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JOHN HEALEY in Pembrokeshire on first visit since taking office • P5
Andy Burnham Visits p6
Rapist Jailed
Sentenced to 21 years P3
Man found Beaten
Man Unconscious in road P7
Chancellor visits Port of Milford with pledge to support growth
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Child rapist jailed for 21 years over years of abuse A SERIAL child rapist who subjected the same survivor to years of sexual abuse in the Ammanford area has been jailed for 21 years. Jordan Richards, aged 35 and from Kidderminster, admitted 36 non-recent child sex offences after changing his pleas during his trial at Swansea Crown Court. Richards had originally denied the allegations, but pleaded guilty to every charge on the second day of the trial after the court had begun hearing evidence about abuse which took place between 2012 and 2016. The offences included 31 counts of rape and the production of more than 600 indecent images of the survivor. Richards returned to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, August 21, when he was handed an extended custodial sentence totalling 25 years. He will serve a 21-year prison sentence, followed by a four-year extended licence period. The charges included assaults by penetration, oral and vaginal rape, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and the production of hundreds of indecent images. Sentencing Richards, the judge described his offending as “cruel and isolating” and said the images demonstrated what he described as Richards’ “lustful and filthy attitude” towards the survivor. The judge also recognised the “profound and lasting effect” the abuse
had caused to the survivor and their family. Richards was also made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the survivor. He will be required to comply with notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act for life. Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock, of Dyfed-Powys Police, praised the courage shown by the survivor in reporting the abuse and continuing through the investigation and court proceedings. He said: “I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight the bravery of the survivor of this abuse. “Richards subjected them to abhorrent sexual abuse through fear and control. It takes immense courage to overcome that and come forward to give evidence.
Man to face Crown Court trial over officer’s broken arm A GOODWICK man is to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court after pleading not guilty to wounding an on-duty police officer who suffered a broken arm. Luke Harvey, 23, is accused of wounding PC Robert Garland during an incident in Haverfordwest on December 15, 2025, while the officer was attempting to search a vehicle in which Harvey was a passenger. “When the officer said he was going to search the vehicle, Luke Harvey became very aggressive, lashing out with his hands and trying to push his way past,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week. “The defendant was going wild, and PC Garland believed he was under the influence of something.” The prosecution alleges that as PC
Garland attempted to bring the situation under control, Harvey began pulling the officer’s arms downwards inside the vehicle. “PC Garland felt his arm pop with a searing pain,” Ms Vaughan told the court. “As a result, he lost all strength in his arm and broke the ulna in his forearm. He’s still off sick as a result of the complications.” Harvey, of Allt y Carne, Goodwick, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Although magistrates accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case, Harvey elected to be tried by a jury at the Crown Court. Proceedings will continue at Swansea Crown Court on September 25. Harvey was released on unconditional bail.
“It’s thanks to their resilience through the investigation that Jordan Richards will spend a significant amount of time in prison. “I truly hope that this result gives them a sense of justice and peace and enables them to move forward with their life.” DS Pocock also thanked investigating officer DC Phil Morgan and specialist staff from the force’s Digital Forensic Unit for their work securing and presenting evidence in the case. He added: “I hope this conviction encourages other survivors, who have yet to come forward, that justice can be served despite the time that may have passed. “Our specialist officers will work
alongside Independent Sexual Violence Advisors from New Pathways to compassionately support you through the process.” The survivor also issued a statement following the sentencing, saying the lengthy investigation had taken a heavy toll but praising those who had supported them throughout the case. They said: “I would like to say that I am pleased with the outcome of today’s sentencing. The investigation has been long and has without doubt been very heavy on myself. “I want to thank Dyfed-Powys Police for all the time, dedication and support they have provided me throughout the process and, importantly, making me feel safe.” The survivor gave particular thanks to DC Morgan and DS Pocock, as well as the specialist support organisation New Pathways. They added: “This case hasn’t been easy at all but I would encourage people that are yet to come forward to report it as you will be listened to and supported. “We are not victims, we are survivors.” Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse can contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Specialist support is also available through New Pathways.
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Three launches in four days keep Fishguard RNLI volunteers busy
operation began at 1:22pm on Saturday (Aug 22), when both the station’s Trentclass all-weather lifeboat Blue Peter VII and its inshore lifeboat were requested to launch. A member of the public had reported hearing noises coming from the beach at Pwll Deri, west of Strumble Head, and feared somebody may have fallen from the cliffs and been injured. Both lifeboats made best speed towards the area, with the all-weather lifeboat travelling ahead to create calmer conditions for the smaller inshore craft following in its wake. Fishguard and St Davids Coastguard teams, a Coastguard helicopter, Wales Air Ambulance, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Welsh Ambulance Service were also deployed. Nothing immediately obvious could be seen when crews reached the bay. The all-weather lifeboat remained offshore to provide support while the inshore lifeboat moved closer to the beach to carry out a detailed search. Coastguard teams on the clifftop reported that although they could see most of the beach, several areas remained obscured from view. Two members of the four-person inshore lifeboat crew were put ashore to search the beach, while the Coastguard helicopter used thermal-imaging equipment to scan the area from above.
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FISHGUARD RNLI volunteers were called out three times in just four days last week, responding to incidents ranging from an automatically triggered crash alert to a large-scale search for a suspected cliff casualty. The three launches, between Wednesday and Saturday, involved both the station’s inshore and all-weather lifeboats and demonstrated the wide variety of situations faced by volunteer crews. Dropped phone triggers emergency response The first call came at 1:54pm on Wednesday (Aug 19), when HM Coastguard requested the launch of the station’s D-class inshore lifeboat, Edward Arthur Richardson. BT had received an automatic vehicle collision notification from the coastal area between Cwm-yr-Eglwys and Aber Fforest. The lifeboat made best speed around Dinas Head, but when the crew arrived there was no sign of a vehicle or anyone requiring assistance. Enquiries were made in the area, including with people aboard a yacht situated below the coastguard team on the clifftop. It was eventually established that one of those aboard had dropped a mobile phone, apparently triggering its
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No casualty was found.
automatic emergency response. Once crews were satisfied nobody was in danger, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station. Windsurfer helped to safety The second call came at 4:31pm the following day, Thursday (Aug 20), following reports of a windsurfer in difficulty in the water below Fishguard Fort. The inshore lifeboat launched immediately and headed towards the scene, but by the time the crew arrived the windsurfer had managed to reach safety. Lifeboat volunteers made contact with the casualty, who was shaken but otherwise unharmed. With no further assistance required, the crew returned to station. The shout also marked a special milestone for father-and-son volunteers Warren and Alfie Bean, who were taking part in a service launch together for the first time. Major search after reports of possible cliff casualty The
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However, crews spotted several seals and their pups on the beach, and those involved in the search concluded that their varied calls were the most likely source of the noises reported by the member of the public.The incident was therefore recorded as a call made with good intent and all emergency services were stood down. ‘We would much rather attend’ Fishguard RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Cedwyn Rogers said the three incidents demonstrated how crews must be prepared for almost anything. He said: “It’s not often that we have this number of launches in a week, and the variety of them demonstrates that our volunteers really have to be prepared for anything when responding to a launch request. “Whilst two of the three launches resulted in false alarms, it is important to remember that if you believe somebody may be in difficulty, we would much rather attend and confirm all is well than that call not be made through fear of wasting our time or that of our search and rescue colleagues. “If you are, or you believe somebody else is, in difficulty around the coast, please call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.”
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Chancellor visits Port of Milford Haven with pledge to support coastal growth CHANCELLOR JOHN HEALEY has pledged to support jobs and investment in coastal communities during his first official visit to Wales since taking office. Mr Healey visited the Port of Milford Haven on Thursday (August 27), accompanied by Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock, local MP Henry Tufnell and Welsh Labour finance spokesperson Huw Thomas MS. The politicians met staff and apprentices and were briefed on the port’s contribution to the Pembrokeshire and wider west Wales economy, including its role in the energy, tourism and maritime sectors. The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s leading energy port and handles a significant proportion of the country’s seaborne energy supplies. It is also developing projects intended to support the transition towards renewable and lower-carbon energy. Mr Healey described the port as an example of the UK Government’s ambition to deliver “growth in every postcode”. He said: “For the UK Labour Government, growth is about creating good jobs in every postcode — including coastal communities such as Pembrokeshire in west Wales. “With government, industry and local communities working more closely together, we are determined to deliver rising investment, better jobs and bring hope back.” Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock said Milford Haven was one of the most important energy hubs in the UK. He said the energy cluster surrounding the Haven supported almost 5,000 skilled Welsh jobs and helped to power millions of homes. Mr Kinnock added: “This Labour Government will back Welsh and British businesses and ensure their success is shared by the communities where industry belongs.” Tom Sawyer, chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven, said the visit provided an opportunity to discuss both the port’s national importance and its work within the local community. He said: “As the UK’s leading energy port, we are proud of our contribution to national resilience and economic growth. However, our impact extends far beyond our operations. “As a Trust Port, we are deeply committed to creating lasting social value across Pembrokeshire and west Wales through our investment
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in young people, skills, education, community partnerships and local initiatives. “The visit provided a valuable opportunity to discuss both the strategic importance of the port to the nation and the positive difference we are making in the communities we serve. “We look forward to continuing to work with government and partners to ensure that the benefits of our success are felt by future generations across the region.” Welsh Labour also used the visit to draw a contrast between the actions of the UK Labour Government and the first 100 days of the Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government. Since becoming Prime Minister in July, Andy Burnham has announced a reduction in VAT on electricity bills, which Labour says will save an average household £45 this winter. His government has also extended railcard eligibility for teenagers in education or training and introduced a £2 bus fare cap in England. Huw Thomas MS accused the Welsh Government of failing to match that pace. He said: “Speaking with the Chancellor and Welsh Secretary and discussing first-hand their ambition for Wales stands in stark contrast to what we have seen from the Plaid Cymru Government so far. “While the Labour UK Government is acting urgently to ease the cost of
living and drive economic growth, Plaid Cymru’s first 100 days in government have been underwhelming and unambitious. “We have seen government
bureaucracy and paperwork, but no real action or decisions on the issues that matter to people.” The Welsh Labour release did not include a response from Plaid Cymru.
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Andy Burnham visits Wales on first official trip PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham is visiting South Wales today (Thursday, August 27) on his first official trip to the country since entering Downing Street. Mr Burnham is meeting workers and apprentices as part of what Downing Street has described as a UK-wide “listening tour”, focused on jobs, the cost of living and the economic pressures facing communities. Speaking ahead of the visit, the Prime Minister said the answers to the country’s challenges would not come from an “echo chamber”, but from communities which understood their own strengths and from a government prepared to listen and act. Mr Burnham said: “I am in South Wales because the answers to the UK’s challenges will not come from an echo chamber. “They will come from the places that know their own strengths, and from a government willing to listen and then act. “Good jobs in every community, in every part of the UK. That is what I want every leader in this country signed up to.” The visit comes as the new Labour government seeks to emphasise economic growth, employment and household finances during Mr Burnham’s first weeks as Prime Minister. Discussions in Wales are expected
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to focus on industrial strategy, energy costs and the future of wellpaid employment, with South Wales continuing to face major economic challenges following restructuring in heavy industry and manufacturing. The visit has also prompted fresh calls for action over household energy costs, infrastructure investment and support for rural communities. Welsh Liberal Democrat spokesperson David Chadwick MP said Labour’s record in Wales meant the Prime Minister would be judged on delivery rather than promises. Mr Chadwick said: “Andy Burnham says he is coming to Wales to listen to people struggling with the cost of living, but Labour ran Wales for 26 years until May. “In that time, wages remained the lowest of the UK nations, child poverty was the highest, and Labour utterly failed to build the prosperous Welsh economy it repeatedly promised.” He called on the UK Government to reform the energy market, support farmers, properly fund rural services and ensure Wales received what he described as its fair share of infrastructure investment. Mr Chadwick added: “Wales doesn’t need another Labour listening exercise. Wales needs action.”
Mr Burnham’s visit is also expected to form part of a wider effort to reset relations between Westminster and the devolved nations, with the Prime Minister stressing that economic growth should be spread more evenly across the UK.
The trip comes little more than a month after Mr Burnham became Prime Minister, and as his government prepares to set out further measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures and improving economic confidence.
Man admits stealing prescription tablets from person at Withybush Hospital A MAN has admitted stealing prescription medication from another person at Withybush Hospital. Jamie Rawlinson, 35, of no fixed abode, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Aug 24). The charge relates to an incident at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest, on August 1, when Rawlinson stole prescription tablets belonging to another person. The value of the medication was recorded by the court as unknown. Rawlinson indicated a guilty plea to theft from a person. Further offences The latest case will be dealt with alongside a number of other offences to which Rawlinson has already admitted guilt. These include racially aggravated harassment following an incident in Haverfordwest on July 27, when he shouted abuse within the hearing or
sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress. He has also admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress on the same date. Rawlinson has indicated a guilty plea to a racially aggravated assault by beating in Haverfordwest on July 24, and has pleaded guilty to a separate assault by beating committed on July 29. Remanded in custody Rawlinson was remanded in custody following Monday’s hearing. Court records state that bail was refused on the grounds that he was considered likely to offend and likely to abscond, with reference made to his previous record, character and the nature and seriousness of the offences. He will appear again at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on September 14 for sentencing.
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Man found badly beaten and unconscious in Letterston
A MAN in his 40s was found badly beaten and unconscious in a road in Letterston on Friday night, prompting a significant police investigation. The Herald understands the man was discovered shortly after 9pm by a 15-year-old boy, who raised the alarm. Emergency services attended the scene and the road was subsequently closed while police officers and forensic teams carried out examinations and worked to establish exactly what had happened. The man is understood to have suffered serious injuries. The Herald further understands that a woman was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning in connection with
the investigation. However, the reported arrest has not yet been confirmed through official police channels. The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police and asked the force to confirm whether an arrest was made, the nature of any suspected offence, and the current condition of the injured man. Police remained at the scene into Saturday while forensic enquiries were carried out. The forensic examination has now concluded and the road has reopened to traffic. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident remain ongoing.
Haverfordwest stalker remanded
A HAVERFORDWEST man who admitted stalking a woman and breaching a Crown Court restraining order has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. Graeme Berry, 40, of City Road, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Aug 24). Berry has admitted stalking the woman over a period stretching from September 4, 2025, until August 4 this year. The charge states that he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking by sending emails and
following her around Haverfordwest in attempts to make contact. Berry changed his plea to guilty at an earlier hearing on August 11. Restraining order breached He has also indicated a guilty plea to breaching a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on September 4 last year. Under the terms of that order, Berry was prohibited from communicating with the woman. The court charge states that he contacted her without reasonable excuse during the period covered by the order. Magistrates committed Berry to Swansea Crown Court for sentence and ordered that he remain in custody. Court records state that the decision to refuse bail included concerns that he was likely to offend and cause injury or fear of injury to an associated person, as well as concerns over potential interference with witnesses. The court also noted that Berry had offended while on bail and referred to the nature and seriousness of the offending and his previous record. Berry is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on September 7.
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From the Herald to Sky
Pembrokeshire murders investigation becomes major three-part documentary AN INVESTIGATION which began inside The Pembrokeshire Herald newsroom, and which saw months spent examining thousands of pages of documents relating to one of the county’s most notorious murder cases, is to become the subject of a major three-part Sky documentary. Sky announced today (Wednesday, Aug 26) that The Pembrokeshire Murders – currently a working title – will air on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW later this year. At the centre of the three-hour series are Pembrokeshire locals Andy Chandler and Hayley Wood, whose investigation into the murders for which John Cooper was convicted has developed from local investigative journalism into a story which will now reach a national television audience. For The Pembrokeshire Herald, today’s announcement represents a particularly significant moment. The origins of the investigation go back to Andy Chandler’s time working as a journalist at the Herald. But this was far more than a passing interest in the Cooper case. Over many months, the Herald devoted considerable time to examining the convictions, going through thousands of pages of documents, records and other material as questions began to emerge about aspects of the case. Chandler was heavily involved in that work while part of the Herald team, and the investigation gradually developed far beyond the scope of an ordinary newspaper story. As the case progressed and material was taken to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the Herald reached a point where it could no longer
take the investigation further. Chandler, however, did not stop. He continued pursuing the case independently, working with Hayley Wood and continuing the painstaking examination of the evidence away from the newspaper. That independent work has now developed into something on a scale few could have imagined when the original investigation began in Pembrokeshire. Sky says Chandler and Wood initially approached the case from a very different direction – examining whether Cooper could have been responsible for further crimes. But after the pair began working together, their investigation took what Sky describes as an “unexpected direction”.
They obtained and examined material from Cooper’s original defence case which they believe raises questions about his convictions and could point towards other possible suspects. Police remain confident that Cooper is the right man and have questioned whether material examined decades later, without the full context of the original investigation, can undermine the conclusions reached at the time. Material relating to the case is now being reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. John Cooper was convicted in 2011 of murdering siblings Richard and Helen Thomas at their Pembrokeshire home in 1985 and Peter and Gwenda Dixon on the Pembrokeshire Coast Path in 1989.
The convictions followed one of Britain’s best-known cold-case investigations and later inspired the ITV drama The Pembrokeshire Murders. But today’s announcement marks a very different chapter. Sky says its documentary has been given extensive access to Chandler and Wood throughout their investigation and will feature previously unseen material and archive footage, first-hand testimony and expert analysis. The three-part series, produced by Magna Studios, will examine the evidence which led to Cooper’s conviction alongside the questions subsequently raised by Chandler and Wood. For those of us at the Herald who remember how the investigation began, there is something remarkable about seeing where it has now ended up. It started with a local newspaper prepared to spend months going through documents, asking difficult questions and following leads which were far from straightforward. When the Herald’s role in that process reached its natural limit, Andy carried on independently. The questions continued. The documents continued to be examined. The investigation continued to grow. And now, years after that work first began, it is to become three hours of national television on one of Britain’s biggest broadcasters. From months of investigation at The Pembrokeshire Herald, through thousands of pages of documents, to an independent investigation and now Sky Documentaries. Quite a journey.
Newcastle Emlyn man remanded over alleged threat to kill former partner A NEWCASTLE EMLYN man has been remanded in custody after being accused of threatening to kill his former partner in Haverfordwest. Michael Sudbury, 51, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week via video link from HMP Swansea. Sudbury, of Bryn Mawr, Newcastle Emlyn, is alleged to have contacted his former partner on March 12 and asked her to pick him up. The court heard that when she refused, Sudbury allegedly began making threats, saying he would travel to her address and kill her. “When she told him that her partner was with her, he said it would make
no difference,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told magistrates. “He told her that he would shut her up and threatened to jump on the train to Haverfordwest and kill her.” The prosecution further alleged that when police attended Sudbury’s property, he told officers he had walked away “because he was going to kill her”. Officers were said to have described his behaviour at the time as “particularly erratic”. Sudbury pleaded not guilty to making threats to kill. He was remanded in custody and is due to stand trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on October 19.
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Ombudsman criticises councillor’s reaction to Farage assassination graffiti THE PUBLIC Services Ombudsman for Wales has declined to investigate a complaint about a Pembrokeshire councillor’s reaction to a socialmedia post showing graffiti referring to the assassination of Nigel Farage. However, a decision notice dated August 24 says Cllr Billy Shaw’s response could be considered “insensitive and inappropriate” and later describes it as potentially “inappropriate and inflammatory”. Cllr Shaw represents Fishguard North East on Pembrokeshire County Council and was elected for Plaid Cymru in February. The complaint concerned a photograph shared by an account in the name of Nigel Farage. The graffiti reportedly referred to Mr Farage’s assassination, while the accompanying caption stated: “Graffiti calling for my assassination in Folkestone. This is what we are up against.” According to the decision, Cllr Shaw reacted to the post by adding what the Ombudsman described as a “smileyface emoji”. The complainant alleged that the reaction amounted to condoning a hate crime and suggested that Cllr Shaw would be happy if Mr Farage were murdered. Crucially, the Ombudsman did not uphold that allegation and made no finding that Cllr Shaw supported the
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agraffiti, its message or any violence against Mr Farage. Instead, the decision considered whether the reaction may have breached provisions requiring councillors to treat others with respect and avoid conduct capable of bringing their office into disrepute. The Ombudsman found no evidence that Cllr Shaw had been acting in his role as a councillor when he reacted.
The account appeared under the name “Billy Shaw” and the material presented did not show him referring to his elected position. Although the disrepute provision can apply to conduct in a councillor’s personal life, the decision said there was no evidence that the reaction had damaged Cllr Shaw’s ability to perform his role or harmed the reputation of Pembrokeshire County Council. It concluded that a sanction would be unlikely even if a breach were proved and that a formal investigation would therefore not be in the public interest.
Nevertheless, the decision contains a clear criticism of the reaction. It states that the Ombudsman “does not condone the Member’s actions” and says councillors must avoid careless comments or reactions on social media, particularly amid increasing threats against politicians. Cllr Shaw was reminded of his obligations under the Code of Conduct and advised to consider official guidance when using social media. The decision will also be retained. The Ombudsman said that if further complaints involving similar behaviour were received, the ruling would be taken into account and an investigation could then be considered. The decision comes shortly after Cllr Shaw publicly condemned racist graffiti painted on a beach shelter at Parrog Beach, Goodwick. After the offensive material was removed earlier this month, he said: “We have no place for this in Fishguard and Goodwick, none at all.” The Herald has invited Cllr Shaw to explain what he intended by the emoji, whether he accepts the Ombudsman’s criticism and whether he sees any inconsistency between the reaction and his subsequent condemnation of graffiti in Goodwick. Any response will be added to this article.
Friend left with fractured tooth after prolonged attack in Milford Haven A CONVERSATION between two friends descended into a vicious and prolonged attack that left one of them with injuries to his face, body and teeth, a court has heard. “Out of the blue, he punched me in the face about seven times and kicked me in the face on numerous occasions, using both feet,” Terry Bristow said after Joshua Daines admitted assaulting him and causing actual bodily harm. Haverfordwest magistrates heard that the two men had previously enjoyed a good relationship. However, on the evening of October 23, 2024, Daines arrived at Mr Bristow’s home after consuming a large quantity of alcohol. “We talked about random things, but then Daines began to get very angry,” Mr Bristow told police. “He punched me in my face at least seven times and began kicking me with both feet.” As Mr Bristow attempted to get up from the floor, Daines grabbed his television and threw it across the room before kicking him several more times. The attack left Mr Bristow with cuts
to his lips, headaches, a cut to his arm, swelling around his right eye and considerable pain throughout his head and body. A fractured central incisor later had to be removed. “I was very frightened of what he was going to do and didn’t know when he was going to stop kicking me,” Mr Bristow said in a victim impact
statement. “It made me feel very disappointed. My door has always been open to him, and I classed him as a friend.” Daines, 26, of Larch Road, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and causing criminal damage to the television.
His solicitor, Alaw Harries, said there had been no premeditation and described the attack as an “impulsive and spontaneous act”. “The offences date back to 2024, so it has taken almost two years to reach the court,” she said. “At the time of the incident, the defendant was experiencing some substantial personal difficulties and was consuming a large quantity of alcohol. “Since then, he has used this considerable period of time to address his alcohol misuse and has voluntarily engaged with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service without the benefit of any court order or probation.” After considering a comprehensive pre-sentence report, magistrates imposed an 18-month community order. Daines must complete a 120day alcohol abstinence monitoring programme and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was ordered to pay Mr Bristow £300 compensation for the damage to his teeth and £200 for the damaged television. He must also pay an £85 contribution towards prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.
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Pembrokeshire man admits breaching order banning contact with father
A VOLATILE relationship between a father and son has reached the courts after a 20-year-old man admitted breaching an order which prohibited him from contacting his father. Max Fairbairn appeared in custody
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before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court following an incident at Observatory Avenue on Monday, August 24. Police were called at around 10.30am
after 999 calls were made by Fairbairn’s father, his sister and a neighbour concerning an alleged altercation between the two men. The court heard that William Fairbairn alleged his son had thrown a large mug of tea over him and scratched his parked car with a stone. When officers arrived in Observatory Avenue, they saw Max Fairbairn walking along the street carrying what was described as a metal bar approximately 20 inches long. Body-worn camera footage was played to the court in which his father could be heard telling officers that his son had been violent. “We were fighting outside and he damaged my car and then ran off, effing and blinding,” William Fairbairn was heard saying. Max Fairbairn admitted breaching the order preventing him from having contact with his father, but denied assaulting him by beating, causing criminal damage to his car and possessing an offensive weapon, namely a metal bat. Giving evidence, Fairbairn said he was currently living in a caravan close to his father’s home and had become isolated from other members of his family. “I had no gas bottle, no water, no shower and no toilet that I could use, so I went to my sister’s house to try and make some food,” he told the court. “There was no answer, so I walked back to my caravan, saw my father and he said I could go up to his house. “And it all started from there. He got angry with me, started getting mad, and he took his anger out on me.” Fairbairn maintained that any physical actions on his part had been in selfdefence. “My father came towards me and jumped at me,” he said. “I’m not a person that escalates situations, but everyone gets mad. “My father jumped at me, I jumped back at him, he came out, we squared up, he swung at me and caught me at the side of my head.
“He hit me again and that’s when I hit him back in self-defence.” Fairbairn claimed the altercation continued on the ground and said he later noticed swelling to his head and that his nose was bleeding. He told magistrates he then picked up the metal bar and walked away. “I picked the metal bat up and walked down the road to get rid of it, to be honest,” he said. “That’s when the officers pulled up on me, put me in handcuffs and put me in the back of the van. “I did no damage with the bat.” Under cross-examination, Fairbairn claimed his father was prone to “snap” when angry and said he felt isolated from the rest of his family. “He can look calm, but I’ve known him for 20 years,” he said. “Once he gets angry and snaps, he tries to take it out on me and I’m forced to defend myself. “The whole family sit on my father’s side, no matter what.” Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd told magistrates Fairbairn had given a consistent account of what had happened. “The defendant has given you a full account, he’s been consistent and coherent and, on the day in question, he did not attend to cause violence,” he said. “There was no violence attached to this breach.” For breaching the order, Fairbairn was fined £30 and ordered to pay £292 prosecution costs. He was released on conditional bail pending trial on the remaining charges of assault by beating, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. The trial is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on October 12. His bail conditions prohibit him from approaching his father’s address or entering Observatory Avenue. He must also report to a police station three times a week and must not contact any prosecution witnesses.
Range Rover driver banned over cannabis
A PEMBROKE DOCK motorist has been banned from the roads for 15 months after admitting driving with cannabis above the specified limit in his system. Simon Mills, 58, of Old School Court, Pennar, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Aug 24). The court heard that Mills was driving a silver Range Rover on Main Street, Pennar, on March 25 when he was found to have 3.0 micrograms of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per litre of blood. He pleaded guilty to driving a motor
vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit. Magistrates imposed the mandatory 15-month driving disqualification. Mills was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £48 victim surcharge. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was passed. A collection order was made, with the court allowing payment through deductions from benefits and requiring any lump sum to be paid within 28 days.
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Drug-driver admits driving while disqualified just weeks after court ban A HAVERFORDWEST man who was banned from driving for drug-driving earlier this year has admitted getting back behind the wheel while disqualified and failing to stop for police. Wayne Armstrong, 22, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Aug 24) in connection with an incident on May 4. Armstrong indicated a guilty plea to dangerous driving after the court heard that he drove a Skoda Kamiq dangerously on the A4076 between Dredgemans Hill, Haverfordwest, and Johnston. He also pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified on Freemans Way, using the vehicle without thirdparty insurance, and failing to stop when required to do so by a police constable. Previous drug-driving ban
The offences came little more than two months after Armstrong was banned from the roads for drugdriving. In February, The Herald reported that Armstrong had been disqualified for 12 months after being caught driving with almost five times the legal cannabis limit in his system. On that occasion, police had stopped him while he was driving a Skoda Kamiq along Woodland Drive, Milford Haven, after officers observed what was described in court as erratic driving. A blood test subsequently showed 9.8 micrograms of THC per litre of blood, compared with the legal limit of 2 micrograms. Armstrong pleaded guilty to drugdriving and was disqualified for 12 months, fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.
Sentencing next month The latest offences took place on May 4, while that disqualification was still in force. Magistrates imposed an interim
driving disqualification and released Armstrong on unconditional bail. The case was adjourned for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. Armstrong is due to return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on September 22.
Arrest warrant issued for man accused of possessing paedophile manual A WARRANT without bail has been issued for the arrest of a 60-yearold man accused of possessing a paedophile manual containing instructions on the sexual abuse of children. Stephen Balmain is also accused of making hundreds of indecent images of a child, including 362 images classified as Category A — the most serious category — together with 121 Category B images and 23 Category C images. The alleged offences are said to have taken place in Pembrokeshire
between April 2019 and July 2024. Balmain, of Hawthorn House, Laurel Road, Minster-on-Sea, had been due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link after telling the court he could not afford to travel to Pembrokeshire to attend in person. However, when he failed to appear via the video link, magistrates issued a warrant without bail for his arrest. The warrant means Balmain is to be arrested and brought before a court rather than being released on police bail pending a later hearing.
Haverfordwest abattoir worker banned after drug-driving offences A HAVERFORDWEST abattoir worker has been banned from driving for 20 months after being caught behind the wheel with cannabis and a cocaine metabolite above the legal limits in his system. Dylan Oatley, 25, was stopped by officers carrying out routine checks as he drove his Audi A3 along the A40 through Letterston at around 6pm on May 15. Following his arrest, blood samples taken at the police station showed 2.1 micrograms of Delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol — THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis — in his system. The legal limit is 2 micrograms. He was also found to have 400 micrograms of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, compared with the legal limit of 50 micrograms. Oatley, of Ffynnon Wen, St Davids, appeared before Haverfordwest
Magistrates’ Court this week and pleaded guilty to two charges of drugdriving. Defence solicitor Fenn Richards told the court that Oatley had no previous convictions and had been diagnosed with ADHD at a young age. “This is his ADHD coping mechanism,” she told magistrates. “He’s very remorseful and he did not think he would have been over the limit at the time. But people don’t understand the full effects of the drugs.” Ms Richards said Oatley had more recently begun using cannabis as a coping mechanism after experiencing side effects from prescribed medication. Magistrates disqualified Oatley from driving for 20 months and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
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Thousands yet to complete housing-register reapplication Council confirms all 4,600 applicants must provide proof of local connection and warns those who do not engage could be removed MORE THAN three-quarters of the people on Pembrokeshire’s housing register have yet to complete the full reapplication process, new council figures reveal. Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that only 22% of the approximately 4,600 existing applicants—around 1,000 people— have completed the full application. A further 47% have completed the initial pre-application stage, leaving more than half of all applicants yet to pass even the first stage of the process. Every person on the existing Choice Homes Pembrokeshire register has been asked to reapply and provide current proof of their local connection to the county. Applicants have until September 13 to complete the process. The council has warned that those who fail to provide the required information within agreed timescales, or who do not engage with housing officers, could be removed from the register. The figures were provided in response to detailed questions from The Pembrokeshire Herald following concerns raised by applicants and Shelter Cymru.
Support promised for vulnerable applicants
The national housing charity previously warned that requiring everyone to reapply risked excluding vulnerable people from the waiting list. It urged the council to transfer existing applicants automatically and reconsider its approach to local-connection evidence. The council has now confirmed that
all 4,600 applicants have been asked to produce current proof of local connection. It was unable to say how many applicants had so far been found ineligible or removed because they could not demonstrate the required connection, saying the process was ongoing and “representative and fair comparative data” was not yet available. Under the revised policy, applicants must demonstrate a housing need and either have lived continuously in Pembrokeshire for the past five years, have lived in the county continuously for five years during the past 15 years, or qualify under one of the exemptions contained in the policy. The council said the reference in its evidence guidance to bank or building society statements dated before October 2021 was connected to the five-year residency requirement. Applicants seeking to qualify on that basis must demonstrate a connection to Pembrokeshire dating back to October 2021, ahead of the new policy taking effect on October 28, 2026. Six-week suspension of bidding The existing register will close between September 15 and October 28 while applications are assessed. During that period, existing applicants will be unable to bid for properties and no homes will be advertised through Choice Homes Pembrokeshire. The new register is scheduled to go live on October 28, when eligible applicants will again be able to bid for available properties. The council said successful applicants would retain their existing effective application date. However, the revised register will introduce a new banding structure with different qualifying criteria, meaning some applicants may find that their priority band changes.
The Herald asked what safeguards would protect people who genuinely met the local-connection requirement but could not easily produce historic paperwork. These could include people who have experienced homelessness, sofa-surfing, domestic abuse, family breakdown or repeated moves, as well as young adults without household bills or tenancy agreements in their own names. The council said officers would provide “person-centred support” and consider applicants’ individual circumstances. A spokesperson said: “Where challenges arise, the Housing Team will work with applicants to identify alternative forms of evidence where appropriate, which could include council and other official records.” The same assurance was given for young adults who had lived with parents or relatives and did not have council tax records, utility bills or other documents in their own names. Support is also available for people affected by digital exclusion, those who need help completing the forms and applicants experiencing difficulties gathering documentation. The council said this had included drop-in sessions across the county, regular communications and dedicated assistance from housing support teams. Applicants could be removed The authority stopped short of giving an absolute guarantee that nobody would lose their place solely because of difficulty finding documents. It said: “The Housing Service will make every effort to support applicants throughout the process. “However, applicants who fail to provide the required information within agreed timescales, or who do not engage with Housing Services, may not meet the policy criteria and could be removed from the register. “This is to ensure that we can implement the policy by October 28, 2026.” Applicants who disagree with the outcome of their assessment will have 21 days from the date of the decision to request a review. Those who have already completed the process have been asked not to contact the housing team for progress reports. Assessment decisions will be issued between late September and October 28. Anyone experiencing difficulty completing the application or gathering local-connection evidence can email choicehomeschange@pembrokeshire. gov.uk or call 01437 776603.
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No passport, no ferry: New rule for Pembrokeshire–Ireland crossings
FERRY passengers using Pembrokeshire’s two links with Ireland will be refused travel unless they produce a valid passport under new rules coming into force next month. From Monday, September 28, driving licences, birth certificates and other forms of photographic identification will no longer be accepted on the Fishguard–Rosslare or Pembroke Dock–Rosslare routes. The passport-only policy will apply in both directions to every passenger, regardless of age or nationality— including British and Irish citizens, children and babies. Irish citizens will also be permitted to travel using a valid Irish passport card. The change could bring a significant and unexpected cost for families who have previously travelled to Ireland without passports. Standard online applications currently cost £102 for an adult and £66.50 for a child, meaning two adults and two children could face a total bill of £337. HM Passport Office says applications made in the UK are usually completed within three weeks, although they can take longer where further information or an interview is required. Stena Line, which operates between Fishguard and Rosslare, and Irish Ferries, which sails between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare, say the change is required to meet UK Border Force requirements concerning the “accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding”. Stena Line said passports would be scanned at check-in to retrieve the passenger information required by the authorities. If a passport cannot be
Common Travel Area rights unchanged The decision has prompted some confusion because British and Irish citizens do not legally require passports to travel between the two countries under the Common Travel Area. That legal position has not changed.
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scanned, the details will be entered manually. Passengers will not need to provide their passport details when making a booking. Refunds available for some existing bookings Stena Line has confirmed that customers who booked before the new requirement was announced will be allowed to move their crossing without paying an amendment fee or any increase in the fare. Those unable to travel because they cannot meet the new passport requirement will alternatively be offered a full refund.
However, the company will not cover consequential losses such as hotel bookings, events or onward travel. Passengers have been advised to contact their travel insurer about any additional costs. Normal fare conditions will apply to bookings made after the new requirement was announced. Anyone who arrives at Fishguard without a passport after September 28 will not be permitted to travel. Irish Ferries is advising passengers whose passports have not arrived to contact its customer service team before travelling to Pembroke Dock. Its published guidance does not currently set out whether affected passengers will automatically qualify for refunds or free booking changes.
UK Government guidance states that British and Irish citizens travelling from Ireland to Great Britain do not have to show a passport to a Border Force officer, although they may be asked for documents confirming their identity and nationality. The new rule is instead a condition of carriage imposed by the ferry operators in response to Border Force passengerdata requirements. This means travellers can be refused boarding even though the Common Travel Area itself does not require them to hold a passport. Until now, passengers on the Pembrokeshire routes have sometimes been able to travel using a driving licence or another form of identification. That option will end on September 28. The change will also apply to Stena Line’s Holyhead–Dublin service and Irish Ferries’ Dublin–Holyhead route. There is no change to Stena Line’s identification requirements on services involving Belfast, Liverpool, Cairnryan or Heysham.
Pennar man admits assaulting police officer and damaging patrol car A 32-YEAR-OLD Pennar man has admitted assaulting a police officer and damaging a patrol car after being arrested for being drunk and disorderly. Daniel Purser was arrested by officers on August 1 following an incident close to his home in Grove Street, Pennar. “As he was being dealt with by the officers, the defendant directed a comment to PC Freeman, saying he was going to headbutt him straight in the nose,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week. She said Purser also directed an offensive insult at the officer before attempting to kick him, making contact with PC Freeman’s knee. No injury was sustained. Purser pleaded guilty to assault by beating of an emergency worker, causing £168 worth of criminal damage to a police vehicle and being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
He also admitted two separate drug-driving offences arising from an incident on March 23, when his blue Vauxhall Corsa was stopped by officers at Pennar Court, Pembroke Dock. Subsequent tests showed Purser had 3.2 micrograms of Delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol — THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis — in his system, compared with the legal limit of 2. He was also found to have 96 micrograms of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, compared with the legal limit of 50. Sentencing was adjourned until September 15 to allow the probation service to prepare an all-options presentence report. Magistrates imposed an interim driving disqualification and released Purser on conditional bail, with the requirement that he engage with the probation service ahead of sentencing.
