The Pembrokeshire Herald 19/06/2026

Police officer hailed hero after midnight sea rescue in Milford Haven

A DYFED-POWYS POLICE officer has been praised for his bravery after entering the sea at midnight to rescue a distressed woman heard calling for help off the coast of Milford Haven.

PC Spencer Rourke swam around 100 metres offshore in darkness after locating the woman in the water off Milford beach during the early hours of Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Police were first alerted at 12:31am after a distressed woman on Hamilton Terrace called emergency services and said she intended to enter the sea. Described as highly emotional and panicked, her call prompted an immediate police response.

Officers searched the area but were initially unable to find her. A further update from the control room suggested she had moved towards Foam beach, prompting officers to widen their search.

PC Rourke, alongside PS Anthony, parked at the rear of Foam and began checking the area on foot. In the stillness of the early morning, the officers heard a faint sound coming from the slipway.

As they moved closer, they heard a woman shouting from out at sea.

Using torchlight, the officers eventually spotted her around 100 metres from shore, clearly in distress.

Without hesitation, PC Rourke removed his police kit, grabbed a lifesaving float and entered the water.

As he swam towards her, the woman attempted to move further away, but he

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caught up with her and managed to take hold. Despite difficult conditions and the woman’s distress, he remained with her and guided her safely back towards shore.

Fellow officers waiting at the water’s edge helped bring both to safety.

The woman survived thanks to what colleagues described as PC Rourke’s “swift, selfless and decisive actions.”

Above ANd beyoNd

PS Anthony later praised his colleague, saying there was little doubt that PC Rourke had saved the woman’s life.

He described the officer’s actions as “far above and beyond what would be expected” and praised his judgement, courage and willingness to place himself at considerable personal risk to protect a vulnerable member of the public.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles said: “I am immensely proud of PC Rourke, whose actions on 24 May 2025 exemplify the very best of policing.

“Without hesitation he entered the sea to rescue a woman in distress, saving her life. His courage, selflessness and decisive action under extreme circumstances are truly commendable and bring great credit to the service.”

Man admits drink-driving and careless driving

A MAN has been banned from the roads after admitting drink-driving and careless driving in Haverfordwest.

Andrew Ash, aged 33, of Spittal, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that Ash was driving on Dale Road, Haverfordwest, when he was found to have exceeded the legal alcohol limit.

A breath test recorded 80 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Ash pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion in his breath exceeded

the prescribed limit.

He also admitted driving without due care and attention.

The case was heard before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

Ash was disqualified from driving and sentenced by the court following his guilty pleas.

Financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge, were also imposed.

The court heard that the offence took place on a public road in Pembrokeshire, with the level of alcohol placing Ash at more than double the legal limit.

He said: “PC Rourke absolutely deserves the recognition and admiration for his life-saving actions on 24 May 2025.

“The waters in that area are extremely dangerous as it’s a tidal estuary and a

“PC Rourke was the right officer at the right time because he had the physical ability to do what was needed, but it still took a bold and selfless decision to commit to entering the water that night.”

Haverfordwest child killer murdered by three of Britain’s most dangerous prisoners

HAveRFoRdWeST child killer Kyle bevan has been murdered by three of britain’s most dangerous prisoners in a brutal prison attack that has once again thrust the tragic death of twoyear-old Lola James into the national spotlight.

Bevan, 33, was serving a life sentence for murdering Lola at her home in Princess Royal Way, Haverfordwest, when he was ambushed inside his cell at HMP Wakefield.

On Thursday (Jun 18), a jury at Leeds Crown Court found Mark Fellows, 45, Lee Newell, 57, and David Taylor, 63, guilty

of murder following a trial that heard how Bevan was stabbed and slashed more than 25 times during a frenzied attack lasting less than five minutes.

The court heard that Bevan suffered catastrophic injuries, including a punctured heart, a severed jugular vein and a slashed aorta. One blow was so powerful that the weapon cut through bone.

After killing him, the three men arranged his body to make it appear that

he was asleep in bed. Prison officers did not discover his body until the following morning.

The jury took around two hours to convict all three men.

ReMeMbeRiNg LoLA

For many people in Pembrokeshire, news of Bevan’s death has reopened memories of one of the county’s most shocking and heartbreaking crimes.

Lola James was just two years old when she died following a sustained and savage assault in July 2020.

During Bevan’s trial, jurors heard that the toddler suffered 101 separate injuries.

Medical experts compared one of the catastrophic head injuries she received to the sort of trauma normally seen in a high-speed road traffic collision involving a child.

The court heard that Bevan repeatedly assaulted the youngster while caring for her at the family home.

Afterwards, he attempted to blame the family dog, claiming Lola had been pushed down a staircase.

A JuRy ReJecTed HiS AccouNT.

In 2023, Bevan was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 28 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Lola’s mother, Sinead James, was jailed for six years after being convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child.

A couNTy LeFT devASTATed

The Herald’s coverage of Lola’s death generated one of the largest public responses ever seen to a criminal case in Pembrokeshire.

Thousands followed developments through the investigation, trial and sentencing.

At the time, readers expressed profound sadness for Lola and anger that opportunities to protect her had been missed.

Many local residents described the case as one that had shaken the county to its core.

While reaction to Bevan’s death has been mixed, many people have pointed out that the real victim remains Lola herself.

Social media discussions following news of the prison murder have largely focused on remembering the little girl whose life was cut short rather than the man convicted of killing her.

Others have questioned whether Bevan’s death serves any purpose, arguing that it cannot undo the suffering inflicted upon Lola or bring comfort to those who loved her.

Lola’s death led to extensive scrutiny of agencies responsible for protecting vulnerable children.

A subsequent Child Practice Review identified a number of missed opportunities and systemic failings.

The review highlighted concerns over information sharing, risk assessment and the pressures facing frontline services.

The findings prompted calls for improvements across agencies involved in child protection.

For many readers, those concerns remain just as relevant today as they were when the report was first published.

THe MeN WHo KiLLed bevAN

The three men convicted of Bevan’s murder were already among the most feared prisoners in the country.

Mark Fellows, known as “The Iceman” and “Wakefield Dexter”, was serving a whole-life sentence for two gangland assassinations in the north west of England.

Lee Newell had previously murdered another child killer inside prison.

David Taylor, a convicted armed robber and violent career criminal, was awaiting trial for another murder when he took part in the attack.

The trial heard that Bevan was viewed as a target because of the nature of his crimes.

Like many prisoners convicted of offences against children, he was classed as a vulnerable prisoner and spent much of his time isolated from the wider prison population.

Wakefield under scrutiny again

The killing has renewed questions about conditions inside HMP Wakefield, one of Britain’s most secure prisons.

Known unofficially as “Monster Mansion”, the Category A prison houses some of the country’s most dangerous offenders.

Bevan’s murder came only weeks after another notorious inmate, former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins, was killed in the same prison.

The court heard evidence of tensions between vulnerable prisoners and mainstream inmates, creating what prosecutors described as a distorted hierarchy among offenders.

During the trial, the judge warned jurors not to allow their feelings about Bevan’s crimes to influence their verdicts.

Mrs Justice McGowan said: “Nobody has a right to kill anyone else because they disapprove of what they have done, or because they hate them.

“It is a fairly basic premise in a civilised society.”

Those words may prove uncomfortable for some, given the nature of Bevan’s crimes.

But they underline a principle at the heart of the justice system: that punishment is imposed by the courts, not by fellow prisoners.

For Pembrokeshire, however, the lasting focus remains not on the violent death of Kyle Bevan, but on the loss of a little girl whose murder shocked a community and whose memory continues to resonate across the county.

Woman admits assaults on police officers during incident

A WoMAN has been sentenced after admitting assaults on four police officers during an incident in Haverfordwest.

Danni Sandow, aged 22, of Johnston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that the offences took place at Bridge Meadow Lane, Haverfordwest, on Saturday, May 16.

Sandow pleaded guilty to assaulting four police officers acting in the exercise

of their duty. The officers were named in court as PC Mowlam, PC Herbert, PC Lewis and PC Barrett.

She also admitted resisting or obstructing a police constable in the execution of their duty.

Several other charges relating to emergency workers were withdrawn.

Sandow was made subject to a community order lasting until June 2028.

As part of the sentence, the court

imposed an alcohol abstinence and monitoring requirement, together with rehabilitation activity requirements.

She was also ordered to pay compensation to the officers affected, together with prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The magistrates warned that assaults on emergency workers are treated seriously by the courts due to the risks faced by frontline officers responding to incidents.

Man remanded in custody over alleged assaults and criminal damage

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating and criminal damage.

Kenneth Richards-Mathias, aged 42, of Johnston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that Richards-Mathias is accused of assaulting a woman in Milford Haven on Sunday, June 7, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm.

He is further charged with a second count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, alleged to have taken place in Milford Haven on Tuesday, June 9.

Richards-Mathias also faces an allegation of assault by beating on Thursday, June 11, in Milford Haven.

A further charge alleges he damaged a front door letterbox belonging to the same woman on June 11, causing damage to an unknown value under £5,000.

The matter came before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith for further case management.

Richards-Mathias was remanded in

custody before conviction.

The court recorded bail exceptions including concerns that he was likely to offend, likely to cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, and likely to interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice.

The reasons given included the nature and seriousness of the alleged offences, together with the defendant’s previous record and character.

The court directed that a live link be used for the next hearing.

Richards-Mathias is due to appear again before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 22, at 10:00am for a further mention. A trial has been provisionally listed for Monday, August 3, with an estimated duration of two hours.

Man accused of strangling woman and causing actual bodily harm

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing in court accused of intentional strangulation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Michal Rakowski, aged 42, of no fixed abode, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

He is charged with assaulting a woman at Pembroke Dock on Monday, June 8, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm

Rakowski is also accused of intentionally strangling the same woman on the same date.

The case was listed for mention before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

Sian Vaughan appeared for the

prosecution, while Alaw Harries represented the defence.

Rakowski was remanded in custody before conviction.

The court recorded bail exceptions including that he was likely to offend, likely to cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, likely to interfere with witnesses or otherwise obstruct the course of justice, and likely to abscond.

The reasons given included his previous record and character, the nature and seriousness of the alleged offences, and lack of community ties.

The court directed that a live link be used for his next hearing.

Rakowski will next appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 14, at 10:00am.

Why police will be visiting every home in Pembrokeshire

dyFed-PoWyS PoLice has launched a major new community engagement operation aimed at visiting every home across the force area within the next three years.

Operation Connect will see neighbourhood policing and prevention teams proactively call at residential properties across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys.

The force says the initiative is designed to increase visibility, improve communication, and give residents a direct opportunity to raise local concerns with officers and PCSOs.

According to Dyfed-Powys Police, there are 257,416 residential properties across the force area currently active on local authority council tax systems. The aim is for officers and staff to knock on every one of those doors over the course of the operation.

The scheme follows the launch of Dyfed-Powys Connects in September 2025, a two-way messaging system intended to improve contact between police and local communities.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones

said: “It is vital that we make every effort to connect with those who live and work in our communities, as our public deserves to know their local police teams and feel a genuine sense of trust and confidence in Dyfed-Powys Police.

“I know how much our neighbourhood policing teams care about their areas, and we are undertaking this work because we truly care about the communities we serve.”

During visits, PCSOs will also help

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residents complete priority surveys.

The force says these will allow local concerns to be recorded and used to shape future policing activity.

Dyfed-Powys Police says the surveys will provide measurable data to help maintain community confidence and support problemsolving with partner agencies.

The force currently has 189 full-time equivalent officers and staff deployed in neighbourhood teams. This includes 131 PCSOs and 58 police constables, made up of 29 existing officers and a

further 29 through the Neighbourhood Guarantee uplift.

To cover the whole force area, each officer or staff member would need to visit around 1,362 properties. DyfedPowys Police says this would equate to approximately six properties per officer or staff member each day over a 12-month period.

Chief Inspector Jones added: “By reporting back on our progress through ‘You Said, We Did,’ we will continue to build, solve problems, and maintain lasting relationships with the communities we serve.”

The force says Operation Connect will help it build stronger relationships by listening to local issues, addressing concerns through targeted policing, and sharing progress with communities.

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Prisons at breaking point: MPs

warn Wales is paying the price of a failing system

Frozen healthcare budgets, overcrowded jails, homelessness on release and mounting pressure on staff are undermining rehabilitation across Wales, according to a major parliamentary inquiry

A MAJoR parliamentary inquiry has delivered one of the starkest assessments yet of prisons and rehabilitation services in Wales, warning that overcrowding, staffing shortages and chronic underfunding are putting both prisoners and the public at risk.

The report, Jagged Justice: Prisons, Probation and Rehabilitation in Wales, was published by the House of Commons Welsh Affairs Committee following an extensive investigation into prisons, probation services and rehabilitation programmes across Wales.

Its conclusions paint a troubling picture of a system struggling to cope with rising demand, increasingly complex prisoner needs and a growing gap between what prisons are expected to achieve and the resources available to them.

MPs found evidence of overcrowded prisons, stretched probation teams, growing mental health needs, difficulties accessing healthcare and too many prisoners being released into homelessness or unstable accommodation.

The committee concluded that unless significant changes are made, the system will continue to struggle to rehabilitate offenders and reduce reoffending, ultimately creating greater costs for society and placing

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additional pressure on public services.

Healthcare funding frozen for more than a decade

Among the most alarming findings was evidence relating to prison healthcare funding.

The inquiry heard that the Welsh Government received a recurring transfer of approximately £2.5 million for prison healthcare in 2014. However, no additional ring-fenced funding has been provided since then despite more than a decade of inflation and increasing demand for medical services within prisons.

Evidence presented to MPs showed that the annual cost of delivering healthcare in HMP Swansea, HMP Cardiff and HMP Usk and Prescoed has risen to more than £7.25 million.

This has created an estimated funding shortfall of around £4.8 million.

The scale of the problem becomes clear when looking at individual prisons. Healthcare spending at HMP Swansea alone reached almost £2.47 million last year — nearly matching the original annual allocation intended to support healthcare services across all three institutions.

The committee warned that prisoners often arrive with significantly

worse physical and mental health than the general population.

Rates of substance misuse, chronic illness, learning difficulties, self-harm and serious mental health conditions are considerably higher among prisoners than among the wider public.

As a result, prisons are increasingly being required to function not only as places of detention but also as healthcare providers, mental health facilities and rehabilitation centres.

MeNTAL HeALTH NeedS coNTiNue To RiSe

Mental health concerns featured heavily throughout the inquiry.

MPs heard evidence that prisons are dealing with increasingly complex cases involving severe mental illness, addiction and trauma, while healthcare teams struggle to meet growing demand.

The report highlights concerns that delays in accessing specialist services and secure psychiatric facilities can leave vulnerable prisoners waiting for treatment.

Healthcare professionals and charities told the committee that many offenders arrive in prison with longstanding untreated conditions, often linked to poverty, addiction, adverse childhood experiences and social

exclusion.

The inquiry also heard evidence suggesting communication difficulties are widespread among prisoners, creating further barriers to rehabilitation and increasing the likelihood of disciplinary problems and misunderstandings while in custody.

Experts warned that without adequate mental health support, prisons risk becoming warehouses for vulnerable people rather than institutions capable of helping offenders rebuild their lives.

Overcrowding creating additional pressures

The committee found that prison overcrowding is worsening many of the challenges facing the justice system.

Across England and Wales, prisons have been operating close to capacity for several years, placing additional strain on staff, facilities and support services.

Witnesses told MPs that overcrowding can reduce access to education, training, rehabilitation programmes and healthcare appointments.

The report warns that prison staff are increasingly being asked to manage larger numbers of inmates with more complex needs, often with limited resources and staffing shortages.

This pressure affects not only safety within prisons but also the ability of institutions to prepare offenders for successful reintegration into society.

ReLeASed iNTo HoMeLeSSNeSS

Perhaps one of the most concerning findings relates to what happens after prisoners leave custody.

The committee heard evidence suggesting that around onethird of prisoners are released into homelessness or unstable accommodation.

Without a fixed address, former prisoners often struggle to access benefits, healthcare, employment opportunities and probation support. For many, the first days after release become a battle to find somewhere to sleep rather than an opportunity to rebuild their lives.

MPs concluded that housing shortages are becoming one of the biggest barriers to successful rehabilitation in Wales.

Witnesses argued that releasing people into homelessness significantly increases the likelihood of reoffending and places additional pressure on local authorities, health services and community organisations.

The report calls for stronger coordination between prisons, probation services, housing providers and local authorities to ensure offenders have a realistic chance of rebuilding their lives after release.

Too MucH TiMe beHiNd LocKed dooRS

The inquiry also raised concerns about the amount of time some prisoners spend confined to their cells.

Evidence submitted to the committee suggested some inmates receive as little as 45 minutes out of their cells each day.

Such restrictions limit opportunities for work, education, exercise and rehabilitation programmes.

Experts told MPs that meaningful

rehabilitation requires purposeful activity, skills training and regular human interaction.

Without these opportunities, prisons risk becoming little more than places of containment rather than institutions capable of reducing future offending.

The committee warned that excessive confinement can also worsen mental health problems and increase tensions within prisons.

Wales’ high imprisonment rate under scrutiny

The report also questions why Wales continues to record one of the highest imprisonment rates in Western Europe.

MPs have called for further work to understand why Welsh communities appear to be disproportionately affected by incarceration.

The issue has renewed debate over whether criminal justice powers should eventually be devolved to Wales.

Supporters argue that many

services linked to rehabilitation — including healthcare, housing and education — are already devolved, while responsibility for sentencing and prison policy remains with Westminster.

The committee described this split responsibility as creating a “jagged edge” between devolved and nondevolved services, making effective planning and accountability more difficult.

PARc PRiSoN ReMAiNS iN THe SPoTLigHT

Although the inquiry examined prisons across Wales, concerns surrounding HMP Parc continue to cast a long shadow over discussions about prison safety and rehabilitation.

The Bridgend prison came under intense scrutiny following an unprecedented number of prisoner deaths in 2024.

Questions have also been raised about drug use, violence, self-

harm, staffing levels and access to healthcare services.

The Welsh Affairs Committee has previously expressed concern about conditions at Parc and urged caution over proposals to expand the prison until safety concerns are fully addressed. For communities across Wales, including Pembrokeshire, the issues identified in the report will be familiar.

Many offenders passing through the prison system originate from communities already facing challenges linked to poverty, addiction, mental illness and housing shortages.

A warning for governments

The Welsh Affairs Committee stops short of blaming any single organisation for the current situation.

Instead, MPs argue that years of rising demand, workforce pressures and fragmented responsibilities have combined to create a system struggling to cope.

THeiR WARNiNg iS STRAigHTFoRWARd.

If prisons are expected to rehabilitate offenders, reduce reoffending and protect the public, they need adequate healthcare, housing support, staffing and rehabilitation services.

Without those foundations, the report suggests Wales risks trapping thousands of people in a cycle of imprisonment, release and reoffending that serves neither offenders nor society.

Ten years after many of these challenges first began attracting serious attention, MPs are warning that the cost of inaction is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The question now facing governments in Cardiff Bay and Westminster is whether they are prepared to invest in the changes needed — or whether the problems identified in Jagged Justice will continue to deepen in the years ahead.

Man accused of repeated Tesco thefts and tag damage

A MAN has been jailed after admitting a string of thefts from Tesco and damaging electronic monitoring equipment.

Scott Cowdery, aged 33, of Wesley Place, Trecwn, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

Cowdery admitted stealing alcohol worth £60 from Tesco in Haverfordwest on Saturday, March 7.

He also pleaded guilty to stealing a 24-inch television worth £109 from Tesco, Haverfordwest, on Thursday, March 19.

A further charge related to the theft of meat worth £300 from Tesco in Haverfordwest on Friday, June 5.

Cowdery also admitted criminal damage after damaging an EMS ankle tag and alcohol tag at his home address. The court heard the value of the damage was unknown.

The case was heard before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

Sian Vaughan appeared for the prosecution, while Tom Lloyd represented Cowdery.

Magistrates imposed an eight-week prison sentence.

The court said the offences were so serious that only custody could be

justified. The sentence was aggravated by Cowdery being on licence and a serving prisoner. He was ordered to pay £409

compensation, made up of £109 for the television and £300 for the meat. Cowdery was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

A PeMbRoKeSHiRe drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin

Court Reporter

bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised

Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated. He said: “This sentence should

serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Milford Haven council to discuss new powers, safety requirements and finances

MiLFoRd HAveN ToWN

will meet on Monday (Jun 22), with councillors due to consider a range of governance, financial and community matters.

The meeting will be held at the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit, Unit A, Havens Head Business Park, at 6:00pm.

Before the main agenda, councillors will receive a presentation from Mr A Harries, Development Officer for Mid and West Wales at One Voice Wales, on the General Power of Competence.

The power allows qualifying town and community councils in Wales to do anything an individual may generally do, provided it is not prohibited by law. It is intended to give councils greater flexibility in delivering local services and projects.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to ask questions during a ten-minute public question and answer session.

Councillors will also receive updates

from the Mayor, reports on councillor engagements and community activities, and feedback from representatives on outside bodies.

Items on the agenda include the approval of minutes from the council meeting held on June 8, reports from the Estates Group and Social Media Group, and a report on a Meeting Owl 3 video conferencing system.

The council is also due to consider the appointment of the chair of the Finance, Governance and Projects Committee, which was deferred from the previous full council meeting.

Other business includes a report on health and safety requirements for Milford Haven Town Council, representation on an outside body as an additional community governor at Gelliswick VC School, and financial matters including the May 2026 schedule of accounts and bank reconciliation.

Remote access to the meeting can be provided to councillors and members of the public on request.

Portfield Gate man faces careless driving allegation after Tufton crash

A PoRTFieLd gATe man has appeared before magistrates accused of failing to stop after a road accident on the b4329.

Tony Mallon, 32, of Chestnut Tree Cottage, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17). He is charged with driving a Peugeot Partner without due care and attention on the B4329 Preselly Mountain Road at Tufton on November 12, 2025.

Mallon is also accused of failing to stop after an accident in which damage was allegedly caused to a Toyota Auris, and failing to report the accident to police within 24 hours.

The case was adjourned at the request of the defence for an intermediary report to be prepared.

Mallon is due to appear again at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 8 for a further pre-trial review.

Closure of Ysgol Clydau approved after emotional council debate

Councillors warned rural communities will remember decision

PeMbRoKeSHiRe councillors have voted to close ysgol clydau following an emotional debate over the future of rural education and Welsh-language provision in the county.

The recommendation was carried by 32 votes to 21, with one abstention.

The decision followed strong appeals from several councillors, who warned that closing the school would damage village life, weaken rural communities and risk pushing some families towards home schooling.

Cllr Iwan Ward, the local member, opened the debate by urging councillors to reject the proposal.

He questioned whether the views of local people had genuinely been listened to during the consultation process.

“If the overwhelming concerns of local people have not been listened to, then what was the point of it?” he said.

“This was not a box-ticking exercise. It was a chance to listen.”

Cllr Ward said the people of Clydau had spoken “passionately and clearly” about the importance of the school.

“The school is not just a building,” he said. “It is the heart of the community, where families come together and where the Welsh language is passed on to future generations.”

He warned that closure would affect the viability of young families living in the area and said alternatives, including federation and other collaborative arrangements, had not been properly explored.

“As councillors, we have a

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responsibility not just to look at budgets, but at the people behind them,” he said.

Cllr Ward added that “local democracy does not end when this meeting closes,” warning that people would remember “who stood up for their communities and who chose to protect the heart of rural Pembrokeshire.”

He said the decision would affect communities “long after we have ended our terms, long after we leave this chamber.”

“Today, we have the opportunity to send a message that rural communities matter, Welsh education matters, and local people matter,” he said.

Cllr Anji Tinley also spoke against the recommendation, claiming there had been a wider policy of “starving” rural schools in order to support larger ones.

She warned that once rural schools closed, they were “lost forever”.

Cllr Tinley said she had “never known any other school” bring forward so many options publicly in an attempt to avoid closure.

She told councillors: “When are we going to wake up and listen?”

She said the issue was not simply about pupil numbers or finance.

“Children are more than a spreadsheet number on a desktop,” she said.

Her comments were met with applause from the public gallery.

Welsh language concerns

John Davies said the issue was not confined to Pembrokeshire, pointing to councils across Wales also considering school closures.

“Forget the parties in administration,” he said. “We have a duty beyond politics to all children in the county.”

Cllr Huw Murphy, speaking in Welsh, reminded councillors that he had already made his position clear during a previous council meeting.

“Back in March, I said I would not support closing a school where the Welsh language is strong,” he said.

Referring to the upcoming National Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire, Cllr Murphy added: “The National Eisteddfod is being held here soon, and I cannot support closing a school that can be seen from the Maes.”

He argued that pupil numbers alone should not determine whether a school remained open.

“Numbers are not the only reason for closing a school,” he said. “If that were true, we could close many schools.”

Cllr Murphy also rejected cost as a justification, saying it was inevitable that providing education in rural communities would cost more than in urban areas.

He pointed to Welsh Government ambitions to reach one million Welsh speakers by 2050, questioning whether any future administration would abandon that aim.

In an emotional intervention, he referenced the Manic Street Preachers song If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next.

“If we close this school, more will follow,” he warned.

‘duTy beyoNd PoLiTicS’

Speaking in favour of closure, Cllr

Cllr Davies said there were around 2,000 fewer children in Pembrokeshire than a decade ago, and described the proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau as “extremely sad”.

He said the school itself had been created by combining two other schools, and recalled that when an extension was built there were 71 pupils on roll.

Cllr Davies said the decline reflected wider changes in rural life, including depopulation and changes in farming, with fewer but larger farms.

He added that the council had also closed schools in towns, and said members had a responsibility to all children in Pembrokeshire.

