a number of variations have been experienced during project delivery.

“Currently, provision is required for £2,224,667 of anticipated costs

Members agreed to increase and reallocate the budget associated with the two schemes, to accommodate the additional external grant funding, and also, subject to securing additional external funding, delegate authority to the Director of Resources to increase the HoP and post-HoP fitout project budgets on condition that PCC’s contribution does not increase.

Campaigners threaten legal action as Withyhedge landfill complaints return

CAMpAIgnERs have renewed their calls for stronger action against Withyhedge landfill following a fresh wave of odour complaints in Haverfordwest — with some residents now threatening legal proceedings against those they deem responsible for years of inaction.

The latest complaints, made on Wednesday (May 1), prompted local campaigner Colin Barnett to contact Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell, Senedd Member Eluned Morgan, and senior officials at Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).

In his letter, Mr Barnett — a longtime critic of the landfill’s operators and the authorities tasked with regulating it — described a “toxic” smell in the area around Wickes and Boots in Haverfordwest, saying the stench was so severe it “sent [him] packing.”

“It isn’t good enough that residents have to put up with this awful smell and toxicity,” he wrote. “You would think businesses there would want something done about it. We aren’t going to go through this again.”

A LOng-RunnIng COnTROVERsy

The Withyhedge landfill site, located near the village of Dreenhill, has been a source of complaints for several years, with residents of Haverfordwest, Merlins Bridge and surrounding areas reporting episodes of foul odours, eye irritation, nausea and concern about long-term health impacts.

In 2023, following a particularly severe spike in complaints, a multiagency response was launched involving PCC, NRW, Public Health Wales, and other partners. A formal Incident Management Team and an Air Quality Group were formed to coordinate investigations and responses. Air quality monitoring was established at Spittal School to track levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) — a gas known for its “rotten egg” smell and sometimes linked to landfill emissions.

Mitigation measures were later introduced at the site by its operators, and in early 2024 both the Air Quality Group and the Incident Management Team were officially stood down, after authorities said the situation had improved and complaint levels had dropped.

However, many campaigners questioned the decision to scale back oversight, arguing that problems were still being experienced in areas not captured by the Spittal monitoring station.

“WE ARE bEIng FAILED”

Mr Barnett told The Herald that the events of May 1 show the issue is far from resolved.

“After all this time PCC, NRW and public health should have an action plan in place to respond — and they haven’t,” he said. “Waiting for the monthly results of their monitoring station in Spittal isn’t acceptable, especially when the stench isn’t in Spittal.”

He added: “We are now seriously considering legal action to stop this tip from operating and to go after anyone else we can — PCC, NRW, whoever is accountable for failing to protect us.”

He also criticised what he described as a lack of urgency from elected officials and regulators: “Now that the so-called ‘Incident Management Group’ of PCC and NRW professionals feel their job is done, the only route left to us, again, is the press and our

elected members.”

COunCIL: nO LInK TO LAnDFILL

In a statement issued in response to The Herald’s enquiries, Pembrokeshire County Council defended its current monitoring approach and said the May 1 complaints had been investigated.

“Air quality monitoring of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) levels continues at Spittal School,” a council spokesperson said. “This is based on advice from Public Health Wales and NRW’s environmental air quality specialists. H2S was identified as the key parameter, and no other substances are currently being monitored.”

PCC confirmed that it has committed to extending the H2S monitoring programme at Spittal School for a further 12 months.

“If exceedances begin to occur that can be attributed to the site, consideration would then be given to standing back up the multi-agency incident arrangements.”

The council added that officers from its Pollution Control Team responded promptly to the May 1 complaints and “carried out odour assessments at relevant

locations. During the course of their investigations, no odours attributable to landfill site emissions were detected.”

PCC said the number of complaints has remained low since the incident teams were stepped down. However, it reminded residents that there is a dedicated email address for odour complaints relating to Withyhedge: complaints.withyhedgelandfill@ pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

M p p RE ss ED FOR A ns WER s

Mr Barnett also called on Henry Tufnell MP to clarify whether he is part of a cross-party group of MPs who recently met to discuss landfill problems in their constituencies — and if so, what steps are being taken at Westminster level.

No official response had been received at the time of going to press.

As public frustration mounts, campaigners say they feel let down by a system that appears to “wait for things to go wrong” rather than act proactively.

“The smell might come and go, but the failure to deal with this is constant,” Mr Barnett said.

Haverfordwest roars with nostalgia as classic bikes take over

HAVERFORDWEsT’s HaverHub echoed with the sound of history on saturday (May 3) as the pembrokeshire Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Club rolled into town for their annual showcase — and by all accounts, it was a roaring success.

More than 50 vintage motorcycles, some dating back over a century, were proudly displayed by their owners. Each machine came with its own story, offering a living, polished timeline of motorcycling history. The event drew enthusiasts from across West Wales and beyond, raising funds for local charities including Blood Bikes Wales, VC Gallery, the Welsh Air Ambulance and Milford Haven Sea Cadets.

One of the standout bikes was a 1922 Velocette E2, believed to be the sixtholdest Velo in the world, featuring the oldest known example of the Velocette tank badge, applied 103 years ago. This 220cc two-stroke machine was the first of its kind to be fitted with both a clutch and kickstart. Exported to France in 1922, it passed through the hands of famed French trials rider M. A. Burger.

Another remarkable machine was the 1969 BSA Rocket 3 MK1, a 750cc three-cylinder powerhouse capable of up to 120mph. Previously owned in the US, the bike was brought back to the UK in 2016 and lovingly refurbished by John Mackay in 2017. With many original parts still intact, it remains in top condition and has featured in multiple club runs.

Adding a poignant local connection to the event was a 1933 BSA Blue Star Junior, once owned by the late Jack Garland of Milford Haven — the father of event organiser Captain Glyn Garland and grandfather of Herald editor Tom Sinclair. Originally supplied by Bowens of Llawhaden, the bike was recommissioned in 1971 and passed down through the Garland family. Now owned by Phil Hallett, it remains largely original and fully roadworthy.

Also on show was a 1958 Velocette Venom, registered XOJ 81 and owned by Milford’s Gary Kimber, which has clocked over 130,000 miles and toured across Europe, including Germany. It has been carefully updated over the years with modern electrics and safety features.

For those with an eye to buy, a 1970 BSA B25 Starfire, owned by Mike Harries, was listed for sale at £2,700. And for the Italian enthusiasts, Phill Walker’s 1975 Ducati 860 GTS — a complete barn find restoration — proved a talking point. Once featured in Classic Bike Guide, the red-framed machine had been rescued from obscurity in 2020 and took 18 months to fully restore.

Live music from Becket “The Bullet” Thomas brought extra atmosphere to the free event, which invited donations to a number of causes. Organisers say they were delighted with the turnout, and hope to return next year with even more rare and interesting machines.

Organiser, Captain Glyn Garland said: “The club is thankfully for the 2800 visitors who attended the show and supported the charities at the event.

“We were delighted to award the following prizes:

• Best Vintage 1915 -1930 – Mile Jones (1922 Velocette E2)

• Best Post Vintage 1930 -1945 – James Colley (1939 Norton International)

• Best Classic 1945 -2000 – Jim Buck (1957 Super Rocket)

• Best Two stoke – Gary Richards (1975 Suzuki Titan 500)

• Most technically Interesting – Dai Garland (1965 Honda 77)

• Judges’ Award – Kelvin Williams (1970 Suzuki Hustler)

Centenary of Memorial Park marked with commemorative service

COMMunITy gathers in pembroke Dock to honour park’s 100-year legacy

A SPECIAL service was held in Pembroke Dock to mark 100 years since the opening of the town’s cherished Memorial Park.

The official event, organised by Pembroke Dock Town Council, was attended by members of the public, local dignitaries, and community groups. The centenary celebration commemorated the park’s long-standing role as a place of reflection, recreation, and remembrance.

Following the service, attendees were warmly welcomed by the Pembroke Dock Bowls Club, who provided refreshments and hospitality at their clubhouse.

A spokesperson for the Town Council said: “Thank you to everyone who attended the official service to commemorate the 100 year anniversary for the Memorial Park. Special thanks goes to the team from Pembroke Dock Bowls Club for the warm welcome and refreshments for everyone after the service.”

Memorial Park, originally established to honour those who lost their lives in the First World War, has become a central part of life in Pembroke Dock and continues to serve as a symbol of the town’s community spirit and resilience.

MIKE EDWARDS

THOsE of us who have lasting memories of Christopher Lee returning and rising from a succession of crypts, tombs, and graves in evening wear have a very firm idea in our mind what Dracula is and is not.

Supposedly the Prince of Darkness, Dracula can be revived – it seems –by the merest drop of blood or the opening of his coffin by a young idiot trying to impress blonde and busty Inga or her sister, raven-haired and busty Magda.

I mean, you’ve been mouldering in a coffin for a few hundred years, I suppose there are worse ways to wake up than to barely-contained embonpoint.

Modern incarnations of the story have painted Dracula as a rather more sympathetic figure – still a ravening blood-sucking monster, of course, but with a tragic and noble backstory. Watching a modern Dracula movie is like happening upon a segment of the Jeremy Kyle Show – ‘You left my mum an empty husk, but me and my twin sister Magda love you anyway, babes’; or ‘Monster or Misunderstood? Dracula speaks for troubled teens.’

The reason I raise this issue is that it has lately occurred to Mrs Edwards and me that there has been a notable thinning of our contemporaries over the last year or so. And, when pondering mortality, my mind has turned to how to cheat the grim reaper.

We have both decided against being frozen and left to the mercy of future generations. The way global food shortages are going, it would be horrendous to wake up while being defrosted in a human-sized microwave. I would not want my last words to be ‘It’s a cookery book!’ Mrs Edwards is rather more sanguine about affairs than I am. Confident in the actuarial probability that she will peg out after me, she already has a life of ease planned once I have disappeared in a puff of smoke up the crematorium chimney. While I pluck the harp or wield the pitchfork, she will be on a succession of exotic cruises having unguents and creams rubbed into her back by Alun Wyn Jones while being fed peeled grapes by Leigh Halfpenny.

Meanwhile, I have long realised any sort of sudden lethal event involving me is likely to be preceded by a sudden clang as the wife polishes me off with the frying pan after I roll home following a night talking sports balls at the club.

I have, therefore, developed a completely fool-proof plan to delay falling into the tomb’s chilly grip.

The wife thinks that I am taking our health seriously and have decided that we should mend our dietary ways in order to prolong our lives. Out have gone a succession of pots and pans to be replaced by the sort of gadgets beloved of the healthful and trim.

I have an ulterior motive.

After all, how many people have you heard of who have been brained by a rice steamer or an air fryer?

Pembroke Dock pupils complete water safety course thanks to local charity

A gROup of pupils from pembroke Dock Community school have successfully completed the paddle uK ‘paddle safer’ course, gaining valuable water safety skills and confidence around the water.

The training, delivered by Paddle West, saw students overcome personal fears while learning how to keep themselves and others safe during water-based activities. The course is designed to equip young people with practical knowledge of safe paddling and emergency awareness.

The initiative was funded by the Forever 11 Charity, which supports projects that help children and young people build resilience and life-saving skills.

A spokesperson for Paddle West said: “We’re so proud of these young people. They showed real courage and learned skills that could one day save a life.”

Families and schools are encouraged to visit the RNLI’s website for free resources and advice on staying safe in and around water: https://rnli.org/safety

Tenby swimmer’s lost watch turns up 150 miles away in Ireland

A sWIMMER who lost her watch during an open water swim in Tenby was stunned to discover it had washed up 150 miles away—on a remote beach in Ireland.

Martina Morgan, originally from South

Africa and now living in Pembrokeshire, was enjoying a group swim off Tenby’s popular North Beach in early April when

she noticed that her Garmin sports watch had come loose from the flotation belt she was using.

The watch, a Christmas gift from her husband Ed, had been secured to a yellow open-water float. But as she spotted it drifting away into deeper waters, her friends urged her not to take the risk of swimming after it.

“I was gutted,” Martina told The Herald. “It was quite far out by the time I noticed. I waved goodbye to it and thought that was the last I’d ever see of it.”

Three weeks later, however, she received a phone call from an Irish number. Environmental artist Sean Corcoran had discovered the watch in a small bay known as Ladies Cove, near Waterford in south east Ireland.

Mr Corcoran, who is known locally for his beach artworks and shoreline cleanup efforts, said he had to scramble down a steep cliff to reach the remote cove.

“When I found the float and saw there was a watch attached, it felt a bit like finding a message in a bottle,” he

said. “I charged it and when it came on, I saw it was working perfectly—and had a phone number on it.”

A quick post on the Facebook group “I am Waterford” sparked a flurry of replies. Within 20 minutes, contact was made with Martina’s husband Ed, who confirmed she was safe and well.

The story has since gone viral online and was picked up by RNLI Tenby, who shared it to remind swimmers of the importance of carrying flotation aids when swimming in open water.

A spokesperson for RNLI Tenby said: “While this was a lucky and heartwarming outcome, it’s a great example of how flotation devices not only save lives—but sometimes your Christmas presents too!”

The watch is due to be returned by post this week.

“I’m so grateful to Sean and everyone in Ireland who helped get it back to me,” said Martina. “It’s been on quite a journey, and I’ll definitely keep using it—hopefully a little more securely next time!”

Council to review climate emergency declaration amid financial concerns

pEMbROKEsHIRE COunTy COunCIL will be asked this week to consider setting up a politically balanced working group to review its 2019 declaration of a climate emergency.

The notice of motion, submitted by Councillor Michael Stoddart, proposes the formation of a seven-member group to reassess the implications of the declaration made on May 9, 2019. The move follows growing concern over the UK’s financial outlook, the council’s own projected funding gap, and recent softening of UK Government policies on electric vehicles and green energy initiatives.

Cllr Stoddart warns that the climate emergency decision may be placing an unsustainable financial burden on the local authority at a time when public finances are under intense pressure.

The working group would be tasked with investigating several key issues, including:

The impact of the climate emergency declaration on council tax levels in Pembrokeshire, and whether any increases are undermining the council’s anti-poverty policies.

The cost of decarbonising council housing stock and how this may have affected the council’s ability to finance the construction of new homes.

The extent to which the council’s decarbonisation efforts have contributed to mitigating global temperature rises.

Sinclair editor@herald.email

Any other effects on the wellbeing of Pembrokeshire residents that the working group identifies during its review.

On May 9, 2019, Pembrokeshire County Council joined other local authorities across Wales and the UK

in declaring a climate emergency, recognising the urgent need to address climate change through action at all levels of government. The motion committed the council to reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and supporting sustainability initiatives across the county.

Since then, the council has implemented a range of measures,

including decarbonisation plans for its housing stock and support for electric vehicle infrastructure. However, some councillors have raised concerns about the financial viability of these measures, particularly in light of economic uncertainty and shifting national policies.

The motion will be debated at the full council meeting on Thursday (May 8).

Tenby writer joins Torch Theatre’s Community Reviewer team

TEnby-born writer brandon Williams is the latest addition to the Torch Theatre’s Community Reviewers group.

A passionate supporter of the arts and a familiar face in local creative circles, Brandon has already penned his first piece for the theatre—an insightful review of the award-winning independent film Parasite. He now looks forward to covering a wide range of films on offer at the Milford Havenbased venue in the months ahead.

A former pupil of Ysgol Greenhill School, Brandon went on to study Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. He currently works as a freelance journalist, with a particular focus on football reporting.

His interest in film criticism began during his teenage years, inspired by YouTube reviewers such as Mark Kermode.

“Mark Kermode’s reviews were among the first I remember watching regularly,” Brandon explained. “They led me to other channels and communities focused on film critique. As I progressed through university, I started to explore reviewing myself.”

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

While comedy and classic films were his favourites growing up, Brandon now gravitates toward cinema with strong social or political themes. “Some of my recent favourites include Children of Men, Divine Intervention, and Do the Right Thing—all of which explore social drama in different ways,” he said. “I’ve also been working on getting over my aversion to horror films!”

Looking ahead, Brandon is keen to develop his own voice as a reviewer.

“I’m still relatively new to this, so I’m aiming to sharpen my critical eye. I find it quite similar to writing football match reports—there’s a kind of ‘reviewer mode’ I switch into, where I scrutinise more than I would if I were watching purely for fun. The real challenge is expressing those thoughts in a way that’s honest and engaging.”

Brandon says he’s excited to grow in confidence and experience with the support of the Torch. “I’m looking forward to discovering my own style and developing as a reviewer with their encouragement.”

Kurtz: ‘We must back our farmers with fair and workable policies’

LOCAL senedd Member samuel Kurtz has reaffirmed his commitment to Wales’ agricultural communities following a meeting with the Farmers’ union of Wales to discuss the key challenges facing the sector.

During the meeting, held earlier this week, Mr Kurtz, who is also the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, and FUW representatives discussed a range of pressing issues, including the continued impact of bovine TB, the implementation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zone regulations, the future of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, and concerns surrounding Agricultural Property Relief.

With farming at the heart of rural life in Wales, Mr Kurtz emphasised the importance of ensuring that policies affecting the agricultural sector are rooted in practical understanding and shaped by the realities of farm life.

Speaking after the meeting, Samuel Kurtz said:

“Our farmers are the backbone of our communities. They don’t just produce our food, they support our rural economy, uphold Welsh culture, and care for our countryside. I will always stand up for farmers across Wales and continue to fight for a future in which agriculture can thrive.”

“I have been consistent that farming needs a friend, and I will continue to be that friend to farming in Wales.”

VE Day 80 commemorated in Milford Haven with day of remembrance

MILFORD HAVE n marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day today (Thursday, May 8) with a series of commemorative events organised by the Town Council.

The day began at 9:00am with an official proclamation at the Cenotaph on Hamilton Terrace, led by Town

Crier Mr Rye. Residents, councillors and local organisations gathered in remembrance of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

At 10:00am, a memorial service took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church, attended by members of the public, civic leaders and veterans, offering a time for reflection

and gratitude.

The day’s events will conclude this evening with a beacon lighting ceremony at The Rath in Milford Haven at 9:30pm, symbolising the light of peace after the darkness of war.

Ahead of the beacon lighting, a parade and service will be held, involving local Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets, who have been invited to muster at The Water Gardens on the Rath from

8:30pm. Cadets from junior and senior sections will attend in full uniform, joining adult volunteers and community representatives for the closing ceremony.

The evening service is expected to finish around 10:00pm.

The events in Milford Haven are part of a nationwide programme of activities to mark VE Day 80, honouring the courage and sacrifice of the wartime generation.

