The Pembrokeshire Herald 22/03/2024

Sniffer dogs locate illegal vapes

IN A MAJOR bust led by Swansea Council’s Trading Standards Officers, a series of raids uncovered a substantial quantity of illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco products within the city. Pembrokeshirebased BWY Canine Ltd played a pivotal role in these discoveries, showcasing local expertise in combating illegal trade practices.

During a thorough search of a local shop suspected of selling illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco, officers, with the help of specially trained tobacco and vape detection dogs, found illegal products hidden in a bunker at the rear of the premises.

This operation unearthed large amounts of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco, underscoring the scale of illicit activities in the area.

Further enhancing the operation’s impact, a second raid in the city centre utilized the expertise of Pembrokeshire’s BWY Canine Ltd.

The company’s dogs successfully located large quantities of illegal tobacco and vapes concealed within a purpose-built hidden compartment inside another shop. These operations are now under investigation, with charges likely to be brought against both shop owners involved.

This crackdown forms part of Swansea Council’s ongoing efforts

to eliminate the sale of illegal vapes in the region.

It follows a previous operation where Trading Standards officers visited a storage facility in London, discovering illegal vapes valued at over £1.5 million. These efforts highlight the Council’s commitment to tackling this issue headon, with recent successes bolstering their resolve.

Rhys Harries, Team Leader for Trading Standards in Swansea, emphasized the crucial role of public information in identifying businesses selling illegal products. The council has been

actively investigating numerous cases, leading to several prosecutions in recent months. Harries praised the effectiveness of their strategies to uncover hidden illegal goods, underscoring the challenge of staying ahead of those attempting to conceal their activities.

David Hopkins, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Performance, commended the operation’s success in disrupting the sale of illegal products to consumers. He attributed part of this success to the public’s willingness to report concerns, particularly regarding

sales to minors. Hopkins encouraged continued public engagement with the Trading Standards Team to help protect young people in Swansea.

A survey conducted by Vape Club revealed that Swansea Council confiscated more illegal vapes in 2023 than any other Welsh Council, highlighting the severity of the issue in the area.

With 2024 expected to see even more confiscations, the council’s efforts, supported by Pembrokeshire’s canine experts, represent a strong stand against the illegal vape and tobacco trade in Wales.

Pensioner pleads guilty

AT LLANELLI Magistrates’ Court this week, Terence Mayhew, a 78-yearold resident of Lamack Vale, Tenby, has been found guilty of careless driving. The incident, which took place on August 12 on the A4139 at Pembroke Dock, involved Mayhew overtaking a cyclist in such a manner that endangered the safety of a learner driver.

The court was presented with dashcam footage from the learner’s vehicle, clearly showing Mayhew’s Volvo V50 crossing the central white line as he overtook the cyclist. This maneuver forced the learner driver to take evasive action to avoid a collision, highlighting

the perilous nature of Mayhew’s driving on that day.

Mayhew’s actions were scrutinized under the legal standard for driving, with the prosecution arguing that his conduct “fell below that of a careful and competent driver.” Facing these allegations, Mayhew entered a guilty plea to the charge of driving without due care and attention.

As a consequence of his admission, Mayhew has been fined and ordered to pay a total of £166, encompassing the fine itself, legal costs, and a surcharge. Furthermore, his driving record will now reflect the incident with an addition of three penalty points to his licence.

Remanded for alleged assault

A PEMBROKE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged assault against a woman in Pembroke town centre last Thursday.

Morgan Ralph, 38, is accused of assaulting a female, occasioning her actual bodily harm during the alleged altercation on March 14.

Ralph, who appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday

morning via a video link from Swansea Prison, pleaded not guilty to the offence. His solicitor Tom Lloyd, informed magistrates that Ralph was acting in self defence during the alleged incident.

The matter was adjourned to May 23 when Ralph, of St Oswalds, Main Street, Pembroke, will be tried before Haverfordwest magistrates.

He was remanded in custody.

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Jailed for assaulting police officers

IN a disturbing incident at Swansea railway station, Jordan Mruk, a 25-year-old man from Martletwy, near Narberth, has been sentenced to 12 months in prison by Swansea Crown Court. It’s for a series of offences including assaulting emergency workers and racially aggravated harassment.

The conviction comes after police were dispatched to the railway station on May 28, following reports of an altercation involving two men. Although the individuals initially departed upon police intervention, they soon returned, prompting further police action.

It was during this subsequent engagement that Mruk displayed aggressive behaviour and, upon an attempt to arrest him, assaulted a police officer by punching them in the chest. Mruk was subsequently subdued using PAVA spray but continued his assaultive behaviour by

spitting at an officer while being escorted to a police vehicle.

The situation escalated further while Mruk was in custody, where he made multiple racial slurs, urinated on his cell door, and shockingly, smeared faeces on the intercom and over himself. Despite claiming his actions were in self-defence and denying spitting at an officer during his interview, Mruk’s history of 16 previous convictions, including multiple assaults on emergency workers, weighed heavily against him.

In addition to the assault charges, Mruk admitted to criminal damage and racially aggravated harassment, all while under a suspended sentence order from a previous conviction for threatening to damage property. This previous sentence had been suspended for two years just last February.

Caitlin Brazel, speaking in mitigation,

highlighted Mruk’s embarrassment and regret over his actions, noting his stable accommodation and employment as positive steps towards rehabilitation. Mruk, who had previously turned to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, has since ceased these habits and is keen on making amends for his behaviour.

The court’s decision

includes a three-month jail term for the recent offences, with an additional nine months for breaching the suspended sentence.

Mruk’s accomplice in the initial altercation, 22-year-old Alfie CooperTenain of Erw Lon, Penycwm, has also been found guilty of assaulting an emergency worker and faced penalties in Haverfordwest

Accident on A4075 near Lower Nash was fatal

POLICE have confirmed that a man injured in a road traffic collision on the A4075 near Lower Nash, Pembroke Dock has sadly died of his injuries in hospital.

He was transported by the Wales Air Ambulance from the scene, it has been confirmed – but despite the best effort of the emergency services, he succumbed to his injuries.

A spokesperson for Dyfed Powys Police said: “Police attended a road traffic collision which occurred just before 11am on Monday (Mar 18).

“Two vehicles, a Ford transit Tipper and a blue Mazda, were involved in the collision on the A4075 near Lower Nash, Pembroke Dock.

“One man was taken to hospital with serious injuries. Sadly he passed away in hospital on

Tuesday, March 19.”

A spokesperson for Wales Air Ambulance told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “I can confirm that the Wales Air Ambulance attended an incident in that region yesterday.

“Our Welshpool-based crew were allocated at 11:09AM and attended by air. They arrived at the scene at 12:06PM. Our involvement concluded at 13:49PM.”

The fire service also attended the scene and helped to remove the stuck person from the vehicle.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crew members responded to a road traffic collision involving one private motor vehicle and one commercial van.

“On the crew’s arrival, one casualty had selfextricated while another casualty was trapped in their vehicle.

“Crew members utilised cutters and spreaders, rams, small tools and one hose reel jet

at the scene.”

Officers have asked that anyone with information that could help with the investigation is asked to report it to

Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https:// bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfedpowys.police.uk, or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the nonemergency number on 07811 311 908.

Three hospitalised after multi-vehicle collision on A40

THREE individuals were transported to the hospital following a three-car collision on the A40 on Friday (Mar 15).

The crash involved a black Ford Focus, a blue Toyota Aygo, and a grey Skoda Octavia, occurring on the stretch of road between Scleddau and Fishguard near Dwrbach, leading to significant disruptions.

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Emergency services rushed to the scene after the crash, which saw the A40 closed to traffic and diversions established to manage the flow of vehicles.

The occupants of the cars managed to exit the vehicles unaided, and while no serious injuries

have been reported, the three individuals were taken to hospital as a measure of caution.

The response included police, firefighters, and paramedics. A fire crew from Fishguard was particularly instrumental, remaining on-site for approximately two hours to ensure the safety of the area and the vehicles involved.

The road closure,

which lasted about three hours, prompted quick action from the authorities to minimise inconvenience and ensure public safety.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Police attended a three vehicle road traffic collision which occurred on the A40 between Scleddau and Fishguard at about 6.30pm on

Friday, March 15.

“Three people were taken to hospital for a check-up. The road was closed with diversions in place.”

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 6.40PM on Friday the Fishguard crew was called to an incident along the A40 near Dwrbach, Fishguard.

“Crew members

responded to a road traffic collision involving three private motor vehicles. All occupants of the vehicles selfextricated and no major injuries were reported. Dyfed-Powys Police and ambulance service personnel were also at the scene.

“Crew members made the scene and vehicles safe and left at 8.20PM.”

Wanted: Steven Kimpriktzis in connection with drug trafficking operation

DYFED-POWYS

POLICE have said they are urgently seeking information leading to the arrest of Steven Kostas Kimpriktzis, aged between 45 and 50, in relation to a significant drug trafficking operation.

Kimpriktzis, an alleged central figure in an Organised Crime Group (OCG), is accused of conspiring to supply Class A controlled substances across Liverpool, Dorset, and Pembrokeshire between May 2021 and March 2022.

The police allege Kimpriktzis’s direct

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involvement in the orchestration of drug movements that have significantly impacted the regions involved. Standing at approximately 175 to 180 cm (5′ 10″) with a medium build and described as White European in ethnicity, Kimpriktzis has known connections in both Liverpool and Reading and has been spotted in Greece recently.

The Dyfed-Powys Police force is leading the charge in this cross-

regional investigation, emphasising the severity of the charges against Kimpriktzis. As part of a larger OCG, his activities have drawn considerable concern, prompting a nationwide alert for his apprehension.

Authorities are appealing to the public for any information regarding Kimpriktzis’s whereabouts or activities. Confidential tips can be relayed anonymously by contacting 0800 555 111. The police stress the importance of community assistance in curtailing the operations

of such organised crime groups, which pose significant risks to public safety and wellbeing.

In the ongoing battle against drug trafficking within the UK, the capture of individuals such as Steven Kostas Kimpriktzis represents a critical step in dismantling networks that fuel illegal drug distribution and associated criminal activities. The DyfedPowys Police remain dedicated to this cause, urging anyone with knowledge that could lead to Kimpriktzis’s arrest to come forward.

Vaughan Gething new First Minister

has vowed to stand up for Wales as he was formally nominated as Mark Drakeford’s successor as the next First Minister.

Mr Gething won a crunch vote, which was conducted by roll call, and Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, will now recommend his appointment to the King.

He received the backing of 26 Labour MSs plus Jane Dodds, the Lib Dems’ leader in Wales, while the Plaid Cymru and Conservative groups nominated their own leaders.

Addressing the chamber or Siambr for the first time as First Minister-

elect, Mr Gething began by paying tribute to Mr Drakeford’s leadership through the dark days of the pandemic.

The former economy and health minister, who was nominated by his predecessor, criticised “unprecedented hostility” towards democratic Welsh devolution in recent years.

Mr Gething accused

the UK Government of being determined to “undermine, frustrate and bypass” the Welsh Government and Senedd.

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“As well as leaving Wales with less say over less money, it is deeply corrosive, wasteful and undemocratic,” he said.

“As First Minister, I look forward to standing up for Wales and for devolution

in the weeks and months to come.

“But I relish the opportunity to cooperate for Wales with a new UK Government that invests in partnership and in Wales’ future.”

Mr Gething, who beat Jeremy Miles in the leadership race with 51.7% of the vote, told MSs: “I want Wales to thrive in the sunshine

that hope and social justice can offer all of us – no matter what our background, what we look like or who we love.

“Wales deserves more than just sunny spells where hope too often feels hard to find – we can embrace fresh optimism and new ambition for a fairer Wales built by all of us.”

Builder receives prison sentence for fraudulent trading

CARMARTHEN -

SHIRE COUNTY COUN-

CIL prosecuted Craig Baker, the Sole Director of Elite Construction and Plastering Limited and Elite Plastering and Construction Limited.

He appeared before His Honour Judge Paul Thomas KC at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing this week.

Baker entered guilty pleas to two counts of fraudulent trading, contrary to the Companies Act 2006, at an earlier hearing.

The charges, spanning different periods, revolved around Baker’s false representations and fraudulent practices

in his construction dealings. Count 1, covering the period between July 1, 2021, and May 11, 2022, involved falsely representing initial quotes as the total cost of works, misrepresenting the value of works, and falsely undertaking to complete works to a standard of a reasonably competent professional builder. Count 2, from July 26, 2021, to April 27, 2022, included overcharging, further false representations of work value, and falsely undertaking to complete works to a specified standard.

An investigation by Carmarthenshire Trading Standards revealed that Baker, with registered office addresses at Spilman Street, Carmarthen, and Is-YLlan, Llanddarog, had defrauded consumers of over £30,000 for building work.

In one case, Baker constructed a conservatory at a property, with an Expert Witness Surveyor later deeming the work as having no value and requiring removal and rebuilding. The surveyor went on to describe the construction details as “some of the worst” encountered in their 24 years of surveying.

For his actions, Judge Paul Thomas sentenced Craig Baker to 3 years and 4 months in prison, with a 20% credit reducing the term to 32 months (2 years and 8 months). Baker will serve half of this sentence before being released on license.

Jonathan Morgan, Head of Homes & Safer Communities, said: “I would like to thank the team for their exemplary work in prosecuting the case.

Their commitment reflects our collective determination as a council to pursue justice, sending a clear message that we will not tolerate actions that compromise the safety and

integrity of our community.”

Carmarthenshire County Council urges consumers affected by such prac-

tices to refer to Citizens Advice consumer services here for support and guidance.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

VAUGHAN GETHING

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

NEW farms are springing up with a different future for farming. Jim Bowen, a north Pembrokeshire farmer and care farmer finds it as he digs into the history below the furious farmer protests.

Since the Second World War British farming has been a precarious occupation with outside influences dictating farming policy. Initially the order was for farmers to produce as much food as possible, so we could be self sufficient as a nation, and then, as the globalisation took hold, what we were told to farm changed to meet the demands of the international market.

Sometimes our orders came from London, sometimes Brussels and sometimes the courts as multinational companies tried to force nations to sell their GM seeds and carcinogenic pesticides. And each time farming communities tried to adapt,

changing what we were doing, diversifying, taking out hedgerows, putting them back, trying different crops, doing whatever we could to come out profitable at the end.

In the 1980s, many of us took out crippling bank loans when we were told to expand our production, and many of us lost our homes when the times grew leaner and supermarkets abandoned us, importing cheaper, lower quality food from elsewhere.

Some farmers went organic or extensive to avoid the intensive farming trap. But the majority of us were already caught in the system of producing food as cheaply as possible, meeting supermarket demands and suffering in the process.

And through all these times farmers relied on grants and subsidies to stay viable. Our nation expects cheap food, the media told us, and then, when we were paid less than it costs to produce the food, we were scorned for expecting handouts, forgetting that supermarkets take the lion’s share of customers’ money.’

The latest protests target Welsh government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme. Its aim is to reward farmers for the services they

currently provide for free. The habitats for nature, water management, carbon capture in deep soils and woody crops, the beauty and variety of the landscape and more. The market may pay for produce but the public purse should pay for public benefits. The principle makes sense, details can be improved.

The campaign’s convener James Melville is a Cornwall-based, non-farming ‘social media commentator’ who denies climate change and undermines a lot of good in the scheme. How it can be cheaper to buy New Zealand lamb in a Haverfordwest supermarket, than to buy Welsh lamb? How is it that our farming practices have brought about a 60% reduction in farmland birds since the 1970s? How is it that the drive for cheap eggs has permitted so many industrial poultry units in Powys that the River Wye is suffocating with green algae blooms directly linked the poultry production? Many are jointly owned by Cargill, an American food business who in 2001 was sued for polluting 2 lakes in Oklahoma. Evidently being fined $7.5 million had no effect.

Instead of campaigning against environmental farming Welsh farmers could band together to reject the polluting profit dominated intensive farming model. This could give Welsh farming a major advantage

in the market, feeding people with the pride and passion we all share.

Jim’s vision is shared by many customers. Old farms are changing and new ones are springing up to meet the opportunity while collaborating through new and old networks.

Awen Organics is a 2 year old market garden on 25 acres in Nevern. It already feeds 200 to 300 households with their full veg requirements weekly. There are 200 varieties of 50 crops grown under the molten skies of Pembrokeshire, looking out to sea and hills. The young owners have been market gardeners on one rented plot after another until they finally had enough to buy this permanent home for their agro-ecological business.

They sell within 10 miles and most of the fertility is grown on site.

Grower and owner Adam Payne’s vision “We want local markets and local trade, high biodiversity, affordable nutrient dense food and good livelihoods for farmers, growers and everyone else! We work for this through the Landworkers’ Alliance and internationally through La Via Campesina.”

Nevern Valley Veg is run by a local girl and her partner with 7

acres to grow into. With twin goals, to grow for wildlife and humans, their produce is loved in Wholefoods of Newport and local cafés. Everything is sold within 5 miles, water is pumped by solar power and an electric cargo bike will manage the deliveries.

Pembrokeshire has many meat farmers and dairies whose customers love the way they farm. The national shortage of veg growers is being rectified by these and other new growers.

New and old regenerative farmers still only feed a minority.

Rather than marginalise their achievements let’s build a supply chain for conscious shoppers to fall back in love with their producers. Then the majority could buy food that is the flower of our land, not its destroyer.

YouTube video has Milfordians fuming

IT’S been the talk of social media this weekend. A YouTube video created by Carmarthen-based Jason Thomas has become the centre of local debate after his walk-around film didn’t portray Milford Haven in a favourable light.

Thomas, who became an online sensation with his series “My Welsh Nan” – which had millions of followers – sought to chronicle the historical and modern facets of Wales’s largest port town.

His video, which was released on 5 March 2024, drew attention to the town’s storied past, but also mentioned the decline of the fishing docks and the closure of the local police station.

However, the portrayal has upset many residents, leading to an outpouring of both criticism of the film and steadfast support for Milford Haven.

Local community members have taken to social media platforms, notably Facebook, to voice their concerns and highlight the town’s positive aspects.

John Hodge’s post on the “Pembrokeshire – I LOVE IT!” page marked the beginning of the backlash.

Hodge criticised Thomas for selectively showcasing areas that cast Milford Haven in a negative light, including the out-of-season paddling pool, while seemingly ignoring the town’s culinary and aesthetic appeal. He argued that the video did not do justice to the strides Milford Haven has made in recent years, nor did it acknowledge the efforts of local businesses and the community to revitalise the town.

Hodge’s sentiment was echoed by Anthony Jobson, who praised Milford Haven as a “thriving

little town” in contrast to the perceived stagnation of neighbouring areas like Haverfordwest. Jobson, among others, highlighted the vibrant Marina, the array of local shops, and the burgeoning restaurant scene as testaments to Milford Haven’s resilience and growth.

The response from

the community has been overwhelming, with many residents sharing their own experiences and insights into the town’s development. From the Harbourmaster’s esteemed dining to the collective efforts in litter picking and beautification projects, the townspeople are keen to showcase

Milford Haven’s transformation and communal spirit.

Critics of Thomas’s video, such as Rhian Bray, accused the YouTuber of deliberately focusing on negative aspects to garner attention. This practice, according to Bray and

hard work of its residents to maintain and enhance its appeal.

The debate has spurred a wider discussion on the role of social media and individual narratives in shaping perceptions of local communities. While some argue that Thomas’s

it as a call to action for further investment and improvement in Milford Haven.

The community’s response to the video is a powerful reminder of the pride residents take in their town. Efforts to highlight the positive developments in Milford Haven, from its thriving Marina to the array of dining and entertainment options, reflect a collective commitment to overcoming challenges and celebrating local achievements.

In response to the criticism his video brought him, Jason Thomas said: “I visited the historic town with the hope of exploring its forts, but unfortunately, the tours were not available at the time.

“Nevertheless, I was captivated by the rich history and the warm hospitality of the locals. If people take the time to watch the video and read the bio on YouTube , they will see that it does not portray the town in a negative light. It’s disheartening to see how some individuals are quick to comment on social media posts without considering both sides of the story.

“I had planned to stay in the town, but due to train cancellations and the hotel’s failure to respond to my booking inquiry, I had to change my plans.

“The town has immense potential, and if there’s anyone to blame, it should be the County council, Town council, and landlords who charge exorbitant rents.

“It is my hope that people will shift their focus from social media comments and instead invest their energy in revitalising the town. I look forward to returning in the spring to explore the fort

Shrubbery clearance sparks new station speculation

RECENT activities around the Milford Haven station have fuelled speculation regarding the potential development of a new railway station and a revamp of transport links in the area. Over the past few weeks, extensive clearance work has been carried out behind the station’s car park, unveiling old tracks that once led to the Mine depot at Blackbridge. This operation, believed to be conducted by Network Rail, has removed dense shrubbery to expose the historical railway infrastructure, suggesting preparations for significant changes.

The work has prompted discussions among locals and transport enthusiasts about the intentions behind these actions. Some wonder if this is merely a routine clearance or if it indicates plans to rejuvenate the Milford Haven transport interchange project, a topic of interest that has resurfaced periodically over the years.

In a related development, the latest edition of ‘RAIL magazine’ (Issue 1005) features an article by Howard Johnston that sheds light on potential plans for the area.

It mentions that consideration is being given to relocating Milford Haven station east of its current location to accommodate a new bus interchange. This ambitious project, if approved, is slated for execution next year and aligns with previous plans endorsed by the Pembrokeshire Regional Transport Authority (PRTA) and the county council dating back to the mid-1990s.

These plans involve shifting the railway to follow the old Blackbridge lines, with a new platform facing east, behind the current car park. Proposed facilities include a booking office, a tourist information centre, a bus

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stand, and dedicated parking for rail travellers, all accessible from the Tesco roundabout. Despite the enthusiasm for these developments, a lack of funding has previously stalled progress, with the scheme failing to materialise alongside the Pembroke Dock interchange development.

Further complicating the situation is the limited funding available from the Welsh Government for transport interchange projects, which pales in comparison to allocations for other local initiatives, such as the Haverfordwest Town centre car park rebuilding plan.

Stephen Crabb MP (R) with Welsh Conservatives at the railway station in 2019

Key figures such as Darren Thomas or Toni Macey from the County Council, or Ben George from the Swansea Bay and South West Wales metro project, may be instrumental in driving these developments forward. However, the specific timeline and decision-making processes remain unclear.

This potential transformation comes amidst calls for an upgrade to the station spearheaded by Preseli MP Stephen Crabb since 2019.

Advocating for improvements to reflect the town’s economic significance, Crabb’s efforts, along with the Pembrokeshire Rail Travellers Association, have aimed to enhance the station’s facilities and address service issues, aligning with broader ambitions for the region’s transport future.

As Milford Haven stands on the cusp of significant transport upgrades, the community awaits further details on these plans, hoping for enhancements that will better serve locals and visitors alike.

Milford Haven railway station in the late 1970’s

Milford Haven station around 100 years ago

Dredging work set for Tenby Harbour

TENBY HARBOUR and North Beach users are being asked to be aware of heavy moving machinery from Tuesday March 26 th to Friday 29 th as dredging work is carried out.

Sand will removed from the mouth of the Harbour and deposited at the north end of the beach. The work will not

affect vessel movements at the Harbour.

Tenby Harbourmaster Chris Salisbury said a licence for the dredging had been issued after several months of application work.

“We ask that the public please keep clear of the operating area and that dogs are kept on a lead during this time,” Chris added.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for

Residents’ Services, said: “I’m grateful to our officers for securing the licence for this work to go ahead. This dredging is essential for the operation of Tenby Harbour.

“The timing of the work has been governed by the tide and the dates represented the last opportunity for the work to be carried out before the boats are placed back in the water.”

Man in custody after cannabis factory found in Haverfordwest

IN a dramatic swoop that reads like a scene from a high-stakes thriller, Pembrokeshire police descended upon a seemingly unassuming house in North Crescent, Haverfordwest, unveiling a hidden den of illicit cannabis cultivation.

The afternoon of Wednesday, March 13, became the stage for an operation that would unearth nearly 300 cannabis plants, nestled alongside a trove of equipment typically associated with the drug’s production, in a property that stood vacant, save for its illegal greenery.

The individual at the heart of this startling discovery, Shahin

Mustaj, aged 29, with no declared residence in Haverfordwest, finds himself ensnared in the law’s firm grip, facing charges of producing a controlled drug of Class B – specifically, cannabis. Mustaj, who found himself in the dock at Llanelli Magistrates Court just a day following the raid, on Thursday, March 14, signaled a guilty plea in the face of overwhelming evidence.

As the gavel came down, Mustaj was remanded in custody, his fate now suspended until next month’s sentencing at Swansea Crown Court.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police executed a warrant under the Misuse of

Drugs Act at a property in North Crescent, Haverfordwest on Wednesday afternoon.

Approximately 290 cannabis plants and drug growing paraphernalia were found at the property. “Shahin Mustaj, 29, was charged with the production of a controlled drug of Class B – cannabis and remanded in custody.”

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The Original Factory Shop saved from closure

THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SHOP, located on Charles Street, Milford Haven in the former Woolworth’s premises, has announced it will remain operational, dispelling earlier concerns about its potential closure.

This news, announced on Facebook on Sunday (Mar 17) will come as a relief to both the store’s employees and the local community, who had been bracing for the loss of what is considered the largest shop in the area.

The announcement said: “We have some fantastic news! The store shall now be staying open! We shall resume to normal deliveries in the next week or two, but in the meantime we are facing a clear out, we have a fantastic huge sale on instore.

“Ladies, Men’s. Children’s-wear and even Just Elegance. All this can be found at the back of store, many items up to

half price.”

Financial documents reveal that the national chain had experienced financial difficulties, marking a shift from a profit of £6.6 million to a pre-tax loss of £286,000 for the year ending March 26, 2023.

This downturn followed the termination of government COVID-19 support measures, impacting the retailer’s operations significantly. Revenue also saw a decline from £124.4 million to £118.7 million, with a slight decrease in the workforce from 1,936 to 1,877 employees.

The retailer’s struggle was further compounded

Taxi driver injured in incident at Aldi

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.

A taxi driver was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to hospital.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys

Police is investigating a single vehicle road traffic collision which occurred at Aldi Supermarket Car Park, London Road, Pembroke Dock at about 9.45am on the 18th of March 2024.

“The 65-year-old male driver of a silver MG5, marked as a Taxi, was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening.

“Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation or anyone who was travelling in the car park at the relevant time with dashcam footage is asked to report it.”

“Anyone with information about the collision should call 101 and quote reference DP-20240318-089.”

by a shift in consumer behavior, with an increased preference for online shopping leading to reduced foot traffic in brickand-mortar stores.

Despite these challenges, the company had briefly returned to profitability before slipping back into financial distress.

In June 2018, The Original Factory Shop had

announced the closure of 32 stores, a decision influenced by falling profits and the withdrawal of credit insurance.

Nonetheless, the company sought to overcome its recent financial hurdles by renewing a £12 million flexible asset-based loan facility for an additional three years, providing a

lifeline until December 2023.

The company’s board has acknowledged the financial difficulties but remains optimistic about the retailer’s future, citing a robust financial performance with an EBITDA of £4.6 million, despite a downturn from the previous fiscal year’s £8.5 million. The opening of ten new sites in strategic locations has been highlighted as a key part of its recovery strategy.

The potential closure of The Original Factory Shop in Milford Haven had sparked concerns among staff and residents, threatening a significant change to the local retail landscape. The news that the store is to remain open marks a positive development for Charles Street ensuring the continuation of a key retail outlet that provides a variety of products to local shoppers.

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Council’s Enforcement Team demolish ‘illegal lean-to’

PEMBROKESHIRE

COUNTY COUNCIL has taken direct action to remove a lean-to that was built against a neighbour’s listed building without consent.

Paul Mason built the lean to without planning permission or listed building consent from the Council contrary to section 43 of Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

As a result, the Council issued a Listed Buildings Enforcement Notice on June 17th 2021.

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The notice related to ‘the construction of a rendered blockwork outbuilding within the curtilage of 1, Newport Road, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, and the attachment of this building to the neighbouring property at 1, Glyn-yMel Road, Lower Town, Fishguard.’

Mr Mason appealed against but a Planning Inspector from Planning Decisions Environment Wales subsequently dismissed the appeal and upheld the Council’s enforcement notice on December 22nd 2022.

The Inspector considered that the outbuilding had a detrimental effect on the special character and setting of the listed buildings and that its removal was necessary to restore the architectural character of the listed building to its former condition.

After the appeal, the Council brought a prosecution for noncompliance with the requirements of the Notice.

Mr Mason pleaded

guilty on the day of the trial on December 7th 2023 and was required to pay a fine, costs and victim surcharge.

Following prosecution, the owner failed to carry out the demolition of the outbuilding and so the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team stepped in and undertook direct action by way of contractors to remove the illegal outbuilding.

The outbuilding was removed on March 6, 2023 and the architectural character of the listed building has been restored.

