The Pembrokeshire Herald 14/06/2024

JaIled For mercIleSS drunken assault’ • P3

STunnIng mural bY local artist graCes tenby’ Pub • P5

Jailed for ‘sustained and merciless drunken assault’

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced to two years and two months in prison following a brutal assault on a man who had an affair with his ex-partner. The attack occurred after David Davies, 31, of George Street, had spent the day drinking heavily in a local pub.

On the evening of April 6, Davies and the victim were both present at The Lord Kitchener pub in Milford Haven, though they were not drinking together. According to Prosecutor Georgia Donohue, the two men encountered each other on the street after leaving the pub in the early hours of the morning. An exchange of words quickly escalated when Davies punched the victim in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Davies then straddled the victim and continued to punch him repeatedly before delivering three additional kicks once he got off. A witness reported seeing Davies filming the two-minute assault on his mobile phone. The attack left the victim with two black eyes, a split lip, a swollen nose, and blood in his mouth, which he later coughed up.

Following the incident, Davies attended Haverfordwest Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of assault. Blood marks were found on the shoes Davies confirmed he had worn during the attack. After being shown CCTV footage of the incident,

Davies made full admissions, confessing he had been drinking since 11am and had consumed 20 pints of cider along with some spiced rum.

Davies, who has three previous convictions for eight offences, pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. His defence counsel, Jon Tarrant, noted that Davies had not committed any offences since 2013 and had no history of violent crimes. Tarrant

explained that Davies had been provoked by a combination of factors, including an argument with his ex-partner on the morning of the attack, which led to him being asked to leave after his youngest child witnessed the argument.

Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned Davies’ actions, describing the assault as “cowardly and vicious” and motivated by jealousy and revenge. “It was a sustained and merciless beating,” the judge stated. “You acted out

of both jealousy and revenge, served cold in this instance.”

In addition to the assault charge, Davies had also faced accusations of strangling a woman on April 5, which he denied. The prosecution offered no evidence on this charge, and Judge Thomas entered a not guilty verdict.

David Davies is now serving a prison sentence, reflecting the severity of his actions on that fateful night.

Postman admits driving after taking cocaine

A PEMBROKESHIRE

postman has been ordered off the roads after admitting driving on a main county A-road after taking cocaine.

Benjamin Rixon was pulled over by officers soon after 3pm on Christmas Eve as he drove his Volkswagen Caddy along the A478 between Penblewin and Clynderwen.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that the night before, he decided to take cocaine.

“This was a dreadful mistake,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

“He was working as a postman, he’d been working flat out over Christmas and on December 23 he met a friend who offered him cocaine.”

Mr Kelleher went on to say that when Rixon, 42, woke up the following morning, he felt ‘absolutely fine’.

“He didn’t think there was anything in his system as he had

no knowledge of drugs. He’d never taken them before, nor since.”

Rixon, who gave his address as The Flat, Llandissilio stores, Llandissilio provided a roadside drugs swipe which proved positive. Further blood tests carried out at a police custody suite showed he had 380 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system, which is a derivative of cocaine. The prescribed legal threshold limit is 50.

Rixon pleaded guilty to driving over the drugdrive limit.

“As a result of the offence, he will now lose his job,” said Mr Kelleher. “A requirement of the Royal Mail is that employees hold a driving licence.

“This was a terrible mistake that will live with him for an awfully long time.”

Rixon was disqualified from driving for a total of 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Youth rescued after 40-metre jump off bridge

A MULTI–agency rescue operation unfolded on Monday night (Jun 10) at Neyland Marina after a youth jumped approximately 40 metres from a bridge into the water below.

The incident occurred at 7.00pm, according to local witnesses. Emergency services, including crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) stations in Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, and Carmarthen, were swiftly dispatched to the scene.

According to a spokesperson for MAWWFRS, members of the public were instrumental in rescuing the youth before the arrival of the emergency crews.

Upon reaching the scene, MAWWFRS personnel administered First Aid to the casualty.

The response to the incident required

coordination across multiple agencies.

Dyfed-Powys Police, the Coastguard, and the Ambulance Service were all in attendance, ensuring a comprehensive and efficient response.

The youth was subsequently transported to the hospital by road ambulance.

The MAWWFRS crews concluded their operation and left the scene at 8.02pm, it was confirmed.

The police said: “We were called to concerns for an individual on the bridge in Neyland on Monday evening. The individual entered the water and was assisted from the water by members of the public and taken to hospital by ambulance.”

Angle RNLI said: “We were requested to launch at 7:09pm last night following a call from

the Coastguard reporting a person on the wrong side of the handrails on the bridge over Westfield Pill, Neyland.

“As the crew were mustering, a further update was received that the person had now jumped off the 40 meter bridge, and was in the water. The lifeboat launched and made best speed towards Neyland, with the crew preparing the Y boat and casualty care equipment whilst en route.

“As the lifeboat was approaching Neyland, the Coastguard informed the crew that the casualty had been recovered from the water by members of the public and was now in the care of the Ambulance Service, Fire Service and Police officers.

“Dale, St Govan’s and Tenby Coastguard Rescue Teams were also tasked to assist.”

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service

told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “At 7.11pm on Monday, June 10th, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crews from Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Carmarthen Fire Stations were called to an incident at Neyland Marina.

“Crews responded to the scene following a youth jumping approximately 40 metres from a bridge into water.

“The casualty was rescued by members of the public prior to the arrival of crews, once at the scene, crews administered First Aid to the casualty.

“This incident required a multi-agency response, with DyfedPowys Police, the Coastguard and the Ambulance Service also in attendance.

“The casualty was conveyed to hospital by road ambulance.

“MAWWFRS crews left the scene at 8.02pm.”

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Stunning mural by local artist graces Tenby’s oldest pub

THE WELL-LOVED Coach and Horses pub, Tenby’s oldest establishment, now boasts a stunning new mural by renowned local artist Lloyd the Graffiti.

The artwork, completed on June 12, has quickly become a beloved fixture in the heart of the town, capturing the admiration and praise of residents and visitors alike.

The mural, which features a vivid depiction of the iconic Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, pays homage to his legendary visit to the pub in 1953. According to local lore, Thomas became so inebriated during his visit that he left his manuscript for “Under Milk Wood” on a stool. Lloyd’s artwork brilliantly captures this slice of literary history, merging it with a vibrant portrayal of Tenby’s charming streetscape.

The mural’s unveiling has sparked an outpouring of positive reactions on social media, highlighting the community’s appreciation for Lloyd’s exceptional talent and the mural’s contribution to the town’s cultural landscape. Guy Manning commented, “Love it, absolutely wonderful!” JenksArt added, “Well done buddy! You smashed that about time Tenby had something like this in the heart of the town.”

Amanda AbsalomLowe expressed her admiration, “Lloyd you are such an amazing artist honest to go how do you just do it!? What a talent you have in this world and show it to the world!! Amazing.” Local residents have also been sharing their joy at seeing the mural come to life over the past few days: Sarah Bolwell shared, “So amazing! We’ve loved watching this progress over the last few days, what a brilliant addition to the street.” Kath Brown humorously recounted, “Whoop whoop you finished it! Well done,

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

it’s been a real treat to watch the progress and heckle you as we’ve gone in and out!”

Anna Davies, a top fan, declared, “Wow that’s amazing it’s absolutely awesome such talent Lloyd the Graffiti Dylan Thomas lives on in Tenby for everyone to admire and talk about.” Other reactions included Nicola Newell: “Amazing,” Danielle Coles: “Brilliant,” Cheryl Hunt: “Stupendous,”

Theresa Evans: “Shouldn’t they have a Welsh flag out the front?” Hazel Phillips: “Amazing,” and Penny Rossiter: “This looks amazing.”

Lloyd the Graffiti’s mural has not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the Coach and Horses pub but has also reignited the town’s enthusiasm for public art. Many residents hope this will be the first of many such projects, bringing more color and creativity to Tenby’s streets. As the mural continues to draw

Sentenced for multiple E-Cigarette offences

SALAR JAFF, a 49-year-old owner of High St Vape Zone Ltd, was sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 10, for multiple offences related to the sale of non-compliant electronic cigarettes.

Jaff, residing at High Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to several charges involving the supply of electronic cigarettes that did not meet regulatory standards. The offences took place on 30th October 2023 and 16th December 2023.

The court heard that on October 30, 2023 and December 16, 2023, Mr Jaff supplied electronic cigarettes that exceeded the allowable volume of 2 millilitres per cartridge or tank, breaching regulation 36 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

responsible officer. He was ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services amounting to £114 and court costs of £2,307.40. A collection order was made to facilitate these payments.

The court also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of 468 vapes under the Sentencing Act 2020.

The defendant, who was unrepresented by a solicitor, initially received a community order for each of the noncompliance charges. The unpaid work hours were reduced from 180 to 120 hours in consideration of his guilty plea. No separate penalties were imposed for the unfair trading charges.

attention, it stands as a testament to the vibrant artistic talent within the community and the timeless allure of Dylan Thomas’s legacy. Visitors to Tenby are encouraged to stop by the Coach and Horses pub to experience this remarkable piece of art firsthand.

For those interested in seeing more of Lloyd’s work or commissioning a piece, he can be contacted through his social media platforms, where he regularly shares his latest projects and artistic endeavors.

On the same dates, Mr Jaff engaged in commercial practices that created the impression that noncompliant electronic cigarettes could be legally sold, contrary to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Additionally, on October 30, 2023, he sold electronic cigarettes that failed to carry the required health warnings, violating regulation 37 of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

Jaff was issued multiple community orders, which require him to comply with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and complete 120 hours of unpaid work within the next twelve months, supervised by a

During the sentencing, the court highlighted the importance of adhering to regulations designed to protect consumers and ensure the safety of products sold to the public. The significant penalties and forfeiture reflect the seriousness with which these breaches are regarded.

Mr Jaff is required to commence payment of his fines and costs at a rate of £50 per month starting from 8th July 2024. The penalties serve as a deterrent against future non-compliance and underscore the court’s commitment to upholding consumer protection laws. This case underscores the vigilance of local authorities in enforcing regulations around the sale of electronic cigarettes and ensuring that businesses operate within the legal framework to safeguard public health.

Pictures by Gareth Davies

Shop owner fined for illegal sale of nicotine vape to minor

A HAKIN shop owner was fined nearly £2,000 after admitting to selling a nicotine vape to a person under the age of 18 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jun 10).

Thuvakaran Balagrishna, 42, of Wellington Road, Hakin, Milford Haven, appeared before the court facing charges related to an incident on October 19, 2023. On that date, at RTC Convenience Store, located at the same address as Mr Balagrishna’s residence, he sold a nicotine inhaling product to a minor, contravening regulations.

The charges were brought under regulation 3 of the Nicotine Inhaling Products (Age of Sale and Proxy Purchasing) Regulations 2015 and section 92(2) and (5) of the Children and Families Act 2014.

Initially pleading not

guilty, Mr Balagrishna changed his plea to guilty during the hearing.

The magistrates imposed the following penalties:

• Fine: £675

• Surcharge to fund victim services: £270

• Court costs: £1,000

In total, Mr Balagrishna is required to pay £1,945. The court has issued a collection order, with Mr Balagrishna ordered to pay £150 per month starting from 8th July 2024.

This case highlights the strict enforcement of laws governing the sale of nicotine products to minors, reflecting the serious nature of such offences. The substantial fines and costs imposed demonstrate the court’s commitment to upholding these regulations to protect young people from the harms of nicotine addiction.

Tragedy on Teifi: Tributes paid to Leon Vernon-White

FOLLOWING the tragic incident last week, police have identified the canoeist who tragically lost his life in a river accident in west Wales as Leon Vernon-White. The 24-year-old, originally from Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, was described by his family as a ‘free-spirited’

individual and a ‘character’ who brought joy to those around him.

Leon was reported missing in the River Teifi near Cardigan on Thursday, June 6. His body was recovered near Cardigan Bridge in the early hours of the following morning, after a thorough search by multiple emergency services. The search involved Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, HM Coastguard, and the RNLI.

RNLI Cardigan Lifeboat also played a critical role in the search,

deploying both their D-class and Atlantic 85 lifeboats to scour the river and estuary areas.

Leon VernonWhite was well-known in his hometown of Tewkesbury, where he often entertained locals with his singing and guitar playing on the streets. His family described him as a person who had the remarkable ability to make everyone smile. Despite his mischievous and stubborn streak, he was deeply caring, loving, and loyal. His talents extended beyond music; he was also a jewellery artist and had a keen interest in science.

In a heartfelt statement, Leon’s family expressed their immense

loss, saying, “He will be a huge loss, and there will always be love in our hearts for him.” They also extended their gratitude to the emergency services and the support they have received from friends and family during this difficult time.

The RNLI Cardigan Lifeboat station detailed their involvement in the search on their Facebook page. They reported that their crew was paged at 19:52 on June 6 to assist in the search for a missing person in the River Teifi. The search operation saw the Cardigan D-class and Atlantic 85 lifeboats navigating the river, while the Fishguard lifeboat monitored the estuary for any signs of the missing canoeist.

Sadly, after hours of searching, the crew of the D-class lifeboat was involved in the recovery of Leon’s body from the river. The lifeboats were meticulously prepared for service again after the operation, demonstrating the RNLI’s dedication and professionalism even in the face of such tragic outcomes.

The RNLI expressed their deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy, echoing the sentiments of a community mourning the loss of a vibrant young man.

Savers store to shut up shop

ANOTHER

Haverfordwest chain store has announced when it is shutting up shop, it what seems to be a growing trend in large businesses abandoning the market town’s centre

A spokesperson for the health, home and beauty retailer Savers told The Pembrokeshire Herald that

it was hoped that the staff from the Haverfordwest store would be able to take up positions at other branches in Tenby and Carmarthen.

The final day of trading will be this Saturday (Jun 15).

On Facebook the store’s management posted: “It is with great sadness that

Haverfordwest Savers will be closing its doors for the last time on Saturday 15th June.

“Management and team would like to take this opportunity to thank all our amazing customers, past and present, for your custom and support, and wish you all well in the future.

“Thank you all.”

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Moving Mountains, Cymru a’r Byd

Trade, wars and environmental destruction feel outside our control. We are chaff blown helplessly in a world-wide storm. Or are we?

The storm creators are individuals like us, they can be influenced. West Wales has shaped global events before. I was there, part of the action. Here is another example.

Last weekend Felix from Cwm Gwaun and Sharanya from India sat with a group in Newport to recount an historic environmental win for indigenous people leading to10 years’ safety. Now the threat is back in force.

Felix Padel is great great grandson of Charles Darwin. In 2000, working in India, he met Kond Adivasi (tribal) people in Orissa (Odisha). Their sacred mountains were threatened by bauxite mining.

Bauxite needs explaining: It is a powerful mineral earth that bonds tightly with water, it retains nutrients on the mountain tops, feeding streams that give fertility to hundreds of square miles. It is also the raw material of aluminium. The very properties that make it so fertile - its tight bond with oxygen make it the ‘miracle metal’, light, supple, durable, structurally strong. Aluminium is miraculously re-usable too, virtually forever, the most recyclable of materials. In theory it should need mining once to supply our long term needs. But alas it is also the key metal for war – including the bullets, bombs and missiles, using the bonding force to detonate, destroying the material along with lives.

There is now a rush by the giant corporations to mine more bauxite, doubtless to feed anticipated escalating wars. The West’s trade domination is in retreat. Wars provide an alternate route to domination.

In 2001 Felix was living in Odisha when neighbouring villagers died trying to keep their sacred mountains from being mined. He put down his studies and joined the Adivasi movement to protect his neighbours. He worked out that the immediate culprit was Vedanta, a corporation listed and based in London. He

Vicky Moller

invited an Odia intellectual activist, Samarendra Das, to speak to politicians in the UK. I remember a Welsh MP running to send a fax to get him a visa so he arrived in time for his talk. Plaid Cymru MPs arranged meetings with UK ministers who then saw the double book keeping and other nefarious dealings of India’s aluminium corporate giant.

Samarendra and Felix wrote a book that was read by India’s Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. ‘Out of this Earth’ changed his thinking and he refused permission for Vedanta’s mine. Many called this the biggest single environmental victory in India. I remember the decision being on all India’s front pages as a first. The book’s second edition is out now, see opposite page.

Today new bauxite mines are proposed on neighbouring mountains by four mega companies, they would devastate Odisha’s ecosystems and Adivasis. Vedanta is after a mountain called Tijmali, the proposed works will cover 1500 hectares and pollute vast areas with

streams but our identity. How can we allow that to happen? We shall fight for our Mali, our forests, by all means, but will not let Vedanta mine our soul.”

Because of the previous campaign, India has progressive regulations, companies need the consent of locals to mine, or to meet them and remediate any concerns they have. They sound better than our regulations, but as usual the devil is in the implementation. The developers asked every village: Do you want us to provide you with concrete (‘pukka’) houses, education, and development or leave you as you are, backward, primitive, poor, uneducated. Every person in every village said: “Leave us as we are, we need nothing, we do not want to depend on you.” They had seen what happened to villages that accepted such offers

Another consent was needed: to ‘redeploy’ ie remove the forest. This time the military came to every house at night, got all voting adults out of their beds at gun point and brought them to the square where they were forced to sign.

radioactive mud, noise, dust, toxic wastes. All available water will be used in processing the 9 million tons per annum they aim to extract by decapping the mountain. Thirty years at this rate of extraction will exhaust the reserve and destroy the area’s fertility.

Sharany is a farmer from Odisha on her first visit to the UK. She is touring with Felix to share the threats to her people and the world. She described Tijmali to us: It has two villages on top and 40 villages around its skirts, with 102 perennial streams and a forest covering its slopes. With caves and waterfalls the forest is rich habitat for wildlife and supplements the villagers’ productive farms. They are self sufficient for everyday needs and sell surpluses to buy their lasting items.

The villagers wrote: “We are children of Tijraja, how can we allow our Tijmali to be mined?

Tijmali is our soul, how can we live without our soul?

Mining will destroy not just the

Sharanya asked for the signed documents. Refused, she resorted to the law and got them. She took them to the villagers to check signatures. She was in for a surprise: Small children had ‘signed’, people long dead or long emigrated had signed, as had some who never existed. There were more signatures than voting adults. Now she will expose the fraudulent document in court to challenge the consent.

Overwhelmed by a battery of grim stories from all sides, it’s easy to turn away. Or is it a single threat with a single solution as the aluminium story suggests: It pollutes, wastes resources, destroys sustainable lifestyles, emits CO2, empowers corporations and provides the means for civilian slaughter. The alternative is a sustainable green harmonious future where the land feeds us and we keep things in use. Our local choice is similar to the Adivasi’s: the concrete trap or the green holy hills calling for creative protection.

Photos: Rajaraman Sundaresan

The tribal women say no, their poem explains

Tijmali hills and fertile lands around

Milford man jailed for shoplifting

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sent to prison after admitting a spate of shoplifting offences at stores in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven.

Staff at the Tesco store in Milford Haven were alerted to Michael Carruthers on May 4, when the 32-year-old was seen picking up various items from the shelves and placing them inside a plastic bag.

“When he was approached by the staff, he became aggressive and began swearing,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson. “Police were called, but the defendant grabbed one of the staff members by his left wrist.”

Ms Jackson said that the items which Carruthers attempted to steal totalled £20.40, but all items were subsequently recovered by staff.

Two days previously, police officers were called to an address in Milford Haven as a result of what the Crown described as ‘an ongoing incident.’

“The defendant was present and as he was arrested, he became resistant,” said Ms Jackson.

“When the officers tried to place him inside the rear of the van, he tried to head butt the cage. Police then tried to restrain him from harming himself or from causing injury to others but he became violent and kicked out with his leg, making contact with one of the officer’s right shin.”

Ms Jackson said that Carruthers continued to be abusive whilst in custody.

The previous month,

on April 16, Carruthers was seen entering Home Bargains in Haverfordwest.

“CCTV footage showed him picking up a number of items, including alcohol and vapes, and placing them in a bag,” continued Ms Jackson.

This week Carruthers, who is currently of no fixed abode, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea prison where he has been remanded in custody since the latest offence on May 4. He pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker, theft from Home Bargains, attempted theft from Tesco and the common assault of a store member at Tesco, Milford Haven.

Each of the offences were committed while Carruthers was serving a community order for a previous conviction. He has a total of 17 previous convictions, including assaults on emergency officers and shoplifting.

Meanwhile his solicitor, Tom Lloyd described Carruthers as ‘an extremely vulnerable young man’.

“He struggles tremendously with substance abuse issues, the most recent being alcohol,” he said.

“Things have got so bad, and the offending has become so frequent, that the options are limited.”

Following a 60-minute deliberation by magistrates, Carruthers was sentenced to 12 weeks in custody. He was also ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Motorist denies damaging three cars

A 28-YEAR-OLD motorist has appeared before magistrates charged with damaging three vehicles while he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

The Crown Prosecution alleges that Macauley Carter hit an Audi A3, a Land Rover and a VW Golf during the alleged accident at Hazel Bank Hill, Llanstadwell, on May 26. The Crown alleges that at the time of the offence, Carter had 93 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35. It is further alleged that Carter caused the vehicle he was driving, namely an Audi A3, to remain

Ordered to repay just £16,700

after victims lost £620,000

A MAN described by a judge as the most “fundamentally dishonest” individual he had ever encountered has been ordered to repay only £16,700 after defrauding his victims of more than £620,000.

