The Pembrokeshire Herald 02/08/2024

Lola was failed by agencies meant to protect her, including council, says report an assessment crucial to Lola’s safety was closed prematurely by an overburdened team manager

Information about domestic incidents were not adequately shared

Swan bludgeoned in Withybush Woods

A SHOCKING wildlife crime has upset the Haverfordwest community after an adult swan was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack in Withybush Woods.

The distressing event occurred at approximately 7:45 pm on Sunday (Jul 28), where witnesses reported seeing an adult swan being bludgeoned to the ground and struck repeatedly with a stick.

This act of cruelty has been classified as a serious wildlife crime and is currently under investigation by the Dyfed-Powys Police.

The Herald is currently enquiring as to the condition of the bird.

Officers have made an urgent appeal for witnesses to come forward with any information that could aid in the investigation.

The police have urged anyone who may have seen the attack or who has any relevant details to contact the Dyfed-Powys Wildlife Crimes Officer on 101. The reference number for this

case is 20240728-373.

Liz Clarke, an admin for the popular “Dog Friendly Pembrokeshire” Facebook group, shared the police appeal to raise awareness among dog walkers and other regular visitors to Withybush Woods. The post has garnered significant attention, with many expressing outrage and sadness over the senseless violence against the defenceless waterfowl.

Officer accused of misleading on £1.04M EV purchase

A SENIOR officer has been accused of misleading Pembrokeshire Cabinet member Rhys Sinnett about a contract to purchase electric vehicles for the County Council’s fleet.

An investigation led by Council CEO Will Bramble is underway, and a disciplinary panel has been called to consider the incident.

The issue concerns the process used to okay the vehicles’ purchase.

On June 24, Cllr Sinnett approved the purchase of 32 electric vehicles, 21 small vans and 11 large vans at a price of £1.04m.

Shortly after the meeting with officers that okayed the purchase, the IPG called in the decision to be reconsidered by the Cabinet.

On July 4, the Head of Infrastructure and the Environment, Darren Thomas, told the Chief Executive and Cabinet Member about the cock up and that the vehicles had already arrived.

Will Bramble rapidly decided the report given to Rhys Sinnett was incorrect and, on July 9, asked Cllr Sinnett to rescind it.

Cllr Sinnett rescinded his decision on the same day.

The report, into which some of the Council’s most senior officers had input, did not tell Cllr Sinnett that - far from approving the future purchase of vehicles - officers had made an elementary blunder during the procurement process.

Officers failed to understand that instead of negotiating an option to purchase the vehicles, they had - in factcommitted the Council to their purchase. In addition, at least some of the vehicles concerned had already been delivered to the local authority and modified for its use.

In other words, by the time Cllr Sinnett

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

was asked to approve the purchase, the vehicles had already been bought.

A contributor, possibly more than one, to the report given to him on June 24 withheld that information.

The Council’s purchase of the vehicles is neither here nor there. The Welsh Government has set aside funding to transition Welsh local authorities from fossil fuels to electric vehicles. The funding for the vehicles’ purchase came from a pot earmarked for that purpose.

Faced with Hobson’s choice, the Cabinet retrospectively approved buying 32 electric vehicles it already owned.

That is not the key issue.

Council Deputy Leader Paul Miller spelt out the more significant issue: Either deliberately or by omission, a senior officer materially misled a Cabinet member about the background and facts relating to significant capital investment.

The report handed to Cllr Sinnett on June 24 gave him no clue that the vehicles’ purchase had been completed.

Cllr Sinnett was only asked to give authority “to enter a contract with FleetEV for the purchases of 31 EV small vans and 11 EV large vans.”

Cllr Miller, like Cllr Sinnett, was clearly livid at the extent of the deceit.

The former said the issue involved “trust and confidence” in the person or persons who decided to withhold key information from an elected member of the Council’s Cabinet.

Purchasing the vehicles, which was the focus of the IPG’s latest complaint about the steps being taken by the Council to meet its statutory obligation, is not the issue.

As Cllr Miller put it, replacing vehicles

Man admits to possession of indecent images of children

JOHN BATES, a 57-yearold resident of Jury Lane, has changed his plea and admitted to charges of possessing indecent images of children.

Bates had been scheduled to stand trial in October, facing three counts of making indecent images of children. The allegations pertained to offences committed between October 2016 and March 2022. During this period, Bates was found to have six Category A images, the most severe classification, along with 41 Category B images and 103 Category C images.