The cost of the demolition will be recovered from Mr Mason.

Following the action, Cllr Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member for Planning and Housing Delivery, said: “It is sad that this situation had to get to this point and this is the first time in more than 10 years

that the Council has been forced to take direct action.

“However, it was clear that the defendant was not willing to comply with the terms of the enforcement

notice requiring removal so we have taken the necessary action.

“I thank our teams involved, including the Planning Enforcement and Legal officers and hope this action demonstrates our commitment to enforcing breaches of planning control and upholding the integrity of the decision making process.”

Retaining wall collapses

before discovering the aftermath of the collapse.

The collapse of the wall sent debris sprawling across the car park, illustrating the force of the collapse and the substantial volume of water contributing to the structural failure.

The incident has left two vans damaged, one severely.

Witnesses described hearing a loud rumbling noise

Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

The collapse serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and the importance of maintaining and monitoring ageing infrastructure.

A RETAINING wall at Spring Gardens Lane, behind the site of the former Pembroke House Hotel in Haverfordwest, has collapsed following a period of heavy rainfall, causing damage to vehicles parked in the vicinity.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Doctors’ union urges new First Minister to end dispute

BMA CYMRU WALES has written to Vaughan Gething on the day he was officially voted into the role as Wales’ First Minister (Mar 20) to congratulate him on his appointment but also to urge him to end its pay dispute with the Welsh Government ahead of further strike action next week.

In the letter which outlines BMA Cymru Wales’s most urgent priorities for doctors, the union urges the new first minister to come back to the negotiating table and present a credible pay offer to make good on Welsh Labour’s commitment to restore doctors’ pay which has been cut by almost a third in real terms since 2008/9.

From March 25 just under 4,000 junior doctors in Wales plan to undertake their third round of industrial action, the 96 full walkout will be the longest strike yet and cause further disruption to planned hospital care which we now know has cost at least an additional £4 million for the first round of action. With senior doctors

including SAS (specialist, associate specialist, and specialty) and Consultants set to follow in April, the BMA makes clear that offering a fairer deal will help to retain and recruit more doctors to help tackle the record-high

waiting lists and help to improve care for patients across Wales. The letter also sets out other key priorities including providing a fairer portion of funding to general practice to prevent more surgery closures

as this year is set to see 100 practice closures since 2013. Improving patient safety by closing the significant staffing gaps in Wales’ hospitals, drastically improving the provision of unscheduled care including providing

more ambulances, and tackling longstanding health inequalities in Wales were also outlined in the letter by BMA Cymru Wales’ acting chair Dr Phil White.

Dr White says to the new First Minister: “Industrial action is a decision not taken lightly by our members and seen as a last resort. Wales, the birthplace of the NHS, is home to an underfunded and under-resourced health service. This is reflected in some of the longest waiting times in the United Kingdom, ultimately throwing safe levels of access to care and treatment into jeopardy.

“Your vision for a healthy Wales mirrors the ethos and vision of doctors across the country who strive to deliver this daily. However, as an Association, we are clear that this future cannot be achieved without the appropriate funding.”

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Celtic Freeport and the future of renewable energy in Wales

IN an important announcement that signals a significant shift towards renewable energy in the UK, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has identified two ports for potential transformative development into hubs for the burgeoning floating offshore wind (FLOW) industry.

This development places Port Talbot and Cromarty Firth in Scotland on a Primary List for potential funding through the Floating Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Scheme (FLOMIS).

This promising step forward is not just pivotal for Port Talbot but heralds a wave of optimism for Milford Haven as well, underpinning the collaborative spirit and shared vision of the Celtic Freeport initiative.

The inclusion of Port Talbot in the consideration for FLOMIS funding is a testament to the UK’s commitment to leading the charge in floating offshore wind technology, says RenewableUK. That company is representing the renewable energy sector, and has lauded this announcement as a crucial step for floating wind projects.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, Dan McGrail, RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, underscored the necessity of this initiative, highlighting the need for upgraded and upscaled port facilities capable of manufacturing and assembling the colossal components of floating offshore wind turbines.

The potential transformation of these ports into industrial hubs is poised to revolutionize the UK’s energy landscape, making a significant impact on the local economies of Port Talbot and Milford

Haven. The strategic focus on these areas not only aims to enhance their infrastructure but also positions them at the forefront of the renewable energy sector’s evolution.

This development is particularly significant for Milford Haven, the largest port in Wales and a pivotal player in

the UK’s third-largest port. The port’s inclusion under the Celtic Freeport banner, alongside Port Talbot, sets the stage for unprecedented growth and development in the region. The synergy between these ports, fostered by the Celtic Freeport initiative, aims to catalyze the low-carbon economy in Wales’ industrial heartland, creating a green investment and innovation corridor.

In tandem with these developments, the Port of Milford Haven has strategically appointed three new non-executive directors: David Martin, James Higham, and Gareth Powell. Their diverse expertise in infrastructure, military logistics, and finance will be instrumental in navigating the port through its ambitious transition to net zero and harnessing its freeport status for maximum

aimed at capitalizing on the opportunities presented by the evolving renewable energy landscape.

The Celtic Freeport’s ambitious vision is to create a green investment corridor that drives inward investment, future skills development, and national decarbonisation. The initiative promises to support new manufacturing facilities and major port infrastructure upgrades essential for the rollout of FLOW in the Celtic Sea. It signifies a major step forward in the pursuit of a cleaner future, underscored by commitments to the hydrogen economy, sustainable fuels, carbon capture, cleaner steel, and low-carbon logistics.

Spanning Milford Haven and Port Talbot, the Celtic Freeport covers a strategic expanse of nearly 600 hectares connected to two deep-water ports. This positioning is at the very heart of Wales’ industrial landscape, ready to be primed by an investment incentives package.

The announcement that Port Talbot, alongside the Port of Cromarty Firth, has been placed on the Primary List for potential FLOMIS funding marks a watershed moment for the UK’s renewable energy sector and a boon for Milford Haven.

impact.

David Martin’s background in global infrastructure projects, James Higham’s strategic and operational expertise from a distinguished Royal Navy career, and Gareth Powell’s financial acumen from his tenure at BBC Cymru Wales, collectively enhance the port’s strategic capabilities. These appointments reflect a robust strategic vision

As part of the broader Celtic Freeport initiative, this development is a beacon of innovation and progress, promising not only to revolutionise the Welsh economy but also to play a critical role in the global transition towards sustainable energy sources. The strategic appointments at the Port of Milford Haven complement this vision, positioning the port to leverage its full potential in the exciting era of green energy.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Artist’s impression of Port Talbot development

Great turnout for PATH’s Stakeholder Engagement Event

PEMBROKESHIRE ACTION FOR THE HOMELESS (PATH) said they were were delighted that nearly 40 attendees joined them on Tuesday (March 19) at The County Hotel in Haverfordwest for their Stakeholder Engagement Event.

The aim of the event, The Herald has been told, was primarily to provide an update on the progress of our UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF) projects – being delivered by Pathway Counselling and our Numeracy team – but it was also a chance for us to update our partners on other areas of the organisation as well.

The UK SPF projects are being funded by the UK Government’s Multiply initiative, through Pembrokeshire County Council.

Michael Hooper, Managing Director of PATH, opened the event with a summary of the changes which have impacted the organisation since PATH were successful in our bid for nearly £1m of funding from the UK SPF.

This extra funding, which has resulted in rapid growth of the organisation, has allowed us to help more people than ever with over 2,500 people now contacting us every year for help.

However, a growing homelessness problem,

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the shortage of housing, and uncertain funding for other areas of the organisation due pose challenges for the future.

The future is positive though, as he outlined our plans to be more sustainable, expand strategic partnerships to amplify our impact, empower teams to develop a future focused business plan, and ultimately help more people and prevent homelessness whenever possible. Dean Flood,

Senior Tutor on the Numeracy Project, was joined by Sally Berry, Tutor on the Numeracy Project, to outline how this innovative new service has started months ahead of schedule.

The project is available to anyone aged 19+ and living in Pembrokeshire, with guidelines recently changing to allow even those with a level 2 qualification in maths to participate.

Originally teaching was meant to start in April 2024, however PATH started in January 2024 with two pilot groups at The VC Gallery in

Pembroke Dock and The Mount Community Centre in Milford Haven.

So far PATH has engaged 797 PATH clients, with 68 hours of teaching delivered, with 18 venues identified as suitable locations across Pembrokeshire.

Jonathan Clarke, Senior Coordinator at Pathway Lettings, then updated our partners about the big changes at our social lettings agency in recent months.

Using powerful new software – Alto – PATH says it can now place people into accommodation quicker

than ever, and a digital hub where tenants can view their documents and files makes managing a tenancy much simpler.

Pathway Lettings is operating in a difficult market, with inflation and the rising cost of living making it harder than ever to provide affordable housing options. However, PATH are working, they say, with landlords to keep rent as low as possible.

Jonathan also outlined our plans to find more landlords and add new properties to our portfolio, so that PAT can continue to provide

affordable options across Pembrokeshire.

Currently, Pathway Lettings manages more than 170 properties.

Julie Ashley-Jones and Helen Hillary provided an update on the huge amount of support that Pathway Counselling has provided with the addition of their UK SPF funding.

The team has seen a huge demand for our free counselling services –available to anyone aged 16+ in Pembrokeshire – and has now grown to 30 counsellors. This comprises of 15 qualified counsellors and 15 trainee counsellors.

At the team’s permanent base at 19 Market St in Haverfordwest, dropin sessions are now taking place on Monday and Thursday every week (12pm – 3pm) and wellbeing workshops are also being held there.

Since September, over 300 referrals for counselling have been received by the team from 30 different sources (crisis teams, social media, partner organisations, etc) with an estimated 1500 hours of counselling delivered. Several members of the audience were quick to voice their experiences of referring to Pathway Counselling and their positive experiences of rapid support being provided to their clients.

People in Wales are worried about running out of money in retirement

FEAR of running out of money in retirement is rising among those in Wales with more than half (55%) concerned their savings will not last them through retirement, new research from Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) shows (please see the attached press release).

In general, women are more worried about running out of money compared to men. More than half (54%) of women surveyed are concerned about how long their money will last

in retirement, compared to only 44% of men.

Around 46% of men who are not worried about running out of money in retirement say it is because they have a final salary pension scheme –compared to just 38% of women who have this.

The study by Investec Wealth & Investment (UK), part of Rathbones Group, among people with stock market investments including pensions, paints a bleak picture – around 55% of those living in Wales are concerned they do not have enough money for

retirement. This is similar to the UK average of 56%.

Women are more worried than men that they do not have enough money for retirement. Almost two thirds (61%) of women surveyed are concerned, with 18% of these very concerned they do not have enough money for retirement.

This compares to just over half (53%) of men surveyed, with 14% of these very concerned they do not have enough money for retirement.

The Investec Wealth & Investment (UK) study

shows that those living in Wales who have yet to retire are realistic about

what

MP Crabb welcomes Hook CP School to Parliament

PRESELI

Pembrokeshire

MP, Stephen Crabb welcomed a group of schoolchildren aged 7-11 from Hook CP School to Parliament on last week (Mar 14) for a lively Q&A session following their tour of Parliament.

The group of schoolchildren, accompanied by Headmaster Mr Alan Davies, and two other members of staff took the long journey from Hook to London for a Tour of Parliament and a workshop facilitated by the Education Centre. MP Crabb met the group of 34 at the UK Parliament Education Centre where the children had been

learning all about the functions of Parliament and were very engaged in a mock debate on whether or not homework should be banned.

The children were encouraged to stand up and offer their arguments for and against the topic, with one pupil playing the role of the Speaker controlling the debate.

The scholchildren were then given the opportunity to ask Mr Crabb about his role in Parliament, including his job of raising local issues affecting people in Pembrokeshire, attending debates on

topical subjects and voting on new laws. Being local through and through, the children were particularly interested to hear about his journey from Fenton CP School in Haverfordwest to becoming an MP for his local area.

The Education Centre, located just outside the Parliamentary Estate in Westminster offers a wide variety of workshop, tour and interactive learning opportunities for schools and colleges as well as community and youth groups, and those in 16+ education. Schools from across the United Kingdom are invited to apply for an educational package online with

travel subsidies offered to those travelling from outside London. Subject to eligibility requirements, educational providers can receive up to 75% of receipted travel costs up to the value of £2,000.

Following the Q&A session, Stephen Crabb MP commented: “It was wonderful to see so many young schoolchildren engaged and keen to learn more about the history of Parliament and the important role of MPs in our democracy. I particularly enjoyed listening to the mock debate on homework – the speaker did an excellent job controlling the debate, shouting ‘order, order’ on several occasions!”

Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton

ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.

“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and

check for fire spread.

“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in

attendance.”

The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid

MIKE EDWARDS

MY UNCLE Idwal played rugby.

He was a man mountain in his prime. By the time he died, he’d subsided into a hillock.

In his pomp, he towered over the opposition.

Other players had a combination of muscles and carefully choreographed flab.

Idwal was like a large bag of spanners.

He had muscles in places where other players didn’t even have places.

As behemoths go, Idwal put the lie to the old saw about being a gentle giant. If there was grievous bodily rugby to inflict upon a victim, Idwal was first on the scene.

A fly-half gave him a funny look once.

I can still remember the poor sod’s crumpled and bloody remains being carried off the pitch on a St John’s Ambulance stretcherand in a carrier bag.

Time changes things.

I remember Uncle Idwal seeming so much taller and larger than his contemporaries. He’d grown up in Llangwm, so I’d always supposed a diet of human flesh and the blood of unwary travellers caused his massive size.

Thinking about it, Idwal was probably around six feet two inches and weighed about fifteen stones at his fighting weight.

Nowadays, he’d be small for a wing threequarter.

The idea he could still play as a blind-side flanker is for the birds.

I watched the Welsh game against Italy before watching the other two weekend games. I couldn’t help but wonder about the size of the players and the ferocity of their collisions.

Some of the televised pileups made me want to visit A&E for

treatment.

Even Idwal might have paused for thought at some of the hits. Or at least put in a gumshield.

Pitchside microphones mean the smash of flesh on flesh and muscle on bone is always there to fill in the brief seconds when the crowds aren’t baying for blood or points, preferably both.

Idwal never shied away from physical confrontation or pain. With horror and admiration, my late dad told me of seeing Idwal stand up from the bottom of the ruck with his thumb dangling at an odd angle.

With a grim smile, Idwal popped the offending joint back into place.

The noise of gristle and bone popping made the opposition scrumhalf vomit over the ref.

Of such simple pleasures are treasured memories made.

In the end, Idwal’s wife, Bessie, made him retire. He must’ve been in his forties by then.

She decided that the Club Secretary’s insistence that a badly concussed Idwal could drive himself to A&E fifteen miles away suggested his welfare was at risk in the service of those who couldn’t give a stuff.

The fact the silly bugger drove to A&E and spent the next fortyeight hours unconscious clinched it for her.

I am happy to relate that Idwal lived a full and happy life until the years finally caught up with him.

He always watched rugby on TV, but after that last game, he never went near the rugby club again.

Bessie was too worried he’d flatten that bloody secretary.

And once, while we watched Wales beat France, Idwal told me Bessie was right.

and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Ascona proudly sponsors Child of Wales Awards 2024

ASCONA GROUP says it is delighted to announce a new sponsorship partnership with the 2024 Child of Wales Awards.

The Child of Wales Awards celebrate the inspirational achievements of remarkable young people across Wales. They cover every corner of the country in a wide range of categories that span outstanding personal courage, bravery, sporting and creative achievements, and also recognise the children who help others, champion causes in their communities, protect the environment, care for others or raise funds to help other good causes.

As part of the new partnership, Ascona will sponsor two awards at this year’s event on 27th September: the Bravery

Award and the Courageous Family Award. The Bravery Award recognizes young heroes who have shown exceptional fortitude and determination in the face of adversity, while the Courageous Family Award honours the strength and spirit of families who have overcome significant challenges together over the last year.

The Child of Wales Awards 2024 will be hosted at the Swansea Arena on Friday, 27th September 2024. The event promises to be an evening of inspiration and celebration, bringing together an amazing cross-section of society to honour the young individuals and families who have shown exceptional bravery and courage.

For more information

about the Child of Wales Awards, please visit: https://www.nationalchildrenofwalesawards. org/

Darren Briggs, founder and CEO of Ascona Group, commented: “Since we launched Ascona in 2011, supporting our communities has been at the heart of everything we do, so I am very proud that we are able to support the Child of Wales awards in 2024 and invest in the future of our nation – our children.

“We are so inspired by the stories of these young individuals and their families, who have shown such remarkable bravery and courage in the face of real adversity. It is an honour to support the Child of Wales awards as they shine a light on the incredible journeys of some of

the UK’s bravest young people and their families, and to be able to celebrate their achievements in front of the entire nation.”

Blanche Sainsbury, founder of Child of Britain, said: “We are thrilled to have Darren and the entire Ascona sponsor some of our awards this year. The Bravery and Courageous Family awards are two ways in which we can highlight some amazing people this year. Their support not only contributes to the success of the event but also helps us to further our mission in recognising the extraordinary courage displayed by children and their families across the UK.

“These awards wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of businesses like Ascona, who share

our passion of shining a light on these remarkable young people so we

are so grateful for their involvement.”

Bluestone announces exclusive prize for winners of the Child of Wales Awards

AS ANTICIPATION builds for the upcoming Child of Wales Awards 2024, to be held at Swansea Arena on September 27, 2024, Bluestone National Park Resorts, the sponsor of the event’s Environmental Champion Award, has unveiled an extraordinary gesture to further elevate the event’s significance.

In a move aimed at celebrating the outstanding achievements of the children and young people nominated, Bluestone National Park Resorts has generously offered all winners from the awards’ 11 categories an unforgettable holiday experience for them and their families at their prestigious resort.

The Child of Wales Awards – an event dedicated to honouring the remarkable accomplishments of young individuals across Wales – is set to recognise extraordinary achievements in various categories, including bravery, community leadership, environmental stewardship, and more. Bluestone National Park Resorts’ commit-

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ment to supporting environmental conservation aligns perfectly with the spirit of the awards, making them an ideal partner for the Environmental Champion Award.

The announcement of Bluestone National Park Resorts’ generous prize

offering adds a new level of excitement to the Child of Wales Awards 2024 and is expected to further inspire nominations from communities across Wales. Nominations for the awards are currently open, and individuals are encouraged to nominate deserving young individuals who have made a positive impact in their communities.

Bluestone National Park Resorts, known for its breathtaking scenery, family-friendly accommodations, and commitment to environmental sustainability, will provide the perfect backdrop for winners and their families to relax, unwind, and create lasting memories together. With a wide range of activities and amenities, including nature trails,

adventure parks, and wellness facilities, Bluestone promises an unforgettable experience for all.

Rebecca Rigby, Director of Operations at Bluestone National Park Resorts, said: “This partnership with the Child of Wales Awards aligns closely with our values at Bluestone National Park Resorts. We are

honoured to support the incredible young individuals being recognised at the awards and offer them and their families an opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved break at our resort as part of their prize. We look forward to welcoming the winners and creating unforgettable memories for them.”

Blanche Sainsbury, Founder of the Child of Wales Awards, said: “We are thrilled to partner, once again, with Bluestone National Park Resorts for the Child of Wales Awards 2024. Their generosity in offering all winners and their families a holiday at their renowned resort is truly exceptional. This gesture not only adds an extra layer of excitement to the awards but also serves as a testament to Bluestone’s dedication to celebrating and supporting the achievements of young individuals.”

For more information about the Child of Wales Awards 2024 and to submit nominations, please visit https://www. nationalchildrenofwalesawards.org/nominatenow/

Friday

MP visits local optician to discuss enhanced eye care and NHS support

ON SATURDAY,

March 16, local MP Stephen Crabb visited Specsavers on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, to discuss the optician’s important role in providing enhanced eye care and alleviating the NHS’s burdens. This visit highlighted the considerable contributions of community health services to the broader healthcare system.

Specsavers in Haverfordwest has been serving the community for over 30 years and has become a beacon of development in eye care services, introducing state-ofthe-art equipment and fostering professional growth among its staff. The store, which was bustling with

activity during Crabb’s visit, also houses a thriving hearing centre, further demonstrating its commitment to comprehensive health and wellness.

The main purpose of the visit was to gain insights into how the optician’s office is addressing the challenges posed

by conditions that significantly contribute to the NHS’s workload, such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. “Hearing from constituents about their concerns over waiting lists for essential treatments has been distressing. Seeing first-hand how these conditions are managed

locally has been incredibly enlightening,” said Crabb.

During his visit, Crabb was particularly impressed by the evolution of Specsavers, not only as a business but as an indispensable part of the local healthcare infrastructure. The optician’s efforts in delivering essential eye care services

have earned national recognition, showcasing the impact of their work well beyond the confines of Haverfordwest.

A key highlight of Crabb’s visit was the dedication shown by Andy Britton and his team in meeting vital community needs. “I am grateful to Andy Britton for sharing the impactful work being

done here. It’s evident that Specsavers in Haverfordwest is playing a pivotal role not just in eye care, but in supporting our healthcare system at large,” Crabb concluded.

This visit served to not only commend the significant efforts of local opticians like Specsavers in supporting the NHS but also to emphasise the crucial role of community-based health services in tackling prevalent health issues. As the demand for healthcare services continues to escalate, the contribution of establishments like Specsavers in Haverfordwest becomes ever more vital in delivering timely and effective care.

New strategy for maternity and early years services in west Wales

PEMBROKESHIRE, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion local authorities along with Hywel Dda University Health Board, in conjunction with third sector partners, have launched the Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2022-26 showing their commitment of putting children at the centre of excellent integrated services.

Launched on St David’s Day, 1 March 2024, the strategy aims to establish integrated maternity and early years services for every child, through close collaboration between local authorities, third sector partners, and health professionals. Integrating services and identifying needs early are at the centre of the approach to improve outcomes and experiences for children and their families.

Delegates to the launch of the Maternity and Early Years Strategy 2022-26 heard from inspirational speakers who presented their cases for transforming maternity and early years services to provide seamless and timely support to families

across the region.

University of Oxford’s Dr. Iram Siraj OBE emphasised the significance of early childhood development and the requirement for integrated services; underlying the significance of multiagency collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and early identification of children who are at-risk. She also talked about the financial difficulties families face in accessing affordable childcare.

With an emphasis on the First 1000 Days programme in Wales, Amy McNaughton, Public Health Consultant for the First 1000 Days Programme, stressed the importance of a public health strategy for assisting parents.

Director of the Centre for Early Child Development, Claire Law, highlighted the value of a place-based approach for improving outcomes for children and their families.

The launch event was also an opportunity to display how families and professionals across the regional had benefitted from a place based integrated model of delivering maternity and

early years services. The guest speakers’ research on early childhood development, poverty’s impact, and inclusive policy development aligns with the Maternity and Early Years Strategy’s priorities. This launch

marks the beginning of a very exciting journey for both professionals and families living across the region which will positively impact on the outcomes of our future generations.

Read the Maternity & Early Years Strategy for West Wales for further

information. Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services for Carmarthenshire Council, Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “It is an honour to witness the launch of a strategy that will provide essential support and opportunities

to those in need. The conference was filled with remarkable individuals who serve as inspiration for our continued efforts. Together, we are creating a community where every family and child can succeed.”

Castle Ward residents’ meeting sparks community engagement

IN A COMMUNITY gathering at HaverHub, Haverfordwest, Councillor Thomas Baden Tudor, representing the Castle Ward on Pembrokeshire County Council, along with Town Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner of the Haverfordwest Town Council, successfully hosted a meeting for Castle Ward residents on the evening of March 14.

The session proved to be an effective forum, attracting a broad spectrum of attendees, including those outside the Castle Ward, eager to discuss local issues and concerns.

The meeting was marked by the participation of esteemed representatives from the triad of emergency services, who provided crucial updates on the latest initiatives and operations. .

a pivotal role in the discussions.

Notably, Inspector Dan Morris from Dyfed-Powys Police, alongside colleagues from Haverfordwest, Fishguard, and St Davids divisions, played

The fire service was ably represented by Mr. Chris Lawrence from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, while the medical and emergency response perspective

was enriched by Matthew Jones from the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, further supported by the presence of Police and Community Support Officers Jodie and Alex. Their insights and readiness to engage

with the community were warmly received and highlighted the collaborative spirit between the services and the local government representatives.

The event’s organisation was seamlessly managed

by Vanessa Lewis Camacho, the Town Clerk, whose efforts were instrumental in the smooth conduct of the evening.

The occasion was further dignified by the attendance of Mayor Jill Owens and Town Councillor Peter Lewis, underscoring the significance of the meeting in the civic calendar.

The Castle Ward Residents meeting at HaverHub underscores the vibrant community spirit and the commitment of local representatives and services to address and respond to the concerns and suggestions of the residents.

The success of the event was a testament to the collective endeavour of all involved, fostering a deeper sense of community and collaborative governance in Haverfordwest.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Young Ambassadors training to be leaders of the future

FIFTY Young Ambassadors from six Secondary Schools recently attended Sport Pembrokeshire Young Ambassador training and two successful local athletes were on hand to provide inspiration for the future.

Young Ambassadors is a youth leadership movement aimed at developing future leaders through sport, physical activity and play.

Young Ambassadors will use their role to inspire, influence, lead, and mentor within and across education and communities, to connect and support society to be healthy and active.

Pupils had the opportunity to take part in three workshops hosted at Haverfordwest High VC School –first aid, inclusion awareness and action planning.

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The group was joined by Jordan Hart, professional badminton player who delivered an inspiring motivational talk on leadership, and Bleddyn Gibbs, multi Gold Medal winning Special Olympic power lifter.

Young Ambassadors are valued members of the volunteer workforce and are currently involved in supporting events and festivals, and extra-curricular provision within their schools, primary schools and community settings.

This includes supporting Sport Pembrokeshire’s free multisport sessions in Pembroke, Haverfordwest, Milford and Fishguard.

Rominy Colville, Active Young People Co-ordinator, said:

“The importance of the Young Ambassador programme to empower and inspire young people to become leaders through sport cannot be over-stated.

“They will have the power to help encourage peers to become hooked on sport, hopefully for life, with all the benefits to health and well-being that brings.

“Thank you to our sponsor Valero for supporting these amazing young people on their sport leadership pathway.”

Any pupils or schools interested in finding out more about the Young Ambassador programme should contact Rominy.colville@ pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Sporting splendour across West Wales

AS the warmer months beckon, West Wales prepares to play host to an array of sporting events that promise both the thrill of competition.

Spearheading the season is Activity Wales Events, renowned for organising some of the most picturesque and challenging athletic contests in the UK and beyond.

The season kicks off with the much-anticipated Mumbles Duathlon in Swansea.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Gower Peninsula, this event offers flat and scenic routes that cater to both seasoned athletes and those new to the sporting world. The event sets the tone for a summer filled with physical challenges and natural beauty.

The sporting calendar is brimming with opportunities for enthusiasts of all levels.

On 11th ay, the Mumbles Triathlon invites participants to

the sheltered waters of Mumbles Bay, followed by a bike route through the Gower Peninsula, culminating in a flat, scenic run. This event boasts two distances, catering to both sprinters and those ready for a middle-distance challenge, ensuring a fulfilling experience for all competitors.

Adding to the aquatic excitement, the Swansea

Swim on 25th May offers swimmers of various abilities the chance to navigate the safe and sheltered waters of the Prince of Wales Dock.

This event serves as a perfect precursor to the Swansea Triathlon on 26th May, which has quickly become a mustattend for triathletes seeking a sprint distance challenge in an iconic setting. Complementing

the day’s activities, the Swansea 5k offers a fast, flat course along the picturesque bay, open to a wide age range of participants.

June heralds the Challenge Wales and Fishguard Triathlon on the 9th, showcasing Pembrokeshire’s unparalleled coastal beauty. These events are celebrated for their unique courses and

welcoming atmosphere, appealing to a broad spectrum of the athletic community.

The crown jewel of Wales’ summer sporting events is undoubtedly the Long Course Weekend Wales, from 21st to 23rd June.

This festival of sport is unparalleled in Europe, drawing thousands of athletes and spectators from around the globe to

the west coast of Wales. Competitors can mix and match swimming, cycling, and running distances across three days, or brave the full long course for the coveted fourth medal.

The summer’s offerings continue with the Wales Swimrun on 13th July and the Saundersfoot Triathlon on 20th September, each presenting unique challenges and stunning settings that embody the spirit of Welsh sporting events.

Established in 2010, Activity Wales Events has carved a niche in delivering awardwinning sporting events that not only challenge participants but also showcase the natural beauty of Wales and other locations worldwide. This summer’s lineup reaffirms their commitment to offering diverse and scenic sporting adventures, cementing Wales’ status as a premier destination for athletes from across the globe.