Darryl Evans, aged 62, was sentenced to eight years in prison in January after being convicted of 26 charges of fraud and one charge of theft. The convictions followed an almost threeweek trial in December, during which the jury deliberated for less than three hours before returning guilty verdicts on all 27 charges.

Evans, of Green

in a position that could have resulted in danger or injury to other persons using the road.

This week Carter, of Willow End, Milford Haven appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he denied charges of drinkdriving, causing a vehicle to be left in a dangerous position, failing to stop after a road accident and using a vehicle without a valid test certificate.

The case was adjourned to July 29 when Carter will return to Haverfordwest magistrates for trial. He was released on unconditional bail.

Court Crescent in Tenby, deceived his victims into handing over large sums of money between 2013 and 2020. Described by one victim as operating a “Ponzi scheme,” Evans persuaded friends and acquaintances to invest substantial amounts, claiming he would place their funds in lucrative schemes. In reality, Evans was unemployed and using the money to finance his own lifestyle.

The theft charge stemmed from Evans appointing himself as the executor of a will and transferring money into his personal account,

where it swiftly vanished.

Sentencing Evans, Judge Paul Thomas KC remarked: “In over 40 years in these criminal courts, I do not remember ever dealing with someone as fundamentally dishonest as you. Over several years, you cynically, ruthlessly, and dishonestly took in excess of half a million pounds. Many of these people considered you to be their friend. You knew many of them could not afford to lose the money you were taking from them.”

Evans recently returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime

Act hearing, where prosecutor Robin Rouch revealed that Evans had benefitted to the sum of £629,926.17 from his offences. However, only £16,736.11 of Evans’ assets could be seized to repay his victims.

Mr Rouch explained that the available money had been deposited in a Co-op bank account set up by Evans and could be directly traced to the estate of the person for whom he had acted as an executor. Unfortunately, none of the other victims’ money could be traced to this account.

Judge Thomas inquired if Evans owned any property that could be sold to compensate the other victims. Mr Rouch responded that extensive enquiries had been made, but nothing of value was found.

Judge Thomas ruled that the available funds would be split between the two beneficiaries of the estate. He emphasised, “The money will be paid. There’s nothing you can do to either facilitate it or thwart it. The money will be taken from your account. It will be done without your involvement.” He added, “It’s unfortunate for other investors who have lost rather more.”

Appeal after biker sadly killed in crash with campervan

A MOTORCYCLIST was sadly killed in a crash with a campervan on the A40 on Wednesday (Jun 12).

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the male rider of the motorcycle died at the scene of the collision which took place at around 1.05pm.

The road between Llanwrda and Llandovery was subsequently closed for ten hours.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the crash to anyone from Pembrokeshire who may have been in the area.

The incident was also attended by Mid and West

Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crews from Llandovery and Llandeilo; the Wales Ambulance Service and the Wales Air Ambulance.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating a two vehicle road traffic collision which occurred at about 1.05pm, Wednesday, 12th June 2024.

“A beige Volkswagen campervan and a blue and white Honda motorcycle collided on the A40 between Llanwrda and Llandovery.

“Sadly, the male rider of the motorcycle died at the scene.

“The road was closed and reopened at about 11.15pm.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or anyone living or travelling on the A40 between Llandeilo and the collision site, between 12.30pm and 1pm, with dashcam or ring doorbell footage, is asked to contact police on 101.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Alleged heroin dealer

A PEMBROKESHIRE

man has appeared before magistrates accused of defecating heroin with a street value of up to £1,800.

Mark Briskham was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday after being remanded in custody following his arrest on June 8.

“His car was stopped by police following intelligence that he was conveying controlled drugs to the Pembrokeshire area,” said Crown Prosecutor, Abigail Jackson.

“This is a significant role, and there was potential for a significant financial advantage.”

Ms Jackson requested that the court declined jurisdiction in the matter. Her request was granted by magistrates.

Briskham was released on conditional bail, the conditions being that he lives and sleeps with his parents at Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock; that he observes a daily electronic curfew between 8pm and 8am and that he resides in Pembroke Dock pending his Crown Court hearing on July 12.

No pleas were entered by the defendant.

“He was taken to hospital and declined to have any scans, however he later defecated and produced a package containing heroin with a street value of approximately £1,500 to £1800.

Man admits hurling drunken obscenities at hotel staff

A MILFORD HAVEN MAN has been sentenced by magistrates after calling a hotel receptionist ‘a slag with a fat a***’.

Police were called to the Nelson Quay, Milford Haven shortly before 11pm on May 19 after 20-year-old Christian Teeley was heard hurling drunken abuse at the hotel employee.

“He told her to f*** off several times and called her a slag with a fat a***,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackason told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“This made her feel frightened.”

Teeley was then seen urinating at the waterside, in front of the hotel guests.

Cabinet Secretary

LAST week, during questions in the Welsh Parliament, Eluned Morgan claimed the Conservatives were to blame for a new West Wales hospital not being opened.

“IT’S

THE CONSERVATIVES’ FAULT”

Answering a question from Sam Kurtz MS about the delays to the new hospital, Baroness Morgan of Ely first failed to provide any indication on timescales despite promising to do so and continued: “Let me remind you that it was the Conservatives who stopped the proposal to build a new hospital in West Wales several years ago. And if it had been followed through at that time and if you hadn’t led a campaign—you, the Tories, led a campaign against the West Wales hospital—it would’ve been up and running by now. The Conservatives have to take their share of responsibility for the fact that there is not already a West Wales hospital. There has never been an axe hanging over Withybush or Glangwili. And let me be absolutely clear that—[Interruption.] Let me be clear that part of the responsibility for the fact that there is no West Wales hospital already lies directly with the Conservative Party.”

DISTRUST, MISTRUST, AND THE LONG CAMPAIGN

Police officers were summoned to the scene.

“When the officers arrived they could see that the defendant smelt strongly of intoxicants, he was unsteady on his feet, his eyes were glazed and he was clearly intoxicated,” continued Ms Jackson. “As a result, he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.”

This week Teeley, of Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to the charge. He was represented in court by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“He apologises to the court and knows that his behaviour was unacceptable,” he said.

Teeley was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £16 surcharge.

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

a new West Wales Hospital a live political issue in local campaigns.

It sets up local health services to re-enter the spotlight as a political football.

The Health Board has never complained of political interference, and no evidence has ever been presented that Conservative politicians or others have lobbied to delay a new hospital’s construction.

The Health Board’s conduct in salami-slicing key services away from Withybush has not helped build trust between local voters and Labour politicians responsible for overseeing the Welsh NHS and the local health Board’s actions.

VETERAN

CAMPAIGNER CALLS

MORGAN’S REMARKS “RUBBISH”

It’s fair to say that the Conservatives exploited local feelings for their electoral benefit. However, people from other parties, including union members, healthcare staff, and people without party affiliation, participated in the protests.

Dr Chris Overton participated in the campaign to save services at Withybush and led a legal challenge to the Health Board’s downgrading paediatric, maternity and other services there.

That’s some assertion.

As Baroness Morgan will know, not only did thousands of locals demonstrate against the downgrading of services at West Wales’s current hospitals, but members of the Labour Party also participated in those campaigns.

A new hospital must also meet the Government’s statutory requirements for such a site, including Transport policy, Climate Change policy, and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, all of which have changed over the years.

Setting aside the large number of consultations the Health Board undertook as part of the Welsh Government’s consultation requirements, it ignores the vexed question of where the money for a new hospital will come from. It was never accounted for in previous years’ budgets and is still not accounted for as future planned expenditure.

Eluned Morgan’s answer makes the construction of

Prince Phillip and Glangwili would have become community hospitals.

“What would have happened during the pandemic with the muchreduced ventilator capacity? More people would have died!”

DAVIES STILL FIGHTS FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL

Thousands of people from Pembrokeshire participated in demonstrations against service cuts and to Save Withybush Hospital.

recent years.”

CANDIDATES REJECT MORGAN’S PRESCRIPTION

As a General Election campaign is ongoing, we invited responses from the principal candidates.

Cris Tomos, Plaid Cymru candidate for Mid & South Pembrokeshire, said: “Plaid Cymru is and long has been clear that communities should be meaningfully consulted on their healthcare services, and that services should be available as close as possible to those communities.

He stood for election in the former Preseli Pembrokeshire seat in the 2015 and 2017 elections against Stephen Crabb. In 2016, he stood against Angela Burns in the South Pembrokeshire & West Carmarthenshire Senedd election.

Addressing Eluned Morgan’s remarks, Chris Overton told us, “Unfortunately, it’s typical. There is no reason to let the truth get in the way of electioneering!

“Eluned Morgan’s remarks are rubbish.

“Rubbish. Labour has been in power in Wales for 25 years.

“Pembrokeshire became “blue” again because Welsh Labour was keen to improve their chances of taking back seats from Plaid in Carmarthenshire by sacrificing Withybush.

“Had SWAT not existed, we would all have been travelling to Morriston for every emergency. Withybush,

Those demonstrations took place when Mark Drakeford was Health Minister, Vaughan Gething was Health Minister, and she was a MemDrakeford’s Drakeford’s cabinet.

Paul Davies, who has campaigned ceaselessly to retain services at Withybush, told us, “It’s a bit rich of the Cabinet Secretary to talk about health services in West Wales when her party has starved the NHS and constantly eroded health services in Pembrokeshire.

“I’ve always been very clear on this issue – I don’t support a new hospital elsewhere in West Wales.

“I want to see Withybush Hospital get the funding and resources it needs to continue to provide much-needed and much-valued services to the people of Pembrokeshire.

“People living in Pembrokeshire should not have to travel further for vital services, and the Cabinet Secretary should reflect on her comments and apologise to my constituents on behalf of the Welsh Government for the continued downgrading and removal of health services in Pembrokeshire in

“We understand the current resourcing challenges facing our NHS due to 14 years of Toryimposed austerity, and we have made a new and fair funding settlement for Wales a key demand of our general election campaign.

“However, we are also clear that for the past 25 years, responsibility for the design and delivery of health services in Wales is Labour’s.

“It is for them to account for current delays to the plans for the new West Wales Hospital.”

Alistair Cameron, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mid & South Pembrokeshire, told us: “We need clarity from the Welsh Government. We do not know whether they will provide the funds to build the new hospital, which will be either in St Clears or “Whitland.

“The hospital will take at least seven years to build, and the continual delay by the Welsh Government in determining whether they have the finances is damaging our health service and what it is providing for “patients.

“We must also see a plan

Chris Overton: Cabinet Secretary’s remarks are “rubbish,” says campaigner.

stirs hospital row

for managing services during the seven years it will take to build the “hospital.

“In addition, we need a plan for managing travel to the hospital, as this is a big concern for many who are faced with travelling much longer distances.”

Stephen Crabb, Welsh Conservative candidate, said: “For the last 15 years, the Welsh Labour Government has dangled the prospect of a new hospital somewhere nearer Carmarthen as a

carrot to try to persuade Pembrokeshire people to give up on Withybush. They have never said where this new hospital would be, how it would be funded, or when it is supposed “to happen.

“Meanwhile, they have repeatedly cut services and moved them to Carmarthen against the wishes of local people.

I am pleased that the Welsh Health Minister is admitting that Pembrokeshire Conservatives played a key

role in defending Withybush alongside the local campaign by SWAT and others.

“At every step, Welsh Labour politicians and candidates have failed to stand up for our local health “services.

“All of the reasons why Pembrokeshire needed a hospital like Withybush in the first place still remain. As many of the medics at Withybush have made clear over the years, the answer is more investment at Withybush, not downgrading.

“I will continue to speak up for Pembrokeshire and the future of Withybush Hospital.”

Labour candidate for Mid & South Pembrokeshire, Henry Tufnell, was not living in Pembrokeshire during the SWAT campaign and the ongoing fight to retain services at Withybush and other West Wales hospitals. He did not provide a comment.

CABINET SECRETARY SPEAKS TO HERALD

Eluned Morgan expanded her original answer in a comment to The Pembrokeshire Herald.

“The biggest threat to the NHS in West Wales is “the Tories,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

“At every election, they scareWithybush’s Withybush’s future while blocking plans to modernise care for people in Pembrokeshire.

“Since the election in 2007, the Tories said Labour would close it, we didn’t.

“In every election since the Tories built their election campaigns around saving a hospital that we never had any intention of closing.

“We won’t, and the people of Pembrokeshire will not be duped by this ploy again!

“The Tories have once again used inflammatory language to describe our current hospital network. There is no axe hanging over Withybush or Glangwili.

“We need a health service fit for now and the next generation, providing the best treatment possible and giving people the bes” outcomes.

“This is something all politicians should be campaigning to deliver – not kicking our NHS from pillar to post.”

Pregnant woman collided with traffic lights after taking cocaine

A MOTHER-TO-BE has admitted ‘clipping’ a set of temporary traffic lights on the A40 while she was driving a van over the drug-drive limit.

Annabel Jennings, 36, was driving a white transit van along the A40 at Trecwn shortly after midday on December 5.

“Police received a call stating that the van had collided with a set of temporary traffic lights,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the van was being driven by Jennings.

A roadside drugs swipe was carried out which proved positive and Jennings, of Brooklands, Dinas Cross, was conveyed to a custody suite where she gave further blood tests for analyses. These showed she

had 284 mcg of benzoylecgonine in her system which is a derivative of cocaine. The legal threshold limit is 50.

Jennings, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the charge of drug-driving. She was legally represented by Mr David James.

“I emphasise that several days earlier, she had been given cocaine by her former partner,” he said.

“The derivative remained in her system and while she was driving, the mirror of the vehicle collided with the temporary traffic lights.”

Mr James added that Jennings is currently 33 weeks pregnant. “Her unborn baby is due in a matter of weeks,” he said.

Jennings was disqualified from driving for 12 months. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

The Conservatives are responsible for the lack of a new West Wales Hospital: Eluned Morgan

Dock woman sentenced for jumping on police officer

A COURT has heard how a serving police officer was jumped on by a 50-year-old Dock woman, resulting in what medics believe was concussion.

PC Taran Brace was escorting Karen Rees into a police van following a street altercation in Pembroke Dock on July 27, 2023.

“The defendant was placed in handcuffs and as the officers were trying to put her in the van, she jumped backwards, into the left side of his face,”

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“As a result, the officer was taken to Withybush suffering from a bad headache. His face was very red and swollen around the eye and doctors believed he’d suffered a concussion.”

Video footage of the altercation was shown to the court, during which Rees sat in the dock with her head

bowed.

Rees, of Kavanah Court, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Brace causing him actual bodily harm. She was legally represented by Tom Lloyd.

“She’d been drinking that day, she went out for a walk but youths in the street started shouting at her,” he said. “That upset her, so she too, started shouting.”

Mr Lloyd said that Rees was unable to remember what happened inside the police van.

“But her head went back and made contact with the police officer,” he said.

Rees was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, during which she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs. She was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to PC Brace.

Pensioner admits second drug-driving offence

A HAVERFORDWEST motorist has been taken off the road for three years after committing his second drug-driving offence in ten years.

Philip O’Connell, 66, was stopped by officers just after 10.30pm on January 2 as he drove his Audi A4 along the A40 at Scotchwell, Haverfordwest.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates that this was because officers believed he may have been committing a driving offence.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive and O’Connell was then asked to provide blood tests for further analyses. These showed he had 446 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system, which is a derivative of cocaine. The legal threshold limit is 50.

Man jailed for public indecency and assault in Fishguard

SWANSEA CROWN COURT has sentenced Mathew Reading to ten months in prison following an incident in which he exposed himself and urinated on his victim’s driveway.

The events unfolded just days after Reading attacked the same man in a Fishguard pub. Prosecutor Regan Walters recounted how Reading assaulted the man, who had his arm in a cast, on 27 January. Reading punched the victim, who then fell to the floor, where he was further kicked by an unknown assailant.

Following the attack, Reading was arrested and released on bail while police investigated. However, on the evening of January 31, the victim’s wife and their 12-yearold non-verbal autistic son were at home when their dog began barking. The boy went to the door to investigate and saw Reading exposing himself and urinating on their driveway.

“The defendant was standing with his penis exposed and he was urinating on the drive,” Mr Walters explained to the court. Reading then

but later admitted to exposure and witness intimidation in the magistrates’ court.

shouted threats and made obscene gestures towards the house. When the boy’s mother came to the door, Reading directed further abuse at her before attempting to approach the house. The quick-thinking mother shut the door, and Reading was arrested the following morning.

In a statement read by Mr Walters, the boy’s mother expressed her alarm and distress at Reading’s “completely out of order” behaviour. Reading remained silent during police questioning

Reading also faced charges of common assault for the pub attack, which he admitted. He will be sentenced for this offence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on 13 June.

The court learned that Reading, of Maes Y Llan in Dinas Cross, has a significant criminal history, with 22 previous convictions for 30 offences. Defence barrister Caitlin Brazel informed the court that Reading had been in custody since 2 February, equating to an eight-month

sentence already served. She attributed his actions to a “foolish and drunkenly motivated decision” rather than sexual intent, citing two family tragedies in 2019 that had sent Reading into a “downward spiral”.

Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the pub attack as “a particularly cowardly attack” and sentenced Reading to eight months for witness intimidation and a further two months for exposure. Additionally, Reading must register as a sex offender for seven years. The court also issued a two-year restraining order to protect the victim.

Fines imposed after Trading Standards investigation

The court was told that in March 2023, O’ Connell, of Abbots Close, Haverfordwest, was convicted of a similar drug-driving offence.

He was legally represented in court by Mr Tom Lloyd.

“He is not a well man at all,” Mr Lloyd told the court.

“He has significant health problems including angina, a quadruple bypass, bowel cancer, ulcers on his feet and he’s also had a stroke and is diabetic. His health is in a terrible state and he’s used cocaine to help him.”

Mr Lloyd added that in March of this year, his partner of 30 years passed away.

“Since her death, he hasn’t coped very well at all. This is a very difficult time for him and he’s really struggling with the grief.”

A LANDSCAPE gardener has been fined after complaints led to a Pembrokeshire County Council Trading Standards investigation.

Complaints were made by customers of Timothy Lovell of Under the Hills, Haverfordwest, after he had carried out work at their homes.

It was established that Lovell had carried out work without providing essential paperwork, including his business address and cancellation rights, which is required under Consumer Protection form Unfair Trading Regulations.

Lovell appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Thursday May 23 and pleaded guilty to two charges.

Lovell was fined £300 for each offence and

also ordered to pay £250 costs plus £240 victim surcharge.

Jeff Beynon, Public Protection Manager at Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “We are pleased with the guilty pleas and the level of fines

imposed by Magistrates.

“We hope this case will be a reminder that essential paperwork must be provided when work is agreed.”

Anyone wishing to complain about work that has been carried out at their homes should contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 (English) or 0808 223 1144 (Cymraeg). This information will then be shared with Trading Standards.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Drink-driver ‘crying out for support’

A WOMAN described by her solicitor as having ‘reached rock bottom’ has appeared before magistrates after driving through Haverfordwest when she was more than three times over the drink-drive limit.

“This is a lady who’s crying out for support,” said Donna Owen’s solicitor, Mr David James, when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“My client has had an alcohol problem over a lengthy period of time and is harming herself by her excessive drinking.”

Owen, 39, of Portfield Avenue, Haverfordwest was stopped by officers as she drove her Vauxhall Corsa along the A406 at Johnston just before midnight on May 15.

“Police were aware that she was acting suspiciously as she’d applied her brakes harshly when she realised there was a police car behind her,” explained Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.

“When the officers spoke to her, she appeared to be upset and admitted that she’d been drinking earlier that day.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests revealed that Donna Owen had 124 mcg of alcohol in her system. The legal threshold limit is 35.

Her solicitor, David James, said his client drinks up to two bottles of strong wine, each with an alcohol content of between 14% and 14.5%, on a daily

basis. Mr James explained that her drinking stems from a series of abusive relationships as well as being prevented from seeing her young children by her former partner.

“This is causing her to drink every day, and in so many ways, my client has reached rock bottom,” he said. “She is crying out for support.”

Mr James’ mitigation was endorsed by probation officer Julie Norman who had been asked to comment on the case as a result of Donna Owen’s high alcohol reading.

Magistrates were told that Owen was disqualified from driving in 2016 for a previous drink-driving charge; as a result, her sentencing this week crossed the custody threshold.

“She seriously needs support with her alcohol and her emotional welfare issues,” said Ms Norman. “I’m confident that the probation service can assist her and there are some realistic prospects of her rehabilitation.”

Owen was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which she must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. These will include working with the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service and any other agency identified by the probation service. She was disqualified from driving for three years.