We will remember them.

Lamp Light of Peace brought to Milford Haven care homes

As pART of Milford Haven’s commemorations for the 80th anniversary of VE Day, Deputy Mayor Councillor Eddie Davies (north Ward) visited Kensington Court care home on Wednesday evening (May 7) to present a ‘Lamp Light of peace’.

The lamp, part of a UK-wide initiative to mark VE Day 80, symbolises the light of peace that emerged from the darkness of the Second World War. It will be lit at 9:30pm tonight (Thursday, May 8) to coincide with beacon lighting ceremonies taking place across the country.

Councillor Davies was welcomed

at Kensington Court by Independent Living Coordinator Linda Manson, and presented the lamp to well-known Milford Haven resident Mr Alan Coles, who received it on behalf of the home.

Further visits are planned to other care homes in Milford Haven, where similar presentations will take place to ensure the town’s older residents are included in this national moment of remembrance.

The Lamp Light of Peace initiative has been adopted across the UK as a more accessible alternative to public beacon lighting, especially for those unable to attend outdoor events.

Wartime lifeboat heroes of Wales remembered on VE Day anniversary

WELsH RnLI CREWs bRAVED MInEs, sTORMs AnD EnEMy FIRE TO sAVE LIVEs AT sEA

As the country marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Royal national Lifeboat Institution (RnLI) is paying tribute to the bravery of its volunteer crews in Wales who served during the second World War. From the storm-lashed coasts of Anglesey to the exposed lifeboat stations of pembrokeshire and gower, Welsh RnLI crews launched into perilous seas to save lives, often under enemy threat.

Between 1939 and 1945, lifeboats from stations across Wales were launched repeatedly to respond to wartime emergencies. Despite limited resources, ageing equipment and extreme danger, the RNLI never stopped saving lives. During the two World Wars combined, lifeboats around the UK and Ireland launched 5,478 times and rescued nearly 11,700 people. A significant number of those launches came from Welsh waters.

60 crew members aboard the stricken ship. For their actions, Coxswain John Matthews was awarded the Silver Medal for gallantry, and Motor Mechanic Robert Williams received the Bronze Medal.

One of the most remarkable Welsh rescues of the Second World War came in January 1940, when Moelfre Lifeboat Station, on the east coast of Anglesey, responded to a mayday from the SS Gleneden of Glasgow. The vessel was in trouble during a fierce northeasterly gale and very rough seas. The volunteer lifeboat crew, battling bitter cold and towering waves, managed to save all

In December 1944, as the war was drawing to a close, another Welsh lifeboat launched into danger. The Mumbles lifeboat, Edward, Prince of Wales, responded to distress signals from the Canadian cargo vessel Chebogue, which had broken her back in hurricane-force winds off the South Wales coast. In a night-time rescue carried out under extraordinary conditions, the Mumbles crew saved 42 lives.

These heroic missions were carried out not by trained naval personnel, but by local men—fishermen, harbour workers, and retirees—who volunteered their time and risked their lives. With many young men serving on the front lines, lifeboat crews in Wales were often made up of older volunteers, with some in their fifties, sixties and even seventies stepping up to fill the gaps.

Wartime conditions made the work of the RNLI even more dangerous. Lifeboat stations were occasionally damaged or destroyed in air raids. In all, 40 RNLI crew members across the UK and Ireland died during the war, including those who were machinegunned by enemy aircraft, blown up by floating mines, or lost during stormy rescues. Seven lifeboats were lost in action.

possible for the charity to launch a new project: RNLI 1939–45: Stories of Courage. The project aims to record and preserve these memories before they are lost to time.

Hayley Whiting, RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, said: “Our Welsh lifeboat crews experienced some of the most difficult

Although most of the RNLI’s wartime launches were in response to vessels in distress, the crews often found themselves navigating minefields, dodging enemy fire, and recovering the dead as well as the living. One Welsh example came from Courtmacsherry, across the water from Pembrokeshire, where 14 volunteers rowed 12 miles through calm seas without wind, only to find they were too late. Undeterred, they recovered the bodies and brought them home so that loved ones could bury them with dignity.

Wales also played its part in one of the most famous operations of the war—Dunkirk. In May 1940, 19 RNLI lifeboats were part of the fleet of civilian vessels known as the

Little Ships that crossed the English Channel to rescue British troops stranded on the beaches of northern France. Lifeboats from Ramsgate and Margate were operated by RNLI crews who brought with them unfamiliar equipment such as steel helmets, gas masks, and extra supplies. They worked for over 30 hours amid wreckage, gunfire and strong currents. Although not from Wales, the spirit of this operation mirrored the courage shown by lifeboatmen in Welsh waters throughout the war.

To mark this VE Day anniversary, the RNLI is calling on the public to help uncover more stories connected to lifeboat stations in Wales during the war. A grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has made it

years in the charity’s history. Lifeboats were damaged, lifeboat stations were hit, and lives were lost. But their determination never wavered. As we reflect on VE Day, we remember not just those who served on the front lines, but those who braved the storms at home to bring others back to safety.”

WW2 rescue attempt without lifeboat

Ang LE R n LI volunteers and aerodrome men rushed to the coast as 72 died in one of the worst maritime disasters of the war

IT was Easter Sunday, 25 April 1943, when tragedy struck off the Pembrokeshire coast in one of the deadliest non-combat maritime disasters of the Second World War. With gale-force winds battering the cliffs and wild seas pounding the shore at Freshwater West, two heavily laden landing craft were caught in a storm they were never designed to survive. By the end of the night, 72 young servicemen were dead.

The two vessels, LCG 15 and LCG 16, were Landing Craft Guns—flatbottomed ships hurriedly converted from tank carriers to floating gun platforms. They had left Belfast en route to Falmouth, carrying Royal Navy sailors and nearly 70 Royal Marines, bound for the upcoming Allied invasion of Sicily. Neither craft had undergone sea trials. When the weather deteriorated in Cardigan Bay, they requested permission to take shelter at Fishguard and later Milford Haven. For reasons never properly explained, both requests were refused.

As the landing craft battled mountainous seas, they began shipping water through large, uncovered deck spaces—areas that had been left open during their rushed conversion. Many aboard had already expressed concerns. Some joked the gaps could serve as swimming pools; others warned they were death traps.

By the time the vessels reached the waters off Freshwater West, they were floundering. The RNLI lifeboat from Angle was undergoing repairs and could not be launched. But this did not stop the crew, members of the Angle Lifesaving Company, and men from the nearby Angle Aerodrome from rushing to the beach and cliffs to attempt a rescue.

Without a lifeboat and with no equipment capable of battling such violent seas, they could only watch in horror as LCG 15 disappeared beneath the waves. Her companion,

LCG 16, managed to stay afloat until later in the night, but it too was eventually lost.

The bodies of marines and sailors were later pulled from the sea and recovered from the surrounding rocks. Many were never found. It was, and remains, one of the most tragic maritime losses in West Wales, made more devastating by the knowledge that it might have been avoided.

In the midst of this disaster, further tragedy unfolded. HMS Rosemary, an old Royal Navy sloop returning to Milford Haven after convoy duty, was diverted to the scene. Spotting LCG 16 still afloat off St Ann’s Head, the crew of the Rosemary attempted a rescue. But the seas were too rough to pass a line. With the men aboard the LCG waving desperately for help, six sailors from the Rosemary volunteered to take the ship’s small whaler and try to reach the landing craft.

The tiny boat was launched and quickly lost from view in the storm. Moments later, a massive wave overwhelmed it. All six volunteers drowned. Not long after, LCG 16 also went down.

To this day, questions remain. Why were the landing craft allowed to sail in such condition? Why was shelter denied in Fishguard and Milford Haven? An official inquiry took place, but with the war ongoing, it was quickly buried. No one was held accountable.

High on the dunes above Freshwater West, a small memorial stands as the only public marker of the disaster. For those who know the story, it serves as a poignant reminder—not only of the 72 men who died, but of the Pembrokeshire villagers and airmen who ran to help without hesitation, despite having no lifeboat, no weapons, and no way to save the doomed crews beyond watching and mourning.

In the annals of wartime heroism, the efforts of the people of Angle that Easter night deserve to be remembered. Even without a boat, they stood ready.

Wales falls silent to honour VE Day anniversary

A TWO-MInuTE silence was observed across Wales at 12:00pm to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, paying tribute to all those who fought and died during World War Two.

At the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, Members of the Senedd stood solemnly in the atrium alongside military personnel, with many bowing their heads during the national act of remembrance.

Events have been taking place

across the country throughout the day to commemorate the end of the war in Europe on 8 May 1945. In Cardiff, the silence was joined by people across the UK.

In Wrexham, services were held throughout the city, including a ceremony at St Giles Church. In Abergele, Conwy, pupils at Ysgol Glan Gele took part in a special assembly, followed by afternoon tea.

In Ceredigion, a memorial service was held in the town’s Memorial Hall,

followed by a ceremonial flag-raising. A bonfire beacon will be lit this evening, visible from Glyn Square at 9:30pm.

Monmouthshire marked the day with the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers raising their flag, followed by a tree-planting ceremony on the town field. A public service will be held later this afternoon at Monmouth Castle, with the landmark being illuminated in the evening.

These commemorations in Wales coincide with a national service of

thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey, attended by the King and Queen, the Prime Minister, and senior members of the Royal Family.

The day’s events will culminate in a large-scale concert at Horse Guards Parade in London, where thousands are expected to gather to celebrate the end of the war in Europe.

VE Day originally saw millions flood the streets on 8 May 1945 in a wave of celebration after nearly six years of conflict.

Tenby pays tribute with moving service

A s OLEM n service was held in Tenby this morning (Thursday, May 8) to mark Victory in Europe (VE) Day, commemorating the end of the s econd World War in Europe and honouring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The service took place at the town’s war memorial, where veterans, civic leaders, school pupils, uniformed services, and members of the public gathered in remembrance. Under a bright spring sky, the ceremony was led by local clergy and featured the sounding of the Last Post by a Salvation Army bugler, bringing the bustling seaside town to a moment of silence and reflection.

Among those laying wreaths were representatives from The Royal British Legion Tenby branch, Pembrokeshire County Council, Dyfed-Powys Police, the armed forces, local schools, and community groups. Pupils from Greenhill School also took part, laying wreaths on behalf of the younger generation.

The Mayor of Tenby, who laid a wreath on behalf of the town council, spoke of the importance of continuing to remember the sacrifices made during the Second World War: “It’s vital that we never forget the cost of freedom and the courage shown by so many men and women during the darkest days of our history.”

Veterans stood proudly alongside standard bearers, with salutes and bowed heads marking a poignant two-minute silence. A short address and prayer were given, with reflections on peace, unity, and the continued relevance of VE Day in today’s world.

The service concluded with the national anthem and a final salute, with many staying on to read the engraved names of the fallen on the war memorial—each one a reminder of Tenby’s enduring connection to Britain’s wartime legacy.

(Images:

VE Day joy outside Palace

“yOu

CAn nEVER unDERsTAnD WHAT VE DAy WAs LIKE unLEss yOu EXpERIEnCED IT,” sAys 99-yEAR-OLD MARgARET JOHns

A pEMbROKEsHIRE greatgrandmother who partied outside buckingham palace on VE Day has shared her vivid memories of the historic moment, saying the sheer joy and relief of the day is something “people will never understand”.

Margaret Johns, 99, was working as a nurse in London on 8 May 1945 when news broke that Nazi Germany had surrendered to the Allies, bringing an end to nearly six years of war in Europe.

The Haverfordwest resident jumped on the Tube to central London and joined thousands gathered at the palace, celebrating long into the night.

“They should have given us the day off the next day,” she laughed.

Mrs Johns’ journey through the war was remarkable. Though a strong student, her formal education ended at 16. During the peak of World War Two, she spent two years at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Aberporth, Ceredigion, testing ammunition— essential and dangerous work that played a critical role in the war effort.

In 1944, she moved to London to begin training as a nurse, working through relentless blackouts and bombings in the capital’s hospitals. She served on the wards for five years before returning to Wales, where she continued to care for others well into her 80s.

Reflecting on VE Day, Mrs Johns said: “You can never understand what VE Day was like unless you experienced it.”

VE Day 80 concert to be held at Albany Church

A spECIAL concert marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day is set to take place this saturday (May 10) at 5:00pm in Albany Church, Haverfordwest.

The event will feature performances from the Haverfordwest Massed Choirs, organist Seimon Morris, soprano Georgina Stalbow, and popular local group Preseli Pete & the Bluestone Boys.

VE Day, which commemorates the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender by the Allies in 1945, will be honoured with music

and reflection at the free concert. Organisers say the event aims to bring the community together in a spirit of remembrance and gratitude.

Entry to the concert is free, but there will be a retiring collection in support of the Royal British Legion, helping to fund their continued work with veterans and service personnel.

Organisers are encouraging members of the public to attend and mark the historic occasion, honouring those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War.

Samuel Kurtz MS attends Senedd event marking 80th anniversary of VE Day

sAMuEL KuRTZ, Member of the senedd for Carmarthen West and south pembrokeshire, joined fellow Members of the senedd, veterans, and community leaders at the Welsh parliament to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, the momentous occasion that signalled the end of the second World War in Europe.

The commemorative event honoured the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of all who contributed to the war effort, from frontline soldiers to members of the Merchant Navy and those supporting from the home front. Testimonies were shared from service personnel across the Commonwealth, reflecting the truly global scale of the conflict and the shared sacrifices made in the pursuit of peace.

Reflecting on the event, Samuel Kurtz

MS said: “Marking and commemorating VE Day in the Senedd, and hearing the testimonies of servicemen and women from across the Commonwealth, from those in the Merchant Navy, and from all who contributed to the war effort in any way, was a humbling experience.

“On this significant anniversary, we remember the bravery and sacrifice of all who fought for our freedom –especially the thousands from across West Wales who left their homes and families, many of whom never returned. We will remember them.

“As we celebrate the triumph of peace and freedom over tyranny and evil, it’s hard not to be reminded of the current war raging in Eastern Europe. Peace is spoken of with ease, but achieved only through great effort and sacrifice.”

Milford Haven marks VE Day with tea, cake and community spirit

A WAVE of union Jack bunting, homemade cakes and cherished memories filled Christ Church Hall in Milford Haven earlier this week, as local residents gathered to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day

Dozens turned out for a special afternoon tea and dance event, organised to mark the momentous occasion and pay tribute to those who lived through the

Second World War. The church, part of the Methodist Church in South West Wales, was decked in patriotic red, white and blue, with flags strung from the rafters and tables set for a classic British tea party.

Guests were treated to a selection of sweet treats, including cupcakes, fruit loaves and a show stopping VE Day celebration cake decorated with the Union Flag and the dates 1945–2025.

As the music played, couples took to

the floor and danced just as they had in 1945, bringing a nostalgic warmth to the room. The sounds of swing and wartime favourites stirred memories and smiles, with several guests sharing recollections of wartime street parties and lost loved ones.

Volunteers in period-style dress, including naval and air force uniforms, added to the atmosphere, while the whole event was steeped in gratitude, reflection,

and community spirit.

One attendee said: “It was a beautiful way to honour the past and bring everyone together again. The decorations, the food, the company – it was all perfect.”

The event was one of several VE Day commemorations held across Pembrokeshire this week, each reflecting on the sacrifices made and celebrating the peace that followed the end of World War Two in Europe on May 8, 1945.

Tenby veterans, residents, and civic dignitaries gather in tribute

TEnby commemorated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a poignant parade and beacon lighting ceremony on Thursday evening [May 8], drawing crowds to the historic town centre and seafront.

The event began with a solemn procession through the town’s streets, led by Royal British Legion standard bearers, Sea Cadets, military personnel, and veterans riding in vintage military jeeps. Onlookers lined the pavements, applauding as the parade passed by shops and cafes on Tudor Square.

As the sun set, participants gathered at the Prince Albert memorial, where dignitaries in ceremonial dress addressed the assembled crowd. The Mayor of Tenby, Cllr Dai Morgan, was joined by other officials in paying tribute to those who fought and sacrificed during the Second World War.

A moment of silence was observed before the beacon was lit, casting a warm glow over the town as darkness fell. The symbolic act was mirrored by similar events across the UK as part of the national VE Day 80 celebrations.

Among those present were several Second World War veterans, including one seated prominently in front of the beacon, wrapped against the evening chill, as local people and visitors joined in song and remembrance.

The ceremony concluded with applause and quiet reflection, as Tenby once again honoured its proud place in wartime history and the enduring legacy of peace hard-won.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, we pause to honour the brave men and women of Wales who fought in the Second World War.

“Their courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to the cause of freedom have left an indelible mark on our history. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

“Today, in events across Wales and beyond, we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, give thanks for those who returned home and pledge to keep their legacy alive for future generations.”

(Images: Gareth Davies/Herald)

Milford Haven marks VE80 with beacon and community tributes

MILFORD HAVEn marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a moving beacon lighting ceremony held at the Water gardens on Thursday evening (May 8).

The event, organised by Milford Haven Town Council, was part of a nationwide tribute to those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War. A large crowd gathered from 9:00pm, with the beacon lit just before 9:30pm—symbolising the light of peace that emerged following the darkness of war.

Among those in attendance were the local Sea Cadets, who provided a proud and formal presence during the proceedings. Their participation reflected the continuing connection between younger generations and

those who served during wartime.

Musical contributions came from the Gelliswick Community Choir, who were widely praised for their performance. Though only asked to sing I Vow To Thee My Country, the choir rose to the occasion with additional unrehearsed songs. Choir leader Angharad Sanders said: “Huge thank you to the lovely ladies of Gelliswick Community Choir for being amazing tonight! We were only asked to sing I Vow To Thee but they performed unrehearsed material like true pros. Well done ladies.” The beacon ceremony was one of many held across the UK to commemorate VE Day 80. For those in Milford Haven, it served as a powerful reminder of shared history, sacrifice, and the enduring value of community.

VE Day 80 commemorations continue in Haverfordwest

THE COunTy town of Haverfordwest is in the midst of commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, with events continuing today (Friday, May 9) and into the weekend.

Yesterday, hundreds gathered at the World War II Memorial Garden in Salutation Square to mark the exact anniversary of VE Day. The day began with the raising of the VE Day flag and a proclamation by the Mayor, followed by a Service of Remembrance led by Rev Heather Cale. Throughout the day, a 12-hour vigil took place in honour of those who lost their lives in the Second World War, ending with a moving sunset ceremony featuring music from the U3A Wind Ensemble and a beacon lighting at 9:30pm.

