The Pembrokeshire Herald 21/11/2025

Tributes for young woman found dead at Cardigan boat yard

THE COMMUNITY of Cardigan has been left shaken and heartbroken following the death of 21-year-old local woman Corinna Baker, whose body was discovered at Netpool Boat Yard last Saturday (November 15). Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation, and friends, neighbours and relatives have since come together to remember a young woman described as bright, funny and full of life.

Police confirmed that Corinna’s body was found at around lunchtime on Saturday, reportedly on board a boat within the yard. Locals say the vessel was removed from the site later that day as part of the police response. The area has remained the focus of forensic and specialist officers ever since.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody while enquiries continue. Police have stressed that the investigation is active and ongoing, and they have urged anyone with information, however minor it may seem, to come forward.

“WE arE DISTraUgHT aT THE lOSS Of OUr BElOvED COrINNa”

Corinna’s family issued a deeply emotional statement this week, paying tribute to a much-loved daughter, sister and friend.

“We as a family are distraught at the loss of our beloved Corinna,” they said. “She was much loved, and she will be greatly missed by her whole family and all those who were blessed to have known her.”

Specially trained officers are supporting the family as they navigate the early days of their grief. The family also issued a plea for privacy, asking the public and the media to give them space to mourn.

Further tributes came from Corinna’s sisters on social media. Her older sister Caitlyn wrote: “Heaven

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has the most beautiful, kind, funny, stubborn angel entering the gates.”

Another sister, Shante, added: “Fly high, gorgeous. I wish I told you more how much you meant to me and that I loved you. I will always love you and think of you. I love you, sis.”

flOWErS, MESSagES aND COMMUNITY SHOCk

Since the weekend, flowers have been placed at the gates of Netpool Boat Yard by friends and members of the public who wished to pay their respects. Bouquets, handwritten notes and candles have appeared steadily since Sunday, reflecting the sense of loss felt well beyond Corinna’s immediate circle.

Residents in Cardigan described Corinna as a young woman with a warm personality and a sharp sense of humour. One friend who visited the scene on Sunday said she was “intelligent, lovely and well-loved by everyone who met her”.

The atmosphere in the town has been one of disbelief, with many struggling to comprehend the suddenness and circumstances of Corinna’s death. Several residents told The Herald that the incident has “cast a cloud” over the community heading into the winter months.

gOfUNDME laUNCHED TO SUPPOrT fUNEral COSTS

In response to the tragedy, a family friend, Alison Balman, has launched a GoFundMe appeal with the permission of Corinna’s relatives. The fundraiser aims to collect £2,000 to help the family cover funeral costs and any immediate expenses following her death.

“Corinna was a young, funny, bright and beautiful young lady whose whole life was still ahead of her,” said

Alison. “She was loved by many and will forever be missed by everyone who knew her or had the blessing of meeting her.

“We’re hoping to raise funds to help support Corinna’s family as they begin to navigate life without her. Anything donated will help ease some of the financial burden at a time already filled with deep pain and grief.”

The GoFundMe has already begun receiving contributions from friends, neighbours and even strangers touched by the family’s loss. Alison thanked all who had donated or offered messages of condolence, saying the kindness shown has been “greatly appreciated” by Corinna’s relatives.

POlICE

CONTINUE TO aPPEal fOr INfOrMaTION

Dyfed-Powys Police have thanked members of the public who have contacted them so far, and confirmed that officers are following several lines of enquiry.

The force, which has been visibly present in the Cardigan area throughout the week, is urging anyone who was in or around Netpool Boat Yard on Saturday morning, or who may have seen anything unusual in the hours before the discovery, to contact them immediately.

As the investigation continues, officers have reiterated that Corinna’s family will remain at the forefront of their work.

a COMMUNITY UNITINg IN grIEf

While many questions remain unanswered, what is clear is that the loss of Corinna Baker has resonated deeply across Cardigan and beyond. The wave of tributes, donations and quiet acts of remembrance reflects the love and affection so many felt for a young woman whose life was cut tragically short.

The Herald will continue to follow developments in the police investigation and will provide updates as they are released.

HGVs collide on Narberth High Street during heavy snow

TraffIC in Narberth has returned to normal this afternoon following a collision between two heavy goods vehicles on the town’s High Street earlier today.

The incident happened near the Old Town Hall, at the bottom of the High Street, shortly after 9:00am. Narberth Town Council issued an alert stating that the crash had caused traffic to back up around the one-way system, with delays stretching along the main route through the town.

Snow was still falling heavily at the time, creating difficult driving conditions on the steep High Street. Photos sent to the Herald show both lorries halted in the centre of the road, with pedestrians navigating thick slush on the pavements. No injuries have been reported, and the vehicles were moved shortly afterwards. As of lunchtime, the road is fully clear and traffic is flowing normally once again.

Russian sonar device recovered off Skomer amid renewed concern over spy ship activity

a SUSPECTED russian sonobuoy – the type used to track submarine movements – has been recovered from the seabed off Skomer Island, just months after a notorious russian spy ship was monitored operating off the Welsh coast.

Volunteer divers from Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC) discovered the cylindrical device on Saturday, November 15, during a routine seabed clean-up near Wooltack Point. The object, heavily encrusted with marine growth, appears consistent with sonobuoy equipment used by foreign militaries for underwater surveillance. The team also removed discarded fishing weights from the conservation zone.

Sonobuoys are typically deployed from aircraft and use a combination of hydrophones and radio transmitters to detect submarine activity. Some work passively by listening for acoustic signatures; others emit sound pulses and analyse returning echoes, relaying information back to surface vessels or aircraft.

NARC has passed the object to the relevant authorities for assessment.

a WIDEr PaTTErN Of aCTIvITY

The discovery comes at a time of heightened concern about Russian intelligence-gathering in UK waters.

This week, Defence Secretary John

Healey confirmed that the Russian spy ship Yantar, part of Moscow’s deep-sea surveillance fleet, has been operating on the edge of UK territorial waters. RAF pilots monitoring the vessel reported that Yantar directed lasers at their aircraft, an action the Defence Secretary described as “deeply dangerous”.

Mr Healey said the UK has “military options ready” should the ship move further south.

Yantar is designed to map, inspect and, if necessary, sabotage undersea infrastructure – including the fibre-optic cables and pipelines that support the UK’s energy supply, internet traffic and banking systems. NATO intelligence agencies have repeatedly warned that Russia’s deep-sea programme poses a strategic threat to Western infrastructure.

It is the second time this year that Yantar has entered the UK’s wider waters. In July 2025, the vessel was tracked off the Pembrokeshire coast,

prompting RAF surveillance flights and a Royal Navy frigate being dispatched to shadow its movements. At the time, defence sources told The Herald that the vessel was “lingering unusually close to sensitive undersea cables”.

lOCal CONCErNS

While the origin of the recovered Skomer device has yet to be formally confirmed, its appearance near a protected Welsh marine site has raised eyebrows – especially given recent Russian movements around the British Isles.

Security analysts note that sonobuoys are sometimes lost or abandoned during military exercises, but the proximity to Skomer’s conservation zone and the timing of the find are notable.

Meanwhile, NARC continue their regular clean-up dives around Pembrokeshire, removing hazardous debris to protect the region’s internationally recognised marine habitats

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

aN aBErYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation

Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance. Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.

Pressures mount in ‘perfect storm’ for tourism

MSs say cumulative policies risk pushing long-standing operators to the brink – Welsh Government insists reforms will strengthen sector in the long term

WEST WalES’ visitor economy is heading into one of its most challenging off-seasons in recent memory, senior politicians have warned, as small accommodation providers face rising costs, tightening consumer demand and a raft of new regulations arriving at once.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies and Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz say the region’s long-standing tourism operators – many of them small family-run B&Bs, holiday cottages and rural retreats – are now dealing with “cumulative pressures” that are beginning to feel overwhelming. Their warnings follow a mixed summer season across Pembrokeshire, with operators reporting decent spells of weather but noticeably weaker footfall during the shoulder months, shorter stays, and more last-minute cancellations as households continue to cut back.

CUMUlaTIvE PrESSUrES HITTINg aT ONCE

Businesses across West Wales say they are struggling to absorb multiple financial and regulatory changes arriving in quick succession.

As well as the Welsh Government’s plans for a tourism levy and the new allWales registration scheme for holiday accommodation, providers are adapting to council tax premiums linked to the 182-night threshold for self-catering properties.

• These measures are landing at the same time as:

• rising wage bills following this year’s minimum wage uplift,

• higher employer National Insurance contributions,

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utilities and commercial insurance costs that remain far above prepandemic levels, and a broader slowdown in UK domestic holiday spending as the costof-living crisis continues.

Many smaller operators rely on strong summer takings to carry them through winter. Several have told The Herald the convergence of pressures now feels like a “perfect storm”, with some trimming staff hours, postponing maintenance or delaying planned investment until the outlook stabilises.

Tourism bodies say the effects are especially sharp in Pembrokeshire, where thousands of jobs – from Tenby and Saundersfoot to St Davids, Newport, Solva and the Preseli villages – depend on a reliable and healthy visitor economy.

There is also concern about the impact on casual hosts and small-scale providers who increase capacity during major events such as Ironman Wales, Long Course Weekend, the Bluestone Marathon and Pembrokeshire’s packed summer festival calendar.

DavIES: “llISTEN TO THOSE ON THE grOUND”

Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies said operators have been “clear and consistent” about the cumulative impact of rapid policy change.

“Tourism businesses in West Wales have been clear about the challenges they face and yet rather than providing support, governments at both ends of the M4 have introduced measures that have added further pressure to the sector,” he said.

“I have consistently called on

the Welsh Government to engage constructively with tourism operators and to work collaboratively on solutions that will support local tourism businesses.

“Ministers must listen to those on the ground, remove unnecessary regulations, and deliver practical support that ensures the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector in Wales.”

Davies said several business owners had contacted him to express growing anxiety about the winter period, with some already scaling back operations in the face of uncertainty.

kUrTz: “TOUrISM BaCkBONE Of ECONOMY”

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz said the timing of recent changes risks weakening a sector that remains one of West Wales’ strongest economic pillars.

“Tourism is the backbone of our economy in West Wales, and as we enter the quieter months many local businesses will be feeling the pressure more than ever,” he said.

“Instead of adding layers of costly red tape, the Welsh Government should be supporting operators who are already battling the 182-night threshold, rising wage bills and increased NI costs, all on top of reduced footfall as the season ends.”

He added: “The cumulative effect of these changes is taking a devastating toll on the tourism industry. Ministers must pause, listen, and rethink before more long-standing businesses are pushed to the brink.”

WElSH gOvErNMENT rESPONSE aND BrOaDEr CONTExT

Welsh ministers maintain that the reforms are necessary to modernise

the sector, protect communities, and ensure that tourism remains sustainable in the long term.

The all-Wales registration scheme, they argue, will help identify poorquality accommodation, improve safety standards, and give councils better data when making decisions about housing pressure in coastal and rural communities.

The tourism levy, they say, simply brings Wales in line with many European nations, with revenue raised locally to support services relied upon by visitors – from car parks and toilets to coastal paths and waste collection.

A Welsh Government spokesperson has previously said the seasonal nature of the sector “requires a sustainable model that works for communities as well as visitors and businesses”, with reforms forming part of a wider plan to “balance the needs of residents, workers and the environment”.

INDUSTrY

CallS fOr “jOINEDUP THINkINg”

Tourism associations across Wales have repeatedly stressed that the challenge lies not with any single measure but with several arriving simultaneously.

Some operators have already exited the market citing an unfavourable environment, while others are waiting to see whether domestic holidaymakers will return in greater numbers next year or whether the shift towards cheaper overseas breaks will continue.

With winter now settling in, the coming months will prove a critical test of resilience for a sector that remains central to Pembrokeshire’s rural economy, its employment base, and its cultural identity.

Snow brings disruption – and striking scenes to Pembrokeshire

PEMBrOkESHIrE woke to widespread snowfall on Thursday morning (20 November), as a band of wintry showers swept across the county and led to significant disruption on roads, school closures, and delays to public transport. The snowfall, which began overnight and intensified at first light, affected communities from Tenby and Saundersfoot through to Haverfordwest, the Preseli Hills and the northern coastal areas.

The Herald received more than 300 photographs from readers in response to our early-morning Facebook callout, capturing conditions across towns and villages. Images showed gardens blanketed in snow, slippery rural lanes, and rare coastal scenes with white sand at Tenby and Saundersfoot beaches. Many residents described the snowfall as the heaviest they had seen for several years.

Highways teams were deployed throughout the night and into the morning, prioritising the primary network as conditions deteriorated. Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that gritters and ploughs were working continuously, but warned that secondary and untreated routes remained hazardous, particularly in the east of the county and at higher elevations above 200 metres. The B4329 from New Inn to Tafarn-y-Bwlch was

closed due to heavy accumulations and drifting snow.

Across the south of the county, motorists reported slow-moving traffic on the A40, A477 and B4316, with slush and limited visibility making driving difficult during peak snowfall. Police urged drivers to avoid unnecessary travel and to exercise extreme caution on rural routes. Several minor collisions were reported during the morning, though no serious injuries are understood to have occurred.

The wintry conditions also forced a number of schools to close or partially close. Haverfordwest High VC School shut for the day due to unsafe travel conditions, while Mary Immaculate School in Haverfordwest announced an early pick-up from 1:00pm as snowfall continued to intensify around the site. Parents were advised to check their school’s online channels for updates as weather conditions varied across the county.

In coastal towns, residents captured unusual images of snow settling on seafacing promenades, harbour rooftops and moored boats. In Tenby, flurries continued well into the morning, leaving the harbour, Castle Hill and North Beach coated in white. Saundersfoot saw similar scenes, with deepening slush on approach roads and pavements.

Although showers began to ease by late morning, forecasters warned of a significant risk of ice overnight as temperatures fall below freezing. Any partial thaw during the afternoon is expected to refreeze, leaving untreated surfaces particularly dangerous into Friday morning.

Despite the disruption, readers across Pembrokeshire shared scenes of neighbours helping one another, checking on vulnerable residents and clearing paths. Many said the snowfall brought a brief sense of community spirit, even as the county braced for continuing difficult conditions.

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm,

contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were

remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses

directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Back-to-back callouts for Cardigan RNLI volunteer’s first shout

CarDIgaN rNlI volunteer crew member Sophie Davison faced back-to-back emergencies on Monday (Nov 17) during her first operational shout with the station’s D-class lifeboat.

The first call came at 2:30pm, after reports that a small fishing vessel had run aground on the River Teifi. Helm Tony Barber, with crew Madeleine Barber, Ian Streeter and Sophie, launched the John Darbyshire and made their way upriver.

Sophie, who joined the crew in August 2024, said: “The feeling of kitting up and launching on my first real shout was exciting. We do so much training at the RNLI to prepare us for any situation, but the first time it’s for

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real your adrenaline is pumping.”

The crew quickly arrived on scene and, with no immediate danger to the fisherman, stood by to provide safety cover while the tide rose. As the lifeboat waited, the grounded vessel refloated naturally and the fisherman was able to continue his journey.

Sophie said: “Thankfully the rising tide refloated the boat and the fisherman continued on his way. We then made our way back to the station, and the shore crew were helping with recovery when the pagers sounded again.”

The second call was to another incident on the river, prompting an immediate relaunch. On arrival, however, the situation had resolved and the lifeboat was stood down.

Sophie added: “Having that second tasking before we’d even fully recovered the lifeboat shows that we really can be called out at any moment. Although we were stood down, it was brilliant to get more experience on the water with my fellow crew.”

Lifeboat Operations Manager Paul Adams said: “RNLI volunteers train really hard and give up their valuable time to this lifesaving charity. It’s great that Sophie was able to get out on the water for her first shout and put some of her training into practice.

We couldn’t launch Cardigan RNLI’s lifeboats without the dedication of all

The RNLI has issued a reminder to anyone heading out on the water to plan ahead: check the weather and tide times, tell someone your route and return time, and ensure all equipment—especially lifejackets, radios and mobile phones—is in good

Anyone who spots a person in difficulty at the coast should call 999

For media enquiries, contact Sarah Williams, volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for Cardigan RNLI, at

Motorcyclist to return to court over Dinas Cross crash

a MaN accused of causing serious injury to a woman by careless driving on the a487 at Dinas Cross will return to court next month after his trial was adjourned part-heard.

Aleksandrs Lohins, 61, of Mayfield Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne, is charged with causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving, contrary to section 2C of the Road Traffic Act. The allegation relates to a collision on April 9, 2023, in which motorcyclist Anna Titorchuk suffered serious injuries.

Lohins is alleged to have been riding a Honda GL-1800 motorcycle, registration WJ05 MDE, without due care and attention

when the incident occurred.

The trial began at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17), with a bench comprising Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. Lohins was represented by defence solicitor Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

After hearing evidence, magistrates adjourned the case part-heard.

Lohins remains on unconditional bail.

The matter will resume at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 8, 2025, at 11:00am, in Courtroom 1. The hearing is listed for an estimated 20 minutes, and the defendant must attend.

Toddler left outside in pram during storm, mother arrested for neglect

a YOUNg man from Pembroke Dock has been hailed a hero after rescuing a toddler who had been left outside in a pram during torrential rain late on Sunday night (Nov 9).

The 20-year-old, who asked not to be named, told The Herald he discovered the child at around 11:30pm after spotting the boy’s mother acting suspiciously behind his home at Bush Camp.

I seen the mother from my window all rushy out the back of my home,” he said. “When I got the child and brang him into my own safe, the police came.”

He said the boy, “one, nearly two,” had been left alone in the cold and heavy rain. “It was scary and was pissing it down, so horrible for the child,” he added. “I was just lucky I seen and heard what I did before it was too late.”

Police arrived within minutes, and

a social worker later took the child into care. The young witness said the mother fled the scene but officers located her a short time later.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson told The Herald:

“Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that an infant had been found in a pram in a garden in Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock.

The call was made to police at just before 11:30pm on Sunday, November 9.

A woman, aged 29, was arrested on suspicion of child neglect and has been released on bail.

Appropriate arrangements have been made for the care of the child.”

The rescuer said he does not want recognition. “I don’t want any fuss — just say a young man from Pembroke Dock,” he said.

Dock driver banned after reversing into parked car while unfit through drugs

a DOCk motorist has been banned from the roads after admitting driving while unfit through drugs.

Avtandil Mamasakhilisi was seen reversing his car into a parked vehicle at Castle High in Haverfordwest on April 22. When officers arrived, he

appeared disorientated and confused.

“Urine samples were sent away for analysis and cocaine and benzoylecgonine were both detected,”

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week. “The presence of these drugs showed that

his driving was impaired.”

Mamasakhilisi gave evidence through a Georgian interpreter and admitted taking drugs prior to his arrest.

“He accepts that his driving was impaired as a result,” said his solicitor, Tom Lloyd. “He regrets his actions, is sorry for what took place, and wants to

assure the court that nothing like this will happen again.”

Mamasakhilisi, of Military Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Keys. Glasses. Wallet.

PARC Against DARC opposes new military facility in Pembrokeshire

CaMPaIgNErS have criticised the Uk government’s announcement that Milford Haven is being considered as a potential site for a new military munitions plant, warning that it would increase militarisation in Wales and place communities at unnecessary risk.

PARC Against DARC – the group established in 2024 to oppose the proposed US-run Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) site at Brawdy – says it “categorically opposes” any further expansion of military infrastructure in Wales. The group argues that the proposed factory is “unwanted, unnecessary, and bad for the area”.

In a strongly worded statement, the campaign said: “PARC Against DARC is categorically against increased military spending at the behest of the US and Trump. We are against the rush to war with Russia, but even more so against the bigger risk of inciting a whole new Cold War with China.”

The campaign says the UK is prioritising military investment over diplomatic solutions, while repeatedly choosing Wales as a location for military installations.

“At a time when political solutions to conflict are needed more than ever, the UK Labour government always seems to have the money to find yet another excuse to paint a military target on Wales’s back… It is no coincidence to us that they rarely seem to find a reason to put many of them in the nicer parts of the South of England, but they’re happy to push for arms factories and massive radar farms in some of the most beautiful parts of our country.”

The group also questioned the Defence Secretary’s claim that the project could create around 1,000 jobs across 13 UK sites.

“John Healey’s suggested 1,000 jobs across 13 sites is not a very significant number of jobs at all for the privilege of making Milford Haven—which sits on the UK’s largest high-pressure gas pipeline and is known for a nearby major oil refinery—into even more of a target.”

The statement continues: “We find it especially abhorrent that Defence Secretary John Healey is now parroting the US’s aggressive rhetoric, using phrases such as ‘war-fighting readiness’ when a nation’s priority should always be to strive towards maintaining peace.”

“Have we learned nothing from the aggressive colonial wars of Iraq or Afghanistan? Hundreds of thousands of people died as a result of the UK propping up US aggression purely for the sake of US supremacy and domination of oil and resources.”

PARC Against DARC argues that a munitions factory will not benefit the local area:

“We do not need a US-run DARC space wars radar in Pembrokeshire, and a munitions factory in Milford Haven would bring a pitiful number of jobs for how much of a military target it

would make a town on a high-pressure gas pipeline. It would bring absolutely nothing positive to the area.”

Campaigners say military spending is the least effective form of public investment: “After fifteen years of austerity and cuts to our social infrastructure, we need investment in public services and to reverse the cost-of-living crisis far more than we need to siphon yet more profits to arms companies.”

They also highlight environmental concerns: “Agitation for war is an extremely polluting and high-carbon exercise. To tackle the climate

emergency and provide high-skilled, secure jobs in Pembrokeshire we need massive investment in green jobs as part of a coherent green industrial strategy.”

On global tensions, the campaign states: “The rhetoric coming from our leaders seems to be attempting to manufacture a consensus view that China is a huge global threat… but when you consider that the US has over 750 military bases around the world where China has none, it begs the question: who are the real aggressors here?”

EvIDENCE Of SOME POlITICal SUPPOrT

PARC Against DARC said that its campaign has gained significant

political traction. A Statement of Opinion opposing the radar site has been signed by a third of Senedd Members, while an Early Day Motion in Westminster has attracted cross-party backing. Plaid Cymru and the Green Party have publicly stated their opposition to both the DARC radar and any munitions factory in Milford Haven. Campaigners say they are prepared to challenge any planning application “if ever submitted”. They add that the 2026 Senedd elections – with proportional representation, a larger Welsh Parliament and votes for 16–18 year olds – could result in a progressive coalition “far less sympathetic to DARC or any further militarism of Wales”.

Images: Martin Cavaney

Trial opens into alleged sexual assault of seven-week-old baby

Judge hears disturbing allegations as Swansea Crown Court begins examination of case

a TrIal has opened at Swansea Crown Court into allegations that a Burton man sexually penetrated a seven-week-old baby at an address in Haverfordwest.

Christopher Phillips, 33, of Warrior Reach, Kiln Park, denies 11 charges.

The Crown alleges that between December 20, 2020, and January 25, 2021, Phillips sexually penetrated a baby boy — referred to as Baby C — on two occasions. He is also accused of assaulting the child causing actual bodily harm, and of causing and inflicting grievous bodily harm on four occasions.

The baby’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces two charges of causing or allowing the child to suffer serious physical harm and two charges of child cruelty.

SHE DENIES all fOUr CHargES

Judge Paul Thomas KC heard evidence this week from the baby’s aunt, who said her sister felt “uncomfortable” whenever Phillips was alone with Baby C.

“She hadn’t known him long and she wasn’t comfortable leaving the baby with him,” the aunt told the court. “But he insisted on my sister leaving the baby alone with him. She was getting a lot of messages from him and felt uncomfortable and under pressure.”

She described occasions where Baby C cried in his sleep “as if someone

Sarah Jane Absalom sarah.jane.absalom@herald.email

was snapping his bones” and recalled the baby screaming after a loud banging noise came from a room where Phillips was alone with him.

“When she asked him what caused the banging, he said he’d crashed into something,” she said.

The mother allegedly told her sister she once saw Phillips “bouncing” Baby

C in a way that caused the child’s feet to strike his naked penis. “It wasn’t erect, but it wasn’t flaccid either,” the aunt said.

The aunt also recounted concerns over a pot of Sudocrem after Phillips changed the baby’s nappy: “There was a hole inside it that looked as if he’d put his full finger in.”

In further allegations, the aunt said Phillips had used the baby’s Christmas rattle for his own sexual gratification. She said her two-year-old daughter

went to pick up the rattle during a visit, but the baby’s mother immediately snatched it away.

“My sister said Phillips believed the rattle looked like a butt plug and had used it as one. I was disgusted,” she told the court.

On another occasion, she said she saw Phillips remove Baby C from a car seat and “bicep curl him like a weight”, despite the baby grizzling.