Recalling his own experience, he said he had been a pupil at Eglwyswrw when it closed in 1972, moving from a school of around 30 pupils to one with about 90.

He described that experience as positive and said this was what the council would seek to offer affected pupils.

Cllr Davies said only 14 pupils came from the school’s catchment area, adding that some parents had already “voted with their feet”.

“It is not councils that close schools,” he said. “It is parents who vote with their feet. There is some truth in that saying.”

He concluded by saying that, after 27 years on the council, he would “sadly” vote for closure because he did not believe the school was sustainable in the 21st century.

‘SouL oF A coMMuNiTy’

Cllr Phil Kidney said he could not support the recommendation, warning that some children would struggle if moved into larger schools.

He asked: “Are we setting these kids up to fail? Are we forcing parents down the home-schooling route?”

Cllr Kidney said he would be voting against the proposal.

Referring to a previous school closure in Penally, he said the local vicar had told him that when the school shut, children stopped playing in the village.

“It rips the soul out of a community,” he said.

Cllr Bethan Price praised the school’s social media campaign and said it had helped highlight the strength of local feeling.

She told the meeting: “We need to keep the Welsh language going.”

Cllr Price said she was there to support both the school and the Welsh language.

Her comments were also met with applause from the public gallery.

SuPPoRT FoR cLoSuRe

Cllr Paul Miller spoke in favour of the closure proposal, saying alternative Welsh-language provision remained available to families in the area.

He told members: “Alternative Welsh language provision is available.”

Cllr Miller added that he believed closure was in the best long-term interests of children living within the catchment area.

“I believe that closing the school is in the best long-term interests of pupils in that catchment,” he said.

HoMe ScHooLiNg WARNiNg

Cllr Ward later responded by saying travel times were not the only issue, warning that many parents were now considering home schooling.

He said he had spoken to parents and believed as many as 50% of children could be home schooled if the closure went ahead.

Cllr Ward said: “I am not a fan of home schooling. It is not right. They need a school background and they need to be in school with other children.”

He warned the closure would have far-reaching consequences beyond the school itself.

“This will be devastating for Pembrokeshire and our local communities,” he said.

Several councillors warned the decision would be remembered by rural

communities and could have political consequences at future elections.

Despite the objections, councillors voted 32 in favour of the recommendation, 21 against, with one abstention.

The recommendation was therefore carried.

ReAcTioN

Following the decision of Pembrokeshire County Council to close Ysgol Clydau, Bethan Williams on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith said: “One of the councillors said that closing rural schools is a symptom of the wider problem of depopulation. It is true that the decline in pupil numbers is a symptom, and one that is common to several counties, but rather than addressing the wider problem, the council decided to close the school today.

“Similarly, maintaining and developing rural schools is not the only solution to this, but it is a fundamental part of the solution. There are plans to build more affordable housing in the village of Tegryn, but what is the point of those houses without schools for children?

“There is an opportunity for the new government to give new hope to our Welsh-speaking rural communities, and we will be pressing them to make use of that opportunity.”

New left-wing political party forms first Welsh branch

A NeW political party has formed its first Welsh branch covering ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Ceredigion Penfro branch of Your Party Cymru held its inaugural meeting on Sunday, June 7, with members attending in person in Aberystwyth and online from across both counties.

become active in campaigns.

Dinah Mulholland, Your Party Ceredigion Penfro organiser, said: “We are offering a significant alternative to political parties in the Senedd and in Westminster, who have disregarded the needs of ordinary people for far too long.

“Your Party Cymru will be a new kind of political party. We are rooted in communities, trade unions and social movements, and we are building positive and sustainable change from the ground up.”

Maria Donnellan, Your Party Cymru representative for Your Party UK’s collective leadership, said the formation of the branch was a “historic day” for the party and for Welsh politics.

She said: “Ceredigion Penfro communities have always found ways to look after each other when the state has failed to. It is exactly the right place for Your Party Cymru to take its first steps as a member-led party built from communities, not from the top down.”

Your Party Cymru says it aims to address inequality and injustice, with the new branch planning to stand candidates in elections, launch local campaigns, and support existing

The group says it is the first Your Party Cymru branch to be formally constituted in Wales and will now receive party funding to develop locally and begin campaigning.

The branch said its priorities would include industrial action, housing campaigns, protecting local health services, environmental issues, Palestine solidarity, and opposing the far right.

Organisers say the party will operate as a member-led movement, giving local members a say in how branches are run and offering opportunities to

The Ceredigion Penfro branch will host the Your Party Cymru founding conference at Aberystwyth University on Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19.

Jeremy Corbyn and other socialist figures are expected to speak at the event.

Milford Haven Man jailed for breaching domestic violence protection order

A MiLFoRd HAveN man has been jailed after admitting breaching a domestic violence protection order.

Ryan Carlmain, 33, of Plas Peregrine, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 17).

The court heard that Carlmain breached an order made by the same court on May 14 this year.

The breach took place in Milford Haven on June 10, when he attended an

address at Marble Hall Road, contacted the woman concerned three times by telephone, and entered the property through a bathroom window after snapping a key off in the back door.

Carlmain admitted the breach.

Magistrates committed him to prison for two months, saying the offence was so serious because he had shown a “flagrant disregard for court orders”.

He was also ordered to pay £284 in costs, with payment due on his release.

Retired vicar jailed after child images found on laptop

A ReTiRed vicar has been jailed after police discovered prohibited images of children on his laptop during an unannounced visit to his home.

Andrew Robinson, 77, of Talybonton-Usk near Brecon, was already subject to strict monitoring after admitting child image offences in 2025.

The former clergyman had previously received a suspended prison sentence, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order following his conviction for possessing indecent images of children.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police’s offender management unit carried out a surprise compliance visit to Robinson’s home on June 9, 2026, as part of routine checks on registered sex offenders.

During the visit, officers found an open laptop displaying animated sexual images involving children.

Court Reporter

When challenged by officers, Robinson claimed he did not believe the material was illegal. Following his arrest, he reportedly told officers he had been viewing the images because he had “nothing else to do”. Robinson was charged with

possessing a prohibited image of a child and with breaching the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Appearing before the courts the following day, he admitted both offences.

The breach activated the

suspended prison sentence previously imposed on him. Robinson was jailed for a total of 12 months and 12 weeks and ordered to pay £187.

Detective Sergeant Paula Rutherford said the case demonstrated the importance of monitoring convicted sex offenders in the community.

She said: “The law is clear. Possessing this type of material is illegal, deeply concerning and contributes to the wider harm caused by child sexual exploitation.

“Some people wrongly believe there are no victims when animated images are involved, but viewing such material helps sustain demand for abusive content and can form part of a pathway towards more serious offending.

“The safeguarding of children and the protection of the public remain at the heart of our work. This sentence reflects the seriousness of Robinson’s actions and the effectiveness of proactive offender management.”

Robinson remains subject to notification requirements under sex offender legislation following his release from custody.

Claire Archibald raises concerns over delays to carers’ needs assessments

cAReRS across Wales are being left overworked and without timely support, a Senedd member has warned.

Claire Archibald MS, Reform Wales’ Shadow Minister for Social Care and member for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, raised the issue during questions to the Plaid Cymru Health Minister.

She highlighted concerns that many unpaid carers are still waiting too long for Carer’s Needs Assessments, despite a commitment that assessments should be completed within 28 days.

Ms Archibald said reports such as At Breaking Point showed that many carers were either unaware of their rights or were facing delays before receiving meaningful help.

Questions have now been raised over when the 28-day standard will be fully implemented across Wales and how local authorities will be held to account.

Ms Archibald said: “Carers across Wales are essential to the health care system, yet too many are overworked and not receiving the support they need to continue their vital role.

“Despite Plaid Cymru’s promise to ensure Carer’s Needs Assessments are completed within 28 days, many carers are still unaware of their rights or facing long delays before receiving any meaningful help.

“There must be clarity on when the 28-day standard will be fully

implemented across Wales, alongside robust accountability measures to ensure local authorities deliver on this commitment.

“Without proper funding and

enforcement, there is a risk that responsibility is simply passed on to already stretched councils, leaving carers without the support they urgently need.”

Crown and Chair unveiled for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las

crown and chair for this year’s National eisteddfod have been officially unveiled at a special ceremony in St davids, launching celebrations to mark the festival’s 850th anniversary.

The two prestigious prizes, which will be awarded during Eisteddfod y Garreg Las in August, draw heavily on the landscape, culture and history of west Wales, with Preseli bluestone featuring prominently in both designs.

The Crown, awarded for a freeverse poem or collection of poems on the theme Adnabod (Knowing), was created by husband-and-wife jewellers Elen and Dylan Bowen of Bowen Jewellery, based in Newcastle Emlyn.

Inspired by the traditional farming proverb, “Gold beneath the bracken,

silver beneath the gorse, hunger beneath the heather,” the design reflects the varied landscapes of the Eisteddfod catchment area, from the Pembrokeshire coast to the Preseli Hills.

The Crown incorporates pieces of Preseli bluestone in its central emblem, known as the Nod Cyfrin, while a gold line running across the front represents the ancient Golden Road through the Preseli Mountains. Specially woven fabric created in Llandovery forms part of the design, using colours inspired by the local landscape.

Elen Bowen said the couple wanted the Crown to capture the character of

the area.

“We have tried to reflect the rolling landscape of the Preseli Hills, where individual stones stand proudly on the skyline. The bluestone sits at the heart of the design and helps tell the story of this remarkable part of Wales,” she said.

This is the first time the couple have designed an Eisteddfod Crown.

cHAiR RooTed iN LocAL HiSToRy

The Eisteddfod Chair, awarded for a poem in strict metre on the theme Llinell | Llinellau (Line | Lines), has been designed and crafted by Tomos Lewis, a Design and Technology teacher at Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest and owner of woodcraft business Dail Pren.

Commissioned by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the Chair combines locally sourced oak, Preseli bluestone and fabric produced at Melin Tregwynt.

Its design incorporates references to the historic chair of Lord Rhys at Cardigan Castle, the Preseli Mountains, the Rebecca Riots and the shared heritage of Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion

and Carmarthenshire.

Tomos said the Chair was intended to reflect both the landscape and the communities that make up the Eisteddfod catchment area.

“The back of the Chair brings together three pieces of wood to represent the three counties, while other elements draw inspiration from the area’s history, agriculture and landmarks,” he said.

The oak used in its construction came from a tree grown within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and will be finished with beeswax.

Accepting the Crown and Chair on behalf of the local organising committee, executive committee chairman John Davies described the occasion as a proud moment.

“We are launching celebrations marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod and it is a tremendous honour to receive these beautiful symbols of Welsh culture and creativity,” he said.

“Bluestone lies at the heart of both the Crown and Chair, just as this area has inspired everyone involved in bringing this year’s festival together.”

The Crown and Chair will be displayed at Cardigan Castle until the end of July before being moved to the Eisteddfod Maes.

Eisteddfod y Garreg Las will be held at Llantwd from August 1 to August 8. The Crowning Ceremony will take place on Monday, August 3, at 4:00pm, while the Chairing Ceremony will be held on Friday, August 7, at 4:00pm.

Welsh Government consults on new protections for leaseholders

LeASeHoLdeRS in Wales could be protected from unfair building safety costs under new Welsh government proposals.

A consultation has been launched on the first steps to implement the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026, which was passed unanimously by the Senedd.

The proposals are aimed at residents living in multi-occupied buildings and focus on who should pay when safety defects need to be put right.

The consultation covers three main areas: limiting the costs that can be passed on to leaseholders for remediation work, creating a tribunal-based system for remediation orders and remediation contribution orders, and setting out how the height of regulated buildings should be calculated.

The Welsh Government says the aim is to ensure residents are not left paying for building safety failures they did not cause.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Siân

Gwenllian said: “No leaseholder in Wales should pay for building safety failures they did not cause, and those failures should be rectified as soon as possible.

“This consultation is a crucial step in making sure the Building Safety (Wales) Act 2026 delivers real protection for the people it was designed to serve.

“As we mark the ninth anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, we have a duty to turn this legislation into lasting change — and this Welsh Government is determined to work with partners to make that happen as quickly as possible.”

The consultation is open to residents, leaseholders, building owners and other interested parties.

It closes on September 7, 2026.

Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

MiLFoRd HAveN and Pembroke dock could be at the heart of a new offshore wind boom after Wales’ new energy minister said the sector could drive jobs, investment and coastal regeneration.

Adam Price, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, told the Global Offshore Wind 2026 conference that Wales was “open for business” and ready to work with industry, the UK Government and The Crown Estate.

For Pembrokeshire, the announcement is particularly significant. The Milford Haven Waterway is already being positioned as a key base for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, with Pembroke Port earmarked as a major renewables hub. Plans for a dedicated floating offshore wind storage compound at Pembroke Dock have already secured planning permission.

Mr Price said: “I believe that the offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver high quality sustainable career opportunities for people in Wales.

“The offshore wind sector has a key role to play in bringing about the regeneration of coastal communities in both north and south Wales.

“Our role is to remove the blockers faced by the sector — whether in planning, access to finance or infrastructure.”

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

The Celtic Sea floating wind programme is expected to create major supply chain opportunities for Welsh ports, engineering firms, vessel operators and training providers.

Marine Energy Wales has said the first 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could create more than 5,300 jobs during construction.

The Port of Milford Haven has previously said the Haven’s existing energy expertise, heavy engineering base and deep-water port facilities make it well placed to support the industry.

Mr Price also welcomed UK Government support for Port Talbot, but Pembrokeshire businesses will be watching closely to ensure Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock receive a fair share of the investment.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said offshore wind was “Wales’ next big industrial opportunity”, adding that it could be worth almost £5bn to Welsh businesses and deliver more than 3,000 long-term secure jobs.

For Milford Haven, long associated with oil, gas and marine industry, floating offshore wind could mark the next chapter in the Haven’s energy story.

Welsh Conservatives call for overseas spending

THe WeLSH goveRNMeNT has been urged to stop spending taxpayers’ money on overseas projects and instead focus every pound on public services and the Welsh economy.

Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said ministers should scrap what he described as costly international schemes and overseas offices, arguing that the money would be better spent on hospitals, roads and businesses in Wales.

The Conservatives have repeatedly criticised Welsh Government spending on international projects, including tree planting in Nigeria, solar-powered canoes in the Amazon, and the maintenance of overseas offices.

Mr Millar said the Welsh Government had no responsibility for foreign policy and should concentrate on devolved priorities.

He said: “At a time when patients are being treated in hospital corridors, our road infrastructure is creaking and businesses are taxed to the hilt, it is simply wrong that Welsh taxpayers’ money is being wasted on overseas vanity projects.

to be redirected to public services

“The first duty of the Welsh Government is to the people it serves. Plaid’s Finance Minister is being evasive over how to fund flagship policies, but could save millions of pounds by scrapping wasteful spending on nondevolved areas.

“Tree-planting schemes in Africa,

solar-powered canoe projects in the Amazon and the maintenance of Welsh Government offices in exotic locations around the world, including three in China, represent spending on non-devolved areas, which are the responsibility of the UK Government.

“There’s no such thing as government

money, only taxpayers’ money, and we should be able to see how every penny is spent.

“The Welsh Government must prioritise the needs of the people of Wales and focus spending on public services and building a stronger economy.”

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

A 32-yeAR-oLd man found dead near carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

MoveMeNTS TRAced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen. He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”. The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

Worcestershire man

jailed

after violent attack on woman in Tenby

A WoRceSTeRSHiRe man has been jailed for more than two years after carrying out a serious assault on a woman in Tenby.

Lewis Thompson-Gill, 35, of Worcester Road, Little Witley, was convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm following an incident in the seaside town on December 28 last year.

A jury found Thompson-Gill guilty after a trial, having rejected his not guilty plea to the charge that he unlawfully and maliciously caused the victim serious injury.

Swansea Crown Court heard that the offence was committed while Thompson-Gill was already subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed by Worcester Magistrates’ Court on May 6, 2025.

That earlier sentence related to two breaches of a non-molestation order.

Sentencing Thompson-Gill, Recorder Paul Lewis KC imposed a total prison term of two years and four months.

The sentence comprises 20

months’ imprisonment for the grievous bodily harm offence, together with the activation of an eight-month suspended sentence in full.

The court also ordered ThompsonGill to pay a victim surcharge of £187, which must be paid within three months of his release from custody.

The assault took place in Tenby during the Christmas period and resulted in injuries serious enough to justify the grievous bodily harm charge.

Thompson-Gill will now serve his sentence in custody.

Saundersfoot film to premiere where it was made

A PeMbRoKeSHiRe-made feature film is to receive its big-screen premiere next month in the very harbour where much of it was shot.

Near and Distant Things, written and directed by Saundersfoot filmmaker Emily Batty, will be shown outdoors at Saundersfoot Harbour on Saturday, July 18, as part of the Torch Theatre’s Sunset Cinema series.

The drama, filmed in summer 2025, tells the story of a grieving fisherman trying to support his daughter after she returns home, while experiencing dreamlike visions of his late wife.

The film makes strong use of the Saundersfoot landscape, with scenes filmed at the harbour, The Royal Oak pub, Monkstone Point and other familiar local locations.

Emily, 22, who grew up in Saundersfoot and recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a geography degree, has described the project as “a love letter to home”.

She said: “Watching a film set in Saundersfoot, with recognisable faces and locations on screen, in the heart of the harbour itself where we filmed many scenes, feels incredibly full-circle.

“I can’t wait to share that experience with people.”

The film was made with the support of a small team and a largely local cast and crew.

Emily said the production had only been possible because of the “incredible

Tom

Sinclair editor@herald.email

amount of local support” received during filming.

She also praised composer and sound designer Zach Worthington, whose work helped shape the

atmosphere of the film.

She said: “The score and soundtrack feel so entangled with the landscape of home.

“It’s a little bit folk, a little bit Celtic, and rather emotional.”

Emily, who has written and directed

the film under the name Emily Florence, said some of the ideas behind the film had been with her for several years.

She said: “Some of the images within the film have been in my head since I was 18.”

She added that Pembrokeshire remains a major source of inspiration for her future work.

“I have a couple of screenplays in the works – I never stop writing – and I’m looking to get agented,” she said.

“I’m excited to continue to tell stories, in whatever capacity that may be.

“I can say that Pembrokeshire is still my muse, and I don’t think I’m done telling stories about home.”

The outdoor screening will take place on the harbour decking, with gates opening at 6:00pm and the film beginning at 7:00pm.

The film is rated PG, but includes themes of bereavement, mental health, domestic abuse and references to suicide which some viewers may find upsetting.

Emily said she hoped the premiere would be a moment of shared pride for the village.

She said: “So many people helped bring this film to life.

“There’s something very special about sharing a story set in Saundersfoot, surrounded by the landscape that inspired it.”

Tickets are available through the Torch Theatre website, with advance booking recommended.

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

NeW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energyefficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered highquality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”

Man jailed after admitting strangulation and assaults

A MAN has been jailed after admitting a series of offences including intentional strangulation, assaulting a police officer and assault by beating.

Darren Claypole, aged 52, of no fixed abode, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that Claypole admitted intentionally strangling a woman during an incident earlier this year.

He also pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty.

The offences were committed across separate incidents, with the court hearing details of repeated offending.

Claypole entered guilty pleas before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

He was sentenced to an immediate term of imprisonment.

The court also imposed a restraining order to protect the complainant and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge.

Magistrates said the offences were serious, particularly the strangulation allegation, which Parliament has recognised as a significant indicator of escalating domestic violence.

Man banned from roads after drink-driving offence

A MAN has been banned from the roads after admitting drinkdriving and careless driving in Pembrokeshire.

Simon Bowley, aged 62, of Pembroke Dock, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that Bowley was stopped while driving on the B4320 between Angle and the Speculation Inn, where concerns were raised about the manner of his driving.

A breath test later showed he had 50 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Bowley pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion in his

Court Reporter

breath exceeded the prescribed limit.

He also admitted driving without due care and attention.

The case was heard before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

Bowley was disqualified from driving following his guilty plea.

The court also imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

Magistrates noted that drinkdriving remains a serious offence, with motorists placing both themselves and other road users at risk when driving after consuming alcohol.

Woman admits drug-driving offences in Milford Haven

A WoMAN has admitted drugdriving after being found over the legal limit for cocaine in Milford Haven.

Veronica Jones, aged 38, of Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that Jones was driving in Milford Haven when she was found to have a quantity of cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in her

blood above the specified legal limit.

Jones pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a controlled drug above the specified limit.

The offences related to both cocaine and benzoylecgonine, a substance produced by the body after cocaine use.

The case was heard before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

Jones was sentenced following her guilty plea and disqualified from driving.

The court also imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

Drug-driving offences carry strict penalties, with courts treating the presence of illegal drugs behind the wheel as a serious risk to public safety.

Lib Dems say new EU deal could help businesses and boost defence ties

THe LibeRAL deMocRATS have called for britain to rebuild closer links with europe, saying a return to the Single Market and customs union could help businesses, exporters and major energy projects in Pembrokeshire.

The party says its proposed “Growth and Defence Partnership” with the European Union would cut trade barriers, strengthen national security and help repair what it describes as the economic damage caused by Brexit.

The announcement comes ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 2016 referendum, which saw the UK vote to leave the EU.

For Pembrokeshire, the debate has particular relevance. The county’s economy is closely tied to agriculture, food production, tourism, ports, energy and international trade. Businesses exporting goods into Europe have faced additional paperwork and costs since Brexit, while major projects around Milford Haven, the Celtic Freeport and offshore wind are expected to depend heavily on international investment and cooperation.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey is expected to use a speech to the European Movement to call for immediate talks with the EU on a new deal.

The party wants the UK to join the

by

create jobs and keep our country safe.”

The party is also calling for closer defence cooperation with European allies, including a new European Security Council and greater joint procurement.

Sir Ed is expected to argue that the threat from Vladimir Putin’s Russia, together with uncertainty over American foreign policy under Donald Trump, makes closer UK-European defence cooperation essential.

The proposals are likely to reopen political arguments over Brexit. Labour has so far ruled out rejoining the Single Market or Customs Union, while the Conservatives and Reform UK remain opposed to reversing Brexit.

But the Liberal Democrats say the economic case for closer European ties is now impossible to ignore.

Single Market through the European Economic Area, alongside countries such as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It is also calling for a new customs union with the EU.

The Liberal Democrats say this would remove many of the barriers currently faced by businesses trading with Europe.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster

was one of the hardest hit parts of the UK by the failed Brexit experiment that was masterminded by the likes of Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson.

“We shouldn’t have to live with the bad deal they’ve lumped us with. People deserve far better than that.

“That’s why we are calling for a bold new deal with Europe to boost growth,

For Pembrokeshire, the question is not only ideological. Farmers, food producers, hauliers, tourism businesses, port operators and energy companies all depend on smooth trading links, investment confidence and international cooperation.

Ten years after the referendum, the party says Britain must stop treating closer European cooperation as a taboo and start focusing on what would help communities, businesses and public services.

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

A yAcHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off caldey island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

£145m NHS Wales boost welcomed

NeW NHS funding must be matched by proper workforce planning if it is to cut waiting lists and improve patient care, nursing leaders have warned.

The Royal College of Nursing Wales has responded to a Welsh Government announcement of an additional £145 million investment in NHS Wales.

The package includ es £100 million in revenue funding to reduce waiting times, £25 million capital funding for new surgical and diagnostic hubs, and £20 million for essential maintenance across the NHS estate.

The Welsh Government says the investment is intended to increase capacity, speed up diagnosis and help more patients receive planned treatment more quickly.

Up to ten surgical and diagnostic hubs are expected to be developed across Wales over the next four years. These facilities are designed to carry out highvolume planned treatment and tests

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away from the day-to-day pressure of emergency hospital care.

But RCN Wales said the success of the plan would depend not only on buildings and equipment, but on having enough trained staff to run the services safely.

Nicola Williams, Executive Director of RCN Wales, said: “RCN Wales welcomes this additional investment in NHS Wales and the Welsh Government’s commitment to reducing waiting times and improving patient care and outcomes.

“Investment in surgical and diagnostic hubs, alongside funding for essential maintenance, has the potential to significantly improve our population’s health, reduce delays, improve experiences and increase NHS capacity.

“However, buildings and equipment

alone will not reduce waiting lists. Delivering sustainable improvements depends on having the right, appropriately trained and skilled workforce in place, and nurses will play a pivotal role in the provision of safe, effective and efficient care.”

She said robust workforce modelling and planning would be “critically important” if the hubs were to achieve their ambitions.

The announcement comes as RCN Wales joins healthcare leaders, employers and government representatives at a Graduate Summit to discuss employment opportunities for this year’s nursing graduates.

RCN Wales said it welcomed the Welsh Government’s focus on the issue, but warned that newly qualified nurses had faced uncertainty about securing permanent employment despite continuing pressure across NHS services.

Ms Williams said: “Nursing staff are telling us consistently and across Wales that, despite there being no vacancies, there is insufficient staff to meet increasing patient complexity and demand.

“Nurses are going without breaks and feel most shifts that they are unable to give the care that patients need.

“It is therefore deeply concerning that newly qualified nurses have faced uncertainty about securing substantive employment.

“Wales cannot afford to lose the talent, skills and commitment of a generation of nursing graduates that our health and care services desperately need.”

RCN Wales said retaining newly qualified nurses was essential for the future sustainability of NHS and social care services.

The union also welcomed the Welsh Government’s commitment to strengthening primary and community care, but said any shift towards treating people closer to home must be matched by investment in the nursing workforce.

Ms Williams added: “Nurses are central to delivering care closer to home and helping people stay healthier for longer.

“Any shift in resources towards primary care must be matched by investment in the nursing workforce needed to deliver these ambitions.”