Initially, Bates had denied all charges. However, during a hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, 29 July, he altered his pleas to guilty.

at the end of their life is a no-brainer.

As anyone with any commercial sense knows, trying to stretch an asset’s life is throwing good money after bad in terms of maintenance and opportunity costs.

The key point is that one or more of the Council’s most senior officers has materially misled a Cabinet member about a seven-figure purchase.

The questions that arise are obvious.

If a senior officer has deliberately withheld information or misled a Cabinet member, have they done so previously, and can they be trusted in the future?

That is very much more important than ridiculous attempts at point-scoring about buying electric vehicles in the first place.

So, in a backhanded way, the IPG has actually drawn a crucial issue to light, albeit entirely by accident.

As a result, the October trial has been cancelled. Judge Geraint Walters has requested a pre-sentence report and informed Bates that all sentencing options remain under consideration.

Bates has been granted bail and is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on 20 August.

Motorist caught behind the wheel with cocaine in blood

CROESGOCH motorist Paul Davies has been banned from driving for twelve months after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and the cocaine derivative, benzoylecgonine, in his system.

Davies, 39, of Mor Awel, Croesgoch, was stopped by officers as he drove his Volkswagen Golf on the A40 through Wolfscastle on February 11.

A roadside drugs swipe proved positive while further blood tests at the police station showed he had 15 mcg of cocaine and 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The prescribed legal limits are 10 and 50 respectively. Other illegal substances were found in his system, however these were all below the specified legal limit.

This week Davies pleaded guilty to both charges of drug driving when he appeared before Haverfordwst magistrates.

In addition to the disqualification, Davies was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Visibly angry: Deputy Leader Paul Miller flays attempt to mislead Cabinet member

Lola report highlights systemic failures by council’s child protection services

THE TRAGIC death of two-yearold Lola James has cast a harsh spotlight on the systemic failures of Pembrokeshire County Council’s child protection services.

A damning report released on Thursday (Aug 1) highlights significant lapses and procedural shortcomings that contributed to this devastating outcome. Lola, who suffered catastrophic brain injuries at the hands of her mother’s partner, Kyle Bevan, was failed by a series of critical missteps from the agencies meant to protect her.

Bevan, described as a “monster” in court, moved into the family home in Haverfordwest just four months before the fatal attack.

Despite prior incidents of domestic abuse and signs of escalating violence, the local authorities’ intervention remained insufficient and ineffective.

The report highlights the dire impact of staff shortages and excessive workloads within the child services department.

Notably, an assessment crucial to Lola’s safety was closed prematurely by an overburdened team manager who was on sick leave without the assigned social worker’s input. This prevented a thorough evaluation of Lola’s circumstances and the necessary protective measures from being implemented.

Communication failures further compounded the issue. Information about domestic incidents and

behavioural concerns was not adequately shared among agencies, leading to missed opportunities for timely intervention.

Health visitors and social services did not maintain consistent follow-ups or escalate their concerns, even as Lola exhibited signs of distress and abuse.

The CYSUR report calls for urgent reforms, including better staff training, improved inter-agency communication, and addressing systemic workload issues. These changes are vital to prevent future tragedies and to ensure that vulnerable children in Pembrokeshire receive the protection they desperately need.

In response to the report, Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, issued a statement on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council: “Pembrokeshire County Council would first like to convey their sincerest condolences to the family of Lola James and to all those who have been affected by her murder over four years ago.

“This review process, which we have fully and openly engaged with along with our multi-agency partners with whom we share safeguarding responsibilities, has been an opportunity for the local authority to reflect on its practice and to learn

from the observations contained in the independent report.

“We would like to recognise the significant commitment and input of those who have participated in the review process and who have been involved with the family over the last four years.

“The local authority takes its duties within the safeguarding arena extremely seriously and prioritises the protection and support of society’s most vulnerable. While we strive to demonstrate good practice, there is always room for improvement, and the opportunities this review has presented us with will allow us to improve how we work with vulnerable children and young people in the future.

“Ahead of today’s report’s publication, we developed an action plan to address the issues the review raised for us, and we have already made considerable progress against that plan. In addition, we have established a social care improvement board, which includes locally elected politicians, senior officers, and an external independent expert among its members. This board will oversee the delivery of the actions within that plan, with progress also being reported to local authority scrutiny committees and cabinet meetings.