Tragic loss of pony spurs campaign for safer roads in west Wales

A WEST WALES

woman has embarked on a mission to ensure such a tragedy never recurs. Laura Grant, 58, faced an unthinkable ordeal last spring when her Welsh Mountain Section A pony, Katie, was fatally injured on a Carmarthenshire road, leading to a wider call for road safety reforms.

The incident unfolded as Grant, accompanied by a 15-year-old family friend, was enjoying a serene carriage drive with Katie and Billy, a Welsh cob. The tranquillity of their outing was shattered when an impatient van driver’s actions spooked Katie, causing her to bolt into a cattle grid despite her 700 miles of road experience. The

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tragedy of the situation is compounded by the fact that Katie, a rescue pony lovingly nurtured by Grant for four years, could not be saved.

Grant, devastated by the loss, reflected on the moment, wishing the outcome could have been different. “How I wish I managed to stop her or pulled her into the wall, but it happened so quickly,” she lamented. The incident has not only left a void in her heart but has also paused her passion for carriage driving.

In the wake of this loss, Grant is channeling her grief into advocacy, organising

a “Pass Wide and Slow” ride in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, to honour Katie’s memory and promote awareness about safe driving near horses. The event, scheduled for September 14, underscores the urgent need for change.

Furthering her campaign, Grant has initiated a petition for “Katie’s Law” on change. org. This proposed legislation calls for the Highway Code’s advice — to pass horses at no more than 10 mph and maintain a two-metre distance — to be legally binding. The necessity of such measures is underscored by British Horse Society data, revealing 100 trafficrelated equine incidents

in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion in 2023 alone.

Grant’s advocacy extends to urging the Carmarthenshire County Council for greater consideration of equestrian needs, advocating for the restoration and shared use of old riding routes now converted into cycle paths. “Give us back all our old riding routes… We need equestrian access plans for Carmarthenshire, Wales, or better still, the whole UK,” she implores, aiming to prevent further tragedies.

Katie’s legacy, marked by a gold rosette from the British Driving Society for her carriage-driving achievements, continues

to inspire a movement towards safer, more inclusive roads. As the community mourns a “pocket rocket” who brought joy to many,

the call for action echoes loud, driven by a hope that Katie’s loss will pave the way for meaningful change.

School’s plea to irresponsible dog owners to pick up mess

‘PICK up the poo’ dog owners around Gelliswick School are being urged, as issues in the area are targeted.

Pupils and their families have regularly faced the on-going problem of dog fouling around the school, causing not just mess but also significant health risks.

Local County Councillor Viv Stoddart has been working with the school and Council environmental officers on ways to mitigate the problem, including tasking Enviro-Crime teams to focus on the area.

“Gelliswick School is keen to tackle dog fouling around the school so I asked for a focus from the Enviro-Crime team. We also have an extremely dedicated maintenance staff member who walks and cleans the paths and Gelliswick road in all weathers every weekday morning, who we sincerely thank, as well as undertaking regular cleaning of the paths, which are well used by pupils and their families.

“We are pleased there has been some improvement but it is disappointing that there are still some dog owners refusing to be responsible and continuing to spoil the area for other residents.”

Warren Hodgeson, of WISE, said that there has been an enforcement officer patrolling near the school at peak times two days a week since January, resulting in three Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) being issued for dog fouling in the area.

There have also been 16 FPNs issued in the wider Gelliswick area for littering offences this year.

“There’s still some dog mess on the streets

and it’s very likely the same dog owners who are responsible. We are still allocating resources to the area to ensure positive change is still happening,” added Mr Hodgeson.

Headteacher Nick Dyer said: “The children are very concerned about this issue, and the School Council have raised it with the Governing body. Every pavement, footpath and grass verge around the school has been a potential hazard.

“Our learners know that dog poo in the wrong places can bring disease, and they know that this means they are not as safe as they should be.

“But the children give a big thank you to all the responsible dog owners, and the school is also very grateful that so many at the

Council are taking this so seriously. We just need the remaining few dog owners to take it just as seriously.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “Dog mess is unfortunately still an issue in Pembrokeshire, as it is across the UK, and we are keen to ensure there is a pro-active focus on tackling what is quite frankly a disgusting blight on many of our streets.

“As an Authority we urge people to respect our environment and community.

“Pembrokeshire County Council is tackling dog fouling as part of our Enviro-Crime work and there are WISE officers out daily to monitor this issue as well as other littering offences with the potential for FPNs to be issue.”

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Local talent shines as girls selected for prestigious football trials

THE RISING STARS football coaching academy has announced a momentous opportunity for its players.

Following an impressive season, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has bestowed the honour upon Rising Stars to select six talented girls for trials at the South Wales Girls Academy. This recognition underscores the exceptional work being undertaken at the academy, particularly in

nurturing female talent in the sport.

The selected players hail from three different age groups: under 10, under 12, and under 14, reflecting the academy’s commitment to developing young talent across the board.

For the under 10s, Ava Salter and Lillie-Ella Jones have been chosen; the under 12s will see Catrin Frank and Lilly Marshallsay stepping up, and for the under 14s, Seren Kirk and Heather Candler will represent Pembrokeshire’s bright

future in football.

Mikey, the head coach at Rising Stars, expressed profound pride in this achievement, stating, “This is a proud moment for myself and the Rising Stars team to be able to put these girls into the spotlight and reward fantastic training and match day performances.” He further emphasised the primary goal of the academy to provide Pembrokeshire’s female footballers with more opportunities to progress and develop their skills.

The selection process was notably challenging due to the high calibre of talent within the academy, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport and the abundance of potential within the region. This opportunity is expected to inspire not only the selected players but also their peers, motivating them to strive for their chance in the future.

Acknowledgement was also given to the girls’ coaches and everyone involved in their development, with Mikey

Conservative Group stall Council’s plan to

THE WELSH Conservative Group on Pembrokeshire County Council, led by Councillor Di Clements today had a “Call-In” accepted, halting the administration’s plans to erect a new, social media inspired bridge in Haverfordwest’s town centre, rather than maintain the current footbridge.

The project, which has an approved budget of £6.2 million has faced immense public backlash in recent months.

In a letter to the administration, the Welsh Conservative group exercised its constitutional right to ask for the decision to award the contract to be scrutinised further saying that “given its sizeable cost estimation and the high

public interest in the matter, the Welsh Conservative group believe that this decision deserves full and proper scrutiny at committee level.”

They added “In the Cabinet meeting on March 11, the Leader, Cllr Simpson said that “It would cost us more not to do this scheme, than it would to do it,” however, we are not aware of any figures, quotes or reports in the public realm of how much it would cost to simply maintain the current bridge and this statement should be further tested by members to ensure it is an accurate one.”

“Additionally, following a significant utilisation

in reserves and a lower than expected council tax agreed by council on March 7, there appears to have been no discussion as to whether the use of council funds remain affordable and members of the group are concerned that budget savings throughout the 2024-25 financial year may not be met – based on previous budget out-runs from the cabinet – and that this assurance should be given and explored in the Call-In meeting.”

Commenting on the decision, Cllr Aled Thomas, the Conservative Group Spokesman for Finance said: “It is deeply concerning that this administration is hell-bent on pursuing this vanity project, all while cutting services and raising taxes for Pembrokeshire’s

adding, “You’ve all done a fantastic job, and I’m sure these girls have taken something from every coach that’s ever helped them in their footballing journey.”

The trials, set to take place throughout April, offer the girls an unparalleled chance to showcase their abilities alongside the best in South Wales.

Regardless of the outcome, this experience is hailed as a significant milestone in their footballing careers, promising to imbue them

with valuable insights and exposure.

As the community rallies behind Ava, LillieElla, Catrin, Lilly, Seren, and Heather, their journey underscores the importance of hard work, dedication, and the invaluable support of coaches and families in reaching for the stars.

Rising Stars Football Coaching remains a beacon of progress and development in the realm of girls’ football in Pembrokeshire, setting a high bar for aspiring footballers.

build ‘Instagrammable bridge’

residents.”

He added: “In the tough financial times we are facing, the council should ensure that every penny spent is on essential services, not pet projects like this.”

The construction of the bridge is being funded by the

Conservative Westminster Government’s “levelling up fund”.

When the funding was announced local Conservative MP Stephen Crabb announced his delight at the funding bid’s success.

The bridge’s cost does

not come from the fund for service provision, and is ring-fenced only to be spent on the new bridge.

An extraordinary meeting of the services committee is expected to be held within 10 working days to discuss the matter further.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Pop-Up museum launching in Haverfordwest on March 25

HAVERFORDWEST

TOWN MUSEUM said this week they are excited to announce the opening date for a new pop-up museum and exhibition space, funded by UK government’s Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Levelling Up agenda.

The pop-up museum opens its doors on March 25 in Riverside Shopping Centre, Haverfordwest,

just in time for the Easter break!

The museum temporally closed in 2023 in preparation for construction works at Haverfordwest Castle, to make way for the creation of a new flagship heritage attraction on the site.

While the museum eagerly awaits its new home, curator Simon Hancock and the museum’s volunteers

are delighted with the new pop-up museum, located in the old GAME store within the Riverside Shopping Centre on the Eastern bank of the River Cleddau. The pop up is likely to stay there until 2027 when it will move back into a refurbished home at Haverfordwest Castle as part of the new attraction.

The pop-up museum will be open six days a week, Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm and open all year round including bank holidays (except Christmas and New Year).

The museum holds a wealth of hidden gems, revealing fascinating and little-known stories from Haverfordwest’s past. Haverfordwest is a historic market town and Pembrokeshire’s administrative hub, with heritage assets such as the castle and multiple stories that reveal its Norman origins, its mediaeval history and more recently

its role as a primary trading port, once rivalling Bristol. A number of notable people either came from or lived in Haverfordwest, for example Gwen John (1876-1939). You can find out more about their stories by visiting and talking to one of the knowledgeable museum volunteers.

When you visit, expect to discover more on Haverfordwest’s interesting archaeology, including the recent exciting archaeological discovery of the Dominican Friary of St Saviours on the former Ocky White’s store site. There is a fascinating array of objects made in Haverfordwest during Victorian times and a case of locally-found treasures dating from medieval times.

The exhibition space will change regularly and includes digital and interactive displays as well as more traditional displays on a variety of themes including Haverfordwest Port,

Castle and the Llewelyn Churn Works. There will also be a variety of paintings including some by artist David Lindley and a display on famous people of Haverfordwest – covering the wide variety including artists, musicians, explorers and athletes.

An exciting addition is the new museum shop selling a range of Haverfordwest-themed products including biscuits, chocolates, fudge, tote bags, water bottles and lollipops.

Tim Evans, chair of trustees for Haverfordwest Town Museum told The Herald: “We are very excited about this new chapter in the museum’s life. It’s such a great opportunity for us, moving to a location where we will see a much larger footfall. We’re really hoping to engage and involve a whole new generation in the history of our special town.”

The museum is still

on the lookout for new volunteers and wants to welcome a diverse range of people to get involved –you don’t need to have any previous knowledge of the town’s history to become a volunteer. Training will be provided and there is a wide variety of roles available.

If you are interested in finding out more or getting involved in any aspect of the pop-up museum please email the museum’s curator Simon Hancock at simon615@ btinternet.com

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is supporting this project, was set up to provide funding for communities across the UK in order to breathe new life and grow the economy in regions of the country which need additional help. Haverfordwest is currently the focus of a number of projects supported by this funding, aiming to boost the economic regeneration of the town.

Wales’ winter of woe: Daily deaths due to cold homes

A RECENT shocking report by Greenpeace UK has unveiled a grim statistic: three lives are lost daily in Wales to the bitter cold of inadequately insulated homes. This harrowing figure

comes in the wake of the Conservative government’s drastic reductions in home insulation funding, a decision made in 2013 that has since cast a long shadow over the nation’s public health and energy efficiency.

The report, which scrutinizes official data, points to an alarming toll of over 4,000 excess winter deaths in the last decade attributed to cold, damp living conditions. This spike in mortality coincides with former Prime Minister David Cameron’s contentious move to “cut the green crap,” effectively gutting subsidies for loft and wall insulation. The aftermath was immediate and severe, with governmentbacked installations plummeting from 2.3 million in 2012 to a mere 300,000 in 2013 across the UK, marking a nearly 90% decrease.

Despite the clear and present danger of cold homes, successive Conservative administrations have yet to adequately address the funding shortfall for energy efficiency measures. Last year’s figures are particularly damning, with only

notorious for its lack of energy efficiency, stands as the least effective in Western Europe, exacerbating the plight of low-income families and contributing significantly to fuel poverty. Current estimates suggest 3.17 million UK households are ensnared in this predicament, with poorly insulated homes also imposing a staggering £850 million yearly burden on the NHS in England alone.

The environmental implications are equally dire, with residential housing accounting for approximately 14% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions. A comprehensive national retrofit insulation scheme emerges as a crucial strategy in the battle against the climate crisis and the quest to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

160,000 installations taking place, a far cry from the needed numbers to combat this silent crisis.

In a dramatic display of protest and remembrance, Greenpeace activists transformed Victoria Tower Gardens, adjacent to the Houses of Parliament, into a symbolic cemetery. Hundreds of headstones, crafted from insulation boards, bore the names of the 70,463 individuals who have succumbed to cold-related deaths since 2013. Accompanying this poignant memorial was an eight-meter-long funeral wreath, starkly declaring, “Cold Homes Cost Lives.”

Paul Morozzo, a leading voice in Greenpeace UK’s campaign against fuel poverty, condemned the government’s inertia, highlighting the dire consequences of failing to upgrade the nation’s cold, damp, and draughty housing stock. The call to action is clear: an annual investment of at least £6 billion is imperative to end this national disgrace and stem the tide of avoidable deaths.

The UK’s housing,

The protest also saw participation from representatives of Fuel Poverty Action, echoing the urgent need for government intervention to lower energy bills and combat fuel poverty through significant funding for home insulation.

In a twist of political irony, the Labour Party, once vocal in its commitment to investing the £6 billion annually advocated by Greenpeace, has recently dialed back its insulation funding promises by over 70%. Greenpeace now demands a reinstatement of these commitments in Labour’s forthcoming election manifesto, underscoring the critical role of political will in addressing this multifaceted crisis.

As the insulation boards from today’s protest find a second life in retrofitting an uninsulated home, the message is clear: the cost of inaction is measured in human lives. The time for decisive action and comprehensive policy overhaul is now, lest the cold homes crisis continues to claim its silent victims.

Pembrokeshire mobilises for ‘the big river clean up’

THIS month, Pembrokeshire takes a significant step towards environmental stewardship with the launch of ‘The Big River Clean Up’, a pivotal initiative led by the West Wales Rivers Trust in collaboration with Spring Clean Cymru.

The campaign is set to host a series of litter-picking events across the county, aimed at revitalising local riversides and waterways.

The initiative is a call to arms for the community, inviting volunteers to partake in a concerted effort to rid the region’s rivers of litter and debris. The scheduled events are a testament to the collective resolve to preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of Pembrokeshire’s watercourses.

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Volunteers eager to contribute to the environmental cause can join the clean-up efforts at several key locations throughout Pembrokeshire on the following dates and times:

• On March 19th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, the focus will be on the Blackbridge, Castle Pill Waterfront, and Mackerel Quay in Milford Haven, offering a chance to make a substantial difference in the area’s scenic maritime surroundings.

• The following day, March 20th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, attention shifts to the Pembroke River Ferry Road and Pennar in Pembroke Dock,

where volunteers will gather to cleanse the waterside of unwanted litter, safeguarding the habitat for local wildlife.

• Wrapping up the series, March 26th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, will see clean-up activities at the Western Cleddau Bridge Meadow Lane and Sydney Rees Wy in Haverfordwest, a significant undertaking to enhance the environmental quality of this crucial waterway.

‘The Big River Clean Up’ represents a critical opportunity for residents and environmental enthusiasts to demonstrate their commitment to preserving Pembrokeshire’s natural heritage. The West Wales Rivers Trust,

along with Spring Clean Cymru, extends a warm invitation to all interested individuals to participate in these valuable litterpicking sessions. By joining forces, the community can make a

profound impact, ensuring the rivers and waterways of Pembrokeshire remain vibrant and healthy for generations to come. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their enthusiasm and a willingness to make a difference, as each event promises not just to clean up the environment but also to strengthen community bonds through shared purpose and action.

Camrose Community Council discusses pot holes and defibrillators

CAMROSE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

convened on Thursday, February 15, at the Camrose Community Centre. The assembly was chaired by Councillor J. Adam, with Vice Chairman Councillor N. Watts and other distinguished councillors in attendance, along with Clerk Trisha Richards.

The meeting opened with declarations of interest concerning various matters, highlighting the council’s dedication to transparency. Notably, Councillor N. Watts disclosed an interest in parking at Portfield Gate, while Councillor A. Rees discussed planning application 23/0772/PA.

A review of the minutes from the previous meeting on 18th January 2024 confirmed unanimous agreement on their accuracy, further cementing the council’s diligent record-keeping.

Key issues discussed included the ongoing quest for additional defibrillators, despite a setback from the British Heart Foundation, and

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the persistent problem of potholes, particularly in Wolfsdale. The council also touched upon parking improvements at Portfield Gate and financial contributions from Welsh Water for a defibrillator in the same area.

Moreover, an oversight by Pembrokeshire County Council in road maintenance at Keeston sparked conversation, with corrective actions yet to be finalized.

In matters of land and planning, the council expressed concerns over a disputed change of ownership, engaging with the Land Registry and planning further discussions to resolve the issue. Planning matters saw support for various development projects, including new dwellings and home improvements within the community, showcasing the council’s support for local growth and infrastructure development.

Financial discussions revealed the council’s stable monetary standing, with proposals to add a new signatory to the Barclays accounts, enhancing administrative efficiency.

A poignant report from the county councillor shed

light on Pembrokeshire County Council’s financial challenges, including a potential 16.3% tax increase, sparking debate among members. Additionally, a sinkhole in Wolfsdale was reported,

underlining the ongoing challenges in maintaining local infrastructure.

The meeting concluded after two hours of thorough discussions, with the next session scheduled for 21st March

2024. The council’s dedication to addressing community concerns and fostering development was palpable, reflecting their commitment to the well-being and progress of Camrose.

County Show gala raises over £5,000 for charitable causes

THE ANNUAL President’s Lunch unfolded in grand style on Sunday (Mar 17), raising over £5,000 for several cherished charities. The event, marked by the presence of Welsh rugby legend Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies, captivated guests with engaging anecdotes from his illustrious career in sports.

Mr. Davies, who made a special journey to attend, was the guest of honour at this muchanticipated event. His compelling storytelling and warm engagement with the audience were the highlights of the afternoon, eliciting widespread appreciation and thanks from the attendees.

The gastronomic offerings, prepared by Cwm Gwaun Catering, were of exceptional quality, living up to the high expectations set by previous events. Guests were treated to a variety of delectable dishes, showcasing the

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culinary team’s expertise and commitment to excellence. In tandem, the Absolute Event Bars team ensured that the revelry was well-accompanied by a selection of fine beverages, maintaining a high spirit of conviviality throughout the occasion.

A pivotal element of the day’s agenda was the popular auction and raffle, which, along with generous donations from supporters, culminated in a substantial fund exceeding £5,000. The proceeds are earmarked for the President’s chosen charities: Tir Dewi, The DPJ Foundation, and RABI, all of which are dedicated to supporting communities within the agricultural sector.

The success of the event owes much to the relentless efforts of the President, Mr. Brian Jones, and the President’s Lady, Mrs. Helen Jones, alongside their team

of dedicated helpers. Their commitment to celebrating the essence of Pembrokeshire farming and its robust community spirit was evident in the meticulous planning and execution of the event.

The generosity and

enthusiasm of the bidders, supporters, and attendees were highlighted as key to achieving the fundraising goal, underscoring the community’s unwavering support for the invaluable work of the chosen charities.

The Pembrokeshire County Show’s President’s Lunch has once again proven to be a beacon of charitable giving and community cohesion, setting a commendable example of how collective efforts can yield significant

contributions to worthwhile causes.

Diolch was the resonating message of the day, echoing the profound appreciation for every contribution made towards the success of this remarkable event.

Stephen Seagull: Why Britain keeps crashing

AHOY there, me hearties of The Pembrokeshire Herald, Stephen Seagull squawking at ya from the rooftops!

I’ve been soaring over our digital landscapes, and blimey, it’s been a stormy season in the world of technology.

Let’s have a natter about why our digital chips are down and what’s ruffling our feathers in the IT world.

First off, our beloved shores have seen quite the turmoil with big names like Greggs, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s facing a squall. Greggs had a bit of a flap with supply chain ruckuses, not being able to dish out all their scrummy bites. Tesco and Sainsbury’s weren’t spared by the gusts either, battling IT snafus and supply chain squalls that left

shelves emptier than a beach in December.

And then, there’s Meta - aye, the big gull on the block - hitting a squall not once, but twice this month! Facebook, Instagram, and Threads all took a dive, leaving many a user squawking into the void. They chalked it up to technical hiccups, but on Super Tuesday, no less! Makes you ponder if there’s more to the story, with all the talk of cyber shenanigans in recent times

Speaking of cyber shenanigans, our Cyber Minister, Viscount Camrose, has been squawking loud from the rooftops, urging companies to buff up their cyber protections. With three-quarters of our medium to big nests (businesses, that is) having faced some cyber scuffle in the last year, it’s clear we’re

sailing choppy waters. The government’s been weaving stronger nets, like the Cyber Governance Code of Practice and Cyber Essentials scheme, to catch these digital pirates before they loot our ships

Now, why all these IT failings, you ask?

Well, it seems we’ve been building our

nests higher and wider without making sure they can weather the storm. From squawks of supply chain disruptions to cyberattacks and internal blunders, it’s a reminder that our digital world is as unpredictable as the Welsh weather.

So, what’s a seagull like me suggest? It’s time we strengthen

our nests, educate our fledglings on cyber threats, and ensure our ships are as sturdy as they are vast. Let’s not wait for the next storm to hit before we start patching up the holes.

In the end, me hearties, as we navigate through these digital seas, let’s keep our eyes on the horizon and our wings ready

to weather the storm. After all, it’s not the size of the waves but the motion of the ocean that counts. Stay savvy, stay secure, and let’s keep our digital shores safe!

Till next time, keep your chips covered, and watch out for those digital dive-bombers! Over and out, Stephen Seagull.

Badger and the Hole in One

THE TIME has come to start thinking about the future.

Let’s no longer dwell on the murky past.

There’s too much scandal there for delicate stomachs to handle.

We must forget the past.

We must forget the lies told by councillors and officers before 2017.

We must forget the IPG’s complicity in scandal after scandal after scandal.

Instead, we must think only about the here, the now, and the future.

Reading, understanding and context are for those of less intellectual steel than Milford North’s County Councillor, Alan Dennison.

We should look at Councillor Dennison’s iron will.

He finds it easy to be iron-willed.

His head is full of ball bearings, each finished to a high sheen, rubbing together frictionlessly in a soup of self-righteous self-importance.

This paper’s deputy editor cruelly suggested that a tin of pilchards would better serve the electors of Milford North in the corridors of power.

Badger is not so cruel, but he observes that a tin of pilchards probably contains more brain tissue than Cllr Dennison.

Cllr Dennison is an interesting character.

He stood for Reform in the Senedd election of 2021.

A year later, he stood successfully as an Independent candidate in the County Council election

A year later, he was attracted to the IPG, nominally led by Huw Murphy but still

under Jamie Adams’s control.

Since then, Cllr Dennison has risen to become Chair of the Constitutional Review Committee. His open-mindedness, fairness, attention to detail, and intellectual grasp have become legendary in that role and his other committee appointments.

Meanwhile, rather like an over-enthusiastic chimp in a zoo cage, he’s become notorious for incontinently flinging shit at others in the hope some of it sticks.

His latest online effort takes some beating.

Responding to a member of the public who disagreed with him online, Cllr Dennison impugned his fellow councillors and the Director of Resources’ integrity and insulted the member of the public. It’s hard to work out which is the more egregious slur. However, as the response referred directly to the County Council’s business in which Cllr Dennison participated, he can scarcely argue he was not acting in his role as a county councillor.

In a post and subsequent thread on the Herald’s Facebook page, he asked why The Pembrokeshire Herald had not covered the 12.5% Council Tax rise, the raiding of Council reserves and the budget vote.

We had over two pages. It was also on the front page.

The previous week.

He asked why we had not covered the call-in of the socalled “instagrammable bridge”.

We had.

It was the lead story on our website.

Interestingly, he

also laid into Cllr Mike Stoddart’s determination to peel back the layers of fraud and deceit surrounding his IPG chums’ handling of the Pembroke Dock grants scandal.

It was a waste of time, Alan Dennison adumbrated.

The Police and the CPS had already investigated the matter, he said. Seeking a barrister’s opinion on the investigation’s handling was pointless.

Oddly, similarly - if not almost identically - expressed opinions also appeared on the Western Telegraph website, along with a series of other posts attacking those who dared question those remarks or the bona fides of the poster.

Of course Alan Dennison cannot be responsible for the pseudonymous posts on the Western Telegraph website. It would be dreadful if he were too gutless to stand by his

opinions and responded as angrily on the Western Telegraph website as he did elsewhere.

Nay, readers!

Nay and thrice, nay!!

Badger will never have it said that Cllr Dennison is a cowardly blowhard with little regard for facts and a worldview extending little further than the 19th hole at Milford Haven Golf Course.

So, readers, let that be the end of such careless speculation.

Instead, let’s focus on other things going on in the County.

Scolton Manor, for instance.

Scolton Manor is a popular destination for locals and visitors. The grounds are magnificent, the house is a minor delight, and the museum and tea room are well worth an afternoon of anyone’s time.

Of course, it costs a fair bit to maintain. Car parking charges have

risen, and the Council has sought to diversify Scolton Manor’s income streams by hosting events, craft fairs, functions, and weddings.

Scolton Manor would be a lovely spot for a wedding. The house, grounds, and walled garden are lovely for a celebration or special occasion.

That type of diversification of income is something every councillor can agree with.

Even those who, for example:

Describe themselves as restauranteurs at Companies House or Are directors of premises with which Scolton Manor might compete, or They are members of clubs that also host weddings and functions.

Any diligent councillor who found themselves in such a position would - naturally - declare any such

interest whenever the Council or a Committee came to discuss Scolton Manor.

A failure to do so would be a breach of the Code of Conduct for County Councillors. And if a Councillor found himself in such a position and were - for example - a member of the IPG, they would be reminded of former Cllr Myles Pepper’s fate when he forgot to declare such an interest when an application for a potential rival premises was discussed.

Of course, Cllr Myles Pepper’s error was an innocent mistake and oversight. However, that did him no good before the Public Service Ombudsman.

It’s a cautionary tale, readers.

Badger is glad to say that it’s the sort of thing that could never happen nowadays.

Unless somebody wants to say Badger’s optimistic goodwill is misplaced and he has missed a crucial fact.

Badger would never want to miss an instance where a county councillor’s personal and business interests could arguably lead them to lobby (even indirectly) on those interests’ behalf and against the interests of the local authority and Council Taxpayers.

Any councillor who did that would rightly be held up for public humiliation.

It would feed the incorrect impression that the current County Councillors use their position to their advantage.

That might have gone on in the past.

But now, as Alan Dennison says, we must concentrate on the here, the now, and the future.

EASTER is right around the corner, which means two weeks of finding fun, family friendly activities to keep the children ‘hoppier’ than ever.

From seeking out the daffodil hotspots to enjoying egg hunts against the backdrop of medieval castles, the team at the Wales Coast Path are sharing seven free experiences which you can enjoy along the coast this Easter.

1. Hunt for eggs against the backdrop of a medieval castle

One thing about the Wales Coast Path is that — whether you are visiting to enjoy the picturesque sea views or spot some wonderful wildlife — you are almost always walking in the footsteps of Welsh history. And when it comes to an Easter visit — we think our coastal heritage sites make great settings for an Easter egg hunt (or two!)

The Wales Coast Path boasts coastal fortresses, abbeys and historic homes galore — with plenty of them being free to explore. So why not elevate your egg hunt game by planting chocolate treasures amongst the epic ruins of a site like Laugharne Castle, on the estuary of the River Tâf. Or better yet, check out the free Easter events on offer at Cadw’s range of coastal castles.

One thing we can guarantee is that it’s bound to boost your popularity with the kids!

2. Watch the wildlife spring to life

Spot the fresh-faced, bandy-legged lambs jumping in the fields; the fluffy ducklings taking their first swim; or listen to the dawn chorus as the birds look for mates — spring is the season that welcomes new life and Wales Coast Path has it in abundance. If you’re near

to Ceredigion then why not grab your binoculars and head on down to the RSPB reserve at Ynys-hir — if you’re lucky you may even spot the BBC filming Springwatch.

3. Inspire the next generation of artists

Wales has often been a great source of inspiration for artists, whether it’s drawing the beautiful and dramatic countryside, re-living the history of Welsh life, or sourcing natural materials for sculptures. That’s why we take pride in the many galleries and exhibitions that are dotted along the Wales Coast Path. Why not take the children along and see if they fancy themselves as a future painter or designer?

