FRIDAY october 16th 2026 • ISSUE 685 • ONLY £1.50
AIR AMBULANCE
Floating wind revolution could help unlock £8.4bn investment and 11,500 jobs across south west Wales • p5
Helicopter was removed by crane • P7
DARC
TUfnell challenged to public debate • P18
SCABIES
HYWEL DDA confirms rise in cases • P9
PEMBROKE DOCK POISED FOR OFFSHORE WIND JOBS BOOM
£9.2m investment approved as Celtic Freeport finally moves from planning to delivery
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MP demands answers over scabies cases in schools MP Henry Tufnell has written to the chief executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board seeking answers over reports of scabies affecting schoolchildren, following confirmed outbreaks in hospitals across West Wales. In a letter dated Tuesday (October 13), the Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire asked Professor Phil Kloer to establish the extent of infections in Pembrokeshire and explain the measures being taken to prevent further transmission. The intervention follows The Pembrokeshire Herald’s investigation into reported scabies concerns in schools, nurseries, care homes and healthcare settings. Mr Tufnell wrote: “In recent days, there have been concerning reports of scabies cases amongst children in Pembrokeshire, with parents reporting that their children have been sent home from school with the highly contagious skin condition.” He asked the health board to set out the steps it is taking to “establish the extent of infections in Pembrokeshire” and “prevent any further spread of infection within healthcare settings, schools, and the wider community”. Health board confirms higher number of cases His letter comes after Hywel Dda confirmed to The Herald on Monday (October 12) that it had experienced a higher number of scabies cases in its area. Dr Ardiana Gjini, the health board’s Director of Public Health, said: “Scabies is a common and treatable skin condition. We have recently seen a higher number of cases in Hywel Dda and, as a precautionary measure, temporarily closed affected wards to allow enhanced infection prevention and control measures to be undertaken.” The health board has not supplied
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The Herald with a total number of confirmed cases or a breakdown by county. It said scabies is not a notifiable disease and that it does not publish case numbers. Read the health board’s full response here. Hospital outbreaks and school reports In his letter, Mr Tufnell referred to outbreaks at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen. At Prince Philip Hospital, visiting restrictions were introduced on September 27 while affected wards were closed and additional infectioncontrol measures carried out. Hywel Dda said on October 7 that Wards 4 and 7 had reopened and general visiting had resumed, although restrictions remained at Mynydd Mawr Rehabilitation Unit. At Glangwili Hospital, Cadog Ward was closed in September because of a scabies outbreak. Hywel Dda has emphasised that some patients have arrived at hospital with infections acquired in the community, rather than necessarily contracting scabies in hospital. It has said the risk to the wider public remains low. The Herald has separately received accounts from parents concerned about children developing symptoms and experiencing suspected reinfection after treatment. The source of those reported infections has not been independently established. Questions remain over scale of infections Scabies is caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin, often producing an intensely itchy rash. It usually spreads through
Pembroke Dock man admits slashing car tyres A PEMBROKE DOCK man has admitted damaging another person’s car tyres and possessing a knife in public. Police were called on April 14 following reports that tyres on a vehicle belonging to Marcus Llewellyn had been slashed. Anthony Loveridge, 37, of Elizabeth Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates, where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possessing a bladed article in a public place. Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court
that Loveridge had emerged from his home carrying a knife. “The defendant came out of his house holding a knife in a threatening manner and acting aggressively,” she said. At the request of the Crown Prosecution Service, magistrates adjourned sentencing so that the probation service could prepare a presentence report. Loveridge was released on unconditional bail and is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on November 3.
prolonged close physical contact and is treatable. Treating close contacts together is important to help prevent reinfection. Mr Tufnell’s request for information raises further questions about how the extent of infections is being assessed when county-level figures are not routinely published. The Herald will continue seeking
information from the health board, local authorities and public health officials about outbreaks, infectioncontrol measures and the response in schools and care settings. The Herald has seen Mr Tufnell’s signed letter dated October 13. We will report any response from the health board when it becomes available.
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King hails ‘special connection’ with Wales as he opens historic new Senedd
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KING CHARLES III has spoken of his pride in his lifelong connection with Wales as he formally opened the Seventh Senedd in Cardiff.
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Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the King addressed Members of the Welsh Parliament on Thursday (Oct 15) during a ceremony marking both the beginning of a new Senedd term and one of the biggest changes to Welsh democracy since devolution. It was Charles’s first ceremonial opening of the Senedd since becoming King. Speaking inside the Siambr, he reflected on a relationship with Wales stretching back decades and said he had always felt “immensely privileged, and proud” to have enjoyed a special connection with the country, its language, culture and landscape. He told Members that, as they carried out the work of government, they should draw inspiration from the strengths of Wales while working on behalf of its people. The King ended part of his address in Welsh, saying: “Pob bendith ar eich gwaith er lles y wlad arbennig hon.” His appearance came at a landmark moment for the Welsh Parliament. For the first time, the Senedd has 96 Members rather than 60, following major electoral reforms introduced ahead of May’s election. The new Parliament was elected across 16 multi-member constituencies using a new proportional system, fundamentally changing both the size and composition of the institution. For west Wales, the changes include the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, covering Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion and returning six Members to Cardiff Bay.
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The King and Queen were welcomed on arrival by Llywydd Huw IrrancaDavies and First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth before entering the Senedd for the formal proceedings. A Royal Navy Guard of Honour took part in the ceremonial welcome, while inside the building the Senedd’s mace was carried into the Siambr before being placed in its sconce to signify the formal opening of the seventh parliamentary term. Welsh language, music and culture also featured prominently. The King’s official harpist, Mared Emyr PughEvans, accompanied proceedings, while Côr Merched Plastaf performed O Gymru. Protesters gather outside Outside the Senedd, the royal visit drew a contrasting response. Anti-monarchy demonstrators gathered close to the building carrying banners and placards, while other members of the public had come to Cardiff Bay to watch the royal arrival. The protest provided a visible reminder of the differing views surrounding the monarchy in modern Wales, while proceedings continued inside. Charles and Camilla last attended a ceremonial opening in 2021, when Charles was Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Sixth Senedd. Today therefore marked the first time
her son had performed the ceremony as sovereign. Aberfan remembered The visit also came just days before Wales marks one of the most painful anniversaries in its modern history. The King and Queen were due to meet people with personal and family connections to the Aberfan disaster, ahead of its 60th anniversary on October 21. Among them was Noah Jones, whose great-grandfather Stephen Andrew was caretaker at Pantglas Junior School and helped rescue children after the coal tip engulfed the school in 1966. They were also due to meet survivor Gareth Jones and former rescuer Len Moss. The Aberfan disaster claimed 144 lives, including 116 children, and remains deeply embedded in Wales’s collective memory. As the King and Queen prepared to leave Cardiff Bay, members of the Wales YFC Choir were also due to perform Fel hyn da ni fod, recorded earlier this year to celebrate the organisation’s 90th anniversary. More than half a century after he was formally invested as Prince of Wales, Charles returned to Cardiff Bay as monarch to open a Welsh Parliament considerably different from the institution established in 1999. His message to Members was one of continuity as well as change, describing Wales as a “most special corner of the Earth”.
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Pembroke dock poised for offshore wind jobs boom £9.2m investment approved as Celtic Freeport moves from planning to delivery
PEMBROKE DOCK is poised to become one of the key industrial centres of Britain’s emerging floating offshore wind industry after £9.2 million of new infrastructure investment was approved for the town. The funding, announced as part of an £18.4 million Celtic Freeport package, will transform marine and quayside facilities at Pembroke Port and Ledwood — infrastructure regarded as critical if the area is to secure manufacturing, assembly and servicing work from the vast Celtic Sea offshore wind programme. The announcement marks a major change in pace for the Celtic Freeport, with officials declaring that the project is now moving “from planning into delivery.” The wide Freeport programme is forecast to attract £8.4 billion of investment and support 11,500 jobs across south west Wales, with
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Pembroke Dock expected to play a central role because of its deep-water port, engineering base and proximity to planned floating wind developments. The biggest local award is £7.2 million for the Port of Milford Haven’s Criterion Quay project, where marine infrastructure will be restored, new berthing provided and 1.7 hectares of laydown space created. Another £2 million will go to Ledwood Engineering to improve its quayside and marine access, allowing the Pembroke Dock company to fabricate and handle large offshore wind components. Together, the schemes provide the physical infrastructure needed to compete for work from developers preparing major floating wind projects in the Celtic Sea. Celtic Freeport chairman Chris Martin said the funding would “unlock
investment, support high-quality jobs and accelerate economic growth across south west Wales”. He said: “We are now moving from planning into delivery.” Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Kinnock described the announcement as a significant moment which would help establish south west Wales as “a hub of the industries of the future”. The development could prove particularly important for Pembrokeshire, where political and business leaders have for years argued that the transition to renewable energy must bring industrial jobs as well as offshore turbines. Floating offshore wind projects require enormous supply chains covering steel fabrication, engineering, port operations, marine services, logistics, maintenance and construction. Pembroke Dock is now positioning itself to compete for that work. The Celtic Freeport links the ports of Milford Haven and Port Talbot and has been created to attract private investment through a combination of tax incentives, customs arrangements and
targeted public infrastructure spending. Its wider economic ambition is substantial: £8.4 billion of investment and 11,500 new jobs are forecast if the programme develops as planned. For Pembrokeshire, however, the key question will be how many of those jobs and how much of that investment can actually be secured locally. The latest funding does not guarantee thousands of jobs in Pembroke Dock, but it represents an important prerequisite: building the infrastructure needed for companies to locate work here. The £18.4 million funding package also includes £5 million for Associated British Ports at Talbot Wharf and £4.2 million for Neath Port Talbot Council’s Waterside Innovation Park. The awards remain subject to final grant conditions, monitoring and funding agreements. But after years of discussion about the potential of the Celtic Sea, the significance of Thursday’s announcement is that money is now being committed to the infrastructure intended to make that potential real.
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Cabinet backs lease for major retailer at former Wilko store PEMBROKESHIRE Council chiefs have backed a deal to bring a major national retailer into Haverfordwest’s former Wilko store, clearing one of the final hurdles before the agreement can be formally completed. Cabinet approved the proposed letting at an extraordinary meeting on Friday morning (October 16), called specifically to deal with the future of the prominent Riverside Shopping Centre unit at 2–6 Old Bridge. The decision represents a major step forward for the long-vacant building and could see one of Haverfordwest’s biggest empty retail units brought back into use. However, the identity of the retailer remains officially secret. Local speculation has repeatedly centred on Primark, but neither the council nor the prospective tenant has confirmed that the fashion chain is behind the deal. The Herald understands the retailer’s identity is expected to be revealed only after the Agreement for Lease has been formally executed, meaning an announcement could still be several days away and potentially not until later this month. The former Wilko premises have stood empty since the chain collapsed into administration in 2023. Pembrokeshire County Council owns the Riverside Shopping Centre estate and has identified the huge former Wilko unit as a key part of its plans to revive Haverfordwest town centre. Council papers said the incoming business was a “major high street retailer” whose presence was expected to increase footfall, support neighbouring traders, create employment and generate rental income for the authority. The prospective retailer has already secured approval for the deal from its own board.
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That approval is currently valid until October 31, creating an incentive for both sides to complete the legal agreement before the end of the month. Deputy council leader Cllr Paul Miller told The Herald earlier this week that October 31 was not an absolute deadline, but said completing the deal before then would avoid the retailer having to seek renewed internal approval. He said: “We want to get this deal agreed and the building occupied as soon as possible.”The deal comes with a significant programme of work to the former Wilko building. When the premises were returned to the council following Wilko’s collapse, the authority discovered that the property was in poor condition. Further surveys carried out this year found defects more extensive than originally anticipated, with problems including the roof and ageing building fabric. Cabinet previously approved a £1.656 million redevelopment package in March. However, The Herald revealed this week that further works have since been
added. Cllr Miller confirmed that more detailed inspections had uncovered defects the council wanted to tackle while the property remained vacant. He also confirmed that negotiations with the incoming retailer had resulted in “some additional landlord works being agreed”. The revised overall cost has not yet been disclosed. The council says the figures must remain confidential while construction works are being tendered. Funding is expected to come from a mixture of grant funding, council borrowing and money already held for work within the Riverside estate. Council confident investment will pay back Questions remain over exactly how much taxpayers will ultimately spend preparing the premises for occupation. But Cllr Miller has strongly defended the financial case. He told The Herald that any borrowing undertaken by the authority would be repaid “in fairly short order” through rental income from the new tenant. He said the benefits would extend beyond the rent received by the council, arguing that a nationally recognised
retailer would bring additional shoppers into the centre of Haverfordwest. The proposed letting has already generated tentative enquiries about other vacant units in the Riverside area, he said. “It feels like momentum is building very nicely in Haverfordwest and this is the next step in the town’s regeneration journey.” The former Wilko unit extends to around 31,430 sq ft and was previously marketed at an asking rent of £150,000 a year. Its location has become increasingly significant following the opening of Haverfordwest’s new public transport interchange immediately nearby. The retailer’s identity is now likely to become the focus of intense speculation. Primark has long been linked locally with Haverfordwest, and the size of the former Wilko building would be capable of accommodating a substantial fashion or general merchandise store. But there has been no official confirmation that Primark is the incoming tenant. The Herald will therefore continue to describe the company as an unnamed major high street retailer until its identity is formally confirmed. Cllr Miller previously told us he hoped to provide further information, including a fuller interview about the project, shortly after the Agreement for Lease was executed. Friday’s Cabinet decision means the project has now taken a significant step towards that point. For Haverfordwest, it could result in one of the county town’s most prominent empty shops finally reopening — and potentially provide one of the most significant additions to its retail offering in years.
Sentenced for threats to hang and burn former partner A MILFORD HAVEN man who threatened to hang his former partner and burn her inside her home has been sentenced to a two-year community order. Dylan Deacon, 30, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to sending a communication threatening death or serious harm to a woman with whom he had been in an on-off relationship for around three years. Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Deacon sent the messages on May 10, after the couple had been out of contact for about two weeks. He accused the woman of sleeping with other men, an allegation prosecutor Linda Baker told the court was untrue, before threatening to kill her and set fire to her home. Giving an emotional victim impact statement, the woman described the effect of the threats on her life and her sense of safety.
“He threatened to burn me in my house and hang me, at a time when I was in a very emotional and vulnerable state,” she told the court. “He couldn’t have said anything worse, as both my brother and my sister took their own lives.” She told magistrates that Deacon had been unpredictable during their relationship and said she was frightened he might attack her. She had installed security cameras at her home and attended domestic abuse therapy. “I’m slowly getting my life back together, but it hasn’t been easy,” she said. Deacon was represented by solicitor Jess Hill, who told the court that he greatly regretted his actions. She described his behaviour as impulsive and said he had not intended to carry out the threats. Magistrates imposed a two-year community order requiring Deacon to
complete 26 Building Choices sessions, 150 hours of unpaid work and an alcohol abstinence requirement. They also made a two-year restraining order preventing him from having further contact with the victim. He was ordered
to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs. Sentencing had been adjourned following an earlier court hearing so that a pre-sentence report could be prepared.
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Air ambulance helicopter removed by crane
A WALES AIR AMBULANCE was removed by crane from a Saundersfoot holiday park on Sunday (11 October), four days after it struck football goalposts while landing. The aircraft made contact with the goalposts in a playing field at Scar Farm
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Holiday Park on Wednesday afternoon (7 October). Damage to the helicopter meant it was unable to take off. A crane was brought
in to lift the aircraft onto a transporter, with its rotor blades removed before the recovery operation. Wales Air Ambulance confirmed that nobody was injured, no patient was on board and there was no danger to the crew or members of the public. A spokesperson said: “Wales Air Ambulance aviation partner, Gama Aviation, has made the Charity aware of an occurrence in Saundersfoot involving one of its aircraft. “At no point was there any danger to the crew or members of the public, and no one was injured. No patient was on board. “An internal investigation is under way and the relevant authorities have been notified. “We can reassure the people of Wales that our vital air ambulance service has continued as normal, with a full fleet of four operational aircraft. “We would like to express our grateful
thanks to the owners and residents of Scar Farm Holiday Park for their patience and understanding, as well as Pembrokeshire County Council and the wider local community while road closures were in place during the aircraft’s removal.” Questions have also been raised about the original emergency callout. David Williams, who owns a caravan at the holiday park, told reporters that he understood from a conversation with a member of the aviation crew that the call had been a “hoax”. This account has not been independently verified. Wales Air Ambulance did not confirm that the callout was false or malicious when contacted by The Herald. DyfedPowys Police has also been asked whether it is aware of any alleged false call or associated investigation. A response is awaited. The holiday park confirmed that it remained open throughout.
Images: David Williams
Man arrested after aggravated burglary reported in Pembroke Dock
A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been Tom Sinclair arrested after police launched editor@herald.email an investigation into a reported aggravated burglary at a house in photographed attending the area later Pembroke Dock. that evening as officers carried out Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed enquiries. on Thursday that officers are At the time of our original report, investigating an incident on West details surrounding the incident Merrion Drive, where two people are remained unclear and police had not alleged to have damaged a window confirmed whether anybody had been to gain entry to a property at around arrested or what offences were being 2.30pm on Wednesday (October 14). investigated. A 25-year-old man from the Pembroke The latest statement from DyfedDock area has since been arrested Powys Police now confirms that and remains in police custody. the enquiry is being treated as an The confirmation follows reports aggravated burglary. received by The Pembrokeshire Police have not disclosed whether Herald on Wednesday evening of anyone was injured, what is alleged a significant police presence in the to have taken place once entry was West Merrion Drive area. gained to the property, or whether Residents reported damage to officers are seeking any additional windows at a property and concerns suspects. that people had returned to the The force has also not confirmed address on more than one occasion whether the arrested man is one of the during the course of the incident. two people alleged to have entered The Herald was also told of a serious the property. verbal threat allegedly being made Officers are now appealing for during the disturbance. witnesses as they attempt to establish Two marked police vehicles were the full circumstances surrounding the
incident. Anyone who was in the West Merrion Drive area on Wednesday afternoon and saw anything suspicious is being urged to come forward. Police are particularly interested in anyone who may have CCTV, doorbell-camera or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation. Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by
emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police. uk, or by calling 101. Information can also be provided anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Anyone contacting police should quote reference DP-20261014-294. The Herald will provide further updates as the investigation develops.
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Jacob Williams responds to Alan Dennison claims
PEMBROKESHIRE Cabinet member Jacob Williams has responded to criticism from suspended councillor Alan Dennison and supplied an Ombudsman decision confirming that a complaint about remarks Williams made to council officials was not investigated. Mr Dennison, who represents Milford Haven North, described Mr Williams as a “bargain-basement journalist” and questioned the public interest generated by the articles, referring to the number of comments they had received. The articles, published on 8 June, 21 June and 4 October on Mr Williams’s personal website, discuss the council’s standards proceedings concerning Mr Dennison’s involvement in a Milford Haven planning matter. They also contain strongly critical commentary about his conduct. Dennison responds Responding to the Herald through Facebook Messenger on Thursday (15 October), Mr Dennison said he had been given only 28 minutes to prepare a fresh statement before the newspaper’s press deadline and could not do so in that time. He said he had been unaware that access to his council email account had been removed during his suspension until he tried to use it. Mr Dennison authorised the Herald to reproduce his earlier public Facebook statement and said he would provide further details. In that statement, he questioned the attention Mr Williams had devoted to writing about him rather than council decisions. He said: “For someone apparently capable of producing thousands of words about me, he seems remarkably economical with his words when it comes to matters of council business that deserve public attention.” On the council’s purchase of a property from another Cabinet member, Mr Dennison said: “Now, the question of whether a property with a sitting tenant should command the same price as an otherwise comparable vacant property is one that deserves proper examination, supported by the relevant evidence and circumstances.” He also said: “Meanwhile, I will also correct his apparent suggestion that dogs in Sri Lanka are being left hungry.
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That claim does not reflect the position, my donations are ongoing, helping to provide food and veterinary care for these animals. I am happy to provide supporting evidence for that if required.” The longer Facebook post also criticised the length of Mr Williams’s articles, the number of comments beneath them and what Mr Dennison described as insufficient scrutiny of Cabinet spending. The Herald is reporting these comments as Mr Dennison’s views, rather than adopting his assessments of Mr Williams’s motives or performance. Williams responds In a response to the Herald, Mr Williams released a statement, saying: “I note that Mr Dennison doesn’t dispute the accuracy of anything I’ve written about his highprofile sleaze probe. The facts are clear, and they were his undoing. He abused his public position for the benefit of himself, his friend and business partner, and his Masonic Lodge – and he’s been caught out. He also did all this against clear legal advice, downplayed his ethics breaches, criticised the legitimacy of the standards committee proceedings from the outset, then lost an appeal. He even made a hopeless complaint against me to the councillor standards ombudsman, who rejected it at the first hurdle! Had Mr Dennison shown better judgment since receiving the honour of being entrusted by Milford Haven voters in 2022, he could still be using his county councillor position right now to scrutinise what he questions from the sidelines in disgrace. Instead, he’s serving the longest suspension from office in Pembrokeshire County Council’s history, punishing Milford North ward residents by making them go without County Hall representation for months through no fault of their own. With next year’s council elections fast approaching, I hope the shame Mr Dennison has brought on local politics emphasises the importance of electing representatives who have the character and integrity to place the public interest ahead of self-interestThe allegations and characterisations in this statement are Mr Williams’s. The adjudication panel refused
Mr Dennison permission to appeal; it did not hear a full appeal. The claim that this is the longest suspension in the council’s history has not been independently verified by the Herald. Mr Williams also provided a four-page decision notice issued by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales on 18 June 2026 concerning a complaint about remarks he had made in an email to Pembrokeshire County Council’s Monitoring Officer. The notice found no evidence suggesting that those remarks breached the Code of Conduct and said they fell within the enhanced protection afforded to political expression. The Ombudsman stated: “I am of the view that the Member was raising legitimate concerns in an attempt to resolve a genuine concern.” The Ombudsman decided not to investigate the complaint. The notice identifies Mr Williams as the subject of the complaint, but does not name its author. Mr Williams says it was submitted by Mr Dennison. The Ombudsman’s communications team separately confirmed to the Herald that it had declined to investigate a complaint about Mr Williams, but said it could not disclose further information. The decision concerns an email sent to the Monitoring Officer about a planning meeting, not the three later articles on Mr Williams’s website. It does not amount to a finding on the accuracy of those articles or on the motives behind the complaint. Criticism of Cabinet scrutiny
In his Facebook post, Mr Dennison argued that Mr Williams, a Cabinet member with responsibility for planning, should have devoted more attention to two decisions considered by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet on 5 October. He highlighted plans for a new access system at waste and recycling centres, referring to a figure of more than £1.2 million for cameras. The Cabinet report set out a maximum capital allocation of £1.2 million for the wider scheme, including potential associated works. The estimated initial capital cost was £340,000. Mr Dennison also questioned the council’s decision to buy a property from a fellow Cabinet member while a tenant was living there. The Cabinet agreed to purchase a maisonette at 22 Waterloo Square, Hakin, from Cllr Aaron Carey for £80,000. The council reported an independent valuation of £85,000. Cllr Carey declared an interest and left the meeting before the item was considered, with the seven remaining Cabinet members approving the purchase. The existing tenant is to remain. Mr Dennison asked what scrutiny Mr Williams had given these decisions. Mr Williams was asked about this but did not address his participation in those decisions in his written response. The council directed the Herald to the meeting
webcast and supporting papers. Animal welfare donations
Mr Dennison also disputed the suggestion that dogs supported by his charitable donations in Sri Lanka were being left without help. He said he was continuing to provide funds for food and veterinary care and was willing to supply evidence. In his first article, Mr Williams had referred to the animals in a satirical passage about the impact of Mr Dennison’s unpaid suspension. He did not specifically clarify that reference in his written response to the Herald. Disciplinary proceedings The disagreement follows a formal Code of Conduct case about Mr Dennison’s involvement in an attempt to have a retrospective planning application concerning the Imperial Hall, Milford Haven, determined by councillors rather than officers. In May, the council’s Standards Committee found that Mr Dennison had failed to deal properly with personal and prejudicial interests arising from his connections with the applicant, Lee Bridges. Those connections included a former business directorship, a sincerepaid loan and a personal friendship. Mr Dennison maintained that he had been acting on behalf of another councillor, Terry Davies, in completing paperwork to request that the application go before the planning committee. On 28 July, the Adjudication Panel for Wales refused him permission to appeal, concluding that none of the seven grounds advanced had a reasonable prospect of success. His suspension began on 29 July and is scheduled to end on 29 November. The council has separately confirmed that he remains entitled to submit questions in his private capacity as a resident during the suspension. Right of reply The Pembrokeshire Herald emailed questions to both councillors on Tuesday, 13 October. Mr Williams responded. The email sent to Mr Dennison’s official council address did not generate a delivery-failure notification, but he has since explained that he cannot access the account during his suspension and did not receive the enquiry. After the Herald supplied the questions directly through Facebook Messenger on Thursday, 15 October, Mr Dennison said the 28 minutes available before the requested response deadline was insufficient to prepare fresh comments. He gave permission for his existing public statement to be used and said he would follow up with further details. His comments have now been added to this report. The Herald will consider any further substantive response when received.
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Hywel Dda confirms higher scabies cases and temporary ward closures enhanced infection prevention and control measures to be undertaken.” The board did not identify which wards had been affected, how many had closed, or the precise dates of the closures. The Herald has not been given a total number of confirmed cases. Infection-control response
HYWEL DDA University Health Board has confirmed that it has seen a higher number of scabies cases and temporarily closed affected hospital wards while enhanced infection prevention measures were undertaken. In a statement to The Pembrokeshire Herald on Monday (October 12), the health board acknowledged the rise following questions about reports of infections in healthcare and care
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settings across West Wales. Dr Ardiana Gjini, the board’s Director of Public Health, said: “Scabies is a common and treatable skin condition. We have recently seen a higher number of cases in Hywel Dda and, as a precautionary measure, temporarily closed affected wards to allow
Dr Gjini said the health service was working with partner organisations and making progress in managing the situation. Additional precautions had been introduced under established infection prevention and control guidance, she added. She said the priority was to manage patients and close contacts appropriately, while protecting staff and the wider community. The board also addressed concerns about patients whose symptoms continue after standard treatment. It said its dermatology service follows national and local clinical guidelines, with people whose cases are treatment-resistant or whose symptoms persist potentially referred for specialist assessment on an individual basis. For health and care workers who may have been exposed, the board advised following local infectioncontrol guidance and seeking advice
from managers, occupational health or infection prevention teams if symptoms or concerns arise. No published case figures Asked by the Herald for outbreak figures dating back to January, Hywel Dda said scabies is not a notifiable disease and that it does not publish case numbers. The new statement follows the Herald’s investigation into reported scabies concerns in schools, nursing homes and hospital settings. Those reports included accounts from people worried about persistent symptoms and the availability of treatment. Scabies is caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin and can spread through close physical contact. Cases usually respond to treatment, but managing close contacts at the same time is important to reducing reinfection. The health board’s confirmation establishes that an increase has occurred within its area, but does not independently establish how many institutions have been affected or that every reported case is part of a single outbreak. Source: Direct written response from Hywel Dda University Health Board to The Pembrokeshire Herald, October 12, 2026.
Three men remanded over alleged plot to set fire to property THREE men have been remanded in custody after being charged with conspiring to set fire to a property in Carmarthen in circumstances where human life could have been endangered. Nathan White, 30, Morgan Bayliss, 25, and Joshua Morgan Fitzpatrick, 23, appeared on the court list at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 12). All three are accused of conspiring to commit arson in connection with a property at 7 Merlin Street, Carmarthen. According to the charge, prosecutors allege that the defendants agreed to destroy or damage the property by fire, intending to endanger another person’s life or being reckless as to whether life would be endangered. White and Bayliss are recorded as being of no fixed abode, while Fitzpatrick is from Tredomen,
Caerphilly county borough. The three defendants face a charge of conspiracy to commit arson, contrary to section 1(1) of the Criminal Law Act 1977. No pleas were entered to the conspiracy charge during Monday’s proceedings. Fitzpatrick also faces two separate motoring allegations relating to a Kia Picanto at the M4 Junction 47 services on October 10. He is accused of driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a vehicle without the required third-party insurance. All three defendants were remanded in custody, and the cases were sent to Swansea Crown Court. They are due to appear for a plea and trial preparation hearing on Friday, November 13, at 9am. The allegations have not yet been determined by a court.
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Mother’s restraining order plea refused A MOTHER has failed in her bid to have her children included in a restraining order already in place against her former partner. The woman asked Haverfordwest magistrates to extend the order to prevent the man from contacting their children, telling the court she was increasingly concerned about his actions. The court heard that arrangements currently allow contact with the children through a solicitor or an agreed third party. Speaking to magistrates, the woman said: “They’re in a happy, safe house with me and are doing really well.” She added: “But I’ve heard there’s been a change of circumstances with the defendant and this is making me more concerned. He has indirectly
dropped presents off and sent cards to the children which has been quite disruptive.” The woman said that because her daughter was only beginning to read, she had to read the cards to her, and that the approach of Christmas had heightened her concerns. “My children deserve the safety that I have,” she told the bench. After a brief adjournment, magistrates declined to extend the restrictions. “We don’t feel we’re in a position to put this restraining order in place,” the presiding magistrate said. “So the current order will stay. I know this is not what you want to hear, but these are our findings today.” The existing restraining order remains in force without the additional provisions requested.
Man kicked unconscious outside Wetherspoons A MAN was knocked unconscious and left needing surgery after being pushed to the ground and kicked in the face outside a Haverfordwest pub, magistrates have heard. Ashleigh Horrocks was outside Wetherspoons on the night of May 7, 2025, when he was confronted by Sion Thomas, 27, a man he had never previously met. Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court that CCTV captured the attack. “Mr Horrocks had never met the defendant before, but CCTV footage shows the defendant pushing Mr Horrocks to the floor and kicking him directly in the face,” she said. “This caused him to lose consciousness.”
Mr Horrocks attended the accident and emergency department at Withybush Hospital two days later. The court heard that staffing shortages meant he was referred to Singleton Hospital in Swansea for further examination. Doctors discovered multiple fractures to his nose, with the cartilage crushed inwards. He subsequently underwent surgery to restore his ability to breathe properly. Thomas, of West Court, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Magistrates adjourned sentence for a full pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service. Thomas is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on November 10.
Man admits offences at garage, supermarket and holiday park A NEWCASTLE EMLYN man admitted a series of offences across West Wales when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 5). Liam Matthews entered guilty or indicated-guilty pleas to offences involving Ridgeway Garage in Haverfordwest, Tesco in Milford Haven, a vehicle in the Llechryd area and the Coracle Health and Country Club at Cenarth Falls Holiday Park. Garage and shop offences The charges included making off without paying £57.53 for fuel and shop items at Ridgeway Garage and fraud by false representation involving bank accounts. He admitted shop theft
involving goods worth £37 from Tesco in Milford Haven. Vehicle and holiday park offences Matthews also admitted taking a vehicle without consent, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance. He also indicated guilty pleas to stealing a purse from a vehicle near Llechryd and burgling the Coracle Health and Country Club, where cider and milk worth approximately £5.75 were taken. Matthews had also previously pleaded guilty to a public-order offence in Aberystwyth. The hearing concluded without sentencing details being available for publication.
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Police find wanted man hiding in wardrobe
A FATHER-OF-TWO who was discovered hiding inside a wardrobe during a police search in Milford Haven tried to conceal his identity by giving officers a false name. Brad Harwood, 33, told police he was
called Jack Morgan after officers found him concealed inside a wardrobe at a property in the town on July 22. Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that police had been responding to a 999 call concerning
an ongoing incident when they discovered Harwood during a search of the property. “Police received a 999 call concerning an ongoing incident in Milford Haven and, as they conducted a search inside the property, they located Harwood hiding in a wardrobe,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court. “He then informed the officers that his name was Jack Morgan.” However, subsequent police checks established his true identity, resulting in Harwood being charged with wilfully obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty. Harwood, of Elizabeth Court, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to the offence. Representing him, solicitor Tom Lloyd told magistrates that his client had not appeared before a court since 2019 and was now determined to turn his life around.
“He has two young children, there’s a third on the way, and his motivation is to transform his life,” Mr Lloyd said. “At the time of the offence he was intoxicated, he was being silly and he deeply regrets his actions.” The court heard that Harwood was focused on his family responsibilities and wanted to put his offending behind him. Magistrates fined him £80 and ordered him to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £32 victim surcharge, bringing the total financial penalty to £197. Passing sentence, the presiding magistrate indicated that the court was prepared to regard the incident as an isolated lapse, but warned Harwood against further offending. “We’re going to treat this as a blip,” the magistrate told him. “But you need to be careful of your future conduct.”
Pembrokeshire students’ films chosen for Fishguard festival TWO aspiring filmmakers studying at Pembrokeshire College will see their work shown on the big screen at Theatr Gwaun’s first Welsh Film Festival. The Fishguard event, running from October 23 to 25, will bring together new local talent, archive footage and Welsh feature films, with director Kevin Allen also taking part in a special Twin Town event. The students’ work will feature in Your Films, Our Screen, a free gala screening at 2pm on Saturday, October 24. The programme has been selected from an open call to filmmakers across Wales. It includes films by both newcomers and experienced creatives, ranging from drama and documentary to personal stories and immersive art films. The showcase places the college filmmakers within a wider weekend celebrating 130 years of cinema in Wales, supported by Film Hub Wales, part of the BFI Film Audience Network. Simon Coton, a Theatr Gwaun board member and member of the festival organising committee, said the event would celebrate Welsh filmmaking’s past while giving a platform to its newest voices. “This is a celebration of our remarkable filmmaking heritage, but also of the creativity and talent that continues to thrive across Wales,” he said. From early film to new voices The contrast between generations will continue on Sunday, October 25, when
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a seven-film archive programme takes audiences back to footage captured more than a century ago. 130 Years of Cinema: Archive Short Films, starting at 5pm, includes Arthur Cheetham’s Children on the Beach, filmed on Rhyl Sands in 1898. The selection spans silent cinema, early Welsh football footage, animation and documentary. It also includes The Private Life of Gannets, featuring Grassholm, and Joanna Quinn’s animation Affairs of the Art. For local audiences, the weekend
offers both a chance to see work being made by students in Pembrokeshire today and to explore the films that helped shape Welsh cinema. Three-day programme The festival opens at 7.30pm on Friday, October 23, with Marc Evans’ Welshlanguage film Effi o Blaenau, starring Leisa Gwenllian and Tom Rhys Harries. Based on Gary Owen’s Iphigenia in Splott, the film will be shown with English subtitles. Saturday’s evening event begins at 6pm and features Twin Town, chosen by a public vote as the festival’s Audience
Choice. Director Kevin Allen will take part in a live question-and-answer session hosted by Jamie Rees. Sunday begins at 1pm with a free screening of the Oscar-nominated Hedd Wyn, alongside John Parr’s short film A Pack of Five and a live performance by the Fishguard and Goodwick Rugby Club Male Voice Choir. After the archive programme, the festival closes at 7.30pm with Helen Walsh’s On the Sea, set in a remote fishing community in North Wales. Tickets, age ratings and the full programme are available through Theatr Gwaun’s website. The gala showcase and the Hedd Wyn event are free.