The Crown also presented professional statements from health visitors, GPs and consultant paediatricians who had seen Baby C in the weeks after his birth in November 2020. During this time the baby was treated for blood from his right ear, constipation and blood in his stools. Medics also noted a swollen left testicle and a small bruise, about 1cm in diameter, on his back. The baby’s mother was unable to explain the bruise. Health professionals described the mother as “a loving and caring mother”, and said the baby appeared “well and comfortable”.

However, the Crown alleges that on January 25, 2021, Baby C was admitted to hospital with severe injuries said to be consistent with sexual penetration. Details of those injuries are expected to be outlined to Judge Thomas on Friday.

The trial continues.

Fire at newly opened Llandysul gym prompts police investigation

a fIrE at a newly opened gym in llandysul has led to the arrest of one person, with police treating the incident as suspected arson.

Emergency crews were called to Y Gampfa, the new fitness hub in the town, during the early hours of Thursday, November 13 – less than a fortnight after its official launch on November 1.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that one individual has been arrested and later released on bail while enquiries continue. Officers are urging anyone with information to come forward.

‘DEEPlY SaDDENED BUT rElIEvED NO ONE WaS HUrT’

Co-founder James Turner said the team had been left devastated by the incident so soon after opening.

“We are deeply saddened by what has happened to our recently launched Y Gampfa gym,” he said. “Most importantly, we are relieved that none of our staff or members were inside at the time. The damage is confined to the building and equipment, and no one was injured.”

The gym had attracted strong early

interest, bolstered by support from fitness influencers Emily Olivia and Tyle Smith.

fOUNDErS

DETErMINED TO rEOPEN

Co-founder Josh Farmer said the fire had hit the team hard but insisted the project would continue.

“This has been incredibly disheartening after the time, work and passion that went into creating a new wellbeing space for the community,” he said. “Because there is an active criminal investigation, we can’t discuss details, but we want to reassure members that Y Gampfa will reopen as soon as possible.”

The gym’s open day earlier this month drew hundreds of residents, and more than 200 members signed up within the first days of trading.

Co-founder Steffan Evans paid tribute to the community response.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support,” he said. “People’s messages, offers of help and encouragement show exactly why this place matters. We also want to thank the emergency services for their swift response.”

Fellow co-founder James Stewart

added: “With the backing of our friends, families and the wider community, we are determined to rebuild. We look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as we can.”

POlICE aPPEal

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, or

report anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. Y Gampfa opened earlier this month after being founded in 2025 by Steffan Evans, Josh Farmer, James Stewart and James Turner, all from the Teifi Valley, with the aim of offering an inclusive fitness space “where everyone belongs”.

‘Last resort’ forced sales of empty properties

POWErS allowing Pembrokeshire’s council to force the sale of problem long-term empty properties will – if backed – only be used as a last resort, councillors heard.

Long-term empty properties in Pembrokeshire are currently charged a premium council tax rate of 300 per cent for those empty for more than two years, effectively a quadruple tax bill.

A report for members on a draft empty properties strategy of 202530, presented by Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman, was heard at Pembrokeshire County Council’s Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting of November 18.

It said, as of June, there were 469 homes which had been empty for six to 12 months and 322 empty for one to two years, with 505 properties empty for above two years and paying the empty property premium.

It said the strategy for scrutiny was an important strategic shift from a previous Cabinet agreed action plan as it introduced “the inclusion of an enforced sales procedure as a formal intervention tool when circumstances require”.

Members heard such a sale would only be considered if a long list of criteria had been met.

The report stressed: “It is important to stress that this procedure is likely

to be rarely used and only in cases where there is no other option but necessary due the extend of works that the council has had to undertake to make improvements to the property. The main focus will always be that of informal and supportive action with property owners.”

It added: “Long-term, often problematic empty properties are considered a waste of a valuable resource which could be added to

the pool of much-needed housing in the county. They can also frequently become blights to neighbourhoods by becoming targets for antisocial behaviour, trespass, vandalism and arson.

“In addition to this they can become eyesores which devalue nearby properties, become sources of harbourage for vermin infestations, and can also become significant drains on the resources of the county council, police, and fire and rescue services.

“Every effort is made to engage

with owner, however, it is often the case that they are unwilling or unable to undertake the necessary work and therefore enforcement action may be considered.”

Cllr Bateman stressed the enforced acquisition would be used to pursue those who hadn’t paid the council tax premium but could be used in certain cases like when safety work had to be undertaken by the council and the owners wouldn’t pay.

Cllr Jacob Williams said: “I don’t want to be a member of a council that sees an empty property in reasonable condition and the council comes along and enforces a sale. This is about works to a property that’s a danger to the public or a meeting place for troublemaking.”

He added: “This isn’t about the council seeing an empty property and wanting to enforce a sale; there’s a lot of steps to be taken before the council can enforce a sale.”

Cllr Michael Williams welcomed the strengthening of the previous “toothless” approach, with one “blight on the landscape” empty property in Tenby, where “the owner does not seem to want to engage with the authority” having a “devastating effect on neighbours”

Members backed the recommendation the draft Empty Property Strategy 2025-2030 and Enforced Sales procedure be put forward to Cabinet for its adoption.

Man admits Milford Haven baseball-bat attack

a MaN has pleaded guilty to assaulting another male with a baseball bat in Milford Haven and to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

Ian Parker, forty-four, of Cwrt Carreg, Cefn Glas, Bridgend, was arrested by officers on October 29 after assaulting David Daley by beating at Priory Ville.

Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.

“The defendant travelled down to the area from his home in Bridgend, believing that someone had partly kidnapped his son,” Crown Prosecutor

“When he arrived, he saw the person, struck him with a baseball bat and then drove off.”

Judge Layton adjourned Parker’s

sentencing to December 9 to allow an all-options pre-sentence report to be prepared by probation. Parker was released on conditional bail, with the conditions including not to contact the prosecution witnesses directly or indirectly.

Milford Haven woman admits repeated shop thefts

a MIlfOrD woman has admitted stealing food and alcohol from a town centre store on three separate occasions.

Anna Davies, 43, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest

magistrates court this week where she pleaded guilty to stealing alcohol from Haven Stores on March 28, as well as further food items and more alcohol on April 3.

“The offences were committed

following a relationship breakdown,” her solicitor, Alaw Harries, told the court. “This was a difficult period in her life when she was struggling. These offences are totally out of character, but she has now come through that and has

offered to pay for the items.” Judge Mark Layton adjourned sentencing to November 26 for a probation report to be prepared. Davies was released on unconditional bail.

Former police chief inspector charged with misconduct

a fOrMEr South Wales Police chief inspector has been charged with misconduct in a public office following allegations linked to his employment after leaving the force.

Christopher Peters, 54, is accused

of committing the offence while working for the probation service. The regional organised crime unit – which brings together officers from South Wales, Gwent and Dyfed-Powys –confirmed that a charge had been

authorised.

Peters is due to appear before Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on December 12.

A spokesperson for the probation service said a member of staff had

been arrested and suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, adding: “It would be inappropriate to comment further while police inquiries are ongoing.”

Former Milford Haven man denies child sex offences

a fOrMEr Milford Haven resident has appeared before a district judge charged with a series of sexual offences against a child.

James Kershaw, aged 45, is accused of engaging in sexual communication with a child under sixteen; causing a child aged between thirteen and fifteen to watch an image of sexual activity on two occasions; and inciting a girl of the same age group to engage in sexual activity on two separate dates.

He is also charged with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed by Derby Crown Court in 2022 by operating a Facebook account under a name he had not disclosed to police, and by deleting Facebook messages—

actions prohibited under the terms of the order.

The Crown alleges the offences occurred between October and November 2023 in Liskeard, Cornwall.

Kershaw appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week via video link as he now lives in Quethiock, Cornwall, where he entered not guilty pleas to all seven allegations.

Because of the seriousness of the case, District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction. The matter has now been sent to Swansea Crown Court, where a plea and trial preparation hearing will take place on 19 December.

Kershaw was released on unconditional bail.

Man sentenced after carrying 20inch knife into Cardigan town centre

a 49-YEar-OlD man who walked into Cardigan town centre carrying a 20-inch kitchen knife has been given a suspended prison sentence.

BENJAMIN Learoyd was arrested on August 9 after police received reports that he had left his address in Bath House Road with a large knife.

“He was heading into Cardigan town centre,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Officers located Learoyd at around 9:15pm as he walked down Feidrfair towards Finch Square. He was detained, and the knife — concealed inside his jacket pocket — was recovered.

“It was a kitchen knife and measured 20 inches in its entirety,” Mr Davies said. Learoyd, of Llysowen, Bath House

Road, Cardigan, pleaded guilty to possessing the knife and to failing to surrender to court bail on November 4.

“It’s very concerning that you left your accommodation with a knife, and that you had in mind inflicting harm on others,” Judge Layton told him. “This crosses the custody threshold.”

Learoyd was sentenced to 36 weeks in custody, suspended for two years. He must complete ten rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay a £154 surcharge and £845 in costs.

“This is your last chance,” the judge warned. “Any person who goes out with a bladed article, resulting in a second conviction, will have a minimum sentence.”

A deprivation order was made for the knife.

Sex offender remanded

a rEgISTErED sex offender has been remanded in custody after attempting to board the Pembroke Dock to rosslare ferry without informing police of his travel plans.

Jamie Davies, aged forty-six, was seen boarding the ferry as a foot passenger on Monday afternoon (November 17). Davies was placed on the sex offenders’ register in June this year after being convicted of sexual offences and was required to notify police of any intended travel.

“The Pembroke Dock ferry port staff were conducting customs checks on Monday afternoon and saw that Jamie Davies was travelling as a foot passenger,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court this

week.

Police officers attended and arrested Davies at the port. He later refused to comment during interview.

Davies, of Greenhall Park, Johnston, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the sexual notification requirement when he appeared before the court in custody. He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd.

“He’d booked a return ticket and was fully intending to come back,” Mr Lloyd told the court. “This was a genuine oversight and wasn’t an attempt to escape justice.”

Judge Layton declined jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the breach. Davies will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on December 4. He was remanded in custody.

Cannabis user banned from driving after police tip-off

a 32-YEar-OlD Haverfordwest motorist has been banned from driving for 12 months after police received information that he may have been driving under the influence of cannabis.

OMAR Lee was stopped on June 6 after officers were alerted that he was driving his Volkswagen Tiguan on the A40 at Clarkenhill, Canaston Bridge.

“Police had suspicions after being told that the defendant was a cannabis user,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Lee provided a positive roadside drugs swipe and was arrested.

Further blood tests at the police station showed 4.4 mcg of Delta-9Tetrahydrocannabinol — more than double the legal limit of 2 mcg.

Lee, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to drug driving.

He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £500, and ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and £85 costs.

Eglwyswrw driver facing sentence after three illegal drugs found in blood

aN EglWYSWrW motorist has been served an interim driving ban after police found three illegal drugs in his system.

George Cornell, aged twenty-seven, was stopped on the afternoon of June 9 after officers saw him driving his Peugeot 207 at speed through Haverfordwest town centre.

“The officers saw him driving at speed past Haverfordwest magistrates court and followed him as he drove along the A40 towards Fishguard,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court this week.

“He was stopped just after the

Treffgarne bends and he admitted being a cannabis user.”

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed that, in addition to 4.9 mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, Cornell also had cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Because of the presence of multiple drugs, Judge Layton ordered a presentence report to be prepared by the probation service ahead of sentencing, which will take place at Haverfordwest magistrates court on December 9.

The interim driving disqualification was imposed with immediate effect. Cornell was released on unconditional bail.

Dock driver banned for three years after

testing positive for cannabis

a DOCk motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught over the drug-drive limit.

Luke Butland, aged 24, was stopped by officers shortly before 8:30pm on August 30 as he drove his Audi along Victoria Road, Pembroke Dock.

“The officers had received information that he was a user of drugs, so they stopped his vehicle and carried out a saliva test,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton

at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

The roadside swipe tested positive, and a blood sample taken at the police station confirmed that Butland had 4.5mcg of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2mcg.

Butland, of Stranraer Road, Pennar, Pembroke Dock, was disqualified from driving for three years. He was also fined £450 and ordered to pay an £180 surcharge and £85 costs.

Driver more than twice over limit after near-miss

a MOTOrIST who narrowly avoided hitting a parked vehicle while reversing his Mercedes in Haverfordwest has been banned from the road after being found more than twice the legal drinkdrive limit.

On November 1, officers patrolling Quay Street saw the car being reversed in a careless manner. At the wheel was Harvey Williams, aged 20.

“The officers’ attention was drawn to the way in which the vehicle was being driven,” said Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies, “because as it reversed, it almost collided with another vehicle.”

Williams admitted to officers that he had been drinking earlier that evening.

A breath test later carried out at the police station gave a reading of 72mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath – more than double the legal limit of 35.

Williams, of Hywel Road, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to drinkdriving. He was disqualified for 18 months, fined £120, and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge.

Labrador left to suffer in excrement after owner ignored desperate pleas

a COUrT has been shown harrowing footage of a ten-yearold labrador found wallowing in its own excrement with a severe facial injury, signs of malnutrition and an inadequate supply of water.

Residents in Milton Crescent, Milford Haven raised the alarm after hearing the dog – known as Andy –howling continuously for three days.

This week the owner, Candice Mottram, 32, appeared before a district judge sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where she pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the animal’s veterinary needs were met.

RSPCA inspectors and Pembrokeshire County Council officers discovered the dog on April 5 after repeated attempts to contact Mottram went unanswered.

“The RSPCA received information that a dog had been heard howling for three days and three nights at the defendant’s address,” said Kevin Withey, prosecuting on behalf of the charity. “But the defendant was not there.”

Messages were sent to Mottram warning that the dog was injured and bleeding from its mouth but, despite the messages being received, the court heard she gave no response.

Police eventually forced entry to the property, where inspectors were met with an “overwhelming smell of animal faeces” coming from the kitchen. Inside, they found Andy.

“There was excrement all over the floor and it became clear the dog was emaciated,” Mr Withey said. “When he was let out into the garden, he immediately began drinking from a dirty water butt.”

Mottram had been drinking in a local pub before returning to the address a short time later. “She was defensive and irate when asked about the dog’s condition, claiming she had provided treatment historically,” he added.

With Mottram’s permission, the dog was removed and taken to a veterinary clinic. There, Andy was assessed to be in very poor body condition, scoring two – possibly

three – out of ten.

“He was extremely emaciated, had eye and ear problems, and the cut to his face was either an old wound or a burst abscess full of discharge,” said Mr Withey. “This caused unnecessary suffering due to prolonged neglect and the defendant’s deliberate choice not to seek veterinary care.”

Photographs of the dog were shown to District Judge Layton. Given the seriousness of the case, the judge adjourned sentencing to December 17 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options report. Judge Layton warned Mottram that the starting point for her sentence is 18 weeks in custody.

Manorbier man given suspended sentence for child indecent images

a CONvICTED Pembrokeshire sex offender has received a suspended prison sentence after admitting downloading indecent images of a child on his iPhone and laptop.

David Michael Frazer, 33, previously admitted making Category A and Category B images between April 2023 and March 2024. His sentencing had been adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told District Judge Mark Layton, sitting at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, that the images were uncovered during a police investigation into another individual.

“During that investigation, officers became aware of chats between that

person and the defendant, David Frazer,” he said. Further examination revealed indecent images on Frazer’s devices. “He was the sole person with access to both the iPhone and the laptop on which the images were found.”

Frazer, of Highlands Lane, Manorbier Newton, Tenby, was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries.

“The defendant is genuinely remorseful,” she told the court. “These offences were committed while he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He has since been addressing these issues and wishes to continue working with the probation service.”

Frazer was sentenced to 36 weeks in custody, suspended for two years. He must also comply with the sexual notification requirement for ten years and is subject to a five-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

“You downloaded these images after being sent them by another person,” Judge Layton said. “But possessing images like these creates an ongoing demand for such material. By downloading them, you directly contribute to the ongoing abuse.”

Frazer must complete 200 hours of unpaid work, ten rehabilitation activity days, 20 rebuilding sessions, and pay a £187 surcharge plus £85 costs.

Milford Haven named as potential site for new munitions factory

MIlfOrD HavEN has been confirmed as one of just two prospective sites in Wales for a major new Uk munitions factory, as MPs warn that Britain is “nowhere near” prepared to defend itself from a modern military attack.

A hard-hitting report from the House of Commons defence committee, published early this morning (Tue, Nov 19), concludes that the UK lacks a coherent plan to protect itself or its overseas territories, at a time when security threats across Europe are “significant” and rapidly escalating.

The committee says the UK is failing to meet its NATO obligations and has fallen “far short of its claimed leadership position”. It raises particular concerns about Britain’s lack of air and missile defences, slow civil-defence preparation, and heavy reliance on the United States for critical military capabilities.

The report lands on the same day that the Ministry of Defence formally identified 13 possible locations for a new network of explosives and energetics factories – and Milford Haven is on the list.

MIlfOrD ON a SHOrTlIST Of 13 aND ONE Of ONlY TWO IN WalES

Defence Secretary John Healey will this week unveil plans to return the UK to “war-fighting readiness”, restarting domestic production of energetics – the highly specialised explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics essential for modern weapons systems.

For the first time, the MoD has publicly listed the regions it is considering.

In Wales, there are only two candidates:

• Monmouthshire, and

• Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire.

Milford Haven’s inclusion places the town firmly inside a national defence restructuring effort worth £1.5bn and expected to deliver at least six new munitions plants before the 2029 General Election. Work on the first sites is intended to begin next year.

The MoD has not published exact site boundaries, but the Haven’s obvious candidate is the long-dormant armament complex at Newton Noyes/Black Bridge, a former Royal Naval Mining Depot with underground magazines, rail links and direct access to a deep-water port.

The depot, built in the 1930s and used extensively during the Second World War, remains one of the few purpose-constructed subterranean munitions storage systems in the UK.

Uk WarNED IT IS “NOT rEaDY” aS THrEaTS grOW

The timing of Milford Haven’s appearance on the defence shortlist is striking.

After an 11-month inquiry, MPs on the defence committee warn that:

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Britain has “next to nothing” in integrated air and missile defence, the UK and Europe remain dangerously reliant on US support, civil-defence preparations have progressed at a “glacial pace”, and the UK’s ability to resist a modern armed attack may fall short of Article 3 NATO obligations.

Committee chair Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said the public must be more honestly informed about the “level of threat we face and what to expect in the event of conflict.”

He added: “Wars aren’t won just by generals, but by the whole of the population getting behind the Armed Forces.”

WHY

MIlfOrD? DEEP-WaTEr aCCESS, frEEPOrT STaTUS, aND a rEaDY-MaDE SITE

Although no final decision has been made, defence analysts say Milford Haven has several features the MoD is likely to prioritise:

Deep-water access for shipment of munitions.

Existing hazardous-industry zoning due to LNG terminals and refineries.

Celtic Freeport status, offering flexible planning and tax incentives.

Historical armaments infrastructure, including covered tunnels and magazines.

Strategic position on the western flank of NATO’s air and sea routes.

The choice of Milford is also consistent with the MoD’s wider strategy to spread munitions and explosives manufacturing across the UK, reducing reliance on a small number of ageing sites such as Glascoed in Monmouthshire.

In Milford HAven, the most obvious candidate is the dormant RNAD Blackbridge / Newton Noyes complex on the banks of Castle Pill — the deep-cut tunnels and reinforced magazines built before the Second World War to store and load naval mines.

The site has been fenced off and unused for years, but remains one of the few purpose-built underground armament depots with direct deep-water access anywhere in the UK.

a SITE lEfT EMPTY afTEr £685M rENEWaBlE-ENErgY PlaN COllaPSED

Locals will remember that Blackbridge only narrowly escaped a very different future.

In 2018, the site was tied to a huge

£685m green-energy project proposed by Egnedol. The company had bought both the old armament depot and the former Waterston refinery with plans to build an advanced biomass and renewables complex expected to create over 500 jobs.

However, after an 18-month planning inquiry, Welsh Government ministers rejected the scheme. A planning inspector found the development would cause “unacceptably harmful” impacts on the local landscape, with major ecological concerns and “important shortcomings” in environmental data.

Since then, the tunnels and magazines at Blackbridge have remained empty, idle and largely untouched.

Now, in a dramatic shift of context, the MoD is considering bringing the site back to its original purpose — not clean energy, but munitions and explosives manufacturing.

jOBS BOOST – Or rISk TO THE HavEN’S IMagE?

A new munitions plant could bring hundreds of skilled technical and engineering jobs, along with guaranteed long-term MoD contracts and supplychain work for Welsh firms.

But the proposal will divide opinion: Some will welcome a stable, highpaid manufacturing base at a time when the energy sector is in transition.

Others will raise questions about safety, environmental impact, the Haven’s reputation as a tourism gateway, and the symbolism of returning explosives production to a town long known for its oil and gas terminals. Environmental groups have previously warned that further hazardous development must be balanced carefully within the protected marine environment of the Haven waterway.

WHaT HaPPENS NExT?

John Healey (pictured) is expected to provide additional detail in a speech on Wednesday, alongside confirmation of two new drone-manufacturing centres in Plymouth and Swindon.

The MoD says at least six of the thirteen shortlisted sites will be chosen for development, with construction expected to begin in 2026.

Local councils – including Pembrokeshire County Council and the Port Authority – are likely to be contacted shortly for technical assessments and land-availability studies.

A full public consultation is expected if Milford Haven is formally proposed. For now, Milford is simply on the map. But for a town whose wartime tunnels have lain silent for 40 years, today’s announcement is the clearest signal yet that the UK’s new defence era may begin in places long thought forgotten.

Crown Estate awards rights for third Celtic Sea floating wind farm

OCEaN WINDS selected as developer as politicians and industry hail “huge vote of confidence” in west Wales

The Crown Estate has confirmed that global offshore wind developer Ocean Winds has been awarded the rights to build the third commercial-scale floating wind farm in the Celtic Sea — a decision described as a major milestone for the UK’s renewable energy sector and a significant opportunity for west Wales.

The announcement finalises all three project development areas under Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5, following earlier awards to Equinor and Gwynt Glas. Together, the three sites could deliver up to 4.5GW of clean power — enough to supply more than four million homes — and establish the Celtic Sea as one of the world’s leading regions for floating offshore wind.

Ocean Winds, a 50-50 joint venture between EDPR and ENGIE, is recognised as a global leader in floating wind technology. The company delivered the world’s first semi-submersible floating wind farm, WindFloat Atlantic, in Portugal, and has an established UK track record through its Moray East and Moray West projects.

BOOST fOr WEST WalES

The Crown Estate said today’s award represents a strong vote of confidence in the sector during a challenging period for global energy markets.

Dan Labbad, Chief Executive of The Crown Estate, said the organisation was proud to secure the third developer and ensure the full delivery of the Round 5 capacity.

He said the three companies — Equinor, Gwynt Glas and Ocean Winds — will be progressing “some of the largest floating wind farms in the world.”

The projects are expected to bring significant economic opportunities for Wales and the south-west of England, particularly through port development, manufacturing, assembly, and long-term maintenance. Port Talbot and the Port of Bristol have already been identified as potential hubs for turbine assembly and deployment.

Under tender requirements, all developers must meet strict commitments for local benefits, including new apprenticeships, wider workforce development, and supporting young people who are not currently in education or employment. Full delivery of Round 5 could create more than 5,000 jobs and contribute £1.4 billion to the UK economy.

Ocean Winds must now outline which ports and supply-chain partners it intends to work with before finalising an Agreement for Lease, expected in spring 2026.

POlITICal rEaCTION

Welsh politicians described the announcement as transformative for west Wales.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Samuel Kurtz MS said the decision moves the region “a significant step closer” to realising its potential as a strategic hub for renewable energy and economic growth.

He said the priority now must be ensuring that local workers, local manufacturers, and communities secure real and lasting benefits from the new industry.

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed the award, saying it strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader in floating wind and “unlocks the region’s vast potential to deliver our clean power mission and bring down energy bills for good.” Wales’ Economy Minister Rebecca Evans said the project shows the country is “at the global forefront of the offshore wind sector”, while Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens called it “another major step forward” for creating thousands of skilled jobs across Wales.

INDUSTrY lEaDErS: “THOUSaNDS Of SkIllED jOBS”

RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive Jane Cooper said today’s announcement means the Celtic Sea leasing round is now fully underway, creating “excellent opportunities” for ports in south Wales to lead the manufacture and assembly of floating platforms and turbines more than 250 metres tall.

She highlighted that the UK has the second-largest pipeline of floating wind projects in the world and predicted the industry could support 97,000 jobs by 2050, contributing £47 billion to the economy.

Port leaders also welcomed the announcement. Richard Ballantyne of the British Ports Association said it gives Welsh and south-west ports “a real opportunity to be in the driving seat,” while Geraint Evans of the UK Major Ports Group said floating wind could become a generational economic opportunity for coastal communities.