She was fined £120 and must also pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Generous legacy donation boosts St Davids RNLI

A LIFELONG

RNLI supporter and fundraiser who enjoyed visits to Pembrokeshire has made a generous donation of £10,000 to St Davids RNLI lifeboat station following his recent death.

John Broadhurst of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire joined the Aylesbury fundraising branch in 1974, volunteering as a committee member and secretary for almost 40 years. In 2013 he was awarded a gold badge for his dedicated support of the charity through his

service and fundraising support.

The large contribution will go towards lifeboat station running costs, including essential lifesaving kit and training. The family have also made a donation to the RNLI ‘launch a memory’ all-weather lifeboat to be based at Exmouth.

The Broadhurst family started visiting Pembrokeshire in 1972 when family members moved to the area.

Jo Lynch, John’s daughter, said: ‘Visits to lifeboat stations were always an inherent part of our holidays, and St Davids was always part of that. Dad was a keen sea fisherman, and used to fish regularly from Newgale, Solva and Whitesands. In the early 80’s, mum and dad bought a touring caravan and we used to stay all around the local coast, including at the caravan club site at Lleithyr Meadow near Whitesands on a regular basis. St Davids has always been a favourite part of the county and we continue to holiday

in the area.’

Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, said: ‘On behalf of all the crew and members of St Davids lifeboat station I’d like to extend our sincere heartfelt thanks to John and his family for this very generous donation. Knowing John devoted so much time to our charity over many years, and he chose St Davids to benefit from this legacy, is humbling and greatly appreciated. This donation will enable us to continue delivering a lifesaving capability from our lifeboat station.

Three arrests as ‘commercial scale’ cannabis edibles factory discovered

THREE people have been charged following the discovery of a commercial scale production factory at an address in Haverfordwest.

Between June 5 and 6, 2024, it was discovered that the address was being used to produce what is believed to be thousands of cannabis edibles.

There are concerns that the edibles are being supplied to young people.

Officers also carried out a warrant in the Crymych area where a small quantity of cannabis was recovered.

Chay Miles (27), John Miles (51) and Kyle Gadsby (19) have all been

charged with Possession with intent to supply Class B controlled drugs and being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs. They have been remanded in custody and will appear in court on July 8, 2024.

Officers have said that they want parents to be aware of cannabis edibles which, although they contain an element of the Class B drug, they do not have the smell or appearance of cannabis. They may also contain other illicit substances. Instead, they look and smell like a normal shopbought food item but can be stronger than other cannabis products.

And because of how

they are packaged, they can be particularly appealing to young people and teenagers, who may call them ‘gummies’ or ‘bites’.

A police spokesperson said: “The local community can help us by continuing to report any signs of criminal activity –the easiest way to do this is on our website. Any bit of information, no matter how small it may seem, could help make a big difference. You can do so, either by:

• https://orlo.uk/v6hMc •101@dyfed-powys. police.uk

• Direct message us on social media

• 101

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

St Davids residents rally to save doctors’ surgery from closure

HUNDREDS of St Davids residents gathered together on Sunday to launch their SOS Save Our Surgery campaign.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Hywel Dda University Health Board is currently in discussions with St David’s Surgery over how the service will function beyond October 2024, following the resignation of the surgery’s General Medical Services Contract.

Local residents, who have formed their own ‘Against the Proposed Closure of St. Davids’ group to front the campaign, made their feelings know ahead of an important public consultation this Friday, June 14.

From 2pm to 7pm at the City Hall in St Davids, representatives of the health board will be on hand to listen to the concerns of residents. As many people as possible are being encouraged to attend and e-mail their views to ask.hdd@ wales.nhs.uk.

The group have also been distributing questionnaires, which can be filled in and dropped off at the pharmacy in St Davids.

Red Arrows dazzle with spectacular flyover

IT wasn’t advertised on their website, and some doubted it was going to happen, but our reports that the Red Arrows were to fly over the county on Saturday morning were accurate, and hundreds in the county were treated to a spectacular fly-past.

The iconic planes were travelling enroute from RAF Valley to Portsmouth’s Armed Forces Day on

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Southsea Common via Bournemouth. The route saw one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams fly from RAF Valley on Anglesey via north Wales and Ceredigion before flying over Fishguard and Scleddau, heading to St Davids Airfield where they turned. They then flew to Little Haven and

Bike It 100: Kilgetty gears

turned again before flying over Haverfordwest and then out of the county.

Gary Thomas of New View Pembrokeshire captured these fantastic pictures and kindly agreed to share them on The Pembrokeshire Herald website. However, not everyone had the same experience. “They turned over Nolton Haven instead of Little Haven and Broad Haven was packed full of people

waiting!!” lamented local resident Nic Crimlus. Meanwhile, Susan Holton simply remarked, “Lucky things.”

This year marks the Red Arrows’ 60th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the nine Hawk T1 aircraft have special artwork on the side and tailfin of each jet. By the beginning of 2024 – the team’s 60th season, the Red Arrows had flown almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries.

The sighting brought joy and excitement to many in the county.

Tessa-Jeff Taylor noted, “Caught a glimpse in Narberth,” while Nathan Holmes added, “Seen them in Haverfordwest.” Not everyone was so fortunate, as Sian Mcsparron pointed out, “Never came over Milford!!”

Julia Elizabeth Jones summed up the sentiment of many: “How awesome.” Indeed, the Red Arrows continue to inspire awe and admiration wherever they fly.

up for charity cycling event

CYCLISTS from across the country are gearing up for the Kilgetty Bike It 100, a charity non-competitive cycling sportive set to take place on Sunday, 28th July 2024. Organised to support the Paul Sartori Foundation and Haverfordwest High School’s South Africa Rugby Tour 2025, the event promises a fun, friendly, and challenging day on the bike.

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

Participants can choose from three scenic routes of varying difficulty: 50.5 miles with an elevation of 3,400 feet, 77.8 miles with an elevation of 5,284 feet, and the full century route at 101.7 miles, climbing a total of 7,428 feet. Each route is meticulously planned with GPS guidance, direction

markers, and designated water stops to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride.

Early bird entries are priced at £35 and are available until 31st May. Post this date, if slots remain, the entry fee will increase to £45. All participants will receive a commemorative Welsh slate medal upon completion. In addition to the ride, the event features organised outdoor BBQs, coffee stops, and well-

MIKE EDWARDS

AMONG the many indignities visited upon the older and portlier gentleman, nothing is worse than the need to rise in the wee small hours of the morning to have small wees.

I once enjoyed hours of unbroken slumber until the alarm clock yanked me out of the land of nod. My head no sooner hits the pillow these days than my bladder guides me to the loo.

I wouldn’t mind so much if my absence from bed didn’t encourage my beloved to do her worldfamous impression of a starfish. Her urge to expand to fill the space on our divan means I do not so much return to bed as perch precariously on its edge, hovering between the mattress’s extremity and the floor.

The other morning provides a case in point.

At five thirty, I was up with the lark, down with pyjamas, and soon feeling intense relief.

In the dawn’s grey light, I negotiated my way back to our bedroom, avoided disturbing the dog on its bed outside our door, manoeuvred around the dressing table and wardrobe, and found myself with the merest sliver of bed to take my tired body.

earned drinks available for purchase at the finish, courtesy of Kilgetty Sports & Social Club.

The sportive has been a tremendous success in previous years, raising £12,000 in 2021 and 2023. Organisers hope to exceed this amount in 2024, bolstered by the community’s continued support and enthusiasm.

For more details and to register, participants can visit the British Cycling website or scan the QR code on the event poster. Queries can also be directed to kilgettybikeit@ yahoo.com.

Join us for a day of cycling through the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside, all while supporting two fantastic causes. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to ride, enjoy, and make a difference. Secure your spot today!

For more information, visit British Cycling Event Details.

impersonation and decided that being a sausage roll was more her forte.

The night had been exceptionally clear, which meant the temperature outside the covers was several hundred degrees colder than it was under them.

I tried curling myself into a ball to conserve heat but soon found myself shivering and waiting for hypothermia to claim me.

Things could not have got worse.

And then, as I drifted into what I was certain would be a terminal coma, things did.

I heard our door creak open and the soft padpad-pad of Mitzi’s paws.

I felt the hound’s presence at the foot of our bed.

The damned thing started licking my feet. Her tongue moved from my soles to the gaps between my toes.

I tried gently nudging the dog away. Mitzi thought this was a new and fun game. She plopped one of her paws over my exposed leg before continuing her unwanted, increasingly tickly attentions.

Inspiration finally came.

I slid carefully onto the mattress. My darlingest one stirred in her sleep and threw out an arm, dinging me on the nose.

I did not cry out.

Waking my wife when she is deep in the arms of sleep is akin to setting off a claymore mine. Parts of me would be splattered all over the walls.

Nose throbbing and eyes streaming, I eased my way in and reached for the duvet.

It was whipped from my fingers as the wife abandoned her starfish

“Where’s mummy?” I whispered. Mitzi moved around the other side of the bed. My beloved had part of one foot exposed to the air. Mitzi lavished attention on it. The missus woke up with a start and admonished the dog, who slunk away. With my beloved distracted, I seized enough of the quilt to cover my pale blue body and went instantly to sleep. My darling returned to bed, grumbling vaguely about “that bloody dog”. I smiled.

An important lesson had been learned. I’d never go without the quilt again.

Pictures by Gary Thomas

VC Gallery champions community events despite flood

THE VC Gallery in Haverfordwest proved resilient in the face of adversity this week, following a significant flood. Despite the challenges, the gallery maintained a full schedule of events and activities, highlighting the community’s unwavering spirit and dedication.

Throughout last week, the gallery hosted numerous events, showcasing the efforts of their remarkable team, members, and volunteers. Notably, Armed Forces veterans from North Wales, supported by Alabaré UK, visited the gallery’s projects. This visit was facilitated by Bluestone Wales, who graciously hosted the veterans.

The week featured a series of D-Day events and woodland workshops, generously sponsored by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Levelling Up Fund. The gallery extended special thanks to Stonemasons in Haverfordwest for hosting the D-Day event.

In celebration of Volunteering Week, the VC Gallery PD held

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a prestigious awards ceremony. The Mayor of Pembroke, alongside the community police team and Dyfed-Powys Police, honoured the gallery’s exceptionally talented volunteers. The event was supported by PAVS Pembrokeshire, the County Council of Pembrokeshire, and the Pembrokeshire Community Hub.

The gallery’s Dig for Victory project continued to thrive, with numerous planting and weeding activities. The project also saw collaborations with local beekeepers to explore the potential for on-site hives.

Additionally, Pembrokeshire College visited the VC Gallery HW and the Dig for Victory site, conducting assessments for peer mentoring qualifications for the gallery staff.

Saturday evening witnessed a major fundraising event organised by the gallery’s neighbours, Connect Pembs. The event, held

at Haverfordwest RFC, featured three-time world champion snooker player Mark Williams, whose son is a veteran. In an exciting highlight of the evening, local players Craig and Geriant played against Williams, with Geriant emerging victorious. The gallery extended heartfelt

thanks to Connect Boyz for their passionate support.

Throughout the week, the VC Gallery also provided 14 counselling sessions, drug and alcohol harm reduction support, and over 22 crisis and peer support sessions for veterans and Armed Forces families, including

assistance with PIP and court appearances.

Despite the recent flood, the VC Gallery remains steadfast in its commitment to the community. The gallery expressed profound gratitude to all the volunteers, local residents, and businesses in

Pembrokeshire for their unwavering support during this challenging period. A new itinerary for the upcoming week’s events in Haverfordwest will be published soon, promising continued engagement and support for the community.

Fire Brigades Union responds to report on fire service governance failings

THE Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee has today published a new report on the governance of Welsh fire and rescue services.

Following an investigation into the controversial appointment of Stuart Millington as Interim Chief Fire Officer for South Wales, the report finds a lack of clarity and “troubling” responses from respondents in senior positions.

The committee recommends that the Welsh government make clear that fire service staff coming forwards with complaints will be adequately supported and treated fairly, alongside urgently exploring options for “more radical reform” in the long term.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt

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Wrack said: “This report confirms serious failings of leadership at the very top. Chief fire officers and senior managers have presided over a situation in which those who speak out against bullying, harassment and discrimination are silenced or victimised.

“To build the trust needed to transform the service, firefighters must be given a voice and fire service leaders must be held to account.

Parachuting in managers with no experience of firefighting will only further entrench a lack of confidence in leadership.

“While the FBU is open to discussing the broadening the role of firefighters, any change to firefighters’ duties and terms of work are

a matter for negotiation at the National Joint Council. The FBU will continue to engage in ongoing discussions with the Welsh government.

“The FBU and its equalities sections have a proud history of fighting for equality and dignity at work. Any plan to transform the fire service must have the union as the voice of frontline firefighters at its heart, and must recognise the necessity of making the service democratically governed and accountable to residents.”

Cerith Griffiths, Fire Brigades Union executive council member for Wales said: “Firefighters across Wales feel ignored and silenced by those at the top. For far too long, concerns have been dismissed or met with hostility.

“As the Senedd’s Equality and Social Justice Committee concludes, the inappropriate appointment of Stuart Millington has further reinforced a lack of confidence and trust.

“The FBU and its

equalities sections have been fighting misogyny, homophobia and racism in the fire service for decades. The union must be empowered to play a key role in transforming our service, supporting firefighters to speak out.

“As the only democratic and representative body for firefighters and control room staff, the Fire Brigades Union will hold the Welsh government to account and fight to transform our service.”

Boundary changes mean new constituencies for 2024 UK Parliamentary Election

DO you know what constituency you are voting in at July’s General Election?

Some of us might want to double check as some major changes in boundaries come into force.

Many areas traditionally in the Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency are now included in a new Ceredigion Preseli constituency.

While the former South Pembrokeshire and the remaining areas of the former Preseli area, are included in the new Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency.

The Boundary Commission for Wales began a review of Parliamentary Constituencies in 2021 and final recommendations were made to the Speaker of the House of Commons in 2023.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire covers Letterston, Solva and St Davids down to Hundleton and Tenby, stretching eastwards to Amroth, Narberth and Lampeter Velfrey.

Ceredigion Preseli extends up past Aberystwyth and also includes Cilgerran, Crymych, St Dogmaels, Fishguard and Llanrhian.

Full details of the review and updated constituency mas are available on the Boundary Commission website.

Registered voters in Mid and South Pembrokeshire will received election communications from Pembrokeshire County Council and those in Ceredigion Preseli will information from Ceredigion County Council.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire’s (Acting) Returning Officer is PCC Chief Executive William Bramble and Ceredigion Preseli’s (Acting) Returning Officer is CCC Chief Executive Eifion Evans. Your polling card will indicate which constituency you are voting in.

PAVS ‘delighted’ to appoint new Chief Officer

THE Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services says it is delighted to announce the appointment of Jessica Bickerton as the new Chief Executive Officer for the organisation. Her appointment comes as the organisation prepares to bid farewell to Sue Leonard, who will be retiring at the end of August after over 20 years of service, 16 of those as Chief Officer.

Jess joins PAVS having worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for 25 years. Her role has seen her work around the globe with involvement in aid programmes, supporting international crises, and organising major events such as the Coronation.

Since moving to Pembrokeshire five years ago, she has been keen to bring her skills

and experience to her local community. Jess says “the opportunity to lead PAVS – with its strong reputation and track record of making a difference to the voluntary sector, communities, and individuals – was too compelling. I will be stepping into some big shoes though!”.

Sue Leonard, current Chief Officer notes “PAVS is a great organisation and one that I have been proud to lead over the past 16 years. I can’t quite believe that I have reached retirement age and that the time has come to hand over to someone new. I am confident that Jess brings an excellent skills set to the PAVS team alongside a genuine commitment to the County. I know the Association will be in safe hands for the future.”

“With Sue’s retirement we knew we would have big shoes to fill, and tasked ourselves with finding a new inspirational leader to support the great work PAVS carries out,” says Claire Incledon, Chair of the Board of Trustees, “we are delighted to have appointed Jess and are confident that she will continue to develop PAVS and support the vital work of the third sector in our community”.

Jess is due to start her new role at PAVS in mid-August and is looking forward to getting to know our members and partners over the weeks that follow. In the meantime, you are welcome to come and meet Jess and say goodbye to Sue in the Community Zone at the Pembrokeshire County Show, taking place on 14th and 15th August 2024.

Coastwatch celebrates 30th anniversary with Relay Flag Event

THE National Coastwatch Institution (NCI) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a relay flag event, highlighting the charity’s crucial role in coastal safety. The event, which took place at the Wooltack Point station, was attended by notable figures, including Stephen Crabb MP and the Mayor of Milford Haven, Councillor William Elliott.

Stephen Crabb MP expressed his gratitude to the NCI for their invitation to join the celebrations and praised the volunteers for their dedicated service. “A special anniversary flag is travelling around the UK coast in a station-tostation relay to highlight the excellent work of the charity in helping to save lives around the coast,” Crabb stated. Reflecting on past efforts, he recalled working with local campaign groups

Tom Sinclair Editor@herald.email

in 2011 to prevent the closure of Milford Haven Coastguard Station, a decision that saved 23 jobs and maintained a vital service for the community.

The Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott, also attended the event, acknowledging the importance of the NCI’s work. He commented on the collaborative efforts that made the relay possible and the significance of the flag relay in promoting coastal safety.

The flag, symbolising the NCI’s commitment to safeguarding coastal areas, arrived at Mackerel Quay, Milford Marina, around midday. The event saw the flag being transferred aboard a Dyfed-Powys Police Marine Unit Rib to Martins Haven, where

it was then carried to the station by the Dale Coastguard Rescue Team.

Station Manager Haydn Evans spoke about the excellent work of the volunteers at Wooltack Point, who serve as the “eyes and ears” along the Pembrokeshire coast.

The relay flag’s journey around the UK serves as a tribute to the dedication and hard work of all NCI volunteers.

The celebrations underscored the vital role that both the Milford Coastguard Station and the voluntary Coastwatch Station at Wooltack Point play in ensuring the safety of local residents and visitors throughout the year. The event not only marked a significant milestone for the NCI but also highlighted the continued importance of community and collaboration in coastal safety.

Elly Neville awarded British Empire Medal

ELLY NEVILLE, the young advocate behind Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal, has been honoured with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her remarkable contributions to cancer care in Pembrokeshire. The medal was presented by Miss Sara Edwards, the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, on 7th June.

Elly’s efforts have

significantly improved cancer services at Withybush Hospital, raising over £210,000.

The recognition in the King’s New Year Honours List 2024 crowns her decade-long dedication to supporting cancer patients and services.

“All of us involved with Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal are so proud of Elly finally receiving her BEM from the Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed,”

shared a representative of the Appeal. “Elly has achieved so much for cancer patients and services in Pembrokeshire over many years. The medal in the King’s New Year Honours List 2024 was the icing on the cake. Feeling very, very proud! Thanks to everyone who has helped in any way over the last nine years!”

Young fundraiser raises over £1,000 for Tenby RNLI

OVER the weekend (Jun 8), Tenby Lifeboats RNLI station welcomed a special visitor: fiveyear-old Henry, who recently completed the May-day Mile challenge to raise funds for the RNLI. Demonstrating remarkable dedication, Henry walked or cycled one mile every day throughout May, successfully raising an impressive £1,067.

Henry’s passion for the RNLI was sparked by a visit to his school last year, and he has since embraced the opportunity to support the lifesaving charity through this challenge. His commitment and enthusiasm have not gone unnoticed, earning him heartfelt thanks from everyone at the Tenby station.

“Well done and

thanks from all at Tenby station, Henry!” the team expressed in a message of appreciation for the young fundraiser’s efforts.

The RNLI, a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea, relies heavily on donations and fundraising efforts such as Henry’s. His contribution will undoubtedly aid in their ongoing mission to keep coastal communities safe.

Haverfordwest Business Circle champions

THE HAVERFORDWEST BUSINESS CIRCLE, established in 2014 by a dedicated group of independent businesses, is committed to revitalising the town. With a clear mission to enhance the ‘Haverfordwest’ brand, the Circle aims to improve the shopping experience for both residents and tourists, fostering a vibrant and thriving community.

The Circle actively promotes local businesses through their Facebook page, where daily advertisements highlight the diverse offerings available in Haverfordwest. They recognise the need for businesses to collaborate, addressing the town’s challenges collectively. “It is not enough to just promote our own business,” a representative stated, “we need to promote the town itself, providing shoppers and visitors with an enjoyable experience.”

This collaboration is key to the Circle’s strategy. By organising attractions and events, they aim to make visiting the town centre a delightful experience for all. The emphasis is on creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to shop locally.

Shopping locally is crucial for several reasons, and the Haverfordwest Business Circle is passionate about highlighting these benefits:

Economic Boost: Local businesses are the backbone of the community’s economy. When residents shop locally, they are effectively investing in their own town. The money spent in local

shops circulates within the community, leading to job creation, higher wages, and increased investment in local infrastructure and services.

Job Creation: Small businesses are significant employers within local communities. By supporting these businesses, shoppers help maintain and create jobs, providing livelihoods for their neighbours and contributing to lower unemployment rates.