The key question for west Wales is whether any of the proposed surgical or diagnostic hubs will be located in the Hywel Dda area, and whether Pembrokeshire patients will see a direct benefit from the new funding.

No specific locations have yet been confirmed.

RCN Wales said it looked forward to working with the Welsh Government and health service partners to ensure the investment delivered lasting improvements for patients and supported the nursing workforce on which those improvements depend.

Woman admits drug-driving offences in Milford Haven

A WoMAN has admitted drugdriving after being found over the legal limit for cocaine in Milford Haven.

Veronica Jones, aged 38, of Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16).

The court heard that Jones was driving in Milford Haven when she was found to have a quantity of cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, in her blood above the specified legal limit.

Jones pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle with a controlled drug above the specified limit.

The offences related to both cocaine

and benzoylecgonine, a substance produced by the body after cocaine use.

The case was heard before magistrates Dr R Talbot-English, S Ley and A Smith.

Jones was sentenced following her guilty plea and disqualified from driving.

The court also imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

Drug-driving offences carry strict penalties, with courts treating the presence of illegal drugs behind the wheel as a serious risk to public safety.

Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to perform at Royal Welsh Show

THe HAWKSToNe FARMeRS’ cHoiR, winners of iTv’s britain’s got Talent, will perform at the 2026 Royal Welsh Show.

The choir will sing in the main ring on the afternoon of Monday, July 20, the opening day of the show at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

Formed by Jeremy Clarkson as part of an advertising campaign for his Cotswolds-based brewing business, the choir has since grown into a national success story, using its platform to raise awareness of mental health within the farming community.

Aled Rhys Jones, chief executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir to the Royal Welsh Show.

“Their performance on the Monday in the main ring, in front of thousands of visitors, will be a truly special occasion.”

He added that it would be the choir’s first official performance in Wales since winning Britain’s Got Talent, and said many choir members had strong links with the Royal Welsh.

Lead soloist Rosie Jones, a beef and sheep farmer from Mid Wales, said: “What an honour to be invited to sing at the Royal Welsh Show 2026.

“This fairytale journey just keeps growing, but the greatest thing to come from it is the community we’ve built within the choir and beyond.”

The Royal Welsh Show is one of Europe’s leading agricultural events, celebrating Welsh farming, food and rural life.

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed

against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

Welsh Government urged to honour Senedd vote on school support staff pay body

WeLSH LAbouR has called on the Plaid cymru government to set out whether it will act on a Senedd vote backing the creation of a new negotiating body for school support sta ff.

The proposed School Support Staff Negotiating Body would provide a national forum for discussing pay, terms and conditions for workers such as teaching assistants, caretakers, cleaners, cooks, administrative staff and lunchtime supervisors.

Supporters say the body is needed to address long-standing inconsistencies in pay and conditions across Wales, including concerns over term-time-only contracts, limited career progression and the lack of a dedicated national bargaining structure for non-teaching school staff.

The issue was raised in the Senedd by Welsh Labour’s Huw Thomas following the passing of an Opposition Day motion last week. The motion, tabled by Labour, secured cross-party support and called for progress on establishing a Welsh SSSNB.

During questions to the Cabinet Minister for Effectiveness and the Constitution, Mr Thomas pressed the Welsh Government on whether work had begun on legislation.

He asked: “Can you confirm that as the Cabinet Minister responsible for the legislative agenda, you are respecting the Senedd’s wishes and have begun preparing legislation for a School Support Staff Negotiating Body?”

Welsh Labour says the proposal would bring Wales into line with

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England, where legislation has already been taken forward to create a School Support Staff Negotiating Body for workers in state-funded schools.

The policy was also a Welsh Labour manifesto pledge and has been backed by trade unions including UNISON and GMB, which have campaigned for better recognition, fairer pay and clearer career structures for school support staff.

Labour argues that support staff play a vital role in the day-to-day running of schools and in supporting pupils’ learning, wellbeing and safety,

but that their pay and conditions have not always reflected the importance of their work.

Mr Thomas, Welsh Labour’s spokesperson for Finance, Democracy, Citizenship and the Welsh Language, also pressed ministers for assurances that manifesto commitments would appear in the Programme for Government in the form originally promised.

Labour said the Plaid Cymru Cabinet Minister declined to give an unambiguous commitment that all manifesto pledges would be carried forward.

However, Opposition Day motions passed by the Senedd do not in

themselves create legislation. They place political pressure on ministers to respond, but the Welsh Government is not automatically required to introduce a Bill.

Any new negotiating body would also require detailed work on funding, the role of local authorities, union representation, school budgets and how national terms would interact with existing council and school employment arrangements.

Welsh Labour says ministers must now provide a timetable for legislation and explain how they intend to work with unions, councils, schools and support staff on the creation of the body.

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

A WoMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.

Puppy breeding investigations remain high in Carmarthenshire

c ARMARTH e NSH i R e remains Wales’ puppy breeding hotspot, despite a fall in the number of investigations carried out by the county council last year.

New figures obtained by RSPCA Cymru under the Freedom of Information Act show that Carmarthenshire County Council undertook 46 dog breeding investigations in 2025, down from 59 in 2024.

The number of prosecutions in the county also fell sharply, from 12 in 2024 to three in 2025.

Across Wales, however, the picture is different. Local authorities carried out 210 investigations into suspected irresponsible or illicit puppy trading in 2025, compared with 144 the previous year — a rise of 46%.

RSPCA Cymru is now calling on the Welsh Government to review dog breeding laws and ensure councils have the resources needed to tackle illegal and hidden breeding activity.

Local authorities are responsible for licensing dog breeding establishments, checking compliance with licence conditions, investigating illegal breeding and bringing prosecutions where necessary.

Billie-Jade Thomas, Senior Public Affairs Manager for RSPCA Cymru said: “With the number of investigations having increased significantly in 2025, it is encouraging to see local authorities working hard to investigate complaints relevant to dog breeding made to them by

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members of the public.

“Traditionally, Carmarthenshire is known as one of the UK’s hot spots for dog breeding activity and we welcome all efforts made by the council to improve the enforcement of the relevant regulations in the county.

“Prosecutions are also significantly down, which could suggest signs of improvement across Wales as a result of the proactive and advice-led approach being undertaken by many local authorities.

“However, some cases from 2025 will still be progressing this year, and we always fear there are many underground sellers undertaking irresponsible breeding practices and providing poor care behind closed doors. It is important that these efforts continue.”

In November, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet endorsed a series of recommendations following a Task and Finish Group review into dog breeding.

These included working with local vets to ensure they understand the requirements placed on licensed breeders, improving public knowledge about dog breeding, considering a compulsory scoring system for licensed breeders, and reviewing licensing fees.

RSPCA Cymru took part in the council’s consultation exercise. The

forefront of our actions.

“By adopting intelligence-led enforcement and prioritising early intervention, we strive to prevent poor practices and support responsible breeders.

“Our robust approach to licensing and inspection, together with strong partnership working, enables us to address hidden breeding activity, safeguard animal welfare and foster public confidence in our methods.

“The recent Task and Finish review undertaken by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Place, Sustainability and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee has provided valuable recommendations that are shaping our local strategy.

“Furthermore, we are open and willing to engage with any national review of dog breeding regulations should the Welsh Government decide to advance that recommendation.”

review also made recommendations at a national level, including a review of current legislation, a centralised microchipping database, consideration of a national scoring system for breeders, and whether a national body is needed to support dog breeders.

Billie-Jade added: “We were really pleased to engage with this review and are encouraged that the council is looking at how to ensure high and consistent standards are enforced to protect welfare.

“Working with local vets and the public to enhance knowledge about dog breeding licensing locally will help spread information, while a compulsory scoring system could give people added confidence when buying from a breeder.

“But some of the national recommendations are really important too, and we hope the Welsh Government will take these on board and commit to a review of Wales’ dog breeding regulations to ensure they protect animal welfare.”

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen said: “Carmarthenshire County Council remains committed in its proactive efforts to address illegal dog breeding.

“We consistently collaborate with local vets, licensed breeders and the public to raise awareness and drive improvements in standards, always placing animal welfare at the

New dog breeding laws came into force in Wales in 2015. They require anyone keeping three or more breeding bitches, or breeding three or more litters of puppies a year and selling any of them, to obtain a licence from their local council.

The RSPCA says the scale of dog breeding in Wales, and the age of the current legislation, means the rules now need to be reviewed.

Animal Licensing Wales, led by Monmouthshire County Council on behalf of Trading Standards Wales, supports councils with inspections, investigations and enforcement work.

Project Manager Zoe Phillips said: “While prosecutions have fallen, the increase in investigations shows that concerns are being identified and acted on more effectively.

“In many cases, local authorities are now intervening earlier, using advice, compliance work and targeted enforcement to improve standards before issues escalate to court.

“It is also important to recognise that some cases may still be progressing through the courts this year which are not yet reflected in annual figures.”

The RSPCA is urging anyone concerned about suspected illegal puppy selling to contact their local trading standards team.

Anyone with dog welfare concerns can contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

The charity also advises prospective puppy owners to use the free Puppy Contract, available at www.puppycontract.org.uk, and says people should consider adopting a rescue dog where possible.

Security privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds

HAveRFoRdWeST

ToWN

couNciL has confirmed that security personnel seen at this year’s beating of the bounds were privately arranged and paid for by the town’s Mayor.

The council issued a statement on Tuesday (June 16) following queries about the presence of security staff at the civic event.

It confirmed that the arrangements were made by the Mayor and Admiral of the Port, Councillor Randell ThomasTurner, and were not commissioned by the council.

The statement said the decision was taken by the Mayor as a personal precaution in response to safety concerns connected with his role as a councillor.

No SPeciFic THReAT

The council stressed that the presence of security personnel should not be interpreted as an indication of any specific threat to the event, participants, or members of the public.

It added that the event “proceeded safely and successfully” and that there were no incidents of concern during the day.

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The Beating of the Bounds is one of Haverfordwest’s oldest civic traditions, with the Mayor and Sheriff travelling to the White Stone, the historic boundary marker of the Port of Haverfordwest, to reaffirm the ancient boundaries and rights of the town.

Hundreds of people attended this year’s event, which included a flotilla, music, entertainment, stalls and family activities along the riverside.

In its statement, the council said it remained committed to ensuring civic events were “welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly” occasions.

It said appropriate planning and risk management arrangements were undertaken for all public events so residents and visitors could attend with confidence.

The council added: “While the security arrangements were a personal matter for the Mayor, the council recognises the importance of supporting the wellbeing and safety of all elected members and staff.

Two more rural schools face closure as statutory notices issued

TWo more rural schools in west Wales could close by the end of the year after carmarthenshire county council published statutory notices proposing the closure of ysgol Meidrim and ysgol y Fro.

The move follows growing concern over the future of small rural schools across the region, after The Herald reported yesterday on separate school closure proposals in Pembrokeshire. Carmarthenshire County Council

confirmed on Tuesday (Jun 16) that statutory notices had been issued under the School Standards and Organisation Act 2013.

Members of the public now have 28 days to object, with the deadline set for July 14, 2026.

Objections can be submitted through the council’s online surveys for Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol y Fro, by emailing MEPConsultations@ carmarthenshire.gov.uk, or in writing

to Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Leisure, County Hall, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP.

cAbiNeT deciSioN

The decision to issue the statutory notices was agreed by Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet on Monday, June 1.

If the proposals are approved, both closures would take effect from December 31, 2026.

From January 1, 2027, pupils currently attending Ysgol Meidrim would be expected to attend either Ysgol Griffith Jones or Ysgol Hafodwenog, depending on parental preference and the council’s admissions arrangements.

The catchment area of Ysgol Gynradd Meidrim would also be redesignated and absorbed into the existing catchment areas of Ysgol Griffith Jones and Ysgol Bancyfelin.

Under the proposals for Ysgol y Fro, pupils would attend Ysgol y Dderwen from January 1, 2027, again subject to parental preference and admissions arrangements.

Its catchment area would be redesignated and included within the

existing catchments of Llangunnor Primary School, Llanddarog VC Primary School, Ferryside VC Primary School, Gwynfryn Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwenllian, Ysgol Gynradd Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol y Castell.

The council says both schools have been identified under viability criteria set out in its Modernising Education Programme, which was approved by Cabinet on November 18, 2024.

The publication of statutory notices marks a formal stage in the closure process and gives parents, residents, governors and other interested parties the opportunity to object before a final decision is made.

The proposals come amid wider concern about the future of small rural schools, with communities across west Wales warning that closures can have a lasting impact on village life, Welsh-language education, transport arrangements and young families.

The council has said objections received during the statutory notice period will be considered before any final decision is taken.

National Park Authority buys 12 new vehicles using grant

TWeLve new vehicles have been bought by Pembrokeshire coast National Park Authority to replace ageing fleet vehicles, including one said to be more than 17 years old.

The Authority confirmed the vehicles have been purchased outright, rather than leased, and funded through a Welsh Government capital grant.

The new fleet includes six hybrid Toyota Hilux vehicles for wardens and rangers, four electric pool cars for staff business travel, an electric minibus for volunteer groups and engagement work, and an electric van for Carew Castle.

The Authority said the vehicles were bought to replace older vehicles, not to expand the fleet.

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A spokesperson said the organisation had been reducing its fleet over the past 12 months to save money and improve efficiency.

They added that the older leased vehicles were being returned at the end of their lease terms, while owned vehicles were either part-exchanged or sent to auction.

The Authority said electric, hybrid and lower-cost options were considered

as part of the procurement process.

The procurement was carried out through a Welsh Government framework and Crown Commercial Services.

Asked how the purchase represented value for money during wider public sector financial pressures, the Authority said renewing existing leases would have cost nearly three times as much as the previous lease.

It also said the lower-emission vehicles would be cheaper to run, with electric vehicles able to be charged from Authority buildings.

The vehicles include six hybrid Toyota Hiluxes, four electric pool cars made by MG and Toyota, one Toyota electric minibus, and one Toyota electric van.

Rivers groups to meet local Senedd Member over pollution

cAMPAigNeRS from across north Pembrokeshire and south ceredigion are set to come together later this month to press for action on the growing problem of river pollution.

Representatives from several river groups will meet local Senedd Member Anna Nicholl at Haverhub in Haverfordwest on Monday, June 29, to discuss concerns about the health of local waterways and explore potential solutions.

The event follows the recent Senedd election and comes as environmental groups seek to influence policy under the new Welsh Government. Organisers say there is an opportunity to tackle what they describe as an environmental crisis affecting rivers across Wales.

Groups attending include those representing the Rivers Cleddau, Teifi, Nanhyfer and Gwaun. Members have been involved in monitoring water quality, gathering environmental data, engaging

with local authorities and the Welsh Government, and promoting greater public appreciation of rivers and their ecosystems.

While each organisation operates independently and focuses on issues affecting its own river catchment, the groups regularly work together on wider environmental initiatives, including river festivals and awareness campaigns.

Organisers say the meeting will provide an opportunity for campaigners to share their concerns directly with the local Senedd Member and discuss what further action may be needed to improve river health and reduce pollution.

The session will be chaired by Fishguard County Councillor Billy Shaw and community campaigner Vicky Moller.

The public is invited to attend the meeting, which takes place from 2:00pm to 4:00pm at The Sorting Office, Haverhub, Haverfordwest.

concerns

Government hails rural 4G boost as Tenby signal concerns continue

MiNiSTeRS have hailed the rollout of dozens of 4g mast upgrades across rural Wales, but recent concerns in Tenby show mobile coverage remains a live issue in

Pembrokeshire.

The UK Government says a further 11 mast upgrades have been switched on in Wales this year through the Shared Rural Network, bringing the Welsh total

to 55.

The scheme is aimed at improving mobile coverage in hard-to-reach rural areas, helping residents, businesses and visitors stay connected and access help more quickly in an emergency.

Areas benefiting from the latest upgrades include Nant Gwynant in Snowdonia, Capel y Ffin near Abergavenny, Manafon near Welshpool, and several locations across Powys.

Telecoms Minister Liz Lloyd said the programme was helping bring “every part of the UK into the digital age”, while Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said reliable coverage was vital for rural communities and economic growth.

However, the announcement comes amid continuing concern about mobile phone coverage in Tenby, where residents and businesses have raised concerns about poor signal and mastrelated issues.

Although the latest UK Government upgrades focus mainly on remote rural areas, the problems reported in Tenby highlight that connectivity remains a pressing issue in Pembrokeshire, particularly in coastal communities which see huge seasonal increases in visitor numbers.

Reliable mobile coverage is increasingly seen as essential for tourism businesses, delivery drivers, emergency services, residents and visitors who rely on phones for payments, bookings, navigation and safety.

The Shared Rural Network is a partnership between the UK Government and mobile network operators. Across Great Britain, more than 140 publicly funded 4G masts have now been activated.

The programme is due to continue until January 2027.

Youth artwork brings colour to Haverfordwest railway station

youNg people have helped bring new colour and creativity to Haverfordwest Railway Station as part of a wider project to improve one of the town’s key gateways.

A partnership involving local services, transport organisations and community groups has worked together to refurbish parts of the station and install new artwork, with a strong focus on youth engagement and creative participation.

The project involved South West Wales Connected, Pembrokeshire County Council Youth Justice, The Edge Youth Centre and Regeneration Teams, Kier, Transport for Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police, The VC Gallery, Haverfordwest Action Forum and local artists.

As part of the Welsh Governmentfunded Haverfordwest Public Transport Interchange scheme, Kier carried out refurbishment works at the station, including cleaning and improvements to the waiting area and public facilities.

An unused building on Platform 2 was also cleaned and prepared for the display of artwork. The art installations were funded through the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund.

Young people supported through Pembrokeshire County Council services produced a series of artworks which are now on display in the station waiting area and on the Platform 2 building. Additional

pieces created by local artists have also been installed.

The scheme is intended to create a more welcoming environment for passengers and visitors, while giving young people the chance to take part in meaningful creative activity.

The improvements form part of wider efforts to enhance key gateways into Haverfordwest, from the railway station to the new Haverfordwest Public Transport Interchange, and support town centre regeneration.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “It’s great to see art and culture brought to people as opposed to them actively seeking it out and we have a great tradition in Pembrokeshire of young people

producing public art in this form.

“The fact that this is a wide-ranging partnership of groups only adds to the value of the project. I hope people take an opportunity to have a look at what has been created.”

Ian Rees, Regional Director for Kier Construction Western and Wales, said: “We’re proud to have supported improvements at Haverfordwest Railway Station through our work on the wider public transport interchange project, and to be leaving such a positive legacy for the local community.

“It’s been fantastic to see so many stakeholders come together to support and celebrate the creative young people involved in this project, providing a more welcoming space for passengers and

visitors.”

Philip Merchant, Project Manager for South West Wales Connected, said: “As South West Wales Connected, we took on this project as a response to community feedback that the station was not a welcoming place, in its environment and for passenger wellbeing.

“It was a challenge and an opportunity to take this on as a blank canvas and it was so enjoyable to work with many partners who all had the same vision and reasons to upgrade this important railway station.”

Nathaniel Owen, Senior Customer Operations Manager for Transport for Wales, said: “Transport for Wales are delighted to have worked closely with Pembrokeshire County Council, Kier Construction, South West Wales Connected and local artists and stakeholders to deliver some small but important improvements to the station environment at Haverfordwest.

“We hope customers will enjoy looking at the artwork done by local people for local people when they travel with us.”

The partners said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to supporting young people, improving public spaces and making Haverfordwest railway station a more attractive and welcoming place for the wider community.

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

A uNiQue exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery

in Haverfordwest. Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email toni@thevcgallery.org.

The VC Gallery said it is looking

community to bring people together.

Ceremonial gown linked to Prince Charles’ 1969 investiture discovered in Saundersfoot

A ceReMoNiAL gown worn by the grandson of former Prime Minister david Lloyd george during the 1969 investiture of Prince charles has been discovered at an antiques roadshow in Pembrokeshire.

The gown, worn by Owen Lloyd George, 3rd Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor, was found alongside his original invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to take part in the historic

ceremony at Caernarfon Castle.

The items were brought to a WeBuyVintage roadshow in Saundersfoot by a member of the public who had acquired them after they were removed from Ffynone House, near Boncath, the Earl’s former Pembrokeshire country seat.

The Earl, who lived from 1924 to 2010, was the grandson of David Lloyd George, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. He was given a prominent

role at the investiture on July 1, 1969, carrying the ceremonial sword during the nationally televised event.

The red ceremonial gown bears the Earl’s name on a label inside and is believed to have been made especially for him for the ceremony. It was kept at Ffynone House for decades.

The current owner said she rescued the items in 2021 after seeing possessions from the house being advertised for sale.

She said: “The owner explained that many historic possessions connected to the Lloyd George family were likely to be discarded following the sale of the house and its contents.

“I felt I could not let that happen with the gown and the letter, as these felt like genuine pieces of Welsh history and I wanted to make sure they were preserved.”

Antiques specialist Neil Church, of WeBuyVintage, said the discovery was immediately significant.

He said: “Every so often, something comes through the door that truly stops you in your tracks, and this was one of those moments.

“Far more than an old ceremonial garment, it was a remarkable discovery directly connected to one of the most significant royal and historic moments in modern Welsh history, the investiture of the now King Charles.

“What made it especially fascinating was its provenance, tracing it back to the grandson of the former Prime Minister of Britain and the family’s historic country seat, Ffynone House.

“While we valued it at around £600, its historical significance reaches far beyond its monetary worth.”

The gown and invitation are now being described as a rare surviving piece of Welsh and royal ceremonial history, rediscovered in west Wales more than half a century after they were used at Caernarfon Castle.

Bellringers praised at St Davids Cathedral service

A SeRvice was held today at St davids cathedral for the annual meeting of the diocesan guild of bellringers.

Fr Jim, the guild’s chaplain, led the service, during which the Bishop of St Davids preached and thanked members for their dedication to churches across the diocese.

He spoke about the important role bells play in marking moments of worship, celebration and remembrance, and said he had been personally moved when bells marked significant points in his own ministry.

The guild is keen to encourage new people to take up bellringing and says it is a friendly and approachable group for anyone interested in getting involved in church life.

River festival brings crowds to Haverfordwest

A ceLebRATioN of the River cleddau brought crowds into Haverfordwest on Saturday (June 13) as the town’s River Festival returned for a second year.

The event, centred around HaverHub and stretching along the quay towards the Bristol Trader, attracted families, visitors and local residents for a packed day of riverside activities.

Organised by The Cleddau Project, the festival showcased the beauty, wildlife and heritage of the Cleddau, with visitors enjoying canoe trips on the river, live music, demonstrations, art exhibitions, science activities and a wide range of community stalls.

County Councillor for Castle

Ward, Thomas Tudor, attended the event and said it was “great” to see so many people visiting the County Town of Pembrokeshire.

He thanked organisers, volunteers and supporters for helping make the day such a success.

The sunny weather helped draw large crowds to the riverside, with many gathering along the embankment to watch activities on the water, including canoeing and boat displays. Free canoe trips proved particularly popular, giving people a chance to experience the

Community groups and charities were also out in force, sharing information about river conservation, marine wildlife, recycling and local environmental projects. Exhibitions highlighted the importance of protecting Pembrokeshire’s waterways, while stalls offered local produce, crafts and refreshments throughout the day.

A specially crafted coracle — a traditional small boat linked to Welsh river heritage — was also on display, helping visitors learn more about historic life on the river and Pembrokeshire’s maritime traditions.

Crowds lined the riverside near

the Riverside Shopping Centre as the festival atmosphere continued into the afternoon, with families taking advantage of the warm weather to relax beside the water.

The festival was supported by a number of organisations including Haverfordwest Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, HaverHub, Riverside Shopping Centre and Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give.

Organisers say the event is aimed at reconnecting people with the river that helped shape Haverfordwest, while celebrating the Cleddau as one of Pembrokeshire’s greatest natural assets.

Beating of the Bounds brings music, boats and tradition to Haverfordwest

HAveRFoRdWeST’S historic beating of the bounds returned on Sunday (Jun 14), with boats, music and crowds gathering along the riverside for one of the town’s most distinctive civic traditions.

The ceremony saw the Mayor of Haverfordwest and Admiral of the Port, Cllr Randell Thomas-Turner, lead a water-borne procession along the Western Cleddau to the White Stone, the painted boundary marker of the Borough and Port of Haverfordwest. He was joined by Deputy Mayor

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Cllr Adam Benson-Davies, Town Sheriff Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lieutenant Patricia Porter OBE and her daughter, the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, the Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, Andrew Merfyn Phillips the High Sheriff of Dyfed, and other invited guests.

A flotilla of boats from Neyland,

Milford Haven and other parts of the Haven made its way upriver for the ceremony, with civic leaders and dignitaries travelling out to the White Stone.

Upon reaching the marker, Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, the Mayor’s Chaplain, gave a blessing as the boats gathered around the painted white rock.

Cllr Thomas-Turner then delivered the traditional proclamation, formally reaffirming the town’s ancient boundaries and rights.

He declared: “Let it be known that I come to the White Stone and do this day acknowledge and maintain the ancient bounds and privilege of the Borough and Port of Haverfordwest.”

The ceremony was accompanied by a busy family event at the Quayside Car Park, where Pure West Radio broadcast live from the riverside and crowds enjoyed face painting, bouncy castles, ice cream and food stalls. Local artist and musician Steve Bartram performed during the afternoon, while children from Vision

entertained the crowd with songs from Disney films and musical theatre, including

Milford Haven Town Band also performed, adding a traditional soundtrack to the occasion as the historic ceremony unfolded on the river.

With the Bristol Trader open and people sitting out on benches along the river enjoying the evening atmosphere, the event brought a relaxed summer feel to the town centre.

Security for the event was provided by RM Training and Security Solutions, helping ensure the celebrations ran safely for families and visitors.

First aid cover was provided by St John Ambulance Cymru, with four team members on site throughout the event.