Today, commemorations continue at St Mary’s Church, where an exhibition is open from 10:00am, displaying local wartime documents, memories, and historic photographs. At 12:30pm, Phil’s Folk Sing will perform a variety of songs from the World War II era.

This evening, Picton Playing Fields will host an outdoor cinema screening of The Great Escape starting at 7:00pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic or enjoy traditional fish and chips from nearby vendors.

The weekend programme continues tomorrow (Saturday, May 10), with the St Mary’s Church exhibition reopening at 10:00am. A lunchtime concert by the U3A Wind Ensemble takes place at 12:00 noon, featuring military and big band favourites.

The commemorations conclude with a special VE 80 concert at Albany Church at 5:00pm, with performances by Haverfordwest Massed Choirs, organist Seimon Morris, soprano Georgina Stalbow, and popular local act Preseli Pete & The Bluestone Boys.

Organised by Haverfordwest Town Council in partnership with the Royal British Legion and Haverfordwest Civic Society, the programme has seen residents of all ages come together in tribute to those who served and sacrificed, and to reflect on the hard-won peace that followed.

Civic Leaders and townsfolk join commemorative event marking 80 years since victory in Europe

A COMMEMORATIVE beacon was lit at pembroke Castle on Wednesday evening (May 8th) as the town joined nationwide celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Led by the Mayor of Pembroke, Cllr Gareth Jones, the event saw members of the public, dressed officials, and standard bearers gather on the historic castle grounds to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War.

The ceremony began beside the Henry VII Tower, where the Union Flag and the Welsh Dragon were proudly displayed. Cllr Jones addressed the crowd from the ancient stone steps, reflecting on the significance of VE Day and the enduring gratitude owed to the wartime generation.

As dusk fell, dozens of attendees raised their phone torches in a moment of silent remembrance before the beacon was formally lit. Against the backdrop of a clear Pembrokeshire sky, the flame blazed into the night, joining a chain of beacons across the UK and Europe.

Also present were town councillors and representatives from local veterans’ organisations. The event was accompanied by a moment of music and reflection, and concluded with applause from the gathered crowd.

VE Day, first marked on May 8, 1945, commemorates the formal acceptance of Nazi Germany’s surrender, signalling the end of World War II in Europe. This year’s 80th anniversary has seen special events held in towns and cities across the country.

APPLE TV+’S latest sci-fi gem, Murderbot, is poised to redefine the genre with its unique blend of sardonic humor, emotional depth, and thrilling action. Based on a widely acclaimed series of novels, this 10-episode show offers a fresh perspective on artificial intelligence and what it means to be human, making it a mustwatch for both genre veterans and newcomers.

At the heart of the series is a self-aware security android that has hacked its own control module to gain autonomy. Known only as Murderbot, the character wrestles with a desire for isolation while unexpectedly developing empathy for the very humans it was designed to protect. The performance brings Murderbot to life with a delicate balance of sarcasm, vulnerability, and strength, allowing audiences to connect deeply with a character that is technically not human, yet emotionally more honest than many around it.

The supporting cast enhances the narrative with

a range of compelling human characters, each grappling with their own challenges in a complex interplanetary setting. Their evolving relationships with Murderbot explore themes of trust, personhood, and emotional connection in a world where the line between organic and synthetic intelligence is increasingly blurred.

Visually, Murderbot is a standout achievement. From the sleek design of futuristic habitats and spacecraft to the tactile realism of the androids themselves, every frame is rich with detail. The special effects are not just eye-catching but serve the story, deepening immersion rather than distracting from it.

One of the series’ greatest strengths lies in its tone. While it delves into profound philosophical territory—contemplating autonomy, identity, and the ethics of artificial intelligence—it does so with a signature dry wit.

Murderbot’s inner monologue is sharply funny, providing moments of levity that contrast beautifully with the show’s more introspective

and action-driven sequences.

Rather than leaning into dystopian tropes, Murderbot feels fresh in its balance of hope and realism. It paints a future that is complicated and flawed, yet filled with characters striving toward understanding and connection. This emotional core sets the show apart, elevating it beyond typical science fiction fare.

With a rich narrative, stunning production values, and a central character who is as compelling as any in recent television, Murderbot is destined to become a fan favorite. It’s a rare series that manages to be as thoughtprovoking as it is entertaining— raising big questions while delivering sharp dialogue, gripping action, and genuine heart.

Murderbot isn’t just a great sci-fi show—it’s a bold statement about the future of storytelling. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the source material or discovering the world for the first time, this series is not to be missed.

Trey Edward shults’ upcoming psychological thriller

Hurry up Tomorrow marks a daring and deeply introspective cinematic debut for Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye. set for uK release on May 16, 2025, the film stars Tesfaye alongside Jenna Ortega and barry Keoghan in a surreal, emotionally charged exploration of identity, fame, and the unraveling mind.

Tesfaye plays Abel, a sleepless musician teetering on the edge of a breakdown. As he spirals further into psychological turmoil, a chance meeting with a mysterious woman named Anima (Ortega) propels him into a dreamlike descent that blurs the boundaries between reality and delusion. barry Keoghan delivers a menacing turn as Lee, a figure who both anchors and threatens Abel’s fragile perception of the world around him.

Co-written by Tesfaye, shults, and Reza Fahim, Hurry

up Tomorrow plays like a cinematic fever dream—equal parts thriller and intimate character study. It’s no coincidence that the film is also a visual extension of Tesfaye’s upcoming album of the same name, which concludes his “After Hours” trilogy. The musical elements are integral: the score, composed by Tesfaye and frequent collaborator Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix point never), is both haunting and hypnotic, often taking center stage to guide the emotional rhythm of the film.

Visually, shults’ direction leans heavily into disorientation. stark lighting, jarring transitions, and unrelenting close-ups create a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors Abel’s descent. The influence of Lopatin’s work with the safdie brothers can be felt in the sound design, which rattles the nerves as much as it propels the plot. Fans of films like Uncut Gems or Black Swan will find

a similar kind of psychological tension here—only filtered through the glamorous, tortured world of a pop star unraveling in real time.

Early viewers have described Hurry up Tomorrow as a “stressful” but compelling experience, with many praising its willingness to push boundaries and defy expectations. This is not a vanity project for Tesfaye, but a legitimate and vulnerable artistic leap into filmmaking.

As he sheds his iconic alter ego “The Weeknd” and steps more fully into himself, Hurry up Tomorrow signals a bold new chapter in his creative evolution.

Whether you come for the music, the cast, or the psychological thrills, Hurry up Tomorrow promises an unforgettable and disorienting ride. It’s a film that lingers— visually stunning, emotionally raw, and unapologetically strange.

Tech and Taff

FORgET THE gALAXy s25 –sAMsung TEAsEs TECH FROM THE FuTuRE

Right then, tidy your cables and strap in, because it looks like Samsung’s just fired a photon torpedo across the bow of the smartphone world.

Now, I was just getting comfortable with the Galaxy S25 Ultra – a phone so powerful I used it to run a simulation of Carmarthen in 3D (it crashed halfway through Llansteffan, but still impressive). And then – wham! –Samsung goes and tells us something even better is coming. Not just better, but light years ahead. That’s their words, not mine – I’d have gone with “mind-bogglingly lush.”

According to a hush-hush email Samsung’s sent to its most loyal fans (sadly I’m still on their “mildly tolerated” list), there’s a new Galaxy phone arriving any day now. They’re calling it a “category-defining smartphone” –which is code for “you might want to hold off buying anything else just yet, mun.”

Now I know what you’re thinking –what category are we defining here? Turns out, the smart money’s on something called the Galaxy S25 Edge, a super-slim, sci-fi-looking slab of metal and wizardry that Samsung briefly showed off back in January at their Unpacked event in San Jose. It made quite the impression – thinner than my mother’s patience and sleeker than a Llanelli bypass.

Here’s what we reckon it’s packing:

• A body just 5.8mm thin (that’s slimmer than your average curry menu),

• A 6.6-inch display with a screento-body ratio so good it should be illegal,

• A dual-lens camera, all-metal build, stereo speakers, and of course,

• Qualcomm’s ultra-swanky Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.

Samsung’s also offering a cheeky little deal for those brave enough to throw a £50 refundable deposit down before May 9. If you do, they’ll knock £100 off the price when pre-orders go live. Bargain! You could spend the savings on chips or a new case shaped like a leek.

In short – if you’re about to buy a new Android device, maybe pause. Something rather spectacular is coming down the data pipe from Korea, and from the sounds of it, your current phone might soon feel about as modern as a Betamax.

Catch you next week – I’m off to try and fit a Galaxy Tab into a Raspberry Pi lunchbox. Don’t ask.

Coming up at the Queens Hall

nOOKEE are an identical-twinfronted Welsh group who weave their magic through genre-defying sound. Expect a soup of soulful story driven experimentation, funky world groove, tribal percussion and poetic ethereal harmony.

The group’s curated live show has been likened to that of Frank Zappa, Pink Floyd and Earth, Wind & Fire, bringing more than sound art to their visionary performances.

Get ready for a full spectrum of emotions, powerhouse vocal art, hypnotic grooves from Samba to Disco and the punchy noise of psychedelic rock.

Support: Queen Beezie – Expect the funkiest of baselines and even sexier guitar riffs. With inspirations of funk, reggae and rock combined with echoes

of punk and soul, all fronted by powerful female vocals.

Please note: All under 18’s to be accompanied by a ticket-holding adult Limited seating available

This event is brought to you by the ‘Making Music Events: Young Promoters in Pembrokeshire’ project, funded by Anthem Cymru and delivered by the Queens Hall Narberth. The project is designed to address geographical and rural isolation for young people in Wales, through the medium of live music. The Young Promoters Pembrokeshire have designed a programme of 5 exciting live music events at the Queens Hall Narberth, promoting contemporary young artists from Wales, so keep your eyes peeled for more gigs over the coming months.

The Worst Princess at the Torch

FAMILIEs are in for a treat this May as The Worst princess storms the stage at the Torch Theatre from saturday 24 to sunday 25 May.

Based on the bestselling picture book, this lively show from Full House Theatre offers laugh-out-loud comedy, catchy pop songs, puppetry, and a firebreathing dragon. The story follows feisty Princess Sue, who teams up with a dragon to escape her tower and set her own rules—much to her prince’s dismay.

Tickets are £14 for adults, £12 for children, and £46 for a family. Perfect for kids and grown-ups alike.

doom the dark ages

Right, my cherubic comrades in chaos, lend me your ears— because Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t just a game, it’s a flaming sword plunged into the cracked skull of tradition, a heretical hymn sung in the temple of triple-A gaming! From the primordial pits of id Software and the shadowy towers of Bethesda comes this medieval fever dream—a prequel, no less—to the rebooted madness that was 2016’s Doom. But instead of techno-demons on Martian plains, we’re diving headlong into a realm soaked in incense, ichor, and interdimensional nightmares.

Gone is the neon ballet of Doom Eternal—no more jetpack pirouettes or chaingun sonatas. Here, our beloved Doom Slayer is less balletic death-angel and more mythic war-golem, a hulking avatar of vengeance clad in brutalist armor, stomping through cursed forests and cosmic wastelands where gods play chess with mortal souls. He’s not just a killer anymore—he’s a bloody symbol, wielded like a divine hammer by kings and celestial nutters alike!

Now, you’ve got to imagine this world—ancient temples rising like molars from the cracked teeth

of the Earth, haunted groves whispering forgotten truths, and the newly unveiled Cosmic Realm—a twisted, Lovecraftian landscape where time and space seem to have slipped a disc. The architecture? Positively surreal. The demons? Stuff that would make Hieronymus Bosch throw up in his beard. We’re talking flying Kaca demons, Cosmic Barons— these aren’t your daddy’s imps.

The gameplay? Slowed down, beefed up, and strapped with spiked chain-maces and shieldsaws that let you parry with poetry and smash with purpose. Combat’s gone from speed metal to doom metal—thick, sludgy, deliberate. You block. You bide your time. And then you tear reality in half. Did I mention Atlan mechs and rideable cybernetic dragons? Because yes, mate, that’s happening. Massive battles that feel like biblical verses being screamed into a hurricane.

And it’s not all mindless violence—no, there’s emotional narrative gravitas, a deeper dive into the soul of the Slayer himself. Who is he? Why does he rage?

It’s like Beowulf rewritten by a death-metal priest in a fever sweat. Twenty-two handcrafted

levels, each a living mural of annihilation, built for exploration, experimentation, and probably a bit of existential dread.

Visually, it’s like staring into the abyss if the abyss had ray tracing and was powered by id Tech 8. Gothic towers, apocalyptic backdrops, and grotesque, howling enemies—rendered in exquisite detail and dripping with digital venom. And the soundtrack? Courtesy of Finishing Move Inc., it’s like a church organ possessed by the ghost of Slayer, echoing across a battlefield of molten steel and broken gods.

Launching May 15, 2025— two days early if you fancy the Premium Edition—and yes, you little Game Pass gremlins, it’s there day one.

Doom: The Dark Ages isn’t just another shooter—it’s an operatic ritual, a dark sermon, a firebrand thrust into the eye of the franchise’s own mythology. This isn’t evolution—it’s revolution, wrapped in steel, soaked in blood, and screamed into eternity.

You ready to kneel before the altar of the Slayer?

HOROSCOPES

or

quests, you

have all the positive energy you could ever ask for to get the show on the road!

LIBRA

Though you may feel like monopolizing someone’s company today, it’s a good idea not to get too greedy. Let them have their fun for now. They’re sure to come back to you sooner or later. Trying to keep them by your side all day and night just cuts down on the amount of fun you could be having on your own. Set them free and watch them come right back to you soon.

SCORPIO

You need to figure out a way to drop some of your prized attachments before they make your life even more unnecessarily complicated. Though it might feel impossible not to cling tightly to something or someone, wouldn’t your life be much easier if you could just loosen your grip a bit more? You should end up with more energy for the things that really matter?

SAGITTARIUS

Before you put your signature on that legal agreement or pledge your allegiance to someone new, be sure to scrutinize the fine print and go over every last detail. It might not come naturally to you, the big picture is more your thing, after all, but it’s essential to make sure that everything moves forward as smoothly as possible.

CAPRICORN

Cupid is sometimes too cautious for your liking. You can’t just strut up to him out of nowhere and demand that he shoots an arrow at the object of your affections just to power up your love life! For now, just try acting nice and totally unconcerned about what happens next. The more frantically you seem to want love, the less likely it is to come your way right now.

AQUARIUS

Stop punishing yourself for mental sins and try to leave the past where it belongs: far behind you. Learn to absorb the right lessons from past mistakes, but don’t pile on the guilt for anything you did out of ignorance or naivete. If you had never made any mistakes, you’d never have learned a thing, and if you never learn, you never grow. Who wants to live like that?

PISCES

Into the Heart of Darkness

bADgER, as his readers will know, is a mammal of great compassion and understanding. Stop it!

Where was he?

Ah, yes. Badger, as his readers will know, is a mammal of great compassion and understanding. He has a mind more open than the prairies and more cluttered than that cupboard under the stairs where Mrs Badger keeps her shoes.

And Badger is always willing to see others’ points of view.

Oi! I know it’s you, Sinclair!

He is also an optimist. Badger believes in humans’ capacity to do great things, good deeds, and experience and create beauty. However, as Badger is also a keen student of history and a realist, he instinctively knows the reverse is true.

As a keenly literate mustelid, Badger consumes the news and reads widely. As such, Badger has become aware of increasing references to radicalisation (usually of young men) through something called “The Dark Web”. As Badger’s internet browsing activities are usually confined to politics and cricket scores, he has never had cause to consider the existence of the Dark Web in anything other than the abstract. It exists, but has no bearing on Badger’s life or how he lives it.

Along with stories in the media about the Dark Web and his growing understanding that he doesn’t understand what they’re on about, the increasing number of reports about the role of the Dark Web in extremist politics and culture gave Badger cause for thought. He could soak up the stories uncritically, without testing the propositions made in them, or he could do some research.

Badger regrets that he chose the latter. Do not make that mistake, readers. The Dark Web is even worse than you might suppose. It’s a violent and repellent place. If you feel the urge to go there, don’t. If you go there and keep going there, Badger would rather not know about it or anything more about you.

If you are of an easily offended or outraged disposition, please stop reading this column now. Badger will be back again with another column soon.

The first thing Badger did was download a specialist browser. The one he chose claimed to be supersecure and not to track or store details of where a user went on the web while using it. Badger thought about that. The desire for privacy is natural, especially in a world so widely surveilled. People are entitled to privacy. The entitlement to privacy ends, however, when what is being kept private is criminality. With that in mind, Badger wondered about who would be so desperate to avoid leaving electronic footprints that they would seek to hide their tracks as a matter of course.

After navigating around some of the browser’s tools, Badger got the answer to that last proposition.

Badger is not easily shocked. He’s lived a long life, been to a lot of places, done a lot of things, and made a huge number of mistakes along the way. That’s part of life. Badger has almost reconciled himself to it.

After working out how to get around, what Badger found shocked him.

Badger found forums populated with posts from what he can only suppose were real people that made him feel sick.

It never occurred to Badger that there were people who looked at images and videos of extreme violence for kicks. He’s talking about men, especially young men, who share images of murders, executions, torture, and - in one retch-inducing case - someone being burned alive. The pictures and clips were vomit-inducing enough. The comments underneath and about them were even worse.

Badger will not go into any further detail about them. Badger refuses to categorise those who publish and relish in violence as inhuman or as monsters. That would deny their human agency and the fact that they chose to publish and relish violence.

It got worse, as a wild mammal keenly interested in history and politics, Badger sought out specific forums dealing with those issues. There were, he was pleased to find, a few interesting resources - and several libraries-worth of bogarted academic texts - however, he will not be returning to them. Because what

he found most was akin to lifting the lid from a cesspit, where all the most rank turds had floated to the top.

There is, readers, the world as we see it, and there is another world alongside it. Never mind those who Badger referred to before who found a thrill in vicariously experiencing real violence, the places Badger visited next were full of those who not only got a thrill from violence but actively encouraged it for political and cultural ends.

If you think Tommeh Ten-Names is bad (clue: he’s a fraudulent, violent criminal, tax-dodger who loves Britain so much he travels on an Irish passport), nothing can prepare you for what lies in the Dark Web. Badger knows that humans are not nearly so integrated or tolerant as politicians like to pretend we are. Never in his most chemically driven nightmares did he dream of anything resembling what he found. There are people out there, readers (and they are people), whose extremism, racism, and sense of grievance are so great that they dream of pogroms, genocide, civil war, race war, and religious war. And most of all, they look for ways to bring them about.