Tregwynt, a working woollen mill within minutes of the Wales Coast Path, offers a tour where you can hear the clacking of the looms and watch their signature Welsh tapestry fabrics bring woven.

Meanwhile, Oriel y Parc in St Davids showcases a range of different artists as part of its world-class gallery status. And the best part is — they’re all free to attend!

4. Spring clean our beaches

It’s not just our homes that need a good tidy this spring, you can also help our beaches sparkle — while protecting the health of our resident marine wildlife. Whether you want to join a pre-organised event such as the Amroth beach clean or create your own, removing waste is one way we can all support the environment. Why not follow one of our family walk itineraries to find your chosen beach.

For more fun things click here!

Difficulties accessing GP practices leaving older people suffering in pain

A SIGNIFICANT number of older people throughout Wales are facing difficulties when trying to access GP practices, leaving many individuals suffering in pain, living with deteriorating conditions and feeling worried and anxious.

That’s the key finding of a new report published today by the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Access to GP Practices in Wales: Older People’s Experiences, which is based on evidence shared by over 900 older people living throughout Wales.

The Commissioner’s report reveals that changes to the way that GP services in Wales are accessed, which have accelerated a great deal in recent years, and the changing relationships between patients and their practices often make it difficult for older people to find suitable appointments with an appropriate clinician.

Of particular concern is the fact that these kinds of

difficulties have resulted in some individuals withholding information about their health or symptoms with some clinicians, preferring to discuss certain matters only with their own doctor, something that presents a significant risk to people’s health.

Many older people also told the Commissioner that services often do not feel ‘joined-up’ and that communication between services can be poor, which has resulted in cases of patient information going missing, crucial prescriptions being delayed, and people being sent ‘from pillar to post’ when trying to resolve issues.

In addition to these issues, the Commissioner found that around two-thirds of older people who responded to her survey find it difficult make suitable appointments, or face issues when trying to contact or communicate with their GP practice, whether by telephone or online. Other issues highlighted included accessing services and

information in a language of choice – a particular barrier for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic older people – and getting to surgeries via public transport.

“The large number of responses to my survey demonstrates that these kinds of issues are affecting the lives of many older people throughout Wales, and I would like to thank everyone who got in touch for making their voices heard and providing so much evidence to support my calls for action.

Discussing the findings of her report, Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Heléna Herklots CBE, said: “As we get older, accessing GP and other health services often becomes a more prominent part of our lives and these play a crucial role in supporting many older people to stay healthy, independent and safe.

“Older people often share concerns about the difficulties they experience when accessing GP practices with me and my team at

engagement events, as well as through my Advice and Assistance service, and I wanted to examine these issues in more detail to ensure older people are not prevented from accessing a crucial part of the health service.

“My report shows that alongside long-standing issues that will be familiar to us all – such as difficulties making appointments or getting through to practices on the phone –the changing nature of GP services and relationships between patients and their GP practices also appears to be creating barriers for older people in terms of arranging the right kinds of appointments or accessing an appropriate clinician.

“These kinds of difficulties are leaving many individuals suffering in pain, living with deteriorating conditions and feeling worried and anxious, something that is deeply concerning.”

The Commissioner’s report includes a series of

recommendations for GP Practices, health boards, Welsh Government and other health bodies and organisations, which set out the action needed to improve older people’s experiences and tackle the barriers that make accessing GP practices more difficult.

The Commissioner added: “I am acutely aware of the significant pressures being faced by health services, including GP services, and this was also reflected in responses from many older people, who recognised that staff were doing the best they could under difficult circumstances.

“Much of the action I am calling for will deliver improvements at little or no cost, or is focused on ensuring that existing standards and frameworks – such as the Welsh Government’s Access Standards – are being met and that this is reflected in older people’s experiences.

“Delivering the action I am calling for will help to ensure that people can access the

health services they need, when they need them, in a way that suits them, which will make a positive difference to the lives of many thousands of older people throughout Wales.

“As Commissioner, I will be monitoring the progress against this action, and will continue to encourage and support health services, GP practices, and other key organisations to reach out to and engage with older people throughout Wales in a meaningful way so that the voices of patients of all ages help to shape policy and practice.

“I also want to empower older people by helping them to better understand what they can expect in terms of access to GP practices and where people can find help and support if they experience issues or barriers, and will be soon be publishing a new guide to provide the information they need, which is being developed with support from older people.”

Protecting Our Future Generations From a Hidden Killer!

ASBESTOS can potentially be found in ANY building built before the year 2000 and so may be present in many homes and public buildings! Tragically, asbestos currently takes more than twice the number of lives in Wales than road traffic accidents and still remains to be the biggest U.K workplace killer taking over 5000 lives each year! Thankfully, there are precautions that can be taken and support is out there!

Global Asbestos Awareness Week is marked during the first week in April each year and aims to raise awareness of the risks of asbestos exposure and the need for preventative measures. The global event brings together organisations and individuals from around the world to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos. Asbestos Awareness & Support Cymru (AASC) is an independent charity for Wales and provides support to victims of asbestos related

Jo Barnes Mannings & Sarah Morgan -AASC

illnesses such as asbestosis and the malignant cancer Mesiothelioma and their families. The charity arranges support groups and events, operates a telephone support service and also signposts to helping agencies and specialist advice services ranging from practical support in the home to benefits and specialist legal advice. More recently, in response to an increase in enquiries, the charity was delighted to welcome Sarah Morgan (retired Mesothelioma Specialist Nurse) to join the team to provide additional support to families in Wales. (Pictured on the right of Jo Barnes-Mannings- Co Founder of the Charity).

This year, AASC will be holding an event at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth on 4th April at 2pm to mark this important global event. Information and advice from various experts and specialists will be available on the day in the hope of protecting our future generations whilst also offering support to those who need it. The event will be informal and friendly and light refreshments will also be offered at no charge and a warm welcome awaits anyone who would like to join us!

For more information, call Jo on 01495 272479 or visit the website www.a-a-s-c.org. uk

w H a T’S on

THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE, captured live from the National Theatre in London, releases in cinemas across the world this month, and will be broadcast live at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 26 March. Big names appear in this line-up of Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) and Johnny Flynn (Emma) as they feature in this fierce and funny new play which brings Richard Burton and John Gielgud’s infamous Hamlet rehearsals to the big screen.

It’s 1964 in New York and Richard Burton, newly married to Elizabeth Taylor, is to play the title role in an experimental new Broadway production of Hamlet under John Gielgud’s exacting direction. But as rehearsals progress, two ages of theatre collide and the collaboration

between actor and director soon threatens to unravel. Written by Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and designed by Es Devlin (The Crucible), the Evening Standard awardwinning best new play was filmed live during a sold-out run at the National Theatre.

Described by the Financial Times as “A brilliant, compassionate new play” and as “smooth and sophisticated” by WhatsOnStage, The Motive and the Cue has been rated 15.

The Motive and the Cue will be shown at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 26 March at 7.15pm. Ticket prices: £15.00 | £13.00 Concessions | £8.50 Under 26. For tickets phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

Netflix: The Gentlemen

IN THE SWIRLING cocktail of a Guy Ritchie production, you’ll find a splash of Cockneys, a dash of big guns, a sprinkle of flashy cars, and a hefty serving of posh people with a side of drugs— lots and lots of drugs.

Enter stage right, The Gentlemen, the quintessence of Ritchie, distilled to its purest form. It’s been four years since its predecessor, but fear not, the recipe remains unchanged: What if a wealthy English aristocrat stumbled into the drug trade?

Meet Edward, portrayed by Theo James, fresh off the White Lotus S2 with a stiff upper lip that could crack diamonds. He’s a soldier by trade, inheriting not just the family estate but also a sprawling weed empire courtesy of dear old dad’s clandestine dealings.

And cue the entrance of Susie Glass, elegantly portrayed by Kaya Scodelario, bringing back a touch of glamour to the small screen. She’s here to unveil the family’s dirty little secret: dad was moonlighting as a landlord to drug dealers.

Suddenly, Edward finds himself not only lord of the manor but also kingpin of a cannabis kingdom.

What follows is a whirlwind of drug-fueled escapades as Edward wrestles with both evicting the dealers from his estate and enlisting their help to rein in his reckless brother Freddie, played with manic charm by Daniel Ings. And who could forget the return of Vinnie Jones, the guntoting gamekeeper with a penchant for rescuing wounded critters? His role may lack depth, but his presence is a

nostalgic nod to Ritchie’s heyday.

In true Ritchie fashion, the accents are thicker than a beef stew, with Liverpudlian gangsters serving up “chicken” on repeat while Scodelario channels the ghost of Ronnie Kray’s elocution teacher. It’s a linguistic feast fit for a king—albeit a king with a penchant for illicit substances.

But despite the familiarity of the ingredients, The Gentlemen remains a rollicking good time. Fast cars, unhinged villains, and parties where clothes are optional—

what’s not to love? Sure, there are moments that make you cringe so hard your eyeballs ache, but Ritchie’s frenetic energy keeps the show barreling forward like a Lamborghini Hurricane on nitrous.

It’s more of the same from a director who’s been spinning these yarns for a quartercentury, yet somehow, in 2024, it still feels fresh. So, sit back, buckle up, and enjoy the ride. After all, in the world of Guy Ritchie, the road may be bumpy, but it’s always worth the trip. Cheers to that!

Georgie and Mandy take center stage in Young Sheldon spin-off

YOUNG SHELDON fans received bittersweet news with the confirmation of its final season last year. But fret not, as CBS has exciting plans for a spin-off centered on Georgie and Mandy, portrayed by Montana Jordan and Emily Osment.

This new series will explore their journey through adulthood, parenting, and marriage in Texas, departing from Young Sheldon’s format to a multi-camera comedy.

Scheduled for the 2024-2025 season, the spin-off ensures a seamless continuation of the Young Sheldon

universe, led by Chuck Lorre, Steven Molaro, and Steve Holland. The trio expressed their eagerness to extend the Cooper family saga through this new lens. CBS

Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach shared their excitement, highlighting the captivating storytelling and performances.

While Young Sheldon’s conclusion may have surprised some, it faithfully concludes its timeline referenced in The Big Bang Theory. With Iain Armitage reprising his role, viewers can expect a poignant finale.

Anticipation mounts for the Young Sheldon finale in May (with a UK release pending), alongside the spin-off series, promising to continue the Cooper family’s narrative in an engaging new chapter.

Milford Waterfront brings free Easter excitement

MILFORD Waterfront

is bringing free family Easter fun to Pembrokeshire once again this year with walkabout entertainment, face painting and more.

From the 23rd March to the 7th April families will be able to take part in the Milford Waterfront Easter Trail, where children can search high and low all over Milford Waterfront for baskets brimming with colourful eggs to complete the trail sheet. Trail forms can be collected from outside the Milford Marina reception, Tŷ Milford Waterfront reception, and Milford Haven Museum. Or download a copy from the Milford Waterfront website from Saturday 23rd March. Completed trail forms can then be handed in at Milford Marina reception for the chance to win an Easter Hamper and a giant Easter bunny.

On the 27th March, Rascal the Easter Bunny will be stopping by at Milford Museum to spread the Easter excitement between 12-2pm.

Furthermore, talented face paint artist Gabrielle Swales will be at Milford Museum on 3rd April

between 12pm – 1pm and 1:30pm – 2:30pm offering free face painting.

Milford Waterfront will also be visited by Danger UXB Museum on the 6th and 7th April. Commemorating 80 years since D-Day, the exhibit is hands-on and features historical artifacts for families to learn more about the role that Milford Haven played in World War 2.

Natalie Hunt,

Destination Manager for Milford Waterfront commented on the exciting plans, saying: “Easter is always so much fun for us here at Milford Waterfront! We love being able to put on fun free activities for families to enjoy when they come to visit our amazing range of shops and restaurants over the Easter holidays. It’s a great start to the season, and we are looking forward to a bright and fun year with

everyone!” Milford Waterfront’s businesses have plenty on offer over the Easter period too, with paddleboarding and kayaking at Milford Haven Beach Activity Centre, Parkruns every Saturday at 9am, an exhibit celebrating fascinating Pembrokeshire marine life at the Waterfront Gallery, and local produce from the shops and restaurants.

FADDS presents ‘Into The Woods’ at Theatr Gwaun

Step into the enchanting world of “Into The Woods” as FADDS returns to the stage once more on Thursday, April 4th at 7:00pm for a captivating threeday run that promises an unforgettable experience! Mark your calendars for the following show dates and times: Thursday, April 4th at 7:00pm • Friday, April 5th at 7:00pm • Saturday, April 6th at 2:00pm • Saturday, April 6th at 7:00pm

Embark on a journey INTO THE WOODS alongside your beloved fairytale characters as they set out on their individual quests, only to find their paths intertwining in mysterious and unexpected ways, often guided by a mysterious figure. Have you ever

wondered about the connection between a cow as white as milk and hair as yellow as corn? Will Cinderella make it to the King’s Festival? Can Rapunzel escape her tower, and who could possibly survive on nothing but greens?

All these questions and more will be answered in this fastpaced, delightfully entertaining rendition of Sondheim’s beloved classic, brought to life at Theatr Gwaun. Don’t miss this amateur production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are supplied by MTI. Visit www. mtishows.co.uk for more information.

Secure your seats now at: www. theatrgwaun.com

gaMIng

ALRIGHT, so, a couple of moons back, Manor Lords waltzed onto the scene, flaunting this majestic blend of Crusader Kingsesque simulation, a dash of Ages of Empires-style city-building, and some grandiose Total War-esque battles. Picture it – a medieval strategy game cooked up by a lone wolf, and lo and behold, it skyrocketed up the Steam charts, becoming one of the most wishlisted games in the realm.

Fast forward a bit, and here we are, getting another glimpse of Manor Lords in the Xbox Partner Preview shindig. It spills the beans on even more of its audacious gameplay and, brace yourselves, drops a release date bomb.

Now, imagine donning the leather boots of a ruler, overseeing your 14th-century lands. Bandit attacks? Check. An illegitimate baron scheming to snatch control of the northern territories? Double check. It’s a whole medieval soap opera.

Feeling a bit Age of Empires

déjà vu? That’s because Manor Lords lets you craft your settlement with buildings, bossing around your peasant villagers – you know, the real MVPs – to do tasks like chopping trees, growing veggies, and rearing animals. Classic medieval micromanagement.

But hold on, there’s a dollop of historical realism here. Manor Lords is all about following the historical burgage plot system, which basically means you’re a medieval landlord leasing homes to folks who cough up taxes to live there. Homes expand, seasons change, and the soil gets all fertile and stuff. It’s like medieval SimCity, but with more drama.

Now, if the intricate historical simulation vibes sound more like Crusader Kings, that’s your second big clue. Apart from playing mayor, you’re also juggling policies, doing the whole diplomacy dance with fellow lords – you know, the buttering up routine or just straight-up threatening them into submission. It’s a tech tree party, where your ruling

style clashes or harmonizes with rival lords’ ambitions.

And when all else fails, the real-time battles kick in, a tactical ballet reminiscent of the Total War series. Soldiers decked out, weather factored in, terrain considered – it’s like planning a medieval picnic but with armies. Every soldier lost is a villager gone, so victories can be a pricey affair.

Now, this game, my friends, is a wild ride, especially considering it’s the brainchild of a solo developer going by the name Slavic Magic. No wonder it’s nestled comfortably among the most-wishlisted games on Steam for 2023.

But wait, there’s more! April 24th, mark that date on your digital calendar. Manor Lords is strutting onto Steam, and guess what? It’s also hitting up PC Game Pass, letting subscribers dive into the medieval madness for free. It’s like the gaming universe just threw a big ol’ feast, and Manor Lords is the main course. Bon appétit, gamers!

ARIES

If you have plans to move, it’s time to take the first steps. A family member could have high expectations and try to take advantage of your generous nature.

TAURUS

You’ll have to travel a lot this week. This could lead you to be caught in traffic jams or have trouble finding your destination. Get a second opinion or do some research to ensure you’re well prepared.

GEMINI

You’ll be generously rewarded for working overtime. A short training course could bring you closer to one of your major professional goals, if only by improving your language skills.

CANCER

You’ll be under pressure to make a quick decision, without time to weigh the pros and cons. Trust your intuition. Affection is a way for couples to show they care. Are you getting enough in your relationship?

LEO

It’s time to reflect on certain projects that are stuck at a standstill. Take a step back to consider these situations in the long term, and the direction to follow will become clear. In love, seize the opportunity for a romantic getaway or trip.

VIRGO

Friends will invite you to participate in an activity. Don’t miss out, especially if you’ve been socially withdrawn for a while. If you’re single, love could be just around the corner.

LIBRA

This week, you’ll feel like you never have enough time. You’ll have to juggle various work and family responsibilities, which could threaten the balance between the two.

SCORPIO

Before the end of winter, consider the possibility of taking a rejuvenating trip as a couple or with your family, even if it’s only for a weekend. Your employer could send you to the other end of the country to meet with a client.

SAGITTARIUS

You’ll have to deal with a multitude of emotions in a situation that requires you to keep your cool. You’ll find a creative solution to a financial issue. In love, keeping a smile on your face will help you preserve an existing relationship or attract a soulmate.

CAPRICORN

You’ll oversee a professional or social event that will bring together people from a variety of backgrounds. Managing all the details will increase your stress levels at work or home.

AQUARIUS

You could feel a bit anxious this week, which could affect your concentration or morale. Don’t let emotions you can’t control overwhelm you. You could benefit from therapy. Physical activity could serve as an escape.

PISCES

A challenge will come your way, which will boost your self-esteem. Even if someone tries to discourage you, your perseverance and bravery will enable you to achieve remarkable feats and take your place among your peers.

wITH eddIe THe gaMe guru

Kris Marshall

Beyond Paradise

BBC1, 8pm

Humphrey and Esther join the Shipton Abbott Players for a murder mystery rehearsal. Though Humphrey is only playing a detective, things turn from amateur to professional when the actor playing the victim is found dead. As the duo tackle the perplexing crime, they soon unravel a dark past that reveals hidden connections between the actors.

Amy helps plan a dance routine at a 75th anniversary Windrush Day event.

8.00 Beyond Paradise. New series. A murder mystery rehearsal becomes all too real for the victim.

9.00 Would I Lie to You? A compilation of the best bits from series 15. (R)

9.30 Not Going Out. Lee becomes a competitive dad when Benji takes up football. Last in the series. (R)

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 The Graham Norton Show.

11.30 RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK Versus the World. (R)

12.30 Film: The Wife. (2017) 2.00 Weather for the Week Ahead. 2.05 BBC News.

SATURDAY’S TV 23.3.24

6.30 The Bidding Room. (R) 7.15

Bridge of Lies. (R) 8.00 Sign Zone: Antiques Roadshow. (R) 9.00 BBC News. 12.15 Politics UK. 1.00

Impossible. (R) 1.45 The Edge. (R)

2.30 Take a Hike. (R) 3.00 Super Cute Animals. (R) 4.00 The Manor Reborn. (R) 5.00 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Rob Deering, Katya Jones, Jayne Middlemiss and Phil Tufnell. (R)

6.30 Great British Railway Journeys. Michael Portillo visits the Transport Research Laboratory in Wokingham.

7.00 Hairy Bikers: Teatime Treats. Dave and Si make the perfect Victoria Sandwich. (R)

7.15 Scrum V Live. Ospreys v Munster (Kick-off 7.35pm).

9.30 Great British Menu: The Finals. It is the final banquet where the winner will be decided. Last in the series.

10.30 Newsnight.

11.00 Weather.

11.05 How To with John Wilson.

11.35 How To with John Wilson. The film maker investigates how to keep his packages secure. Last in the series.

12.10 Film: Pain and Glory. (2019)

1.55 Sign Zone: Paying More for Less: Councils in Crisis –Panorama. (R) 2.25 Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling. (R)

2.55 Our Flag Means Death. (R)

3.25 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00

Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55

ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 Fletchers’ Family Farm. (R) 3.00 Winning Combination. (R) 4.00 Tipping Point. Game show, hosted by Ben Shephard. (R) 5.00 The Chase. Quiz show, hosted by Bradley Walsh. (R)

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.00 Coast & Country. Ruth Dodsworth and Sean Fletcher explore one of Wales’ oldest mining sites.

7.30 Emmerdale. Liam is delighted when Ella agrees to go on a date.

8.00 Coronation Street. Billy fears that karaoke will expose Paul’s slurred speech.

9.00 Celebrity Big Brother: Live Final. AJ Odudu and Will Best announce the winner, and also look back at some of their best bits. Last in the series.

10.30 ITV News; Weather.

11.00 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

11.15 Film: Mr & Mrs Smith. (2005) Comedy adventure, with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

1.10 Shop on TV. 3.00 Barbara Knox at 90. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Raymond Blanc’s Royal Kitchen Gardens. (R)

6.00 Cyw. 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Codi Hwyl America. 12.30 Heno Aur. 1.00 Bethesda: Pobol y Chwarel. 1.30 Cegin Bryn. (R) 2.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05 Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Dylan ar Daith. (R) 4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. 6.00 Cymry ar Gynfas. (R)

6.30 Parti Bwyd Beca. (R) 7.00 Heno.

7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

8.00 Cefn Gwlad. (R)

8.55 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 9.00 Am Dro! (R) 10.00 Yn y Lwp.

10.30 Wil ac Aeron: Cowbois Tecsas. (R)

11.35 Diwedd. Channel 4: 6.10 Countdown. (R)

6.50 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R)

8.05 Everybody Loves Raymond. (R) 9.30 Frasier. (R) 11.00 The Great House Giveaway. (R) 12.00 Channel 4 News Summary. 12.05 Sun, Sea and Selling Houses. (R) 1.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. (R) 5.00 Chateau DIY. (R) 6.00 A Place in the Sun. 6.30 The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 Channel 4 News. 7.30 Michael Mosley: Secrets of Your Big Shop. (R) 8.30

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Trieste. 9.00 Gogglebox. 10.00 The Last Leg. 11.05 Film: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. (2004) 12.55 Film: Stuber. (2019) 2.30 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 3.15 Come Dine with Me. (R)

6.00

Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.45 Alexis Conran & Friends. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime. 1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15 Film: Killer in the Cabin. (2022) 4.00 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 5.00 5 News at 5.

6.00 The Tube: Keep London Moving! Following the work of Transport for London. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders. A pursuit enters rush-hour traffic in Manchester city centre. (R)

7.55 5 News Update.

8.00 The Railway Map of Britain. How the invention of the railway changed the UK and the world.

9.00 Susan Calman’s Great British Cities.

10.00

Draining the Thames: What Lies Beneath. Exploring London's history through relics found under the Thames. (R)

11.05 The Kennedys: Money, Murder & Marilyn. The family’s rise from poor Irish immigrants to an allpowerful dynasty. (R)

12.30 Criminals: Caught on Camera. (R) 1.05 PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.00 The Secret World of Your Rubbish. (R) 3.50 Car Pound Cops. 4.20 Divine Designs. (R) 5.05 Wildlife SOS. (R)

5.30 Entertainment News. 5.45 Milkshake! Monkey’s Amazing Adventures. (R)

BBC Four 7.00

Top of the Pops 9.00 Roy Orbison at the BBC 9.35 Film: Roy Orbison: In Dreams (1999) 11.05

Roy Sings Orbison 11.35 Roy Orbison: One of the Lonely Ones

ITV2

3.55 One Tree Hill 4.50 Dress to Impress 5.50 In for a Penny 6.20

Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) 9.00 Family Guy 10.30 Celebrity Big Brother: Late and Live 11.35 American Dad!

ITV3

3.45 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 5.55

Heartbeat 8.00 Vera 10.00 Ruth Rendell’s Inspector Wexford: Road Rage 11.35 The Royal

ITV4

3.45 Minder 4.50 The Professionals

5.55 Giant Lobster Hunters 7.00

The Motorbike Show 8.00 Film: Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

10.00 All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite

E4

4.00 Young Sheldon 5.00 The Big Bang Theory 7.00 Hollyoaks 7.30 Modern Family 8.00 Taskmaster Bleeped: Champion of Champions 2024 9.00 Film: Knives Out (2019) Comedy mystery, starring Daniel Craig. 11.35 Naked Attraction’s Best Naughty Bits

Film4

1.30 True Grit (1969) 4.10 The Karate Kid Part II (1986) 6.30 The Day After Tomorrow (2004) Disaster thriller, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Dennis Quaid. 9.00 The Mechanic (2011) 10.50 Fantasy Island (2020) Horror comedy, starring Michael Peña.

BBC1 BBC2 ITV1 WALES S4C CHANNEL 5 DIGITAL CHOICE

Gladiators

BBC1, 5.50pm

When it was first revealed that the BBC were reviving the 1990s TV classic, it’s fair to say that there were a few raised eyebrows. However, it’s has gone onto be a massive hit with viewers every Saturday nightalthough it did have to make way for the FA Cup football last week. Tonight, there’s an Eliminator to remember as the contenders battle it out for a place in next week’s Grand Final.

6.00 Breakfast. 10.00 Saturday Kitchen Live. 11.30 Football Focus. 12.00 BBC News; Weather. 12.15 MOTD Live: Women’s Super League. Manchester City v Manchester United (Kick-off 12.30pm). 2.45 Money for Nothing. (R) 3.45 Garden Rescue. (R) 4.30 Amy Dowden’s Dare to Dance. (R) 5.00 Celebrity Mastermind. 5.30 BBC News. 5.40 BBC Wales Today. 5.50 Gladiators.

6.50 The Weakest Link. Contestants include Joey Essex, Andrea McLean, Ricky Hatton and Josie d’Arby.

7.35 Pointless Celebrities. Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman present a star-studded version of the general knowledge quiz. Contestants include Sue Cook, Carol McGiffin, Angela Barnes and Richard Coles.

8.25 Casualty. Rash deludes himself into thinking he’s fine after his father’s death.

9.15 Casualty. An abandoned baby is found outside the hospital. As Jacob pieces together where the child has come from, he discovers a second chance to do the right thing.

10.05 BBC News; Weather.

10.25 Film: Avengers: Age of Ultron. (2015) Superhero adventure sequel, starring Robert Downey Jr.

12.35 Film: Kick-Ass. (2010) 2.25 Weather for the Week Ahead. 2.30 BBC News.

6.20 Hey Duggee. (R) 6.30 Go Jetters. (R) 6.40 Grizzy and the Lemmings. (R) 6.50 Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed! (R) 7.00

Danger Mouse. (R) 7.10 Shaun the Sheep. (R) 7.20 Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse Cheese. (R) 7.30 Pokemon: Sun and Moon – Ultra Legends. (R)

7.55 Deadly Predators. (R) 8.20

Blue Peter. (R) 8.50 Newsround.

9.00 Gardeners’ World. 10.00 Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein. (R) 10.30 Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr. (R) 11.30

The Hairy Bikers Go West. (R)

12.30 Sam and Shauna’s Big Cook Out. (R) 1.00 The A to Z of TV Cooking. (R) 1.15 Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen. (R) 2.15 Film: Death on the Nile. (1978) 4.30 Live Women’s Six Nations. Wales v Scotland (Kick-off 4.45pm). Coverage of the match from the opening round of fixtures, held at Cardiff Arms Park.

7.00 Natural World: Empire of the Desert Ants. (R)

7.45 Gardeners’ World. Monty Don prepares his dahlia tubers ready for planting. (R)

8.45 Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. (R)

9.15 Diana Ross at the BBC. Archive performances by the singer.

10.15 Diana Ross: Live at the Royal Albert Hall 1973. (R)

11.15 Film: The Wiz. (1978) Musical based on The Wizard of Oz, starring Diana Ross.

1.25 Film: The Girl with a Bracelet. (2020) 2.55 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 Love Your Garden. (R) 7.30 Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. (R) 9.25 ITV News.

9.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning. 11.40 Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen. 12.40 James Martin’s Islands to Highlands. (R) 1.40 ITV News; Weather. 1.55 You’ve Been Framed! (R) 2.30 Live Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union. Saracens v Harlequins (Kick-off 3.05pm). All the action from the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as the play-off contenders battle it out. 5.30 ITV News; Weather. 5.45 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

6.00 Celebrity Catchphrase. With Charlie Brooks, Jimmi Harkishin and Siobhan McSweeney. (R)

7.00 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Maya Jama is the Star Guest Announcer, Paul Rudd meets Little Ant & Dec, there is music by McFly and supermarket shoppers get the surprise of their lives in a hidden camera prank.