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Bank clerk who stole from customer worried about fraud avoids jail FRAUD fears brought Keith Alan France to his local Barclays branch in Haverfordwest, where he expected staff to help protect his money. Instead, he became the victim of a theft carried out by one of the bank’s own employees. Mary Roberts, 48, of Coronation Avenue, Haverfordwest, has been handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after a jury convicted her of stealing Mr France’s bank card and fraudulently withdrawing £250. The offences took place on November 22, 2023, at the Barclays branch on High Street, which subsequently closed in May 2024. Mr France had become concerned about text messages relating to his account and visited the branch to establish whether they were genuine. Roberts, who had worked for the bank for eight years, was the employee who dealt with his enquiry. Swansea Crown Court heard that she asked Mr France to use a PINsentry device to confirm his identity. During the process, she was able to see his PIN. When he accidentally left his debit card behind, Roberts kept it. She later used the card at a cash machine in a shop near her home, withdrawing £250. Case first appeared before Pembrokeshire magistrates The Herald first reported the case in March 2025, when Roberts appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court and denied both offences. Official court documents dated March
Court that Roberts had previously been of good character. He referred to character references submitted by family members and friends, which he said presented a different picture of the defendant from that heard during the trial. Roberts, a mother of four, had lost her employment with Barclays and was unlikely to work in banking again, the court was told. Mr Davies also explained that she was caring for her 81-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia and had recently broken her hip in a fall. He asked the court to consider the offending as an isolated incident rather than part of any wider pattern of criminal behaviour. Judge condemns breach of trust 11, 2025, confirm that she faced a charge of theft from the person of another under the Theft Act 1968. A second charge, brought under sections 1 and 4 of the Fraud Act 2006, alleged fraud by abuse of position. The prosecution case was that Roberts had occupied a position in which she was expected to safeguard Mr France’s financial interests, but had dishonestly abused that responsibility with the intention of causing financial loss. After Roberts entered not guilty pleas, magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court. The matter proceeded to a jury trial in August 2026, where Roberts was found guilty. Victim died before seeing verdict
Mr France did not live to see the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, having died before the trial took place. His widow, Pauline France, provided a victim impact statement which was read to the sentencing court by prosecutor Ieuan Rees. Describing the betrayal suffered by her husband, she said: “It was a cruel violation of a kind and trusting man.” The statement explained that Mr France had believed in the honesty of others, making the actions of someone employed to protect his money particularly distressing. Eight-year banking career comes to an end During mitigation, defence barrister Hywel Davies told Swansea Crown
Judge Christopher Vosper KC described Roberts’ offending as an abuse of the position of trust she had held as a bank employee. He imposed an 18-week custodial sentence but suspended it for a period of 12 months, meaning Roberts will not have to serve the prison term immediately unless the sentence is activated. No additional requirements were imposed, although Roberts must pay the statutory victim surcharge. The £250 taken from Mr France was subsequently reimbursed by Barclays. The sentencing brings to a close a case which began with a customer seeking protection against suspected fraud, only to have his trust betrayed by someone working inside the bank itself.
Milford Haven girl, 14, admits shop thefts and assaulting police officers A 14-year-old girl from the Milford Haven area has admitted stealing goods from two shops in Pembroke Dock and assaulting two police constables. The teenager appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 5), where she pleaded guilty to four offences arising from incidents on Friday, October 2. Thefts from two shops One theft involved food items worth £18.83 taken from Asda in Pembroke Dock. The second concerned alcohol and cosmetics valued at £70.64 stolen from Home Bargains in the town. Assaults on police officers The girl also pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a constable in the execution of duty. Both offences related to October 2.
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Two separate charges of assaulting emergency workers were withdrawn during the proceedings. Further allegations unresolved Other allegations before the court concerned shop theft, criminal damage and public-order offences. No pleas or verdicts were recorded for those matters at this hearing, and the allegations have not been proved. Curfew and restrictions on shop visits Magistrates also considered a bail matter relating to a restriction on entering shops without a responsible adult. The girl was readmitted to conditional bail.
Her conditions include a nightly curfew between 7pm and 7am and a prohibition on entering shops in Pembrokeshire unless accompanied by a responsible adult.
No sentence was imposed at the October 5 hearing. Reporting restrictions protect the girl’s identity.
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Cheese producer denies six environmental offences DAIRY PARTNERS (CYMRU WALES) LTD has denied six environmental offences following allegations that polluting substances entered the Afon Arad near its Newcastle Emlyn creamery. The company appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (October 8), facing proceedings brought by Natural Resources Wales relating to alleged incidents in July 2021. All six charges were denied, and the company elected summary trial. Allegations of caustic liquid entering river According to the court register, the first charge alleges that between July 5 and July 7, 2021, the company caused poisonous, noxious or polluting matter, described as caustic liquid, to enter the Afon Arad without the necessary environmental authorisation.
Further charges allege failures to comply with environmental permit conditions between July 5 and July 15, 2021. The allegations concern controls on emissions, preventing pollution, containment arrangements for liquids and environmental management requirements. A separate charge brought under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 alleges the company caused matter to enter waters containing fish to an extent that made the water poisonous or injurious to fish. The register does not establish that fish were killed or specify the quantity of any alleged discharge. Case returns in December Natural Resources Wales is prosecuting the company. The charges are allegations and have not been proved. The case has been adjourned until December 10 at 10am at Llanelli
Magistrates’ Court for a case management hearing. The company is required to attend.
No sentence or financial penalty has been imposed in these proceedings.
Recycling company faces prosecutions over brook pollution
CARMARTHENSHIRE RECYCLING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD has appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court in two separate environmental prosecutions, including an allegation of pollution affecting a freshwater brook. The cases, brought by Natural Resources Wales, concern alleged incidents in October 2025 and July 2026. The company indicated a guilty plea in one case and pleaded not guilty in the other when the matters were heard on Thursday (October 8). Allegation concerning Tawelan Brook The first prosecution concerns an alleged unauthorised discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into Tawelan Brook on or about October 9, 2025. The charge is brought under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. The
court register records an indicated guilty plea, but does not record a conviction or sentence at the October 8 hearing. It does not identify the substance alleged to have entered the brook, its quantity or any resulting environmental damage. Separate waste allegation denied The second case concerns an allegation that, on or about July 21, 2026, the company failed to take reasonable measures to prevent waste escaping from its control. That charge is brought under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The company pleaded not guilty and elected summary trial. The court register does not identify the type of waste, the location of its alleged escape or any resulting contamination. There is no established link between the two
alleged incidents. Further hearing in November The company is listed in court documents at Llys Deri, Parc
Pensarn, Carmarthen. Both matters were adjourned until November 19 at 10am in Courtroom 1 at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court for a case management hearing. No sentence or financial penalty was recorded at the October 8 hearing.
Pembroke man admits public-order offence as four other charges dismissed A PEMBROKE man admitted a public-order offence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 5), while four other charges against him were dismissed after no evidence was offered. Mark Hearn, of Pembroke, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress, relating to an incident on July 24.
Prosecutors offered no evidence on four further charges — criminal damage, common assault, harassment putting a person in fear of violence and stalking involving fear of violence — and all four were dismissed. Hearn had denied those allegations. Hearn remained on conditional bail ahead of a further hearing on October 27. No sentence was confirmed at the October 5 hearing.
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Second-home tax cuts rejected as Pembrokeshire keeps 125% premium PEMBROKESHIRE’S second-home council tax premium will remain at 125% next year after councillors rejected two attempts to reduce it. The closest vote at Thursday’s full council meeting (Oct 15) came on a proposal to lower the premium to 115%. Members split 26–26, with Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock using his casting vote to reject the change. Councillors subsequently voted 29– 21 to retain the current 125% premium for the financial year beginning April 1, 2027. Two proposed cuts defeated Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements proposed reducing the premium to 100%, with Cllr Mark Carter seconding her amendment. That proposal was defeated by 28 votes to 23. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service’s account of the debate, Cllr Clements argued that a 100% premium would still be “hardly a free ride” for owners. Cllr Carter supported it as a compromise, while Cllr Rhys Jordan highlighted the financial strain faced by some households.
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Tenby councillor Michael Williams defended retaining the premium, warning about the effects of second homes on coastal communities. “We see communities being hollowed out; we see it happening in Tenby and other communities,” he said. Cllr Phil Kidney then put forward the 115% alternative, which failed following the tied vote. What the 125% premium means The premium is charged on top of the ordinary council tax bill. A property liable for the full 125% premium therefore attracts a total charge equivalent to 225% of the standard bill. For example, if the normal annual bill were £2,000, the premium would add £2,500, making £4,500 in total. This is an illustration, not a forecast of an individual property’s bill. Keeping the premium unchanged does not freeze the overall bill: the underlying council, police and town or community council charges for 2027– 28 still have to be set.
The council’s report warned that cutting the premium by 25 percentage points would add approximately £1.4 million to its projected funding gap for 2027–28. Its figures recorded 4,559 second homes in August 2026, of which 3,688 attracted the premium and 871 qualified for an exception. Final decision follows cabinet recommendation The Herald previously reported the
cabinet’s October 5 recommendation to retain the rate. Thursday’s vote was the final council decision. The premium has been reduced twice in recent years, from 200% in 2024–25 to 150% in 2025–26 and then to the current 125%. Members also backed retaining the separate 300% premium for properties left empty for two years or more.
Saundersfoot woman admits assaulting three police officers at Withybush Hospital A SAUNDERSFOOT woman has admitted assaulting three police officers at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, along with a series of other offences involving police and damage to an electronic alcoholmonitoring tag. Danni Sandow, 22, of Stammers Road, Saundersfoot, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court, where she pleaded guilty to all eight charges. Three of the assaults took place at Withybush General Hospital on Thursday, October 8. Sandow also admitted damaging her electronic ankle tag in Saundersfoot on the same date. The court heard that Sandow had assaulted another police officer in Saundersfoot on September 11. She also admitted possessing a bladed or sharply pointed article, namely a pair of scissors, in a public place on Stammers Road that day. Two further offences of criminal damage concerned her alcohol-monitoring tag
and dated back to August 15. The charges included assault by beating of an emergency worker, common assault of an emergency worker, two counts of assaulting a police constable in the execution of duty, three counts of criminal damage and possession of a bladed article in a public place. Adam Bircher appeared for the prosecution, while Alaw Harris represented Sandow. Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared. Sandow was granted bail and will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court to be sentenced on Monday, November 2. The Herald previously reported that Sandow was sentenced in June for separate assaults on four officers during an incident in Haverfordwest in May. In that case she received a community order with alcohol abstinence monitoring and rehabilitation requirements.
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Pembrokeshire football in crisis: Referees threatened, pushed and followed home 282 match officials, found that 88 per cent had experienced verbal abuse during their refereeing careers, while one in four reported physical abuse. More than half believed behaviour towards referees was getting worse. The FAW has previously warned that abuse was contributing to officials leaving the game and creating shortages at grassroots level. Clubs and league urged to act
PEMBROKESHIRE football is facing a stark warning over the treatment of referees, with reports of match officials being threatened, pushed and even followed home after games prompting calls for urgent action to protect those keeping grassroots football alive. The chairman of Pembrokeshire Referees Society, Neill Crawshaw, has issued a strongly worded public statement condemning what he describes as increasingly unacceptable hostility towards officials across the county. His intervention comes amid accounts of serious incidents over recent seasons, including a referee reportedly being followed home by a threatening parent after suffering abuse during a match, and another allegedly being pushed on the field of play. The Herald has also been made aware of a reported incident over the weekend of October 10–11 in which a player allegedly threatened to strike a referee. These incidents are understood to have been reported through refereeing channels, although the individual cases and any resulting disciplinary outcomes have not yet been independently verified. There are also accounts of officials routinely being subjected to some of the worst language imaginable, including repeated accusations of cheating and highly offensive personal insults. For referees who frequently officiate alone, often facing criticism from players, coaches and spectators, the cumulative effect can be considerable. And with grassroots match officials reportedly receiving around £35 per game, plus mileage, serious questions are being raised about why anyone should continue to put themselves in
such situations. Chairman issues stark warning In his official statement, Mr Crawshaw said the treatment of referees was damaging the local game and could no longer be tolerated. “The situation is serious, it is damaging our game, and it cannot be allowed to continue,” he said. He described referees as ordinary members of the community who sacrifice their weekends to support grassroots football, only to encounter hostility from those involved in matches. “Football is passionate, decisions will be questioned, frustration is fine. Abuse is not.” Of particular concern, he said, was the growing number of officials becoming disillusioned with the sport. Some have already indicated that the current season will be their last. That raises the possibility of losing experienced officials who have dedicated years to local football, alongside newer referees who should represent the future of the game. Threat to local fixtures The consequences could extend far beyond individual referees. Without sufficient qualified officials, Pembrokeshire clubs could face increasing difficulties arranging matches, potentially leaving fixtures without appointed referees. Mr Crawshaw warned that the people ultimately affected would be the clubs and players themselves. His concerns are supported by wider evidence from Welsh football. A Football Association of Wales survey published in 2023, involving
Mr Crawshaw has called on the Pembrokeshire Football League, club committees, managers, coaches, players and supporters to accept collective responsibility. He said clubs must challenge unacceptable behaviour both on and off the pitch, while league authorities must ensure reported incidents are taken seriously and those responsible are held accountable. “Respect cannot simply be a slogan. It must be demonstrated through actions.” The chairman acknowledged that
referees, like players and managers, will make mistakes. But he insisted that no incorrect decision or disappointing result could ever justify threats, intimidation or personal abuse. The society now wants meaningful cooperation between clubs, league authorities and referees to address the problem before more officials leave. For a county whose football scene relies heavily on volunteers, the warning is particularly significant. Every referee who walks away represents not only a loss of experience but another challenge for clubs trying to ensure their fixtures go ahead. Mr Crawshaw concluded with an unequivocal message: “Protect our referees. Respect our referees. Hold those responsible for abuse accountable.” And he finished with a warning to everyone involved in Pembrokeshire football: “The time for talking is over. The time for action is NOW.”
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‘I’M FRIGHTENED HE’LL COME BACK’: Woman tells court partner trashed her home A WOMAN described as a highrisk domestic abuse victim has told magistrates she lives in fear of her former partner after he caused almost £900 worth of damage to her home in a violent outburst. Callum Chadwick, 26, smashed two television screens, kicked a mirror and interfered with two mobile phones during an incident at the woman’s property in Pembroke Dock on February 6. Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard this week that Chadwick and the victim had been involved in an on-off relationship, but an argument between the couple escalated into a destructive rampage. “The defendant trashed her property in Pembroke Dock by kicking the screen of one of her television sets and punching the screen of another,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told magistrates. “He also threw one of her mobile phones across the road and removed another from her property, before informing police officers that he’d put it in a waste bin.” Chadwick also kicked a mirror belonging to the woman, with photographs showing the extent of the
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damage presented to the court. The victim, who could be heard sobbing in the public gallery during the hearing, described the lasting impact of Chadwick’s behaviour in a victim impact statement. “I feel really scared about the defendant,” she said. “I’m frightened of him, and I’m afraid
that he’ll come back.” Chadwick, of Barn Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before magistrates via video link from HMP Swansea, where he is already serving a prison sentence for an unrelated offence. He pleaded guilty to causing £885 worth of criminal damage and attempting to steal the woman’s mobile phone. Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client accepted responsibility for his actions and was
making efforts to change his behaviour while in custody. “He holds his hands up and accepts full responsibility,” she told the court. “This was an unhealthy relationship that deteriorated when they both started taking drugs, but he’s working to address this whilst in custody.” Ms Harries said Chadwick had been making positive use of his time in prison, including completing a telehandler training course to improve his future employment prospects. “He’s clearly looking ahead,” she added. However, magistrates imposed a further 12-week prison sentence, to run consecutively to the custodial term Chadwick is already serving. The court also imposed a restraining order lasting two years and six months, prohibiting Chadwick from having any form of contact with the victim. He was ordered to pay the woman £885 in compensation, together with £85 prosecution costs and a £154 victim surcharge. The additional prison sentence and restraining order follow the woman’s account of her continuing fear that Chadwick could return to her home.
Man accused of controlling partner’s clothes and diet faces Crown Court A MAN accused of controlling what his partner wore and ate, monitoring her movements and checking the mileage on her car is to face proceedings at Swansea Crown Court. Nathan Gregory, 32, is charged with engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards Claire Tomlinson over a two-year period between March 4, 2023, and March 4, 2025. Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the alleged offending took place in Pembrokeshire during the couple’s relationship. Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker outlined a series of allegations, including claims that Gregory used a Ring video doorbell to keep track of his partner’s movements and attempted to isolate her from friends and family. “They’d been in a relationship for
around two years, and during this time he monitored her movements with a Ring doorbell, he isolated her from friends and family, he controlled what she wore and what she ate and he checked the mileage on her car,” Ms Baker told the court. The prosecution alleges that the behaviour formed part of a sustained pattern of control throughout the relationship. Gregory, who gave his address as Old Castle Road, Llanelli, denies the charge. Magistrates declined jurisdiction because of the seriousness of the allegations, meaning the case will be dealt with at the Crown Court. Gregory is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on November 13. He was released on unconditional bail.
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Third Saundersfoot traveller-site bid recommended for refusal His representatives have also disputed suggestions that all previous site clearance was his responsibility, saying some work had taken place before he acquired the land in 2023. Separate enforcement matter
A THIRD attempt to secure planning permission for a traveller site on the outskirts of Saundersfoot is being recommended for refusal by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority officers. The application concerns land at Froghall Yard, Moreton Lane, where two earlier versions of the proposal were turned down. The latest scheme, reference NP/26/0407/FUL, seeks permission for one static caravan, one touring caravan and a day or utility room, with elements of the proposal being retrospective. The authority’s published agenda for its Development Management Committee on Wednesday, October
21, lists the application with the officer recommendation: refuse. That recommendation is not a final decision. Committee members will consider the application at the meeting, which is due to begin at 10am at the National Park offices in Pembroke Dock and remotely. Two previous refusals The proposals relate to land owned by David ‘Dai’ Evans, from Pontypool. Previous applications attracted objections from residents and Saundersfoot Community Council, with a petition opposing an earlier version gathering nearly 300 signatures.
Father denies intentionally strangling teenage son A FATHER has appeared before magistrates accused of intentionally strangling his 17-yearold son during an alleged incident in Tenby. Gareth Robinson, 44, of Angus Street, Aberfan, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentional strangulation. The allegation relates to an incident said to have taken place at an undisclosed location in Tenby on May
9. Magistrates agreed that the case could be dealt with in the magistrates’ court, but Robinson exercised his right to elect trial by jury at the Crown Court. The case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court, where a hearing is scheduled for November 13. Robinson was released on unconditional bail pending his next court appearance.
National Park planners had previously raised concerns about the effect of the development on the landscape, the suitability of caravan development at the location and whether sufficient information had been supplied about impacts on wildlife and habitats. The applicant’s supporting material has said he is from a Romany Gypsy family, has longstanding connections with the Saundersfoot area and is seeking an alternative to overcrowded accommodation near Pontypool.
The October 21 committee agenda also includes an enforcement report, reference EC26/0126, concerning the unauthorised siting of a static caravan at the Froghall Yard site. Residents have previously raised concerns about works and use of the land. The existence of the enforcement item should not be taken as an outcome of the latest planning application, and the committee has yet to consider both matters. The development is within the National Park, where planning decisions must consider protected landscape and environmental interests alongside applicants’ circumstances and applicable planning policy. The published National Park committee agenda lists the planning and enforcement references. The Herald reported the submission of the third bid in September.
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DARC campaigners challenge Tufnell to public debate
Jobs, public safety, national security and the future of Cawdor Barracks are at the centre of a renewed row over plans for a major deep-space radar station in Pembrokeshire. CAMPAIGNERS opposing the proposed DARC radar development at Brawdy have challenged Henry Tufnell MP to a public debate as the increasingly contentious project once again becomes a major political issue in Pembrokeshire. PARC Against DARC has called on the Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP to meet campaigners and local residents face-to-face to discuss the planned redevelopment of Cawdor Barracks. The challenge follows a series of social-media exchanges between the Labour MP and opponents of the scheme, including campaign imagery linking Mr Tufnell with US President Donald Trump and a video response from the MP defending his position. But behind the increasingly sharp rhetoric lies a far more substantial argument over the future of one of Pembrokeshire’s most important military sites. At stake are claims over employment, the economic future of Cawdor Barracks, the effect on the surrounding landscape, radiofrequency safety, Britain’s defence strategy and the extent to which local people would benefit from a project of international military significance. Mr Tufnell has previously described DARC as a major opportunity for Pembrokeshire while insisting that environmental and public-health concerns must be properly addressed. The latest intervention from PARC now places renewed pressure on the MP to defend that position directly before residents opposed to the scheme. What is DARC? DARC stands for Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability. The proposed development would see Cawdor Barracks transformed into part of an international radar network designed to track objects thousands of miles above the Earth. The project is being developed through cooperation between the United Kingdom, United States and Australia and is intended to strengthen the ability of the three countries to identify and monitor satellites and other objects in deep space. At Brawdy, the plans include 27 radar antennas, made up of six transmitting dishes and 21 receiving dishes, together with associated security, technical and support infrastructure. Some of the structures would reach more than 20 metres in height. The Ministry of Defence says the system is needed because modern civilian life and military operations increasingly depend on satellites for communications, navigation, weather forecasting, financial systems and emergency services.
Tom Sinclair
editor@herald.email
Supporters say the ability to detect potential threats or interference in space is therefore becoming an increasingly important part of national defence. Opponents argue that locating such infrastructure in west Wales would draw Pembrokeshire more deeply into international military activity and potentially make the area strategically more significant in any future conflict. Campaign calls for public debate In its latest statement, PARC Against DARC said it wanted Mr Tufnell to meet residents and campaigners publicly. The group said: “Following reports of hundreds of unanswered letters, we call on Henry Tufnell MP to meet with the PARC Against DARC campaign and local residents, and to once and for all address our pressing concerns.” The claim that hundreds of letters have gone unanswered is made by the campaign and has not been independently verified by The Herald. No date or venue for a debate has been agreed, and Mr Tufnell has not yet publicly accepted the invitation. PARC’s latest statement contains highly personal criticism of the MP alongside its objections to the development. The Herald has chosen not to reproduce some of the more inflammatory language, instead focusing on the substantive issues raised by both sides. Tufnell says project could benefit Pembrokeshire Mr Tufnell has consistently argued
that Pembrokeshire should benefit from increased defence investment. In an earlier statement supplied to The Herald, he described the project as the next chapter in the county’s longstanding military history. He said: “Our community here in Pembrokeshire has always played a pivotal role in the UK’s defence and the DARC project represents the next chapter in our proud heritage.” However, he also acknowledged that the project should not proceed without proper consideration of its impact. He said it was vital that environmental and public-health concerns were addressed and that the development delivered “genuine, tangible benefits” for local workers and the wider community. Those comments were made earlier this year and do not represent a fresh response to this week’s public-debate challenge. How many jobs would DARC actually create? Employment has become one of the most disputed aspects of the development. Public statements about DARC have referred to a permanent workforce of up to 100 people operating and maintaining the site. However, the detailed planning documents present a more complicated picture. The socioeconomic assessment identifies an operational workforce of around 60 full-time-equivalent posts, including operational staff, day staff and security personnel. Separate economic modelling estimates around 40 additional direct jobs within the local economy, together
with around ten further jobs indirectly supported through spending and supply chains. Those figures are not necessarily contradictory, but they measure different things. One figure describes the expected workforce at the facility, while another estimates the number of additional jobs generated in the local economy after other economic factors are taken into account. That distinction has become central to the argument. PARC says the employment benefits have been overstated and argues that even if new jobs are created, they would not replace the wider economic contribution of the existing military presence at Cawdor Barracks. It also questions how many highly specialised posts would realistically be filled by people already living in Pembrokeshire. Supporters of the development argue that defence investment could preserve a significant military role at Brawdy after years of uncertainty over the barracks’ future. The future of Cawdor Barracks complicates the argument One difficulty in assessing the employment effect is that plans to close or restructure Cawdor Barracks predate DARC by many years. The future of the site has changed several times. Plans for closure have previously been announced, revised or postponed, leaving uncertainty over the long-term presence of 14 Signal Regiment. The Ministry of Defence has previously indicated that the regiment is expected to leave the site, meaning supporters of DARC can argue that the correct comparison is not between the radar station and today’s barracks workforce, but between the radar station and a largely closed military site. Opponents dispute that assumption. PARC argues that previous closure decisions have changed repeatedly and that it cannot simply be taken for granted that the present military workforce would disappear regardless of DARC. This leaves one of the central economic questions unresolved. If the barracks were to close anyway, DARC could preserve significant employment at Brawdy. If the existing military presence could otherwise remain, the radar development could result in fewer people working at the site than at present.
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Would the jobs go to local people? Another point of controversy concerns who would operate the radar. Campaigners have previously questioned whether many of the jobs would ultimately be filled by American personnel. However, documentation released by the Ministry of Defence states that the site is not intended to be operated by United States personnel once fully operational. The expected workforce would instead be made up of UK personnel. That does not, however, answer the separate question of how many jobs would go to people already living in Pembrokeshire. Specialist radar, defence and spacesurveillance positions require skills that may not currently exist in large numbers locally. The extent of any recruitment and training programme could therefore prove crucial to whether the project produces substantial long-term benefits for the county. Landscape impact accepted in official assessments The effect of the development on the west Pembrokeshire landscape is another major concern. The location is close to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and within an area valued for its open countryside, coastal views and tourism. The Ministry of Defence’s own environmental assessments acknowledge that the development could create significant visual effects in some locations. The height of the radar dishes and the need to position them in an open location mean they could not simply be hidden behind conventional screening. Parts of the installation would potentially be visible from sections of the surrounding countryside and coast. Supporters point out that Cawdor is already an established military site containing substantial existing infrastructure. The official assessment also does not predict a significant overall effect on Pembrokeshire tourism. That does not mean there would be no visual impact.Rather, it means the applicant argues that the visual change would not necessarily translate into a measurable reduction in visitor numbers or tourism income. What about radiation and health? Health concerns have become one of the most emotive parts of the debate. PARC has questioned assurances over radiofrequency emissions and argues that residents deserve more detailed independent scrutiny of the technology. The radar would use non-ionising radiofrequency energy.
Non-ionising radiation differs fundamentally from ionising radiation such as X-rays or radioactive materials. However, that does not mean radiofrequency energy is harmless at every possible level. High levels of exposure can heat biological tissue, which is why exposure limits and safety zones are required around powerful transmitting equipment. The DARC project documentation states that the proposed installation is designed to comply with internationally recognised exposure guidelines. Technical modelling has also been carried out as part of the environmental assessment. Importantly, the project documentation says predictions would need to be verified through practical measurements before full operation. Further safety measures would be required if measured exposure differed significantly from the modelling or approached permitted limits. Campaigners argue that modelling and declarations of intended compliance are not the same as measurements from a completed and operating installation. That is correct. Equally, the existence of concerns or scientific studies examining radiofrequency exposure does not itself establish that residents around Brawdy would be exposed to harmful levels. For local people, the most important questions are therefore likely to concern exactly what exposure levels are predicted beyond the site boundary, how those predictions will be independently checked and what monitoring would continue once the radar became operational. More than 1,100 objections The strength of organised opposition to DARC is not in doubt. Figures released by Pembrokeshire County Council earlier this year
showed that by June 14 it had received 1,122 representations relating to the application. Of those, 1,121 were objections and one was in support. Many of the objections followed a standard campaign template, while others were individually written. The figures demonstrate substantial organised opposition within the planning process. They should not, however, be interpreted as an opinion poll of the whole Pembrokeshire population. People who object to developments are generally far more likely to make formal representations than those who support them or have no strong view. PARC has also organised public meetings, demonstrations and petitions against the scheme. Welsh Government will make the final decision The final planning decision no longer rests with Pembrokeshire County Council. The application was called in by the Welsh Government earlier this year because of its wider significance. That means Welsh Ministers will ultimately determine whether planning permission should be granted. A call-in is not a rejection of the development. The application must still be assessed through the planning process, with environmental, economic and other evidence considered before a final decision is made. The political situation nevertheless makes the application particularly unusual. Opposition to DARC has extended beyond local campaign groups and has included politicians from several parties. At the same time, the UK Government regards the development as an
important part of the country’s future defence infrastructure. If Welsh Ministers were eventually to refuse permission, the constitutional and political consequences could become almost as significant as the planning arguments themselves. A debate that deserves more than slogans The increasingly personal battle on social media risks obscuring the genuine issues facing Pembrokeshire. There are legitimate questions for supporters of DARC. How many genuinely new jobs will be created? How many will be available to local people? What independent verification will be provided on radiofrequency exposure? How much weight should be placed on acknowledged landscape impacts? And what guarantees can be given that Pembrokeshire will receive lasting economic benefits from hosting infrastructure of major national importance? There are equally important questions for opponents. If Cawdor Barracks is ultimately vacated by the existing regiment regardless of DARC, what realistic alternative use would provide comparable skilled employment? How should Britain respond to the increasing military importance of satellites and space infrastructure? And how should local environmental concerns be balanced against nationalsecurity requirements? Those are considerably bigger questions than the memes and social-media exchanges which have dominated the latest argument. PARC Against DARC now wants those questions debated publicly. Whether Henry Tufnell accepts that challenge remains to be seen.
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‘There was only one Aaron’ Moving family tribute to 32-year-old killed in A470 crash THE FAMILY of a 32-year-old man who died following a road traffic collision on the A470 have paid an emotional tribute to a much-loved son, grandson, brother and friend. Nicholas Aaron Richards, known to family and friends as Aaron or Archie, was from Builth Wells. He died over the weekend following a collision involving his car. His beloved dog, Merlin, also lost his life. In a moving statement, Aaron’s family described him as a remarkable young man with an infectious personality, a generous heart and an ability to bring happiness to everyone around him. A talented carpenter with a promising future, Aaron had been looking forward to starting a new job and beginning the next chapter of his life. He leaves behind his devoted mother Josie, brothers Alex and Liam, sister Megan, Howard, father Nick and stepmother Tina, along with his wider family and countless friends. Paying tribute, his heartbroken family said: “Aaron was a wonderful young man who was loved by so many people. He had a warm, friendly and infectious personality, and his kindness and huge heart made a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
“He lived a full and happy life during his 32 years and had achieved so much, but it felt as though he was only just getting started. He had so much to look forward to, making his loss all the more heartbreaking. “Aaron was an extremely skilled carpenter who took great pride in his work. He was looking forward to starting a new job and had so much more to offer. “He loved nothing more than having a pint with his friends and enjoying a game of pool. These simple moments brought him so much happiness, and he was always happiest when surrounded by the people he cared about. “He was a devoted son, grandson and brother, as well as a much-loved friend. His beloved dog, Merlin, was a special part of his life, and it is heartbreaking that they have both been taken from us. “There was only one Aaron. We will miss his laugh, his smile, his bear hugs and his huge personality every day. The pain of losing him is impossible to put into words, and our lives will never be the same without him. “The outpouring of messages, love, support and shared memories since Aaron’s death has shown just how many lives he touched.
“We are truly grateful to everyone who has reached out, shared their memories and offered their support. It brings us comfort to know how much he was loved and that so many people will carry a piece of him in their hearts. “We ask that our family is given the
privacy and space to grieve and come to terms with this devastating loss. “Aaron will be missed beyond measure by his family and countless friends. We will carry him with us always and love him for the rest of our lives. “Forever loved, always in our hearts.”
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Police confirm pub knife attack never happened The scale of the emergency response caused concern in the seaside village. Police told The Pembrokeshire Herald that officers searched the premises and the surrounding area. They quickly established that the reported incident had not happened and that no one had been hurt at the premises. No threat to the public
A REPORT of a violent knife incident at a Saundersfoot pub prompted an armed police response and an ambulance callout — but officers established that no such attack had taken place, Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed. The force said it received a call
at approximately 12.20pm on Wednesday (October 7) alleging that a violent incident involving a knife had occurred inside The Royal Oak Inn in Saundersfoot. Officers were deployed, including an armed response unit, and the ambulance service also attended.
In its response to the newspaper, the force said there was no danger to the wider community at any point. Police acknowledged that a significant armed presence could be alarming but said its response was proportionate to the serious nature of the information it had received. The force warned that false emergency reports consume police and medical resources needed to deal with genuine incidents, while causing distress to people nearby. Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances in which the report
was made. Police have not announced an arrest or said that the call was deliberately malicious. Questions about helicopter incident
The police statement was provided after the Herald asked whether officers had received a report in connection with a separate Wales Air Ambulance helicopter incident in the Saundersfoot area on October 7. That helicopter was later recovered by crane from Scar Farm Holiday Park. The police response confirms the false knife report at The Royal Oak Inn, but does not establish whether it was connected to the helicopter’s deployment or landing. The Herald is not claiming that such a link has been established. Anyone with information about the report can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through its usual channels.
Army veteran caught drink-driving twice in one day
A FORMER soldier who was caught drink-driving twice within hours has been banned from the roads for four years after magistrates heard he had ‘pressed the self-destruct button’ amid mounting personal difficulties.
Tom Sinclair
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Christopher Grogan, 42, was first arrested on September 19 after being seen driving erratically through Haverfordwest.
Police were alerted to his Vauxhall Combo van after it was seen leaving the Lidl car park and swerving across the carriageway on Sydney Rees Way. Grogan was arrested and taken to the police station, where a breathalyser test revealed he had 78 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. But just hours later, police were called to Ellis Avenue, Haverfordwest, following reports that Grogan’s van had suffered a tyre blowout. Further breath tests revealed that his alcohol reading had risen to 115 microgrammes – more than three times the legal limit. Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, Grogan, of Parc Maen, Letterston, pleaded guilty to two separate offences of drinkdriving. The court heard that he had previous convictions for drink-driving, the most recent dating back to 2017.