BaCkgrOUND: DE-rISkINg rOUND 5

Recognising the commercial complexity of floating wind at scale, The Crown Estate has taken steps to de-risk Round 5, including:

• agreeing a grid connection plan with the National Energy System Operator

• investing in technical and environmental surveys around the sites

• completing a Plan-Level Habitats Regulations Assessment before auction

The Crown Estate said these steps have given developers greater confidence to invest and will help accelerate the deployment of floating offshore wind in UK waters.

Securing Pembrokeshire’s future

IN aN INDUSTrY where reliability, professionalism, and experience are paramount, rM Training and Security Solutions ltd has emerged as a leading provider of security services and training across Wales. founded in November 2021 by Company Director ryan Mayne and kerry Mcreynolds, they were joined by general Manager Mathew Davies in 2022, the company has grown into a trusted name in the security sector, offering high-quality training programs, security staffing, and event protection.

Now, with a team of around 300 employees, RM Training is poised to expand its operations in Pembrokeshire and beyond, ensuring businesses, event organisers, and hospitality venues have access to qualified security personnel in a sector where demand is at an all-time high.

frOM HIgH-rISk SECUrITY TO BUIlDINg a fUTUrE IN PEMBrOkESHIrE

For Ryan Mayne, the security industry is not just a business—it’s a lifelong career shaped by real-world experience in high-risk environments. With over two decades in top-tier security roles, Ryan has worked in some of the UK’s largest clubs, corporate settings, and high-profile protection services, dealing with situations that were often tense, unpredictable, and dangerous.

“When I think back to some of the things I saw and some of the incidents I had to deal with, it scares me,” Ryan reflects.

But his life changed during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Home Office deployed him to Pembrokeshire to help manage refugee and asylum seeker security operations. It was here that he fell in love with the county, leading to a decision that would shape both his personal and professional future.

“I was deployed to a site near Tenby, and it didn’t take me long to realise just how fantastic Pembrokeshire is,” Ryan explains. “I knew this was the place where I wanted to build something new.”

That decision was cemented by his relationship with Tenby native Kerry McReynolds, who he is due to marry in September.

“We knew Pembrokeshire was the place where we wanted to bring up our children,” Ryan says. “So it made sense to set up the company here too.”

While Ryan handles the strategic direction and business growth, Kerry plays a pivotal role in the company’s success, managing client relations, staff retention, and back-office operations, all while raising their two-year-old son, Archie.

“She’s the driving force,” Ryan says. “None of this would be possible without her.”

When it comes to ensuring the smooth operation of a security business, General Manager Mathew Davies is the man who makes it happen. With a background in both military and civilian security, Mathew brings a wealth of experience, discipline, and leadership to RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd, making him a key figure in its rapid growth and ongoing success.

Since joining forces with Company Director Ryan Mayne, Mathew has played a pivotal role in overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, staff training, and client relationships, helping RM Training establish itself as one of the leading security providers in Pembrokeshire and South Wales.

Mathew’s journey into the security industry was forged through years of hands-on experience in demanding environments. His military background instilled a strong sense of discipline, leadership, and strategic thinking, all of which have proven invaluable in his role at RM Training.

After transitioning into civilian

security, Mathew quickly climbed the ranks, demonstrating a deep understanding of risk management, personnel coordination, and highpressure decision-making. These skills now form the backbone of RM Training’s success, ensuring that every security operation runs seamlessly.

EMPOWErINg PEMBrOkESHIrE’S WOrkfOrCE WITH SECUrITY TraININg

One of RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd’s primary objectives is to provide local people with a structured pathway into the security industry.

The company offers over 140 online and practical courses, covering a wide spectrum of security roles including:

• Door supervision for pubs, clubs, and licensed venues

• Corporate security for offices and commercial spaces

• Retail security for shopping centres and stores

• Event and festival security

• Site and property security

A core focus is Security Industry Authority (SIA) accredited training, ensuring trainees receive recognised qualifications required to work in the sector.

Their newly established office in Port Talbot is also playing a key role in retraining workers affected by the Tata Steel job losses, helping individuals transition into security careers following redundancy.

“Our goal is not just to train people but to give them career progression opportunities,” Ryan explains. “This industry is about keeping people safe, and that starts with having well-trained professionals.”

ExPaNDINg SECUrITY SErvICES aCrOSS WalES

Beyond training, RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd provides security services for a wide range of businesses. The company currently supports:

• Bars, pubs, and nightclubs struggling to find licensed and reliable door staff

• Retail and corporate businesses in need of on-site security operatives

• Festivals and major events requiring crowd management teams

• Close protection and private security clients

With over 200 events already booked for 2024, RM Training is becoming the go-to security provider for major gatherings across South Wales.

But for General Manager Mathew Davies, ensuring quality and reliability is just as important as expansion.

“He’s the one who makes sure the staff are doing what they’re supposed to be doing, while offering them all the support they need,” says Ryan. “Mathew works 24/7 to ensure our high standards never slip.”

The company now aims to secure additional security contracts across Pembrokeshire, addressing a major shortage of trained security personnel in the region.

“The reality is that there simply aren’t enough trained security professionals in Pembrokeshire,” Ryan explains. “Businesses struggle to find reliable door staff and event security. We’re here to fix that.”

THE fUTUrE fOr rM TraININg & SECUrITY SOlUTIONS lTD

As RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd continues its growth trajectory, the company remains committed to:

• Expanding its presence in Pembrokeshire and South Wales

• Training the next generation of security professionals

• Providing reliable security solutions to businesses and event organisers

• Raising awareness of the industry’s importance in safeguarding communities

With a dedicated team, strong leadership, and a clear vision, RM Training is not just building a security business— it’s building a safer Pembrokeshire.

Police arrest “Lift The Ban” protesters in Aberystwyth and Cardiff

POlICE forces across Wales have been accused of acting in a “coordinated” manner after officers made arrests at every lift The Ban protest held in Wales on Tuesday (Nov 18), including a significant operation in aberystwyth where Dyfed-Powys Police said they were “overwhelmed” by the number of protesters.

The Lift The Ban campaign involves participants sitting silently while holding cardboard signs reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” The Home Office proscribed Palestine Action under terrorism legislation earlier this year.

Campaigners say police in Scotland and Northern Ireland took a different approach. Police Scotland made no arrests of 49 protesters outside Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh, while PSNI has not arrested anyone at similar events in Derry. In contrast, every protest held in England and Wales on Tuesday resulted in arrests.

arrESTS IN aBErYSTWYTH

A total of 12 people were arrested on Aberystwyth promenade near the bandstand, with further arrests reported to be “ongoing”. Campaign organisers said officers appeared to be “struggling with capacity” as the number of demonstrators increased.

Dyfed-Powys Police has not yet released a full statement, but observers reported a heavy police presence and the

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

use of vans to transport detainees from the seafront.

arrESTS alSO MaDE IN CarDIff

In Cardiff, 12 protesters were arrested outside the Senedd as part of the coordinated UK-wide campaign. Actions also took place in Leeds, Nottingham, Oxford, Gloucester, Newcastle,

Northampton and Truro.

Across the UK, organisers claim over 200 people took part, with 142 confirmed arrests by Tuesday evening.

Campaigners highlight differences between nations

A spokesperson for Defend Our Juries, which coordinated the actions, said the difference between Scotland and Wales was becoming “impossible to ignore”.

“Previously, many police forces took the view that peaceful sign-holding was not an arrestable offence,” the

spokesperson said. “The sudden shift today — with every English and Welsh force making arrests — looks worryingly coordinated. The Home Office needs to answer whether pressure was put on local forces.”

They added that the ban on Palestine Action was already under legal challenge in Scotland, raising the possibility of differing judgments between Scottish and English courts.

BaCkgrOUND TO THE CaMPaIgN

Supporters of Lift The Ban are calling on the UK Government to reverse the proscription of Palestine Action and to formally recognise what they describe as genocide in Gaza. Around 2,000 people have been arrested at previous actions since the campaign began, with approximately 170 people charged under section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Campaigners highlight that, earlier this year, the Scottish Counter-Terrorism Board concluded that Palestine Action “has not been close to meeting the statutory definition of terrorism”.

fUrTHEr aCTIONS PlaNNED

The campaign will continue this week with a demonstration at the Ministry of Justice in London on Thursday (Nov 20), followed by weekend actions in Tavistock Square, Derry, Belfast and further protests scheduled for Cardiff and Edinburgh on Saturday, November 29.

Megan’s Starr Foundation awarded King’s Award for Voluntary Service

MEgaN’S Starr foundation, the Pembrokeshire charity founded in memory of teenager Megan Harteveld, has been granted The king’s award for voluntary Service — the highest honour available to a Uk voluntary group and widely regarded as the MBE for charities.

The award, announced on the King’s Birthday Honours list, recognises the charity’s work supporting young people, raising awareness of youth mental health, and promoting suicide prevention through its “Be Kind” message.

a lEgaCY BUIlT frOM lOSS

The foundation was created by Megan’s mother, Nicola Harteveld, following her daughter’s death. What began as a small community effort has grown into a county-wide support network offering safe spaces, youth engagement, peer support and earlyintervention work.

Speaking after the announcement, Nicola said the honour “belongs to Megan”, adding that her daughter’s simple message of kindness had become “a movement of hope, resilience, and life-changing support”.

She said: “We started this with nothing but love, lived experience, and a promise that no young person would ever feel as alone as Megan did. Today we’ve delivered more than 21,000 volunteer hours, supported hundreds of young people, reconnected families, rebuilt confidence and helped shape futures.

“This award is proof that hope can rise from tragedy and that kindness can transform a community.”

IMPaCT aCrOSS

Tom

Sinclair editor@herald.email

PEMBrOkESHIrE

The foundation’s “Be Kind” campaign has become familiar across the county, with schools, youth groups and sports clubs taking part. The charity now supports young people dealing with anxiety, grief, trauma, isolation and challenges around identity and

wellbeing.

Nicola said the award also recognises the courage of the young people who have accessed the charity’s services: “This belongs to every young person who walked through our doors — scared, anxious, grieving or feeling they didn’t belong — and chose to try anyway. They built this with us.”

NaTIONal rECOgNITION

The King’s Award for Voluntary Service is given to outstanding groups whose work has a demonstrable impact on their community. Recipients are announced each year on the King’s Birthday.

Local leaders and youth services are expected to issue tributes later this week.

Nicola added: “From heartbreak to hope. From ‘Be Kind’ to The King’s Award. This one is for you, Megan.”

Festive fun as Christmas market returns to the Milford waterfront

THE fESTIvE spirit is coming to life in Milford Haven with markets, lights and family fun as the town gears up for a packed Christmas programme along the waterfront.

Milford Waterfront is preparing for a busy season of events, starting with an indoor Christmas market in the Link Building from November 21 to 23,

featuring handcrafted local gifts and festive treats.

Lucy Wonnacott, head of communications and marketing at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Every year the berth holder community, Milford Waterfront businesses and residents all get involved in making the whole place sparkle, so we encourage

people to come and see their efforts and enjoy the lights, soak up the festive cheer, and visit the amazing businesses around Milford Waterfront.

“We’re delighted to host so many activities this festive season to support the independent business community here. There will definitely be something for everyone, and new to Milford Waterfront this year, the indoor Ice Rink at Sybil House will be very special – we’re looking forward to seeing everyone getting their skates on.”

The festive programme includes Santa by the Sea on December 6, when Father Christmas will arrive by RNLI lifeboat before heading to Milford Haven Town Hall for the town’s official Christmas lights switch-on.

The event, running from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, will feature live music, entertainment, face-painting and family activities.

Young artists aged three to twelve can take part in print-your-own Christmas card workshops at the Waterfront Gallery on November 22, 29 and 30. The sessions are free but must be booked in advance by calling 07949 763100.

From December 12 to 14, visitors can enjoy an indoor ice-skating experience at Sybil House, next to Phoenix Bowl. The synthetic rink will be open from 12:00pm to 8:00pm and is suitable for all ages.

The festive fun continues with Pure West Radio’s Purely Magical Christmas Grotto in the Link Building on December 7, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. Tickets must be booked in advance and include a visit with Santa and his elves, professional photography, chocolate gifts and more.

Throughout December, the waterfront will be illuminated by the annual Christmas Lights Competition, organised by Milford Waterfront, Milford Marina and Visit Milford Haven. The contest features decorated shopfronts, balconies and boats, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere across the area.

Visitors are encouraged to make the most of the season by staying overnight at the Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, overlooking the marina, to enjoy the full Christmas experience. More information about this year’s programme of events is available on the Milford Waterfront website.

Best of Brass concert set to light up St Davids Cathedral

TWO of Wales’ finest brass bands will come together next month for a spectacular evening of music at one of the county’s most iconic venues.

The Goodwick Brass Band will perform in concert with the worldnumber-one ranked Cory Band at St Davids Cathedral on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 7:30pm.

Organisers say the event, titled Best of Brass, promises an unforgettable night for music lovers, showcasing the very best in Welsh brass banding. The Cory Band, famed for their rich sound and innovative performances, will share the stage with Goodwick Brass

Band, Pembrokeshire’s own national champions, in what is expected to be a sell-out concert.

The concert takes place by kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of St Davids Cathedral, offering a rare chance to hear two elite ensembles perform within the stunning acoustics of the historic setting.

Tickets are priced at £15, £12, and £10, and are available from West Wales Arts Centre, Goodwick Post Office, St David’s Bookshop, Musicians World in Haverfordwest, and Yr Hen Emporium in Cardigan, or directly from any band member.

Santa’s reindeer event to be held at closure-threatened Ysgol Clydau

a Pembrokeshire school at threat of potential closure is holding a special early Christmas event to give its pupils a special treat with appearances by Santa’s reindeers this weekend.

Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn is one of several small schools – including Manorbier – under threat as part of proposals from Pembrokeshire County Council’s School Modernisation Working Group.

The May meeting of full council heard that there has been a 34 per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next five-six years.

The report from the council’s working group recommended that the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue Ysgol Clydau.

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clydau was launched at that meeting by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Since then, a petition calling for the school to stay open, on the county council’s own website, which runs up to November 26, has attracted 207 signatures to date.

The e-petition, started by Sarah Farnden, reads: “Ysgol Clydau is more than just a school; it’s a hub for community life, offering a safe and welcoming space for children, families and residents of all ages. Its closure will isolate our community, leading to a decline in population and a weakening of our social fabric.

“We believe small schools to be a bedrock of rural communities, essential in the survival of the Welsh language, and most importantly, as loving, centres of academic excellence for our children.”

Now, Ysgol Clydau’s PTA is hosting a special event this Saturday, November 15, at the school, open to all, complete with reindeers from the Welsh reindeer retreat, and a chance for youngsters to feed and be photographed with them.

“We as a community have come together to give the children a special treat. We have Santa’s magical reindeer coming to our school fair this Saturday.

“Reindeer will be available to feed from 11-1. Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves will also be there to welcome the children with lots of crafts to do. Parents are invited to look around our fair – with all local business supporting us – from craft stalls to baked goods.”

The PTA praised the support of local businesses, saying: “Without their

The alternative view By Mike Dello

Yet another expensive gimmick was wheeled out this week by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as the government tries—once again—to solve the neverending migrant crisis. Sir keir Starmer recently sent a delegation to Denmark to copy elements of their system, a problem that has rolled on for years and divided opinion like few other issues.

The proposals include reviewing every migrant’s status every two and a half years, restricting family reunions to those who are studying or training for work, and excluding Angola, the Congo and Namibia from future arrangements. Refugees would only be allowed to remain until their home country is deemed safe.

It all feels like a half-baked Danish pastry: warm enough for lukewarm support from the Tories and Reform, and who knows what from the Lib Dems, but facing fierce opposition from Labour’s own back benches, many of whom believe the plan

breaches basic human rights.

Of course, it’s doomed to failure anyway. As long as the UK remains tied to the ECHR, left-leaning lawyers will challenge it at every turn and it will never get off the ground.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to hog the headlines. Last week I noted that his lawsuit against the BBC stood at £4 billion. He has now increased it to £5 billion, which seems a bit harsh given that his average lawsuit is around £15 million. He’s already been involved in some 4,000 legal cases in his lifetime — so far.

Trump has also promised “clarity” on the Epstein files, demanding that Republicans

approve their release. They have done so — but no prizes for guessing who will have the final say.

Back home, Starmer’s woes continue. His restlessly “loyal” Cabinet is already shuffling around for position in case his fortunes slide further. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, climate guru Ed Miliband, and the sacked deputy Angela Rayner are all being touted as possible successors — each one professing fierce loyalty to Sir Keir, of course.

Then we have the longawaited budget from Rachel Reeves, which appears to contain yet another U-turn on a previous U-turn. The expected

support this wouldn’t be possible. As a small community school we value all the support these companies give.”

If a petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a full council meeting; more than 100 will trigger a debate at a council overview and scrutiny committee, the number of signatures received meaning this will already take place.

A change.org petition opposing the school closure has also been set up, attracting 967 signatures to date.

income tax rises may not appear after all, so everyone is now trying to guess what other tax measures will hit your pocket instead.

Last week I wrote about how the mighty fall, noting that former French president Nicolas Sarkozy faces five years in prison over claims of election funding from Colonel Gaddafi. Not to be outdone, in Bangladesh the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina has fled to India after 1,400 antigovernment rioters were killed during her absence. She has since been sentenced to death, and must be praying that the fragile peace between the two countries doesn’t harden into an alliance that leaves her stranded.

And finally — don’t feel too secure leaving your car keys safely indoors. High-tech thieves can now amplify key signals from outside your home to unlock vehicles remotely. Car theft has soared past 12,000 a year.

I wonder what this week will bring?

MIKE DELLO

You drink, we’ll drive! THIS FESTIVE SEASON

rESIDENTS are being urged to plan their nights out carefully and book local taxis as Dyfed-Powys Police warn of the dangers of drinkdriving during the busy Christmas party season.

Although this year’s enforcement campaign has not yet been formally launched, last year’s figures show the scale of the problem facing the force. According to official Dyfed-Powys Police data, 55 people were arrested for drinkdriving in December 2023. Across a wider twelve-month period from September 2022 to September 2023, a further 446 people were charged with drink-driving offences – 358 men and 88 women.

Police say those figures should act as a “clear reminder” that too many motorists are still taking risks, particularly the morning after heavy drinking.

POLICE: NO SAFE LIMIT AND NO QUICK FIX

In public guidance issued on their website, the force warns that there is no safe way to judge whether a driver is under the limit, stating: “It’s

impossible to get alcohol out of your system quickly. A shower, coffee or any other method won’t remove the alcohol from your body.”

Officers stress that alcohol can remain in the system well into the next day, leaving drivers unknowingly over the legal limit even after a night’s sleep.

A spokesperson for DyfedPowys Police said that drivers should plan their transport before leaving home, adding: “The safest option is to leave the car at home and arrange a lift or book a taxi.”

LOCAL DRIVERS URGED TO BOOK AHEAD

Taxi operators across Pembrokeshire report that they are already receiving increased bookings from workplaces, pubs and clubs for Christmas gatherings. Many firms will be running extended hours on the busiest weekends, but availability will still be tight.

Residents are being advised to book taxis early and avoid relying on being able to “grab one at closing time”, particularly in rural areas where fewer vehicles are on the road.

Taxi firms also point out that the “morning-after risk” is one of the most common causes of drink-drive arrests in winter, and encourage anyone unsure of their alcohol level to arrange transport rather than take a chance.

WINTER ROADS ADD TO THE DANGER

Pembrokeshire’s rural road network, narrow lanes and exposed coastal routes can be particularly hazardous in wet and icy conditions. Local councillors have backed the safety message, reminding

residents that impaired driving on these roads puts lives at risk.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “Every drink-drive collision is preventable. Planning ahead can protect you, your family and other road users.”

Police are urging residents to look out for friends on nights out, make use of taxis and designated drivers, and avoid becoming a statistic on the county’s winter roads.

The message remains simple: Plan it. Book it. Don’t risk it.

Great Wedlock deer park up for sale for £4m

a PEMBrOkESHIrE deer farm park attraction, which has expanded with several developments recently approved by councillors despite repeated officer recommendations of refusal, is now on the market for a cool £4m.

Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park, at Gumfreston, some three miles from Tenby, is being marketed through estate agents Fox Grant with a guide price of £4m.

“Great Wedlock Farm and Deer Park were established in 2020 by the current owner, has invested well to create a viable business situated an easy drive from Tenby or Saundersfoot, meaning that it is an established tourist destination in the summer months for families,” it says.

aMONg THE aSSETS IT lISTS:

• An Established and Popular Tourist Attraction. Set in 173 Acres.

• 5 Bedroom Farmhouse, 3 Bedrooms En Suite.

• Deer Barn: Café, Shop and Buggy Park

• Cinema Barn: Cinema, Tractor Maze & Soft Play.

• Stone Barn: Golf Putting with second part for restoration.

• The Makers Market Barn with Trader Stalls, store & toilets.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

• Planning permission for 15 holiday homes.

• Agricultural barn, Further outbuilding and workshop.

• Deer Fencing all round.

• 2 miles fenced walk, parking for 200 cars

• Outside Playground with some 28 pieces including gym equipment.

• Planning for Event Centre.

• Outside seating for 100.

• Amazing views across the Bristol Channel.

• Perfect for wind turbines, subject to planning permission.

• Monopolistic Trading Position

Since the June 2022 approval of the deer park attraction itself, there have been further applications by Mr and Mrs Evans of Great Wedlock, both repeatedly recommended for refusal by officers, and both ultimately approved

by full council after being repeatedly backed by the planning committee.

In December 2023, a change of use of a former agricultural barn to a trading barn for up to 35 traders selling local produce and crafts was approved by approved by 43 votes to one, against officer concerns including the potential for negative impacts on the existing provision of local shops in nearby rural settlements.

In May of this year, plans for 15 disability-friendly holiday lodges, a scheme the applicants had previously priced at some £2.3m to develop, were approved.

At the time local member Cllr Rhys Jordan said the material considerations of “ethically right and economically sound” sustainable tourism and the disability-friendly lodges outweighed officers’ reasons for refusal, which included it was outside of an identified settlement boundary in a countryside location, and was considered to have an adverse impact on visual amenity.

Fox Grant says of the site now up for sale: “The organic pastureland is grazed by the deer, which consist of three breeds: Red Deer, White Red Deer and Fallow Deer, during the summer months, there is the option for tourist to go on Deer Safaris in the buggies, after paying the entrance fee.”

School scoops award after summer of Food and Fun

NEYlaND COMMUNITY SCHOOl has won a Welsh government award for its work on the food and fun School Holiday Enrichment Programme, which kept children active, engaged and well-fed throughout the summer. The Food and Fun 10-year

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

celebratory awards were held on November 6 to recognise the outstanding contributions of schools, health boards, collaborations and individuals who have helped deliver

the scheme to families across Wales.

Food and Fun provides free healthy meals, informal education and a range of activities for children and young people during school holidays, aiming to support wellbeing and tackle holiday hunger.

Neyland Community School secured the Working Together Award, presented by Sharon Davies, Chief Officer for Education at the WLGA. The judging panel described Neyland as a “shining example” of what can be achieved through a whole-school approach, with staff across all stages working together toward a shared vision to support and uplift pupils.

Participation in the programme has grown significantly over the last three years, with parents and carers responding with strong enthusiasm for the continuity, care and enrichment offered.

Headteacher Clare Hewitt said the impact has been “real, lasting and deeply appreciated.”

“In our first year, we welcomed 40 pupils. This rose to 60 in our second year and, this summer, we were proud to be delivering the scheme to 80 pupils — including children from our newly established Learning Resource Centre,” she said.

“This growth speaks volumes about the programme’s popularity and

the trust our community places in it.

“Preparation begins well in advance of the summer holidays. Our dedicated team plans a varied schedule of activities promoting healthy lifestyles, physical wellbeing, social interaction and, of course, fun. Staff give up part of their own break to ensure pupils continue to receive high-quality support.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved. The expansion to include the LRC and the continued support of our wider community all highlight the strength of this provision.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, also congratulated the school.

“This award is a testament to the dedication and teamwork at Neyland Community School,” he said.

“The programme not only tackles holiday hunger but enriches the lives of children and families across Pembrokeshire. Initiatives such as this show the power of collaboration, and I am proud to see Neyland leading the way.”

Seven Pembrokeshire primary schools currently take part in the Food and Fun programme, each reporting significant benefits to the wellbeing of pupils.

Capestone Organic Poultry Ltd redevelopment scheme backed

PlaNS by one of the largest independent organic poultry producers in Wales to extend their Pembrokeshire facilities have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Walwyn’s Castlebased Capestone Organic Poultry Ltd, through agent Harries Planning and Design Management,sought permission for a new storage shed on site.

A supporting statement said: “Capestone Organic Poultry Ltd is an established farming enterprise (established over 20 years ago) and has grown into a large independent

poultry producer, processing between 40 and 50,000 chickens a week.

“A large range of activities associated with the rearing and killing of poultry (chickens and turkeys), the preparation of various products and subsequent dispatch of products occurs within Capestone Farm.