8.30 The 1% Club. Quiz, hosted by Lee Mack.

9.35 The Jonathan Ross Show. With Paul Rudd, Mel B, Billie Piper, Leo Reich and Cat Burns.

10.35 ITV News; Weather.

10.50 Film: The Rock. (1996) Action thriller, starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.

1.20 Shop on TV. 3.00 The Larkins. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05 Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 8.00 Stwnsh Sadwrn: Stwnsh Sadwrn Byw. 8.05 Seligo. (R) 8.30 Siwrne Ni. (R) 9.05 Larfa. (R) 9.20 Lego Ffrindiau: Amdani Ferched! (R)

9.30 Pigo dy Drwyn. (R) 10.00 Taith Bywyd. (R) 11.00 Cymry ar Gynfas. (R) 11.30 Ffasiwn Drefn. (R) 12.00 Y Fets. (R) 12.25 Am Dro! (R) 1.25 Sain Ffagan. (R) 1.50 Priodas Pum Mil. (R) 2.45 Clwb Rygbi. Scarlets v Benetton (Kick-off 3.00pm). 5.05 Hen Dy Newydd. (R) 6.00 Mynyddoedd y Byd. (R) 7.00 Newyddion a Chwaraeon. 7.15 Clwb Rygbi. Dragons v Bulls (Kick-off 7.35pm).

9.40 Deuawdau Rhys Meirion. With singer-songwriter Alys Williams, who had success with The Voice UK. (R) 10.45 Colli Dy Dafod. The Welsh language on the streets of the Valleys. (R)

11.15 Curadur. (R)

11.50 Diwedd.

Channel 4: 6.15 The Simpsons. (R) 10.15 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Qualifying Highlights.

11.45 Film: Galaxy Quest. (1999) 1.45 Four in a Bed. (R) 4.15 The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer. (R) 5.30 Channel 4 News. 6.00 Live England International Football. 9.10 Film: Top Gun: Maverick. (2022) 11.50 England International Football.

12.45 Film: Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In. (2021) 2.45 Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA. (R) 3.40 Find It, Fix It, Flog It. (R) 4.00-6.00 Hollyoaks Omnibus. (R)

6.00 Milkshake! 8.50 SpongeBob SquarePants. (R) 9.05 Entertainment News. 9.10 Friends. (R) 10.05 The Hotel Inspector. (R)

12.05 Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. (R) 3.05 Film: Monster-in-Law. (2005) 5.10 Film: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. (2005)

6.10 5 News Update.

6.15 Film: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous. (2005) Comedy sequel, starring Sandra Bullock.

7.10 5 News Weekend.

7.15 Kate: Our New Diana? Documentary comparing the two Princesses of Wales – Kate and Diana. (R)

8.15 Secrets of the Royal Palaces. A look at scandals from palace life.

9.15 Edward & Wallis: The Bahamas Scandal –Revealed. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s time in the Caribbean during the Second World War.

10.40 The Greatest TV of the ’80s. The best programmes of the decade. (R)

12.30 Criminals: Caught on Camera. (R) 1.05 PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.05 The Secret World of Your Rubbish. (R) 3.50 Criminals: Caught on Camera. (R) 4.15 House Doctor. (R) 4.40 Divine Designs. (R) 5.05 Wildlife SOS. (R) 5.30 Entertainment News. 5.40 Milkshake! Monkey’s Amazing Adventures. (R) 5.50 Mixmups. (R)

BBC Four

7.00 Rick Stein’s Long Weekends

8.00 Amazon with Bruce Parry 9.00

The Gone 10.45 Parkinson: The Tommy Cooper and Frankie Howerd Interviews 11.20 Oooh, Er, Missus! The Frankie Howerd Story: Arena

ITV2

3.50 Film: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) 6.55 Film: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) 10.00 Family Guy 11.30 American Dad!

ITV3

4.00 On the Buses 4.35 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 9.00 Midsomer Murders 11.00 Scott & Bailey

ITV4

1.10 ITV Racing: Live from Doncaster. Coverage of today’s race meetings from Doncaster, Bangor and Newbury. 4.05 Made in Britain

4.35 The Grand Fishing Adventure

6.40 The Best of the 90s 6.50 Film: Cahill, US Marshal (1973) 9.00 English Football League Highlights 10.00 Film: Red Heat (1988)

E4

4.30 The Big Bang Theory 7.00

Film: The Addams Family (1991) 9.00 Celebrity Gogglebox 10.00 Gogglebox

Film4

2.55 Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) 5.00 Before We Go (2014) 6.50 The Italian Job (2003) Crime thriller remake, starring Mark Wahlberg. 9.00 The Last Stand (2013) Action thriller, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. 11.10 Bloodshot (2020)

Bradley Walsh

Passenger ITV, 9pm

Wunmi Mosaku heads the cast as ex-Met police officer Riya Ajunwa, who relocated to the small northern town of Chadder Vale five years ago, and is about to get a case she can get her teeth into –the disappearance of local girl Katie Wells. However, Riya barely has time to pick up her notebook before Katie reappears and life seems to carry on as normal.

medieval village near Winchester, where the grounds are being examined for archaeological traces so no important artefacts are lost.

8.00 Antiques Roadshow. Fiona Bruce pays a final visit to Swanage Pier in Dorset.

9.00 Death in Paradise. A passenger disappears from a flight to Dominica. Last in the series.

10.00 BBC News; Weather.

10.25 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.30 Film: When Harry Met Sally. (1989) Romantic comedy, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

12.00 The Women’s Football Show.

12.50 Weather for the Week Ahead.

12.55 BBC News.

6.10 Glorious Gardens from Above. (R) 6.55 Countryfile. (R) 7.50

Capability Brown’s Unfinished Garden. (R) 8.50 Life in a Cottage Garden with Carol Klein. (R) 9.20

My Life at Easter with Sally Phillips. (R) 10.20 Marcus Wareing’s Tales from a Kitchen Garden. (R) 10.50

Agatha Christie: Lucy Worsley on the Mystery Queen. (R) 12.50

Film: Evil Under the Sun. (1982)

2.45 Live Women’s Six Nations. Italy v England (Kick-off 3.00pm).

5.15 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Scrum V Sunday. A look back at Wales’ opening match in the Women’s Six Nations.

6.45 Nigel Slater’s Simple Suppers. Recipes include beef cooked in beer. (R)

7.00 Australia with Simon Reeve. The adventurer meets members of a motorcycle gang in Gold Coast. Last in the series. (R)

8.00 This Farming Life. Nikki and Ollie’s rabbit breeding programme bears fruit. (R)

9.00 Forensics: The Real CSI. Police must determine if a man has used a 3D printer to make assault weapons.

10.00 Film: The Mule. (2018) Drama, starring Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper.

11.50 Film: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) Drama, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

2.00 Sign Zone: Question Time. (R)

3.00 This Is BBC Two.

6.00 James Martin’s Great British Adventure. (R) 6.30 James Martin’s Spanish Adventure. (R)

7.30 James Martin’s Saturday Morning. (R) 9.25 ITV News. 9.30

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. 11.30 Raymond Blanc’s Royal Kitchen Gardens.

12.30 ITV News; Weather. 12.40

Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club. (R) 1.45 Love Your Garden. (R) 2.15 Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. (R) 3.45 Film: Despicable Me 3. (2017) 5.30 The 1% Club. (R)

6.30 ITV News; Weather.

6.45 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

7.00 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars. With Bonnie Langford, Matt Dawson and Geoff Norcott. (R)

8.00 The Chase: The Bloopers. Bradley Walsh presents a compilation of mistakes and outtakes.

9.00 Passenger. New series. Darkly comic thriller, starring Wunmi Mosaku.

10.00 ITV News; Weather.

10.15 Sport Gives Back Awards 2024. Presented by Jeanette Kwakye and Josh Denzel.

11.25 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Highlights. Action from the 13th round of fixtures.

12.15 English Football League Highlights. (R) 1.05 Shop on TV. 3.00 Raymond Blanc’s Royal Kitchen Gardens. (R) 3.50 Unwind.

5.05 Fletchers’ Family Farm. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 8.50 Penblwyddi Cyw. 9.00 Mynyddoedd y Byd. (R)

10.00 Y Fets. (R) 10.35 Waliau’n Siarad. (R) 11.35 Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol. (R) 12.05 Cefn Gwlad. (R) 1.05 Pobol y Cwm Omnibws. (R) 2.15 Clwb Rygbi. 4.00 Sgorio.

6.25 Barry John: Cofio’r Brenin. (R)

7.15 Newyddion a Chwaraeon.

7.30 Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol.

8.00 Am Dro! Routes in Llandre, from Newquay to Cwmtydu, Llanrug and Henllan.

9.00 Nathan Brew: Un Eiliad Un Ergyd. Nathan Brew opens up about his brother’s murder.

10.00 Gogglebocs Cymru. (R)

11.00 Y Ditectif. (R)

11.35 Diwedd.

Channel 4: 6.00 The King of Queens. (R) 7.15 The Simpsons. (R) 9.30 Sunday Brunch. 12.30

Formula 1: Australian Grand Prix Highlights. 3.00 The Dog House. (R) 4.00 The Secret Life of the Zoo. (R) 4.30 A Place in the Sun. 5.15 Key to a Fortune. 6.10 Channel 4 News. 6.40 Inside Cadbury: Chocolate Secrets Unwrapped. (R) 7.40 The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer. 9.00 Hunted. 10.00 Gogglebox. (R)

11.00 Open House: The Great Sex Experiment. (R) 12.05 Film: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. (2016) 2.15 Film: The Empty Man. (2020) 4.30 Grand Designs New Zealand. (R) 5.206.10 Renovation Nation. (R)

6.00

Milkshake!: 8.50 SpongeBob SquarePants. (R) 9.05

Entertainment News. 9.15 Friends. (R) 10.10 Holidaying with Jane McDonald. (R) 1.05 Inside the Tower of London. (R) 4.00 The Great Plague: Outbreak.

6.00 5 News Weekend.

6.05 Digging Up Britain’s Past. Helen Skelton and Alex Langlands join a dig at Elsyng Palace. (R)

7.00 Warship: Life at Sea. HMS Northumberland receives intelligence about a Russian submarine. (R)

8.00 The Tube: Keep London Moving! Transport for London deal with the influx of visitors for the King’s coronation.

9.00 Atlantis: The Discovery with Dan Snow. The historian travels to Greece to explores the mysteries of the legendary island in the Atlantic Ocean that supposedly disappeared beneath the waves.

10.30 Britain’s Favourite Ads of the 70s & 80s. A celebration of British TV commercials. (R)

12.25 My Wife, My Abuser: The Secret Footage. (R) 1.40 PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.40 Lighthouses: Building the Impossible. (R) 4.25 Divine Designs. (R) 5.10 Wildlife SOS. (R)

5.35 Entertainment News. 5.40 Milkshake! Monkey’s Amazing Adventures. (R) 5.50 Mixmups. (R)

BBC Four

7.00 The Bridges That Built London with Dan Cruickshank 8.00 Daniel Barenboim: The Classical Collection 9.00 Barenboim: Beethoven’s Choral Symphony – Proms 2012 10.25 Daniel Barenboim: In His Own Words 11.40 Hemingway

ITV2

4.20 Film: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) 7.25 Film: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) 10.00 Family Guy 11.30 American Dad!

ITV3

3.35 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 8.00 Long Lost Family 9.00 The Savoy 10.00 Foyle’s War 11.50 Agatha Christie’s Poirot

ITV4

4.30 Film: Nevada Smith (1966) 7.10 River Monsters 7.45 The Best of the 80s 8.00 Gallagher Premiership Rugby Union Highlights 9.00 Film: Everest (2015) 11.25 River Monsters E4

3.40 The Big Bang Theory 6.05 Lego Masters New Zealand 7.05 Film: Addams Family Values (1993)

9.00 Film: Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) Sci-fi adventure sequel, starring Chris Pine. 11.40 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown Film4

2.40 Shrek Forever After (2010)

4.30 How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) 6.45 Bumblebee (2018) 9.00 S.W.A.T (2003) Action thriller, starring Samuel L Jackson and Colin Farrell. 11.20 Charlie’s Angels (2000) MONDAY’S TV 25.3.24

Grand Indian Hotel Channel 4, 8pm

For the first time in its 90year history, luxury hotel chain The Oberoi Group is opening its doors to four of its most glamorous hotels to reveal life behind the gilded façade. This threepart series begins at The Oberoi Rajvilas on the outskirts of the ancient ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. New recruits are preparing for the most important event of the year, a lavish dinner for the Maharaja of Jaipur.

BBC1 BBC2

6.00

12.15 Bargain Hunt. 1.00 BBC News at One; Weather. 1.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather. 1.45 Doctors. 2.15 Money for Nothing. (R) 3.00 Escape to the Country.

3.45 The Bidding Room. (R) 4.30 Bridge of Lies. 5.15 Pointless. (R)

6.00 BBC News at Six; Weather.

6.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

7.00 SOS: Extreme Rescues. The race is on to find two climbers stranded in deep snow before night falls.

7.30 EastEnders. Zack throws a welcome home baby shower for Whitney.

8.00 Wynne’s Welsh 80s. Wynne Evans explores the BBC Wales archives of 1987.

8.30 Immigration: The UK’s Record Rise – Panorama. Ros Atkins crunches the numbers on the rise in immigration.

9.00 Anton & Giovanni’s Adventures in Spain. The duo visit one of the UK’s favourite holiday hot spots, Benidorm.

10.00 BBC News at Ten.

10.30 BBC Wales Today; Weather.

10.40 Jordan North: The Truth About Vaping. (R)

11.10 Dawn French Is a Huge Tw*t. (R)

12.25 The Graham Norton Show. (R) 1.15 BBC News.

6.30 Bargain Hunt. (R) 7.15

Bridge of Lies. (R) 8.00 Sign

Zone: The Hairy Bikers Go West. (R) 9.00 BBC News. 12.15

Politics Live. 1.00 Impossible. (R) 1.45 The Edge. (R) 2.30

Take a Hike. (R) 3.00 The Speedshop. (R) 4.00 Born to Be Wild. (R) 4.30 The Hairy Bikers’ Pubs That Built Britain. (R) 5.00 Flog It! (R)

6.00 Richard Osman’s House of Games. With Charlie Baker, Val McDermid, Martin Offiah and Rebecca Lucy Taylor. (R)

6.30 Great British Railway Journeys. Michael Portillo begins a journey through Scotland’s central belt.

7.00 The One Show.

7.30 Mastermind.

8.00 Only Connect Specials: Champion of Champions 2021. (R)

8.30 University Challenge.

9.00 Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods. Following a Ukrainian battalion on the frontline of the war against Russia.

10.00 Martin Compston’s Norwegian Fling.

10.30 Newsnight.

11.10 Weather.

11.15 Film: The Peanut Butter Falcon. (2019) Light-hearted adventure, starring Shia LaBeouf.

12.45 Sign Zone: Countryfile. (R)

1.40 Great British Menu: The Finals. (R) 3.40 This Is BBC Two.

ITV1 WALES S4C

CHANNEL 5 DIGITAL CHOICE

6.00 Good Morning Britain. 9.00 Lorraine. 10.00 This Morning.

12.30 Loose Women. 1.30 ITV Lunchtime News; Weather. 1.55 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

2.00 Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club. 3.00 Winning Combination. (R) 4.00 Tipping Point. (R) 5.00 The Chase. (R)

6.00 ITV News Wales at Six; Weather.

6.30 ITV Evening News; Weather.

7.30 Emmerdale. Nicky is astonished by his mum’s behaviour.

8.00 Coronation Street. Sarah rumbles Damon’s lie as he prepares to carry out Harvey’s bidding, Paul is advised to stop eating solid food, and Nina fears that Roy’s legal fees could ruin him.

9.00 Passenger. Riya enlists Ali and Nish to help get to the bottom of what happened to Katie in the forest, while Lilly takes out her anger on Jim, warning the protests are only just beginning.

10.00 ITV News at Ten; Weather.

10.30 ITV News Cymru Wales; Weather.

10.45 Sharp End. Political discussion, presented by Rob Osborne.

11.40 English Football League Highlights. Action from the latest fixtures. (R)

12.30 Shop on TV. 3.00 Next Level

Chef. (R) 3.50 Unwind. 5.05

Ainsley’s Fantastic Flavours. (R)

6.00 Cyw. (R) 12.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 12.05 Wil ac Aeron: Taith Rwmania. (R) 12.30 Heno. (R) 1.00 Cymry ar Gynfas. (R) 1.30 Caeau Cymru. (R) 2.00

Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 2.05

Prynhawn Da. 3.00 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 3.05 Y Castell. (R)

4.00 Awr Fawr. (R) 5.00 Stwnsh. (R)

6.00 Arfordir Cymru: Sir Benfro. (R)

6.30 Rownd a Rownd. (R)

7.00 Heno.

7.30 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd.

8.00 Port Talbot: Diwedd y Dur?

8.25 Adre: Catrin Williams. (R)

8.55 Newyddion S4C a’r Tywydd. 9.00 Cefn Gwlad. (R) 10.00 Sgorio. 10.30 Dylan ar Daith. (R) 11.35 Diwedd.

Channel 4: 6.10 Countdown. (R)

6.50 3rd Rock from the Sun. (R) 8.05 Everybody Loves Raymond. (R) 9.30 Frasier. (R) 11.00 The Great House Giveaway. (R) 12.00

Channel 4 News Summary. 12.05

Sun, Sea and Selling Houses. (R) 1.05 Find It, Fix It, Flog It. (R) 2.10 Countdown. 3.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 4.00 A New Life in the Sun. (R) 5.00 Chateau DIY. (R)

6.00 A Place in the Sun. (R) 6.30

The Simpsons. (R) 7.00 Channel 4 News. 8.00 Grand Indian Hotel.

9.00 24 Hours in A&E. 10.00

George Michael: Outed. (R) 12.10

Surviving R Kelly. 1.00 24 Hours in A&E. (R) 1.55 Film: Gagarine. (2020) 3.35 Remarkable Places to Eat. (R) 4.30 Grand Designs. (R)

6.00 Milkshake!: 9.15 Jeremy Vine. 11.15 Storm Huntley. 12.45 Alexis Conran & Friends. 1.40 5 News at Lunchtime. 1.45 Home and Away. (R) 2.15 Film: My Mother the Murderer. (2023) 4.00 BargainLoving Brits in the Sun. 5.00 5 News at 5. 6.00 Coast to Coast with Robson Green. The actor makes his way along Hadrian’s Wall. (R)

6.55 5 News Update.

7.00 Police Interceptors. Several units chase a white van that has been driven at four times the speed limit; (R) 5 News Update.

8.00 Traffic Cops. Derbyshire police target gangs stealing vans to order.

9.00 Inside the Force: 24/7. Officers are dispatched to a fight over an alleged £40 debt.

10.00

Police Code Zero: Officer Under Attack. Two officers are threatened by a man armed with a knife. (R)

11.05 999: Critical Condition. Dr Richard Fawcett treats a woman who fell 50 metres down a waterfall. (R)

12.05 Traffic Cops. (R) 1.05

PlayOJO Live Casino Show. 3.05 World’s Most Scenic Railway Journeys. (R) 3.55 House Doctor. (R) 4.45 Divine Designs. (R) 5.05

Wildlife SOS. (R) 5.30

Entertainment News. 5.45

Milkshake! Monkey’s Amazing Adventures. (R) 5.50 Pip and Posy. (R)

BBC Four

7.00 Indian Hill Railways 8.00 Write Around the World with Richard E Grant 9.00 Stonehenge: The Lost Circle Revealed 10.00 Mariupol: The People’s Story 11.30 Paula Rego: Secrets and Stories

ITV2

3.55 One Tree Hill 4.50 Dress to Impress 5.50 Film: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) 9.00 Loaded in Paradise 10.00

Family Guy 11.30 American Dad!

ITV3

3.45 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 5.55

Heartbeat 8.00 Vera 10.00 Manhunt

The Night Stalker 11.00 Wycliffe 11.55 The Royal

ITV4

3.50 Minder 4.55 The Professionals

5.55 Giant Lobster Hunters 6.55

The Motorbike Show 8.00 MotoGP Highlights 9.00 Film: From Russia with Love (1963) James Bond thriller, starring Sean Connery. 11.25 From Dusk Till Dawn E4

4.00 Young Sheldon 5.00 The Big Bang Theory 7.00 Hollyoaks 7.30

Married at First Sight Australia 9.00

The Underdog: Josh Must Win 10.00 Gogglebox 11.05 First Dates Film4

2.55 Born Free (1966) 4.45 Ten

Wanted Men (1955) 6.25 Stardust (2007) Fantasy adventure, starring Charlie Cox and Claire Danes. 9.00 Infinite (2021) Sci-fi thriller, starring Mark Wahlberg and Chiwetel Ejiofor. 11.05 Wind River (2017) Crime drama, starring Jeremy Renner.

Wunmi Mosaku

Vishal Virmani

on

Inew Y dd

Cofier am ymgyrchydd gwrth-gaethwasiaeth Abertawe

PRIFYSGOL Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant (PCYDDS) yn noddodd Diwrnod Rhyngwladol y Menywod ar 8 Mawrth, drwy rannu stori ysbrydoledig Jessie Donaldson o Abertawe, a frwydrodd yn ddewr yn erbyn caethwasiaeth yn America oddeutu 170 o flynyddoedd yn ôl.

Yr Athro Elwen Evans, KC, Is-Ganghellor y Drindod Dewi Sant, yn siaradodd hi am waith Jessie er mwyn dathlu a thynnu sylw at gyflawniadau, cyfraniadau, a gwytnwch yr athrawes a’r ymgyrchydd gwrthcaethwasiaeth.

Meddai’r Athro Evans: “Mae Jessie wedi’i disgrifio’n arloeswr, a frwydrodd am gyfartaledd a newid, nid yn unig yng Nghymru, ond hefyd yn UDA. Ar un adeg disgrifiwyd ei stori fel un a oedd ‘wedi mynd yn angof.’ Fodd bynnag, mae hynny wedi newid erbyn hyn, gyda phlac glas i gydnabod yn falch ei chyfraniad yn Abertawe.

“Trwy arddangos naratifau amrywiol megis un Jessie, gallwn ni

ysbrydoli pobl eraill tebyg iddi i rannu eu gwaith, gan feithrin cymdeithas fwy cynhwysol a grymusol.”

Mae’r plac glas a gyflwynwyd i waith Jessie i’w weld ar wal allanol Adeilad Dinefwr y Brifysgol yng nghanol y ddinas.

Fe’i dadorchuddiwyd yn 2021 ar 19 Mehefin – dyddiad y cyfeirir ato hefyd fel y ‘Juneteenth’, sef y dathliad hynaf hysbys o ddod â chaethwasiaeth i ben yn yr Unol Daleithiau.

Teithiodd Jessie i Ohio yn y 1850au i gadw tŷ diogel ar y ‘rheilffordd danddaearol’ enwog, ac roedd mewn perygl o gael dirwyon a dedfrydau o garchar am gynnig lloches a diogelwch i gaethion wrth iddynt geisio dianc o daleithiau’r de i ogledd America.

Cyflwynwyd yr enwebiad am blac glas i Gyngor Abertawe gan yr hanesydd diwylliannol o Abertawe, y ddiweddar Athro Jen Wilson, sylfaenydd Treftadaeth Jazz Cymru, sydd wedi’i lleoli yng Nghanolfan Dylan Thomas yn y ddinas yn rhan o PCYDDS.

Bu’r Athro Wilson yn cynnal ymchwil i

fywyd Jessie dros nifer mawr o flynyddoedd, yn cynnwys ymweld nifer o weithiau â Chanolfan Ryddid Genedlaethol y Rheilffordd Danddaearol yn Cincinnati, a meddai ar y pryd: “Yn 57 oed gadawodd Jessie Donaldson Abertawe i ddechrau bywyd hynod o wleidyddiaeth ryngwladol ar raddfa fawr, a’i thŷ hithau ar lannau Afon Ohio oedd y trydydd o’r tai diogel Cymreig i gaethion ar ffo.

“Gydol Rhyfel Cartref America bu Jessie yn gweithio wrth ochr ei ffrindiau, gan alluogi ffoaduriaid o’r planhigfeydd ar draws yr afon i geisio rhyddid.”

Yn dilyn y ddarlith bydd seremoni wobrwyo hefyd i nodi a dathlu cyflawniadau menywod ar draws y Brifysgol.

Meddai Caroline Lewis, Pennaeth (interim) Canolfan Dysgu Proffesiynol ac Arweinyddiaeth y Brifysgol ac un o’r menywod a sefydlodd Rwydwaith Menywod y Brifysgol: “Ar Ddiwrnod Rhyngwladol y Menywod rydym yn falch iawn o allu dod â chydweithwyr at ei gilydd i gydnabod

cyflawniadau’r gorffennol tra byddwn hefyd yn edrych ymlaen i’r dyfodol ac i dynnu sylw at waith y rheini sy’n gweithio i ddatblygu cymdeithas fwy cynhwysol.

‘Yn y digwyddiad, byddwn hefyd yn dathlu’r rheini a enwebwyd

am wobr ‘Menywod y Flwyddyn’ Rhwydwaith y Menywod, gan nodi’r cyfraniad anhygoel y bydd cydweithwyr yn ei wneud yn barhaus i drawsnewid addysg a thrawsnewid bywydau i’n staff a’n myfyrwyr.”

Sefydlydd Merched y Wawr Zonia Bowen wedi marw

BU farw Zonia Bowen, sefydlydd Merched y Wawr, yn 97 oed.

O dan ei harweiniad, torrodd cangen W.I yn y Parc, Y Bala i ffwrdd oddi wrth Sefydliad y Merched a sefydlu eu mudiad eu hunain am fod swyddogion Sefydliad y Merched yn gwrthod caniatáu i ferched y Parc weinyddu’r gangen trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg.

Fe sefydlodd Merched y Wawr yn Y Parc yn 1967.

Zonia Bowen oedd Ysgrifennydd Cenedlaethol cyntaf Merched y Wawr ac hefyd golygydd cyntaf eu cylchgrawn ‘Y Wawr’.

Trefnodd nifer o deithiau tramor y mudiad gan gynnwys taith i’r Undeb Sofietaidd yn 1975.

Torrodd bob cysylltiad â Merched y Wawr yn

1976 gan ymddiswyddo fel Llywydd Anrhydeddus. Roedd nifer o brif swyddogion y mudiad ar y pryd o blaid cynnwys digwyddiadau Cristnogol fel gweithgareddau swyddogol ac roedd hyn yn mynd yn groes

i weledigaeth Zonia o sefydlu mudiad fyddai’n agored i bob merch.

Cafodd Zonia Margarita North ei magu yn Sir Efrog a dechreuodd ddysgu Cymraeg pan roedd yn fyfyrwraig ym Mhrifysgol Bangor yn

yr 1940au yn astudio Ffrangeg. Yn ddiweddarach, dysgodd Lydaweg a chyhoeddodd lyfrau dysgu Llydaweg cyfrwng Cymraeg. Roedd hi a’i diweddar ŵr, y cyn Archdderwydd

Geraint Bowen, yn flaenllaw yn ymgyrch Madryn yn erbyn claddu gwastraff niwclear yng nghanolbarth Cymru yn yr 1980au. Bu Zonia Bowen hefyd yn weithgar gyda Dyneiddwyr Cymru.

Wales’ youth triumph at national skills competition

OVER 280 talented young people from across Wales have been recognised for their outstanding vocational skills at this year’s Skills Competition Wales awards, securing 96 gold, 92 silver and 97 bronze medals.

Pembrokeshire proudly emerges as a beacon of excellence, seizing an impressive array of accolades at the Skills Competition Wales. With sheer determination and unwavering commitment, participants clinched an outstanding tally of achievements, including three coveted gold medals, eleven silver medals, and three bronze medals.

Furthermore, Pembrokeshire’s dedication to excellence was duly recognised with the prestigious Ecolab Excellence in Hygiene Award for Hospitality learner Leo Luke.

Not stopping there, Pembrokeshire also clinched the esteemed title of Best in Region for Childcare thanks to Level 3 Childcare student Tamika Simms, a testament to our learner’s commitment and the dedication of staff in supporting future generations.

Pembrokeshire College is pleased to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of their students at the Skills Competition Wales.

Luke Gibbons, Celyn Lewis, and Mia Parkin secured bronze medals in Electrical Installation, Childcare, and Beauty Therapy, respectively, demonstrating their expertise. The collaborative effort of Tom Jenkins, Drew John, Jak Matera-Byford, and Reuben Swindlehurst (SLÂK) in Popular Music earned them a deserving silver medal, alongside other silver medallists such as Ffion Mabey, Tamika Simms, Cerys Rogers, Kaya Majica, Luke Roberts, Connor Johnson, and Logan Russ. Emma Wilkinson,

Erin Owens, and Ross Muller claimed gold medals in Life Skills, Beauty Therapy, and Horticulture, showcasing their exceptional talent and dedication. These achievements underscore the hard work and commitment of the College’s students, solidifying Pembrokeshire College’s reputation for excellence in education and skills development.

Furthermore, Ysgol Preseli pupil Geraint Thomas earned a gold medal in the 14-16 years category for Construction Skills, demonstrating the breadth of talent within Pembrokeshire’s educational community.

These remarkable achievements stand as a testament to the talent, hard work, and dedication of the participants and tutors, solidifying Pembrokeshire’s reputation as a powerhouse in skills and innovation.