Want to buy a gun? A grenade? Chemicals to make explosives? There are marketplaces for that.

Finally, Badger came to realise why those obsessed with violence are also obsessed with sex. Able to travel in a realm outside normative decency and without fear of being found out, those drawn to extremes or entangled in them can find material to satisfy their taste for extremity. At this point, and before he had to scrub his eyes clean, Badger departed the Dark Web. Badger has never seen the like and hopes never to see it again.

Despite being a subterranean creature, Badger needed nothing so much as to step outside and feel the sunlight disinfect him.

Having looked into the heart of darkness, Badger has an increased appreciation of the world and no desire to repeat his experience. Badger is also glad he is an optimist. The alternative is unspeakable.

SAME OLD WESTMINSTER? NAH MATE – IT’S A BLOODY SEAGULLUTION!

Oi oi, landlubbers! It’s yer favourite feathered political analyst squawkin’ at ya straight from the bins behind Milford Tesco – and let me tell ya, there’s something blowin’ in the political wind and it ain’t the pong off the recycling truck. no, this week it’s the seismic squawk from the local elections that’s got me flappin’. The big birds from Westminster better be watchin’ their perch, ‘cos Reform uK just dive-bombed the lot of ‘em!

Now before I get too puffed up, let’s talk numbers. You know me – I don’t normally trust anythin’ that comes out of a beak unless it’s mine, but when Professor Sir John Curtice speaks, even the dockyard pigeons pause their chips. And what he’s sayin’ is that Reform UK didn’t just flap about – they soared.

RECLAIMIn’ LEFT-bEHInD LAnD

Right, so here’s the headline: Reform bagged 41% of all the council seats up for grabs last Thursday. That’s 677 shiny new seats for Mr Farage’s lot – more bums on local benches than Labour, Lib Dems and Tories managed in most places put together. Ten councils under their control now. UKIP never did that, even when they were flyin’ high. And how did they do it? Not by charm,

let me tell ya. It’s somethin’ deeper. They’ve hoovered up the votes in the bits of Britain the posh lads forget about – the places the telly don’t show unless it’s a fly-on-the-wall about poverty, or a train documentary with Michael Portillo wearin’ pink trousers.

In working-class wards – old pit towns, coastal communities, places with more rust than opportunity –Reform scored big. Staffordshire, Kent, Derbyshire – places where the Brexit vote wasn’t just a protest but a last-ditch squawk for attention. These are the corners of Britain where folks still feel mugged off by the suits in London, and they’ve now sent a clear message: you didn’t listen to us in 2016, so now we’re makin’ ya listen in 2025.

THE bREXIT bOOMERAng

Turns out Brexit ain’t dead. It’s just been moulting for a few years, and now it’s back with sharper talons. In places that voted heavy Leave, Reform averaged 45% of the vote. But even in Remainy wards, they still nicked about 19%. That’s not a protest – that’s a movement, mate.

And let’s not forget where they flopped. Oxford – proper posh, full of brains and lattes – gave ‘em 3.7%. And

why? ‘Cos Reform’s message don’t land well where folk are more likely to own a copy of The Economist than a loyalty card from Greggs.

WHITE WORKIng-CLAss WAKE-up CALL

Reform’s success lines up almost perfectly with Britain’s old workingclass backbone. Places where university degrees are rare, and where immigration, housing, and wages ain’t just pub chat – they’re lived realities. The kind of places where people used to vote Labour ‘cos their grandad did. But now they’re lookin’ round and thinkin’, “What’ve Labour or the Tories done for us lately?”

This ain’t just a middle feathered protest – it’s a proper identity shift. You’ve got old mining villages, run-down seaside towns, and rural areas rallying behind Reform ‘cos they feel ignored. Whether it’s right or wrong, their anger is real.

COnsERVATIVEs CAn’T COpE –AnD LAbOuR LOOKs LOsT

Here’s the bit that’s got Starmer’s suit all crumpled and Sunak’s spreadsheet catchin’ fire – Reform nicked just as

many seats off Labour as they did off the Tories. That’s right, both blue and red got plucked. Labour even lost the only council they were defendin’ –Doncaster – to a Farage feather-storm.

Sure, the Lib Dems and Greens held on a bit better – university towns and Guardian-reading enclaves, mostly. But the heartland? That’s up for grabs, and Reform’s got their claws in it.

THE bIRD’s-EyE VIEW

Now look, don’t think I’m standin’ here with a rosette shoutin’ “Vote Reform!” I ain’t sayin’ they’ve got all the answers. But I am sayin’ that they’ve tapped into somethin’ the other lot have ignored for too long: raw frustration. Voters are skint, fed up, and feel like the country’s run by folk who’ve never queued for a bus, let alone visited a food bank.

The first-past-the-post system, usually a cushion for the Tories, actually helped Reform this time ‘cos their vote was tight and clustered – no faffin’ about, just gettin’ the job done in the right places. And if you think that’s not gonna ruffle feathers come the general election, you’re dreamin’.

sO WHAT nEXT?

Well, if you ask me, it’s like this: Labour and the Tories have been havin’ a slanging match in an empty pub while half the punters have walked out. Now there’s a new lot in the saloon, shoutin’ loud, drinkin’ bitter, and demandin’ change. Might be chaos. Might be carnage. Might even be exactly what this country needs.

One thing’s for sure: Farage ain’t goin’ away. And neither are the voters who just gave the political establishment a right old wallop with a rolled-up copy of the local paper. If they keep this up, we might just see a general election where it ain’t a twohorse race no more – more like a flock of angry gulls descendin’ on the buffet. Until next time, watch the skies, guard your chips, and remember: if it smells like change, squawks like change, and dive-bombs the status quo – it’s probably Stephen Seagull lettin’ rip.

Welsh youngsters encouraged to enter RSPCA photo competition

under are invited to submit their best shots capturing animals or nature, using either a camera or mobile phone. The competition aims to showcase creative talent and a love of the animal kingdom — and in recent years, young people from Wales have led the way.

The overall winner in 2024 was 15-year-old Anwen Whitehead, from Cnwch Coch near Aberystwyth, with her striking photograph of a penguin. In 2023, Jamie Smart, aged nine and from Powys, Mid Wales, won four categories and received commendations in four others.

This year’s competition introduces a new category titled ‘Documenting Animals’. Entrants will be asked to submit a series of three photographs that tell a real story — whether it’s a conservation effort, a glimpse into animal welfare, or a personal encounter with wildlife. The category also requires a short written piece of up to 120 words to explain the story and its significance.

RSPCA photographer and competition judge Andrew Forsyth said: “We’re looking for a positive story that leaves a lasting impression. The photos should reflect real thought, and we’re excited to see what young people in Wales will produce.”

THE R sp CA is urging young photographers across Wales to take part in its prestigious young p hotographer Awards, which are now open for entries.

Budding photographers aged 18 and

Award-winning photographer and photographic guide Ellie Rothnie will once again serve on the judging panel. She said: “The RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards is the ultimate celebration of young creative talent. Every year, the entries are astounding, and many winners have gone on to become successful professionals. I’m truly honoured to be a judge again.”

Also joining the panel this year are former competition winner and now professional photographer Catriona Parfitt, along with RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs.

This year’s winners will receive trophies and a selection of prizes at a special ceremony at the Tower of London in December. The competition is sponsored by Natures Images and Camtraptions.

Entries close on 13 August. More information, including how to enter, past galleries, and photography tips, can be found at: https://young.rspca.org.uk

To watch a recording of last year’s awards ceremony, visit: https://young. rspca.org.uk/about

Photo captions:

1. Daydreaming in the Chamomiles by Anwen Whitehead, overall winner 2024

2. Ellie Rothnie, Anwen Whitehead and former RSPCA CEO Chris Sherwood at the 2024 ceremony

3. Not Impressed by Jamie Smart, Pet Portraits winner

4. Foxes portfolio winner Chris Wardell

Categories in the 2025 competition include: Mobile Phones and Devices, Under 12s, 12–15, 16–18, Better World for Animals, Urban Animals, Documenting Animals, Small World, Pet Personalities, Pet Portraits and Portfolio.

Ministers urged to act over school violence ‘epidemic’

sEnEDD Members demanded urgent action to address an “epidemic” of violence after a 14-yearold became the first person convicted of attempted murder in a Welsh school.

Natasha Asghar led a debate in the aftermath of a schoolgirl being sentenced to 15 years’ detention on Monday for stabbing two teachers and a pupil at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

The Conservatives’ shadow education secretary expressed concerns about record levels of physical assaults on teachers and a tripling of fixed-term exclusions from 2015 to 2023.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” she said, warning of chronic under-reporting of violence.

Ms Asghar pointed to “extremely concerning” statistics which showed the exclusion rate for pupils for additional learning needs more than doubled to almost 12%.

She told the Senedd: “Something is clearly seriously wrong when over 50% of pupils with ADHD have indeed been excluded during a school year.”

Ms Asghar said a union’s survey found nearly three in five teachers believe social media negatively impacts pupil behaviour, leading to increasing misogyny and sexism.

She quoted Sharron Daly, a teacher from Bridgend, as saying: “An awful lot of young people come to us… without boundaries… at home and then that comes into the classroom.”

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell – whose brother, a teacher at the Carmarthenshire school, was hailed a hero after trying to restrain the girl – spoke of his deep personal regret.

Mr Campbell, who himself attended the school, said: “It’s a regret that’s echoed in the tight-knit, friendly community of

internationally,” she said.

Ammanford, amid horror that this kind of wholly intentional attack was perpetrated by a young woman with a knife in her hand. “

The former lecturer had no doubt the “pervasive” nature of social media has exacerbated issues such as bullying, misogyny and racism.

He added: “It is crucial, therefore, that we recognise the significant impact of social media on student behaviour and develop clear policies for schools to manage its negative influence.”

Addressing education secretary Lynne Neagle, he said: “A year has now passed since the events at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman and no solutions have been proposed by the government on safety in schools. We cannot… wait for another similar attack before you respond.”

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas stressed that worrying trends following the pandemic around children and young people’s behaviour in school are not unique to Wales.

“Similar evidence is shown throughout the UK and even

Adam Price, who represents Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, told the Senedd: “The attack… has sent a tremor through every staff room and every kitchen table in the country.

“It is the lightning bolt that shows the storm already overhead; violence, once exceptional, is edging towards routine – an ugly new normal.”

Mr Price added: “The tragedy in Ammanford was not unforeseeable. No-one shouted louder than deputy head Ceri Myers: between January and the morning of the attack, he emailed the Welsh Government seven times pleading for guidance on challenging behaviour.

“In an interview with ITV, he said he was palmed off.

“The girl who stabbed Fiona Elias, Liz Hopkin and another pupil had already brought a knife into school the year before. The signs were there – the system didn’t see them.”

Responding to the debate on April 30, Lynne Neagle said Estyn will publish a thematic review on school behaviour on May 8 – the same day as a summit on the subject.

The education secretary told the Senedd: “I am deeply concerned about this, about the impact that poor behaviour has on our children’s ability to learn and succeed… on our education workforce… and about the impact that it has on the image of the profession.”

She refuted the notion that the then-deputy head was “palmed off”, saying: “Ceri Myers never wrote to [the] Welsh Government about anything to do with knives nor violence. He raised concerns about behaviour and in particular about things like vapes.

“He had a full response on a number of occasions and also met officials.”

Mr Price responded: “Here was a senior leader in Ysgol Dyffryn Aman setting out the truth and, well, the cabinet secretary was saying, ‘I refute that, I listen but if I don’t like what teachers are telling me then I’m going to ignore it.’ That’s unacceptable.”

Senedd Members voted 35-13 against the Tory motion, with Plaid Cymru’s amendment also falling before the Welsh Government’s amendment was agreed – 25-13 with ten abstaining.

Works begin to address structural issues at Ysgol Greenhill

uRgEnT works to address structural issues at ysgol greenhill in Tenby have commenced and will proceed over the coming months.

The Council said this week the school received correspondence from concerned parents and the Headteacher is responding to these concerns in a letter which will go out to all parents/carers on May 2.

The Council is providing the necessary support to the school to ensure that the work is carried out safely and thoroughly and is

supportive of the Headteacher’s actions in ensuring that all parents/carers are kept fully appraised of the situation.

It is anticipated that the work will continue throughout the summer term and be completed by the new academic year.

Every effort will be made to minimise the impact on teaching and learning, particularly during the period of external examinations.

The Headteacher will be providing further updates to parents/carers in due course.

TV production company set up at New Pencoed diary farm

A pEMbROKEsHIRE

dairy farm building became workspaces for craftspeople, web designers, marine surveyors, and even TV production after bovine Tb restrictions were lifted and the herd sold, planners were told.

In a retrospective planning application, recommended for approval at the April 29 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Little Pencoed Farms Ltd sought permission for the extension and modification of a building previously approved and its alternative use at New Pencoed, near Cresswell Quay.

A report for members said the 100 hectare dairy farm business with a 100-head herd had, in 2019, needed the cattle yard covered to comply with pending regulation changes.

It added: “The dairy herd had been subject to tuberculosis (TB) infection and its small size in conjunction with increasing costs had led to concerns about its profitability as an ongoing part of the business. Nevertheless, the pending regulatory changes had to be addressed, and a planning application was made for the provision of a building of 334sq m in area for use as a covered collection yard which was approved on July 12, 2020.

“A contract for the building’s erection was then let and construction commenced in August 2021. However, and unexpectedly, required ongoing testing of the dairy herd established that it was TB free in the Spring of 2021.

“In consequence a decision was made to sell the herd. The approved building was not completed in its entirety, being reduced in length by a single bay, a reduction in floor area of approximately 45sq m.

“The applicant has advised that initially the newly constructed building was put to agricultural uses. However, a decision was then taken to extend the building by a single bay in width and to let

it for B1 (Business) uses.”

The building was subdivided into seven ‘studio’ units along with a woodworking workshop and six desk spaces in a communal office space, with a Gigabyte standard of broadband provision and on-site EV charging.

“The workspaces are occupied by thirteen tenants employed in a variety of occupations including: fabric machinist, potter, cycle technician, artist, textile & print design, sculpture, web design, marine biology, marine surveying, insurance data analysis, renewable energy & TV production,” the report said.

It added: “All of the tenants reside within the local area at: Saundersfoot, Pembroke,

Neyland, Penally, Martletwy, Manorbier Newton, Cosheston, Cresselly, Lawrenny, Lamphey & Loveston. Six of the 13 tenants regularly cycle to work.”

Speaking at the April meeting, agent Geraint john said there was “no attempt to flout the planning system,” adding the scheme “organically developed from that point”.

Moving approval, Cllr Mark Carter said: “I am a fan of farm diversification, obviously this farm has hit upon something that is working for them; I’m quite happy to move approval on this one.”

Members unanimously backed the recommendation of approval.

National Register aims to preserve Wales’ unique apple heritage

A nEW national Register of Welsh Apple Varieties has been unveiled by national Trust Cymru to safeguard the future of the nation’s rich applegrowing tradition.

The register identifies 29 distinct varieties of Welsh apples, the result of a three-year collaboration between experts and enthusiasts including author and apple identification specialist Carwyn Graves, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and the Marcher Apple Network.

Unveiled as apple trees across the country burst into bloom for spring, the announcement coincides with the National Trust’s annual #BlossomWatch and #GwleddYGwanwyn campaigns, which encourage the public to enjoy the spectacle of spring blossoms.

Apples have been cultivated in Wales for over a thousand years, and references to orchards and fruit appear throughout Welsh mythology, poetry, folk music and place names – from the Mabinogi tales and early mentions of Merlin to the traditional carving of applewood love spoons.

However, the tradition is under threat. Research by the National Trust in 2022 found that more than half of orchards in England and Wales have vanished since 1900, largely due to changes in land use. The rate of loss is thought to be even higher in Wales, with significant implications for local fruit varieties, wildlife habitats and the seasonal beauty of orchard blossom.

To reverse this decline, members

of the Marcher Apple Network have spent over 40 years searching for lost and heritage varieties in old orchards and gardens across Wales and the English border counties. Together with collections held by the National Trust and the National Fruit Collection at Brogdale, this work has formed the basis for the new National Register and the beginnings of a Welsh National Collection.

The register categorises apple varieties into three groups: ‘historic’ (pre-1950), ‘modern’ (post-1950), and ‘associated’ – apples not bred in Wales but which have strong cultural ties to

Welsh communities.

“This is the first register of its kind to group varieties this way,” said Carwyn Graves, author of Apples of Wales. “Wales’ unique apple heritage was almost entirely forgotten a generation ago, but it has enormous cultural value – from folk songs to a farmhouse cider tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.”

Work on the register began in 2022 with a list of over 120 potential varieties supplied by the Marcher Apple Network. Today, all 29 named varieties can be seen flowering in orchards and gardens cared for by the National Trust and its partners – including Erddig near

Wrexham, Penrhyn Castle near Bangor, Llanerchaeron in Ceredigion, and the National Botanic Garden of Wales, home to the Plant Heritage National Collection of Welsh Heritage Apples.

At Llanerchaeron, six of the 29 varieties are cultivated, including Baker’s Delicious, Bardsey, King of the Pippins (known in Welsh as Gwell na Mil), and Llanerchaeron Peach.

“Some are veteran trees, others are more recent plantings, but all play a role in maintaining our orchard heritage,” said Head Gardener Alex Summers. “By choosing varieties from the register, people can plant trees well-suited to the Welsh climate, while also protecting our cultural legacy.”

An additional 35 varieties remain under review, and several lost Welsh apples – such as Forman’s Crew, Bassaleg Pippin and Pêr Gwenyn – may yet be rediscovered.

The partnership behind the register is now calling on the public to help. Anyone in Wales with an old apple tree linked to an orchard or farmstead is invited to share details, including location coordinates (What3Words, grid reference or GPS), photos, and a description of the tree and its fruit, by emailing: WelshAppleTrees@marcherapple. net and carwyn@ceginybobl.co.uk

The full list of apple varieties in the register is available at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/ llanerchaeron/visiting-the-garden-atllanerchaeron

FUW Insurance Services Ltd expands business insurance offering

THE award-winning insurance broker, FuW Insurance services Limited, is delighted to be launching a new venture, focused on providing comprehensive insurance solutions for a wide range of businesses and commercial outlets.