“We also hope that the report will contribute to wider ongoing learning and improvement in relation to a number of key safeguarding issues

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across all agencies with safeguarding responsibilities in the West Wales region and beyond.

“It is imperative that we take all opportunities to improve our services and ensure that children and families receive the best quality of support available. Once again, Pembrokeshire County Council would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and all of those who knew Lola.”

A joint statement from Pembrokeshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board, and Dyfed Powys Police accompanied the publication of the report has been issued.

It reads: “All agencies involved in this report wish to convey their sincerest condolences to the child’s family and to all those who have been affected by the murder of a child in such appalling circumstances.

“This review has been an opportunity to reflect on and share learning amongst all partner organisations and practitioners on a multi-agency basis, and we acknowledge the commitment and contribution of those who have participated in the review process.

“All agencies take very seriously the opportunities presented by this review to consider our practice and improve how we protect vulnerable children.

“We hope that the report will also contribute to wider ongoing learning and improvement in relation to a number of key safeguarding issues across all agencies with safeguarding responsibilities.

“Lola’s case continues to reverberate throughout the community. Pembrokeshire County Council faces intense scrutiny and pressing demands to overhaul its child protection framework.

The failure to safeguard Lola James stands as a stark reminder of the critical importance of effective, sufficiently resourced, and staffed child welfare services.

Carl Harris, Assistant Director at NSPCC Cymru, said: “Lola deserved a happy and healthy future, but that was cruelly taken away by the horrendous actions of Kyle Bevan and the failure of her mother, Sinead James, to intervene.

“The findings in this report highlight yet again the need for greater investment in children’s services in Wales to provide comprehensive support to any child at risk of harm and to be better equipped to prevent a tragedy such as this happening again.

“It is time to make child protection a

national priority. The Welsh Government has committed to transforming children’s social care, but we need to see more details on timescales, activity and progress.

“We need systemic changes that ensure children like Lola are better protected.

“We can all look out for children’s welfare, and anyone concerned about a child can call the NSPCC free helpline on 0808 800 5000, or email help@ nspcc.org.uk . If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.”

Three men forced way into Pembrokeshire nightclub and attacked doormen

A NIGHTCLUB manager in Pembrokeshire testified in court about a violent incident on the night of April 21, 2022, which she described as “one of the most violent” she had ever witnessed.

Cathy Walters was knocked unconscious when three men forced their way into the Saundersfoot nightclub and attacked two doormen on duty.

This week, Callum Weakley, 28, Christopher Millward, 31, and Jack Parkinson, 26, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates for sentencing after pleading guilty to affray by using threatened unlawful violence towards others.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson stated that the men arrived at the nightclub despite Weakley being previously banned from the premises.

“They began verbally abusing the doormen, calling them p*****,” said Ms. Jackson. “Callum Weakley pushed through the door and began attacking them. They then fell down the stairs, landing at the bottom. Although one doorman landed on his feet, he lost his balance and fell against the wall. Cathy Walters, situated at the bottom of the stairs, was knocked unconscious for a few seconds and fell backwards into the wall.”

A victim impact statement from Ms. Walters was read to the magistrates, in which she expressed her fear for her safety during the incident.

“This is the most violent incident I’ve witnessed during my time as a nightclub manager,” she said. “It wasn’t just the punches, but the viciousness and extreme language. It made me feel very frightened.”

Magistrates were shown video footage of the incident.

Parkinson, a locksmith from Raymond House, Penally, and self-employed plumber Christopher Millward, from Hil Rise, Kilgetty, were both represented by Anthony O’Connell. Mr. O’Connell described his clients as “hard-working members of society that others speak highly of,” and submitted character references for both defendants.

Callum Weakley, from Jubilee Cottages, Tenby, was represented by Tom Lloyd, who explained that the incident was triggered by the recent death of his client’s father.

“He was overwhelmed by grief, which impaired his judgment,” said Mr. Lloyd. “He has now taken tremendous steps to overcome this, and he’s ashamed of what he’s done.” Mr. Lloyd also submitted character references for his client.