Beating the Bounds is an ancient civic custom, once used to mark and remember parish or town boundaries before modern maps and records. In Haverfordwest, the tradition survives in a particularly distinctive form, with the Mayor travelling by boat to the

White Stone to acknowledge the historic bounds and privileges of the borough and port.

The Mayor said it had been an “immense honour” to take part in the centuries-old Beating of the Bounds ceremony, describing it as one of Haverfordwest’s most important civic traditions.

He said the day had showcased the town “at its very best”, bringing hundreds of people together to celebrate its maritime history, community spirit and unique heritage.

He thanked the organisers, volunteers, boat crews, performers, stallholders, civic guests and everyone who attended, saying the event had honoured Haverfordwest’s past while looking ahead to its future.

This year’s event combined formal civic ceremony with music, family entertainment, river activity and a strong community turnout, helping to keep one of Pembrokeshire’s bestknown traditions alive for another generation.

Photos by The Pembrokeshire Herald, Aad Oostermeijer, Cllr Thomas Tudor and Darthy Media

Charity champion praised for years of quiet community work

A LoNg-RuNNiNg Pembrokeshire charity that has quietly helped thousands of people over more than a decade was given recognition during the Haverfordwest River Festival.

County councillor Thomas Tudor met with charity founder Amanda Absalom-Lowe during Saturday’s (June 13) event at the Riverside Shopping Centre, praising the work of Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give.

Cllr Tudor said it was “lovely to catch up” with Amanda, describing the organisation as a charity that does “amazing work in our community.”

Founded in 2009, Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give has spent more than 13 years helping vulnerable people across Pembrokeshire and beyond by combining environmental recycling projects with practical community support.

The charity, based in Haverfordwest, helps redistribute surplus food, unwanted household items, clothing and essential goods to people struggling financially, homeless people, hospitals, charities and community groups.

Its work also includes providing “Rainbow Emergency Packs” for patients unexpectedly admitted to hospital, Christmas toy donations for children, emergency household support for families affected by fires or hardship, and aid for animal rescue centres.

The group says it has helped divert tonnes of waste from landfill through its recycling initiatives, encouraging residents to donate items rather than throw them away.

Amanda Absalom-Lowe, founder

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and chairperson of the charity, has received a string of honours for her work over the years, including the Radio Pembrokeshire Local Hero Green Award, the Haverfordwest Town Council Award of Merit, and the Pembrokeshire Association of

Voluntary Services Volunteer of the Year Award.

In 2020, she was also recognised nationally after being named in the BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour Power List, celebrating inspirational women making a difference.

The charity has supported numerous causes including Patch Charity, Wales Air Ambulance, Paul Sartori Foundation, Blood Bikes, Greenacres

Rescue, Bristol Children’s Hospital, children’s wards across Wales and homeless support initiatives.

Pembrokeshire Care, Share & Give operates from Kiln Road in Haverfordwest and relies heavily on donations and community support.

The charity’s message remains simple: “Recycle4Charity — don’t throw it away, donate it.”

Milford School pupil praised after stepping in during real-life emergency

A yeAR 11 pupil at Milford Haven School has been praised after putting his first aid training into action to help an injured member of the public following an accident.

Aryan, who is currently working towards lifesaving qualifications, including first aid training, found himself faced with a real emergency when a woman suffered a head injury after a fall.

Rather than panic, the teenager stepped in immediately and calmly took control of the situation.

According to Milford Haven School, Aryan used a first aid kit to treat the injury, helped make the woman comfortable, and provided clear aftercare advice while remaining calm and compassionate throughout the incident.

School staff said his actions demonstrated maturity, confidence and professionalism beyond his years.

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Applying first aid in a genuine emergency can be far more challenging than practising in a classroom setting, but Aryan rose to the occasion and put his training into practice when it mattered most.

Milford Haven School said it was “incredibly proud” of the Year 11 pupil, describing him as “a fantastic example of courage, responsibility and care for others.”

The school added that Aryan’s response showed the importance of young people learning practical lifesaving skills and highlighted the positive impact they can have within the community.

Da iawn, Aryan — a credit to Milford Haven School and the wider community.

Hundreds of pupils unite for special Eisteddfod song

HuNdRedS of primary school children from across west Wales have come together to release a special song celebrating the communities, language and landscape of bro’r garreg Las.

The song, Croeso i Fro’r Garreg Las, has been recorded by pupils from 50 schools across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire ahead of this summer’s National Eisteddfod in Llantood.

The project marks the countdown to the festival, which will be held from August 1 to August 8.

More than 500 children have taken part, with the song celebrating the area’s Welsh language, local communities, culture and sense of identity.

The track has been released on digital platforms alongside a colourful video filmed at some of the region’s best-known locations.

Pupils travelled to sites including Cardigan, Tenby, St Davids, Pentre Ifan and Drefach Felindre to perform and help bring the song to life.

The lyrics were written by poet Ceri

Wyn Jones, with the melody by Einir Dafydd. The track was produced by Mei Gwynedd and the video was filmed by Gareth Bull.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader, Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the National Eisteddfod to Llantood this summer.

“It’s been a pleasure to see young people from the three counties come together to create a special song that celebrates the area, and builds excitement as we look forward to the Eisteddfod.

“Collaboration across Bro’r Garreg Las has been at the heart of this project.”

Cllr Catrin M S Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Culture, said: “This song celebrates the Welsh language and the unique character of the whole area – from the coast to the countryside.

“Ceri Wyn’s lyrics also offer a taste of our history and heritage. There will be an opportunity for the whole of Wales to enjoy our area in August and to hear some of our stories – come along!”

Cllr Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Welsh and English-medium schools across the counties to create this special song.

“Over 500 children have contributed to it, which is an incredible achievement. It is wonderful to see that the Welsh language and the Eisteddfod belong to everyone.”

The song can be heard on digital platforms now, while the video is available to watch on YouTube.

Voices at the Castle hailed as unforgettable night after weather setback

A SPecTAcuLAR evening of live music at Pembroke castle has been hailed a major success after hundreds turned out to support the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Voices at the Castle went ahead on Saturday evening after the previous night’s Rock the Ramparts concert had been cancelled due to high winds affecting the stage area and creating unsafe conditions.

Organisers had reassured ticket holders that Saturday’s concert was still going ahead, and the night proved to be a major success, with crowds gathering inside the historic venue for an evening of music, community spirit and fundraising.

The event was held against the dramatic backdrop of the illuminated castle walls, with the stage set inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most recognisable landmarks.

The concert featured Bella Voce, Pembrokeshire Pop Voices, The Paul Sartori Community Choir and Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir, before internationally renowned tenor Russell Watson brought the evening to a close with the headline performance.

Gates opened at 4:00pm, with music beginning at 5:00pm and the concert continuing until around 10:30pm.

cHARiTy ‘oveRWHeLMed’

The Paul Sartori Foundation said it had been left “overwhelmed with the joy, talent, and support” shown during what it described as a very busy but unforgettable day.

In a statement after the event, the charity said: “What a night! We’ll share more updates tomorrow when the team

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have had a chance to compose ourselves after what was a very busy day.

“Safe to say that we’re overwhelmed with the joy, talent, and support that we witnessed in Pembroke Castle tonight, with all our amazing and varied musical acts, topped off by a phenomenal headline set by the talented Russell Watson.

“We’re not going to forget this one in a hurry.”

AudieNce PRAiSe

Audience members were quick to praise the event, with one describing it as “a brilliant evening of first-class entertainment,” while another said it had been “a truly wonderful night.”

Others paid tribute to the organisers, performers and volunteers, with one supporter saying: “What a superb evening – well done to all organisers and singers and volunteer supporters.”

Another added: “It was amazing, fantastic evening, a glorious night. Thank you all.”

The concert raised funds for the Paul Sartori Foundation and Pembroke Castle Trust.

The Paul Sartori Foundation provides hospice-at-home care across Pembrokeshire, supporting people living with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

While organisers are yet to confirm the final amount raised, the scale of the attendance and overwhelmingly positive reaction suggest the event was a major success for the charity and the castle.

Lack of accessible homes as 403 wait for suitable housing

PeMbRoKeSHiRe couNTy couNciL has admitted there is not enough suitable accessible housing in the county to meet demand, with more than 400 people currently waiting for accessible social housing.

The council confirmed that 403 people are on the Pembrokeshire Accessible Housing Register, which forms part of the Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire housing register.

Of those waiting, 81% are in the gold band, while 62% require one-bedroom accessible accommodation.

A further 111 cases are currently awaiting occupational therapy assessment through to approval of assessed works for disabled facilities or discretionary disabled assistance grants.

The figures were released following questions from The Pembrokeshire Herald after a report by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists warned that poor and unsuitable housing is damaging people’s health and placing avoidable pressure on health and social care services.

Pembrokeshire County Council said it recognised that unsuitable housing was a local challenge, often linked to ageing housing stock across all types of accommodation.

A spokesperson said: “Within Pembrokeshire, we recognise that there are challenges around unsuitable housing, often linked with an ageing housing stock across all tenures of accommodation.

“We recognise that poor and inaccessible housing can be a contributing factor to ill health and increased demand on housing, health and social care services.

“As a council where a need is identified, we work across service areas to ensure that people are able to live safely and independently within appropriate accommodation.”

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HoSPiTAL diScHARge deLAyS

The council also confirmed that housing-related issues can affect hospital discharge planning locally.

It said there had been an increase in housing-related delays in recent years, caused by a range of factors, including the need for suitable accommodation after changes in a person’s health or ability to function.

This can lead to a need for home adaptations or alternative accessible accommodation.

However, the authority said housingrelated factors generally represented a relatively small proportion of overall discharge delays in the area.

The council said: “There are concerns related to housing-related delays which impact hospital discharge planning locally.

“There has been an increase in housing related delays due to a range of factors, including the need for suitable accommodation following changes in an individual’s health or functioning.

“This may be for any tenure of accommodation, which subsequently can lead to a need for home adaptations, or alternative accessible accommodation sourced.

“Despite this upward trend in recent years, housing-related factors generally represent a relatively small proportion of overall discharge delays in the area.”

iNSuFFicieNT SuiTAbLe HoMeS

Asked whether enough suitable housing exists locally for older residents and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, the council accepted there was a shortfall.

according to the needs identified from the Accessible Housing Register.

It added that the approach focuses on early identification, regular discussion and joint problem-solving to help support timely and appropriate hospital discharges, as well as planning for current and future need through new build and acquisition programmes.Wider Welsh concern

The council’s comments come after the Royal College of Occupational Therapists published its Building Health into Homes report, which argues that unsuitable housing is worsening physical and mental health, increasing hospital readmissions and adding pressure to health and social care services.

The report says there is little point discharging people from hospital if they are returning to homes that fail to meet their needs or worsen their condition.

In response to the report, the Welsh Government told The Herald: “Poor or unsuitable housing directly impacts people’s health and places additional pressure on NHS services.

The spokesperson said: “Given the numbers we have on our Accessible Housing Register as well as the ageing population in the county, we acknowledge that there is insufficient suitable accessible housing to currently meet demand.

“This is recognised in the Local Housing Market Assessment 2023 and Pembrokeshire Housing Strategy 20242027.”

The council said its Occupational Therapy Service works closely with housing providers across Pembrokeshire to assess needs and support appropriate housing solutions.

This includes adaptations to existing properties and the development of adapted homes.

The council said its Housing Service was also working closely with Adult Social Care and health partners to address the challenges.

AdAPTiNg HoMeS

For social housing tenants who need adaptations, the council said needs are assessed through the Occupational Therapy Service.

Depending on the outcome of that assessment and the extent of the works required, adaptations are either carried out by the social landlord or, in some circumstances, alternative more suitable accommodation is sought.

For new social housing, the council said Lifetime Homes standards form part of the Welsh Government’s Housing Quality Standards for new build properties.

Housing and social care services also work together to inform the type and design of properties being developed, with the aim of ensuring the needs of people with disabilities and long-term health conditions are considered.

The council said this work is targeted

“Delayed discharges linked to unsuitable housing are a serious concern and we are taking steps to improve patient flow and reduce delays, strengthening joint working between health, social care and housing services so people can leave hospital safely.

“This Welsh Government has been clear that housing is a public health issue, which is why we are aligning action across government, including through dedicated ministerial oversight, to create a healthier population.

“We are also strengthening adaptation services to support independent living and prevent avoidable admissions and are establishing a new national development body to speed up delivery of accessible social homes.”

Hywel Dda University Health Board also said health was shaped by wider living conditions beyond the NHS.

James Severs, Executive Director of Allied Health Professions and Health Science at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Most of what determines our health and well-being sits beyond the NHS. While healthcare is vital, it is the conditions in which people live, learn, work and age that have the greatest impact on health outcomes.

“As a Health Board, we recognise that the NHS contributes only a proportion of overall population health, with wider factors such as housing, education, employment and the environment playing a much larger role.

“This is why our strategy for ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales’ is focused on moving beyond an illness-centred model of care to one that prioritises prevention, early intervention and support in communities.

“We are committed to working in partnership with local authorities, the third sector and our communities to address these wider determinants of health, reduce inequalities and enable people to live healthier lives, well lived.”

Christians gather at Pembroke Castle for day of prayer and praise

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H u N d R ed S of worshippers gathered at Pembroke c astle today for a major c hristian event bringing churches together from across Pembrokeshire and beyond. The Picnic, Prayer and Praise

The event was led by Sound of Wales, alongside local churches, and also included Korean Christians from London who took part in their own distinctive style.

The programme began at 1:00pm, with free entry for worshippers between 12 noon and 5:00pm.

Organisers said the aim was to unite Christians in prayer for Pembrokeshire and Wales, while celebrating faith through music, worship and fellowship.

Castle Trustee Roger Baker previously described the gathering as “an extraordinary opportunity to unite Christians in one of the great castles of Wales.”

He said: “What a way to give Pembrokeshire a united voice of praise to our God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The event has become a growing fixture in the Pembrokeshire Christian calendar, with previous gatherings attracting large crowds despite challenging weather.

event took place on Sunday (Jun 14), with people invited to bring chairs, blankets and picnics for an afternoon of worship inside one of Wales’ most historic castles.

Today’s event made full use of the castle’s dramatic setting, with worshippers gathering within the ancient walls for an afternoon of praise, reflection and community.

Hundreds of classic and performance cars join popular Llys y Fran summer run

A LARge convoy of classic, modified and performance vehicles descended on north Pembrokeshire this weekend as car enthusiasts from across west Wales took part in a popular summer run to Llys y Fran.

The event, organised by local enthusiast Pete Sharpe, saw dozens of vehicles travel together through the county, with participants describing a “massive turnout” for the mid-summer gathering.

Video footage shared online by organiser Matthew Cummings showed an impressive stream of vehicles making their way through the countryside, with drivers saying they had not realised quite how many cars had joined until seeing the convoy stretched out behind them.

One attendee wrote online: “Was near the back,” while another added: “We were at the back too!”

The run included a stop at the Dyfed Shire Horse Farm near Crymych, where owners and visitors gathered to admire a wide range of vehicles and socialise.

Many participants praised organiser Pete Sharpe for putting the event together, with several describing it as a “great day out” and thanking him for arranging the route and activities.

Sandra Collicott said: “Great day out and very well supported… well done Pete for organising it!”

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Andy Davis joked: “Thanks Pete, great day – nice of you to sort out the weather as well.”

The convoy also called at Llys y Fran, where visitors stopped for refreshments, with staff reporting a steady stream of

enthusiasts dropping in for tea and cake throughout the day.

The popularity of the event highlights the growing appeal of informal car meets across Pembrokeshire and west Wales, with enthusiasts regularly travelling significant distances to take part in scenic drives, showcase vehicles and raise

awareness of local venues.

The gathering also helped promote upcoming motoring events in the county, including the annual Cadamm show at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm on Saturday, June 27, which will support local charities including the Oxygen Centre and Trotter’s Lounge in Pentood, near Cardigan.

The father, son and daughter lifeguard trio saving lives

A FATHeR, son and daughter are preparing to help keep beachgoers safe on the Pembrokeshire coast this summer as part of the same RNLi lifeguard team.

Tom Owen, 52, his son Cai, 19, and daughter Poppy, 17, are all RNLI beach lifeguards in north Pembrokeshire.

Tom joined the North Pembrokeshire team in 2022, with Cai following in 2023 and Poppy joining last year after turning sixteen.

FAMiLy eFFoRT

Tom is also the oldest lifeguard in the North Pembrokeshire team, but he has decades of experience around the water.

He first worked as a beach lifeguard for the local council in 1992, before the RNLI lifeguard service was introduced in Pembrokeshire in 2008.

Tom said: “I first had the opportunity to work as a beach lifeguard for the local council in 1992 before the RNLI’s lifeguard service was rolled out in 2008. My interest grew whilst in Australia, so I spent a couple of summers out there volunteering mainly for surf lifesaving clubs.

“Joining the RNLI has always appealed to me and now that my children are old enough, I took the opportunity to give it a go. It’s also lovely working alongside my kids. I’m really proud of what they have achieved, although I try

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not to embarrass them too much.”

coASTAL uPbRiNgiNg

Cai and Poppy have grown up on the Pembrokeshire coast and have spent much of their lives in and around the sea.

Both have swum competitively for many years, competing at club and county level, while both are also surfers. Poppy has represented Wales at the Junior Santa Cruz Eurosurf in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Cai said: “My most memorable lifeguard shift with my dad was when we cycled to work together, but on the way home my bike got a puncture.

“Dad cycled home and I had to walk back. But I really enjoy cycling to work in the summer with Dad and having the opportunity to be active and help others.”

Poppy said: “I really enjoyed my first season working on the beaches last year and can’t wait for this one to begin. I have already completed my lifeguard induction and have just finished my A-levels.

“It’s hopefully going to be a great summer working alongside my brother and dad, and in a special year as the charity celebrates the 25th anniversary of RNLI lifeguards.”

‘give iT A go’

Tom said age should not be a barrier for anyone thinking about becoming a lifeguard.

He added: “My age was never a consideration of mine when applying for the beach lifeguard job. I’ve always enjoyed working in a team and having the opportunity to be outside on my local beaches is brilliant.

“It’s hugely satisfying knowing I’m helping to keep others safe.

“I hope other people my age see that lifeguarding isn’t just for youngsters. If you’re still fit and healthy and love being at the beach, just give it a go, you won’t regret it.”

Since the RNLI lifeguard service began in Pembrokeshire in 2008, lifeguards in the county have saved 164 lives, aided 15,513 people and carried out 1,799 rescues.

Pembrokeshire young people to benefit from new Youth Hub

PeMbRoKeSHiRe is among 20 areas in Wales set to benefit from a youth Hub aimed at helping young people into work, training and education.

The UK Labour Government has confirmed that seven more Youth Hubs will open across Wales over the next two years, in addition to 13 areas already announced in the first year of the programme.

Pembrokeshire was included in the first round of areas allocated a hub, alongside Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly, Newport, Wrexham and others.

The hubs are designed to bring together job centre services, careers advice, skills and training opportunities, mental health support, housing advice and links to local employers offering live jobs and apprenticeships.

The aim is to ensure that every young person in Wales is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

Shav Taj MS, Welsh Labour spokesperson for Employment and Equalities, said local and tailored support was “invaluable” in helping

young people take their first step onto the jobs ladder.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the hubs would help young people get “that vital first job” by providing support, training

opportunities and connections to employers.

The UK Government says the Youth Hubs form part of a wider £2.5bn programme to tackle youth unemployment, with more than 360

local areas across Great Britain expected to be covered over the next three years.

Exact local sites will be decided by delivery partners working with local authorities.

The summer warning we can no longer ignore

AS WALeS waits for the next hot spell, scientists are again warning that the world is moving closer to dangerous levels of warming.

The latest warning is stark. Former federal climate scientists in the United States say carbon dioxide levels reached a record high in May, while global temperatures this summer could climb close to 1.9C above preindustrial levels.

That matters because 2C is not just a number on a chart. It is not an abstract target discussed at climate conferences. It means more extreme heat, more intense rainfall, greater wildfire risk, pressure on food production, and more danger for the elderly, the vulnerable, and those working outdoors.

Researchers say almost all the rapid warming seen over the past decade has been caused by fossil fuel burning and other human activity. In other words, this is not some mysterious natural cycle. It is the direct result of the way modern economies have been powered.

The warning comes as climate briefings once provided by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been replaced by updates from Climate Central, after government briefings were cancelled following budget cuts.

The science, however, has not gone away.

Carbon dioxide peaks each May before forests in the northern hemisphere begin absorbing more of it during the growing season. But human emissions are now overwhelming the ability of forests and oceans to soak up the excess.

That is why the atmosphere keeps trapping more heat.

Former NASA scientist James Hansen has also warned that 2026 could become the warmest year on record, even though it began cooler than 2024.

For Wales, this should not be treated as a distant American story. Hotter summers, heavier downpours, coastal pressure, river pollution, farm stress and infrastructure strain are already part of our reality.

We have already seen how quickly dry weather can affect farms, gardens, rivers and reservoirs. We have also

seen how sudden heavy rain can overwhelm drains, damage roads, flood homes and leave communities asking whether the systems built for the last century are still fit for this one.

That is the problem with climate change. It does not arrive as one dramatic event. It creeps into everything.

It is there when crops struggle. It is there when rivers run low and warm. It is there when elderly people are told to stay indoors during heat alerts. It is there when councils face bigger bills for flood repairs. It is there when insurance costs rise, when coastal erosion accelerates, and when emergency services are stretched by weather that used to be unusual but is becoming more common.

None of this means every hot day is caused by climate change. Weather has always varied. Wales has always had storms, floods, dry spells and the occasional glorious summer.

But climate change loads the dice. It makes extreme heat more likely. It gives storms more energy. It increases the chance that what would once have been rare becomes routine.

That is why the latest scientific warnings matter. They are not about frightening people for the sake of it. They are about giving governments, councils, businesses and households time to prepare.

The practical response must be local as well as global: cleaner energy, better insulation, stronger flood defences, protection for rivers, support for farmers, and planning rules that take future heat and rainfall seriously.

It also means being honest about infrastructure. Homes built today will still be standing in decades to come. Roads, schools, hospitals and drainage systems being repaired now must be able to cope with the climate we are entering, not the climate we remember.

There is a danger that climate policy becomes trapped between two extremes. On one side are those who pretend nothing is happening. On the other are those who speak in a language so bleak and technical that ordinary people switch off.

Most people are somewhere in the middle. They know something is changing. They see it in their gardens,

their bills, their beaches, their farms and their flooded roads. What they want is practical action that makes sense.

For Wales, that means protecting communities, cutting waste, investing in resilience, and making sure the transition to cleaner energy is fair. Rural communities cannot be lectured from Cardiff or London while being left with poor transport, high fuel costs and fragile local services.

Climate action must not become another burden placed on people who are already struggling. Done badly, it will create resentment. Done properly, it can lower bills, improve homes, protect jobs, and make communities safer.

We can argue about policy. We can argue about cost. We can argue about the pace of change.

But we can no longer argue that the warning signs are not there.

The summer ahead may be remembered for sunshine, holidays and packed beaches.

Scientists fear it may also be remembered as another sign that the climate has shifted faster than many people wanted to believe.

BADGER AND THE BIG BAN

AdoRAbLe racist scamp Tommy Robinson was this week revealed as a (no doubt unwitting) stooge for Russian intelligence.

Mr Waxy-Lemon’s crime was spreading Russian-generated lies about the criminals now convicted for arson attacks on property belonging (or formerly belonging) to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a nation with which he holds one of his passports. Doubtless, the convict, liar, con-artist, and thug is abashed by being taken in by a state whose navy vessels fire on British yachts in the English Channel.

Of course, nobody suggests that Tommy Ten-Names is anything other than a sincere PayPal Patriot for Hire. Certainly, the desperate types who flock to support him online are soooooooooo patriotic that they are mortified that their hero could be taken in by a Russian disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising the UK government. Otherwise, of course, they’d be traitors. Unlike dear Tommy, who is, of course, completely blameless and nothing more than a credulous dupe. Sort of like one of Lenin’s “useful idiots”.

Even now, as Ten-Names’s fellow fascist fanboys sing along to the Horst Wessel Song or The Future Belongs to Me, they are careful to enthusiastically shag the Union Flag to demonstrate their deep love for the nation.

No traitors they. All above board. Loyal to a fault to a country they hate so much they happily turn a blind eye to the lies spread by Russian intelligence and deranged fringe nutters from the USA about the UK and its politicians.

Not all of the estimable alleged “Christian Nationalist” WaxyLemon’s followers are all deranged racist scum with the collective IQ of a small rubber chicken on a spring. A few are deranged. Some are racist. Some are scum. It’s an unhappy and unlucky individual who’s demonstrably, by word and/or deed, all three.

Pembrokeshire is the palest county in the palest nation in the UK. Some of those who’ve moved here from England or elsewhere in the British Isles seem determined to keep it that way. Not for them the horrors of Llangwm Jihad, the Islamic State of Goodwick, or the Hakin Arab Republic. They are stalwart in the defence of their right to watch porn.

And that is why Badger is convinced the UK Government has got it wrong about social media.

In a move to protect undersixteens from “online harms”, on Monday, the Kier Starmer announced plans to introduce age-verification procedures for social media companies and the platforms they use. Badger canBADGER see the logic. As parents are either unwilling

or unable to keep their offspring safe from paedophiles, bullies, and explicit, violent or pornographic content, the government has stepped in to do so. A by no means incidental outcome will be to shield young minds from the toxic stew of hatred and misogyny that is the staple diet of those who wish to recruit and radicalise social media users for their personal gain and political advantage.

It’s more than a bit like closing the stable door after the horse has vanished over the horizon, but 70% of the public are in favour of the move. And, for a PM with the political half-life of a banana in a monkey enclosure, it’s perhaps not a bad idea to curry favour with an electorate that loathes you. Who knows, readers, it might hack off enough libertarians in Makersfield to unite the right and thwart Andy Burnham’s bid to represent his interests (surely “their”, ed.) in Parliament.