Defending, solicitor Michael Kelleher said his client had been struggling with considerable pressures in his personal life, compounded by difficulties finding stable employment. “This played on his mind,” Mr Kelleher told magistrates. “He wasn’t in firm employment, all of those things got too much for him, and he pressed the self-destruct button.” Mr Kelleher also drew attention to Grogan’s military background, telling the court that he had previously served his country. However, magistrates were faced with two drink-driving offences committed within hours of one another, with the second alcohol reading substantially higher than the first. Grogan was disqualified from driving for a total of four years and made subject to a 12-month community order. He was also fined £80 and ordered to pay an £85 contribution towards prosecution costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
Milford Haven man fined after pushing police officer to the ground A MILFORD HAVEN man who threatened police officers before pushing one of them to the ground has been fined by magistrates. Officers were called to Cromwell Road on July 10 following a report that a woman’s mobile phone had been taken. Police located Neil Ralph, 42, in nearby gardens. The court heard that he became increasingly aggressive as officers approached him.
Ralph was arrested and handcuffed, but his threatening behaviour continued. “Carry on talking to me like that and I’ll slam you both into the floor,” he told the officers. He subsequently pushed a female officer to the ground. When challenged over whether he had done so deliberately, he replied: “Yeah, f****** right.” Ralph, of Hilton Avenue, Milford Haven,
pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer by beating when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Representing him, solicitor Alaw Harries described the incident as “a complete error of judgement”. “He’s extremely sorry for his actions,” she told the court. Magistrates fined Ralph £120 and ordered him to pay £85 in prosecution
costs and a £48 victim surcharge. Addressing him as sentence was passed, the presiding magistrate said: “In future, respect everybody, but you need to respect emergency workers on a higher level.”
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New book puts 50 predictions about the AI revolution to the test
Herald editor Tom Sinclair’s new book examines how artificial intelligence could transform work, war, medicine, journalism and everyday life — as the Herald itself begins putting some of those ideas into practice. ARTIFICIAL intelligence is no longer a technology waiting somewhere in the future. It is already writing computer code, generating images and video, analysing medical scans, answering customer queries, processing vast amounts of information and changing the way millions of people work. Now Pembrokeshire author and newspaper editor Tom Sinclair has attempted something more difficult: predicting what comes next. His new book, The AI Decade: 50 Predictions About War, Work, Power and Life in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, will be officially launched at Victoria Bookshop in Haverfordwest on Saturday, November 7, from 11.30am until 2pm. The event will include a book signing and an opportunity to meet the author and discuss some of the questions raised by a technology that is already beginning to reshape society. Published through Cambria Books, The AI Decade sets out 50 predictions about the next ten years, covering employment, politics, warfare, healthcare, education, journalism, creativity, energy and the growing struggle for technological power between nations and major corporations. Rather than simply making broad claims about the future, the book attempts to make predictions that can eventually be tested. Readers will be able to return to it in the years ahead and see which forecasts were right, which were wrong and which developments arrived faster than expected. Sinclair said: “A few years ago, most people were still asking whether artificial intelligence would really become useful. “That debate has moved on very quickly. “AI is now being used every day in offices, schools, businesses and homes. The more important question is what happens when these systems become deeply embedded in the way society works.” At the centre of the book is a question that goes beyond technology itself: how much decision-making are people prepared to hand over to machines? Some of the possibilities explored are highly positive. Artificial intelligence could help doctors identify illness earlier, speed up scientific discovery, automate dangerous or repetitive work and give small companies access to capabilities that were previously affordable only to large organisations. But the potential disruption is equally significant. If AI systems become capable of performing more administrative, professional and analytical work, millions of jobs could be altered or displaced. Governments may struggle to regulate systems developing faster than legislation can keep up. Military powers could increasingly rely
on autonomous or semi-autonomous technologies. And the companies controlling the most powerful AI models could acquire extraordinary economic and political influence. The book also examines the physical reality behind what can sometimes appear to be a purely digital revolution. Advanced AI requires vast computing power, specialised chips, huge data centres and enormous quantities of electricity. Sinclair argues that control of those resources could become one of the defining geopolitical issues of the next decade. He said: “AI is often presented as software floating somewhere in the cloud, but there is a huge physical infrastructure behind it. “The countries that control the chips, the energy, the data centres and the most capable systems will have enormous strategic advantages.” The book also deals extensively with the question of reliability. Artificial intelligence can perform impressively on one task and then make an obvious mistake on another. That matters far more when AI moves from helping somebody draft an email to influencing decisions about healthcare, policing, employment or national security. It is a problem the Herald is beginning to confront directly. The newspaper has increasingly been experimenting with artificial intelligence as a practical newsroom tool, using it to assist with research, document analysis, digital production and repetitive administrative tasks. The Herald is also developing its own AIassisted comment management system to help deal with the huge volume of discussion generated by stories on social media. The aim is not to replace journalists or remove human oversight. Instead, the system is being designed to help identify comments requiring attention, understand the context of a discussion and assist with relevant responses. Sinclair said: “That is actually a useful real-world example of one of the arguments in the book. “AI can process information at a scale that would be extremely difficult for a small newsroom to manage manually. “But we have also seen how easily automated systems can misunderstand humour, tone, sarcasm or local context. “The answer is not to pretend the technology is perfect. It is to build systems where people remain responsible for the final decision.” That distinction is particularly important in journalism. AI can help search documents, organise information and carry out routine digital work, potentially giving reporters more
time to interview people, investigate stories and work in their communities. But Sinclair argues that journalism cannot simply be reduced to information processing. “A machine can analyse thousands of words in seconds,” he said. “But journalism is also about knowing which question to ask, recognising when somebody is avoiding an answer, understanding the community you are reporting on and being accountable for what you publish. “That responsibility still belongs to people.” That idea of accountability runs throughout The AI Decade. As more decisions are delegated to software, the book repeatedly asks who should be responsible when an automated system gets something wrong. The author does not claim that all 50 predictions will prove correct. In fact, the uncertainty is part of the point. Sinclair said: “If somebody makes 50 predictions about a technology changing this quickly and claims they will all be right, you should probably be suspicious. “The purpose is to put the arguments on the record. “In five or ten years, readers can come back and judge the predictions for
themselves.” For a newspaper editor writing about a technology his own organisation is beginning to use, that test is likely to be particularly interesting. The Herald’s experiments with AI mean some of the questions raised in the book are no longer theoretical. They are already becoming part of everyday working life. Meet the author The official launch of The AI Decade takes place at Victoria Bookshop, Haverfordwest, on Saturday, November 7, from 11.30am until 2pm. Readers will be able to meet Tom Sinclair, discuss the issues raised in the book and have copies signed. The AI Decade: 50 Predictions About War, Work, Power and Life in the Age of Artificial Intelligence is published through Cambria Books. ISBN: 9781919551494 Order your copy The AI Decade is available to order now ahead of the Haverfordwest launch. CLICK HERE TO ORDER THE AI DECADE FROM AMAZON
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Teenager faces cocaine and weapons charges A TEENAGER from Carmarthenshire is facing six criminal charges involving cocaine, cannabis and offensive weapons following alleged offences in St Clears. Nicholas Young, 19, of Llanmiloe, was listed for his first hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday (October 12). The charges relate to alleged offences committed on Sunday, October 11. Three of the allegations concern the possession of offensive weapons in a public place at Tenby Road Service Station in St Clears. According to court documents, Young is accused of having a meat tenderiser, a claw hammer and a black-handled knife at the service station without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. Each item is the subject of a separate charge under section 1(1) of the Prevention of Crime Act 1953. Young also faces two allegations involving cocaine, a Class A controlled drug. The first charge alleges that he was concerned in the supply of a quantity of cocaine to another person in St
Court Reporter
Clears. The second alleges possession of a quantity of cocaine with intent to supply it to another person.
Warrant issued after man misses court over alleged XL bully incident
MAGISTRATES have issued a warrant without bail for a Milford Haven man who failed to attend court over an allegation involving an XL bully dog. Michael Nolan, 46, of Chestnut Way, Milford Haven, is accused of being the owner or person in charge of a whiteand-tan XL bully named Max when the dog was allegedly dangerously out of control.
The allegation relates to an incident on Woodland Crescent, Milford Haven, on August 21. Nolan had been due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, October 13, but did not attend. Following his absence, magistrates issued a warrant without bail. The allegation has not yet been determined by the court.
Both charges were brought under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. A sixth charge alleges possession of 12.5 grams of cannabis and cannabis resin, a Class B controlled drug, also in St Clears on October 11. The court record identifies all
six charges as part of the same proceedings. No plea, conviction or final outcome was recorded against the charges in the available court media report.The allegations remain unproven.
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Milford Haven scaffolder banned from driving after taking cocaine A MILFORD HAVEN scaffolder has been disqualified from driving after police found cocaine and its breakdown product in his blood at levels well above the legal limits. Thomas Robinson, 37, was stopped by officers on the afternoon of July 15 while driving a Vauxhall Zafira through the Mount Estate in Milford Haven. “He was asked to provide a drug wipe as a result of his demeanour,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates. Subsequent blood tests showed 65 microgrammes of cocaine per litre of blood, against a legal limit of 10, and 400 microgrammes of benzoylecgonine,
a cocaine breakdown product, against a limit of 50. Robinson, a father of three, of Elm Lane, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two drug-driving offences. His solicitor told the court that Robinson had used cocaine a day or two before he was stopped. The court also heard that he had previously worked as a scaffolder but had since lost his job as a result of the offence. Magistrates disqualified Robinson from driving for 12 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
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Salt store to return to north pembrokeshire in winter gritting boost A SATELLITE salt store is to be reinstated in north Pembrokeshire to help gritting crews treat roads more efficiently during ice and snow. Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet backed the return of the facility at Rhyd, on the B4332 between Eglwyswrw and Boncath, at its meeting on October 5. The council-owned site, near the A478 between Crymych and Cardigan, will allow gritting lorries to replenish their supplies locally, reducing the distance they need to travel to reload before returning to roads requiring treatment. Snow around the roadside stone at Bwlch Gwynt, the summit of the B4329 in the Preseli Hills. The decision follows a Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr Huw Murphy, who represents Newport and Dinas, in December 2025. He called for an auxiliary salt store to be brought back to north Pembrokeshire amid concerns about gritting provision on key roads and around the Preseli Hills during severe winter weather. Cabinet agreed in February to review the council’s Winter Maintenance Plan. The Rhyd site is within the ward represented by independent councillor Iwan Ward, who welcomed the outcome. The entrance to Pembrokeshire County Council’s Rhyd depot beside the B4332.
“The review of the Winter Maintenance Plan and the recommendation to reinstate a satellite salt tip in NorthEast Pembrokeshire will be welcomed by residents across the area,” he said. “Having a local facility where gritting lorries can replenish their salt supplies and get back out on the roads more quickly will help ensure that treatment can continue where it is most needed, which will also improve road safety
for residents during periods of ice and snow.” The review also recommended a second satellite salt store at Fishguard, providing another replenishment point close to the Preseli Hills and strengthening winter maintenance arrangements across the north of the county. Another view of the gated Rhyd council depot alongside the B4332.
Another view of the Rhyd depot, where gritting lorries will be able to replenish salt supplies closer to north Pembrokeshire routes (Pic: supplied). Local councillors welcomed the Rhyd decision and thanked council officers and Cabinet members for responding to the concerns raised in Cllr Murphy’s motion. The revised Winter Maintenance Plan will be reviewed annually.
Reform MS demands accounting for land bought for abandoned M4 relief road A REFORM Wales Member of the Senedd has called for a detailed account of public money spent buying land and buildings for the abandoned M4 relief road around Newport. Jason O’Connell MS says he has written to Deputy Minister Mark Hooper seeking figures for the cost of land acquisition and development work relating to the former M4 Black Route proposal. He also wants ministers to publish which properties bought for the scheme remain in Welsh Government ownership and which have since been sold or otherwise disposed of. The proposed route was intended to tackle persistent traffic congestion around Newport, but was abandoned after years of preparatory work. The question of how best to improve the M4 corridor has remained a recurring subject of debate in Welsh politics. Request for detailed records Mr O’Connell’s request asks the
government to explain what assets it still holds, the value of any disposals and the evidence underpinning the decision to rule out bringing the route back. He said taxpayers should have access to a clear account of what happened to property acquired with public money and how decisions were reached. The latest release does not itself provide an independently verified total for the money spent on purchases, nor a complete register of remaining assets. It therefore does not establish any financial loss, improper transaction or wrongdoing. Continuing debate over Newport congestion Supporters of reviving major road capacity have pointed to recurring delays on the M4 around Newport. Others have argued that transport spending should prioritise public transport and alternatives to additional motorway construction.
The latest demand is for transparency about past spending and land ownership. It is not an announcement that the Black Route will be built, and no new route has been approved as
a result. The Herald will report any substantive response from the Welsh Government when it is available.
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Auditors urge faster action after £8.7m in fraud and error findings PUBLIC bodies in Wales have been urged to investigate suspected fraud and payment errors more quickly after a national checking exercise recorded £8.7 million in fraud, overpayments and errors detected or prevented. Audit Wales says delays in following up warning signs can allow incorrect payments and discounts to continue, increasing losses and reducing the chances of recovering money. The £8.7 million figure is not a total of stolen money or cash recovered. It includes £2.8 million in recorded fraud, overpayments or errors that may be recoverable, alongside £5.9 million in estimated outcomes, including potential future losses avoided. The findings come from the latest National Fraud Initiative exercise, which involved 50 Welsh public bodies and uses electronic data matching to flag records requiring further investigation. The largest reported results involved council-tax single-person discounts, Blue Badges and housing waiting lists. Warning over delays Audit Wales stressed that a match between records is only an indicator of a possible problem, not proof of fraud. Public bodies must carry out follow-up checks before reaching conclusions. However, it warned that delays can
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leave potentially fraudulent activity, incorrect payments and wrongly awarded discounts continuing for longer than necessary. Although public bodies generally engaged better with the latest exercise, auditors found there was still room for improvement in the speed of investigations and the way activity and results were recorded. Some £1.1 million of the total reported outcomes came from corrections made following Audit Wales’s own review. The Wales-wide total was £1.6 million higher than in the previous exercise and the highest reported across the last five rounds. Since the initiative began in 1996, Welsh bodies have reported cumulative outcomes of £65.2 million. What the figures mean The distinction between actual and estimated outcomes is important when assessing the findings. The £2.8 million described as actual outcomes represents amounts recorded as fraud, overpayment or error which may be recoverable. It does not mean that all of that money has been recovered. The £5.9 million estimated element seeks to capture losses associated with detected fraud or errors, as well as future losses that might have occurred
without action following a data match. The report covers the 2024–25 exercise, with outcomes recorded during the reporting period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026. It also includes some results reported late from the previous exercise. Protecting public money Catherine Mealing-Jones, Auditor General for Wales, said fraud, overpayments and errors could damage public confidence in essential services as well as cause financial losses. She said: “Ensuring fraudsters are identified, and that every pound of public money is well spent on services
which matter to the people of Wales and reflect what they are entitled to, is crucial.” Public bodies also told Audit Wales that the initiative helped improve internal checks, identify staff training needs and raise awareness of fraud prevention. Because information is matched across the UK, data supplied by Welsh organisations was also linked to a further £2.1 million in outcomes reported by public bodies elsewhere in the country. The £8.7 million figure relates to Wales as a whole. Audit Wales’s accompanying release does not provide a separate Pembrokeshire total.
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Questions mount over £10.5m Pembroke regeneration funding QUESTIONS are mounting over the progress of Pembroke’s £10.5 million regeneration programme, with calls for the council to spell out exactly how much money has been received, committed and spent. Cllr Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, has raised the issue with Pembrokeshire County Council, saying residents deserve a clearer account of where the project currently stands. The Westgate to Eastgate regeneration scheme was awarded £10,543,627 in UK Government funding, with additional match funding from the council. The project is intended to deliver improvements across Pembroke town centre, including enhanced pedestrian routes, public spaces and better links between key parts of the town. However, the programme has developed more slowly than many residents may have expected following the original funding announcement, with published council papers showing the scheme is now programmed to run until March 2028. Cllr Grimes says residents should now be told exactly how much of the funding has reached the council and how much has so far been used. He said: “Residents deserve transparency. They deserve accountability. “And above all, they deserve to see the investment promised to their town translated into real improvements that they can see, feel and benefit from.” He is asking how much of the £10.5m has been spent, what remains available and whether any interest has accrued on money being held by the authority. Herald seeks financial breakdown
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• The Pembrokeshire Herald has now contacted Pembrokeshire County Council seeking an up-to-date financial picture of the scheme. We have asked the authority to confirm: • • •
how much of the £10,543,627 UK Government funding has been received to date; how much has actually been spent; how much has been committed but not yet paid;
whether interest has accrued on any unspent funding held by the council, and how that interest is treated; and whether the project remains on schedule for completion by March 2028.
The distinction between funding awarded, funding received, money committed and money actually spent is important. Published council papers show the project’s funding and delivery arrangements have evolved since the original announcement, while inflation and changes to the programme have affected the scope and timetable. That means the headline £10.5m figure
does not necessarily represent money simply sitting in a council account waiting to be spent. But it also means residents are entitled to know what stage the project has reached, how much public money has been used so far and when they can expect to see the promised improvements delivered. Cllr Grimes said he had been raising concerns over the project for several months. “Our town deserves better than unanswered questions,” he said. “It deserves action.” The Herald will publish Pembrokeshire County Council’s response when it is received.
Pembroke Dock motorist banned after drink-driving incident A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from driving for 20 months after being found almost twice over the legal alcohol limit following an incident in Haverfordwest town centre. Police were called to Hill Street at around 10pm on March 26 after reports that a grey Suzuki hatchback had collided with a number of vehicles. Officers found David Barry Evans, 55, sitting on a bench, where members of the public were comforting him. When spoken to, he admitted drinking a bottle of wine. A subsequent blood test showed 158 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80 milligrammes. Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Evans, of Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock, had a previous drinkdriving conviction dating from 2010. Evans pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said his client had not planned to drive after going out drinking. “He’d gone out, not intending to drive home, but he got into the vehicle, even though he doesn’t know why,”
Mr Kelleher told magistrates. Mr Kelleher disputed the suggestion that Evans had collided with several vehicles, saying his client had heard nothing further about such allegations. He explained that Evans had been
travelling up Hill Street when his vehicle’s clutch failed, prompting him to reverse downhill in an attempt to park. “It’s possible his bumper collided with another bumper while this was taking place,” Mr Kelleher said. The solicitor told the court that Evans had been experiencing personal difficulties at the time, but had since turned his life around. “He was going through quite a difficult time in his life with various personal problems, but he’s now got his life back in order,” he said. Mr Kelleher added that Evans worked full-time, took part in sport and was able to walk to work. Magistrates disqualified Evans from driving for 20 months and fined him £260. He was also ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costs and a £104 victim surcharge.
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Claire Archibald calls for stroke care safeguards CONCERNS over the future of stroke services in West Wales have been raised by Senedd Member Claire Archibald following a visit to Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth, where she met frontline healthcare staff and representatives of Hywel Dda University Health Board. The Reform UK Member for Ceredigion Penfro visited the hospital’s Acute Stroke Unit on Monday (October 12) to discuss proposals that could significantly change how stroke patients are treated across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Under the health board’s preferred option, specialist acute stroke care would be concentrated at Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, with specialist cover 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bronglais would retain a dedicated stroke rehabilitation unit, while Bronglais, Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest and Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli would provide initial assessment and treatment, with patients transferred for specialist acute care where appropriate. The proposals have prompted questions about travel distances, ambulance availability and access to timely treatment, particularly for patients living in rural communities. Following her visit, Ms Archibald stressed that any reorganisation must prioritise clinical outcomes without creating additional barriers for patients and their families. “During the visit, we discussed the proposals currently being considered and I stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes MUST deliver the best possible outcomes for patients while remaining accessible for communities across Mid and West Wales,” she said. She highlighted the extensive geographical area served by local hospitals, stretching from southern Gwynedd to communities such as Castlemartin and Manorbier in Pembrokeshire. Ms Archibald, who previously worked in health and social care, also paid tribute to the professionals she met. “It was an incredibly valuable opportunity to hear directly from the dedicated healthcare professionals working on the frontline day in day out. “I want to place on record my sincere thanks to the nurses and support staff who continue to provide care in often very challenging circumstances. “Their professionalism and commitment to patients is something we all deeply value.” Hospital pressures add to concerns Her visit comes amid renewed concern over the demands facing emergency departments and hospital wards across the Hywel Dda area. Ms Archibald said that on Sunday (October 11), Glangwili, Bronglais and Withybush hospitals had highlighted
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severe pressures affecting their emergency departments. The day after her hospital visit, she raised wider NHS pressures in the Senedd, pointing to increasing demand and the difficulties facing patients and healthcare professionals. “We are seeing rising demand and a significant uptick in pressure on A&E departments and hospital wards, yet too many patients and staff continue to face challenges that are becoming increasingly difficult,” she said. “These concerns are not new.” She said the pressures highlighted by local hospitals reflected the daily reality facing NHS workers, many of whom were going beyond their normal responsibilities to maintain patient care. Decision on stroke services approaching Hywel Dda University Health Board completed its second public consultation on stroke services on July 26, after receiving responses from thousands of people through questionnaires, meetings and other engagement. The health board has said that a full report on the consultation findings will be considered at its November board meeting, when a final decision on the future model of stroke care is due. It has previously explained that existing arrangements do not consistently meet national clinical standards and that specialist stroke cover is not available around the clock across its four main hospitals. Health officials believe concentrating specialist staff and resources could improve treatment and patient outcomes. However, the proposed arrangements would also mean some patients requiring acute specialist care travelling between hospitals after receiving initial treatment.
For Pembrokeshire residents, that could involve being transferred from Withybush to Glangwili, while patients in northern Ceredigion could face considerably longer journeys. Ms Archibald said her visit had reinforced the importance of listening to hospital staff and communities before final decisions are made. “My visit to Bronglais reinforced both the dedication of our healthcare workforce and the urgent need to
ensure our health service has the resources, support and long-term planning required to meet growing demand. “I will continue to engage with local health services, staff and residents to ensure their voices are heard as these discussions progress.” She concluded by thanking the Bronglais team for their work and for taking the time to explain the pressures facing the service.
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Councillors see Haverfordwest High in action four years to the day after royal opening
COUNCILLORS have been given a close-up look at life inside Haverfordwest High VC School — exactly four years to the day after the Princess Royal officially opened the new campus. Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee visited the school on Wednesday (Oct 14), touring classrooms and specialist facilities and hearing about the work being carried out with its
approximately 1,800 learners. Among those taking part were committee members Cllr Nick Neumann and Cllr David Howlett. The visit fell on a particularly significant date for the school. A plaque displayed at the campus records that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal formally opened Haverfordwest High VC School on October 14, 2022. Precisely four years later, scrutiny councillors were able to see how the
purpose-built school is operating in practice. Cllr Neumann said afterwards that he had been impressed by both the facilities and the people working in them. He said: “The facilities are modern and first class, offering students every opportunity to thrive in comfortable and inspiring surroundings. “Equally impressive was the dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm of the staff.” Photographs from the visit show councillors being taken through modern teaching spaces, including classrooms equipped with large interactive screens and specialist resources. Another striking feature is a large world map and cultural display running along one of the school’s corridors. For Cllr Neumann, the visit also brought back memories of an earlier generation of secondary education in Haverfordwest. “As I walked around the school, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own time at Taskers,” he said. “How times have changed. Today’s learners are incredibly fortunate to
benefit from such high-quality facilities and learning spaces, which would have been unimaginable to many of us during our school days.” He thanked the school’s leadership team and staff for their welcome and for providing what he described as an informative and insightful visit. “It was encouraging to see firsthand the excellent work taking place to support the next generation of learners,” he added. Haverfordwest High VC School was created following the merger of Tasker Milward VC School and Sir Thomas Picton School, with the new purposebuilt campus replacing the two former secondary-school sites. The Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee is chaired by Cllr Rhys Jordan, with Cllr Alec Cormack as vice-chair. Its membership also includes Cllrs Alun Wills, Bethan Price, David Howlett, Huw Murphy, Jamie Adams, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, Mel Phillips, Nick Neumann and Vivien Stoddart. The committee examines education and learning services across Pembrokeshire, including school performance, provision and council policy, and plays a role in scrutinising decisions affecting children and young people. Wednesday’s visit gave members an opportunity to see at first hand the environment behind some of the reports, figures and policies that come before them in County Hall. And there was an appropriate historical symmetry to the occasion: four years earlier, to the day, the Princess Royal had stood at the same school to mark its official opening
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WEDDINGS AND EVENTS 2025 & 2026
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Shire horse Mullin settles into new home at Dan-yr-Ogof A MUCH-LOVED Shire horse named after footballer Paul Mullin has left north Pembrokeshire for a new home at Dan-yr-Ogof. Three-year-old gelding Blaencillech Mullin has moved from Dyfed Shire Horse Farm to the attraction’s Shire Horse Centre near Ystradgynlais, joining the horses helping visitors discover the breed. Born in 2023, Mullin was bred by Ceredigion Shire horse breeders Elfed and Louise Davies before joining Dyfed Shires. Described by those who know him as a “big softie”, he enjoys human attention — something that should serve him well as he meets visitors at his new home. Dyfed Shire Horse Farm owner Huw said he was delighted that Mullin was settling in. “Mullin is settling in well at Dan-yr-Ogof and now has the opportunity to meet lots of new people and welcome visitors, just
as he has done over the past few years in North Pembrokeshire.” Before his move, Mullin’s last public appearance away from the farm was at the Last Invasion of Fishguard reenactment celebrations in July, where he met members of the public. His departure comes after a successful breeding season for Dyfed Shires, with four healthy colt foals born during 2026. All are doing well, and a number of mares are already in foal for 2027. The farm says its growing young stock reflects its continuing commitment to preserving the rare breed and securing its future. For Mullin, the move means a change of scenery but a familiar role: meeting people and helping them get to know Shire horses. Everyone at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm has wished him a happy and healthy life in his new home.
Empty homes owners offered interest-free loans of up to £35,000
OWNERS of empty properties in Carmarthenshire are being urged to consider funding and practical support designed to return unused houses to occupation. Carmarthenshire County Council’s Empty Property Team has launched a newsletter setting out the options for people considering renovation,
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letting, selling or moving back into vacant homes. A central feature is an increase in the maximum borrowing under the Houses into Homes Loan Scheme,
from £25,000 to £35,000 per property or unit. The council says these loans carry no interest and are intended to help finance qualifying renovation work. Separate assistance may also be available through the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme, with grants of up to £25,000 to improve eligible long-term empty homes so they can be safely occupied again. Who can apply? The council says eligibility conditions apply and owners should seek advice before assuming they qualify. National grant conditions include a requirement that the property has generally been empty for at least 12 months. Owners receiving grants may have to occupy their home as their main residence for a specified period after improvements. Applications for the National Empty Homes Grant Scheme are scheduled to remain open until March 31, 2027, subject to the availability of funding.
The authority is also inviting owners to complete a short questionnaire and request a free advisory visit. Staff can discuss barriers to bringing a property back into use and explain which options may suit an individual owner. Pressure on housing supply The initiative comes as councils across West Wales seek to increase the supply of usable homes. A vacant house can require substantial spending before it meets modern safety and energy-efficiency standards, particularly where it has stood unused for several years. Cllr Emlyn Schiavone, Carmarthenshire’s Cabinet Member for Homes, said returning empty buildings to occupation could strengthen neighbourhoods while adding to the housing supply. Owners can contact the council’s Empty Property Team at privatesector@carmarthenshire. gov.uk or use the council’s online questionnaire to request guidance.
Former Monkton man fined after stealing spirits from Asda A FORMER Monkton resident who stole more than £270 worth of spirits from Asda in Pembroke Dock has been ordered to compensate the supermarket in full. Daniel Saunders, 28, entered the store at around 4pm on July 8 and picked up a bag for life before heading to the alcohol aisle. He placed six bottles of Jack Daniel’s whisky and two bottles of vodka into the bag. The alcohol had a total value of £270.74. Saunders then left the supermarket
without making any attempt to pay, Haverfordwest magistrates heard. The court was told that Saunders, formerly of Tenby Court, Monkton, and now living at Golwyg y Castell, Cardigan, had received a suspended custodial sentence in July 2026 for a similar shoplifting offence. He pleaded guilty to theft in relation to the Asda incident. Magistrates ordered him to pay £270.74 compensation to Asda, along with a £120 fine, £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
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Wing-walking daredevil raises £1,194 for Glangwili Hospital
GARETH RUTTER took fundraising to new heights by strapping himself to the wing
of an aircraft, raising £1,194 for Glangwili Hospital’s cardiology unit in recognition of the care given
to a little girl. Gareth, from Brynamman, completed the wing-walking challenge at RFC Rendcomb Aerodrome in Gloucestershire on August 8, fulfilling a lifelong ambition while supporting a cause close to his heart. The Carmarthenshire County Council maintenance technician chose to support the cardiology team because of the treatment provided to Alice Davies, the daughter of his friends Grant and Katie, since she was just six months old. The challenge involved Gareth being securely fastened to the outside of the aircraft as it took off and flew through the air, while friends and family watched from the ground. Explaining why he took part, Gareth said: “I chose to raise funds for the Cardiology Unit as a thanks for the care they have given to my friends, Grant and Katie’s daughter, Alice, since she was just six months
old.” He added: “I would like to thank everyone that donated and friends and family that came to watch on the day.” The money will support the hospital’s cardiology fund through Hywel Dda Health Charities, which raises funds to improve services and experiences for patients across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. Claire Rumble, a fundraising officer for the charity, said: “We are so grateful to Gareth for taking on such a brave challenge in support of our Cardiology Fund.” She added that donations from local communities help the charity provide additional support for NHS patients and staff beyond what can be funded through routine NHS provision. More information about supporting local NHS services is available through Hywel Dda Health Charities.
Council abandons plan to remove Church status from Cilgerran school Pembrokeshire County Council has agreed not to proceed with proposals which would have seen Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School formally discontinued and replaced by a 3–11 community school operating from the same site. Why the change was proposed The proposal was brought forward against a background of falling pupil numbers across the Preseli area, including at Cilgerran, and concerns over the school’s longer-term sustainability. Its voluntary controlled status also complicated the possibility of a future federation with neighbouring community schools, an option the council has been considering as it responds to declining pupil numbers. But the statutory consultation revealed strong resistance to changing the school’s status. According to the Diocese of St Davids, 97% of parents who responded supported retaining Cilgerran’s Church in Wales status. Legal disagreement raised prospect of lengthy proceedings A further difficulty centred on the legal arrangements governing the school site. The council and Diocese remained at odds over the implications of
discontinuing the existing voluntary controlled school and establishing a community school in its place, including the arrangements that would be required to secure continued occupation of the premises. Council papers warned that resolving the issue could require further negotiations and potentially lengthy legal proceedings, with no certainty over either the timescale or the eventual outcome. The authority concluded that proceeding in those circumstances risked creating an extended period of uncertainty for pupils, parents and staff. Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Cllr Paul Miller said: “There is clearly strong support within the community for maintaining the school’s VC status which is evident both in the consultation response and in the views expressed by school
leaders when I visited the school in September. “In addition, there remains a difference of opinion between the Council and the Diocese regarding the legal implications of discontinuing the current school and the arrangements for continued occupation of the site. “Resolving those issues could require further negotiations and potentially lengthy legal proceedings, with no certainty over timescales or outcomes. “Proceeding in these circumstances is not proportionate to the outcome being sought and my view is that to proceed would not be in the best interests of the school community.” Diocese welcomes decision The decision was welcomed by the Diocese of St Davids. Iwan Thomas, Chief Executive
and Diocesan Secretary, said: “Our position, and that of the school community, has always been clear. With 97% of parents who responded to the survey supporting the retention of the school’s Church in Wales status, we firmly believed that the proposed change was neither in the best interests of the school community nor consistent with the legal foundations upon which the school was established. “We are grateful to the Council officers who have engaged constructively with the Diocese to recognise the complexities of the situation and reach an outcome that puts the school community first. “This decision respects the principles upon which Cilgerran School was founded and which it continues to uphold so successfully today. We look forward to continuing to work with Pembrokeshire County Council and the school community to secure a positive and sustainable future for the school.” Long-term pressures remain Although the immediate proposal has now been dropped, the issue which prompted it has not gone away. Falling pupil numbers across the Preseli area remain a challenge for the council, meaning longer-term questions over the future organisation and sustainability of education in the area are likely to remain on the agenda.
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Pokémon, Warhammer and D&D bring gamers together GAMING enthusiasts of different ages are coming together in Pembroke Dock through Pokémon, Dungeons & Dragons and tabletop games, showing how shopping spaces can also become places for shared interests. Stormborn Games CIC, based at St Govan’s Shopping Centre on Dimond Street, offers space for card games, miniature battles, board games and social events. It was visited on Friday (October 9) by Paul Davies MS, who met James Densham and volunteers involved in running the centre. James Densham shows Paul Davies MS a tabletop gaming miniature at Stormborn Games in Pembroke Dock The community interest company aims to provide more than a traditional games shop. Its facilities include tables, playmats and scenery for games such as Warhammer and Dungeons & Dragons, alongside card games including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh! The venue also offers board games for people who want to play casually or meet others with similar interests, and says it aims to create a welcoming
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environment for beginners, homeeducating families and neurodivergent players. Stormborn opened at St Govan’s
Shopping Centre in 2025. Its presence is part of a wider mix of independent retailers and community activities at the shopping centre. During his visit, Mr Davies, the Conservative Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro, said towncentre regeneration should include
opportunities to socialise and take part in activities, rather than concentrating solely on conventional retail. “It’s not simply about playing games – it’s about bringing people together, building friendships and giving people somewhere to belong,” he said. Paul Davies MS talks with James Densham and volunteers beside an elaborate tabletop gaming layout at Stormborn Games Mr Davies said shops remained important, but modern town centres also needed leisure, entertainment and community spaces to give people more reasons to visit. He added: “Stormborn is a great example of the kind of independent business that can bring something different to a high street.” The visit followed a renewed focus on Pembroke Dock’s shopping and social spaces, including the recent relaunch of its Friday Market. Those involved in local initiatives hope a wider range of attractions will help draw people into the town and support other businesses. Details of games and activities are available through Stormborn Games CIC’s website.