After considering the mitigation, magistrates sentenced all three defendants to six months in custody, suspended for 12 months. They must each complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £50 compensation to each of the three victims. Additionally, each defendant was ordered to pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

“If this hadn’t happened two years ago, the sentence might have been different,” commented the presiding magistrate. “You’ve kept out of trouble since then, and that’s why your sentence is suspended. But the level of violence shown puts it above the custody threshold.”

The scene of the incident back in 2020 (Pic: Herald)

Tracking your rubbish to its powerful end

WASTE is a hot topic. From stinky Withyhedge to murky seas and dead rivers, we live with the consequences of any failure to deal with it. Wales is also leading in waste free solutions, the circular economy where there is no waste as it is turned into a resource.

Jamie Ashe encountered a mighty waste transformer. He shares his experience from 2020: If you drive past Cardiff Bay and look inland you will see a big building much taller than Ikea. It has funky curved grey and green rooflines with two thin metal chimneys protruding, but you won’t see any smoke coming out. It is Viridor waste to energy plant taking 97% of South Wales non recyclable rubbish – what goes in our black or grey bags and bulky items from recycling centres.

I was on a minibus with a group of ECO champions from Pembrokeshire – beach cleaners, recyclers, educators. We had animated discussions

Vicky Moller vickymoller@gmail.com

about waste, packaging and recycling so the journey to Cardiff flew past and suddenly we arrived at Viridor.

We drove into a complex which looked like something out of a Bond film and went up to a comfortable room for the intro and coffee.The infrastructure of Wales developed to serve the coal mining and iron industry which was centred on the Cardiff docks where the iron ore came in and iron and coal were exported. The resulting large populations in Cardiff and the South Wales valleys, the railway lines, good roads, later the M4, are why Viridor is located there and not more centrally in Wales.

Lorries drive onto a weighbridge, the driver leans out his truck window and puts a unique code into a machine which opens a gate, The lorries back up and tip straight down a massive concrete chute then drive off empty over another

weighbridge and the gate fees are automatically recorded from the difference in weight between arriving and leaving. Viridor makes most of its money from gate fees. They charge less than the £160/ton landfill tax to make it worth councils taking their rubbish to them.

The chute drops down into a huge storage area about the size of a 5 aside football pitch and as tall as a small block of flats. Right at the top, far above the chutes is a small window protected by bars, behind it the smart warm dry control room with huge computer screens.

This is where our tour started. We walked past massive computer screens with detailed diagrams of the plant showing temperatures, pressures, gas flows, you name it, for every part of the plant. A few men sat waiting to adjust with the click of a mouse the operation of the plant. We peered through the window down about 20 storeys to the rubbish below in its cavern. A man in a comfortable seat by the window operated

levers which controlled a metal grab large enough to pick up a long wheel-base transit van. Rubbish was grabbed and lifted 100m into the air and then dropped down another chute which fed the 1200C fire burning the rubbish, heating water into steam to drive steam turbines to generate 30MW of electricity.

We were guided along walkways and endless stairs. There must have been about 6 storeys of walkways with huge shiny metal pipes running from the boilers about as tall as a 4 storey house. We peered through a hatch into the furnace at the burning rubbish and saw flues carrying the exhaust gases, heat exchangers, pipes bringing in air and others injecting lime and activated carbon. The maze of technology stretching off into the vastness of the building and particularly all the strange pipes and chutes made us feel like we were on a tour with Willy Wonker at the chocolate factory.

With a constant output of 30Mw I roughly guessed they must be making about £100,000 a day so with the rubbish gate fees on top it must be about a million pounds a week. As a guestimate. The plant cost about £280 million to build and has paid for itself in less than 5 years.

A Pembrokeshire councillor described it as one of those places where they print money. I asked the guy whether the employees had a share scheme and he said yes. Share prices have almost doubled over the last year and yield some 7% return.

I asked the guy what emissions are given off from burning rubbish. I had heard about incinerators in the past and how they were not popular with residents, saying not in my

backyard. He explained that the old incinerators used fossil fuels like coal to burn rubbish and the smoke just went up a tall chimney with no cleaning at all. The result of burning plastic was dioxins which cause cancer as well as many other pollutants.

He explained that viridor waste to energy was a whole new level of technology. The rubbish is burnt at 1200 degrees C using preheated secondary air for a clean burn. Rubbish is the only fuel. Such burning could mean NOCs are released which are highly poisonous to humans so pelletized urea (made from cows piss) are sprayed above the fire. These release chemicals which bond with chemicals in the gases from the fire forming harmless nitrogen instead of NOCs.