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Opening-night double bill gets Aberjazz off to a lively start
FFWRN came alive on Thursday evening (Aug 27) as Aberjazz opened with a double bill featuring Around About Dusk and Fishguardbased favourites Trwbadwr. Around About Dusk brought a warm and distinctive sound to the first half of the evening, blending New Orleans jazz with European folk, musette and old-time roots music. The Bristol-based quartet’s performance combined vocals, guitar, trumpet, double bass and accordion, creating an intimate sound well suited to the surroundings of Ffwrn. The group comprises Rachel Lawrence, Gus Dolding, Bill Frampton and James French. Known for weaving vocal harmonies, improvisation and storytelling into their performances, the musicians set a relaxed and characterful tone for the evening. The tempo rose further when Trwbadwr took to the stage with an energetic mixture of Latin jazz and blues.Led by vocalist Sarah Davenport, the local seven-piece combined brass, guitar, keyboards, double bass and percussion with rhythms influenced by both Europe and South America. It did not take long for people to leave their tables and head towards the stage. By the height of the performance, the dancefloor was packed as the band delivered the kind of lively, feel-good set for which it has become known. Alongside Sarah Davenport, Trwbadwr features John Rodge on double bass, David Pepper on keyboards, Nick Hislam on saxophones, Jason Osborne on trumpet, Paul Carr on guitar and Nino Consolo on drums. The contrast between the two bands
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made for a strong opening-night programme: Around About Dusk offering storytelling and old-world charm before Trwbadwr turned Ffwrn into a crowded dance venue.
OPENING ACT: Around About Dusk brought their distinctive mixture of New Orleans jazz, European folk and roots music to Ffwrn (Pic: Nao Sinclair/Herald)
The Herald attended the concert, capturing both performances and the enthusiastic response from the audience. The double bill formed part of the opening programme of the 23rd Fishguard Jazz and Blues Festival, which is bringing five days of live music to venues across Fishguard over the
August Bank Holiday weekend. Concerts, fringe performances and workshops continue until Monday, with the traditional Aberjazz parade taking place on Sunday afternoon. The full programme and ticket information can be found on the official Aberjazz website
IN HARMONY: Around About Dusk performing on the opening night of the 23rd Aberjazz festival (Pic: Nao Sinclair/Herald)
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Coroner records suicide conclusion following death of Andrew Forrest
Court Reporter
A CORONER has recorded a conclusion of suicide following the death of Andrew Harvey Forrest, who was recovered from the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest earlier this year. An inquest heard that Mr Forrest, 63, had been diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in February 2026 after receiving care at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli and Singleton Hospital in Swansea. Pembrokeshire Coroner Gareth Lewis was told that the rare form of cancer had increasingly affected Mr Forrest’s health and independence. As his illness progressed, he became unable to carry out everyday activities such as shopping and driving. Pain caused by his tumours, together with side effects from medication, also left him struggling to sleep. On March 11, Mr Forrest began a sixmonth treatment programme which included chemotherapy. The hearing was told that he found the side effects of the treatment difficult. Six days later, on March 17, police received a call from a member of the public reporting that a fully clothed man had been seen in the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest. Police attended and located Mr Forrest in the water. Firefighters and paramedics arrived at approximately 11.03am, with firefighters entering the
river and bringing him ashore. CPR was started at the scene before Mr Forrest was taken by ambulance to Withybush Hospital. Despite the efforts of the emergency services and hospital staff, he was pronounced dead at 12.47pm. A post-mortem examination recorded
the medical cause of death as drowning. During the inquest, Mr Lewis considered evidence gathered by the police and his coroner’s officer, together with medical records, toxicology results and the findings of the post-mortem examination. He also considered statements provided by members of Mr Forrest’s family and witnesses to the incident. Having reviewed the evidence as
a whole, the coroner said he was satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Forrest had entered the water intending to end his life. Mr Lewis therefore recorded a formal conclusion of suicide. Support is available Suicide is preventable and help is available to anyone who is struggling. Samaritans can be contacted free of charge, at any time of the day or night, by calling 116 123. Support is also available at samaritans.org.
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Two rescued after being cut off by tide at St Govan’s
TWO PEOPLE were rescued after becoming cut off by the incoming tide near St Govan’s. Tenby’s all-weather and inshore lifeboats were requested to launch at 3:40pm on August 26 after the Coastguard received reports that several people could be heard shouting for help from caves below the cliffs. The volunteer crews were quickly on the water and made their way to the area, around ten miles west of Tenby. Coastguard rescue teams from Tenby and St Govans were also tasked to
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the incident, together with Coastguard rescue helicopter 387. The lifeboats arrived around 30 minutes later and their crews quickly spotted two people waving from rocks below the cliffs. The inshore lifeboat moved closer and established that the pair were those who had been calling for help. Both were uninjured but had become trapped by the rising tide. The rescue helicopter also arrived
at the scene but, with no medical assistance required and the inshore lifeboat able to carry out the rescue safely, it was stood down and returned to base. The two people were taken aboard the lifeboat and brought safely to Little New Quay, where they were met by Coastguard personnel. Both lifeboats were subsequently stood down and returned to Tenby,
arriving back at the station at 5:15pm. The RNLI has reminded people visiting the coast to check the times of high and low water before setting out, warning that tides can rise much faster than expected. Visitors are also advised to carry a means of communication, such as a mobile phone. Anyone who gets into difficulty at the coast should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Convicted Pembrokeshire drug supplier admits breaching serious crime order A CONVICTED Pembrokeshire Class A drug supplier has admitted breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order on three separate occasions following his release from prison. Shaun Lucas was made subject to the order by Swansea Crown Court in November 2023 after serving a custodial sentence for supplying cocaine and cannabis between Dorset, Merseyside and Pembrokeshire over an 11-month period. This week the 52-year-old former Fishguard resident appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court after admitting three breaches of the order. The offences involved Lucas possessing two mobile phones without notifying police, failing to inform officers that he had become homeless, and failing to notify them of a change of address. Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan urged magistrates to remand Lucas in custody, citing what she described as his “clear non-compliance”. However, defence solicitor Tom Lloyd argued that the breaches were not sufficiently serious to justify remand and said Lucas had otherwise complied with the requirements imposed upon him. “The question is whether or not these are serious enough to remand him in custody,” he told the court. “And they are
not.” Mr Lloyd said Lucas had demonstrated “exemplary” compliance with the probation service since his release from prison in June 2025. “The most important factor is that although he failed to notify them that he was homeless and had a change of address, he has always been open about where he was living,” he said. “He struggles to read and write, and when he was released from prison he struggled to obtain housing, so he became homeless. “But he now has a permanent address and he’s been open and frank with the probation service about all his movements and about everything he was doing.” After considering the submissions, magistrates released Lucas on conditional bail. He must live and sleep at his home address at The Coach House, Cartlett, Haverfordwest, and must actively engage in the preparation of a probation report. Magistrates agreed to retain jurisdiction over the case. Lucas will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on September 15 for sentencing, when an all-options presentence report will be available to the bench.
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Council confirm 22 knife incidents in Pembrokeshire schools since 2024
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revealed that it is aware of 22 knife-related incidents in the county’s schools since 2024. The figure has emerged following a Freedom of Information request seeking details of incidents involving knives or bladed articles in educational settings. Of the 22 incidents known to the authority, 20 involved secondary schools and two involved primary schools. However, the council says it does not hold any further information centrally about what happened in the individual cases. That means it is not possible from the disclosure to establish whether the incidents involved simple possession of a knife, threats, assaults, injuries or more serious violence. No central record The FOI request asked the council to provide figures covering knife possession, threats involving bladed articles, assaults and injuries between 2021 and 2026. It also sought information about exclusions, the types of schools involved and whether incidents were concentrated at particular educational settings. But in its response, Pembrokeshire County Council said there was no statutory requirement for the authority itself to maintain such a record. The council said: “There is no statutory responsibility to record such incidents, and any incident would be captured by the school and on the individual safeguarding system. “The local authority is aware of 22 incidents since 2024. 20 in secondary schools and 2 in primary schools. “No further information is held.” The response was issued by the council’s Education Directorate on
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June 24. Milford Haven case brought issue into sharp focus The figures come during a year in which knife safety in schools has been brought into particularly sharp focus in Pembrokeshire. On February 5, a teacher at Milford Haven School suffered stab wounds during an incident involving a teenage pupil. The school was placed into lockdown and police arrested a 15-year-old boy. Following a trial at Swansea Crown Court, the teenager was cleared last month of attempting to murder teacher Vicki Williams but was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He had previously admitted
possessing a knife on school premises and is due to be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on September 3. The February incident occurred before the council issued its FOI response, although the authority’s disclosure does not identify any of the 22 cases individually and it is therefore not possible to determine from the figures which particular incidents are included. Primary school incidents also revealed Perhaps the most striking part of the disclosure is that two of the kniferelated incidents known to the authority involved primary school settings. Again, the council has released no details about what those incidents involved. There is nothing in the disclosure to
indicate that a knife was used to injure or threaten anyone in either primary school case. The term “knife-related incident” used in the FOI request covered a broad range of circumstances, from possession of a bladed article without any threat or injury through to assaults causing serious injury. Without a more detailed central record, the circumstances of the 22 Pembrokeshire cases remain unknown. The council also did not provide a year-by-year breakdown, meaning it is unclear how many incidents occurred in 2024, 2025 or during 2026. The figures nevertheless provide the first indication of the scale of knife-related incidents that have come to the attention of education and safeguarding authorities across Pembrokeshire since 2024.
Pembrokeshire man remanded over alleged threat involving rug A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody after denying an allegation that he threatened to damage a rug in circumstances which caused a woman to fear for her safety. Luke Rogers, 40, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week via video link from HMP Parc, where he is currently serving a sentence for an unrelated matter. Rogers pleaded not guilty to threatening to destroy or damage a rug at a property in Crud yr Awel,
Wolfscastle, on October 18, 2024. The prosecution alleges the threat was made in circumstances in which Rogers intended the woman to believe it would be carried out and that her life would be endangered as a result. No further details were given to the court about the circumstances of the alleged incident or how the rug featured in the prosecution case. Rogers was remanded in custody to await trial at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later this year.
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Energy price cap rise risks pushing more older people into hardship A FOUR per cent rise in the energy price cap risks pushing more older people in Wales into financial hardship this winter, the Older People’s Commissioner has warned. The cap will increase from October 1 until December 31, adding around £60 to the typical annual household bill. Rhian Bowen-Davies, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, said the announcement would cause concern among pensioners already struggling with the cost of essentials. She said: “While this may appear modest in annual terms, for many older people in Wales who are already cutting back on heating, food and other essentials, any further increase will add to the pressures they face this winter.” The Commissioner said the increase comes as poverty among older people continues to rise. Figures highlighted in a report published by her office in November 2025 showed that, during November 2024, 22% of people in Wales had gone without heating their homes, 15% had gone without bathing, and
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23% had skipped meals or eaten less. Ms Bowen-Davies said: “These figures show the stark choices too many older people are already being forced to make, and rising energy costs risk pushing more people into hardship.” She called on the Welsh Government to provide greater support for
older people experiencing financial difficulty, including those whose incomes place them just above the threshold for existing assistance. In June, the Commissioner wrote to First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth calling for stronger action to help older people through the cost-ofliving crisis. Her proposals included establishing a Resilience Fund for people who do not qualify for current support schemes.
She also urged the Welsh Government to work with partner organisations to ensure older people receive help in identifying and claiming all the assistance available to them. The Commissioner said the UK Government must also use its powers over social security, pensions and energy policy to protect people living on low or fixed incomes. She called for urgent action to increase Pension Credit take-up and for ministers to consider targeted energy assistance, including a social tariff. Ms Bowen-Davies added: “Older people should not be forced to choose between heating their homes and meeting other essential costs.” She encouraged older people, as well as relatives, friends and neighbours supporting them, to check whether they are entitled to Pension Credit. Even a small award can increase a household’s income and unlock further assistance with Council Tax, housing costs, television licences, and dental and eye treatment. Eligibility can be checked at gov.uk/ pension-credit or by calling 0800 99 1234.
Arrest following disturbance in Pembroke Dock A 46-YEAR-OLD man was arrested following a disturbance at a property in Pembroke Dock on Wednesday (August 26). A large police presence was reported around Fort Road, where several police vans and patrol cars were seen during the morning. Officers, assisted by a German Shepherd police dog, were observed searching the surrounding area. Dyfed-Powys Police later confirmed that officers had been called to a disturbance at a property in nearby Catalina Avenue at approximately 11.00am.
A police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police were called to a disturbance at a property in Catalina Avenue, Pembroke Dock, at approximately 11am on Wednesday (August 26). “A 46-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this incident and is currently in police custody. “Officers believe this to be an isolated incident, and there is no wider threat to the public.” No further information about the nature of the disturbance or the reason for the search had been released as The Herald went to press.
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Pensioner died after unexplained A40 head-on crash, inquest hears AN 88-YEAR-OLD Goodwick woman died after her car crossed into the opposite lane of the A40 and collided head-on with another vehicle, an inquest has heard. Sarah Evelyn May Hughes, known as Evelyn, had been returning home after taking her sister to a medical appointment at Withybush Hospital when the collision happened near Treffgarne on April 11, 2025. Pembrokeshire Coroner Gareth Lewis heard that Mrs Hughes, of Jackson’s Way, Goodwick, had been driving northbound shortly after 12.40pm when her silver Citroën C3 Picasso moved across the centre line while negotiating a gradual left-hand bend. The vehicle entered the southbound lane and collided with a black Audi A1 travelling in the opposite direction. Emergency services attended, but Mrs Hughes suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the
scene at 1.38pm. The inquest heard there had been nothing before the journey to suggest she was unwell, and witnesses described her as an active and capable driver. Investigators found no evidence that road or weather conditions had contributed to the crash. The road surface was dry, visibility was good and conditions were fine. A forensic collision examination also found no evidence of braking, evasive steering or tyre marks indicating a loss of control before impact.Checks on the Citroën identified no pre-existing mechanical defect which could have contributed to the collision. Toxicology results showed no significant alcohol, illicit drugs or medication in Mrs Hughes’ system, with only therapeutic levels of paracetamol detected. The post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as multiple injuries
caused by the road traffic collision. Mr Lewis said investigators had been unable to establish why Mrs Hughes’ car moved into the opposing lane. He said: “The precise reason why her vehicle entered the opposing lane cannot be established on the evidence.”
The coroner said the investigation had excluded mechanical failure, environmental factors, intoxication and any identifiable medical emergency. He concluded that Mrs Hughes died as a result of an unintended road traffic collision.
13-year-old arrested after attempted car theft and moped fires in Neyland
A 13-YEAR-OLD boy has been arrested after an attempted car theft and the discovery of three burned-out mopeds in Neyland. Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for witnesses and CCTV footage following the incidents, which officers believe are linked. Police were called to an address in Springfield Close at around 10:00pm on Sunday (August 23), following a report that three people were attempting to steal a car. The three suspects had left before officers arrived and the vehicle was not taken. Around three hours later, at 1:00am on Monday (August 24), three mopeds were discovered near Neyland Vale. Police said all three had been damaged after being set alight and the incident is being treated as linked
to the attempted vehicle theft in Springfield Close. The three people involved in the Springfield Close incident are described as wearing dark clothing, balaclavas and gloves. A 13-year-old boy from the Milford Haven area has since been arrested on suspicion of taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent and arson in connection with the incidents. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue. Officers are now asking residents and businesses in the area to check CCTV, doorbell cameras and any other footage which could assist the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police. uk, through direct message on social
media or by calling 101. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on
0800 555 111. Anyone contacting police should quote reference 26*692229.
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Ammanford priest to walk 75 miles to St Davids in solo fundraising pilgrimage AN AMMANFORD priest is preparing to walk around 75 miles across west Wales during a fiveday solo pilgrimage to St Davids Cathedral. The Reverend Canon Ali Reeves, Priest in Charge of Betws with Ammanford Churches, will leave Ammanford on the morning of Monday, August 31, and expects to reach the cathedral on Friday, September 4. Canon Ali will complete the entire journey on foot, alone and unsupported. She hopes the pilgrimage will provide time for prayer and personal reflection while raising money for All Saints Church, Ammanford, and Ammanford Foodbank. She is due to arrive at St Davids Cathedral at around 5.30pm on the Friday, where she will be welcomed with prayers before Evensong. Canon Ali said: “I wanted this walk to be a genuine pilgrimage and retreat, which is why I’ve decided to undertake it on my own and unsupported. “There’s something very special about setting out from the community I serve in Ammanford and making the
journey on foot all the way to St Davids Cathedral. “Walking around 75 miles over five days will certainly be a physical challenge, but I’m looking forward to having that time for prayer and reflection as I make my way across west Wales. “I’m also delighted that the pilgrimage gives me an opportunity to support two causes which mean a great deal to our community: All Saints Church and Ammanford Foodbank. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me so far, and every donation, however large or small, will help spur me on towards St Davids.” Canon Ali has been preparing for the challenge through a series of training walks, which she has documented on her Facebook page, The Rambling Reverend. She plans to share updates and reflections from the road throughout the five-day journey and has already raised more than half of her fundraising target. Donations can be made through Canon Ali’s JustGiving page.
Man accused of pulling handbrake as partner drove at 50mph A PEMBROKE man has been accused of repeatedly pulling up the handbrake of his partner’s car while she was driving along the A477 at speeds of up to 50mph. Glen Hunt, 37, of Paynter Street, Pembroke, faces a series of charges relating to his partner, including controlling and coercive behaviour, intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, attempted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft of a mobile phone and criminal damage to a mobile phone. Hunt appeared in custody before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan argued that the seriousness and number of allegations meant the case should be dealt with at the Crown Court. “The number of offences gives you an indication that this is outside your sentencing powers,” she told magistrates. “The matter is further aggravated by several charges of controlling and coercive behaviour, which is a consistent action over a long period. “He also made several threats to her to harm not only her but her dog, which placed her clearly in distress.” The prosecution alleges that the woman was driving along the A477 at around 50mph when Hunt repeatedly
attempted to apply the vehicle’s handbrake. “This was a danger to her as well as to other road users,” Ms Vaughan said. The court was also told that Hunt allegedly pressed his fist into a recent operation scar, causing the woman serious concern. Hunt has not yet entered pleas to the allegations. Despite an application from his solicitor for bail, magistrates ordered that Hunt remain in custody. The bench declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court, with proceedings due to continue on September 25.
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‘I was absolutely terrified’: Make-up girl recalls Moby Dick filming in Fishguard Margaret Andrews worked alongside Gregory Peck and other Hollywood stars when the famous production came to Pembrokeshire in 1954
A HAVERFORDWEST pensioner has recalled how, as a shy 16-yearold schoolgirl, she found herself brushing shoulders with Hollywood royalty during the filming of Moby Dick in Fishguard. Margaret Andrews, then Margaret Underwood, was hired as a makeup girl when Moulin Productions took over the Fishguard Bay Hotel for several months in 1954. The job brought her into contact with some of cinema’s biggest names, including Gregory Peck, Leo Genn and Richard Basehart. “The whole of Fishguard was caught up in the filming,” she recalled. “It created such a sensation in the Twin Towns, and so many people became involved.” Now an 87-year-old widow living in Cherry Grove, Haverfordwest, Margaret is delighted that the 70th anniversary of the film’s 1956 release is to be celebrated during Fishguard and Goodwick’s Ar Ymyl y Tir/On Land’s Edge Festival in September. She will be among the special guests
attending the launch of a Moby Dick exhibition at Theatr Gwaun on Tuesday, September 1, from 5:00pm until 6:30pm. The anniversary has revived vivid memories of Margaret’s unexpected job — and of some of its more glamorous perks. She remembers dining on fine food prepared by top chefs brought in from London and being driven back to her parents’ Fishguard home in the rear of a Rolls-Royce. “I was a pupil in the lower sixth form at Fishguard Secondary School,” she said. “Paul, my boyfriend — who later became my husband — was about to go to university. “One day he said he’d been given a job with the new film company and was going to help them ‘make scars for Moby Dick’. “I must have been a bit envious, as he promised to get me a job as well. “I ended up in the make-up department at the Bay, and I was absolutely terrified. “I was an only child, very nervous and
Margaret Andrews, now 87, has vivid memories of the Hollywood production which transformed Fishguard in 1954 shy, and the news that a movie about Moby Dick was going to be filmed locally caused quite a hullabaloo. “When I arrived on my first day, I found the entire ground floor had been converted into make-up rooms. “When the cast went off on a day’s shoot, I’d have to tidy up the makeup rooms and get them all spick and span again.” Margaret remembers Gregory Peck, who played the obsessive Captain Ahab, as warm and approachable despite his international fame.
“Gregory Peck was such a lovely man,” she said. “If you’ve ever seen the film To Kill a Mockingbird, he was exactly like the character he portrayed on screen. “The film shoots depended so much on the weather, so Gregory Peck might be made up and gone, yet only two hours later he would be back and his make-up had to be redone all over again.” Further information about the festival is available at onlandsedge.co.uk.
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£300,000 overhaul planned for Haverfordwest athletics track A MAJOR refurbishment of Haverfordwest’s athletics track, valued at around £300,000, has been planned in an effort to repair cracking and subsidence and ensure the facility continues to meet national competition standards. Pembrokeshire County Council went out to tender earlier this summer for extensive work at the track, which forms part of the Haverfordwest Leisure Centre sports complex. The authority said defects in the existing synthetic surface needed to be repaired and the track brought back to the required performance standard. Of particular importance is retaining the facility’s UK Athletics Level 2 competition licence. That status allows the track to continue hosting recognised athletics competition and is also important for county schools sport and the continuation of a county athletics team. The estimated value of the work was £300,000 excluding VAT, or £360,000 including VAT. Cracking and subsidence Tender documents published by the council specifically identify subsidence and cracking in the track surface among the problems requiring attention. The council said the aim was to repair the defects and restore the surface to the relevant performance standards. Any contractor carrying out the scheme was required to be approved by the Sports and Play Construction Association for athletics track work. Materials, construction techniques and the finished surface also have to comply with UK Athletics requirements. The specification reflects the importance of the facility not simply as a recreational running track, but as Pembrokeshire’s main venue for organised track and field athletics. Track dates back to 1969 Athletics at the site has a history stretching back more than half a century. The original Haverfordwest track was constructed as a cinder track in 1969. By the 1990s its condition had
Important Pembrokeshire facility
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deteriorated and a campaign began for the facility to be substantially improved. Work eventually started in 2003 to replace the old surface with a modern synthetic track. The resulting facility has six lanes around the circuit and an eight-lane home straight. According to the council’s procurement documents, it is believed the synthetic track has undergone one significant refurbishment since that upgrade, in approximately 2013. More than a decade later, further work is now required. County schools sport at stake The council made clear when advertising the contract that maintaining the track was important to the future of competitive athletics in Pembrokeshire. The facility is used for county schools athletics as well as training and competition involving athletes from across the county. Without a surface meeting the required technical standards, its ability to continue hosting recognised competitions could ultimately be affected. The refurbishment therefore involves more than cosmetic resurfacing.
The finished track has to satisfy UK Athletics specifications so that the site can achieve and retain its Level 2 competition licence. Level 2 facilities are capable of staging a range of club and regional athletics competitions, subject to the appropriate certification and event requirements.
Haverfordwest is the principal synthetic athletics facility serving the county and has provided generations of school pupils and club athletes with access to competitive track and field. Its original development was itself the result of sustained campaigning for better athletics facilities in Pembrokeshire. The transition from the old cinder track to a synthetic surface in the early 2000s represented a major improvement in the standard of facilities available locally. However, synthetic athletics surfaces have a finite lifespan and require specialist maintenance and periodic refurbishment if they are to retain their performance characteristics and competition certification. Cracking, movement in the underlying surface and drainage or subsidence problems can all affect the consistency of a running track and eventually its suitability for competition. The latest planned investment is intended to address those defects before the facility deteriorates further.
Tight summer programme
Questions over progress
The original procurement timetable envisaged the contract beginning on July 20 and running until August 31. That gave the successful contractor a relatively short summer window in which to complete the work. Tenders closed towards the end of June. The contract was being awarded on what the council described as the most advantageous tender, with price carrying 70 per cent of the evaluation and quality accounting for 30 per cent. Quality assessments included the contractor’s proposed approach and methodology as well as its programme for completing the work. The published procurement information did not identify a successful contractor at the tender stage. A public contract award notice confirming the eventual contractor and final price has not been located by The Herald at the time of publication.
With the original programme giving an August 31 completion date, the project should now be approaching its final stages if work has proceeded according to the timetable published during procurement. The Herald is seeking clarification on the current position, including the final cost of the contract, the identity of the successful contractor, whether the work has begun or been completed, and whether the August 31 target remains achievable. Confirmation is also being sought on when the refurbished track will be fully available to athletes and schools, and whether any competitions or training sessions have been affected while work takes place. The planned investment represents one of the most significant upgrades to Pembrokeshire’s main athletics facility since the synthetic track was installed more than 20 years ago.
Man charged with GBH and attempted robbery after Pembroke Dock incident A 36-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with grievous bodily harm and attempted robbery following an incident in Pembroke Dock. Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that Christopher Owen Rees, of Pembroke Dock, has been charged with a Section 18 grievous bodily harm offence and attempted robbery in connection with the investigation. The charges relate to an incident in the Castle Street area of Pembroke Dock, where a man was allegedly
assaulted near the junction with Bentlass Terrace in the early hours of Tuesday, August 18. The victim was subsequently described by police as being in a critical but stable condition. Rees appeared before Swansea Magistrates’ Court on Saturday (Aug 22). He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, September 21. The case remains before the courts.
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More than 200 assaults recorded against Pembrokeshire social care staff MORE than 200 incidents of assault against social care staff have been recorded by Pembrokeshire County Council in just over three years, newly released figures reveal. The authority says 213 incidents involving physical or verbal assaults were recorded between April 1, 2023 and July 21 this year. Of those, 191 were recorded within Children’s Social Care and 22 within Adult Social Care. A detailed breakdown released under the Freedom of Information Act shows that 210 of the 213 incidents were classified as physical assaults. However, the council stressed that the figures require important context, saying more than 99 per cent of the incidents involved pupils or residents with additional needs. It said employees working within day centres and care homes also fall under the wider social care recording system used to compile the figures. 88 incidents in a single year The council changed its incident recording system on April 1, 2023 and says information held before that date contains only major incidents and would not provide a representative picture. During the remaining nine months of 2023, 17 incidents were recorded. That rose sharply to 88 during 2024. A further 55 incidents were recorded during 2025, with 53 recorded between January 1 and July 21 this year. The annual figures were: • • • •
April to December 2023: 17 incidents 2024: 88 incidents 2025: 55 incidents January 1 to July 21, 2026: 53 incidents
Across those periods, the council recorded 210 physical assaults. Two incidents involving threats of serious physical violence were recorded during 2025. No threats to kill were recorded during the period covered by the reliable data. Threats involving staff homes and families The figures also reveal a small number of incidents extending beyond the immediate workplace. During 2026, two incidents were recorded involving threats directed towards a social worker’s home, family or personal property. One incident involving criminal damage to a social worker’s home, vehicle or personal property was also recorded this year.
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No such incidents were recorded in the previous years covered by the council’s detailed figures. There were no recorded cases of stalking or harassment and no recorded incidents classified as online abuse, threats or harassment. Police called in two cases Two incidents have been reported to police since the council introduced its current recording system. One was recorded during 2025 and another during 2026. In both cases, the authority says it is aware that a suspect was arrested. The council’s figures record no incidents being reported to police during 2023 or 2024. One incident during 2025 resulted in a social worker being withdrawn from a case. The same year’s figures also record one incident resulting in sickness absence, one occupational health referral and one occasion when additional security measures were introduced for a member of staff. During 2026, additional security measures have been introduced following two incidents. No members of staff were recorded as having been transferred or redeployed because of an incident during the period covered. More than 100 staff in services As of July 21 this year, Pembrokeshire County Council said Adult Care had 53 social workers and support workers, equivalent to 49.16 full-time posts.
Children’s Services had 54 staff, equivalent to 51.83 full-time posts. The council cautioned that its incident statistics cover a broader range of social care employees, including staff working within day centres and care homes, meaning the assault figures should not be interpreted as incidents involving only those 107 social
workers and support workers. The figures were released following an FOI request asking about violence, intimidation, threats and harassment experienced by staff working in children’s and adult social care. Pembrokeshire County Council responded on August 6.
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Narberth children’s home earns top marks in first inspection A THERAPEUTIC children’s home near Narberth has received the highest possible ratings in its first inspection since opening. Ty Hydref, operated by Action for Children, was rated “Excellent” by Care Inspectorate Wales across all four areas examined: wellbeing, care and support, environment, and leadership and management. The home, which opened less than 12 months ago, provides residential care and therapeutic support for up to four children and young people aged between seven and 18. Inspectors found that children benefited from warm and trusting relationships with staff who knew them well and tailored support to their individual needs. The inspection also highlighted the way children were encouraged to develop confidence and independence, work towards personal goals and maintain important relationships with family members and others in their lives. Staff were found to work closely with health, education and social care professionals to ensure children received coordinated support. Care planning, safeguarding arrangements and assessments were also praised, with inspectors finding that children were kept safe while being given appropriate choices
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and opportunities to develop their independence. The home itself was described as warm, welcoming and highly personalised, giving children a strong sense of belonging. Its indoor and outdoor spaces were found to be safe, comfortable and well maintained, with children encouraged to personalise their bedrooms and contribute to decisions about their home. Lisa Mansell, Registered Manager at Ty Hydref, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this first inspection
outcome and incredibly proud that Care Inspectorate Wales has recognised the excellent care and support provided at Ty Hydref. “Our children are at the centre of everything we do. Creating a safe, nurturing and therapeutic home where children feel valued, listened to and supported to achieve their goals is our priority every day. “This report reflects the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our team, who build meaningful relationships with children and work tirelessly to help them overcome challenges, develop confidence and achieve positive outcomes. “I would like to thank our staff,
children and partner agencies for the important role they all play in making Ty Hydref such a special place to live and grow.” Inspectors also praised the home’s leadership, safeguarding procedures and quality-assurance arrangements, as well as the support and training provided to staff. Charlotte Phillips, Children’s Service Manager for Action for Children in West Wales, said receiving the highest rating in every area during the home’s first inspection was a “tremendous achievement”. She said: “The report demonstrates the positive difference that skilled, therapeutic and child-centred care can make in young people’s lives. “We are particularly pleased that inspectors recognised the strong relationships between children and staff, the personalised support provided, and the home’s commitment to helping children feel safe, secure and empowered. “We want every child in our care to feel a genuine sense of belonging and to have the opportunities and support they need to realise their potential.” Admissions to Ty Hydref are planned alongside the local authority responsible for placing the child, with introductory visits and gradual transition arrangements used to help young people settle into the home.
Piano Man strikes the right note with £2,350 donation to Tenby lifeboat A TENBY musician’s fundraising performances have helped generate an impressive £2,350 donation for the town’s RNLI lifeboat station. Huw Johns, widely known as the “Piano Man”, raised £835 by performing a series of fundraising gigs at the Evergreen Inn in Tenby. His efforts then inspired friend Jason Sallam to donate £1,215 he had accumulated through several years of metal detecting on local beaches. Jason, a Tenby antiques dealer, is also due to appear in several episodes of David Dickinson’s Real Deal later this year. The fundraising came to the attention of Steve Thurgood, Charity Steward of Tenby Lodge No 1177, of which Huw and Jason are both members. After hearing what the pair had achieved, Steve secured the backing of lodge members for a further £300 contribution, taking the combined amount raised for the lifeboat to £2,350. Huw and Steve visited Tenby Lifeboat Station to present the lodge’s £300 cheque to Lifeboat Operations Manager Carl Evans. Carl thanked everyone involved for
their generosity and described the Piano Man as “a legend”. With Tenby Lifeboat approaching its 175th anniversary, he said he hoped
there would be opportunities to accept Huw’s offer of further fundraising performances. Tenby Lifeboat Station provides a vital 24-hour lifesaving service around the
South Pembrokeshire coast. It has 53 available crew members, 51 of whom are volunteers, and has experienced an especially busy summer following the prolonged spell of hot weather.
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Pembrokeshire council spent more than £813,000 on external consultants last year
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL spent more than £813,000 on external consultants during the last financial year, newly released figures have revealed. The authority has confirmed that its total expenditure on external consultants during 2025/26 was £813,018.58. The figure was disclosed following a Freedom of Information request asking the council for its total consultancy spending during the financial year. The request was submitted on June 11, with the council providing its response on July 1. No breakdown of the individual consultants, companies, contracts or services making up the £813,018 bill was included in the response. It means the figure cannot, on its own, establish how much was spent in particular departments or whether individual consultancy appointments represented value for money. However, the total provides a rare overall picture of the amount of council money being paid for outside expertise at a time when the authority continues to face significant financial pressures.
expenditure over the coming years. As previously reported by The Herald, Pembrokeshire County Council’s agreement with technology supplier ICS. AI has a maximum four-year value of £4.95 million. Of that, up to £2 million has been allocated for implementation consultancy, with a further £350,000 earmarked for business-change consultancy. Those amounts relate to the new AI programme approved in July 2026 and therefore should not be confused with the £813,018 consultancy total disclosed for the previous 2025/26 financial year.
Council tax increased this year
What the FOI does not tell us
Earlier this year councillors approved a 4.6 per cent increase in the county council element of Council Tax for 2026/27, adding £75.99 a year to the bill for a Band D property. Before the budget was set, the council had warned of a multi-million-pound funding gap and said growing demand for services, particularly education and social care, continued to place pressure on its finances. During its budget consultation, the authority estimated that every one percentage point increase in Council Tax would generate approximately £907,000. Against that background, the £813,018 spent on external consultants during the previous financial year is equivalent to almost 90 per cent of the amount the council estimated a one percentage point Council Tax rise would raise. Further consultancy spending ahead The disclosure also comes shortly after councillors approved a major artificial intelligence programme which could involve substantially greater consultancy
The AI contract has already attracted scrutiny over its cost, procurement arrangements and the extent to which expertise could eventually be developed within the council rather than continuing to be purchased externally. The council has argued that specialist support is required to implement the technology across its services and has said the programme could ultimately produce significant efficiencies and savings.
The newly released £813,018 figure covers external consultants across the authority but the council’s response does not identify who received the money. It does not reveal: • • • • • •
which companies or individuals were paid; which council departments commissioned consultants; the largest individual consultancy contracts; how much work was procured through competitive tender; or what outcomes were delivered in return. The figure was released under Freedom of Information reference 4478033.
The disclosure provides the headline total, but a detailed breakdown would be required to establish exactly where the £813,018 was spent and which outside advisers received the largest amounts.
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Anti-social behaviour warnings surged from seven to 135 THE NUMBER of formal warnings issued to tackle anti-social behaviour in Pembrokeshire jumped from just seven to 135 in the space of a year, newly released figures reveal. Pembrokeshire County Council has disclosed its use of Community Protection Warnings and Community Protection Notices following a Freedom of Information request covering the past five years. The figures show just two Community Protection Warnings were issued in 2022, followed by seven in 2023. That figure then rose dramatically to 135 during 2024. A further 55 warnings were issued in 2025, while 45 had already been issued during 2026 when the council responded to the request on August 13. In total, the authority recorded 244 Community Protection Warnings between the start of 2022 and the date of its response. Formal notices also increased Community Protection Warnings are generally used as an initial step when behaviour is considered to be having a persistent and detrimental effect on the quality of life of people in an area. If the behaviour continues, authorities can escalate matters by issuing a Community Protection Notice. Breaching a notice can ultimately result in prosecution. The council’s figures show no Community Protection Notices were issued in 2022 and only two were issued during 2023. That increased to 14 in 2024 before
anti-social behaviour itself increased by the same amount. The FOI response does not explain whether the change resulted from increased offending, a change in enforcement policy, improved recording, greater use of the legislation by officers, or a combination of factors. The figures therefore show an increase in enforcement action rather than providing a direct measure of the overall level of anti-social behaviour in Pembrokeshire. Few Community Trigger applications
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reaching 40 during 2025. Eleven had been issued during 2026 by the time the figures were compiled. Across the period, 67 formal Community Protection Notices were issued. What are the powers used for? Community Protection powers can be used to tackle a wide range of persistent problems affecting residents. These can include excessive noise, accumulation of rubbish, nuisance behaviour, irresponsible animal ownership and other conduct considered unreasonable and detrimental to a community. The Herald has previously reported
a number of individual cases in which the powers have been used in Pembrokeshire. Earlier this year, a Neyland pensioner was fined after continuing to play loud music despite repeated warnings. Pembrokeshire County Council said officers had gathered evidence of the disturbance before first issuing a Community Protection Warning and subsequently escalating the matter to a formal notice. Other cases in the county have involved waste accumulation, neighbour disputes and persistent noise nuisance. Increase does not necessarily mean more anti-social behaviour The newly disclosed figures show a dramatic increase in the council’s use of the powers, particularly between 2023 and 2024. However, they do not establish that
The council was also asked about applications for an Anti-Social Behaviour Case Review, previously known as the Community Trigger. The process allows victims of persistent anti-social behaviour to request a formal multi-agency review where they believe their complaints have not been adequately addressed. Pembrokeshire recorded three such applications in 2021/22 and none during 2022/23. One application was recorded in 2023/24, with none during either 2024/25 or 2025/26. The council said the review process is managed by Dyfed-Powys Police and that it is not routinely updated on whether every case progresses or results in recommendations for further action. The figures were released by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Public Protection Directorate following Freedom of Information request 4633569.