Carew Castle invites visitors to get crafty with four winter workshops CAREW Castle is inviting Pembrokeshire residents to swap the dark winter evenings for something creative, with four hands-on workshops taking place throughout November. The sessions will be held on Tuesday evenings at Nest Tearoom in the castle’s Walled Garden, giving beginners the chance to try a new skill in a relaxed setting. All materials and tuition are included, along with tea or coffee and homemade cake. The programme begins on Tuesday, November 3, with a needle-felting brooch workshop. Participants will learn how to shape wool fibres into a handmade accessory, choosing a festive, floral or personalised design to take home. A week later, on November 10, the focus will turn to Christmas rag wreaths. Using strips of fabric, those attending will create a colourful decoration suitable for a front door, a seasonal display or a handmade gift. On November 17, the castle will draw on its medieval heritage for an introduction to calligraphy. Participants will explore how goosefeather quills were made, learn about oak-gall ink and practise traditional lettering inspired by the work of historical scribes and illuminators. The series will conclude on
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November 24 with a Christmas needle-felting workshop, in which visitors can make decorations for their own trees or to give to family and friends. Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle, said the workshops offered an enjoyable way to round off the year. “They give people the chance to switch off for a couple of hours, learn something new and go home with something they’ve made themselves,” she said. Ms Hughes added that this year’s programme brought together traditional crafts and festive creativity, and said the team looked forward to welcoming visitors back to the tearoom. Each workshop runs from 4:30pm to 6:30pm and costs £25 per person. The sessions are suitable for people aged 12 and over, with no previous experience required. Places are limited, booking is essential and tickets are non-refundable. The venue has step-free access. For more information and to book, visit the official Carew Castle events page.
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St Davids Cathedral hosts St John investiture ceremony
CIVIC guests gathered at St Davids Cathedral on Saturday (Oct 10) for a Priory Visitation and Investiture ceremony organised by the St John Priory for Wales. Among those attending was Cllr Thomas Baden Tudor, who represents Haverfordwest’s Castle ward on Pembrokeshire County Council. Writing after the ceremony, Cllr Tudor said he had been pleased to receive an invitation and paid tribute to the charity’s volunteers and staff. He said: “Many thanks to all the volunteers and staff who do so much outstanding work for this charity and for our communities across Wales and the United Kingdom.” Cllr Tudor said Deputy Lieutenant Dr Chris Martin was also present, alongside other local dignitaries and councillors.
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The cathedral had advertised the special St John service for 2pm, with members of the public welcome to attend. St John Ambulance Cymru is an independent Priory of the Order of St John, a working order of chivalry of the British Crown whose charitable work includes first aid, healthcare and community support. In Wales, the charity provides first aid training, medical cover at events and patient transport services, alongside opportunities for people to volunteer. The wider Order operates in more than 40 countries through local St John organisations and the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital.
According to St John Ambulance Cymru, the international network trains more than two million people each year in first aid and other healthcare
activities. Its motto, “Pro Fide and Pro Utilitate Hominum”, means “For the Faith and in the Service of Humanity”.
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Paul Davies praises volunteers protecting Manx shearwaters PAUL Davies MS has paid tribute to the Pembrokeshire volunteers who rescue young Manx shearwaters after the birds become stranded by artificial lighting on their first journey out to sea. The Conservative Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro met RSPB representatives at Oriel y Parc in St Davids on Friday (October 9), after taking on the role of Manx Shearwater Species Champion. He was joined by Greg Morgan, the RSPB’s Ramsey Island reserve site manager, and Jeremy Wadia, a volunteer with Manx Shearwater Rescue Pembrokeshire, which carries out rescue work around Newgale and elsewhere in the county. Pembrokeshire’s offshore islands, including Skomer, Skokholm and Ramsey, are among the world’s most important breeding sites for Manx shearwaters, accounting for more than half the global breeding population. The seabirds raise their chicks in burrows before migrating across the Atlantic to spend the winter off South America. Young birds begin their journey after dark, but artificial lights from buildings, roads and boats can pull them off course. Once grounded inland, they can be exposed to traffic, predators and other dangers, leaving volunteers to find them and arrange their safe return to the sea. The scale of the rescue work is considerable. According to RSPB Cymru, volunteers rescued and released more than 1,100 Manx shearwaters in Pembrokeshire during 2025, including birds affected by storms and light
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pollution. Mr Davies said: “To think that around half of the world’s breeding Manx shearwaters nest on our islands, before travelling thousands of miles across the Atlantic, is quite extraordinary.” He said he had been particularly impressed by the volunteers helping the birds around Newgale. “Without their intervention, many of
these birds might never make it safely out to sea,” he added. As species champion, Mr Davies said he wanted to work with the RSPB and local conservation groups to raise awareness of the dangers facing shearwaters and the measures available to protect them. “We are incredibly fortunate to have such important wildlife on our doorstep, but that also brings a responsibility to protect it,” he said. Previous conservation appeals have encouraged residents in coastal areas
to close curtains at night and switch off unnecessary outside lights during the fledging season. Drivers have also been urged to watch out for grounded birds along roads near the coast. The community rescue network has identified Newgale, Broad Haven, the Milford Haven Waterway and Tenby as areas where young shearwaters can become stranded. Anyone who finds one can seek advice from Manx Shearwater Rescue Pembrokeshire on 01437 723193.
Pembrokeshire dog sitters warned over paid boarding licence rules
PEMBROKESHIRE residents who look after other people’s dogs for payment are being reminded to check the licensing rules, as the county council warns that paid home boarding and dog day-care
businesses must be licensed. The reminder applies to services advertised through websites such as Rover, social media pages and informal online groups, as well as more traditional businesses.
Pembrokeshire County Council says the growing popularity of online pet-care platforms has made it easier for owners to find someone to look after their animals, but it has not removed the need to comply with animal welfare requirements. Dog pictured as a general illustration of home boarding and pet care Home boarding means looking after dogs in a domestic setting rather than at a kennel. Licensed providers are required to meet standards covering safe accommodation, cleanliness, exercise, supervision, disease prevention, record keeping and arrangements for veterinary emergencies. Licences also place limits on the number of dogs that can be cared for at the same time, helping to ensure there is enough space and appropriate supervision. The council is encouraging anyone
already offering boarding or day care to seek advice if they are unsure whether their arrangements require a licence. Pet owners are also being asked to make checks before leaving their dog with a paid carer. Officials recommend requesting a copy of the provider’s licence, asking how many dogs will be present, and checking what arrangements exist for exercise, supervision and veterinary treatment if an animal becomes unwell. Providers should be able to explain how their premises meet the required welfare standards and show that they are operating within the conditions of their licence. Anyone seeking clarification about home boarding and dog daycare licensing in Pembrokeshire can contact the council’s Animal Welfare Team on 01437 764551 or email awelfare@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.
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Residents invited to quiz developers of Wales’ first floating wind farm PEMBROKESHIRE residents will have the chance to question the developers of Wales’ first planned floating offshore wind farm at a public meeting on the Angle peninsula later this month. Blue Gem Wind has invited people living and working in the area to a drop-in session at Angle Village Hall on Thursday, October 22, to hear the latest developments concerning its Erebus project in the Celtic Sea. The event, which runs from 10am until noon, will give residents, local businesses and community organisations an opportunity to meet the project team, raise concerns and discuss how the scheme could affect the area. Erebus is a proposed 100-megawatt floating wind development roughly 35km off Pembrokeshire’s south-west coast. Unlike conventional offshore wind farms, its turbines would stand on floating platforms anchored to the seabed, allowing them to operate in deeper water. The scheme was granted its principal marine and planning consents in 2023. Although the project has yet to be built, the developer says construction is now planned for the end of this decade.
Plans provide for seven offshore turbines and an electricity cable connection reaching land at West Angle Bay before continuing towards the existing electricity network near Pembroke. Blue Gem Wind estimates the development could produce the equivalent of enough electricity to power up to 93,000 homes each year, while avoiding approximately 150,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. Those are projected benefits, rather than figures from an operating wind farm.
One of the principal issues for the county will be whether the construction phase and subsequent operations lead to contracts, training and employment opportunities for Pembrokeshire companies and workers. Organisers say the meeting will cover the project’s next steps and possible opportunities for local suppliers, alongside wider questions about skills and the regional economy. Sean Evans, head of consenting for Erebus by Blue Gem Wind, said the company wanted to reconnect with the
community and give people a chance to hear directly from those involved. “We’re keen to re-engage and make sure local people have the opportunity to understand the project, ask questions and hear directly from the team about what the project will mean for the community and the wider Welsh economy,” he said. Angle Community Council has also publicised the session and says everyone is welcome. Floating offshore wind is viewed as a potential new industry for the Celtic Sea, with ports and engineering firms around the Milford Haven Waterway hoping to play a role as developments progress. However, the scale of local economic benefits will depend on the contracts secured by Welsh businesses and the arrangements made during construction. The drop-in event will take place at Angle Village Hall, SA71 5AS, on Thursday, October 22, from 10am to noon. No booking requirement has been announced. Further project information can be found on the Blue Gem Wind website, while details of the public meeting are also available from Angle Community Council.
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Irita Marriott from Bargain Hunt will be providing valuations at the National Botanic Garden of Wales Fair Exciting news that the much loved National Botanic Garden of Wales Antiques Fair and Vintage market is returning to the Gardens SA328HN on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November with celebrity Irita Marriott providing a free valuations service in the Great Glasshouse . The fair will also be playing host to the enigmatic Irita Marriott, famed for being an expert in Bargain hunt and other TV programmes, recently visited our fair in Llandeilo in July , leading the Blue Teams around the Fair , giving advice as their expert . She enjoyed the fair so much that she asked if she could return and be available for valuations at the National Botanic Gardens fair. Irita is also well known for her appearances on Antiques Road Trip, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt, and Channel 4’s The Greatest Auction. Originally from Latvia, Irita moved to the UK at age 20 and has spent nearly a decade in the industry, starting as a cataloguer and valuer at a top Derbyshire auction house. In 2023, she launched Irita Marriott Auctioneers and Valuers—one of the UK’s few female-led auction house.Working mum Irita has built an acclaimed reputation as well as a loyal client base. Now with over 12 years in the industry, she has opened her own auction house which is the setting for ‘The Derbyshire Auction House’ on Quest and discovery+ Irita will be at the fair to give valuations and advice. So make sure you check your attics and look for hidden treasures as they may be worth something. You will find Irita on both days, in the Norman Foster designed Glasshouse, where she will value your items. The fair will be providing customers with the same quality antiques, vintage and retro to be discovered that we come to expect at this popular fair. The fair’s uniqueness is down to its stunning setting. The wonderful array of the rare plants housed in the Norman Foster designed Glasshouse , makes a perfect natural setting and backdrop, to the stands displaying in the World-famous Glasshouse . The setting is both eye catching and memorable. So fans of classic antiques and vintage should make their way to the various Garden venues – including the Great Glasshouse - for displays of Welsh art and pottery, quality jewellery and outstanding militaria collections. Step next door to Principality House
which is now known as Ty Melyn and discover displays of quality Welsh textiles, a superb array of books, jewellery, silver and militaria, plus artwork and vintage delights. The recently transformed Theatre Botanica will be exhibiting old favourites such as silverware and collection art and treen plus collections of quality welsh furniture , textiles French brocante and quality jewellery. Robert and Carol Pugh from Towy Antiques will be displaying a large collection of Llanelli pottery which they have avidly collected over the years, Their stand will certainly have a Welsh theme. There will be folk art, stick chairs from Micheal Gorton stunning collection which will also include cricket tables and an amazing collection of sponge ware. . The Gallery room is also a welcome addition and will be showcasing Welsh furniture and textiles and French brocante and some beautifully curated stands. The Apothecary will also be used as a go to venue, for some more vintage, militaria and ephemera Millennium Courtyard will be filled with a Vintage market, housing smaller marquees displaying vintage toys, clothing, retro and upcycled furniture. Nestling into the Carmarthenshire countryside, on the outskirts of
Carmarthen and just 15 minutes away from the end of the M4, it’s conveniently situated. You can now purchase your tickets online , by visiting the Gardens website www.
National Botanic Garden of Wales. For more information visit our website or visit Derwen Fairs on FB The fair opens at 10am and closes at 4.00pm on both days and
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November 7th & 8th 10:00 - 16:00
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Milford Haven junior band celebrates Gold Award MILFORD HAVEN JUNIOR TOWN BAND is celebrating a Gold Award after performing at the West Wales Festival of Brass on Saturday (Oct 10). The band received the award in the Youth Section at the event in Cefneithin. Some of its players had only begun learning their instruments a few weeks earlier, according to brass band publication 4barsrest. The publication reported that the young musicians enjoyed their day and were “very proud of our Gold Award!” The band also welcomed the adjudicator’s encouragement and his emphasis on the importance of junior bands to the future of brass music. Organisers, the West Wales Brass Band Association, praised the contribution of everyone who took part. “What a fantastic day celebrating brass banding! Huge congratulations to all the bands that competed and contributed to such a brilliant contest,” the association said. “The standard was fantastic, and it’s been wonderful to see so much talent and passion on display.” The association thanked Gwaun Cae Gurwen Band for its work supporting the festival, along with the Ev-entz team for helping competing bands’ percussion players throughout the day. Adjudicators Dr Brett Baker and Christopher Bond were thanked for sharing their expertise, while compere
David Hayward used the occasion to stress the value of the organisations which bring bands together. “We need to support these associations, West Wales Brass Band
Association/South East Wales Brass Band Association, in order for them to run these contests. Without them, we are individual bands all alone and without a voice!” he said, in comments
shared by the organisers. The association also acknowledged its sponsors, trade stands, volunteers and audiences, thanking everyone who helped make the festival possible.
Nearly £2m awarded to restore South Wales Valleys peatlands A SOUTH Wales environmental project has secured almost £2 million in National Lottery funding to restore important habitats and improve public access to upland landscapes. Lost Peatlands Connections, led by Neath Port Talbot Council, will work across the Afan, Neath, Upper Cynon and Rhondda valleys, restoring peatlands as well as areas of heathland, grassland and woodland. The three-year programme will cover 16 sites totalling almost 870 hectares. Funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund will be supplemented by match funding and partner contributions, bringing the total project value to almost £2.6 million. Delivery is expected to begin in October 2026. Restoration and new walking routes Officials say the project aims to improve biodiversity and help fragmented habitats function better together, while supporting carbon storage, natural flood management and greater resilience to wildfire and
Neath Port Talbot Council cabinet member Cllr Jeremy Hurley said the scheme would support environmental, cultural and social benefits while improving opportunities for residents to spend time in nature. Cllr Cen Phillips, responsible for nature, tourism and wellbeing, welcomed plans to make the valleys more accessible through outdoor learning, walking and conservation opportunities. Lottery support
drought. The plans go beyond habitat work. Five new walking routes, interpretation displays and activities involving volunteers, schools and community groups are proposed. Digital resources, including a Lost Peatlands Explorer app, virtual-reality
experiences and a podcast series, will tell the story of the landscape and its people. Partners include Natural Resources Wales, the Woodland Trust, Coed Lleol, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Vattenfall.
Andrew White, director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wales, said the investment connected nature recovery, heritage conservation and community engagement. The valleys contain large areas of upland habitat that support wildlife and store carbon. Restoring damaged peatland can help retain water and protect species, though the effect of individual interventions depends on the condition and location of each site. The project expects to publish updates on activities and volunteering opportunities as work progresses.
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Haverfordwest railway station shortlisted for award
Haverfordwest railway station has been shortlisted for a national award after a project involving local young people, artists and community organisations helped transform parts of the station
Tom Sinclair
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into a more welcoming gateway to the county town. The station is one of 20 finalists in
Rail Delivery Group’s World Cup of Stations 2026, selected from more than 150 public nominations. It will compete against Par in Cornwall, Yatton in Somerset and Crediton in Devon in the Wales and West regional group. Public voting opened on Monday (12 October), with the competition celebrating stations that create meaningful connections between people and communities. Young people’s artwork behind nomination Haverfordwest’s nomination recognises a partnership that brought together young people, local artists, community groups, transport organisations and public services to improve the station environment. Artwork created by young people supported through Pembrokeshire County Council services has been installed in the waiting area and on an unused building on Platform 2. Further pieces produced by local artists have added colour to the station. The project involved South West Wales Connected, the council’s Youth Justice, The Edge Youth Centre and Regeneration teams, Kier, Transport for Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police, The VC Gallery and Haverfordwest Action Forum. As part of the wider Haverfordwest Public Transport Interchange project, Kier carried out cleaning and improvements to the station’s waiting area and public facilities, while the Platform 2 building was prepared to display artwork. The art installations were funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. South West Wales Connected
previously said the improvements had been developed following community concerns about how welcoming the station felt to passengers. The work also forms part of wider efforts to improve the routes and public spaces connecting the railway station with the new town transport interchange. James Gough, customer operations director at Transport for Wales, welcomed the shortlisting, saying it recognised local organisations working together to make meaningful improvements for the community. How the public vote works Voting opened at 12.01am on Monday 12 October. On the evening of Wednesday 14 October, the leading station from each of the five regional groups will progress to the national final. The public vote continues until 11.59pm on Sunday 18 October, with the overall winner due to be announced on Tuesday 20 October. Rail Delivery Group co-chief executive Dan Mann said the competition celebrated the wider value of stations beyond simply getting passengers from one place to another, including opportunities for communities to work together. Last year’s winner was Ashington in Northumberland, where passenger services had returned following a 60year absence. Residents wishing to support Haverfordwest can cast their votes through the official World Cup of Stations website.
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Youngster honoured for quick thinking when sister began choking Callie Jones received the Outstanding Squirrel Award for her kindness and helpfulness, while Amber Hartt was given the Outstanding Cub Award for overcoming significant personal challenges. Mohamad Alzouabi was recognised for his determination in completing his first Scout expedition despite mobility challenges. Explorers Sam and Honey were also honoured after completing their Explorer Belts during a ten-day expedition in Bavaria.
EVAN Newbery has been honoured by Pembrokeshire Scouts for his courage and quick thinking when his younger sister began choking. His recognition was among the special awards announced at the Celebration of Pembrokeshire Scouting, held at Haverfordwest High School on Saturday (Oct 10). In their account of the evening, organisers praised Evan’s “remarkable
courage and quick thinking” during the incident. Young people, families, volunteers and supporters gathered for an event which celebrated 214 awards, alongside individual achievements and the work of those who keep local groups running. Determination and kindness recognised
Special awards recognised Maisie Waters-Booth, Ethan Darlington and Flynn Williams for kindness and leadership. The evening’s awards tally included 28 Acorn, 70 Bronze, 67 Silver, 28 Gold, eight Platinum and four Diamond Chief Scout Awards, together with nine Young Leader Belt Awards. A young person holding a Chief Scout’s Silver Award certificate and a commemorative badge at the Pembrokeshire Scouts celebration Thanks for years of service Adult volunteers and supporters were honoured for contributions ranging from outdoor activities to decades of service behind the scenes. Hugh-John received the Trustee
Award after more than 33 years as a group treasurer. The Quiet Achiever Awards went to Steph from 1st Kilgetty and Nick from 2nd Pembroke. Sue Niggemann received the Outstanding Leader Award for her dedication and care, while Kyran Owens was recognised for his contribution to rebuilding Carreg Ddraig Explorer Scout Unit. Paddle West received the Adventure Awaits With You Award for providing outdoor opportunities. The Together We Thrive Awards recognised Myrfyn Marks and his family, and 3rd Pembroke Sea Scouts, for their resilience and commitment during difficult circumstances. A badge to remember the evening Everyone attending received a commemorative badge designed by Anwen Griffiths, of 1st Haverfordwest Scout Group. Her design was chosen through a competition. The gathering also included Pembrokeshire Scouts’ annual general meeting and a raffle which raised more than £300. Organisers thanked the volunteers, trustees, families and supporters whose work makes Scouting opportunities possible across the county.
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Milford Haven Marina visit remembered as family backs hospice appeal Tom Sinclair
editor@herald.email
A FAMILY who enjoyed visits to west Wales, including Milford Haven Marina, are supporting a hospice remembrance appeal in memory of their father. Alan Phillips, who died in October 2025 aged 91, is pictured at Milford Haven Marina in a photograph shared by his family as part of City Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal. His daughters Jennifer Phillips and Alison Boxhall have spoken about the care he received after being diagnosed with mesothelioma and dementia in early 2024. Their sister Gill lives in west Wales. Originally from Whitchurch in
Cardiff, Alan served in the Merchant Navy before working in the building trade and steelworks. His family said he loved travelling, camping and visiting west Wales. Jennifer said: “We felt that City Hospice truly looked after the whole family, not just Dad. We really like how the hospice supports and focuses on quality of life.” Alison praised the hospice nurses who cared for him at home and at the hospice, describing them as “a brilliant support”. The charity launched its Light up a Life appeal on 1 October, when landmarks including Roath Lake and Mermaid Quay in Cardiff were illuminated purple. The appeal continues until 31 December and includes a remembrance service at Llandaff Cathedral and an online opportunity to dedicate a star to a loved one. Donations made during the appeal will be matched by the Hodge Foundation. Further details are available at City Hospice.
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From ocean voyages to saving a forgotten school
windows. For generations, it served families in the Trecwn valley. The arrival of the Royal Navy Armaments Depot in the late 1930s brought a new population to the area, including children of depot workers who attended the school. But when the depot closed in the 1990s, the community changed. With pupil numbers falling, the school eventually closed in 2001. The challenge of restoring the building
AFTER spending four years sailing across oceans, a couple have embarked on a very different adventure: trying to bring a longabandoned Pembrokeshire school back to life. Zach Seward and Rebecca Eva, known online as Zach and Becka of Teulu Tribe, are documenting their efforts to restore the former Barham Memorial School at Trecwn, near Fishguard, where decades of neglect have left the historic stone building in need of extensive work. The couple first met as students in Swansea, where Becka studied
Cerys Dallimore cerys@herlad.email
A school with a long history
criminology and Zach marine biology. They subsequently spent four years living aboard their 12-metre sailing boat, Teulu, travelling from Britain to Canada. Now back in Wales, they have exchanged life at sea for scaffolding, building surveys, planning applications and the demanding task of preserving a Victorian landmark. Architectural drawing accompanying plans to restore Barham Memorial School at Trecwn
Barham Memorial School was built between 1875 and 1877 to a design by London architect Ernest C. Lee. Constructed from local Preseli stone with sandstone detailing from Bath, it was intended to accommodate around 100 pupils. The striking building is protected by Grade II listed status, granted in 1990, and is recognised by Cadw for its distinctive late-Victorian architectural design, which combines Gothic details with round arches and mullioned
Following years without regular use, the building suffered vandalism, the loss of roofing materials and extensive water damage. Parts of the roof collapsed and vegetation spread through the site. The couple acquired the property in May 2026. In August, the Herald reported on their planning applications to Pembrokeshire County Council to convert the former school into a fivebedroom home while preserving its architectural character. The proposed work included replacing roofs, windows and doors, repairing or rebuilding damaged features and introducing modern plumbing, heating and other facilities. The planning applications were proposals at the time of that report; no final determination is confirmed here. On their Teulu Tribe website, Zach and Becka say repairing the roof is a major priority and have invited supporters to help fund the work. They are also recording their progress online, giving viewers an insight into the difficulties of restoring a building that has stood empty for more than two decades. Their updates cover the practicalities of clearing debris, bringing scaffolding to the site and dealing with the realities of a large restoration project. Despite the scale of the undertaking, the couple say they want to preserve the school’s history while giving the building a new purpose as a home. The project has also become a way of reconnecting with the area’s past. The building’s survival matters not just to its new owners, but to former pupils and families who remember it as part of life in the Trecwn valley. Anyone interested in following the restoration can visit the Teulu Tribe website or the couple’s YouTube channel. The official listing for the historic school is available through Cadw. Former pupils and local residents with memories or photographs of Barham Memorial School are also welcome to share them with the Pembrokeshire Herald.
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Beach dog bans could be replaced by daytime restrictions PEMBROKESHIRE’S seasonal beach dog rules could be changed to allow owners access outside daytime hours, under a proposal due to go before county councillors this week. Cllr Rhys Jordan, who represents the New Hedges and St Florence ward, is calling on Pembrokeshire County Council to reconsider the blanket summer restrictions that apply at some of the county’s busiest beaches. His notice of motion proposes replacing total bans with restrictions between 9am and 6pm during the existing May 1 to September 30 season. Dog owners would be allowed into designated areas before 9am and after 6pm, if the change is eventually approved and brought into force. The motion is expected to be considered at the council meeting on Thursday, October 15. It is a request for further work rather than a decision to change the rules immediately.
time for any revised restrictions to start on May 1, 2027. The council has operated a ‘warn and inform’ approach during 2026. Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents Services, has said officers prioritise advice and guidance, while the authority retains powers to take statutory action in appropriate cases. Balance between owners and beach users
What could change? At present, seasonal total bans apply to Tenby’s North Beach and Whitesands near St Davids, while parts of beaches including Saundersfoot, Newgale, Amroth, Poppit Sands and Broad Haven North have restricted areas.
Tom Sinclair
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Cllr Jordan wants the council’s Cabinet to examine a modern legal framework for the rules, backed by clearer public information and more
consistent enforcement. His proposal also calls for a defined approach to breaches, including proportionate use of fixedpenalty notices rather than depending principally on warnings and advice. It asks for consultation and the necessary legal arrangements to be completed in
Supporters of greater flexibility argue that early-morning and evening access would give responsible dog owners more opportunities to use popular beaches without affecting the busiest daytime periods. The current restrictions are intended to help beach users, including families and bathers, enjoy designated areas during summer. Many other Pembrokeshire beaches already allow dogs throughout the year, and guidedog exemptions continue to apply. Any changes would require the council to consider the practical, legal and public-interest implications. The existing rules remain in force during the relevant seasonal dates unless formally amended. Readers can view the current beach-by-beach restrictions and our earlier reporting on enforcement.
Tenby Blues Festival celebrates 20th edition with 50 acts TENBY will welcome around 50 acts for the 20th edition of its Blues Festival next month, with three days of live music planned across the town. The festival runs from Friday, November 13, to Sunday, November 15, combining evening concerts at the De Valence Pavilion with daytime performances in cafés, pubs, clubs and hotels. Organisers say the milestone programme will bring together returning favourites and first-time visitors, with most of the events offering free admission. The Cinelli Brothers lead Friday’s main-stage programme, joined by Kaspar ‘Berry’ Rapkin and Lucy Piper, American duo Erin Harpe and Jim Countryman, and an act billed as the Mystery Band. Saturday’s bill features The Errol Linton Band, Liz Jones & Broken Windows and The Jesse Garwood Band. Laura B & Her Band will headline Sunday, alongside Son Jack Jr. and The James Oliver Revue. Doors at the De Valence open at
7pm each evening, with performances starting at 7:30pm. Away from the main stage, the Blues Trail runs from noon until 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, allowing visitors to hear a range of blues and roots musicians at venues around
Tenby. Saturday’s programme includes Saundersfoot trio Saltwater at Fuchsia Café, with sets at 4pm and 5pm. Other performers include the Low Down Dirty Dog Duo at Fecci’s and local trio Hideaway at the Giltar Hotel.
Most trail performances are free, although selected events require tickets. These include Tom Davies & The Bluebirds on the De Valence balcony at 1pm on Saturday, and the Church House acoustic concerts featuring Erin Harpe and Jim Countryman at 1pm and Mark Harrison at 4pm. Bella Collins & The Flaming Alligators will also host late-night sessions at the Giltar Hotel on Friday and Saturday, with doors opening at 11:45pm and music beginning at midnight. The festival website lists online ticket sales until 7pm on Thursday, November 12. Any remaining tickets will then be available from the box office at the De Valence, which opens at 2pm on Friday, November 13. The full programme and booking details are available at tenbyblues. co.uk. The programme is subject to change. Main photograph: Erin Harpe and Jim Countryman, who are returning to Tenby this year. Picture: Adam Kennedy.
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The sea won’t wait for Pembrokeshire to make up its mind
ON a calm day at Newgale, the great bank of pebbles can look permanent. Surfers carry their boards towards the Atlantic, visitors admire the view and traffic moves along the A487 just behind the shingle. Then a winter storm arrives, stones spill across the carriageway, and the coastline delivers a reminder: it has never promised to stay where we put it. That is why Newgale is more than a dispute about a road. It is a glimpse of the difficult choices facing Pembrokeshire as the climate changes, and of how easily the conversation can become a fight between environmental necessity and local common sense. In February, Pembrokeshire County Council paused its controversial proposal to divert the A487 inland. The Cabinet agreed to revisit the position in 18 to 24 months, rather than proceed immediately towards a planning application. The proposed scheme had attracted serious criticism over its potential cost, disruption and effect on the landscape. Residents campaigning as Stand Up for Newgale have suggested an alternative involving alterations to the shingle bank and an area designed to capture overtopping seawater and pebbles. Their proposal deserves fair, independent examination. Local knowledge matters, particularly when decisions affect livelihoods, access to the beach and the character of a place. But the climate risk itself cannot be put on hold. According to the Met Office’s
latest State of the UK Climate report, sea level around Britain has risen by roughly 20 centimetres since 1901, with about two-thirds of that increase occurring over the past three decades. It is not an abstract future prediction. It is a measured change in the starting height from which storm tides and waves operate. Those figures cannot tell us which engineering solution is right. They do show why delay, on its own, can never constitute protection. A higher sea does not mean every storm will be worse than the last. Wind direction, wave conditions and the timing of high tides all matter. But it means coastal defences, roads and buildings can face greater risk when the wrong conditions coincide. Nor is this only Newgale’s problem. Natural Resources Wales recorded flooding and rescues around Kiln Park in Tenby during exceptionally wet weather in
November 2025, followed by further flooding and road closures across Pembrokeshire in December. The agency is also progressing work on flood risk associated with the River Ritec in Tenby. Those events cannot simply be labelled ‘caused by climate change’. Weather has always produced floods. The important point is that a warming climate changes the odds and raises the consequences, making sensible preparation more urgent. For a coastal county, adaptation must therefore mean more than constructing higher walls. In some places, hard defences will be justified. Elsewhere, protecting dunes, allowing wetlands room to expand or moving vulnerable infrastructure may prove more durable. Natural Resources Wales has highlighted the role of coastal habitats in absorbing wave energy and reducing flood impacts, although no nature-based solution
works everywhere. Equally, ‘managed retreat’ must never become a comforting phrase spoken in an office about somebody else’s home or business. If people face losing access, income or property, they need early consultation, credible alternatives and honest discussions about who pays. At Newgale, the pause ought to be used productively. Publish the monitoring evidence. Compare the costs, expected lifetimes and environmental consequences of competing options. Explain what happens during road closures and how emergency access will be protected. Show residents what would trigger the next decision, rather than leaving them to wonder whether another winter storm will make it for them. The wider lesson applies from the beaches of St Brides Bay to the waterfronts of Milford Haven and Tenby. Climate planning is not a choice between saving the planet and protecting local communities. Done properly, protecting communities is the point. Reducing emissions still matters enormously. The amount of future warming will shape how much adaptation becomes necessary. Yet even if the world makes rapid progress, some further sea-level rise is already unavoidable. Pembrokeshire cannot control the Atlantic. It can, however, decide whether to meet a changing coastline with evidence, fairness and preparation, or another round of arguments after the next storm. The sea will not wait for the minutes of a committee meeting.
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BADGER AND THE NEWS CYCLE
BADGER has noticed a disheartening trend in news comment articles in newspapers and on social media, and it has prompted him to pose this question: If the UK is such a shitty place, why don’t all those neo-Nazi bigots, left-wing terrorist supporters, middle-class and middle-wit whingers, old tankies and new age tossers just sod off and peddle their misery elsewhere? It all reminds Badger of the classic Yes, Prime Minister clip. Jim Hacker: The Daily Mirror is read by people who think they run the country; The Guardian is read by people who think they ought to run the country; The Times is read by the people who actually do run the country; the Daily Mail is read by the wives of the people who run the country; the Financial Times is read by people who own the country; the Morning Star is read by people who think the country ought to be run by another country, and the Daily Telegraph is read by people who think it is! Sir Humphrey: Prime Minister, what about the people who read The Sun? Bernard: Sun readers don’t care who runs the country, as long as she’s got big tits! Badger would modify that slightly to reflect our changed times and include social media users, who only know that an undefined “they” run the country and they’re all as bad as each other (usually apart from Nigel Farage - if they’re bonkers - or Zack Polanski if they’re certifiable). Doom-mongering is a miserable way to earn a crust. Discovering that even the shiniest of silver linings conceals a cloud must be extraordinarily wearing. One reason Badger only reads The Guardian for giggles is his genuine interest in discovering which of their columnists has read their own material and become so emiserated they’ve decided to hurl themselves off Beachy Head. Even Der Stürmer was less obsessed with Jews than Guardian columnists. As for other newspapers, all Badger will say is that if you have any preconceptions about the sort of people who read The Daily Telegraph, they are more than justified by the content of its readers’ comments. There is not a single story into which a certifiable
loon will not insert a comment about a plague of migrants overwhelming those parts of England in which they do not live and never visit. Tim Stanley, a very witty conservative commentator, was recently branded a traitor to his race for gently mocking some politicians’ obsession with the colour of others’ skin. Apparently, suggesting racism is bad is racist (presumably against racists). Many trite observations are made about social media’s antisocial nature. However, nobody forces you to read views you find offensive. The recent antisemitic motion by Hamas (England & Wales), aka the Green Party, enabled Badger to block countless antisemitic trolls on Twitter in just the same way as he blocks the pathetic fans of Tommy Ten-Names and Americans who lack a sense of humour about the orange oaf occupying the White House. Like the telly, social media has mute and off buttons. It’s worth remembering that. If nothing else, it maximises your chance of retaining a full head of hair. As a general rule, moderation is best and being prepared to be militantly moderate when you come across the wrongheaded or offensive is better. You gain nothing from engaging with extremists; they’re beyond rational
engagement and locked in permarage. Once you get past your initial fits of laughter, reading the lunatic ravings of blinkered morons whose approach to the facts is - hmmm - very selective becomes a bit like water torture. All that said, Badger believes it is useful to expose oneself to views that conflict with one’s own. How far one does so is a matter of personal taste. However, a realistic and grounded sceptical view is always better than simplistic explanations driven by ideology or partisanship. That said, Badger has limits on how much abusive language he’s prepared to tolerate when it’s directed at individuals, even if he agrees with the underlying sentiment. Badger admires the countless academics, scientists, and politicians prepared to put up with that nonsense, but tolerating relentless personal abuse and threats is not for him. In the absence of those responsible standing against a wall while Badger wields a flamethrower, it’s better to let the courageous thugs who hide behind screen names followed by flags, or first names followed by strings of numbers, yell at each other than let their vulgarity and stupidity impinge on your life. Mockery, satire, and vigorous
disagreement are important parts of public life. They act as brakes on politicians’ self-importance, selfrighteousness, and erehwon tendencies. As phenomena go, they are nothing new. And neither is personal invective or scatological rudery. The algorithms that drive social media, however, foster and encourage abuse. Social media’s ultimate aim is to drive engagement. Social media isn’t altruistic; social media companies are businesses chasing consumer cash. Engagement drives bigger potential profits for social media’s owners. No better way to drive that engagement than by offering rage bait. The more enraged you are, the more likely you are to engage. It’s a self-perpetuating whirlpool of fear and loathing that sucks others in while cashing in on their basest, most negative instincts to turn a dollar. Like satire, that’s not new. It’s the same phenomenon that drives the gutter press, celebrity scandal mags, and, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, the American yellow press. Badger’s position is simple. Social media encourages people to think in bubbles. If you get your main fix of information from sources like GB News or right-wing podcastistan, you’re not just likely to believe what you’re hearing; you’re also likely to believe that people outside your bubble believe the same “facts” you do. The same applies to those who get their “news” from left-wing media channels or single-issue-driven social media feeds. Those interactions reinforce the notion that everyone “sensible” shares your “realistic” views and that those who don’t are acting in bad faith or are liars. Yet Badger is not dispirited. Political discourse has not changed much over history. There was never a golden age of civility or gentility in political affairs. Humanity has always been divided into groups with violently conflicting views of the intelligence and morals of those who oppose their preferred worldviews. The world is not more divided than before. The trends social media promotes will fade from prominence. Those who’ve come to prominence through it will be footnotes in history books. This age, like those which preceded it, will pass. Good.