The announcement follows a series of competitions that took place in January and February, where a record-breaking 1,129 representatives from every corner of Wales competed to be named the ‘country’s best’ in their sector. Competitions covered skill areas including culinary arts, web development, aeronautical engineering and renewable energy.

This year’s competition also saw a steady and encouraging rise in

female participation in the traditionally maledominated construction categories, including carpentry, painting and decorating, and renewable energy, making up 20% of the competitor numbers – an increase of 10% since 2020.

The awards ceremony took place at the ICC Wales in Newport on Thursday 14 March, where medallists received welldeserved recognition for demonstrating their skills and hard work, surrounded by friends and family.

In addition, numerous ‘watch parties’ across Wales allowed competitors and their families to celebrate collectively across the nation and Pembrokeshire College celebrated the success of their students in the Merlin Theatre.

Gold medallist, Erin Owen, who competed in the Beauty Therapy Practitioner (Body) category, described her competition experience:

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won the gold medal, I was secretly hoping to be in the top 3 but was overwhelmed to win Gold.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the competitions, and I am looking forward to competing in WorldSkills UK later this year.”

Erin’s tutors celebrated her momentous moment

journeys. We are all really proud of their achievements.”

Young people in Wales can also compete in the upcoming SkillBuild and WorldSkills national and international competitions subject to a further round of applications. Registrations for this year’s Skill Build competitions close on 1st April 2024 and WorldSkills UK competitions close on the 28th March 2024.

with her: “We are not surprised that Erin won the gold medal as she is an outstanding student who excels in all her work. She has proved that hard work and determination pays off. As a team we are extremely proud of Erin’s achievements and have no doubt she will continue to succeed at every given opportunity. Ardderchog Erin Cer amdani! “

Skills Competition

Wales, run by the Inspiring Skills Excellence in Wales project, serves as a launchpad for participants to compete in p advert. jpg restigious national and international events such as WorldSkills UK, EuroSkills, and WorldSkills International. Funded by the Welsh Government, the project aims to nurture talent and drive excellence across different skill sectors by collaborating with a dedicated network of colleges, work-based learning providers and employer-led organisations.

Reflecting on the recent success at Pembrokeshire College, Principal Barry Walters said: “Pembrokeshire College is delighted to have scooped 17 medals from the Inspiring Skills Wales competitions last night. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were achieved by 17 learners across 10 different vocational routes. Thanks to the staff for their support for the learners’ competition

Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, said: “Skills Competition Wales serves as the perfect platform for our youth to push their boundaries and showcase their talents.

“One of my priorities for a stronger economy is to focus on young peoples’ skills and creativity, giving them the support they need to achieve ambitious futures here in Wales.

“Having had the privilege of supporting and attending numerous competitions, including this year’s Renewable Energy competition hosted at the Senedd, I’ve witnessed first hand the remarkable talent pool we have in Wales. It’s truly inspiring to see these young individuals take pride in their work and continuously strive for excellence in their chosen fields.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every competitor for their outstanding achievements so far. Each of you has a very exciting journey ahead.”

As Wales looks ahead, Lyon, France, will host the 47th International WorldSkills competition, where Welsh competitors will represent Team UK to be in with a shot at being crowned the best in the world at their vocational skill.

For more information on skills competitions in Wales and to be in with a chance to represent your country in 2024 and 2025, visit https:// inspiringskills.gov. wales/

Lucky hasn’t always had luck on her side

A YOUNG German Shepherd named Lucky has found a new lease on life after being rescued by the RSPCA under harrowing circumstances. The drama unfolded in May 2022, when RSPCA inspectors and police officers were summoned to a property in Monmouthshire due to the negligence of Lucky’s owner, who failed to provide necessary medical care for her severely injured leg.

Darren Oakley, a former RSPCA Inspector and now the Branch Manager for RSPCA Wyth Sir Branch, was at the forefront of the rescue. The situation took a shocking turn when Lucky’s injured leg part shockingly detached in front of Mr. Oakley, highlighting the dire

state of her condition.

“We had known she had a leg injury as the dog had been taken to a vet,” Mr. Oakley recounted, “But the reality of the situation hit hard when the hanging paw detached from her leg as I caught up to her.”

Despite the initial shock, Lucky’s journey from then on has been nothing short of miraculous. Immediately taken to the RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic, Lucky underwent an operation to amputate her injured leg, a procedure that Darren stayed through, providing comfort and support. “It was only the second time as an RSPCA Inspector I cried,” Mr. Oakley shared, reflecting on the emotional weight of the moment.

Following her recovery, Lucky faced

the challenge of finding a forever home, her reactive nature making it difficult. However, Darren’s consistent visits and care fostered a bond that led him to officially adopt Lucky, transforming both their lives profoundly. “She was very reactive and took time to trust people,” Darren explained, “But once she gets to know you, she is so loving.”

Now, Lucky accompanies Darren to work, sharing joy and affection with the staff of the RSPCA Wyth Sir Branch. Her story is not just one of survival but of the indomitable spirit of love and resilience. Lucky’s tale underscores the crucial work of the RSPCA and the difference compassionate care can make in the lives of animals in need.

Crabb MP calls for a fairer deal for farmers

WITH concerns over the future of farming in Wales rising to the top of the political agenda, Stephen Crabb MP took up the opportunity to visit a dairy farm near Cosheston recently (Friday 8th March) to meet with a group of Pembrokeshire farmers to hear exactly why the new Welsh Government farming policies have caused so much concern to the industry.

Held at Poyerston Farm, Stephen talked to the owner, NFU Cymru member, Roger Lewis, and a variety of NFU

Cymru farmers and representatives as well as Samual Kurtz local MS and Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, to hear their first-hand accounts of being part of one of the biggest farming demonstrations ever seen in Britain, which saw more than 3,000 farmers journeying to the Senedd.

During the farm visit Stephen was provided with a tour of the rotary milking parlour and was able to find out more about the Welsh Government NVZ rules, the Sustainable Farming Scheme and the ongoing struggles with Bovine

TB which are colliding to threaten the future of farming in Wales.

Stephen said,

“It is clear from speaking to farmers today that a major overhaul is needed to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme. The levels of stress and anxiety over all the new policies are justified and a lot of work needs to be done to restore the relationship of trust between Welsh Government and farmers.”

He added, “Farmers need an agricultural policy that

underpins local food production and support for securing resilient agricultural businesses and rural communities which is vitally important to Pembrokeshire. As the current policy stands, we are anticipating 5,500 jobs lost, a £200m hit to farm business incomes and 11% less livestock in Wales.”

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

MS, Samuel Kurtz added,

“Agriculture is the backbone of our local economy, yet the fear in the sector at the Welsh Labour Government’s plans are real. From TB and NVZs to the Sustainable Farming Scheme, Welsh agriculture has been under sustained attack by the Labour Government.”

“Working closely with Stephen, we’ve helped give a voice to our farmers either at the Senedd or in Westminster, to ensure that those fears are heard by the Labour Government in Cardiff.”

“A prosperous farming sector is good for our local economy and good for our environment. Huge thanks to the local

NFU Cymru team for the visit and the honesty in which they outlined the impact of the Welsh Labour Government’s policies on farmers.”

Roger Lewis commented,

“It’s been good to welcome both Samuel and Stephen out to farm today, there are a number of factors which are really adding to the pressure on farming businesses at the moment, including of course Welsh Government NVZ regulations, the TB situation in Wales and changes to support arrangements for farmers under the Sustainable Farming Scheme and we are grateful to Samuel for keeping up the pressure in Cardiff on all of these issues which are in the control of Welsh Government. When it comes to Westminster, NFU Cymru is keen to emphasise the importance of UK Governments making the right funding available via UK Treasury to support farmers in Wales, and we look to Stephen to help argue the case there.”

Stephen Crabb MP with Sam Kurtz MS at Poyerston Farm for an NFU Cymru farmers meeting.

Friday

FUW response to Sustainable Farming Scheme

THE FUW’s response to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme: “Keeping farmers farming” consultation has highlighted the concerning amount of change that is required to make sure the scheme is fit for purpose within the time available.

The Union’s response was compiled following discussions with members and sector representatives at thirteen regional meetings across Wales. Those meetings, attended by hundreds of members, as well as others who have a direct or indirect interest in the agricultural industry, were instrumental in compiling FUW’s response. Engagement also took place at twelve FUW County Executive meetings and meetings of the Union’s ten Standing Committees.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The Union’s response to this final consultation on the Sustainable Farming Scheme provides a comprehensive

insight into the views and concerns of our members.

“Firstly, we believe the overarching objectives of the scheme must be revised so that they align with the Welsh Way Forward principles and the nine objectives that underpin the current EU CAP framework, such as minimising adverse economic impacts and disruption for businesses, sectors and regions.

“At the very least, the SFS must provide meaningful support and income to active farmers in Wales for producing sustainable food in line with the first Sustainable Land Management objective.”

The FUW’s response also calls for the establishment of a small, focussed SFS design stakeholder group that includes the farming unions to consider the changes to the SFS and associated payment rates. There should also be the option to create sub-groups or panels that consider the details of different elements of the SFS, for example, in relation to broad

policy areas such as woodlands.

“It is imperative that we use the next few months effectively to re-design elements of the scheme in collaboration with the Welsh Government and other key stakeholders.

“This includes ensuring that the scheme payment rates are calculated in agreement with farming unions by using evidence gathered from economic impact assessments and farm business data. This would ensure payments go beyond income foregone and costs incurred so that the scheme is economically sustainable for farm businesses.

“It also includes the need to ensure that all Universal Actions and scheme rules are accessible and achievable by all and do not represent barriers to scheme entry,” he said.

Such a group should also assess the overall budget required to deliver different versions of the SFS, so that a case can be made to the UK Government for adequate funding. Changes can be made to the final scheme

if that funding falls short of what is required.

“The current and incoming Welsh Government must now seriously consider every single one of the thousands of responses to the consultation and work with the industry to design a scheme that is genuinely fit for purpose.

“On a final note, I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to the Union staff and to everyone who attended our SFS county meetings and contributed to the final FUW response,” concluded Ian Rickman.

MP Visits Carmarthenshire Company offering Innovative Agricultural Waste Solutions JONATHAN

EDWARDS, the MP for Carmarthenshire, recently visited local company Pruex to discuss its work.

Mr Edwards mentioned the company during a debate he led in Westminster on agriculture earlier this month and praised its innovative work in offering waste solutions for farmers.

Mr Edwards said: “I have been following the work of Pruex for a number of years. It’s great that we have such pioneering companies in the county that offer a sustainable solution to agricultural waste.

“I am delighted their work has been

recognised by the Welsh Government. The grant will help provide the evidence base which will hopefully drive change in the sector and offer a made in Carmarthenshire solution to reduce nitrate pollution, improve animal health, improve soil quality and increase carbon sequestration.”

Aled Davies, founder of Pruex, said: “Welsh agriculture has an opportunity to lead the fight against water and air pollution internationally. Biology has the answer to the pollutive chemistry issues our environments face. We can help farmers produce nutrient-dense food in an environmentally beneficial manner.”

The future of Welsh agriculture

By the time this column is read, we will know who is to be our new First Minister. There will be some pomp and splendour as Mark Drakeford officially resigns at the Senedd, sends his resignation to the King and The Llywydd makes an official announcement. Following some internal procedures, Senedd Members vote for the nominee put forward and then he goes back to the King so the First Minister is appointed.

Only then will the new First Minister appoint his Cabinet Ministers and we build a new working relationship, as an Union, with a Cabinet Member.

Will Lesley Griffiths retain her position as Rural Affairs Minister? Will a new Minister be at the helm of agriculture and rural affairs? Will we see the creation of a new Ministerial position that oversees Welsh Agriculture and nothing else? Only time will tell.

Whatever happens, you’ll be sure to know that our commitment and endeavours will continue at pace with the new Cabinet. We will continue to pursue positive changes to agricultural policies in Wales, not least the need to rethink the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Our in-depth consultation response has been submitted, and we’ve summarised those into 10 key priorities. From requesting meaningful support and income to farmers who actively farm and produce sustainable food to agreement on the revised overarching objectives of the SFS. We’ve argued strongly this should be revised in conjunction with both farming unions. This would ensure the objectives of the SFS align with the Welsh Way Forward principles that underpin the 2021-2027 EU CAP framework that governs our main competitors. By doing so, we would minimise any adverse economic impacts felt by businesses, sectors and regions. This may even require changes to the Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 but that would be a small price to pay for getting these policies right. Yes, the stakes are high, but we have to get this right and we left no stone unturned within our 20,000 word submission to the Welsh Government..

Another important step is to bring together a small focussed design group to consider changes to the SFS and importantly, the associated payment rates. Additionally, subgroups or panels could also be established to look at different elements of the SFS

However, we all know that finance is key to the success of the overall scheme, so the FUW believes that such a group should also assess the overall budget requirements to deliver different versions of the scheme. This is critical to Welsh agriculture and a case needs to be made to the UK Government for proper funding support. Should the UK Government fall short of supporting Welsh farmers with appropriate funding, then changes would have to be made to the final scheme design.

Welsh Government needs to estimate and plan their revenue and expenses for this scheme, as even more importantly every farm business needs to do the same. Without knowing what our farming members can expect to receive in farm income support, for the next five years, forward planning, longterm investments and the day to day running of a farming business is extremely difficult.

Other FUW priorities include:

• making sure all Universal Actions and Scheme rules are accessible and achievable for every active farmer

• evaluating the science for net zero and carbon sequestration by an independent group of experts to empower farmers, through financial support, to make progress towards net zero sustainably\

• using evidence gathered from economic impact assessments and farm business data to ensure payments go beyond income foregone and costs incurred

Changing from the Basic Payment Scheme to the SFS needs to be carefully managed and recognition given to the significance of this change for Welsh agriculture. It is a fundamental change with far-reaching consequences, not only to farm businesses, but to rural communities, companies, Welsh culture and language.

HCC’s campaign reaps major results

A MAJOR multiplatform consumer campaign aimed at increasing brand awareness of PGI Welsh Lamb has resulted in major success for Hybu Cig Cymru—Meat Promotion Wales.

Featuring the authentic voices of the Welsh farming community, the ‘Uniquely Welsh. Experts in their field campaign highlighted the lives of three farmers from very different parts of the country. Each shared their rich stories of farming heritage and dedication to producing quality, nutritious food.

The farmers taking part in the campaign were Emily Jones of Ceredigion, Alwyn Phillips from Bethel, and Ben Williams of Pentyrch.

A TV advert was also filmed at Ken and Lisa Markham’s farm in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant in

north Wales.

Their stories focused particularly on the work they are doing to become more sustainable while farming in harmony with their natural surroundings.

Ben Williams, who farms Garth Farm just outside Cardiff with his brother Ethan, says, “Sustainably farming and taking care of the ground and the land around us pays back in the long run. It’s a small investment for a very long-term reward.”

With both Ben and Ethan still in their twenties and representing the future of the industry, sustainable farming and allowing the farmers themselves to tell their story and have a greater connection with the consumer are very important. “I think the thing I enjoy most about farming is improving our production of food year on year—and sustainably.

farm achieved the campaign’s success. The advert featured their Welsh Mountain flock grazing the natural grasses on Cader Idris, a mountain at the southern end of Eryri National Park.

For Lisa, it was great to see their way of life appreciated in homes across the UK, “We have to farm the natural way, as our ancestors have done for centuries. Our lambs live on the natural grass – they fatten naturally –so we really do work in harmony with our natural surroundings.

These two things should always go hand in hand.

“I believe there needs to be a greater connection between the farmer and the consumer. Farmers should be able to tell their story—there is a lot to tell—so that people can appreciate the link between meat production, sustainability, and community. I truly believe farming has a bright future.”

Running between August and October 2023, the campaign employed a mix of TV advertising and more tactical implementations, such as out-of-home advertising near key retailers where the product was available in-store.

Activities reached over 3 million target consumers and delivered just under 24 million impressions across England and Wales. The campaign period also saw a dramatic increase in web visits, with just over 230,000 people visiting the site over the three months.

This resulted in a considerable uplift in brand awareness of 26% and propensity to purchase Welsh Lamb by 7%, which brought trust in the brand over competitor brands. Additionally, as a result of targeted advertising around key locations, the campaign saw a 10% uplift in footfall to a major retailer in England stocking the product.

A TV advert filmed at Ken and Lisa Markham’s

“Not only do we help maintain the spectacularly beautiful landscapes of Wales, but farmers are also essential to the rural economy and support local jobs. It is great to see us playing a greater role in helping sell our product. Consumers will hopefully understand a little bit more about our unique story, and our essential part in the fabric of the country.”

Philippa Gill, HCC’s Campaigns Executive, said: “Welsh Lamb has an incredible story to tell, and behind the premium product are our farmers. They are experts in their field and have played a central role in this campaign. We focused on the people who produce our food and highlighted the uniquely Welsh credentials that resonated well with consumers.

“Welsh farmers were embedded into the campaign, telling a story of rich heritage, hard work and cultural identity and we will now build on the success of the campaign in the coming year.”

Laura Pickup, HCC’s Head of Strategic Marketing and Connections added, “Welsh Lamb and our farmers are intrinsically linked to the environment and biodiversity and play a leading role in producing sustainable, nutritious food. In the coming year, we will continue to tell this story, building on the incredible success of this campaign.”

The new MG3 Hybrid+ has arrived

The all-new MG3 Hybrid+ supermini has arrived with MG Motor UK announcing pricing today and confirming that the MG3 is now available to order.

Both the SE and Trophy MG3 Hybrid+ models underline MG’s clear commitment to offering drivers exceptional value, with state-of-the-art hybrid technology available for a comparable price or less than many petrol superminis presently on sale in the UK.

The MG Hybrid+ SE starts from just £18,495 OTR with the even more generously equipped Trophy model available from £20,495 OTR. MG also offers a 7-year/80,000-mile warranty.

Like the awardwinning MG4 EV hatchback, the MG3 Hybrid+ is set to impress with its generous equipment levels designed for safety, comfort and entertainment as standard.

Both MG3 Hybrid+ models come with dual screen technology, 16” alloy wheels, satellite

navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, MG Pilot and a reversing camera. MG Pilot Safety includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Front Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Emergency Lane Keep Assist (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control.

The Trophy MG3 Hybrid+ delivers even more comfort, style and convenience including a 360° camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, keyless entry, privacy glass, rain sensing wipers and LED projector headlights.

At the heart of the new MG3 is its highly efficient Hybrid+ powertrain which is poised to bring some enjoyable MG performance and verve to the supermini sector.

The combination of a larger than average battery (1.83kWh) and high-performance electric motor (100kW) enables the MG3 to go fully electric for city driving, which sets it apart from many other hybrid superminis. For longer journeys, there is the reassurance of a 1.5-litre petrol engine.

Advanced, smart features of Hybrid+ include a drive and charge system that allows the petrol engine to drive the wheels whilst also charging the battery through the generator.

The MG3 Hybrid+ returns impressive economy figures of 64.2mpg (4.4l/100km) and 100g/km of CO2*.

Drivers can tailor the MG3’s responsiveness to their needs with the choice of three driving modes: Eco, Standard and Sport. Combined power is a class-leading

143kW giving the MG3 a sprightly 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds. Mid-range acceleration is just as impressive, covering 50-70mph in just 5.0 seconds.

The MG3 Hybrid+ chassis and suspension has also been specifically tuned for UK roads –similar to the agile MG4 – by the company’s Longbridge-based engineering team.

David Allison, Head of Product and Planning for MG Motor UK, comments: “There is still a very strong demand for the

affordable, practical and fun-to-drive supermini and we believe the MG3 Hybrid+ will appeal to many customers. Like all MG models, it will challenge the established superminis with its competitive price, whilst also delivering outstanding value with no compromises when it comes to equipment. We’re confident that if you simply wish to drive this MG for something other than daily commuting, it will offer a fun and involving experience.”

M o T or S

Hyundai KONA voted Best Compact SUV at the Fleet News Awards 2024

The all-new Hyundai KONA has been named Best Compact SUV at the prestigious Fleet News Awards 2024.

The judges, all experts drawn from across the fleet sector, assessed the entrants against a range of criteria including reliability, driver appeal, running costs, CO2 emissions, engine lineup, and manufacturer support.

The all-new KONA was voted the clear winner, with the judges concluding that: “With a range of powertrain options, including an impressive long-range full electric model, the Kona meets the needs of any company car driver – from job need to user-chooser to salary sacrifice. Reliable with a modern design and supported by an excellent dealer network, the Kona ticks all the fleet boxes at the right price point.”

The urban-centric SUV is distinguished by

its bold styling, drivercentric interior, advanced technologies, and dynamic road presence. The line-up of refined, efficient powertrains includes an entry-level 120PS 1.0-litre petrol, a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid offering CO2 emissions from just 106g/km, and an all-electric variant with a range of up to 319 miles (WLTP).

Tim White, Head of Fleet, Hyundai Motor UK said, “The first-generation KONA set new standards in the B-SUV segment, and with the all-new KONA we’ve built on that success to create a vehicle even better suited to our fleet and business customers. The stylish design, spacious cabin, and choice of highly efficient petrol, hybrid, and electric models ensure we cater to every user’s requirement, while our world-class quality, five-year, unlimited mileage warranty, and outstanding Retailer

network deliver real peace-of-mind. This award truly reflects what makes KONA such a compelling choice in this key market.”

The Fleet News Best Compact SUV award is the latest accolade for the all-new KONA, which since reveal has been named Company

Car and Van Awards

Medium Car of the Year, Carbuyer Best Small Family Car, and Auto Express Car of the Year, Best Company

Car, and Best Small SUV. For more information on the all-new KONA please visit www. hyundai.co.uk

Honda Civic e:HEV highly commended at 2024 Business Motoring Awards

Honda is thrilled to announce that the Civic e:HEV has been highly commended at the 2024 Business Motoring Awards in the ‘Best Hybrid’ category. This recognition highlights the exceptional design, innovation, and performance that the Civic e:HEV brings to the market.

With its advanced hybrid powertrain, the Civic seamlessly combines electric and petrol power to deliver optimal performance without compromising on fuel efficiency. This innovative system not only reduces emissions but also enhances the driving experience, making every journey enjoyable and effortless.

“We are pleased that the Honda Civic e:HEV has been highly commended at the 2024 Business Motoring Awards,” said Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda UK. “The Civic e:HEV represents the perfect mix of efficiency and driving pleasure, offering customers a vehicle that is both environmentally conscious and exhilarating to drive.”

Experience Vorsprung durch Technik: The new Audi Q6 e-tron

The Audi Q6 e-tron is the first production model on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and thus the new reference for Vorsprung durch Technik. Through its characteristics, the electric SUV embodies the next step in the company’s transformation into a provider of premium electric mobility. The model is defined not only by impressive driving and charging performance, but also by increased efficiency and electric range of up to 381 miles (UK models). The Audi Q6 e-tron embodies typical Audi SUV styling with a further refined e-tron design language. The new design philosophy in the interior and pioneering technologies debuting in the new model, begin the next chapter in electric mobility for the Four Rings and make Vorsprung durch Technik a tangible experience every day. With the Q6 e-tron, e-mobility is coming from the Ingolstadt plant for the first time.

The Audi Q6 e-tron quattro and SQ6 e-tron will be available to order in the UK from April 2024 priced from £68,975 and £92,950 (OTR) respectively.

The PPE, developed jointly with Porsche, and the E3 electronic architecture are important milestones in the expansion of Audi’s global range of electrically powered models. They mark the start of a comprehensive strengthening and rejuvenation of the model portfolio. The Q6 e-tron underpins Audi’s promise to offer electric vehicles in all core segments by 2027. “Built on the new PPE platform, the Audi Q6 e-tron is the next technological leap in premium electric mobility for our customers,” said Gernot Döllner, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, at the world

premiere at the main plant in Ingolstadt. “The PPE shows how we are pooling expertise within the Volkswagen Group and thus making electric mobility scalable.

Thanks to the PPE, we are able to launch highvolume models with high technical standards in different segments and thus further electrify our portfolio,” the Audi CEO added. The flexibility of the PPE helps in giving the future models their independent character and the typical Audi DNA, despite shared technical underpinnings.

The Q6 e-tron sets standards in terms of range and embodies typical Audi SUV styling with a further refined e-tron design language.

Thanks to the new E3 electronic architecture, the Q6 e-tron model series represents the technological spearhead of the Audi portfolio.

Impressive range and charging performance

Powerful, compact, and scalable electric motors, as well as a newly developed lithiumion battery consisting of 12 modules and 180 prismatic cells with a total gross capacity of 100

kWh (94.9 net) ensure a range of up to 381 miles on UK models. The new Audi Q6 e tron ensures the sporty performance Audi is known for with a system output of 285 kW (388PS) (power consumption in kWh/100 km combined: 19.4-17.3 (WLTP); CO2 emissions in g/km combined: 0; CO2-class A) and the SQ6 e tron with a system output of up to 380 kW (517PS) when launch control is is engaged (power consumption in kWh/100 km combined: 18.3-18.0 (WLTP); CO2 emissions in g/km combined: 0; CO2-class A) thus set standards in terms of performance, range, charging, driving dynamics, and design.

At market launch, two model variants with all-wheel drive will be available, followed by particularly efficient models with rear-wheel drive designed for range, which will also mark the entry into the Q6 e-tron series. The Q6 e-tron quattro accelerates from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds. The SQ6 e-tron takes just 4.3 seconds (with launch control). The vehicles’ top speeds are 130mph and 142mph

respectively.

Thanks to 800volt technology and a maximum charging capacity of 270 kW as standard, short charging stops are possible with the Audi Q6 e-tron. Up to 158 miles can be recharged in just 10 minutes at a high power charging station on the quattro powertrain. The state-of-charge (SoC) increases from 10 to 80 percent in around 21 minutes. Equipped with Plug & Charge, the vehicle authorizes itself at compatible charging stations when the charging cable is plugged in and commences the charging process. Charging is also fully automatic. If a charging station works with 400volt technology, the Audi Q6 e-tron can, for the first time, enable bank charging. The 800-volt battery is automatically divided into two batteries at equal voltage, which can then be charged in parallel with up to 150 kW. Depending on the state of charge, both halves of the battery are first equalized and then charged simultaneously.

Typical Audi SUV design: the exterior

soft shapes are in constant interplay with the creases and edges, lending dynamism to the shadows even when stationary. The upright front features a completely closed Singleframe and a mask in selenite silver or gloss black, which surrounds the three-dimensionally shaped Singleframe and the side air intakes. The high-positioned digital daytime running lights give the Q6 e-tron a very distinctive and independent appearance.

The Audi Q6 e-tron is positioned in the premium midsize segment, and with a length of 4,771mm, a width of 2,193mm (including mirrors), and a height of 1,702mm, the SUV offers maximum space, comfort, and suitability for everyday use. The wheelbase of 2,899mm allows plenty of legroom in the second row of seats. With these dimensions, the Audi Q6 e-tron offers sufficient space for five passengers and luggage and offers high utility value. Audi thus fulfils the requirements customers place on an SUV.

The Audi Q6 e-tron comes with perfect proportions thanks to the PPE. The ratio of a long wheelbase to very short overhangs forms the basis for the familiar, powerful, dynamic package seen in the exterior of Audi’s Q models. The Audi Q6 e-tron embodies the further developed e-tron-specific design language.

Its striking SUV look makes for an impressive and sporty appearance. In the car’s bodywork,

The greenhouse is stretched low and taut over the powerful body. It is slightly tapered towards the rear, and the gently sloping D-pillars flow elegantly into the bodywork’s muscular shoulders. The opening between the D-pillar and the roof gives the vehicle a more dynamic appearance and makes the cabin appear more stretched and longer. A prominent line running from the rear lights to the rear doors emphasises the upper section of the “quattro blisters” - the contours of the body on which the gently sloping D-pillars are supported. The blisters are a core element of Audi’s design DNA. Audi calls this central design principle “making technology visible.” The dynamically tightened rear creates a mixture of sporty elegance and masculine power. The clean and broad rear architecture with its continuous light strip lends the Q6 e-tron quattro the clarity and aplomb typical of Audi.

World first in lighting technology

With the Q6 e-tron, Audi is not only starting a new chapter in electric mobility, but also in an important part of Audi’s DNA: lighting technology. With the world’s first active digital light signature, the electric SUV is ushering in a new era characterised by design and aesthetics that are unique to Audi.

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Minister announces ambulances overhaul

FOLLOWING the heart-wrenching incident that led to the tragic loss of Charlotte Burston, a Llanteg mother who passed away after significant delays in ambulance services on Christmas Day, the Welsh Government has detailed a comprehensive plan to enhance the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST). The Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan, expressed deep condolences to the family and underscored the government’s commitment to transforming ambulance responsiveness across Wales.