Cyclist injured in collision on Dale Road near Haverfordwest A CYCLIST was injured in a road traffic collision which closed a main route out of Haverfordwest on Monday afternoon. Police closed the B4327 Dale Road beyond the Masons Arms in the direction of Ratford Bridge while emergency services dealt with the incident. The Herald reported the closure shortly after it happened, when details of the collision were still unclear. A witness who said she was at the scene has since told The Herald that the casualty was a man riding a bicycle. She said the cyclist had been thrown some distance from his bike during the incident but remained conscious. The witness said: “We were there. He was an older chap on a bike and bless him he was thrown far, but had all his safety items on. “He seemed bruised and shook up but
never lost consciousness. Very stiff. Hope he does well in hospital. Lovely chap.” A photograph taken at the scene shows a Dyfed-Powys Police vehicle blocking Dale Road, with cones and police closure signs across the carriageway. The circumstances of the collision, including whether another vehicle was involved, have not yet been officially confirmed. The Herald has contacted DyfedPowys Police seeking further information, including confirmation of the cyclist’s condition and whether he was taken to hospital. Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant dashcam footage is encouraged to contact police. This article will be updated when further information becomes available.
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Port of Milford Haven seeks new patrol boat for safety and emergency response
New multi-role vessel will support harbour safety, security and emergency operations across the Milford Haven Waterway THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN is seeking a new Harbour Patrol boat to support safety, security and emergency response operations across the Waterway. A contract notice published on Sell2Wales invites specialist vessel builders to design and construct a new rigid-hull inflatable boat for the Port’s Harbour Patrol team. The new vessel will replace the Port’s existing RHIB and is intended to operate as a multi-role asset supporting the authority’s statutory harbour responsibilities. According to the tender specification, its duties will include maritime safety, port security, emergency response and wider operational support. The successful supplier will be expected to provide a complete vessel ready for immediate deployment, including design, construction, certification, equipment installation, commissioning, crew training and
documentation. Full-cabin option also being considered The existing Harbour Patrol RHIB is
fitted with a sheltered helm position and wrap-around screen. Tenderers have been asked to provide a price for a broadly similar replacement, but the Port is also asking for an alternative quotation for a version with a full cabin. The tender was published on August 10 and the deadline for bids is 9am on September 7. The Port currently expects to award the contract later in September. Patrol team expanded last year The Port’s Harbour Patrol operation has become increasingly visible across the Waterway in recent years. The service, previously known as the Water Ranger, has responsibility for supporting the safe use of the Waterway by recreational users. During the busy season, patrols cover an extensive area from St Ann’s Head at the entrance to the Haven through to Blackpool Mill on the Eastern Cleddau and Haverfordwest on the Western Cleddau. Last year the Port expanded the Harbour Patrol team, saying more frequent patrols would allow officers to provide safety guidance, enforce zoning arrangements and ensure compliance with harbour byelaws. Harbourmaster Mike Ryan said at the time that the service played a vital role in protecting people using the Waterway. Recent emergency response Harbour Patrol vessels are also regularly involved in incidents requiring an immediate response on the Haven. Earlier this month the team assisted a
40ft motor vessel which began taking on water rapidly near the South Hook LNG terminal. The vessel issued a Pan-Pan urgency call and, by the time Angle RNLI arrived, Milford Haven Harbour Patrol had already taken it under tow towards shallower water. A Port Authority pilot vessel also attended. Angle RNLI subsequently took over the tow after volunteer crew members brought the flooding under control using a salvage pump. The incident illustrated the broad range of work carried out by Harbour Patrol beyond routine enforcement and recreational safety duties. Port responsible for safety of Waterway As the statutory harbour authority, the Port of Milford Haven is responsible for managing safe navigation within its port limits. Its Harbour Patrol team works alongside Vessel Traffic Services, pilot boats, HM Coastguard, RNLI crews and other emergency services when incidents occur. The tender describes the replacement RHIB as an operational vessel rather than a leisure craft, with the new boat expected to be capable of supporting both routine patrol work and emergency situations. Suppliers have until September 7 to submit their bids, with an estimated contract award date of September 28. The above photo is a computer image created by The Herald based on the specs for the proposed vessel.
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Pembrokeshire foster family launches fundraiser to help local children
Family who have fostered for almost 19 years hope to support NHS children’s services through a series of community events A PEMBROKESHIRE family who have spent almost two decades caring for foster children are launching a fundraising drive to help local NHS children’s services. Pippa Thomas, from Hook, and her husband Mike have been foster carers for almost 19 years and are now preparing for the first in a series of fundraising events inspired by their ten-year-old adopted son, Levi. Levi was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a rare and complex congenital heart condition. The family say their experiences have inspired them to help other children and families facing difficult medical treatment, with money raised going towards Pembrokeshire Children’s Services through Hywel Dda Health Charities. Family fun day this Sunday The fundraising begins with a family fun day at the Pelcomb Inn, Simpson Cross, on Sunday, August 30. Running from midday until 5pm, the event will include children’s activities, bouncy castles, face painting, temporary tattoos, cakes and treats, music and refreshments.
The event has been organised by Pippa’s brother Nicky and his wife Nic and is open to everyone. Further fundraising events are also being planned over the coming months, including bingo evenings, treasure hunts and raffles. Almost two decades of fostering Pippa and Mike’s family has grown considerably during their years as foster carers. They have two daughters and grandchildren, while two foster daughters currently live at the family home. Several young people previously fostered by the couple now live independently nearby, while Levi became a permanent member of the family through adoption. Their latest fundraising campaign is called Levi’s Vein Finder Fundraiser. Vein-finding equipment can be particularly useful when treating children, whose veins may be small or difficult to locate. Hywel Dda Health Charities has previously funded infrared veinfinding equipment within children’s services, which allows medical staff
to see veins more clearly when taking blood or inserting a cannula. The equipment can help reduce the need for repeated attempts, making procedures less distressing for young patients and their families. ‘A positive impact on local children’ Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer at Hywel Dda Health Charities, thanked the family for supporting the service. She said: “A huge thank you to Pippa, Levi and family for organising a Family Fun Day to raise funds for Pembrokeshire Children’s Services. “Your support is greatly appreciated and will help make a positive impact on the lives of local children and
families.” Hywel Dda Health Charities is the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board and uses donations to provide equipment, facilities and services above and beyond core NHS expenditure. The charity said support from communities across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion helps fund additional services and equipment for patients and staff. The family has also set up an online fundraising page for anyone unable to attend Sunday’s event. Donate to Levi’s Vein Finder Fundraiser The Family Fun Day takes place at the Pelcomb Inn, Simpson Cross, on Sunday, August 30, from 12pm until 5pm.
Tenby seafront tops Pembrokeshire parking-ticket hotspots TENBY’S seafront has emerged as Pembrokeshire’s number-one parking-ticket hotspot, with almost 800 penalty charge notices issued at The Esplanade during the latest 12-month period for which figures are available. Figures released by Pembrokeshire County Council following a Freedom of Information request show that 782 penalty charge notices were issued at The Esplanade — comfortably more than at any other location in the county. Haverfordwest High Street was second, with 608 tickets, while the Regency car park in Saundersfoot came third with 531. Main Street in Pembroke was close behind on 501. Four Tenby locations feature in the county’s top ten, underlining the scale of parking enforcement in the popular seaside resort. The ten locations recording the highest number of penalty charge notices were: • • • •
The Esplanade, Tenby – 782 High Street, Haverfordwest – 608 Regency car park, Saundersfoot – 531 Main Street, Pembroke – 501
• • • • • •
High Street, Narberth – 316 South Parade, Tenby – 316 Castle Lake car park, Haverfordwest – 310 Multi-storey car park, Tenby – 305 The Croft, Tenby – 285 Beach car park, Freshwater East – 278
Together, the ten locations accounted for 4,232 penalty charge notices during
the period covered by the council’s figures. The Esplanade, South Parade and The Croft are all covered by parking and waiting restrictions in Tenby, while the town’s multi-storey car park also appears among the busiest enforcement locations. The figures also reveal the offences most likely to result in a ticket. By far the largest category was
motorists parking in a car park without clearly displaying a valid pay-anddisplay ticket, voucher or parking clock, which resulted in 3,261 penalty charge notices. A further 2,785 tickets were issued to vehicles parked in a restricted street during prescribed hours, while 2,660 were issued for motorists staying longer than permitted. The council was also asked to disclose the locations and ticket numbers for camera-based civil enforcement, including bus lanes, bus gates, yellow-box junctions and movingtraffic offences. Its response recorded no applicable locations. The figures relate to the most recent 12-month period for which the authority held information when the request was made. The FOI request was submitted on June 11 and answered by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Transport Directorate on July 3. With Pembrokeshire currently at the height of its summer visitor season, the figures offer a reminder to drivers to check restrictions carefully — particularly in Tenby, where four of the county’s ten busiest enforcement locations are concentrated.
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Historic Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre gets £226,000 facelift PEMBROKE DOCK Heritage Centre is undergoing a major programme of conservation work after securing more than £226,000 in funding for improvements to its historic home. Scaffolding has appeared around the former Garrison Chapel in recent weeks as work begins to protect and improve the Grade II* listed building. Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust has received £146,499 from the Welsh Government towards the relaying of the stone paviours on the centre’s driveway, while local benefactor Elizabeth Grainger, of Grainger Endeavours, has donated £80,000 to fund the repainting of the chapel’s exterior. The investment comes as the volunteer-led charity faces the considerable cost of maintaining a building approaching 200 years old. Historic military landmark Built in the early 1830s to serve Pembroke Dock Royal Dockyard, the Garrison Chapel is described by the Trust as the only surviving Georgian military chapel in the UK. Following the closure of the
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dockyard in 1926, the chapel was brought back into use during the Second World War as the church for RAF Pembroke Dock. It later became known locally as the Garrison Theatre. After years standing empty and deteriorating, the building underwent a major restoration and was officially reopened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2014 as Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre. Today, the centre explores Pembroke Dock’s links with the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force through collections including aircraft and ship models, uniforms, medals, artefacts and extensive archives. Essential repairs Trustees said the building’s exterior had reached the stage where redecoration was urgently required to protect its historic fabric. There have also been growing concerns about the condition of the driveway, where loose and sunken paving blocks have created potential trip hazards and made access more
difficult for wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility. Rik Saldanha, chairman of Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust, said: “We are immensely grateful to the Welsh Government and to Elizabeth Grainger for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to preserving Pembroke Dock’s heritage. “These improvements are about far more than paint and paving – they are about protecting one of Wales’ most important historic buildings and ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from it. “As a small volunteer-led charity, we simply could not have undertaken work of this scale without this support. It represents a huge investment in the future of the Heritage Centre and in the heritage of Pembroke Dock.” Erebus exhibition success The improvements follow the opening earlier this summer of the
centre’s flagship exhibition, HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery, marking 200 years since the famous exploration vessel was launched from Pembroke Dock Royal Dockyard. The exhibition tells the story of HMS Erebus from its Pembrokeshire origins through to its role in polar exploration and the ill-fated Franklin expedition. The Trust says the exhibition has attracted visitors from across Britain and overseas, while also generating interest from schools, community groups and volunteers. Trustees hope the latest investment will ensure the building itself provides a welcome worthy of the nationally significant history preserved inside. The Trust has thanked the Welsh Government, Elizabeth Grainger and everyone involved in the project for helping secure the future of one of Pembroke Dock’s most distinctive historic landmarks.
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Welsh business confidence rises above UK average for first time this year
BUSINESS confidence in Wales rose sharply during August, moving above the UK average for the first time this year, according to a closely watched monthly survey. The latest Lloyds Business Barometer recorded a confidence reading of 54% among Welsh firms — up ten points from 44% in July and one point above the UK-wide figure of 53%. It is the first time since December 2025 that business confidence in Wales has exceeded the national average. The improvement was driven equally by firms’ expectations for their own performance and growing optimism about the wider economy. Confidence in companies’ trading prospects rose ten points to 65%, while economic optimism also increased by ten points to 43%. The headline figure is calculated by averaging the two measures. Hiring expectations also rose substantially. A net balance of 65% of Welsh businesses said they expected to increase staffing levels during the next 12 months, up 61 points from July. The figures suggest Welsh businesses entered the second half of the year in a more optimistic mood following several months of economic uncertainty. The August confidence reading was also well above Wales’s 12-month average of 35%, although it remained slightly below the recent high of 57% recorded in October 2025.
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Businesses identified entering new markets as their leading priority for growth over the next six months, cited by 56% of respondents. Investment in staff and training was selected by 51%, while 46% said they planned to develop new products or services. Nathan Morgan, Lloyds’ area director for Wales, said: “It’s encouraging to see confidence among Welsh businesses strengthen again in August, with firms feeling more positive about their own trading outlook and the wider economy. “Particularly notable is the strong rise in the number of businesses expecting to grow their workforce over the next year, which points to ambition across the region. “As firms look to reach new markets, invest in their people and develop their offering, having the right support and finance in place will be important in helping them turn their optimism into growth.” Across the UK, overall confidence increased by four points to 53%, its highest level since March and above the 12-month average of 47%. Optimism about the wider economy rose seven points to 49%, while confidence in businesses’ own trading prospects increased by two points to a three-month high of 58%. Lloyds said businesses reporting greater optimism cited stronger
customer demand and improving financial conditions. Firms expecting their activity to increase also pointed to investment in technology and
capacity, along with better supplychain conditions. Amanda Murphy, chief executive of Lloyds Business and Commercial Banking, said the national findings showed confidence rising for a second consecutive month. She said: “Overall, businesses are reporting stronger customer demand, greater optimism about the wider economy and growing confidence in their own trading outlook, all of which will be helping to support investment and growth plans. “While businesses continue to operate in a challenging environment, easing cost pressures and fewer firms expecting to raise prices in the coming year should allow them to focus less on managing headwinds and more on pursuing growth.” The Business Barometer has been running since 2002 and is conducted monthly by Ipsos on behalf of Lloyds Bank. The August survey questioned 1,200 companies between August 3 and 17, including 43 businesses in Wales. The results are reweighted to reflect the distribution of businesses by region, sector and size, but the relatively small Welsh sample means sharp month-to-month movements should be treated with some caution.
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The stories behind the 12 names on St Ishmaels’ striking war memorial A STRIKING Pembrokeshire war memorial now being promoted as a heritage attraction carries the names of 12 local people whose stories stretch from the trenches of the Western Front to captivity in Borneo and the waters off Normandy. The contemporary memorial at St Ishmaels, designed by award-winning monument artist Howard Bowcott, stands beside the village playing fields close to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Although completed and dedicated in September 2024, it is now being highlighted to visitors as part of the wider military heritage of the Dale Peninsula and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. But behind its red sandstone and Welsh slate are the stories of nine local men who died as a result of the First World War and three who lost their lives during the Second.
Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia. Lost off Normandy
The memorial also carries the name of William Allan Devonald, whose story appears to have been largely missing from local remembrance for decades. Devonald was the son of Edwin and Martha Devonald and married Gwendoline May Griffiths of Hakin in 1937. He served as an engineman with the Royal Naval Patrol Service aboard HM Trawler Gairsay. On August 3, 1944, less than two months after D-Day, Gairsay was operating off Normandy when it was hit by a German explosive motor boat. The vessel sank with the loss of 29 lives.
A five-year community project The memorial followed a five-year effort by St Ishmaels Community Council and its War Memorial Action Group. The village’s former Memorial Hall had fallen into such disrepair that the community council decided in 2019 that it should be sold. Attempts were made to find a way of relocating the original memorial stone, but quotations and discussions with the War Memorials Trust led the council to conclude that moving it was not viable. Instead, the community opted for an entirely new memorial which could preserve the village’s connection with its fallen while also recognising those who died during the Second World War. Bowcott’s design uses Old Red Sandstone, chosen because of its strong association with the geology of the Marloes peninsula, together with bands of Welsh slate carrying the names. Standing 12ft 6in high, it is topped by a Celtic Cross. More than 50 shell forms modelled by pupils at nearby Coastlands Primary School were incorporated into the design, deliberately linking the young people of today with those from previous generations whose lives were lost to war. The first to fall Among the First World War dead was Frederick Seymour Jenkins, born at St Ishmaels in 1885. An Army reservist who had been working at Portsmouth Royal Naval Dockyard, he was recalled to the colours at the outbreak of war and served with the 55th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Jenkins was killed in France on December 9, 1914, aged 29, making him the first St Ishmaels casualty of the
Great War. He left behind his widow Eva and their young daughter Olive. Eva never remarried and lived until 1973. Lieutenant Henry William Warren Davis, of the Welsh Regiment, was another of those remembered. Educated at Malvern College and Sandhurst, he was killed near Zonnebeke during the Second Battle of Ypres in April 1915. Research by the West Wales War Memorial Project records that he was killed while trying to help a wounded man. He was 24. His original grave was subsequently lost during further fighting and he is now commemorated by a special memorial at Bedford House Cemetery in Belgium. A 19-year-old lost in France Private William Morris was just 19. The son of David and Ellen Morris of East Lodge, St Ishmaels, he enlisted at Milford Haven and joined the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He reached France in July 1915 but was wounded shortly afterwards and died on August 23. He lies at Merville Communal Cemetery in France. Research into the village’s earlier memorial records that Morris was not included on it. Another local casualty, Private Alfred Claude Thomas, was likewise recorded as absent from the earlier St Ishmaels memorial. Thomas, the son of Arthur and Alice Thomas, served with the 10th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He fought during the Battle of the Somme and was killed at Longueval on
July 20, 1916, aged 23. He is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery. From St Ishmaels to Iraq Not all of the village’s dead fell in France or Belgium. Private George Hugh Jenkins, of the Manchester Regiment, had been serving in India when war began. His unit was sent first to France before later moving to Mesopotamia. He was killed in March 1916 during the attempt to relieve the British garrison besieged at Kut, aged 31, and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial in present-day Iraq. Private John Morgan, another St Ishmaels man, also served in the Middle East. After fighting at Gallipoli, his unit moved to Mesopotamia. He died in June 1916 aged 35 and is buried at Basra War Cemetery. Prisoner of the Japanese One of the most harrowing stories commemorated belongs to William John Ormond. Born in 1909, Ormond joined the RAF Volunteer Reserve and was eventually posted to RAF Tengah in Singapore. When Japanese forces attacked Singapore in February 1942, Ormond was evacuated to Java, only to be captured there the following month. He was eventually taken to the notorious Sandakan prisoner-of-war camp in Borneo. Ormond survived more than two years as a prisoner before dying from malaria on September 4, 1944, aged 34. His remains were later moved to
Devonald was 27 years old and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial. His brother John Edwin Devonald had already been killed in 1940 when HM Drifter Reed struck a mine in the Thames Estuary. Research by the West Wales War Memorial Project records that John was commemorated at Haverfordwest, while William Allan had not previously been found on a local memorial. In February 2024, however, the St Ishmaels community confirmed that William Allan Devonald would be one of three Second World War names added to its new memorial, alongside William John Ormond and William James Sharpe. A memorial built for another generation The finished monument was formally dedicated on September 15, 2024 — Battle of Britain Day — with representatives of the Armed Forces, Royal British Legion and other organisations attending. Its significance is now spreading beyond the village. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s 2026 visitor publication features St Ishmaels War Memorial as part of a wider exploration of the county’s military landscape, alongside sites including Pembroke Castle, Penally’s surviving First World War practice trenches and Castlemartin Range. For visitors, it is an unusual piece of contemporary public art. For St Ishmaels, however, its purpose is much simpler. The sandstone, slate and shells ensure that 12 names — and the lives behind them — remain part of the community they left behind.
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St Davids surgery consultation opens as no replacement premises found RESIDENTS in St Davids are being urged to have their say on the future of the city’s branch surgery after Hywel Dda University Health Board confirmed that no suitable replacement premises have yet been identified. The formal public engagement follows an application by Meddygfa Penrhyn to discontinue the nurse-led branch services currently provided from Shalom House in St Davids and instead provide them from the practice’s main surgery in Solva, around 3.4 miles away. Shalom House itself will no longer be available from September 30 because the building is being sold. Hywel Dda has stressed that no decision has yet been made on the future of the St Davids branch and says feedback gathered over the coming weeks will help inform any recommendations. Consultation now open Patients of Meddygfa Penrhyn, carers, residents and community groups are being invited to respond by October 16. The Health Board said it wants to understand how people currently use the St Davids services and what impact any change could have. All patients are being written to directly and a questionnaire is available online. Paper copies are also available from Shalom House until September 25 and from Meddygfa Penrhyn in Solva. Responses can also be submitted by email or telephone. Public meeting in St Davids A public drop-in engagement event will be held at St Davids City Hall on Wednesday, September 23. Representatives will be available between 2pm and 7pm to answer questions and hear directly from residents. People can attend at any point during the five-hour session. The Health Board said: “No decision has yet been made about the branch surgery in St Davids. “Before any recommendations are considered, we want to understand how people use these services and what impact any changes may have.” No alternative premises identified The future of the service has become more urgent because the existing Shalom House premises are
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about to become unavailable. Hywel Dda confirmed that the building is being sold and cannot be used beyond September 30. Despite efforts to identify another location in St Davids, the Health Board says no suitable alternative premises have yet been found. Meddygfa Penrhyn has therefore applied to discontinue the St Davids branch and provide the services from its Solva surgery instead. The application does not mean the closure has been approved. Hywel Dda must consider the impact on patients and the local community before reaching a recommendation. Previous concerns over future of service The Herald reported earlier this month that the St Davids branch could face a temporary closure when access to Shalom House ends. At that stage, Hywel Dda said it was preparing an engagement process before deciding the longerterm future of the service. The launch of the consultation now gives residents their first formal opportunity to influence that decision. St Davids is Wales’ smallest city and the loss of a locally based branch surgery has already prompted concern about access to healthcare, particularly for elderly residents, people without private transport and those who may find travelling to Solva difficult. How to have your say
The consultation remains open until October 16. Residents can respond online at www.haveyoursay.hduhb.wales.nhs. uk, email ask.hdd@wales.nhs.uk, or call 0300 303 8322 and select option 5. Paper questionnaires can also be completed at Shalom House until September 25 or at Meddygfa
Penrhyn in Solva. The public drop-in takes place at St Davids City Hall, High Street, St Davids, SA62 6SD, on Wednesday, September 23 between 2pm and 7pm. Hywel Dda said the feedback received will be used to help shape future recommendations on whether branch services should continue in St Davids.
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Did the Council listen? Residents asked to check new Pembrokeshire travel routes Second consultation asks communities to examine revised plans for walking, wheeling and cycling across 11 Pembrokeshire towns PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being asked to check whether their views have been properly reflected in revised plans for walking, wheeling and cycling routes across the county. Pembrokeshire County Council has begun the second stage of its review of the Active Travel Network Map, covering 11 towns and communities. It follows a 12-week consultation earlier this year in which residents were invited to identify missing links, unsafe routes and places where walking, wheelchair use and cycling could be made easier. The council has now considered those responses and produced an updated network.But rather than moving directly to the next stage, it is asking residents to go back to the map and check whether the right routes have been identified. The consultation remains open until September 28. Eleven areas included The review covers the Welsh Government-designated active travel areas of: • • • • • • • • • • •
Fishguard and Goodwick Pembroke Pembroke Dock Tenby Saundersfoot Haverfordwest Neyland Milford Haven Johnston Narberth St Dogmaels
Residents can examine routes through an interactive online map and leave comments on individual sections. The council particularly wants to know whether potential new routes have been identified correctly, whether existing paths requiring improvement have been recognised and whether routes already judged to meet active travel standards have been assessed accurately. Second chance to challenge the map The Herald reported in January that the first consultation would run until April, giving residents an opportunity to suggest where new walking and cycling links should be created.
in that bid has not yet been disclosed. Local knowledge important Maps and technical surveys can identify many problems, but residents using routes every day may have a very different experience.
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That exercise was intended to gather local knowledge before the council revised its network. The latest consultation is therefore significantly different. Rather than starting with a largely blank exercise, residents can now see the council’s response to the earlier feedback and decide whether they believe it has got the result right. That could include pointing out a missing connection between residential areas and schools, questioning whether an existing route is genuinely safe or accessible, or challenging a route which the council considers already meets the required standard. Not just about cycling Although active travel schemes are frequently described as cycle routes, the network is intended to serve a much wider group of people. Active travel means making everyday journeys by walking, wheeling or cycling rather than relying on a motor vehicle. “Wheeling” includes people using wheelchairs and mobility aids. The aim is therefore to provide routes which can be used for journeys to schools, workplaces, shops, public transport and other everyday destinations. It does not simply cover recreational paths or trails used by cyclists. Accessibility, road crossings,
pavement condition, gradients, lighting and whether people can travel safely without having to mix with fastmoving traffic can all affect whether a route is suitable. Plans could influence future investment Being included on the Active Travel Network Map does not mean a new path or cycleway will automatically be built. The map instead identifies where councils believe future investment should be directed. That makes the exercise important when funding becomes available from Welsh Government or other sources. Schemes already identified as part of an agreed network are generally in a stronger position to progress through feasibility work, design and funding applications. Pembrokeshire has already seen significant investment in active travel infrastructure in recent years, including routes around Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and other towns. The county is also seeking a share of a new £4.5 million Welsh Government cycling legacy fund connected with the 2027 Tour de France. The Herald revealed earlier this month that Pembrokeshire County Council has submitted a joint expression of interest with Visit Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, the National Trust and Bluestone. Exactly which projects are included
A pavement marked as an existing route may contain difficult crossings, narrow sections or obstacles which make it impractical for someone using a wheelchair or pushing a pram. Likewise, a short missing connection between two existing paths can make the difference between having a usable route and forcing people onto a busy road. The second consultation gives residents an opportunity to flag those issues before the revised network is finalised. It also provides an opportunity to say where the council has got things right. What the consultation does not cover The council has stressed that this particular review deals specifically with the Active Travel Network Map. It is not a consultation on the wider network of public footpaths and public rights of way across rural Pembrokeshire. Nor is it intended as a general system for reporting potholes, highway defects or unrelated road problems. Those matters remain subject to separate council processes. How to take part Residents can view the proposed network through the council’s online active travel consultation, where individual routes can be examined and comments submitted. Paper copies are also available for anyone unable to use the interactive system. The consultation closes on September 28. For people who took part in the first exercise earlier this year, the latest stage provides an opportunity to answer a straightforward question: did the revised map actually reflect what the community said? Anyone who thinks the answer is no now has another chance to say so before the network moves forward.
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Visitors urged to give seal pups space as breeding season begins in Pembrokeshire Some females are thought to return repeatedly to the same breeding areas. The island’s rugged coastline provides numerous secluded beaches where seals can give birth away from most human disturbance. Skomer and other offshore islands are also important, while pups can appear on isolated beaches around the mainland coast. Pembrokeshire’s grey seals do not necessarily remain here permanently. Animals recorded locally have subsequently been identified around Ireland, Cornwall and France, while tracking research has demonstrated how far the species can travel in search of food. What to do if you find a pup VISITORS to the Pembrokeshire coast are being urged to give grey seals plenty of space as one of the county’s most spectacular wildlife events gets under way. Grey seal pupping season normally runs from August until the end of November, with females coming ashore on secluded beaches, caves and offshore islands to give birth. Pembrokeshire is one of the most important areas for the species in Britain, with approximately 5,000 Atlantic grey seals estimated to use the waters around the county. Ramsey Island, off St Davids, is particularly important. Between 500 and 700 pups are born there each year, making it the largest grey seal pupping site in southern Britain. With the breeding season now beginning, the Pembrokeshire Marine Code is reminding people exploring the coast by foot, boat, kayak or paddleboard not to disturb mothers and their pups. White pups may appear to be alone Newborn grey seal pups are easily recognised by their fluffy white coats and can sometimes be seen resting alone on beaches. However, the absence of an adult seal does not necessarily mean a youngster has been abandoned. Mother seals will frequently leave their pups temporarily while they enter the water, and an adult female may be watching from the sea only a short distance offshore. The Marine Code warns that females can rest in the water around 10 to 30 metres away from their pups. People approaching a youngster, standing between it and the sea or attempting to touch it can therefore
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interfere with the bond between mother and pup. Visitors are being advised to watch quietly from a distance rather than attempting to intervene. Keep at least 50 metres away The Pembrokeshire Marine Code recommends people become particularly alert to seals from around 100 metres away and maintain a distance of at least 50 metres unless an animal chooses to approach them. People should move further away if a seal begins showing signs of disturbance. Warning behaviour can include repeatedly lifting its head to watch people, rapid movement, panic diving or suddenly entering the water. Visitors should never creep towards seals to obtain a closer photograph. Boats and other water users are also advised to reduce their speed and noise when approaching areas where seals are present and to limit viewing time. Swimming with, touching or feeding wild seals should be avoided. Dogs should be kept under close control. Do not land on pupping beaches Seasonal restrictions are particularly important for people exploring Pembrokeshire’s coastline from the water. The Marine Code states that people should not land on known seal pupping beaches between August 1
and the end of November. Many of the county’s most sensitive locations are identified on agreed access restriction maps produced by the Pembrokeshire Marine Code. High-density pupping areas include Pembrokeshire’s offshore islands and stretches of coast north of St Davids Head. Even where a beach is not specifically identified, people are asked not to land if seals or pups are already present. Three crucial weeks The first few weeks of a grey seal pup’s life are critical. Pups are born with a white coat and rely entirely on extremely rich milk from their mothers. They normally feed several times each day and can put on around two kilograms in weight every 24 hours. Within approximately three weeks they can treble their birth weight. The mother does not generally feed while nursing her youngster and can lose a substantial amount of her own body weight during the process. Once weaned, the pup is left to become independent and its distinctive white coat is replaced by the waterproof coat of a young seal. Disturbance during those first weeks can therefore have serious consequences. Ramsey a stronghold for the species Ramsey Island is one of Britain’s most significant grey seal breeding sites. Females return to its beaches and caves every autumn, with more than 600 pups typically born during a season.
Anyone finding a seal pup should initially observe it from a considerable distance. A healthy pup lying quietly on a beach should normally be left alone. People should not attempt to push it towards the sea. Young pups need to remain ashore and forcing one into the water can put it at risk. Likewise, members of the public should not attempt to pick up or feed a seal. Where an animal appears genuinely injured, entangled or in distress, advice should be sought from an appropriate wildlife rescue organisation. Reckless disturbance of marine wildlife or suspected wildlife crime can be reported to police on 101. An extraordinary sight — from a distance For people walking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path over the coming weeks, the sight of a white seal pup on an isolated beach can be one of the highlights of autumn on the county’s coastline. But wildlife organisations say the best way to enjoy that experience is also the simplest. Keep your distance, keep dogs under control, avoid going onto beaches being used by seals and allow mothers and pups to behave naturally. Over the next three months, hundreds of pups will be born around Pembrokeshire. For many, those first few weeks on a quiet beach will determine whether they survive to join the thousands of grey seals already living in the waters around the county.
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Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment outlined at Gild of Freemen summer event MEMBERS of the Gild of Freemen of Haverfordwest have heard how the town’s castle is set to be transformed as part of a major regeneration project, with the attraction expected to open in 2028. The update was given during the Gild of Freemen Summer Event at the Mariners Hotel in Haverfordwest, where officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration team delivered a presentation on the redevelopment of Haverfordwest Castle. Among those attending was Castle ward county councillor Thomas Tudor, who is also a Burgess of the County Town of Pembrokeshire. The presentation set out plans to turn the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction for residents, schools and tourists, while preserving the castle and bringing more of its history to life. Work has already included conservation of the medieval castle, while the Inner Bailey is being landscaped so that it can host events with audiences of up to 500 people. It is hoped the space will eventually be used for concerts, theatre
productions, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events. The wider castle grounds are also due to be improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site alongside activities aimed at families and younger visitors. Museum to be modernised The Governor’s House, which currently accommodates Haverfordwest Museum, forms another important part of the scheme. The historic building is to be conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will undergo a complete refurbishment and modernisation. Meanwhile, the former gaol building is set to become a new visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past — and looking towards its future — through interactive and familyfriendly displays. Plans for the building also include a café, shop and community spaces. Improving the link with the town Council officers also outlined work
aimed at strengthening the physical connection between the castle and Haverfordwest town centre. The Castle Back route is receiving improvements intended to make the journey between the two areas more attractive, while new signage will help visitors find the castle and navigate the wider town. The project forms part of the wider regeneration of Haverfordwest, which has seen significant investment in recent years. Cllr Tudor said it had been “lovely” to attend the Gild’s summer event and
hear directly from the regeneration team about the plans. The gathering was also attended by members and guests including Pat Swales Barker, Chris Martin, Eirwen Lucas, Martin Green and Maurice Raymond Sheppard. The Gild of Freemen maintains Haverfordwest’s long civic tradition, with Burgesses appointed in recognition of service to the town and its community. The redeveloped Haverfordwest Castle attraction is currently expected to open in 2028.
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Rarely seen medieval treasures to open at St Davids Cathedral
RARELY seen parts of St Davids Cathedral will be opened to visitors this Bank Holiday weekend, offering access to medieval features and ancient Christian monuments normally hidden from public view. Porth-y-Twr, the historic gatehouse overlooking the Cathedral Close, will be the focus of a special open day on Saturday (August 29). The building is the last surviving medieval gatehouse associated with the Cathedral precinct and contains a remarkable collection of carved stones, architectural remains and evidence of the way access to the Cathedral was controlled centuries ago. St Davids City Council has announced that the Porth-y-Twr and Bell Tower open day will run from 10am until 3pm. The Cathedral is also offering a series of guided visits into its Lapidarium during the day. Stones older than the Cathedral
Among the most important objects housed inside Porth-y-Twr are carved Christian stones dating from the tenth and eleventh centuries. They pre-date the present Cathedral and provide evidence of the longestablished Christian community at St Davids before much of the medieval complex seen today was constructed. The collection includes early carved crosses and memorial stones which survived from a period when St Davids was repeatedly exposed to attacks from the sea. One particularly remarkable gravestone commemorates a bishop killed by Viking raiders. The same stone was subsequently used to commemorate his two sons, who were also said to have been killed in Viking attacks. The stones are normally protected within the gatehouse and are not part of the Cathedral’s everyday visitor route. Double portcullis guarded entrance Porth-y-Twr dates largely from the 14th century and once formed part of the fortified entrance into the Cathedral Close. Visitors on Saturday will be able to see evidence of a rare doubleportcullis system which controlled access through the gateway. The Cathedral’s guides will explain how the entrance operated and how people could still move through the gateway when one of the portcullises had been lowered. The building also contains the opening leading towards a medieval underground prison. These surviving defensive features are reminders that the Cathedral precinct was not simply a place of
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worship. During the Middle Ages it was also a wealthy and important ecclesiastical centre which required protection. Centuries of raids and upheaval St Davids suffered repeated attacks during the Viking period. Its location on the western edge of Wales made the religious settlement particularly vulnerable to raiders travelling through the Irish Sea. Despite that, the shrine of St David became one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in medieval Britain. The surviving Cathedral was begun in the 12th century and developed over subsequent generations, while the surrounding Close eventually contained the Bishop’s Palace, gatehouses, administrative buildings and other structures associated with the medieval church. Porth-y-Twr is one of the most substantial survivors from that complex. Fragment of lost Cathedral survives The gatehouse also contains a much later piece of Cathedral history. Visitors can see the last surviving part of the west end designed by architect John Nash during nineteenthcentury alterations to the Cathedral. Nash, later famous for projects including Buckingham Palace and Regent Street, carried out work at St
Davids before much of his intervention was subsequently replaced during the extensive Victorian restoration led by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The surviving fragment preserved inside Porth-y-Twr therefore records another stage in the Cathedral’s long and sometimes controversial architectural history.
the medieval tower is itself a substantial engineering exercise because of the confined access within the historic structure. The bellringers have also been encouraging new members to try the centuries-old tradition.
Building normally closed
Porth-y-Twr underwent major restoration before being formally reopened in 2001. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited St Davids that year, with the Queen officially opening the restored gatehouse during a wider visit to Pembrokeshire. Twenty-five years later, the restored structure continues to protect some of the Cathedral’s oldest surviving objects.
Although thousands of visitors pass through Porth-y-Twr every year on their way into the Cathedral Close, the interior is not suitable for routine public access. That means many people who have visited St Davids repeatedly may never have seen what is contained inside. Saturday’s open day provides an opportunity to explore the historic structure rather than simply walk beneath it. Guided visits to the Lapidarium are being organised by the Cathedral Library team. Tours are scheduled for 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm, with advance tickets priced at £5. The Cathedral says numbers have to be controlled because of the historic nature of the building and limitations on access. Bell tower Porth-y-Twr also houses the Cathedral bells. The tower contains a ring of ten bells and remains home to the St Davids Cathedral band of bellringers. Earlier this year one of the bells had to be removed after developing a crack and was sent away for specialist repair. Removing and replacing a bell from
Royal connection
Bank Holiday opportunity The open day comes during the final Bank Holiday weekend of the summer and is likely to attract both visitors and local residents. The Cathedral itself will remain open as usual, while the Porth-y-Twr event offers access to parts of the site that are rarely available. For anyone accustomed to walking through the medieval gateway without looking much further, Saturday provides an unusual chance to discover what has survived inside it. Porth-y-Twr and the Bell Tower at St Davids Cathedral will be open on Saturday, August 29, from 10am until 3pm. Guided visits to the Lapidarium take place at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm.