The proposed social media ban is no more than “proposed” at the moment. It raises some interesting questions, though. Firstly, for all the harm social media can cause, it clearly does some good. There is no sign that the government has conducted a balancing exercise to assess potential risk versus potential harm.

The ban is also offensively and obviously politically inept. Westminster plans to give 16- and 17-year-olds the vote in local and UK-wide elections (the little blighters have the vote in Welsh national elections). At the same time, it will impose a social media curfew for 16-and 17-year-olds and ban under16s. That’s a lot of soon-to-be-voters to hack off in one go.

While under-16s will be pissed off, the consequences of their pissed offedness will be felt most keenly by their parents, guardians, and teachers. The behavioural fallout will be significant. Readers, please consider how whisking away the way millions of young people communicate with each other will affect them. Even the most foolhardy romantic surely can’t imagine a

sudden upturn in the number of people sending notes to each other via first-class post. Instead, yooves will gather in public spaces to communicate. Loudly. And we all know how much the public hates that.

By the by, readers, how many unworldly and naive 17-year-olds do you know who become mature and worldly-wise adults at one minute past midnight on their 18th birthday?

Bearing in mind how Badger opened this article, he proposes a subtler way to reduce social media’s potential harms. We must protect not only youngsters’ developing brains but also protect the credulous and dim-witted from falling prey to insidious online propaganda spread by those states and malevolent groups who wish us ill. To that end, Badger proposes a test for all social media users. Something that will assess their ability to distinguish between what is really real, what they wish were really real, and what a malign group or individual wants them to think is really real.

The beauty of Badger’s idea, the details need ironing out, is that it affects all malicious actors and not just those on one side. Vulnerable users will be protected from Extinction Rebellion, Palestine Action, the million and one doom peddlers and religious bigots in the same way as they will be saved from Fuhrer Tommy, his merry band of armlifters, and their dear friends and pornographers in the Russian and Chinese intelligence services.

In that way, those unable to tell the difference between truth and lies of whatever stripe would be protected. If Kier Starment’s government is willing to do that for (cough) “impressionable youngsters”, surely others, equally vulnerable, deserve no less. We must extend the state’s care to those who are prepared to fight in the last ditch to keep Puncheston white, and also to those planning to turn Hook into a Caliphate.

They need looking after too, readers.

Bless ‘em all.

The Big Retreat confirms first details for 2027 Pembrokeshire festival

THe big ReTReAT FeSTivAL has revealed the first details of its 2027 event in Pembrokeshire, with organisers promising new spaces, more inclusive activities and the return of a popular Main Stage act.

The festival will take place from May 28 to May 31, 2027, at Newton Farm, Lawrenny.

Organisers said they had been reflecting on feedback from this year’s event, with visitors most often describing the festival as “fun, relaxing and friendly.”

Among the changes already planned for 2027 is the inclusion of

all sessions within The Soul Space as part of the standard festival ticket. New areas dedicated to rest, relaxation and connection are also being introduced, giving visitors more opportunities to step away from busier parts of the site during the weekend.

The Talk Tent will move to the Village Green, while a new Gathering Place will also be created there.

Hosted by the festival’s Solo Traveller Manager and Accessibility Manager, the space will be open to everyone as somewhere to meet others, ask questions, relax or take a moment out.

Other changes include new glamping accommodation with electric hook-ups and the return of the football pitch in Family Camping.

Organisers have also confirmed that Abba Revival will return to The Big Retreat Pembrokeshire in 2027 as the first announced Main Stage act.

The tribute act proved popular at this year’s event, with organisers saying the request to bring them back came up repeatedly in visitor feedback.

The festival team said: “One of the things we love most about The Big Retreat is that no two people

experience it in the same way.

“Some come for the music. Some for the yoga. Some for the wild swimming. Some for the talks. Some for the food. Some for the adventure.

“However you choose to spend your weekend, our goal remains the same: Feel Good Your Way.”

First wave tickets are now on sale, with organisers also offering a tenmonth payment plan.

Glamping accommodation for 2027, including the new electric hookup options, is due to go on sale on Wednesday, June 17.

Bring your dancing shoes as Lipstick on Your Collar comes to Torch Theatre

MuSic lovers are being invited to step back in time for an evening of nostalgia as Lipstick on your collar arrives at the Torch Theatre later this month.

Packed with more than forty classic hits from the 1950s and 60s, the show celebrates the golden age of music, from the birth of rock ’n’ roll to the beat group sounds of the British Invasion and beyond.

Audiences can expect favourites made famous by stars including Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, The Ronettes, Cliff Richard and Cilla Black.

Performed by a full live band featuring some of the country’s top musicians, the production promises excellent vocals, tight harmonies and an infectious sense of fun.

Organisers say dancing in the aisles is “strictly compulsory”, with audiences encouraged to dust off their dancing shoes and enjoy an evening of feel-good entertainment.

Lipstick on Your Collar comes to the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven on Sunday (June 28) at 7:30pm.

Tickets cost £27 and are available from the Torch Theatre box office on 01646 695267 or online at torchtheatre. co.uk.

gaming

deviL MAy cRy 5: devil Hunter edition feels right at home on Nintendo Switch 2, delivering one of the finest character-action games ever made in a package that finally allows players to take dante, Nero, v and vergil on the go without sacrificing the fast, fluid combat that defines the series. Running at a smooth 60 frames per second, the game maintains the speed and responsiveness that its stylish combat system demands, making every sword swing, gunshot and perfectly timed dodge feel as satisfying as ever.

What makes Devil May Cry 5 so compelling is the sheer variety of its playable characters.

Nero’s mechanical Devil Breakers encourage experimentation, Dante’s enormous arsenal offers near-endless combo possibilities, V provides a unique summonerstyle approach, and Vergil remains an absolute joy to master thanks to his devastating speed and precision. The combat system rewards creativity rather than simple button mashing, constantly pushing players to perform increasingly stylish attacks while juggling enemies in spectacular

fashion. Even years after its original release, few action games can match the depth and freedom found here.

The presentation remains impressive, with detailed character models, explosive visual effects and wonderfully over-thetop cutscenes that embrace the series’ trademark blend of gothic horror and absurd action. The story is entertaining rather than groundbreaking, but the charismatic cast and larger-thanlife set pieces ensure there is never a dull moment. Whether Dante is showing off his latest ridiculous weapon or Nero is charging headfirst into battle, the game constantly delivers memorable moments.

The Devil Hunter Edition benefits from including a wealth of additional content, most notably Vergil as a playable character alongside various extras that add even more value to an already content-rich package. This helps make the Switch 2 version feel like the definitive way to experience one of Capcom’s best modern releases.

If there is a criticism to be made, it is that some environments can feel repetitive compared to the brilliance of the combat, and newcomers may initially find the game’s many systems overwhelming. However, those minor issues do little to diminish the overall experience. Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition is a spectacular action game that combines incredible combat depth, memorable characters and excellent performance on Nintendo Switch 2, making it an easy recommendation for both long-time fans and anyone looking for one of the best action titles available on the system.

A masterclass in stylish action that remains one of the genre’s finest achievements, now perfectly suited to both handheld and bigscreen play.

Toy SToRy 5 proves that there is still life left in Pixar’s most beloved franchise, delivering a funny, heartfelt and surprisingly relevant adventure that feels more inspired than many fans may have expected. While the idea of a fifth film initially seemed unnecessary after the emotional farewells of previous entries, this latest chapter quickly justifies its existence by exploring a timely theme: the growing battle between traditional play and modern technology. As bonnie becomes increasingly captivated by a new tablet called Lilypad, Woody, buzz, Jessie and the rest of the gang find themselves facing a challenge unlike any they have encountered before, one that threatens not just their place in bonnie’s life but the very idea of imaginative play itself.

The film balances this central concept with everything audiences have come to love about the series. The humour is sharp, the animation is stunning, and the emotional beats land with genuine sincerity. Seeing Woody reunited with his old friends once again could have felt forced, yet the story handles his return with warmth and purpose. buzz and Jessie are given plenty to do, while several supporting characters provide some of the film’s biggest laughs. Newcomer Lilypad is an effective antagonist, not because she is outright villainous, but because she represents a changing world that the toys struggle to understand.

visually, Toy Story 5 is another triumph for Pixar. The level of detail is extraordinary, from the expressive character

animation to the beautifully lit environments that make every scene feel alive. The action sequences are energetic and inventive, but the film never loses sight of the emotional core that has defined the franchise for three decades. beneath the laughs and adventure is a thoughtful story about friendship, relevance and adapting to change without losing what makes us special.

What ultimately makes Toy Story 5 work is its understanding of why audiences connected with these characters in the first place. Rather than relying solely on nostalgia, it uses familiar faces to tell a story that feels contemporary and meaningful. The result is a sequel that captures the magic, heart and imagination of the earlier films while offering something new for a modern generation. it may not surpass the original trilogy at its absolute peak, but it stands comfortably alongside the stronger entries in the series and serves as a touching reminder that great friendships never really go out of style. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Toy Story 5 is an entertaining, emotional and thoroughly enjoyable return to one of cinema’s most cherished worlds.

Tech and Taff

Bezos says AI will create jobs, butt will the robots agree?

N o W then, butt, gather round the digital campfire because this week one of the richest men on e arth has been telling us not to worry about artificial intelligence taking our jobs.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and a man whose bank balance is so large it probably needs its own postcode, was speaking at the VivaTech conference in Paris. While many people are fretting that AI will replace workers, Bezos reckons the exact opposite is going to happen.

According to him, AI won’t create mass unemployment. It will create a labour shortage.

That’s right, butt. The man behind the company that convinced us all to order socks, kettles and garden furniture at two o’clock in the morning believes there will actually be more work for humans in the future.

Now before you spit your tea across the kitchen and shout “pull the other one, Barry”, let’s have a proper look at what he’s saying.

The argument is actually quite simple. Every major technological leap in history has scared people. When

technological change usually creates winners and losers. The trouble is that nobody knows exactly who those winners and losers will be.

tractors arrived, farm workers worried. When factories introduced machines, craftsmen worried. When computers arrived, office workers worried. Yet somehow society ended up creating entirely new industries and millions of new jobs that nobody could have imagined beforehand.

After all, if you’d told somebody in Milford Haven in 1985 that one day there would be professional

YouTubers, social media managers, app developers and people earning a living making videos of cats, they’d have thought you’d been at the cooking sherry.

AI could follow the same pattern.

The technology is already helping people write reports, analyse data, create images and answer customer enquiries. Instead of replacing everyone, it may simply allow workers to do more complicated things while the repetitive tasks are handled by software.

Mind you, that’s the optimistic version.

The less cheerful version is that AI might indeed replace certain jobs before new opportunities appear. History shows that

Ask a graphic designer, a junior programmer or a call centre worker whether AI feels like an opportunity right now and you might get a different answer to Mr Bezos.

As usual, the truth probably sits somewhere in the middle.

Meanwhile, while Bezos was talking about jobs, he was also talking about the Moon.

Not visiting the Moon, mind.

Living there.

According to Bezos, humanity’s future lies in establishing a permanent presence beyond Earth. His space company, Blue Origin, wants to help build the infrastructure that could eventually support people living and working on the lunar surface.

Now, I don’t know about you, butt, but I’m still trying to get a reliable mobile signal in parts of rural Pembrokeshire. The idea that we’ll soon be mining resources on the Moon feels slightly ambitious.

Still, people once laughed at the idea of crossing the Atlantic by air. Today we complain if the in-flight Wi-Fi is slow.

And speaking of the future, one of the biggest attractions at the Paris event wasn’t Bezos at all. It was a humanoid robot.

Visitors queued up to see a machine that could

respond to signals from a person’s brain using a special headband. No speaking. No typing. Just thinking. If that sounds like science fiction, remember that smartphones sounded like science fiction twenty years ago.

The really interesting thing about today’s AI revolution isn’t ChatGPT, Gemini or whichever chatbot happens to be fashionable this week. It’s that AI is beginning to leave the computer screen and enter the physical world. Robots are learning to walk, carry objects, assist workers and interact with people. Hospitals are testing them. Manufacturers are testing them. Hotels are testing them.

One day, your colleague might not be Gareth from accounts.

It might be Gareth 2.0, a six-foot-tall robot who never takes a tea break and can calculate VAT returns in three seconds.

Though if you’ve ever dealt with technology in the real world, you’ll know there’s a catch.

The robot might also crash, need a software update and spend forty minutes trying to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Which, if we’re honest, is a very human thing to do.

So will AI steal our jobs? Maybe some. Will it create new ones? Almost certainly.

Will humans still find ingenious ways to break perfectly good technology? Without question, butt. Some things never change.

i Will Find you is another slick, suspenseful and highly watchable Harlan coben adaptation that delivers exactly the kind of twistfilled storytelling audiences have come to expect from the bestselling author’s work. The series centres on david burroughs, a father serving a life sentence for the murder of his young son, a crime he has never truly come to terms with. His life is turned upside down when evidence emerges suggesting that his son may still be alive, setting in motion a desperate quest for answers that forces him to risk everything. What begins as a deeply personal search soon expands into a much larger conspiracy involving longburied secrets, hidden motives and unexpected connections, ensuring the story continually evolves and keeps viewers guessing.

One of the show’s greatest strengths is its relentless pace. The narrative moves quickly from one revelation to the next, with each episode ending on a compelling cliff-hanger that makes it difficult not to immediately start the next instalment. The writers do an effective job of drip-feeding information to the audience, revealing just enough to maintain intrigue while holding back key details until the most dramatic moments. As a result, the series captures the addictive quality that has become a hallmark of Coben’s adaptations, creating a viewing experience that is tailormade for binge-watching.

Sam Worthington anchors the drama with a strong and

emotionally convincing central performance. He portrays David as a man consumed by grief, regret and determination, making his extraordinary actions feel understandable even when the plot ventures into increasingly implausible territory. The supporting cast also contributes significantly to the show’s appeal, with characters whose loyalties and motivations remain uncertain for much of the story. This constant sense of uncertainty helps sustain the tension, as viewers are never entirely sure who can be trusted or what hidden truths may still be waiting to emerge.

Visually, the series is polished and atmospheric, making effective use of its locations to create a mood of unease and suspense. The direction keeps the story moving at a brisk pace while allowing enough room for emotional moments to land, particularly those involving David’s memories of his family and the devastating loss that defines his life. These quieter scenes provide an important emotional foundation that prevents the show from becoming merely a sequence of plot twists and action beats.

As with many Harlan Coben adaptations, the story occasionally asks viewers to suspend their disbelief. Some of the twists are undeniably far-fetched, and there are moments when the sheer number of revelations threatens to overwhelm the narrative. Certain developments feel designed primarily to shock rather than to arise naturally from the story, and viewers looking for strict realism may find aspects

HOROSCOPES

of the plot difficult to accept. However, the series embraces its pulpy thriller roots with confidence, and its commitment to entertainment means that most audiences are likely to forgive these shortcomings. The focus is firmly on keeping viewers engaged, and in that respect the show succeeds admirably. What ultimately makes I Will Find You work is the combination of emotional stakes and mystery. Beneath the layers of conspiracy and suspense lies a simple but powerful story about a father’s refusal to give up hope. That emotional core gives weight to the increasingly complex plot and ensures that the audience remains invested in David’s journey from beginning to end. While it may not be the most sophisticated thriller ever produced, it is undeniably effective at delivering tension, surprises and drama in equal measure.

Overall, I Will Find You is an entertaining, fast-paced and compelling mystery that showcases many of the strengths that have made Harlan Coben adaptations such a success on Netflix. Packed with suspense, emotional intensity and enough twists to keep audiences guessing until the final episode, it offers a thoroughly enjoyable viewing experience. Although some plot developments stretch credibility, the strong performances, engaging central premise and consistently gripping storytelling ensure that it remains a highly satisfying thriller and an easy recommendation for fans of mystery dramas and bingeworthy television.

your outlook on romance. Family members who’ve been on your mind are doing just fine, so you can stop your worrying, although a relative you haven’t spoken with in a while would love to hear from you.

CANCER

When was the last time you helped someone before you were asked? Use your intuition to sense when someone could use a hand today and then provide it with a smile. From holding open a door to lending the person ahead of you in the checkout line a dollar, you will get great satisfaction out of coming to another person’s aid. Gratitude may not be forthcoming, but your reward is wrapped up in the act.

LEO

Today, it’ll be easy for you to get caught up in wanting something you don’t have and lose sight of the fact that what you already possess is a treasure most people would give anything for. Right now isn’t the time to devote energy to what’s next. Spend your time finishing up the projects that you’ve already begun. Sure, they may lack the excitement of fresh challenges, but they’re not going to finish themselves! The sooner you complete them, the sooner you can start something new.

VIRGO

Even if your life doesn’t feel particularly hectic right now, you have a lot on your plate, so why are you contemplating taking on more? If you try to become a jack-of-all-trades, you will end up the master of none. This is not a wise time to spread yourself too thin, because important people are depending on you to give them the full attention they deserve. Focus on your current commitments.

LIBRA

A lot of information could come at you rapidly today, but you don’t have to let yourself get overwhelmed. You will have a firm grasp on the details, and you have the power to stay calm and collected even in the middle of this hurricane of confusion. Breathe deeply and stay focused. To reward yourself for your composure today, make some fun plans for later.

SCORPIO

It’s time for you to explore some right-brained ways of thinking. Facts and figures offer objective information, but visual art, music, and even your own dreams can supply ideas that help flesh things out and make them more resonant. In a school or professional context, this means that you should research less and brainstorm more. Delegate those objective tasks to other people. Right now, your mind is best suited to imagining and interpreting.

SAGITTARIUS

Despite recent events, you’d do well to avoid negative thinking today. There’s no sense in it. Now more than ever your positive outlook has the power to get things back on track. Family situations are one specific area where your input and sunny attitude can brighten things considerably. Send a family member a note or a little gift to let them know that things are getting better all the time.

CAPRICORN

Family photos or cherished mementos could be very inspiring for you today. It seems that your ancestors have an awful lot to teach you about perseverance and maintaining hope even in very dark times. Have you plumbed the depths of your older relatives’ knowledge about where you came from? The next time you speak with one of them, ask a few questions about your family’s past. You may learn something very illuminating.

AQUARIUS

Money can’t buy happiness, but you do need to hold on to as much of yours as possible! So watch your wallet closely. If it gets too flat, you will feel the effects. Ask friends to

The Pembrokeshire Shipwright behind a Hollywood rescue mission

THe SToRy of the man who saved the ship that took on Moby dick in a fight to the death can now be told for the first time.

The traditional skills of David “Davi” Owen proved invaluable when John Huston’s classic movie on the great white whale was being filmed off Fishguard in 1954.

The Elstree Productions crew turned to Mr Owen in desperation after a violent storm dismasted the ‘Pequod’ – in reality a 158-ton wooden topsail schooner named The Ryelands – in Fishguard Harbour.

Mr Owen’s grandson Peter Jones recalls how the one-time ship’s carpenter was working as manager of Brodog Timber Merchants in Goodwick when he answered the film company’s SOS.

“My grandfather was initially trained as a ship’s carpenter in the early part of the last century,” he says. “He used to make sailing ships in Lower Town.

“When Moby Dick was being made they had the Pequod moored in the harbour along with several white rubber model whales.

“One night there was a terrible storm and the ship was dismasted. All the whales broke away and went out into the Irish Sea. Most were never found again.

“My grandfather was approached as he was known to have made masts many years before.

“The film people asked him if he could make a new mast. He duly

undertook this in Goodwick and the ship was re-masted.”

Mr Jones, who now lives on the Gower, is hoping to visit Theatr Gwaun’s Moby Dick exhibition – which will form part of September’s Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival.

David Owen died in December 1960 – four years after the cinematic release of Moby Dick.

Meanwhile, a postcard detailing a fan’s innocent quest to find Hollywood star Gregory Peck during the filming has come to light.

The family of Lower Town resident Julia Moffett spent many happy family holidays in north Pembrokeshire.

“I thought that these family holidays were my Mum’s only visits here – I was wrong,” she says.

“When clearing my late Aunty Joan’s house, my cousin found a postcard with a picture of Pwllgwaelod on the front.

“It was sent by Mum, Sybil, to her sister Joan in 1954. Mum worked in a Barnado’s children’s home in Kent and they brought the children on

holiday to Dinas in August 1954.

“The message from Sybil reads in part: ‘Gregory Peck is at Fishguard making a film. We went to see him today, but didn’t. Mrs May has seen him and Leo Gern (sic), love Sybil.’

“I like the idea that Mum was here well before she met Dad, who was Pembrokeshire born – and also that she spent her precious time off in Fishguard, searching for her screen idol.

“I remember that he always remained her particular favourite.”

a social media Ban may sound good - BuT iT will noT Be ThaT simPle

THe PLAN to ban under-16s from social media is well meant.

Nobody can seriously deny there is a problem. Too many children are being exposed to bullying, abuse, pornography, self-harm content, dangerous trends and addictive algorithms.

Parents are worried. Teachers are worried. They are right to be.

But this feels like a policy written by politicians who know social media is dangerous, while not fully understanding how young people actually use it.

For today’s teenagers, social media is not just entertainment. It is where friendships happen, where plans are made, where clubs communicate, and where school groups keep in touch.

In rural places like Pembrokeshire, that matters. A teenager in a village with little transport and few places to go may depend on online contact far more than adults realise.

That does not mean children should have unrestricted access to everything online. They should not.

But a blanket ban could create new problems.

Teenagers will find ways around it. Fake dates of birth, VPNs, borrowed phones and hidden accounts are not difficult for a generation raised online.

The risk is that supervised use disappears and hidden use increases.

Parents may think the problem has been solved when it has simply moved out of sight. Children could be pushed towards less regulated apps, anonymous forums and darker online spaces where safeguards are weaker.

There is also the danger of social exclusion. If most of a class is still online through workarounds, the child who follows the rules may be the one left out of group chats, plans, jokes and updates.

Adults may dismiss that as trivial. To a teenager, it is not.

The technology giants need tougher regulation. They should face serious duties over child safety, bullying, sexual exploitation, addictive design and harmful algorithms.

Schools need better digital education. Parents need tools that work. Harmful content needs proper age checks.

But an outright ban risks being more of a headline than a solution. Good intentions do not always make good policy.

The real question is whether this will protect children, or simply push the problem into places where parents, teachers and regulators can see even less.

Trying to ban teenagers from social media is unrealistic. Australia has proved that.

Ten years after Brexit, gulls are circling

Squawk! Ten years on from b rexit and i ’m still perched above Milford Haven d ocks, watching the humans argue about it like someone left a chip bag open in a force eight gale.

Back in 2016, they told us Brexit was about sovereignty, borders, trade deals, Brussels bureaucrats and bendy bananas. A decade later, most people still seem to agree on one thing: nobody got quite what they thought they were voting for.

From my lamppost, the whole thing looks less like a grand constitutional moment and more like a pub argument that escaped into the street and somehow became government policy.

The posh lot like to tell the Brexit story as if it was all about Dave, Boris, Michael and the boys falling out over supper, tennis and ambition. A very British civil war, they call it. Very British indeed: fought by men who knew exactly which fork to use while setting fire to the country’s future.

Then there are the business types, still sat in conference rooms talking about GDP, trade friction, investment, border checks and whether one day we might be allowed back into the European club if we promise not to spill anything on the carpet.

But from down here, where the rain hits the pavement and people queue at food banks, Brexit was always something else.

It was a shout. A great big squawk of anger from towns and villages that felt forgotten. People were fed up with being told the economy was fine when their wages had not moved, their high streets were dying, their buses had vanished and their children had moved away because there was nothing left for them. They were told by the government, the banks, big business, Labour, the Conservatives and every expert in a suit that they should vote Remain. So they did what angry people sometimes do when they feel ignored. They kicked the table over.

Did it fix anything? Of course it didn’t. Squawk! You don’t repair a leaking roof by throwing the ladder into the sea.

But that does not mean the anger was not real.

That is the part Westminster still does not understand. The Brexit vote was not just about Europe. It was about people feeling that nobody in power knew them, listened to them, or cared whether their town lived or died.

And into that space flew Nigel Farage and the hard right, beaks open, wings spread, ready to turn economic anger into something nastier.

Ten years ago it was migrants, Brussels and “taking back control.” Today it is much the same tune, only louder, angrier and more dangerous. The same resentment is still there, but now it has been sharpened and aimed.

Meanwhile, the old parties are still flapping behind, trying to look

as if they understand. One minute they wave a flag, the next they talk about veterans, values and border security. It all feels like someone in a branding agency told them: “Try standing near a Union Jack. That might help.”

But you cannot solve abandonment with a photo opportunity.

Here in Pembrokeshire, we know what being on the edge feels like. We know what it is to watch decisions made far away by people who probably could not find Milford Haven on a map unless there was a grant application attached.

We know what happens when communities lose jobs, schools, banks, buses and hope. People do not become angry for no reason. They become angry when they feel powerless for too long.

That is the real ghost of Brexit.

Not the treaties. Not the customs forms. Not the arguments about whether Boris betrayed Nigel or Dave misread the room.

The ghost is the anger that was never dealt with.

And until someone in power works out how to rebuild trust, restore dignity and bring real investment to the places that were left behind, that ghost will keep rattling the windows. Squawk! Ten years on, Brexit is not over. It is just haunting us in a different shape.

Public urged not to ‘rescue’ healthy young gulls as summer admissions rise

ANiMAL rescue organisations are urging people to think twice before intervening with young gulls this summer, warning that many birds taken into care do not actually need help.

The RSPCA, Scottish SPCA and British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council say thousands of gulls are brought into rescue centres every year, with many cases involving healthy chicks or fledglings that have simply left the nest as part of learning to fly.