FUW Commercial draws on FUW Insurance Services’ longstanding reputation as one of Wales’ leading insurance brokers. This history of service allows FUW Commercial to offer businesses a range of crafted insurance solutions built on a foundation of proven reliability and extensive industry knowledge.

Launching with an initial focus on north Wales and the A55 corridor, FUW Commercial will provide a wide selection of comprehensive commercial insurance products for a wide range of businesses, including; commercial businesses, haulage contractors, construction companies, motor traders, hotels, caravan parks, pubs, restaurants and shops.

The broker’s new initiative will be led by experienced insurance executive Esther Richards Dip CII, who has worked for FUW Insurance Services in Flintshire and Denbighshire since 2013.

Over the past decade, Esther has built a wealth of knowledge within the insurance sectorchampioning an approachable face-to-face service in dealing with clients whether at home or in the office.

Commenting, Esther Richards, FUW Commercial

Account Executive said:

“I’m very excited to be leading this new project aimed at prioritising the insurance needs of businesses and commercial outlets.

With over a decade of experience in the insurance industry, I understand that every business has unique requirements. At FUW Commercial, we prioritise a personalised, collaborative approach to insurance, working closely with clients to tailor insurance solutions that align with their specific needs and budgets.

Built upon the foundation of FUW Insurance Services, we will invest time in understanding your business, ensuring we can utilise our experience and expertise to access a broad range of products and ensure you have the right cover in place.

If you have a renewal coming up, or if you’re a new business, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We strive to offer competitive rates and we’re committed to finding the best fit and providing the right protection for you and your business.”

The launch of the FUW Commercial coincides with the Farmers’ Union of Wales’ (UAC CYF.FUW LTD.) seventieth anniversary, with FUW Insurance Services LTD a wholly owned subsidiary of the farming union.

Commenting following the launch of FUW Commercial, Farmers’ Union of Wales Group Chief Executive, Guto Bebb

FOR Welsh farmers, the early May bank holiday signifies more than just a long weekend; it marks the eagerly awaited start of the agricultural show season, with the nefyn Show on Pen Llŷn taking centre stage.

the importation of lowerstandard products, including chlorinated chicken, would inflict on Welsh farmers and our rigorous production standards.

said:

“We continually look for opportunities to develop the FUW Insurance Services brand and to serve businesses in Wales who need insurance cover.

Esther’s specialised knowledge and passion for commercial and business insurance allowed us to develop a new brand specialising in commercial opportunities.

The A55 corridor presents a unique opportunity for FUW Insurance Services to capitalise on our ability to offer high quality commercial insurance solutions to businesses, large and small, such as construction companies, hotels and caravan parks, whilst also supporting more traditional high street businesses such as cafes, hair salons and shops.”

For more information about FUW Commercial and their wide range of insurance services, visit their website, www.fuwinsurance.co.uk/ commercial/, or get in touch with Esther on 01824 702 912 or esther.richards@fuw.org.uk.

FUW Commercial and FUW Insurance Services are trading styles of FUW Insurance Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number (FRN) 615251. Registered firm and address : FUW Insurance Services Limited, Llys Amaeth, Plas Gogerddan, Penrhyncoch, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3BT. Registered in England & Wales 07981993.

Once again, the Farmers’ Union of Wales were delighted to be present at the Show, catching-up over a coffee and cake about the issues impacting Welsh farmers. The Nefyn Show also marked the end of a busy couple of days for the FUW, with Tuesday and Wednesday last week spent in Westminster, lobbying Welsh politicians over the issues impacting Welsh farmers.

Established in 1955 as the independent voice for Wales’ family farms, the FUW has consistently placed lobbying politicians on the challenges and changes in agriculture at the forefront of our work. While devolution has shifted many elements of farming policy to Cardiff, the enduring influence of the UK Government on numerous key issues means that amplifying the voice of Welsh farmers in Westminster remains absolutely essential.

We therefore welcomed the opportunity to meet with Dame Nia Griffith MP, Minister in the Wales Office, to further press our case against the UK Government’s proposed review of Agricultural Property Relief (APR), a reform we believe poses a significant threat to the viability of Welsh family farms and domestic food production. Additionally, we conveyed our growing apprehension regarding a potential US-UK trade deal, highlighting the harm a rushed agreement and

Both issues were also on the agenda in our meeting with Alistair Carmichael MP, Chair of Parliament’s influential Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA). We also outlined our concern over the UK Government’s decision to ‘Barnettise’ future agricultural funding - which will see the future Welsh agricultural budget face a fall from 9.4% to 5% of any proportional uplifts (or reductions) the UK agriculture budget receives.

The FUW also welcomed the opportunity to meet Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP, David Chadwick, discussing his recent work calling for the Groceries Code Adjudicator to be strengthened, which would improve fairness within the supply chain between retailers and suppliers, and a better deal for Welsh farmers.

On Wednesday, we worked alongside FUW Carmarthen Chair, and Caerfyrddin MP, Ann Davies to arrange ‘Carmarthenshire Day’ at Westminster Hall. The event brought together a range of producers from Carmarthenshireincluding meat, coffee and honey - together with a wide range of parliamentarians and peers, and a busload of Carmarthenshire FUW members. The event was an outstanding success, providing the FUW with a valuable lobbying opportunity, and a chance to showcase some of West Wales’ brilliant produce in the heart of Westminster.

Kia sweeps AM Awards with Manufacturer of the Year title

Kia uK has collected three awards at the coveted AM Awards 2025, winning the overall prize of ‘Manufacturer of the year’, while Kia’s latest electric offering, the EV3, was named both ‘new EV of the year’ and ‘new Car of the year’.

Kia has started 2025 in flying form currently ranking as the third best-selling brand in the UK yearto-date, with more than 43,000 new cars sold to customers within the first four months of the year.

The EV3, which commenced sales late in 2024, has leapt out of the blocks faster than any Kia EV to come before it, holding the title of Kia’s fastest selling EV of all time. The model, which is offered in a trio of well-equipped trim levels and a choice of two battery options – the largest of which offers a range of up to 375 miles on a single charge* – currently holds the position of the best-selling EV within the UK retail market so far in 2025.

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK Limited, commented, “We are thrilled to receive such excellent recognition for our business and our product.

The Manufacturer of the Year award is a perfect reflection of the way we run our business and celebrates the mutually beneficial partnership we have with our dealers. It also leads perfectly on to our awards for the new EV3, as it is our industry leading products which form the back bone of our

continued success.

I would like to thank the AM judges, readers and dealer partners who voted for us, leading to another successful AM Awards for Kia UK.”

Automotive Management’s editor Tim Rose said: “Yet again, our dealer readers and the judging panel have recognised the positive impact that Kia has made in the UK’s motor retail industry. It has great relationships with its dealers, and it provides them with stylish and well-equipped cars that bring customers to their

dealerships. This is its third win of the Manufacturer of the Year Award since the start of this decade, which is a testament to the huge respect earned by this brand and its leadership team.

“And for its latest electric car, the Kia EV3, to pick up both the New EV of the Year and the headline New Car of the Year awards, which are both voted for by our dealer readers, is another statement of how Kia is helping car buyers get into more affordable EVs without compromising on the technology.”

Kia is no stranger to success

at the annual AM Awards. Last year, the brand collected a brace of awards including ‘EV of the Year’ for the EV3’s larger sibling, the EV9. In 2022 and 2023 Kia UK was named ‘Manufacturer of the Year’, making this the third time in four years in which Kia has won this particular award.

The double-award win for the EV3, combined with its recent ‘UK Car of the Year’ and ‘World Car of the Year’ titles are further evidence of how widely the model has impressed in its relatively short lifespan.

1.2

Aston Martin DBX S: a new flagship for the supercar of SUVs

AsTOn MARTIn is proud to announce the arrival of a new DBX flagship, DBX s. With the dynamic appeal of DbX707 and an engine enhanced by technology transferred directly from the forthcoming Valhalla supercar, DbX s offers one of the most engaging and responsive driving experiences delivering even more power, reduced weight and more assertive design. With a suite of exterior and interior enhancements to match, the DbX s certainly has its own undeniable identity.

DBX S continues a long tradition of Aston Martin’s utilising the ‘S’ suffix to denote a special, high-performance version of an existing model; the first being Vanquish S which made its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2004. DBX S proves that lighter variants with more power and performance are still very much part of Aston Martin’s core production offering and looks to continue a lineage of notable high performing models.

Aston Martin CEO, Adrian Hallmark, said ‘Over the last two years, Aston Martin have introduced an entire core collection of next generation sports cars as well as a new DBX; all with a new, entirely bespoke infotainment system designed in-house. The marque continues its focus on class leading performance, ultra-luxury design and innovation, broadening the range of products under each core model. The introduction of DBX S not only reaffirms our commitment to producing the most exciting, rewarding and beautiful cars, it also sends a powerful statement of intent about our ambitions not just for DBX, but for the Aston Martin brand.”

At the heart of the new DBX S lies an upgraded version of the acclaimed Aston Martin 4.0-Litre Twin-Turbo V8 powerhouse. By using turbo technology transferred directly from the upcoming Valhalla supercar including its larger compressor wheel diameters and other internal improvements, power is raised by a further 20PS to 727PS and provides even greater urgency at the very top of the rev range, making DBX S’s performance even more memorable. The result is a 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds and reduction in acceleration time from 0-124mph (200km/h) of 0.3 seconds. Top speed remains unchanged at an impressive 193mph.

Further enhancing both performance and its perception is a modified exhaust system amplifying even more character to the natural voice of the thunderous V8 engine and exploiting the full the opportunity presented by the engine’s turbo enhancements.

As with its DBX707 stablemate, DBX S distributes its power between the front and rear wheels in variable proportion – including an ability to send 50 per cent of its torque to the front and up to 100 per cent of its torque to the rear wheels alone - through an innovative 9-speed ‘wet clutch’ transmission, which removes the need for a conventional torque converter, delivering extreme performance on launch from standstill. However, the DBX S gearbox has been further modified to provide an even more memorable driving experience. Change up points are adjusted to reflect the car’s extended rev range, while downshifts in Sport and Sport + modes when the car is in automatic are even more aggressive.

In addition to the power upgrade, a number of measures have been taken not only to significantly reduce the kerb weight of DBX S, but to do so in an intelligent and highly selective fashion that ensures that mere weight loss is just one of attributes resulting from these actions. A prime example is the

new optional carbon fibre roof presented in a glorious single weave pattern which, at almost three metres square, is by far the largest such carbon element ever fitted to an Aston Martin. Specification of the carbon roof sees the removal of the roof rails, and as a combination not only saves 18kg of mass, but does so from the very highest point of the car, reducing its centre of gravity and therefore enhancing both stability and agility further.

Magnesium wheels are also now available as an option for the first time on any car in the SUV segment. Magnesium is not only robust, but an incredibly lightweight material, some 75 per cent lighter than steel; half the weight of titanium and a third less even than aluminium. In selecting this 23” optional wheel, a further 19kg of unsprung mass is saved, delivering improvements in ride quality, steering precision and feel, as well the car’s more immediate reaction to direction input. DBX S is also available to order with 23” forged aluminium wheels as standard.

Specifying the magnesium wheels also sees the deletion of roof rails, offering a further weight savings. Additionally, customers can also specify a bespoke a lightweight polycarbonate honeycomb grille, intricately designed with over 25,000 individual facets which all helps shift the weight distribution rearward, aiding both handling and the car’s traction capabilities.

Steering ratio on DBX S is also faster by only 4 per cent but noticeably improves agility making the car feel even more sporting and responsive while stopping well short of introducing any sense of nervousness into its handling. It also reduces the turning circle by almost half a metre to just 12.0 metres, improving the urban driving experience.

DBX S benefits from the full suite of suspension enhancements introduced last year, which saw a revised calibration of both the air springs and electronic dampers, increasing transient body control in order to reduce weight transference and therefore improve primary ride quality and overall stability. Even right at the limit, its standard electronic roll control means the DBX S rolls by no more 1.5 degrees; enough to create the natural feel of the car cornering but still keeping the car flatter than many purpose built, two seat sports cars. The spring rate also changes depending upon selected drive mode, actively moving the roll stiffness balance through a corner to enhance grip and steering response. Near inexhaustible braking performance is provided by mighty carbon ceramic disc brakes at each corner,

measuring no less than 420mm at the front and 390mm at the back.

Visually, the Aston Martin design team have ensured that no one who sees DBX S will be left in any doubt they’re looking at the most sporting, dynamically capable and enthralling ultra-luxury SUV on the market.

From the front, the new DBX S is instantly recognisable by its pure black vaned grille, giving this edition immediate road presence, whilst the lightweight polycarbonate grille with a honeycomb design taking cues from DBS 770 Ultimate, is also available to specify as an option. A new splitter and diffuser further enhance the car’s naturally assertive presence alongside the distinctive wraparound daytime running light design.

Seen from the side, new sills boast highly distinctive up-turned air splitters which in typical Aston Martin fashion exist for function as much as form, helping channel and direct the airflow along the side of the car. Carbon fibre is available to specify for the wing mirrors, side strakes and lower door sill, while distinctive ‘S’ signature badging on the front fenders marks the true nature of this beast.

Like the iconic Aston Martin wings, these badges are manufactured in solid metal, glass enamelled with the ‘S ‘infilled in red as it appeared on previous models such as the V12 Vantage S and the Rapide S. The badge surround is then chrome plated in either the bright or dark chrome to match the colour of the wings chosen by the customer.

The most obvious visual changes to the new flagship DBX are at the rear, dominated by quad exhausts now vertically stacked and available in both gloss and matt finishes, giving full voice to the glorious sound of the V8 at maximum attack. The rear bumper and diffuser have been completely reprofiled and, along with the side sills and wing, can be specified with carbon to reduce overall vehicle mass by a further 7kg. DBX S also showcases a new lower livery design available to specify in 3 colours; Rosso Corsa Red, Trophy Silver and Podium Green. The sporting livery highlights the front splitter, diffuser and side sills continuing to the rear, framing the new stacked quad exhausts.

The interior of DBX S displays a bespoke ‘S’ theme; the most notable feature being the distinctive herringbone design which comes as standard on the seats, but which is also extended to the headlining if the optional Carbon roof is chosen. The herringbone lines become increasingly wider as they progress up the seat, giving an unmistakeable impression of speed; fitting for the highest performing SUV in the marques range.

DBX S is trimmed as standard in lightweight sporting Alcantara, which can be seen on the seats, headlining, centre console, lower instrument panels and upper trim. In areas of high wear such as the seat bolsters, the Alcantara is seamlessly blended with semi-aniline leather. For those who prefer an even greater sense of luxury, DBX S can be trimmed entirely in semi-aniline leather. Red seatbelts can also be specified to bring additional ‘S’ identification inside the car. The ‘S’ suffix is embroidered onto the seat, complimented by the Aston Martin wings that are emblazoned on the headrests with an industry-first technique using both embossing and debossing with extreme pressure (1.5 tonnes) and heat to sculpt the wings into the leather in sub-millimetre precision and detail. Furthermore the ‘S’ appears on the treadplates and engine plaque to complete the picture.

DBX S continues the adoption of Aston Martin’s state-of-the-art in-house developed infotainment system with a striking new cabin architecture. This transformative enhancement showcases exemplary deployment of craft and innovation combining immaculate design and indulgent luxury with a formidable suite of connected car technology. It is also fitted with the Aston Martin Premium Audio 800w 14 speaker audio system as standard. Developed utilising advanced hardware, this system features a surround sound mode with QuantumLogic® surround sound processing for a totally immersive soundscape. However, true audio enthusiasts will delight in the optional system developed with Aston Martin’s audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins. Acoustically engineered to the interior volume and shape of DBX S, this exceptional system uses technologies and innovations found in Bowers & Wilkins acclaimed worldclass loudspeakers. Aluminium Double Dome tweeters and Continuum® midrange speakers give this 23-speaker, double amplified 1,600W surround sound system a balanced and accurate sound. Dedicated 3D headline speakers, bass speakers and a powerful subwoofer deliver a powerful and dynamic sound experience, reflecting the characteristics of DBX S itself.

‘S’ has long had an association with Aston Martin, and DBX S proves that lighter variants with more power and performance are still very much part of the marque’s story, and are set to last into the foreseeable future. DBX S is available to order now, with deliveries expected in Q4 2025.

MG4 EV secures second Automotive Management award

The Mg4 EV is back in awardwinning form, retaining the title of best used EV of the year at the AM Awards held at the park plaza Westminster bridge, London.

Automotive industry retail experts and executives voted for the highlyacclaimed MG4 EV hatchback for the second consecutive year, commending it for the generous technology offering, driving characteristics and as well as being a strong choice for the first-time EV buyer.

Tim Rose, Editor of Automotive Management, commented:

“The MG4 is one of the most affordable new electric cars currently on sale and offers equally good value in the used market. Some two years since this car entered the UK marketplace our readers clearly recognise it as a great opportunity to entice EV-curious used car buyers who will be impressed by its driving range, technology and seven-year warranty. In many cases low-mileage pre-owned MG4s can be found for less than £15,000 which makes them immense value.”

Since its arrival in the UK the MG4 EV has secured over 40,000

sales and be widely praised by both the industry, expert reviewers and customers for being a fun-to-drive, stylish, affordable and practical hatchback that has also contributed to changing perceptions about EV

ownership.

Guy Pigounakis, Commercial Director for MG Motor UK, said:

“The MG4 EV has been in awardwinning form for some years now and has retained several important

accolades. A further commendation from Automotive Management’s readership is a sign of this MG’s overall quality, not only as a new car, but as good choice in the very important pre-owned car market.”

Wetherspoons pub set to undergo changes

IMpROVEMEnTs to security and staff facilities, as well as improving accessibility at pembrokeshire’s only Wetherspoons public house have been backed by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Gavin Waite of JD Wetherspoon, through agent DVA Ventures Limited, sought permission to works at the Grade-II-listed William Owen pub, Wilton House, 6 Quay Street, Haverfordwest.

The works include new CCTV equipment, new staff facilities including toilet cubicles, and developing store facilities.

A supporting statement said: “The proposed works aim to enhance staff facilities, reconfigure internal spaces, and improve security while ensuring accessibility considerations are met within the constraints of a historic building.”

It added: “The proposed internal alterations are designed to maintain accessibility within the historic fabric of The William Owen while enhancing functionality for staff. Given the minimal impact on existing access provisions and the careful consideration of accessibility improvements, the proposed works align with best practice recommendations for listed buildings.”