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Parc Gwyn Crematorium to open its doors for public open day
PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being invited to take a closer look behind the scenes at Parc Gwyn Crematorium during a public open day next month. Pembrokeshire County Council will welcome visitors to the crematorium on Saturday, September 19, from 11:00am until 4:00pm, offering an opportunity to explore the facility, its memorial gardens and landscaped grounds.
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The event will give members of the public the chance to meet the experienced team at Parc Gwyn and learn more about the services provided to bereaved families across the county. Set amid peaceful countryside, the crematorium and its grounds were designed in the 1960s to provide a
place for reflection, remembrance and comfort. Visitors will be able to walk through the gardens and landscaped areas while finding out more about the work that takes place behind the scenes. Council officials say the open day is also intended to remove some of the uncertainty surrounding cremation and provide straightforward answers to questions people may have about the process. Staff will be available throughout the day to explain how cremation works, discuss the facilities and answer questions in what the council describes as an open, sensitive and professional environment. Guided tours of the crematorium will take place during the day, with visitors able to speak informally with members of the team. The event is open to anyone who may be planning ahead, supporting a loved one or simply wants to understand more about the crematorium and the services it provides. Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “Parc Gwyn Crematorium plays an important role in supporting families across
Pembrokeshire at some of the most difficult times in their lives. “This open day is an opportunity for residents to learn more about the care, professionalism and compassion that underpin the services provided, as well as to explore the beautiful and peaceful surroundings that offer comfort and remembrance. “We welcome anyone who would like to find out more, ask questions, or share their views on the future of the service.” Norman Industries, Pembrokeshire County Council’s supported employment scheme, has also been commissioned to produce family memorial plaques and benches for the crematorium’s meadow where requested. Visitors will be encouraged to give their views on the existing service and suggest facilities or services they would like to see offered in the future. Refreshments will be available to purchase from the Cwm Dine team throughout the day. The Parc Gwyn Crematorium open day takes place on Saturday, September 19, from 11:00am to 4:00pm.
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International artworks arrive in Milford Haven ahead of Wales Contemporary 2026 ARTWORK selected for one of Wales’ leading contemporary art competitions will begin arriving in Milford Haven this week ahead of the opening of Wales Contemporary 2026. Artists chosen for the sixth annual exhibition have been asked to deliver their work to the Waterfront Gallery on Monday and Tuesday (August 24 and 25), with the finished exhibition opening to the public on Saturday (August 29). The competition attracts artists from across Wales, the UK and internationally, provided their work has a meaningful connection with Wales This year will also mark a significant expansion of the event, with film and animation accepted for the first time alongside painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, textiles, ceramics and other forms of contemporary art. A total prize fund of £6,000 is available, together with opportunities for solo exhibitions and mentoring.
born in Wales, living or working here, producing work responding to Welsh landscape, heritage or culture, or contributing to the arts in Wales. That has allowed the exhibition to attract work from artists living much further afield while maintaining a distinctively Welsh identity. Previous editions have brought hundreds of entries to Milford Haven and helped give artists from Pembrokeshire and across Wales exposure alongside work from established international practitioners. Young artists have also been encouraged to take part. Under-18s were able to submit work free of charge, with five young artists eligible to receive £100 worth of art materials. Milford Haven at centre of competition
Exhibition opens on Saturday Wales Contemporary 2026 will run at the Waterfront Gallery on Milford Haven’s Discovery Quay from August 29 until September 26. Entry to the exhibition is free. An invitation-only awards ceremony will take place at nearby Sybil House on the opening day, when this year’s prize winners will be announced. The gallery will then welcome members of the public to see the selected work throughout September. The exhibition has grown considerably since Wales Contemporary was established in Milford Haven in 2019, developing into a platform for both established and emerging artists with connections to Wales. The Port of Milford Haven continues to support the competition as its principal sponsor. Film and animation join exhibition One of the biggest changes for 2026 is the introduction of movingimage work. For the first time, artists working in film and animation have been able to enter alongside those producing more traditional two and three-dimensional pieces. Organisers say the change reflects the way contemporary artistic practice continues to develop while retaining the competition’s central focus on
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Wales, its landscape, heritage, culture and communities. Photography is also being given greater prominence within this year’s exhibition. The result is expected to be one of the most varied displays since the competition began. Pembrokeshire artist among judges This year’s entries have been assessed by a three-person judging panel which includes internationally recognised artist Tim Davies. Originally from Pembrokeshire, Davies studied in London, Norwich and Canterbury before later leading the fine art course at Swansea College of Art. His career has included exhibitions across Wales, Britain and internationally, and in 2011 he represented Wales at the Venice Biennale.
He was also one of the artists shortlisted for the inaugural Artes Mundi Prize and has work held in major public collections. Joining him on the judging panel is award-winning textile artist and designer Laura Thomas. A graduate of Birmingham University and the Royal College of Art, her work can be found in collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Wool Museum. The third judge is artist Sarah Williams, whose work draws heavily on Welsh mythology, culture and landscape. Her paintings and intricate handpainted cut-outs explore storytelling and a sense of place, and she has also illustrated the work of Welsh poets. Artists connected to Wales The competition is not restricted to people currently living in Wales. Artists can qualify through a number of routes, including being
The Waterfront Gallery, based in the Old Sail Loft at Milford Waterfront, created Wales Contemporary in 2019. Run as an independent registered charity, the gallery is operated with the support of artists and volunteers and hosts a changing programme of exhibitions throughout the year. Wales Contemporary has become its flagship annual event. Previous editions have also taken Pembrokeshire-selected art into prestigious venues outside the county, including exhibitions in London. The competition’s continued growth has helped position Milford Haven as an unexpected but increasingly established location on Wales’ contemporary art calendar. Final preparations this week For gallery staff and volunteers, Monday and Tuesday will begin the final physical stage of preparations. Selected works will arrive in reusable cases and protective packaging before being unpacked, checked and positioned within the exhibition. With paintings, sculpture, textiles, photography and new digital work all requiring different methods of presentation, preparing the gallery for opening is expected to take much of the week. The awards ceremony will then take place at Sybil House on Saturday before the exhibition opens for its month-long run. Wales Contemporary 2026 will be open at the Waterfront Gallery, Milford Haven, from Saturday, August 29 until Saturday, September 26. Admission is free and the gallery normally opens Monday to Saturday from 10.30am until 4pm.
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Pentlepoir play park officially reopened after £40,000-plus upgrade
Children help cut the ribbon on revamped facility featuring new inclusive equipment A PEMBROKESHIRE village play park has been officially reopened following a major upgrade costing more than £40,000 and designed to make the facility more accessible to children of different abilities. Children were given the honour of helping to cut the ribbon at Pentlepoir Play Park, in East Williamston parish, during an opening ceremony on Friday, August 14. The refurbished park includes a new multi-play unit and a range of replacement equipment, including items specifically intended to provide more inclusive opportunities for children. East Williamston Community Council said earlier this year that more than £40,000 had been secured through the Welsh Government’s All Wales Play Opportunities Grant Capital Funding for Play Spaces and Playgrounds scheme, with additional money coming from the community council’s own funds. The wider project has also received support through Pembrokeshire County Council’s Enhancing
Children and representatives of East Williamston Community Council celebrate the reopening of Pentlepoir Play Park following its major upgrade. Picture: East Williamston Community Council. Tom Sinclair
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Pembrokeshire Fund. The new equipment was supplied and installed by Kompan Ltd. Children take centre stage
Rather than councillors carrying out the traditional ribbon-cutting themselves, children attending the ceremony were gathered around the new play equipment and invited to take part. Among those present were East Williamston County Councillor Jacob Williams, Pembrokeshire County Council’s lead member for play Cllr Jon Harvey, members of East Williamston Community Council and council grant funding officers. Community Council chairman Cllr Doug McIntosh thanked those involved in securing the funding and delivering the project, as well as residents living close to the play area for their support. The ceremony also remembered Richard Fanus, a neighbour of the park who died earlier this year, with members of his family attending as special guests. Former community council chairman Cllr Dr Peter Strydom, who was closely involved in progressing the project, organised the children for the ribbon cutting before the newly-opened equipment was put immediately to the test. Each of the children attending was also given a goody bag supplied by Kompan. From ageing equipment to new facility The redevelopment follows several years in which East Williamston Community Council had been dealing with maintenance and safety issues at its play areas. Minutes from April 2024 show councillors discussing high-risk items identified during play park inspections, with some equipment due to be dismantled and removed for safety reasons.
At Pentlepoir, councillors were already looking for quotations for replacement equipment and noted that parts of the existing multi-play units required replacement. By September 2024, the council was preparing an application to Pembrokeshire County Council’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire scheme for new play equipment and replacement fencing at the site. The new equipment was installed earlier this year and the site was landscaped before its formal opening this month. East Williamston Community Council said the improved facility had already proved popular and described it as a play space where children could enjoy the new equipment together. Wider investment in play The project forms part of wider investment in children’s play facilities across Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire County Council recently confirmed that almost £195,000 of Welsh Government capital funding has been used to improve play opportunities across the county. The money has supported replacement and repair of equipment, improved surfacing and infrastructure, and work intended to remove accessibility barriers at existing playgrounds. The council said feedback from families and community groups indicated that the improvements were resulting in increased use of facilities and providing more opportunities for inclusive play. For children in Pentlepoir, however, the success of the investment was demonstrated rather more simply at the opening ceremony — by getting onto the new equipment and playing.
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Opera workshop brings classical music to life for young people in Haverfordwest YOUNG people in Haverfordwest have been given an entertaining introduction to the world of opera and classical music during a special workshop at Riverside Library. Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited the library to meet Welsh opera singer and broadcaster Mark Llewelyn Evans, who was delivering his popular ABC of Opera workshop to young students. The session, held at Riverside Library/Glan-yr-afon in Haverfordwest, formed part of the educational work carried out through ABC Workshops, home of the Academy of Barmy Composers. For almost a decade, the workshops have sought to make opera and classical music accessible to children by presenting the subject in an energetic, imaginative and highly interactive way. Rather than simply introducing youngsters to famous composers and musical terminology, the sessions encourage children to take part, contribute ideas and discover how stories, characters and music come together to create opera. The programme aims to develop creativity and confidence while also encouraging teamwork and inclusivity, giving children who may have had little previous exposure to classical music the opportunity to experience it in an
informal and welcoming setting. Mark Llewelyn Evans has built a reputation for bringing opera to audiences beyond the traditional concert hall, particularly through his work with schools and young people. His workshops use humour, storytelling and participation to break down some of the barriers that can surround classical music and demonstrate that opera can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Cllr Tudor said he was delighted to see the programme visiting Haverfordwest and praised the opportunity being offered to local youngsters. He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward, it was lovely to meet Mark Llewelyn Evans, who was carrying out his ABC of Opera workshop with young students at Riverside Library in Haverfordwest. “For almost a decade, ABC Workshops, home of the Academy of Barmy Composers, have been bringing the magical world of classical music and opera to life. “The workshops captivate the minds of children while fostering creativity, confidence, teamwork and inclusivity, and we were very pleased that they came to Haverfordwest.” Libraries are increasingly being used as venues for a broad range of educational and cultural activities,
alongside their traditional role of providing books, information and study facilities. The Haverfordwest session provided another example of how community venues can introduce children to forms of music and performance they might otherwise have little opportunity to encounter. For those taking part, the workshop offered the chance not only to learn
about opera but to become involved in the creative process themselves — showing that classical music does not have to be distant or intimidating, but can instead be lively, humorous and accessible. Cllr Tudor said the visit was a welcome addition to activities taking place in the Castle Ward and an opportunity for young people to experience something different within the heart of the town.
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Fishguard–Rosslare link marks 120 years of crossings between Wales and Ireland
Exhibition celebrating historic sea route opens in Rosslare as service which transformed Goodwick reaches landmark anniversary
Crowds watching Mauretania arrive at Fishguard in 1909 ONE of Pembrokeshire’s most important links with Ireland is celebrating 120 years since the Fishguard–Rosslare ferry service was established. A special exhibition of historic photographs, artefacts and archive material charting the history of the route will open at Rosslare Europort on Monday (August 24). Organised by the Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre, the exhibition
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marks the 120th anniversary of the service, which began in 1906 and has connected the communities on either side of St George’s Channel ever since. The display will officially open at 7pm and remain at Rosslare Europort for a week. Organisers say it will explore not only the ships which have operated
the crossing but the generations of railwaymen, seafarers, port workers, passengers and families whose lives became intertwined with the route. For Pembrokeshire, however, the anniversary is also the story of how a huge engineering project changed Goodwick forever. Harbour blasted from the Pembrokeshire cliffs
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Great Western Railway wanted a faster route between London and southern Ireland. Its existing Irish Sea services operated from Neyland, but Fishguard offered the prospect of a much shorter sea crossing. Creating the new harbour required an extraordinary feat of engineering. Vast quantities of rock were blasted from the cliffs above Goodwick to create a level area for the railway, station, sidings and quays. The excavated rock was itself used to reclaim land from the sea and construct the enormous breakwater protecting the new harbour. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales records that almost 11 hectares of land were created for the quay and railway complex. Fishguard Harbour opened in 1906 with the inauguration of the Rosslare service. The new direct railway from Clarbeston Road also opened on August 30, 1906, allowing express trains to run directly into the harbour and connect with the ships for Ireland. The project was so significant that housing had to be constructed around Goodwick for the large number of railway workers employed at the new port. The resulting Harbour Village remains one of the most visible reminders of the railway age which transformed the area.
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Mauretania liners, including Lusitania. The ships were too large to berth directly alongside the quay and passengers, luggage and mail had to be carried between the liners and harbour aboard smaller tenders. Special express trains then carried passengers eastwards. For a brief period, Fishguard was promoted as a serious rival to Southampton and Plymouth for Atlantic traffic. The dream never developed on the scale envisaged, however, and regular transatlantic calls ceased around the First World War. The Irish ferry service proved considerably more enduring. The tender Sir Francis Drake packed with passengers at Fishguard during a Mauretania call. Great for the section about transatlantic passengers transferring to trains Three new ships for a new route The Great Western Railway commissioned purpose-built turbine steamers for its ambitious new Irish service. Among them were the St David, St George and St Patrick. The original St David was built by John Brown & Co at Clydebank in 1906. She was a triple-screw turbine steamer and became one of the vessels associated with the opening of the Fishguard–Rosslare route. Museum Wales records that the ship later served as a hospital vessel during the First World War, carrying wounded servicemen home from France. She was eventually renamed Rosslare and broken up in 1933. Historic photographs preserved by Fishguard and Goodwick Local History Society show the St David alongside Fishguard Harbour preparing for one of the earliest journeys across the channel, with Great Western Railway general manager Sir James Inglis among those aboard. The sea journey between Fishguard and Rosslare was around 54 miles —
dramatically shorter than the former route between Neyland and Waterford. Railway timetables of the period were designed so passengers arriving from London could transfer almost directly from train to ship. The Great Western Railway promoted Fishguard as the shortest route to southern Ireland and ran dedicated boat trains from Paddington. Fishguard dreamed of becoming an Atlantic gateway The ambitions for the harbour went considerably further than ferries to Ireland. The Great Western Railway hoped Fishguard could become Britain’s western gateway for transatlantic passengers. The idea was simple: liners arriving from New York could stop off the Pembrokeshire coast and transfer passengers and mail onto fast trains for London, potentially shaving hours from the journey compared with remaining aboard ship to Liverpool. Exactly three years after the harbour opened, the Cunard liner Mauretania called at Fishguard in August 1909. She was followed by other great
A link which survived two world wars The Fishguard–Rosslare route became an important artery for passengers, mail, livestock and goods travelling between Wales and Ireland. Ships and railway infrastructure changed repeatedly over the following decades, but the connection survived both world wars and enormous changes in the way people travelled. The introduction of roll-on, roll-off ferries during the twentieth century transformed the route again as cars and freight vehicles increasingly replaced the traditional rail-and-steamer passenger traffic. The old boat trains gradually lost their dominance, but the ferry continued. The connection also created lasting family and cultural links between Pembrokeshire and County Wexford, with generations of people travelling backwards and forwards across the Irish Sea for work, holidays and family visits. Still sailing 120 years later Today the route is operated by Stena Line. The Stena Nordica currently operates the Fishguard–Rosslare crossing, with two scheduled departures
from Fishguard each day — at 1.30am and 2pm — and corresponding sailings from Rosslare. The 170-metre vessel became the regular ship on the route in 2023, replacing the veteran Stena Europe, which had served Fishguard for more than two decades. The Nordica returned to the route in May this year following a prolonged period of disruption and temporary replacement vessels. There is even an unusual surviving connection to the railway companies which created the service 120 years ago. Fishguard and Rosslare remain linked through the Fishguard and Rosslare Railways and Harbours Company, whose origins stretch back to Acts of Parliament passed in the 1890s. The historic company remains the statutory harbour authority at Fishguard, while modern port and ferry operations are carried out by Stena Line. 120 years of shared history The anniversary exhibition at Rosslare will celebrate the Irish side of that shared story, but much of the history on display began among the cliffs above Goodwick. The opening of the route brought a new railway, harbour, houses and employment to north Pembrokeshire and briefly placed Fishguard at the centre of ambitious plans to connect London not only with Ireland, but with America. Those ambitions changed, the steamers disappeared and the express boat trains became history. But 120 years after the first services began, ships are still making the same journey across St George’s Channel every day. The Rosslare–Fishguard 120th Anniversary Exhibition will officially open at Rosslare Europort at 7pm on Monday (August 24) and will run for one week.
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The mountains are losing their foundations THE CATASTROPHE on the Nepal–Tibet border this week was initially reported as an earthquake. It was an understandable mistake: seismic instruments detected a shock equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 event. But the ground had not moved because tectonic plates shifted. The signal came from an enormous section of glacier breaking away and crashing into the valley below. On Wednesday morning, a mass of ice and rock detached from the north face of Langtang Lirung, on the Nepalese side of the Himalayas. It plunged around 1,200 metres, striking the valley with immense force and sending water, mud, boulders and ice into the Lhende Khola river system. The resulting torrent tore through communities in Nepal and Tibet, destroying homes, roads, bridges and power facilities. River levels reportedly rose by around nine metres in just 30 minutes. The full human cost is still emerging. Scientists are now working to reconstruct the precise sequence. There is no conclusive evidence that this was a conventional glaciallake outburst, in which a natural dam holding back meltwater suddenly fails. Instead, the ice-and-rock avalanche appears to have gathered river water and water stored within the glacier and surrounding sediment, creating a fastmoving debris flow of extraordinary power. The immediate cause, then, was a glacier collapse. The more difficult question is why such a huge mass became unstable. One likely factor is rapid melting during unusually warm conditions. Meltwater can penetrate fractures in a glacier, widening them and reducing friction. But another part of the answer may lie beneath the surface: thawing permafrost. Permafrost is ground—including soil, sediment and fractured rock— that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years. High in the mountains, ice within cracks can act like cement, helping to bind unstable rock faces together. As temperatures rise, that ice begins to melt. The natural cement weakens, water enters the fractures and entire sections of
mountainside can become unstable. Retreating glaciers create an additional problem. A glacier does not simply sit upon the landscape; its immense weight can support the sides of a valley. When it shrinks, that support is removed, rather like taking away a retaining wall. Rock that has been held in place for centuries can begin to move. It would be premature to declare that climate change alone caused this particular collapse. Glaciers and mountains have always fractured, and researchers must examine the site, weather conditions and satellite evidence before reaching firm conclusions. But that does not mean climate change is irrelevant. The Himalayan region is warming rapidly, glaciers are retreating and permafrost is thawing. These changes do not need to create every disaster directly. They alter the background conditions, making catastrophic collapses more likely and increasing the amount of unstable material and meltwater available when one occurs. The distinction is important. Climate change does not have to light
every match if it has already dried the forest. This disaster also exposes the limits of treating climate change as a slow-moving problem measured only in fractions of a degree or centimetres of sea-level rise. In mountainous regions, gradual warming can produce sudden consequences: a glacier collapses, a temporary dam bursts or a wall of mud appears in a valley with almost no warning. Better satellite monitoring, river sensors and cross-border warning systems could save lives. Planning rules must also recognise that
historical flood boundaries may no longer reflect present-day risks. The Himalayas may feel distant from Pembrokeshire, but the underlying lesson is not. Whether it is thawing mountain rock in Tibet, coastal erosion in Wales or heavier rainfall overwhelming drainage systems, infrastructure built for yesterday’s climate is being tested by today’s. The mountains did not collapse because nature suddenly changed its rules. They collapsed because the conditions holding them together are changing.
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it g u F y d o o l B s u p m e T Badger and BADGER starts this week on a sad note. Dolly Parton’s death at the age of eighty seems to have united the world in grief, or at least in the modern fashion of wild over-emotion that passes for it. Badger’s late father interviewed Dolly Parton several times. His impression of her was pretty straightforward: Dolly Parton was genuinely friendly, engaging to speak with, very funny with a direct sense of humour, and had a mind like a steel trap. Beneath the wigs, the make-up, and the rhinestones was a very smart, very shrewd, and very professional individual. Unlike Kenny Rogers, with whom he got memorably drunk after an interview, Dolly Parton had very clear boundaries between her afterhours life and her public one. If you think about it, that is unsurprising. Dolly Parton’s industrial levels of philanthropy and charity work, alongside her huge business interests in the USA, needed more than goodwill and kind impulses could provide. She was a very impressive individual. Excuse Badger for a while as he slips into what might kindly be described as his “anecdotage”. Badger’s father first interviewed Dolly Partonin the mid-1970s. An era of tiny reel-to-reel recorders and microphones that required interviewers to get extremely close to their interviewees. The interview took place backstage in Dolly Parton’s minuscule dressing room at a London theatre. Jammed into this small space were Badger’s very large and tall dad and the very short Dolly Parton in a low-cut frock. The interview went very well, or at least that was Badger’s impression. Certainly Badger’s father seemed chuffed. When he returned home to Pembrokeshire the following day, a very young Badger asked his dad what interviewing Dolly Parton was like. Dad obligingly set out the scenario, and remarked in conclusion: “It was like hang-gliding into the Grand Canyon.” Badger might have been young, but he was not naive, and he couldn’t
fail to notice his mother’s disapproving scowl at the story’s end. Later in Badger’s schooldays, when a heartless WJEC inflicted Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World on hapless children, the word “pneumatic” came up to describe women’s attractiveness. While some of Badger’s classmates doubtless thought of Dunlop tyres and Ford motor vehicles, Badger had a very clear image of Dolly Parton attached to that adjective. Thanks, Dad! This week marks the end of another era, too, readers. It’s the end of Plaid Cymru’s first one-hundred days in more-or-less power in the more-or-less Welsh Government. And what a hundred days it’s been! At a stroke of the pen, Plaid Cymru has done away with child poverty, homelessness, NHS waiting lists, educational underachievement, Wales’s abysmal economic performance and an even worse record of job creation. Port Talbot steelworks is forging ahead into a glorious and profitable future. International businesses are flocking to Wales to do business in a vibrant and thriving marketplace. At the same time, green energy projects have made Wales an altogether better place to live, with plentiful cheap energy for all. The railways are not only running on time,
but offering unparalleled levels of service availability, connecting Wales north to south and west to east in a way not seen since the pre-Beeching cuts era. The roads are fantastic, with freight and commuter traffic taking advantage of sky-high investment in transport infrastructure to carry goods and people to where they need to go. Huzzah! Or perhaps not. Of course, if you accept what Ken Skates, Labour’s driver of the minibus carrying that party’s remaining MSs (spare seats available for the day trip to Cardiff, book now) says, not only has Plaid failed to do any of those things in its first hundred days in office but had voters somehow been stupid enough to vote Labour back in, all of the issues left over from twenty-seven years of - ummm - Labour rule, they would all have been solved. Badger applauds Ken Skates’ eagerness to compare Andy Burnham’s record since he became PM with that of Rhun ap Iorwerth. According to Mr Skates, who, unlike his immediate predecessors, has the benefit of occasionally looking like he means what he says, or - better has thought about it before he opens his gob, since becoming Labour leader and PM, Andy Burnham has “announced decisive actions for English high streets to tackle vape and betting shops this month, Plaid
Cymru launched a taskforce on high street regeneration.” Now Badger knows this is hard for politicians to understand, especially Welsh Labour politicians: making announcements is not the same as actually doing anything. For clarity, so far Andy Burnham has announced billions of pounds in spending without meeting Parliament, passing legislation, finalising a budget, or indicating where the promised funds will come from. That’s right, readers. Burnham’s grand tour of the UK and its associated announcements are and Welsh Labour is used to this - full of piss and wind. Let’s see Burnham get the required reforms to planning legislation, local government organisation, defence spending reorganisation, and, of course, increase taxes and cut spending to fund his grand plans somehow. As for solving homelessness at Christmas, Ken Skates will be familiar with many pledges to end homelessness in short order. After all, the government he was part of did so almost annually. So, Ken Doll can wind in his neck unless he wants to lose his head when the UK Chancellor inevitably wields his axe. Of course, Badger caveats his observations about the vacuous nature of Barbie Skates’ pronouncements on the progress supposedly made by Andy Burnham without facing the Commons and the daily grind of actual government. Plaid has had one hundred days to come up with more than a plan to have a plan to announce having a plan. When the Senedd reconvenes, Plaid must hit the ground at high speed with a proper legislative programme that has the chance of making some difference to the lives of Wales’s population. No more consultations, deep dives, committees, or working groups. Wales had twenty-seven years of those under the old management. If Plaid is serious about change, it’s time to put proposals forward and to challenge Labour, and others, to knock them down. No more waiting. Get on with it!
NEWS 47
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Paul Sartori Foundation invites public to its 44th AGM THE PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION will hold its 44th Annual General Meeting at its Haverfordwest headquarters next month. Supporters, volunteers and members of the public are invited to attend the meeting at Paul Sartori House, Winch Lane, on Wednesday, September 30. Guests can arrive from 3:00pm, with proceedings beginning at 3:30pm. The meeting will provide an opportunity to review the charity’s achievements over the past year and learn more about how the organisation is governed. Attendees will hear from the Board of Trustees and chief executive Laura Hugman about the hospice-at-home services provided to people living with life-limiting conditions across Pembrokeshire. Members will also elect the committee for the coming year. Laura Hugman said: “Our AGM is a chance to bring everyone together and reflect on all that we have achieved as a community. “Everything we do is made possible
Tom Sinclair
editor@herald.email
by the kindness, commitment and generosity of our staff, volunteers,
supporters, partners and the people of Pembrokeshire. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who plays a part in our work, and we warmly invite you to join
us as we celebrate the past year and look forward to the future together.” The foundation was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a Pembrokeshire parish priest who recognised the need for hospice care in the county before his death from cancer at the age of 39. The charity now provides a range of services free of charge, including hands-on nursing care, rapid-response equipment loans, complementary therapies, futurecare planning and anticipatory and bereavement counselling. Its support is available to people with all life-limiting conditions, not only cancer. Around 32 per cent of those helped by the charity have a non-cancer diagnosis. The service helps patients remain in their own homes, surrounded by their families and loved ones. Its work is supported by donations, income from its charity shops and approximately 300 volunteers. The AGM is open to the public. Anyone planning to attend is asked to email lisa@paulsartori.org in advance to help the charity make catering arrangements.
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THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026 A COMPLETE PREVIEW
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026 Pictures provided by the PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
County show champions take centre stage at withybush THE WINNERS from the 2026 Pembrokeshire County Show have been brought together in a wideranging roll of honour after two packed days at Haverfordwest Showground on August 19 and 20. Leading the livestock headlines was Bowendu 1 Babestation, shown by Euros Rees, which followed its Hereford breed championship by taking the overall cattle interbreed title. The senior bull headed the opening Hereford class before going on to secure the breed crown, while Joseph Twose’s Beca 1 Treasured Charm stood reserve Hereford champion. The Herefords also enjoyed a strong showing in the group competitions. Beca 1 Treasured Charm and Beca 1 Jubilee Cariad won the Hereford pair and went on to stand reserve in the interbreed pairs, while a five-strong Hereford team was reserve in the interbreed team competition. Danygraig Will-he-won’t-he, exhibited by Susan Parry, was the Beef Shorthorn champion, with Mark Dickson’s Frenni Anna Wendy in reserve. In the continental section, Izzy Williams took the championship with Epice Du Falgi ahead of Will Tucker’s Gower Alabamaslammer. Wendy Finucane collected both top places in the other native breed championship with Oakley Iceman and reserve Oakley Rita 12th. The dairy rings produced another strong set of names. Tregibby Chief
Flute, from SP and SR Davies & Sons with K and C Thomas & Sons, took the Holstein championship, with JWC George & Sons’ Churchvale Pepper Ambrosia in reserve. Brynhyfryd Fransisco Hester May 6, also from JWC George & Sons, was junior Holstein champion. The Thomas family’s Drisgol Gamma
66 was crowned Dairy Shorthorn breed champion, ahead of Drisgol Bridesmaid 148, with Drisgol Belladonna 504 receiving honourable mention. The Shorthorns also stood reserve supreme and won the pairs, group of three and team of five competitions. In the horse rings, Ardenhall Ellenisia, exhibited by J and D Hughes-
Jones & Thomas, won both the Welsh Part Bred in-hand and pony breeding championships. Elmswood Heartbreaker, shown by Hazel Sleight, was reserve in those championships and also claimed the show hunter pony breeding title. Barnswood Walking on the Moon, exhibited by Lilian Vaughan Thomas, was in-hand hunter champion, while Cariadbach Fidele, shown by Carrie Hermitage, headed the in-hand sport horses. Mount Pleasant China Doll, exhibited by Valmai Thomas, was partbred Arab or Anglo Arab champion, and Katinka, shown by Owen Jones, won the hack and riding horse breeding championship. There were notable Welsh pony and cob wins for Cwmmeudwy Briallen, the Section A champion; Synod Ringlets Diamond, the Section C champion; Llanarth Moses Jones, the Section D champion; and Bryngwennol Princess Charlotte, the Section B champion. Knavesash Freedom took both the mixed mountain and moorland youngstock and overall in-hand championships. Working hunter honours went to Cumano Cassini, exhibited by Amy Tough, while CHH Joffre, shown by Charlotte Owen, was BSPS working hunter pony champion. Cadlanvalley Total Elation, exhibited by Hayley Grota, won the NPS open ridden Welsh Section A championship, Grey Clover, shown by Wyn Morris, was ridden hunter champion, and Howetown Marimba,
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026
exhibited by Megan May Davies, won the ridden hack or riding horse championship. The Shetland rings saw Warrackston Tallulah take the standard Shetland championship for Helaina and Howell Thomas, with Fronllan Triple Crown winning the youngstock title. Blackertor Amigo, shown by Saran Evans, won the miniature Shetland championship, while Cotmullion Xena, exhibited by Angela Holloway, was miniature youngstock champion. Across the craft and horticultural tents, Richard Davies enjoyed an exceptional show. His wins included the hybrid tea rose and dahlia cups, the best pom-pom dahlia, the outstanding open cut flower exhibit and the awards for most points in both gladioli and cut flowers. Michele Thomas collected a string of vegetable honours, including the tomato, potato collection and onion awards, while Wynne Evans won the best shallot and the Walter Hardaker award for the best fruit or vegetable exhibit. Llinos Twigg gained the prize for best floral art exhibit and most points in the second floral art group, with Janet Robinson heading the first group. Susan Neil won the cookery cakes cup and the preserves points trophy, and Stephanie Thomas gained most points in adult cookery. Andrew Jenkins dominated the walking-stick section, taking the Billy Davies Cup for the best overall stick and the Keith Jones Cup for most points. Andrew Milward won the best article in wood, while Peter Coppenhall gained most points in the woodwork classes. Beryl Evans secured most points in the
STOCK IMAGE: Palomino & Cremello other handicraft classes. Photography and children’s classes added further names to the roll of honour. Jenny Ambler won best overall adult picture, Martin Lewis took the black-and-white cup and Ally Ballard gained the computer-edited print award. Olivia Thomas, Ffion Beynon and Ffion Dulson won age-group Marychurch Shields, and Carys James took the children’s photography cup. Trade stand judging brought wins for Coedcanlas, named best Pembrokeshire
produce stand in the Food Hall; Taf Valley Coaches, best non-agricultural trade stand; Pembrokeshire FRAME, best Farmers’ Market stand; and Ladds, best agricultural trade stand. Away from the competitive classes, Edna Davies of Redlands Farm, Hasguard Cross, received the 2026 Idris Davies Memorial Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to agriculture and rural life in Pembrokeshire. The published class-by-class results
available by deadline are set out below. Further results from sections not yet populated online will be added when the Society’s master results sheets are received.
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026 VERIFIED CHAMPIONSHIP ROLL OF HONOUR
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026 Pictures provided by the PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Oakley Iceman, Wendy Finucane • Reserve: Oakley Rita 12th, Wendy Finucane Holstein junior: Brynhyfryd Fransisco Hester May 6, JWC George & Sons Holstein: Champion: Tregibby Chief Flute, SP & SR Davies & Sons with K & C Thomas & Sons • Reserve: Churchvale Pepper Ambrosia, JWC George & Sons Dairy Shorthorn: Champion: Drisgol Gamma 66 • Reserve: Drisgol Bridesmaid 148 • Honourable mention: Drisgol Belladonna 504, Thomas family
EQUINE CHAMPIONSHIPS Welsh Part Bred in-hand: Ardenhall Ellenisia, J & D HughesJones & Thomas • Reserve: Elmswood Heartbreaker, Hazel Sleight
STOCK IMAGE: Part-bred Arab / Anglo Arab Champion and reserve placings published on ShowingScene, with additional independently published cattle and Society awards.