The organisations say wellmeaning members of the public often mistake this normal stage of development for abandonment, even though parent birds are usually nearby and continue to feed and protect their young.

RSPCA wildlife rescue expert Verity Miles said: “Each summer, our wildlife centres see a surge in young gulls being brought in by kind members of the public.

“Gulls are such underappreciated animals, so it’s amazing so many people want to help them. However, in many cases these birds have not been abandoned, but have left the nest as they learn to fly. This is a normal part of their development.

“Their parents will usually remain nearby and continue to feed and protect them, but sadly many well-meaning passers-by will mistake this for abandonment.”

The warning comes as rescue teams prepare for the peak breeding season, when calls

about gulls rise sharply.

Sean Meechan, Wildlife Operations Lead at the Scottish SPCA, said officers attend thousands of gull-related calls every year, particularly in early summer. He said: “While some situations do require intervention, the majority involve healthy birds that are best left alone.”

Experts say removing a healthy chick or fledgling can cause stress and reduce its

chances of survival. They also warn that disturbing or taking gulls, eggs or nests can be an offence unless there is a genuine need to intervene.

Paul Reynolds, Chair of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, said: “Taking a healthy chick or fledgling away from their parents can cause stress to the young bird and significantly reduce their chance of survival.

“Not only that, but it is also an offence to disturb, or take gulls

or eggs from their nests, unless absolutely necessary, so you may inadvertently be breaking the law by bringing in gulls that are not sick or injured.”

The RSPCA says it has cared for nearly 4,000 gulls in its wildlife centres over the past five years, with admissions peaking in June. More than half involved young birds believed to be orphaned or grounded.

The Scottish SPCA attended more than 11,000 gull-related incidents over the same period.

The organisations say the public should leave uninjured young gulls where they are so their parents can continue to feed them. Very young chicks in immediate danger can be moved carefully to a nearby safe, elevated spot if possible.

People should only intervene if a bird is clearly sick or injured.

Anyone who finds an injured baby gull is advised to contact a vet or reputable wildlife rehabilitator. Injured adult gulls can be reported to the RSPCA in England and Wales, or the Scottish SPCA in Scotland.

Rescue organisations also warn that unnecessary handling and higher numbers of birds in care can increase the risk of disease transmission, including avian influenza.

Sean Meechan added: “The Scottish Government advises against handling gulls. If you’re concerned, the best course of action is to contact us and we can assess the situation.”

Calls for an end to term-time only pay for school support staff

cALLS for a new negotiating body for school support staff, and an end to term-time only pay, has been backed in the Senedd.

A motion, put forward by Labour’s education spokesperson Lynne Neagle, was supported by Senedd Members on Wednesday June 10.

Ms Neagle said support staff “build strong relationships with children and young people, which are crucial for their wellbeing, so that they can learn and reach their potential”.

Pointing to the fact support staff are now the majority of the school workforce in Wales, Ms Neagle said: “Our schools simply couldn’t function without them. They are quite simply the glue that holds our schools together.”

The Sir Fynwy Torfaen MS highlighted the extent of in-work poverty facing support staff, referencing a Unison survey of more than 1,400 school support staff showing 8% of support staff take home less than £1,000 a month.

Ms Neagle also described it as an equality issue, noting more than 90% of support staff are women.

Concluding her speech to the Siambr, Ms Neagle called on the Plaid Cymru government to commit to bringing forward new legislation and to end term-time only pay for school support staff – a pledge featured in the Labour election manifesto.

She said: “Our calls are supported by the Welsh trade union movement, including Unison Cymru and the GMB. But valuing school support staff is not just the right thing to do for the staff; it’s the right thing to do for our schools, our communities and every learner in Wales.”

Paul Rock, Green Party MS for Caerdydd Fynnon Taf MS, supported the motion, and spoke of the “tireless dedication” provided by school support staff.

Mr Rock, whose wife works as a

significantly, even for staff doing very much the same roles. That means recognition and reward for their work depends too heavily on where they happen to be employed, rather than the value of what they do.”

Mr Rowlands also hit out at Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, saying: “This is not a new problem. It’s been developed over 27 years of Labour in government here in Wales, propped up by Plaid Cymru, during which these structural issues in our education workforce were allowed to persist.”

Describing the system as “fragmented, under pressure and increasingly reliant on goodwill rather than proper structure”, Mr Rowlands said it is “not credible” for Plaid and Labour to “now present themselves as discovering these problems for the first time or to claim ownership of a solution only once they are no longer solely responsible for fixing it.”

teaching assistant, said: “I don’t need to remind members of the important work that school support staff do: one-to-one interventions to support children with additional learning needs or children who are simply falling behind.

“They work with small groups, they cover for teachers and look after whole classes at a time, they run breakfast clubs and after-school clubs, they supervise children at lunch times and play times, they work unpaid overtime daily, and the pressures of the job mean they cannot always take the breaks they are entitled to.”

Mr Rock described this as an issue of “fairness, safety, and wellbeing” and said the lack of year-round pay is “directly contributing” to the gender pay gap in Wales.

He outlined his party’s commitment to treating school support staff fairly and ensuring they are “fully represented” in discussions about their pay.

Reform’s deputy leader, Helen Jenner, said she recognised the importance of school support staff but opposed the creation of “yet another quango”

She said: “We in Reform want to see quangos brought in-house to save taxpayers’ money and reduce the tax burden on Welsh people. We don’t want to see new ones created.

“While we have sympathy for the proposals for year-round pay for school support staff, there will, of course, be financial implications to implementing that policy and we would not like to see more money diverted from our schools.”

Sam Rowlands, the Conservative education spokesperson, also weighed in on the debate discussing the “inconsistency” built into the current system.

He said: “Pay and conditions can vary from one local authority to another quite

Education minister Anna Brychan began by recognising the “value and contribution” made by support staff in schools across Wales.

She said: “Teaching assistants, administrative officers, technicians, lunchtime supervisors, caretakers – roles that have been referred to by many of the contributors this afternoon – are the backbone of our schools across Wales, and I do recognise the crucial role of school support staff in Wales and very much appreciate their contribution to our education system as a whole. They are crucial and their contribution is priceless.”

Ms Brychan however then addressed the practicality of the motion.

The minister clarified the Welsh Government currently does not have the power to set the pay, terms and conditions for support staff, noting that this responsibility lies with local authorities or schools as the employers.

She acknowledged the benefits of introducing a statutory body for Welsh support staff, as is being introduced in England, but said this “would take time to establish” and said she is “eager” to see what can be done without legislation to make a difference more swiftly in the short term.

Concluding her response, the cabinet minister said: “I look forward to working with colleagues across this chamber to support and appreciate our school support staff.

“It is clear that there is support for and an understanding of their work across the chamber, and that is something valuable that we can build upon, and to help them give the best possible experience to our learners, as they already do, but also to provide an attractive career for them as individuals and as a profession too.”

The motion was agreed with 17 in favour, 74 abstentions, and none against.

Check ewes at weaning to protect next season’s lamb crop

PeMbRoKeSHiRe sheep farmers are being urged to use weaning as a key opportunity to check ewe condition and deal with any problems before tupping.

With many local flocks now moving towards weaning, farmers are being advised to assess body condition score, as well as checking teeth, feet and udders, while there is still time to improve nutrition ahead of the breeding season.

Dr Alison Bond, Technical Services Manager at Rumenco, said close monitoring at this stage can help avoid major changes in ewe condition and improve overall flock productivity.

She said weaning at around 12 weeks was a good target, when lambs should usually be between 25kg and 30kg and taking very little milk from the ewe.

“There will of course be a focus on the lambs’ readiness for market at this stage, but it is equally important to put a hand across the ewes to assess their condition,” she said.

For lowland flocks, ewes with a body condition score below

2.5 at weaning should be given priority, as they may struggle to reach the target score of around 3.5 by tupping.

Those poorer condition ewes should be grouped separately, moved onto the best available grazing and given appropriate supplementary feeding where needed.

Dr Bond said waiting until closer to tupping could be less effective and may affect performance.

She added that ewes in good condition at tupping are more likely to scan with more lambs, produce healthier lambs after birth, and rear heavier lambs by eight weeks of age.

“It affects the whole production cycle, and not just one element,” she said.

The advice will be particularly relevant to farms across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, where sheep remain

a major part of the rural economy and where grass quality can vary sharply depending on weather, soil type and stocking pressure.

Dr Bond said the aim should be to keep ewes between body condition score 2.5 and 3.5 throughout the cycle, avoiding big dips and peaks.

Routine checks at weaning, she said, give farmers the best chance of correcting problems before the tups go in two to three months later.

Reform calls for urgent review of farming scheme

ReFoRM WALeS has called for an urgent review of the Sustainable Farming Scheme after figures showed only around half of eligible farmers have signed up.

The party said the lower-thanexpected uptake showed that serious concerns remained within the farming community over the complexity of the scheme, compliance rules and uncertainty about how it will operate in the long term.

Laura Anne Jones MS, Reform Wales’ Shadow Cabinet Minister for Food, Farming and Rural Affairs, raised the issue during questions to the Welsh Government.

She said: “The figures released by

the Welsh Government today confirm what many farmers have been saying for some time: the Sustainable Farming Scheme is too complex, too restrictive and too bureaucratic.

“Farmers need certainty and security, not endless paperwork and rigid requirements that fail to reflect the realities of farming in Wales.

“Reform Wales believes the scheme should be reviewed as a matter of urgency, with a greater focus on flexibility, common sense and practical outcomes.

“Welsh farmers deserve a scheme that works with them, not against them.”

The Sustainable Farming Scheme is due to replace previous systems of agricultural support in Wales and has been one of the most contentious issues facing the rural sector.

Farming unions and campaigners have repeatedly warned that any new system must be practical for family farms and must not add unnecessary red tape at a time when many businesses are already under pressure from rising costs, bovine TB and market uncertainty.

Reform Wales said the Welsh Government must now explain how it intends to respond to the level of takeup and whether changes will be made before the scheme is fully rolled out.

Join NFU Cymru on farm for the sixth Sustainable Farming Conference

An exciting line-up of speakers will take to the stage of NFu cymru’s Sustainable Farming conference, sponsored by Wynnstay group PLc, on Tuesday 30th June during Welsh Farming Week.

The event, which will be held at Pant Farm, Llanvetherine, Abergavenny NP7 8RH by kind permission of the Yeomans family, is set to showcase farmers’ work feeding the nation, enhancing the farmed environment and contributing to the vitality of their local communities.

Attendees will hear insights from industry experts, receive lunch and undertake a tour of the 160-hectare mixed farm. Attendance at this year’s conference will also count towards one hour of the Sustainable Farming Scheme CPD training for Universal Action 4.

NFU Cymru is delighted to welcome keynote speakers Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, Llyr Gruffydd MS, and Ian Marshall OBE, from Queen’s University Belfast. A former President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, Ian Marshall is Head of Business Development and Policy at the Centre for Advanced Sustainable Energy, where he facilitates strategic connections between research, industry, and government on

renewable energy, decarbonisation, and the green circular bioeconomy.

The on-farm conference will also feature an all-female farmer’s panel sharing insights into their businesses and sustainable farming practices. The session, chaired by NFU Cymru LFA Board Chair Kath Whitrow, will include contributions from Katie-Rose Davies, beef and sheep farmer and NFU Cymru Glamorgan County Chair; Claire Jones, a

Ceredigion dairy farmer and NFU Cymru Dairy Board member; Lyn Anthony, an arable and sheep farmer in Glamorgan; and Elliw Griffith, an NFU Cymru Next Generation Development Group member from Anglesey.

NFU Cymru President Abi Reader said: “We are delighted that the Cabinet Minister Llyr Gruffydd MS and Ian Marshall OBE will be joining us to address our forthcoming Sustainable Farming

Conference. These key-note speakers, together with our farmer panel, postlunch farm tour and SFS CPD points on offer, also, mean this promises to be an insightful event not to be missed.

“During the conference we will also be awarding the NFU Cymru/Wynnstay Group PLC Sustainable Agriculture Award in recognition of the farming businesses that epitomises the unparalleled contribution Welsh farming enterprises make to the economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being of Wales.

“We are grateful to our partners Wynnstay Group PLC for their continued sponsorship of the NFU Cymru Sustainable Farming Conference and we would also like to thank Kepak for sponsoring the beef we’ll be served for lunch at this year’s event.”

The conference is free for NFU Cymru members and stakeholders, lunch will also be provided. Please indicate any special dietary requirements when registering. Members should register for the event through the NFU Cymru website or by calling the NFU Cymru office on 01982 554200.

For more information about the event, or to see a farm profile of the host farm, please visit the NFU Cymru website.

NFU Cymru launches new Welsh Farming Week reel competition

NFu cymru is calling on farmers and budding content creators across Wales to get behind Welsh Farming Week 2026 by entering a brand-new social media reel competition celebrating sustainable food production.

With fantastic prizes on offer, which include an Outback Outfitters

smock and £200 voucher, an INEOS Grenadier experience, a Ridgeline clothing £150 voucher and more, the competition aims to showcase the people, practices and passion behind Welsh food production.

Launched on Monday 8th June, the competition invites entrants aged 16 and over to create and share an

original short-form video reel on social media highlighting what sustainable food production means on their farm.

From livestock management and crop production to environmental stewardship, habitat management, family farming traditions and the use of innovation and technology, NFU Cymru is encouraging entrants to tell their farming story through engaging and creative content.

looks like through farmers’ eyes and showcase the brilliant work taking place on Welsh farms to the wider public.

“Whether it’s footage of lambing, feeding livestock, growing crops, collecting eggs, milking restoring habitats or showcasing local produce, we’re looking for authentic, creative and engaging reels that celebrate and capture the very best of Welsh farming. We’re not expecting highgloss production values, just a portrayal of what you’re doing on your farm using your camera phone.”

Winning reels (subject to T&Cs) will be showcased during Welsh Farming Week at the NFU Cymru Sustainable Farming Conference on Tuesday 30th June in Monmouthshire and on the NFU Cymru stand at the Royal Welsh Show – sharing your story with the wider farming industry and a public audience.

NFU Cymru President, Abi Reader, who will judge the competition alongside NFU Cymru/NFU Mutual Wales Woman Farmer of the Year 2025, Robbie Alman-Wilson, said:

“Welsh farmers have an incredible story to tell and this competition is a fantastic opportunity to share that story with a wider audience.

“Every day, farming families across Wales are producing high quality food while caring for the environment and embracing innovation. We want to see what sustainable food production

To enter, participants must create an original reel in Welsh or English and post it on Facebook and/or Instagram. You must tag @NFUCymru and hashtag #WelshFarmingWeek or #WythnosFfermioCymreig. You must be over 16 to enter and the content of your reel must be original. Please ensure your reel post is set to ‘public’. Private posts cannot be viewed by the judges and may not be eligible for consideration.

Entries must be submitted by midday on Monday 29th June 2026. The judges will be looking for unique, captivating and absorbing reels that showcase Welsh farming and food production in a positive and original way.

For further information and full terms and conditions, visit the NFU Cymru website and social media pages. We look forward to seeing your creativity and learning about what you do on your farm.

Farmers’ Union of Wales re-elects Presidential team

The Farmers’ union of Wales (FuW) has re-elected carmarthenshire farmer ian Rickman as President and Pembrokeshire dairy farmer dai Miles as deputy President during the union’s grand council meeting held in Aberystwyth on Thursday 11 June.

Mr Rickman, who was first elected President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales in 2023, will continue to lead the Union following his re-election by members of the FUW’s Grand Council. A long-standing and committed advocate for Welsh agriculture, Mr Rickman has served the Union in a number of key roles over many years.

A past Carmarthenshire County Chairman, he also previously chaired the FUW’s Hill Farming and Marginal Land Committee. He was elected as a Vice President of the Union in 2017 before becoming Deputy President in 2019. Throughout his years in office, he has represented members’ interests at Welsh Government and stakeholder meetings, farm visits and industry events, while championing the vital contribution of Welsh family farms to rural communities, food production and the wider economy.

Mr Rickman and his wife, Helen, live on a 220-acre upland farm near Llandeilo,

where they have raised three sons. Ian operates a sheep and beef enterprise together with young farmer Sean Jeffreys under a partnership farming agreement, rearing Wagyu calves alongside their sheep flock.

Speaking following his reelection, Mr Rickman said: “It is a tremendous honour and a privilege to continue serving as President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales. Welsh agriculture faces significant challenges and opportunities, and I remain committed to ensuring the voices of our members are heard clearly at every level of decision-making. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our dedicated officeholders, staff and members to secure a strong future for family farms across Wales.”

The Grand Council also reelected Dai Miles as Deputy President.

Mr Miles is a wellknown dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire and one of the four founding directors of Calon Wen, the pioneering organic milk co-operative. The co-operative not only markets members’ milk to processors but has also successfully developed its own range of dairy products, now available through major retailers across Wales and the wider UK.

A first generation farmer, Mr Miles took on the tenancy

There is no denying that the paperwork and bureaucratic burden facing farmers has increased significantly in recent years. While legislation and regulation play an important role in underpinning the world-leading environmental, animal welfare and food production standards that Welsh farmers uphold, the cumulative impact of these requirements is becoming increasingly unsustainable

of Barnsley Farm in West Wales with his wife Sharon in 1997. Originally a stock and arable unit, the farm was transformed into an organic dairy enterprise, beginning with 33 cows and leased milk quota. The business has expanded steadily over the years, with additional land acquired in 2001 and 2005. In 2021, his son Llyr joined the business, managing the herd day-to-day.

Today, the family farms more than 300 acres and manages a herd of 140 dairy cows alongside 100 youngstock. Their farming system incorporates grassland management alongside crops including arable silage and forage rape.

Commenting following his re-election, Dai Miles said: “I am honoured to have been reelected as Deputy President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales and would like to thank members for placing their trust in me once again. Farming has given me countless opportunities over the years, and I am proud to be able to give something back by serving the Union and its members.

“The coming years will be crucial for our industry, and I am eager to continue supporting farmers, celebrating the great work they do and helping ensure Welsh agriculture remains innovative, sustainable and successful.”

In many cases, farmers are required to submit the same information multiple times across different schemes, inspections and regulatory processes administered by various organisations. This duplication creates unnecessary bureaucracy, diverts valuable time and resources away from farm businesses, and reduces the time farmers can dedicate to what they do best - producing food and managing the land.

Recognising these growing pressures, a key FUW manifesto commitment ahead of the Senedd election was the introduction of an independent review of the bureaucratic burden placed on family farms. The objective is to identify opportunities to streamline on-farm requirements through earned recognition, greater use of technology, improved data-sharing and more innovative, proportionate approaches to regulation.

Against this backdrop, the FUW welcomed last week’s announcement by the Welsh Governments’ Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability of an independent review into the bureaucratic burden facing Welsh farming businesses.

Led by beef and sheep farmer and former NFU Cymru President John Davies, the review will assess the cumulative impact of regulation, inspections, data requests and administrative requirements across the sector. Over the next nine months, it will engage directly with farmers, land managers and professional agents to gain a clear understanding of the practical challenges associated with complying with multiple regulatory and assurance schemes, and identify ways of reducing unnecessary duplication while maintaining high standards.

While the FUW looks forward to engaging with the review, it is worth noting that this is not the first attempt to address the issue. More than a decade ago, the 2011 Working Smarter report highlighted the complex, fragmented and often burdensome regulatory system facing Welsh farmers, and made a series of recommendations aimed at reducing unnecessary bureaucracy. Unfortunately, many of the concerns identified at that time remain as relevant today as they were then, with farmers continuing to face increasing administrative demands from multiple organisations and regulatory bodies. The challenge now is to ensure that this latest review does not simply revisit familiar issues, but delivers meaningful and lasting change that reduces duplication, streamlines compliance requirements and allows farmers to focus on running productive, sustainable businesses, whilst maintaining our world-leading food standards.

Broadly talented: the new Audi A6 allroad

THe new Audi A6 allroad makes a statement. Now in its fifth generation, the all-rounder is more striking than ever: its body, which is 11cm wider, alloy wheels up to 21 inches in diameter, and allroad-specific design elements give it an imposing presence. equipped with adaptive air suspension, all-wheel steering, and quattro all-wheel drive, the new A6 allroad conquers any terrain. Whether with the 3.0-litre v6 Tdi or, for the first time, as a plugin hybrid, both powertrains are electrified for high efficiency and strong performance.

“The A6 allroad is an icon in the Audi lineup and has always embodied a clear philosophy: an Audi that is exceptionally comfortable for everyday use and displays its off-road capabilities when the terrain becomes more challenging. This is made possible by its specific adaptive air suspension with variable ground clearance and quattro all-wheel drive. Combined with electrified drives, the A6 allroad is the ideal companion for anyone who doesn’t want to plan their freedom, but simply wants to hit the road,” says Rouven Mohr, Chief Technical Officer AUDI AG.

The Audi A6 allroad has been built with a wide body for the first time, making it more powerful and striking than ever before. With its body 11cm wider than the A6 Avant, large alloy wheels, and signature allroad design elements,

the vehicle has a distinctive look. While the top of the body is sporty and elegant, the lower part of the A6 allroad reveals its rugged and practical personality.

Whether on the highway or a gravel road, the 34mm increase in ground clearance compared with the A6 Avant, paired with the allroad-specific adaptive air suspension, optimised all-wheel steering, and wider tyres, ensure confident handling on any terrain.

With a 55mm adjustment range, the standard adaptive air suspension offers a wide spectrum of off-road capabilities as well as a dynamic and comfortable driving experience on the road. This is supported by the more stiffly mounted progressive steering, which responds more directly and provides more feedback.

All-wheel steering makes this even more noticeable. It improves manoeuvrability and agility at low speeds by turning the rear wheels up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels. At moderate and higher speeds, the rear wheels turn up to two degrees in the same direction as the front wheels, increasing stability and steering precision.

The A6 allroad makes a strong impression not only on the outside and during the day, but also inside and at night. It boasts a premium interior with a high level of comfort, a digital user experience, and plenty of room for individualisation. This applies to the lighting as well as

the equipment. The centrepiece is the Audi MMI panoramic display, featuring the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and a 14.5inch touch display, which can be supplemented by an optional 10.9-inch passenger display. The digital Matrix LED headlights can also be customised via the central display: There are eight digital daytime running light signatures, and the taillight display changes in sync with them. While the headlights project the lane and orientation light and a slippery road warning onto the road surface thanks to their microLED module, the digital OLED rear lights 2.0 increase road safety by communicating with the surroundings.

In addition to excellent sound insulation, numerous comfort features enhance the in-car experience, four-zone automatic air conditioning, and an air quality package. The dimmable panoramic glass roof also provides a choice between a lightfilled cabin and effective shading.

While the driver and passengers travel comfortably, there is space for luggage and sports equipment in, on, or atop the A6 allroad. Adjustable rear seats, the increased trailer load of the V6 TDI compared with the A6 Avant, and the roof rails with the optional roof basket make the A6 allroad an ideal companion for travel and outdoor activities.

All engines for the A6 allroad are electrified and feature quattro

all-wheel drive as standard to combine performance and efficiency. Available for the first time, the A6 allroad e-hybrid combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 185 kW and an electric motor with up to 105 kW deliver a total system output of 270 kW (367 PS) and total torque of 500 Nm.

The high-voltage battery (25.9 kWh gross; 20.7 kWh net) enables up to 59 miles (combined, according to WLTP) of all-electric driving. The battery is charged by alternating current (AC) at up to 11 kW; a full charge takes about two and a half hours. Regenerative braking can be adjusted in multiple increments, and the hybrid management system offers an EV mode and a hybrid mode. A target battery charge level can be selected via the MMI.

In the 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine with 220 kW (299 PS) and 580 Nm of torque, Audi combines three electrified components: the MHEV plus technology with belt alternator starter and powertrain generator, which delivers up to 18 kW (24 PS) of additional power, as well as an electric-powered compressor for direct and fast response. As a result, the V6 TDI delivers powerful performance in every driving situation – whether pulling away, accelerating out of town, overtaking, or driving on the motorway.

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KGM Motors UK returns to the Royal Highland Show 2026 with Scottish debut of all-new Musso Rhino

KgM Motors uK, formerly Ssangyong, is delighted to announce its return to the Royal Highland Show for 2026, bringing its most comprehensive display yet to one of Scotland’s best-known celebrations of food, farming and rural life. Taking place at ingliston in edinburgh from 18 to 21 June 2026, the show will provide the stage for the first Scottish viewing of the all-new Musso Rhino, the nextgeneration pick-up that reinforces KgM’s long-standing reputation for capability, durability and real-world utility.

Making its Scotland debut at the Royal Highland Show, Korea’s original pick-up is set to be a major highlight for rural and agricultural visitors who rely on a dependable working vehicle that can

comfortably handle towing, load carrying and year-round conditions, ahead of its UK launch in July 2026. The new model sits at the top of the Musso line-up and is designed to bring a bolder presence, upgraded cabin technology and stronger working credentials to customers who want a pick-up engineered for both the job and everyday driving.

KGM will also showcase Musso EV at the Royal Highland Show for the first time, bringing an electrified pick-up option to the agricultural calendar, alongside the Torres Hybrid and Actyon Hybrid. Visitors will also be able to get a first look at the allnew Musso Commercial, a single cab pick-up aimed at business users who need a focused, work-ready solution. Rounding out the display will be KGM’s award-winning range, including the Musso Saracen, the Rexton 7-seater SUV and the Rexton

Commercial Vehicle, ensuring visitors can explore KGM’s full breadth of capability across passenger and commercial applications.

Showgoers will also be able to benefit from an exclusive Royal Highland Show offer and save thousands on the Musso and Rexton models. Visitors will be encouraged to speak with the team at the stand for full details, eligibility and availability, with offers available for a limited time and subject to terms and conditions.