Community Development: Local businesses are often more invested in the well-being of the community. They are likely to contribute to local causes, sponsor events, and support schools and sports teams. This fosters a sense of community spirit and cohesion.

Environmental Impact: Shopping locally can reduce the environmental footprint. Local businesses typically source their products from local suppliers, which means fewer transportation miles and lower emissions. Additionally, shopping locally reduces the need for largescale shipping and packaging waste associated with online shopping.

Unique Products and Services: Independent shops offer a variety of unique products that are not found in large chain stores. These products often reflect the character and culture of the area, providing shoppers with distinctive and high-quality choices. Furthermore, local businesses often offer personalised services, ensuring a

better customer experience.

Sustainable Growth: By supporting local businesses, communities can achieve more sustainable growth. Small businesses are more adaptable and can respond quickly to changing economic conditions and customer needs. This resilience helps create a stable and prosperous local economy.

The Haverfordwest Business Circle understands these benefits and strives to make them a reality for their town. By fostering a culture of local shopping, they aim to create a sustainable and prosperous future for Haverfordwest, ensuring that it remains a charming and dynamic place to live, work, and visit. champions local shopping for town’s prosperity

Keeping the Town Vibrant: A bustling town centre with thriving shops and services attracts visitors and

enhances the quality of life for residents. It creates a vibrant atmosphere where people want to spend time, contributing to the overall appeal and attractiveness of the town.

“The Haverfordwest Business Circle is a large group of businesses in and around the town of Haverfordwest. Our new map shows all the businesses within the group and where they are situated in the town.

As a group we are pleased with all the changes in the town... we understand that the works could cause disruption but believe the outcome will weigh in its favour.

Within the next few years, Haverfordwest will prove itself as the County Town it is.”

Sally Williams, HBC Chair

Nigel Farage: A storm on the horizon for the Tories

AHOY there, fellow feathered friends! It’s your favorite beak on the beat, Stephen Seagull, with a fresh squawk about the latest squabble in British politics. Just when we thought the seas had calmed, up pops Nigel Farage, squawking about standing for parliament as a Reform UK candidate. Like Banquo’s ghost from Shakespeare, he’s been haunting the Tories for over a decade. This time, he’s flapping his wings towards Clacton in Essex, a seat once held by his old

party, Ukip. But let’s not forget, Mr Farage is a serial loser, having been booted out by voters seven times across six constituencies over two decades! If he were a seagull, he’d be the one always getting chased off the best spots on the pier. Now, this Reform UK’s head honcho, who also happens to be its biggest shareholder, has got some influence over right-wing, socially conservative gulls. That’s got the Tories flapping in a frenzy because some of their supporters are pecking at Mr Farage’s outdated views. His parties have stirred up rage, paranoia, and

xenophobia like a storm in a teacup. He’s got a big feather in his cap for Brexit, a historic blunder that Britain is still paying for. Academics say his Brexit party split the leave vote in Labour seats, costing the Tories around 25 gains in 2017. Labour and the Tories are both guilty of making promises they can’t keep, but Mr Farage has turned it into an art form. His party’s bold claims “feel true” to their target voters but are as empty as a seagull’s nest in winter. What’s got Rishi Sunak squawking is that Farage will use the migrant numbers crossing the Channel – about 10,000 so far this year – to mock the Tory claim of “taking back control” of

borders. And Mr Farage’s blatant racism, claiming Muslims lack British values, should have alarm bells ringing louder than a foghorn. Farage is no stranger to extremism and has tried to dress his intolerance in respectable feathers. But with former Tory PM Liz Truss appearing on far-right YouTube shows, Farage can’t risk being outflanked on the right. The idea of the Conservatives and Reform UK merging isn’t so far-fetched anymore. Just last October, Farage was oddly celebrated at the Tory conference, despite leaving the party in the early 1990s. Mr Sunak, when asked if Farage could rejoin, could only muster that his party is a “broad church.” There’s a big difference between vague Tory policies and Farage’s fire-and-brimstone, oldtime religion approach.

Reform UK’s main role in the upcoming general election isn’t to win seats but to help the Conservatives lose theirs. Farage sees Sir Keir Starmer’s victory as key to his “reverse takeover” of the Tories. He looks to Canada’s Reform party, which went from nowhere

in 1993 to winning 52 seats, routing the Conservative party, and eventually merging to defeat the ruling Liberals. But Britain isn’t Canada, and every unhappy electorate is unhappy in its own way.

And what about the broader picture?

Farage’s return to the political frontline is a testament to the ongoing discontent and divisions within the UK. The Tories are caught in a whirlpool, trying to navigate between the hard-right elements and more centrist policies. Sunak’s leadership is under scrutiny, and the pressure is on to deliver clear and coherent policies. Meanwhile, Farage’s return threatens to muddy the waters even further.

The political landscape is shifting like the tides, and it’s clear that the next

general election will be a tumultuous affair. Reform UK’s strategy might not be to win but to disrupt, creating waves that could capsize the Conservative ship. Farage’s focus on migration and Brexit highlights ongoing issues that the Tories have struggled to address convincingly. The question is, will voters be swayed by Farage’s siren song, or will they see through the bluster to the empty promises beneath? So, keep your beaks to the wind and your eyes on the waves, folks. The political seas are stormy, and who knows what’s on the horizon? This is Stephen Seagull signing off, ready to dive into the next political storm and bring you the freshest catch of news! Stay tuned, and stay savvy, my friends!

A Message from Cardiff Bay

HELLO, loyal readers of The Pembrokeshire Herald.

Yes, it’s me!

Beloved and esteemed leader of your nation, bringer of light to your lives, and in no way a grubby careerist, Vaughan “The Godfather” Gething.

Please. No, please. Stop cheering.

Your silent obedience is enough.

Badger is away being re-educated this week and with the editor’s kind permission and—I assure you—without holding his family hostage at Withyhedge, I will take this opportunity to set a few things straight.

I care about everyone in Pembrokeshire so much that I visited Tenby to meet my new friend, Henry Tufnell.

True, beforehand, there was a little local difficulty when Henry implied I was as welcome among Pembrokeshire voters as a cholera epidemic.

However, with some special help from my minders, Henry soon saw things my way.

We discussed all the major issues affecting Wales.

Me.

Afterwards, despite being shouted at by Labour’s General Election Coordinator for Wales and having Lesley “Gripper” Griffiths twist his arm halfway up his back, he could just about hold onto an ice cream cone for a completely spontaneous photo.

I showed Henry that I am not an electoral liability.

Or at least Gripper persuaded him I am not.

People walked up to me in the street, and those I didn’t have shot

for insolence were soon very enthusiastic about my presence.

They even asked me spontaneous questions on the big issues, such as whether I preferred raspberry ripple to tuttifrutti ice cream.

With my helpful snipers dotted around Tudor Square, I helped ensure a fun day was had by all my subjects in attendance.

Even Henry only tried making a run for it once.

Amazing things, tasers.

Oh, how we laughed!

I’m often asked what motivates me to keep going when things like the facts look bad.

I don’t shy away from scrutiny, so I tell those asking questions: “I know where you live.”

Sometimes, I tell people they should remember what happened to Mike Hedges.

99.95% of the time, people ask me: “Who is Mike Hedges?”

I nod my head and say: “Exactly.”

The five in a hundred people who know who I mean look at me in horror.

Some vomit.

After visiting Room 101, Mike is much better now.

And like all my loyal supporters and friends in the Senedd, he wants to keep it that way.

It’s not that I behave like a tinpot dictator, used to getting his own way despite many obvious personality flaws and a sense of arrogant entitlement more suited to Boris Johnsonor Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost.

No. No indeed.

At heart, I am a humble public servant. Public service runs

through me - like diarrhoea.

I use my special “explaining voice” in the Senedd when my inferiors raise questions. It sounds a lot like Jamie Adams’s “explaining voice”. Paul Miller told me passive aggression like Cllr Adams’s can make even me sound reasonable, so I took the hint and now use it all the time.

It’s much more fun than throwing my toys out of the pram in public like a misbehaving toddler, and it makes the occasions I do so when the public isn’t watching even more fun.

Some people say it makes me sound like a condescending twat. But they see sense after I send the Agony Aunts - Eluned and Joyceround for a little chat with them.

When they recover their eyesight, that is.

Some people say Labour in Wales is like the Mafia.

I fundamentally disagree: Labour in Wales is nothing like organized crime. For starters, I’m afraid I have to disagree with the careless use of adjectives.

Instead, Labour is more like an extended family.

Poor Fredo. Or “Lee Waters”, as I like to remember him.

Like a family, we sometimes disagree. But, when it matters, I can rely on the kompromat to ensure loyalty. Some people think I have people like Luca Brasi hanging around to ensure people toe the line. That’s untrue. So untrue. It’s very, very untrue. In Labour in

Wales, we don’t need enforcers or threats.

The Munchkins, as I like to think of my loyal Senedd team, sing my praises all day, every day. They do spontaneously, of their own volition, and without anyone leaving any horses’ heads in anyone’s beds.

And for this conspicuous loyalty and unquestioning support, I must thank the Big Guy.

Rishi Sunak.

If Rishi Sunak hadn’t called a General Election in an act of electoral seppuku that will live long in the memory, I might be out of a job.

Instead, there’s a General Election campaign. My loyal capos have made it clear to potential traitors that although the Labour campaign slogan is “Time for Change”, there

is no time for change in Wales.

And there never will be.

The other day, I was reading a biography of one of my political heroes, Margaret Thatcher.

You have to admire how she so neutered the unions that their members gave an unpopular isolated technocrat with nothing in common with Wales’s working class their backing in a Labour leadership contest.

It would be best if you also admired how, thanks to Thatcher, Labour abandoned socialism in favour of consumer capitalism and increasingly right-wing rhetoric on immigration and taxation.

Finally, and what I most admire, is this: once she was chucked out of Number Ten, she and her creatures caused nothing but trouble for her successors.

Not that I’d ever contemplate taking petty revenge in that way. Not me.

Besides, nobody in Labour in Wales would dare try getting rid of me.

Not now. Not ever.

There’s a lesson to be learned from Michael Corleone.

And, as I said before: “Poor Fredo”.

You should see Labour MSs’ faces when I tell them that.

Suddenly, they see things my way.

Humphrey Vaughan ap Gething is here to stay.

And if I’m not, remember: I know where you live.

I know where you all live.

Withyhedge is just the beginning.

Milford’s Concrete Beach returns

TWENTY-FIVE years ago, Pembrokeshire’s Concrete Beach abruptly walked off stage and disbanded for reasons that remain a mystery even to the band members themselves.

Now, after a quartercentury hiatus, the iconic local band is back together, practicing and preparing for a series of gigs across the county.

The surprising reunion started with a suggestion from drummer Gareth Evans, who has been keeping busy with his current band, Honeyhead. Evans proposed a jam session with his former Concrete Beach bandmates Kev Davies, Dave Critten, and Al Muir. It didn’t take long for the group to realise that they had reunited the lineup, which hadn’t played together since the year 2000.

The decision to reform came about casually. After a few beers and a spontaneous remark along the lines of, “we should do a gig or something,” the band members decided to give it another go. Excitement grew as they began

planning their return to the stage.

To mark their comeback, Concrete Beach is set to release a new single titled “A Day in the Sunshine” on June 14th. This release comes just in time for their much-anticipated return performance at The Three Crowns in Hakin on June 15th. The band members are eagerly looking forward to this gig, which will be their first as this version of Concrete Beach in over two decades. And with an album following in august featuring 2 new tracks and a host of remixed and remastered oldies, there is plenty to look forward to.

Fans old and new can expect to hear both classic hits and fresh tracks, as Concrete Beach reintroduces themselves to the Pembrokeshire music scene. The band’s unexpected return promises to be a nostalgic and thrilling experience for the community, reigniting the spirit of a group that along with a host of other bands defined local rock music.

Tony Chirstie at Boulevard

MUSIC fans are in for a treat this evening as the iconic Tony Christie graces the stage at the Boulevard Theatre. Known for his timeless hits like “Is This the Way to Amarillo?” and “Avenues and Alleyways,” Christie’s performance promises to be an unforgettable night of classic tunes and cherished memories.

The Boulevard Theatre, renowned for hosting top-tier talent, is the perfect venue for Christie’s rich vocals and charismatic stage presence. Fans can expect a repertoire

spanning his illustrious career, which has seen him become a staple in the music industry for over five decades.

Doors open at 7:30 PM, and the show is set to begin at 8:00 PM. Tickets have been selling fast, but a limited number are still available for those who want to experience this extraordinary event.

Don’t miss this chance to see one of music’s greats live in Milford Haven. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to his music, Tony Christie’s concert is sure to be a highlight of the summer.

Plug back into the Matrix

THE MATRIx is officially returning to cinemas this summer to celebrate its 25th anniversary, offering an unmissable opportunity to experience the Wachowskis’ iconic sci-fi masterpiece on the big screen in stunning 4K.

Even after a quarter of a century, The Matrix continues to captivate audiences. If you’ve been eager to relive

the thrilling lobby fight, the ‘Morpheus is fighting Neo!’ training sequence, or Trinity’s groundbreaking bullettime kick in a cinema, now is your chance. The film will be back in UK cinemas.

For those who might be unfamiliar (or, more aptly, unplugged) for the last 25 years, Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s film tells the story of Keanu Reeves’ character, Neo, a

hacker who learns from Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus and CarrieAnne Moss’s Trinity that he is living in a computer simulation reminiscent of the late 1990s. Meanwhile, his physical body (along with those of all other connected humans) is being harvested by machines. This revelation sparks a mission to free Neo, who may or may not be ‘The One,’ from his goo-

filled pod, allowing him to harness the mental projection of his digital self and combat the relentless Matrix Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).

As The Matrix remains as powerful and impactful as ever since its original release, and with recent news of Drew Goddard planning a fifth Matrix film to be produced by Lana Wachowski, make sure to follow the white rabbit to the cinemas.

Torch Theatre to host spectacular ‘History of Rock’ show

MILFORD HAVEN’S Torch Theatre is set to host the highly anticipated return of ‘The History of Rock,’ with performances starting from Saturday, 15 June 2024. Tickets are priced at £25.00.

This year’s show promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring an extraordinary line-up headlined by the legendary Led Zeppelin. Fans can look forward to a thrilling

journey through rock history, making this a must-see event for rock enthusiasts.

An exceptional band, comprising some of the finest musicians and performers from around the world, will bring iconic rock music to life. “We’re turning the spotlight on Led Zeppelin,” organisers revealed, “as they headline the ultimate rock concert line-up the world has ever seen.”

The History of Rock at the Torch Theatre

guarantees a rock show like no other, offering a unique and unforgettable experience. Be sure

to join the celebration of rock’s greatest hits and witness an unparalleled musical performance.

House of the Dragon: Season 2

A FIERY conflict is coming to the UK this summer as House of the Dragon returns for its second season. Launching later this month, the fantasy drama takes viewers back to Westeros, where House Targaryen teeters on the brink of a pivotal civil war.

The series, based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood, is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, during the period when the Targaryen dynasty ruled over the Seven Kingdoms. Released three years after the final season of Thrones, House of the Dragon proved to be another major success for HBO, earning nominations for eight Emmys and two Golden Globes.

The first season won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama and achieved a Certified Fresh 93 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. Now, it’s returning for its highly-

anticipated second season, promising fans more bloody action, intense drama, and, of course, dragons.

Here’s everything you need to know about House of the Dragon Season 2.

What is House of the Dragon Season 2 About?

House of the Dragon Season 1 saw King Viserys devastated by the death of his wife and infant son. The ailing monarch shocked the kingdom by declaring his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra, as his heir. However, Viserys’ subsequent marriage to Alicent of House Hightower, pushed by her father and Hand of the King Otto Hightower, results in a male heir – Aegon Targaryen – challenging Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne.

Now, in Season 2, Westeros is on the verge of a brutal civil war following the king’s death, as the Green and Black Councils

vie for control, backing King Aegon and Queen Rhaenyra respectively.

When is House of the Dragon Season 2 Coming Out?

House of the Dragon Season 2 will premiere on Monday, 17 June on Sky Atlantic. The eight episodes will be released weekly, with UK viewers able to watch each instalment simultaneously with the US at 2am, and ondemand thereafter.

How to Watch House of the Dragon Season 2 in the UK

House of the Dragon Season 2 will air exclusively on Sky Atlantic, included in Sky’s new Sky Glass deal

Returning and New Cast Members

House of the Dragon Season 2 sees the return of Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and former Doctor Who star Matt Smith as Prince Daemon

Targaryen. They are joined by Tom GlynnCarney as King Aegon Targaryen, Ewan Mitchell as Prince Aemond Targaryen, and Nurse Jackie’s Eve Best as Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Slow Horses star Olivia Cooke reprises her role as Alicent Hightower, alongside Notting Hill’s Rhys Ifans as her father Otto Hightower. Rounding out the returning cast are Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole.

New cast members for Season 2 include English actor and The Bay star Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Also joining the cast are Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

AH, lovely people, gather ‘round! Let’s delve into the gothic depths of digital horror with “Still Wakes the Deep.”

Imagine this, right: The Chinese Room, those maestros of atmospheric storytelling, have returned, not with just any setting, but with the grim, looming titan of terror—the oil rig. Picture it: cold steel, ceaseless waves, and the groaning symphony of metal and cabling—a setting already draped in dread, even before the real horror kicks in. And oh, they’ve got a sneaky trick up their sleeve. You’re about an hour into the game, knee-deep in freezing black water, squeezing through tight mechanical spaces, when they casually drop this on you: “Hey mate, press this button and you can look behind you.” But why, oh why, would you want to look behind you? The sheer terror of realizing you now have the option to witness what might be creeping up on you—it’s pure, delicious agony!

I had a chat with Rob McLachlan, the lead designer. This bloke is as precise as a surgeon yet harbors a rebellious streak. When I shared my absolute horror at the discovery of the “look behind you” button, he was overjoyed. “That’s exactly what we wanted,” he said, gleefully rubbing his hands together, knowing they’d nailed

that spine-chilling moment.

This game is all about timing, folks. The way it plays with your expectations, stretching them taut before snapping them like a tensioned wire. Remember Cloverfield? That masterclass in building suspense by delaying the inevitable monster reveal? “Still Wakes the Deep” is like that, but with its own unique twist. You’re on this 1970s Scottish oil rig, dealing with your own life messes when everything starts to unravel. The very structure you stand on becomes an antagonist, a prelude to the supernatural chaos to come.

I spoke with John McCormack, the creative director, about the horror inherent in the oil rig setting. He explained how they leaned into the natural terror of the environment— vertigo, claustrophobia, fear of drowning—all heightened by the rig’s precarious, labyrinthine nature. “You should be terrified all the time,” he said. And trust me, they’ve succeeded.

The rig itself is a marvel of rust and grease, a creaking beast of metal floating above a sea that wants to swallow you whole. The research the team did—talking to folks who worked on rigs in the ‘70s, watching documentaries—has paid off in spades. The realism of it all makes the supernatural elements even more jarring and horrific.

As you navigate this tangled

monstrosity, even the simplest tasks become fraught with tension. You move through gantries and walkways, each step an exercise in nervewracking anticipation. And when disaster strikes, the rig transforms into a nightmarish maze, pieces falling away, new paths forming in the chaos.

The Chinese Room has crafted a horror experience that feels intensely personal. They’re not just showing you a scary scene; they’re manipulating your very expectations, playing a game of psychological cat and mouse. Every element—the art, the sound, the level design— works in concert to keep you on edge. It’s a symphony of fear, meticulously orchestrated to keep your heart racing.

The sheer pleasure of being so masterfully manipulated in this dark, new world is immense. It’s like a dance, a wild and disciplined choreography of terror and suspense. You’re drawn in by the familiar beats of horror but kept enthralled by the ingenious setting and the unnerving precision of its execution.

So, my friends, if you crave that delicious dread, that spine-tingling thrill, dive into “Still Wakes the Deep.”

Let The Chinese Room guide you through the murky depths of fear, and remember: sometimes, the scariest thing you can do is look behind you.

it time that you took that powerful vehicle out onto a new mental highway and really let ‘er rip? Thought so. So turn off the TV. Do something different, something stimulating that fires up your synapses in an entirely new way.

CANCER

That elusive balance between thinking and feeling has been extra difficult to strike lately, finding you in either very emotional mode or (less frequently) a very logical state. But you don’t have to be either all wound up or super removed. It’s time to reconcile these extremes and greet the world with both heart and mind engaged. Luckily, the stars are here to help with a nice boost in each department.

LEO Your generous heart, in addition to your desire to look like you’re keeping it all together, has you going the extra mile in all areas right now. Home, work, relationships, not to mention extracurricular activities, are all more demanding than usual, and you’re getting close to running yourself ragged by trying to keep up. Could you actually take a breather or even ask for a little help?

VIRGO Identifying what you want is the first step to getting it, so think it over and get the specifics fixed in your mind. Go ahead and think big. Let your vision of your perfect world percolate. Whatever you’d like to see changed in your work life, your relationships, or your living situation is likely a lot closer than you think (though, of course, perfection will be elusive). After you have it in your head, find a way to communicate it to the relevant parties.