CATTLE CHAMPIONSHIPS Overall cattle interbreed: Bowendu 1 Babestation, Euros Rees Hereford: Champion: Bowendu 1 Babestation, Euros Rees • Reserve: Beca 1 Treasured Charm, Joseph
Twose Beef Shorthorn: Champion: Danygraig Will-he-won’t-he, Susan Parry Reserve: Frenni Anna Wendy, Mark Dickson Any Breed Continental: Champion: Epice Du Falgi, Izzy Williams • Reserve: Gower Alabamaslammer, Will Tucker Any Other Native: Champion:
Show Hunter Pony Breeding: Elmswood Heartbreaker, Hazel Sleight Reserve: Llanwarne Lady Clementine, John Williams Pony Breeding: Ardenhall Ellenisia, J & D Hughes-Jones & Thomas • Reserve: Elmswood Heartbreaker, Hazel Sleight Part-bred Arab / Anglo Arab: Mount Pleasant China Doll, Valmai Thomas • Reserve: Menedh Oprah, David Roberts In-hand Sport Horse: Cariadbach Fidele, Carrie Hermitage • Reserve: Abergwili Classy Lady, Bobby Thomas
In-hand Hunter: Barnswood Walking on the Moon, Lilian Vaughan Thomas Reserve: Sunrise Foxy Lady, Mary Owen Second reserve: Lauren’s Fancy, Mervyn Williams • Hack / Riding Horse Breeding: Katinka, Owen Jones Rare Breeds: Silverhills First Edition, Holly Kate Norman • Reserve: Fairywood Valentina, Debbie Jones Palomino & Cremello: Abergwili Classy Lady, Bobby Thomas • Reserve: Cwmluog Custard Cream, Bethan Pope Welsh Section A youngstock Springlane Sparta, D T & A C Williamson & Oldroyd • Reserve: Danash Angel Eleganza, same exhibitor Welsh Section A: Cwmmeudwy Briallen, Rod Lewis • Reserve: Springlane Sparta, D T & A C Williamson & Oldroyd Welsh Section C youngstock: Newgap Bewitched, Deryk & Joanne Dykes & Nicholson Welsh Section C: Synod Ringlets Diamond, Jack Bowerman • Reserve: Cwmhir The Bandit, Catherine Owen Mixed M&M youngstock: Knavesash Freedom, John Harvey Reserve: Prickilegate Nala, Jane Harries Mixed M&M in-hand: Knavesash Freedom, John Harvey • Reserve: Edals Raymond, Lucinda Dargavel
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026
Welsh Section D youngstock: Reserve published: Glyncoch Shooting Star, Claire C Edwards Welsh Section D: Llanarth Moses Jones, Simon & Sally Bigley • Reserve: Glyncoch Fortuna, Glyncoch Stud
STOCK IMAGE: MINIATURE SHETLAND
Welsh Section B: Bryngwennol Princess Charlotte, Julie Russell • Reserve: Bryngwennol Cherry Blossom, Julie Russell Working Hunters: Cumano Cassini, Amy Tough • Reserve: Le Paz, Hannah Jenkins BSPS Working Hunter Pony: CHH Joffre, Charlotte Owen • Reserve: Cloigen Fiddler, Jolie Davies Shetland youngstock: Fronllan Triple Crown, Helaina & Howell Thomas • Reserve: Fronllan Top Gun, same exhibitors Shetland: Warrackston Tallulah, Helaina & Howell Thomas • Reserve: Midcalder Dru, Joseph Thompson Miniature Shetland youngstock: Cotmullion Xena, Angela Holloway Miniature Shetland: Blackertor Amigo, Saran Evans • Reserve: Hawkerbays TrueSpirit, Dawn Hawker
Lexi Owen • Reserve: Soul, Mia King Allum BSPS Children’s Riding Ponies: Wyndham Hot Gossip, Kate Canton BSPS Show Hunter Ponies: Heronsmill Tiger Moon, Emily Locke • Reserve: Annandale Toy Soldier, Georgia Canton-Davies BSPS Intermediate: Romanno Bossed It, Molly Walsh • Reserve: Tarr Dauntless, Charlotte Owen BSPS Mini Children’s Riding Pony: Elmscott May Queen, Jon & Cath Hughes-Jones • Reserve: Amesbury Bumble Bee, Jack Luke BSPS Mini Show Hunter Pony: Kilconnel Star, Arthur James • Reserve: Annandale Toy Soldier, Georgia Canton-Davies Retraining of Racehorses: Hokelami, Joanne Llewellyn • Reserve: Seniergues, Sue Lewis NPS Open Ridden Welsh Section A: Cadlanvalley Total Elation, Hayley Grota • Reserve: Griseburn Lester, Bethan Simons Evans Ridden Hunters: Grey Clover, Wyn Morris
CHAPS in-hand: Crafton Mystic Meg, Jake John • Reserve: Login Lucky Chance, Rhian Jones
Hack / Riding Horse Ridden: Howetown Marimba, Megan May Davies • Reserve: Gleann Rua Monarch, Amy Tough
CHAPS ridden: Llanwnda Shaunee,
Senior Horses & Ponies:
Friday AUGUST 28th 2026 www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk
NEWS 55
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026
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Pictures provided by the PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
Abergavenny Boneddiges, Bethan Simons Evans • Reserve: Priestwood Superted, Lucy Parr
Best shallots; Walter Hardaker best fruit/vegetable exhibit: Wynne Evans
CRAFT, HORTICULTURE, COOKERY AND PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
Highest novice vegetable/ flower points: Rhodri Harries
Hybrid tea rose / Ron Narbett Cup: Richard Davies Dahlia / Harold Price Cup: Richard Davies Novice floral art / McMurrayDay Cup: Lynwen Evans Best pom-pom dahlia and associated flower trophies: Richard Davies Outstanding open cut flowers: Richard Davies Most points: gladioli and cut flowers: Richard Davies Best open pot plant: Barry Woodford
Cookery cakes cup; most preserves points: Susan Neil Most points in adult cookery: Stephanie Thomas Best overall walking stick; most walking-stick points: Andrew Jenkins Best article in wood: Andrew Milward Most woodwork points: Peter Coppenhall Most points, other handicrafts: Beryl Evans Best picture C49–C54: Mervyn Palmer
Floral art points, H49–H52: Janet Robinson
Marychurch Shields: ages 4–6 • 9–11 • 12–16: Olivia Thomas • Ffion Beynon • Ffion Dulson
Floral art points, H53–H56; best floral art exhibit: Llinos Twigg
Best children’s photograph: Carys James
Tomatoes; best onions; best potato collection; Percy Male Cup; H80/H81 award: Michele Thomas
Best adult black-and-white photograph: Martin Lewis
Best broad beans: Barry Woodford
Best overall adult picture: Jenny Ambler Best computer-edited print:
STOCK IMAGE: HEREFORDS
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026
Euros Rees • 2nd: Adzor Curiosity, Mr D J Makin • 3rd: Freetown Chinook, Mr Peter & Wendy Williams 201 — Bull born on or after 1st January 2025 - 31st August 2025: 1st: Sancler Cymro (X) (DH), Mr Rob Morgan • 2nd: Studdolph 1 Keenan, Mr & Mrs Tg, Ei & En Thorne • 3rd: Pepperstock 1 Callum, Mr Richard Lewis • 4th: Cleddau 1 Delme, Mr Ian James • 5th: Cleddau 1 Determinator, Mr Ian James 202 — Bull born after 1st September 2025: 1st: Glenvale 1 Larry, Mr & Mrs Tg, Ei & En Thorne Thorne • 2nd: Glenvale 1 Lovejoy, Mr & Mrs Tg, Ei & En Thorne • 4th: Trefochlyd 1 Design, Mr Euros Rees • 5th: Cleddau 1 Derek, Mr Ian James 203 — Cow Any Age: 1st: Studdolph 1 Barbie 927, Mr & Mrs Tg, Ei & En Thorne
STOCK IMAGE: WELSH BLACK Ally Ballard
TRADE AND SOCIETY AWARDS
Best agricultural trade stand: Ladds
Best Pembrokeshire Produce stand in Food Hall: Coedcanlas
Idris Davies Memorial Award: Edna Davies, Redlands Farm, Hasguard Cross
Best non-agricultural trade stand: Taf Valley Coaches
CATTLE
Best Farmers’ Market stand: Pembrokeshire FRAME
HEREFORDS
200 — Bull born before 1st January 2025: 1st: Bowendu 1 Babestation, Mr
204 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2024 with or without calf at foot: 1st: Furzy 1 Jane, Mr Richard Lewis • 2nd: Auckvale Pansy 2419C (P), Mr Rob Morgan • 3rd: Sancler Beauty 346 (X) (DH), Mr Rob Morgan 205 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Beca 1 Treasured charm, Mr Joseph Twose • 2nd: Beca 1 jubilee cariad, Mr Joseph Twose 206 — Heifer born on or after 1st September 2025: 1st: Studdolph 1 Precious 1009, Mr & Mrs Tg, Ei & En Thorne • 2nd: Cleddau 1 Amethyst 3rd, Mr Ian James
207 — Pair of Heifers: 1st: Beca 1 Treasured charm, Mr Joseph Twose • 2nd: Sancler Beauty 346 (X) (DH), Mr Rob Morgan 208 — Group of 3 from the same exhibitor: 1st: Trefochlyd 1 Design, Mr Euros Rees • 2nd: Sancler Cymro (X) (DH), Mr Rob Morgan • 3rd: Cleddau 1 Delme, Mr Ian James CH70 — Hereford Champion: Bowendu 1 Babestation, Mr Euros Rees • Reserve Champion: Beca 1 Treasured charm, Mr Joseph Twose • CHALLENGE CUP IN MEMORY OF JACK GRIFFITHS: Beca 1 jubilee cariad, Mr Joseph Twose • George W Jones Memorial Silver Cup: Beca 1 Treasured charm, Mr Joseph Twose • THE HEREFORD CATTLE SOCIETY: Bowendu 1 Babestation, Mr Euros Rees
WELSH BLACK 211 — Bull born on or after 1st September 2025: 1st: Trefychan-Ar-Dâf Ellis 10th, Mr Ben Reynolds 212 — Cow any age: 1st: Trefychan-ArDâf Ellen 8th, Mr Ben Reynolds 214 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Trefychan Ar Dâf Dilys 30th, Mr Ben Reynolds • 2nd: Moleston Memi 34th, Mr Dr & Rl Bowen 217 — Group of 3 from the same exhibitor: 1st: Trefychan-Ar-Dâf Ellen 8th, Mr Ben Reynolds
LONGHORN
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026 Pictures provided by the PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
221 — Cow any age: 1st: Carreg Xyris, Messrs Bernard & Margaret Llewellyn 222 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2024 with or without a calf at foot: 1st: Carreg Yarrow, Messrs Bernard & Margaret Llewellyn 223 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Gupworthy Zap, Mr G Woollatt • 2nd: Carreg Zestfull, Messrs Bernard & Margaret Llewellyn 225 — Pair of Heifers: 1st: Carreg Yarrow, Messrs Bernard & Margaret Llewellyn 226 — Group of 3 from the same exhibitor: 1st: Carreg Yarrow, Messrs Bernard & Margaret Llewellyn
BEEF SHORTHORN 228 — Bull born on or after 1st January 2025 - 31st August 2025: 1st: Danygraig Will-he-won’t-he, Ms Susan Parry 231 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2024 with or without a calf at foot: 1st: Gupworthy Velet Ultra, Mr G Woollatt • 2nd: Tessa X1880 Of Upsall, Mr Dr & Rl Bowen 232 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Frenni Anna Wendy, Mr Mark Dickson • 2nd: Gupworthy Wafer, Miss Z Wendon • 3rd: Cynnen Elissa Wilma, Mr Mark Dickson CH73 — Beef Shorthorn Champion: Danygraig Will-he-won’t-he, Ms Susan
Parry • Reserve Champion: Frenni Anna Wendy, Mr Mark Dickson • Lamboro Challenge Cup: Danygraig Will-he-won’t-he, Ms Susan Parry
ANY BREED CONTINENTAL 246 — Bull born on or after 1st January 2025 - 31st August 2025: 1st: Gower Alabamaslammer, Mr Will Tucker 247 — Bull born on or after 1st September 2025: 1st: morfa winston, Mr Randal Williams 248 — Cow any age: 1st: Epice Du Falgi, Miss Izzy Williams • 2nd: Glencross Uzzy, Mr & Mrs M & C Davies • 3rd: Hallway Winnie’s Majesty, Miss Lizzie Harding 249 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2024 with or without a calf at foot: 1st: morfa winston, Mr Randal Williams • 2nd: morfa winston, Mr Randal Williams 250 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Glencross Ariana, Mr & Mrs M & C Davies • 3rd: Gower Adana, Mr Will Tucker • 4th: Teaghlach Ambers Jackpot, Teaghlach Herd Teaghlach Herd Teaghlach Herd 251 — Heifer born on or after 1st September 2025: 1st: Iz Violet, Miss Izzy Williams CH75 — Any Breed Continental Champion: Epice Du Falgi, Miss Izzy Williams • Reserve Champion: Gower Alabamaslammer, Mr Will Tucker • James Williams Narberth Trophy: Epice
STOCK IMAGE: BEEF SHOTHORN Du Falgi, Miss Izzy Williams
COMMERCIAL CATTLE 263 — Heifer up to 450kg: 1st: may, Mr T Evans
255 — Bull born on or after 1st January 2025 - 31st August 2025: 1st: Hafren Brian, Mrs Jessi Stephens
ANY OTHER BREED NATIVE
257 — Cow any age: 1st: Oakley Rita 12th, Mrs Wendy Finucane • 2nd: Oakley Rita 18th, Mrs Wendy Finucane
254 — Bull born before 1st January 2025: 1st: Oakley Iceman, Mrs Wendy Finucane
258 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2024 with or without a calf at foot: 1st: Oakley Rita 21st, Mrs Wendy
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY SHOW 2026
Finucane 259 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Whitcastle Whitney B084, Mr Ben Reynolds & Miss Rebecca John Same As Above Same As Above 262 — Group of 3 from same exhibitor: 1st: Oakley Rita 21st, Mrs Wendy Finucane CH76 — Any Breed Native: Oakley Iceman, Mrs Wendy Finucane • Reserve Champion: Oakley Rita 12th, Mrs Wendy Finucane
HOLSTEIN 279 — Maiden Heifer: 1st: Brynhyfryd Thunderbird Hester May, Jwc George & Sons • 2nd: Brynhyfryd Bronco Memory, Jwc George & Sons • 3rd: Castellhyfryd Tomi Diz 5, Mr Elliott Davies 280 — In Calf Heifer: 1st: Castellhyfryd
Legit Chloe 2, Mr Elliott Davies • 2nd: Brynhyfryd Arrow Peach, Jwc George & Sons 281 — Heifer in Milk: 1st: Brynhyfryd Fransisco Hester May 6, Jwc George & Sons • 2nd: Brynhyfryd Doc Ambrosia, Jwc George & Sons • 3rd: Castellhyfryd Chief Rosie, Mr Elliott Davies 282 — Cow in calf - not in milk: 1st: Brynhyfryd Rubels Doris, Jwc George & Sons 283 — Junior Cow in Milk 2nd and 3rd Calver: 1st: Tregibby Chief Flute, Messrs Sp & Sr Davies & Sons & K & C Thomas & Sons Davies & Thomas • 2nd: Lilleshall Shield Rae Red 11, Jwc George & Sons • 3rd: Brynhyfryd Glitz Annette, Jwc George & Sons 284 — Senior Cow 4th calver plus: 1st: Churchvale Pepper Ambrosia, Jwc George & Sons 285 — Group of 3 from the same
exhibitor: 1st: Brynhyfryd Silver Hope 2, Jwc George & Sons 286 — Best Pair from same exhibitor: 1st: Brynhyfryd Silver Hope 2, Jwc George & Sons CH80 — Holstein Junior Champion: Brynhyfryd Fransisco Hester May 6, Jwc George & Sons CH81 — Holstein Champion: Tregibby Chief Flute, Messrs Sp & Sr Davies & Sons & K & C Thomas & Sons Davies & Thomas • Reserve Champion: Churchvale Pepper Ambrosia, Jwc George & Sons • HOATEN SILVER TROPHY: Tregibby Chief Flute, Messrs Sp & Sr Davies & Sons & K & C Thomas & Sons Davies & Thomas • GRONHOW/WYNNSTAY CHAMPIONSHI AWARD: Tregibby Chief Flute, Messrs Sp & Sr Davies & Sons & K & C Thomas & Sons Davies & Thomas
HIGHLAND CATTLE 236 — Bull born before 1st January 2025: 1st: Angus of Goldenberry, Miss Caradog Fold 239 — Cow any age: 1st: GRUAGACH 2ND OF CARADOG, Miss Caradog Fold • 2nd: Gruagach Greta 2nd of of Caradog, Mr Garan Williams • 3rd: Wendy of Corntown, Miss Thea Wood 240 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2024 with or without calf at foot: 1st: Marina of Caradog, Miss Caradog Fold • 2nd: Casair Sila of Cardog, Miss Caradog Fold • 3rd: Enfys of Wild Stock, Miss Thea Wood 241 — Heifer born on or after 1st January 2025: 1st: Gruagach Eileen of Caradog, Miss Caradog Fold • 2nd: Urshula Isla 10th Yarchester, Mr And Mrs B & J Sutton • 3rd: Gruagach Indeg of Caradog, Miss Caradog Fold • 4th: Isabelle of Yarchester, Mr And Mrs B & J Sutton • 5th: WENDY 4TH OF CARADOG, Mr Garan Williams 242 — Female born on or after 1st September 2025: 1st: Gruagach Indeg 2nd of Caradog, Miss Caradog Fold 243 — Pair of Heifers: 1st: Casair Sila of Cardog, Miss Caradog Fold 244 — Group of 3 from the same exhibitor: 1st: GRUAGACH 2ND OF CARADOG, Miss Caradog Fold • 2nd: Gruagach Greta 2nd of of Caradog, Miss Thea Wood<Fronllan Triple Crown, Helaina & Howell Thomas Finucane
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Cardiff Airport records fastest passenger growth among leading UK airports CARDIFF AIRPORT recorded the strongest percentage growth among the 25 airports listed in the Civil Aviation Authority’s latest quarterly figures. A total of 316,175 passengers travelled through the Welsh Government-owned airport between April and June 2026 — an increase of 16% compared with the same period last year. The rise was twice that recorded at Newcastle and Inverness airports, which were the next fastest-growing at 8% each. Cardiff’s performance was particularly striking against a largely flat national picture. Across the UK, 81,158,297 passengers boarded or left flights during the quarter, just over 120,000 more than the 81,035,648 recorded between April and June 2025. However, the figures also underline the comparatively small scale of Cardiff’s operation. The airport ranked 20th of the 25 listed by passenger volume, while nearby Bristol handled more than 3.07 million passengers during the same three months. Heathrow remained the UK’s busiest airport with more than 21 million passengers, despite recording a 3% fall, while Gatwick handled 10.9 million, down 6%.
The latest figures continue a strong start to the year for Cardiff Airport. Passenger numbers increased by 24% during the first three months of 2026, when it was the UK’s second fastest-growing airport behind London Southend. Cardiff also passed the milestone of one million passengers over a rolling 12-month period for the first time since the Covid pandemic. The second quarter included the launch of WestJet’s direct service between Cardiff and Toronto on May 23. The four-times-weekly seasonal route created the first direct air connection
between Wales and Canada for almost two decades. TUI also expanded itsCardiff programme during the quarter, launching new direct services to Hurghada in Egypt and Faro in Portugal. Across the UK, the CAA said passenger growth was largely driven by low-cost airlines. Ryanair and Jet2 each carried 9% more passengers than during the same quarter last year, while easyJet, Ryanair and Jet2 together carried an additional 2.25 million travellers. More than one million additional
passengers flew to Western Europe, with Madrid traffic increasing by 15% and Barcelona by 11%. Dublin, Palma de Mallorca, Amsterdam, Alicante and Malaga were the five most popular destinations. Ross Lydall, a spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority, said the results highlighted the sector’s resilience and kept it “on course for another recordbreaking year”. The positive figures come despite a setback for Cardiff’s winter programme. Spanish airline Vueling has withdrawn its planned winter flights to Alicante, while its Malaga service is due to end on October 18. Vueling’s final Cardiff–Alicante flight of the current season is scheduled for October 24, although the Spanish destination will continue to be served from Cardiff by TUI and Ryanair during the winter. Cardiff Airport’s recovery nevertheless remains incomplete. It handled around 958,000 passengers during 2025, compared with more than 1.65 million in 2019 before the pandemic. The latest quarterly figures suggest the gap is narrowing, with new routes and additional airline capacity bringing sustained growth to Wales’ national airport.
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GAMING
With eddie the game guru
There is something wonderfully stubborn about Serious Sam. For 25 years, the series has approached the firstperson shooter with the subtlety of a brick through a window: here is Sam Stone, here are hundreds of monsters, here is an arsenal of increasingly ridiculous weapons, and here is no reason not to start shooting. Serious Sam: Shatterverse understands that basic pleasure, but throws it into the modern roguelite and co-operative shooter formula, producing something recognisably Sam while occasionally seeming less certain about what made the series special in the first place. The shooting remains the centre of gravity, and when Shatterverse gets its rhythm right, it is difficult not to grin. A horde appears, the arena becomes a carnival of explosions and projectiles, and the old Serious Sam instinct takes over: keep moving, keep firing and stay away from anything that wants to tear you apart. The scale is still part
of the appeal. There is something wonderfully therapeutic about watching an impossible number of enemies converge on your position, only to discover that the answer is simply more ammunition. Its roguelite structure gives this familiar slaughter a new purpose. Runs can be reshaped through weapons, upgrades and modifiers, encouraging players to return after failure and discover increasingly ridiculous combinations. It works particularly well in co-op, where the chaos becomes less a test of precision than a collective attempt to survive the next increasingly absurd wave. The danger is repetition. A traditional Serious Sam level can get away with being a corridor between spectacular encounters because another spectacular encounter is never far away. In a roguelite, however, the underlying mechanics have to withstand being repeated again and again. Shatterverse occasionally struggles here, with its movement, balance and encounters sometimes feeling
less satisfying than the explosions suggest they should. There is also a tension between nostalgia and reinvention. The multiverse premise allows Shatterverse to revisit different versions of Sam and familiar enemies, but occasionally this feels more like fan service than meaningful innovation. The new movement options push the game towards modern arena shooters, while some of the old-fashioned simplicity that defined Serious Sam gets lost beneath the additional systems. Yet when the screen fills with monsters, rockets and gunfire, the old magic returns. Shatterverse may not always improve upon the formula, but it understands its most important ingredient: uncomplicated, ridiculous fun. Serious Sam has never needed sophistication. It needs to be loud, fast and slightly stupid, and when Shatterverse remembers that, it remains an entertaining blast from the past with a surprisingly modern twist.
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Click to
Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars arrives in cinemas as a striking and unexpectedly intimate take on the post-apocalyptic genre, choosing to focus less on the spectacle of the end of the world and more on what remains once the noise has died away. Based on Peter Heller’s novel, the film follows Hig, played with a quietly compelling vulnerability by Jacob Elordi, a young pilot surviving in a devastated Colorado alongside his fiercely pragmatic companion Bangley, portrayed by Josh Brolin, and his loyal dog. Their existence is one of routine, suspicion and isolation, with survival reduced to the essentials, until a mysterious radio transmission offers the possibility that there may still be something beyond their increasingly enclosed world. What makes the film work so well is the contrast between its enormous cinematic scale and its deeply personal story. Scott has created a world that feels vast, empty and frightening, yet he rarely treats that emptiness simply as an excuse for spectacle. Instead, the abandoned landscapes and ruined settlements become a reflection of Hig’s emotional state, while the film repeatedly returns to the idea that surviving is not necessarily the same thing as living. Elordi is particularly effective in a role that requires
him to communicate grief, loneliness and cautious optimism without overplaying any of them, and his chemistry with Brolin gives the film much of its dramatic strength. Brolin brings a harder, more abrasive energy to Bangley, creating a fascinating tension between the two men as their different approaches to survival gradually reveal deeper wounds. Margaret Qualley also makes a strong impression, bringing warmth and uncertainty to a story that could easily have become relentlessly bleak. Visually, The Dog Stars is unmistakably a Ridley Scott film, with enormous skies, sweeping landscapes and meticulously constructed images that give the ruined world an almost haunting beauty. Yet it is the quieter moments that linger longest: campfires, conversations, long stretches of silence and the simple companionship between a man and his dog. When the film does erupt into violence, the contrast makes those sequences considerably more effective, giving them a sense of danger rather than allowing them to become routine action spectacle. The pacing will undoubtedly test some viewers, particularly those expecting a conventional post-apocalyptic thriller, because Scott is more interested in atmosphere and character than in constantly
pushing the plot forward. There are stretches where the film feels deliberately meditative, and although this patience occasionally threatens to make the story feel overextended, it ultimately suits the themes of loneliness and recovery. The Dog Stars is at its strongest when it asks what people might become after the world they knew has disappeared, and whether trust, affection and hope can survive alongside them. There is a melancholy running through the entire film, but it is not a hopeless one. Beneath the violence and desolation is an unusually optimistic belief in human connection, and that gives the film an emotional dimension that separates it from many familiar end-of-theworld stories. Scott has made something that feels both epic and surprisingly tender, a film that can deliver moments of genuine tension while still allowing its characters room to breathe. It may not satisfy viewers looking for nonstop action, but for those willing to settle into its slower rhythm, The Dog Stars proves to be a thoughtful, beautifully photographed and emotionally resonant piece of science fiction. It is a film about the end of almost everything, but ultimately it is far more interested in what might still be worth holding on to.
WWW.HAVERFORDWESTCINEMA.CO.UK
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COLUMN
Tech ‘n Taff
Friday AUGUST 28th 2026
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The machine watched, the human operated, and Professor Barrie Davies reckons that is exactly how it should be
NOW then, butt, keep hold of your tea, because artificial intelligence has finally done something useful. I know. I nearly dropped my custard cream as well. After months of AI inventing facts, producing people with seven fingers and writing emails that begin “I hope this message finds you well”, the technology has been allowed into an operating theatre. And fair play, it behaved itself. Rhys Hibbert, 48, from Bedfordshire, has become the first patient in the world to undergo brain surgery with artificial intelligence assisting the surgeon live during the operation. Rhys had an 11mm tumour on his pituitary gland. It was affecting his hormones, damaging his peripheral vision and threatening to leave him blind.
Surgeons at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London removed the tumour and protected his sight. Before you imagine a robot in surgical gloves saying, “Stand back, boyo, I watched a YouTube video,” let us explain what actually happened. The AI did not operate. It did not hold instruments, make medical decisions or ask Rhys to accept some updated terms and conditions before opening his skull. The human surgeon remained firmly in charge. What the AI did was study pictures from the camera being used during the operation. It identified nerves, blood vessels and other delicate structures, helping the surgical team see which areas were safe and which were best left alone.
Think of it as a sat-nav for the inside of your head. “Continue past the pituitary gland. Avoid the optic nerve. Whatever you do, do not take the second exit towards the major blood vessel.” There are no road signs inside your skull, see. No roundabouts, lane markings or brown tourist sign saying “Brain stem, half a mile.” The pituitary gland is about the size of a marble, but it sits in one of the busiest parts of the body. Nerves controlling vision and major blood vessels are packed around it tighter than the A470 after a Wales match. One millimetre in the wrong direction can mean blindness, a stroke or worse. That is more serious than missing the turning for Merthyr. The AI had been trained on hundreds of videos from earlier
pituitary operations. Researchers labelled the tissues, instruments and stages of surgery, teaching the system to recognise what it was seeing. Now, when I say “learn”, I do not mean it attended medical school and celebrated graduating in Cardiff with eight pints and a stolen traffic cone. It learned to recognise patterns. A surgeon can witness only so many rare situations during a career. An AI can study hundreds of recorded procedures and act as an extra pair of eyes. There’s clever, bach. Rhys’s results were remarkable. Before the operation, he had lost much of his peripheral vision, repeatedly tripped and needed walking sticks. Afterwards he could see the room clearly. Within a week, he was walking independently without sticks or glasses. That is the sort of AI I can get behind. Not replacing artists with digital sludge. Not writing pupils’ homework. Helping a highly trained surgeon protect somebody’s sight. But let us not throw our hats into Cardiff Bay just yet. This was a clinical trial. The system must be tested when anatomy looks unusual, the camera is obscured or the computer confidently identifies the wrong thing. Computers are very good at being wrong with tremendous self-belief. I have attended university meetings run on much the same principle. And then there is Wales. If the technology proves safe, it could help train surgeons, spread specialist knowledge and make difficult operations less risky. But it must not become another shiny innovation found only in London while west Wales admires it in a government press release. The lesson is tidy and simple. AI is at its best when it helps skilled people do difficult work. It should carry the torch while the human holds the knife. And if it asks whether anyone has tried turning the patient off and on again, unplug it immediately. Until next week, Taff.
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HOROSCOPES Click to
Adults is a brilliantly messy and often outrageous comedy that takes a familiar idea—the lives of a group of twenty-somethings trying to work out what they are doing with their lives—and gives it a distinctly modern twist. Set in New York, the series follows five friends living together in Samir’s childhood home as they attempt to navigate relationships, careers, money, friendship and the general confusion that comes with being supposedly grown up. What makes the show work is that none of its characters really have adulthood figured out, and that is precisely the point. Rather than presenting young adults as confident, independent people who effortlessly have their lives together, Adults embraces the awkwardness, insecurity and sheer ridiculousness of trying to become a functioning adult. The comedy is deliberately crude and sometimes pushes its jokes far beyond what you might expect from a Disney+ series, so it certainly will not appeal to everyone, but beneath the vulgar humour there is a surprisingly relatable story about people who are struggling to find their place in the world. The central cast is one of the show’s biggest strengths, with Malik Elassal, Lucy Freyer, Owen Thiele, Amita Rao and
Jack Innanen developing an enjoyable chemistry that becomes stronger as the series progresses. Each character has their own flaws and irritating habits, but they also have enough warmth to make you care about them, particularly when the comedy gives way to more sincere moments about friendship, loneliness and growing up. Anton is arguably the standout, bringing an energetic and unpredictable quality to the group, while Billie provides some of the more interesting emotional material. The series does occasionally feel as though it is trying too hard to sound young and contemporary, particularly when it relies on internet culture, social media references and deliberately shocking jokes for laughs. Some episodes are chaotic to the point where the humour becomes exhausting, and the writing can sometimes feel more interested in being outrageous than genuinely funny. However, when Adults slows down and concentrates on the relationships between its characters, it becomes considerably more effective. There is something refreshing about a sitcom that admits that reaching adulthood does not necessarily mean suddenly becoming responsible, sensible or emotionally
mature. The characters make terrible decisions, embarrass themselves and frequently make situations worse, yet they continue to turn to one another when things go wrong. That sense of friendship gives the series its heart and stops it from becoming nothing more than a collection of crude jokes. Adults may not completely reinvent the twenty-something sitcom, and it can sometimes struggle to balance its more thoughtful moments with its deliberately immature humour, but there is enough charm, energy and genuine comedy here to make it worth watching. It is particularly easy to imagine younger viewers recognising parts of themselves in these characters, while older viewers may find themselves remembering just how chaotic their own twenties could be. Overall, Adults is an entertaining, sometimes ridiculous and surprisingly warm comedy that works best when it stops trying to be the voice of a generation and simply lets its characters be funny, flawed and human. It is not perfect, but if you enjoy character-driven comedies with plenty of awkwardness, crude humour and chaotic friendships, Adults is well worth adding to your Disney+ watchlist.
ARIES This is an excellent day for a practical discussion with someone older or more experienced. This might happen by talking to a partner, close friend or a member of the general public. It’s a positive day to schmooze. Check the Moon Alert if spending money. TAURUS Co-workers are supportive today, which is why you’ll be productive. However, romance and dealings with your kids might be challenged because of today’s Full Moon, which is an intense Lunar Eclipse. You’ll be forthright and direct in all your communications. GEMINI You might feel a tug-of-war between authority figures and the demands of home and family. You can’t keep both these areas happy, which means you have to make a choice. Your choice today has to be in favor of home and family and your personal life. CANCER Because the Moon is your ruler, naturally you will feel the energy of today’s Full Moon. Be careful, because it could introduce an accident-prone tendency. Therefore, pay attention to everything you say and do. Think before you act. LEO Something to do with your finances might come to a head today. As a result, you’ll see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a train. This can be a productive day! You’re charming with everyone. Be aware of the Moon Alert. VIRGO The Sun is in your sign opposing the Moon in PISCES, creating today’s Lunar Eclipse. This could make you feel that something has evolved to a point of fruition. It could pertain to your sense of responsibility for others. It also might deal with a shift in your values. LIBRA This is a productive day! You’re ambitious, and the energy of today’s Full Moon makes you want to tackle unfinished business because you have lots of brainpower. Actually, you always have lots of brainpower, which is why many of you are in the legal profession. SCORPIO Issues related to a friend or a member of a group might come to a head today. If so, you can expect a resolution, one way or another. Whatever happens will probably make you look good in the eyes of everyone because your reputation is solid this year. Lucky you! SAGITTARIUS Dealings with bosses, parents and authority figures might be challenged because of the Full Moon energy today. You can’t ignore their demands. This could relate to a dispute about your property or shared expenses. Whatever the case, be charming and conciliatory. (Do your friendly, breezy thang.) CAPRICORN Pay attention to everything you say and do. This is a mildly accidentprone day for you because of the Lunar Eclipse. You might find yourself in an argument with someone. Be smart and steer clear of controversial issues. Be patient with spouses, partners and friends. AQUARIUS Today the Moon is in your sign lined up with Pluto, which can make you emotionally intense. In fact, you might feel overwhelmed by something. You also might feel obsessed with an idea. (This can make one jealous in love.) Be ready for a surprise invitation! PISCES Today the Full Moon is in your sign, which can make dealings with those who are closest to you a bit stressed. Be accommodating. But be aware that today you can be productive and get a lot done!
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Camrose Vintage Working Day set for packed day of traditional rural entertainment ONE of Pembrokeshire’s muchloved traditional countryside events returns this weekend, with a packed programme promised for the 39th Camrose Vintage Working Day. The show takes place at Folly Cross Fields, Camrose, near Haverfordwest, on Saturday (August 29), with gates opening at 10am and activities continuing throughout the day. Visitors can expect everything from vintage tractors, steam engines and classic vehicles to horse ploughing, threshing, sheep shearing, falconry and axe racing. All proceeds from the event will go towards local charities. Packed main ring programme The main ring programme begins at 10.30am with the Through the Years mower display, followed by the official opening by Mr Henry Dixon at 11am. Black Mountains Falconry will take to the ring at 11.10am, before the Towy Valley Axe Racing team stages its first display at noon in the dedicated Axemen Arena. Dyfed Shire Horses will appear at 12.30pm, followed by an Allis Chalmers parade at 1pm, children’s tug of war at 1.30pm and a JCB parade at 2pm. Falconry returns at 2.30pm, with a second axe display at 3.15pm. The afternoon continues with the dog show presentation at 3.45pm, Dyfed Shire Horses at 4pm, a motorcycle parade at 4.30pm and the raffle draw at
Oldie, Best Rescue Story, Best Junior Handler, Fancy Dress and Best Kept Coat or Waggiest Tail. The final class is scheduled for 2.45pm. A Pembrokeshire tradition
4.45pm. Vintage cars and lorries will parade through the main ring at 4.50pm, followed by the tractor parade at 5.30pm. The day concludes with a vote of thanks from chairman Liam O’Sullivan at around 5.55pm. Traditional farming brought back to life Away from the main ring, demonstrations will be taking place across the showground throughout the day. Field 2 will feature threshing, sheep shearing and a working farrier, alongside an Allis Chalmers display and numerous stalls. Field 3 will host grass and hay demonstrations and the Through the Years mower display, while Field 4 will see horse and tractor ploughing, a
cultivation area and donkey rides. Visitors will also be able to explore the tractor paddock, stationary engines, agricultural memorabilia, classic cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Other attractions include the Pembrokeshire Mud Slingers, Gareth James Motorsport, Pembrokeshire Classic Motor Club, the Food Story exhibition, craft and exhibition marquees, fairground attractions, outdoor clothing stalls, an autojumble, ice cream and food tents. Dogs get their own show Four-legged visitors are welcome too, with a fun dog show running during the afternoon. Classes begin at 1pm with Most Fabulous Fella, followed at 1.15pm by Loveliest Lady. There are also classes for the Most Precious Pup, Most Gorgeous Golden
Camrose Vintage Working Day has its roots in a group of local enthusiasts who decided in the 1980s to stage their own traditional vintage gathering while raising money for good causes. It has since developed into a major annual celebration of Pembrokeshire’s agricultural heritage, bringing together working machinery, heavy horses, rural skills, vehicles and family entertainment. Organisers hope this year’s programme will give visitors plenty to see across all four fields, with demonstrations taking place throughout the day. Commentary will be provided by Roger Mathias, Tania HancockLlewellyn and Edward Perkins. Admission is £10 for adults, £5 for children aged 11 to 16, while children aged under 11 can enter free. Dogs are welcome. The showground is at Folly Cross Fields, Camrose, near Haverfordwest, SA62 6JG. Organisers say timings are approximate and activities may be altered or cancelled depending on weather conditions.
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Meta can afford $18bn – our children cannot afford more excuses
There is something obscene about a company agreeing to pay $18bn and still emerging with what looks suspiciously like a good deal. Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram, has reached an agreement with 52 US attorneys general over allegations that its platforms were designed to addict children and that the public was misled about their safety. Meta denies wrongdoing. The payments will be spread across ten years, and a portion is conditional on TikTok and YouTube adopting similar measures. For any ordinary business, $18bn would be an extinction event. For Meta, it is a manageable cost of remaining in control. That matters because the most important part of this settlement is not the money. It is what Meta has now accepted can be done. Under the agreement, under-18s in participating US jurisdictions will face a default two-hour daily limit across Facebook and Instagram, which only a parent can disable. The apps will be blocked between midnight and 6am, notifications muted during school hours, and teenagers reminded how long they
have been scrolling. Young users will also be offered greater control over algorithmic feeds, autoplay and visible “likes”. These are sensible protections. They are also an admission of sorts— not a legal admission of liability, but an admission of capability. For years, the technology giants have behaved as though child protections were technically difficult, commercially unrealistic or incompatible with the open internet. Now, when the legal pressure is sufficiently fierce, the supposedly impossible suddenly becomes a product update. As a father, I find that infuriating. As a newspaper editor, I also have to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth: we depend on Meta. Local journalism now reaches much of its audience through Facebook. A road closure, missing-person appeal, court report or warning about flooding can reach tens of thousands of people within minutes. That power can serve communities well. But the same machinery is built to keep people watching, clicking, reacting and returning. It does not distinguish nobly
between a public-interest report and content engineered to provoke fear, envy or anger. It rewards attention. Adults struggle against that design. Expecting children to resist it through willpower alone was always absurd. Parents have been told to monitor screen time, learn every app, inspect every account and somehow remain one step ahead of companies employing armies of engineers and behavioural experts. Of course parents have responsibilities, but responsibility cannot rest solely with families when the product itself is designed to erode restraint. The proposed American safeguards are not perfect. Two hours a day is still a great deal of time. Midnight is far too late for younger teenagers. Direct messages are excluded from several restrictions, despite being one of the places where harmful contact can occur. And a settlement without an admission of wrongdoing allows Meta to avoid the precedent and disclosure that a trial might have produced. Yet it destroys the excuse that Britain must wait. If Meta can impose these controls in the United States, it can impose them in
Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Children in Pembrokeshire are not less deserving of protection than children in Pennsylvania. A multinational platform should not operate a safety lottery in which a teenager’s safeguards depend on which government has been most willing to confront its lawyers. The UK has the Online Safety Act and Ofcom has enforcement powers. Ministers and regulators should use them with urgency. At a minimum, the American measures should become the baseline here, with independent auditing, effective age assurance and penalties large enough to change corporate behaviour—not merely appear in a quarterly report as another cost. We should also resist Meta’s attempt to present itself as the company bravely leading the industry. It acted after litigation from across the United States and after a damaging courtroom defeat in New Mexico. This is not philanthropy. It is risk management. Still, risk management can alter behaviour when the risk becomes real. That is the broader lesson. Big Tech did not become powerful because democracy consciously handed it authority. It became powerful while governments hesitated, regulators moved slowly and all of us became dependent on services that appeared free. They were never free. We paid with our data, our attention and, too often, our peace of mind. Meta can absorb $18bn. What our children cannot afford is another decade of politicians accepting promises, parents being blamed and platforms marking their own homework. The technology exists. The safeguards are possible. The only question left is whether our government has the nerve to demand them.