The oxygen concentration and temperature are controlled to ensure complete combustion and minimise dioxin emissions. Dry hydrated lime is injected which reacts with and neutralises acid gases. Activated carbon is injected into the duct to adsorb dioxins, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and

mercury.

In the final stage exhaust gases are sucked through a huge industrial filter bag much finer that one in a Henry Hoover. The resulting emissions from the chimney are 99.9% pure air and there are no visible signs of smoke at all. If you sat on top of the chimney and took a deep breath you would be getting cleaner air than Cardiff street air!

The plant output of 30Mw is enough to power half the homes in Cardiff, it gets rid of 97% of South Wales rubbish and adds clean air to the Cardiff bay area and makes loads of money. I would be interested to see figures for the fuel consumption of the lorries bringing the rubbish and deduct them. Generally it is worth transporting a fuel as the kinetic energy to move something is small compared to the stored chemical energy of what you are carrying. It was satisfying to look down into the waste hall and see mattresses about to be picked up by the grab. I have personally seen a mattress on fire and the heat and

energy out of it is impressive and the black smoke is disgusting.

It takes a lot of energy to make products in the first place, probably more than the energy captured from burning them so burning is the last option after reduce, re-use, recycle. But for the absolute rubbish bags in South West Wales you need not fear it will end up in the ocean, it will end up making clean energy in Viridor which is defined as renewable as it is using waste. The ash from the bottom of the fire runs on conveyor belts past electromagnets and metal is removed and taken for recycling. A vibrating plate separates the left over ash from small solid aggregates. These lumps are sent off to a company who makes them into concrete blocks. The dust is in high demand for use in building roads. So in fact no waste leaves the plant at all. It doesn’t even need water as the water used in the process is all recycled after going through a settlement tank. Amazing. If Viridor was a church any but the most hardened conspiracy theorist would be converted.

Banned from driving for taking father’s car without consent

A DINAS motorist who drove off in his father’s car following an SOS call from his girlfriend found himself in court this week charged with taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

Mathew Reading, 31, took the Fiat Stilo which was parked outside his father’s property on January 14.

“His father had driven to Haverfordwest to pick Mathew Reading up from the police station,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“He took him back to his home address and fell asleep. But when he woke up he noticed that his car was missing, and so was the defendant. But his father doesn’t allow anyone else to drive his vehicle, as it’s his pride and joy and he’s the only one insured to drive it.”

Reading, of Maesyllan, Feidr Fawr, Dinas Cross, pleaded guilty to taking the vehicle without the owner’s consent and two additional charges of driving without a licence and third party insurance

“I ask you to see this for exactly what it is,” Reading’s solicitor, Mr Michael Kelleher told Haverfordwet court.

“He took his father’s car for a very short time and returned it because he had a call from his girlfriend saying she was in a bad way, mentally, on the beach. He was worried that she’d do something silly, so he got in the car and drove to pick her up. It took around 20 minutes, and most of that time was spent consoling her on the beach.”

Mr Kelleher said that Reading’s father has since tried to withdraw from the court proceedings, however he discovered that it was too late as proceedings had already commenced by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Reading was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £32 court surcharge.

Milford Haven man appears in court charged with rape of a child

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared before magistrates charged with raping a girl who was, at the time, aged between 13 and 15.

Thomas Kirk, 48, faces an additional charge of sexually assaulting a female, aged 14 and 15.

Both offences are alleged to have been committed between May 2007 and May 2009 at an undisclosed location in Haverfordwest.

Kirk, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates this week. Because both offences can only be dealt with at the Crown Court, the case was adjourned to August 30, when proceedings will commence at Swansea Crown Court.

No pleas were entered by the defendant and he was released on unconditional bail.

Guilty to theft of sausage rolls and chicken fillets

A MAN who made off with over £30 worth of sausage rolls and chicken fillets without making any attempts to pay for them this week pleaded guilty to theft when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

Luke Brummit, 46, was seen leaving The Food Warehouse, Milford Haven after removing the items from the shelves and leaving the store without making payment.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson informed magistrates that Brummit, of Edinburgh House, Queen |Street, Pembroke Dock, has 372 previous convictions which include 218 for theft offences.

Brummit was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £16 surcharge.