First held in 1822, the Royal Highland Show has more than 200 years of heritage and remains a major fixture in Scotland’s rural calendar, created to spotlight the very best of farming and rural life while bringing communities together at Ingliston each June. For KGM, the event is a natural fit, reflecting the brand’s strong connection to agriculture and rural living through vehicles built

around towing strength, four-wheeldrive capability and dependable, day-to-day usability in real working environments.

Kevin Griffin, Managing Director at KGM Motors UK, said “The Royal Highland Show is a key event for customers who live and work in rural communities, and we are proud to return in 2026 with a line-up that reflects the full breadth of KGM capability. Debuting the all-new Musso Rhino in Scotland is a significant moment for the brand, and with Musso EV, Musso Commercial, Torres Hybrid and Actyon Hybrid also making their show debuts, we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to explore what’s next for KGM alongside our awardwinning Musso Saracen, Rexton and Rexton Commercial.”

Haworth Autobody becomes Pembrokeshire’s only Which? Trusted

For motorists, choosing a bodyshop often comes down to one important question: who can you trust with your vehicle?

That question has now become even easier to answer after Haworth Autobody became the only Which? Trusted Trader Approved Bodyshop in Pembrokeshire, a significant achievement that places the familyrun business among a select group of repair centres recognised for exceptional standards of workmanship, customer care and business integrity.

The prestigious accreditation is awarded through the independent Which? Trusted Trader scheme, one of the UK’s most recognised consumer endorsement programmes. Businesses must undergo a thorough assessment process covering customer service, business practices, complaint handling procedures and overall customer satisfaction before

approval is granted.

For owner Bobby Haworth, the recognition reflects the values that have guided the business since it was established in 1974.

“We’ve always believed that if you look after customers properly and do the job right, people will come back and recommend you to others. Becoming a Which? Trusted Trader is recognition of the standards we’ve always aimed to uphold, and we’re extremely proud to be the only approved bodyshop in Pembrokeshire.”

Over the years, Haworth Autobody has built a reputation for high-quality accident repairs, paintwork restoration and cosmetic bodywork. Combining decades of experience with modern repair techniques and equipment, the business continues to serve motorists

across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

The Which? endorsement provides customers with additional confidence that they are choosing a repair centre that has been independently assessed and approved against nationally recognised standards.

Whether dealing with accident damage, scratches, dents or full bodywork repairs, customers can expect clear communication, transparent estimates and workmanship carried out with care and attention to detail.

As Haworth Autobody looks to the future, the team remains committed to investing in training, equipment and customer service, ensuring the business continues to provide the high standards that have earned it both local loyalty and national recognition.

Popular Pembrokeshire veterinary practice announces new owners after 17 years

A WeLL-KNoWN independent veterinary practice in Pembrokeshire has announced a change of

ownership after nearly two decades of caring for local pets.

All Pets Vet Care revealed that founder Billa will soon hand

over the reins after 17 years, with experienced local vets Alice Richards and Pete Howe set to become the practice’s new owners.

The practice said both Alice and Pete share Billa’s commitment to maintaining the independent, friendly and community-focused ethos that has helped make the surgery a trusted name among pet owners across Pembrokeshire.

Alice and Pete are both highly experienced vets who have worked in Pembrokeshire for more than ten years, meaning many clients may already know them.

The team stressed that there will be no change to the care provided, with the practice continuing to offer the same personal service and out-of-hours care for registered clients.

In a message to customers, the practice said: “Nothing about the care you receive is changing – it will still be the same personal, friendly service.”

The new owners said they are looking forward to meeting clients and their pets in the coming weeks.

Pet owners will also have an opportunity to meet Pete at the practice’s Open Day on Friday, June 27. Alice will be unable to attend due to a long-planned charity bike ride, although the team said she would “be there in spirit.”

Crackwell Street closure extended again as Tenby traders voice frustration

TRAdeRS in Tenby have been left frustrated after Pembrokeshire county council extended the closure

of crackwell Street once again. The street, which provides direct access to Tenby Harbour,

has been closed for several months to allow scaffolding work to be carried out at Goscar House.

TRADERS in Tenby have been left frustrated after Pembrokeshire County Council extended the closure of Crackwell Street once again.

The street, which provides direct access to Tenby Harbour, has been closed for several months to allow scaffolding work to be carried out at Goscar House.

It had been due to reopen on Friday, but the council has now extended the closure until June 19.

Local businesses say the repeated delays have affected trade, with concerns that the ongoing closure is making access to the harbour area more difficult during a busy period for the town.

The road remains closed while scaffolding is in place at the property.

Celtic Freeport five-year plan puts Milford Haven at centre of green energy future

THe ceLTic FReePoRT has published a new five-year strategy setting out how Milford Haven and Port Talbot will be used to attract major investment, create jobs and build a new low-carbon industrial economy across South and West Wales.

The plan, published today, Monday (Jun 15), says the Freeport will focus on renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, port infrastructure, floating offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, carbon capture, cleaner steel and low-carbon logistics.

For Pembrokeshire, the strategy places Milford Haven at the heart of plans to modernise port infrastructure, support future energy projects and create new employment and training opportunities for local people.

The Celtic Freeport spans sites in Milford Haven and Port Talbot and is backed by a public-private partnership involving Associated British Ports, Camplas, Dragon LNG, Impala, Ledwood Mechanical Engineering, Neath Port Talbot Council, the Port of Milford Haven, RWE and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Over a 25-year period, the Freeport is projected to deliver more than £8bn of investment and create 11,500 jobs.

FocuS oN MiLFoRd HAveN

The five-year strategy says the Freeport will help enable major port infrastructure upgrades to support the roll-out of floating offshore wind.

Milford Haven is already one of the UK’s most important energy ports, and the plan makes clear that the area is expected to play a major role in the transition from traditional energy industries to cleaner fuels and

renewable power.

The document says the Freeport will work to attract investment into key sectors including offshore wind, hydrogen, solar, batteries, sustainable aviation fuel, ammonia, pipelines, carbon capture and storage, and advanced manufacturing.

It also says the Freeport wants to create a stronger local supply chain so that businesses in Pembrokeshire and the wider region can benefit from major industrial development, rather than seeing work and contracts go elsewhere.

The strategy says one of the aims is to ensure local businesses and landowners are supported in accessing capital and external investment for land remediation, infrastructure upgrades and priority projects.

JobS ANd SKiLLS

A major part of the plan focuses on skills, training and local employment.

The Freeport says it wants to create a “sustainable talent pipeline” where local people can see future job opportunities and receive support with upskilling, career advice and connections to employers.

The strategy says this will include work with schools, colleges, trade unions, local authorities and employers to identify future skills gaps and create employment pathways.

Pembrokeshire College is named among the education partners expected to help deliver workforce transition and future skills for both existing energy industries and new green energy sectors.

The plan also says the Freeport will look at ways to support economically inactive people into work and will

consider using some funding to establish a community fund focused on projects that visibly benefit local people, including possible support for transportrelated challenges.

iNveSTMeNT ANd iNFRASTRucTuRe

The strategy sets out four main priorities for the next five years.

These are driving capital investment into key Freeport industries, helping landowners progress development projects, exploring local supply chain innovation and decarbonisation, and laying the foundations for a thriving skills market.

The Freeport says it will deliver a £25m seed capital programme by the end of 2028/29 and will prioritise at least two seed capital projects in 2026, subject to agreements on governance and funding.

Business cases for selected projects are expected to be prepared during 2026 before being considered by the Celtic Freeport board. If projects are no longer considered feasible, the strategy says a reallocation process will be required.

The Freeport also plans to build a pipeline of future investment projects using retained non-domestic rates, with revenues expected to begin flowing back from 2028.

The document says business development and marketing will be used to attract high-value tenants to priority sites, including through international investment campaigns and sectorspecific proposals.

PLANNiNg ANd gRid iSSueS

The plan acknowledges that major development is not straightforward.

It says businesses face challenges including grid connection issues, planning delays, policy uncertainty and the high upfront cost of infrastructure.

To tackle this, the Freeport says it will work with the UK and Welsh Governments, Natural Resources Wales, local authorities and public investment bodies to remove barriers and unlock private investment.

It will also hold monthly meetings with landowners to monitor progress, identify delivery problems and escalate strategic risks where necessary.

goveRNANce ANd PubLic AccouNTAbiLiTy

The strategy also sets out plans to expand the Freeport’s governance arrangements.

The current board includes representatives from Milford Haven Port Authority, Associated British Ports, Pembrokeshire County Council and Neath Port Talbot Council.

The Freeport says this structure will be expanded to include non-executive directors and representatives from key landowners and business operators.

The plan also includes commitments to publish board schedules and minutes, hold one public board meeting each year, organise an annual community open day, run skills and employment sessions in schools, and hold local job fairs and apprenticeship roadshows as opportunities grow.

Trade unions are also expected to have a formal route into the process through a workers’ consultative forum, with the strategy saying unions will help inform skills interventions, fair work principles and employment priorities.

Cathy Hall, Interim CEO of the Celtic Freeport, said: “This Five-Year Plan sets out how the Celtic Freeport will support businesses across the region to decarbonise, grow and access new opportunities.

“We will be focussing on delivering projects to consolidate the region’s strong industrial future.”

The publication of the plan marks an important moment for Pembrokeshire, where hopes of long-term industrial renewal are closely tied to Milford Haven’s role in energy, ports and marine engineering.

Supporters say the Freeport could bring major investment and skilled jobs to the county.

But the success of the plan will depend on whether the promised benefits are felt locally, whether Pembrokeshire firms can win work from the new supply chains, and whether young people in the county are given a realistic route into the jobs created by the green industrial transition.

Specialist clinic launched in to treat common eye condition

A HAveRFoRdWeST

opticians has launched a specialist clinic for dry eye disease, offering new support for people living with the common condition.

Specsavers Haverfordwest has introduced its Advanced Dry Eye Clinic to give customers access to in-depth diagnosis and targeted treatment for dry eye.

Dry eye is a common, but often misunderstood, condition where the eyes do not produce enough tears, or the tears evaporate too quickly, leading to discomfort, irritation and sometimes blurred vision.

It can be linked to a range of factors, including increased

screen use, contact lens wear, ageing and environmental conditions. As many as one in three people suffer from dry eye and most causes can be treated.

Many people are surprised to learn that watery eyes can actually be a sign of dry eye, as the eyes produce poorquality reflex tears in response to irritation. The new service provides an in-depth approach to diagnosing and managing the condition.

While many high street opticians now offer dry eye clinics, Specsavers Haverfordwest provides a wider range of specialist treatments and technology that are not commonly available.

Using advanced imaging to assess the eyes and tear glands, the team can identify the underlying cause of symptoms and create a personalised treatment plan for each customer.

Whilst there are a range of different treatments available, the major investment has been in the introduction of eye-light devices, bringing advanced IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) and LLLT (Low-Level Light Therapy) treatments to customers suffering from dry eye symptoms. Designed to target the underlying causes of dry eye

disease, the eye-light device combines clinically proven light-based therapies to help improve tear quality, reduce inflammation, and restore eye comfort. The treatment is safe, non-invasive, and suitable for many patients experiencing irritation, burning, watery eyes or discomfort linked to screen use and modern lifestyles.

The clinic also supports contact lens wearers experiencing discomfort, helping them return to comfortable, everyday use.

Some of the first customers to use the clinic have already noticed improvements in their symptoms.

Danielle Thomas says: ‘I honestly can’t believe the difference. I’d been struggling with sore, gritty eyes for years and had given up wearing my contact lenses altogether – they just became too uncomfortable. I was constantly using drops with very little relief.

‘From the moment I walked into the dry eye treatment room, it felt completely different to a normal appointment. The environment is calm, almost spalike and the whole experience was surprisingly relaxing. The treatments were comfortable and the team explained everything so clearly. After just three sessions

the improvement was notable –my eyes feel normal again.

‘The constant irritation and watering have gone and I’m now back in contact lenses comfortably, which I never thought would be possible. It’s genuinely been life changing. I wish I’d known about it sooner.’

Wayne Jones, optometrist and retail director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, adds: ‘Dry eye is something we see very frequently, yet it’s still widely dismissed as a minor irritation. In reality, it can have a real impact on comfort, vision and overall quality of life.

‘What many people don’t realise is that, in many cases, there is an underlying cause that can be identified and treated.

‘By launching this clinic, we’re able to offer a much more detailed and personalised level of care here in West Wales, helping us support more customers locally. We would encourage anyone experiencing persistent symptoms such as dryness, irritation or blurred vision to have their eyes checked, as there’s often a treatable cause.’

People interested in using the clinic should call Specsavers Haverfordwest on 01437 767788 to book an initial assessment and discuss treatment options.

Wales has highest stillbirth rate in UK for third year running, charity says

WALeS has recorded the highest stillbirth rate in the uK for the third year in a row, according to baby loss charity Sands.

The charity has called for urgent action from the Welsh Government following the publication of the latest MBRRACE-UK perinatal mortality surveillance report, which tracks stillbirths and neonatal deaths across the UK.

Sands says there has been a lack of political focus on maternity safety and saving babies’ lives in Wales, despite repeated reviews.

The charity is calling for clear national targets to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths, as well as action to eliminate inequalities linked to ethnicity and deprivation.

Aidan Smith, Wales campaign lead for Sands, said: “There has been a lack of political focus and attention on maternity safety and saving babies’ lives in Wales in recent years.

“There has been review after review, but little change. At Sands, we are supporting bereaved parents across Wales to campaign for targets to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths and eliminate inequalities by ethnicity and deprivation.

“Bereaved parents are calling for accountability. Targets to reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths will help ensure that saving babies’ lives becomes the political priority it should be.”

Sands says England introduced targets to reduce baby deaths in 2015, helping focus political decisionmaking and transparency.

Mr Smith said analysis by the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit suggested that more than 1,000 babies in Wales may have survived if stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates had matched the best performing countries in Europe between 2019 and 2023.

The charity wants the Welsh Government to introduce new targets running to 2035, including reducing the stillbirth rate to 2.0 stillbirths per 1,000 total births, and reducing neonatal mortality to 0.5 deaths per 1,000 live births for babies born at 24 weeks’ gestation and over.

It is also calling for inequalities in baby loss linked to ethnicity and deprivation to be eliminated.

Mr Smith said Wales also needed better monitoring of maternity outcomes, including a national data dashboard to track changes over time and identify differences between health boards and population groups. He said more complete data was needed on ethnicity and social risk factors to understand which families

midwives, in conjunction with Sands, and offered memory boxes, which include a certificate of birth.

Mortality Review Tool, ensuring the health board listened, learned and reflected on each baby loss.

were most at risk of pregnancy and baby loss.

Sands has also raised concern about a lack of specialist psychological support for bereaved parents in Wales.

Mr Smith said there was currently only one specialist NHS service providing mental health support to bereaved parents, the Onnen service in Cardiff and Vale.

He said: “The Welsh Government must evaluate the Onnen service in Cardiff and Vale and expand this to all health boards across Wales.

“All bereaved parents in Wales should have access to specialist psychological support regardless of where they live, the type of pregnancy or baby loss they experienced, or how long ago it was.”

The Welsh Government said support was available to families affected by pregnancy loss and pointed to work taking place across health boards.

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy is devastating. Families who experience pregnancy loss at maternity units in Wales are supported by bereavement

“Since 2016, stillbirth rates in Wales have shown a downward trend. The latest Perinatal Mortality Surveillance report acknowledges that in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, year-to-year variation in rates is often more pronounced because of lower birth numbers.

“All health boards are committed to improving quality and safety in perinatal care – through enhanced clinical reviews, early warning surveillance, safer preterm birth care, and structured learning from incidents.”

Hywel Dda University Health Board said it recognised “how devastating the loss of a baby is for parents and their families” and said its maternity and neonatal teams worked to provide safe, compassionate and supportive care.

Dana Scott, Director of Midwifery and Professional Governance for Women and Children at Hywel Dda, said the health board had “robust safety measures and clear clinical processes” in place across its maternity services.

She said Hywel Dda’s review processes were aligned with MBRRACE-UK and the Perinatal

Ms Scott added that every family affected by stillbirth or neonatal death had access to dedicated bereavement midwives and nurses, as well as psychological support, follow-up care and opportunities for memory-making.

She said the health board also worked closely with its local Sands group and remained committed to learning from national reports to improve maternity safety locally.

Sands said the new Welsh Government now had an opportunity to act.

Mr Smith added: “Bereaved parents across Wales are campaigning for accountability and change. The new Welsh Government has a chance to reset the narrative by implementing targets to save babies’ lives, eliminating inequalities in loss by ethnicity and deprivation, and rolling out specialist mental health support for bereaved parents across Wales.”

Sands provides support to anyone affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, including a confidential helpline, email support, online groups and local peer-support networks.

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Mid WALeS peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful.

The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support

for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing

peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).

Labour hits back at Plaid over Welsh budget blame game

WeLSH LAbouR has accused Plaid cymru of attempting to rewrite history over the scale of the financial pressures facing the Welsh government, following comments made by Finance cabinet Minister elin Jones.

Speaking on BBC Radio Wales Sunday Supplement and BBC Wales Politics Wales, Elin Jones MS suggested the new Welsh Government had inherited a far more difficult financial position than expected.

But Welsh Labour has now hit back, insisting Plaid Cymru had full access to the same information before the election and could not claim surprise at the state of public finances.

Responding to the remarks, Welsh Labour’s finance spokesperson, Huw Thomas MS said: “It is fanciful to say that Plaid Cymru didn’t know the scale of the financial challenge facing Welsh Government.

“Welsh Labour was always honest about the challenge, the IFS told us all of the challenge, Plaid Cymru even had access to the government books to see for

themselves.”

The row comes amid growing scrutiny over the Welsh Government’s spending plans, with ministers facing mounting pressure over public services, NHS waiting lists, local authority finances and wider economic pressures.

Earlier this year, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned that the next Welsh Government

would face a “challenging funding outlook”, highlighting rising demands on spending and concerns over long-term sustainability.

In an analysis published in February, the independent economic think tank warned that even funding models based more heavily on relative need could leave Wales facing difficult choices in the years ahead.

The exchange marks the latest sign of tension between Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru after the collapse of their previous cooperation agreement in the Senedd. With both parties seeking to shape the political narrative around Wales’ financial future, disagreements over responsibility for spending pressures are likely to intensify in the months ahead.

Seven standing for Pembroke Dock seat following death of Cllr Brian Hall

SeveN candidates are to stand for a Pembrokeshire council seat made vacant following the death of veteran councillor brian Hall, including a former councillor who was once barred from holding any form of public office for three years.

Before he passed away in April, Councillor Brian Hall had held the Pembroke Dock Market ward seat since 1996, and had many council roles over the years including the planning committee, on the Cabinet from its inception in 2002 until March 2007 and between 2012 and 2022, and had chaired several Overview and

Scrutiny Committees including Environment, Services and Corporate.

Following Cllr Hall’s death, thethen leader of the council Cllr Jon Harvey said: “Brian was a council stalwart and had been working for, and demanding better, for his constituents for nearly 30 years.

“His enthusiasm for his home patch was unmatched and there was little of Pembroke Dock’s history that he could not tell you about. The loss of Brian from the chamber will be felt by all members of council across the board.”

Presiding Member of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Simon Hancock said:

BLUE VIEW

uNPAid carers deserve more recognition for the work they do

BEING a county councillor gives access to many important aspects of life that might otherwise pass us by.

At a recent Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, one of the agenda items focused on unpaid carers. It is an issue many people may not fully understand unless they are carers themselves, or are being cared for by someone close to them.

with that responsibility. It would take a very hard heart not to be moved by that.

Pembrokeshire County Council is fully aware of the impact that caring for loved ones can have, especially when that care is provided without financial reward. Many unpaid carers would probably say they do not expect payment, and that they see their role as a natural part of family life. But that does not mean they should be left without support.

“Brian was a larger-than-life character who was passionately devoted to Pembroke Dock and his constituents. He never let an opportunity pass without mentioning and advancing the interests of his hometown. We extend sincere condolences to his family.”

Since that seat became vacant, seven hopefuls have now put their names forward to represent the Market ward, with an election being held on July 9.

Those standing are: Hayley Wood (independent), Lee Herring (Welsh Liberal Democrats), Jamie Street (Welsh Conservative), Claire Francis-Boswell (independent), Chloe Louise Richards (Plaid Cymru), Ryan Morgan (Reform UK), and Paul Haywood Dowson (independent), but listed as a member of Restore Britain since March of this year.

Back in 2022, the-then Cllr Dowson, representing Pembroke Dock Central as a UKIP councillor, was barred from holding any form of public office for the next three years after being found guilty of bullying, providing fabricated evidence to the Ombudsman and of misleading the public at a case tribunal convened by the president of the adjudication panel for Wales.

Mr Dowson more recently stood as an independent candidate in this year’s Senedd elections for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, gaining 88 votes out of a total of 89,402 votes cast.

For many, the word “carer” brings to mind a paid worker visiting someone at home. But thousands of carers in Pembrokeshire are not paid at all. They are usually family members, quietly giving their time, energy and emotional strength to look after someone they love.

Unpaid carers deserve enormous respect. Their own lives can be taken over completely by the need to provide care, sometimes 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for someone with physical or mental illness.

The scale of that contribution is remarkable. In Pembrokeshire alone, unpaid carers save the taxpayer an estimated £442m a year. Almost 11% of the county’s population are unpaid carers.

The most heart-rending fact I took away from the committee meeting was that 380 unpaid carers in Pembrokeshire are children aged between five and 17.

Imagine being a child trying to cope with schoolwork, exams, friendships and all the pressures of growing up, while also helping to care for a seriously ill or incapacitated relative. A normal social life, so important in childhood, may be severely limited or missing altogether.

Yet 380 young people in our county are living

Among the free schemes provided by the county council are leisure centre membership, grants towards essential items needed for a caring role, such as washing machines, virtual reality short breaks, Scolton Manor parking passes, and dedicated residential respite beds.

The aim of these schemes is to help reduce stress and financial pressure on unpaid carers, improve day-today resilience, promote wellbeing, and enable carers to continue caring safely and effectively.

I came away from that committee meeting glad that part of my council tax is helping to support the sterling and admirable work unpaid carers provide for their loved ones and for society as a

W ITH ANDREW LYE

day

this edition of the Pembrokeshire Herald reaches your email inbox is the same day we wake up to whether Andy burnham has won the Parliamentary byelection in Makerfield.

Andy Burnham has said if elected, he would seek to enter any Labour leadership contest, whilst PM Sir Keir Starmer has said he would fight to keep his job and would not walk away.

Last week saw the shock resignation of respected Defence Secretary, John Healey, along with the armed forces minister, Al Carns.

John Healey had said the level of military spending proposed by the PM, “falls well short” of what is needed to protect the UK. Al Carns described the government’s long awaited defence investment plan (DIP) as “neither transformative enough nor sufficiently funded”.

These resignations are a devastating indictment of this Government’s handling of our national security and couldn’t come at a worse time for the PM and must surely weaken his already shaky position, even further.

In this volatile world, with war raging again in Europe and with an unreliable President in the White House, we need to urgently boost our defence spending.

John Healey’s resignation confirms that the Government’s financial commitment to our defence is falling woefully short.

At Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQ’s), Ed Davey asked about reports that the Government may cut

money for hospitals to fund the shortfall.

The Liberal Democrats have also called for John Healey to come before the Defence Committee and explain what went wrong, who is responsible for the delays, and explain the threats and risks we are being exposed to as a result.

It’s time we boosted our defence spending with ambitious proposals, such as our defence bonds plan, which I covered recently in this column.

The pressure on the PM has intensified as we have witnessed horrifying crimes on our streets that have created anger and grief - from the horrific murder of Henry Nowak to the despicable attack on Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast. The thoughts of our entire party are with those affected, and we condemn these attacks in the strongest sense.

However, far too often now, we see extremists exploiting people’s anger and grief to spread further hatred and violencewith the help of divisive algorithms on social media. This must stop.

The public disorder and violence towards the police which have followed these events are completely unacceptable, and those whipping up the division that is fuelling it must be held to account.

The Government can do so much more to stop this spread of hatred online. They must act now.

Ed Davey asked the PM at PMQ’s whether the Government will crackdown on platforms controlled by tech billionaires, like X, which are fuelling such violence. Is the clock ticking for Sir Keir?

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

Starmer confirms UK plan to ban under-16s from social media

PRiMe MiNiSTeR Sir Keir

Starmer has confirmed plans to ban children under the age of sixteen from using a range of social media platforms, in what would be one of the biggest changes to online safety rules in recent years.

The move is being presented by the UK Government as a major step to protect children from harmful content, online bullying, exploitation, addictive screen use and unwanted contact from strangers.

Speaking today, Starmer described the announcement as “a big moment for our country” and said the government had a responsibility to act as more children grow up with smartphones and constant access to online platforms.

The ban is expected to apply to major social media services, with reports naming platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, X, YouTube and other similar apps as likely to be affected.

Full details of exactly which platforms will be covered have not yet been confirmed, but ministers are expected to set out further information as the proposals move forward.

Age cHecKS exPecTed

A key part of the plan is expected to be stronger age verification, with technology firms required to prevent children under sixteen from creating or using accounts.

The government is also expected to look beyond

and apps.

There are also questions over how the ban would apply to children who already have accounts, whether parents would be able to give consent, and what penalties companies could face for failing to comply.

PART oF WideR oNLiNe SAFeTy debATe

The UK has already introduced tougher online safety rules through the Online Safety Act, but campaigners have continued to call for stronger action on children’s access to social media.

traditional social media sites, with possible restrictions on features such as livestreaming, disappearing messages, location sharing and contact with adult strangers through messaging, gaming and other online platforms.

The proposals could also include limits on some artificial intelligence chatbots and other services considered unsuitable for children.