LIBRA Weigh your words carefully, as if they were diamonds. While it might be tempting to blurt out any ol’ opinion that crosses your mind, erring on the side of caution is definitely the best measure at this time. That goes double for emails and any other written communications -- right now, it’s all too easy for someone to misconstrue even the simplest statement and get hot under the collar about it.

SCORPIO

Look for ways to be of service right now. It doesn’t have to be anything huge. Maybe you could take some clothes to a homeless shelter. Maybe you could spend a few minutes on the phone talking things out with your stressed-out cousin. Maybe you could help someone cross the street. Whatever it is, the stars have given you the willingness to be there for other people. Use this opportunity.

SAGITTARIUS

Go ahead and take a chance. Every roll of the dice can be a brand-new opportunity, untainted by limitations from the past if you’re willing to let go of some old baggage and try something new. This might actually be way more fun than you expected, so much fun that you’ll want to find a way to incorporate it into your life more often. So what are you waiting for? Get moving!

CAPRICORN Talk may sometimes be cheap, but right now the way you’re communicating is totally on target, making you a valuable addition to any team. If there’s a presentation to be given at work, you’re the right person for the job. If you’ve been putting off making a phone call to a relative, now is the time. And any sticky relationship situation is no match for your ability to call it like you see it, and sound amazing while doing so.

AQUARIUS

Feeling stressed out? Then try to give away as many of your responsibilities as you can today, including errands, chores, and other such tasks. You have plenty of family members, coworkers, and friends who would be happy to take something off your plate and help you get a breather in your day. All they expect in return for helping you is sincere thanks. They know that you would do the same for them if the roles were reversed.

PISCES When

wITH eddIe THe game guru

Annual Stakeholder 2024 Meetings

As a trust port, we are accountable to our stakeholders in our actions. Our Annual Stakeholder Meetings are an opportunity to discuss how the Port is performing. It’s a public event, open to anyone who would like to know more about our plans or who has queries about the Port.

19 th June | 5.30pm – 8pm

Torch Theatre, Milford Haven

21st June | 10.30am – 1pm

Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock

Scan to register or visit mhpa.co.uk/asm

Milford Haven School celebrates three years of Young Carers Project

IN an effort to raise awareness and provide vital support for young carers, Milford Haven School launched the Young Carers Project in 2021. In the last three years the project has grown in size and now supports over 80 young carers who attend secondary school, supports their families and this year ran a project to support young carers in their catchment primary schools.

The project was born to provide carers with vital support to help them balance their educational journey with their caregiving duties at home.

Young carers are pupils who provide essential care for a family member with a disability, chronic illness, mental health condition, or addiction. This oftenoverlooked group faces unique challenges

that can impact their academic career, emotional wellbeing, and social development.

The Young Carers Project at Milford Haven School creates a supportive and inclusive environment for all pupils. It provides pupils with vital support and an opportunity to take a break from their caring duties through a tailored programme of activities and opportunities.

The YCP also

aims to give young carers a platform to share their stories and experiences. By doing so, we hope to foster a greater understanding and empathy within our school communities.

One young carer shared, “The Young Carers Project is a breath of fresh air for me. I have made friends with other young carers, I know who I can talk to in school for help and I have done fun and exciting things that I

wouldn’t normally get the chance to do”

This year for Carers Week 2024 the members of the YCP have been taking part in an awareness campaign to fit with the theme of this year’s event “Putting Carers On The Map”. They have put posters up around school, took part in launching a web page with information about support and created an awareness video for social media.

College embraces SCAFFOLD Tool to lead in green and digital transition

PEMBROKESHIRE

COLLEGE says it is proud to announce its partnership with the International Institute for Creative Entrepreneurial Development (IICED) at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) in implementing the SCAFFOLD tool for the first time in the UK. This strategic initiative is designed to enhance the capabilities of curriculum managers, empowering them to integrate innovative educational strategies focused on the green and digital transitions and the Curriculum for Wales, Successful Futures.

During the workshop, curriculum managers from various departments at Pembrokeshire College engaged with the SCAFFOLD tool to explore innovative approaches to education that align with the green and digital priorities of today’s educational sector.

The tool’s emphasis on entrepreneurial, green and digital competences helps educators design and implement learning activities that are both

“This ground-breaking training session, held at Pembrokeshire College, marks the UK debut of the SCAFFOLD tool, initially developed by the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) with significant contributions from UWTSD’s IICED. The tool, which facilitates the development of transversal competences in learners, is specifically tailored to meet the needs of modern educators and curriculum managers” Hazel Israel, UWTSD.

dynamic and futureoriented.

Jackie Mathias, Assistant Principal, Pembrokeshire College, expressed her enthusiasm about the initiative: “By adopting the SCAFFOLD tool and EntreComp framework here at Pembrokeshire College, we are not just updating our teaching methods; we are leading the way in preparing our educators and students for the significant shifts towards sustainability and digital technology. Our ambition is to be at the forefront of the green and digital transition, and EntreComp and SCAFFOLD are a pivotal part of this journey.”

The collaboration between Pembrokeshire College and UWTSD through IICED exemplifies the potential of partnership in advancing educational

practices that support significant societal and technological changes.

“This initiative also highlights the adaptability of the SCAFFOLD tool to diverse educational settings, reinforcing its effectiveness across all faculties regardless of subject area.” Hayley Williams, Curriculum Development Manager.

Pembrokeshire College remains

committed to integrating cuttingedge tools and methodologies into its curriculum to better prepare students for the challenges of the modern world. The successful implementation of the SCAFFOLD tool sets a new benchmark for educational innovation in Wales and beyond.

Help save wildlife from hazardous nets

RSPCA Cymru is calling on the public to help save animals’ lives by putting away their back garden football nets after use - with Euro 2024 expected to encourage more backyard football despite the disappointment of Wales missing out on qualification for Germany.

The reminder comes as new data from the charity reveals that of the 1,644 reports received in 2023 of animals getting entangled in all types of netting, almost half of them (773) happened in the peak months of May, June and July.

Across 2023, there were 89 reports of animals trapped in netting in Wales received by the RSPCA - 13 of these were in Swansea, 11 in Conwy and 10 in Cardiff.

Now, as footie fever soars with the Euros - despite Wales unfortunately not qualifying for the tournament - the animal charity fears even more animals could be trapped, injured or even killed by these innocentlooking items. So the charity is urging people to put away their garden football nets when not in use to help minimise the numbers of incidents.

Back in January a badger was nearly impossible to see (pictured above) as he had been covered in mud through his attempts to escape from netting. His whole body had become entangled in the netting near Monmouth Leisure Centre on Old Dixton Road.

RSPCA deputy chief inspector Emma Smith said: “This poor badger was completely camouflaged as he was caked in mud and was very lucky to be spotted. It is heartbreaking to think how long he may have been there struggling to get freebut we’re so relieved he was spotted.

“He was very happy to be released and very quickly went back underneath some fencing towards some woodland.”

As the RSPCA gets ready to celebrate its 200th year of protecting animals,

the charity has been left concerned by a flood of recent reports involving animals entangled in netting, coinciding with this summer’s peak football fever months.

During last month alone (May 2024), the charity dealt with 53 incidents of nettingentangled foxes - mostly cubs - including at least one fox cub death. That’s an increase on the same period in 2023, when there were 52 incidents. But the RSPCA believes the football-loving public hold the key to fixing the problem - both in helping avoid instances happening in the first place, and knowing what they should do if they find a trapped animal.

From wild birds and mammals, to cats, dogs and even exotic pets, the RSPCA’s data reveals that nets present a real hazard for all kinds of animals.

Of the 296 wild mammals that were reported to have been caught up in netting last year, foxes were most likely to become entangled (188), followed by deer (75), then hedgehogs (22). Wild birds fared even worse, with 1,275 individual birds (from robins and swallows to gulls and pigeons) becoming entangled.

The charity even received reports of cats, dogs, parrots and exotic pet snakes affected by netting.

RSPCA Scientific Officer

Rebecca Machin said:

“While football fans across Wales will be gutted Wales aren’t there, we know so many people will still be getting excited about the start of Euro 2024 - and think it’s great that many will be inspired by the action, and want to get outside and have a kick around themselves.

“But unattended football and other netting can trap, mutilate and even kill wildlife and pets, so it’s really important to put nets safely away when they’re not being used after the game is done.

“The problem is so serious that during this May, we dealt with 53 incidents of netting-entangled foxesmostly cubs - and that sadly included at least one fox cub death. That’s even higher than the numbers for the previous May (2023), when there were 52 incidents.

“But it’s not just foxes that are affected; other wild mammals like hedgehogs and deer, and even domestic pet mammals - including cats, can become potentially fatally entangled. But ahead of a difficult summer for many animals, people have the power to make a real difference.”

The charity’s advice to the public is that if a small animal - like a bird or hedgehog - is found caught up in netting, the fastest way to help it is to gently

disentangle the animal themselves - where it’s safe and possible for them to do so.

Whenever people are able to help animals in need, it frees up RSPCA specialist officers to focus on animal cruelty and neglect.

Last week, a member of the public successfully untangled a hedgehog from a football net before taking it to the RSPCA East Winch wildlife centre in Norfolk for rehabilitation - and the charity hopes more people will take action for animals this summer.

But when it comes to bigger animals, the public is urged to call for expert help. When a pregnant roe deer became tangled in a back garden football net near Guildford, Surrey last month, an experienced RSPCA animal rescue officer attended. He was able to calm the animal and gently untangle her from the netting before releasing her unharmed back into the wild.

Rebecca continued: “Getting caught up in netting is very stressful for an animal, particularly one that’s wild. And if the animal gets seriously entangled, netting - whether it’s used for sports, fencing or the garden - can cause severe injuries or even death.

“As wild animals frequently get trapped

during the night, they may have been struggling for many hours by the time they are found in the morning and often need veterinary attention and sedation to cut them free.

“We’re all looking forward to a summer of sport - including the Euros, Copa America and the Olympics - and many of us will be having our own kick abouts in the garden. But we urge people to be aware of the dangers of football and other netting.

“Keeping animals safe is really easy. We can all play our part in helping animals by making sure unused sports netting is tidied away safely after use. But if the worst does happen, and an animal does become trapped, then as long as it’s small and manageable, and if it’s safe to do so, we’d really encourage people to try to untangle it themselves. The animal should then be taken to a vet for a checkup. The more the public can help, the more resources that will free up for our teams to focus on the terrible cruelty and neglect cases that peak during the summer months.”

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.

Four Farming Priorities for the Next Westminster Government

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) is focusing on four key areas that it wants the next Westminster Government to deliver, to support and enhance the resilience of the tenanted sector of agriculture.

TFA National Chair, Robert Martin, said “A General Election is always a good time for a policy reset. It is also an important opportunity to test the candidates vying for the farming vote on what their priorities are going to be if they get the opportunity to sit on those famous green benches and potentially form part of the next Government. In listening to the views of the TFA membership, we have identified four key areas of concern.”

The four priorities identified by the TFA are as follows:

1. Committing to implementing all the recommendations of the Rock Review into agricultural tenancies.

2. Delivering fairness within food and agricultural

supply chains with better returns to farmers and growers.

3. Using our post Brexit freedoms to enhance the quantity and value of our agricultural exports and paring back on unnecessary regulation.

4. Seeking a more appropriate balance between achieving food, environmental and energy security.

“The report from the Rock Review into agricultural tenancies provides a ready-made template for the next Government in terms of policy towards agricultural tenancies. Whether it is about the design of new

Government schemes, changes to legislation, the taxation environment within which tenant farming operates, or the way in which disputes are handled, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

Whilst good progress has been made under the current Government, there is still much to achieve including the establishment of the Tenant Farming Commissioner in the autumn, as announced in the Farm to Fork Summit. Equally, there are areas where the current Government has dropped the ball that the next administration must take forward, including

in respect of changes to Agricultural Property Relief to encourage longer tenancies,” said Mr Martin.

“Farmers and growers are not subsidy junkies. They would much rather their businesses thrive based on fair market returns. There is enough evidence to show that there is market failure in food supply chains in this country and we need a Government that is committed to ensuring that those market failures are addressed. Up to now, we have been tinkering around the edges. A more fundamental regulatory approach, focusing on an expanded role for the Groceries Code Adjudicator is needed,” said Mr Martin

“To date, we have made scant use of our post Brexit freedoms including to enhance our trading position as an exporting country and in removing unnecessary regulations. So far, we have only scratched the surface of the benefits that could be achieved from taking full

control of the levers that influence our trade, policy and domestic legislation.

0We need a bold Government willing to set aside old EU playbooks, that seem to dog much of the Whitehall approach, to achieve much, much more,” said Mr Martin.

“We have seen too much emphasis on taking land out of agricultural production for tree planting, rewilding, solar energy, biodiversity net gain and schemes to achieve nutrient neutrality for housebuilders. Farmers and growers have a unique ability to deliver high quality food and significant benefits for the environment, including the sequestration and storage of vast amounts of carbon. The anti-meat, anti-dairy and anti-farming agendas that have been driving large areas of policy need to be reined in to achieve a much more balanced and pragmatic platform to produce the food, environmental and energy security we need,” said Mr Martin.

NFU Cymru publishes General Election manifesto

NFU Cymru has published its manifesto for the 2024 Westminster General Election, outlining the union’s priorities for the next UK Government to help support farmers and rural communities in Wales.

With the next UK Government deciding the overall budget for Welsh farming, the NFU Cymru 2024 General Election Manifesto sets out three clear asks of the next government in relation to funding:-

• A clear undertaking to provide a UK agricultural support budget for the length of the next parliament –

• A ring-fenced multi-annual agricultural budget through to the next election

• A commitment to look afresh at the budgetary allocation provided

to support UK agriculture in order to restore its real-terms value, which has been significantly eroded by inflation

Welsh farming now needs a budget of over £500m annually to take account of inflation and to help ensure that the industry’s ambitions for food, nature and climate can be met.

NFU Cymru

President Aled Jones said: “Government investment in agriculture provides stability to farm businesses and is crucial to maintaining the supply of safe, high quality and affordable food. Our ability as a nation to feed itself is of growing importance in a world that is increasingly unstable as conflict rages in many parts of the world, supply chains are increasingly stressed, and our climate changes.

“Although agriculture

has been devolved to Cardiff for a quarter of a century, aside from the budget, there are a number of important policy areas reserved to Westminster which impact directly and indirectly on the industry, which we have also focussed on in our 2024 General Election manifesto.

“Food production and food security must be given the priority they deserve in this country. There are a number of policy levers related to food security that will sit in the hands of the next UK government, and it is vital that we put steps in place to make sure we are a food-secure nation. These include

addressing imbalances in the food supply chain, strengthening country of origin labelling and revisiting the powers of the Groceries Code Adjudicator. We must also properly understand the impacts on domestic producers of trade deals entered into with third countries and ensure that these deals are balanced and fair.

“The culture, heritage and quality associated with Welsh food and drink means our products are in demand around the world. Opportunities do exist in the postBrexit landscape to further grow our export markets. To ensure these new markets are fully capitalised the network of agri-food attaches employed in key markets overseas must be retained and further developed.

“NFU Cymru is committed to working with candidates of all parties as they seek the endorsement of

the electorate over the next few weeks. After the election, NFU Cymru is committed to working positively and constructively with whoever forms the next government in order to help ensure we have a thriving agricultural sector and rural economy.

NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader said: “NFU Cymru’s manifesto is a comprehensive but accessible document which covers off a range of issues including funding for agriculture, climate change, food security, UK biosecurity, third country trade deals, EU relations, labour on farm and rural crime. I wish all those seeking election next month the very best in their campaigns and I urge them, as well as interested members of the public, to take the time to study NFU Cymru’s manifesto.”

IF you’re into politics or not, this is a very interesting time and a great opportunity to understand more about what our elected representatives do, and what they believe in. Most of you will know that we have different tiers of representation in Wales, with many people slightly confused regarding community and town councils, county councils, the Senedd and Westminster, and what it is that they all do. They all have a part to play in representing you, the people of Wales, and have a role to play in making our communities, villages, towns and rural areas work.

For agriculture and rural Wales the eight years since we voted to leave the EU has been an unprecedented time in UK politics. Brexit was sold to many of us as a simple process to free the UK of burdensome regulation and cumbersome policies and open the door to new economic opportunities through trade deals with countries outside of the EU bloc. We were told that we would be able to take charge of our destiny, and forge our own path whilst freeing ourselves from restrictive and costly EU red tape.

The period since

the referendum has been slightly more nuanced in terms of the advantages bestowed and the challenges faced. The UK Government’s process for leaving the EU proved to be both long-drawn out and painful with managing political priorities often placed above the interests of UK business and industry, especially agriculture.

The agricultural support schemes across the UK nations now place ‘public goods’ and ‘natural capital’ as a priority above the production of high quality and affordable food. We now find ourselves competing against a flow of imports that do not meet the high standards and quality of our own produce on what is, by any definition, far from being a level playing field. Whichever party is elected to run the next UK Government at Westminster must repair the damage done by the rushed trade deals of the Johnson/Truss partnership. Producing food on Welsh soil is of paramount importance, together with the high standards we hold dear and have striven to achieve over many years. Our family farms are the backbone of our rural communities and they bring economic prosperity, cultural well-being

For

Lamb throughput marginally higher than expected but concerns remain

The latest figures for lambs processed to date were marginally higher than expected, recent processing figures from Defra have revealed, which has been welcomed by Hybu Cig Cymru –Meat Promotion Wales (HCC). However, the red meat promotion body has raised concerns about the overall declining lamb crop figures.

the HCC predicted level.

The report also estimated that a further 3.6 million lambs remained on the ground for slaughter within the lamb crop year at the time of writing. Defra’s throughput figures for January to April 2024 suggest that a total of 3.7 million lambs were processed during the period, which is some 3% higher than the estimation.

producers have retained fewer ewe lambs for breeding, which could have implications on the breeding flock size further down the line.”

Glesni added that this also raised concerns around overall available critical mass and highlighted wider potential implications.

and environmental principles to our landscapes.

With rural funding and trade deals a key focus of current election campaigning, our manifesto portrays the FUW’s policies on how our relationship with the EU and the rest of the world should develop. It deals with matters of long term importance to our industry, such as climate recovery, bovine TB and public procurement.

Since 1977 the FUW has been formally recognised by the UK Government as the voice that represents the views of farmers in Wales. We are Welsh farmers speaking for this industry from the grassroots all the way to high level political arenas. We are a politically neutral organisation with a duty to work with all parties to bring the best to Welsh agriculture, the economy and the environment.

The role we play in food production, food security, protecting our natural environment and rural communities, means agriculture, and our family farms should be high on the agenda of any future Government. Let’s listen to the politicians over the next few weeks to hear what these parties actually bring to the table and understand their ideas, vision for the future of agriculture in Wales and the UK.

Whilst the 2023-24 lamb crop was some six percent smaller than earlier year levels according to the June survey, HCC was pleased to note that predictions made in its ‘Between the Lines report - Lamb Supply: Update & Outlook’ released in February 2024, modestly predicted that total lamb throughput for the 202324 lamb crop year would stand at around 11.9 million lambs.

Recently released figures by Defra have revealed that 12.0 million lambs were processed during the lamb crop year which focused on the period between May 2023 and April 2024 – which is around 1% higher than

However, whilst this confirms a slight increase, concerns remain as the total number of lambs processed during the lamb crop year (the 12.0 million) – is 2.5% lower (or almost 304,000 head) than for the previous lamb crop (2022-23), and a further 5% fewer than the 5-year average.

HCC’s Intelligence, Analysis and Business Insight Executive, Glesni Phillips, said: “These figures are welcome news and we are pleased to see that that a few extra lambs came forward than initially anticipated. Record high farmgate prices may have encouraged more to come forward. However, this may mean that

“If the current overall declining trend continues, we could see an impact for the wider rural economy; for example, Welsh processing plants employ 1000s of people – if throughput continues to decrease there may be plant consolidation across the UK with the risk of job losses in Wales,” she said.

Furthermore, Glesni pointed out that demand is expected to increase on the domestic market, with another Islamic festival -Eid Al-Adha (beginning 16 June 2024) on the horizon.

“This may see favourable farmgate prices in early June and with an increasing supply on the domestic market as New Season Lambs come forward, we will hopefully also see import volumes level out,” she added.

All-new Kodiaq iV PHEV with all-electric range of up to 75 miles

Škoda is expanding its range of plug-in hybrid offerings with the introduction of a new Kodiaq iV model, which will start from £41,935 OTR. The technology, which has been part of the Škoda range since the introduction of the Octavia iV in 2021, is being offered on the Kodiaq for the first time and comes with a significant all-electric driving range boost along with even greater efficiency.

Available to order now, the new Kodiaq iV features a drivetrain that was part of the SUV’s design process from the very start. This has allowed Škoda’s design and engineering team to perfectly place the components to deliver an optimum driving range without compromising the driving experience.