Police appeal after one person hurt in four vehicle crash

ONE person was injured in a four-vehicle crash on a major Pembrokeshire road on Saturday (July 27).

At around 10:30 pm, a Volkswagen, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai, and a grey Ford Transit van collided at the A477 crossroads in Llanteg, according to a police report.

The grey Ford Transit van continued driving after the collision, and the road was closed for several hours before reopening early in the morning.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Police attended a four-vehicle road traffic collision which occurred at about 10:30 pm on Saturday, July 27.

“A yellow and white Volkswagen Caravelle, a blue Toyota Yaris, a blue Hyundai I10, and a grey Ford Transit van were involved in the collision at the A477 crossroads in Llanteg, Pembrokeshire.

“The grey Ford Transit van did not stop at the scene, and enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver. One person was assessed by a paramedic at the scene.

“The A477 road between Red Roses and Kilgetty was closed and reopened at 2 am on Sunday, July 28.

“Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit. ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.

“If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, text the non-

emergency number on 07811 311 908.

“Quote reference: DP-20240727434.”

Residents and motorists are urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings or information regarding the grey Ford Transit van involved in the incident.

Two women arrested after man stabbed in Milford Haven property

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has confirmed that it responded to a report of a stabbing at an address in Precelly Place, Milford Haven, at approximately 6:30 am on Sunday (July 28).

The street was cordoned off in the early hours, following a violent incident that prompted a significant police response.

Officers remained at the scene throughout the day, conducting their enquiries. A resident of Precelly Place told The Pembrokeshire Herald, “I was woken up around 5am this morning to a commotion. An hour or so later, the whole street was lit up with blue flashing lights, and I saw the police closing the road off.

The police have confirmed that one man was taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be lifethreatening.

Two women, aged 24 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of Section 18 GBH (grievous bodily harm).

Both have been released on conditional bail as the investigation continues.

The police presence included detectives and a specialist forensics

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team, who were still on-site until late on Sunday afternoon. The police have been contacted for further statements regarding the ongoing investigation.

The incident has understandably caused concern among local residents, as the usually quiet street was disrupted by the emergency response. More updates will follow as the situation develops and further information becomes available.

Police appeal after ‘group of youths’ cause facial injuries in assault

OFFICERS in Milford Haven are investigating an allegation of assault that occurred Tuesday 25th June 2024, at approx. 3.30pm, on Steynton Road.

The victim was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths and sustained facial injuries.

Anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police

Pembrokeshire pensioners hurt by Fuel Payment cut

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves’s decision to cut pensioners’ entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments will hit Pembrokeshire hard.

Although the decision to meanstest the Payment appears superficially reasonable in targeting assistance to those most in need, the reality is that 18,000 pensioners in Pembrokeshire will lose an essential component of their household budget.

Their plight will be exacerbated by the high proportion of Pembrokeshire’s rural homes’ dependence on heating oil or LPG for heating.

During the General Election campaign and before, Labour said it would not cut the Winter Fuel Payment. The commitment lasted less than a month.

While Ms Reeves claims, with justification, that the public finances’ black hole is worse than expected, the cut to the Payment was a choice, not a necessity.

LIVING ON THE EDGE

The issue becomes acute when considering those at the margins of means-testing.

Although those in receipt of Pension Credit will receive the Winter Fuel Payment, which can be as much as £700, those getting the normal State Pension will miss out. Any arbitrary cutoff to an entitlement will affect some adversely. However, the difference between Pension Credit, which tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level, and the State Pension is tiny.

Pension Credit guarantees a minimum of £218.15 for singles and £332.95 for couples.

The State Pension for singles is £221.20 or around £440 for couples. The new state pension that applies if you retired after 2016 is less generous, with couples getting around £371 a week.

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

Two neighbours in identical properties with only slightly different incomes will be treated differently.

The annual payment made to a single-person household who only gets Pension Credit is £11,343.80.

The annual payment to a singleperson household who only gets the State Pension is £11,502.40.

If the Winter Fuel Allowance pays at £400, the pensioner who gets the State Pension is massively worse off because their income is fixed and their bills are not.

The difficulties are stark, especially for single-pensioner households in receipt only of the basic State Pension: heating or eating.

And those who depend on the basic State Pension as couples are not much better off.