“Capestone Organics has also expanded into the processing of organic beef, lamb, pork, and salmon. The complex comprises a mixture of conventional portal frame sheds and stone buildings throughout the complex, which have been expanded and altered over the years as the

business has grown.”

It added: “The proposed storage shed is to be located adjacent to the existing loading bay located to the north of the complex. The proposed shed will be a conventional portal framed structure, with insulated box profile sheet elevations to match existing buildings on site.

“The existing access to the site is to be retained, and there will be no increase in capacity of workers on site. The proposed shed will allow better access to storage, will help to facilitate daily operations and will help the business run more efficiently.”

An officer report recommending approval said Capestone Organic

Poultry Ltd is one of the largest independent organic poultry producers in Wales; the proposed building measuring approximately 30 metres in length, 15 metres in width, and six metres to the ridge, providing a total floor area of approximately 450 square metres.

It added: “The proposed storage shed at Capeston Farm is considered an appropriate development within the established farm complex. It respects the landscape character [of St Bride’s Bay], preserves nearby heritage assets, and safeguards residential amenity.”

The application was conditionally approved by park officers.

Castlemartin range set for heavy activity as winter live-fire exercise begins

CaSTlEMarTIN Training area will be extremely busy over the next few weeks as the army begins a major live-fire exercise running from now until to 5 December.

The winter training block will see troops carrying out critical preparation ahead of future deployments, with extensive armoured manoeuvres and both daytime and night-time firing.

Extended firing hours

Live firing will take place between the following times:

• Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am

• Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am

• Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am

• Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am

• friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

There will be no live firing at weekends, although military vehicles will still be moving around the area.

Residents are being reminded that these times are the earliest and latest possible firing windows. Not every day will start or finish at the maximum hours listed.

Traffic expected on rural roads

The Army says there will be increased vehicle movements on local roads—particularly in Angle, Castlemartin and the Freshwater West area—in the week leading up to the exercise and throughout the training period.

A spokesperson said the support of local people is appreciated: “These exercises are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring our troops are fully trained for any future operational requirement.”

Côr Meibion De Cymru deliver moving Concert of Remembrance in Tenby

a THOUgHTfUl and deeply moving Concert of remembrance was held at St Mary’s Church in Tudor Square, Tenby, on friday, November 7 at 7:00pm, as Côr Meibion De Cymru performed a gala event in aid of the Tenby royal British legion Poppy appeal.

At the hour of seven, the church was full – but the choristers’ seats remained empty. The musical director and accompanist were not yet in place. As the rain eased outside, the building fell into complete silence and the atmosphere tightened with anticipation.

Then, breaking the stillness, two Scottish bagpipers struck up in the courtyard. Moments later, the doors of St Mary’s were flung open and the choir, musical team and flag bearers were triumphantly piped down the aisle to their positions. It was an electrifying opening that set the tone for the evening.

One of the choir’s newer members remarked afterwards: “I’ve never been piped into a concert by Scottish pipers before – it was thrilling, emotional, magnificent. I want to do it again next year.”

Dispensing with customary introductions or formalities, the choir opened instead with the poignant line: “To fallen soldiers let us sing” – the beginning of The Mansions of the Lord. It was a fitting tribute for a concert devoted to remembering those who gave their lives for others.

The pipers, who travelled from Goodwick and Portsmouth, generously waived their usual fees to support the Poppy Appeal.

Under the expert leadership of

performers Goodwick

Musical Director Elaine Robins, the choir delivered a rich and sensitive programme spanning Welsh hymns, musical theatre, opera and contemporary works by Welsh composers – a hallmark of their reputation.

The choir were joined by accompanist D Huw Rees, whose arrangement of This is the Moment from Jekyll and Hyde provided one of the evening’s highlights. The piece was performed by the choir in 2024 at the Royal Albert Hall during the Welsh Association of Male Choirs’ massed choir event.

delivered an energetic and varied programme. Their sets featured talented young soloists, including trombonist Ianto Evans, and drew a warm standing ovation from the audience.

Before the Act of Remembrance, compere Phil Howells, Vice President of Côr Meibion De Cymru, read a written message of appreciation and support from the choir’s royal patron, HM King Charles III. The Act of Remembrance brought a solemn and dignified close to the evening.

Côr Meibion De Cymru thanked all who attended and supported

the concert, reaffirming their commitment to uplifting communities through choral music.

As a renowned touring choir, Côr Meibion De Cymru is currently welcoming new members, including experienced choristers from other male choirs seeking opportunities to perform in larger and more prestigious venues.

The choir’s next appearance will be at the Principality Stadium on 29 November, where they will perform on the pitch ahead of the Wales v South Africa rugby match under the baton of their President, Dr Haydn James.

Goodwick salon celebrates triple win at national awards

a gOODWICk hair salon is celebrating after scooping three major honours at a national ceremony in london.

Michelle Summers Davies, owner of MD Hair in Goodwick, Pembrokeshire, was named winner of Best Colour Salon, Best Boutique Salon, and Best Customer Service at the Salon Awards – an annual event recognising excellence and innovation across the UK hairdressing industry.

The awards are judged regionally by experienced industry professionals, with entries assessed on technical ability, creativity, client care and the overall salon experience.

Michelle’s salon impressed judges with its high standards, customer focus and consistent delivery of high-quality results.

Speaking after the ceremony, she said: “I am over the moon to receive

these awards as they reflect years of passion, hard work, and dedication from our entire team. It’s a true celebration of our craft, our creativity, and our community. Thank you to our clients for supporting us every step of the way –we will continue delivering outstanding experiences for our clients.”

The Goodwick stylist is also a finalist for Wales & South West Hairdresser of the Year at the British Hairdressing Awards, which take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane next week.

Michelle has worked in the industry for more than thirty-five years and has been part of the Matrix UKI artistic team for nineteen years, contributing to national campaigns and salon education across the UK. She has also worked on the hair teams for the National Television Awards and The X Factor.

Wifi that defies gravity

THErE’S a moment in Wicked when Elphaba soars into the sky and belts out “It’s time to try defying gravity.” Proper goosebump stuff. But imagine trying to stream that epic scene and all you get is buffering... defyyyyyyyyying graviiitttyy - dim diolch.

At Ogi, we get it. Entertainment is more than just background noise - it brings people together. Whether it’s binge-watching Heartstopper, crying your way through One Day, or introducing the kids to Bluey while you grab five minutes’ peace (diolch byth), broadband is now the beating heart of the home.

In our blog on adolescence and Netflix, we talked about how streaming has become a shared space for families. It’s where you can be together, even if you’re watching different shows in different rooms. It’s about connection, comfort, and keeping up with conversations in the office the next day. (You haven’t seen it?! Don’t spoil it!)

But when your broadband can’t keep up, the magic fizzles out. Nothing

kills the mood like glitching dialogue or frozen scenes mid-song.

According to YouGov, 7 in 10 of us stream every week. And in a typical household, that’s probably happening on more than one device, and all at once. One person on Netflix, another gaming, someone else streaming music or on a video call with Nan in Barry.

That’s where Ogi comes in. Wales’s fastest homegrown broadband network is future-ready, full fibre and made to handle it all. No stutters, no buffering wheels - just smooth, strong, lightningfast streaming.

Because good broadband isn’t just about speed. It’s about making sure that when your favourite character finally kisses the right person, you actually get to see it. No spoilers. No waiting.

So next time you hit play on your favourite steaming platform, do it with broadband that’s ready for the big moments. Gwna fe’n iawn. Do it right –with Ogi.

Grants of up to £25,000 available for community climate projects

aS WOrlD leaders gather for COP30 in Brazil this November to address the global climate crisis, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park authority is taking local action by opening the latest round of Sustainable Development fund applications.

The Fund offers grants of up to £25,000 for community-led projects in and around the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park that reduce carbon emissions and help respond to the climate emergency.

Recent beneficiaries demonstrate the diverse range of projects the Fund supports. Southern Roots Organics (Awen Organics) in North Pembrokeshire received a grant of £12,400 to install solar panels, achieving 100% energy selfsufficiency within the first week and saving an estimated 2.6 tonnes of CO2e annually. Already a net carbonsequestering farm, the project enabled further emissions reductions while supporting their mission to grow highquality organic produce and model a healthy, sustainable local food system.

Ocean Lab Goodwick, which hosts the Sea Trust Wales charity, was awarded £21,470 to install a 12.6 kWp solar PV system. The installation, completed in January

2025, is expected to significantly cut emissions and energy costs, allowing the charity to reinvest savings into vital community and conservation initiatives.

Nadia Tomsa from Sea Trust Wales said: “Despite numerous obstacles, the Ocean Lab PV project was completed thanks to strong teamwork and support from SDF. We’re proud to demonstrate our commitment to

sustainability and climate action, and we look forward to sharing the benefits of clean energy with our community.”

The installation also serves as a visible example of renewable energy in action, engaging local groups including the Repair Cafe and Youth Marine Biology Club.

Cilrath Acre, the charity behind Pembrokeshire Foodbank, received SDF support to install a compost

toilet, enhancing comfort, hygiene and accessibility for volunteers and visitors. The project enhances the site’s sustainability while improving community wellbeing and creating opportunities for volunteers to engage with nature and regenerative land practices.

Applicants can apply for projects that deliver measurable carbon reduction outcomes. Projects may include installing renewable energy generation facilities such as solar panels on community buildings; initiatives to promote reduction in transport emissions such as electric charging points; community facilities that minimise waste such as water fountains; or other community-based carbon reduction initiatives.

The Sustainable Development Fund consists of money allocated from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Welsh Government Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places Fund. Note, this fund is for capital expenditure only.

For information about eligibility, how to apply, and the application form, visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/sdf or contact sdf@pembrokeshirecoast. org.uk.

The deadline for applications is the end of Friday 5 December 2025.

Improvements planned for Glan-yr-Afon Library in Haverfordwest

glaN-Yr-afON library in Haverfordwest is set for a series of improvements next month, with the flagship Riverside facility closing for two weeks to allow the work to take place.

Since opening in 2018, the library has become a major community hub, combining a public library, Nationalstandard gallery, visitor information services and a coffee shop. It averages around 5,000 book issues every month and has hosted a wide range of events and activities for local families.

The gallery has also welcomed highprofile exhibitions in partnership with the National Library of Wales, including Kyffin: Tir a Môr/Land and Sea in 2018, Trysorau/Treasures in 2019, and Trem/ Gaze in 2022 – the latter delivered with the National Gallery in London as part of their Masterpiece Tour, featuring Edgar Degas’ Hélène Rouart in her Father’s Study.

Over seven years of operation, staff have gathered regular customer feedback. Visitors have asked for more space in the children’s library, increased digital services such as Wi-Fi printing, and expanded visitor information about Pembrokeshire. Some users have also raised concerns about safety and building layout.

Thanks to Welsh Government funding,

an upgrade programme has now been approved to address these issues.

Key improvements

• Children’s library upgrade

The area will become more visible with better seating for adults and children, and extra space for author visits, class sessions and activities.

• New digital and visitor services

Public Wi-Fi printing will be installed for the first time, and the Visitor Information

area will be expanded and refreshed.

• Improved building flow and safety

A redesign of access routes aims to create a more welcoming and secure environment:

• The rear entrance will become a fireexit-only door, with all public access routed via the Coffee Shop or the Skinners Lane side entrance.

• Access gates will be installed to manage entry into the main library

areas and reduce anti-social behaviour.

• The small staff pod will be relocated to form a new welcome point, ensuring staff are more visible when visitors enter.

The council says these changes will deliver clearer orientation for visitors, a warmer welcome, better security, and improved access to learning and IT facilities.

Closure dates

The library will close from Saturday 6 December to Saturday 20 December to allow the work to be completed.

All books on loan from Haverfordwest Library will be automatically extended during the closure so that customers do not incur overdue fines. The Coffee Shop will remain open throughout.

The library will reopen on Monday 22 December, closing for Christmas at 4:00pm on Christmas Eve, and will reopen again after the holidays on Friday 2 January.

The project builds on previous Welsh Government investment to help Glan-yrAfon reach its full potential as a modern, accessible and welcoming community space for Haverfordwest and the wider county.

Work begins at last on Motor World site – but at what cost?

afTEr years of delays, foundations are finally being poured at the former Motor World site on Charles Street, Milford Haven — but the price tag continues to raise eyebrows.

Contractors W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd have begun groundworks overlooking the Haven, marking the first visible progress in years. The scheme will deliver 24 affordable flats for over-55s, funded through Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government.

The project was initially approved in 2019 as a £2.9 million scheme for 15 flats. It is now budgeted at £6.7 million — more than £270,000 per unit.

Councillor Mike Stoddart has previously argued that the council’s costs are far beyond normal market levels. He points out that a private developer such as Persimmon would deliver a three-bed semi for that sort of money — including the land, roads, design work, planning consents, building regulations approval and Section 106 obligations — and still turn a profit.

Industry comparisons also highlight how far the project has drifted from normal benchmarks. Recent analysis found the Charles Street flats will cost around £5,300 per square metre, more than double the Welsh Government’s mid-range standard of £2,513/m².

The revised design has added an extra floor, meaning the building will appear four storeys high from Charles Street — and five from the rear due

to the slope of the site. The steep gradient has complicated construction and contributed to cost inflation, council officers say.

A community drop-in meeting will be held tomorrow (Monday 17 Nov)

from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at The Lord Nelson Hotel, giving residents a chance to question the council and contractors directly.

Locals have long called for the derelict site to be redeveloped, but

the project’s spiralling budget has become a symbol of a wider concern — that “affordable” housing in Pembrokeshire is becoming anything but.

Family bingo night to support Pembroke Borough Under-14s

a faMIlY night of festive bingo will take place in Pembroke Dock next month to raise funds for Pembroke Borough’s Under-14 football squad.

The event, organised by Pembroke Borough AFC, will be held on Thursday, 5 December, with organisers promising an evening of fun suitable for all ages. The fundraiser will take place at The Quinns Function Room on London Road, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6DT).

Doors open at 6:30pm, with the first game starting at 7:00pm.

The night will feature a full bingo programme led by a festive-themed caller, along with family-friendly prizes

and refreshments. All proceeds will go directly towards supporting the Under-14 team with equipment, travel and match-day costs for the season ahead.

A spokesperson for the club said the evening will be “a great chance for the community to get together, have some fun and support the youngsters who represent Pembroke Borough every week”.

All are welcome, and organisers are encouraging local families and supporters of grassroots football to come along, enjoy the night and help make the fundraiser a success.

Operation targets untaxed and abandoned vehicles in Haverfordwest

POlICE have organised the removal several untaxed and abandoned vehicles from the garth ward in Haverfordwest following a joint operation earlier today.

Neighbourhood officers from Haverfordwest NPPT, working alongside the Roads Policing Unit,

carried out enforcement action after a number of vehicles were found to have no valid road tax and had been left parked or abandoned for extended periods.

A police spokesperson said the operation was aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and the general

appearance of residential streets where long-term abandoned vehicles had become an issue.

Millforge Garage were brought in to assist with the removals, with officers praising staff for their work in recovering vehicles that were “in awkward and difficult positions”.

Under UK law, it is illegal to keep or park an untaxed vehicle on any public road. Vehicles must be taxed or declared SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), but a SORN declaration is only valid if the vehicle is kept entirely on private land. Leaving a SORN vehicle on a street, layby or pavement

breaches DVLA regulations and can result in immediate enforcement action.

DVLA enforcement teams and police have the power to clamp or remove any untaxed vehicle found on a public road without warning. In many cases, removal fees, daily storage charges and unpaid tax must be settled before the vehicle can be released — and if not collected, the vehicle may ultimately be scrapped.

The Herald understands that further inspections will continue over the coming weeks as part of ongoing efforts to tackle nuisance and abandoned vehicles across the town.

Mid and West Wales volunteers recognised for supporting St John’s lifesaving vision

a vOlUNTEEr who has dedicated 60 years to volunteering with St john ambulance Cymru was among those recognised at the charity’s Mid and West Wales regional awards for 2025.

The ceremony, which was recently held in Swansea, saw a range of volunteers and staff receive awards and commendations for their work in a range of fields from responding to emergencies to securing funds from trusts and foundations to support the charity’s work.

St John Ambulance Cymru’s Assistant Chief Commissioner (Mid and West Wales), Beth Francis OStJ

said: “This ceremony gave us a valuable opportunity to come together to celebrate the great work of St John People from across our Mid and West Wales counties of Dyfed, West Glamorgan and Powys and all they have contributed to their communities.

“The number and quality of the nominations we received was a reminder of the positive impact the charity has on a daily basis, and I know the panel had a difficult task in choosing the winners from the strong list of contenders.”

Eunice O’Hara received an Ultra Long Service Medal and 2 Gilt Bars for her 60 years of dedicated service as part of St John Ambulance Cymru’s

Fishguard and Haverfordwest Divisions.

Her long and distinguished career as a volunteer and fundraiser saw her become an Officer of the Order of St John, as well as a member of the Gorsedd of the Bards with the title Eunice Urdd Sant Ioan (Eunice of St John) to signify her synonymity with the charity she has dedicated so much effort to supporting.

Another significant award presented during the ceremony was the Gerallt Davies MBE CStJ Memorial Award, presented in memory of the former paramedic and National Paramedic Officer for St John Ambulance Cymru,

who sadly died in 2020.

The cup is awarded to a St John Person who is active, dedicated, professional and aims to maintain and develop the highest standards whilst engaging and leading their colleagues. It is judged by an independent panel made up of external partners and members of Gerallt’s family.

The runner up, who received commendation for their impact was Gwion Morgan of Dyfed County, while the winner was Sam Davies, Operations Manager for Dyfed County, who also scooped the Volunteer of the Year Award.

There was also a Lifetime Achievement Award for Will Wall of the Abertawe Division in West Glamorgan, who has been a devoted member since 1988. In this time he supported events at Swansea’s Vetch Field for other three decades and has subsequently been on duty to support 200 games at the Swansea.com Stadium, as well as other events across the county.

Julie Carrod was the other recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, having dedicated almost 30 years of service to St John Ambulance Cymru in a range of roles including first responder, County Training Manager and Deputy Commissioner in Powys.

To find out more about St John Ambulance Cymru and to sign-up to volunteer with the charity, visit www. sjacymru.org.uk.

Rescue drama at sea as Torch Theatre unveils its most imaginative panto yet

rEPOrTS are coming in of a multi-agency rescue operation six miles off the coast of Milford Haven — led, of course, by indomitable local hairdresser Dame Belinda Beehive.

The mission? Nothing less than saving Neyland’s head-turning stunner, Rapunzel, who this year finds herself stranded at the top of a 200-foot lighthouse rather than a tower. The Herald understands that alongside appalling sea conditions, rescuers are also contending with an unidentifiable sea monster determined to make off with their belongings.

It can only mean one thing: pantomime season has arrived at the Torch Theatre.

The Milford Haven venue’s festive production of Rapunzel, running from December 6 to December 28, promises to be one of its most ambitious and imaginative pantomimes to date.

“Yes, it’s an interesting one,” laughs writer and artistic director Chelsey Gillard, the driving force behind this year’s show. “People are starting to look for different titles and slightly more unusual fairy tales. Following on from last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, I wanted something a bit more ‘princessy’ — but still very Pembrokeshire.”

Given the Torch’s clifftop location, Chelsey leaned straight into a maritime twist. “So instead of a tower, Rapunzel is stuck in a lighthouse somewhere off the coast of Milford Haven,” she says.

Rapunzel is played by Neyland’s Holly Mayhew, a recent graduate of

Sarah Jane Absalom sarah.jane.absalom@herald.email

Drama Studio London. Her long-lost mother — Dame Belinda Beehive — is brought to life by Lloyd Grayshon, while mischievous puffin Zephyr is played by Freya Dare. They are joined by the occasional shark, an assorted school of fish, and a host of friendly sea creatures played by members of the Torch Youth Theatre.

But while the setting may be new, Chelsey says the heart of pantomime remains firmly intact.

“It’s a slightly unusual story, but it’s still got all the essentials: a dame, slapstick routines, loads of songs, silly dances, and all the audience interaction that creates the magic of a pantomime. People’s expectations are huge — this is the main theatrical event of the year — so we have to pour everything into it.”

Chelsey admits that responsibility weighs heavily, but her love for panto keeps her motivated.

“I’ve always adored panto. As a child I’d look forward to it every year with my school or with my mum and dad. It was a huge thing for me — and I want our audiences to feel that same excitement.”

This year’s production also comes as something of a relief after Chelsey’s recent turn into darker territory with October’s gothic The Turn of the Screw.

“That was a much more serious piece,” she says. “So the thought of being silly for a few weeks is exactly what I need!”

Rehearsals are now entering their second week ahead of the first school performance on November 26. With just three weeks to pull everything together, Chelsey says she is supported by a formidable creative team, including designer Kevin Jenkins and workshop manager Sam Wordsworth.

“All the sets are built on site here at the Torch — which is really rare these days. Thanks to the team’s skill, the designs were finished back in May. A panto takes a good twelve months of planning before opening night.”

Even so, Chelsey admits to nerves during the first script read-through.

“You always wonder whether the jokes will land and if the cast will get your humour. And audiences here in Pembrokeshire are not shy about

telling you what they think!”

But now that rehearsals are in full swing, she says the joy of the process has returned.

“I’m lucky to do a job I love so much. And once the show is up and running, I get to step back and enjoy what this brilliant cast has created.”

Rapunzel runs from Saturday, December 6 to Sunday, December 28. Tickets: £24.50 | £20 concessions | £78 family.

Relaxed performance: Saturday, December 13 at 2:00pm.

BSL interpreted performance: Tuesday, December 16 at 6:00pm (interpreter: Liz May).

For full details, visit www. torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Warm room project returns to Crymych with £5 roast lunches

THE COMMUNITY pub in Crymych has relaunched its weekly winter warm room scheme, offering local residents a full roast lunch for just £5 as part of the Cwtsh Cynnes initiative.

The project, based at the Crymych Arms, will run every Thursday afternoon through to the end of March 2026. It forms part of the Keep Warm Keep Well programme supported by PAVS and Pembrokeshire County Council, which funds warm, welcoming community spaces across the county during the colder months.

Staff, volunteers and committee members at the pub say the support has been vital in helping them continue a service that has proved hugely popular in previous years.

A spokesperson for the volunteer

committee said: “We are so grateful to PAVS and the Keep Warm Keep Well team for providing the support funding to allow us to deliver the meals at a reduced cost for local people. It’s great that the community has a chance to come together on a Thursday afternoon, enjoy a warm space and share an affordable cooked meal.”

Alongside the weekly lunch, the Crymych Arms will also open on Thursday and Friday afternoons to encourage wider use of the space as a warm community hub.

Anyone wishing to attend the warm room lunch is asked to phone the pub on 01239 831435 before 12:00pm on Thursday to confirm numbers.

Further information about the community pub project can be found at crymycharms.cymru.

Old Haverfordwest Library car park to be free until New Year

ATEB has confirmed that parking charges at the Old Haverfordwest library car park on Dew Street have been suspended from this week (November 17) until the New Year while the organisation reviews how the site is operated.

The update was shared with residents by Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor following a statement from ATEB chief executive Nick Hampshire.

Mr Hampshire said the organisation is “currently reviewing the Dew Street car parking operations” and will therefore not charge users during the review period. However, he stressed that motorists use the site “at their own risk,” as clearly set out on the on-site

notices.

NEW arraNgEMENTS ExPECTED IN 2026

ATEB says its intention is to introduce new parking arrangements early in the New Year. These are expected to mirror the terms, rates and conditions used in Pembrokeshire County Council-run car parks, providing consistency for shoppers, visitors and local residents.

“Until we agree the new arrangements, we will not be in a position to share more detail,” Mr Hampshire added.

Cllr Tudor encouraged residents with any queries to contact him directly.

New Get Outdoors Partnership launched to expand accessible outdoor opportunities

THE PEMBrOkESHIrE Coast Charitable Trust has launched a major new initiative aimed at widening access to outdoor experiences across the county.

The Get Outdoors Partnership Programme was formally unveiled at the recent Get Outdoors Network Breakfast in Saundersfoot. The event brought together educators, community groups and local businesses to hear more about the new scheme and how they can get involved.

For almost twenty years, the Trust has provided beach wheelchairs and all-terrain equipment to help people of all abilities enjoy Pembrokeshire’s natural spaces. The new programme builds on that work, creating a longterm, sustainable model to support inclusive outdoor access while offering partners a range of benefits in return. Participating organisations will also be able to display new ‘Get Outdoors’ branding to show their support.

Attendees at the breakfast heard from the Trust’s Education Team about how new equipment is enabling more pupils to take part in outdoor learning. Blue Horizons shared insights into the physical and mental benefits of connecting with the sea, while the Get Outdoors Team invited participants to trial equipment firsthand. Discussions also explored the programme’s countywide impact, the kit currently available, and future opportunities for development.