SuPPoRT FRoM

PAReNTS

The announcement follows months of growing pressure from campaigners, parents and MPs who have argued that children are being exposed to online content and behaviour they are not equipped to deal with.

Supporters of the ban say parents have been left to fight a losing battle against powerful technology companies, addictive algorithms and peer pressure among children.

They argue that a national rule would give parents a clearer boundary and prevent families being forced to make the decision alone.

coNceRNS oveR eNFoRceMeNT

However, the plans are likely to face criticism from technology firms, privacy campaigners and some child safety experts.

Opponents are expected to argue that age verification could raise privacy concerns, be difficult to enforce, or push children towards less regulated websites

The proposed under-16 ban would go further than many existing rules and would put Britain among a growing number of countries considering or introducing age-based restrictions on social media use.

Ministers are expected to publish more detail on the legislation, enforcement and timetable in the coming months.

For now, the announcement marks a major shift in government policy and signals a tougher approach towards technology companies over children’s safety online.

The Welsh Conservatives have called on the Plaid Cymru Welsh Government to make clear whether it will support the plans.

Commenting, Sam Rowlands MS, Welsh Conservatives Shadow Minister for Education and Families said: “Children in Wales are being exposed to more harmful online content than ever before and parents need support.

“The Welsh Conservatives have been clear from the start. We support stronger protections for children online, we support a ban on social media for under16s and we want mobile phones out of classrooms so pupils can focus on learning.

“Plaid Cymru now need to be honest with parents. Do they back a proper social media ban for under-16s or are they going to hide behind vague promises about online safety while leaving families and schools to deal with the consequences?

“This is about protecting children and improving standards in Welsh schools. Plaid cannot claim to be serious about children’s wellbeing while refusing to give a clear answer on one of the biggest issues facing young people today.”

Senedd parties criticised over refusal to sign women’s safety statement

WeLSH coNSeRvATiveS have accused rival parties in the Senedd of failing to back women’s safety after no Labour, Plaid cymru, Liberal democrat or green Member signed a statement calling for women’s singlesex spaces to be protected.

The Statement of Opinion, tabled by Conservative MS Natasha Asghar, follows renewed debate over the legal definition of sex and the provision of single-sex services.

The statement calls for the rights and safety of women and girls to be protected, and says practices which enable voyeurism, harassment or sexual assault in mixed-sex facilities should be strongly opposed.

It also urges the Welsh Government to work with the UK Government to apply Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on single-sex spaces.

Ms Asghar said the refusal of other parties to sign the statement was telling.

She said: “This is about basic common sense. Women and girls deserve safe, single-sex spaces and practices that enable voyeurism or harassment in mixed-sex facilities should be opposed by everyone in this Senedd.

“Yet not one Plaid Cymru, Labour, Green or Liberal Democrat Member has been willing to say so.

“Silence speaks volumes. If you cannot bring yourself to support women’s safety and dignity, voters in Wales will draw their own conclusions about your priorities.”

The issue has become one of the most divisive in Welsh and UK politics,

with women’s rights campaigners arguing that single-sex services are essential for safety, privacy and dignity. However, LGBTQ+ campaigners have warned that public bodies must also ensure transgender people are

treated lawfully and are not left without safe and practical access to services.

The Herald has asked Welsh Labour, Plaid Cymru, the Welsh Liberal Democrats and the Greens for comment.

Welsh Labour accuses Plaid Cymru of ‘reviews over delivery’ on housing

WeLSH LAbouR has accused the Plaid cymru-led Welsh government of relying too heavily on reviews and task forces rather than taking immediate action to tackle housing pressures and struggling high streets across Wales.

The criticism came after comments from Welsh Labour spokesperson for Housing and Communities, Jayne Bryant MS, who said Plaid Cymru had failed to match ambition with delivery.

In a statement issued on Tuesday (June 9), Ms Bryant said Labour supported efforts to improve access to housing and revitalise town centres, but argued that progress was being slowed by further assessments rather than concrete policies.

She said: “We all want to see better access to housing and thriving high streets across Wales. But yet again today, we hear of reviews and task forces from Plaid Cymru, but no immediate actions.

“The Welsh Labour Government delivered almost 20,000 homes in five years, protected Help to Buy Wales when it was scrapped in England, and improved renters’ rights. When will we see tangible action from Plaid Cymru?”

She added: “This is now a

running theme from this Plaid Cymru government – discussion over delivery, reviews over rollout.”

The comments follow recent announcements by the Plaid Cymruled administration indicating that housing access and regeneration will be subject to further assessment, with ministers signalling new reviews into how communities can be supported.

Housing remains one of the most politically sensitive issues in Wales, particularly in rural and coastal areas such as Pembrokeshire, where rising house prices, second homes and shortages of affordable housing continue to place pressure on local residents.

Town centres across Wales have also faced increasing challenges in recent years, with changing shopping habits, business closures and economic pressures prompting calls for renewed investment and reform.

Plaid Cymru has previously defended its approach, arguing that long-term structural problems require careful planning and evidence-based policy rather than short-term fixes.

The political row comes as housing affordability and local economic regeneration are expected to remain key battleground issues in Welsh politics over the coming months.

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Pic Ture oF The week!

MY FRIEND NEVER SAW HER CHILDREN GROW UP

de AR S i R,

i am a breast cancer survivor, and i know how fortunate i am to be here today.

I found my lump because of my dear friend Sue. We worked together for more than ten years and became very close. Her encouragement to get checked may well have saved my life.

Tragically, Sue was not so fortunate.

She developed a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer and died, leaving behind two young children. Like so many families affected by cancer, hers was left with a loss that can never truly be replaced.

That is why I pay close attention to news of medical breakthroughs. Recently, researchers reported promising results using innovative nanoparticle technology to tackle aggressive forms of breast cancer. Reading about

her children grow up. Every patient facing a life-threatening illness deserves the benefit of medical research and scientific innovation, wherever it takes place.

For the sake of families living with cancer today, we should support cooperation, research and hope.

cynthia Hollinsworth

LIFE-SAVING SCIENCE SHOULD UNITE, NOT DIVIDE

de AR S i R,

As someone who lives in a city proud of its children’s hospital, i was moved to read about the i sraeli baby who became the first person to receive a gene replacement treatment injected directly into the brain.

developments like these, I cannot help but think of Sue and wonder how many families may be spared similar heartbreak in future.

At a time when some organisations are calling for boycotts of Israeli medical institutions, it is worth remembering that cancer patients care less about where a breakthrough comes from than whether it might save their life.

My late father was a GP and a Holocaust survivor. Throughout his career, he treated people according to need, regardless of background, nationality, faith or belief. He taught me that medicine is about helping people and saving lives.

Cancer does not recognise borders. It affects families in Wales just as it does elsewhere. The progress that has improved survival rates for so many patients has often come from researchers and doctors working together across countries and sharing knowledge for the common good.

When I think of Sue, I think of a mother who never had the chance to watch

children a better chance of life is a goal worth supporting.

Angela Stott

ARE OUR CHILDREN SAFE THIS SUMMER

de AR S i R,

As someone who lives in a city proud of its ch Summer is here. As thousands of our young people prepare to attend music events with friends and family, i find myself remembering the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.

The child was born with a rare genetic condition which causes severe epilepsy and can prove fatal in early childhood. Faced with what seemed an impossible situation, doctors, scientists and researchers worked together to give him a chance that did not previously exist.

Stories like this remind us why medical research matters. Behind every breakthrough is a child, a family, and healthcare professionals determined not to give up. Anyone who has spent time in or around a children’s hospital will understand the hope even a small advance can bring to families facing devastating diagnoses.

At a time when some people are calling for boycotts of Israel, this achievement is also a reminder that medical discoveries do not recognise borders. If a treatment developed in one country can help save children around the world, that is surely something to be welcomed.

Whatever our political views, I hope we can all agree that giving desperately ill

Saffie-Rose Roussos was just eight when a suicide bomber claimed her and 21 others. Today she would be 17, perhaps looking forward to one of the festivals that define our summer. Her loss remains a painful reminder that joy and celebration can become targets for those driven by hatred and fanaticism.

Music has a unique ability to bring people together across backgrounds, faiths and cultures. Yet extremists who despise the freedoms we cherish often view such gatherings differently. That reality should give us pause. Recently, I visited the Nova Exhibition, commemorating the victims of the Nova music festival massacre in Israel on 7 October 2023 – where young people from different backgrounds and faiths — Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Druze, Jews and others — had gathered to celebrate music, friendship and shared humanity. It was a sobering reminder of how quickly joy can be turned into horror.

Our threats are different, but our own tragedy teaches us that complacency comes at a terrible cost. Let us not wait for another atrocity before asking difficult questions.

R. Salia

death notices

E NID G EORGE

eNid passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on 26th May 2026 aged 91 years.

Dearly loved, she will truly be missed by all her family and many friends.

Her funeral service will take place on Thursday 25th June 2026, 10.45am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only.

Donations for the ‘David John George Memorial Fund’ can be made payable to “Cardiff University” and sent to: Esther Liu, Development and Alumni Relations, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT.

Please include a covering letter mentioning the ‘David John George Memorial Fund’ Or by Bank Transfer to Account Name: Cardiff University –Donate | Sort Code: 306764 | Account Number: 17853660.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

C HARLES N EVILLE H OWELLS

PASSed away on 27th May at Withybush Hospital surrounded by his family, following a short illness.

He leaves behind wife Michele, daughters Caroline and Penny and Granddaughters, Charlotte, Freya and Zara.

Special thanks to all on Acute Frailty Ward at Withybush Hospital for the care they showed Charles in his final weeks.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday 23rd June at 10.45am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium.

Family flowers only.

Donations, in lieu of flowers for the Acute Frailty Unit, Withybush Hospital can be sent c/o Rev. G. Eynon, Digwydd Paso, Wolfscastle, Haverfordwest, SA62 5NA. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

M AVIS B ROOKES

MAviS passed away peacefully on Sunday 31st May at The Meadows (Willows) Nursing Home, Johnston aged 90 years.

Much loved, she will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

The Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday 24th June 12noon at St Ismaels Church, Uzmaston.

Family flowers only.

Donations if desired for the Wales Air Ambulance can be sent c/o Mr. Tim Brookes or via the donation box available on the day.

Light refreshments and facilities

will be available from 11am at the Church Hall.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821.

N ESTA M ARY T HOMAS

NeSTA passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on Monday 1st June aged 83 years.

Much loved wife to the late Bill, devoted mother to Jill, Andrew and Kathryn, respected mother-in-law and Nan

She will be missed by all her family and friends.

The Funeral service will take place at Bethlehem Baptist Chapel 12noon on Friday 19th June.

Family flowers only.

Donations in lieu, if desired for Bethlehem Baptist Chapel or Parkinson’s UK can be sent c/o Mrs Julie Davies, Cuckoo Mill, Pelcomb Bridge, Haverfordwest, SA62 6EA.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821.

P ETER B OSWELL

T H e death occurred peacefully, at home, on Friday 5th June 2026 of Mr. Peter b enjamin b oswell aged 61 years, of Two Penny Hay c lose, Pembroke.

Loving husband of Rona. Adored

Dad of Rhiannon and Johnny (husband), Kai and Emma (partner). Cherished Grandad to Harry, Ellis and Kira. A much loved Brother, Brother-in-law, Uncle and GreatUncle.

Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday 24th June at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11.30am. There will be family flowers only with donations in memory of Peter for Cancer Research UK and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home c/o E. C. Thomas and Son Funeral Directors, 21 Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 and Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 or via www.ecthomasandson.co.uk

M ARGARET P ORTIA J OHNSON

Pe A ce F u LLy at Withybush Hospital on Tuesday 26th May 2026 Margaret Portia Johnson of Haverfordwest aged 94 years. Beloved wife of Eirwyn, she will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

The funeral service will take place on Friday 19th June, 3:15pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Further enquiries to F. G. Rees & Sons, Haverfordwest. Tel: 01437 764418.

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Young rally driver makes impressive gravel debut

eigHTeeN-year-old Henri cynwyl, of Newcastle emlyn, marked a memorable milestone at the Plains Rally, bala, as he made his gravel debut in the highly competitive Mini Rally challenge.

Henri was driving the exchampionship-winning car previously campaigned by Tom Hynd, giving the young driver a strong platform on which to demonstrate his ability.

FAMiLy TeAM

Sitting alongside him was his father, Dilwyn John, whose extensive experience in the codriver’s seat proved invaluable throughout the demanding event.

Despite mechanical issues on Stages 3 and 4, the father-andson pairing showed determination

and composure to overcome the setbacks and continue gaining valuable experience on the loose surface.

As the day progressed, Henri’s confidence grew with every stage. The crew’s times steadily improved throughout the rally, underlining his rapid adaptation to gravel and his ability to learn quickly in competitive conditions. Their efforts were rewarded with an impressive sixth-place finish, a highly respectable result on a first gravel outing against more experienced competitors.

STRoNg FouNdATioNS

The performance was even more notable given Henri’s limited gravel experience.

Having developed his car control skills through Teifi Valley

Motor Club autotests from the age of 14, he was able to transfer much of that experience to the challenging Welsh forest stages.

Additional tuition on gravel from James Williams, of W1 Motorsport Group, also helped prepare him for the step up into rally competition on loose surfaces.

Reflecting on his debut, Henri said: “It was great and I enjoyed every minute of it. Taking part in Teifi Valley Motor Club autotests most definitely helped, along with tuition on gravel stages in the company of James Williams from W1 Motorsport Group.

“I’d also like to thank Mark Williams, my team manager, for all of the support and encouragement.”

PRoMiSiNg START

The successful gravel debut provides another encouraging chapter in the young driver’s development, with the pace, consistency and maturity shown throughout the day suggesting plenty more potential to come.

Henri now switches back to tarmac this weekend as he continues his busy season at the Park Garage Rally in Anglesey, aiming to build on the confidence gained from an impressive first appearance on gravel.

Looking ahead, he is already eagerly anticipating the next round of the Mini Rally Challenge in Greystoke Forest, Cumbria.

With a strong first result under his belt, and plenty of lessons learned from the Plains Rally, Henri will be aiming to build on his promising start when the championship heads north.

Rowers conquer gruelling 22-mile Cleddau challenge

RoWeRS from across the united Kingdom descended on Pembrokeshire at the weekend to take part in one of Wales’ toughest coastal rowing challenges — the 22-mile cleddau River Marathon Row from dale to Haverfordwest.

Held as part of the annual Haverfordwest River Festival on Saturday (Jun 13), the spectacular endurance race saw around 25 crews line up on the shoreline at Dale for a dramatic beach start before battling the tides, currents and changing weather conditions along the Milford Haven Waterway.

With calm waters and blue skies greeting competitors at the start, crews launched from Dale Bay at around 2:30pm and powered into the Haven, navigating a route that took them past Milford Haven, Neyland and Pembroke Dock before passing beneath the Cleddau Bridge and tackling the winding upper reaches of the river toward Haverfordwest.

However, conditions became more testing as the race progressed, with the tide turning against competitors and a headwind adding to the challenge during the final push upstream.

The marathon row was organised by Helen Heaton and Llangwm Rowing Club, with staggered starts helping ensure crews arrived in Haverfordwest in time for the celebrations at the River Festival.

At the finish line in Haverfordwest, exhausted rowers were greeted by cheering crowds, family members and councillors, who helped crews bring their boats ashore before an

evening of celebrations and prizegiving at HaverHub.

The event drew teams from across Wales and further afield, highlighting Pembrokeshire’s growing reputation as a destination for competitive coastal rowing. The marathon route, stretching approximately 22

miles from Dale to the county town, is regarded as one of the more demanding fixtures in the Welsh sea rowing calendar.

Video crews and drone operators captured the action throughout the day, with local media teams filming both from shore and on the water.

The race was sponsored by Dale Sailing, with video sponsorship support from Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing Academy.

The Herald understands the Wasps of Llangwm crew took top honours in the demanding race after a hard-fought contest on the water.

Charity football match raises £10,025 for Glangwili Hospital units

A cHARiTy football event held at carmarthen Town AFc has raised £10,025 for two key services at glangwili Hospital.

The event, organised by LHP Accountants, took place on Saturday and raised money for the Chemotherapy Unit and the Special Care Baby Unit through Hywel Dda Health Charities.

Organisers said they had been “absolutely overwhelmed” by the support shown on the day, thanking everyone who played, donated, sponsored, volunteered, bought raffle tickets, bid in the auction or attended the event.

They said: “This achievement belongs to every single person who supported us. Thank you for helping us make a real difference.”

The event was also filmed by S4C’s Heno, with coverage due to air tonight between 7:00pm and 7:30pm.

Cricket roundup: Thrillers, centuries and title races heat up in Week 8

SAuNdeRSFooT maintained their place at the top of division one as the Pembroke county cricket League entered Week eight, but there were dramatic finishes, dominant performances and standout individual displays across all six divisions on Saturday.

From a nail-biting one-wicket win for Burton to a huge unbeaten century from Hook’s Aled Phelps and a remarkable 168 not out for Pembroke Dock II’s Callum Power, it was another action-packed weekend of local cricket.

diviSioN oNe

Saundersfoot stay top as Burton edge thriller

Saundersfoot remain the team to catch after a tense two-wicket victory away at Lawrenny. Chasing 146, they got over the line at 146-8 thanks largely to Tom Mansbridge, who starred with both bat and ball, taking 5-35 before finishing unbeaten on 66.

Neyland kept up the pressure in second after defending 167-9 against Carew, winning by 22 runs. Gareth Lewis struck 69 for Carew, but Neyland’s bowlers held firm.

Burton secured one of the matches of the day, edging Narberth by a single wicket after chasing 175. Martin James top-scored with 71 in a nervy finish.

Cresselly eased to a seven-wicket win over St Ishmaels, while Herbrandston claimed an emphatic 66-run victory over Whitland, helped by Charlie Malloy’s allround performance of 61 runs and 4-30.

• Neyland 167-9 beat Carew 145 all out by 22 runs

• St Ishmaels 122-9 lost to Cresselly 126-3 by seven wickets

• Burton 177-9 beat Narberth 174 all out by one wicket

• Lawrenny 145 all out lost to Saundersfoot 146-8 by two wickets

• Herbrandston 195 all out beat Whitland 129 all out by 66 runs

1. Saundersfoot – 128 pts

2. Neyland – 111 pts

3. Carew – 110 pts

4. Cresselly – 97 pts

5. Burton – 95 pts

6. Herbrandston – 93 pts

7. Narberth – 59 pts

8. St Ishmaels – 47 pts

9. Whitland – 45 pts

10. Lawrenny – 42 pts

diviSioN TWo

Phelps smashes unbeaten century for Hook

Hook produced one of the standout performances of the weekend, piling up 245-3 against Cresselly II before sealing an 83-run victory. Aled Phelps stole the show with a superb unbeaten 123. Pembroke remain top after cruising to a seven-wicket win over Llangwm, with Andrew Hay hitting 54 and Jack Harries

adding 47.

Johnston continued their strong campaign with a seven-wicket success over Llanrhian, while Fishguard defeated Llechryd by six wickets.

Haverfordwest made light work of Pembroke Dock, skittling them for just 67 before reaching the target without losing a wicket.

• Hook 245-3 beat Cresselly II 162 all out by 83 runs

• Pembroke 118-3 beat Llangwm 115 all out by seven wickets

• Johnston 134-3 beat Llanrhian 130 all out by seven wickets

• Fishguard 156-4 beat Llechryd 151 all out by six wickets

• Haverfordwest 68-0 beat Pembroke Dock 67 all out by ten wickets

1. Pembroke – 125 pts

2. Johnston – 123 pts

3. Hook – 119 pts

4. Haverfordwest – 115 pts

5. Cresselly II – 109 pts

6. Fishguard – 76 pts

7. Pembroke Dock – 67 pts

8. Llanrhian – 66 pts

9. Llangwm – 60 pts

10. Llechryd – 45 pts

diviSioN THRee

Laugharne run riot with 303 Laugharne produced the most dominant display of the weekend, hammering 303-5 before dismissing Stackpole for just 79 in a crushing 224-run victory.

Matt Tait smashed 119, while Brendan McCay remained unbeaten on 88 in a devastating batting display.

Carew II edged Haverfordwest II by seven runs in a close contest, while Lamphey eased to a nine-wicket victory over Hundleton.

• Pembroke II comfortably defeated Kilgetty by six wickets, and Burton II beat Saundersfoot II by eight wickets.

• Burton II 101-2 beat Saundersfoot II 100 all out by eight wickets

• Carew II 187-5 beat Haverfordwest II 180-9 by seven runs

• Lamphey 106-1 beat Hundleton 103 all out by nine wickets

• Pembroke II 86-4 beat Kilgetty 84 all out by six wickets

• Laugharne 303-5 beat Stackpole 79 all out by 224 runs

1. Laugharne – 124 pts

2. Carew II – 107 pts

3. Kilgetty – 104 pts

4. Lamphey – 93 pts

5. Pembroke II – 92 pts

6. Saundersfoot II – 83 pts

7. Burton II – 82 pts

8. Hundleton – 61 pts

9. Haverfordwest II – 57 pts

10. Stackpole – 31 pts

diviSioN FouR

St Ishmaels II hit 204 in dominant display

St Ishmaels II were among the weekend’s biggest winners, racking up 204-7 before dismissing Llechryd II for 68 to seal a 136-run victory.

Crymych swept aside Neyland II by 100 runs, while Lawrenny II brushed off Narberth II by nine wickets after bowling them out for just 44.

Hook II edged past Haverfordwest III by five wickets, and Herbrandston II comfortably defeated Carew III.

• Hook II 135-5 beat Haverfordwest III 134-8 by five wickets

• Herbrandston II 176-8 beat Carew III 97 all out by 79 runs

• Lawrenny II 45-1 beat Narberth II 44 all out by nine wickets

• Crymych 152-4 beat Neyland II 52 all out by 100 runs

• St Ishmaels II 204-7 beat Llechryd II 68 all out by 136 runs

1. St Ishmaels II – 112 pts

2. Hook II – 103 pts

3. Lawrenny II – 100 pts

4. Narberth II – 94 pts

5. Crymych – 87 pts

6. Neyland II – 85 pts

7. Herbrandston II – 84 pts

8. Llechryd II – 77 pts

9. Haverfordwest III – 64 pts

10. Carew III – 45 pts

Power smashes unbeaten 168 Callum Power delivered the innings of the week, blasting an unbeaten 168 as Pembroke Dock II piled up 312-2 before beating Llechryd III by 179 runs. Whitland II also impressed, with Andrew Fletcher smashing an unbeaten 134 in a commanding win over Hundleton II.

Cresselly III strengthened their grip on top spot with a ten-wicket victory over Llanrhian II, while Pembroke III beat Llangwm II by eight wickets.

• Pembroke III 139-2 beat Llangwm II 138 all out by eight wickets

• Cresselly III 64-0 beat Llanrhian II 62 all out by ten wickets

• Pembroke Dock II 312-2 beat Llechryd III 133 all out by 179 runs

• Whitland II 249-3 beat Hundleton II 91-8 by 158 runs

1. Cresselly III – 126 pts

2. Llangwm II – 105 pts

3. Whitland II – 100 pts

4. Llanrhian II – 89 pts

5. Pembroke III – 59 pts

6. Pembroke Dock II – 56 pts

7. Llechryd III – 38 pts

8. Hundleton II – 28 pts

diviSioN Six

Lamphey II continue charge Lamphey II kept up their promotion push with a dramatic two-wicket victory over Neyland III, chasing down 136 thanks to Jon Edwards’ unbeaten 65.

Haverfordwest IV remain top after beating Laugharne II by 76 runs, with Richard Scriven carrying his bat for 83 not out.

Whitland III defeated Kilgetty II by six wickets in a low-scoring affair, while Haverfordwest/Cresselly had a bye week.

• Lamphey II 136-8 beat Neyland III 135 all out by two wickets

• Whitland III 59-4 beat Kilgetty II 54 all out by six wickets

• Haverfordwest IV 173-6 beat Laugharne II 97 all out by 76 runs

• Haverfordwest/Cresselly – Bye

1. Haverfordwest IV – 101 pts

2. Lamphey II – 96 pts

3. Whitland III – 93 pts

4. Neyland III – 84 pts

5. Laugharne II – 65 pts

6. Haverfordwest/Cresselly – 52 pts

7. Kilgetty II – 23 pts

Players of the week

• Callum Power (Pembroke Dock II) – 168 not out

• Aled Phelps (Hook) – 123 not out

• Matt Tait (Laugharne) – 119

• Andrew Fletcher (Whitland II) –134 not out

• Charlie Malloy (Herbrandston) –61 and 4-30

• Tom Mansbridge (Saundersfoot) – 66 not out and 5-35

Thomas c arroll Pembrokeshire league Table

Fixtures 20th June

Divison 1

Carew v Herbrandston

Cresselly v Lawrenny

Saundersfoot v Burton

St Ishmaels v Neyland

Whitland v Narberth Divison 2

Hook v Johnston

Llangwm v Cresselly II

Llechryd v Llanrhian

Pembroke v Haverfordwest

PDock v Fishguard Divison 3

Burton II v Pembroke II

Hwest II v Saundersfoot II

Hundleton v Kilgetty

Laugharne v Carew II

Stackpole v Lamphey Divison 4

Hwest III v St Ishmaels II

Herbrandston II v Llechryd II

Lawrenny II v Carew III

Narberth II v Crymych

Neyland II v Hook II Divison 5

Cresselly III v Llangwm II

Llanrhian II v Pembroke Dock II

Llechryd III v Hundleton II

Pembroke III v Whitland II Divison 6

Kilgetty II v Laugharne II

Lamphey II v H’west-Cresselly

Whitland III v Haverfordwest IV

Young rally driver makes impressive gravel debut • p88