New PHEV drivetrain

Škoda’s secondgeneration plug-in hybrid system is comprised of a four-cylinder turbocharged 1.5 TSI 150PS engine and a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that generates 116PS and 330Nm of torque. To

ensure that the whole drivetrain assembly is as compact as possible, the motor is built directly into the DQ400e DSG gearbox, and is separated from the engine by a clutch.

As with the firstgeneration PHEV drivetrain, the motor can move the car alone or in combination with the engine. The motor is also used to start the engine and replaces the traditional alternator.

The secondgeneration PHEV system makes local emissionfree travel possible in electric mode for up to 75 miles (five seat, SE model), but also gives drivers the option of using the petrol engine in hybrid mode working alongside the electric motor for longer distances.

Key to the significant improvement in range (over the first-generation system) is a larger battery pack. The new Kodiaq iV is fitted with a 25.7kWh pack (19.7kWh usable) that is located under the rear seats. Equipped with integrated water cooling, the pack stores energy to drive the electric motor, accumulates energy gained from regenerative

braking, and supplies energy for the heating and air conditioning compressor.

Charging

Another significant feature introduced on the second-generation PHEV drivetrain is faster charging. For the first time, a Škoda plug-in

hybrid can accept a DC rapid charge. With a peak speed of up to 50kW, it means that the pack can be charged from 10-80% in around 26 minutes. What’s more the addition of a CCS socket means that the Kodiaq iV can be charged at any public rapid charging station.

As with Škoda’s previous PHEV models, the Kodiaq iV can also be charged on an AC supply via an industry-standard Type 2 plug. The maximum charge rate on AC is 11kW, which delivers a charge time of around 2hrs 30 minutes.

Refreshed Qashqai: takes to the roads with bold restyling

THE new Qashqai is enjoying is first outing on the roads of the Algarve, in southern Portugal, where its refreshed styling exudes a sharp and modern dynamism. The comprehensive update to the styling, on-board tech and interior design will reinforce the Qashqai’s position as the segment-leader, as well as its place in automotive history as a segment-creator. Striking, imposing design

The front grille of the Qashqai has been comprehensively updated to create a more striking first impression. It now consists of dozens of high gloss, three dimensional comma-shaped elements painted in high gloss black paint which appear to float in the space between the lip of the bonnet and the numberplate holder. To the sides the “commas” are finished in a ”satin chrome” hot foil stamp on N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+ models. New headlights bring a sense of purpose and presence, with an even sharper look. Below the main lens the daytime running lights consist of five small lenses which are the same shape as the “commas” of the main grille. The daytime running lights now encircle the main headlight lens, joining

with the thin light above the headlight which is similar to the unit on the previous iteration of Qashqai. The upper daytime running light element becomes the turn indicator when activated and, for the first time, features sequential turning lights front and rear on N-Design and Tekna grade.

At the rear, the red lighting elements now consist of four individual elements which echo the shape of the front grille ”commas”. They appear to float in the lens housing and are now a distinctive shade of red, known as “super red”, and bring a sense of elevated precision. The lenses are now clear, to allow a better view of the lighting elements.

A new 18” diamond cut alloy wheel is now standard on the midgrade Qashqai. For the higher grades, there is a new 19” alloy and a new 20” diamond-cut alloy wheel design. This range of striking wheels gives one of the widest range of wheels in the segment, adding an extra dimension to the Qashqai’s eye-catching design refresh. Three new colours have been added to the Qashqai’s palette. Pearl White is new and features a cleaner, pure tint that appears to give a glow in certain lighting conditions. Pearl Black

replaces the previous black option and has a richer black tint and has the effect of sharpening the definition of the Qashqai’s visual geometry.

Ocean Deep is an eye-catching shade. It appears to sit somewhere between dark blue and metallic teal depending on the prevailing light conditions.

New N-Design grade

A new addition to the Qashqai line-up is the N-Design grade. On the exterior, the lower body portion below the doors and the wheel arches are body-coloured on N-Design. There are also unique, all-new 20” alloy wheels which bring added on-road presence.

Upscaled interior trim

For the upper grades, there is a new application of Alcantara® on the dashboard, door inserts, door armrests, centre storage console lid and even the knee pads all of which combine to elevate the on-board ambience.

New patterned materials adorn the centre console around the gear selector and the decorative insert between the upper dashboard and glovebox, underlining the attention to detail which underpins Japanese craftsmanship.

Updated seat trims have been introduced across the upper three

grades of Qashqai for an even more premium feel. Most notable is the black partially quilted premium leather on the top spec Qashqai. On the penultimate grade, there’s a quilted synthetic leather which is complemented by “burnt umber” flashes on the seat base and shoulders of the seat upright.

Another new dimension to the elevated life-on-board feeling is the addition of ambient lighting giving 64 different colour options on the N-Connecta, N-Design grades and above.

Upgraded technology

The upgraded Around View Monitor system now features a 3D function allowing the driver to see the car not only from above, but also select one of eight different external camera view points to visualise the car from the front, rear, sides or corners to potentially identify any unseen exterior hazards.

Additionally, a feature known as “invisible hood view” allows the driver to see the position of the front wheels as if looking at them from just behind, which enables them to precisely manoeuvre in tight locations, such as multi-story car parks where there are concrete curbs which could damage a wheel.

Furthermore, the

AVM tech can be used to help drivers make a safe entry from a difficult exit onto a road where visibility is limited. It uses a wide-angle front camera to show the view from the front of the bonnet, projected onto the central screen.

Like the “Parking Spot Location Memory” function, locations with limited visibility can be stored in AVM’s GPS memory, so it will automatically activate close to the junction.

Google built-in

The refreshed Qashqai is the first vehicle in Nissan’s European range with Google built-in as part of the NissanConnect infotainment system, which makes a nearseamless interaction between a customer’s digital life andtheir vehicle.

The updated Qashqai comes as standard with Google Maps and, once signed-in, with a personal Google Account drivers can access their favourite locations and points of interest. This reduces the dependence on a mobile phone and cellular phone network. Over the air updates ensure the map information is always current.

Google Assistant allows the driver to use their voice for hands-free help on the go. For example, drivers can say “Hey Google” to control the vehicle’s ventilation

system, heated seats and windscreen or to navigate to their next destination. Additionally, drivers can make phone calls and listen to audio instructions without taking their eyes off the road.

Drivers also gain access to an ecosystem of apps that are available for download on Google Play. They can conveniently listen to their favourite music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more directly from their vehicle.

For peace of mind, the NissanConnect Services update will monitor the Qashqai on the driver’s behalf. It can remind customers if they have forgotten to lock the car or close the windows if they remain open one minute after the engine has stopped. It will also warn them if the car has been tampered with or towed. In case of suspected theft, it can be immobilized and using Nissan’s thirdparty supplier, lawenforcement authorities can be informed in order to recover it – even in foreign countries.

Equally, Qashqai customers with a data plan subscription can also use Amazon’s Alexa smart home system. Customers can talk to Amazon Alexa in their Qashqai. With Alexa, they can ask to play music, hear the news, check weather, control smart home devices, and more.

Age Cymru launches GE24 Manifesto

FROM pensioner poverty to digital exclusion and from keeping homes warm to bank closures, Age Cymru highlights some of the key challenges facing older people in Wales in its manifesto ahead of the General Election in July.

The charity is urging the next UK Government to help tackle pensioner poverty by ensuring older people get what they are entitled to.

Each year, more than £200m of Pension Credit goes unclaimed in Wales as many people are either unaware of the benefit or find the application process too complicated.

The new government must promote the various benefits available to older people more widely and simplify the application processes.

Since 2015, an astonishing 374 banks have closed in Wales. This has left many older people struggling to access cash and becoming more vulnerable to fraud as they either try to navigate online banking or rely on others to carry out their transactions.

Age Cymru is,

therefore, calling on the next UK Government to work with the banking industry to ensure that some form of community banking facilities remain on our high streets.

Digital Exclusion in private and public sectors is becoming increasingly problematic for older people who do not use the internet.

The latest figures suggest that more than a third of the people over 75 in Wales do not access the internet. This means that many of our most vulnerable people cannot access information on key services, such as help with council tax or applying for a Blue Badge parking permit.

If they can access services offline, they often must pay an added cost for the “privilege.”

The charity is, therefore, calling on the next government to ensure that all public services and key private sector services offer their clients a choice in the way they communicate and not penalise those who choose offline options.

any older people have struggled to keep their homes warm over the past few winters as fuel

costs have increased significantly. This has led to many people turning down their heating, which can have devastating effects on their health, especially those with heart and chest problems.

Age Cymru is calling on the UK Government to reform the energy pricing mechanisms for those on modest or low incomes and those facing unavoidably high energy bills because of a disability or illness. It is also calling for more ambitious and effective home insulation programmes.

Age Cymru’s chief executive, Victoria Lloyd, says, “Older people in Wales are facing some tough challenges right now, from uncertainty about how they’ll meet their winter fuel bills to not having access to crucial services such as banking and benefits because they’re not online.

“These challenges are in addition to those that are the responsibility of the Welsh Government, such as problems in accessing health and social care.

These cumulative challenges can be overwhelming for some and lead people to feel

they have lost their autonomy.

“But the next UK Government must not give up on older people and instead start implementing the necessary changes to make life better for older people on day one.

“A life where older people can be confident of meeting their bills and

have a little left over to socialise with family and friends. And a life where they can access all the advice and services they need, without feeling like a burden.”

Age Cymru’s blueprint for Wales is available on its website: www.agecymru. org.uk/election. For a paper version, call Rhian Morgan on 07944 996943

Arts programme to support children and young people’s mental health

Hywel Dda University Health Board’s (UHB) Arts Boost programme, designed to reduce feelings of distress and improve mental health through the arts, returns for the summer and is now open for referrals.

Offered to children and young people aged 12-17 known to our Specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (S-CAMHS) in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, this is an opportunity to connect through creativity.

Participants can enjoy an artistled creative mixed media activity called ‘Creative Freestyling’ delivered by Span Arts in Pembrokeshire, People Speak Up in

Carmarthenshire, and Small World Theatre in Ceredigion.

Arts Boost continues to show great potential to improve the well-being in children and young people.

Angela Lodwick, Assistant Director Mental Health and Learning Disabilities for Hywel Dda UHB said: “Over three previous programmes, we have found that engaging with creative artist-led creative activities helps children and young people to improve their wellbeing and reduce feelings of distress and develop creative coping skills for life.

“Activities delivered with our art partners help create a safe space to allow for recovery, promote resilience and coping skills and

increase a sense of empowerment.”

If you or your child is known to our S-CAMHS, Arts Boost programme is available to you.

Arts Boost is based

on the growing body of evidence that shows that the arts have a key role to play in healthcare, especially in improving wellbeing, self-confidence, self-

esteem and selfexpression and is part of the national Arts and Minds programme, funded by the Baring Foundation and the Arts Council of Wales.

Thousands more now getting the right urgent and emergency care

MORE than 200,000 people accessed new NHS services developed through the Welsh Government’s pioneering Six Goals programme as an alternative to emergency department care or admission to hospital last year.

Now starting its third year, the programme will focus on reducing ambulance handover delays and the longest waits in Wales’ emergency departments.

Despite record demand on urgent and emergency care in Wales, the new services created across Wales as part of the Six Goals for Urgent and Emergency Care programme have helped to ensure more people are receiving the right care for their needs, from the right healthcare professional at the first time, rather than everyone being sent to emergency departments.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Eluned Morgan says much progress has been made in revamping urgent and emergency

care services, on the second anniversary of the Six Goals programme today (Monday June 10th).

Launched in April 2022, and backed by £25m every year, the programme has overseen the launch of the national NHS 111 Wales urgent care helpline service, the creation of 16 urgent primary care centres and 25 same day emergency care services.

NHS data shows:

• Urgent primary care centres are helping around 11,000 people every month, with approximately 85% cared for away from emergency departments.

• Around 7,500 people using same day emergency care services every month, with nearly 80% discharged home on the same day.

• The average length of hospital stay

has reduced from 8.5 days to seven days.

• The national 24/7 mental health single point of contact service (NHS 111 Wales press 2) is receiving more than 6,000 calls a month.

• The average wait to be triaged in in major emergency departments has remained stable at around 20 minutes, despite a surge in demand.

The last twelve months have seen increasing demand for emergency care throughout Wales. Despite this, performance against the four-hour target has been stable with more than three quarters of a million people completing their treatment in emergency departments within four hours – an increase of 57,000 on the year before. For life-threatening 999 ‘red’ calls, more than 26,000 people received

a response in eight minutes in 2023-24, 13% more than the previous year.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Eluned Morgan said:

“Every day thousands of people in Wales receive high-quality urgent and emergency healthcare. It’s vitally important they get the right care, in the right place, the first time and that isn’t always an emergency department.

That’s why we’re investing in services like 111 and urgent primary

care centres through the Six Goals programme.

“Despite relentless demand on services these changes have helped stabilise emergency department performance. But we know there is much more to do.

“None of this would be possible without the ongoing commitment of our NHS workforce and I want to thank them for helping to deliver these changes.

“In the third year of the Six Goals programme, our focus will turn to

improving ambulance patient handover times and reducing the longest waits in emergency departments.”

One of the projects funded by the Six Goals programme is providing specialised same-day services at Velindre Cancer Centre for people with cancer who develop toxicity as a result of immunotherapy treatment. It helps them to avoid repeated emergency admissions to hospital and being admitted to hospital for ongoing care.

Food wholesaler Harlech acquires rival as part of expansion in South West Wales

A fast-growing food wholesaler has taken over a rival company as part of its expansion in South West Wales.

Harlech Foodservice has acquired Celtic Foodservices and says the firm which is based in Pembroke Dock in Pembrokeshire is a “perfect fit”.

The move is part of an overall £6 million plan to create 150 new jobs and comes a few months after Harlech opened a new depot in Carmarthen where 15 sales staff and drivers have already been recruited.

It was spurred by the company’s growth over the past three years which has seen sales increase from £32 million to a record turnover of around £50 million, with profit at an all-time high of more than £2 million.

According to Harlech, which has other bases in Merthyr Tydfil, Criccieth in Gwynedd and Chester, the expansion is being driven by the growing demand from customers in South West Wales, particularly in the hospitality sector.

All 12 members of staff at Celtic Foodservices are transferring to Harlech, including director Jason Davies, and the premises in Pembroke Dock will also be part of the new set-up.

Harlech Managing Director David Cattrall said: “I am delighted we have successfully acquired Celtic Foodservice and this strategic acquisition is a significant step forward in our mission to expand our footprint into South Wales.

“Celtic Foodservice has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality products and exceptional service to its customers.

“By integrating Celtic Foodservice into our operations, we are poised to deliver even greater value to our customers through an expanded range of products, improved logistics, and enhanced customer service capabilities.

“I am excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings

and am committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all Celtic Foodservice customers and employees. “Our combined resources and expertise will enable us to better serve the foodservice industry, driving growth and innovation.

“I am looking forward to welcoming Jason Davies and the Celtic Foodservice team to the Harlech family and working together to achieve new heights in the industry.”

He said: “There is clearly a big appetite for our approach in disrupting the way foodservice companies have traditionally operated.

“We have rejected the common practice of having inflated prices and increasing ‘negotiated’ prices without notice.

“Instead we have launched our new Trust Our Prices strategy with transparent and competitive pricing, backed up by excellent customer service.

“And to make life easier our customers can order up to 10pm, with next day deliveries six days a week.

“The acquisition of Celtic Foodservices is another new and important milestone our drive to provide a first class service to new and existing customers in every single corner of Wales.”

Mr Cattrall added Harlech was responding to the challenges faces by hotels, pubs and restaurants with “aggressively competitive” prices.

Pembroke turkey shed expansion denied

AN APPLICATION for a turkey shed near a Pembrokeshire school has been turned down by county planners.

Adam Cumine sought to upgrade an existing turkey shed with a new shed in the existing position at Glan-y-Mor Farm, Bush Hill, Pembroke.

Concerns about the scheme were raised by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), with Pembroke Town Council supporting the plans, subject to NRW’s observations.

A report for planners stated: “The application site is located to the south of the Henry Tudor School, which is located outside the Pembroke Dock settlement boundary. The application site forms an agricultural holding covering 45 acres of mixed

poultry, sheep and cattle.

“The application seeks permission to replace and upgrade an existing turkey shed. The replacement building would measure a length of 38 metres and width of 12 metres.

The building would have an olive-green box profile sheeted finish with tanalised timber walls and be used to rear turkeys.”

It added: “NRW have raised concerns regarding the proposed developments impact upon the environment and requested additional information. The additional

information required an ammonia assessment and nutrient management plan to be submitted.

“This information has been requested from the applicant and no ammonia assessment or nutrient management plan has been undertaken or submitted. Based on the requested information not

being submitted NRW object to the proposal.

“Furthermore, as the proposed development may have a significant adverse effect on the environment, in term of impact upon air quality from ammonia emissions and water sources from manure management, the development would not satisfy the requirements [of policies] relating to amenity and water quality of the Pembrokeshire LDP.

“The proposal does not accord with the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan for Pembrokeshire and as such it is recommended that planning permission not be granted.”

The application was refused by planners.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Plan submitted for £2m holiday pods near Tenby

£2M PLANS for wheelchair accessible holiday lodges at the site of a Pembrokeshire deer park attraction, which has animals from the Queen’s estate, would make the county a more disabilityfriendly location, its applicants say.

In an application submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr and Mrs Evans seek permission for 15 lodges at Great Wedlock, Gumfreston, near Tenby, the site of a 176-acre deer farm attraction, opened last year, and a recentlygranted market traders’ barn.

In a supporting statement, the applicants say: “Over the last 48 years, my wife and I have developed Holiday Parks firstly in Pembrokeshire and then throughout the UK. We decided to return to Pembrokeshire where it all started for us in 1976, to develop the deer park and are now looking to develop the wheelchair accessible lodge development, to support our business and for the benefit of Pembrokeshire and its economy.

“In 2020 we bought Great Wedlock Farm and set about applying for planning permission to open the farm to the

in May 2023 with a great emphasis on catering for disabled persons and the elderly.”

public to provide a new tourism destination and allow visitors to re-connect with the countryside and natural beauty Pembrokeshire has to offer. The deer were purchased from Woburn Abbey and some from the late Queen’s estate (to ensure the highest quality of deer breeding stock). We opened the deer park

They say the deer park has disabilityfriendly facilities, along with a specially adapted MPV allowing disabled visitors to the deer park to go on ‘Safari,’ viewing the deer, as well as electric buggies and trailers for wheelchair users.

“There is an everincreasing demand for the type of development

that we are now looking to undertake. We are now applying for 15 wheelchair accessible lodges that will be made available for those with accessible needs, specially designed and manufactured by Quality Pods Wales (located in Pembroke Dock).

Using local suppliers underpins our business model to support the wider Pembrokeshire economy. Current build costs to complete the

development are circa £2m which will add considerable income to local suppliers, contractors and the lodge manufacturer. This will bring our total investment across the site to some £10m, funded wholly by our own funds.”

The applicants add: “The development of these units will provide an inclusive and accessible environment for guests, in addition to the work we have undertaken at

the main park already,” adding it would “also take pressure off the local housing stock especially as second homes are noted as an issue surrounding local affordability and availability of accommodation for permanent residents residing in Pembrokeshire”.

“Our initial research has noted that disability organisations often have issues seeking accessible accommodation in Pembrokeshire. Demand is considered to be high, with access organisations already wishing to book accommodation all-year round for their members. This development could support year-round holidays, which would be of great benefit to the local economy.”

They hope the scheme, if granted, would create five full-time jobs.

They finish: “I realise it is against the current LDP policy however this is a very special development for those of us with accessibility problems and I really do feel that an exception could be made in this case, without setting a precedent for future planning applications.”

The application will be considered by planners at a later date.

Staff locked in rooms and told to sign forms over industrial action

UNITE THE UNION has put a called out and quashed abhorrent “bully-boy” tactics by Tata management at Port Talbot yesterday (Thurs 6 June) over planned industrial action.

Around 250 workers were brought together in a room at Tata in Port Talbot. The invite to the meeting said it was to discuss the consultation period of workers and it was described as a ‘business update’.

Following these revelations and intervention by Unite reps, Tata has agreed to stop any such meetings taking place in the future.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is appalling behaviour from Tata management but we should expect nothing less from a company which is hellbent on closing the steel works and destroying Welsh communities.

Unite will not stand

In the room, staff very quickly realised that wouldn’t be the case – instead they were forced to fill in a form about whether they were going to be taking part in industrial action or not. Staff are not legally required to tell their employer at any point if they are taking part in industrial action.

for these bully-boy practices by Tata. Our reps have put a quick end to this despicable tactic and it will not be tolerated in future.

During the meeting, senior management physically blocked the doorways to the room, to stop Unite members leaving, as well as blocking the corridors to leave the plant. Management staff then made sure everybody had filled in the form.

These actions also took place publicly and workers didn’t have anywhere private to write down their intention (or not) of taking industrial action and had managers

surveilling them at all times.

This is the latest in a series of disgraceful behaviours by Tata that have recently included threats to cut redundancy pay for members taking part in industrial action.