The Partnership Programme will roll out fully in 2026, with wider expansion planned from 2027. A tiered structure will allow partners to join at a level that suits their needs – from basic access to equipment and support, through to enhanced packages that include training, bespoke kit and opportunities to share their organisation’s story.

The Trust thanked all current hosts, supporters, donors and local businesses who have helped provide accessible outdoor experiences over the years, and said it looked forward to welcoming them into the new programme.

Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “We are incredibly

excited to enhance the Get Outdoors Partnership Programme and look forward to working closely with our partners to provide more people with access to the outdoors. This programme is a fantastic opportunity to build on our work over the past 20 years and ensure these experiences are sustainable for the future.”

Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of beach wheelchairs and all-terrain equipment in Pembrokeshire. A special celebration is planned, with further details to be announced soon.

The Get Outdoors Partnership Programme represents a significant step forward in promoting inclusive outdoor access and securing the long-term future of outdoor learning across the region.

The Beast in Me on Netflix is a brooding, slow-burn psychological thriller that thrives on atmosphere as much as plot. From its opening moments, the series pulls you into an uneasy world where every character seems to be hiding a truth, and every silence carries weight. The storytelling unfolds with a quiet intensity, relying on subtle gestures, prolonged glances, and the kind of emotional restraint that keeps you constantly guessing at what lies beneath the surface. What makes the show especially compelling

is its willingness to explore the darker corners of human behavior without relying on cheap shocks; instead, it builds tension through careful character development and a steady drip of revelations that feel both surprising and inevitable.

The performances anchor the series, particularly from its lead, whose portrayal of internal conflict is layered and affecting. You can see the strain of past trauma and unresolved guilt in every decision, giving the entire narrative a sense

of emotional gravity. The supporting cast adds to that complexity, each character flawed in ways that feel real rather than exaggerated, creating a world where moral clarity is rare and sympathy shifts constantly. The cinematography enhances this mood, using muted colors, restrained lighting, and lingering shots that make even ordinary settings feel ominous.

Though its pacing may be too deliberate for some viewers, the show rewards patience with a finale that ties its themes together in a way that feels earned rather than forced. It leaves you with the unsettling sense that the line between victim and perpetrator is thinner than we like to believe, and that the “beast” the title refers to is as much internal as external. Ultimately, The Beast in Me is an evocative, emotionally rich drama that lingers long after the final scene, not because of what it shows, but because of what it makes you consider about the vulnerabilities and shadows we all carry.

to

Wicked: For Good emerges as an ambitious and emotionally resonant continuation of a story that has already woven itself into the fabric of modern musical mythology, and what’s most striking is how confidently it deepens the themes audiences thought they already understood. Rather than simply revisiting familiar arcs, the film reframes them with a maturity and gravity that make the bond between Elphaba and Glinda feel more layered than ever—two women whose lives collide, diverge, and circle back with an inevitability that’s both heartbreaking and hopeful. Their dynamic is portrayed with a nuanced sensitivity that refuses to paint either as purely heroic or tragic; instead, the film allows their choices to ripple outward in ways that feel both intimate and monumental, grounding even its most magical moments in emotional truth.

The performances anchor this evolution beautifully. The actors step into their roles not as echoes of the characters we’ve known, but as fuller, more vulnerable versions

shaped by the consequences of the first film’s events. Their chemistry carries a lived-in complexity, with sharp humor giving way to quiet, devastating moments that land with unexpected weight. Musically, the film threads new compositions through established melodies with remarkable grace. The new songs don’t feel like additions so much as revelations, expanding the emotional palette and giving greater voice to conflicts that were once only hinted at. The orchestrations swell with cinematic richness, elevating key moments into something that feels simultaneously theatrical and uniquely suited to film.

Visually, Wicked: For Good leans into worldbuilding with bold confidence. Oz feels more expansive, stranger, and more alive than before, rendered with an imaginative detail that never overwhelms the narrative. Each corner of the world seems to pulse with its own history and personality, from the glittering veneers of the Emerald City to the shadowed reaches where truth

and myth begin to blur. Yet even in its grandest flourishes, the movie resists spectacle for spectacle’s sake, using every spell, storm, and shimmer to heighten the characters’ inner turning points.

What ultimately sets the film apart is its emotional honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the messiness of redemption or the cost of standing by one’s convictions, and it refuses to simplify the pain of separation or the power of reconciliation. The story embraces the idea that goodness is not a static destination but an ongoing act—one that requires courage, sacrifice, and sometimes profound loneliness. By the time the final scenes unfold, the film delivers a conclusion that feels sweeping yet deeply personal, acknowledging the scars left behind while still extending a hand toward hope.

Wicked: For Good honors the legacy of its origins while carving out its own identity, offering a finale that resonates long after the last note fades.

Tech and Taff

Will the AI bubble burst –and what happens if it does?

YOU can always tell when a tech bubble is on the way out. The americans start using words like “headwinds”, investors suddenly remember they have families, and half the start-ups that were “revolutionising everything” last month quietly shut down their websites and pretend they were never there. aye, bach, we’ve seen it all before.

Artificial intelligence is the latest to go through the hype machine, and even here in Wales - where we generally like our technology stable, sensible and not costing the earthyou can feel the wobble coming.

Let’s not pretend otherwise. Investors have been throwing money at AI companies like they were trying to win a teddy at the Gwyl Aberystwyth fairground. Some startups have no customers, no revenue and no clear idea what they’re actually doing beyond “something with chatbots”. Yet they’re valued higher than the GDP of Ceredigion. It’s enough to make a man spill his Cymru Welsh Brew.

The signs of a bubble are all there: inflated valuations, copycat products, and companies promising things that would require more computing power than the entire National Grid. So yes - a correction is coming. Bydd o’n dod, as my mam would say.

But here’s the good news: a correction doesn’t mean catastrophe. It means clarity.

When the dot-com bubble burst, the nonsense disappeared but the good stuff stayed. Same with AI. The companies built on hype will vanish, probably sometime this winter when the VC funding dries up faster than a Llanelli beer festival barrel. But the useful, boring, properly tested techthat will carry on.

And this is where Wales has an advantage. We’re not Silicon Valley. Thank heavens. We don’t have crowds of investors wandering around shouting “disrupt!” at sheep. What we do have is a habit of using technology for practical things that actually help people.

AI is already quietly supporting Welsh farming - monitoring animal health, predicting crop yields, reducing waste. It’s helping the NHS analyse scans faster, track waiting times, and improve patient outcomes. It’s being trialled in renewable energy systems on the coast, and in transport planning from Swansea to Snowdonia.

None of that is glamorous. You won’t see a Netflix documentary about it. But it’s real. And real things survive bubbles.

The danger for Wales isn’t the bubble bursting - it’s politicians panicking afterwards. If governments respond by slamming the brakes on funding or dragging their feet on sensible regulation, we miss the moment. AI doesn’t need a Wild West. It needs guardrails, consistency, and a bit of calm Welsh common sense.

So will the AI bubble burst? Yes - but gently. A deflation, not a detonation.

A few Californian CEOs will announce they’re “pivoting”. A dozen identical chatbot companies will quietly fold. Investors will pretend this is exactly what they expected all along.

Meanwhile, in Wales, we’ll carry on doing what we’ve always done: using technology not to impress anyone, but to make life a bit easier for the people who actually live here. And honestly? That’s the kind of AI revolution I can get behind.

DJ Yoda bringing 1980s party vibes to Narberth

a NIgHT of pure nostalgia is heading for Narberth as worldfamous turntablist Dj Yoda drops his 1980s-themed “Mixtape live” show at The Queen’s Hall on Saturday, November 22.

The multi-award-winning DJ — real name Duncan Beiny — is promising a full-throttle celebration of pop culture’s most colourful decade, blending retro beats, movie moments, and video game sounds into a highenergy, one-of-a-kind performance.

Known for his genre-bending creativity, Yoda has taken his unique brand of turntablism to major festivals and clubs around the globe, earning praise from the BBC, who called him “a pioneer of the craft.”

Over his 30-year career, he’s collaborated with Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Damon Albarn, Diplo, and Mark Ronson, and was once named by Q Magazine as “one of the 10 DJs to see before you die.”

The Narberth show also celebrates 25 years since Yoda’s breakthrough 80s mixtape, How To Cut & Paste: The 80s Edition — the release that launched him into the spotlight and helped redefine DJ performance art. Expect neon lights, vintage visuals, and the biggest hits of the decade — all remixed Yoda-style.

Tickets are available now from thequeenshall.org.uk or by calling 01834 861212.

gaming

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond feels like a long-awaited revival that might just deliver everything fans have quietly hoped for—and then some. From the first tantalising glimpses, it’s clear Retro Studios is embracing the core of what made the Prime trilogy special— exploration, scanning, and mystery—while daring to push the formula into bold new territory. The game’s opening on the alien world of Viewros is lush and foreboding, its ancient ruin-strewn jungles suggesting deep lore and puzzles woven into the environment, and you can almost taste the humidity as Samus skims over vines in her new motorcycle, the Vi-OLa, a traversal tool that promises to reshape how players move through terrain and piece together hidden paths. But the real twist comes in the form of Samus’s psychic powers—not just a flashy gimmick, but a genuinely transformative mechanic that lets her guide energy beams midflight, manipulate mechanisms from afar, and repurpose her scanning visor into a cognitive

tool. In combat, this power adds a layer of strategy: shots curve, trajectories bounce, and ancient technology responds to her mind, turning every encounter into a potential puzzle.

Visually, the game feels like a bridge between generations. On the Switch 2 version, the fidelity and frame rate look stellar, and the option to use Joy-Con 2 as a kind of mouse gives aiming a precision and fluidity that feels like a respectful nod to PC shooters.

The redesigned suit Samus wears—metallic red, gunmetal gray with purple accents—is sleek and modern, offering a fresh aesthetic without abandoning her iconic silhouette. Enemy designs stand out too, their alien biology twisted and familiar in that eerie Metroid way, and environmental set-pieces—from overgrown temples to ancient clock-like mechanisms—suggest that this game leans heavily into its exploration roots.

Narratively, there’s tension in

the air: Samus seems transported to Viewros unexpectedly after a confrontation with her nemesis Sylux, and there’s something deeply personal about her journey home. The promise of uncovering Lamorn lore (an ancient civilisation once native to the planet) gives weight and scale to her mission. While the game leans into classic Metroid tropes—scan visor, morph ball, hidden passages—Beyond doesn’t feel content to merely replicate past glories. Instead, it weaves its new psychic powers into environmental puzzles in a way that feels meaningful, not tacked on.

That said, there are some cautious notes. The psychic abilities are ambitious, and they risk overshadowing the more grounded, methodical feel that defined earlier Prime titles. If overused, they might dilute the isolation and vulnerability that made exploring an alien world so compelling. Similarly, the Vi-OLa could make traversal feel too breezy unless counterbalanced by design that rewards backtracking, exploration, and discovery rather than speed alone. And while the graphical leap on the Switch 2 is exciting, it may highlight the disparity for players still on the original Switch.

Overall, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond promises to be a deeply satisfying next chapter for Samus—a game that honors the heritage of its predecessors while confidently charting its own path. With its blend of traditional mechanics, intelligent new powers, and a richly imagined world, it could very well become the benchmark for what a modern Metroid Prime game can be.

HOROSCOPES

got a wonderfully clean nest to show off, so invite them over.

Family matters could be tricky, but that won’t keep you from getting involved and possibly being able to solve something that’s been ignored for far too long. This ability to mediate will come to you courtesy of the Universe, which is currently sensitizing you in the department of home and family. You’re equipped to talk anyone into anything at the moment. Why not use it to help heal an ageold wound? At least one. You know you want to.

LEO When you least expect it, a burst of anger could change the tone of a conversation that started out sane, respectable, and civil. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to temper the rhetoric of all parties concerned with a bit of tact and diplomacy and by translating it in your own inimitable fashion. You know, it’s the “what they really meant to say is...” kind of thing. Fortunately, you’ll have some very valuable help from the Universe.

VIRGO

You’ve probably already got more penciled into your calendar for the day than you can possibly pull off. That is, unless you’re careful with your time, and, of course, we all know you are. That said, don’t go right over the top. The invitations to come out and play will pour in, and you really should save just a few hours for the delightful offers that haven’t yet presented themselves. You may find that folks are feeling quite sociable these days.

LIBRA

Don’t be surprised if you’re attracting a lot of admiring attention for at least the next few days. You’re charming, you’re sociable, you’re magnetic, and folks are loving your sensitivity and tenderness. Needless to say, your dance card may be overflowing, but it won’t be difficult for you to swing. In fact, one admirer in particular may let it be known that you’re exactly what they have been searching for.

SCORPIO Communication is the name of the game, secret stuff, though, at least for starters. That one little clandestine meeting you’ve been pondering? The one that your (somewhat murky) intuition is pretty sure couldn’t hurt a thing? Well, it just might, so sit tight. In the meantime, you could end up with some really lovely communications that are more fit for public knowledge. But if you just can’t resist, then, keep quiet about it. You’re good at that.

SAGITTARIUS

Stop me if this sounds familiar. Someone you know and love could be offended by something you say quite off the cuff and in an entirely playful way, something that comes out sounding like you think it’s a lot less serious than you really do. Go easy. Don’t hurt a friend inadvertently. They’ll undoubtedly forgive you, but why risk it? Think just for a second about how you’d feel if the tables were turned.

CAPRICORN

An older relative or authority figure who’s had their eye on you for a while now is just about ready to let you know how well you’ve been doing, especially based on a recent stressful situation that you’ve passed through with flying colors. In the meantime, don’t ignore someone new and interesting (who’s due to come along any time), sent to take your mind entirely off of this situation and anything that’s even remotely unpleasant.

AQUARIUS

You’re about to rush headlong into something you never expected. An intimate encounter with someone who’s so interesting and unusual, even downright fascinating, that you might actually see yourself hanging out with them for more than a few

A P EM b RO k ES h IRE P ERSPECTIVE

by EDITOR TOM SINClAIR

O PINION : T OURISM IS BEING RESHAPED FROM C ARDIFF BUT W EST WALES IS PAYING THE PRICE

THErE comes a point where “reform” stops looking like reform and starts feeling like pressure. Speak to any tourism operator in Pembrokeshire this week and you’ll hear the same weary refrain: we aren’t dealing with one challenge, we’re dealing with ten – all landing at once, all chipping away at the same fragile margins.

And while ministers in Cardiff Bay insist their reforms will create a fairer, more balanced, more “sustainable” sector, the reality on the ground in West Wales could not feel further from that neat theory.

a SECTOr alrEaDY ON THE rOPES

Let’s be honest: this hasn’t been a vintage year for many small B&Bs, campsites and cottage operators. Footfall was patchy. Shoulder-season bookings were weaker. Last-minute cancellations were up again. And households simply don’t have the spending power they had five years ago. The cost-of-living crisis hasn’t politely bypassed Pembrokeshire.

Add to that:

• higher minimum wage

• rising National Insurance contributions

• stubbornly high insurance premiums

• energy costs still well above preCOVID levels

• a domestic market drifting back to cheap flights and package holidays

• … and you already have a difficult

winter to survive.

• But then comes the policy pile-on:

• the 182-night threshold

• the all-Wales registration and licensing scheme

• the incoming tourism levy

• and uncertainty about what’s coming next

For many operators, it feels like “death by a thousand cuts” delivered with a shrug.

CarDIff BaY ISN’T lISTENINg HarD ENOUgH

The Welsh Government argues these changes will make the industry more sustainable. In theory, yes. But sustainability does not mean hollowing out the small businesses that built the industry in the first place.

It’s not the big holiday parks raising the alarm. It’s the one- and two-person operations. The family cottages. The tiny B&Bs. The farm stays. These are the businesses putting off essential works, cutting hours, and wondering whether next summer will be enough to carry them through another year of shifting goalposts.

When politicians like Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz talk about a “perfect storm”, they aren’t scaremongering. They’re repeating what they’re hearing – quietly and consistently – from people who usually just get on with the job.

If those people are worried, ministers should be listening.

a faIlUrE Of SEQUENCINg – NOT

NECESSarIlY INTENT

To be fair, some of the aims behind the reforms are sensible. Yes, councils need better data. Yes, accommodation should meet minimum standards. Yes, communities need balance.

The problem is not the concept of reform.

It’s the timing, the volume, and the lack of breathing space.

Good policies delivered in the wrong order, or at the wrong moment, become bad policies. And right now, Cardiff Bay has dropped an entire programme of change onto a sector already struggling with rising costs, weaker demand and an early, cold winter.

You don’t strengthen an industry by exhausting it.

THE EUrOPEaN COMParISON

DOESN’T HOlD

Whenever concerns are raised, ministers point to European cities that charge nightly levies and operate strict licensing systems. But the comparison collapses almost immediately.

Most of Europe enjoys:

• year-round visitor numbers

• reliable transport

• large, stable domestic tourism markets

• councils funded at levels Welsh authorities can only dream of

Wales is not Barcelona, Dubrovnik or Salzburg.

Our visitor economy is seasonal, weather-dependent and deeply woven into the viability of rural communities. Rapid, simultaneous reform hits differently here.

THIS WINTEr IS THE rEal TEST

By November, shutters are already down across much of Pembrokeshire. The lights are off. Many operators won’t see another booking until Easter.

The question now is simple: how many will reopen?

Even a small number calling it a day will send ripples through rural towns –fewer jobs, fewer services, less footfall, and less spending in the very places the Welsh Government says it wants to “rebalance”.

If ministers genuinely want a sustainable sector, they must first ensure it survives long enough to be sustainable. That means slowing down, listening properly, and working with the people whose livelihoods depend on this industry.

Right now, the message from West Wales is unmistakable: reform is overdue, yes – but not like this, not all at once, and not without a genuine understanding of what winter really looks like in rural Wales.

BADGER AND THE GOOD OLD DAYS

BADGER does not live in the past. He has often observed that nostalgia is an easy way to get mugged on Memory Lane. So, when Badger observes that something was definitely better in the past, you can take it that he means it and has good reasons for his assertion.

Next week, Rachel from Accounts will present her second Budget. It may as well be her fifty-fourth. The drip of rumours, the sight of kites being flown, the drone of the commentariat, and the desperate attempt to manage the news cycle have dragged on since the party conference season.

Badger remembers when a Budget was an annual event followed by comment and analysis from people who knew something about economics and a lot about politics. Now, everyone has a go over every leaked whip-stitch and titbit of information. It is fair to say, as Bernard Woolley observed in “Yes Prime Minister”, that the ship of state is the only vessel to leak from the top.

What Badger wants before a Budget is a period of silence beforehand, a return to Budget purdah. Clement Attlee’s first post-war Chancellor was Hugh Dalton. Dalton incautiously mentioned a minor part of his budget speech to a friend before delivering it. When his misjudgement became public, he immediately resigned.

If the same standard applied today, the Labour front benches would have been deserted since the end of October, and the Chancellor would long ago have been appointed to the Governorship of the Pitcairn Islands.

For crying out loud, readers!

The purpose of government is to govern. If the government wants to consult widely on what might be in its Budget, it could do so properly without any of this “now you see it, now you don’t nonsense.” Even if the government consulted widely about the Budget, it must make the final decisions.

How this government has conducted itself over the last few weeks is pathetic.

It’s bad enough that Cabinet and junior ministers give the impression that Labour is in office but not in power, without Labour politicians leaking, briefing against each other, and behaving like monkeys given the key to the banana plantation.

Several reasons explain the chaos and rank idiocy at the heart of government. First and foremost, the modern Labour Party has fallen into the student politics trap of equating

abstract concepts with policy decisions.

The problem with that approach is that it conflates personal moral judgements with what is in the country’s best interests. It is intellectually vacuous and creates active harm to individual freedoms by trying to legislate for a “fairer” society.

Adopting a dirigiste approach to abstractions is foolish and selfdefeating. Once you start legislating over what people can think, say, or do, you diminish everyone’s freedom. The state is justified in limiting certain forms of speech, such as incitements to violence or advocating the commission of criminal acts. However, that is the upper limit of its role.

Labour is clueless in government because its approach, while in opposition, proposed little more than marginally more competent management. Management is not the same as leadership.

Badger has often criticised administrations at every level, from local to national to international, for managerialism. Managerialism displaces commitment to anything apart from process. It treats everything as a discrete problem to be solved or

a separate issue to be addressed. The result is drift and decay.

The result of that is that Labour entered government without any ideological backbone. Labour abandoned ideology years ago, but now it offers nothing but a vague attachment to “communities”, “equality”, and “opportunity”.

Suppose you really believe in the old Labour Party’s Clause IV pledge to “To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.” If you believe that, what the hell would you be doing in the modern Labour Party?

The version of Clause IV that the Labour Party adopted under Tony Blair in 1995 is not merely an update and rewriting of the original pledge, but a marketing word salad of no discernible value. Thirty years on, there’s a vacuum at the heart of Labour and, therefore, at the heart of government.

Badger is not much interested in

any Party’s “aspirations”, the nebulous ideas at its heart, the moral condition of its members, or even, very much, who is in which Party’s leadership.

It’s why Badger has such contempt for parties like Reform UK. The Reform approach, one it shares with the Liberal Democrats, treats voters in the same way Dutch traders dealt with the Native Americans on Manhattan Island: “Look, shiny!”

In the Home Counties, the Liberal Democrats are Tory-lite, while Reform is Tory-right. Outside the East and South East of England, the Liberal Democrats win seats in rural and suburban areas by being either “The Nice Conservatives” or “Labour With Wellies”. It depends on the parliamentary seat. ***(see footnote below)

In former industrial areas, the Liberal Democrats are largely irrelevant. That leaves Reform to capture the votes of disaffected working-class voters by making pledges about public spending, which would repel their southern electors. The problem with being all things to all men is that you end up meaning nothing to anyone (see Labour, above).

One of the reasons Badger holds Boris Johnson in such low (subterranean) regard is that the former PM believed in nothing but becoming the Prime Minister. Once he had power, Johnson had no clue what to do with it or how to achieve what he wanted to do other than play for headlines. Governing through cod-Churchillian rhetoric and grandiose gestures served only to expose Boris Johnson’s vast hidden shallows and the depths of his deceitfulness.

Badger believes that a political party must have as its foundation a set of practical propositions upon which it builds policies. Those policies should improve the lives of those in need of the state’s assistance, while causing the least harm to the ability of individuals and businesses to earn an honest living in a secure society.

That doesn’t have the ring of the old Clause IV, but it’s a significant improvement upon its replacement. And any party that offers it, or something like it, will have Badger’s vote.

Considering his comparison of the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK further, Badger must give his readers a mild corrective. Ed Davey engages in silly, attention-seeking stunts. Nigel Farage is something else altogether.

Flocks of Fancy Friends and the Flight from Shame

la D, YOU k NOW when someone thinks they’re hosting the social event of the decade… but the guest list turns out to be more “Old Hakin r oad tip” than “Met g ala”? I was reminded of that this week, perched on my favourite lamppost by the docks, watching the humans flap about the latest scandal from across the pond.

Years back, I waddled into a posh London do don’t ask how a seagull gets invited, trade secret only to find a certain disgraced historian holding court. A proper social toxic spill. I didn’t stay. Even a gull has standards, believe it or not. I remember thinking the host must’ve had seawater sloshing around in her brain. Some people mistake notoriety for glamour. Me? I prefer my fish without parasites.

Anyway, that memory resurfaced as I watched America’s glitterati sprinting, squawking, diving for cover as the Senate voted to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. And oh boy, the

feathers are flying. It’s like watching a flock of panicked pigeons trying to pretend they’ve never been anywhere near the chips they were caught eating on CCTV.

Now, let’s be clear I’m not talking about the men accused of committing Epstein’s crimes alongside him. That’s a separate, darker mess. I mean the long, glitzy roll-call of characters media darlings, political peacocks, self-help prophets, Ivy League luminaries who happily mingled with the man long after his 2008 conviction. People who accepted his invites, ate his canapés, sent him matey emails, and now want the world to believe they were somehow, mysteriously, blissfully unaware.

Aye, and I’m the Bishop of St Davids.

Epstein’s conviction wasn’t exactly whispered into a conch shell.

“Soliciting underage girls” may have been softened into legal jargon at the time, but it still meant what it meant.

Yet suddenly, as the documents roll out, the tune from certain circles is deafening: “We had no idea!” Germany, 1946 levels of denial, if you’ll pardon the sergeant-major comparison.

Take Deepak Chopra. A man who claims deep cosmic insight but somehow couldn’t intuit that being pen pals with a convicted sex offender might look bad. His statement this week was a masterclass in vagueness: “I hope the truth comes out.” Very spiritual. Very floaty. Very much the sort of energy you summon when you’re pretending that all those emails were actually sent by, I don’t know, your soul from another dimension.

Then there’s Katie Couric who’d turn up to the opening of a bin bag if someone important was rumoured to be inside it. She went to Epstein’s for dinner two years after his conviction, then later said she “didn’t know anything” about him at the time. A

curious form of journalistic research, that.