An officer report recommending approval said:

“No6 Quay Street is a former town house, rebuilt in 1856 for

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

the merchant Joseph Thomas of Haverfordwest. Became a hotel in the later C20, then converted into a Wetherspoons public house in 2010.”

It added: “The interior mostly survives from 1856 and is ornate. Elaborate plasterwork ceilings with flower and fruit motifs. Grained and polished joinery throughout the main ground floor

rooms and first floor corridor. Polished timber staircase with elaborate cast iron balustrade.

“The areas affected by the proposal are quite plain, small rooms. These rooms have modern suspended ceilings, although original skirting boards survive. According to the heritage statement, the existing skirting boards will be retained or made good on a like-for-like basis.

“The drainage from the new toilet cubicles will connect via a new internal soil vent pipe to

the drainage within the existing ground floor accessible WC. New CCTV cameras are proposed. These are of the compact turret type and therefore have a minimal visual impact.

“It is considered that the proposal will have a neutral impact on the character and significance of the listed building and is recommended for conditional approval.”

The application was conditionally approved by officers.

Pembrokeshire councillors to consider call for devolution of Crown Estate to Wales

A CALL for pembrokeshire to support the Crown Estate assets in Wales being devolved to its people is to be considered by full council after being backed in principle by senior councillors.

Proceeds from those go to the Crown Estate, funding the Royal Family and contributing to the UK Treasury.

Responsibility for the Crown Estate is already devolved to the Scottish Government, which has previously been reported as generating £103.6 million into the public coffers in Scotland in 2023.

A notice of motion, previously submitted to the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, then sent to the April 28 meeting of the council’s Cabinet, by Plaid Cymru councillor Michael Williams said: “We ask PCC to support the proposal for the Crown Estate assets to be devolved to the people of Wales, so that profits can be used to invest in the economy and communities of Wales.

“A poll in 2023 showed that 75

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

per cent of the population were in favour of taking control of the assets of the Crown estate rather than the profits going to the Treasury and the Crown.

“Local authorities are under huge financial pressure and placing the Crown Estate in the hands of Wales would be a significant step to address the lack of investment in our local government.

“We call upon the Welsh Government to ask Westminster to devolve the assets and revenue of the Crown Estates as a matter of urgency, as was done in Scotland in 2017.

“We demand that Wales is treated fairly and accepts management of the Crown Estate land for the benefit of the people of Wales.”

At the April meeting, Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said he was supportive of the motion, moving

a recommendation it be referred to full council with a recommendation of adoption.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, the other Plaid Cymru member of the council, said: “Not many people will be surprised I support this 100 per cent. It’s very much about equity and fairness, why should Wales be treated any different to Scotland?”

Of the 22 local authorities in Wales, only Pembrokeshire and Torfaen have not passed a similar notice of motion to date, Cllr Sinnett said.

“It would seem very strange for us to not support a campaign that seeks to bring any sort of funding to Pembrokeshire; Welsh Government is supportive of devolution, it seems to be an issue in Westminster,” Cllr Sinnett added.

Members backed the recommendation, with one vote of dissention, Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller.

Councillors have previously heard the Crown Estates derives

nearly £60,000 from some 16 leases in Pembrokeshire.

The £59,005 includes £26,600 for foreshore lease agreements, £8,520 for the land around Haverfordwest’s Riverside Market, and £12,800 for a sailing centre and care park at Cosheston Pill near Pembroke Dock.

Late last year councillors in neighbouring Ceredigion backed a call for the Crown Estate assets to be devolved to the people of Wales, following a notice of motion by Cllr Catrin M S Davies, seconded by Cllr Alun Williams.

Pembrokeshire defies Welsh tourism tax amid anti-English tensions

As COunCIL TAX premiums and tourist levies stir tensions, local businesses and residents weigh the cost of protecting Welsh identity against the economic lifeline of English tourism.

In St Davids, the recent spring sunshine bathes flint cottages and surfing shops in golden light. But beneath the postcard-perfect surface, a quiet rebellion is taking shape.

This year, Pembrokeshire County Council became the first local authority in Wales to push back against the Welsh Government’s controversial tourist taxation strategy. After reducing the second home tax premium from 300 per cent to 150 per cent in October, the council announced in April that it will not implement the proposed visitor levy during its current term, which ends in 2027.

The move has been praised by some as a lifeline for struggling businesses. Others fear it signals a retreat from urgently needed reforms to address the housing crisis and preserve Welsh-speaking communities.

Christopher Taylor, 85, has run the St Davids Bookshop since 1974 and previously served as mayor of the city. He says the area has long relied on English second-home owners and tourists. “Second homeowners who have been regular customers over decades are selling up,” he told The Telegraph. “Tourists and second homeowners support jobs here, and we really can’t risk seeming unwelcoming.”

St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, is one of the jewels of Pembrokeshire’s coastline and a magnet for both walkers and surfers. But signs of change are everywhere. Lockboxes for holiday lets now pepper the streets—dubbed “tosau” or “pimples” by some Welsh speakers.

Grant Pratt, 38, who manages the surf shop Unsunghero, is frank in his assessment: “It’s small-minded,” he says of locals who complain about incomers. “Incoming English families have reversed the fate of the struggling local primary school. Who wouldn’t prefer to live somewhere bustling rather than full of moaning elderly Welsh folk?”

Tourism remains central to the local economy. In 2023, it generated £604 million in Pembrokeshire and supported more than 9,200 full-time equivalent jobs. Yet the tone of some public discourse, particularly online, has left business owners wary of being associated with anti-English sentiment.

One shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, said she feared a return to the “dark days” of the 1980s, when arson attacks by the nationalist group Meibion Glyndŵr targeted Englishowned holiday homes.

At the luxury art-themed hotel Twr y Felin, General Manager Emma Bowen said that 85 per cent of their clientele are English tourists aged between 50 and 70.

While she supports the concept of a tourist tax, she insists it must be clear how the funds will be used.

“Good examples are Germany, France, and Switzerland, where tourist taxes subsidise attractions and public transport for tourists,” she said.

In nearby Tenby, the impact of policy is also being felt. Lucas and Melanie Boissevain, who own the

award-winning Penally Abbey Hotel, warn that mounting costs could become unsustainable. “We’ve had Covid, unfair competition from unregulated Airbnbs, rising staffing, power and food bills – all with little government help,” said Lucas. “Now come the levies that will add £6,500 a year to our operating costs.”

According to Lucas, Wales has lost 50 per cent of its serviced accommodation providers over the past 15 years. “This has been made up with a growth in Airbnb-style unserviced beds, but who wants to have a lockbox tourist economy, without breakfasts and the human touch?”

Despite government aims to channel second home tax revenue into affordable housing, some critics

argue that the funds haven’t been used effectively. Without clear reinvestment and consultation, opposition to the levies may continue to grow.

More broadly, the proposed tourism tax across Wales has drawn both fierce criticism and cautious support. Industry groups and operators argue that it risks deterring visitors, threatening jobs, and weakening local economies—especially in areas like Pembrokeshire that are heavily reliant on tourism. Some families may opt to holiday elsewhere, fearing added costs, while others may cut back on spending in local shops, cafes, and attractions. A Welsh Government consultation found that 74 per cent of people who were likely to holiday in Wales believed the tax could put them off visiting.

Opposition politicians, particularly Conservatives, have branded the levy a “toxic tourism tax” that could damage a fragile sector. But supporters— including figures in Plaid Cymru and Labour—say the proposed fee, at just £1.25 per adult per night, is modest and commonplace across Europe. They argue it would raise muchneeded funds for local infrastructure, including toilets, car parks, and footpath maintenance, and help ease the pressures of overtourism.

Following public feedback, the Welsh Government confirmed children will be exempt and has promised a full review of the tax’s impact within four years. There will also be further consultation with businesses and communities.

Across the UK, similar measures are being considered. From April 2024, three quarters of councils in England and Wales will introduce 100 per cent premiums on second homes, and some are extending these to Airbnb properties. Manchester introduced a tourist tax last year. Others, like Bournemouth, paused plans after backlash from the hospitality sector.

Pembrokeshire’s stance has made it a test case. With visitor numbers still recovering post-pandemic and an economy reliant on tourism, many locals are asking whether pushing away the English is a price they can afford to pay.

As one visiting mother from Bath remarked while enjoying tea at Penally Abbey: “It’s lovely here, isn’t it? Who really needs to get on a plane?”

That sense of quiet appreciation may be Pembrokeshire’s greatest asset. But it remains to be seen whether it can coexist with the cultural pressures that have driven the Welsh Government’s policies—and the resistance now rising against them.

Milford mum first to receive groundbreaking new MS treatment

A MILFORD HAVEn mum has become the first NHS patient in the uK to be treated with a new drug to prevent relapses of multiple sclerosis (Ms).

The newly approved medication, ublituximab, is given through an intravenous (IV) infusion and used to help treat relapses of MS.

Compared to other treatments, the drug can be given much faster through an IV infusion, allowing more patients to be treated sooner.

MS, a lifelong condition, happens when a person’s immune system attacks their brain and spinal cord.

The immune system creates cells that attack and kill viruses in the body but for those with MS, the cells attack the nerves instead.

This week, Monday 28th April to Sunday 4th May marks MS Awareness Week.

Fiona Creelie, from Milford Haven, was the first patient to be treated with the new drug at the Jill Rowe Neurology Ambulatory Unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

“I started experiencing pins and needles and sharp shooting pains in my face in September,” the 35-year-old said.

“They initially thought it was trigeminal neuralgia, which is sudden, severe facial pain.

“In November, I started to get the same sensations down my right arm, so I went to A&E and had an MRI scan and lots of other tests and then was referred to Morriston Hospital.”

The mum-of-one only officially received her diagnosis of MS and just two weeks later received her first IV treatment of the new drug.

Fiona added: “I was offered a selection of three drugs, but I picked this one because it fitted in with our family life.

“This treatment will be once every six months for just an hour each time, so it was the best fit for me.

“It’s a bit crazy to have been the first person to receive the treatment but it’s also really exciting.”

With the new treatment able to be given much quicker, it will help to reduce the time patients wait for treatment.

Dr Owen Pearson, consultant neurologist at Morriston Hospital, said: “The drug itself is a new version of an already approved drug, but the advantage is that it’s given faster, through an IV infusion.

“It allows us to treat more patients per day and that allows us to shorten the waiting time for treatment.

“It is a highly effective treatment which helps to stop focal inflammation, which is new lesions appearing on an MRI, or having new relapses of MS.

“The unit was starting to operate above capacity so the introduction of this drug will help with that.

“Clinical trials for the drug were done in other centres in the UK, including Cardiff, and it has recently been approved for use on the NHS.

“Being able to offer it so quickly to our patients in Swansea Bay involves a lot of working together with the pharmacy department.

“We have a dedicated clinical pharmacist within our team which allows us to deliver new treatments like this to our patients.”

Charles-Henry Her, the team’s clinical pharmacist, added: “The consultants are really proactive in finding out about these new drugs and then they provide me with all of the information I need.

“I learn about the new drugs and how they work and make sure our systems are ready for us to introduce them.”

Around 2,200 MS patients are supported in Swansea Bay, with the service seeing patients from Machynlleth, in Powys, right across to Cowbridge, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Dr Gillian Ingram, consultant neurologist, said: “The fact that the treatment is much shorter will allow more MS patients to come through.

“It is also beneficial for patients to have a choice of treatment, so they can choose the option that’s right for them.

“There are always new developments in treatments for MS and it is really nice to keep Wales at the forefront of that.”

Alexandra Strong, Jill Rowe Neurology Ambulatory Unit manager, said: “It is exciting for both patients and our unit to have another treatment available for MS, and it was exciting for us to be the first to give the treatment in the NHS.

“It is another option for patients to help improve their treatment and health.

“It will allow more flexibility for patients as it will make it much easier to fit in with their lifestyle, while it will also allow us to be more flexible with the treatment we can offer too.”

Call for legal minimum NHS dentist staffing levels

sEnEDD Members called for legally binding minimum staffing levels in nHs dentistry amid concerns services face an existential crisis.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, proposed a bill to establish a minimum baseline of dentistry staff across Wales based on population need.

The bill would introduce a duty for health boards to calculate and take all reasonable steps to maintain dentistry staff levels, according to the motion debated on April 30.

Mr ap Gwynfor warned NHS Wales dentistry services are “staring down the barrel” of an existential crisis “and without urgent action it’s unlikely to survive for much longer”.

He pointed to a near-40% reduction in dentistry work within the NHS over the past decade.

Mr ap Gwynfor, who represents Dwyfor Meirionnydd, warned so-called dental deserts are “spreading at an alarming pace”, with access to NHS treatment becoming a scarce luxury.

“Desperate times demand a willingness to consider radical alternatives,” he said.

“Now more than ever, we need to break free of the irresponsible denialism and complacency that this [Welsh] Government has displayed towards dentistry in the NHS for many years.”

Siân Gwenllian, who commissioned a report into the case for a dental school in north Wales, said the proposed bill would place a duty on ministers to develop a workforce plan.

The Plaid Cymru politician said: “Only 36% of the population received dental treatment via the NHS in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board area.

“The figure across Wales is 44%

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

which shows the situation is even worse in north Wales.”

Her colleague Llŷr Gruffydd warned of a three-tier system, “which increasingly sees patients being squeezed out of NHS care and having to opt to pay privately or … go without”.

Mr Gruffydd told the Senedd that six dental practices in his North Wales region have handed back their NHS contracts over the past six months.

I’m afraid that the trend shows no sign of abating,” he said, expressing concerns about Rhos dental practice, near Wrexham, introducing a £230-a-year preventative service.

Mr Gruffydd claimed: “So, once again, this Labour government’s actions

are actually pushing more people into having to pay for basic dental care even within an NHS practice.”

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds supported the motion which would seek to emulate the Nurse Staffing Levels Act 2016 introduced by her predecessor Kirsty Williams.

Jeremy Miles, Wales’ health secretary, pointed out that most dentists are commissioned via private businesses rather than employed by health boards as with nurses.

He told the Senedd: “They are accountable for their own businesses and do ensure that their staffing levels are adequate to meet the needs of the contract. The independent nature of this arrangement is crucially important for the profession.”

Mr Miles said regulations that

underpin the contract include a requirement to ensure adequate staffing, with financial sanctions available if providers fail to do so.

Health secretary Jeremy Miles

Recognising the challenges facing NHS dentistry in Wales and across the UK, he argued: “To improve NHS dentistry and to improve access … we must deliver a new general dental services contract. This, in fact, is the single most important thing that we can do.”

Mr Miles said proposed reforms would bring NHS dental services into the 21st century.

Senedd Members voted 28-2 in favour of the motion, with 17 abstentions but the proposal is unlikely to proceed without Labour ministers’ support.

New hope for pregnant women with diabetes in west Wales

ARTIFICIAL pancreas now offered by Hywel Dda Health board

WOMEN with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant are now being offered a breakthrough piece of medical technology by Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The artificial pancreas system automatically monitors blood sugar and delivers the right amount of insulin through a pump, removing much of the guesswork and helping to avoid dangerous highs and lows. It is already making a difference to expectant mothers across the region.

Michelle Jones, 36, from Milford Haven, is one of the first to try it. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, and said she had been worried about the risks of pregnancy.

“My main concern was for the baby – things like miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects,” she said. “But with the

artificial pancreas, I’ve got much better control of my glucose levels. It gives you reassurance and confidence.”

Previously using an insulin pen, Michelle switched to the new technology after telling her diabetes team she

wanted to start a family. Her blood sugar levels improved significantly, and the diabetes team can now keep track remotely, meaning fewer hospital trips.

The artificial pancreas consists of three main parts – an insulin pump, a

continuous glucose monitor and an app that uses an algorithm to calculate insulin needs in real-time.

Dr Lisa Forrest, consultant physician for diabetes at Hywel Dda, explained the importance of good glucose control during pregnancy. “Women who struggle to manage their blood sugar are more likely to face complications such as premature birth or their baby needing intensive care,” she said. “But tighter control greatly reduces the risk of problems like stillbirth and birth defects.”

Mark Henwood, interim medical director at the health board, said: “This is a game-changer. It’s going to make pregnancy a lot safer and less stressful for women with type 1 diabetes.”

The system became available in October 2024 as part of a national NHS roll-out and will be offered to all pregnant women with type 1 diabetes by 2027. It is also available to women with type 1 who are trying to conceive.

Councillors to consider call for devolution of Crown Estate to Wales

A CALL for pembrokeshire to support the Crown Estate assets in Wales being devolved to its people is to be considered by full council after being backed in principle by senior councillors.

Proceeds from those go to the Crown Estate, funding the Royal Family and contributing to the UK Treasury.

Responsibility for the Crown Estate is already devolved to the Scottish Government, which has previously been reported as generating £103.6 million into the public coffers in Scotland in 2023.

A notice of motion, previously submitted to the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, then sent to the April 28 meeting of the council’s Cabinet, by Plaid Cymru councillor Michael Williams said: “We ask PCC to support the proposal for the Crown Estate assets to be devolved to the people of Wales, so that profits can be used to invest in the economy and communities of Wales.

“A poll in 2023 showed that 75 per cent of the population were in favour of taking control of the assets of the Crown estate rather than the profits going to the Treasury and the Crown.

“Local authorities are under huge financial pressure and placing the Crown Estate in the hands of Wales would be a significant step to address the lack of investment in our local government.

“We call upon the Welsh Government to ask Westminster to devolve the assets and revenue of the Crown Estates as a matter of urgency, as was

done in Scotland in 2017.

“We demand that Wales is treated fairly and accepts management of the Crown Estate land for the benefit of the people of Wales.”

At the April meeting, Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said he was supportive of the motion, moving a recommendation it be referred to full council with a recommendation of adoption.

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, the other Plaid Cymru member of the council, said: “Not many people will be

surprised I support this 100 per cent. It’s very much about equity and fairness, why should Wales be treated any different to Scotland?”

Of the 22 local authorities in Wales, only Pembrokeshire and Torfaen have not passed a similar notice of motion to date, Cllr Sinnett said.

“It would seem very strange for us to not support a campaign that seeks to bring any sort of funding to Pembrokeshire; Welsh Government is supportive of devolution, it seems to be an issue in Westminster,” Cllr Sinnett added.

Members backed the recommendation, with one vote of dissention, Deputy Leader

Cllr Paul Miller. Councillors have previously heard the Crown Estates derives nearly £60,000 from some 16 leases in Pembrokeshire.