Charlotte’s ordeal began with chest pains on Christmas Day, prompting her teenage daughter to contact the ambulance service. With no ambulance in sight even after a second call, her grandfather, Mr. Laye, made a desperate journey from Clunderwen to Charlotte’s home, only to find her struggling

to breathe. Despite his efforts and a subsequent 999 call informing him of a 1.5 to 2-hour wait, Charlotte succumbed to her condition at Morriston Hospital on New Year’s Eve.

In her letter, Minister Morgan extended her sincere condolences to the Burston family, emphasising the importance of learning from such incidents to prevent future tragedies.

Recognising the critical role of the complaints process in driving service improvements, she encouraged the bereaved family to engage with WAST’s

complaints mechanism. The minister assured that their feedback is crucial for the health service to identify shortcomings and implement necessary reforms.

Addressing the systemic issues plaguing the Welsh Ambulance Services, Minister Morgan outlined a series of measures aimed at improving the efficiency and responsiveness of ambulance services. The government’s immediate actions include optimising the Clinical Support Desk to manage a significant portion of calls remotely and boosting ambulance capacity through

controlled increases in staff overtime. The Connected Support Cymru initiative is another innovative approach, providing early assessment to patients and supporting remote clinical decision-making.

Furthermore, the Welsh Government has allocated an additional £27 million to ensure more accessible and appropriate care for patients. This investment will support the creation of same-day emergency care centers and improve patient flow through hospitals in partnership with local authorities,

thereby alleviating the pressure on ambulance services and enabling quicker community responses.

This announcement comes in the wake of Pembrokeshire coroner, Mark Layton’s reassurances to Mr. Laye that the concerns regarding ambulance response times are being taken seriously. The ongoing inquest into Charlotte’s death highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the ambulance service’s procedures and the urgency grading of calls.

Minister Morgan’s response to the tragedy reflects a commitment to overhauling the Welsh ambulance system.

By addressing both immediate and longterm challenges, the Welsh Government is promising to ensure that no other family experiences the grief and despair faced by the Burston family, marking a pivotal step towards enhancing healthcare and emergency response services in Wales.

Jessica brings comfort to other families after loss of baby boy

After sadly losing her baby boy Koa in 2023, Jessica Joyce is growing an online community which is dedicated to supporting parents whose babies are receiving care and treatment, or who have lost a child. Jessica’s Facebook group, Koa’s Comforts, encourages supporters to create and donate gifts which will bring comfort to parents, and now has over 500 members.

Jessica, who lives in Penygroes, Carmarthenshire, with her partner Caine, said: “After a difficult pregnancy, Koa was born prematurely on 4th May 2023 at just 29 weeks and sadly passed away shortly after his birth.

“Koa, meaning ‘warrior’, was exactly what he was: he fought for us the whole way and we intend to keep his memory alive in everything we do to honour him.

“We had no smallenough items for Koa to wear so I decided to start the group so that we can help bring comfort to parents during their hospital stays and beyond as we know how important these items are, and the memories they hold.”

Jessica set up the Koa’s Comforts Facebook group in December 2023 with the aim of providing multiple hospitals and funeral homes with the comfort items for parents, including the Special Care Baby Unit in Glangwili Hospital.

After contacting hospitals to see if there is anything specific they may need or like, Jessica then posts requests in the group.

“Ladies from all over have sent in items they have created for donation, with parcels arriving weekly,” Jessica said. “I sort and store all the wonder-

ful creations in my son’s forever bedroom which brings me much comfort as I enjoy spending time in there with his things. They are then packaged up and delivered to where they are needed.

“Starting the group and knowing we are doing something positive in our Son’s name is so rewarding. I also have so many supporters tell me how they feel a purpose in helping and can’t wait to make more creations for us.

“Spreading the love we have for Koa by supporting others has given us much-needed purpose.”

Sandra Pegram, Unit Manager at the Special Care Baby Unit in Glangwili Hospital, said: “We are so grateful for the donated items from Jessica’s group and we can’t thank Jessica and her supporters enough.

These donated items mean so much to parents whose babies are receiving care in the Unit, and also to staff. Little acts of kindness can make such a difference.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University health Board, said: “On behalf of all our services and parents who benefit from the donations from Koa’s Comforts, we’d like to say a heartfelt thank you. Charitable donations such as these can have such a positive impact on the experiences of patients, their families and staff. Diolch yn fawr.”

To join the Koa’s Comforts Facebook group, For more details about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

WG introduces new NHS goals

ACCORDING to

Wales’s Health Minister, Eluned Morgan, new quality standards will help improve the country’s emergency departments in several ways.

The new standards include using “evidencebased” approaches to speed up assessment times, reducing the time people wait to be admitted to the hospital, and focusing on “sustainability.”

Health boards will be expected to deliver the Quality Statement for Care in the Emergency Department, which Health Minister Eluned Morgan launched on March 15, to improve outcomes and the experience of everyone attending Wales’ emergency departments.

The statement complements the Six Goals for Urgent and Emergency Care programme, which has developed new services to ensure people can get the right care in the right place for the first time.

The Minister did not announce any new money to help meet the goals

Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Building on the improvements we’ve

delivered through the Six Goals for Emergency Care programme, the Quality Statement will provide health boards with clear direction on what good care looks like within our emergency departments across Wales.

“Our Six Goals programme has helped to ensure that people are being seen in the right place by the right person – that doesn’t mean that everyone always has to go to an emergency department when they need urgent care.

“It has also helped our major emergency departments outperform their counterparts in England in 14 of the last 17 months about the four-hour target. We are pleased that the Office for National Statistics has recently confirmed that the published performance statistics for major emergency departments in England, Scotland, and Wales are broadly comparable.

“But we know there’s much more to do to improve the standard and timeliness of care people receive when they go to emergency departments.

“We’ve listened to

staff and the public in developing this Quality Statement. The public wants clear and frequent communication, to feel comfortable and warm, and to be treated quickly but sensitively.

“And we know the dedicated and skilled staff working in these busy departments want a focus on the timely flow of patients from departments into hospital wards and access to better quality data to drive improvements to patient care.

“These will be our priorities in the year ahead, and I expect our national programme, clinical network, and health boards to support their delivery.”

The Welsh government is funding a new national ‘Green ED’ scheme, in collaboration with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM), to embed sustainable working practices and reduce emissions, waste, and costs in Wales’ 12 emergency departments.

The Minister has also established a national task group to review emergency department measures.

The Welsh

Government claims it will consider whether there are better measures of quality, value, experience, and outcome for care provided in emergency departments to help inform the Welsh public about what to expect when accessing these services and drive improvements. It will focus on what matters most to people and what is clinically meaningful.

However, data show that between 2007 and 2016, performance levels were moderately consistent, and fourhour performance rarely dropped below 80%. However, since January 2017, the number of people waiting four hours or more increased by 64%, the number waiting more than eight hours by 100%, and the number waiting more than 12 hours by 143%. This is despite attendance increasing by only 0.9% in the same period.

Whatever else is going on, increased demand for emergency services cannot be wholly behind the catastrophic increase in waiting times.

The National Clinical Lead for Emergency Care, Tim Rogerson, added: “Emergency department

staff work tirelessly 24/7 to deliver patients the best possible care under relentless pressure.

“It is recognised that many of the challenges we face have causes and solutions outside of the emergency department footprint. However, clinical leaders are pleased to have a Quality Statement that focuses on emergency departments, allowing us to prioritise our gifts and drive the quality of emergency care provided across Wales.”

Russell George MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, said: “These expectations from the Labour Government ring hollow without the funding to meet them.

“Years of Labour and Plaid diverting money from our health service to their vanity projects have led to long waits for Welsh patients.

“The Welsh Conservatives want to see the full Barnett uplift for health spent on our Welsh NHS to fully resource it and our workforce boosting plan enacted to improve patient waiting times.”

H eal TH

bu SI ne SS

Welsh food and drink companies forge new connections in Asia

SOME of Wales’ best known food and drink companies have recently returned from Japan, where they have been promoting the best of what Wales has to offer at Asia’s largest food and drink exhibition.

Supported by the Welsh Government, seven food and drink producers from Wales attended Foodex Japan, under the Cymru/Wales banner, with many returning having made important new contacts, that will hopefully lead to lucrative orders.

Among the Welsh exhibitors were Calon Wen, Castle Dairies, Edwards – The Welsh Butcher, Glamorgan Brewing, Hybu Cig Cymru, Mydflower and Ty Nant.

Welsh food and drink exports to non-EU countries were worth £203m in 2022, a large increase from £176m in 2021. This is also a significant increase over the longer term, increasing by £58m since 2018. The value of Welsh food and drink exports to Asia and Oceania in 2022 was £47m.

Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths, said “Foodex Japan is an important event for Welsh food and drink companies to showcase their highquality products, build valuable contacts and expand their exports in a country which is known for its food culture.

“The Welsh Government offers a number of programmes to assist businesses attending trade events on the world stage, such as Foodex, and I would encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch with the team and find out how we can help.”

Foodex Japan is a four day event, held at Tokyo Big Sight, and hosted over 2,500 leading food and drink companies from more than 60 countries and regions. It is a hub for

numerous business negotiations with top food and drink buyers from across Asia, as well as Japan. It provides a key opportunity to promote and build on the reputation of Welsh food and drink and connect with new customers across the region.

Conwy based multiaward-winning food brand Edwards – The Welsh Butcher was one of the companies on the Cymru/Wales stand and Jeremy Stoker felt

it was a worthwhile visit, “Foodex was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our high-quality Welsh ‘meat’ products to an international audience. We were delighted to have ‘interest’ from attendees. We are excited to continue building our brand and expanding our reach in the Asian market.”

Another company hoping to pick up some orders is south west Wales based dry

sparkling wines from traditionally foraged local ingredients producers Mydflower Ltd, as Michael DewVeal told The Herald: “Events such as Foodex offered us the chance to show off our products to an extensive audience but it’s also an opportunity to meet with buyers and gain insight into new markets. This kind of event allows us the chance to look at expanding our market further.”

Caerphilly based Castle Dairies attracted quite a bit of interest with their range of award-winning butters and spreadable butters, as David Cooknell said: “We were thrilled to attend Foodex and showcase our products to the Asian market. The event was a great success as we were able to connect with many potential customers. It is now the case of following up on that interest and turning it into sales.”

Foodex was held at Tokyo Big Sight on 5-8 March with 7 Welsh businesses in attendance being showcased on the Cymru/Wales stand.

For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with reaching new markets through trade event visit https:// businesswales.gov. wales/foodanddrink/ growing-your-business/ trade-events

For more information on how the Welsh Government can assist your business with exporting please visit https://businesswales. gov.wales/export/

Crabb calls for more action for Hospitality trade ahead of season

AHEAD of the kick start of a new tourism in Pembrokeshire, Stephen Crabb MP has been working with local restaurant and pub owners to highlight the challenges that many of them are facing with recent figures from UK Hospitality trade body, showing that pubs and restaurants have been closing in Wales at a faster rate than anywhere else in the UK.

Stephen has been keen to focus attention on what can be done to better support hospitality businesses to help make the Welsh business sector more competitive.

In Parliament last week, Stephen spoke about the help that measures like freezing alcohol duty, raising the VAT threshold and freezing fuel duty can bring to the industry. He lobbied the Government ahead of the budget to make the case on behalf of Pembrokeshire businesses.

Stephen continues to advocate for support for small businesses on energy costs. He has acted for those tied into new deals at the height of the energy market which left many facing crippling costs. He was part of a cross party coalition of MPs wanting a VAT cut for hospitality businesses and he has been critical of Welsh Government over their disastrous slashing of business support for business rates relief. In their recent budget announcement, the Welsh Government reduced the 75 per cent business rates relief for hospitality and leisure businesses to 40 per cent. In England, the Chancellor froze the Small Business Multiplier for another year and extended the Retail, Hospitality, and Leisure Relief Scheme, offering a 75 per cent discount on business rates up to £110,000. This will save the average independent

pub over £12,800 in 2024-25 at a cost of £4.3 billion.

Stephen Crabb MP said: “As we look ahead to the Easter holiday and the beginning of the 2024 season, this should be a time of optimism and expectation of good

turnover, however, no one can deny there are major challenges across the sector, especially here in Wales.”

“Having spoken to local businesses these past few weeks like Martha’s Vineyard, The First and Last,

The Harp and the Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa – I am aware of the pressure points they have and am doing all I can to raise those concerns at a local, Welsh and UK Government level. It is as essential as

ever for our local community to get behind these independent businesses.

“They provide important jobs, local facilities, and are vital to our local economy keeping money within our county.”

P ol ITI c S

POSITIVELY LIBERAL

W ITH ANDREW LYE

the government’s new definition of “extremism”.

Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Alistair Carmichael MP said: “After weeks of Conservative uncertainty, it is disappointing to see this new definition - which is at best vague, and at worst risks sowing even more division”.

“In working up this new approach, the Conservative Government has failed to consult communities, while bringing forward concerning unilateral powers for ministers. With something as important as countering extremism, they cannot get away with this botched job.”

This comes at the same time as the Conservatives have been placed in a quandary over comments made by Frank Hester, about Diane Abbott MP. Hester has donated £10m to the Conservative Party and it has also be claimed that he had donated a further £5m to them. The claim has not been denied by the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats have written to Conservative Party Chair, Richard Holden over the £10m donation from Frank Hester and the government’s new extremism definition.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper asked whether the Conservative Party will apply the new definition of extremism to its engagement with outside groups and individuals including party donors. She added that this would surely mean returning the £10m donation from Frank Hester and ruling out taking any more donations from him in future.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper MP said: “Frank Hester’s alleged remarks were hateful and racist,

Gething’s hollow victory

“INTEGRITY”.

and suggested that an MP should be shot. With all their talk of stamping out extremism, the Conservative Party’s refusal to hand back his £10m donation is completely untenable”.

“The Conservative Party need to confirm if they will adopt the government’s new definition of extremism. If they do, that would surely leave them with no choice but to return this tainted money. If not, it shows once again that it’s one rule for them and one rule for us”.

“Every day this goes on, this scandal shows how Rishi Sunak’s government has lost its moral compass and is totally unfit to govern the country.”

“Given the widespread concern about the possible impact of this new definition, the public has a right to know whether the Conservative Party will be applying these new rules itself”.

We are truly watching the dying days of the current Government. A party mired in messes of its own making and Conservative MP’s who have seen the writing is on the wall. The tally of sitting MP’s who have announced they are standing down at the forthcoming General Election, now stands at just over 60 and insiders reckon it could grow to about 100.

The Budget has confirmed that this Conservative government has run out of ideas and deserves to be kicked out of office. It looks like Rishi Sunak is desperately clinging onto power instead of calling a General Election. Indeed, there are whispers that some Tories are plotting to remove Sunak and replace him with Penny Mordaunt. If that does happen, she would become the 4th Conservative Prime Minister since the 2019 General Election.

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

Jeremy Miles mentioned it in his statement after he narrowly failed to become leader of Labour in Wales.

Mr Miles said: “The outpouring of support from Welsh Labour members has been a source of genuine inspiration to me.

“While the result is not what we worked hard for, I am incredibly proud of the passion, dedication, integrity and professionalism of our campaign.”

In this context, “integrity” is more than a word dropped casually into a list of adjectives praising his campaign.

Mr Gething has a problem convincing the public he has acted with or has integrity.

It’s hard to escape the notion that Vaughan Gething’s every decision, ideal, polished phrase, and neatly pressed cuff, collar, and tie has been tailored to serve his political ambitions.

Whether that constitutes “integrity” depends on one’s point of view.

From rigged union ballots to the £200,000 contribution to his leadership campaign to his arrogant dismissal of journalists questioning him about that donation, Mr Gething’s rise to the leadership of Labour in Wales is marked by careerist ambition, entitled arrogance, and (as you might expect from a Welsh Government minister) an unwillingness to face up to or answer scrutiny.

He won’t return the £200,000 donation because it was made and accepted “within the rules”.

Imagine how that plays while the Labour Party tries making the moral case for the Conservatives to return £10m in donations to Frank Hester.

Mr Hester’s donations were made within the rules. His appalling and racist remarks about Diane Abbott MP do not change their lawfulness.

The word “hypocrite” is over-used about politicians.

However, if the cap fits, wear it.

A VICTORY BY THE NUMBERS

The electorate eligible to vote in the leadership election was 118,000.

That electorate consists of 18,000 individual Labour Party members and 100,000 members of trade unions.

Those holding trade union membership and individual Labour Party membership can vote twice.

57.8% of the 18,000 individual members voted in the election.

9.4% of the 100,000 trade union members voted.

The overall turnout was 16.1%.

Mr Gething won with a vote share of 51.7% against Mr Miles’s 48.3%.

From those figures, the following becomes clear:

10,400 individual members voted.

9,400 union members voted.

The total number of votes cast was 19,800.

Mr Gething got 51.7% of those votes.

Therefore, the total number of votes cast for Vaughan Gething was around 10,200.

10,200 is approximately 8.6% of the eligible electorate.

In short, less than 9% of the Labour Party electorate supported Vaughan Gething’s leadership bid.

It is hardly a ringing endorsement.

It’s no better, of course, for Jeremy Miles, who got fewer votes (c. 9,600).

The difference between the candidates is around 600 votes.

Now, let’s drill deeper into the data.

Among ordinary party members, the split between the candidates was 50.7% to Mr Gething against 49.3% to Mr Miles.

Mapping those percentages into the turnout shows that Mr

Gething received around 5,300 votes from the membership, compared to 4,900 for Mr Miles.

In the crucial union ballot, Mr Gething received 52.7% of the votes, compared to 47.4% for Mr Miles.

Mapping those percentages into the turnout figures shows that Mr Gething got around 4,950 votes, and Mr Miles got around 4,600.

The figures are rounded and necessarily approximate.

We cannot know how many union members who are individual members voted twice for the same candidate.

Suppose Mr Gething’s campaign double-dipped the electorate using the union membership lists unavailable to Mr Miles’s campaign. In that case, it beggars belief that the double votes did not break unevenly for Mr Gething over his opponent.

With such a pitifully low turnout and such a slender margin of victory, Mr Gething’s victory is an even weaker endorsement than would appear from the bare 5248 vote split overall.

“DEEP CONCERNS” BUT NO SIGN OF ACTING ON THEM

Conservative Senedd leader Andrew RT Davies has made the only (facetious) offer of support for Mr Gething.

Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru Leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS expressed deep concern that “we now have an incoming First Minister who, before even taking up the highest public office, is facing serious allegations and questions about his judgement.”

At the time of writing, however, Plaid Cymru has failed to answer our questions about whether those “deep concerns” mean Plaid will back Mr Gething in the vote to become First Minister, whether they will oppose Mr Gething’s nomination, or whether they shall abstain.

Plaid has already sold out its commitment to the Single Transferrable Vote for future Senedd elections on a laughable pretext and has agreed to support the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Having paid the price for Adam Price’s tenure as leader and his predecessor’s even more disastrous inheritance, Plaid must decide whether it is a political party or a Labour Party pressure group. Plaid’s leadership must decide— and quickly—whether Rhun ap Iorwerth’s “deep concerns” mean anything or are no more than an empty gesture.

WITH PHILIPPA THOMPSON

I’ve been out and about this week knocking on doors and asking voters “What matters to you?”. Overall, I’d say there’s disillusionment with politics and a view that all political parties are the same. So why vote Philippa Thompson, Labour and Co-operative, in the Police and Crime Commissioner election on Thursday 2 May 2024?

Mr ap Iorwerth also says of Mr Gething: “He has sat around the Cabinet table and held key portfolios while Wales’s economy has stagnated, NHS waiting lists have grown, and child poverty remains a national scandal. Nothing said during the leadership campaign suggests we will now see a gearchange in addressing these huge challenges.”

about whether it would stick with a Cooperation Agreement that props up the status quo in Cardiff Bay.

At the time of writing, however, Plaid Cymru failed to answer questions

CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY

As for the Conservatives, with the right discipline, focus, and attention to detail, Mr Gething’s election is like all their Christmases have come simultaneously.

An unpopular leader with a short fuse, who most of his party knows is an electoral liability.

They don’t have to look far for inspiration to exploit that situation.

Alistair Cameron to stand in Mid and South Pembrokeshire

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have announced Alistair Cameron as their candidate for Mid and South Pembrokeshire at the next general election.

Alistair Cameron is honoured to be selected as the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the new Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency. Having grown up in the area and currently living in Stepaside, Alistair has served as County Councillor for the Kilgetty and Begelly

ward on Pembrokeshire County Council since 2022.

Alistair has worked as an English teacher at a further education college, in human resources in the electricity industry, and as Council Leader of an English Borough Council. He is a governor at three local schools and has been active in learning Welsh, recently starting an advanced language course.

As Pembrokeshire County Councillor, Alistair sits on the Schools and Learning and Social Care Scrutiny Committees, and acts as the council’s Learning Disabilities Champion.

Since joining, Alistair has worked tirelessly on many local issues including improving road safety, upgrading play areas, maintaining accessible footpaths, preserving bus services, and collaborating with the police and council to address antisocial behaviour.

With his long record of public service and strong connections to the local community, Alistair aims to be a dedicated, compassionate advocate for the people of Mid and South Pembrokeshire.

Commenting on his selection Cllr Alistair Cameron stated:

“The cost of living crisis has hit Pembrokeshire hard, with child poverty rates among the highest in Wales. As your candidate, I am pushing for quality local jobs that offer fair wages to help families get by. Additionally, I aim to urge the UK government to boost support for offshore wind and green hydrogen industries off our coastline, creating skilled, sustainable employment for our region.

“Residents across Pembrokeshire are frustrated with long waits to access healthcare under the Labourled system, whether

seeing a GP, finding an NHS dentist, or getting hospital treatment for serious illnesses. I will fight for improved accessibility to vital service, pushing for life-saving treatments like radiotherapy to be readily available for all local residents who need them.

“I will also push to remove obstacles created by the current European trade deal, ensuring future agreements uphold high standards for health, the environment and animal welfare. I am committed to preventing our local farmers and food manufacturers from facing unfair competition. They need a fairer and more workable farming payment scheme than the one currently proposed.

As your representative in Westminster, I will work tirelessly towards a better and fairer deal for Pembrokeshire.

It’s important to me to be local when asking for the trust of my own community. What matters to you, certainly in terms of police and crime, matters to me and to my family as well. My guiding principles, as a British diplomat serving at home and overseas to represent the interests of the United Kingdom, have been those of the Seven Principles of Public Life, also known as the Nolan Principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, leadership.

If elected as our Police and Crime Commissioner these are the standards I expect to be held to, and the standards I believe we all should expect from those who serve us, including our police. As a Parent Governor at my sons’ schools I learnt to be a “Critical Friend”, taking the time to fully understand how things work, not being afraid to question and being trusted that those questions were asked for the right reasons, to drive success.

You may know that three of the four current Police and Crime Commissioner in Wales are Labour and Co-operative. That means bringing

a collaborative approach to policing, working together with our community, with community groups, with other public services, to tackle the underlying causes of crime. My public service career has been all about working in a joined-up way, including with police and prison services. The police alone cannot cut crime: a joined-up approach to policy, strategy and delivery, from improving mental health and wellbeing, to education and youth services is vital.

The Labour Party’s “Take Back Our Streets” Mission highlights police and criminal justice reform, to rebuild public confidence in policing and the criminal justice system. The plan is to turn around the collapse in the proportion of crimes solved, to increase the pool of prosecutors who can bring criminals to justice, to build the prison places the Tories promised and failed to deliver. Vetting and training processes for the police will also be overhauled.

If elected by you, my pledge is to hold Labour to these promises, working closely with the Welsh Labour Government in Cardiff, so that our communities are safe and feel safe.

If you’d like to find out more about my campaign to be our next Police and Crime Commissioner there’s more at www.facebook.com/ PhilippaThompsonLabour Philippa Thompson Labour & Co-operative Party Candidate for Dyfed-Powys Police a

When the National Assembly for Wales (the predecessor of today’s Senedd) was established in 1999 it was hailed as an opportunity to change the way politics was conducted. An opportunity to create a more inclusive form of politics, away from the confrontational and adversarial practices of Westminster.

It was also seen as an opportunity to start afresh without the accusations of ‘Cash for Questions’ and Sleaze that had brought down John Major’s Conservative Government in 1997.

So it was a little ironic that the Assembly voting system allowed one of the sleaziest politicians of all time - Neil Hamilton - to be elected to the Senedd in 2016. Despite being branded ‘a liar and a cheat’ the Additional Member System used in Wales gave him an opportunity to stand on the closed list system as a UKIP candidate. UKIP achieved only 11.6% of the regional vote in the Mid & West Wales region- but it was enough to secure UKIP a regional seat. The vast majority of UKIP voters were voting for UKIP the party - not Neil Hamilton the person - and there was no way to vote for an alternative UKIP candidate. The ‘d’Hondt’ voting system used for the regional Additional Members meant that it was possible to get elected on the list with as little as 10% of the vote within a region, irrespective of how personally despised an individual might be.

Back to the current day and our updated electoral arrangements will now be entirely based around a closed-list voting system that will limit the power of the electorate to only select a party - while party managers will have the sole right to determine the list order and who will actually be elected.

Meanwhile our next

First Minister will not

have been democratically elected by the Welsh electorate but has just been appointed by his party - Welsh Labour. The party will claim that he has been democratically elected by Labour Party members - but there have already been allegations of vote rigging made against supporters of Vaughan Gething - with the Unite union indulging in some very questionable practices to ensure their preferred candidate was nominated. Incidentally, Vaughan is no stranger to electoral controversy having previously been accused of illegal election practices in an earlier Cardiff Council election by the widely respected Betty Campbell, whose statue now stands in Central Square in Cardiff.

Vaughan now finds himself embroiled in his own ‘cash-for-questions’ scandal, accused of taking £200,000 in campaign funds from Atlantic Cycling - a Company that he had previously lobbied for, despite it being convicted of environmental offences. His own Labour Party colleagues and current and former MSs have condemned this donation stating that it is ‘completely unjustifiable and wrong’ and ‘damaging to devolution’.

So here we are, 25 years after the early promises of devolution, to find ourselves saddled with an undemocratic sleaze ridden institution. Exactly the sort of body that we were supposed to be replacing. We need to have a serious look at our democratic institutions - to ensure that we are establishing a solid foundation on which to build a future government of an independent Wales.

This article was written by Yes Cymru director Michael Murphy.

Gething becomes Europe’s first black leader

VAUGHAN GETHING became Wales’s First Minister on Wednesday, March 20.

The Cardiff South and Penarth MS became Labour Party’s leader in Wales the preceding Saturday.

He is the first black leader of a European country.

Mr Gething’s election as First Minister was little more than a formality.

Labour holds thirty of the Senedd’s sixty seats, and Rhys ab Owen, the former Plaid MS, has been suspended from the Senedd.

As usual, whatever their misgivings about Mr Gething’s character and leadership, Labour MSs unanimously backed their man.

Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth received his group’s backing, and Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies got votes of those Conservative MSs present.

Mr Gething, whose integrity has been questioned over donations to his leadership campaign, said: “Delivering on the needs of the people of Wales requires a collective commitment to listening.

“In the face of new forces of division, restoring trust and recovering dignity in speaking to one another

is more important than ever.

“Those who seek to amplify nasty populism are hungry for a disunited Wales.

“Our task, I believe, is to prevent the victory of division and hate by building bridges, listening, and recreating a bond of trust between people and power.”

Mr Gething concluded his speech by speaking about his status as a black leader of a European country: “It is a matter of pride, I believe, for a modern Wales, but also a daunting responsibility for me, and one that I do not take lightly.

“But today, we can also expect a depressingly familiar pattern to emerge, with abuse on social media, racist tropes disguised with polite language, people questioning my motives, and, yes, they will still question or deny my nationality, whilst others will question why I am playing the race card.

“To those people, I say once more: it is very easy not to care about identity when your own has never once been questioned or held you back.”

Mr Gething is fifty years old.

After his family moved from Abergavenny, he grew up in Dorset, went to Aberystwyth

scrap plans for more politicians, to scrap the 20mph speed limit, and scrap the Sustainable Farming Scheme as it stands in its current form, we will work with you to deliver the people’s priorities.”

Plaid leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said: “I congratulate Vaughan Gething on becoming the First Minister of Wales and wish him well.

“He inherits significant challenges due to Labour’s record in government in Wales, coupled with Tory austerity.

University, became Student Union President and President of NUS Wales, graduated in law, joined a major law firm working for trade unions in 2001, became a partner there in 2007, President of the Welsh TUC in 2008 aged 34, and an MS in 2011.

In 2016, Mr Gething became Deputy Minister for Health in Carwyn Jones’s government. He campaigned to succeed Carwyn Jones but became Health Minister under Mark Drakeford before moving to the Economy portfolio.

His most notable political achievement before entering the thenWelsh Assembly was unseating (by two votes) the legendary black community activist Betty Campbell in an election for the Butetown Ward on Cardiff City Council.

Responding to Vaughan Gething’s election, Andrew RT Davies said: “I congratulate Vaughan Gething on receiving the endorsement of the Senedd to become the next First Minister of Wales.