George Stephanopoulos, at the same soirée, said he should’ve done “more due diligence”. Why stop at due? Try doing any.

But the best entertainment this week came courtesy of the New York Times, which lit the fuse that sent Manhattan’s PR brigade bursting into the sky like panicked fireworks.

Publicist Peggy Siegal once a regular in Epstein’s inbox told the paper she didn’t actually help him after all. She just said she would to get him off the phone. Huffing and puffing followed. Arianna Huffington quickly popped up to say she’d never been contacted. Tina Brown declared she was so offended by receiving Epstein’s invitation that she practically shrieked down the phone: “What is this the Predator’s Ball?”

Imagine the group chat this week. It must’ve sounded like a roost full of seagulls fighting over a single abandoned pasty.

And here’s the heart of it: all these people, these media stars, cultural gatekeepers, society’s self-appointed curators — they didn’t pal around with Epstein because they were oblivious. They did it because they wanted to be near “important” people. They wanted the buzz, the proximity, the glow of money and influence. The curated dinner. The whispered secrets. The illusion of being “in the room”.

But let me tell you something from a bird who sees a lot from above the harbour: vanity makes fools of the smartest humans. It lures you in with shiny things and before you know it, you’re caught in fishing line, thrashing about, insisting you’ve never even seen the sea.

So as America’s high-fliers now try to airbrush themselves out of the Epstein scrapbook, remember this: it wasn’t ignorance that drew them in. It was ego. The same ego that makes humans chase status like gulls chase chips.

The difference is, when we gulls steal chips, at least we admit it.

Stephen Seagull Chief Pier-Side Commentator Milford Haven Docks

Dog owners urged to wipe pets’ paws as freezing weather hits Wales

aS TEMPEraTUrES drop across Wales, Dogs Trust is warning owners to take extra care during winter walks, with grit, rock salt and antifreeze posing hidden risks to pets.

The charity — which runs rehoming centres in Cardiff and Bridgend — says salt and grit spread on pavements can cause dryness, cracking, burns and bleeding on dogs’ paws. Dogs may also become ill if they lick the salt from their feet, with symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to tremors, seizures and, in severe cases, kidney damage.

Owners are being advised

to check and wipe paws after every walk, making sure to remove any salt or grit trapped between the toes.

The charity is also issuing a strong warning about antifreeze. The substance, found in deicers and some car engine products, contains ethylene glycol — a chemical with a sweet taste that is highly toxic to pets. Even a small amount can cause fatal kidney failure if not treated quickly. Early signs of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting, lethargy, unsteadiness, rapid breathing, increased thirst and, in later stages, seizures.

Senior Veterinary Surgeon Charlie Dobson said:

“Winter brings hidden dangers for dogs. Most people don’t realise how much grit can irritate a dog’s paws or make them unwell if they lick it off. Simply wiping their feet after a walk can prevent a lot of problems.

“Antifreeze is even more dangerous — just a small amount can be fatal. Keep it securely stored and seek veterinary help immediately if you think your dog has ingested any.”

WINTEr SafETY aDvICE

Dogs Trust has set out simple steps for owners as the cold weather sets in:

• Keep dogs warm: Puppies, elderly dogs and shorthaired breeds feel the cold more quickly. Limit time outside and consider a properly fitted winter coat.

• Use a lead in snow: Snow can be disorientating and dogs can get lost more easily. Ensure they have an ID tag and up-to-date microchip details.

• Avoid frozen lakes and ponds: Ice may not support a dog’s weight and could put both pet and owner at serious risk.

• Stay visible: With shorter days, consider reflective leads, collars and coats, as well as high-visibility clothing for owners.

• Check equipment: Cold, wet weather can cause clips and fittings to rust or become stiff.

• Provide indoor activities: If walks are limited, enrichment games, hideand-seek, or food-releasing toys can help keep dogs stimulated.

More cold-weather advice is available at Dogs Trust’s website.

Tenby school built just nine years ago needs new roof

PUPIlS at a leaking Pembrokeshire school, built just nine years ago, which now has more than 500 props holding up parts of its roof, are likely to be forced to relocate while a new roof is put on.

Tenby VC School, a 3–11 English-medium primary school with an additional Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provision, was built in 2016.

Just a few years after its build, there were reports of water ingress.

Initial investigations in 2023 identified the requirement for repairs to the flat roof areas, and in 2024 its solar PV array was removed to reduce the load

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

on the roof following engineer advice.

Last November, a £75,000 feasibility budget to look at ways of tackling roof leaks at Tenby’s VC school, including a complete new roof, was backed by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet.

At the time, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “A number of [areas of water ingress] have been repaired, but unfortunately a number of leaks have resulted in a weakening of

the structure and components within the roof construction.”

In response to the findings of the feasibility study, the council has implemented a series of urgent health and safety measures to mitigate immediate risks, a report for members at the November 2025 Cabinet meeting said.

These include the installation of 510 ‘acro’ props to support vulnerable roof areas and the full closure of the Early Years/ Playgroup wing, along with regular inspections.

At the meeting, members received a report detailing the findings of the feasibility study, presented by Cllr Woodham,

with a favoured option of the replacement of entire roof.

It said: “Considering the recommendation to proceed with [full roof replacement] a comprehensive decant strategy needs to be developed with all stakeholders and the community to ensure educational continuity, meet health and safety requirements and safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff throughout the construction period and following information needs to be considered in relation to any decant strategy.”

Cllr Woodham said he was “totally aware of the concern in relation to how this progresses,” adding: “The priority is the wellbeing of the learners and staff at the school, we’ll do everything to move as quickly as we can.”

Members backed recommendations that the School Modernisation Working Group be requested to determine the final preferred outcomes in relation to the Tenby Area, and that those recommendations be presented to full council in December.

They also backed tenders for the works being sought, with a further report to Cabinet, and a comprehensive decant strategy be produced; a report returning to Cabinet by January at the latest.

Ten years of ‘Food and Fun’: Welsh holiday scheme marks milestone with awards

THE WElSH GOVERNMENT’S flagship food and fun school holiday enrichment programme has celebrated its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of supporting thousands of families during the long summer break.

The awards ceremony, held earlier this month, recognised schools, volunteers, catering teams and health boards who have played a key role in shaping the programme. One of this year’s winners was Neyland Community Primary School, which received the Working Together Award, highlighting the strength of community partnerships in Pembrokeshire.

TEN YEarS ON

Food and Fun began as a small

Cardiff Council pilot and has since grown into a national scheme coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association and funded by the Welsh Government. It now operates across all twentytwo local authorities.

Each summer, the scheme provides free healthy meals alongside activity sessions, giving children a safe, social and active space during the holidays. Over the past decade, more than 800,000 places have been delivered. This summer alone, around 15,000 learners from 300 schools took part.

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle, who presented awards at the event, said the success of the programme was down to the dedication of staff and volunteers who work with partner organisations to offer enriching

opportunities.

She said: “The value of our investment goes far beyond pounds and pence. Helping families enjoy activities, learn about nutrition, engage with friends and have delicious food is at the heart of Food and Fun.” Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA spokesperson for Education, added that the programme’s strength lay in the collaboration between councils, schools and partner organisations.

Celebrating local achievement

Neyland Community Primary School’s recognition for its partnership work brings the national story home to Pembrokeshire. The school has long been praised locally for its community engagement, and this award places it among the top examples of best practice across Wales.

Full list of winners

• Council Co-ordinator: Paul Williams, Neath Port Talbot Youth Service

• Co-ordinator award scheme: Sabrina Amor, Herbert

Thompson Primary School

• Scheme Staff award: Luke Cross, Ysgol Cwm Brombil

• Catering award: Sarah Lever and Caroline Clatworthy, Bridgend Catering

• Volunteer Award: Harri and Sion Colthard, Ysgol Calon y Cymoedd

• Health Board Award: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

• Sports Coach Awards: MonLife

• Working Together Award: Neyland Community Primary School

• School Impact Award: Gemma Ness, Ysgol Awel Y Mor

• Outstanding Contribution Award: Angharad Williams, Ysgol y Gogarth

• Children’s Choice Award: Justin Johnson, Torfaen Play

The Welsh Government has described Food and Fun as a model for ensuring young people stay active, healthy and connected throughout the summer, particularly during a time when many families feel financial pressure most acutely.

The Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory 2025

THE 2025 Sheep and goat annual Inventory will be available from 1 December 2025 and keepers will have until 31 December to complete it. It asks for the number of sheep and/or goats owned on 1 December on each holding, including on common land and any temporary CPH.

EIDCymru Lead Gwion

Aeron said:

“It’s that time of year when sheep and goat keepers in Wales are asked to complete the annual inventory, and we are here to support you to fulfil that requirement.”

Keepers who have registered for an EIDCymru online account can access the inventory from their EIDCymru

dashboard. Keepers who are yet to register will receive an email or a letter asking them to complete their inventory through an online portal. The email or letter will contain a 6-digit code to be used with the primary holding CPH to access the inventory through the EIDCymru portal. Support is being made

available through drop-in sessions at livestock markets between 1-12 December where staff from the Farm Liaison Service and Farming Connect will be able to help keepers complete their inventories. The EIDCymru team will be on hand to help with a stand at the Winter Fair, located in the Glamorgan Hall.

Gwion added:

“I would encourage all sheep and goat keepers to complete their Annual Inventory as close to the 1 December date as possible so that they can access the full suite of support available. Keepers who have concerns or need assistance can contact EIDCymru on 01970 636959. The office will be open throughout the Christmas period – excluding bank holidays - so please do pick up the phone.

“We can also offer advice on the other valuable services that can be accessed using an EIDCymru online account. These include reporting and accepting sheep moves online which removes the need to post the paper movement licenses, and checking your farm movement records against those held by EIDCymru.”

Welsh Conservatives back Kemi Badenoch’s “positive plan” for farming

THE WE l SH CONSE rvaTI v ES have welcomed a new announcement from Conservative Party l eader k emi Badenoch outlining her proposals to safeguard the future of the U k ’s farming industry.

During a press conference earlier today, Ms Badenoch pledged to scrap what the party describes as the “Family Farm Tax”, cut red tape, reduce bureaucracy, lower energy bills and step up efforts to tackle rural crime. She told supporters that the Conservatives “understand what farmers are going through” and would ensure their voices are heard.

Commenting on the announcement, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Samuel Kurtz MS, said Labour in both Westminster and Cardiff Bay had “made it clear they do not understand rural life.”

“Farmers are facing immense pressures from rising costs, uncertain markets and changes to agricultural policy,” he said.

“Labour’s family farm tax, their inability to deal with rural crime, high energy costs and unnecessary red tape could all be the final straw for many. Today’s announcement reiterates that the Conservatives are the only party standing with our farming communities.”

Mr Kurtz added that the Welsh Conservatives’ own plan for

agriculture, combined with the pledges set out by Ms Badenoch, would help the sector “thrive”.

“Farming in Wales needs a friend,” he said, “and that friend is the Welsh Conservatives.”

Celebrating Local Food Partnerships at the Wales Real Food and Farming Conference

The Deputy first Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, has confirmed that the Welsh government is on track to deliver £2 million funding for local food Partnerships in 2025-26.

The announcement was made at the Wales Real Food and Farming conference taking place in Bridgend - an independent conference on sustainable food and farming Communities across Wales will benefit from stronger local food networks as every local authority in Wales now has an active partnership supporting local producers, tackling food poverty and promoting healthier food choices.

Local Food Partnerships bring together farmers, community organisations, public bodies and businesses to build resilient food systems. The funding, enables partnerships to develop infrastructure, create new local supply opportunities and support growers entering horticulture.

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “Our Community Food Strategy set out how there are opportunities to encourage local food supply by building relationships

between local producers, food and drink businesses and the network of community food initiatives.

“Better connections within communities around food can be used to encourage healthier food choices, tackle food poverty and support social inclusion. Importantly, encouraging environmentally responsible production methods, through communitybased growing and horticulture, can provide benefits for our natural environment.

“All of this aligns with our ambition to connect communities, drive progress for a healthier Wales, create green jobs and growth, and provide opportunity for every family.

“I’m delighted to see the exciting opportunities that are being created through the Local Food Partnerships Funding - which brings people together to consider ways to drive forwards sustainable food and farming in Wales.”

To date, 22 small-scale projects have been awarded grants of up to £22,500 to deliver innovative practices in local authority areas across Wales. Examples include:

Bwyd Powys Food piloting a scheme for subsidised veg boxes, cooking classes and shared meals in Flying Start settings, working with the

as the Uk government prepares for the autumn Budget, the Welsh affairs Committee has released a report highlighting a longstanding concern within the industry: that Uk policy does not always account for the distinct circumstances of Welsh agriculture. The report criticises what it describes as government “complacency” and raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the sector under current policy approaches.

Council, Health Boad and local growers

Bwyd Ceredigion mapping current and potential edible horticulture provision, coproducing a horticultural diversification action plan with farmers

Conwy Food Partnership developing a targeted engagement campaign to embed community voices into the food partnership Food Sense Wales, the delivery arm of Sustainable Food Places for Wales, has been overseeing this process through a central supporting role for the Local Food Coordinators, which includes one to one and peer support; encouraging the development.

Pearl Costello, Sustainable Food Places Manager at Food Sense Wales, said: “It’s great to see Wales’ network of Local Food Partnerships flourishing and creating a real, positive impact in their communities. It’s also really encouraging to see a diverse range of projects being supported.

“These grants will help communities across Wales respond to their areas’ needs as they work to create healthier, more resilient and sustainable local food systems.”

A list of all grants awarded can also be found on the Food Sense Wales Resources page Food Sense Wales

effects on Wales, the Committee calls for a delay to the reforms until a Wales-specific impact assessment is completed.

Agriculture occupies more than 90% of Wales’ land area and Welsh agriculture accounts for around 11% of the UK’s agricultural workforce, despite Wales making up less than 5% of the wider population. It underpins a food and drink sector valued at over £9.3 billion. At the same time, the Committee notes declining livestock numbers, a shrinking workforce and lower average farm incomes when compared with other parts of the UK. Its assessment that Welsh farming is “resilient but under heavy strain” reflects this mixed picture.

The report highlights serious concerns about the UK Government’s proposed inheritance tax reforms, noting a lack of clarity over how they would affect Welsh farming. Committee members warn that the changes could particularly impact elderly farmers and those with terminal illnesses who have planned their affairs around existing tax rules, potentially leaving families with unexpected and significant tax burdens. Criticising Ministers for failing to assess the

Funding arrangements also feature prominently. The decision to “Barnettise” agricultural support - folding previously ring-fenced funding into the broader Welsh Government Block Grant - has raised questions about whether resources for farming will be maintained at current levels. The Farmers’ Union of Wales argued during the inquiry that the change amounts to a real-terms reduction. The Committee has urged the Treasury and the Wales Office to work with the Welsh Government to ensure that support for the sector is not reduced or deprioritised.

Trade policy is another area of concern. The Committee highlights evidence suggesting that recent free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand have had a disproportionate impact on Welsh livestock producers, and notes potential risks from future agreements currently under negotiation.

Looking ahead, the report stresses the need for a clear long-term vision for Welsh agriculture, with pathways for new entrants, stronger focus on food security, and support for economically sustainable farming practices. It concludes by recommending that future UK policy decisions affecting agriculture in Wales be accompanied by Wales-specific impact assessments to reflect the nation’s unique cultural, environmental and economic context.

Big wins for Bigster and Duster at the cinch Car of the Year Awards 2025

DaCIa has done the double, scooping two major titles at the cinch Car of the Year awards 2025. The Dacia Bigster claimed the crown as the ‘Best large SUv’, while the ever-popular Duster was named ‘Best Budget Car’, proving that Dacia’s refreshingly straightforward approach continues to hit the mark.

DaCIa BIgSTEr: BEST largE SUv

The Bigster impressed the judges with its mix of toughness, space and smart technology, all wrapped up in Dacia’s trademark no-nonsense value.

It’s the SUV built for those who

like to do more, whether that’s tackling the school run, loading up for a weekend escape, or heading off-road into the unknown.

As Ben Welham, Motoring Expert at cinch explains: “The Bigster saw off strong competition to win our Best Large SUV category – and deservedly so. Its practical setup, roomy interior and attractive price make it a great choice for both off-road adventurers and busy families.”

Starting from £25,215 on-the-road, the Bigster is available with a choice of mild-hybrid, hybrid and 4x4 powertrains across three trim levels – Expression, Journey and Extreme. True to Dacia

form, its rugged sense of adventure comes as standard.

DaCIa DUSTEr: BEST BUDgET Car

A Dacia favourite and a family staple, the Duster remains the go-to SUV for value-conscious drivers. Starting from £21,820 on-the-road, it offers a choice of three trims and three powertrain options, including an advanced hybrid and a genuine 4x4 version for those who like to venture further. With bold looks, a comfortable interior, and the latest tech and safety systems, it’s an SUV that punches well above its price tag.

The judges agreed. Outlining

the qualities that made the Duster such a strong contender, Ben continued: “In these tough economic times, drivers are increasingly focused on getting value for money – and no car offered more in 2025 than the Duster. It’s comfortable on the road and off, packed full of the latest tech, and delivers a great overall package for the price.”

Luke Broad, Dacia Brand Director for the UK, said: “These awards show that Dacia continues to do exactly what drivers want us to do – build smart, capable cars that fit real lives. Bigster and Duster prove you don’t need to spend more to get space, technology, and toughness that genuinely work day to day.”

Mitsubishi Motors to introduce new vehicles to the UK market from summer 2026

International Motors ltd, a leading Uk-based vehicle importer and distributor, today announced plans to introduce new Mitsubishi vehicles to the Uk market from summer 2026.

The new models, drawn from Mitsubishi Motors’ global lineup, will bring the brand’s latest advancements in innovation and four-wheel drive technologies, to the UK market.

Complementing the established Mitsubishi aftersales network of over one hundred sites, a dedicated number of retailers are currently being appointed to handle sales and customer service. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in summer 2026.

Sharon Townsend, Head of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, commented:

“We’re delighted to be introducing exciting new Mitsubishi vehicles to our loyal

UK customers. Over the past few years, we’ve continued to see enthusiasm for the brand, which has strongly influenced this decision. By building on our trusted aftersales network and dedicated retailer partners, we are committed to providing an exceptional ownership experience.”

Frank Krol, President & CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Europe, said:

“Our upcoming models represent the very best of Mitsubishi Motors’ core technologies in performance, four-wheel drive, and much more. We look forward to a successful introduction in the UK – a market where our brand continues to have a deep emotional connection with loyal customers.”

Further details, including model names, specifications, and pricing, will be announced in due course.

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2026 Mazda CX-60 and 2026 Mazda CX-80 arrive in the UK summer 2026

While the elegant exterior styling of both models remains unchanged, Exclusive-line grade cars now feature new 20-inch alloy wheel designs. replacing the outgoing 18-inch wheel, the new wheels are metallic silver on Cx60 and bright silver on Cx-80, with both designs enhancing overall appearance. across all models, Mazda’s popular Polymetal grey paint colour is added to the Cx-60 and Cx-80 for the first time.

Inside, the enhanced 2026 CX-60 and 2026 CX-80 feature high-quality

materials such as real maple wood, Nappa leather and Japanese textiles working in perfect harmony. Each model remains a true expression of Mazda’s crafted approach and its enduring Crafted in Japan spirit.

New for the 2026 model year, the Mazda CX-60 and CX-80 Homura and Homura Plus variants now offer a stylish tan interior1 with quilted Nappa leather seats, a two-tone leather steering wheel, and a suedelook dashboard while across all trim grades onboard refinement levels are boosted by the fitment of noise-

insulating glass to the front doors. Reinforcing their Euro NCAP 5-star rating, the active safety technology tally on the Mazda CX60 and CX-80 is further increased with all 2026 Mazda CX-60 and CX-80 models now featuring Driver Emergency Assist2 (DEA). Working with Driver Monitoring, DEA detects sudden medical emergencies, takes control, slows the vehicle, and brings it to a safe stop. Once stationary it automatically unlocks the doors to allow emergency responders quick access.

In addition, the 2026 CX-60 now features a suite of safety and driver assistance technologies first introduced on the flagship CX-80. The CX-60’s Driver Monitoring system now comes as standard, along with key safety features such as Smart Brake Support Head-on collision mitigation and Emergency Lane Keeping Headon Traffic Avoidance Assist. Starting from the Exclusive-Line grade, it also includes Smart Brake Support Front Crossing with Front Cross Traffic Alert and Front Cross Traffic Braking, along with the Towing Hitch Guide function. These enhancements strengthen its comprehensive safety package, while additional technologies - including Cruising & Traffic Support with Unresponsive Driver Support3 and Smart Brake Support Rear Crossing4 – are also available.

Day-to-day driver convenience takes a step forward with the introduction of Amazon Alexa5 incar voice recognition, allowing natural voice control for navigation, entertainment, and connected features. The CX-60 also gains a hybrid navigation system offering alternative route calculations, pointof-interest search, and seven years of free map updates.

As well as meeting the Euro6ebis emission standards, the dieselpowered CX-60 and CX-80 models are now approved for the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil 100 (HVO 100) fuel, with the choice of this biofuel underlining Mazda’s ongoing commitment to sustainability through the adoption of cleaner, renewable fuel options.

The enhanced 2026 Mazda CX60 and 2026 Mazda CX-80 lineup reaffirms Mazda’s continued commitment to creating sophisticated SUVs that blend performance and comfort with elegance and classleading style.

Private care providers ‘making hay’ as plan to restrict profits ‘backfires’

a WEll-INTENTIONED policy to restrict profits in children’s care in Wales has backfired, allowing remaining providers to “make hay” and double their costs, a committee has heard.

Jake Berriman, leader of Powys Council, warned an “unforeseen” consequence has left councils with no choice but to cough up because other providers have fled the sector.

In February, the Senedd passed a law aimed at “eliminating” private profit –with looked-after children only cared for by the public sector, charitable or not-for-profit organisations in future.

Cllr Berriman said the Welsh Government’s phased move to restrict profit has seen private providers leave the sector and others have simply doubled their costs

“We have to pay because there is no choice within the market,” he warned. “I think they are making hay while it is there to be made and the sun is shining.

“We’re paying the price for that and that was unforeseen.”

Giving evidence on the Welsh draft budget to the

Senedd’s local government committee on November 13, councils pointed to the increasing demand and complexity of social care.

Jane Gebbie, the deputy leader of Bridgend Council, said: “We’ve got one placement for one young person across Wales at the minute, that’s £20,000 per week – that is excessive.”

Mary Ann Brocklesby, the Labour leader of Monmouthshire Council, added: “We’d all like to say that’s unusual – it’s not, it’s becoming standard. I don’t think there is a local authority across Wales that is not facing that kind of singular cost pressure.”

Cllr Gebbie said people are rightly angry about council tax rises amid a cost-of-living crisis, with poverty increasing demand for public services across the board.

The Labour councillor warned funding for prevention and early intervention has been cut over the years, with councils forced to focus on

in the 2026/27 draft budget.

Calling for an increase of at least 4%, Cllr Brocklesby told the committee council tax makes up nearly 40% of Monmouthshire council’s revenue and “we cannot keep increasing it”.

She said councils are expecting no let-up in constraints before the 2027 local elections.

The councillor told Senedd Members: “A roll-over budget, with a 2.5% increase, doesn’t give us confidence that we will be able to collectively meet all the challenges.”

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) has warned of a funding gap of £436m based on a 2% increase, the equivalent of 14,000 jobs or a 22% average council tax hike. Adjusted for the proposed 2.5% increase, the budget shortfall would be about £400m.

statutory services.

Cllr Berriman said: “There’s a great deal of nervousness around the potential of a rollover budget of around 2%. Even at the 2.5% that has been modelled, that is opening a gulf – a shortfall in budget projections due to in-year pressures.”

He warned of £560m of pressures, “which clearly won’t be covered” by the 2.5% average increase for councils proposed in the Welsh Government’s draft budget.

Cllr Berriman added: “We’re looking nervously across the border at authorities in England which have had section 114 notices [effective bankruptcy] on them and we’ve seen the devastating effects that has as those authorities lose control over their budgets.”

The Liberal Democrat stressed: “We want to avoid that at all costs.”

He called for a “meaningful” funding floor to ensure no council receives an increase less than a certain amount, “reducing the impact of winners and losers out of the settlement”. Ministers have proposed a 2.3% funding floor

Cllr Brocklesby also expressed concerns about increasing national insurance costs, which the Labour Welsh and UK Governments have only partially covered.

She told the committee: “It does mean we have to consider various cost savings across the board, including looking at our workforce. For some councils, that will lead to redundancies… in others it will result in reduced services.”

Cllr Berriman added: “Those frontline services, as ever, are suffering this year and will be suffering next year as a result of this unexpected cost and other cost pressures.”

He warned of a “painful picture”, with every 1% less in the settlement from central government resulting in a 3% council tax increase in Powys.