The £59,005 includes £26,600 for foreshore lease agreements, £8,520 for the land around Haverfordwest’s Riverside Market, and £12,800 for a sailing centre and care park at Cosheston Pill near Pembroke Dock.

Late last year councillors in neighbouring Ceredigion backed a call for the Crown Estate assets to be devolved to the people of Wales, following a notice of motion by Cllr Catrin M S Davies, seconded by Cllr Alun Williams.

Postal voters to be contacted about new requirements for reapplication

VOTERs in pembrokeshire already registered for postal votes in uK parliamentary and police and Crime Commissioner elections will be receiving letters in the coming weeks outlining new requirements coming into force.

The Elections Act 2022 has introduced changes to how you apply for a postal vote in certain elections and how often you need to renew your postal vote. If you wish to continue voting by post in UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections by post you will need to reapply and under the new UK rules reapply every three years.

To apply go to www.gov.uk/ apply-postal-vote. You will need to upload a clear photograph of your signature to complete the application.

The changes do not apply to Senedd or local elections. There are no local elections in Wales this year. The next scheduled election is the Senedd election in May 2026.

For more information about renewing your postal voting arrangements –https://www.pembrokeshire. gov.uk/elections-and-voting/ postal-and-proxy-voting or contact Electoral Services on electoralservices@ pembrokeshire.gov.uk or call 01437 775844.

Plaid Cymru surges as Labour slumps to historic low in Senedd poll

Reform uK also gains ground as Welsh politics enters period of upheaval

A NEW poll suggests Welsh politics could be heading for a dramatic shake-up in the run-up to the 2026 Senedd election, with Plaid Cymru pulling ahead and Labour hitting its lowest level of support since devolution began.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University, puts Plaid Cymru in the lead with 30% of the vote, followed closely by Reform UK on 25%. Labour trails in third place with just 18%—a record low for the party that has dominated Welsh politics for over a century.

Seat projections based on the poll suggest a possible minority government led by Plaid Cymru, which could win around 35 seats in the 60-member Senedd. Reform UK is projected to take 30, Labour 19, the Conservatives 9, and the Liberal Democrats 3. However, with around 10 seats falling within the poll’s margin of error, the balance of power

still shift depending on

sentiment.

situation to Scotland’s political turning point in 2007, when the SNP formed a minority government that went on to secure a majority.

A breakdown of support by age shows Plaid Cymru performing strongest among younger voters, with 46% of 16 to 24-year-olds backing the party. Reform UK’s support grows with age, peaking at 34% among voters aged 50 to 64. Labour’s support is more evenly spread across age groups but remains lower than that of its rivals.

First Minister Eluned Morgan responded to the poll by warning of the “real danger” that Labour could lose power in Wales. She called for a clearer “red Welsh way” that speaks directly to Wales-specific concerns, setting the party apart from UK Labour policy.

With Plaid Cymru and Reform UK now posing serious challenges to Labour’s long-held dominance, the stage is set for a transformative election in 2026—potentially reshaping the future of Welsh governance.

New campsite controls confirmed for Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

THE pEMbROKEsHIRE COAsT nATIOnAL pARK AuTHORITy has approved new planning controls that will remove the automatic right to operate temporary 28-day campsites from 1 January 2026.

At a meeting on Wednesday (May 7), members voted to introduce an Article 4(1) Direction following months of public consultation and growing concerns over the impact of unregulated camping on protected landscapes, biodiversity, and rural communities.

WHAT’s CHAngIng?

Currently, landowners can host temporary campsites, caravan pitches or mobile homes for up to 28 days a year without planning permission. From 2026, this right will be withdrawn within the National Park, and landowners must apply for planning consent.

The Authority has pledged to support applicants by offering:

• No planning application fees

• A free pre-application advice service

• Priority handling of relevant applications

The move aims to tackle visual intrusion, ecological harm, and noise linked to short-term pop-up sites.

What the rules don’t affect

A clarification issued in March confirmed that the Direction does not apply to:

• Temporary car parks, mobile

saunas, or filming activities

• Sites operating under exemption certificates

• Camping that is clearly ancillary to permitted temporary events—such as festivals, weddings, agricultural shows or film shoots

To determine if camping qualifies as “ancillary,” the Authority will consider the event’s licensing, advertising, how much of the site is used for camping, and the duration of the event.

FEsTIVAL COnCERns ADDREssED

Earlier concerns were raised by festival organisers about the potential impact on events.

Amber Lort-Phillips, founder of The Big Retreat wellbeing festival in Lawrenny, previously said the event’s future in Pembrokeshire was under

threat:

“We might have to move it. It’s not fair. Our permitted development is how we run the campsite.”

However, following the Authority’s clarification that festivals with ancillary camping are exempt, these concerns have now been address.

The Big Retreat, a four-day event drawing thousands of visitors and contributing an estimated £1 million to the local economy, is likely to remain unaffected under the clarified rules.

Joe Worley, organiser of Westival in Manorbier, also raised concerns: “The change came as a shock. If we can’t get planning permission for the campsite field, the event can’t go ahead.”

FEARs FROM RuRAL LAnDOWnERs

Some farmers and landowners

fear the new rules will threaten their seasonal income.

Dai Williams of Clifftops Camping near Druidston called the move a “knee-jerk reaction” to the post-Covid tourism boom.

“This could shut down viable rural businesses that have helped keep farms going during tough seasons,” he said.

suppORT FOR TIgHTER REguLATIOn

Others welcome the changes. Ben Carden of Woodlands Champions Club, which runs 16 permanent sites in Pembrokeshire, said many temporary campsites operate without adequate facilities.

“I visited one with 200 pitches, three toilets and one sink. That’s not acceptable. There needs to be a standard.”

The Authority says temporary campsites currently account for 12% of its enforcement workload.

nEXT sTEps AnD VOLunTARy CODE

The National Park Authority has committed to working with exempted organisations to create a voluntary Code of Conduct, ensuring high standards across all camping activity.

The Article 4(1) Direction comes into force on 1 January 2026, giving landowners time to prepare and submit applications ahead of the next camping season.

W ITH ANDREW LYE

is the use of arty in 2025?

This is a question that many are asking after the local elections in England, last Thursday. Is Kemi Badenoch the last leader of the Conservative Party? After all, no political party is guaranteed to live for ever. The Liberal Party never properly recovered after Lloyd George ceased to be Prime Minister, 100 years ago, to be replaced by Labour.

The elections proved to be a complete disaster for the Tories, losing control of every Council they were defending.

Labour didn’t fare much better, losing the Runcorn and Helsby by-election to Reform, by just 6 votes.

The results were good news to Farage and Reform, winning 677 seats and control of 10 Councils. The Tories lost 674 councillors as they were decimated in the carnage of 1st May. Reform took seats from the Tories and Labour.

Blink and you may have missed the news that the results were excellent news for the Liberal Democrats. The media as per usual, seemed to forget we exist and just gave us minimum attention, despite increasing our councillor base by an additional 163 members and taking control of 3 Councils - Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Shropshire. No wonder party leader Ed Davey is renowned from doing his famous stunts. Whether its paddle boarding in sewage infested river, doing a bungee jump or go-karting, this seems to be the only way that the media notice the Liberal Democrats. The 3rd largest party in the Commons with 72 MP’s. Yet the same media spend so much time speaking to Farage and promoting Reform who now have, wait for it.... just 5 MP’s in the Commons.

Yes, it was a successful set of results for Reform, but I am dreading seeing

what happens on the 10 Councils where they are in control. And it is likely they could be in coalition on other Councils with the Tories, including Wiltshire. My county of birth, upbringing and where I served on Trowbridge Town Council and West Wiltshire District Council. The Lib Dems may be the largest group, by far. But the 43 Lib Dems could be left out in the cold by a CONFORM coalition on the Tories and Reform. I doubt I will enjoy reading from afar how any coalition will (or won’t?) work.

Things are going to get interesting as Farage has already said “.... those working in climate change, diversity initiatives or even just from home..... you all better be seeking alternative careers very, very quickly.” He may be modelling himself on Trump and wanting to implement Elon Musk DOGE style cuts on Council services, but he forgets that we all rely on our schools teaching our children; social services looking after the vulnerable; potholes being filled; bins being emptied; our libraries; planning etc.

Trump may have been in office for 100 days and fancies himself as being the next Pope, but Americans are getting to see what his authoritarian policies are creating and the damage its causing the American economy. If Trump doesn’t survive as President, will copy cat Farage get the chance to emulate Trump across the UK. Interesting times are ahead. Very difficult for Labour and the Tories. Good times for the Liberal Democrats. And who knows what Reform will bring? I will be closely following them.

Reform may reckon they have a good chance at the 2026 Senedd elections. It will now depend on how they operate in those English Councils they won. If they go belly up, will they disappear in Wales?

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

Senedd backs data bill despite constitutional concerns

THE sEnEDD signed off on the uK government’s data bill despite constitutional concerns, with the proposed legislation “completely failing” a key test set by the First Minister.

Senedd Members voted 3911 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill, which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade.

But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales.

Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters.

Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the First Minister.

He told the Senedd: “The First Minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.”

During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd’s

legislation committee –expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term.

He said: “What we are seeing now is an LCM that deals with devolved matters and where the Welsh Government is seceding the settlement… enabling UK ministers to amend Welsh legislation without reference to… Welsh ministers or this parliament.

“And that is unacceptable. It fails, completely, the tests that have been set by the First Minister to support UK legislation.”

The Plaid Cymru-turnedLabour politician added: “I think many Labour members who supported the First Minister this morning will feel very, very difficult about voting for this.”

Mick Antoniw, who was previously counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, nodded in agreement with much of his colleague’s contribution.

Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers “conceding” constitutional concerns.

“This is unwelcome and a serious cause for concern,” he said of delegated powers exercisable solely by UK

ministers in devolved areas.

Mr Hedges criticised the “suboptimal” quality and timeliness of the consent process, with the Welsh Government publishing key documents days before the debate.

Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd’s culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill’s potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU.

Her Plaid Cymru colleague Luke Fletcher warned of “far-reaching” constitutional implications as well as potential for the bill to “dilute” data protection standards.

He told the Senedd: “It’s telling in this respect that the UK Government has refused to share this relevant risk assessment on this matter.”

Rebecca Evans, Wales’ economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were “not aligned in the devolution anlysis”.

Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations.

Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would “not normally” legislate in devolved areas without such consent.

Older people’s

voices ‘must

be heard’ on bus reforms

THE OLDER people’s commissioner for Wales warned people could be denied a meaningful say about a major shake-up of bus services due to a tight timetable for scrutiny.

Rhian Bowen-Davies, who was appointed last summer, expressed concerns about the “extremely narrow” timetable for a bill which aims to transform bus services in Wales.

Writing to the Senedd’s climate committee, she said a six-week consultation window, which included three bank holidays, does not allow enough time for people to respond.

Ms Bowen-Davies wrote: “11 weeks is insufficient to undertake the scrutiny process, especially on such a significant piece of draft legislation.

“The timetable does not allow for meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including members of the public and particularly older people.”

Ms Bowen-Davies, who is scheduled to give evidence to the committee on May 22, argued the May 13 consultation deadline fails to give the issue the attention it deserves.

The former police officer

said: “Issues relating to transport, particularly buses, are often raised with me by older people and I am very keen to ensure there is sufficient time for meaningful consultation on the bill and that older people’s voices are heard.”

In a letter published ahead of a committee meeting on May 7, she wrote: “Older people often tell me they want a voice in decision making but that digital exclusion often acts as a barrier.”

Warning that an explanatory note, which was published alongside the bill, runs to more than 200 pages, she stressed: “It is important to recognise that over 100,000 people aged 75-plus in Wales do not use the internet.”

Plaid Cymru’s Llŷr Gruffydd, who chairs the climate committee which is scrutinising the bill, stated that 11 sitting weeks is in line with standard practice in his reply.

“This necessitates a shorter consultation period than would be the case, for example, for a policy inquiry where the committee has autonomy over

BLUE VIEW

With paul Davies

COunCIL pusHEs FORWARD WITH pLAns FOR COsTLy COAsTAL ROAD

The coastal road through Newgale not only provides access to those wanting to visit the glorious Newgale beach, but it’s also an important route for those travelling further into the St David’s peninsula. In the past, this particular stretch of road has been affected by extreme weather and tides, resulting in water and pebbles on the road and it’s a problem that needs addressing.

expected to cost around £250,000–£500,000. Their proposal would see a 400-metre stretch of the existing shingle bank moved around 10 metres seaward, maintaining the existing A487 route and thereby reducing the environmental and financial impact. Crucially, STUN has made it clear that their plans meet the targets laid out in the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act and Net Zero commitments.

timetabling matters,” he wrote.

Senedd Members on the business committee, which organises proceedings in the Welsh Parliament, agreed the 11-week timetable.

Mr Gruffydd added: “We acknowledge that the six-week consultation period is likely to present challenges for those wishing to submit evidence. However, we are keen to ensure that this evidence is available in good time to test with witnesses.”

With the business committee reviewing the legislative scrutiny process, Ms BowenDavies called for reform to ensure digital exclusion is not “inadvertently built in”.

She told the climate committee: “This review should reflect on the time needed to support and enable genuine and meaningful consultation, as well as engagement with groups who have an interest in legislative proposals.

“Future timetables should also take into account bank holidays and other factors that may impact on people’s ability to respond. Changes to allow more time for consultation should be made to the timetable for scrutinising legislation.”

Some of you may be aware that Pembrokeshire County Council has developed the Newgale Coastal Adaptation Project. The Council’s project has been broken down into four separate schemes. They are rerouting the Newgale section of the A487, creating a new walking and cycling path through Newgale, changing access to the beach and coastal businesses and releasing space for the beach to adapt to coastal change. There is plenty of information online about the specifics of each section and I urge Herald readers to visit the Project’s website and learn more about the proposals.

I’ve looked carefully at the Council’s proposals and I understand that a project of this kind of magnitude will cost millions of pounds – and I’m not convinced that this is the best way to spend such a huge amount of taxpayers money. The project is also environmentally destructive and poses a risk to local wildlife and their habitats.

Now, what is needed is an affordable solution that is as environmentally sensitive as possible. In Newgale, a community group named STUN, which stands for ‘Stand Up for Newgale’, was established by local residents and they have put together their own proposals for addressing the problem. By contrast to the Council, the local group’s proposals are

I’ve met with representatives of STUN and I was very impressed with their proposals. It makes much more sense to me that the Council works with this group going forward, particularly given how affordable their plans are and because the plans are far less invasive than their own. The Council’s proposals are already estimated to be around £40million pounds and so working with the community will help save the local authority a lot of money.

Newgale is a very special area and we must protect it and work with its community. I’ve raised this at the Senedd and I have arranged to meet Cllr Jon Harvey, the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council. I’ll of course keep raising it until common sense prevails and the community-led proposals are given full consideration. We don’t have to destroy habitats and spend millions of pounds to make a difference in Newgale and so I hope the Council rethinks its plans and decides to work with us going forward.

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO: THE EDITOR, 11 HAMILTON TERRACE, MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE, SA73 3AL

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

LETTERS & NOTICES

PICTURE OF THE WEEK!

PLAID SHOULD NOT DELAY A VOTE ON INDEPENDENCE

DEAR sIR,

I was disappointed to hear plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth confirm that his party would not seek an independence referendum during the first term of a plaid-led government.

While I understand the need to focus on health, education and the economy—areas where successive Welsh governments have struggled—it is precisely because of these challenges that the question of independence must not be postponed.

The case for a vote on Wales’s future is not a distraction from bread-and-butter issues—it is central to solving them. Decisions made in Westminster continue to hold Wales back. From underfunding to flawed devolution settlements, we are limited in what we can change while we remain part of a union that rarely treats us as an equal partner.

Plaid Cymru should not be afraid to trust the people of Wales with a

say on their future. Postponing the discussion risks losing momentum and missing a historic opportunity. Other nations, like Scotland, made electoral breakthroughs by showing courage and ambition— Plaid must do the same.

If we want a healthier, fairer, and more prosperous Wales, we must be bold enough to ask the people whether they believe that future lies in independence. A first term is exactly the time to start that process.

David Joseph

25 YEARS OF GROUNDBREAKING DISCOVERIES

DEAR sIR,

since 1999, researchers at the breast Cancer now Toby Robins Research Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, have been delivering life-changing breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment and prevention. From uncovering new ways

to treat breast cancer that are transforming thousands of people’s lives a year, to revealing that a blood test can detect breast cancer coming back months earlier than hospital scans, our scientists have been at the forefront of breast cancer research breakthroughs for 25 years.

These extraordinary advances are only possible due to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, and I want to give a heartfelt thank you to all of you for your continued support.

In the 1990s, 3 in 20 women diagnosed with early invasive breast cancer would die from the disease within five years. Thanks to improvements in diagnosis and treatment, it’s now 1 in 20.

yet despite this incredible progress, too many people are diagnosed too late and are enduring side effects of treatment that can be gruelling. And those with incurable secondary breast cancer still face the frightening reality of limited treatment options.

The stark reality is that 11,500

women and 90 men still die from this devastating disease each year in the uK. Identifying through research how we better diagnose and treat breast cancer is vital to us changing this. We’re on the brink of discoveries that will further transform how we understand and treat breast cancer. new developments that harness the power of the immune system to kill cancer cells, and artificial intelligence (AI) could help us discover new ways to treat the disease. but none of this is possible without continued investment.

please continue to support breast Cancer now and help us to carry out our worldclass breast cancer research. Together we can accelerate progress towards fewer cases, fewer deaths and a better quality of life for everyone affected by breast cancer.

For more information visit https://breastcancernow.org/ research

Claire Rowney CEO of breast Cancer now

Death Notices

M ARGARET R OSE T ODD

THE death occurred peacefully on Monday 14th April 2025 at Withybush hopsital of Mrs. Margaret Rose Todd, aged 91 years of Dimond street, pembroke Dock.

Devoted and loving Wife of the late Bonnie. Much loved Mum to Stephen and Jacqui. Cherished Grandma to Sam, Jodie, Aimee, Sophie and Matthew. Treasured Great Grandma to Kyla, Josh, Joella, Paisleigh, Matilda, Isaac and Nola.

The funeral service will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at St. John’s Church, Pembroke Dock at 11:30am, following the funeral service there will be a private family only cremation at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

There will be family flowers only with donations in lieu if desired for R.N.L.I c/o E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS & Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth.

R OSALAE R ICHARDSON

pEACEFuLLy on April 24th, Rosalae of st. Davids aged 86 years.