Unite Welsh regional secretary Peter Hughes added: “I’m disgusted by how our members have been treated by Tata but it comes as little surprise. They have a history of heavy-handed actions and ignoring basic decencies. Unite has put an end to such behaviour but are demanding an explanation and full apology for this misuse of power. These actions

by Tata will simply fuel our members in their fight to see these vital steel works remain open.”

Around 1,500 Tata steelworkers based in Port Talbot and Newport Llanwern will

stage industrial action over the company’s plans to close its blast furnaces and cut 2,800 jobs. The workers will begin working to rule as well as taking part in a continuous overtime ban from 18 June.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

cSWith Jackie Jones

Don’t listen to the polls: if you want a Labour government, you have to come out to vote for one

I’m speaking to people on the door every day and people say ‘Labour is a shoo-in’. Yet not a single vote has been cast. Polls are just a snapshot of what someone is thinking –at that moment. If we don’t vote for what we want, there is a good chance you won’t get it. Change happens only when people vote for it.

If you want change, these are the first steps in Labour’s long-term plan to usher in a decade of national renewal that will turn the page on 14 years of Tory chaos and decline. We can make this country so much better off for all of us, only if you come out and vote for it.

1. Economic stability. Because after the instability of the last few years, we really need a UK Labour Government that will create the economic conditions that our industries and small businesses are crying out for, like the National Wealth Fund. Economic stability that leads to investment will result in more and better jobs.

2. A UK Labour government will work in partnership with your Welsh Labour Government to cut down waiting times in the NHS for the those who have waited the longest and are the most vulnerable, paid for by cracking down on tax avoidance and non-dom loopholes. We will continue to modernise our NHS and deliver more services through your pharmacy.

3. We will establish a Border Security Command to stop the criminal gangs who deal in people smuggling, cut the Rwanda scheme, which is

nothing more than a gimmick, and cutthe backlog with more staff to sift through applications properly. Everyone deserves dignity.

4. We will set up Great British Energy to help secure our energy now and into the future. Lower bills, greener energy, more green jobs, a just transition, floating offshore wind farms, hydrogen capture. Jobs for the future to secure our beautiful planet.

5. We will tackle anti-social behaviour. Everyday low-level crime is not just a nuisance, it is a major reason why people do not feel safe. That has to change. Labour will put 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs on the streets and invest in youth services.

6. A UK Labour Government, working with the Welsh Labour Government, will ensure young children are able to access opportunities, no matter their background, to education, training, jobs. A change that, I as a lecturer, am looking forward to securing fully.

Every step is fully funded and fully costed. No surprises. No increase in taxes for working people. We will change this country for the better, for the future, for us all. Come out to vote Labour on 4th July or on your postal ballot.

The

manifestos: is that it?

THE MAIN parties launched their manifestos this week, and where it features at all as a separate consideration, Wales is way down the list of priorities.

THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS TO THE SLAUGHTER

The Conservatives launched theirs on Tuesday, June 11. It went about as well as everything else in the Conservative campaign.

The most controversial announcement was the Conservative plan to overreach devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to legislate against a default twenty miles per hour speed limit.

The big issue.

Or, at least, a big issue for the Conservatives.

Less media attention has been focused on a separate promise: to overreach the Welsh Government’s approach to Trade Union legislation and re-impose those parts of the law from

which Wales has an exemption.

The Conservatives could have addressed meatier issues, such as explaining how they would work with devolved administrations in the future.

Instead, when Wales is mentioned, it is connected with Conservative attacks on the Labour Government’s record.

It’s almost as though they have nothing substantive or positive to promise. The proposition that a future Conservative Government in Wales will end and reverse the expansion of the Senedd is so pointless it needs no further comment.

If you had to pinpoint a single Conservative ambition that affected Wales only, you’d be looking until the heat death of the universe.

LABOUR OFFERS A LITTLE BIT

The Labour offer is not much better.

The problem Labour faces was best explained by an answer the Cabinet

Secretary for Health, Eluned Morgan, gave in the Senedd this week.

Answering a question on health funding in Wales, Baroness Morgan said: “If we had more money we could do more, and that would very much be welcome. And, obviously, we’re hoping that a new Labour Government will help to stabilise the economy and that more money will then flow into public services.”

That’s a long list of conditions and aspirations.

“Hoping”, “will help”, and “more money... then”.

That is reflected in Labour’s manifesto generally, particularly in those few parts dealing with Wales.

In money terms, Labour promises to return control of structural funds seized by Westminster after Brexit, a vague promise of more funding for all devolved governments. The manifesto pledges more money for all devolved governments based on the current discredited formula.

Work on changing the funding regime will be subject to “discussions” and “explorations”.

The Labour manifesto is almost silent on the Welsh Government’s big ask: devolution of justice and policing. While there are promises to explore devolving probation and youth justice, any idea that policing might be devolved is effectively crushed.

There’s a small mention of farming. Its cursory treatment illustrates Labour’s lack of interest or commitment to the agricultural sector and its urban and technocratic focus.

There is nothing about devolving the revenue of the Crown Estate in Wales to the Welsh Government.

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GO BIG AND STAY BRIEF

They won’t be in government.

That means that any pledges made by the Liberal Democrats should be considered less against the chances for their delivery than on how the LibDems might hope to influence the direction of a debate’s travel.

Wales gets a whole section that contains some red meat for those who think Labour and Conservatives are singing the same lyrics to different tunes.

The Liberal Democrats promise to devolve more powers to Wales, including over justice and broadcasting, reduce the number of powers reserved

to Westminster under the current devolution settlement, and—as unanimously agreed by the Senedd parties but not appearing in the Conservative or Labour manifestos—devolve Air Passenger Duty to Wales.

If that seems brief, so is the Liberal Democrat manifesto. Mercifully so.

The implicit expectation is that Wales will become more prosperous and economically successful if the UK does likewise. It’s akin to boats in a harbour rising and sinking with a tide.

But what if one of the boats is outside the harbour wall?

PLAID WANT MORE

That is where Plaid Cymru’s manifesto comes in.

Plaid wants Wales to have more control over its destiny and “a fairer funding settlement.”

In policy terms, Plaid speaks about Wales because it speaks only to Welsh voters.

That means it is fullon with Wales-specific policies.

However, Plaid recognises, and its leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, is crystal clear that Plaid’s main leverage is if the election is close. That appears unlikely at the time of writing; however, Plaid, like the LibDems, can do little more than try to shape the direction of future debate.

Those issues include devolving the revenues from the Crown Estate.

The big point of

difference is HS2.

The Plaid leader made an unequivocal demand for Wales: hand over the money.

That is a useful stick to target Labour voters in Plaid constituencies.

The gap between Labour’s previous rhetoric and current silence is vast. Exploiting that gap, Plaid is entitled to ask voters what material difference Labour will make to benefit Welsh voters and their families.

At one time, Labour in Wales was very big on getting the approximately £4bn that Westminster swindled the Welsh Government out of by claiming HS2 was an England and Wales project.

Despite unanimous backing across the Welsh Parliament, as Labour became closer to power in Westminster, its enthusiasm for a fair share has dwindled to sub-microscopic levels.

As long as the Conservatives were in power, HS2 money was a handy stick to beat the Conservatives. Vaughan Gething’s “new start” seems to erase any policy promise or commitment made before his election as though they never existed.

FOR WALES, READ ENGLAND

The central takeaway from the Conservative and Labour manifestos is their treatment of Wales and other devolved administrations as an afterthought.

The underlying assumption that what’s

BLUE VIEW

WITH PAUL DAVIES MS

80th Anniversary of D-Day and why we must never forget.

good for England is good for everyone else is neither challenged nor addressed. That is taken as written.

The specific challenges facing Wales, an older and poorer population in increasingly poor health and the impact of those factors on the Welsh economy are not even glossed; they’re ignored.

Being realistic, the Conservative pledge to cut stamp duty for first-time buyers on house purchases above £425,000 is so out of kilter with the expectations and means of most of Wales’s firsttime housebuyers that it is a meaningless collection of syllables in search of common sense. Nothing in the Conservative manifesto more underlines the gap between what the party thinks will play well with its core vote in England and real life in Wales as that policy.

For Labour, vague hopes replace real ambition.

Welsh voters will be familiar with the pattern of aspirations, plans, ambitions, deep dives, and explorations. It’s been the Labour way in Wales for twenty-five years.

After fourteen years of Conservative rule in Westminster, Labour has not produced anything concrete to improve things in Wales. That’s as bad as the Conservative manifesto, which is long on passing the buck and blame but short on meaningful content.

After fourteen years, Welsh voters are entitled to ask: is that it?

Earlier this week, the Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport gave a statement at the Senedd about D-Day and Armed Forces Week. This month marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, where Allied forces descended on the beaches and in the skies of Normandy. It opened the path to liberation for France and Western Europe and it’s a day that will be forever etched into our country’s history. So many brave soldiers gave their lives to protect our freedoms and it’s crucial that we never, ever forget their sacrifice.

I’ve long been a campaigner to remember their efforts by ensuring everything possible is done to safeguard and protect our war memorials and I took the opportunity to once again raise this at the Senedd and ask the Welsh Government what it was doing to protect war memorials here in Wales.

Pembrokeshire Herald readers will know that this is a particular focus of mine at the Senedd and I’ve written about my work in this area in several past Herald columns. It’s my view that there should be a statutory duty on our local authorities to record each war memorial in their particular areas and that each council should have a designated War Memorial Officer, whose job it would be to

collect that information, be a public source of information on how best to protect those memorials and who would also visit schools and colleges in the area to talk to pupils about the importance of past conflicts and why we must continue to pay tribute to our fallen servicemen and women for their bravery and sacrifice.

According to the Royal British Legion, by the end of D-Day there had been 10,000 allied casualties and the ensuing Battle of Normandy was to last into August and cost tens of thousands of lives. Some of those soldiers had never been on a boat before, never owned a home, never had the opportunity to start a family. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten and it’s because of their bravery that future generations have been able to enjoy freedom, peace and democracy.

For me, protecting war memorials is the very least we can do to show our respect and gratitude to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. We must educate our children about past conflicts and we must recognise and safeguard our nation’s military heritage. I understand that budgets are tight but it should be a priority of all governments to undertake this work and I will keep pushing to ensure that more is done to safeguard and protect our war memorials for future generations. We will remember them.

POSITIVELY LIBERAL Plaid Cymru demands £4bn from HS2

Week (10 – 16 th June): the annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

One of the biggest challenges the next government will face is how do we pay for our care as we get older. Everyone deserves high quality social care when they need it so that they can live independently and with dignity. However, successive governments have continued to put off this issue.

This is particularly important in Pembrokeshire, where we have an increasingly elderly population.

We need to ensure that our senior residents are looked after well and, in many cases, we have failed to do this. A shortage of adequate care also affects our NHS because often hospital patients are well enough to leave but have to stay in hospital because no care is available.

The problem is compounded by the difficulties in recruiting

carer can be very challenging and it is poorly paid for the high level of responsibility.

The Welsh Government has overall responsibility for care in Wales, although it is funded on a day to day basis by county councils. There is a means test element in paying for care, meaning that residents with savings over a threshold have to pay towards the costs. Many are forced to sell their homes to pay for their care.

As our population ages, the bill for social care gets higher and higher, placing an increasing strain on county councils.

Inevitably, only the UK Government has the financial firepower to tackle this crisis. The Liberal Democrats have set out in our manifesto how we would do this. We will allocate funding to enable the Welsh Government to provide free personal care (so that residents no longer have to sell their homes), increase the minimum wage for care workers by £2 an hour, increase the Carer’s Allowance and give a statutory guarantee of regular respite breaks for unpaid carers. We have set out in our manifesto how to fund this including through reversing recent tax cuts given to big banks.

This measure would provide over £4 billion in revenue.

For too long, politicians of all governments have failed to adequately fund social care for our elderly residents. As Liberal Democrats we are offering a practical, costed solution.

If you wish to discuss these issues, please contact me at

Facebook: AlistairCameronPembs

Twitter: AlistairPembs

Email: alistairc@traseweb.co.uk

PLAID CYMRU’S leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has called for an additional £4 billion in funding for Wales from the HS2 rail project, along with greater control over the nation’s natural resources. Unveiling the party’s manifesto for the upcoming general election, Mr ap Iorwerth outlined several key demands aimed at ensuring “fair” funding and increased autonomy for Wales.

“It’s not a begging bowl, it’s just what’s right,” he stated, highlighting the necessity for investment in public services and the economy. He urged Welsh voters to hold Labour accountable, warning against giving them a “free pass” in the general election.

Mr ap Iorwerth emphasised the need for equitable financial treatment for Wales, advocating for a £20 per week increase in child benefit. This increase, according to the manifesto, would lift 60,000 children out of poverty. He criticised the current funding system, which is governed by the Barnett formula based on

population, and called for its replacement with a needs-based approach.

Plaid Cymru claims that Wales is owed £4 billion from the HS2 project, which is classified as an England and Wales project despite terminating in Birmingham. This classification precludes additional funding for the Welsh government.

Mr ap Iorwerth argued that the extra funds would significantly enhance public transport in Wales, enabling investments in buses, roads, and railways.

“Just imagine what that could do to transform our public transport network nationwide – buses, roads, and railways – connecting our communities and giving our economy that desperately-needed boost,” he said.

The manifesto also calls for the decriminalisation of “soft” drugs and proposes expunging the criminal records of those convicted of drug possession, provided there are no aggravating factors. Plaid Cymru advocates for devolving criminal justice to Wales

to develop a distinct Welsh approach to policing.

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto promotes a “fairer” tax system, with increased windfall taxes on energy companies and a cap on bankers’ bonuses. The party argues that the burden should fall on those with “the broadest shoulders” to ensure a fairer share of overall tax paid.

The party stands against the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system, suggesting that defence funds should be redirected towards conventional defence and peaceful initiatives rather than “weapons of mass destruction.”

Plaid Cymru is pushing for full control over natural resources and waters, along with enhanced powers over migration, including Wales-specific visa schemes. The party also seeks control over broadcasting and Crown Estate properties, allowing benefits from investments, such as renewable energy, to return to Wales.

Currently, the Welsh government only oversees energy projects up to 350MW.

Plaid Cymru argues for complete levers over all energy projects. Plaid Cymru won four seats in Westminster during the 2019 election. Following boundary changes, the party is defending two constituencies: Dwyfor Meirionnydd and Ceredigion Preseli. It aims to gain additional seats in Caerfyrddin and Ynys Mon, fending off competition from Labour and the Conservatives. Mr ap Iorwerth took over as Plaid leader last June after Adam Price stepped down following a report on allegations of misogyny within the party. Recently, Mr ap Iorwerth led Plaid Cymru out of a cooperation agreement with Vaughan Gething’s Welsh Labour government.

Plaid Cymru’s manifesto sets forth a vision of fair funding, increased autonomy, and progressive policies aimed at enhancing the well-being and governance of Wales. As the general election approaches, the party appeals to voters to ensure their voices are heard and their interests represented in Westminster.

Could sin bin-style approach be used to sanction Senedd Members?

AN ACADEMIC

urged the Senedd to introduce a sin bin-style approach to sanctioning misbehaving members.

Jonathan Tonge, a professor at the University of Liverpool, gave evidence to a Senedd inquiry on creating a recall system to allow voters to remove members between elections.

Prof Tonge raised concerns about a suspension of ten sitting days or more being used as one of the criteria for triggering a petition under Westminster’s recall system.

He told the standards committee the “blunt, arbitrary” cutoff creates a cliffedge as he called for a “tapered, sin bin” approach with different sanctions for ten to 30day suspensions.

Prof Tonge contrasted relatively light sanctions, such as the removal of rights and privileges, below ten days with a “drastic and draconian” penalty above the threshold.

The politics professor warned it is “very, very difficult for the miscreant to ‘survive’”, pointing out that only one MP has remained in post following a recall petition.

Vikki Howells, who chairs the committee, asked whether Senedd members who change their political allegiance after an election should be subject to recall.

From 2016 to 2021, more than 10% of members jumped ship at least once – with Mark Reckless representing Ukip, the Tories, Brexit Party and Abolish the Welsh Assembly.

Prof Tonge said defecting should be grounds for recall, particularly under the closed-list electoral system which will see people voting for parties rather than candidates from 2026.

He told the committee: “If you’ve got a party list

system and someone’s stood on a party label then switches, the electorate may struggle to understand the legitimacy of that.

“It is in many ways anti-democratic.”

Asked by Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths how a Senedd recall system could work, Prof Tonge said a straightforward option would be to co-opt a replacement from party lists.

He said holding by-elections risks punishing parties for the wrongdoing of individuals.

But he warned it would be more of a removal petition than a recall one because MSs would not be able to fight a by-election to clear their name as in Westminster.

Prof Tonge told committee members he is “not a massive fan of co-option”, stressing it is possible to hold by-elections under a proportional representation system.

The expert raised the example of Ireland holding 138 by-elections since 1923, with seats changing hands in almost half of those instances.

He made a case for raising the threshold of 10% of voters signing a petition to 15%, if replacements are coopted under Wales’ new fully proportional system.

Mark Drakeford suggested a simple retain-or-replace ballot, with a 20% threshold to ensure a reasonable proportion of the electorate takes part.

Prof Tonge was wary about raising the threshold too high, warning it might be a struggle to get 20% of the electorate to turn out.

“I wouldn’t start making the threshold insurmountable,” said the academic.

He pointed out that 18.9% signed a petition which triggered a UK Parliament by-election in Brecon and Radnorshire in 2019 after an MP was convicted of claiming

false expenses.

Asked by the former first minister about spending limits, Prof Tonge said a £10,000 cap on expenditure by campaigners seems reasonable.

He told Mr Drakeford spending on recall petitions has been modest because campaigners are rightly not allowed to provide running commentary.

He said: “Parties have found themselves fairly hamstrung in what they can do any way and that might explain why they have, thus far, not spent a lot of money campaigning.”

Prof Tonge added that parties know the 10% threshold will likely be reached.

He explained that the threshold has been comfortably passed ever since the 2018 North Antrim petition, which was exceptional due to the particular politics of Northern Ireland.

Prof Tonge described the ad-hoc number of petition stations,

for people to sign in person, as a flaw in Westminster’s model, which can be correlated with turnout.

He cautioned that recall petitions can be costly, with the most expensive costing £500,000, but he said: “It’s a balance – you don’t want to cost cut on democracy.”

Asked by the Conservatives’ Natasha Asghar for examples of best practice, he stressed that no institution has got recall 100% right and there will always be anomalies.

But Prof Tonge told the committee meeting on June 10: “It’s not often that these words might cross my lips but I actually think Westminster has got this broadly right.”

He added: “I do think you’ve got a great opportunity here … to correct the details that Westminster got wrong while retaining the 80%plus that Westminster got right.”

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

death notices

M ARGARET

A NNE P HILLIPS

PHILLIPS Margaret Anne Molleston, Narberth. Peacefully on Monday 27th May, at her home Roeside, Molleston, Peg (aged 92) formerly of Great Molleston Farm, Narberth. Devoted wife of the late Lionel, dearly loved mother of John and Olwen, David, Robert and Grainne, loving Granny of Hannah, Jada, Ellis, Tara, Iwan, and Luke Cherished Sister, Aunt and good friend. Funeral Service will take place on Thursday, 27th June, at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11.30a.m.