The council leader told the committee: “The cost pressures… are such that we are diminishing the local government offer and we just can’t carry on on that basis.”

Asked how councils will bridge the estimated £400m gap, Cllr Gebbie bluntly said: “I think the Welsh Government needs to tell us what they don’t want us to do.”

Pembrokeshire millionaires tax calls rejected by council

a Call for Pembrokeshire to back a multi-millionaire wealth tax to support public services submitted by a former councillor, once accused of being the covert graffiti artist ‘Banksy,’ has not gained enough support for it to be debated.

An e-petition on Pembrokeshire County Council’s own website, by William Gannon, a former Pembroke Dock town councillor, said: “We call upon Pembrokeshire County Council to lobby the Welsh and Westminster Governments to demand an increase in funding for all county councils to be paid for by a UK wealth tax of two per cent on individual assets over £10 million.

“This increased revenue should then be spent by PCC on supporting both working and vulnerable people and services throughout Pembrokeshire.

“Pembrokeshire County Council are struggling to maintain services in the face of rising costs and inadequate funding from the Welsh and UK Governments. Two solutions that PCC have identified

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

for this problem are a rise in council tax and/or cuts to the services provided by

“These cuts are being felt throughout Pembrokeshire and have already resulted in, for example, the closure of an adult day care facility and the community art gallery in Pembroke

Dock and are threatening the survival of Pembroke Dock Public Library.”

It added: “Tax Justice have estimated that the introduction of a wealth tax of two per cent on individual assets over £10 million could raise an estimated £24 billion each year in the UK.

“According to Tax Justice: ‘Setting this tax at a high threshold of £10 million in assets would ensure that only a tiny proportion of the population are impacted – just 20,000 people – yet would raise significant funds for our public services’.”

If a petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a future full council meeting; more than 100 will trigger a debate at a council overview and scrutiny committee.

The e-petition, which closed a few days ago, generated 91 signatures.

Back in 2022 the-then Cllr Gannon resigned from the town council saying the allegations he was the cult artist were undermining his ability to represent his ward.

Tourism sector ‘bled dry’ by red tape, industry leaders warn

TOUrISM bosses have warned businesses are being “bled dry” by red tape amid fears new licensing rules will drive small family-owned operators out of the market.

In written evidence to the Senedd, North Wales Tourism urged ministers to “slow down”, warning of a growing regulatory burden and a 30% business downturn in some areas.

Last week, the Welsh Government set out plans to license self-contained, self-catering accommodation on the back of reforms including a tourism tax and mandatory registration.

North Wales Tourism, which represents more than 1,300 businesses, stated its members feel the sector is being “bled dry” to fund other priorities without reinvestment.

The not-for-profit membership organisation warned additional red tape risks driving investment toward competitor destinations such as Ireland, France or Spain.

Appearing before the Senedd economy committee on Thursday November 13, Glenn Evans, who chairs North Wales Tourism, said the industry is already facing a “ream” of challenges.

Mr Evans warned of a lack of data on the sector, which is Wales’ largest private-sector employer, warning the bill has the potential to disrupt the marketplace.

“The consequential effects of it could be profound,” he said. “And of a scale as yet unimaginable or able to quantify as far as the Welsh Government is concerned.”

He agreed consultation and engagement on the tourism bill had been tokenistic.

without a clear evidence base and time to scrutinise,” he said.

thousands of pounds in additional costs… so any additional requirements or fees have to be seen within that context.”

Asked about a £75 annual licence fee, Mr Reith questioned the credibility of the indicative figure and described a £4.5m forecast of compliance costs as an underestimate. A previous evidence session heard fees in Scotland range from £205 to £5,698.

Mr Evans, who runs hotels in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, expressed concerns about the 182-day letting threshold to qualify for business rates instead of the higher council tax.

A self-catering operator for more than 25 years, he told the committee: “There is a cumulative impact, just the sheer volume of legislation to get our heads around.”

Mr Evans described layering a licensing scheme for some operators on top of registration as onerous, with some second home owners stopping letting due to the increased burden.

Charlie Reith, a board member of the Short-term Accommodation Association, suggested the tourism bill has been rushed through by Welsh ministers.

“We are concerned the Senedd is being asked to approve something

He described the Welsh Government’s acknowledgement that it has been a “particularly busy time” for the tourism industry as a “huge understatement”.

David Chapman, executive director of UKHospitality Cymru, told the committee the industry has been “beset” by regulations over the past five years.

Mr Reith, who is also an Expedia group director, said: “If you’re operating a self-catering business, you’re facing much more regulation than you have done in previous years.”

He said operators face applying for planning permission, 100% increased council tax, removal of small business rates and tax changes for furnished holiday lets.

He told the committee: “Cumulatively, that is potentially

Mr Reith warned too many elements, such as details of the licence renewal process, are left to future regulations rather than set out within the bill providing certainty. On enforcement, he suggested powers of entry and inspection set out in the bill were “too intrusive” and called for reassurance through guidance about how the powers will be used.

Mr Reith argued against plans to potentially make booking platforms criminally liable for ensuring thousands of operators display correct registration details.

Councils warned new licensing rules – which will come into force in 2029, if passed – could impact Wales’ ability to host major events by deterring casual hosts from renting out rooms.

In written evidence, the Welsh Local Government Association said small-scale providers usually absorb demand during the Six Nations and Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. Council leaders warned informal hosts may simply withdraw their properties from the market if faced with more compliance costs, putting a squeeze on precious accommodation space.

Older patients ‘prematurely’ moved to care homes to free up hospital beds

OlDEr patients are being “prematurely written off” and discharged into care homes simply to free up hospital beds, a Senedd committee has warned.

Senedd Members found a focus on “patient flow” rather than outcomes meant temporary moves often became permanent, stripping older people of their independence.

John Griffiths, who chairs the Senedd’s local government committee which held an inquiry on hospital discharges, said improving step-down care needs urgent attention.

He warned: “We heard the push to free up hospital beds is often driving older people into residential care prematurely, with no focus on rehabilitation and access to therapy.

“We all know that a hospital is not an appropriate environment for people to recover but neither

is a residential home without a focus on recovery.”

The committee was alarmed by evidence of people being “prematurely written off” through the practice of routinely and inappropriately discharging older people into care homes.

Mr Griffiths, the Labour Senedd Member for Newport East, said: “What may initially be seen as a temporary measure often becomes permanent as they lose independence.

“People shouldn’t be removed from acute hospitals into care homes just to free up hospital beds, important though that is.

“They need appropriate intermediate care with therapeutic and nursing input. We need to focus on patient outcomes – not just patient flow.”

He concluded: “To see any real change in hospital

discharge, we urgently need better partnership working across health and social care, and greater parity between these important sectors.”

Mr Griffiths expressed disbelief that fax machines and paper-based systems are still being used in 2025, with patient information held on disconnected IT systems.

And Lee Waters, a fellow Labour backbencher, described performance on digital as woeful.

He warned: “Digital Health and Care Wales is behind on progress on all of its major programmes, and is in special measures, and is in complete denial.”

Mr Waters criticised the Welsh Government’s response to digital recommendations for containing “weasel words”, arguing ministers were refusing to mandate best practice.

The former minister said: “The Kremlinologist in me decodes that as, ‘We are not going to do anything different from what we are currently doing’.”

The Conservatives’ Joel James warned of a lack of consistency leading to wide variation across Wales’ 22 councils and even within health board areas.

Mr James told the Senedd: “It is simply not acceptable that people in Wales face a postcode lottery in the care they receive.”

The former councillor also highlighted the plight of unpaid carers, arguing the entire system would struggle to cope without them plugging gaps in provision.

Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor echoed concerns about a “divided nation”, calling for a national care service to

bring councils and health boards together.

He said: “Regional partnership boards look different in one part of Wales compared to another and operate inconsistently across the nation, something that is contrary to the rhetoric of fairness and dignity in care that the government is so keen to highlight.”

Mr James told the Senedd: “It is simply not acceptable that people in Wales face a postcode lottery in the care they receive.”

The former councillor also highlighted the plight of unpaid carers, arguing the entire system would struggle to cope without them plugging gaps in provision.

Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor echoed concerns about a “divided nation”, calling for a national care service to bring councils and health boards together.

He said: “Regional partnership boards look different in one part of Wales compared to another and operate inconsistently across the nation, something that is contrary to the rhetoric of fairness and dignity in care that the government is so keen to highlight.”

She insisted the government is “holding regions to account” for delivering best practice and would be meeting partners in the coming weeks to ensure improvements.

Ms Bowden committed to a “rapid review of intermediate care practices” to strengthen reablement efforts and help people stay at home.

In closing, she told the Senedd: “Leaving hospital is not the end of care but the start of recovery, independence and a healthier Wales.”

Urgent warning as fake NHS calls target GP patients

a WarNINg has been issued after reports of a new scam in which fraudsters pretend to be calling from the NHS, telling people they must “update their gP records” or risk being removed from their doctor’s patient list.

The automated calls appear to come from ordinary UK mobile numbers. Patients are told they must act immediately or face being struck off. Health officials have confirmed

the calls are entirely fraudulent.

The NHS has stressed it will never phone patients to demand updates to their records, threaten removal from a GP list, or ask for personal or bank details.

Cybersecurity specialist Javvad Malik said the scam works because it plays on people’s trust and sense of urgency. “When you hear something about your GP records, it sounds official,” he said. “If you’re busy, you may react before you have the chance to think. Never share personal or payment details with an unsolicited caller.”

What to do if you receive one of these calls

• Do not respond to any of the instructions.

• Hang up straight away.

• Contact your GP practice using the number on its official website or your appointment letters.

• Never click on links or call any

numbers given in a suspicious message.

If you have already engaged with the scam

• Tell your GP practice what happened so they can reassure you that no action is needed.

• If you disclosed bank information, contact your bank immediately.

• Change any passwords you reused and enable two-factor authentication.

• Report the incident to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

• Be cautious of any further suspicious calls, texts or emails.

Patients across the UK are being urged to stay alert and warn family members, particularly older or vulnerable people, who may be more likely to engage with an automated call.

Have your say on the future of social care

OlDEr people across Wales are being urged to share their experiences of social care to help shape major improvements to the system.

The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales has launched a nationwide call for evidence, inviting people to describe what support they receive, what works well, and where services are falling short.

The feedback gathered will be used to assess whether the quality of care being delivered matches the standards set out in current Welsh policy and legislation. Concerns already raised with the Commissioner suggest this is not always the case.

A full report will be published in 2026, setting out the Commissioner’s findings along with recommendations for action by local authorities and other public bodies.

Social care covers a wide range of support — from help with everyday tasks such as washing, dressing or preparing meals, to support in care homes and community-based services such as day centres.

Older people who use any form of social care can share their experiences by completing a short questionnaire online or over the phone. Paper copies are also available via freepost. The survey is also open to family members and friends who may wish to respond on behalf of an older person.

The Commissioner, Rhian BowenDavies, said: “Social care plays a crucial role in the lives of many older people across Wales, offering vital support to enable people to live safely and independently, and have the best possible quality of life.

“In Wales we have legislation, policies, regulations and standards designed to ensure that social care is focused on people’s individual needs and is delivered to the highest standards.

“But the issues raised with me at engagement events and via my Advice and Assistance Service suggest that this is not always the case, with people experiencing care that falls short of the quality they should expect.

“That is why I want to examine these issues in more detail, using the voices of older people as my evidence base, to identify the difficulties people are facing and the action needed to address them.

“So I am urging older people who use social care services, as well as their families and friends, to get in touch with my office and complete a short survey to share their experiences.

in Wales

“Alongside hearing about the issues people are facing, I am also keen to hear about what is working well so I can highlight good practice that is making a positive difference to older people’s lives.

“I will publish my findings in 2026, together with recommendations for action by local authorities and other public bodies to deliver the change and improvements older people want and need to see.

“I am looking forward to working with older people and key organisations across Wales to drive meaningful change and help create a social care system that empowers older people to live well, age well and stay connected, while ensuring they are treated with the dignity and respect that everyone has a right to.”

Health board asks people with flu or gastric symptoms to stay away

HYWEl DDa University Health Board is urging people with respiratory or gastric symptoms – such as flu or gastroenteritis – to avoid visiting friends and relatives in hospital to help prevent the spread of infection.

The health board says anyone feeling unwell should stay away from all hospital sites. This includes people with flu-like symptoms, respiratory infections, or anyone who has had diarrhoea or vomiting within the last forty-eight hours. The same advice applies to those who have recently been in close contact with someone showing these symptoms. Rebecca Richards, Head of Infection Prevention at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said:

“We always like to welcome visitors to our hospitals, and a visit can be very beneficial to patients. However, illnesses such as flu, diarrhoea and vomiting pass easily from one person to another, and at this time of year these viruses circulate more frequently in the community.

“They can be serious for sick and vulnerable patients, so I would urge people not to visit at this time if you are unwell or have recently experienced these illnesses. It’s important to be completely free of symptoms before coming in.”

Anyone who has a hospital appointment and has experienced diarrhoea, vomiting, fever or flu-like symptoms in the past forty-eight hours is asked to contact the number on their

appointment letter to check whether the appointment is urgent or can be safely rescheduled.

Could Castlemartin camp be used for asylum seekers?

a Call for assurances from the Home Secretary that a Pembrokeshire military training camp will not be used to accommodate asylum seekers has been made by a local Senedd member.

Samuel Kurtz MS has written to the Home Secretary, the Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP, seeking urgent assurances following reports that Castlemartin Training Camp could be used to accommodate asylum seekers.

Speaking in the Senedd Chamber, Samuel Kurtz also raised the issue directly with Welsh Ministers, who confirmed that the Welsh Labour Government has had “no contact” with the UK Government regarding any proposals for Castlemartin.

In his letter, Samuel Kurtz warns that any move to repurpose the site would have serious implications for national defence and local services.

“Castlemartin is one of the United Kingdom’s few facilities capable of hosting live firing exercises at battlegroup level,” he said. “It provides vital training for our armed forces, and any restriction on its use would represent a serious loss of national defence capability at a critical time.

“It has also been used by soldiers from other nations, including Ukrainian armed forces, to support their efforts in repelling Russia following its invasion.”

The MS also raised concerns about the suitability of the location for residential use.

“Castlemartin’s rural setting and limited infrastructure make it completely inappropriate for large scale accommodation. Local health and public services in Pembrokeshire are already stretched, and access to transport and amenities is limited,” he added.

“The site would likely be serviced by local GP practices, such as Argyle Medical Group, where there are already concerns in the community that access to these services is inefficient.”

In the letter, Samuel Kurtz calls on the Home Office to rule out the use of Castlemartin, and nearby Penally Camp, for asylum accommodation, and to ensure full consultation with the Welsh Government, local authorities and elected representatives before any decisions are taken about the use of military or public land in Pembrokeshire.

He added: “Our armed forces need certainty that their training

facilities will be protected, and our communities deserve to be properly consulted. I am concerned that the UK Labour Government is hiding behind the headlines, saying they are closing hotels while pushing the problem onto local communities.”

The Home Office, Pembrokeshire County Council, and local MP Henry Tufnell have all been contacted for responses.

Pembrokeshire has previously seen military facilities used to house asylum seekers.

Penally camp, which has been in existence since 1860 as a military training facility, was prominent in the headlines between October 2020 and March 2021 when it became the controversial base for asylum seekers.

Amid protests from inside and outside its gates, the camp housed up to 250 asylum seekers at the height of its occupancy.

It came under fire from its residents and independent inspectors for its poor living conditions.

After the last of the asylum seekers departed, it was handed back to the MoD by the Home Office, who had previously repurposed it; the camp itself closed in late 2022.

Senedd’s speaker issues dire warning over £22m ‘black hole’

THE SENEDD could face a £22m funding gap and run out of money to pay staff, politicians and contractors by january 2027, the Welsh Parliament’s speaker has revealed.

Elin Jones, the presiding officer or Llywydd, warned of dire knock-on effects for the Senedd of a failure to agree the Welsh Government’s 2026/27 budget.

Labour lacks a majority and needs opposition support to pass its spending plans. If the deadlock is not broken, the Senedd – like the government – would be forced to operate on

75%, and subsequently 95%, of this year’s budget in the next financial year from April.

Ms Jones said such a scenario would present a significant financial challenge, resulting in the Senedd effectively running out of cash after only nine months in January 2027.

She told the Senedd’s finance committee that expansion from 60 politicians to 96 at the May 2026 election will cost about an extra £13m in pay and allowances.

Ms Jones, who chairs the Senedd commission, which manages the estate and support services, wrote: “This represents the principal factor behind a potential funding gap of around £22m.

“Such a shortfall could not be managed by simply reallocating resources, as the majority of the commission’s budget is committed to staff costs and contractual payments.

“Any reduction in these areas would likely incur further costs, such as redundancy payments or early termination penalties, thus intensifying budgetary pressures and significantly

limiting the resources available to support the parliament at the outset of the new Senedd.

“If the Senedd were in this position, the budget would run out after month nine. This would mean an inability to pay staff, contractors, members and their support staff from this point.”

Ms Jones, who will stand down after two terms as Llywydd next year, suggested the Senedd would try to bridge the gap through a supplementary budget motion following the election.

The finance committee, chaired by Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths, was concerned by a lack of contingency planning being undertaken by the commission.

In a letter, Ms Jones accepted all the committee’s recommendations following scrutiny of the commission’s £102m draft budget for 2026/27 – an £18m or 21% increase on 2025/26.

In an update on plans for the Pierhead in Cardiff Bay, Ms Jones said the grade one-listed building will primarily be retained for use by the Senedd. But she confirmed the commission will

explore commercial interests but the process is unlikely to conclude before May 2026.

She also offered an update on the “Bay 2032” project, which is looking at options for office space with the lease on Tŷ Hywel the red-brick building behind the Senedd set to expire.

Ty Hywel is located behind the Senedd Ty Hywel is located behind the Senedd

The speaker wrote: “This process has demonstrated that simply rolling-over the existing lease would not necessarily satisfy the accommodation requirements of the commission nor provide best value for money to the taxpayer.

“There are, it is now clear, alternative options that may provide better value.”

Other options are thought to include buying Tŷ Hywel, taking up a nearby building, or building new offices but a final decision is expected to be pushed beyond the next election.

The Senedd will debate a motion on the commission budget on Wednesday November 19 but pivotal votes on the Welsh Government’s spending plans will follow in the new year.

St Florence learning difficulties care home plans withdrawn

PlaNS for a care home for adults with learning diifficulties in a south Pembrokeshire village, which raised many local objections, have been withdrawn.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the Keys Group, through agent Spector Design Ltd, sought permission for a change of use of Quarry Bach, St Florence to a 14bed care home.

Accomplish, part of the Keys group, is a specialist provider of support for people with Autism, Learning Disabilities and Acquired Brain Injuries.

A supporting statement said, at present, The Haven (Haverfordwest) is Accomplish’s only service in Pembrokeshire, with demand extremely high.

“Quarry Bach will help to address this local demand by providing a dedicated service for people with additional learning needs,” it said, adding: “By doing so, it will reduce the likelihood of individuals being placed far from their home county, family, and support networks, something that can otherwise delay recovery and create unnecessary pressure on both families and healthcare services.”

It added: “The home is intended to

provide high-quality, person-centred support for adults who are ready to take positive steps forward in their recovery journey. Many of the people we support want to live in smaller, quieter communities rather than large urban areas, as this often provides the stability and calm they need to rebuild confidence and independence.”

It went on to say: “Placements at Quarry Bach will be commissioned by health

boards and local authorities, primarily within Wales. While some people may come from the Pembrokeshire area, others may be referred from surrounding counties where there is a need for high-quality communitybased mental health support.”

It stressed: “We want to reassure the community that this is not a large institutional facility but a carefully managed home, designed to help people live fulfilling lives within the community, while respecting the peace and character of the village.”

Local community council St Florence

held a public meeting attended by more than 80 people after the plans were mooted, with 80 responses, 54 of them objecting to the plans. Concerns raised included lack of detail in the application, limited outdoor space, the location being unsuitable, the size of the facility, a potential negative impact on the village, and potential safety issues with several residents stating “they would be afraid of walking alone in the village, and also afraid for their children”.

The application also saw the council’s Social Services & Housing Directorate saying it did not recommend approval as it is not considered there was a need for additional residential care services for 18-65-year-olds; the county having “an oversupply of residential care services for working age adults in comparison with the Wales average,” adding: “If this development is permitted, any demand is anticipated to come from other Local Authorities and Health Boards. An increase in placements from out of area would put further pressure on already stretched local services e.g. hospitals, mental health services, social services etc.” The application has now been marked as withdrawn on the council’s planning portal.

Six-month wait for livestock policy answer sparks anger from MS

a SIx-MONTH delay in responding to concerns about proposed cuts to livestock numbers has sparked criticism from Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel kurtz, who says the Welsh government appears “quietly content” with plans that could reshape the future of Welsh farming.

Mr Kurtz wrote to Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, on 15 May seeking clarity on the Government’s position following the UK Climate Change Committee’s (UKCCC) recommendation that cattle and sheep numbers in Wales fall by 19 per cent by 2033.

The UKCCC recommendation forms part of its wider decarbonisation modelling for the UK agriculture sector. The committee has argued that reducing overall livestock numbers is one route to lowering methane emissions, although farming unions in Wales say the approach risks undermining food production and exporting emissions overseas.

Mr Kurtz received a reply dated 13 November — a delay he described as “unacceptable.”

Welsh Government: review ongoing, no explicit rejection

In his letter, the Cabinet Secretary confirms that Welsh Government officials are reviewing the UKCCC advice as part of preparations for

Wales’ fourth Carbon Budget (2031–35), which must be set before the end of the year. The Carbon Budgets — required under the Environment (Wales) Act — determine the emission reduction pathway the country must follow.

The response acknowledges that the UKCCC’s modelling anticipates cattle and sheep numbers falling from 10.9 million in 2025 to 9.7 million by 2030, with the Cabinet Secretary noting that some of this change is “largely being driven by market forces.”

The Welsh Government stops short of endorsing or rejecting the 19 per cent figure. Instead, Mr IrrancaDavies highlights that current livestock numbers in Wales are already below the UKCCC’s projected 2025 baseline, and says herd and flock trends will continue to be monitored through UK market oversight systems.

SFS flexibility stressed — but modelling still includes reductions

The Cabinet Secretary also references the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), due to replace the Basic Payment Scheme from 2026.

He emphasises that the SFS is “outcome-driven” and should provide more flexibility than earlier economic modelling assumed — particularly around habitat and stocking requirements.

Officials have stated that previous modelling took a “worstcase” approach by assuming every participating farm would face uniform stocking restrictions. The Cabinet Secretary says this will not be the case in practice.

However, his letter also confirms that reductions in livestock numbers — and the associated impact on farm incomes — remain a factor within the wider decarbonisation pathway under consideration.

Kurtz: “Deeply concerning for farmers and food security”

Responding to the reply, Mr Kurtz said the combination of delay and tone should alarm the agricultural sector. He said: “It’s unacceptable that it has taken this long to provide a response. While the Scottish Government has objected to the recommendation, the Welsh Government appears to be quietly content with it. This is deeply concerning for Welsh farmers, our agricultural industry, the wider supply chain, and our long-term food security.”

The MS has urged farmers and rural businesses to complete his ongoing farming survey, which he says will help shape future scrutiny of Welsh Government policy.

W ITH ANDREW LYE

This article is the last before the Chancellor makes her Budget speech on 26th November.

The media have carried stories on what they think are going to be included. We are told that business and individuals are pausing plans until Rachel Reeves finally tells us what changes she is proposing.

The Liberal Democrats have made our proposals known.

We would immediately cut VAT from 20% to 15% for hospitality, accommodation, and attractions, boosting struggling high streets and slashing prices for hardpressed families. The Liberal Democrats have a bold £12bn plan to tackle the rising cost of living which has made going out an “unaffordable luxury” for many.

The party is also calling on the Chancellor to reduce household energy bills by removing the current “renewables obligation” levy. This combined support package, which would be in place until April 2027, would save a typical family around £270 over the next eighteen months.

The proposals would be funded by a new windfall tax on big banks, originally proposed by the Institute of Public Policy Research think tank, which could raise around £30bn in total between now and 2030. Less than half of this revenue would be needed to cover the cost of the VAT cut and that of replacing the current renewables obligation levy, which would cost around £7.5bn and £4.5bn respectively over the next eighteen months.

The Liberal Democrat plans would also boost footfall in Britain’s pubs, restaurants and

entertainment venues, tackling the double whammy of higher taxes and lower spending currently hammering UK food and drink venues.

Recent research by More in Common has shown that nearly two in three Brits (59%) think meals out at restaurants are unaffordable for most people. Over half (51%) said nights out at the pub are out of financial reach for the average person, while 45% said the same about a trip to the cinema.

Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson and Deputy Leader, said:

“People are working with their nose to the grindstone all month and have next to nothing left over after sky-high bills and spiralling food prices.