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Medieval warriors return to Carew Castle for bank holiday spectacular Living history, archery, medieval fashion and dramatic combat displays will bring the 12th century back to life over three action-packed days CAREW CASTLE will step back more than 800 years this August bank holiday as its popular Weekend of Warriors and Weaponry returns. From Saturday, August 29, to Monday, August 31, the historic castle will be transformed into a bustling 12th-century encampment, with medieval soldiers, traditional crafts, archery and dramatic demonstrations of arms and combat. Historia Normannis, one of the UK’s leading living-history groups, will recreate the sights and sounds of Norman Britain, giving visitors the chance to discover how an army of the period lived, trained and prepared for battle. Visitors will be able to explore the encampment throughout the day, meet costumed re-enactors and learn more about medieval weapons, clothing, law and everyday life. Those wanting to test their own skills can also take part in Have-aGo Archery, with a small additional charge applying to some activities. Full programme of displays A
packed
programme
of
and the role of law in Norman Britain. The day’s events culminate at 3pm with a medieval tournament, featuring displays of combat, tactics and martial skill. ‘A spectacular way to round off the summer’
demonstrations will take place each day. At 11am, the medieval militia will be put through its paces with a display of military drills, weapon handling and battlefield training. At midday, attention turns from armour to appearance with a Medieval Fashion Show, showcasing clothing
worn by different sections of 12thcentury society. At 1pm, visitors can watch The Arming of the Knight, exploring the equipment, ceremony and preparation involved in turning a medieval warrior into a fully equipped knight. The Shire Court follows at 2pm, offering an interactive look at justice
Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, said: “The Weekend of Warriors and Weaponry is always a spectacular way to round off the summer holidays. “Historia Normannis bring the medieval world vividly to life, filling the Castle with the sights and sounds of a 12th-century encampment. “With traditional skills to discover, thrilling combat displays and the chance to have a go at archery, it promises a fantastic day out for the whole family.” The Weekend of Warriors and Weaponry runs from 10am until 4pm on all three days and is included with normal admission to Carew Castle. Some additional activities carry a small charge. Full details and the weekend schedule are available at carewcastle. com.
Rare ocean wanderer spotted in Pembrokeshire waters from Strumble Head Tom Sinclair
Editor@herald.email
pelagic trips into deeper waters off Pembrokeshire in recent years, seeing one from dry land remains a notable event. Visitor from the southern oceans
BIRDWATCHERS at Strumble Head were treated to an unusual sight this week when a Wilson’s storm-petrel was spotted passing the Pembrokeshire coast. The small ocean-going bird was picked up during a seawatch on Thursday morning (August 20), with observers Luke Gravett and Mark Hipkin calling the bird at around 8.20am. Most of the birdwatchers gathered at the famous north Pembrokeshire headland were subsequently able to get good views of it. Wilson’s storm-petrels spend almost their entire lives over the open ocean and are much more commonly encountered from boats far offshore than from the Welsh coast. Although increasing numbers have been recorded during specialist
Wilson’s storm-petrel is one of the most abundant seabirds in the world, but its lifestyle means few people ever see one. The species breeds on remote islands in the southern oceans, including around Antarctica, before undertaking enormous migrations through the Atlantic. Some reach waters off Britain and Ireland during the northern summer. The British Trust for Ornithology classifies the species as a scarce visitor and says it is principally encountered on pelagic boat trips and from selected headlands during late summer and early autumn. Despite being widespread globally, it remains an unusual bird to see from the Welsh mainland. A Wilson’s storm-petrel recorded from Strumble Head in August 2022 was similarly described by specialist birding publications as a rare Welsh land-based sighting. Not alone at Strumble Thursday’s Wilson’s storm-petrel
was the highlight of a productive morning at Strumble Head. Observers also recorded three or four European storm-petrels, two adult Sabine’s gulls, a Balearic shearwater, a little gull, six Arctic skuas and a great skua — known to many birdwatchers as a bonxie. Common, Arctic and Sandwich terns were also moving past the headland, together with waders including dunlin, whimbrel, redshank and turnstone. And the wildlife spectacle was not confined to birds. Two or three ocean sunfish were seen offshore, while a number of common dolphins were also recorded. Famous seawatching location
Strumble Head is regarded as one of Wales’s finest locations for watching seabirds on migration. Its position projecting into the Irish Sea means birds travelling through the waters off west Wales can sometimes be pushed close enough to the coast to be identified from land, particularly when weather and wind conditions are favourable. Observers regularly record shearwaters, skuas, petrels, terns and other seabirds from the headland. Some species which spend almost all their time far offshore can occasionally be brought within viewing distance of the cliffs, creating the possibility of unusual records.
That has made the site nationally known among seawatchers. Tiny bird crossing enormous oceans
Wilson’s storm-petrels are remarkably small for birds capable of travelling such huge distances. Adults weigh only around 40 grams. At sea they feed by fluttering immediately above the water, picking small marine organisms from the surface while appearing almost to dance across the waves. Their long migrations take them between breeding grounds in the Southern Hemisphere and feeding areas thousands of miles to the north. Modern pelagic birding has also changed understanding of how frequently the species reaches British and Irish waters. Once regarded as an extreme rarity, Wilson’s storm-petrels are now known to occur more regularly in deep Atlantic waters during late summer. Boat trips into the Celtic Deep off Pembrokeshire have produced repeated sightings, including multiple birds on individual trips. But encountering one while standing on the Pembrokeshire mainland remains considerably more difficult. That distinction made Thursday morning’s appearance at Strumble Head a particularly memorable one for the birdwatchers who happened to be looking out to sea at 8.20am.
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Dolly Parton: The rhinestone bridge across the culture war I was perched above Milford Docks this week, attempting to swallow a chip that had somehow frozen solid inside its polystyrene tray, when news arrived that Dolly Parton had died. Now, there are few creatures more attracted to shiny objects than a seagull. Leave a silver crisp packet unattended and my entire family will descend upon it like politicians on a free lunch. But even we could not compete with Dolly. The hair. The heels. The rhinestones. Outfits apparently created by firing the contents of Hobbycraft from a cannon. Dolly did not merely wear sequins. She deployed them. Her death produced something almost unknown today: people who normally agree on nothing were united in genuine sadness. Country fans loved her. Gay men adored her. Feminists claimed her. Churchgoers trusted her. Socialists praised her working-class roots, while Donald Trump managed to say something gracious. That may have been Dolly’s final miracle. We live in an age when everything must belong to one tribe or another. A singer, film, flag or sandwich can suddenly prove you are either dangerously woke or irredeemably right-wing. Yet Dolly crossed the culture-war battlefield in six-inch heels without anybody firing at her. How? It was not because she stood for nothing. Dolly avoided party politics, but neutrality about politicians is not the same as neutrality about people. She supported her gay fans, defended their right to love and challenged those using religion as an excuse to condemn them. Her argument was wonderfully simple: who are you to judge? That is one reason she became a gay icon. Another was that she understood the power of creating yourself.
Dolly came from poverty in rural Tennessee and built herself into the woman she wanted to be. She exaggerated everything people might have mocked — her accent, hair, figure and clothes — then made the joke herself before anybody else could use it against her. “It costs a lot of money to look this cheap,” she famously said. Funny, yes, but also defiant. Gay audiences understood that. Many had also been told to tone
themselves down, hide who they were or make themselves less visible. Dolly did the opposite. She added another layer of rhinestones. SWARK! She also understood working people. Coat of Many Colors spoke about poverty without pretending it was picturesque. 9 to 5 wrapped a howl of working-class anger inside a tune cheerful enough for a wedding disco. Personally, I regard working
from nine until five as an appalling infringement on feeding time, but the principle stands. The song was about bosses taking the credit while workers did the graft. About women being patronised, underpaid and denied opportunity. Plenty of politicians have delivered speeches about workers’ rights that were less radical than Dolly tapping her acrylic fingernails on a table. Then there was her Imagination Library, which sent millions of books to children. Not a taskforce exploring potential pathways towards improved bookbased outcomes. Actual books. Imagine explaining that revolutionary concept to government. Dolly became fabulously wealthy and built a formidable business empire, but she never appeared ashamed of where she came from or eager to pull the ladder up behind her. She could speak about God without using him as a bouncer. She could love her country without demanding everybody in it look, pray, vote or love in the same way. That is the lesson our politicians will probably miss. Dolly united people because she refused to treat disagreement as permission for cruelty. She made herself larger than life without making anybody else feel smaller. So farewell, Dolly. Thank you for the songs, the laughter, the books and for proving that kindness need not be weakness. You built a bridge between worlds that today’s culture warriors are paid handsomely to blow apart. And you crossed it in high heels. Until next week, keep your chips tight, your politicians tighter and your rhinestones where I cannot fly off with them. SWARK!
Stephen Seagull Supreme Ruler of Milford Haven Docks and Defender of Unattended Food
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Reports of animals being beaten in Wales rise by 61 per cent
PETS CORNER
THE number of reported incidents involving animals being beaten in Wales has risen by 61 per cent in just five years, according to disturbing new figures from the RSPCA. The animal welfare charity received 840 reports of animals being beaten across Wales during 2025, compared with 523 in 2021. Reports increased in 21 of Wales’ 22 local authority areas. The largest percentage rise was recorded in Ceredigion, where the number trebled from three to nine, while Anglesey saw an increase of 156 per cent, from nine reports to 23. Only Blaenau Gwent recorded a fall, with reports dropping from 20 in 2021 to 13 last year. Swansea had the highest number of reports in Wales, with 92, followed by Cardiff with 74. Newport and Neath Port Talbot each recorded 59. Across England and Wales, the RSPCA received 16,033 reports of animals being beaten during 2025 – a 90 per cent increase since 2021. That is equivalent to one report every 15 minutes while the charity’s cruelty line is open. Dogs and cats are most frequently subjected to this violence, although the charity says many other animals are also harmed. Particularly troubling is the fact that the alleged perpetrator is often a member of the animal’s own household – the person on whom that animal depends for food, shelter and protection. Earlier this month, a court in South Wales heard how a dog named Narla suffered facial injuries which a veterinary expert said were consistent with being punched forcefully to the left side of her head. Her owner was disqualified from keeping animals for five years and received an 18-month community order. The figures have been released as part of the RSPCA’s Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign, launched during the charity’s busiest period of the year. Reports of cruelty traditionally reach their highest levels during the summer months. RSPCA Superintendent
Jo Hirst said: “It’s incredibly distressing to see such a massive rise in reports of intentional beatings, with one report coming to our cruelty line every 15 minutes. “These are often upsetting cases where animals – usually pet cats and dogs – have experienced deliberate and horrific violence, leaving animals with not only physical injuries but mental scars as well. “The reasons why an individual acts in this way can be down to a multitude of factors. They may be struggling with behavioural problems or their mental health, they may have violent tendencies generally, or sometimes pets are used as part of coercive control. In other cases, the perpetrator simply has a complete lack of empathy for animals.” The RSPCA believes the growth of CCTV, doorbell cameras and smartphones may partly explain the rise in reports. Violence which might once have gone unseen can now be recorded in homes, streets,
lifts and car parks before being passed to investigators or shared on social media. Footage supplied by members of the public has helped the charity secure several successful prosecutions in Wales. In one South Wales case, a bulldog was filmed being kicked repeatedly. The offender was sentenced and banned from keeping dogs, while the animal was successfully rehomed. Another prosecution followed after video evidence showed a dog being beaten. Two people were disqualified from keeping animals and given community orders. In South West Wales, CCTV footage of a dog being struck and dropped resulted in a prison sentence and a ban on keeping animals. Jo said members of the public remained vital to identifying abuse and rescuing animals from dangerous situations. “To help rescue animals from these situations, we rely on the public to be our eyes and ears
and report any concerns about animal abuse to us,” she said. “We are grateful that so many people do and that the public are becoming more aware of the problem. “We’ve rescued countless animals from horrific settings, but sadly others we deal with have died at the hands of their abuser. It is then our role to try to bring justice for those poor victims.” During June, July and August last year, the RSPCA received 6,322 cruelty calls – approximately one every ten minutes while its emergency line was operating. The charity is urging anyone who witnesses suspected cruelty to record relevant details safely and report their concerns. Members of the public should not place themselves in danger by confronting a suspected offender. Further information about reporting cruelty and supporting the Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign is available at www.rspca.org.uk.
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No longer dependent on postcode Flying Start was originally targeted primarily at families living in particular communities identified as having greater levels of need. That meant two families living relatively close to one another could previously have different access to funded provision depending on their address. The programme has gradually been expanded across Wales and Pembrokeshire has now reached the point where funded Flying Start childcare is available to all two-year-olds in the county. The change forms part of a Welsh Government programme aimed at eventually providing universal childcare support for younger children across Wales.
All 22 Welsh local authorities are expected to have completed the first phase of that expansion by the end of March 2027. Pembrokeshire has therefore reached universal provision ahead of that national deadline. What families can receive The standard Flying Start childcare entitlement provides 12.5 hours each week for up to 39 weeks of the year. Provision is offered through approved Flying Start childcare settings and is designed around opportunities for children to learn, play, socialise and develop before entering formal education. Children generally become able to take up their place from the appropriate term following their second birthday. The childcare is funded, meaning parents do not pay the normal childcare charge for the hours covered by Flying Start. Families may still have to make separate arrangements where they require childcare outside the funded sessions. The council says the expansion should also give parents greater flexibility around employment, education and training. Different from 30hour childcare scheme Parents should be aware that Flying Start is separate from the better-known Childcare Offer for Wales. The Flying Start entitlement is aimed at two-year-olds and provides 12.5 hours of funded childcare during the normal 39week programme. The Childcare Offer for Wales principally supports eligible three and four-year-olds and can
provide up to 30 hours a week of combined early education and childcare. The two schemes operate at different stages of a child’s early years. ‘Important investment in our children’ Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Early Years and Play, welcomed the county-wide expansion. She said: “I am delighted that more families across Pembrokeshire will now be able to benefit from the 12.5 hours funded childcare offer. “Investing in our children’s early years is one of the most important things we can do, helping children develop the skills, confidence and foundations they need for the future. “This expansion demonstrates our commitment to supporting families and ensuring that every child has access to high-quality early learning experiences. “I would encourage parents and carers to find out more about the offer and take advantage of the support available.” Part of wider Welsh expansion Flying Start was launched in Wales in 2006, initially concentrating resources in some of the country’s most disadvantaged communities. Alongside childcare, the wider Flying Start programme has traditionally included enhanced health visiting, parenting support and help with children’s speech, language and communication. The childcare element has been progressively expanded beyond the original geographical boundaries.
More than 13,000 children and families across Wales had already been offered funded Flying Start childcare during earlier stages of the expansion, with Welsh Government figures showing strong take-up among eligible families. In June, the Welsh Government announced a further £55 million childcare investment, part of which is being used to accelerate the extension of funded places for two-year-olds. The longer-term ambition is to move towards a more universal childcare system for children from nine months to four years old. How to apply Parents and carers in Pembrokeshire do not automatically receive a childcare place simply because their child has turned two and will still need to apply for the scheme. Applications can be made through Pembrokeshire County Council’s Flying Start service. Families can also contact the council’s Flying Start team at flyingstart@pembrokeshire. gov.uk for information about eligibility, start dates and participating childcare settings. The council says it is working with childcare providers across Pembrokeshire to ensure sufficient high-quality places are available as the number of eligible families increases. For parents who previously checked Flying Start and discovered they lived outside an eligible area, the message has now changed. Wherever a family lives in Pembrokeshire, their two-yearold can now be considered for the funded childcare entitlement.
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ALL two-year-olds in Pembrokeshire can now access funded childcare as a major expansion of the Flying Start programme reaches families across the county. Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that the provision is no longer confined to children living in selected Flying Start areas, meaning families throughout Pembrokeshire can now apply. The scheme provides up to 12.5 hours of funded childcare each week for two-year-olds, normally delivered as 2.5-hour sessions over five days during the school term. For families taking up the full entitlement, that can amount to almost 490 hours of funded childcare over a 39-week year. The expansion is intended both to support children’s development before they reach nursery age and to reduce childcare costs for parents and carers.
EDUCATION
All two-year-olds in Pembrokeshire can now access funded childcare
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Warning over scale of Wales’ toxic waste
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FARMING
Thousands of former industrial sites across Wales could require further investigation amid renewed concern over the country’s toxic waste legacy, following revelations about chemicals once buried at sites linked to Monsanto. Fresh attention has been drawn to the issue following the BBC documentary Buried with Michael Sheen, which investigated the historic dumping of dangerous chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The programme examined 14 locations, but Dr David Megson, the scientist who led its environmental testing, believes the problem could extend much further. A previous survey in Wales identified more than 9,000 locations potentially requiring further investigation, while around 20,000 sites of high concern have been identified across the UK. Among those speaking out is Stephen Constance, a former Monsanto worker who spent three years helping to contain buried waste at the company’s Newport operation during the 1990s. Mr Constance, 61, said workers were given “cheap” protective equipment and
claimed they were not properly informed about the substances they could have been exposed to. He described his experience at Monsanto as “absolutely dreadful”, adding: “It was quite evident that nobody was fully appraised of the potential hazard that they were exposed to.” His work involved digging a trench around six metres deep around an existing waste mound, which was sealed using plastic membrane sheets and liquid clay. Asked whether workers had been adequately protected, he said: “In terms of what we knew
was there and what we were potentially exposed to, no.” Mr Constance is now in remission after suffering follicular lymphoma, although he stressed he was not suggesting a connection with his former workplace. “I’m not suggesting in any way at all that it’s linked, but the thought did cross my mind,” he said. His account emerged after dozens of people contacted BBC Wales following the documentary. PCBs were once widely used in industry and consumer products before being banned in the UK during the 1970s.
Researcher and whistleblower Douglas Gowan, who spent decades campaigning over industrial chemical dumping, described them as “some of the worst contaminants known to man”. Documents examined for the documentary also raised questions about what was known about their dangers at the time. Journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor uncovered a Monsanto memo from 1972 indicating the company knew PCBs presented a danger to human health. Eastman Chemical Company, which is responsible for Monsanto’s legacy production in the UK, did not respond to a request for comment. Scientist raises contamination concerns Dr Megson, a reader in chemistry and environmental forensics at Manchester Metropolitan University, said testing indicated contamination was escaping from some locations. “The country is in a really dire place,” he said. “What our data shows is those sites are leaking and those sites are a chemical cocktail. Whether it’s the PCBs alone is up for debate.
Unit 18b, Withybush Ind Est, Withybush, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4BS
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“PCBs are suspected carcinogens, so we think they can cause cancer.” Some readings were particularly concerning, with Dr Megson saying levels at one location were “pretty much the highest I’ve ever seen in anything we’ve tested”. Acid tar lagoon remains decades later Renewed scrutiny has also fallen on the acid tar lagoon at Llwyneinion, near Ruabon. Environmental remediation specialist Ralph Davies said he proposed a possible clean-up solution in 2007 but did not hear back from Wrexham council. “The fact it is still there, untouched, is mind blowing,” he said. A 2006 environmental engineering report showed contamination had been known about since at least 1979. Records state 93,100 tonnes of
acid sludge from Burmah Castrol were dumped there, alongside barrels containing unidentified substances suspected of originating from Monsanto. During the following 27 years, the site underwent 18 investigations, five treatment trials and two remediation proposals, but the lagoon remains in place in 2026. The report identified 105 potential routes through which contamination could affect humans, wildlife, buildings or water supplies, including three uncapped mine shafts beneath the lagoon. BP, which is responsible for Burmah Castrol, said it had no comment. Calls for further health research Emeritus Professor Sue Jordan, a researcher at Swansea University, said the findings had been an “eye-opener” and called for further research into whether historic pollution could have
affected communities. She said questions remained over why some health outcomes, including congenital anomalies and stillbirths, appeared higher in Wales than in some other parts of the UK, although further research would be required to establish any connection. “We don’t want anything brushed under the carpet,” she said. Public Health Wales said its Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit had recorded and analysed cancer cases since the 1970s. It said: “Based on the evidence currently available, there is no indication that historical environmental pollution is responsible for an increased risk of cancer, or any other disease or illness, in these areas.” More than 9,000 potential sites Natural Resources Wales said previous investigations at Llwyneinion
concluded the location did not meet the legal definition of contaminated land. Wrexham council said subsequent monitoring had not revealed significant changes and there was currently no statutory requirement to remediate the site. However, the scale of potentially contaminated land across Wales remains substantial. The Welsh Government said a 2015 Natural Resources Wales survey identified more than 9,000 potential sites requiring further investigation. It said: “While not all of these sites will pose a risk to human health or the environment, this figure demonstrates the scale of the issue facing regulators in Wales. “We now intend to develop a Wales-wide strategy to progressively restore post-industrial land, so that communities are no longer exposed to potential risks.”
Rumen-first feeding can help ewes rebuild condition ahead of tupping
SHEEP farmers looking to rebuild ewe condition following a challenging summer are being advised to focus on feeding strategies that support efficient rumen function in the run-up to tupping. Rumenco Technical Services Manager Dr Alison Bond said prolonged periods of hot, dry weather had left grazing under pressure in some areas, potentially reducing both the quantity and nutritional quality of forage available to breeding ewes. She said targeted supplementation could help animals make better use of available grass and conserved forage while restoring body condition ahead of the breeding season.
“Sheep farmers will be focused on ewe body condition, aiming for the optimum of 3.0 to 3.5, depending on their system, by the time the tups go in,” Dr Bond said. “Feeding for optimal rumen function will help greatly towards achieving these targets, but it is also important to consider other potential deficiencies.” Dr Bond recommends Rumenco’s Rumevite Sheep Super block as one option for supplementing grazing or conserved forage. The product contains urea, natural protein sources including soya and rapeseed, energy from starches and sugars, protected fats, minerals and trace elements. She said urea could be utilised
by microorganisms within the rumen to produce microbial protein, while additional energy helped support the process. “This balanced formulation, provided through a free-access, little-and-often feeding system, helps support a stable rumen environment and maximise feed-use efficiency,” she said. “This can allow sheep to gain condition more effectively while making the most of the forage that is available.” The difficult summer could also have consequences beyond ewe condition, according to Dr Bond, particularly where animals have been grazing limited or poorer-quality
forage for prolonged periods. She said shortages could leave animals deficient in certain vitamins, minerals and trace elements at a critical point in the production cycle. “Short supplies of poor-quality forage may have left ewes short of vitamins, trace elements and minerals, so providing adequate supplies through supplementation may help avoid problems further down the line,” she said. Fish oil, which provides omega-3 fatty acids, is also included in the Rumevite Sheep Super formulation, with Rumenco saying it can help support fertility ahead of tupping. The company points to studies which it says have recorded increases in live lambing percentages of up to 22 per cent among ewes receiving Rumevite Sheep Super compared with unsupplemented animals. Dr Bond said ensuring ewes entered the breeding season at the correct body condition could support ovulation and improve the chances of animals holding to service during the first cycle. Rainfall and improved grass growth during late summer would provide welcome relief after the prolonged dry spell, but farmers should not necessarily rely on recovering pasture alone, she added. “When conditions improve, it will provide a welcome uplift for sheep farmers,” Dr Bond said. “However, to ensure later summer grass growth isn’t too little, too late, it is important to consider supplementing ewes in advance. This can help ensure their rumen is working efficiently and they are in the best position to utilise improving forage.”
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The 2027 LAMMA Innovation Awards are open for entries Entries close 9th October 2026
The UK’s premier agricultural event, LAMMA, is once again opening its Innovation Awards for entries. The LAMMA Innovation Awards, sponsored by Rural Asset Finance, were created to recognise and reward innovation and advances within the agricultural industry. The awards, available for LAMMA, Low Carbon Agriculture and CropTec exhibitors to enter, celebrate new technologies and provide exposure for agricultural manufacturers through eight categories including a new edition for 2027, the Future Fuel Innovation Award. In addition to this, the Innovation of the Year award will be presented to the best overall winner at the 2027 show. For the first time, the LAMMA Innovation Award entrants will have an opportunity to demonstrate their innovations on centre stage during the show in the Innovation Live zone, this gives entrants access to over 40,000 visitors, looking to find groundbreaking technology powering the future of farming. Matthew Smart, Founder & Director, Rural Asset Finance commented on sponsoring the awards, “We are delighted and proud to sponsor the LAMMA
Innovation Awards because we feel the industry deserves recognition for just how unbelievably resourceful it is. Our whole sector is brilliant, individually and collectively at thinking outside the box to work more efficiently or simply finding solutions to the day-to-day challenges every farm faces. These awards are really important to showcase what a modern, high-tech, ground-breaking industry we are.” Introducing the categories for the 2027 Innovation Awards: *NEW for 2027* Future Fuel Innovation Agriculture and technology is evolving, we want to highlight the future fuel and drivetrains that are pushing agriculture into the future. Can include hybrid systems, hydrogen, biomethane, battery electric, fuel cells, E-Fuels and renewable fuels. The product or process must be able to demonstrate its significant benefit to the environment. Livestock & Dairy Innovation of the Year This award celebrates a piece of livestock kit, machinery or technology that provides advancement or innovation inside the Livestock/Dairy sector. Includes: Livestock/Cattle feeding and
Agronomy Services Agri Chemicals Seed & Fertilizer For all your spring seed requirements
Call 07836 211 268 for enquiries and professional advice from trusted local seed supplier
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handling equipment, dairy machinery and technology, milking equipment, mixing equipment & fencing equipment. Grassland Innovation of the Year This award highlights a piece of grassland kit, machinery or technology that provides advancement or innovation inside the grassland/forage sector. Includes: Field machinery, including mowers, tedders, rakes, balers, wrappers, bale handling or any machinery or technology that is specific to the life cycle of grass production. Digital Technology Innovation of the Year This award showcases a product or service that uses digital technology and equipment to provide a service to farmers. It must fulfil a genuine business need of farmers and growers. Includes: Apps, electronics & precision farming software. Arable Establishment Innovation of the Year This award celebrates a piece of arable machinery or technology that provides advancement or innovation to the establishment of any arable crop. Arable Crop Care Innovation of the Year This award highlights a piece of arable kit, machinery, chemical or technology that provides advancement or innovation to the care of arable crops, at any point during their production lifecycle. Machine of the Year This award celebrates innovation within agricultural manufacturing. The machine can be made anywhere in the world, but it must be sold the UK & Ireland, and released after 1st February 2026, and must not have been shown at LAMMA before, even as a prototype. Includes: tractors, materials handling, harvesters and self-propelled sprayers/ applicators British and Irish Manufacturer of the Year This award champions the commitment to innovation by a British or Irish manufacturer. The manufacturer must have shown consistent innovation and progression in the fields of new
product development, sales growth, business sustainability. The manufacturer must be based within UK and IE; physical production has to take place within the UK and Ireland. The IAgrE Ivel Award - Innovation of the Year The Innovation of the Year will be awarded to the best Gold-winning innovation from across all LAMMA Innovation Award categories; no application is required, as the winner will be selected from the Gold Award winners in the other eight categories. “Farmers have innovated for centuries. Ours is an industry that naturally solves problems by coming up with genius solutions, fantastic inventions or sometimes simply a new way of completing a task that’s never been done before. Every one of those ideas has the power to change our entire industry for the better, so please do enter your innovation into the awards. You might well win – but as importantly, sharing your innovation with the world could ultimately help thousands of your fellow farmers!” - Matthew Smart, Founder & Director, Rural Asset Finance
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Sheep sector unites to Make it Lamb for Love Lamb Week 2026 The Welsh red meat industry is once again joining forces for Love Lamb Week, taking place from 1–7 September 2026, to celebrate the farmers, landscapes and food at the heart of lamb production. Now in its 11th year, Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) is leading the Welsh campaign, alongside the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) in England, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) in Scotland and the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) in Northern Ireland. The campaign will also be supported by the National Sheep Association (NSA), the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), NFU Scotland, the
Ulster Farmers’ Union and Red Tractor – as well as a wide array of industry supporters and stakeholders. Using the established Make it Lamb campaign, Love Lamb Week 2026 will focus on two central themes: the people and process behind lamb production across the UK, and the wide variety of tasty and versatile meals that can be made using lamb. Content shared throughout the campaign will highlight the farmers and production methods at the heart of the industry, whilst also providing consumers with practical and inspiring ideas for enjoying lamb at home. HCC will support Love Lamb Week through television, video-on-demand and digital
advertising. Activity will run across social media and press channels, featuring farmer stories and recipe content promoting the versatility of Welsh Lamb. HCC will also communicate with more than 30,000 subscribers through its consumer newsletter and is developing potential influencer, retail and on-pack promotional activity. Pip Gill, Marketing Manager at Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) said: “Love Lamb Week is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Welsh Lamb and the farmers who produce it. Wales’ grass-rich landscape provides the ideal environment for rearing highquality lamb, renowned for its flavour and quality both at home and abroad. ‘’We’re proud to support the Make it Lamb campaign and work alongside partners across the UK to showcase the care and expertise behind lamb production. Consumers looking for inspiration can discover hundreds of delicious Welsh Lamb recipes at eatwelshlamb. com.” Love Lamb Week was established by Cumbrian sheep farmer Rachel Lumley in 2015 to encourage consumers to enjoy lamb during its peak season and to improve understanding of the people and work involved in its production. Since its inception, the National Sheep Association has been a real driving force behind the Love Lamb Week campaign – with their social accounts being used extensively to spread the campaign’s messages: @ LoveLambWeek on Facebook and @LoveLambUK on Instagram. Farmers and others working throughout the sheep sector will be encouraged to get involved by sharing their own experiences, images and stories on social media. The campaign aims to help consumers better understand where lamb comes from while building recognition of the contribution sheep farming makes to food production, rural communities and the UK’s landscapes.
This week’s welcome change in the weather will bring some relief to farmers across Wales after an unprecedented summer of extreme heat. While cooler conditions may ease immediate pressure on livestock and farmland, many farming families are still counting the cost of months of exceptionally challenging weather and its impact on their businesses. As one challenge begins to ease, another is becoming an increasing concern: Bluetongue. The situation is changing daily. At the time of writing, 29 cases have now been confirmed in Wales during the 2026–27 bluetongue season, with a further 551 cases recorded in England. Those figures are expected to rise over the coming weeks as surveillance and testing continue. Bluetongue is a serious, notifiable viral disease spread by biting midges, affecting sheep, cattle and other ruminants. The virus does not pose a risk to human health or food safety however the impact on livestock can be devastating, with symptoms including fever, swelling of the face and tongue, mouth ulcers, lameness, reduced productivity and, in severe cases, death. The experiences already being shared by farmers highlight the importance of acting early to protect our herds and flocks. The Farmers’ Union of Wales is urging farmers to remain
vigilant, maintain strong biosecurity measures and speak to their veterinary surgeon about vaccination. Vaccination remains the best defence against Bluetongue and is the most effective tool available to reduce its impact. However, we recognise the growing concern across the industry about potential vaccine shortages as demand increases. Ensuring an adequate and reliable supply is critical if farmers are to protect their livestock before the disease spreads further. The FUW is continuing discussions with the Welsh Government and UK authorities to better understand the supply situation and press for practical solutions. We are calling on the Welsh Government to work closely with the veterinary sector and industry to ensure farmers have timely and affordable access to vaccines. Welsh farmers have shown remarkable resilience through an exceptionally difficult summer. As we look ahead, securing sufficient vaccine supplies and supporting farmers to protect their livestock must be a priority for safeguarding the health of Welsh animals and the future of our farming businesses. For more information about Bluetongue, including its symptoms, vaccination guidance and the latest disease control measures, visit the Welsh Government website: https://www. gov.wales/bluetonguevirus-btv
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Peakline Motors puts after-sales care at the heart of buying a used car
MOTORS
Buying a used car should be an exciting moment— not the beginning of weeks of worry if something goes wrong. That belief is at the heart of Peakline Motors, a new used car dealership located in Pendine. Determined to offer customers something increasingly difficult to find: genuine support after the sale. Peakline Motors opened in April 2026, but the business is backed by years of practical experience through its sister company, Peakline Engineering, an RAC Approved vehicle repair business. It was while working with motorists at Peakline Engineering that the team identified a recurring problem. Customers were arriving with vehicles they had only recently purchased elsewhere, but were struggling to obtain help from the supplying dealership. Some found that their warranty provided only limited cover. Others were left trying to navigate the claims process themselves or searching for a garage able to carry out the necessary work. Having seen the frustration and financial worry this caused, the Peakline team decided there had to be a better way. Their answer was Peakline Motors—a dealership founded on one straightforward promise: to sell cars properly. Support that continues after the sale
Peakline Motors offers a carefully selected range of used vehicles for different needs and budgets, from first cars and economical runarounds to practical family vehicles and higher-specification models. But the team believes its real difference becomes clear after the customer has driven away. Every vehicle sold comes with a 12-month warranty provided by Warranty Wise as standard, with customers also able to extend their cover to 24 months for an additional cost. Just as importantly, buyers have a knowledgeable local team to contact if they experience a problem. With Peakline Engineering working alongside the
Free home delivery is available throughout Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, offering additional convenience to customers who may find it difficult to travel to the dealership. Whether you are buying your first car, replacing a family vehicle, looking for a dependable daily runaround or helping a friend or relative find something suitable, Peakline Motors would like the opportunity to help. The message from the team is simple: buying a used car should come with confidence, honest support and the reassurance that someone will still be there if assistance is needed afterwards. dealership, customers can receive practical advice, guidance through the warranty process and help arranging suitable repairs where required. That means they are not left wondering who to call or trying to find an appropriate garage on their own. “No used-car dealer can guarantee that a vehicle will never develop a problem. What we can guarantee is that, if something does happen, we will be among the first to help and will do everything we can to get the customer back on the road as quickly as possible. “For us, handing over the keys is not the end of the
relationship. We want our customers to know that they can come back to us for help.” Local service Peakline Motors wants buying a car to feel straightforward and reassuring. Customers are welcome to speak to the team about their requirements, browse the available stock and arrange a viewing or test drive. Although vehicles can be supplied to customers throughout the UK, the dealership is particularly focused on serving motorists across South and West Wales.
Find your next car View the latest vehicles at peaklinemotors.co.uk, call 01994 699125, or visit Peakline Motors at Three Lords, Pendine, Carmarthen, SA33 4PU. Peakline Motors: used cars sold properly, with after-sales care you can rely on. Warranty cover is subject to the provider’s terms, conditions and exclusions. Extended warranty cover is available at an additional cost. Finance Available. Please contact us today on 01994 699125 for a finance quote with our finance partner.
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MOTORS 75
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VAUXHALL CORSA - 2015
1.4i ecoFLEX Energy Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (a/c) (90 ps) ** PETROL....... 5 SPEED.......1 PREVIOUS OWNER.........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 70,530 MILES......... SERVICE HISTORY 6 STAMPS........£35 ROAD TAX......... LOW INSURANCE GROUP 6............67 MPG..
£5,495
BMW 1 SERIES - 2015
KIA SPORTAGE - 2014
TOYOTA IQ - 2010
FORD FIESTA - 2008
2.0 CRDi KX-2 SUV 5dr Diesel Auto AWD Euro 5 (134 bhp) ** DIESEL......... AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED........4 WHEEL DRIVE.........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 72,293 MILES.........SERVICE HISTORY 9 STAMPS. .
1.33 Dual VVT-i 3 Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 4 (s/s) (98 ps) ** PETROL......6 SPEED....... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER...........LOW MILEAGE YES ONLY 43,016 MILES..........SERVICE HISTORY 11 STAMPS.........£35 ROAD TAX........ 67 MPG........
1.25 Zetec Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual (133 g/km, 81 bhp) ** PETROL.........5 SPEED........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 35,537 MILES...........SERVICE HISTORY......... 2 KEYS........£170 ROAD TAX.....
£7,295
CITROEN C3 PICASSO -2013
1.5 116d Sport Hatchback 5dr Diesel Auto Euro 6 (s/s) (116 ps) ** AUTOMATIC 8 SPEED.........DIESEL........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 79,471 MILES..........£20 ROAD TAX........ . 2 KEYS....... 78 MPG.......
1.6 VTi Exclusive MPV 5dr Petrol EGS6 Euro 5 (120 ps) ** AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED...............PETROL....... LOW MILEAGE YES ONLY COVERED 42,607 MILES........FULL SERVICE HISTORY 10 STAMPS.........1 PREVIOUS OWNER........2 KEYS........ 58
VOLKSWAGEN UP! - 2014
RENAULT CAPTUR - 2019
1.0 High up! Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (75 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED.......LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 60,320 MILES.........SERVICE HISTORY 5 STAMPS........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 2..........£20 ROAD TAX..
0.9 TCe ENERGY Iconic SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED........ 1 PREVIOUS OWNER........98,541 MILES......... SERVICE HISTORY....
£7,495
£5,995
FORD FOCUS - 2015
1.0 ZETEC 5d 124 BHP ** PETROL......6 SPEED......ONLY COVERED 69,115 MILES FROM NEW.......£20 ROAD TAX.........60 MPG.......ZETEC EDITION.......MEDIA SCREEN........ BLUETOOTH.......AIRCON........STOP START.........ALLOYS.......NICE EXAMPLE
£4,995
£4,995
£6,395
£4,695
£4,695
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VAUXHALL CORSA - 2015
1.2i Sting Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (70 ps) ** PETROL.........5 SPEED...........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 70,388 MILES..........SERVICE HISTORY 10 STAMPS........ 2 KEYS.........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 2........ 62 MPG.........STING EDITION...
£4,795
l
TOYOTA YARIS - 2016
BMW X1 - 2015
FORD B-MAX 2014
1.33 Dual VVT-i Icon Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (99 ps) ** PETROL.......6 SPEED...... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER......YES ONLY COVERED 29,354 MILES........SERVICE HISTORY 4 TOYOTA MAIN DEALER STAMPS.
2.0 20d M Sport SUV 5dr Diesel Auto xDrive Euro 5 (s/s) (184 ps) ** AUTOMATIC 8 SPEED..........DIESEL........ 97,029 MILES.........SERVICE HISTORY 9 STAMPS......... 2 KEYS...
1.4 Zetec MPV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (90 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED.........1 PREVIOUS OWNER.........92,834 MILES...........SERVICE HISTORY 8 STAMPS........£195 ROAD TAX......