Family flowers only, with donations if so desired towards The Injured Jockey’s fund, c/o Ken Davies & Sons, Funeral Directors, Blaenwern, Bro Waldo, Clunderwen, SA66 7NQ. Tel: 01437 563319

T ERRY

G OLDSMITH

GOLDSMITH Terry

Pembroke Dock The death occurred peacefully on Saturday 1st June 2024 at Withybush Hospital of Mr. Terry Goldsmith, aged 89 years of Waterloo, Pembroke Dock. Devoted Husband of Maureen. Dearly loved Dad of Russell, Lee, Scott and Candice. Father-in-law to Jane, Christine, Ruth and Garry. Cherished Grandad of Ben, Laura, Aaron, Elliot, Jack, Sadie, Sam and Will. Treasured Great Grandad of Bella, Millie and Sofia. Much loved Brother-in-law

and Uncle. The funeral service will take place on Saturday 15th June at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 11:30am. There will be family flowers only with donations in lieu, if so desired for Greenacres Animal Rescue c/o E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 & Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876

H ILARY W HEELER

WHEELER Hilary Fishguard Hilary Wheeler of Glasfryn Farm, Fishguard died peacefully on Wednesday 5th June 2024, aged 91. Dearly loved by all her family and friends. A Service of thanksgiving will be held at St Brynach’s Church, Dinas Cross at 11.30am on Wednesday 26th June. Family flowers only, donations in lieu to ‘St Brynach’s Church’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

G WILYM J AMES

M ORRIS

MORRIS Gwilym James Woodstock Peacefully on Saturday 8th June at home with his family, Gwilym of Woodstock. Beloved husband of Carol, devoted father and father-in-law of Kevin & Nicola, the late Gwawr and Daniel & Janet. Much loved Gramps and Great Gramps

and a cherished brother. Funeral service on Monday 17th June at Woodstock Chapel at 1pm followed by interment at Woodstock Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to ‘Paul Sartori Foundation’ or ‘Get The Boys a Lift’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

P HILIP J AMES R EES

REES Philip James It is with deep sadness that I hereby announce the passing of my beloved husband, Philip James Rees. He was a wonderful man. Also grieving are his sister Gillian and his brother and sister in law Paul and Janet Rees. Shan Rees A celebration of his life will be held at his home with all family and friends who wish to attend on Monday 12th August. 49 North street, Pembroke Dock

DAVID J OHN

PARRY

PARRY David John Neyland (Formerly of Narberth) The death occurred peacefully on Friday 31st May of David John Parry, affectionately known as Dai, aged 71 years of Gaddarn Reach, Neyland formerly of Narberth. Dai will be sadly missed by all his family and friends. A service to celebrate Dai’s will take place on Wednesday 19th June at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at

11.30am. Please wear what makes you comfortable, no black. There will be family flowers only with donations in memory of Dai for The Collie and Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre, Wales which may be sent c/o E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 & 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 or via www. ecthomasandson.co.uk

S ARAH O LIVE C ARR

CARR Sarah Olive Fishguard (formerly of Tenby) Peacefully at her home on Friday 31st May, Sarah of Fishguard (formerly of Tenby). Loving mother of Julie, Michelle and the late Alan, devoted grandmother of Jenni, Kim, Chris & Amy, a cherished great grandmother and dear sister of Olive & Rita. Funeral service on Wednesday 19th June at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 10:45am. No black dress, please wear colourful clothing. Immediate family flowers only. Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to ‘Paul Sartori Foundation’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

R OSE A NN (A NN ) J AMES

JAMES Rose Ann “Ann” of Haverfordwest. Ann

passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on the 29th May, 2024 aged 79 years. Dearly loved, she will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Funeral service, Friday 14th June, 1.45pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Family flowers only. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

K ENNETH P RIEST

PRIEST Kenneth Whitland. The death occurred peacefully on Thursday 30th May 2024 of Mr Kenneth Thomas Priest, affectionately known as Ken, aged 84 years of Ciffig, Whitland. Dearly loved husband of the late June. Much loved father of Helen and David. Respected father-in-law to Gethin and Amanda. Cherished Grandad of Christopher, Ella, Beth and Katy. A dear Brother and Uncle. The funeral service will take place on Friday 28th June 2024 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 2.30pm. There will be family flowers only with donations in lieu, if so desired for Cancer Research UK and The Down Syndrome Association c/o E.C. Thomas & Son Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg, Narberth SA67 8QH (01834) 831876 & 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646) 682680 or via www.ecthomasandson. co.uk

M ARILYN L LEWELLYN J OHNSTON

Mrs. Marilyn Llewellyn Of Johnston The death occurred peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on Friday 31st May of Mrs. Marilyn Llewellyn, aged 73 years, of Greenhall Park, Johnston. Dearly loved wife of the late Ray, devoted mother and mother-in-law of Wayne & Sam and Anna & Shane and a loving nan to Aiden, Amber & Alisha. Marilyn will be greatly missed by all who knew her. The funeral service will take place on Friday 21st June at 11:30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Donations in lieu of flowers if desired for the Withybush Hospital Cancer Day Unit Appeal may be sent c/o Mrs. Janet Phillips, Ferry House Inn, Hazelbeach, Milford Haven, SA73 1EG.

J EFFREY T HOMPSON

THOMPSON Jeffrey of St.Davids & Cosheston. Died on 2nd June at Withybush Hospital. Dearly loved and devoted husband of Nina, a loving and much loved father, grandfather, brother, relative and friend. Funeral service Tuesday 18th June at 11.30am at Seion Baptist Chapel, New Street, St. Davids. Donations if desired for the Paul Sartori Foundation c/o W.G.Bernard Mathias & Daughter, 62 New Street, St.Davids, SA62 6SU.

SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

THE EDITOR, 11 HAMILTON TERRACE, MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE, SA73 3AL

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

S

le TT er S & no TI

By Steve HowellS

PLAY IS PROVEN TO BE ESSENTIAL

DEAR SIR

I am writing in support of national charity Living Streets’ call to see 60% of children walking to school by 2029. Fewer than half of primary school aged children walk to school in England, this is a drop from 70% a generation ago.

When we design streets for children, we create places that work better for everyone. Increased walking rates will reduce road casualties, improve health and air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and boost our economy.

A combination of ambitious yet realistic targets, at least 10% of transport budgets spent on active travel, improved road safety in our neighbourhoods

and empowering local authorities to make the right transport decisions, would go a long way to creating safer streets for children to walk and play.

I urge all political parties to ensure the walk to school is at the heart of their transport policy this election year. The impact of this investment will also help tackle the current climate, economic and health crises.

JUDITH SWAIN

54 Alltygrug Road Swansea SA9 2AP

REMEMBER THE DEAF COMMUNITY

DEAR SIR

The morning after the general election, 5 July, will be a historic moment for the UK. Whether it is delivered by a re-elected or newly elected Prime Minister, their speech to the nation will be a moment of national

significance.

It’s a moment that should be accessible to every voter in the UK, including the 87,000 members of the Deaf community who use British Sign Language (BSL).

The Deaf community has continually been excluded during these key broadcasts from No. 10 because of the lack of a BSL interpreter. RNID has long tried to work with the Government to ensure that access is provided for the Deaf community.

A public service announcement is just that, but by not including deaf people the Prime Minister is removing their right to have the information at the same time as everyone else.

RNID has written to both Sir Kier Starmer and Rishi Sunak offering them the use of our interpreter for their victory speech on 5 July. Their speech

to the nation will be the start of a new chapter in our country’s history and they cannot lock the Deaf community out.

I encourage all your readers to join our call and sign our letter to make this election inclusive of everyone at rnid.org.uk

Michael Quinlan Advocacy Manager at RNID

PLAY IS PROVEN TO BE ESSENTIAL

DEAR SIR

With the general election just weeks away, 4 July comes at a critical moment for people living with dementia. I hope that whoever the next UK government may be, they will make dementia a priority and support those who have experienced its devastating reality.

Alzheimer’s Society estimates that one

in three people with dementia in the UK do not have a diagnosis. This means many families struggle alone without support or any way to understand what they are going through. Within our community, this can and must change.

I’m supporting the Alzheimer’s Society’s calls for the next UK Government to increase dementia diagnosis rates, support healthcare systems to ready themselves for potential breakthrough treatments and to develop a social care strategy in England. Dementia is so common but is not treated in the same way as other terminal illnesses.

The need to make dementia a priority has never been greater but nor has the opportunity, if those in power choose to grasp it. I’d like to see every candidate and every party recognise dementia as the political priority it should be.

Lynne Roberts

PIc Ture oF THe weeK!

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FABRICATION

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HAIRDRESSING

HANDYMAN

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InTernaTIonal FooTball: menS InTernaTIonal FrIendlY

Time up for Rob Page?

CYMRU suffered a demoralising friendly defeat in Slovakia, intensifying the pressure on manager Rob Page. Page had been booed by Cymru fans after Thursday’s humiliating goalless draw with Gibraltar and faced further chants in Trnava on Sunday calling for his dismissal.

Cymru’s heaviest defeat in three years marked a dismal end to a disappointing season, with the failure to qualify for Euro 2024 already prompting criticism of Page. In contrast, Slovakia – 19 places below Cymru in the world rankings – enjoyed a final send-off before travelling to Germany to start their campaign against Belgium next Monday.

The hosts had already seen David Hancko’s header ruled out when

Juraj Kucka fired them in front shortly before halftime. Robert Bozenik doubled Slovakia’s advantage with a nearpost finish from Hancko’s cross after the break, and four minutes later, Cymru’s captain for the night, Ethan Ampadu, deflected Lukas Haraslin’s acrobatic effort into his own net. Laszlo Benes struck Slovakia’s fourth in added time, prompting another wave of boos from Cymru’s strong contingent of travelling supporters.

The flurry of secondhalf Slovakian goals soured the atmosphere as Cymru fans sarcastically chanted “in transition” in reference to Page’s appeals for patience as his team continue life without Gareth Bale and others from the recent golden generation who have retired. However, fans have grown tired of

Page’s talk of a “bigger picture” after a 12-month period that has seen an embarrassing home defeat by Armenia and a frustrating draw away to the same opponents, contributing to missing out on the European Championship for the first time since 2012.

Page’s stock has fallen considerably since becoming the first manager to lead Cymru to a World Cup in 64 years. Though Slovakia and Gibraltar were only friendlies, the nature of the performances will invite further scrutiny.

Page’s changes fail to inspire

When Cymru arranged this friendly earlier this year, they hoped it would form part of their preparations for this summer’s Euros, only to lose their playoff final to Poland on

penalties in March. Cymru returned to action three days ago against Gibraltar in Portugal. It was expected to be a straightforward opportunity to field several debutants against lowly opposition they had beaten 4-0 only last October. However, an embarrassing draw against a team largely comprised of part-time players – the first time Gibraltar had avoided defeat since 2022 –changed the mood in the Cymru camp for this trip to Slovakia.

Page made seven changes from the Gibraltar debacle, reverting to a more familiar line-up in Trnava, though still missing senior players such as Ben Davies, Joe Rodon, Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts, Neco Williams, Harry Wilson, David Brooks, and Aaron Ramsey. With the entire first-choice defence missing, Ampadu moved from midfield to centre-back, where he excelled for Leeds United in the Championship this season.

The 23-yearold guided his less experienced defensive colleagues through the early stages of the game, but Cymru’s makeshift backline eventually started to creak, and they were fortunate not to fall behind when Hancko’s well-taken header was disallowed for offside. At the other end of the pitch, the visitors had fleeting opportunities to counter-attack but were undone by sloppy passing and a strange reluctance to shoot.

They did create one clear chance before the break as Josh Sheehan’s inswinging free-kick was smartly headed towards the top corner by Kieffer Moore,

only for Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to athletically tip the ball over the bar. Just as Cymru looked to be getting a grip, they fell behind when Kucka’s low shot left a seemingly unsighted Ward standing still as the ball passed him into the net.

It was an unfortunate ending to a first half in which Cymru had shown signs of encouragement – but after the interval, they simply sank without trace. The defending was passive as Bozenik snuck past Ampadu to score Slovakia’s second, and the Cymru captain was unfortunate when his deflection made it three. Cymru’s fans had already made their feelings known at that point and, although they demonstrated some gallows humour at points, their boos after conceding a fourth were born out of pure anger.

The 1,000 or so members of the Red Wall cheered their players when they made their way over to their corner of the ground at the final whistle. But when Page, who initially waited behind his squad, offered his applause to the supporters, he was roundly booed. In case there was any doubt, Cymru’s fans have turned on their manager.

Rob Page says he felt “Low” after facing more boos from Cymru fans

Page was given a hostile reception by Cymru’s 1,000 supporters in Trnava, having been subjected to chants calling for his sacking last Thursday after a humiliating goalless friendly draw with minnows Gibraltar in Portugal. The 49-year-old is

contracted until 2026 but admits his future is out of his hands, with these results raising fresh doubts after a disappointing season in which Cymru failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

“They [fans] want me out. I completely understand. I’ve got to stay true to myself and focused on the job in hand. Everything else is out of my control,” Page told BBC Sport Cymru after the 4-0 loss. “I clapped them with the players, and when the players walked, I made a point of going over to the supporters and saying ‘it’s on me’. I get the frustration. [I feel] low, disappointed, of course. I’m human at the end of the day, and nobody wants to fail.”

Asked if these results could have a bearing on his future, Page added: “I’m the wrong person to be asking. Only the board, the chief executive, the president, the technical director – that’s a question for them. After camp, we have a conversation with Dave Adams [Football Association of Wales technical director], Steve [Williams, FAW president], and Noel [Mooney, FAW chief executive]. Of course, we’ll have those conversations. One way or the other, we will decide on what’s right

Wrexham’s Bale offer ‘Still

on the table’

W RE x HAM

for Cymru and move forward.”

Senior figures at the FAW have yet to comment on Page’s position but said they “review each camp and reflect properly” as they do after any international window. However, there was an air of resignation to Page as he conducted his post-match interviews in Trnava. Although friendly matches would not usually determine a manager’s future, these results followed a 12-month period which included an embarrassing home defeat by Armenia and subsequent failure to qualify for Euro 2024, prompting criticism for Page.

If he is to stay in post, Cymru’s next game will be in the Nations League in September at home to Turkey, one of the teams who pipped them to Euros qualification. “The form coming into it has been all right, but when you draw against Gibraltar and you get beaten with the goals we have tonight, questions are going to be asked. I completely understand that,” said Page. “I’m just focused on what I need to do. This camp served its purpose – to play a different formation – and we plan now for September.”

co-owner Rob McElhenney has not abandoned his pursuit of signing Gareth Bale, stating, “the offer is still on the table.”

McElhenney had previously attempted to lure the former Wales and Real Madrid star out of retirement

via social media. Bale retired from football in January 2023 as Wales’ all-time leading men’s goalscorer, having played a crucial role in securing the nation’s first World Cup appearance in 64 years. Following Wrexham’s promotion to League One, McElhenney,

who co-owns the club with fellow actor Ryan Reynolds, has renewed efforts to sign the 34-year-old.

“Gareth Bale is still technically available! I don’t know, I made the plea last year and I’m just going to tell Gareth that the offer’s still on the table,” McElhenney

remarked. “We’ll let you off for golf, whenever you need to get off. As long as you come to training once or twice a week, we can figure out how to get you 10 minutes on the pitch. And the golf coursesWales is amongst the most beautiful countries in the world.”

Olympic dream realised after battling Covid-19 four times

Rosie Eccles describes it as ‘surreal’ to finally be selected for the Olympic Games after battling Covid-19 four times, which attacked her nervous system and jeopardised her boxing career.

The 27-year-old from Caldicot, south Wales, missed out on Tokyo 2020 due to intense pain in her right arm and neck before the Olympic qualifiers in London. It was later discovered she had contracted Covid in early 2020, affecting her brachial plexus—a network of nerves in her shoulder. This occurred three more times, making Eccles doubt her Olympic dream.

“It’s been a long road,” she told BBC Sport Wales. “It’s surreal to look back and think ‘I actually got through that and now I’m here.’”

Even as a teenager, Eccles faced health challenges. At 15, she was diagnosed with a heart condition that required surgery. At 21,

she won welterweight silver at her first Commonwealth Games. Known as ‘Right Hand Rosie’, Eccles began 2020 ready to secure her spot in Tokyo. However, after contracting a ‘mysterious virus’ in America, she lost 80% of function in her right arm. The Olympic qualifiers in London were disrupted by Covid, and Eccles lost her first bout. The event was eventually cancelled, and the Olympics postponed.

“It cost me my Olympic dream,” she said. “Being in lockdown and dealing with the situation was the lowest point. But it’s given me a different appreciation for boxing and a different kind of fire.”

She returned to training, but Covid continued to impact the sporting calendar. In June 2021, she watched enviously as her teammates were confirmed for the Olympics. In 2022, she contracted Covid again, which affected her brachial

plexus without the pain. She recovered quickly and won Commonwealth gold for Wales in Birmingham. The following year, Covid attacked her left arm, just 10 weeks before the European Games. Despite not being 100%, she secured her place in Paris with a quarter-final win over Ireland’s Amy Broadhurst.

Eccles had finally achieved her goal.

“Resilience-wise it’s given me a great deal,” she said. “I do fear a little bit [catching Covid] before the Games. But I also have this belief

now that no matter what happens, I can make it work with a less than 100% body.”

Just last autumn, Eccles contracted Covid for a fourth time, which affected her hip. Unable to run for eight months, she remains determined. Training with Lauren Price, Wales’ trailblazing Olympic champion, Eccles is ready to make her moment count.

“I want to win,” she says defiantly. “This is my one Olympics. I know if I turn up, take one fight at a time, and bring my best, I can win that gold medal.”

INTRODUCING PEMBROKESHIRE’S MICKY BECKETT

Pembrokeshire and the UK is behind you!

MICKY BECKETT, the pride of Solva and a stalwart of the British Sailing Team, once again etched his name in the annals of sailing history with a resounding victory at the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma last week, marking his third consecutive triumph at this illustrious event.

The 29-year-old maestro showcased his dominance in the men’s dinghy class amidst stiff competition from a formidable fleet of 193 boats, clinching the title with a day to spare.

His gold-medal feat spearheaded a triumphant campaign for the British contingent, as John Gimson and Anna Burnet secured bronze in the Nacra 17 category, while the rising star Matilda Nicholls clinched her debut senior-level medal, a bronze in the ILCA 6 class.

Entering the pivotal double points medal race, Beckett held an unassailable lead atop the leaderboard, a testament to his unparalleled skill and unwavering determination. Despite the comfort of his position, Beckett refused to relent, clinching a second-place finish in the decisive race and ultimately sealing victory with an imposing 44-point margin. Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Beckett humbly acknowledged the significance of his third consecutive triumph, stating, “I’ve been trying all week not to think about the fact that if I won this event it would be three in a row, but now it’s real and it’s pretty cool.” His sentiments echoed a blend of confidence and humility, underscoring the arduous journey that led to his triumph. With his sights set on

the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, Beckett exuded a mixture of confidence and determination, aware of the challenges that lie ahead. “All the top guys will be following their own plans to build up to this summer, but I have to say that beating them is a nice confidence boost,” Beckett remarked, encapsulating the competitive spirit that drives him towards excellence. Despite his past setbacks in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Beckett remains undaunted, poised to make his mark on the global stage in Marseille, where he aims to transcend mere participation and carve his legacy amongst the world’s elite ILCA 7 sailors. With a European title in 2021 and a world silver in 2023 adorning his resume, Beckett’s journey is a testament to perseverance and unwavering dedication to his craft.

Division 1 Round up

Carew Triumphs Over Llangwm by 7 Wickets

In a thrilling encounter, Carew emerged victorious against Llangwm by a margin of 7 wickets, chasing down a challenging total of 212 runs. Steven Mills showcased his remarkable form yet again, setting a formidable target for the Rooks with a splendid 119 runs, ably supported by Luke Brock’s 38 runs. Barry Evans shone brightly in the bowling department, claiming 4 wickets for 39 runs. Evans’ consistent bowling prowess has been a persistent challenge for batsmen, transitioning seamlessly from the second division to make a notable impact in the first division.

Despite a valiant effort, Llangwm faltered in defending their total as Carew reached 214 for 3, propelled by notable contributions from Morgan Grieve (68) and Rhys Davies (42). Llangwm’s struggle was exacerbated by the 47 extras conceded in the field, significantly easing Carew’s pursuit. Mills emerged as a key threat with the ball, securing figures of 2-38, underscoring Llangwm’s individual talent but also revealing their lack of depth.

Narberth Clinches

7-Wicket Win

Over Haverfordwest

Narberth secured a convincing 7-wicket victory against Haverfordwest, successfully chasing down a modest target of 109 runs. Kyle Quartermaine played a pivotal role in the win with an unbeaten 45, steering his team to victory. Despite Dan Field’s commendable 39, Haverfordwest struggled to muster significant support, resulting in a meagre total. Narberth’s bowlers, notably Ben Quartermaine with 3-40, played a crucial role in containing Haverfordwest, leaving the latter languishing at

the bottom of the division.

Neyland Continues Dominance with 7-Wicket Win Over Tish Table-toppers

Neyland continued their impressive form, securing yet another victory by defeating Tish by 7 wickets, comfortably chasing down a target of 188 runs. Ashley Sutton’s unbeaten 58, coupled with Paul Murray’s 59, guided Neyland to a resounding win. Despite commendable performances from Tish’s Thomas Williams (54) and Andrew Pawlett (36*), Neyland’s superiority remained unchallenged.

Cresselly Dominates Saundersfoot in a Statement Victory

Cresselly showcased their dominance with a commanding 202-run victory over Saundersfoot. Scott Arthur’s magnificent 112 propelled Cresselly to an imposing total of 271 for 4, with valuable contributions from Phil Williams (56) and Alex Bayley (41*). Saundersfoot faltered in response, managing only 69 runs. Tom Arthur starred with the ball, claiming 4 wickets for 5 runs, while Charlie Arthur’s 2 wickets for no runs further underlined Cresselly’s dominance.

Lawrenny Secures a 23-Run Win Over Whitland

Lawrenny emerged victorious with a hardfought 23-run win over Whitland, posting 203 all out and then restricting Whitland to 180 for 7. Tom Cole’s resilient 79 spearheaded Lawrenny’s innings, supported by Rhys Eynon (22) and Troy Pursloe (28). Despite Geraint Jones’ impressive bowling performance for Whitland (4-34), Lawrenny’s total proved insurmountable. In response, Jonathan Thomas’ 54 was a lone bright spot for Whitland, as Ryan Morton (3-29), Rob Williams (2-19), and Finley Lewis (2-38) stifled their batting lineup.

Thomas carroll Pembrokeshire league Table

Time up for Rob Page?