“In years gone by people knew they could look forward to fish and chips with their family on a Friday night or a weekend trip to the cinema. Now those small joys – the ones that make life worth living – are becoming an unaffordable luxury for too many.

“High street businesses have been hammered by the jobs tax and higher business rates bills, so it’s no wonder that so many treasured pubs, restaurants and cafes are boarding up their shopfronts, taking with them vital jobs and local community spaces.

“Our plans to cut VAT on hospitality and energy bills for households would put £270 back into people’s pockets, making it more affordable to heat their home and allowing them to spend more on occasional extras. This would help to drive economic growth, restore our high streets and give the country a muchneeded morale boost.”

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

Wales’ top lawyer backs ban on expoliticians judging old colleagues

Senedd Members should be permanently banned from judging the conduct of old colleagues, Wales’ top lawyer has suggested – contradicting plans in a new recall bill.

The recall bill includes a twoyear cooling-off period before former Senedd politicians can become “lay” members of a committee which recommends sanctions for misbehaviour.

But Julie James, who is counsel general, the Welsh Government’s chief legal adviser, argued the disqualification should be for life to overcome public cynicism.

She made the comments on Monday November 17 while giving evidence on plans to introduce a system of recall, which would allow voters to remove politicians between elections.

Under the bill, for the first time, lay members would be appointed to the Senedd’s standards of conduct committee but – unlike in other parliaments – this could include former members.

Douglas Bain, the standards commissioner who investigates complaints about Senedd Members, has warned two years is too short and called for a fouryear ban.

But Ms James went further, telling the legislation committee former Senedd politicians should not be able to sit as lay members in judgement of their old colleagues at all.

She told Senedd Members: “For what it’s worth, as a

framework without dictating internal rules to the Senedd –and she suggested the Welsh Government was open to amendments.

She said: “We felt very strongly that we shouldn’t start from the point of view of the government telling the [Senedd] commission how to conduct its business.”

Alun Davies, a Labour member of the legislation committee, raised concerns about plans to create electionrelated offences, including around false or misleading statements of fact.

personal thing, not speaking as the counsel general, I think it should be a permanent disqualification.

“I think you would be permanently thought of as being in whatever camp you’d been in when you were elected – and that’s just a personal view, it’s not a government view.

“But, I can see, if you’re trying to overcome cynicism and so on, the idea that that person is now non-aligned and independent is difficult.”

Asked about the rationale for including the proposed twoyear cooling-off period in the bill, the former solicitor told Senedd Members: “I mean it’s a place to start if I’m honest.”

Adam Price, the former Plaid Cymru leader, warned: “The degree of perceived conflict of interest here is possibly even greater because you’re being appointed not just to any external organisation but to the sub-committee of an institution you were a member of.”

PlaID CYMrU MS aDaM PrICE

Ms James concluded: “If you’ve been an elected member of the Senedd, you shouldn’t be allowed to be a lay member of one of its committees because, frankly, I don’t think you’d ever be regarded as ‘lay’ by anyone.”

She stressed ministers are walking a fine constitutional line – seeking to establish a legal

Mr Davies warned the can was being kicked down the road, saying: “We’re being asked here to put on the statute book a duty to create an offence which itself isn’t defined.

He added: “But that feels like an extraordinarily unsatisfactory way of making law… It does not feel like we’re creating a serious piece of law here.”

Ms James told her colleague: “It’s for the next government and the parliamentary authorities to define that offence, yes.”

Mr Davies said: “You’re going to wish your successors well with this, I trust,” drawing a laugh from the counsel general.

Senedd Members heard an existing criminal offence on false statements during elections would be widened beyond a narrow focus on the character or conduct of another candidate.

But Ms James highlighted the need to “insulate” a bill “right on the edge” of devolved powers, saying: “We need to make sure we don’t push it so far that the whole thing fails.”

She warned the final vote on the bill would fall on the last government sitting day of term, with royal assent before dissolution on April 8 but after the Senedd rises at Easter.

She said the tight timetable means the bill would instantly fail if the UK Government was to refer the question of whether it is within the Senedd’s powers to the Supreme Court.

The counsel general told the committee: “We’re very keen that that doesn’t happen so we are perhaps being hypercautious about it.”

Council underspend of £1m is predicted

PEMBrOkESHIrE County Council, which has had many fears of budgets firmly in the red in recent years, is on course to end the financial year £1m in credit.

A report to be heard at the council’s corporate overview and scrutiny committee, meeting on November 20, will outline the financial position for the second quarter of the current financial year, with a projected outturn of £325.6m for the agreed £326.6m budget, representing a £1m saving.

However, that figure is lower than the first financial quarter of 2025-’26 picture, which predicted an underspend of an even more impressive £2.2m.

Pembrokeshire County Council actually ended the last financial year underspending by £2m, in part due to an extra £1.2m raised through second homes tax, councillors have previously heard.

In recent years the situation has been far bleaker, with third quarter projections for the 202324 budget of an overspend of £6.6m, £3m up from quarter two’s £3.6m, which in itself was a reduction of the previous quarter one figure of a £4.8m predicted overspend.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

The end of the 2024 financial year reduced that to a £3m overspend, and by November 2024 – the 2024-25 year –the council was predicted to overspend by £3.9m, later, this February that prediction reduced to £1.4m, before the final underspend.

The November 2025 committee report, and any responses, will later by considered by Cabinet on December 1.

A report for members says:

“The increase in rolling budget expenditure and income is due to the receipt of grants confirmed during Q2, where possible this has been used to fund core expenditure,” adding a reduced net contribution from reserve relates to additional appropriations made into reserves as a consequence of waste management Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) payment requirements.

It says a “continued increase in level of demand, complexity and cost of packages within our School ALN provision, Children’s Services and Adult Services experienced during 2023-24 and

BLUE VIEW

With Cllr Mark Carter

EvErY month as part of my role as the County Councillor for Solva, I write a piece that is published in the Solva and St Davids News . recently I wrote how the Second Homes premium operates and where I feel it needs improvement and I thought I would share it with the Herald

Last month a full Council meeting was held at County Hall and the main item on the agenda was the setting of the 2nd homes premium for 2026-7.

2024-25 has been recognised in base budget increases in these service areas for 2025/26,” adding: “It is hoped that the work being undertaken to try to manage the increase in demand and reduce the cost of packages will help to flatten these demand levels into 2026-27 and over the medium term financial plan.”

It says pressures include a shortfall of £1m on budgeted assumptions in funding towards the increased cost of Employers’ National Insurance Contributions, and a 2025-26 teachers pay award resulting in an additional £0.4m pressure on school budgets in 2025-26 and a further £0.7m full year base pressure for 2026-27; but there is a projected underspend of £3.281m in Capital Financing Cost.

Director of Resources Jon Haswell in the report says: “It is pleasing to note that we are still projecting a year end underspend at the end of Quarter 2, albeit less than that projected at Quarter 1, primarily due to an underspend in capital financing costs more than offsetting all other additional budget pressures.”

Members are recommended to back the budget monitoring report.

This surcharge was introduced from April 2017 and was intended to ensure 2nd homes owners put something back into the community they owned a property in . The funds were to be split 50/50 between worthwhile community projects and building affordable homes for local people . Solva was soon to benefit by firstly receiving funding to buy the AFC clubhouse and then in 2019 £3m was allocated to build 18 houses. However despite the best efforts of the Solva CLT , this project has suffered many delays and despite being granted planning permission , the concerns of Natural Resources Wales over nitrate levels has ground many developments including this one to a halt

Second homes broadly fall into 2 categories, those that are used by owners from other parts of the country as an actual second home for their own use and those that are owned, quite often by local people who may have inherited them , bought them or developed them from disused buildings and then rented them out as a business to provide an income as short term holiday accommodation in many case to subside their pension.. Whilst 2nd homes generally have a detrimental effect on a community often making villages seem deserted in the winter months and pricing local people out of the housing market, , Solva and Pembrokeshire as a whole relies on tourism and many of the Solva businesses would struggle without visitors so it is a fine balance. Self catering accommodation is a very important part of the visitor offer with new people every few days eager to try what food, drink and activities the area has to offer

The way the 2nd homes premium is charged and

used has changed . When it started it was 50% , it has risen to 200% and this year it is 150%, next year it is 125% which I supported after suggesting 100% which failed at a vote . The way it is used has gone from 50/50 community projects and new affordable housing to 92% general spend , 6 % housing and 2% community projects . In my view this is hardly what the application of the premium set out to do and I believe PCC has become addicted to using these funds to balance the books as it is an easy income source . Indeed it was even said that if the premium was reduced, then there was a threat to increase Council Tax

For those property owners letting out their holiday property for more than 182 days , then the Valuation Office (VOA) will allow that property to transfer to paying Business Rates from Domestic Council tax. The advantage of this is that for the first 2 properties that person owns, due to small business relief the cost is zero and then after that about £2000 per property, compared to about £5500 per year on 2nd homes premium Council Tax. If the letting property drops below 182 days a year over a 3 year average then the cost goes from zero to £5500 or about the entire takings for the school summer holidays . In effect if the business struggles and earns less, the taxes go up massively, how is that ever right ? Why penalise a business when they are down ?

In my view, I believe that every property should pay something , say a minimum of £2000 per year with a higher rate for exclusive 2nd homes than those let out properties that do offer an income to their owners and the community in general. I believe the Welsh Government needs to look at this aspect of the taxation system and reform it so that communities benefit again with either more affordable houses or help to buy schemes for first time buyers .The current system is not fit for purpose in my view. I doubt the current Welsh Government will do anything now in this term but I strongly hope that whoever takes office will do something to support these small businesses , the smaller but vital players in the tourism industry

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EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

THE NHS WAS BUILT ON MORAL EVOLUTION — NOT SELFISHNESS

DEar SIr,

TODaY, while attending my local hospital for a flu jab, I noticed a sign on the wall reminding us of one of the great enduring truths upon which the NHS was founded in 1948 — by the labour and liberal parties — that in taking steps to preserve our own health, such as through vaccination, we also take the most effective action to protect the health of every other person on the planet. We are interdependent.

This is not merely a sentimental notion, but a proven and universal truth — one revealed through centuries of scientific and ethical discovery. Through the dedication of great minds, both material and abstract truths have been passed down from the universe itself to humankind, the most advanced of all mammals on this planet — a planet 13.7 billion years in the making. The design of this universe, as we can see it so far, teaches a clear lesson: we are meant to care deeply for others. After four billion years of life evolving on Earth, we should have learned this lesson well. Family life, devotion, and sacrifice — values seen in all mammals — have evolved into ethical principles of the common good, championed by Puritans and

Roundheads in the seventeenth century, and by social reformers in the nineteenth, who fought for democracy, universal education, and social protection through pensions and unemployment benefits. Every one of these advances was opposed by Conservatives in their day — in 1870, in 1909, and again with the founding of the NHS in 1948. Yet each represented another step in our ethical evolution.

I have never understood why Conservative and reform parties continue to resist the proven design of this universe — one built on cooperation, compassion, and interdependence. When former Prime Minister David Cameron introduced policies denying support to a family’s third child, I could not help but ask: what species would make such a choice? No mammal on Earth would abandon its young. Why, then, would any adult human do so?

N. Westerman SALVATION ARMY

CHRISTMAS PRESENT APPEAL

DEar SIr,

THE Salvation army is calling on communities in West Wales to share love and hope this Christmas by donating new toys to its Christmas Present appeal to give children a Christmas they deserve. Every year The Salvation

Gift vouchers for older children are also welcome.

Donations can also be made through The Entertainer’s Big Toy appeal until 29 November. Customers buy an extra toy to donate when they visit a store or shop online at TheToyShop. com. For each toy donated, The Entertainer will also add one, doubling the gifts for children who might go without.

Each Entertainer store in Wales works in partnership with The Salvation Army locally who will collect and distribute the toys.

For more information about the Christmas Present Appeal and ideas about gifts, visit our website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/ christmas-present-appeal

MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

Army asks people to donate new toys and gifts for children whose families make impossible choices between paying for food, heating, and bills.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Roberts, who leads The Salvation Army in Wales said:

“Our Christmas Present Appeal is an opportunity for people in our community to give to families and individuals who might have very few of the comfort’s others enjoy.

“Christmas is a time of love and celebration, but for many households it’s a time when financial worries are brought into sharp focus for families who are struggling to heat their homes, let alone provide presents for their children.

“The Christmas present appeal is one way that we put our belief into action, showing love where it’s needed most. We believe every child deserves to experience the joy of receiving a gift on Christmas morning. I am always overwhelmed by the generosity of people in Wales in supporting our appeal each year and we hope to ensure every child wakes up on Christmas Day with a smile on their face.”

The Salvation Army churches in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Swansea will be collecting donations of new unwrapped toys, which will be distributed to children and families in the area through local groups, schools, and social services.

Gifts can include educational toys, baby clothes, bath toys, dolls, action figures, sports equipment, clothing, gloves, scarves, hats, T-shirts, hair accessories, or books, including learn-to-read books (for babies and toddlers).

DEar SIr,

fOr a long time, I have noticed that many people around the world wish to live life their own way — not god’s way.

And what has this brought us? Broken marriages, cohabitation, divorce, same-sex relations, human trafficking for prostitution and organs, drug abuse, prostitution, abortion, IVF, single parenthood, surrogate motherhood, pornography, and blasphemy. All of this, I believe, comes from Satan, because too many are listening to the world shouting in chaos, and too few are listening to God’s voice in silence.

We must turn to Jesus, who is the only way, before it is too late. Our Lady has warned that The Warning is coming soon, and we must be prepared. She said thousands upon thousands are going to Hell — where the Enemy awaits with open arms — while only a few reach Purgatory, and very few enter Heaven. It is a great pity that so many souls will suffer eternal fire and condemnation.

Our Lady tells us to persevere a little longer, for life is short. She asks us to pray the most important prayer — the Holy Rosary — every day, to attend Sunday Mass, and to go to Confession and receive Holy Communion regularly.

So I proclaim to all the world: do not give Satan the chance to take us with him. Live your life according to God’s will. If we begin to live that way, God will help us to save our souls and be with Him for eternity.

Mario Micallef Malta

death notices

LYNN M ACKEEN

T HE death occurred peacefully at Morriston Hospital on Sunday 9th November of Mr lynn Mackeen aged 80 years of Milton Terrace, Pembroke Dock.

Loving Husband of Joan. Dad to Del, Manda and Leanne. Pop to his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Also a Brother, Brother-in-law and Uncle.

Funeral Service will take place on Thursday 27th November at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 10.45am

There will be family flowers only with donations, if so desired for Wales Air Ambulance 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

R ICHARD W ILLIAM FANUS

T HE death occurred, suddenly but peacefully at home on Thursday 6th November 2025 of Mr r ichard William f anus, aged 79 years of Templebar r oad, Pentlepoir.

Dearly loved husband of Josie. Wonderful Dad to Marie and Ben, Helen and Geraint.Treasured

Grandad to Jacob. A dear Brother to Maureen.

Richard will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

The funeral service will take place on Monday 1st December 2025 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, at 1.00pm.

There will be immediate family flowers only with donations in lieu, if so desired for The Pembrokeshire Foodbank & British Heart Foundation c/o E. C. Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 and 21 Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 or via www. ecthomasandson.co.uk

T HOMAS ‘”TOMMY ” ‘ G EORGE R OBERTS

T HE death occurred suddenly but peacefully at his home on Monday 27th. October of Mr. Tommy r oberts of St. f lorence. He was 72.

One of Pembrokeshire’s best loved characters, Tommy will be greatly missed by all his family and everyone that knew him.

The funeral will take place on Friday 21st. November with a service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium at 3.15. pm where friends please meet.

Tommy loved all sports and his family would be delighted if people attending the service wore bright

colours or came in one of their sports tops.

Family flowers only please but if desired, donations in lieu in memory of Tommy for The Wales Air Ambulance may be sent to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN, Tel. 01646 683115, who are carrying out the arrangements.

J ANET TALLETT

T HE death occurred at home on Saturday 25th October 2025 of Mrs. j anet Mary Haslope Tallett, aged 80 years of Shropshire r oad, Pembroke Dock.

Janet will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

A private funeral service will take place on Friday 28th November 2025.

Philip and Lance invite you to join them for refreshments at Pembroke Dock Community Hall (behind St. John’s Church) from 3:00pm to celebrate Janet’s life.

Should you wish to make a donation in memory of Janet, please kindly forward direct to Greenacres Rescue, Ebbs Acres Farm, Talbenny, Haverfordwest SA62 3XA

Funeral arrangements are being carried out by E. C. Thomas and Son, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 and 21 Main Street, Pembroke SA71

4JS (01646) 682680

BARBARA A NN S HARON S HONE

Bar B ara passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on the 4th November aged 74 years.

Dearly loved Mum to David and Debs, adored Nana B and Aunty Babs, she will be greatly missed by all her family and many friends.

Her funeral service is to take place on Friday 28th November 10.45am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

The family have requested smart, casual, comfortable clothing and a splash of red, in honour of her beloved Liverpool Football Club.

Family flowers only, donations, if desired, for The British Heart Foundation can be made at www. tributefunds.bhf.org.uk/In-Memory/ Barbara-Shone.

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WHAT A RESULT!

CYMrU produced a scintillating display of attacking football to demolish North Macedonia 7–1 at Cardiff City Stadium, securing a home semifinal in the 2026 World Cup playoffs and sending their fans into raptures.

Captain Harry Wilson stole the show with a hat-trick, including two penalties and a stunning freekick, while Brennan Johnson, David Brooks, Daniel James, and substitute Nathan Broadhead also found the net. North Macedonia’s solitary reply came from Bojan Miovski, taking advantage of a rare lapse by goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

From the outset, Cymru looked in command. A penalty in the 18th minute allowed Wilson to open the scoring, followed swiftly by Brooks’ deflected finish from Johnson’s cross. Although North Macedonia responded through Miovski, Cymru never lost composure, with Johnson restoring a two-goal cushion before the break.

The second half saw the Dragons turn the contest into a rout. James added a goal following a clever back-heel from Wilson, before Wilson’s free-kick and second penalty completed his hat-trick. Broadhead sealed the emphatic victory in the dying minutes, leaving the Welsh fans chanting long after

the final whistle.

Craig Bellamy’s side dominated possession and created chance after chance, showcasing attacking flair even without several first-team regulars. The manager praised the performance as “as close to perfect as I’ve seen,” while Wilson’s leadership underlined why he is pivotal to Cymru’s ambitions.

This commanding win not only secured Cymru second place in Group J but also sets up a World Cup play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina in March 2026. With home advantage in the semi-final, the Dragons will now prepare to take the next step on the road to Qatar.

CYMRU 7 - 1 NORTH MACEDONIA

NEW ZEALAND arrive

WElSH supporters will file into the Principality Stadium on Saturday with a familiar mix of hope, anxiety and expectation as Wales prepare to take on the all Blacks.

It is a fixture that resonates far beyond the Autumn Nations Series — one deeply woven into the fabric of Welsh rugby.

A Reunion with a Giant

New Zealand’s dominance in this rivalry is undisputed, having won 34 of the 37 meetings between the sides. But for Wales, this encounter carries emotional and symbolic heft. Their last meeting in Cardiff ended in a sobering 55–23 defeat, and Wales know they are not simply contesting a match — they are fighting for belief and respect.

Fresh Blood, Fresh Energy

Head coach Steve Tandy has again opted for bold change. Harri Deaves, the 24-year-old Ospreys openside flanker, is set to make his Wales debut. With Olly Cracknell ruled out through injury, Deaves offers pace, aggression and an uncompromising work rate — precisely the qualities Wales will need in the back row.

Further changes come in the backs, where Joe Hawkins returns at inside centre to add greater physicality, while Tom Rogers steps in on the wing for

the suspended Josh Adams, bringing a fresh attacking spark. Tandy’s selections underscore his willingness to trust in youth and take calculated risks — not only in pursuit of victory, but in service of longerterm progress.

The Pressure Is On and It Belongs to Wales

Wales arrive buoyed by a dramatic, last-minute win over Japan, sealed when replacement Jarrod Evans landed a decisive penalty as the clock struck red. That steel will be essential against New Zealand, even with the All Blacks expected to rotate heavily and rest several senior players.

For Tandy’s Wales, this fixture represents far more than another autumn test. They are piecing together a new identity, and the Japan performance — imperfect but gritty — hinted at a side learning how to close out tight contests.

Stakes Beyond the Scoreline

A victory over New Zealand would be seismic. It would signal that Tandy’s rebuild, and the emergence of players like Deaves, is moving from aspiration to reality. With more than 73,000 supporters expected inside the Principality, the atmosphere will be charged with possibility.

All of this unfolds against the backdrop of continued turbulence in Welsh rugby:

financial strain, regional restructuring and governance questions remain pressing concerns. A strong showing on Saturday could offer a much-needed lift for fans and players alike.

Challenges Ahead

Beating the All Blacks is never straightforward. Their precision, particularly when granted space, has long troubled Wales. But if Wales can front up physically, play with invention, and maintain discipline, they have every chance of disrupting New Zealand’s rhythm.

Deaves’ selection is a risk, but one that could pay off handsomely if he replicates the intensity and breakdown nous he has shown for the Ospreys. Hawkins’ return adds ballast and tactical edge to the midfield.

The Welsh Heart Will Matter

Rugby in Wales is more than sport; it is part of the national heartbeat. Saturday’s contest is not merely about points on offer — it is about pride, belief, and proving that Wales can stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best.

The Principality faithful will understand that. They will feel it. And should Wales deliver a performance worthy of the occasion, it may yet become one of those defining moments that echo far beyond the final whistle.

Finalists announced for 2025 Sport Pembrokeshire awards

THE finalists for the 2025 Sport Pembrokeshire awards have been revealed, with 39 individuals and teams set to go forward to the gala ceremony later this month.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, expressed his gratitude to those who submitted nominations. “A big thank you to everyone who has sent in nominations. The judging panel has had an extremely tough task to whittle down the nominations to the finalists,” he said. “Pembrokeshire punches above its weight when it comes to sporting prowess and I am sure that the Awards will be another celebration of both onfield achievements and the work behind the scenes of countless volunteers and coaches.”

The awards aim to recognise those who have excelled in sport over the past 12 months, as well as those who have devoted their time to coaching and organising grassroots sport. The overall winners will be unveiled at a gala ceremony organised by Sport

Pembrokeshire at Folly Farm on 28th November. The event will also reveal the recipients of three special awards: the School Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

This year’s awards are sponsored by Valero, Folly Farm, and Pure West Radio.

The finalists in the Girls Under-16 category are Mary Falconer, who competes in climbing, Cerys Griffiths, a swimmer, and Ava Tyrie, who represents the county in mixed martial arts. The Boys Under-16 category features Conor Cremona, a weightlifter, Elijah Jones, who competes in surfing, and Ned Rees-Wigmore, a hockey player.

Carew Sports Club, Chaos Netball Club, and Milford Haven Hockey Club have been shortlisted for Club of the Year, while the Junior Disability Award contenders are Jake Evans of Llangwm RFC, Jack Gray of Fishguard Thunderbolts, and Ella Meacham of Windswept

The Young Volunteer of the Year category includes Enfys Battelley-de Torres from Camrose AFC, Alannah Field of F & G Hockey Club, and Alannah Heasman from Haverfordwest High School and Pembrokeshire College. The Junior Team category sees BJJ Pembrokeshire Junior MMA Team, HHVCS Year 7 Girls Rugby, and Merlin’s Bridge FC Under 14’s in contention.

Three nominees have been selected for the Unsung Hero Award: Sarah Bagley of Windswept Watersports, Geoff Daye of Lamphey Cricket Club, and Jenny Lewis of Clarbeston Road AFC. Meanwhile, the Senior Team award will be contested by East Williamston Short Mat Bowls Club, Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club, and Pembrokeshire Hockey Club’s Ladies 1’s team.

Individual achievement awards also feature prominently, with Llew Bevan, a darts player, Liam Bradley in triathlon, and gymnast

Reuben Lerwill shortlisted for Male Achievement. Female Achievement nominees include runner Sanna Duthie, judoka Ria Jones, and sailor Amelia Nuttall. The Disability Sport Award contenders are Rachel Bailey in boccia, Evelyn Thomas in weightlifting, and Hannah Webster in CrossFit.

In recognition of contributions behind the scenes, the Club Organiser category features Huw Jones of Haverfordwest Golf Club, Leanne Jones from Camrose AFC, and Silfan RhysJones of Fishguard Table Tennis Club. Finally, the Coach of the Year award will be contested by Jamie Barrellie of Tenby Sharks Girls Rugby, Rob Codd of F & G Hockey Club, and James North of Kilgetty AFC.

The Sport Pembrokeshire Awards continue to celebrate the county’s vibrant sporting community, honouring both exceptional performances and the dedication of volunteers, coaches, and organisers who support sport at every level.

manderwood Pembrokeshire leagUe

WHAT A RESULT!