HONDA HR-V - 2017
MINI CONVERTIBLE - 2016
BMW Z4 - 2011
1.5 Cooper Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (136 ps) ** PETROL........CONVERTIBLE......6 SPEED.......£35 ROAD TAX........57 MPG.........2 KEYS.........COOPER EDITION........HALF LEATHER SPORTS SEATS.......MEDIA SCREEN.
2.5 23i M Sport Highline Edition Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual sDrive Euro 5 (204 ps) ** PETROL.......CONVERTIBLE......6 SPEED........MILEAGE 115,991 .........SERVICE HISTORY 8 STAMPS...
£8,995
1.6 i-DTEC EX SUV 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps) ** DIESEL......6 SPEED.... 1 OWNER FROM NEW.......111,320 MILEAGE..... FULL HONDA MAIN DEALER SERVICE HISTORY 11 STAMPS.......2 KEYS.......£200 ROAD TAX.......... 72 MPG.
£7,995
£6,495
£5,995
£4,495
£7,495
DACIA SANDERO 2017
AUDI A1- 2012
DACIA SANDERO STEPWAY 2015
VOLVO XC60 - 2015
1.0 SCe Ambiance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (75 ps) ** PETROL........5 SPEED......... 1 OWNER FROM NEW........FULL SERVICE HISTORY......... LOW INSURANCE GROUP 4..........67 MPG.........AMBIANCE EDITION....
1.4 TFSI Sport Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps) ** PETROL.......6 SPEED.........1 PREVIOUS OWNER.......SERVICE HISTORY..........2 KEYS....... £170 ROAD TAX...........64 MPG........SPORT EDITION.
0.9 TCe Ambiance Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED......... 1 OWNER FROM NEW.........LOW MILEAGE YES ONLY COVERED 63,951 MILES........... SERVICE HISTORY 6 STAMPS...
2.4 D4 SE Lux Nav SUV 5dr Diesel Auto AWD Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps) **DIESEL.........6 SPEED AUTOMATIC......... SERVICE HISTORY 6 STAMPS......... CAMBELT AND WATER PUMP DONE AT 113,000 MILES.......2 KEYS........£215 ROAD TAX..
£3,995
.
£4,995
£4,695
£6,995
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MOTORS
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MOTORS 79
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OMODA&JAECOO strengthens its seven-year warranty as it marks two years in the UK
Two years after entering the UK market, OMODA&JAECOO has enhanced its vehicle warranty programme, reflecting customer feedback and the manufacturer’s commitment to delivering one of the strongest ownership experiences in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets. Having successfully established itself in the UK, OMODA&JAECOO has continued to invest beyond the showroom, expanding its retailer network, strengthening its aftersales infrastructure and enhancing the overall customer experience. The latest warranty improvements represent the next stage of that journey, giving customers even greater reassurance throughout their ownership experience. With a 5.7% market share* at the time of writing and a growing owner community, the dual-brand house has been able to review real-world ownership data and customer feedback to identify where its warranty offering could be strengthened further. As part of that review, OMODA&JAECOO UK has significantly expanded the number of components covered for the full seven years/100,000 miles. Items including the A/C compressor, alternator, brake calipers, catalytic converter, infotainment unit, exhaust system, fuel injectors, fuel pump, oil pump, shock absorbers, starter motor, track rod ends, water pump, wheel bearings and window regulators will now all benefit from the brand’s full vehicle warranty, having previously been covered for three years/40,000 miles. In addition, all bushes and rubber components are extended from
three years/40,000 miles to seven years/60,000 miles, while the ball joints increase from three years/40,000 miles to seven years/60,000 miles. The enhancements provide customers with even greater peace of mind, helping to reduce long-term ownership costs and reinforcing confidence throughout the ownership experience. Effective immediately, the updated warranty extends cover on a number of key components that were previously subject to shorter warranty periods, bringing them into line with the brand’s seven-year/100,000-mile vehicle warranty. Importantly, the improvements will also be applied retrospectively, benefiting every OMODA and JAECOO vehicle sold in the UK since the brands launched. Customers do not need to take any action, with the updated warranty terms applying automatically. The changes come directly in response to customer feedback, reinforcing OMODA&JAECOO’s customer-first approach and demonstrating the brand’s willingness to continually refine its ownership proposition as it grows in the UK market. Victor Zhang, Managing Director of OMODA&JAECOO UK, said: “The UK is one of the most competitive automotive markets in the world, and from day one we’ve been committed to listening to our customers and continually improving the ownership journey. After two years of learning from our growing customer base and retailer network, we’ve reviewed our warranty offering and made it even stronger. “By extending cover on a wider range of components – and applying
those changes to every OMODA and JAECOO we’ve sold in the UK – we’re demonstrating our long-term commitment to our customers while reinforcing our confidence in the quality, engineering and reliability of
our vehicles.” Customers looking to purchase an OMODA or JAECOO can do so through the dual-brand house’s growing UK retailer network, now spanning more than 140 dealerships nationwide.
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BUSINESS
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Port of Milford Haven seeks external crisis communications support THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN is preparing to appoint external specialists to provide public affairs and crisis communications support from 2027 onwards. Milford Haven Port Authority has been carrying out market engagement ahead of a formal procurement exercise for the service, with the tender timetable indicating that bidding is due to open on Monday (August 24). The contract is expected to cover both public affairs work and specialist support when significant incidents or other situations require crisis communications. The Port has stressed in its procurement material that the process is about shaping its future communications arrangements. There is no suggestion that the procurement has been prompted by any current emergency or incident at Milford Haven. Support from 2027 onwards
BUSINESS
The Port first approached potential suppliers in June as part of a pre-market engagement exercise. It said it wanted to understand what expertise was available, how a future service could be delivered and how the eventual contract should be structured. Potential suppliers were given until July 7 to provide initial feedback, with meetings scheduled during July where required. The Port’s indicative programme then provided for the formal tender to be published on August 24, with the bidding period running until September 21. The successful arrangement is anticipated to operate from 2027 onwards. No estimated contract value was included in the initial public notice.
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Public affairs and crisis communications
The proposed service covers two areas which have become increasingly significant for the Port. Public affairs involves engagement with governments, politicians, regulators and other organisations whose decisions can affect the future of the Waterway and the businesses operating there. Crisis communications covers the specialist management of information during serious incidents or rapidly developing situations, ensuring accurate
The Port Authority must balance those commercial activities with its responsibilities for safety, environmental protection and the communities surrounding the Haven. Its public role is also unusual because it operates as a Trust Port. Rather than having private shareholders, the organisation is required to act in the long-term interests of its stakeholders, which range from commercial customers and employees to local residents. Government engagement increasing information can be provided to the public, media and other stakeholders. For an organisation responsible for one of Britain’s most strategically important waterways, that can involve particularly complex circumstances. The Milford Haven Waterway handles oil and liquefied natural gas tankers, ferries, commercial shipping, fishing vessels and leisure craft. The Port Authority also provides Vessel Traffic Services and has statutory responsibilities for the safe navigation of ships using the harbour. Major projects ahead The procurement comes as the Port enters a significant period of development. Its strategy includes expanding its pilotage operations, growing Pembroke Port as a centre for renewable energy and developing Milford Haven as a destination for residents and visitors. The Port is also one of the organisations at the heart of the Celtic Freeport, which is intended to attract new investment into south-west Wales, particularly in floating offshore wind, renewable energy and associated industries. Pembroke Dock has already undergone major investment aimed at supporting the emerging renewables sector. Future developments around floating offshore wind could bring further large-scale industrial activity to the Waterway and increase the Port’s engagement with UK and Welsh governments, regulators, investors and local communities. The Port says activities on the Milford Haven Waterway currently support more than 4,000 jobs in Pembrokeshire.
Existing communications team remains The Port already has its own communications and marketing operation. Anna Malloy was appointed Communications and Marketing Director in 2024, joining the organisation’s senior management team with responsibility spanning public affairs, sustainability, media and community relations as well as marketing. The latest procurement is therefore for external specialist support rather than the creation of the Port’s communications function from scratch. The Port has previously described crisis communications and public affairs as areas already forming part of the workload handled by its communications team. Bringing in an external provider can give organisations access to additional capacity and specialist expertise when major projects, political developments or serious incidents create unusually heavy demands. Strategic role of the Haven Milford Haven is Britain’s largest energy port and the Waterway contains infrastructure of national importance. Large volumes of liquefied natural gas enter Britain through the two LNG terminals at South Hook and Dragon, while Valero’s Pembroke Refinery and associated oil terminals form another major part of the energy complex. Commercial shipping operates alongside the Fishguard–Rosslare ferry service, marine renewables projects and recreational activity.
The Port’s recent annual reporting shows the extent to which engagement with government has become part of its work. Senior representatives have met UK and Welsh politicians, taken part in national policy discussions and contributed to debates over renewable energy, shipping and industrial development. The Port has also hosted visits connected with the Celtic Freeport and the future development of floating offshore wind. Those activities are likely to increase as decisions are made over infrastructure, renewable energy projects and investment in the Waterway. The procurement of dedicated outside public affairs support would give the Port additional resources to engage with those processes. Tender due to run until September The initial timetable published by Milford Haven Port Authority provides for the formal procurement process to run from August 24 until September 21. Full details of the length, value and precise requirements of the eventual contract are expected to become clearer through the formal tender documents. The service itself is anticipated to begin from 2027. For an organisation responsible for the UK’s leading energy port at a time of substantial industrial and political change, the procurement suggests the Port expects communication with government, communities and the wider public to remain an increasingly important part of its work.
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Business rates review could bring major change for Pembs pubs and hotels PUBS and hotels across Pembrokeshire could see changes to the way their business rates are calculated after the Treasury launched a review of the valuation system used in England and Wales. Business rates expert Jerry Schurder has been appointed to lead the independent review, which will examine whether the present system properly reflects the realities faced by hospitality businesses. He is expected to report back to the Treasury by March 2027, with landlords, publicans, hoteliers and other business owners being invited to contribute evidence. The review could be particularly significant in Pembrokeshire, where pubs, hotels and other hospitality businesses form a major part of the tourism economy and many operators have faced rising wage, food and energy costs. How pubs are currently valued Unlike many commercial properties, pubs are generally valued for business rates using what is known as “fair maintainable trade”. The Valuation Office considers the level of turnover a pub could reasonably be expected to achieve if operated efficiently, taking into account factors including its location, trading patterns, food sales, accommodation and other facilities. A percentage is then applied to that figure to establish the property’s rateable value. The latest revaluation came into force on April 1 this year and is based
From April this year Wales introduced a new system of differential business rates multipliers, including a reduced multiplier for qualifying smaller retail properties. Potential implications for Pembrokeshire
on property and trading conditions as they stood on April 1, 2024. The previous valuation had been based on April 2021, when the hospitality industry was still heavily affected by Covid restrictions, meaning many pubs and hotels subsequently saw significant increases in their rateable values. fair
Questions over whether system is
The Treasury review will consider whether existing valuation methods properly reflect the market, whether they are being applied consistently and whether the system is sufficiently transparent for businesses. It will also examine the evidence used to calculate valuations for pubs and hotels.
The findings are expected to feed into the next business rates revaluation, currently scheduled for 2029. The review comes amid longstanding complaints from the hospitality industry that pubs can face disproportionately large rates bills compared with some other types of business. In England, Prime Minister Andy Burnham recently announced a further 20% reduction in business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues from April 2027. Business rates policy is devolved in Wales, meaning the Welsh Government determines the multipliers and relief schemes applying to Welsh businesses, although the Valuation Office Agency is aresponsible for determining rateable values in both England and Wales.
Any change to the underlying method used to value pubs and hotels could have consequences for businesses across Pembrokeshire’s tourism hotspots, including Tenby, Saundersfoot, St Davids, Newport and the county’s coastal villages. For many operators, business rates are one of a number of substantial fixed costs which have risen alongside staffing, energy, insurance and supplies. The Treasury says it wants landlords, hotel operators, publicans and other businesses to feed their experiences into the review before recommendations are made. The Herald will be seeking the views of Pembrokeshire hospitality businesses on what changes they believe are needed to ensure the business rates system is fair for the county’s tourism and licensed trade. Meanwhile, The Welsh Government sent The Herald the following short statement: “We are determined to improve and reform non-domestic rates to level the playing field for small businesses in retail, leisure, and hospitality. “We continue to provide over £100m in Small Business Rates Relief each year, ensuring thousands of small businesses benefit from full or partial relief.”
New nutrition and supplement shop opens in Milford Haven Dedicated local supplement shop
A NEW independent nutrition and supplement shop has opened in Milford Haven, offering customers a dedicated local outlet for sports nutrition, vitamins and fitness products. EPM Nutrition, run by Alan Morris, opened its doors on Saturday (Aug 22) inside Inner Tiger Fitness at 64–66 Charles Street. The business is offering a
range of products including protein supplements, creatine, pre-workout products, electrolytes and vitamins, with customers able to visit the shop whether or not they are members of the gym. Alan contacted The Herald ahead of the opening and invited us to visit the new premises as preparations were completed for its first day of trading.
EPM Nutrition is billing itself as Pembrokeshire’s first dedicated nutrition and supplement shop, giving people the opportunity to browse and buy products locally rather than relying exclusively on internet retailers. The shop is situated within Inner Tiger Fitness, which has transformed the substantial former retail premises on Charles Street into a health and fitness centre. The building was previously occupied by The Original Factory Shop and has long been one of the larger commercial properties in Milford Haven town centre. Its redevelopment has brought a significant section of the premises back into active use, with EPM Nutrition now adding a further independent business to the site. More than just gym users Although its location makes the new
shop particularly convenient for people involved in weight training and fitness, Alan is keen to make clear that EPM Nutrition is open to everyone. Products stocked are aimed not only at serious gym users but also people looking for everyday nutritional supplements, hydration products, vitamins and support for active lifestyles. The opening comes as independent businesses continue to find new uses for some of Milford Haven’s larger former retail units. For Charles Street in particular, the growth of the Inner Tiger Fitness site represents a significant change from the building’s previous traditional retail use. For Alan, Saturday marked the culmination of preparations to get EPM Nutrition ready for customers and the beginning of a new chapter for the business. EPM Nutrition is now open inside Inner Tiger Fitness, 64–66 Charles Street, Milford Haven.
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HEALTH
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Ambulance service urges public to ‘act responsibly’ over Bank Holiday weekend With the three-day weekend approaching, the service is asking people to think carefully before dialling 999 and to make use of pharmacies, Minor Injury Units and NHS 111 Wales for less serious illnesses and injuries. The appeal comes as emergency services prepare for what is traditionally a busy Bank Holiday period, with increased travel, nights out and outdoor activities placing additional pressure on crews. ‘999 is for serious emergencies’
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HEALTH
Paul Underwood, Deputy Director of Operations at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said Bank Holidays were always a busy period for ambulance crews. He said: “Bank Holidays are always a busy time for us and that’s why we’re asking for your help to make sure ambulances are available for those in the most serious need. “Calling 999 for a nonemergency could delay help for someone facing a lifethreatening situation so please think carefully and use the most appropriate service for your needs.
“If you’re driving, alcohol and drugs have no place behind the wheel. “Even small amounts can slow your reaction time and cloud your judgement so if you’re planning to enjoy a drink with friends or family, arrange a safe way home.” Warning to drivers
“Remember that 999 should not be used for minor conditions and just because you arrive by ambulance, doesn’t mean you’ll be seen any quicker in hospital.” Plan ahead before the weekend The ambulance service is encouraging people who rely on prescription medication to make sure they have enough supplies before GP surgeries close for the Bank Holiday. People are also advised to keep a stocked first-aid kit at home for minor injuries and common illnesses and to check on vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours. Those who become unwell or suffer a minor injury can use the NHS 111 Wales website to find advice and information about the most appropriate
service. Local pharmacies and Minor Injury Units can also provide treatment and advice for many conditions which do not require an emergency ambulance. Drink responsibly and arrange a safe journey home People planning Bank Holiday nights out are also being asked to moderate their alcohol consumption and arrange transport home in advance. The service recommends eating before drinking, alternating alcoholic drinks with soft drinks and never getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or drugs. Mr Underwood said: “Bank Holidays also mean more traffic, more distractions, and greater risk on the roads.
Motorists are being urged to take particular care as traffic increases over the long weekend. The ambulance service is asking drivers to wear seatbelts, leave sufficient space between vehicles, obey speed limits and keep mobile phones out of reach while driving. Drivers should also reduce distractions inside their vehicles and carry high-visibility clothing in case of a breakdown. Mr Underwood added: “Don’t risk your life – or someone else’s and let’s keep our emergency services free for the people who really need them.” The summer Bank Holiday falls on Monday, August 31, with Pembrokeshire expected to see another busy weekend as residents and visitors make the most of the final major holiday period of the summer.
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Mums choosing Singleton face extra journeys from December
Experience at Hywel Dda, said the engagement period would help the health board understand how families might be affected and what support or practical issues should be considered. She said: “The aim of the change is to ensure women receive safe and consistent care from their chosen health board, while reducing the risks and inconsistencies associated with the current hybrid model.” Cerian Llewellyn, Head of Maternity at Hywel Dda, stressed that women would continue to be supported in choosing where they wished to give birth. She said community midwifery care would remain unchanged, with the proposed alteration affecting the location of scans and antenatal appointments for women requiring obstetric-led care who choose Singleton. Agreement due to end on December 9
PREGNANT women from Pembrokeshire who choose to have their babies at Singleton Hospital will have to travel further for scans and some antenatal appointments from December. Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed that a service agreement with Swansea Bay University Health Board is due to end on December 9, 2026, subject to the completion of a public engagement exercise. The existing arrangement allows women living in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion who choose to give birth at Singleton Hospital in Swansea to attend antenatal clinics and ultrasound appointments at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli. When the agreement ends, women choosing Singleton will instead have to travel to Swansea for their ultrasound scans and, where their pregnancy requires obstetric-led care, their consultant antenatal appointments. Community midwifery care will remain local and women will continue to have the right to choose Singleton as their place of birth. The health board is now asking families for their views on the impact of the change, including any practical difficulties caused by additional travel.
What will change? From December, a Pembrokeshire resident choosing to give birth at Singleton Hospital will have: • • •
ultrasound scans at Singleton, whether receiving midwiferyled or obstetric-led care; antenatal appointments requiring an obstetrician at Singleton; community midwife appointments locally through Hywel Dda, as at present.
There will be no equivalent change for women choosing to give birth within Hywel Dda’s own maternity services. For those women, obstetric antenatal clinics will continue to be available at Prince Philip Hospital and ultrasound scans will continue within Hywel Dda. The change is likely to be particularly noticeable for families travelling from Pembrokeshire, who already face a considerable journey to Swansea for the birth itself. Under the current system, at least some hospital-based antenatal care can be provided at Llanelli, avoiding the additional journey onwards to
Singleton. Hywel Dda has not stated in its announcement how many women from Pembrokeshire currently choose the Singleton pathway each year. Health boards raise concerns over current system The decision follows reviews by Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay of what they describe as the existing “hybrid” model of maternity care. Under that arrangement, a woman planning to give birth at Singleton can receive elements of her pregnancy care from both health boards. The two organisations say differences in clinical guidelines, policies and governance arrangements can lead to inconsistencies in care and clinical oversight. They have concluded that women choosing Singleton should receive the hospital-based elements of their maternity care from the same health board which will be responsible for the birth. Hywel Dda says this should result in a safer and more consistent pathway, while making responsibility and accountability for care clearer. Sharon Daniel, Executive Director of Nursing, Quality and Patient
Health board papers show Swansea Bay formally notified Hywel Dda on June 6 that the agreement would end. The contract end date has been identified as December 9, subject to completion of the engagement process. The same papers state that the existing satellite obstetric clinic at Prince Philip Hospital will be replaced with a Hywel Dda-led clinic for women who choose to give birth within Hywel Dda’s own services. Families asked for their views The engagement exercise runs from August 17 until September 28. Hywel Dda says it wants to understand the potential impact of the additional travel and what support families may require before the revised arrangements take effect. An online public session will be held on Monday, September 7, from 6pm until 7pm. Feedback can also be submitted through Hywel Dda’s Have Your Say service, by post or through the health board’s communications hub. Women from Pembrokeshire will continue to be able to choose Singleton Hospital for the birth of their baby after the agreement ends. The significant difference from December will be that choosing Swansea for the birth will also mean travelling to Swansea for scans and any hospital-based consultant antenatal care.
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POLITICS
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Henry Tufnell: independent voice or loyal Labour MP?
POLITICS
WHEN Henry Tufnell was selected as Labour’s candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, his political opponents quickly focused on his background. Privately educated at Radley College, a graduate of Brown University in the United States and a barrister by profession, Tufnell came from a Gloucestershire farming family with longstanding connections to Pembrokeshire. Critics portrayed him as a Labour “parachute candidate” whose background was far removed from that of many of the people he hoped to represent. Then, in July 2024, he won. Tufnell defeated former Conservative cabinet minister Stephen Crabb by 1,878 votes to become the first MP for the newly-created Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency. Two years later, his political record presents a more complicated picture than the labels attached to him during the election campaign. He has been prepared to criticise his own Government publicly on farming, welfare and energy policy, while also challenging health provision in west Wales and repeatedly making the case for investment in Pembrokeshire. At the same time, he has remained largely loyal to Labour when legislation reaches the House of Commons. The result is an MP attempting to balance the demands of representing a distinctive rural and industrial constituency with membership of a governing party.
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From candidate to constituency MP
Tufnell’s background inevitably attracted scrutiny when he was selected. His family farms a substantial area of land in Gloucestershire, while his parents also own agricultural land in Pembrokeshire which is let to a local farmer. Those interests have been declared in Parliament, with Tufnell stating that he has no financial interest in either operation. He had built a career as a barrister before entering
politics and had previously sought selection as a Labour parliamentary candidate elsewhere. His opponents questioned whether his connections to Pembrokeshire were sufficient to justify representing the constituency. Tufnell answered those criticisms during the election campaign and, after entering Parliament, increasingly concentrated on issues with an unmistakably local impact. His maiden speech focused heavily on Pembrokeshire, its communities and its economic potential. Since then, agriculture, energy, health services and employment have repeatedly featured in his Westminster work. Taking on Labour over farming One of the clearest examples of Tufnell publicly challenging the Government came over inheritance tax changes affecting agricultural property. The proposals caused significant anger across rural
Wales, with farmers warning that some family businesses could face difficult decisions when farms passed between generations. For Tufnell, the issue had both political and personal relevance because of his family’s agricultural background. Rather than simply defending the Government, he called for ministers to reconsider aspects of the policy and argued that the effect on genuine working farms had been underestimated. He also acknowledged concerns about assurances given to farmers before the General Election. Tufnell argued for a higher threshold and greater protection for farmers whose businesses may have substantial land values but relatively limited available cash. His position did not satisfy every farmer, and the wider argument over agricultural inheritance tax continued. But his intervention demonstrated a willingness to put publicly expressed constituency concerns ahead of an uncomplicated defence of Government policy.
The welfare dispute A similar tension emerged during the row over Labour’s welfare reforms. Tufnell was among a relatively small group of Welsh Labour MPs who initially raised objections to the Government’s proposals. The planned changes triggered one of the most significant internal disputes of Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership, with Labour MPs warning about the potential effect on disabled and vulnerable people. Those concerns had particular relevance in Mid and South Pembrokeshire, where low wages, seasonal employment, disability and limited public transport can all contribute to financial insecurity. After the Government made concessions, Tufnell ultimately supported the legislation. That episode perhaps illustrates his approach more accurately than the simple description of “rebel”. He was prepared to challenge the original proposals, but remained within
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the Labour fold once changes had been made. Energy and the future of Milford Haven Energy policy has produced some of Tufnell’s most outspoken interventions. Milford Haven remains one of the most strategically important energy centres in Britain, supporting thousands of jobs directly and indirectly through the refinery, LNG terminals, port and associated industries. Labour has placed the transition towards renewable energy at the heart of its economic and environmental agenda. Tufnell has strongly supported the development of floating offshore wind, hydrogen and other emerging technologies which could create new employment in Pembrokeshire. But he has also warned against moving away from domestic oil and gas production at a pace which could damage existing industrial communities. Earlier this year he questioned the logic of restricting British production while continuing to import oil and gas from overseas. His intervention drew criticism from environmental campaigners, including Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth, who argued that increasing fossil-fuel production was incompatible with the urgency of tackling climate change. Tufnell’s position has instead been that the transition must protect jobs and energy security while new industries are developed. Whether that balance is achievable remains the subject of a much wider national argument. For an MP representing Milford Haven, however, it is difficult to avoid. Challenging health provision Tufnell has also been willing to criticise public services operating closer to home. After gathering responses from constituents about difficulties accessing healthcare, he raised concerns about the performance of
Hywel Dda University Health Board. He argued that patients were struggling to obtain appointments and that the level of public dissatisfaction needed to be taken seriously. Healthcare remains one of Pembrokeshire’s most persistent political concerns. Residents have repeatedly raised issues surrounding GP access, dentistry, hospital provision, recruitment and the distances some patients must travel for specialist treatment. Tufnell has continued to raise those matters at Westminster and through parliamentary committee work, including the difficulties faced by some west Wales patients who have to cross the border for treatment. Rebel or representative? Taken together, these interventions could give the impression of an MP frequently at odds with his own Government. But the picture changes when his wider Commons voting record is considered. Tufnell has generally remained a loyal Labour voter since entering Parliament. That does not necessarily conflict with his public criticism. Government backbenchers often try to influence policy before legislation reaches its final stages, and political pressure can sometimes result in concessions without MPs ultimately voting against their own party. There is therefore an important distinction between an MP who regularly rebels in parliamentary divisions and one who argues publicly for changes while continuing to support the Government overall. So far, Tufnell falls much more clearly into the second category. The test of results As he moves further into his first parliamentary term, the question for Tufnell will increasingly be what his interventions deliver for Pembrokeshire. He can point to meetings with ministers, parliamentary
questions, committee work and repeated lobbying over farming, health, energy and employment. He has also championed investment in renewable energy, defence, infrastructure and the Milford Haven Waterway. But the ultimate measure for any constituency MP is not simply how often an issue is raised at Westminster. It is whether conditions improve. There is also a distinction between campaigning for Government investment, welcoming it when it arrives and demonstrating that an individual MP was directly responsible for securing it. That standard applies to politicians of every party. By the time of the next General Election, voters will be able to judge Tufnell not only on the arguments he has made, but on what has changed during his time in office. A more complicated political figure The description attached to Henry Tufnell in 2024 was simple: an affluent, privately educated barrister with an English farming background seeking to represent a west Wales constituency. Two years later, that description tells only part of the story. Tufnell has shown himself prepared to challenge his Government publicly when he believes policy could harm farming, industrial employment or vulnerable constituents. He has also remained broadly supportive of the Labour Government and largely loyal in parliamentary votes. That may be less dramatic than the label of “Labour rebel”, but it is probably more accurate. Mid and South Pembrokeshire appears to have elected an MP who wants to remain firmly within his party while reserving the right to tell it, sometimes publicly and forcefully, when he believes Pembrokeshire needs something different. Ultimately, voters will decide whether that balance has worked.
blue view
Paul Davies MS
The Best of Pembrokeshire on Display at the Pembrokeshire County Show The Pembrokeshire County Show last week was another fantastic showcase of everything that makes our county so special. As I was walking around the Showground, I felt an immense sense of pride in the strong community spirit that exists here in Pembrokeshire. There was truly something for everyone, and wherever you looked there were people smiling, laughing and enjoying the occasion. I was really pleased to welcome so many people to the Welsh Conservatives’ stand this year. I held advice surgeries, which provided an excellent opportunity to speak directly with constituents, discuss the issues that matter most to them, and hear their views on local and national matters. These conversations are always invaluable and I have plenty of issues to take up with the Welsh Government when the Senedd reconvenes. I also had a really good conversation with Pembrokeshire People First about their new charter. As a longstanding supporter of the organisation, and having previously served as its President, it was great to hear about the important work they do across the county. Pembrokeshire People First plays a vital role in promoting inclusion and empowering people with learning disabilities to have their voices heard and their new charter sets out a range of practical steps that businesses, organisations and public bodies can take to be more accessible for people with learning needs. They made it clear that making small but meaningful changes, can have a big impact
and I look forward to working with them more on this in the future. As I do every year at the County Show, I spent some time speaking with representatives from the farming unions about some of the key challenges currently facing the agricultural sector. Both NFU Cymru and the Farmers’ Union of Wales were frank in expressing their hope that with the majority of parties in the Senedd sharing similar views when it comes to agriculture, it will lead to the delivery of more agriculture-friendly policies in the years ahead. Of course, it remains to be seen what approach the new Welsh Government will ultimately take, but it’s undoubtedly an interesting and important time. In the next Senedd term, the Welsh Government will need the support of at least one other political party to secure the passage of its budget, as it does not have sufficient numbers to do so alone. This raises an important question: will agriculture become a key focus of any future budget negotiations? Given the significance of farming to rural communities and the Welsh economy, it may be. One thing’s for sure, here in Pembrokeshire we value and love our rural way of life. We have the most diverse range of farming found anywhere in Wales and we’re proud of it. The County Show, with its competitions, exhibitions and vehicle parades is a fantastic community event that bring people together. A huge thank you to everyone involved in the Show this year and I look forward to the next one.
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positively liberal
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Plaid hails first 100 days as rivals accuse Welsh Government of ‘reviews instead of results’
With ANDREW LYE
The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to end the small boats crisis, calling for the UK to join the EU’s landmark new Migration and Asylum Pact, granting Britain sweeping new powers to return migrants and gaining new access to EU-wide biometric data. Since Brexit, over 200,000 people have made the dangerous channel crossing in small boats. Before the Brexit referendum, no crossings of the English Channel were made. The Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey has today said Britain must join the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which would give the UK new powers to legally return migrants to the first EU country they entered. Joining the new pact would also grant Britain access to the EU’s biometric database. Currently, the Home Office has no knowledge of the identity of arrivals or whether they’ve already been refused asylum by neighbouring countries. Being outside the EU has been described as a “major pull factor” driving the crisis. Asylum seekers know Britain has no watertight returns agreement, and no access to data to show whose asylum applications have already been denied elsewhere. Authorities have admitted that ‘at least 15’ convicted people smugglers have been able to enter and live in the UK because of the failure of checks, including the ‘godfather’ of the migrant camps Twana Jamal. Brexit has made it more difficult to carry out checks, as the UK no longer has access to EU-wide
databases with crucial background information and criminal history. Davey has said the Conservatives and Farage, who pushed through their botched Brexit deal, deceived the public by claiming Brexit would protect our borders and now are “exploiting the mess they created for their own gain”. The party says Britain must continue its proud history of welcoming those fleeing persecution, but that cannot be via small boats. Joining the new pact would finally give Britain a humane, orderly and cost-effective asylum system. Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said: “Farage and the Conservatives should hang their heads in shame for breaking our borders with their bad Brexit deal. But instead of apologising to the British public, they are now exploiting the mess they created for their own gain.” Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson, Max Wilkinson MP said: “Time and time again, Nigel Farage and the architects of the dangerous small boats chaos tell us they have a new plan to end the crisis they created. They would sooner send in the navy at taxpayers’ expense and strip British people of hard-won rights by leaving the ECHR than admit they’re responsible. “We can end small boat crossings and have a humane and cost-effective asylum system by joining the EU’s new pact. We should be proud of Britain’s history as a place of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution, and that must continue, but it needs to be safe and controlled for everyone - not via small boat crossings.”
If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales
PLAID CYMRU’S Welsh Government has marked its first 100 days in office by claiming it has laid the foundations for long-term change – as opposition parties accused ministers of producing too many reviews, panels and plans and too few results that people can yet see. Wednesday (Aug 26) marks 100 days since the new Cabinet first met on May 18. The Government says progress has already been made on childcare, free school meals, teacher recruitment, farming, transport and NHS waiting times, while a new online dashboard has been launched allowing the public to track progress against its priorities. But the milestone has also brought criticism from Welsh Labour, Reform Wales and the Welsh Conservatives. Although issued separately, all three opposition parties have arrived at broadly the same attack: that the new administration has spent too much of its opening period announcing reviews, expert groups, consultations and strategies rather than delivering changes that people can already feel. There is evidence to support that criticism. But there are also policies which have moved beyond the drawing board. The evidence after 100 days points neither to the transformation suggested by some of Plaid Cymru’s rhetoric nor to the wholesale failure portrayed by its opponents, but to
a Government which has begun a substantial programme whose most important results remain largely unproven. Government says foundations have been laid In its own assessment published today, the Welsh Government lists increased incentives for teacher training, expanded funded childcare, wider eligibility for free school meals, a multi-year funding settlement for farmers, a proposed new northsouth coach service and the establishment of an expert group to plan surgical hubs among its early achievements. Ministers also point to representations made to the UK Government over funding for Wales, HS2 consequentials, coalfield communities and proposals for a new Wales Bill. Cabinet Minister for Government Effectiveness and the Constitution Dafydd Trystan Davies said the first 100 days showed the administration would not accept “drift or delay” where action was required. A digital dashboard has also gone live today, intended to allow the public to track progress against the Government’s priorities. It is an initial version and ministers say more information will be added as it becomes available. The First Minister, Rhun ap Iorwerth, is expected to provide a fuller account of delivery against the 100-day commitments next week.
Some policies are already moving The Government can point to tangible action in several areas. An dditional £55 million was announced for childcare, accelerating the extension of 12.5 hours of funded provision each week to two-year-olds. By the end of July, all 22 Welsh local authorities were said to be on track to offer those funded hours to every two-year-old by the end of March 2027. That is a significant expansion, but still the first stage of the much larger promise eventually to provide 20 funded hours a week for children aged from nine months to four years. The universal offer promised by Plaid Cymru has therefore not yet been delivered. There has also been movement on free school meals. The Government announced plans to remove the existing £7,400 household earnings threshold for secondary pupils whose families receive Universal Credit. From September, it intends parents of pupils in Years 7 and 8 to be able to apply regardless of household earnings, with other age groups expected to follow as the programme expands. For rural Wales, one of the most concrete announcements has been longer-term certainty over the Sustainable Farming Scheme. Ministers have guaranteed £340 million a year for three years to March 2030 – more than £1 billion in total – replacing the previous year-to-year approach
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to funding. That commitment has obvious significance in farming counties such as Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, where agriculture remains central to both the economy and community life. Pembrokeshire has also featured directly in the Government’s opening programme. Last week Rural Resilience Minister Llyr Gruffydd visited flood-hit residents in Milford Haven as work progressed towards establishing an independent Welsh Flood Forum. Residents affected by flooding are being asked to help shape the new body, intended to support communities before, during and after flood events. Labour counts the reviews Welsh Labour has attempted to put numbers behind the argument that too much of the new Government’s activity consists of preparing to act rather than acting. According to Labour’s analysis of Plaid Cymru’s own 100-day material, ministers have launched six bodies, 12 reviews, three expert panels, three audits, two feasibility studies, four strategies and four consultations. Labour leader Ken Skates characterised the record as “a lot of plans to make plans”. He questioned in particular what had changed for people facing the cost-ofliving squeeze and for patients waiting for NHS treatment. Mr Skates said: “100 days in and it’s difficult to see what has changed.” He said people in Wales deserved “less talk and more action”. The criticism is politically effective because the Government’s own list does contain numerous commitments described in terms such as establishing groups, beginning reviews, developing strategies and examining future options. Whether those processes ultimately prove useful will depend on what they produce. NHS figures give Reform ammunition Health is one area where the Government cannot yet point to an improving headline waiting list. Official StatsWales data published this month show that the number of referralto-treatment pathways waiting to start treatment increased to around 698,400 at the end of June – approximately 8,700 more than in May. A pathway is not necessarily an individual patient. A person with more than one condition or referral can appear on more than one pathway, a distinction explicitly made in the official statistics. Reform Wales has seized on that rise. Party leader Dan Thomas accused the new Government of delivering “the same old failure”, arguing that families were still struggling with living costs while ministers concentrated on reviews,
committees and plans. Reform has also highlighted recent labour-market figures. The latest Office for National Statistics estimate puts the Welsh employment rate at 72.5%, compared with 75.1% across the UK. Unemployment in Wales was estimated at 4.7%, having risen by 1.1 percentage points over the quarter, while economic inactivity stood at 23.8%. There is, however, an important qualification. The ONS specifically cautions against drawing firm conclusions from short-term movements in Labour Force Survey figures because the estimates remain volatile. Welsh Government statisticians have issued similar warnings and recommend considering the survey alongside other labour-market measures. The quarterly rise is therefore a legitimate statistic for Reform to highlight, but not conclusive evidence by itself that the Welsh economy has significantly deteriorated during Plaid Cymru’s first 100 days. Conservatives call period a missed opportunity Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar has made a similar argument from a different political direction. He described the opening period as a “disappointing series of missed opportunities”, accusing ministers of devoting attention to constitutional reform, Net Zero policy and reviews when they could instead have acted on taxation, business rates, transport and schools. The Conservatives argue ministers could have moved more quickly on business rate relief, the tourism tax and measures such as restricting mobile phones in classrooms. Mr Millar said the Government should concentrate on using the powers Wales already has rather than seeking additional ones. First supplementary budget was defeated One major complication in assessing the Government’s record is that some of its flagship early spending proposals were contained in a supplementary budget which the Senedd rejected. On July 14, ministers put their First Supplementary Budget for 2026-27 before members. It contained £433 million of additional allocations, of which £294 million was earmarked for Welsh Government priorities and £139 million related to budgetary responsibility transfers. The £294 million included proposed investment in NHS waiting times, childcare, free school meals, social housing, schools and transport. But the minority Government failed to secure enough opposition support. The motion was defeated by 49 votes to 44, with no abstentions. Finance Minister Elin Jones said afterwards that the Government remained committed to the priorities in the package and would continue discussions with
other parties over future spending plans. The defeat has not stopped work on every policy concerned. Childcare expansion has continued and today’s 100-day assessment still lists wider free school meals among the Government’s progress. But politically, the vote demonstrated the central difficulty Rhun ap Iorwerth’s administration will face throughout this Senedd: being the largest party does not give it the votes to govern entirely on its own terms. What do voters think? Perhaps the most useful independent verdict comes from voters themselves – and it is considerably less clear-cut than the claims made by either Government or opposition. Beaufort Research interviewed a representative sample of 500 adults aged 16 and over across Wales online on August 10 and 11. Its survey found 39% thought the Welsh Government had performed very or fairly well during its opening period, compared with 23% who thought it had performed badly. But 38% said they did not know. In other words, nearly four in ten people had not yet reached a verdict. There is also an interesting regional difference for readers in west Wales. Only 32% of respondents in Beaufort’s “South West Wales and the Valleys” region said the Government had performed well, compared with 51% in Cardiff and south-east Wales and 37% in north and mid Wales. The south-west and Valleys category is broad – encompassing Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire as well as Swansea, Neath Port Talbot, Bridgend and several Valleys authorities – so it cannot be treated as a Pembrokeshireonly poll. Nevertheless, it suggests the Government’s early reception has been noticeably cooler in the part of the country which includes this area. Most people say little has changed The most striking finding may be what people said when asked whether the change of government itself had made Wales better or worse. Twenty per cent said Wales was better off. Ten per cent said it was worse. But almost two-thirds – 64% – said the change had so far made no real difference. That is perhaps a more useful judgement on 100 days than the celebratory or condemnatory language coming from the political parties. The same survey found the areas voters most wanted ministers to concentrate on were precisely those where the Government’s early ratings
were weakest. The cost of living was named as the priority for the coming 12 months by 43% of respondents, followed by NHS waiting times on 19%. On the cost of living, only 6% thought ministers were doing a good job while 38% rated them poorly. On the NHS and healthcare, 13% gave a positive rating compared with 29% who said the Government was doing badly. However, for most individual policy areas the most common response remained that it was simply too early to tell. There are positive signs for Plaid Cymru too. Some 41% of those surveyed said they were confident the Government could improve life in Wales during the next four years, while Rhun ap Iorwerth had a favourable rating of 39% against 26% unfavourable. But 50% said they were not confident the Government would improve life in Wales, illustrating just how much remains to be proved. The real test begins now One hundred days is an arbitrary political milestone. No Welsh Government could reasonably be expected to transform the NHS, the economy, schools, housing and household finances in little more than three months. Plaid Cymru can point to genuine movement. Childcare provision is expanding. Free school meal eligibility is intended to widen. Farmers have been given longterm funding certainty. Work on a national flood forum has reached Pembrokeshire. A range of other election commitments have at least started moving through government. It would therefore be inaccurate to say that nothing has happened. But the opposition parties have also identified a real vulnerability. A substantial part of the Government’s early programme consists of reviews, expert groups, commissions, strategies, feasibility work and consultations whose value cannot yet be judged because their outcomes have not arrived. And on the two issues voters identify most strongly – household finances and the NHS – the evidence of improvement remains limited. The Welsh Government repeatedly describes its first 100 days as a period of “laying the foundations”. At 100 days, that may be a reasonable defence. By 200 days, 500 days or the next Senedd election, foundations alone will not be enough. For Rhun ap Iorwerth and the first Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government, the political challenge from today is no longer to demonstrate that work has begun. It is to show that the work is changing lives.