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St Davids holiday letting business bought by Classic Cottages
The deal, for an undisclosed sum, will add more than 80 holiday properties on the St Davids Peninsula to Classic Cottages’ letting portfolio, bringing its UK total to around 1,500. St Davids Escapes markets cottages across north Pembrokeshire, including St Davids, Solva, Abereiddy and Whitesands Bay. The business works with holiday property owners
and provides guests with local advice about their accommodation and the surrounding area. Ms Copley will continue working from St Davids following the acquisition. She said: “St Davids Escapes has always been about sharing our love and knowledge of this very special part of Pembrokeshire and providing a personal service to our owners and
guests. “Joining Classic Cottages feels like a natural next step because we share the same values and approach. I’m delighted to be staying with the business and working from St Davids, while being able to offer our owners the benefits of Classic’s wider reach, marketing expertise and resources.” Classic Cottages said the purchase would strengthen its presence in Wales while retaining the local knowledge and relationships built by St Davids Escapes. Dan Harrison, commercial director at Classic Cottages, said: “St Davids Escapes is a really strong fit for Classic. It is a well-established local business with an excellent portfolio of properties, extensive knowledge of the area and the same emphasis on personal service and close relationships with owners that has always been important to us.” The acquisition follows Classic Cottages’ purchase of Ocean Cottages in north Devon in May 2025, and Norfolk Holiday Homes and Cat Hole Cottages in the Yorkshire Dales in 2024. Classic Cottages is part of Cornwall-based Sapphire Holidays,
an independent, family-owned group whose other businesses include Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats and Island Escapes. The group says it now manages more than 2,850 holiday properties across the UK and Crown Dependencies and employs more than 200 people.
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Power Station golf day raises more than £6,000 for Sarcoma UK MORE than £6,000 has been raised for cancer charity Sarcoma UK following a golf day organised by staff at Pembroke Power Station. The event took place at South Pembrokeshire Golf Club in September, bringing together more than 160 participants from the power station, its contractors and suppliers, and other local businesses. Organised by the Pembroke Power Station Golf Society, the day combined golf and fundraising for Sarcoma UK, which has been selected as the station’s Charity of the Year. Representatives from the charity joined those taking part and explained how donations help people affected by sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Greis Kula, Partnerships and Events Manager at Sarcoma UK, thanked the organisers and supporters for their efforts. She said that fundraising events made a difference not only through the money collected, but also by bringing attention to a cancer that many people know little about until a diagnosis affects someone close to them. The funds will contribute towards research into treatments and earlier diagnosis, as well as information and support for patients and their families. Roland Long, Asset Manager at
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Pembroke Power Station, welcomed the turnout and praised the combined efforts of employees, local partners and the wider community. He said that supporting good causes was an important part of the team’s work beyond generating electricity, and that the golf day
demonstrated what people could achieve by working together. The RWE-operated station regularly supports fundraising activities organised by its workforce, including volunteering, workplace events and community initiatives. Earlier this year, RWE announced that its Pembroke workforce had raised more than £10,000 for the RNLI through a previous year of fundraising,
illustrating the continuing involvement of employees in charitable causes. The September golf day was organised by Ben Jones, Mike Rees, Jonathan Coe and James Hart, who are pictured at the event. RWE said all proceeds from the day would support Sarcoma UK and its work with people affected by the disease.
Care firm celebrates three ‘Good’ inspection ratings A HAVERFORDWEST care company is celebrating after receiving ‘Good’ ratings in all three areas assessed during its first inspection by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW). Share the Care with Laura, a domiciliary support service based at Sports House in Cambrian Place, was inspected on September 23 and 24, 2026, just over a year after becoming registered with the regulator. The inspection report, shared publicly by the company, records ‘Good’ ratings for wellbeing, care and support, and leadership and management. Inspectors found that people using the service experienced positive wellbeing outcomes through personalised care and support, with opportunities to make choices and maintain their independence. The report also described person-centred care tailored to people’s needs and preferences, supported by reliable staff and trusting relationships. Its summary highlighted a visible and supportive management team, robust quality
assurance arrangements and ongoing training and supervision. Company founder, registered manager and responsible individual Laura-Jane Breen said no improvements had been required following the inspection. Announcing the results on social media, she said: “I am absolutely DELIGHTED to share our very first Care Inspectorate Wales report with
you all – where we achieved a ‘good’ rating in ALL areas and were given NO improvements.” Ms Breen described the inspection as an important personal milestone after more than five years of work building the service. She said: “Those who know me know that I have been absolutely petrified of having an inspection but it is fair to say myself and my team
absolutely sailed through it and I couldn’t be any more proud.” She thanked employees for their work, including care planning, risk assessments, audits, medication training, supervision and the organisation involved in running the service. “To my staff – you are the best team ever and should be so proud of the work that you do,” she wrote. She also thanked people receiving care and their families for their trust, saying feedback that clients felt safe, supported and listened to had been particularly rewarding. Share the Care began as an independent support service in April 2021 and received registration as a domiciliary support service in July 2025. It provides care and companionship to people living in their own homes across Pembrokeshire. Earlier this year, Ms Breen was named Businesswoman of the Year in the 2026 Women in Business Awards organised by Business Awards UK. Looking ahead, she said she was excited about the company’s future, adding: “I am on cloud 9!”
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Mayor praises Army Cadets during visit to local detachment instructors and volunteers who give up their own time to support these young people. Your dedication makes a real difference.” Cadets to take part in Remembrance Parade
THE MAYOR of Pembroke has praised the dedication, discipline and enthusiasm of local Army Cadets following a visit to the Pembroke Dock detachment, where he was invited to inspect the young recruits. Cllr Jonathan Grimes, who also represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton on Pembrokeshire County Council, met members of the Dyfed and Glamorgan Army Cadet Force, which is affiliated to the Queen’s Dragoon Guards. The visit followed his attendance at the organisation’s annual camp at Castlemartin, where he had been impressed by the commitment shown by cadets and adult instructors from across South and West Wales. During his visit to Pembroke Dock,
Cllr Grimes learned more about the opportunities available to young people through the Army Cadet Force and the important role the organisation plays in developing life skills. The cadet programme offers training in fieldcraft, navigation, drill, shooting, communications and first aid, alongside adventurous activities including climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, expeditions and abseiling. However, Cllr Grimes emphasised that the benefits extend far beyond military-style training. Cadets are encouraged to develop confidence, teamwork, leadership, resilience and self-discipline, while making new friendships and taking on challenges they might not otherwise experience.
He also stressed that joining the Army Cadet Force does not mean committing to a future career in the Armed Forces. Speaking after the visit, Cllr Grimes described the evening as a tremendous experience and said he had been particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the young people involved. He said: “As Mayor of Pembroke, I am incredibly proud of the organisations that invest their time and energy in giving our young people opportunities to grow, develop and achieve their potential.” He also paid tribute to the adult instructors and volunteers whose commitment makes the activities possible. “A huge thank you to all the adult
The Pembroke Dock detachment is now preparing for an important public engagement, with cadets set to participate in forthcoming Remembrance commemorations. The detachment will provide a Corps of Drums for the Pembroke Remembrance Parade on Sunday, November 8, giving young members an opportunity to play a prominent role in honouring those who served and sacrificed their lives. Cllr Grimes said he was delighted that the cadets would be making such a contribution to the community’s commemorations. He encouraged families across Pembrokeshire to consider the opportunities available through the organisation. How to join The Pembroke Dock Army Cadet detachment meets at the Cadet Building, behind Asda in Pembroke Dock, on Mondays and Thursdays between 7pm and 9pm. Young people interested in joining are encouraged to visit during a parade evening to learn more about the activities, meet existing cadets and speak to the volunteer instructors. The Army Cadet Force welcomes young people from a wide range of backgrounds, offering opportunities to build confidence, learn practical skills and become involved in their local community.
Pembrokeshire presenter Mari Grug wins first BAFTA Cymru award Pembrokeshire-born television presenter Mari Grug has won her first BAFTA Cymru award for a deeply personal documentary following her life after a cancer diagnosis. Mari, who was raised on a farm in Mynachlog-ddu and attended Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, received the Presenter award for the S4C programme Mari Grug: Un Dydd ar y Tro, produced by Tinopolis. The award was presented at the BAFTA Cymru ceremony at the International Convention Centre Wales in Newport on Sunday 4 October, hosted by broadcaster Owain Wyn Evans. The programme follows Mari’s experiences and challenges after being diagnosed with cancer, bringing a
personal perspective to a subject that affects families across Wales. It was a successful evening for Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, which won nine of the 17 competitive awards, including prizes for drama, documentaries, entertainment and children’s television. Y Crwydryn, a documentary about country singer Wil Tân, won Single Documentary, with Rhys Edwards also recognised for factual directing. Dating series Amour & Mynydd won Entertainment, while Itopia took the Children’s Programme prize. Drama Y Golau: Dŵr won the Television Drama award and earned Mali Evans the Editing prize. Stori’r Iaith won Factual Series, while Foden: O Brifathro i Bedoffeil was named the best News and Current Affairs programme.
Llion Iwan, S4C’s chief content officer, said the awards reflected the talent and creativity of Wales’s independent production sector and thanked the programme-makers for
producing work across a wide range of subjects. S4C says the nominated programmes are available to watch on S4C Clic.
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More than 100 Pembrokeshire youngsters enjoy free watersports on Milford Haven Waterway MORE THAN 100 young people from Milford Haven and Pembroke have enjoyed free kayaking and paddleboarding sessions this summer through a scheme designed to make watersports accessible to more local families. The High Tide Club was delivered by the Port of Milford Haven in partnership with Paddle West, offering youngsters a chance to get out onto the Milford Haven Waterway, learn new skills and build confidence on the water. The programme included sessions at Milford Beach for young people aged 11 to 17, with activities taking place on selected dates between May and August and arranged around the weather and tides. Organisers said the initiative was intended to remove barriers to participation and give young people opportunities they might otherwise have missed. Sam Booth, director of Paddle West, said: “We are passionate about making watersports accessible to everyone and giving young people the opportunity to discover everything the Waterway has to offer. “Through High Tide Club, we’ve been able to welcome participants who may not otherwise have had the chance to get on the water, helping them develop confidence, learn new skills and create lasting memories. “It has been fantastic to see so much enthusiasm from the young people involved and we’re proud to
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have worked alongside the Port of Milford Haven to make it happen.” Emily Jones, stakeholder engagement executive at the Port of Milford Haven, described the project as an example of what local
organisations could achieve by working together. She said: “By collaborating with Paddle West, we have been able to offer local young people free opportunities to experience the Waterway, build confidence and connect with their local environment. “We hope the programme inspires
more young people to spend time on and around the Waterway and continue exploring the opportunities it provides safely.” The Port said the partnership formed part of its wider efforts to support education, wellbeing and community participation around the waterway.
Ceri Dupree to bring glitz, glamour and laughter to Milford Haven MILFORD HAVEN is set for a spectacular night of glitz, glamour and laughter when celebrated female impersonator Ceri Dupree brings his flamboyant stage show to the town next month. The acclaimed entertainer will take to the stage at Pill Social Centre on Saturday, 14 November 2026, promising an evening packed with outrageous comedy, extravagant costumes and larger-than-life celebrity impersonations. Renowned for his razor-sharp wit, remarkable transformations and dazzling wardrobe, Dupree has built a reputation as one of Britain’s most entertaining cabaret performers. His show, billed as Frock with Laughter, combines comedy, music and theatrical spectacle, with an array of colourful characters and glamorous outfits that have delighted audiences.
Promising some of the finest costumes this side of Las Vegas, the performance offers a chance for
Pembrokeshire audiences to enjoy a professional cabaret experience without travelling far from home.
The event will take place at the Pill Social Centre on Cellar Hill, a longstanding community venue that has been bringing people together through entertainment and social events for more than six decades. Organisers are encouraging residents to gather their friends and enjoy a Saturday night filled with fun, laughter and spectacular showmanship. Doors open at 7pm, with the performance beginning at 8pm. Tickets cost £15 per person, and the event is suitable for audiences aged 16 and over. Tickets can be purchased through the Pill Social Centre website at www. pillsocialcentre.org.uk. For further information or enquiries, contact Colin by emailing pillsocialcentre@hotmail.co.uk.
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ARIES – March 21 to April 19 You may feel ready to push ahead with something that has been moving too slowly. A direct conversation could clear the air, but choose your words carefully. Financially, avoid an impulse purchase you may regret later. The weekend brings a welcome change of pace. TAURUS – April 20 to May 20 A practical approach works best this week, particularly where work or money is concerned. Someone may look to you for reassurance or advice. At home, a small change could make a surprisingly big difference. Make time for something that helps you properly switch off. GEMINI – May 21 to June 20 Your social life could become busier than expected, with messages, invitations or unfinished conversations returning to the surface. A new idea is worth exploring, but do not rush into promising too much. Midweek brings clarity over an issue that has been bothering you. CANCER – June 21 to July 22 Home and family matters take priority, and you may find yourself sorting out something others have avoided. Trust your instincts, but do not carry everyone else’s problems on your shoulders. A quiet weekend could be just what you need to recharge. LEO – July 23 to August 22 Your confidence is growing and others are likely to notice. This is a strong week for speaking up, making plans and putting yourself forward. Romance also gets a boost, although an old misunderstanding may need clearing up first. Be bold, but not stubborn. VIRGO – August 23 to September 22 Money, organisation and practical matters are in focus. You could finally get on top of something that has been hanging over you for weeks. A friend or colleague may surprise you with useful information. Try not to overanalyse a situation that is simpler than it looks. LIBRA – September 23 to October 22 This is your season, and there is a sense of momentum around you. You may feel ready to make a change, particularly in your personal life. A fresh start is possible, but only if you stop revisiting an old decision. Put your own needs higher up the list. SCORPIO – October 23 to November 21 You may prefer to keep your plans to yourself for now, and that could be the right move. Something is developing behind the scenes and patience will pay off. Watch your energy levels towards the weekend. Rest is not wasted time. SAGITTARIUS – November 22 to December 21 Friends, teamwork and future plans are highlighted. A chance conversation could lead to an interesting opportunity. You may also hear from someone you have not spoken to in a while. Keep an open mind, but do not commit until you know the full picture. CAPRICORN – December 22 to January 19 Work or responsibilities may demand more from you, but your efforts are being noticed. A decision made now could have a longer-term impact than you expect. At home, someone may need your patience rather than your advice. Keep things steady. AQUARIUS – January 20 to February 18 A change of scenery or routine could do you good this week. You may feel restless and keen to try something different. New information could alter your view of a situation. Stay flexible, particularly around travel, appointments or plans made with others. PISCES – February 19 to March 20 Emotions run a little deeper this week, but that can help you understand what you really want. Money shared with others may need attention, so check the details carefully. A heartfelt conversation brings relief. Trust actions more than promises.
TIME SEASON 3
DAVID TENNANT leads the cast of the third series of the BBC’s acclaimed prison drama Time, which returned to screens on Sunday (October 11). Written by award-winning screenwriters Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Street) and Samuel Bailey, the latest three-part series moves the action to a young offenders’ institution, exploring the devastating impact of imprisonment on teenagers and those responsible for their care. Tennant plays Bobby Bailey, a veteran custodial manager struggling with his conscience following a tragic incident inside the prison. Bailey knows more about what happened than he is prepared to admit, leaving him facing an increasingly difficult moral dilemma. Siobhan Finneran reprises her role as prison chaplain MarieLouise O’Dell, who arrives at the institution experiencing a crisis of faith. As tensions escalate, she clashes with Bailey over the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Meanwhile, two teenage offenders, James and Peter, played by Louis McCartney and Ollie McNulty, struggle to adjust to the frightening realities of prison life. James must confront the consequences of a violent crime that has devastated his family, while Peter faces an agonising
choice between telling the truth about an innocent man’s death and remaining loyal to those closest to him. Despite their troubled backgrounds, an unlikely friendship develops between the teenagers, offering a glimmer of hope in an increasingly volatile environment. Their experiences highlight the vulnerability of young people entering the prison system, many of whom must navigate intimidation, isolation and uncertainty while still coming to terms with their own actions. The supporting cast includes Daniel Ryan as fellow custodial manager Freddie Jennings, Jo Joyner as Nicola, Vinette Robinson as Erica and Chukwubuikem Molokwu as Christopher. The original series, broadcast in 2021, starred Sean Bean as a former teacher imprisoned following a fatal drink-driving incident, alongside Stephen Graham as a prison officer facing threats against his family. The drama earned widespread acclaim, winning the BAFTA Television Award for Best MiniSeries, while Bean received the award for Best Leading Actor. A second series followed in 2023, starring Jodie Whittaker, Bella Ramsey and Tamara Lawrance, focusing on the experiences of women behind bars and exploring
issues including motherhood, addiction and poverty. McGovern’s latest instalment continues his tradition of tackling difficult social issues, questioning whether locking up vulnerable teenagers offers a genuine opportunity for rehabilitation or risks causing further damage. The new setting also brings attention to the pressures facing prison staff, who must balance maintaining order with protecting the welfare of young people in their custody. Throughout his career, McGovern has used drama to examine social injustice and the human consequences of institutional failures, with Time becoming one of his most acclaimed television projects. Rather than presenting straightforward heroes and villains, the series explores the complicated circumstances surrounding crime, punishment and personal responsibility. With its powerful performances and uncompromising storytelling, Time once again examines the human cost of imprisonment and asks whether redemption is possible within a system built around punishment. All three episodes of Time series three are available on BBC iPlayer, with the drama also airing weekly on BBC One.
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ONE of gaming’s most recognisable franchises is preparing for another bigscreen showdown as Street Fighter returns to cinemas on Friday (October 16), bringing a colourful cast of martial arts legends, Hollywood stars and wrestling superstars together for an action-packed reboot. Directed by Kitao Sakurai, the new adaptation of Capcom’s hugely successful fighting game promises to capture the excitement of the arcade phenomenon that dominated the 1990s, while introducing its famous characters to a new generation. Set in 1993, the film follows former friends and rivals Ryu (Andrew Koji) and Ken Masters (Noah Centineo), whose lives have taken different paths since their
fighting days. Their uneasy reunion begins when the mysterious Chun-Li (Callina Liang) recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament, a brutal competition bringing together some of the world’s most dangerous fighters. However, what initially appears to be a straightforward contest soon develops into something considerably more sinister, with a deadly conspiracy threatening to turn the competitors against one another. Hollywood heavyweights enter the arena The film boasts an extraordinary ensemble cast, combining established actors with professional wrestlers, musicians and martial arts performers. Jason Momoa takes on the role
of Blanka, the electrifying Brazilian fighter, while rapper Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson portrays the formidable boxer Balrog. WWE superstar Roman Reigns appears as Akuma, with fellow wrestling favourite Cody Rhodes playing the iconic American soldier Guile. David Dastmalchian takes the role of villain M. Bison, while Indian action star Vidyut Jammwal portrays the mystical fighter Dhalsim. Other familiar faces include Olivier Richters as Zangief, Orville Peck as Vega and Hirooki Goto as sumo wrestler E. Honda. For longtime fans, the prospect of seeing these characters recreated with modern visual effects is one of the film’s biggest attractions.
WWW.HAVERFORDWESTCINEMA.CO.UK
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GAMING With eddie the game guru
Two of gaming’s most legendary franchises could be heading for a remarkable head-to-head battle, as Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time remake and Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto VI prepare to compete for the Christmas spotlight. NOVEMBER 2026 could become one of the most memorable months in video gaming history, with two legendary franchises potentially competing for players’ attention, Christmas sales and critical acclaim. Nintendo’s much-discussed remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time has been linked to a November 5 release, while Rockstar Games has scheduled Grand Theft Auto VI for November 19. If confirmed, the dates would create a fascinating confrontation between two very different gaming philosophies, one offering a return to the magical kingdom of Hyrule and the other promising an enormous criminal underworld packed with action, controversy and unprecedented ambition. Although vastly different in appearance, both franchises have produced games regarded among the finest ever made. Zelda helped establish the foundations of modern three-dimensional adventure gaming, while Grand Theft Auto transformed the open-world genre into a global entertainment phenomenon. Almost three decades after Ocarina of Time first captivated players, the two could now find themselves battling for the same Christmas audience.
A legend returns after 28 years
When Ocarina of Time arrived on the Nintendo 64 in November 1998, it changed gaming forever. Its revolutionary transition into three dimensions introduced innovative combat mechanics, cinematic storytelling and an interconnected world that encouraged exploration on an unprecedented scale. Players followed Link as he travelled
through time to defeat Ganondorf and save Hyrule, encountering unforgettable characters, elaborate dungeons and one of gaming’s most celebrated soundtracks. The original remains the highest-rated game on review aggregation website Metacritic, achieving an extraordinary score of 99 out of 100. A modern remake would carry enormous expectations, with Nintendo facing the challenge of preserving the atmosphere, intricate design and sense of wonder that made the original so special. For older players, it would offer an opportunity to rediscover a treasured childhood adventure, while introducing a new generation to one of gaming’s defining experiences.
Rockstar prepares to rewrite the record books
Just a fortnight later, attention is expected to turn towards the sun-drenched streets of Vice City, where Grand Theft Auto VI promises one of the most ambitious entertainment experiences ever created. More than 13 years have passed since GTA V first appeared in September 2013, and anticipation surrounding its successor has reached extraordinary levels. Rockstar’s latest adventure takes players back to a fictionalised Florida, where central characters Jason and Lucia become caught in a dangerous criminal conspiracy. The commercial pressure is immense. GTA V became one of the most successful entertainment products ever released, maintaining its popularity across three console generations and attracting millions through its online component. Its successor will arrive carrying extraordinary expectations, with players demanding more than improved graphics and a larger map. Rockstar must deliver a genuine leap forward in storytelling, realism and interactive freedom.
Nostalgia takes on the future
What makes the potential November showdown
particularly intriguing is how differently the games approach their audiences. Zelda rewards exploration, patience and problem-solving through carefully constructed adventures, while Grand Theft Auto thrives on freedom and unpredictability within sprawling urban environments. Nintendo would effectively be revisiting a recognised masterpiece, demonstrating that exceptional game design can remain relevant decades later. Rockstar, meanwhile, is attempting to create the next masterpiece. On paper, GTA VI appears almost impossible to beat commercially, with its launch expected to dominate gaming coverage and social media worldwide. However, dismissing Zelda would be a mistake. The original possesses a legendary reputation built over nearly three decades, and a successful remake could remind the industry that enormous worlds and increasingly realistic graphics do not automatically produce better games.
A November to remember
For gamers, the prospect of these two giants arriving within days of each other represents something increasingly rare. Older players who remember receiving Ocarina of Time for Christmas in 1998 could find themselves returning to Hyrule, while another generation prepares to explore Vice City. Ultimately, there may be no clear winner. GTA VI could dominate sales charts and popular culture, while Zelda captures the affection of critics and players who appreciate its meticulous design and timeless storytelling. One helped define what modern threedimensional gaming could become. The other hopes to demonstrate just how far the medium has progressed. And Rockstar may yet discover that its biggest rival isn’t another futuristic blockbuster, but a young boy in a green tunic carrying a sword.
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Pop-art portraits of Welsh icons showcased at VC Gallery A COLOURFUL collection of portraits celebrating Welsh music and film personalities has been exhibited at the VC Gallery in Haverfordwest. Swansea-based artist Ian Hendry, who works under the name PopDragonArt, recently held his debut solo exhibition, Through One’s Eyes: Icons Reimagined, at the gallery’s Riverside premises. The exhibition features bold popart interpretations of familiar Welsh figures, including singer Sir Tom Jones and actor Catherine Zeta-Jones, as well as a tribute to Bonnie Tyler. Pembrokeshire County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle ward, visited the gallery and provided photographs and information about the exhibition to The Pembrokeshire Herald. He welcomed the opportunity for a developing Welsh artist to show his work in Haverfordwest and praised the gallery for offering a space for local arts and community activity. Charity benefit from artwork sales Information provided with the councillor’s report states that 25 per cent of artwork sales are being
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pledged to Mind Cymru, which supports mental health work in Wales. According to the information supplied, commissions are available
in A4, A3 and A2 formats, with indicative prices of £350, £500 and £800 respectively. The VC Gallery has established itself as a meeting place for veterans and the wider community, using arts
projects and exhibitions to encourage creativity, wellbeing and social connections. Mr Hendry’s debut show adds a contemporary take on celebrated Welsh names to that programme.
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A busy half term ahead at Castell Henllys There are some special events happening across the week, in conjunction with the usual offer. You can visit any day from 10am to see the Iron Age Village, chat to the villagers, and even get your face painted with “woad”. A tour of the Iron Age Village is included in the admission fee. Apple Pressing – Saturday 24 October, 11am-3pm Bring your own apples and have them pressed into juice to take away (remember to bring bottles too!). Alternatively, there will be some apples from the heritage orchard at St Brides for those who don’t have their own and still want to take part. Folk by the Fire with Padraig Jack – Tuesday 27 October, 7.30pm We will be welcoming Irish songwriter Padraig Jack, who is gaining a reputation as a bilingual (Irish/ English) singer songwriter of substance with music and songs rooted deep in Irish history, culture, language and storytelling, to Castell Henllys for a unique fireside performance. Samhain Spectacular (Fire Performance and Wicker Man Burn) – Thursday 29 October, 5.30pm This year Castell Henllys will present our most impressive fire show and
Wicker Man burn to date. The show will take place as evening draws in, and we are expecting it to be more atmospheric than ever. There is the option to order food from Blasus@Henllys, and Afon Mel will be setting up a mead bar in the Village. Biofluorescent Night Walk – Friday 30 October, 6.30pm
Discover the secrets of the nighttime woods around Castell Henllys on our Biofluorescent Night Walk, with the guidance of one of our Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Rangers. Samhain Celebration – Saturday 31 October, 11am-4pm Join the Villagers on Saturday 31 October to mark the changing of the
seasons. Celebrate the end of the harvest and enjoy the time of plenty before the cold, hard times of winter set in. LINK TO BOOK Events - Autumn and Winter Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Pembrokeshire Advent concert to celebrate Welsh-language music at Pisga Chapel
One of Pembrokeshire’s established Welsh-language festive events will return next month, with SPAN Arts and Menter Iaith Sir Benfro bringing their annual Advent concert back to Pisga Chapel in Llandysilio. The concert will take place on Sunday November 29, with doors opening at 4.30pm ahead of a 5pm start. This year’s programme will feature
Pembrokeshire-born bass-baritone Caleb Nicholas and Côr Crymych a’r Cylch. Nicholas, originally from Efailwen and now based in Cardiff, has emerged as one of the notable young classical singers in Wales. He won the Osborne Roberts Blue Riband Scholarship at the 2025 National Eisteddfod after taking first place in the under-25 bass-baritone competition. He returned to the National
Eisteddfod in 2026 and won the David Ellis Award on home ground. Côr Crymych a’r Cylch will perform under musical director Catrin Davies with Elin Ennis accompanying. The mixed choir was founded in the early 1950s and has a long record of performances and competition success, including several victories at the National Eisteddfod. It has performed across Wales and beyond and recently appeared
at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las in Pembrokeshire. Organisers say the Advent concert has become an important part of the festive calendar because it combines a traditional chapel setting with contemporary Welsh musical talent. Although the event is presented through the Welsh language, SPAN Arts says it is open to fluent speakers, learners and people who do not speak Welsh. The aim is to create an accessible celebration of the language through music rather than a formal language event. Pisga Chapel provides an intimate setting and the organisers expect demand for tickets to be high. Accessible seating is available on the ground floor of the chapel and can be reserved in advance. Tickets cost £12, or £10 for concessions. Booking is available through SPAN Arts. SPAN Arts has encouraged people to book early, with tickets available through its website and, subject to availability, on the door. For many regular attendees, the event has become the point at which the countdown to Christmas in Pembrokeshire properly begins. Caleb Nicholas performing. Publicity photograph: SPAN Arts.
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Students to help conserve historic Strata Florida stables STUDENTS will help conserve a historic stable block at Strata Florida, near Tregaron, through a project designed to combine practical training with the restoration of a landmark Welsh heritage site. Strata Florida Trust and World Monuments Fund Britain say work has begun on the building at Pontrhydfendigaid, with plans to adapt it for educational and cultural use. Local colleges, universities and tradespeople are supporting a traditional building skills programme. Students will be able to work alongside experienced craftspeople in stonemasonry, carpentry, slating, plastering and limework. John Darlington, director of projects at World Monuments Fund Britain, said: “What makes this project different is that the conservation itself is part of the learning.” He explained that, over the next two years, participants would gain experience while helping to conserve a real historic building. The completed stables would continue to serve as a place for learning and cultural
activities. A mural designed by Driftwood Designs with members of the local community has been installed on
temporary hoarding around the building. It tells visitors about the work and celebrates Strata Florida’s cultural heritage.
Strata Florida has deep roots in Welsh history. Cistercian monks arrived in the area in 1164, and the abbey was re-founded in 1184 by Rhys ap Gruffudd, prince of Deheubarth. The abbey became a centre of medieval Welsh cultural life. Manuscripts including the Hendregadredd and White Book of Rhydderch are believed to have connections to the site, while poets including Dafydd ap Gwilym celebrated its importance. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539, parts of the complex were later incorporated into Mynachlog Fawr farm. Strata Florida Trust bought the farm in 2016 and has been restoring its listed buildings for new uses. Since 2019, it has organised courses, visits and community events, including an archaeology field school. In 2025, the trust took on management of the abbey and grounds under an agreement with Cadw and reopened the visitor centre. Further details of the training programme and project partners are expected to be announced.
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Tech ‘n Taff
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TEC N’ TAFF: WHO DECIDES THE PRICE OF AI FREEDOM?
Sam Altman says open AI could bring serious cyberattacks. Bernie Sanders says the public should not have to accept that bargain. Both have questions to answer. ONE of the world’s most powerful technology executives has offered a curious vision of the future: artificial intelligence could unleash a wave of cyberattacks, and society may have to accept some serious incidents in exchange for keeping the technology open. Not exactly a slogan to put on a billboard. Sam Altman, chief executive of OpenAI, made the remarks while discussing open-source AI — systems that people can examine, adapt and develop without asking a technology giant for permission. He warned of a coming “tidal wave” of cybersecurity problems and suggested society might have to tolerate some severe incidents in return for the liberty that open models provide. Bernie Sanders was unimpressed.
The US senator challenged Altman over what that might mean for banks, hospitals and even nuclear facilities. If criminals exploited AI to bring down essential services, why should ordinary people be expected to accept the consequences? The examples were hypothetical, not predictions of imminent attacks. But the underlying question deserves an answer: who gets to decide what level of danger is acceptable? To be fair, Altman’s position was more nuanced than the socialmedia argument suggests. In his original interview, he distinguished manageable risks from catastrophic ones and supported safeguards. He was defending the benefits of openness, not advocating indifference to disaster. And openness matters. If only a few giant companies can develop advanced AI, they acquire extraordinary influence over research, commerce and public life. Open models allow universities, small businesses and independent
experts to test systems, expose flaws and innovate without enormous budgets. That matters in Wales as much as California. A Welsh start-up should not need Silicon Valley’s permission to compete. Sanders, meanwhile, wants more than an explanation. He has backed proposals to pause advanced AI development and ban artificial superintelligence, pending stronger safety oversight. There is an obvious attraction to saying “stop” when a technology appears to be racing ahead of the rules. The difficulty comes when we ask how. What qualifies as superintelligence? Who monitors development outside the United States? Would restrictions stop irresponsible operators, or mainly the researchers willing to obey them? And could a blanket pause slow work on the defensive tools needed to withstand AI-assisted attacks? Britain is confronting these
questions too. The National Cyber Security Centre has warned that AI could make cyber intrusions more effective and intensify threats. AI can also help defenders find weaknesses, spot suspicious behaviour and respond faster. The technology is neither automatically our saviour nor automatically our enemy. Much depends on who deploys it, for what purpose and under what safeguards. We already know what cybercrime can do without advanced AI. The 2024 ransomware attack on NHS pathology provider Synnovis caused widespread disruption to blood-testing services and delayed thousands of appointments and procedures. That attack was not an AI catastrophe. It was a reminder that computer systems are now woven into the ordinary business of keeping people alive. Consider the consequences for a hospital in Pembrokeshire, a school in Carmarthenshire or a small charity responsible for vulnerable people. A security failure is not a theoretical debate about liberty. It can mean cancelled treatment, missing records and frightened families. So there has to be a serious conversation about independent safety testing, mandatory reporting, cyber resilience and legal accountability. The public deserves evidence about risks, not merely reassurance from the companies selling the systems or alarming scenarios from politicians challenging them. The most troubling part of any proposed trade-off is that the people making it may not be the people paying for it. A technology executive can describe a cyberattack as an acceptable risk. A patient whose operation is postponed, or a business whose accounts are emptied, may see things differently. The question is not simply whether AI should be open or controlled. It is who makes that decision, who answers when things go wrong, and who is left with the bill.