PEMBROKESHIRE PENSIONERS HIT HARD

In Pembrokeshire, the absence of mains heating to many properties leaves many vulnerable to the movement of oil markets and the amount their suppliers have to pay for the fuel they sell them.

If oil prices rise, fuel prices will go up.

If oil prices fall, fuel prices seldom fall because of how the international oil market works by hedging its bets on future fuel prices.

It’s a Catch-22.

With the Energy Price Cap expected to rise to around 10% this October and stay high during the Winter, most energy bills will be almost double their level before the energy crisis.

That’s especially problematic in Pembrokeshire, where most homes are older, worse-insulated, and more difficult and costly to make fuel-efficient.

Fanciful plans to install new heating systems in Welsh homes over the next decade are unfunded, unaffordable and,

Spotted walking dog in contravention of court order

WHEN Joshua Jones-Rogers was seen by police officers walking a grey puppy along Clay Lane, Haverfordwest, they knew he was contravening a court order issued under the Dangerous Dog Act.

Jones-Rogers was issued with the order in 2015 after being found to be in possession of an out of control dog. The order prevented him from keeping a dog indefinitely.

But on January 24, 2024, officers watched him walking the puppy along Clay Lane, Haverfordwest before proceeding towards Castle Street.

The Crown informed magistrates that this was Jones-Rogers’ first breach of the Court Order since it was imposed.

The defendant was represented in court by Tom Lloyd.

“The ban was made not because he neglected his dogs or was cruel to them, but because his dog was dangerously out of control and bit somebody,” he said.

for the overwhelming majority of Welsh homes, wholly undeliverable.

LOCAL MSs CONCERNED ABOUT CUT

Local MS Sam Kurtz said: “We know that rural housing is more often older and less well insulated and that 1 in 5 winter deaths are due to cold homes.

“This decision by a callous Labour Government in London will only punish pensioners, who have contributed to society their whole life and force them to choose between heating or eating this Winter.

“Any Labour MP who agrees with this plan is actively taking money away from vulnerable pensioners.”

Mr Kurtz’s fellow local MS Paul Davies said: “I’m already receiving emails from constituents worried about their energy bills this coming winter given that the UK Government have announced that they will scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for over 10 million UK pensioners.”

The Presiding Officer has refused to accept an emergency question for the Senedd’s recall session on August 6.

The question, tabled by Andrew RT Davies, asked the Cabinet Secretary to make a statement on the impact of the UK Government’s decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments and set out what immediate work the Welsh Government will undertake to support them this Winter.

After the question was rejected, the Welsh Conservative leader said: “The 360,000 Welsh pensioners that will be denied winter fuel payments by Labour deserve clarity and action from the Labour Welsh Government.

A“Those Welsh pensioners affected would much rather know what support they will be receiving this winter now that Labour has denied them their winter fuel payments, as opposed to just watching the coronation of Baroness Eluned Morgan.”

“On this occasion, it was his partner’s dog and he was walking it on her behalf.”

Jones-Rogers pleaded guilty to contravening the court order. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £16 surcharge.

Defendant smashed ATM after it swallowed his card

A CKs shopper who saw red when the Hakin store’s ATM cashpoint refused to return his card lashed out his frustration by kicking the machine and damaging its screen.

This week Joshua Daines, 24, was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates where he pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the Notemachine.

“He was heard on CCTV saying ‘I’m going to punch the f*** out of it,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.

“He was seen walking towards the machine and kick it three times, causing damage to the screen.”

Ms Jackson said that a replacement screen had to be purchased at the cost of £320.15

“It appeared to be done out of frustration because the ATM had swallowed his card.”

This was endorsed by Daines’ solicitor, Fenn Richard.

“He went into the store at 7am as he needed baby milk and nappies for his child,” she said in mitigation.

“He put his card into the machine, it came out, but then the machine took it back in again.

“This made him frustrated and stressed, because he needed the items for his young baby. But he didn’t intend to cause any damage. He thought that if some force was given to [the machine], the card would come out. But in this particular incident, it didn’t work.”

Daines, of Croft Avenue, Hakin, Milford Haven was fined £40 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £16 surcharge.

The Mysterious Case of the WG’s Disappearing Ambitions

WITH a Labour government now safely secured in Westminster, Labour in Wales has been busily rowing back on the demands it made of the Conservatives.