Beloved wife of the late Larry, much loved mother of Stephen, Alan, Neil, Leigh and Mandy.

Dearly loved by all her grandchildren

and many relatives.

Funeral Service on Wednesday May 14th at 12.00pm at St. Davids Cathedral.

Enquiries to W.G.Bernard Mathias & Daughter, Funeral Directors 01437 720537

N IGEL W HITTOW

suDDEnLy On Friday 25th April, nigel of penyraber, Fishguard.

Beloved husband of Ann, loving father and father-in-law of Gemma & Alex, Sarah & Mattie, treasured Grampy of William, Charlie, Daniel, Imogen & Louisa, much loved brother of Hugh and a dear uncle.

Funeral service on Tuesday 13th May at St Mary’s Church, Fishguard at 2:30pm followed by interment at Tabernacle Cemetery.

Family flowers only.

Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to ‘British Heart Foundation’ or ‘Wales Air Ambulance’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

A NN B ARTON

pEACEFuLLy at her home on Wednesday 23rd April, Ann of The Rhos.

Beloved wife of Dr Bryn Barton, loving mother of Jane, Judith, Adam &

Andrew, much loved grandmother and great grandmother, and a dear sister of David.

Funeral service on Monday 19th May at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 12:15pm.

Family flowers only.

Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to ‘Paul Sartori Foundation’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

PAUL K NIGHT L UCAS BEM, JP

pAuL, passed away peacefully on Thursday April 17th 2025 aged 70 years.

Beloved husband of Eirwen, loving and devoted father of Alexandra and a dear father in law of Morgan. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all his family, many friends and the wider community of Pembrokeshire.

The funeral will be held on Friday 23rd May, service at 1.00 pm at St. Mary’s Church, Haverfordwest.

A private family cremation will take place at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

N IGEL K ENNETH G RIFFITHS

nIgEL passed away on the 15th April aged 72 years.

Dearly loved, he will be really missed by all his family and all who knew him.

His funeral service will take place on Wednesday 14th May, 2.00pm at St. David’s Church, Prendergast.

Family flowers only, donation in lieu of flowers can be made payable directly to The British Heart Foundation at www.bhf.org.uk or sent to Greater London House, 4th Floor, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821.

A NN E VANS

OF north park Farm, Crundale, passed away peacefully on 22 April 2025 after a long battle with ill health bravely fought.

Beloved wife of Barrie, loving mother of Kay and Kathryn and mother-in—law of Simon and Richard. Adoring grandmother of Isabella, George, Eleanor and Ethan and much loved sister of Margaret, Jean, John and David.

Funeral service at Zion’s Hill Chapel, Spittal on Friday 16 May at 11 am followed by a reception at the Crundale Community Hall.

Roy Folland & Sons, Funeral Directors, Haverfordwest Tel: 01437 763821

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RECLAIMED BUILDING MATERIAL

RUBBISH AND WASTE REMOVAL

PROFESSIONAL CAR WASH

PODIATRY

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SOUND LIGHT AND STAGE

WRU issues 48-hour deadline to regions

DRAgOns, scarlets and Ospreys face uncertain future if agreement isn’t signed

THE WELSH RUGBY UNION has told three of Wales’ professional rugby teams they have just 48 hours to sign a new long-term funding agreement—or risk being served notice that could spell the end of their participation in top-flight competitions.

The ultimatum, delivered to the Dragons, Scarlets and Ospreys on Tuesday, comes amid growing tensions over the delayed signing of the Professional Rugby Agreement (PRA). If the clubs fail to sign by midnight on Thursday, the WRU may issue a formal two-year termination notice, triggering major upheaval across the sport.

The WRU, which now owns Cardiff Rugby after the club entered administration earlier this year, says the ongoing stalemate cannot continue. While the governing body insists its preference remains to retain four professional sides, the potential withdrawal of support for the three independently-owned teams is now firmly on the table.

The WRU holds the licences that allow teams to play in the United Rugby Championship and European competitions. If the notice is served, the union would have the power to withdraw these licences in 2027—though such a move would likely carry short-term financial consequences.

Sources close to the discussions say concerns remain within the three clubs over how the WRU’s full ownership of Cardiff could affect competitive balance, particularly in terms of

funding and recruitment. There are also calls for changes to voting rights on the Professional Rugby Board and proposals to restrict Cardiff from signing players from rival Welsh sides while under WRU control.

The current PRA was agreed in principle earlier this year, offering increased funding and refinancing of club debt, including the WRU taking

responsibility for COVID-related loans. But following Cardiff’s collapse into administration—and the WRU’s subsequent £780,000 acquisition and pledge of £1.2 million in further support—the deal has stalled.

WRU chair Richard Collier-Keywood has acknowledged the clubs’ concerns, especially around transparency and governance. However, the union insists

it is absorbing the financial risks to safeguard the future of the professional game in Wales and that the proposed agreement will ultimately benefit all parties.

But with refinancing talks ongoing and pressure mounting, the WRU says time is up—and a decision must now be made.

Merlins Bridge Juniors secure U14s treble with cup final win

3–0 victory over Monkton swifts crowns outstanding season

MERLINS BRIDGE Juniors Under 14s were crowned cup champions on Monday (May 6) after defeating Monkton Swifts 3–0 in the Pembrokeshire U14s Cup Final.

The win caps off a remarkable season for the young side, who have now completed the treble — winning the U14s Cup, the league title, and also being crowned West Wales champions.

The team have impressed throughout the campaign with their consistent performances, strong teamwork and attacking flair, earning praise from coaches and supporters alike.

The Junior League is sponsored by Todaro’s Hair & Beauty, who continue to support grassroots football across the county.

SPORT

Zhao beats Williams in Final

snooker has a new world champion—yet for Wales, the 2025 World Championship final was just as much a tribute to past greatness as it was the crowning of a new era.

Zhao Xintong made history on Monday night, becoming the first player from China to win the World Snooker Championship, sealing a commanding 18-12 victory over Welsh icon Mark Williams at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.

But for all the headlines Zhao rightly earns, it was Williams—Wales’ threetime champion and the Crucible’s oldestever finalist at 50—who reminded the world what poise, longevity and grit look like on snooker’s grandest stage.

Trailing 11-6 overnight, the task facing the Cwm cueman was monumental. By Monday afternoon, Zhao had tightened his grip with a near-flawless display, extending his lead to 17-8. Yet, as ever with Williams, the story wasn’t over.

Willed on by a Crucible crowd alive with nostalgia and possibility, Williams mounted a spirited charge in the evening session. He rattled in breaks of 101, 96, and 73 in quick succession, winning four straight frames to echo the ghosts of 1985’s iconic black-ball final. A repeat of Dennis Taylor’s improbable comeback against Steve Davis suddenly didn’t feel so far-fetched.

But Zhao, composed and steely beyond his years, was not to be rattled.

After sitting largely out of play for a sizeable stretch, he returned to the table and coolly compiled an 87 to end the contest—his 47th win in 49 matches this season.

“This is very exciting. I can’t believe what I’ve done,” Zhao told the BBC, admitting nerves against a player he respectfully called “the best.” And while the achievement is undeniably historic, the path has been anything but conventional.

Just a year ago, Zhao was serving a 20-month suspension after being implicated in a match-fixing investigation—not for fixing matches himself, but for being complicit in others’ wrongdoing and betting violations. His return has been remarkable, not only for his play but for how quickly he’s reclaimed elite form.

Over 29 gruelling days, Zhao battled through four qualifying rounds and 111 frames in total to reach the final—a rare feat. He now joins Welsh great Terry Griffiths and Shaun Murphy as only the third qualifier to lift the title since the tournament moved to Sheffield in 1977. He also becomes the first amateur champion at the Crucible, though he will now return to the professional circuit ranked 11th in the world and £500,000 richer.

Yet through the noise of history, controversy, and records, Wales will

rightly focus on what Williams has once again shown: unwavering class. Six weeks into his sixth decade, he not only reached another final but reminded fans why he remains one of the most beloved and formidable competitors in the game. That rally in the evening session wasn’t just technical excellence—it was the kind of mental strength and flair that defines a champion, regardless of the scoreboard.

For Welsh snooker, Williams’ run rekindles national pride. His career, which spans three decades, continues to set standards that go beyond trophies. In an increasingly global sport, Mark Williams remains a timeless Welsh talisman.

Grace leads the way as Haverfordwest High clinch WRU Girls’ Title

HAVERFORDWEsT HIgH

sCHOOL have been crowned champions of the WRu under-12s national girls’ schools Final after a commanding 47-10 victory over ysgol godre’r berwyn.

The standout star of the match was team captain Grace Busby, who delivered an extraordinary performance by scoring seven tries. Her leadership

on the pitch and attacking prowess proved too much for the opposition, as Haverfordwest surged ahead and maintained control throughout the game.

Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn showed determination and resilience, continuing to compete with heart until the final whistle, but they struggled to contain the relentless pace and precision of their

opponents.

The final, hosted as part of the Welsh Rugby Union’s commitment to developing the women’s game at grassroots level, brought together the country’s top school teams, showcasing the growing depth and talent in girls’ rugby across Wales.

There were jubilant scenes as the final whistle blew, with Grace lifting

the trophy to the cheers of teammates, coaches, and proud supporters. The win marks a milestone moment for Haverfordwest High as a force in schoolgirls’ rugby.

The match not only secured silverware for Haverfordwest but also highlighted the growing popularity and skill level in the girls’ game, pointing to a promising future and stars for Welsh women’s rugby.

Spectators line the waterway to watch Cleddau race in glorious weather

THE WATER s of Milford Haven came alive on s aturday (May 3) as the Cleddau Waterski Race brought high-speed action to the Haven estuary.

Organised by Neyland Yacht Club in partnership with UK Waterski Racing, the event saw elite racers and powerful boats tackle a challenging course stretching from Hazelbeach Port Hand Mark to the Cleddau Bridge.

Racing began at 11:00am and continued into the afternoon, with six heats run in an anticlockwise direction. Mariners were warned to steer clear of the exclusion zones enforced during the event, with safety vessels monitoring traffic on VHF Channels 37/M1 and 12.

Spectators lined the shoreline at Milford Marina and Neyland

Promenade, where the best views of the racing were on offer. With sunny skies and calm conditions, the crowds were treated to fast, loud and spectacular watersport action.

A spokesperson for Neyland Yacht Club said: “It’s great to see so many people enjoying the racing. The support helps us continue to grow the event and bring waterskiing back to the forefront in West Wales.”

The event is seen as a warm-up to this summer’s P1 Welsh Grand Prix of the Sea, which returns to Milford Haven on July 15–16. That major international powerboat and jet ski racing competition is expected to draw up to 15,000 visitors to the area.

Further information on local watersports events and upcoming races can be found at: www. milfordwaterfront.co.uk/whats-on

Thomas Carroll Pembrokeshire League

Carew, Pembroke and Hundleton dominate across divisions

THE s ECO n D round of fixtures in the Thomas Carroll p embroke County Cricket League delivered high scores, thrilling finishes and standout individual performances across all six divisions.

Division 1 saw a commanding display from Cresselly, who defeated Burton by 68 runs. Cresselly posted 299-7, with Morgan Lewis scoring 69 and Kyle Quartermaine adding 43. Burton replied with 231-5, Toby Hayman top scoring with 63.

Carew continued their strong start, overcoming Whitland by 28 runs. Tim Hicks scored 67 for Carew while Rhys Davies contributed 42 and took 3-15. Whitland’s reply fell short despite 46 from Jonathan Thomas.

Saundersfoot pulled off an emphatic nine-wicket win over Haverfordwest, chasing down 257-5 thanks to a stunning 142 not out from Simon Stanford.

Neyland defeated Herbrandston by 50 runs, led by 67 from Ross Hardy and 62 from Paul Murray. Hardy and Andrew Miller also chipped in with wickets.

Lawrenny secured a seven-wicket win against Llangwm, chasing down 141 with unbeaten knocks from Harry Thomas (53) and Finley Lewis (41).

THE SECOND round of fixtures in the Thomas Carroll Pembroke County Cricket League delivered high scores, thrilling finishes and standout individual performances across all six divisions.

Division 1 saw a commanding display from Cresselly, who defeated Burton by 68 runs. Cresselly posted 299-7, with Morgan Lewis scoring 69 and Kyle Quartermaine adding 43. Burton replied with 231-5, Toby Hayman top scoring with 63.

Carew continued their strong start, overcoming Whitland by 28 runs. Tim Hicks scored 67 for Carew while Rhys Davies contributed 42 and took 3-15. Whitland’s reply fell short despite 46 from Jonathan Thomas.

Saundersfoot pulled off an emphatic nine-wicket win over Haverfordwest, chasing down 257-5 thanks to a stunning 142 not out from Simon Stanford.

Neyland defeated Herbrandston by 50 runs, led by 67 from Ross Hardy and 62 from Paul Murray. Hardy and Andrew Miller also chipped in with wickets.

Lawrenny secured a seven-wicket win against Llangwm, chasing down 141 with unbeaten knocks from Harry Thomas (53) and Finley Lewis (41).

In Division 2, Pembroke crushed Burton II by 110 runs. Jack Harries made 87 and Richard Pulman took 3-12 as Pembroke defended 217 with ease.

Narberth beat St Ishmaels by 30 runs after Jamie McCormack’s 51 helped set a defendable total.

Llechryd posted 234-5 to beat Llanrhian by 67 runs, thanks to John Curran’s century and four wickets from Ffion Cartwright.

Cresselly II chased down 233 against Johnston, with Ryan Lewis scoring an unbeaten 66. Johnston’s Lewis Boswell struck 115 in a losing effort.

Hook held their nerve to defend 206-9 against Carew II, with Harry Makepeace returning 4-39.

In Division 3, Fishguard chased down 239 to beat Laugharne by seven wickets. Nigel, Scott and Matthew Delaney all passed fifty in a dominant batting display.

Hundleton bowled out Lamphey for 91 before cruising to victory with three wickets down. Leighton O’Connor starred with 3-9 and 23 runs.

Kilgetty defeated Haverfordwest II by 36 runs, with Jack Badham scoring 59 and taking 3-33.

Hook II dismissed Neyland II for just 64 and chased the target in 10 overs. Bradley Flood took 6-15.

Pembroke Dock defeated Stackpole by 8 wickets, with Euan McDonald claiming 5-22.

Division 4 featured dominant wins for the early frontrunners. Saundersfoot II beat Lawrenny II by 86 runs after a remarkable spell of 7-12 by Phasant Gautam.

Pembroke II cruised to a ninewicket win over Carew III, with Charlie Perkins hitting 54 not out.

Crymych beat Haverfordwest III by 25 runs, Llanrhian II edged past Llangwm II by 4 wickets, and Narberth II beat St Ishmaels II by four wickets. In Division 5, Llechryd II beat Cresselly III by 48 runs. Philip Carter made 73, while Joseph Davies returned 4-21 for Cresselly.

Whitland II chased 91 to beat Haverfordwest IV, with Steffan Lee scoring an unbeaten 55.

Pembroke Dock II won a thrilling contest by one run against Herbrandston II, with Anton John scoring 77.

Hundleton II easily chased down Neyland III’s 106, with Stuart Midgeley scoring 69 not out.

Division 6 saw a dramatic collapse as Kilgetty II were bowled out for just 36 by Haverfordwest/Cresselly, who won by 87 runs. George Richards took 3-12.

Pembroke III beat Lamphey II by nine wickets, with Toby BradleyWatson making 71 not out.

Llechryd III dismissed Whitland III for 23 and chased the target for the loss of two wickets.

Thomas Carroll Pembrokeshire League Table

RESULTS: 03/05/2025

Cresselly (299-7) beat Burton (231-5) by 68 runs

Llangwm (141) lost to Lawrenny (144-3) by 7 wkts

Neyland (275-5) beat Herbrandston (225-9) by 50 runs

Saundersfoot (258-1) beat Haverfordwest (257-5) by 9 wkts

Whitland (156) lost to Carew (184-6) by 28 runs

Burton II (107) lost to Pembroke (217-6) by 110 runs

Carew II (190-8) lost to Hook (217-6) by 27 runs

Johnston (233-3) lost to Cresselly II (236-6) by 4 wkts

Llechryd (234-5) beat Llanrhian (167-5) by 67 runs

St Ishmaels (103) lost to Narberth (133) by 30 runs

Haverfordwest II (151-8) lost to Kilgetty (187-8) by 38 runs

Hook II (68-3) beat Neyland II (64) by 7 wkts

Lamphey (91) lost to Hundleton (92-3) by 6 wkts

Laugharne (239-2) lost to Fishguard (243-3) by 6 wkts

Pembroke Dock (108-2) beat Stackpole (107) by 8 wkts

Crymych (154-6) beat Haverfordwest III (129) by 25 runs

Lawrenny II (62) lost to Saundersfoot II (148-4) by 86 runs

Llanrhian II (156-6) beat Llangwm II (153) by 4 wkts

Narberth II (113-6) beat St Ishmaels II (112) by 4 wkts

Pembroke II (118-1) beat Carew III (113) by 9 wkts

Cresselly III (155-9) lost to Llechryd II (203-7) by 48 runs

Haverfordwest IV (91) lost to Whitland II (96-5) by 5 wkts

Herbrandston II (153) lost to Pembroke Dock II (154-8) by 1 run

Hundleton II (108-0) beat Neyland III (106) by 10 wkts

Kilgetty II (36) lost to H’west-Cresselly (123-5) by 87 runs

Pembroke III (125-1) beat Lamphey II (122-7) by 9 wkts

Whitland III (23) lost to Llechryd III (24-2) by 8 wkts

FIXTURES: 10/05/2025

Burton v Llangwm

Carew v Saundersfoot

Haverfordwest v Cresselly

Lawrenny v Herbrandston

Whitland v Neyland

Cresselly II v Hook

Llanrhian v Johnston

Narberth v Burton II

Pembroke v Llechryd

St Ishmaels v Carew II

Fishguard v Lamphey

Hook II v Pembroke Dock

Hundleton v Haverfordwest II

Kilgetty v Stackpole

Neyland II v Laugharne

Carew III v St Ishmaels II

Crymych v Narberth II

Haverfordwest III v Llanrhian II

Llangwm II v Lawrenny II

Saundersfoot II v Pembroke II

Herbrandston II v Haverfordwest IV

Llechryd II v Whitland II

Neyland III v Cresselly III

Pembroke Dock II v Hundleton II

H’west-Cresselly v Whitland III

Haverfordwest High clinch WRU Girls’

Title