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Haverfordwest deserves investment, but taxpayers deserve the full picture
THERE is a strong case for bringing a major retailer into the former Wilko building. But as councillors prepare to make another important decision behind closed doors, the public is entitled to know exactly how much this deal could ultimately cost. Anyone who regularly walks through Haverfordwest town centre knows that something has to change. Empty shops, reduced footfall and years of uncertainty have taken their toll. The former Wilko building occupies a prominent position in the Riverside area and securing a substantial retailer for the premises could undoubtedly provide a welcome boost. A recognised name bringing shoppers back into the centre could support surrounding businesses, create employment and give people another reason to come into Haverfordwest. That principle is not difficult to support. The problem is that councillors are once again being asked to consider a significant financial commitment without the public being allowed to see the complete figures. Earlier this year, Pembrokeshire County Council approved a package worth around £1.656 million connected with bringing the building back into use. We now know that further surveys have identified additional works. Cabinet member Cllr Paul Miller
has confirmed that extra landlord works have been agreed in principle with the prospective tenant. These include issues affecting parts of the building which became apparent following more detailed investigation. The final construction cost has not yet been disclosed because the work has still to go through the tendering process. That is understandable to a point. Nobody would expect the council to publish commercially sensitive tender figures which could undermine its negotiating position. But there is a difference between protecting a procurement process and asking taxpayers to accept an openended commitment. Residents deserve to know the scale of the exposure. Are we talking about tens of thousands of pounds more than originally envisaged? Hundreds of thousands? Potentially more? At present, the public simply does not know. The council’s case is that the investment should ultimately produce a commercial return through rental income, and that the building will become a productive asset rather than remaining partly empty. That could prove correct. Indeed, if a major retailer signs a long-term lease, attracts significant numbers of shoppers and contributes towards the regeneration of the wider Riverside area, the project may turn out to be money well spent.
But those are precisely the arguments which should be demonstrated with figures. How much will the council have invested in the property by the time the doors open? How much of that money is being borrowed? What will the annual financing cost be? What rental income is expected? Over what period does the authority expect its investment to be recovered? And importantly, what happens if the tenant leaves earlier than anticipated? None of those questions amount to opposition to regeneration. They are the ordinary questions any responsible business would ask before committing further money to a project. There is also the question of urgency. Councillors are being summoned to an extraordinary meeting on Friday to consider the latest stage of the deal, with commercially sensitive elements expected to be discussed in private. We were previously told that October 31 was an important date within the negotiations. Cllr Miller has since clarified that this is not necessarily a dealbreaker and that the agreement is now substantially settled. That should reduce some of the pressure. If the transaction is sufficiently
secure that an arbitrary deadline will not cause it to collapse, councillors should have the time and information necessary to scrutinise the numbers properly. Haverfordwest has already seen enormous amounts of public money committed to regeneration projects. Some have delivered clear improvements. Others remain the subject of fierce debate. Against that background, transparency matters enormously. The public does not need to know the identity of a retailer while commercially sensitive negotiations remain under way. Nor does it need access to every line of a confidential lease. But people do have a legitimate interest in knowing how much of their money is being committed and what financial return is expected in exchange. That is especially true when the original cost estimates have changed. Friday’s meeting should therefore be about more than securing another approval. Councillors should satisfy themselves that they understand the maximum likely cost, the funding arrangements, the projected rental return and the risks if circumstances change. And once commercial confidentiality genuinely no longer applies, those figures should be placed before the public. The Herald wants to see Haverfordwest succeed. We want to see the former Wilko building occupied. We want businesses thriving along Riverside. We want shoppers returning to the town and jobs being created. But supporting regeneration does not require abandoning scrutiny. In fact, the larger the investment, the stronger that scrutiny should become. If this is a sound commercial deal for Pembrokeshire, publishing the figures when circumstances allow should strengthen public confidence rather than weaken it. Haverfordwest deserves investment. Its taxpayers deserve transparency too.
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TRUMP DECLARES A CEASEFIRE, BUT NOBODY TELLS THE MISSILES SQUAWK! Good evening, my feathered friends, unfortunate pedestrians and keepers of unattended fish suppers. I have some magnificent news. After several years of bitter conflict, I have negotiated a comprehensive peace agreement between the seagulls of Milford Haven and the fishing community. Effective immediately, all fishermen will surrender twenty per cent of their catch to me, every chip shop must provide complimentary leftovers, and anybody caught waving their arms at a hungry gull will face immediate sanctions. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it! Admittedly, I haven’t actually spoken to the fishermen, and the last skipper I approached threatened to stuff me into a bait bucket, but I’ve made the announcement, so presumably that’s the difficult part over. I arrived at this revolutionary diplomatic strategy after studying the latest activities of Donald Trump, a man who has apparently decided that reality is an administrative inconvenience best dealt with by posting something in capital letters. On Sunday, the American president announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an immediate ceasefire covering energy targets. There it was, on Truth Social, for the entire world to admire. “Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!” he declared, with the confidence of a seagull announcing ownership of a freshly abandoned portion of chips. Unfortunately, the two countries supposedly involved in this historic breakthrough appeared to be somewhat less enthusiastic about its existence.
Over in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky was asked about the wonderful new agreement and responded that it “was news for me”. Now, I’ve forgotten a few things in my time. Once I buried a particularly promising piece of cod behind a warehouse on Milford Docks and couldn’t remember which warehouse. Last summer I arranged to meet a rather attractive herring gull from Neyland and completely forgot about her after discovering an unattended picnic near Gelliswick. But forgetting that your own country has just agreed to suspend part of a war is something else entirely. You might reasonably expect a telephone call, a diplomatic message or perhaps even a polite email before the President of the United States announces your agreement to the entire planet. And what of the Russians? Well, they weren’t rushing to confirm anything either. On Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said contacts were continuing and that Moscow would provide information when it had something to announce. A White House official had already told Axios that Russia was still considering a proposed arrangement. Still considering it! Imagine announcing that you’ve sold your house, only for the prospective buyer to explain that he’s merely glanced at the photographs and hasn’t decided whether he likes the kitchen. I’ve seen better organised negotiations between two gulls fighting over a dead crab outside Milford Fish Docks, and those generally end with somebody losing an eye. Meanwhile, the Russian military appeared not to have received the presidential memo. By Monday,
Zelensky was reporting that at least six Ukrainian energy facilities had been targeted in further attacks. Power infrastructure, gas facilities and the systems ordinary people rely upon were still being struck. Apparently, nobody had forwarded Trump’s social media announcement to the missile crews. Perhaps the Kremlin’s Wi-Fi was down, or somebody had accidentally filed the American president’s message under unsolicited advertising. Zelensky himself suggested that Putin might not read Truth Social, which struck me as a rather elegant explanation for the whole business. I can personally confirm that ignoring messages is remarkably effective, having spent years disregarding increasingly hostile communications from the local pigeon population. Of course, even a bird with a brain approximately the size of a walnut understands that a ceasefire normally involves the people doing the shooting agreeing to stop. It’s quite an important technical detail. If I announce peace between the gulls of Hakin and the crows of Pembroke Dock, but both sides continue pecking one another’s offspring and stealing nesting material, I haven’t achieved a diplomatic breakthrough. I’ve achieved a press release. And if I then appear on television demanding congratulations, there’s a reasonable possibility I’ll be laughed out of the rookery. Yet somehow the same basic principle seems to become terribly complicated once you introduce the White House, international negotiators and a social media account with several million followers.
There is, however, a more serious problem lurking beneath all this diplomatic feather-flapping. According to Axios, the proposal being discussed involved both sides stopping attacks on oil refineries, with protection for electricity infrastructure potentially coming later. That sounds wonderfully balanced until you examine what each country actually possesses. Russia has a vast network of oil refineries, many of which have become targets for Ukrainian drones. Ukraine, according to one of its officials, has just one refinery, badly damaged and not fully functioning. What Ukraine desperately needs is protection for the electricity network that keeps its homes, hospitals and businesses operating. A refineryfor-refinery deal could therefore protect valuable Russian infrastructure without offering Ukrainians the protection they most urgently require. Even the most intellectually challenged gull on the Milford waterfront could spot the imbalance, although I wouldn’t necessarily trust the one that keeps trying to eat cigarette ends outside the marina. Trump’s enthusiasm for protecting Russian refineries also has something to do with the price of fuel. His administration has been concerned about rising energy costs, and he has criticised Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil facilities. On Friday, he announced an arrangement easing restrictions on Russian diesel exports. Now, I appreciate that expensive fuel is a serious problem. Fishermen complain about it constantly, usually while refusing my perfectly reasonable requests for complimentary mackerel. But there
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is something peculiar about putting pressure on a country defending itself from invasion to stop attacking its enemy’s oil infrastructure while that enemy continues destroying the power stations that keep civilians warm. The price of filling an American pickup truck matters to its owner, naturally, but so does the prospect of surviving another freezing winter in Ukraine. I should make something clear at this point, before somebody accuses me of being an antiAmerican bird with suspiciously socialist plumage. If Donald Trump can persuade Russia and Ukraine to agree to a genuine, enforceable halt to attacks on energy infrastructure, that would be something worth celebrating. I would personally organise a ceremonial flypast over the Haven, assuming I could find six competent gulls and persuade them not to abandon formation at the first sight of a discarded pasty. Any agreement that reduces suffering and creates an opening for wider peace deserves serious consideration. But that is precisely why the difference between a proposal and an actual agreement matters. You cannot simply announce the fish has been landed when it’s still swimming around somewhere near the Irish Sea. And here’s the really extraordinary part. We’ve been through something remarkably similar before. In September, Trump announced an energy ceasefire that neither Russia nor Ukraine subsequently confirmed,
and attacks continued. Now, barely weeks later, we’re watching another triumphant announcement followed by confused reactions from the supposed participants. Down here on the docks, we have a fisherman who regularly claims to have landed the largest bass ever caught in Pembrokeshire. Every week the creature gets bigger, the struggle grows more heroic, and the estimated weight increases by another five pounds. Nobody has ever seen the fish, but he tells the story so convincingly that even I occasionally find myself looking for scraps. At least our fisherman has the decency not to summon an international press conference every time he comes home with an empty boat. Perhaps there is some elaborate negotiating strategy behind Trump’s declarations. Perhaps he believes that publicly announcing an agreement will create pressure on the parties to accept it. It’s possible. Humans have developed all sorts of peculiar methods of persuasion, ranging from diplomatic sanctions to putting plastic owls on rooftops in the mistaken belief that they frighten intelligent seabirds. But even if the announcement is intended to force a deal into existence, surely the world deserves to know that it remains a proposal rather than a completed agreement. Otherwise, what happens when the next supposedly historic breakthrough is announced? Do governments celebrate? Do soldiers lower their weapons? Do Ukrainian families dare believe they might finally have
an uninterrupted night’s sleep? And consider the position of the Ukrainian people, who have endured years of invasion, bombardment, destruction and bereavement. For them, this isn’t a television spectacle or a political contest about who can claim the greatest diplomatic achievement. A ceasefire means something tangible. It means the possibility of electricity remaining connected, heating systems continuing to work, and children sleeping without being woken by explosions. When a president announces that such an agreement exists, those words carry enormous weight. If the announcement turns out to be premature, the consequences go considerably beyond embarrassment for the man who made it. The essential ingredients of a ceasefire are not terribly complicated, even if negotiating them can be extraordinarily difficult. Both sides must accept the terms, everybody must understand precisely what has been agreed, there must be a clear starting point, and somebody must be able to establish whether the agreement is being honoured. Ideally, the missiles should stop arriving. That last requirement seems particularly important to me. I might be a scruffy, opportunistic harbour gull with a history of stealing lunches from unsuspecting pensioners, but I do at least recognise that announcing the end of a fight while the participants continue battering one another is not the same as ending it.
There is an old principle among the seagulls of Milford Haven: possession is nine-tenths of the law, particularly when possession involves somebody else’s sausage roll. But even we recognise that shouting “MINE!” at something does not automatically make it ours. Sometimes the human holding the food disagrees, and occasionally that disagreement involves a rolled-up newspaper. Trump’s diplomacy appears to operate on the assumption that if he shouts loudly enough, the world will eventually rearrange itself to match his announcement. Unfortunately, Vladimir Putin is not a frightened tourist on the waterfront, and the Russian armed forces are not going to drop their weapons merely because somebody in Washington has pressed ‘Post’. Which brings me back to my own remarkable achievements in international relations. Having successfully declared peace with the fishing fleet, I have decided to go considerably further. Effective immediately, all storms in the Irish Sea are cancelled, the price of chips has been reduced to zero, every fishing boat entering Milford Haven must fly my personal flag, and the council is instructed to erect a bronze statue of me outside County Hall. I’ve also declared an immediate end to all hostilities between myself and the large ginger cat that lives near the docks. Both parties have agreed, although the cat is currently approaching me at considerable speed with a deeply unpleasant expression. Oh dear. The weather has turned, the fishermen are still refusing to hand over their catch, and the ginger cat has just removed two of my tail feathers. Evidently, the world has failed to recognise the authority of my announcement. Never mind. I’ll issue another one tomorrow, this time in enormous capital letters, with a photograph of myself looking suitably presidential and perhaps a threat to impose tariffs on imported sardines. After all, if Washington has taught this humble seagull anything, it’s that you don’t actually have to catch the fish to announce that you’ve landed it. And if anybody asks to see the fish, simply tell them it’s the biggest, most beautiful fish anybody has ever caught, that everyone agrees, and that further details will follow shortly. SQUAAAAAAWK!
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Keeping pets safe when fireworks begin
PETS CORNER
BONFIRE Night may still be a few weeks away, but for many pet owners the worrying season has already begun. Fireworks do not always wait until 5 November, and a sudden explosion after dark can turn an ordinary evening into a frightening ordeal for an animal. Dogs may tremble, pant or pace the room. Cats disappear beneath beds. Rabbits freeze in their hutches, while horses can bolt in panic. What looks like a few minutes of entertainment to us may feel like an unexplained threat to them. Some pets show quieter signs of distress, including refusing food, drooling or becoming unusually clingy. The good news is that there is time to prepare, and even small changes can make a difference. Start by creating somewhere your pet can retreat. For a dog, that might be a quiet corner with familiar blankets and favourite toys, or a covered crate if it is already somewhere they enjoy using. Let them investigate it before fireworks begin. Never force a frightened animal into a hiding place or shut them inside against their will. Cats often prefer an elevated shelf, a cardboard box or the space beneath a bed. Give them choices, and resist the temptation to pull them out for reassurance. Feeling safely hidden is sometimes exactly what they need. As evening approaches,
close the curtains to reduce flashes, shut windows and put on familiar music or television at a comfortable volume. Keep doors and garden gates secure. A normally obedient dog can panic and escape when a loud bang catches it by surprise. Plan walks for daylight hours and, if fireworks are expected, get home well before dark. Make sure dogs wear their identification tags and check that microchip contact details are current. The same goes for cats: keep them indoors during likely displays, secure the cat flap and provide a clean litter tray. Owners sometimes believe they must ignore a frightened dog to avoid rewarding its fear. That is a myth. If your pet comes looking for comfort, offer gentle reassurance. If it chooses to hide, leave it in peace but stay nearby. Never scold an animal for barking, trembling or having an accident. Food puzzles, gentle games and favourite chews may distract a dog that is still able to engage. But if an animal is too frightened to eat or play, do not insist. For pets with a history of severe firework fear, this is the moment to speak to a veterinary practice, not the evening when the first rockets go up. A vet can check for health problems, discuss suitable medication or recommend a qualified behaviourist. Never give human sedatives or unprescribed
remedies. Carefully managed sound training can help some animals become less fearful over time. It must be gradual, starting with recordings at very low volume while the pet remains relaxed. Trying to force a terrified animal to ‘get used to it’ can make matters worse. And remember the animals outside. Rabbits and guinea pigs may benefit from being moved into a familiar, quiet indoor space, with plenty of
bedding and places to hide. If hutches must remain outdoors, provide extra shelter and partially cover them without blocking ventilation. Watch their appetite afterwards: a rabbit that stops eating needs prompt veterinary attention. Horses require special planning in a rural county such as Pembrokeshire. Owners should check fences, gates and stables for hazards and keep to the routine that makes each horse feel most secure. Whether an individual horse is safer stabled or turned out depends on the animal; if unsure, seek experienced advice. Check paddocks afterwards for stray firework debris. There is also something neighbours can do. If you are arranging fireworks, tell nearby households and animal owners when they will start and finish. Consider lower-noise alternatives and avoid setting off fireworks near animals. Celebrations should bring people together, not leave frightened pets hiding for hours. A little preparation, a reassuring presence and some consideration for the animals sharing our communities can help make fireworks season kinder for everyone.
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Pembrokeshire schoolchildren invited to design Christmas card for the King PRIMARY SCHOOL pupils in Pembrokeshire could see their Christmas artwork sent to King Charles III after a new design competition was launched by local Senedd member Paul Davies. The Ceredigion Penfro MS is inviting children in primary schools across his constituency to create the front cover for his official 2026 Christmas card. The winning design will be printed on cards delivered to businesses, charities and organisations throughout Wales and beyond, including one addressed to the King. The winning pupil will receive a £15 book token, while their school will be awarded a £100 book token to support its
library. A runner-up design will also feature in the competition, and all participating children will receive a certificate. Mr Davies said he hoped pupils would use their
imagination and enjoy the chance to have their work reproduced professionally. “We have so many talented and creative young people across the constituency
and I want to give them the opportunity to show what they can do,” he said. Children can use felt-tip pens, colouring pencils, paints or other traditional art materials on A4 paper. Entrants should put their name, class, age and school on the reverse of their design, then send it to Paul Davies MS, 20 Upper Market Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1QA. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 20, 2026. The competition is open to primary school pupils across the Ceredigion Penfro constituency, which covers communities on both sides of the county boundary.
an English or maths GCSE at grade C, or the equivalent grade 4, or above. Tutors can work with learners at different levels and help them build towards personal goals. The classes may appeal to
parents who want to support their children with homework, people looking to strengthen their CVs and adults returning to education after a long break. The venue is Tenby Community Learning Centre,
Greenhill Avenue, Tenby, in the same building as the library. Anyone interested in joining a course or checking availability can call Learning Pembrokeshire on 0808 100 3302.
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ADULTS in Tenby are being encouraged to take advantage of free classes designed to build everyday skills, improve confidence and open up opportunities for further learning or employment. Learning Pembrokeshire runs a weekly life-skills class for adults with additional learning needs at Tenby Community Learning Centre, beside the town library on Greenhill Avenue. The sessions are held on Wednesdays during term time, from 1pm until 3pm. Carers are welcome, and newcomers can attend without having to commit to a lengthy course. Participants work together on practical activities and problem-solving exercises in a relaxed setting. The current half-term topic is teamwork, with an emphasis on communicating with others and building social confidence. The classes are intended to help people develop skills that may be useful in daily life, in the community or when considering employment or training. Separate free English and maths sessions are held at the same centre on Wednesdays from 6pm until 8pm. Those lessons are aimed at people who do not already hold
EDUCATION
Free life-skills, English and maths classes available to adults in Tenby
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Strong roots and broad horizons: Ysgol Bro Preseli welcomes families to its open evenings Prospective pupils and their families are being invited to discover the opportunities, community and warm Welsh welcome offered by Ysgol Bro Preseli at two forthcoming open evenings. The school’s Secondary Sector Open Evening will take place on Monday, October 19, from 5pm until 7.30pm, followed by an evening for prospective post-16 pupils and their parents or guardians on Thursday, November 12, 2026. The events will give visitors an opportunity to see the school at work, meet staff, explore its facilities and attend demonstrations and presentations. Situated in Crymych, Ysgol Bro Preseli is Pembrokeshire’s first allage Welsh-medium school, providing education and opportunities for pupils from the age of three through to 19. While many pupils progress through the school’s all-age provision, Ysgol Bro Preseli also warmly welcomes new pupils wishing to join the school at important stages in their education, including Year 7 and Year 12. This means pupils can benefit from the school’s supportive community whether they have attended from an early age or are joining for secondary or post-16 education. A school where everyone belongs Inclusion sits at the heart of Ysgol Bro Preseli. Every pupil is valued as an individual while also being encouraged to recognise their importance as a member of the school community. This creates the strong sense of family and belonging for which the school is known. Pupils are supported to develop confidence, independence and consideration for others within a caring Welsh-speaking environment. That culture was recognised in the school’s recent Estyn inspection report, which described Ysgol Bro Preseli as “a happy, proud and friendly community
opportunities helps pupils discover their interests, develop new skills and grow into confident young people. Sport, creativity and school life
where staff and pupils enjoy learning in each other’s company.” Inspectors also highlighted the close and supportive relationships developed between staff and pupils, together with the safe environment created for learning. Pupil wellbeing is central to school life. Through pastoral support, positive relationships and opportunities to participate in the wider life of the school, pupils are encouraged to feel safe, supported and ready to learn. Opportunities from three to 19 As an all-age school, Ysgol Bro Preseli can provide continuity
throughout a child’s educational journey: from their first experiences in nursery and primary education through to secondary school and sixth form. At the same time, the school offers a welcoming entry point for pupils joining at Year 7, as they begin their secondary education, and at Year 12, when they choose to continue into post-16 study. Younger pupils benefit from a wide variety of creative and educational experiences, while older pupils can continue their education within a close-knit community offering strong academic standards and preparation for their next steps. The school’s broad range of
Sport forms an important part of life at Ysgol Bro Preseli, with pupils able to participate in activities including rugby, football, hockey, netball, athletics and cricket. These opportunities promote teamwork, resilience and physical wellbeing while allowing pupils to represent their school and celebrate success together. The expressive arts are equally important. Pupils are encouraged to explore art, craft, music, orchestra, choir, acting, recitation and performance. School productions and shows bring pupils of different ages together, giving them opportunities to perform, work behind the scenes and build confidence through shared creative experiences. This balance of academic learning, sport, expressive arts and wider activities helps ensure that pupils can identify their strengths and play an active role in school life. The forthcoming open evenings will give families the chance to experience this atmosphere for themselves and discover a school where strong local and Welsh roots open the door to broad horizons. Visitors to the Secondary Sector Open Evening can expect to see the school at work, meet staff, enjoy demonstrations and presentations and receive a warm welcome from the whole school community. Ysgol Bro Preseli’s Secondary Sector Open Evening takes place on Monday, October 19, from 5pm until 7.30pm at the school in Crymych. The post-16 open evening will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2026. For further information, visit www. ysgolbropreseli.cymru or telephone 01239 831000.
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EDUCATION
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Pembrokeshire poultry keepers urged to prepare for winter bird flu risk
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FARMING
POULTRY keepers across Pembrokeshire are being asked to strengthen their biosecurity measures ahead of the winter period, when the risk of avian influenza typically increases. The Welsh Government’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Richard Irvine, issued the warning on Friday, October 9, urging everyone who keeps birds to act now rather than waiting for a suspected outbreak. The advice applies to people keeping a handful of hens at home as well as farmers and businesses managing larger poultry flocks. Keepers are encouraged to check that birds are protected from contact with wild birds, keep feeding and watering areas clean, limit unnecessary visitors to enclosures and regularly disinfect footwear and equipment. They are also urged to review the self-assessment checklists published by the Welsh Government and address any weaknesses in their current arrangements. Dr Irvine said: “Don’t wait until the risk increases – the time to act is now.” He added that simple, consistent hygiene and
biosecurity practices remained the most effective protection against introducing the virus into kept flocks. Potential signs of avian influenza include a swollen head, difficulty breathing, reduced appetite, diarrhoea, a drop in egg production and unexpected deaths among
birds. Anyone who suspects bird flu in birds they keep must report it immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency on 0300 303 8268. Reports of dead wild birds can be made to Defra on 03459 33 55 77. The warning is preventative
advice for the whole of Wales and does not, in itself, indicate a confirmed outbreak in Pembrokeshire. Further guidance, including separate checklists for small flocks, commercial poultry and game birds, is available from GOV.WALES.
Unit 18b, Withybush Ind Est, Withybush, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4BS
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Penweddig pupils get hands-on introduction to farming and rural careers PUPILS FROM YSGOL PENWEDDIG swapped classroom lessons for practical farming activities during a visit to Fferm Llettytwppa on Thursday, October 8. The school group took part in an open day organised to introduce young people to career opportunities in agriculture and the wider rural economy. Working with staff from Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training, pupils tried woodworking, blacksmithing, livestock judging and activities involving animal feed. The farm is part of Ceredigion County Council’s longer-term ambition to establish a centre for rural training, skills development and employment opportunities. The council hopes the experience will encourage more young people to consider careers and apprenticeships linked to the sector. Councillor Wyn Thomas, the council’s Cabinet Member for
Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said rural businesses were central to Ceredigion’s prosperity and young people needed opportunities to discover the different jobs available. He described the farm as a valuable practical learning environment and said he hoped more schools would visit in the months ahead. Year 10 pupil Lela Jenkins said the day had shown her another way of learning about agriculture. “It was a great opportunity to learn about Agriculture outside the classroom,” she said, adding that livestock judging was her favourite activity. All secondary and all-age schools in Ceredigion have been invited to take part in similar visits. Organisers also hope to extend the opportunity to schools outside the county. Further information about the farm’s Level 2 and 3 agricultural apprenticeships is available from Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training.
Councillors back rural enterprise home despite refusal recommendation
Morris Plant Hire, based at [nearby] Gobaith. The report said: “The physical form of development now proposed is largely unchanged. The main difference is the dwelling, which has been reduced to a 137sqm. The siting and scale of the shed, yard and access remain materially the same. The key change between the two submissions lies in the business case presented.” The report added: “This shift— from seeking a second dwelling on an established enterprise to supporting a newly formed standalone enterprise— forms the central distinction from the earlier application.” Officers’ concerns rejected
AN AGRICULTURAL contractor and his family have won permission for a rural enterprise home in Ceredigion after councillors rejected officers’ recommendation to refuse it for a second time. Daniel Morris and Elin AdamsLewis sought permission for a TAN 6 rural enterprise home, shed and yard at Penrhiwdulais, Brongest, Beulah, despite officers again recommending refusal at the Ceredigion County Council meeting on October 14. The application was recommended for refusal in July, but councillors deferred a decision for a site visit
before it returned in September with the same recommendation. But councillors rejected the recommendation and backed the plans. The committee gave the scheme ‘minded to’ approval under the council’s ‘cooling off’ policy, meaning it had to return in October for a final decision. A previous application for a TAN 6 dwelling with an associated shed and yard was refused by the committee back in late 2024. Business case central to revised proposal Beulah Community Council backed
the latest application, saying the local applicants support the rural economy by providing a vital service to agriculture. An officer’s report recommending refusal previously said: “The application seeks full planning permission for a rural enterprise dwelling and an associated shed and yard to support the applicant’s business, D M Agri Services.” Comparing it with the refused scheme, the report said: “The previous application sought permission for a dwelling and associated yard linked to the applicant’s father’s business, Huw
The report recommended refusal, saying the scheme failed the TAN 6 criteria because it “does not demonstrate that the business requires this countryside location, that a fulltime worker must live on the site, or that suitable accommodation elsewhere is unavailable,” and “would materially harm the landscape character of this prominent rural setting”. At the October meeting, members voted against the officer recommendation of refusal, backing the scheme; Cllr Hugh Hughes expressing concerns the application could potentially be ‘called in’ for a Welsh government decision if backed, that backing giving the applicants “a false hope”. However, he said: “We do need to try and support our rural enterprises, there’s a ‘rub’ between looking after our countryside and being mindful to supporting our rural enterprises.”
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NFU Cymru Conference 2026 – Delivering Success
NFU Cymru is once again inviting members and stakeholders to its popular annual conference to hear insights about the future opportunities and challenges facing Welsh farming in the months and years to come.
The conference will be held on Thursday 5th November from 10am - 4pm at The Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, with registration opening from 9am. Every year, the event draws in hundreds of attendees owing to its
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high standard of speakers, and with an exceptional line-up again this year, the union is set for another packed conference. The event will begin with an opening speech from NFU Cymru President Abi Reader, followed by a keynote political address from the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd MS. Discussions in the second session will centre on sustainable food production systems with conference goers hearing from Prof Nigel Scollan, Head of School, School of Biological Sciences, Queens University Belfast. The following session will provide delegates with a chance to hear from Simon Wright, Wrights Food
Emporium & Chair of the National Food Strategy on delivering for Welsh food. After lunch Jo Kiernan, Cavendish Consulting and host of the Senedd Sources podcast will lead a political session. The final session will see Alk Brand, Wynnstay CEO and Susan Jones of Mona Tractors provide an insight into how Welsh farming delivers for the local economy. NFU Cymru Director John Mercer said: “A lot has changed in the agricultural and political world over the last 12 months and so there is a lot of excitement building ahead of this year’s NFU Cymru Conference which promises to be another insightful event. The conference’s reputation has grown exponentially over the last decade, and I’m really pleased that once again we’ve been able to bring together a stellar line-up of speakers bringing insight, commentary and opinion on the issues that matter right now to Welsh farmers, as well as looking into what the future could hold for the industry. “In anticipation of the demand for places, I’d encourage members to register early to secure their seat. I hope to see lots of you there for what I know will be a great day.” Members wishing to attend the conference, can register by calling 01982 554200 or emailing nfu. cymru@nfu.org.uk. Alternatively, members can register via the NFU Cymru website, with your CRN number if you wish toregister for CPD points as part of the SFS scheme
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14-year-old volunteer at Pembrokeshire community farm shortlisted for top award
TENBY teenager Amélie Houghton has been shortlisted for a national award after spending hundreds of hours helping animals and supporting people at a Pembrokeshire community farm. The 14-year-old is one of three finalists in the Young Volunteer of the Year category at the Welsh Charity Awards 2026, which will be presented in Cardiff on Thursday (October 15). Amélie has completed more than 500 hours of volunteering at Redberth Croft CIC this year through the Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services (PAVS) volunteering scheme, while continuing her full-time education. Her responsibilities have extended beyond routine animal care. When the farm manager departed, she stepped up to assist with daily work and volunteer sessions involving vulnerable adults, veterans, carers and neurodivergent people.
Redberth Croft is a community interest company near Tenby which uses animal care, horticulture and other practical activities to support wellbeing, develop skills and reduce isolation. Speaking about her nomination, Amélie said: “I am honoured to be recognised at the Welsh Charity Awards as I am passionate about the vulnerable animals I care for at the farm – they are such a special part of my life.” She said she hoped the nomination would encourage more people to discover the work the farm does for people and animals in the community. This is not Amélie’s first volunteering honour. She was highly commended in the young volunteer category at the 2025 PAVS Pembrokeshire Volunteering Awards and was also recognised as a runnerup in the Young Leader/ Peer Mentor category at Pembrokeshire’s Spotlight Awards earlier this year. She is shortlisted alongside
Annie Miles-Davies, from Cardiff, whose campaigning has supported care-experienced young people, and Bowen Cole, from Swansea, whose work includes youth advocacy and equality initiatives. The Welsh Charity Awards are organised by the Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) to recognise the contribution of charities, community organisations and volunteers across Wales. WCVA chief executive Lindsay Cordery-Bruce said the ceremony was an opportunity to thank people whose kindness, commitment and voluntary work hold communities together, particularly at a challenging time for charities. The winner will be announced at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff on Thursday, October 15. The ceremony will be hosted by BBC Wales Today presenter Jennifer Jones. Further information about the awards is available on the Welsh Charity Awards website.
Much has been written about the lack of adequate mobile signal and broadband services in rural areas and efforts to bridge the digital divide to ensure these communities are connected for business and pleasure. Both the Welsh and UK governments have committed to improving connectivity in rural areas, including working with telecoms providers to deliver government funded 4G mobile masts to provide “mobile connectivity across 95 per cent of the UK landmass”.* As is so often the case, farmers have played their part in facilitating this work by agreeing to host masts on their land, a development that has also provided them with an additional and valuable income stream as they seek to diversify their business interests. However, recent developments appear to undermine the governments’ lofty aims of improving connectivity in rural areas as some farmers are faced with significant falls in the rent they receive for hosting masts. Reported reductions of up to 90% have been accompanied by a sharp rise in disputes between landowners and operators suggests a breakdown in the consensus that has been established over more than three decades. A recent survey of over 550 mast hosts suggests that one third are considering withdrawing from hosting infrastructure
altogether. Needless to say, this has the potential to significantly disrupt connectivity in rural areas, affecting all aspects of the community, not just agriculture. Alan Watson, FUW Brecon and Radnor County Chair has hosted a mast on his land for 20 years. In a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, Alan outlined how changes made to the Electronic Communications Code back in 2017 have led to a 50% cut in the rent offered to him during the latest negotiations with his telecoms provider. These developments have led FUW Land Use and Climate Change Committee Chair Tim Faire to call for a policy framework that treats farmers fairly and encourages landowners and operators to work together, rather than driving them further apart. However, changes introduced this year under the Product Security and Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Infrastructure Act, which extended elements of the post-2017 framework, means thousands more existing agreements could be affected. At a time when digital connectivity is critically important for so many aspects of modern rural and farming life, the call to review whether the current system is delivering the investment, cooperation and infrastructure needed to improve mobile coverage, should be heeded.
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BMW Concept 7 Protection: Discreet protection in its most sophisticated form
MOTORS
With the BMW Concept 7 Protection, BMW is showcasing a new concept for special protection in the luxury sedan segment. The concept vehicle is designed for private and corporate customers as well as organisations who are looking for adequate protection for their risk profile without compromising on discretion, comfort, and BMW’s signature driving dynamics. In addition to the BMW 7 Series
Protection (protection level VR9, VPAM 10 as an option), BMW X5 Protection VR6, and locally produced vehicles with lower protection levels, the BMW Concept 7 Protection expands the extensive offering of protection vehicles. Differentiated protection concepts for different risk profiles .Both the actual and perceived threat levels have increased in recent years. At the same time, different customer groups
are becoming more aware of reliable protection solutions with transparent certification. BMW is addressing this development with a differentiated product approach: clearly defined scopes of protection, testing in line with defined standards, and full certification for the complete vehicle. The BMW Concept 7 Protection applies this requirement to a vehicle in which discretion, everyday usability, and
the qualities of a BMW luxury sedan are particularly in focus. The lower scope of protection compared with the high-security vehicle represents a systematic focus on a different mission profile. Superior protection with the signature BMW 7 Series sedan character. The BMW Concept 7 Protection retains the character of a BMW 7 Series sedan. Generous space, premium materials, first-class craftsmanship, and exceptional comfort over long distances create an exclusive environment for drivers and passengers. The protection features are discreetly integrated into the vehicle and preserve the prestigious appearance of the luxury sedan. The concept vehicle is based on technology from the BMW M760e xDrive. Its plug-in hybrid system combines a 3.0-litre sixcylinder in-line petrol engine with an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed Steptronic transmission and the intelligent all-wheel drive BMW xDrive. The BMW M760e xDrive’s drive system generates a combined output of 450 kW/612 hp and a maximum torque of 800 Nm. The combustion engine achieves 313 kW/426 hp, while the electric motor reaches 145 kW/197 hp.