“Vaughan now has an opportunity for a fresh start, to scrap Labour’s vanity projects and deliver for our NHS, schools, and families up and down Wales.

“Our message to Vaughan is clear: If you are prepared to

“A faltering economy, longer NHS waiting lists and falling educational standards is a legacy of collective government in which the incoming First Minister has played a central role for over a decade.

“We know the Labour leadership campaign was divisive, but we also saw a lack of new ideas. The people of Wales will rightly think that what lies ahead will likely be more of the same.

“Ongoing questions around donations to Vaughan Gething’s campaign are now a serious cloud over the office of the First Minister. Holders of high office must be able to secure the electorate’s confidence, and in the absence of that money being repaid, public perceptions will persist.

“At a time when the Conservative UK Government has run out of road. With Labour failing to fight for Wales, it’s more important than ever to have a strong Plaid Cymru voice putting Wales’ interests first and making the most of its influence to bring about positive change in Wales.

“We will leave no stone unturned in holding the new First Minister and his Labour Welsh Government to account.”

Mr Gething has plenty to do. Changing the Welsh public’s perception of Labour’s record in government is a significant challenge in a General Election year.

Warning over education standards in Wales

WALES’s PISA results, published in December 2023, were very disappointing.

There were larger declines in reading, maths, and science than in most other countries, leaving scores lower than in the rest of the UK.

The problem is not just low PISA scores; there are bigger inequalities in GCSE results in Wales, and post-16 outcomes are worse.

Poor educational outcomes across the spectrum in Wales, particularly poor performance among less-well-off pupils, represent a major challenge for the new First Minister.

As a result, a new report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies recommends that policymakers and educators in Wales rethink past reforms and make major changes.

Without reform, there is a danger that the picture will get worse.

Low educational outcomes in Wales extend across a range of measures and are unlikely to reflect higher poverty in Wales, a different ethnic mix of pupils, statistical biases or differences in resources:

In 2022, PISA scores in Wales declined more than in most other countries and more than in the other nations of the UK. This brought scores in Wales to their lowestever level, significantly below the average across OECD countries.

In PISA, the average pupil in Wales performed at the same level as the most disadvantaged children in England.

The gap in GCSE results between disadvantaged and other children in Wales in 2019 (equivalent to 22–23 months of educational progress) was larger than in England (equivalent to a still large 18 months of educational progress).

Across England and Wales, the local areas with the lowest performance for disadvantaged pupils are practically all in Wales.

Some areas of England have poverty levels similar to those of local areas in Wales but significantly higher GCSE results for disadvantaged pupils, e.g., Liverpool, Gateshead, and Barnsley.

In PISA data, secondgeneration immigrants also tend to show lower performance levels in Wales than in England.

Spending per pupil is similar in the two countries.

There are also worse post-16 educational outcomes in Wales, with a higher share of young people not in education, employment or training than in the rest of the UK (11% compared with 5–9%), lower levels of participation in higher education (particularly amongst boys) and lower levels of employment and earnings for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The explanation for lower educational performance is more likely to reflect longstanding differences in policy and approach, such as lower external accountability levels and less data use. There are also important lessons for policymakers in Wales from across the UK.

The new Curriculum for Wales is partly based on the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence.

Both aim to broaden the curriculum, improve well-being and focus on skills. However, there is evidence that these quite general skillsbased curricula might

not be effective ways to develop those skills.

In PISA, pupil wellbeing in Wales is also significantly below the OECD average.

New GCSEs are due to be taught in Wales from 2025, including greater use of continuous assessment, a broader range of subjects, and the removal of triple science as an option. These reforms risk widening inequalities, increasing teacher workloads, and limiting future education opportunities.

There is much greater use of data to understand differences in outcomes and inequalities in England. This could easily be emulated in Wales without any return to school league tables.

We recommend that policymakers and educators in Wales pause and rethink ongoing reforms in the following areas:

The new Curriculum for Wales should place greater emphasis on specific knowledge.

Reforms to GCSEs should be delayed to give proper time to consider their effects on long-term outcomes, teacher workload and inequalities.

More data on pupil skill levels and the degree of inequality in attainment are needed and should be published regularly.

A move towards school report cards, alongside existing school inspections, could effectively provide greater information for parents without any return to league tables.

Luke Sibieta, IFS

BLUE VIEW

WITH SAMUEL KURTZ MS

IN NATURE, Spring is the season of new beginnings and rebirth, so it is quite apt that on the first day of Spring, March 20th, Wales saw a new First Minister elected to the role.

comments that you wish to have levelled at you in your first days in a new job.

Research Fellow and author, said: “Policymakers in Wales have long placed a high emphasis on reducing inequality in education and wider society.

“Teachers and school staff in Wales work hard to equip young people with the skills they need for the future and mitigate the effects of poverty.

“Unfortunately, we see worryingly low outcomes in PISA tests, high inequalities in GCSE results and disappointing post-16 outcomes for young people in Wales.

“Faced with this gloomy picture, policymakers should have the courage to make reforms based on solid evidence, such as increasing the emphasis on specific knowledge in the curriculum and better using data to highlight inequalities throughout the system.

“Without reform, the picture may worsen.”

The Welsh Conservative’s Shadow Education Minister, Laura Anne Jones MS, said: “The state of education in Wales is incredibly concerning. This report highlights how badly Labour has gone wrong with its reforms.

“Not only does Wales have the lowest PISA results in the UK, but there are also poor educational outcomes across the board.

“The Welsh Conservatives would appropriately fund education in Wales, remove Labour’s reforms and save Labour’s lost generation.”

The new First Minister, Vaughan Gething, was selected by Labour Party members and Trade Union affiliated members to replace Mark Drakeford, who served five years in Wales’s top job.

Much has happened over those five years, most notably the Covid pandemic, which has shaped the way Wales has been led. While Mark Drakeford and I have very different political views, I respect the weight that leadership bears on an individual, especially during some of Wales’s most uncertain and darkest days.

As Mark exits, the new First Minister and yet another Cardiff Senedd Member, takes up the role.

Mr. Gething is the fifth leader that Wales has had since devolution. Of these five, four have represented constituencies either within the city of Cardiff or within a 20-minute drive from Cardiff. Hardly a representative sample of the views of the majority of the population of Wales.

Local readers may recognize Mr. Gething from his time as Health Minister during the pandemic, and his subsequent appearances before the Covid Inquiry.

More recently, and closer to home, the new First Minister accepted a £200,000 donation to his leadership campaign from David Neal, a director of Resources Management UK Limited, who runs the controversial Withyhedge Landfill site on the outskirts of Haverfordwest. Mr. Neal has also been twice convicted for environmental offenses through two other companies that he ran.

It is notable that Labour members have described these donations as “completely unjustifiable and wrong,” and “damaging devolution,” not

The association between the new First Minister, the Labour Party and the stench at Withyhedge will not be looked upon favourably by Pembrokeshire’s residents.

Mr. Gething’s to-do list is already long and growing, and I would like to make two pleas to the new First Minister.

Firstly, following the disconnect between rural Wales and the Welsh Government witnessed over recent years, culminating in the two recent protests outside of the Senedd, I urge the First Minister to prioritise fixing this relationship as a matter of urgency.

Residents of Rural Wales deserve a Welsh Government that understands their culture and lifestyle and works with them to be the custodians of the land for generations to come. The outgoing First Minister failed to get this relationship right.

Secondly, Wales is much more than just the M4 corridor and it’s about time the Welsh Government recognised the importance and value that Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire has to offer. We deserve respect from Cardiff, which has been, at times, lacking.

There are only two years before the next Senedd Election, enough time to change tack. If they can’t, then they need to hand over the reins to my party and end 25 years of the same old tired Labour policies in Wales.

death notices

MICHAEL JOHN

THOMAS DAVEY

DAVEY Michael John

Thomas Pembroke Dock

The death occurred suddenly but peacefully at his home on Friday 8th March of Mr. Michael John Thomas Davey of Britannia Road, Pembroke Dock. He was 73 and will be sadly missed by all his family and many friends.

The funeral will take place on Thursday 28th March with a service at St. Mary’s Church, Pembroke at 11.00.am followed by interment at St. Michael’s Cemetery. If desired, flowers may be brought to the service or sent to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN, Tel. 01646 683115, who are carrying out the arrangements

DIANA MARY REES

REES Diana Mary

Pembroke The death occurred suddenly but peacefully at her home on Tuesday 27th. February of Miss Diana Rees of Grove Drive, Pembroke. She was 91 and will be greatly missed by all those who

knew and loved her. The funeral will take place on Wednesday 27th. March with a service at St. Mary’s Church, Angle at 2.00. pm followed by interment in the Churchyard. All further enquiries may be made to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN, Tel. 01646 683115, who are carrying out the arrangements.

JULIAN THOMAS

Julian THOMAS

Camrose Peacefully at Withybush Hospital on Saturday 9th March 2024 surrounded by his family, he will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. The funeral service will take place on Thursday 28th March, 10:45am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, made payable to the Paul Sartori Foundation may be sent c/o Karl Weake, Badgers Meadow, Camrose, SA62 6JE. Further enquiries to F. G. Rees & Sons, Haverfordwest. Tel: 01437 764418

VICTOR EDWARDS

EDWARDS Victor Fishguard The family of

the late Vic wish to thank relatives and friends for the flowers and kind messages of sympathy received following their recent loss. Thanks also to those that have donated in Vic’s memory to Goodwick Brass Band. Diolch i bawb.

DOUGLAS ALBURY

ALBURY Douglas

Pembroke Dock The death occurred peacefully on Wednesday 6th March 2024 of Mr Douglas Albury, aged 81 years of Lavina Drive, Pembroke Dock. Beloved Husband of Valerie. Dearly loved Dad of Andrew. Much loved Brother-in-law & Uncle. The funeral service will take place on Monday 25th March 2024 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 3.15pm There will be family flowers only with donations in lieu, if so desired for Cancer Research UK and Greenacres Animal Rescue c/o E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS or via www. ecthomasandson.co.uk

MICHAEL MORRIS MORRIS Michael Mr

John Michael Morris of Freshwater East, formerly of Barry Island Farm, greatly loved and loving husband of Winifred and father of Matthew, Emma, Caroline and Rebecca, father-in-law of Richard and grandfather of Francesca, Charles and Henry, died suddenly in Withybush Hospital on Friday 1st March. He was 80. He has been cremated. “Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day”

ATHULA W ITHANAGE

Mr Athula WITHANAGE

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Mr. Athula Withanage on Friday, 1st March 2024. Born in Gonagalapura, Sri Lanka, Mr. Withanage’s journey led him to become a revered Clinical Director and Lead Clinician in General & Vascular Surgery at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, Wales. Throughout his distinguished career, Mr. Withanage touched countless lives with his surgical expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence. Beyond his surgical prowess, he was an accomplished writer and actor, leaving

an indelible mark on the literary and theatrical communities. Mr. Withanage is survived by his loving wife Nelum, his children Triona, Shane, and Dylan, his son-in-law Rajindra and daughterin-law Sumudu, as well as his grandchildren Kian, Liam, Shian, Riyon, Roshan, and Resan. A funeral service to honour and celebrate Mr. Withanage’s life will be held at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth on Saturday, 23rd March 2024 at 12:15pm, followed by refreshments at Hotel Plas Hyfryd Narberth from 1.15pm onwards. Please join us in remembering and cherishing the memories of Mr. Withanage.

BETTY PHILLIPS

PHILLIPS Betty Sandyke Road, Broad Haven. It is with great sadness the family announce the passing of their beloved mum who passed away peacefully on the 14th March 2024 aged 87, surrounded by her family. Beloved wife of the late Howell Phillips, she will be missed and loved by all her family. Funeral service on Tuesday 2nd April at Parc Gwyn

Crematorium, Narberth at 1:45pm. Family flowers only. Further enquiries to Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Fishguard. Tel: 01348 873250.

CHRIS RILEY

RILEY Chris Wiston

(Formerly of Dale)

The death occurred peacefully at her home with her husband and daughter at her side on Friday 15th March 2024, of Mrs. Chris Riley, aged 79 years of Wiston and formerly of Dale. Devoted wife of Laurence, and dearly loved mother to Louise and her partner Jonty. Chris will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by her family and friends. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday 3rd April at 2.30pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Family flowers only, donations if desired may be sent to the Paul Sartori Foundation, Paul Sartori House, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, SA61 1RP. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven. Telephone 01646 693180.

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

le TT er S & no TI ce S

LOCAL SUPPORTERS DRIVE POSITIVE SOCIAL CHANGE

DEAR SIR, AS the Head of Trusts and Corporate Partnerships at international development organisation Sightsavers, I see many people taking action to drive positive social change. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery in South West England are among those whose generosity I applaud.

Since 2018 play-

ers across Britain have raised over £14 million for Sightsavers. This money has helped achieve numerous cataract operations, and eyesight tests for people in some of the world’s poorest countries.

My sincerest gratitude extends to the people of South West England for helping transform lives. Lives like Luyando, a young girl in Zambia who had cataracts in both eyes, and was bullied at school due to her vision impairment. Her eyesight has been restored thanks to Sightsavers’ project of-

fering free cataract surgeries and training local eye health staff. Our projects bring immense relief to countless families like Luyando’s, and are possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. We thank them for helping make our vision of leaving no one behind a reality.

Any readers interested in supporting our vision can visit www. sightsavers.org for more information.

Morna Lane Head of Trusts and Corporate Partnerships

and again the Conservatives stood against progress, this time opposing the introduction of Old Age Pensions and Unemployment Benefits—innovations the Liberals managed to legalise.

In 1947, the push for the National Health Service, spearheaded by the Labour and Liberal parties, faced staunch opposition from the Conservatives.

Throughout history, the Conservative Party has often positioned itself against the tide of advancing civilised standards, masking their resistance with a facade of integrity. However, it is the right-wing extremists within their ranks who take opposition a step further, not just denying justice but also openly asserting their superiority. They are driven by an emotional disdain for the vulnerable, the homeless, and refugees, epitomising the class divisions within our society.

This opposition to progress and empathy has paradoxically been the Conservative Party’s stronghold. Now, we see the emergence of Reform and other reactionary parties, attracting self-centered individuals lacking in both principal and compassion. Meanwhile, citizens with genuine principles find themselves scattered among various radical parties.

Sightsavers

CONSERVATIVES STOOD AGAINST PROGRESS

DEAR SIR,

IN THE 1820s, it was predominantly the Conservative Party that supported slavery, until the intervention of the Whigs, who legislated against it.

By 1870, the Conservatives were found opposing the concept of universal education, a principle that the Liberals successfully enshrined into law.

Fast forward to 1909,

The overwhelming victory of the Conservatives in 2019, backed by 17 million voters disconnected from these principles, has led to rampant incompetence. Yet, there’s no indication of introspection or acknowledgment of their faults among them. They remain as detached from the concept of living with principles in 2024 as they were in 2019.

Listening to these voters, one cannot help but notice a self-absorption that transcends mere political opinion. They embody the epitome of self-obsession, seemingly cursed by the universe for their willingness to overlook the needs of our nation’s children.

Despite their antici-

PIc Ture oF THe weeK!

Tenby by Alan Stonelake

Friday March 22nd 2024

www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk

www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk

pated shift towards Labour out of frustration this year, it’s doubtful they grasp the significance of the Welfare State—a legacy of the Labour and Liberal parties. Decades ago, voting was often driven by a belief in the collective good, a stark contrast to today’s rejection of Conservative policies, which, rooted in dishonesty and greed, fails to instill a sense of ethics in these citizens.

C. N. WESTERMAN

TEA For Tŷ HAFAN

DEAR SIR,

I am writing to you today to invite your readers to put the kettle on - and hold their very own fundraising tea party for Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice to mark our charity’s first 25 years in operation.

Every year Tŷ Hafan provides vital care and

For up to date news please check our social network channels

support for more than 350 children with life-shortening conditions and their families in our hospice in Sully and in homes and communities across Wales.

Currently this costs £5.6m per year with only 12% coming from statutory sources and, unfortunately, our running costs are only continuing to go up. Without the amazing kindness, enterprise and generosity of the Welsh public we simply would not be able to do what we do.

Readers are invited to hold their Tea for Tŷ Hafan fundraising parties at any time throughout the month of May and they can be anything from lavish to low-key –whatever suits personal preferences. Any amount your readers can raise – no matter how big or small – will go straight towards supporting children with life-shortening conditions.

Readers can hold their Tea for Tŷ Hafan parties wherever works for them, with some options being at home, in the garden, in the street, in a local hall, school, college or university or places of work.

To sign up email supportercare@tyhafan.org or call 02920 532 255 and we’ll send readers their very own tea party pack in the post with lots of Tŷ Hafan goodies for all the enjoy. Plus our Supporter Care Team will be there every step of the way to help readers with fundraising tips, publicity materials, Gift Aid and more.

So whatever else your readers may have planned throughout the month of May, may I invite as many of them as possible to get a brew on and celebrate with some Tea for Tŷ Hafan and help some of the most vulnerable children in Wales in the process.

Thank you for your support.

Rachel Ritter Head of Fundraising, Tŷ Hafan

THE BASIS OF CONSERVATIVE ECONOMICS

DEAR SIR,

There are many dishonest practices in different forms of unregulated British privately-owned Media, On-line Corporations, Advertising Agencies, Commerce, which makes it almost impossible for a child reared in Britain, to become an honest adult or voter.

The character of Mr Frank Hester, Conservative Donor of £10 million in one year, holds no surprises. What else could Conservative voters expect, in an oligarch responding and prospering on

Conservative Market Economics? Can you be so stupid as think that this was Frank’s money? If it were, do you think he would be likely to give it away? Use your brains.

We know that British citizens pay taxes in billions, to support the nationalised NHS, which brings health to the sick. You are tempting Frank.

We also know, that all Conservative politicians, ever since 1948, have always believed in detaching sections of all Public Services, paid for by taxes, Prisons, Police Laboratories, etc, etc, the NHS, by Privatisation, so that taxpayers’ money is diverted to privately-owned shareholding, on a scale of hundreds of millions of pounds. This is similar to Privatised Water and Energy.

This is not a se-

cret. This is the whole basis of Conservative economics, on the same class basis for centuries. ‘Private prisons are owned and operated by people uninterested in British Justice, who invested money, intending to get more out.’ Money, from taxes, to fat dividends, is the only language Conservative politicians comprehend, even if Tory voters are not very bright.

We know Frank was chosen as CEO of a privatised Data section of the NHS, but do not know how many hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ money was diverted to Frank’s friends’ permission how to spend it, perhaps on Conservatism.

Right-wing Media nor voters, show no interest.

Name and address supplied Gavin@herald.email

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Milford Atheltic into the hat after seven goal thriller

ON a day when the awful Pembrokeshire weather decimated the fixture list once again, the game between Milford Athletic and Carew 3rds at Pill Lane was deemed playable with a morning pitch inspection.

Both teams have struggled in the league this season, with Athletic finally finding some semblance of their previous good form more recently. Whilst the pitch was heavy through the middle, it was firm underfoot and both teams were glad to get the game on.

Playing downhill in the first half, Athletic dominated play and had a number of chances before Referee Marty Jones awarded a penalty to the home team in the 8th minute. Club stalwart Dave Hawkins neatly slotted the pen home for a deserved lead, and Athletic looked keen to put the game out of sight going 2 up on 11 minutes. Carew battled hard and kept in the game until the

31st minute when Athletic scored their third, and surely killed the game as a competitive tie. 3-0 with just over half hour played.

To their credit, in driving rain, Carew stepped up a gear and quickly scored 2 superb goals through Jack Broadhurst and Sam Goodwin (who had a blinder today) giving Carew renewed hope for the tie. There was no doubt Carew finished the half stronger, and with

the advantage of playing downhill in the second half, the tie was still on a knife edge.

A much closer second half, on a pitch that was now just barely playable, seemed likely to play out with no further addition to the scoreline, when up popped Pete Tunstallbto add a fourth for the home team and this time surely seal the tie.

Both teams were trying to play good football, but the pitch was truly awful at

Robins beat spirited Neyland

THE conditions at Marble Hall were poor due to heavy rain which made playing conditions difficult for both teams.

Hosts Milford United went into this tie with a few key players out, but the conditions or missing players didn’t stop Parks’ team getting the job done.

Neyland’s young squad started brightly and they were rewarded

with an early lead. After just three minutes, Ben Gale ran through Milford defence to score, the visitors deservedly leading very early.

However the hosts quickly woken up and after ten minutes Milford were awarded a penalty when Thomas Grimwood was fouled in the box.

Liam Parr stepped up and struck the ball low and

to the keepers right side only for Patrick Hannon to make a good save. Chances came for both sides but nobody was able to capitalise. Meaning the visitors went into the break one up. The Robins came out for the fired up for the second half and quickly pressed for a goal. On the 58th Minute Morgan Picton swung in a corner

Fox vs Parks...is the battle of the Quarter

LAST weekend saw a huge number of cancellations again due to the weather. It means the rest of March and April is set to be a real festival of football around the county.

Many teams will be playing at least twice a week in order to finish the season in time. This weekend we have two huge Senior Cup clashes at the Quarter Final stage of the competition.

Merlins Bridge vs Goodwick United

These old rivals meet again, with the hosts certainly the underdogs but with every chance of causing an upset. The Wizards will have to be at their very best to cause an upset against the dominant Goodwick United outfit. However the cup has always delivered upsets and underdog wins, could this be one?

Milford United vs Clarbeston Road

Two of the most impressive teams in the first division meet in what is a mouthwatering clash. Parks’ Milford United had a great run in the West Wales Cup and have impressed in the league. While Fox’ Clarby have impressed all season and are one of the best teams in the County.

this stage, with the referee checking the playing surface numerous times during the latter stages. It seemed Athletic were cruising home when, in injury time, Carew scored their third of the afternoon, and really made the last few minutes of added time exciting! Despite their best efforts Carew couldn’t equalise, and the home team progress through to the 4th division Cup semi final in a thrilling cup tie, made all the more difficult

which was met with a Jacob Horn Header to make it 1-1. Soon after Ieuan Rutherford played a ball through to Liam Parr who ran into the box and struck a left foot shot passed Hannon into the bottom corner for 2-1, shortly after on the 78th minute Morgan Picton picked up a pass outside the box and found the back of the net from 20 yards to make it 3-1 to the Robins.

The hosts thought

When the teams met back in January, it was the Robins who edged it in a close 2-1 win. A real good tie ahead of us here which will be officiated by Stefan Jenkins.

The winner of this tie will have a great chance of going all the way. Both managers will be pleased with the season so far, however a Senior Cup final or indeed win would really top it off. Impossible to choose a favourite here, both teams are very evenly matched.

by horrendous playing conditions.

On an afternoon where the game could have easily got away from the players and ref, both teams played sensibly making the referees afternoon an easy one with just the one booking all game.

Credit to both clubs for managing difficult conditions perfectly and good luck to Athletic in their semi final.

that was game set and match, but Neyland had other ideas and pushed for a goal and it came from a corner and scored by the head of Patrick Hannon who came up for the corner to make it 3-2. With just minutes left both sides had chances before Alan Boswell blew the final whistle for a Milford win and a place in the quarter final against Clarbeston Road at Marble Hall this Saturday.

Manderwood PeMbroKeSHIre league results

16/03/2024

Fixtures

23rd March 2024

Division 1

Fishguard Sports v Carew

Hakin United v Pennar Robins

Monkton Swifts v Tenby

Neyland v Kilgetty

Division 2

Broad Haven v St Ishmaels

Carew II v St Clears

Cosheston v Herbrandston

Narberth v Camrose

Division 3

Haverfordwest CC v St Florence

Kilgetty II v Pembroke Boro

Pendine v Clarbeston Road II

Division 4

Milford Athletic v Milford United

Monkton Swifts III v Prendergast Villa

Newport Tigers v Carew III

Division 5

Herbrandston II v Lawrenny II

Johnston II v Hundleton

Manorbier United v Narberth II

Pembroke Boro II v Milford Athletic II

EURO play-offs: CYMRU

Cymru one step closer to Euro 2024 in Germany

Cymru left no doubts about their determination to clinch a spot in Euro 2024 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Finland in Cardiff. This impressive win now sets the stage for a thrilling play-off final clash against Poland, scheduled for Tuesday night, where a Euro 2024 berth hangs tantalizingly close.

The match served as a showcase for the exceptional talents within the Cymru squad, with Harry Wilson emerging as a standout performer. Wilson’s influence was evident from the outset, as he played a pivotal role in the creation of the first three goals. David Brooks wasted no time in putting Cymru ahead, finding the net just three minutes into the game. Wilson then demonstrated his precision and vision with a perfectly placed free-kick, setting up Neco Williams for a thunderous strike that doubled Cymru’s lead.

Despite Finland managing to pull one back through Teemu Pukki just before halftime, Cymru swiftly reasserted their dominance after the break. Wilson’s set-piece prowess continued to trouble the Finnish defense, culminating in Brennan Johnson calmly slotting home to restore Cymru’s two-goal advantage.

Although a disallowed goal from Ben Davies temporarily halted Cymru’s momentum, Dan James ensured victory was sealed with a composed finish

into an empty net, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Finland.

With just one hurdle left to clear, Rob Page’s side remains resolute in their pursuit of Euro 2024 qualification. Poland, led by the prolific Robert Lewandowski, awaits them in the final after a convincing win over Estonia.

Reflecting on the match, Page expressed a mixture of satisfaction and determination, acknowledging the progress made by his team while also emphasizing the need to maintain focus. “It could have been five or six! It goes to show how far we’ve come,” he remarked. However, he quickly shifted attention to the upcoming final, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their high standards.

Page also took a moment to praise the unwavering support of the fans, recognizing their integral role in Cymru’s journey. “These supporters, they are immense and they’ve helped us again tonight,” he said, rallying their support for the decisive clash against Poland.

With the entire nation rallying behind them, Cymru is poised to seize the moment and secure their place in the Euro 2024 Championships in Germany this summer, a testament to their resilience and determination on the international stage.

CYMRU v FINLAND The Welsh export

Poland hammer Estonia 5-0

POLAND beat a 10-man Estonia 5-1 in a Thursday UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying playoff semifinal to book their place at next week’s decider.

The Polish side was in control after Przemyslaw Frankowski, Piotr Zielinski and Jakub Piotrowski scored in Warsaw.

Estonian defender Karol Mets put the ball into his own net in the 74th minute before Poland attacking midfielder Sebastian Szymanski scored the fifth goal for his nation.

Estonian midfielder Martin Vetkal scored a consolation goal for the visitors to finalize the results.

Estonia were down to 10 men in the first half as defender Maksim Paskotsi was sent off after a foul. Poland were

on a 1-0 lead when Paskotsi was leaving the pitch. He was previously booked.

Poland will visit Wales in a tough Path A final on Tuesday as the winning nation in Cardiff will qualify for the EURO 2024.

Either Wales or Poland will enter EURO 2024 Group D to join already-qualified the Netherlands, Austria and France.

Following Thursday’s semifinals, which were played on a single leg knockout format, six teams confirmed playoff finals places.

Poland, Wales, Georgia, Greece, Ukraine and Iceland reached the playoff finals, but only three tickets are remaining for this summer’s EURO 2024 to be held in Germany.

Estonia, Finland,

THREE NFL teams are reportedly in a bidding war for the services of Welsh rugby sensation Louis Rees-Zammit, offering him a staggering £900,000 (over $1 million) each, according to a report by RugbyPass.

Rees-Zammit showcased his athleticism at the NFL’s IPP Pro Day recently, where scouts from various teams closely observed his performance. Notably, he clocked an impressive 4.44 seconds in the 40yard dash, although he had aimed for a faster time, having previously achieved 4.3 seconds during training sessions.

praise for his footwork drills during the pro day, leaving scouts thoroughly impressed.

It’s understood that the reported £900,000 figure is contingent upon Rees-Zammit securing a spot on a team’s active roster. Initially, he would likely join a practice squad, which comes with an estimated earning of around £200,000. Negotiations with teams had already commenced before the pro day, and further discussions are anticipated in the days ahead.

Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Israel crashed out of the qualifying playoffs on Thursday.

Each winning nation in Path A, B and C will be in the EURO 2024 groups, joining 21 alreadyqualified teams including hosts Germany.

The qualifying finals will be played on Tuesday, March 26.

The EURO 2024 will start with the Germany vs. Scotland match on June 14 at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Ten German cities – Berlin, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Dortmund, Leipzig, Gelsenkirchen, Stuttgart and Dusseldorf – will host the football contest that will see 51 games.

The final will be held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on July 14.

The former Wales wing’s combination of size, speed, and skillset has captured the attention of three NFL franchises, although their identities remain undisclosed. Despite his dissatisfaction with his speed test results, Rees-Zammit received

Hailing from Penarth, the talented athlete is considering a transition to American football, eyeing roles as a running back or wide receiver. However, there’s speculation that he could also make an impact as a kick returner on special teams, adding another dimension to his potential contributions.

Milford Atheltic seven goal thriller