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By Dan Thomas MS, Leader of Reform Wales
Plaid Cymru entered government promising a different approach for Wales. Yet, 100 days after taking office, the reality looks increasingly like more of the same failure. The NHS is perhaps the clearest example. Despite Plaid Cymru now holding ministerial responsibility, there has been no tangible improvement that people can point to. Indeed, waiting lists have grown since Plaid took office, and nurses are leaving training unable to find work in parts of Wales. And then there is Plaid’s failed supplementary budget. It was their first time asking the Senedd to give them approval to spend money, and they lost the vote. A government that cannot secure agreement for its own budget has to ask itself serious questions about its ability to govern effectively. And instead of seeking to build consensus when their budget looked certain to fail, Plaid decided to lash out at other parties whose support they needed. It was a case study in how not to negotiate in politics. And we have all been disappointed by Plaid’s approach to grooming gangs. At a time when there has been growing public concern across Britain about the exploitation of vulnerable girls, the Welsh Government has remained conspicuously silent on what they will actually do to get the answers Wales deserves. Plaid Cymru are also keeping Wales as a “Nation of Sanctuary”, and they continue to millions of pounds a year are spent abroad. Polling has shown that the people of Wales oppose the Nation of Sanctuary scheme, a policy Reform argues is a pull-factor in encouraging people to make the
dangerous journey across the channel into the UK. But you might ask what Reform has been up to over the last 100 days. Firstly, we’ve given a voice to the voiceless. People in Wales’ left-behind communities are hearing people speak in the Senedd chamber who sound like them and who are willing to represent their views. And we’ve secured crossparty support on the floor of the Senedd on TB in Welsh farms and transparency in politics. For the first time in the history of devolution, decent, hardworking working Welshmen and women are having their voices heard in the corridors of power. Throughout the Senedd campaign, I was told again and again on the doorstep that people were voting for change. Left behind communities here in Wales have been ignored by the political elites for generations, and in Reform and Plaid Cymru they saw an opportunity to bring about real change. But 100 days in, it’s clear that Plaid Cymru cannot deliver that change. They have failed to improve NHS waiting times, they have failed to deliver the infrastructure we need to grow our economy, and they have failed to put the Welsh people first. If you are on an NHS waiting list, or about the victims of grooming gangs, or if you voted for real change back in May, the first 100 days of Plaid Cymru will have been an abject disappointment. Rest assured that Reform, as the largest opposition in the history of the Senedd, will continue to push for Plaid to put Welsh people first and to deliver the real change people voted for back in May.
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By Ben Lake MP, Plaid Cymru MP
It has been great to travel around the constituency and visit a number of agricultural shows and summer events in recent weeks. I must pay tribute to the teams of volunteers who provide these wonderful occasions for us each year through their commitment and hard work. They represent the best of our rural communities in. This year, I was able to attend Barley Saturday in Cardigan and shows in Fishguard, Nevern and Clunderwen, along with many others north of the border in Ceredigion. A particular highlight, however, was the Pembrokeshire County Show, one of the best in Wales, at Haverfordwest Showground earlier this month. In addition to an enjoyable day out, I find that visiting an agricultural show or community summer event offers an invaluable opportunity to meet with residents and to hear of any local concerns. Indeed, it is often from such conversations that I glean the greatest insight into the views constituents have on government decisions, whether they are made in Cardiff Bay or in Westminster. My foremost responsibility as the Member of Parliament for Ceredigion Preseli is to represent these views in Westminster, and lobby the UK Government for greater support for rural areas such as ours. I often find myself challenging government ministers to address shortfalls in policy, or to pay closer attention to the specific requirements of less urban constituencies. However, it is a welcome change to be able to compliment a government announcement from time to time. During this year’s Royal Welsh Show, the Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability made several announcements detailing the Welsh Government’s plans for rural Wales. They included a commitment of over £1bn over three years to
secure a multi-year funding cycle for the Sustainable Farming Scheme, an expert group to develop a new National Food Strategy for Wales and a Rural Proofing and Sustainability White Paper. These plans will provide certainty for both farmers and the wider food and drink industry in Wales, and enable them to think about longer-term plans for their businesses without worrying about the instability of yearto-year budget changes. The announcement I was most pleased with was the rural proofing white paper, and proposals for a new statutory duty on rural proofing. Putting rural proofing on a statutory footing is an idea I havebeen pushing in Westminster for years, and so I welcome the fact that the new Welsh Government have been so quick to bring it forward. Back in July 2025 I made a speech in the House of Commons urging the UK Government to implement a rural proofing stage in government decision making to ensure that the impact on rural communities is fully considered before a decision is implemented. I am in no doubt that several of the changes introduced by the UK Government in recent years, including changes to inheritance tax and agricultural and business property reliefs, would not have been implemented in the way that they were had their potential impact on rural areas been considered. Any rural proofing policy will of course only be successful if it leads to real improvements for rural areas. Specifically, it will have to significantly change the way in which decisions on economic development and the allocation of funding are made. It cannot be another box-ticking exercise, and it will be for rural representatives across Wales to ensure that it drives meaningful change for rural communities. In the meantime, it is nice to have some reason to cheer as the summer draws to a conclusion.
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Picture of the week! Dinas Island in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Image by AllTrails) Walk Your Way Fundraiser this October DEAR SIR,
Allergy UK is asking people across the UK to take part in our ‘Walk Your Way’ campaign in October. It’s a flexible and inclusive 100km walking challenge to raise funds and awareness for people in the UK who live with allergic conditions. People are invited to complete the distance (around 62 miles) in their own time and at their own pace – it could be outdoors, at home on a treadmill, with friends and family or possibly with a fourlegged friend. The fundraising campaign is designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities, at a location of your choice, making it easy to get involved in a way that suits individual lifestyles. By signing up, you will be helping Allergy UK continue its vital work which includes providing a national helpline, clinical support, a translation cards service and trusted resources for people who are living with allergies. Every step taken and every
pound raised will make a real difference to those living with the daily challenges of allergic disease. To find out more and to register, visit Walk Your Way 35th Birthday Edition 2026 JustGiving Amy Smock Fundraising Manager Allergy UK
Pamphlets do not protect the public DEAR SIR, I am writing regarding the Home Office’s newly published booklet, Understanding Behaviours and Expectations in the UK: A Guide for Asylum Seekers. The document tells asylum seekers that women have equal rights, that domestic abuse is a crime, that sex requires consent, that the legal age of consent is 16, and that sexually harassing, following or intimidating people in public is unacceptable. These principles are not optional cultural preferences. They are fundamental laws and values of the United Kingdom.
The fact that the Government considers it necessary to explain that women may work, study, travel and make decisions without a man’s permission — and that rape, child sexual abuse and domestic violence are crimes — should prompt serious questions. Why has the Home Office judged it necessary to issue this new and unusually explicit guidance now? What evidence or concerns led officials to produce it? How will they ensure it is understood, and what meaningful action will follow when these laws are broken? A nine-page booklet cannot become a substitute for proper safeguarding, integration, enforcement and accountability. If the Government considers this information necessary, the guidance should form part of a mandatory induction delivered in a language each individual understands. Recipients should be required to confirm that they understand the law, the rights of women and children, the meaning of consent and the consequences of criminal behaviour. There must also be properly funded safeguarding around asylum accommodation, effective channels through which residents and members
of the public can report concerns, and transparent publication of relevant data. When credible allegations are made, they must be investigated promptly and impartially. Where crimes are proven, the law must be enforced firmly, with immigration and asylum consequences applied wherever legislation permits and with appropriate due process. At the same time, it is important not to treat every asylum seeker as a potential offender. Many people seeking protection respect British law and may themselves be survivors of violence, persecution, forced marriage or sexual abuse. They should not be collectively blamed for theactions of individuals. But compassion towards those genuinely fleeing danger must never require silence about public safety. Women and girls should not be expected to modify their behaviour, avoid certain areas or tolerate intimidation because politicians are afraid of discussing difficult issues. Equality before the law means protecting every woman, regardless of her background, and applying the same standards to every person living in this country. Britain should remain a place of refuge for people genuinely escaping persecution. However, refuge comes with responsibilities. Those responsibilities include respecting women, protecting children, accepting the principle of consent and obeying the laws of the country providing sanctuary. The message must be unmistakable: anyone seeking protection or being accommodated in Britain is expected to respect our laws and therights and dignity of others. Ignorance of the law or cultural difference should never be used to excuse serious criminal conduct. The Home Office booklet may be a starting point, but pamphlets do not protect the public. Effective policy, proper enforcement and political courage do. Ryan Mendelson
send your letters to: The editor, 11 hamilton terrace, milford haven, Pembrokeshire, sa73 3al email us at: editor@herald.email
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Death Notices Kenneth Lloyd Malcolm Davies
Malcolm passed away suddenly at Home on Thursday 6th August aged 77 years. Beloved Husband to Diane, devoted Father to Julie and Richard, respected father-in-law to Chris, treasured Grandfather to Luke, Danielle and Ayla and Great-Grandfather to Rose. He will be greatly missed by his wider family and many friends. The Funeral Service will take place on Saturday 5th September 11:30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, SA67 8UD. Family flowers only. Donations in Memory of Malcolm for the Wales Air Ambulance can be made direct online at walesairambulance. com/donate or via the donation box on the day. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors. (01437) 763821
David Williams Peacefully on Monday 3rd August at Plas y Dderwen Care Home, Carmarthen, Dai, a treasured cousin and a dear friend to all. Public funeral service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on Thursday 3rd September at 1 pm. Family flowers only. Inquiries to Dennis Jones Funeral Director, Efailwen. Tel 01994 419561
sister. Funeral service on Tuesday 1st September at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Peacefully on Thursday 13th Narberth at 11:30am. August 2026, Mr Wyndham Rowlands Family flowers only. Donations in of Rushlea, Whitland, passed away in lieu, if desired, to a charity of your own the home he built, aged 90 years. Devoted and much-loved Husband of the late Maureen. Cherished Dad of Alison and Lynne. Much loved and respected Father-in-law of Andrew and Adam. Proud Grandad of Sadie and Zara. A dear Brother-in-law to Alun and Heather. Loved by Grandogs Cia, Huggy and Teddy. The funeral service will take place on Thursday 3rd September 2026 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11.30am. The family request that traditional funeral wear or the colour, blue be worn. There will be family flowers only with donations in lieu, if so desired for The Living Memory Group, Narberth c/o E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 & 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 or via www.ecthomasandson. co.uk
Wyndham Rowlands
Joan Mary Bushell Peacefully on Wednesday 12th August at Fairfield Nursing Home, Joan of Letterston. Beloved wife of the late Willie, loving mother of Derek, Stuart and the late Allan, much loved mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother and
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Record-breaking runners race through Pembrokeshire
SPORT
TWO endurance runners have smashed the fastest known time for completing the entire 870-mile Wales Coast Path — taking in all 186 miles of the Pembrokeshire coastline during their extraordinary challenge. Ben Wiley and Paul Zlabickas completed the route in 18 days, four hours, 59 minutes and 35 seconds, averaging around 48 miles every day. That is the equivalent of running almost two marathons a day for more than two-and-a-half weeks. Their achievement has now been recorded by Fastest Known Time, the international organisation which verifies speed records on long-distance trails. The pair completed the challenge on August 8, with details of their record-breaking run attracting wider attention this week. 186 miles through Pembrokeshire One of the toughest and most spectacular parts of their journey was the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The National Trail stretches for 186 miles around the county, taking in rugged cliffs, beaches, isolated coves and coastal communities from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. It forms more than a fifth of the entire Wales Coast Path. Unlike a conventional road-running challenge, the route repeatedly climbs and descends as it follows the coastline, with steep and exposed sections adding considerably to the physical demands. The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
Authority has previously described parts of the trail as resembling “a mountain walk along the coast”. For Wiley and Zlabickas, however, it was just one section of a journey which continued around almost the whole coastline of Wales. Previous record beaten The challenge was completed as a supported fastest-known-time attempt, meaning the runners were able to receive assistance along the route. Fastest Known Time has listed their new mark at 18 days, four hours, 59 minutes and 35 seconds. The previous listed men’s supported record belonged to Alan Bateson, who completed the Wales Coast Path in 19 days, five hours, five minutes and 30 seconds in July 2023. Before him, Rhys Jenkins completed it in 20 days, ten hours and 36 minutes in 2020, while James Harcombe recorded 20 days, 12 hours and 55 minutes in 2017. The new record therefore represents another substantial step forward on one of Britain’s longest established endurance routes. Almost two marathons every day Across the challenge, Wiley and Zlabickas averaged approximately 78 kilometres — around 48 miles — every day. Maintaining that average meant repeatedly covering ultra-marathon distances before recovering sufficiently to begin again the following morning. The Wales Coast Path officially opened in 2012 and runs for around 1,400 kilometres from the border with England near Chester, around
Anglesey and down the western coastline, through Pembrokeshire, Gower, Cardiff and eventually to Chepstow. It was the first formal walking route to follow the entire coastline of a country. Running for a cause The pair also used the challenge to raise money and awareness for the Jacob Abraham Foundation. The South Wales charity works to prevent suicide, promote positive mental health and support people affected by suicide and bereavement. It was established following the death of 24-year-old Jacob Abraham in 2015. Fundraising connected with Ben and Paul has now generated thousands of pounds for the organisation, with reports following their coastpath achievement putting the overall figure at around £15,000. The Foundation says its work includes direct support for vulnerable people, mental-health awareness and help for families and individuals bereaved by suicide. For the two runners, reaching the end of the Wales Coast Path brought to a close more than 18 days of relentless running — including one of the country’s most demanding stretches along the cliffs and bays of Pembrokeshire. And their time of 18 days, four hours, 59 minutes and 35 seconds is now listed as the fastest supported completion of the 870-mile route.
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Goodwick United lift Jubilee Cup after victory over Hakin
GOODWICK UNITED claimed the first silverware of the new Pembrokeshire football season after defeating Hakin United 1–0 in a hard-fought Jubilee Cup encounter. The traditional curtain-raiser to the Pembrokeshire League season brought together two of the county’s strongest sides, with reigning league champions Hakin facing last season’s Senior Cup winners Goodwick. But the evening carried a significance far beyond football, with the match played in memory of two young footballers who sadly died earlier this year — Leon Arundel, of St Clears AFC, and Mackenzie Pacheco, of Clarbeston Road AFC. All proceeds from the fixture were split equally between Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital Charity and 2wish, two charities chosen by the families in recognition of the support they provided. A strong crowd turned out for the occasion, creating an excellent atmosphere as another Pembrokeshire football season got underway. Hakin arrived in good form following an impressive recent away victory over Abercarn United, while Goodwick fielded a considerably changed side featuring a number of new faces. Pembrokeshire referee Sion Jenkins took charge of proceedings, assisted by Dai Badger, Ioan Nevatte and Scott Trayherne. Both teams began at a high tempo, pressing aggressively while remaining disciplined defensively. Hakin full-backs Kieran King and Camron Thomas looked to push forward whenever space allowed, while Goodwick’s defence, including Scott Delaney and new signing Ben Steele from Monkton, quickly settled into the contest. Goodwick also handed opportunities to several new arrivals, with Jake Booth, Danny Hopkin, Mason Jones and Adam Lawrence all involved. Jones and Lawrence in particular caused problems with their pace and movement and ensured the Hakin defence was kept busy throughout the opening period. Despite promising attacking play at both ends, neither side could find the
breakthrough and the teams went into halftime level at 0–0. Hakin made changes at the interval, with Craig Nicholson replacing injured captain Ryan Wilson, while Scott Ferney came on for Liam Parks. The Vikings began the second half strongly, but it was Goodwick who found the decisive goal. After winning possession from a Hakin attack, Goodwick moved forward and forced a corner. The resulting delivery found Will Haworth, who escaped his marker and powered a free header beyond the Hakin goalkeeper to put Goodwick 1–0 ahead. It proved to be the decisive moment of the evening. Hakin responded by pushing increasingly hard for an equaliser, with much of the closing 20 minutes played inside the Goodwick half. Goodwick, however, defended resolutely and continued to offer a threat on the counterattack through Jones and Lawrence. Substitutes Jonny Horgan and Tom Jago also provided important outlets as Goodwick looked to relieve the mounting pressure. Goalkeeper Nick Jones played a major role in preserving the lead, producing several important saves in the closing stages, including a brave intervention which saw him collide with the goalpost. There was one final moment of drama when Hakin appealed for a late penalty. Referee Jenkins was well positioned and immediately waved away the appeals, allowing play to continue. Goodwick survived the remaining moments to secure a 1–0 victory and lift the Jubilee Cup for the second successive season. Remarkably, the result mirrored last year’s curtain-raiser, when Goodwick also defeated Hakin by the same scoreline. Hakin will not be too discouraged by that comparison. After losing the Jubilee Cup last season, the Vikings went on to enjoy a superb campaign, completing a Pembrokeshire League and West Wales Cup double. For Goodwick, the evening ended with captain Scott Delaney lifting the trophy as
his side collected the first silverware of the 2026/27 season. More importantly, it was an evening in which the local football community came together to remember Leon Arundel and
Mackenzie Pacheco, while raising money for two charities which had supported their families. Full time: Goodwick United 1–0 Hakin United
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Swansea star targets world gold Swansea-based boccia star David Smith is aiming to reclaim the sport’s coveted ‘triple crown’ as he targets World Championship gold in South Korea. The 37-year-old, who lives in Swansea, heads into the championships in Seoul as the reigning European champion and with the chance to add another major title to an already glittering career. Smith first completed the triple crown in 2018 when he won World Championship gold in Liverpool, adding the title to the Paralympic crown he secured at Rio 2016 and his European triumph in 2017. He held all three major titles for four years before taking silver at the 2022 World Championships. Now, 20 years on from making his World Championship debut, Smith is attempting to climb back to the top of the sport. “When I held the Triple Crown before, I had a rival after Rio who sort of got reclassified, then I had new rivals coming up,” he said. “Going into Liverpool [2018 worlds], I maybe had one or two rivals for that top spot. “I think there was definitely a clear gap between me and them in terms of my best. “Now there are six people [at the top of the rankings] that can play very well.” Smith, who has collected five medals across four Paralympic Games, believes the standard in the BC1 category has risen considerably since his previous period of dominance. Gone, he says, are the days when simply playing well could be enough to take a major title. “I have to play out of my skin essentially to match them so, bring it on,” he said. “I don’t think it’s been done before actually in my class as someone that was
dominant to drop and then come back up. “If I can do that, not saying I’ll dominate because that’s a bit of a stretch, but if I can get the two big ones, the Worlds and obviously the Paralympics in LA, I’ll be pretty happy with that. “That might be the time to say that’s enough.” Competition stronger than ever The increased depth in the BC1 category means Smith expects there to be little margin for error in Seoul. “In a quarter-final, you’re playing someone who’s probably in the top six who can, on their day, win. “It’s not always easy to get out of a quarter-final, let alone medal, let alone win it. “I think it’s one of those where once you get on a roll, get through one, then the momentum just starts building.” Smith has also had to adapt to changes in the competition format, with fewer pool matches before the knockout stages. “I’ve struggled to build momentum,” he told BBC Sport Wales. “In the past I’d have like three or four pool games before a knockout game, now I’m two pool games straight into knockout. “You don’t get as much time to sort it if you have a dodgy game, you’ve got to win every game essentially. “You’ve got to be on it because it can get awkward and very nasty, very quickly.” Despite the added pressure, Smith is relishing the prospect of testing himself against the world’s best. “It’s just a lot more intense which is good and it’s and the sport is kind of throwing up curveballs all the time.
“Different people are winning from all the different classes and the BC1 males is no different. “I’m looking forward to that challenge.” New-look British team Smith will also compete in the mixed team competition alongside Kayleigh Brown, formerly Haggo, and Reshad Saraj following Claire Taggart’s retirement. “It’s a totally different dynamic,” Smith said. “Kayleigh’s just come back from having a baby as well, so we had pretty much almost a year of no team stuff. “We’ve only just got back really this season so that’s been a challenge, but it’s been okay because we haven’t had any expectations on it. “We go into the worlds with nothing really to prove, bit of a free hit.” Britain will enter as one of the lowerseeded teams, although Smith believes their rivals will be wary of drawing them. “We’re pretty certain that most of our opponents wouldn’t want us in the pool because although we’re in the fourth pot we’re probably the worst fourth pot opponent to have. “You could get a pool of death so we’ll see see what the draw comes up with and give it a good crack. “The aim is to try and qualify and get to the quarter-finals, that’ll really do our ranking a world of good.” Still driven by winning After two decades at the highest level, Smith admits maintaining motivation is not always straightforward. “It ebbs and flows, I’m not going to lie,”
he told BBC Sport Wales. “There are some days you wake up and I don’t want to touch a ball or see a ball or even think about it and then other days you’re dreaming about it. “Then you get up and you’re keen to get on court to fix or try something that’s on the table.” Smith won medals at each of his first three Paralympic Games but returned from Paris empty-handed. “Paris was difficult,” he said. “There were so many mitigating factors with Paris, it was annoying because I was actually in really good form. “It was just one of those games in the semi-final where if I win that game, I’d probably win the competition.” But his desire to win remains as strong as ever. “I didn’t get into the sport because it was a great watch, I got into it because I liked winning. “That’s kind of the selling point of boccia, it is a really competitive game and when played properly it’s actually quite a decent watch as well.” With the World Championships taking place in Seoul from August 24 to September 4, Smith believes he is ready to mount another challenge for one of the biggest prizes in the sport. “I’ve been chomping at the bit really to get on with it. I had a few competitions along the way just to get myself sharp and ready to go. “I had a few little slip-ups as well which hopefully have ironed out some of the creases in my armour, so yeah when we get to the worlds I should have all the answers hopefully.”
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Haverfordwest County beaten 3-0 HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY’S difficult start to the new Cymru Premier season continued on Friday night as they were beaten 3-0 by newly-promoted Cambrian United at the Dynamite Bridge Meadow. The result leaves the Bluebirds still searching for both their first point and their first league goal of the 2026/27 campaign after four matches. County had gone into the fixture hoping to get their season up and running following defeats against Airbus UK Broughton, The New Saints and Penybont, but Cambrian returned to the Rhondda with all three points following another frustrating evening for Tony Pennock’s side. It was a significant result for the visitors, who are competing in the top flight of Welsh football for the first time following promotion last season. Cambrian had made an encouraging start to life in the Cymru Premier, losing narrowly at Barry Town United before drawing with Briton Ferry Llansawel and then recording their first-ever top-flight victory with a 1-0 win over Flint Town United last weekend. Friday evening’s match was the first time Haverfordwest County and Cambrian United had met in the Cymru Premier. For the Bluebirds, however, the result means a difficult opening month has become even tougher. County began the campaign with a 1-0 home defeat against newlypromoted Airbus before going down 2-0 to reigning champions The New Saints at Park Hall. Last Friday they suffered a 3-0 defeat against Penybont at the Bridge Meadow, and the latest result means Haverfordwest have now lost their opening four league fixtures. They have conceded nine goals
across those matches without finding the net themselves. Attention will now turn to next Friday’s trip to newly-promoted
Llandudno, where Pennock’s side will be looking to bring their early-season run to an end and secure their first points of the campaign.
Carmarthenshire teenager makes EFL Cup history CARMARTHENSHIRE teenager Noah Anyadike has made football history after becoming the youngest player ever to appear in the EFL Cup, starting for Cardiff City at just 15 years old. The highly-rated defender made his senior debut in the Bluebirds’ 2-1 second-round defeat against Norwich City at the Cardiff City Stadium, aged just 15 years and 98 days. With Cardiff short of senior options at centre-back because of injuries, manager Brian Barry-Murphy turned to the Wales youth internatinal, who had impressed while spending time with the first team during the school holidays. His inclusion saw him break the EFL Cup record previously held by Harvey Elliott, who was 15 years and 174 days old when he played for Fulham against Millwall in 2018. Anyadike also became the youngest player in Cardiff City’s history. His memorable evening was cut short when he was forced off with muscle cramp in the second half, but Barry-Murphy was full of praise for the youngster. “It was an incredible evening for him and really well deserved. We’ve
been lucky because he’s still in school, so he spent so much time with us in the school holidays,” he said. “He’s making exceptional strides, and he’s a very talented player. We were very clear that he was the best option for this game based on how well he’s done.” Anyadike is the third player in less than 12 months to become Cardiff’s youngest-ever player, following Rob Tankiewicz, who debuted aged 16 years and 117 days, and Axel Donczew, who was 15 years and 234 days. The Carmarthenshire youngster is not quite the youngest player in English Football League history. That record remains with Reuben Noble-Lazarus, who made his Rochdale debut aged 15 years and 45 days in 2008. Anyadike’s achievement is put into perspective when compared with one of Welsh football’s greatest-ever players. Gareth Bale was 16 years and 275 days old when he made his senior debut for Southampton in April 2006 – more than a year older than Anyadike was on his Cardiff bow. Bale went on to become Wales’ record goalscorer, win five Champions
League titles with Real Madrid and captain his country at the 2022 World Cup. While comparisons will inevitably generate excitement, Cardiff are determined to carefully manage the development of a player who is still at school. Barry-Murphy, who previously worked within Manchester City’s youth set-up, said: “Our job now is to make sure that we protect him, educate him, but also push him to make sure that he can have the education and experience that he needs to become a very important player for Cardiff.” Anyadike could now be in contention for another milestone when Cardiff host Sheffield United in the Championship on Saturday.
Darth Marty Media named official community partner of Hwest County
HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC has announced Darth Marty Media as its new Official Community Partner, building on a long-standing relationship with Pembrokeshire photographer Martin Jones. The partnership will see Martin work alongside the Bluebirds throughout the season, capturing firstteam fixtures, training sessions, community events and behind-the-scenes activity. Through his Darth Marty Media brand, Martin works with businesses, charities, sports clubs, organisations and individuals across Pembrokeshire, with a particular focus on natural, people-led photography. The new arrangement is intended to showcase not only the action on the pitch, but also the growing range of community projects and partnerships connected with Haverfordwest County. Martin will act as an official club photographer at a number of fixtures and events, helping to build a photographic archive documenting players, supporters, volunteers and the wider community surrounding the club. Martin Jones, founder of Darth Marty Media, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to become an Official Community Partner of Haverfordwest County. “I’ve had a relationship with the club for a number of years and have seen first-hand just how much it has developed, particularly in its work across our communities. “Darth Marty Media is deliberately peoplefocused. There is so much good happening across Pembrokeshire, and so many brilliant people doing positive things every day. “I want to use photography to help tell those stories and make sure they’re seen. “That’s why this partnership feels like such a natural fit. It’s built around people, relationships and community, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of it.” Harry Thomas, Head of Community at Haverfordwest County AFC, said the partnership would help the club tell the story of its expanding work away from the pitch. He said: “We’re delighted to welcome Darth Marty Media as an Official Community Partner. “I’ve worked closely with Martin for a couple of years and have seen first-hand the passion and commitment he has for the club and the wider community. “With our community programmes continuing to grow across Pembrokeshire, having someone who understands the club, our community and the importance of telling those stories makes this a really exciting partnership for us. “We’re looking forward to working closely with Martin and Darth Marty Media to showcase the positive impact our club is having both on and off the pitch, and to help share stories of the people, programmes and partnerships that make our community so special.” The partnership will continue throughout the season, with Darth Marty Media documenting the personalities, achievements and community work that form part of the wider Bluebirds story. For Martin, the collaboration also reflects the principle behind his photography business: “Find the Real Moment. Do It Justice.”
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Hakin hit Narberth for six Two goals apiece from Camron Thomas and Mason Dolling help Vikings begin title defence with emphatic victory at Jesse Road HAKIN UNITED issued an early statement of intent as they began the new Pembrokeshire League Division One campaign with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Narberth at Jesse Road on Tuesday evening (Aug 18). The defending champions arrived determined to respond following Friday’s friendly defeat against Goodwick United and immediately placed their hosts under sustained pressure. Leon Luby was at the heart of Hakin’s attacking threat, repeatedly troubling the Narberth defence with his pace and delivery. He opened the scoring after eight minutes when a looping cross-shot found its way into the top corner, giving the visitors a deserved early advantage. Mason Dolling doubled Hakin’s lead just seven minutes later before Luby turned provider, creating the opportunity for Camron Thomas to make it 3-0. The Vikings could have been further ahead by the interval. Luby’s crossing continued to cause problems, while Scott Ferney’s intelligent off-the-ball running and the visitors’ relentless work rate made it extremely difficult for Narberth to gain a foothold. To their credit, the home side regrouped at half-time and produced a much more competitive second-half performance. Narberth became harder to break down and showed enough resilience to suggest there is plenty for them to build upon during the campaign.
Hakin nevertheless added another three goals, with Thomas and Dolling completing their respective braces and Liam Parks also finding the net. The best finish was saved until last. A superb pass from inside Hakin’s own half released Thomas, who raced clear, controlled the ball brilliantly and scored from a tight angle. It was Thomas’s second goal of the evening and Hakin’s sixth, completing a clinical opening-night performance from the reigning champions. Thomas narrowly took the man-of-thematch honours ahead of fellow two-goal performer Dolling, although Luby was also outstanding throughout. The evening was marred by an injury to Scott Paddison, who appeared to suffer a nasty knock during the game. Everyone at both clubs will be hoping the injury is not serious and that he can return to action quickly. A healthy crowd attended the fixture, which was well controlled by referee Sean O’Connor. Narberth will take encouragement from their improved second-half display, but this was an ominously impressive opening performance from a Hakin United side determined to defend its title. Final score: Narberth AFC 0-6 Hakin United Hakin scorers: Camron Thomas (2), Mason Dolling (2), Leon Luby and Liam Parks. Final score: Narberth AFC 0-6 Hakin United
Reid hat-trick fires Milford United to first win
MILFORD UNITED claimed their first victory since returning to the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League Division One as a Scott Reid hat-trick secured a 3-1 win over Pennar Robins at Bush Camp. The newly-promoted visitors bounced back from their opening-night defeat at Goodwick United with an important three points, with experienced striker Reid once again proving the difference in front of goal. Milford travelled to Pembroke Dock looking for a response after being beaten 2-1 at Phoenix Park in their first game back in the top flight. Goals from William Haworth and Thomas Jago had given Goodwick a twogoal advantage before Liam Parr pulled one back for Milford in stoppage time. There was to be no such frustration at Bush Camp, however, as Reid struck three times during a 48-minute spell to put the visitors firmly in control. Pennar continued to battle and were rewarded when Ethan Ball pulled a goal back during the second half, but any realistic hopes of a comeback were made considerably more difficult by disciplinary problems. The hosts were reduced to ten men and later finished the contest with nine, leaving Milford well placed to see out the remainder of the game and secure a 3-1 victory. The result is an encouraging early boost for Milford following their promotion back to Division One after winning the Division Two title last season.
Reid’s contribution will also come as little surprise to followers of the local game. The forward has been a regular source of goals for Milford in recent seasons and has produced a number of prolific performances in the red and black shirt. He scored a hat-trick in a 7-1 West Wales Cup victory over Tenby in December 2023 and was also on target when Milford last recorded a 3-1 Division One victory over Pennar in March 2024. On that occasion Anthony Hubbuck opened the scoring at Marble Hall before Pennar levelled shortly before the interval. Liam Parr restored Milford’s advantage in the second half before Reid fired home the third. Monday’s victory therefore continued Milford’s recent good record in the battle of the two Robins, although the significance this time was particularly important as they look to re-establish themselves among Pembrokeshire’s leading sides. After the disappointment of defeat at Goodwick, three points on the road represents a far more positive start to life back in Division One. For Pennar, attention will turn to recovering from a difficult evening in which their task became increasingly challenging after the two dismissals. For Milford, meanwhile, the headline belonged to Reid — three goals, three points and their Division One campaign properly up and running.
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Manderwood Pembrokeshire league DIVISION ONE
Fixtures
Results
24-25 August 2026
5-Sep-2026
DIVISION 1 Narberth
4
1
Fishguard Sports
Pennar Robins
1
3
Milford United
St Ishmaels
0
6
Tenby
2
Goodwick United Neyland
Merlins Bridge
v
Monkton Swifts
Milford United
v Monkton Swifts
3
Merlins Bridge
v Neyland
2
1
Hakin United
Narberth
4
1
Carew
Pennar Robins
v Carew
St Ishmaels
v Goodwick United
Goodwick United R
5
1
Merlins Bridge II
Hakin United R
2
0
Kilgetty
Tenby II
0
5
Solva
Johnston
2
2
Camrose
N Hedges & Sfoot
1
4
Clarbeston Road
Hakin United R
3
1
Goodwick United R
DIVISION 2
DIVISION TWO
DIVISION 3
DIVISION THREE
Fishguard Sports
12-Sep-2026 Carew
v Hakin United
Fishguard Sports v Milford United Goodwick United v St Ishmaels Merlins Bridge
v
Pennar Robins
St Florence
4
0
Carew Reserves
Narberth
v Monkton Swifts
Herbrandston
6
1
Camrose Reserves
Tenby
v Neyland
Lawrenny
1
1
Broad Haven
Pembroke Boro
1
2
Clarbeston Road Res
Tenby II
4
0
Haverfordwest CC
Angle
3
3
St Clears
DIVISION 4
19-Sep-2026 Merlins Bridge
v Carew
Milford United
v Neyland
Johnston II
0
3
Manorbier United
Monkton Swifts v
Fishguard Sports
Solva Reserves
1
2
Fishguard Sports Res
Narberth
v
Tenby
Pennar Robins
v Goodwick United
St Ishmaels
v Hakin United
St Ishmaels Res
1
4
Pennar Robins II
Milford United Res
11
1
Newport Tigers
Prendergast Villa
2
1
St Clears Reserves
DIVISION 5 Narberth Reserves
3
2
Kilgetty III
Pembroke Boro Res
5
3
Milford United III
Broad Haven Reserves
3
3
Lawrenny Res
Milford Athletic Res
1
2
N Hedges Sfoot II
DIVISION FOUR
DIVISION FIVE
SPORT
Hakin hit Narberth for six