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CITROEN BERLINGO- 2018
FIAT 500 - 2015
VAUXHALL CORSA - 2016
SKODA KAROQ - 2018
HONDA HR-V - 2015
1.6 BlueHDi Feel Multispace MPV 5dr Diesel ETG6 Euro 6 (s/s) (100 ps) ** WHEELCHAIR ACCESIBLE .........DIESEL............AUTOMATIC........3 SEATS....... LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 12,631
1.2 Lounge Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (69 bhp) ** PETROL........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 45,935 MILES ..........SERVICE HISTORY 3 STAMPS...
1.4i ecoFLEX Energy Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (a/c) (90 ps) ** PETROL....... 5 SPEED.......1 PREVIOUS OWNER.........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 70,530 MILES..
1.0 TSI SE Nav Plus SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (115 ps) ** PETROL.........6 SPEED........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 41,475 MILES........ SERVICE HISTORY 7 STAMPS.........2 KEYS.......1 PREVIOUS OWNER.
1.5 i-VTEC EX SUV 5dr Petrol CVT Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) ** PETROL.......... AUTOMATIC.........LOW MILEAGE ONLY 86,521 MILES...........SERVICE HISTORY 7 STAMPS........... 2 KEYS..........£170 ROAD TAX .....
£9,995
£6,495
£5,495
£11,495
£8,995
l
BMW 1 SERIES - 2015
FORD KA+ - 2019
TOYOTA YARIS - 2016
FORD FIESTA - 2014
MAZDA MAZDA2 - 2010
1.5 116d Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps) ** AUTOMATIC 8 SPEED.........DIESEL........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 79,471 MILES..........£20 ROAD TAX........ . 2 KEYS....... 78 MPG.......
1.2 Ti-VCT Active Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (85 ps) ** PETROL........5 SPEED.......LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 50,651 MILES.......... SERVICE HISTORY......... 2 KEYS........ LOW INSURANCE GROUP 6..
1.33 Dual VVT-i Icon Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (99 ps) ** PETROL.......6 SPEED...... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER......YES ONLY COVERED 29,354 MILES........SERVICE HISTORY 4 TOYOTA MAIN DEALER STAMPS.
1.25 Zetec Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (82 ps) ** PETROL......5 SPEED.......LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 84,560 MILES........SERVICE HISTORY........£35 ROAD TAX...... 2 KEYS.......LOW INSURANCE GROUP 7.......... ZETEC EDITION........
1.5 TS2 Hatchback 5dr Petrol Auto Euro 5 (102 ps) ** AUTOMATIC......... VERY LOW MILEAGE ONLY 46,649 MILES..........53 MPG...........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 12 ..........2 KEYS..
MINI CONVERTIBLE - 2016
BMW Z4 - 2011
1.5 Cooper Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps) ** PETROL........CONVERTIBLE......6 SPEED.......£35 ROAD TAX........57 MPG.........2 KEYS.........COOPER EDITION........HALF LEATHER SPORTS SEATS.......MEDIA SCREEN.
2.5 23i M Sport Highline Edition Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual sDrive Euro 5 (204 ps) ** PETROL.......CONVERTIBLE......6 SPEED........MILEAGE 115,991 .........SERVICE HISTORY 8 STAMPS...
£7,495
£6,995
FORD FOCUS - 2011
RENAULT CAPTUR - 2019
1.6 Zetec Estate 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (105 ps) ** ESTATE....... DIESEL........5 SPEED.........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 52.099 MILES FROM NEW..........BEST ENGINE 1.6 .........58 MPG............LOW INSURANCE GROUP 11.......ZETEC
0.9 TCe ENERGY Iconic SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED........ 1 PREVIOUS OWNER........98,541 MILES......... SERVICE HISTORY....
£4,695
FORD FOCUS - 2015
1.0 ZETEC 5d 124 BHP ** PETROL......6 SPEED......ONLY COVERED 69,115 MILES FROM NEW.......£20 ROAD TAX.........60 MPG.......ZETEC EDITION.......MEDIA SCREEN........ BLUETOOTH.......AIRCON........STOP START.........ALLOYS.......NICE EXAMPLE
£4,995
£6,395
£7,995
HONDA HR-V - 2017
1.6 i-DTEC EX SUV 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps) ** DIESEL......6 SPEED.... 1 OWNER FROM NEW.......111,320 MILEAGE..... FULL HONDA MAIN DEALER SERVICE HISTORY 11 STAMPS.......2 KEYS.......£200 ROAD TAX.......... 72 MPG.
£7,995
£4,895
£5,995
£4,795
£7,495
DACIA SANDERO 2017
AUDI A1- 2012
DACIA SANDERO STEPWAY 2015
TOYOTA AYGO - 2016
1.0 SCe Ambiance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (75 ps) ** PETROL........5 SPEED......... 1 OWNER FROM NEW........FULL SERVICE HISTORY......... LOW INSURANCE GROUP 4..........67 MPG.........AMBIANCE EDITION....
1.4 TFSI Sport Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps) ** PETROL.......6 SPEED.........1 PREVIOUS OWNER.......SERVICE HISTORY..........2 KEYS....... £170 ROAD TAX...........64 MPG........SPORT EDITION.
0.9 TCe Ambiance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED......... 1 OWNER FROM NEW.........LOW MILEAGE YES ONLY COVERED 63,951 MILES........... SERVICE HISTORY 6 STAMPS...
1.0 VVT-i x-cite Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (68 ps) ** PETROL........5 SPEED.......86,975 MILES.........SERVICE HISTORY 9 STAMPS........£20 ROAD TAX.........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 7.......
£3,995
.
£4,995
£4,695
£5,795
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DENZA confirms intelligent drive tech for Europe in 2027
While standard systems can handle straight-lane driving on open roads, the enhanced urban ability – City Navigation on Driving Assistant (CNOA) – manages point-to-point navigation through dense urban environments, taking driver assistance to a completely new level. Vehicles equipped with the hi-tech mix of hardware and software can automatically stop at red lights, yield at roundabout entrances and obey local speedlimit signs, as well as performing left turns, negotiating junctions and changing lanes around doubleparked vehicles or slow traffic. They can also detect and give way to vulnerable road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, in narrow city streets. With CNOA, the Z9GT is prepared to make urban journeys – frequently among the most stressful faced by all motorists – both more relaxing and safer. This could involve turning across traffic on a busy junction every day on the way to work, following stop-start congestion through a series of red traffic lights, or timing the entry to and exit from a roundabout through gaps in vehicle flow. The driver will always remain responsible, but they’ll enjoy the reassurance of CNOA’s guidance in many tricky or monotonous situations. DENZA announced at its brand launch at Paris’s Palais Garnier in April that its models would be
equipped with the hardware required to support CNOA. Now the company is using the French capital’s motor show to confirm that the software is at the advanced stage of calibration and adaptation required before seeking the Type Approval (based on UN regulatory standard R171) needed for market introduction. This will include monitoring of the driver’s eye gaze and head posture, along with the position of their hands on the steering wheel. Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President, commented: “We’re excited to fulfil our promise to bring the benefits of God’s Eye, including City Navigation on Driving Assistant, to the Z9GT. This technology will help make urban driving less stressful, from traffic jams to busy junctions and roundabouts. The necessary hardware has been fitted to the Z9GT since launch, and the software is expected to be available in 2027. Alongside FLASH Charging and our e3 Platform, it will further strengthen DENZA’s leadership in innovations that put drivers first. Once again, this demonstrates our commitment not only to developing breakthrough technologies, but also to bringing their benefits to customers around the world.” The God’s Eye features will be made available in 2027 via an over-the-air (OTA) update on the Z9GT, DENZA’s flagship grand tourer. The hardware required to support the technology is already fitted as standard – a single
LiDAR sensor, 11 cameras (four sideview, four 360° surround-view, two front, one rear), three millimetre-wave radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic radar sensors. Three Zs on Paris stand as hypercar makes European-continent debut DENZA’s Paris stand is playing host to the brand’s new hypercar, the Z, which features the e3 Sports Car Platform, a triple-motor configuration producing 1604PS and DiSus-M magnetorheological suspension to deliver a masterclass in the integration of advanced design and cutting-edge technologies. The line-up of Zs in Paris for the car’s EU debut reflects the breadth of its initial launch offering, with the Z Coupe, Z Spider and Z Racing all on display. Thanks to FLASH Charging, allowing 10%-97% refills in just nine minutes, the Z is the first electric supercar whose performance can be exploited and enjoyed completely, without concerns over range or how long it will take to recharge. The shape of the Z is the latest manifestation of DENZA’s brand ethos, Technology Drives Elegance. It seamlessly blends sensuous curves with functional elements that help to deliver exceptional aerodynamic downforce for high-performance situations. It’s the perfect convergence of aesthetics and racing spirit. The Z Coupe and Spider measure 4780mm in length, making this model the most compact DENZA yet to reach
European customers. Described by BYD Global Design Director Wolfgang Egger as “a living sculpture of speed”, the overall shape plays with light and shadow, using restrained curves that glide through the flowing air yet still convey a powerful presence. Inside, the layout is unashamedly focused on the steering wheel – the centre of control and driving pleasure with any sports car. The Z’s wheel draws inspiration from motorsport and includes six physical buttons set into its lower panel for easy access to key functions, such as the Track and Boost modes. Elsewhere, the cabin achieves a harmonious balance between elements, with high-quality materials like carbon fibre, suede-effect fabrics and metal finishes. Technology is neatly integrated too, including an 8.88-inch fully digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch infotainment system and a wireless smartphone-charging pad. Despite its compact dimensions, the Z has a wheelbase measuring 2780mm – close to those of many executive saloons. This allows all versions to have a four-seat layout, offering a unique level of flexibility for vehicles with their performance. The boot capacity in the Coupe and Racing is 250 litres – enough for light luggage – and the rear seats can be folded down to increase this to 550 litres.
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Pembrokeshire firms invited to bid for grants of up to £1m for home energy technology
BUSINESS
PEM B ROKES H IRE businesses have until November 9 to apply for grants of up to £1 million to help manufacture technology used to make homes more energy-efficient. The £7 million Supply Chain Fund is aimed at companies producing renewable energy equipment and component parts, including those used in heat pumps, solar panels and domestic battery storage. Grants range from £100,000 to £1 million, with opportunities for start-ups investing in the sector, smaller businesses expanding production and established companies diversifying into new products. The funding forms part of the Swansea Bay City Deal’s Homes as Power Stations project. Neath Port Talbot Council leads the programme on behalf of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. For Pembrokeshire firms, the opportunity extends to businesses that could adapt their existing manufacturing
capabilities to supply the home energy market. Technologies covered include solar photovoltaic systems, intelligent energy systems, heat pumps, battery storage, power walls and infrared heating, alongside other innovative solutions. The council says many products and components used in home energy installations are currently sourced from outside south west Wales, including overseas. The fund aims to increase local manufacturing capacity and retain more of
the resulting investment and employment within the region. Oonagh Gavigan, Homes as Power Stations project manager, said: “This fund is about helping businesses across South West Wales grow, innovate and meet the increasing demand for home energy technologies.” She said growing household interest in heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage presented an opportunity for more equipment to be manufactured closer to home. “By supporting businesses
to diversify and expand, we can strengthen local supply chains, create high-quality jobs and ensure more of the economic benefits from the transition to low-carbon homes are retained within our region,” she added. Cllr Jeremy Hurley, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economic Growth, said developing local suppliers could create skilled jobs and attract investment while building the expertise needed to deliver more energy-efficient homes. Businesses are being encouraged to read the eligibility criteria and application guidance before submitting proposals. The council’s website provides guidance and an expression-of-interest form. Applications close on November 9, 2026, and all funding must be allocated and spent by December 2027. Further information is available on the Homes as Power Stations Supply Chain Fund webpage or by emailing haps@npt.gov.uk.
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National park approved 4G/5G phone mast at Tenby holiday park PLANS for a new 4G/5G mobile phone mast at a holiday park in a Pembrokeshire seaside town, which has been previously been highlighted as having “persistent not-spots” of coverage, have been given the go-ahead. Freshwave Facilities Limited, through its agent Perry Williams Ltd, applied to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for a base station at Kiln Park, Haven Holiday Park, Marsh Road, Tenby. The scheme proposed, which aims to improve the service provision for Vodafone, includes a 23.14m monopole supporting six antennas along with associated ground-based cabinets at a play area in the holiday park, which will be relocated. The scheme was backed by Tenby Town Council. Freshwave said in its supporting statement: “Freshwave are a neutral host provider who work to provide infrastructure for operators to share around the UK. The UK Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published in April, 2023, supports network densification through neutral host providers,
Bruce Sinclair
Local Democracy Reporter
such as Freshwave.” The strategy says: “5G brings with it the need to deploy higher bandwidth services using higher frequency spectrum. This means that mobile base stations will have to be places closer together, also known as network densification. “Neutral host models of deployment (where a third-party deploys network infrastructure and provides access or capacity to multiple providers) will likely have an important role to play in this.” The applicants’ supporting statement continued: “The site is needed to provide improved 2G/4G/5G coverage and capacity for Vodafone, to ensure that their customers have access to the latest technologies currently available. “The installation will meet the extra demands on the network in this area as new technologies improve, increasing the demand for 4G and 5G technologies.” The statement listed alternative sites and concluded that Kiln Park
was the most viable. Nine frequency bands are used in the UK to deliver 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G coverage. Lower frequencies travel further but offer slower speeds, while higher frequencies have less range but are faster. The application shows that 2100MHz coverage would improve across much of Tenby and the surrounding area. An officer’s report recommending approval said: “The proposed mast would be sited on an area of managed amenity grassland adjacent to the existing outdoor swimming pool and children’s play area within the holiday park.” The report added: “The chosen location utilises an already developed part of the holiday park, avoids intrusion into undeveloped coastal landscape, and benefits from the containment provided by surrounding buildings and mature vegetation.” The report concluded: “Overall, the proposal represents an appropriate and proportionate form of telecommunications infrastructure that successfully
balances the operational need for enhanced digital connectivity with the statutory purposes of the National Park. “The limited and localised visual impacts are outweighed by the wider public benefits of improved 4G coverage and future 5G capability for residents, businesses and visitors within Tenby and the surrounding area.” Park planners approved the application with conditions. A separate 4G/5G mast proposal at The Salterns in Tenby was refused under permitted development rules because one cabinet exceeded the size limit, with a full application required.
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Welsh cockle shortage forces historic factory to halt production A SHORTAGE of cockles has forced a historic south Wales shellfish business to suspend production and lay off eight workers, highlighting the pressure on an industry that has supported coastal communities for generations. Parsons Pickles, which has been based in Burry Port since 1948, mothballed its Ashburnham Works factory in August after a sharp reduction in the quantity of cockles being landed. Its parent company, Lenger UK, described the season as among the most challenging in living memory. It said several beds had closed sooner than anticipated and harvesting volumes had fallen to exceptionally low levels. Cockles account for about 60 per cent of the company’s activities, leaving its traditional processing operation particularly exposed when supplies fall. Eight production workers were made redundant, although managers and some key staff were retained. The company said it hoped to restart production when conditions allowed it to operate sustainably. The suspension was not described as a permanent closure. Latest surveys show uneven picture Official figures make clear that the difficulties are not uniform across Wales. The Welsh Government’s August 2026 survey of the Three Rivers cockle fishery, covering beds around Llansteffan, Ferryside, Llanybri and St Ishmaels, estimated a total stock of 7,632 tonnes, down from 9,216 tonnes in August 2025. The estimated harvestable surplus was 1,307 tonnes, compared with 1,781 tonnes a year earlier — a reduction of about 27 per cent. The figure is calculated after allowing for minimum landing sizes and leaving sufficient shellfish to support feeding birds. The August 2026 assessment was a spot-check survey, so the comparison should be treated with that qualification. The Gwendraeth cockle bed remains closed until further notice, while the Llansteffan, Llanybri, Ferryside and St Ishmaels beds have been open under permit conditions since July. Meanwhile, the Burry Inlet fishery, another major source of Welsh cockles, officially opened on 5 May. Its February stock assessment estimated 9,885 tonnes of cockles,
with a calculated harvestable surplus of 1,825 tonnes. A fishery being open, however, does not necessarily mean that processors are receiving the volumes they need. Cockles sent out of Wales for processing Lenger UK said its Penclawdd shellfish operation would continue despite the low catches. However, the reduced quantities being landed in south Wales were being sent to the group’s facility in King’s Lynn for processing, rather than being handled locally. The decision underlines how reduced landings affect not only those gathering cockles on the sands but also the jobs and specialist facilities needed to prepare them for market. Shellfish harvesting forms an important part of west Wales’ food heritage, with cockles traditionally sold in coastal communities and served alongside laverbread and bacon.
Scientists examine longterm changes Scientists have also explored the reasons why cockle populations fluctuate. Research published by Swansea University in 2022, drawing on records from 1958 to 2009, found that Burry Inlet cockles had become smaller and had shorter lifespans during parts of the period studied. Researcher Dr Ruth Callaway identified a link between changes in wastewater treatment from 1997, reduced nutrients entering the estuary and declining cockle sizes. The findings do not establish the cause of the current shortage, and other environmental or fishing-related factors cannot be ruled out. There has also been a separate food-safety issue this year. The Food Standards Agency removed the Burry Inlet from its list of marine-biotoxin harvesting closures on 1 October after levels returned to safe limits. That temporary restriction should not
be confused with the longer-running problem of low commercial catches. Future of traditional trade The Welsh Government has introduced tighter permitting arrangements, including catch controls, standard bag sizes and tagging, alongside surveys intended to protect shellfish populations and the wildlife that relies on them. Ministers estimated the total value of Welsh cockle catches to the end of October 2025 at £5 million, illustrating the economic significance of an industry whose fortunes can change sharply from season to season. For businesses such as Parsons Pickles, the immediate question is whether sufficient catches will return to make local production viable again. For coastal communities, the longerterm concern is that a prolonged interruption could result in the loss of processing capacity, employment and traditional skills.
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Mother who lost daughter to food allergy urges stronger safety rules in schools
HEALTH
A MOTHER whose teenage daughter died after suffering a severe allergic reaction has urged Welsh schools and education leaders to strengthen protections for children living with food allergies. Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, whose 15-year-old daughter Natasha died in 2016, addressed around 140 council representatives, headteachers, cooks and school catering staff at an event in Caerphilly on October 5. The gathering, hosted at Caerphilly Council Chamber following an invitation from Welsh food distributor Castell Howell, focused on the steps schools can take to recognise allergies, respond to emergencies and make pupils feel safe and included. Natasha died after eating a baguette containing sesame, an ingredient to which she was allergic but which was not identified on the packaging. Her parents, Tanya and Nadim, subsequently founded Natasha’s Foundation and campaigned for tighter food labelling rules. That campaign helped bring about Natasha’s Law, which requires full ingredient and allergen labelling on food prepacked for direct sale. The foundation is now pressing for stronger, more consistent protection for children with allergies in schools. Ms Ednan-Laperouse was joined at the Caerphilly event by Jan Parnell, the foundation’s Director of Education. They outlined the charity’s work with schools and its support for the campaign to introduce measures similar to Benedict’s Law in Wales. Different school requirements across the border
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In England, new statutory requirements introduced this September mean statefunded schools must adopt and publish an allergy-safety policy and review it regularly.
The accompanying guidance covers staff awareness and training, individual healthcare plans, emergency responses and the recording of incidents. Further regulations concerning requirements such as stocking spare adrenaline auto-injectors are envisaged. Wales has its own statutory guidance on supporting learners with healthcare needs, alongside advice on emergency adrenaline auto-injectors. However, the Welsh Government has not yet adopted the same package of school allergy-safety measures introduced in England. In July, Welsh ministers said they were reviewing their guidance and would consider the measures associated with Benedict’s Law when developing future policy. The Pembrokeshire Herald previously reported that Welsh ministers did not hold figures showing how many schools stocked spare adrenaline devices or how many serious allergic reactions had occurred on school premises. The Welsh Government told the Herald its review of guidance on emergency
Discussions at the event brought together representatives concerned with making schools safer for children with allergies (Photo: Natasha’s Foundation)
adrenaline auto-injectors was expected to conclude in November. In the meantime, keeping spare emergency devices in schools remains discretionary, although schools can purchase them without prescription. Hywel Dda University Health Board has previously said its school nursing service provides training at schools attended by pupils carrying prescribed adrenaline autoinjectors, with additional sessions when circumstances change. Call for equal protection Ms Ednan-Laperouse said: “The care and protections that people living with food allergy in the UK receive vary hugely across the 4 nations.” She said the foundation supported extending comparable school protections to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and was providing schools with free educational material through its Allergy School programme, including Welsh-language resources. The charity also wants each UK nation to have a dedicated national lead for allergies, responsible for championing the needs of affected families and improving the consistency of care. Guests gathered at the Welsh schools food allergy safety meeting in Caerphilly Through Allergy School, Natasha’s Foundation offers free training materials and practical resources for school staff and pupils. The foundation says these are intended to help children with food allergies participate fully in school life without unnecessary risk or exclusion. The issue is particularly relevant to families across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion as the Welsh Government considers whether further national requirements are needed to protect pupils with allergies.
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Free period products delivered to homes as Wales renews poverty pledge FREE period products are being delivered to households across Pembrokeshire through a council-backed service, as the Welsh Government renews its commitment to tackling period poverty. The national announcement, issued today (Oct 11) to mark International Day of the Girl, highlights support intended to prevent the cost of essential products becoming a barrier to education, work and everyday activities. Pembrokeshire County Council’s published guidance says its free subscription service delivers more than 400 boxes each month to homes across the county. The service posts products directly to households, helping people who may find it difficult to reach a collection point. Free supplies are available through primary and secondary schools and community locations, including libraries and youth clubs. Pick ’n’ Mix stands offer both disposable and reusable options. The council stresses that difficulties affording products can affect people who are working or receiving benefits, as well as those on low incomes. Across Wales, the Period Dignity Grant supports provision in schools and community settings. The Welsh Government is also encouraging employers, sporting organisations and cultural venues to make free products available to staff and visitors.
Deputy First Minister Sioned Williams said the government wanted to break down stigma and ensure “no one is held back by something as natural as a period”. The announcement also highlights education alongside access to
supplies. An initiative on Anglesey offers primary schools lessons about periods and puberty for all Year 6 pupils, supported by bilingual resources and staff training. In Pembrokeshire, information about local help is available through
the council’s Period Dignity Grant webpage at www.pembrokeshire.gov. uk/period-poverty. The Bloody Brilliant website, www. bloodybrilliant.wales, provides further information and support for young people.
Pembrokeshire residents reminded of round-the-clock NHS mental health support PEOPLE across Pembrokeshire Luke Sinclair struggling with their mental health luke@herald.email are being reminded that help is available by telephone at any hour including those without remaining of the day or night. credit. Deaf callers can access In a message issued ahead of the service through Relay UK or a World Mental Health Day on Saturday, textphone. October 10, Hywel Dda University Liz Carroll, Hywel Dda’s Service Health Board encouraged residents Director for Mental Health and who need urgent mental health Learning Disabilities, said people may advice, or are worried about a friend not always know where to turn when or family member, to call NHS 111 they are experiencing distress. Wales and press 2. She said the NHS 111 Press 2 The free telephone service service provides a single point of connects callers with a member of the access for mental health advice, health board’s mental health team, rather than leaving people to navigate who can listen, assess what help is multiple services before getting help. required and arrange further support Staff may offer advice, direct where appropriate. callers towards community support It is available to both children or help them reach specialist mental and adults, 24 hours a day, seven health teams, depending on their days a week. Advice is offered in individual circumstances. Welsh or English, and the call is free The service also works alongside from landlines and mobile phones, GP practices, which remain important
for ongoing treatment and support. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity for communities to talk openly about mental wellbeing, recognise signs that someone may need support and encourage people
to seek help early. Anyone facing an immediate threat to life should call 999 rather than waiting for the NHS 111 service. More information is available from NHS 111 Wales.
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Welsh media dispute resurfaces after Reform donations review NATION.CYMRU has highlighted a connection between Reform UK’s internal donations inquiry and an earlier attempt to have a senior party official’s name removed from its reporting. Adam Richardson, one of the review’s two authors, previously threatened the Welsh news website with legal action while representing Reform’s director of communications, Ed Sumner. The disclosure comes after Reform published its findings on allegations arising from a Channel 4 undercover investigation. The party’s review found no evidence of unlawful donations, although a separate Metropolitan Police investigation remains ongoing. Mr Richardson, Reform’s legal secretary, wrote the report with general secretary Tom Waterhouse. Their involvement has drawn criticism from Labour, which dismissed the review as a “whitewash”. Reform maintains that its investigation examined witness accounts, documents and electronic communications, and found no evidence that laws were broken. Nation.Cymru’s report adds a Welsh dimension to the dispute over the party’s
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response to scrutiny. The website says Mr Richardson contacted it in November 2025 over coverage of offensive WhatsApp exchanges involving Laura Anne Jones and people who worked with her. Mr Sumner, a former member of Ms Jones’s staff, had already been identified in the website’s earlier reporting. His name was subsequently redacted from a Senedd Standards Commissioner’s report. According to Nation.Cymru, Mr Richardson argued that
naming his client breached his privacy rights and lacked a public-interest justification. The website disputed that position and refused to remove his name. The National Union of Journalists supported the publication. Its Welsh Executive Council subsequently called on politicians across the Senedd to defend transparency, press freedom and public-interest journalism. The donations controversy concerns a different set of events: discussions recorded by undercover reporters posing as an American donor and his son. Reform’s review concluded
that a proposed £500,000 donation never happened and that polling discussed in the investigation had been commissioned independently by a contractor. However, it criticised statements made by senior figures and recommended stronger procedures for dealing with prospective donors. Reform has announced plans for legal action against Verbatim Investigations, which produced the undercover footage. Channel 4 and Verbatim stand by their journalism. The party’s internal findings do not determine the outcome of the continuing police inquiry.
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POLITICS
Two-thirds of Universal Credit claimants in their twenties out of work, analysis finds
MORE than two-thirds of Universal Credit claimants in their twenties across England and Wales were not in work, according to analysis released by the TaxPayers’ Alliance. The campaign group said 870,066 claimants aged 20 to 29 were recorded as not in employment in April 2026 — equivalent to 67.5 per cent of the approximately 1.29 million people claiming the benefit in that age group. That was 6.7 percentage points above the figure of 60.8
per cent for claimants aged 20 to 64. The research also identified two Welsh constituencies among nine seats across England and Wales where more than 70 per cent of claimants aged 20 to 64 were not in employment. However, the figures describe people receiving Universal Credit, rather than everyone in those age groups. They do not mean that two-thirds of all people in their twenties are out of work. Universal Credit supports people on low incomes,
including those in employment, as well as people who are out of work. Claimants can include people whose health conditions, disabilities or caring responsibilities prevent them from working. Being recorded as “not in employment” is also different from being unemployed under the official labour market definition, which generally requires someone to be actively seeking work and available to start. The TPA’s analysis found that the proportion of claimants not in work fell to 54.2 per cent among those aged 30 to 39 and 52 per cent among those aged 40 to 49. It then rose to 66.9 per cent among claimants in their fifties and reached 80.2 per cent among those aged 60 to 64. The group, which campaigns for lower taxes and reduced public spending, called on ministers to make it easier for employers to recruit young people. Anne Strickland, a researcher at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Many young people are being written off and condemned to a life of dependency paid for by
taxpayers. “Rather than turning a blind eye to the booming benefits bill, ministers must get real and make it more affordable to hire young people and cut welfare spending.” The highest proportion of claimants in their twenties recorded as not in work was in Birmingham Perry Barr, at 79.8 per cent, followed by Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley at 79.5 per cent and Bradford West at 79.2 per cent. Across all claimants aged 20 to 64, Liverpool Wavertree had the highest proportion, at 72 per cent. In total, 55 constituencies had rates above two-thirds. The analysis also shows that 39.2 per cent of claimants aged 20 to 64 were in employment — approximately four in ten — underlining the benefit’s role in supporting working households. The April figures provide a snapshot of claimants’ employment status. They do not, by themselves, establish why individuals were out of work, how long they had been without employment or whether they would find work in future.
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Burnham confirms Russian interference in Brexit referendum as EU debate reignites
PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham has said Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum, in what is believed to be the first public confirmation of Kremlin involvement by a serving British prime minister. Mr Burnham said he sought answers after entering Downing Street this summer and was told that interference had taken place. His remarks come as the Government considers a closer relationship with the European Union, with the possibility of rejoining no longer ruled out. Speaking to The Rest Is Politics podcast, the Prime Minister said he had asked whether there had been Russian interference in the referendum and received a clear affirmative answer. However, he did not identify who had briefed him, disclose the evidence behind the assessment or say whether the interference had affected the outcome of the vote, in which the UK voted by 52 per cent to 48 per cent to leave the EU. The disclosure marks a change from the position of previous Conservative administrations, which said
they had seen no evidence of successful interference in the referendum. Questions over the 2016 vote Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee raised concerns about Russian activities in a report published in 2020. The committee said it had not been provided with a post-referendum assessment of attempts to influence the vote and called for intelligence agencies to produce one, with an unclassified summary made public. Its findings distinguished between evidence of attempts to interfere in democratic debate and proof that those attempts changed how people voted. That distinction remains important: the Prime Minister’s latest comments do not establish that interference altered the referendum result. Mr Burnham also warned that disinformation originating in Russia continued to pose a threat to European politics, saying he had discussed the problem with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Berlin.
Downing Street declined to discuss the nature of the intelligence briefing, saying the Government was focused on protecting citizens and democratic institutions from hostile foreign powers. EU membership back on the agenda The remarks come against a changing political backdrop. At Labour’s conference last month, Mr Burnham said his Government would examine options for a closer relationship with the EU, including the possibility that rejoining could feature in a future election manifesto. No decision to seek membership has been announced. The Westminster Hall debate follows a petition which attracted 111,687 signatures, according to the House of Commons Library. With the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum having passed earlier this year, the Prime Minister’s admission is likely to intensify scrutiny of what the authorities knew about foreign interference and whether further information will be made public.
blue view
With Brian Murphy Plaid have managed to get their budget through by relying on Labour. We were promised change by Plaid during the election campaign, but everything they have done has shown it is more of the same. A cosy arrangement where Plaid and Labour hatch deals to suit themselves, whilst at the same time sticking two fingers up to the electorate. We need policies and budgets which fire up the economy, not constantly wasting time and money which holds businesses back. A prime example of this is the recent announcements on the M4 changes. How does anyone think that by closing junctions around Newport will improve the situation? It will, at best, only move the congestion off the M4 into the already struggling roads which surround it. It will have exactly the opposite effect to what ministers are hoping for. Reducing speed limits and closing roads does not improve air quality or increase traffic flow. As we have seen in the last 20 years it only leads to static traffic with engines running. As we all know that only increases pollution. Compare the approach of Welsh Government with Kemi Badenoch’s fantastic speech at the Conservative conference in Birmingham. She is unashamedly pro-wealth, and in favour of people keeping more of the cash they have worked hard for. It is by promoting wealth creation that a nation prospers. No state has ever taxed its way to economic growth and improved living standards. Some
commentators have criticised her approach as tax cuts for the wealthy and welfare cuts for the poor. It is not. It is about getting priorities right and ensuring that work will always be the better choice. How can it be right that a person can be £300 a month better off on benefits than in work? She is also looking to the future and not dwelling on past arguments. Andy Burnham is looking to take Britain back to the 70s with his tax everybody agenda. It was the Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden who wrote “Every meeting I have is: ‘Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?’. That shows Labour’s priorities are not about boosting the economy. The PM has also reopened the Brexit debate. Do we want to have that argument again? Democracy should be respected, not ignored. The UK voted to leave and in Wales the gap between Remainers and Brexiteers was greater. If we are to have another referendum on Brexit on the grounds that it was a slim majority of 2%, then we should also re-run the devolution referendum as it was less than 1% in favour. We have had years of whining from nationalist politicians when the vote did not go their way, and not a peep about the 1997 results. Unlike Labour, Plaid and SNP the Conservative party respects the electorate.
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Senedd rejects Reform calls to end social housing access for foreign nationals
With ANDREW LYE
Last week’s Conservative Party conference saw pledges to scrap the “cliff edge” that would stop couples losing access to free childcare once one parent earns more than £100,000. I can’t imagine that would benefit many households in Pembrokeshire. Similarly, they also propose exempting family homes from inheritance tax and increasing the tax-free allowance to £500,000 per person. Currently, just 5% of all estates end up paying under the current inheritance tax system. Once again, this would not benefit huge numbers of Pembrokeshire households. Indeed, it would encourage the wealthier to invest in even larger properties, as they would be exempt from Inheritance Tax. So why are the Conservatives, when money is very tight, not proposing tax cuts to benefit everyone? Like increasing the personal allowance. Shows how out of touch they are! In a desperate bid for headlines, the Conservatives have racked up £61.8 billion in tax cuts and spending pledges under Kemi Badenoch, yet, they have only put forward £28.8 billion in claimed savings to pay for them. The result is a reckless Trussonomics 2.0 fantasy that threatens a disastrous repeat of the party’s catastrophic 2022 minibudget, blowing a hole in the public finances worth £33 billion a year - a £1,140 hit per household. These Liberal Democrat findings expose that the ghost of Liz Truss clearly still hangs heavy in the Conservative Party, with the fiscal irresponsibility she championed alive and well. Badenoch prefaced her changes to Inheritance Tax by saying “Conservatives will not announce a tax cut
without telling you how we are going to pay for it” yet once again failed to do just that. Crucially, while they champion these unfunded giveaways, Badenoch has offered absolutely zero relief for the squeezed middle, ignoring the crucial personal tax-free allowance and entirely abandoning middle earners they dragged into the 40p tax bracket, completely abandoning the ordinary families the Liberal Democrats are fighting for. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “This £33 billion black hole proves that ‘Kemistry’ is just Trussonomics 2.0. Kemi Badenoch is lecturing the country on fiscal responsibility while making tens of billions in unfunded promises - a dangerous experiment destined to blow up the public finances. “The British people are sick to death of paying the price for Conservative financial failure. It’s clear the Conservative Party has learned nothing.” The Conservatives also promised to open 50,000 new prison places in 7 years. Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson Jess BrownFuller MP said: The Conservative party left our justice system on the brink of collapse. “After a decade where prison places grew by fewer than 500, surprise, surprise the Tories now ‘have a plan’ to raise capacity by 50,000. Much like their economic plans, something doesn’t add up. “The public deserve a serious, fully costed strategy to fix our prison system and a plan to lower reoffending rates.” So why are the Conservatives, when money is very tight, not proposing tax cuts to benefit everyone? Like increasing the personal allowance. Shows how out of touch they are.
If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales
FOREIGN NATIONALS living in social housing should be given three months to find private housing or face deportation, a Reform MS has said. During a Senedd debate tabled by Reform on Wednesday October 7, Joe Martin MS called on the Welsh Government to “end access to HMOs and social housing for foreign nationals”. But the motion faced crossparty objections, with Welsh Greens leader Anthony Slaughter describing it as “nonsensical, hateful and inflammatory”. Plaid Cymru and Labour tabled an amendment to the motion which instead recognised that social housing priority is determined by need. It also noted that decisions regarding the dispersal and accommodation of asylum seekers are reserved to the UK Government. Social housing “should be reserved for the people of this country”, according to Francesca O’Brien, Reform’s shadow housing minister. Describing the current asylum system as “deranged”, the Gŵyr Abertawe MS said the use of HMOs to house asylum seekers is putting “families out of homes”. Noting that social housing allocations in Wales are still under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996, Ms O’Brien criticised the framework for including “nothing” about how long individuals have lived in Wales or citizenship. She explained how in 2011, England “gave its councils the power to decide who qualifies for social housing” with “hundreds” now applying a residence test. She told members that Section 35 of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Bill would have given
Ella Groves
ICNN Senedd reporter
Welsh councils the same power – but it was removed by an amendment tabled by the now housing minister, Sian Gwenllian. Ms O’Brien criticised comments made by Ms Gwenllian, who described social housing as a “universal resource”. Ms O’Brien said: “It is not a universal resource. It is a national resource, and it should belong to the people of this nation.” Peter Fox, the Conservative communities spokesperson, accepted that people across Wales have concerns about the “pressure on housing”. He said: “We believe – the Conservative Party believes – that social housing must prioritise those with a genuine and established connection to our country. We also agree that accommodation should not be provided to people who are here unlawfully.” However Mr Fox condemned the Reform motion, describing it as “headline-grabbing” and suggesting it “falls apart the moment you examine how it would work in actual fact”. He continued: “The reality is that Reform’s motion would not just affect the groups they want to talk about. “It would affect foreign students renting rooms in HMOs while studying at Welsh universities, it would affect workers who have come here legally, and it would affect Irish citizens whose rights are protected under the common travel area.” Mr Fox also acknowledged the impact Reform’s proposed plan would have on EU citizens who were given settled status after Brexit. Adding: “These are people
who were explicitly told that there would be no change to their rights if they were already lawfully resident in the United Kingdom. “Those commitments were written into the withdrawal agreement and form part of our international obligations.” Housing minister Sian Gwenllian said “everyone in Wales should have access to a safe, warm and affordable home”. Although she recognised the “frustration” that can be caused by long waits and poorly managed homes, Ms Gwenllian stressed the solution is not to “divide communities or to pit groups of people against each other”. She also clarified that social housing is not provided to asylum seekers. Suggesting the motion “misrepresents” the current system, Ms Gwenllian said: “The UK Government provides temporary accommodation while a claim is considered. “If someone is granted refugee status – and I remind members that this means that the UK Government has found that the individual has fled from war, fear or persecution – then they may seek housing assistance under the same rules as other households.” Concluding, she said Reform’s motion offers a “simplistic and divisive approach to a complex housing problem” and called on colleagues to support the government amendment, which “focuses on actions that can make a real difference”. The Senedd rejected the Reform motion by 57 votes to 31, and instead agreed the Plaid Cymru Labour amendment by 51 to 37.
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Welsh ministers leave wartime defence funding question unanswered THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is facing fresh questions about whether it would continue supporting defence manufacturers in the event of war, after ministers failed to give a direct answer to a parliamentary question about the proposed rules. Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has accused the Plaid Cymru administration of creating uncertainty for manufacturers and workers while it develops a new ethical defence investment framework. But the Government insists the proposals do not amount to a ban on supporting the industry and that urgent investment decisions can still be taken. The argument has particular significance in West Wales, where a separate £50 million UK Defence Growth Deal identifies the MOD Aberporth range as part of plans to expand testing of autonomous aircraft and create opportunities for Welsh companies. What ministers were asked In a series of written Senedd questions highlighted by the Conservatives on Friday (October 9), Mr Millar asked whether the Welsh Defence Ethical Framework would permit support for parts of the industry to be suspended during wartime. He also sought details of possible job losses, financial consequences and wider security implications. Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy Adam Price replied that the framework was still being developed, with consultation planned involving businesses, trade unions, public bodies and government partners. He said decisions about its implementation and support arrangements would be considered during drafting and in a review after its introduction. His response did not specifically say how the rules would operate in a war, or provide figures for potential jobs or investment affected. Mr Millar said: “These businesses help equip the armed forces who defend us, yet the Minister cannot give them a straightforward assurance.” He warned that employers considering recruitment or investment could take their plans elsewhere, although the Conservatives did not identify a particular Welsh contract or project lost because of the proposed framework. Crucially, there is a difference between failing to offer a guarantee and deciding to refuse all support. The written answer establishes the former; it is not evidence that ministers have adopted a policy of withholding defence assistance during a war. Why Aberporth matters The local implications were raised directly in the Senedd on September 23 by Ceredigion Penfro MS Paul Marr, who asked whether the £50 million Defence Growth Deal and
MOD Aberporth were exempt from the temporary pause in Welsh Government investment decisions. He questioned whether the Minister could guarantee that no jobs, contracts or investment in the constituency would be lost or delayed. Mr Price did not give that guarantee or a specific exemption for Aberporth, but explained that exceptionally urgent decisions could still proceed before the ethical framework was finalised. The UK Government’s Defence Growth Deal announcement in February set out plans to make greater use of testing facilities at MOD Aberporth, help smaller Welsh businesses access Ministry of Defence contracts, and develop technical training for the sector. The £50 million commitment is a UK Government defence initiative. The Welsh Government’s pause concerns decisions on its own investment and business support. No evidence has emerged that the UK funding package itself has been halted or that MOD activity at Aberporth has been suspended. Pembrokeshire also has an advanced manufacturing supply chain that could be relevant to future defence and aerospace contracts. United Aerospace, based at Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock, says it has worked across civil, military and aerospace markets, including unmanned aircraft projects. There is no suggestion that the company has lost funding under the Welsh Government’s proposals. What the funding pause actually means On September 3, Mr Price announced plans for an ethical framework governing Welsh Government grants, investment assistance, trade missions and wider engagement with defence businesses. During a Senedd statement on September 22, he said that decisions
on new Welsh Government investment support should be deferred wherever legally and practically possible until the framework was published and implementation arrangements considered. However, he made clear that existing contracts and routine relationships with defence businesses would continue. Where a support decision cannot reasonably wait, it can be considered by the First Minister. The Minister also said the purpose of the framework was not to exclude the defence industry, but to apply additional ethical checks to devolved public support, particularly in relation to human rights and international humanitarian law. Control of the armed forces, Ministry of Defence procurement and arms export licences remains with the UK Government. The Welsh proposals concern whether and how the devolved administration offers economic assistance, not a prohibition on lawful defence manufacturing in Wales. Senedd backs industrial strategy by two votes The dispute follows a closely fought debate on September 30, when the Senedd backed a Welsh Conservative motion calling for a defence industrial strategy, greater technical training and closer working with the UK Government by 45 votes to 43. The motion acknowledged official estimates that Wales’s combined defence and aerospace industry employs around 16,000 people, generates £3.7 billion in turnover and contributes approximately £1.5 billion to the economy. The vote was a political statement calling for action, not the abolition of the Government’s proposed ethical framework. Labour and Reform members expressed concerns about deterring
investment, while Plaid Cymru representatives argued that public funding should be assessed against human rights obligations. Mr Price maintained that responsible defence employment and ethical safeguards were compatible objectives. Questions nevertheless remain about the framework’s precise criteria, the number and value of support decisions deferred, the likely effect on companies seeking investment, and how officials would respond during a national emergency. The Government has not published the completed framework. Until it does, neither a blanket refusal of wartime support nor specific economic losses at Aberporth can be treated as established facts. The Herald has previously reported the original framework proposals and the Senedd vote on defence industry support. The unanswered wartime question and the direct exchange concerning Aberporth are the latest developments.
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LETTERS & NOTICES
send your letters to: The editor, 11 hamilton terrace, milford haven, Pembrokeshire, sa73 3al email us at: editor@herald.email
Picture of the week! Valero Refinery by Ade Kell
At what point do we say enough is enough? DEAR SIR,
The defacing of Winston Churchill’s statue raises a question that goes beyond one monument: what standards of behaviour are we prepared to accept in our public spaces? My concern is that repeated incidents of this kind risk making vandalism seem commonplace. When people believe there are no meaningful consequences, others may feel encouraged to push the boundaries further. Public confidence suffers when respect for shared spaces appears optional. Churchill was one of the defining figures in our nation’s history. His leadership during the Second World War helped Britain withstand the Nazi threat when our freedom and democracy were in grave danger. That contribution deserves remembrance and respect. Historical figures should be open to scrutiny and criticism. But we can debate their legacy without defacing monuments erected in their memory. Strong political convictions do not remove our responsibility to
respect public property and one another. This matters here in our own communities. Whether we are talking about a national monument, a local war memorial or a public building, the underlying principle is the same: these places belong to us all. Once trust and mutual respect begin to erode, rebuilding them becomes much harder. We should be clear about the standards we expect and consistent in upholding them. The rule of law must apply equally to everyone, whatever their cause or political beliefs. David Lancaster
We need to rethink the scale and direction of current energy policy DEAR SIR, I fully support green energy. In an ideal world, I would love to generate electricity from a micro-hydro system using the river that borders my property. I would like to see small industries once again harness water power to meet their own energy needs. I would welcome bespoke turbines serving farms, factories, villages and
towns, and solar panels fitted to commercial buildings — particularly if those panels were manufactured in this country using materials sourced here. There is so much that could be achieved in harmony with our environment. What I do not support is the relentless pursuit of industrialscale renewable energy. Renewable energy is not automatically green. In its present form, much of what is being proposed is exploitative and destructive. It threatens the very landscapes and communities we claim to be protecting, while the promised benefits are too often presented without sufficient discussion of the costs. The term “renewable energy” simply describes the source from which the energy comes — one that naturally replenishes itself. It does not, by itself, mean that every project is environmentally sustainable. Large-scale wind and solar developments can have profound effects on peatlands, wildlife habitats, flora and fauna, landscapes and, not least, the people who live alongside them. Those of us who campaign strongly against — and I emphasise — INDUSTRIALscale renewable developments must also acknowledge that we do so from a position in which our own electricity supply has,
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for the most part, remained reliable. The same is true of those demanding the immediate abandonment of fossil fuels. For now. What is rarely discussed in calls for an immediate end to fossil fuels is the extraordinary number of products derived from oil. Wind turbines and solar panels may generate electricity, but they do not themselves produce the clothing and synthetic fabrics we wear, many medical supplies, electronic components, chemicals, fertilisers, solvents, bitumen, aviation fuel or even many of the lubricants required by modern machinery — including turbines themselves. Of course, reducing our dependence on plastics and developing sustainable alternatives would be an enormous step forward. But pretending that the transition is simple helps nobody. We are increasingly warned that future energy supplies could become less secure. The system of generation and transmission is becoming more complex, while major multinational companies are being encouraged to develop vast energy and infrastructure projects across Wales. At the same time, governments warn us of an energy emergency while approving increasingly powerhungry developments such as data centres. If shortages come, will those industrial users be asked to ration electricity and water in the same way as ordinary households? Or will the burden once again fall disproportionately on individuals and communities? These are questions that deserve answers. We cannot industrialise our way out of the environmental damage caused by previous industrialisation. What happened to the Welsh Valleys during the industrial revolution should serve as a warning. We must be careful that, in the name of saving the environment, we do not simply repeat the process across the hills and countryside of Wales. Both the UK and Welsh governments need to pause, rethink the scale and direction of current energy policy, and have an honest conversation with the people who will live with its consequences. Mari Mitchell
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NOTICES
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Death Notices Diana Margaret Monte (née Howells)
John Hywel Harris
Solva
Passed away peacefully on 16th September. Beloved wife of Gerry, mother of Vanessa, Cathy and William, grandmother and great grandmother, known lovingly by all the family as “Grandi”. Funeral service Monday 26th October at St.Aidan’s Church, Solva at 1.30pm. Enquiries to W.G.Bernard Mathias & Daughter 01437 720537
Denis Lewis Peacefully on 30th September at Withybush Hospital with his family, Denis of Delfryn, Maenclochog (formerly of Prisg Farm) aged 87 years. Beloved husband of Gina, loving father of Brenda, Ian, Wendy and Colin, treasured grandfather, great grandfather and brother to John, Angie and the late Allen and Mair. Public funeral service at Rhydwilym Chapel on Tuesday
20th October at 11 am. Family flowers only with donations in memory if desired towards the Paul Sartori Foundation received by Dennis Jones and Family Funeral Directors Maesawelon, Efailwen, SA66 7UX. Tel 01994 419561.
Avis Marianne Williams The death occurred at Withybush Hospital on Thursday 24th September 2026 of Miss Avis Marianne Williams, aged 90 years of Williams Court,
Narberth. Avis will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. The funeral service will take place on Friday 23rd October at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11.30am. There will be family flowers only with donations, if so desired for Narberth Health Centre and Ward 7 Withybush Hospital c/o E. C. Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 and 21 Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 or via www. ecthomasandson.co.uk
The death occurred peacefully at home on Saturday 26th September 2026 of Mr John Hywel Harris, aged 86 years of Whitehill, Cresselly. Devoted and much loved husband of Brenda, father to Matt and the late Ros, grandfather to T.J., father-in-law to Helen and youngest brother to Terry and the late Ron. Funeral Service will take place on Thursday 22nd October at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11.30am. There will be family flowers only. Donations in memory of John can be made to Carew Cheriton Control Tower and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home c/o E. C. Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 and 21 Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 or via www. ecthomasandson.co.uk
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WRU puts population ahead of results as Scarlets face fight for future Newly released evidence explains why west Wales faces losing a professional rugby team, with a final decision expected by June 2027
SPORT
THE SCARLETS’ contribution to developing Wales internationals has not protected them from the threat of losing their professional place, as newly published evidence reveals how the Welsh Rugby Union reached its decision to retain only one team in west Wales. Population, transport connections and stadium infrastructure were given greater importance than playing results and the production of international players when the governing body settled on its future geographical structure. That leaves Scarlets and Ospreys competing for a single western licence from the 202829 season. Cardiff and Dragons are in line for the capital and eastern licences respectively, subject to agreement on the final terms. For Pembrokeshire, which forms part of the Scarlets’ player development network, the outcome has significance beyond the professional team itself. The region provides a route through representative rugby for young players from the county, alongside its links
with local clubs and supporters. The documents released on Friday (Oct 9) include a 68-page assessment by consultancy Keystone and an explanation of the WRU board’s subsequent decision. However, the independent report had a specific remit: to examine where three professional teams should be located. It was not commissioned to establish whether reducing Wales from four teams to three was the right decision, or to provide the financial case for doing so. The distinction matters because the report starts from the three-team policy already adopted by the WRU. Its findings also present a more complicated picture than a straightforward ranking of the four existing sides. Scarlets and Cardiff were identified as strong contributors to the national team, with Ospreys also making a substantial contribution, particularly through players winning their first Wales caps. Dragons ranked lowest across the player development measures examined.
On playing performance, Cardiff, Scarlets and Ospreys were relatively closely grouped, while Dragons had the weakest record. Attendance evidence generally favoured Cardiff and Scarlets. All four clubs were recognised as having distinct histories, community connections and cultural importance. Yet those strengths did not carry equal weight in the final geographical decision. The WRU executive recommended placing greater emphasis on characteristics considered less likely to change substantially, including population, accessibility and infrastructure. Playing performance and player development were given less weight because the union expects them to improve under its proposed system. The report estimated that 671,000 people lived within a 30-minute drive of Dragons’ ground, compared with 664,000 for Cardiff, 401,000 for Ospreys and 388,000 for Scarlets. Dragons also benefited
from owning Rodney Parade and from stronger commercial figures. Cardiff and Dragons recorded the highest total and independent revenues in 2024-25, while Ospreys had the weakest revenue profile. All four clubs made losses that season. There are limitations to the evidence. Some supporter information came from a 2018 survey, predating the pandemic, and the documents acknowledge that it may no longer reflect current attitudes or behaviour. Keystone did not deliver an overall verdict selecting the three locations. The decision rested with the WRU board, which also considered confidential financial information. The union maintains that it cannot fund four sufficiently competitive professional teams beyond 2028. It says concentrating resources will support a stronger and more sustainable game, and describes the publication of the documents as part of its commitment to transparency. Scarlets have previously insisted that their ambitions for west Wales remain intact. Responding to the WRU’s roadmap in July, the club said: “Our focus remains unchanged and unhindered.” All four professional teams will continue through the end of the 2027-28 season under the current arrangements. The next stage is a summit planned for December, followed by work on the new licensing framework. If Scarlets and Ospreys remain competing for the western place, a tender process is expected to begin in March. The WRU intends to announce the licence decisions by June 2027, ahead of the new framework taking effect on July 1, 2028.
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Pembs Dragons U18 girls make promising debut against Ceredigion PEMBROKESHIRE’S newest girls’ rugby team has made an encouraging start, with Pembs Dragons Under-18s taking to the field for their first-ever match against Ceredigion. The newly formed side put in a determined performance, showing plenty of promise despite Ceredigion claiming a 36–19 victory. For the young players, the fixture marked an important milestone in the development of girls’ rugby in Pembrokeshire, providing an opportunity to compete together and gain valuable match experience. The team received praise for their efforts throughout the contest, with Haverfordwest Rugby Football Club describing it as a brilliant performance from beginning to end and highlighting the positives the players could take into the remainder of the season. Two players received special recognition for their contributions. Laura Cichon was named Forward of the Match, while Matilda Furlong received the Back of the Match award. Although the result did not go their way, the Dragons demonstrated the enthusiasm and commitment
needed to establish a competitive team, with plenty to build upon in their forthcoming fixtures. The club is now encouraging more young women to become involved, emphasising that previous rugby experience is not necessary. Pembs Dragons Under-18s welcomes girls in school Years 12 and 13, offering a friendly environment in which newcomers can learn the game, develop their skills and enjoy being part of a team. Training takes place every Thursday from 6.30pm until 8pm at Haverfordwest Rugby Football Club. Head coach Nicole Davies is supported by assistant coaches Jamie Furlong, Ian Morgans and Tom Johnston. Anyone interested in joining or finding out more can contact team manager Clodagh Llewhellin on 07769 115124 or Suzanne Davies on 07966 694323. With their first fixture now behind them, the Dragons will be hoping to build on an encouraging debut and attract more young players to the growing girls’ rugby programme in Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire College rugby team win as footballers contest 20-goal thriller PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE’S rugby team recorded a convincing 45–14 victory over Queen Elizabeth High School Sixth Form, while the college’s women’s footballers scored nine times in a remarkable 20-goal encounter. The rugby side secured their win in West Wales Premiership 2, finishing 31 points clear of their opponents. Celebrating the result, the college praised the squad’s teamwork, attacking flair and determination throughout the match. There was also recognition for the Ladies Academy Football Team following an eventful meeting with Coleg Sir Gâr. Despite scoring nine goals, Pembrokeshire finished on the losing side of an 11–9 scoreline. The college praised the players’ resilience, skill and attacking quality in a match which produced 20 goals between the two teams. Both squads represent the college’s Sports Academy, with the performances drawing praise for the students and the staff supporting their development. In a message celebrating the teams, Pembrokeshire College said: “Both performances reflect the talent, dedication and commitment of our learners and coaching staff, and highlight the exciting opportunities available through our Sports Academy programmes.” The college congratulated everyone involved in the two performances.
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New indoor padel courts open at Haverfordwest Showground
Two new indoor padel courts are opening in Haverfordwest on Saturday (October 10), giving players another place to enjoy one of the fastest-growing racket sports. The new venue, Pembrokeshire Padel, has been created in the Camrose building at Haverfordwest Showground, where two indoor courts are ready for use.
The facility aims to encourage more people in Pembrokeshire to try padel, a sport that combines elements of tennis and squash and has grown rapidly in popularity across the UK. Photographs supplied ahead of the opening show the venue’s new exterior signage and the two blue courts within the converted building, surrounded by the glass walls and mesh fencing used in the game.
Padel is usually played in doubles on a smaller court than tennis. Players can use the surrounding walls as part of a rally, while the sport’s underarm serve and social format make it accessible to beginners as well as experienced players. According to details provided ahead of the launch, the Haverfordwest venue will be open daily from 6am until 11pm. Players will not need a
membership, with court bookings available through the Playtomic app and website. The Haverfordwest venue joins The Ranch Padel at Kiln Park Farm near Narberth, which already offers two panoramic indoor courts. The Narberth facility received retrospective planning approval for commercial padel use in June, and its operator offers court bookings through Playtomic. With two courts at The Ranch near Narberth and two at Pembrokeshire Padel in Haverfordwest, players now have a choice of four indoor courts across the two venues. Both provide online booking, helping make the sport more accessible to residents in different parts of the county. The organisers hope the courts will attract newcomers, groups of friends and regular racket-sport players as interest in padel continues to grow across Wales.
Late Caernarfon winner leaves Haverfordwest County beaten 2-1 at Bridge Meadow
HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY suffered another frustrating home defeat on Friday night as Caernarfon Town left the Dynamite Bridge Meadow with a 2-1 victory. The Novira Cymru Premier meeting on October 9 featured a dramatic late spell in which the Bluebirds appeared to have rescued a point before conceding again. Caernarfon had taken the lead in the 12th minute through Zack Clarke and held their advantage for much of the game. According to the match timeline, Haverfordwest substitute Ben AhMun struck an 83rd-minute equaliser, giving the home supporters hope that their side would take something from the encounter.
But the celebrations proved shortlived as Siôn Bradley scored for the visitors two minutes later, putting Caernarfon back in front at 2-1. The result extends a difficult spell for the Pembrokeshire club. County came into the fixture looking to bounce back from defeats against Colwyn Bay, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Flint Town United. The previous weekend’s narrow loss to Flint had also come at Bridge Meadow, adding to the importance of Friday’s opportunity to return to winning ways. Caernarfon, by contrast, had established themselves among the stronger sides in the division, making this a demanding test for the Bluebirds.
County now have time to regroup before their next scheduled home
fixture, an FAW Welsh Cup tie against Cardiff Corinthians on Saturday, October 17.
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MANDERWOOD PEMBROKESHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE #
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Merlins Bridge
8
6
2
0
+24
20
2
Goodwick United
7
6
1
0
+17
19
3
Hakin United
7
6
0
1
+23
18
4
Monkton Swifts
7
5
1
1
+21
16
5
Tenby
6
3
0
3
-1
9
RESULTS
LOCAL FOOTBALL RESULTS, TABLES & FIXTURES
FIXTURES
10th October
17th October
DIVISION ONE Goodwick United
1-1
Merlins Bridge
DIVISION ONE
Hakin United
1-0
Tenby
3-3
Carew
Tenby v Hakin United
6
Neyland
8
2
1
5
-6
7
Monkton Swifts
7
Carew
7
2
1
4
-16
7
Narberth
2-4
Milford United
8
Pennar Robins
8
2
1
5
-17
7
Neyland
St Ishmaels
DIVISION TWO
9
Narberth
7
2
0
5
-8
2-2
6
10
Fishguard Sports
7
2
0
5
-10
6
Pennar Robins
1-3
Fishguard Sports
Hakin United Res v Merlins Bridge II
11
Milford United
7
2
0
5
-12
6
12
St Ishmaels
7
1
1
5
-15
4
DIVISION TWO
N Hedges & Saundersfoot v Pendine
Camrose
1-0
N Hedges & Saunder…
Johnston
12 - 1
Goodwick United Res
Kilgetty
14 - 0
Monkton Swifts Res
Merlins Bridge II
4-1
Pendine
DIVISION TWO #
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
Hakin United Reserves
9
8
0
1
+22
24
2
Clarbeston Road
9
6
1
2
+23
19
Solva
1-5
Hakin United Res
3
Camrose
8
5
2
1
+14
17
Tenby II
1 - 10
Clarbeston Road
4
Pendine
9
5
1
3
+14
16
5
N Hedges & S'foot
8
4
2
2
+5
14
6
Kilgetty
8
4
1
3
+27
13
7
Goodwick United Res
9
4
1
4
-18
13
8
Johnston
9
3
3
3
+15
12
9
Solva
8
2
1
5
-10
7
10
Merlins Bridge II
8
1
2
5
-14
5
11
Monkton Swifts Res
9
1
0
8
-43
3
12
Tenby II
6
0
0
6
-35
0
DIVISION THREE
Broad Haven
2-4
Kilgetty II
Fishguard Sports Res v Neyland Res
Carew Reserves
1-8
Angle
Milford United Res v Johnston II
Clarbeston Road Res
2-7
Camrose Res
Lawrenny
3-8
Prendergast Villa v Newport Tigers
Pembroke Boro
St Clears
2-2
Herbrandston
St Ishmaels Res v Manorbier United
Fishguard Sports Res
5-1
Pennar Robins II
DIVISION FOUR
DIVISION FIVE
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
Manorbier United
7-1
Neyland Res
1
Herbrandston
9
7
2
0
+24
23
Milford Athletic
Newport Tigers
2
Angle
8
4
3
1
+15
8-0
15
3
Pembroke Boro
8
4
1
3
+18
13
Milford United Res
8-0
St Clears Res
4
Broad Haven
9
4
1
4
-8
13
St Ishmaels Res
11 - 0
Johnston II
5
St Florence
6
4
0
2
+11
12
6
St Clears
8
3
2
3
+2
11
7
Lawrenny
9
3
2
4
-7
11
4-2
Broad Haven Res
8
Kilgetty II
8
3
1
4
-3
10
9
Carew Reserves
9
3
1
5
-12
10
10
Clarbeston Road Res
9
3
1
5
-18
10
11
Camrose Reserves
8
3
0
5
-10
9
12
Letterston
7
1
0
6
-12
3
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
TEAM
1
Milford United Res
9
6
1
2
+34
19
2
St Ishmaels Res
9
6
1
2
+23
19
3
Manorbier United
7
6
0
1
+41
18
4
Neyland Reserves
8
5
1
2
+11
16
5
Prendergast Villa
7
4
1
2
+10
13
6
Fishguard Sports Res
7
4
0
3
+5
12
7
Milford Athletic
7
3
1
3
+7
10
8
Pennar Robins II
9
3
1
5
-13
10
9
Newport Tigers
7
1
2
4
-22
5
10
St Clears Reserves
6
0
0
6
-35
0
11
Johnston II
8
0
0
8
-61
0
Carew Res v Clarbeston Road Res
DIVISION FOUR
TEAM
#
Angle v Letterston
DIVISION THREE
#
DIVISION FOUR
DIVISION THREE
Broad Haven Res v Kilgetty III Lawrenny Res v Narberth Res Letterston Res v N Hedges & S'foot II Pendine Res v Pembroke Boro Res
DIVISION FIVE Herbrandston Res Kilgetty III
4-1
Milford Athletic Res
Letterston Res
2 - 10
Narberth Res
N Hedges & S'foot II
2-1
St Florence Res
Pembroke Boro Res
15 - 0
Lawrenny Res
Pendine Res
3-8
Milford United III
DIVISION FIVE #
TEAM
P
W
D
L
GD
PTS
1
N Hedges & S'foot II
9
9
0
0
+42
27
2
Pembroke Boro Res
6
5
0
1
+31
15
3
Milford United III
8
5
0
3
+9
15
4
Pendine Reserves
8
4
2
2
+6
14
5
Narberth Reserves
8
4
1
3
+14
13
6
St Florence Res
8
4
0
4
-9
12
7
Broad Haven Reserves
7
3
2
2
+5
11
8
Herbrandston Res
7
3
0
4
0
9
9
Kilgetty III
8
3
0
5
-4
9
10
Lawrenny Res
9
1
2
6
-40
5
11
Milford Athletic Res
8
1
1
6
-12
4
12
Letterston Res
6
0
0
6
-42
0
LOCAL FOOTBALL
LOCAL PASSION
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Swansea City could have lost £63m
amid Manchester City financial scandal The BBC’s investigation places Swansea behind only three clubs in its assessment of potential financial consequences. Tottenham top the analysis with estimated losses of £119.9 million, largely through missed Champions League opportunities. Hull City follow with £99 million, reflecting two relegations, while Everton’s estimated disadvantage stands at £66.4 million. Swansea’s £63.1 million places them ahead of Newcastle United, whose estimated losses total £60.4 million. For smaller Premier League clubs, the difference between survival and relegation can be transformational. Another season in the top division provides substantial broadcasting income alongside opportunities to strengthen squads, attract investment and develop commercial partnerships.
SWANSEA CITY could have been financially disadvantaged by more than £63 million during Manchester City’s controversial rise to the top of English football, according to a major investigation by BBC Sport. The Swans have emerged as one of the biggest potential losers from Manchester City’s financial rule breaches, with calculations suggesting the Welsh club may have missed out on millions in Premier League revenue during their seven-year stay in the top flight. BBC Sport places Swansea fourth among the clubs potentially most affected, behind Tottenham Hotspur, Hull City and Everton. The broadcaster estimates the financial impact at £63.1 million, including £54 million associated with relegation in 2018 and another £9.1 million in league placing payments. The findings raise questions about whether Swansea’s Premier League adventure might have lasted longer had the competition operated on a more level financial playing field. Manchester City deny wrongdoing and have appealed the findings. The BBC’s figures represent hypothetical financial consequences rather than proven losses. The £54 million question over Swansea’s relegation The most significant element of the BBC’s calculations concerns Swansea’s departure from the Premier League at the end of the 2017-18 campaign, when seven consecutive seasons in the top division came to an end. The Swans finished 18th with 33 points, three behind Southampton, who secured the final survival position. A disappointing campaign saw Paul Clement dismissed in December before Carlos Carvalhal initially inspired a recovery, only for performances to deteriorate during the decisive final weeks. A damaging 1-0 home defeat to Southampton in May 2018 left Swansea facing an increasingly desperate battle for survival. Relegation was confirmed following another home defeat, against Stoke City, on the final afternoon. The consequences extended far beyond losing Premier League status. Relegation meant surrendering access to substantial television revenues that had helped transform Swansea’s finances and ambitions. BBC Sport estimates the potential financial cost of relegation, after accounting for parachute payments, at approximately £54 million. The calculation uses the minimum revenue Swansea could have received by remaining in the Premier League for another season. Crucially, the findings do not prove Manchester City’s conduct caused Swansea’s relegation or that the Swans would necessarily have survived under different circumstances. They instead illustrate the financial value of an opportunity that might have existed had City operated with considerably fewer resources. Another £9.1 million in missed opportunities Swansea’s estimated financial disadvantage extends beyond their final Premier League campaign. According to the BBC investigation, the club could have
Could Swansea seek compensation?
missed out on another £9.1 million through league placing payments during their seven seasons in the competition. Premier League broadcasting income is partly distributed according to finishing positions, with higher places attracting larger payments. The BBC calculated the potential impact by examining clubs finishing below Manchester City and considering the additional money they might have received by finishing one position higher. Although individual annual differences were relatively modest compared with the estimated cost of relegation, the cumulative figure is significant for a club whose success depended on intelligent recruitment and operating within a smaller budget than many opponents. From League Two to European football For Swansea supporters, the findings carry particular significance because of the extraordinary journey the club undertook before establishing itself in the Premier League. Less than a decade before promotion in 2011, Swansea had been fighting to preserve their Football League status. Their subsequent rise through the divisions became one of the most remarkable stories in modern Welsh football. Under Brendan Rodgers, Swansea defeated Reading at Wembley in the Championship play-off final, becoming the first Welsh club to compete in the Premier League. Michael Laudrup’s arrival brought further success, culminating in the historic League Cup triumph of 2013. A 5-0 Wembley victory over Bradford City secured Swansea’s first major trophy and qualification for European football. The club subsequently enjoyed memorable European nights, including a famous 3-0 victory over Valencia, before
achieving their highest Premier League finish of eighth under Garry Monk in 201415. However, managerial changes, inconsistent recruitment and declining performances eventually contributed to relegation in 2018. While Swansea’s own decisions played a part, the BBC investigation raises questions about the competitive environment in which they were operating. Manchester City’s financial advantage under scrutiny The wider investigation concerns financial arrangements used by Manchester City following Sheikh Mansour’s takeover in 2008. According to BBC Sport, an independent Premier League commission found that City’s sponsorship revenues had been artificially inflated through arrangements described as a disguised funding scheme. The findings involved approximately £830 million in sponsorship income and another £90 million in expenses, with the financial resources helping City assemble a squad capable of consistently challenging for major honours. Between 2009 and 2018, Manchester City won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and three League Cups, while becoming regular Champions League participants. BBC Sport calculated that City received approximately £1.17 billion in domestic and European competition revenues during the period. Across the wider Premier League, rival clubs may collectively have missed out on an estimated £844 million through lost league placing payments, European opportunities and relegation. City continue to deny wrongdoing and have appealed the findings. Swansea among the biggest potential losers
The investigation raises questions about whether clubs potentially disadvantaged during the period could pursue compensation. However, there is an important distinction between identifying a hypothetical financial loss and establishing a legally recoverable claim. BBC Sport has emphasised that its analysis does not assess compensation entitlements or establish that individual clubs would necessarily have finished higher without City’s financial arrangements. Any potential claim would face significant challenges in demonstrating a direct connection between financial breaches and sporting outcomes, particularly when results depend on performances, management decisions and numerous unpredictable factors. With Manchester City’s appeal unresolved, the eventual findings and any sanctions remain central to the wider debate. A question that could haunt the Swans Eight years after relegation, Swansea’s seven-season Premier League adventure remains a defining chapter in the club’s history. It was a period when the Swans defied expectations, defeated some of Europe’s biggest names and demonstrated that a Welsh club could compete successfully against far wealthier opposition. The BBC investigation offers no proof Swansea would have survived under different circumstances. Their relegation was shaped by performances on the pitch, and the club’s own decisions remain an important part of that story. Nevertheless, the estimated £63.1 million illustrates the potential financial consequences of competing against a club found to have benefited from hundreds of millions of pounds in improperly reported funding. As Manchester City’s appeal continues, Swansea supporters may reasonably wonder whether their remarkable Premier League journey could have continued beyond 2018 in a different competitive environment.
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Swansea City could have lost £63m