Since it became apparent that the Labour Party was on course to win a UKwide General Election, Labour in Wales has quietly dropped several policies its politicians in Cardiff Bay berated Conservative Cabinet ministers over.

Labour sold out Wales on HS2 funding last year, as demands for billions disappeared as UK Labour went cool on the idea. During the General Election campaign, with little or no fanfare, the Welsh Government decided that the funding Wales would get from HS2 would be more likely to come in the hundreds of millions.

Now, it is likely to be nothing.

After making receipt of the Crown Estate’s Welsh revenues from leasing the seabed a key element of its muchvaunted Net-Zero Plan, the Labour Government in Cardiff Bay has decided its and Wales’s priorities are secondary to Westminster’s.

It’s as though, despite moaning about wearing a hair shirt under the Conservatives, Labour’s Welsh leadership is now reaching for one made of wire wool.

HOT AIR POWER

Cardiff Bay’s Labour Group has also gone very quiet on the devolution of the Crown Estate’s revenues in Wales to the Welsh Government.

The Crown Estate owns land and assets in Wales and also maintains rights to the seabed around the Welsh coast. In 2023, its Welsh holdings were valued at over £850m

The Crown Estate acts as a gatekeeper for any organisation or individual seeking to use or develop the seabed. It’s responsible for authorising diverse activities such as oil and gas pipelines, marine aggregate extraction, fish farming, and telecommunications and power cables. In addition, it holds the rights to the resources on the continental shelf, such as natural resources and offshore energy, but excludes fossil fuels

The UK government is responsible for oil and gas in the Welsh offshore, but the Crown Estate is responsible for offshore wind and waves.

As a result, it plays a fundamental role in the sustainable development of the marine renewable energy sector, which it describes as its “most significant activity” in Wales.

The Crown Estate remits 12% of its revenue to the UK Government and a similar proportion to the Scottish Government for its activities there.

When the Conservatives were in power, and at least until early 2023, Labour’s Senedd members would rage against the unfairness of being treated differently than the Scottish Government.

Now, there is almost silence from the

Senedd’s Labour benches.

A change of management in London has brought about a change in attitude in Cardiff.

It raises the question of how much Labour MSs’ outrage at the Conservatives was performative or grandstanding.

Only a short period into Keir Starmer’s administration, the answer seems to be “most of it”.

CHASING THE MONEY

The Crown Estate and its revenues might seem an abstract issue to be concerned about. After all, some of the revenue generated in Wales will be returned to the Welsh Government during the annual spending round.

However, what Wales gets back from the Treasury is a fraction of what the Crown Estate pays to Westminster.

And that’s important when you consider the value of the Crown Estate’s holdings in Wales, particularly as they touch upon the drive towards marine energy.

When you consider the value of

the Crown Estate’s holdings in Wales, it’s noteworthy that in 2019, their value was around a tenth of the current level. Moreover, the Crown Estate’s revenues have dramatically increased since the energy crisis. As an example of backward thinking, the massive increase in Crown Estate revenues led to the amount of money HMT got being cut from 25% to 12% of it.

In short, the Crown Estate is making a fortune in Wales, and Labour has no interest in securing Wales’s fair share of its windfall.

GREAT BRITISH ENERGY

Two weeks ago, in Port Talbot and amid great media hoo-hah, Labour’s new Government in Westminster announced it would launch Great British Energy (GBE).

As with all government announcements, the revolution was more apparent than actual.

GBE will not generate a single kilowatt hour of energy. Instead, it will support private investors in renewable energy infrastructure. GBE is just a subsidy mill.

The UK Government claims: “Great British Energy’s first major partnership

will be between two national institutions for the benefit of the British people.

“The Crown Estate, which has a £16 billion portfolio of land and seabed across Wales, England and Northern Ireland, operates independently and returns profits to the Government, brings long-established expertise to the partnership, and new investment and borrowing powers recently announced by Government.

“[GBE] will bring the critical strategic industrial policy that the state can provide, as well as its own ability to invest.

“The Crown Estate estimates this partnership will lead to up to 20-30GW of new offshore wind developments, including those off the coast of Wales, reaching the seabed lease stage by 2030, which is enough power for almost 20 million homes.”

Indeed, most of the planned offshore infrastructure in Wales will be off Pembrokeshire’s coast.

Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “We are quickly delivering on our pledge to set up Great British Energy, and Wales can now be at the forefront of this investment - building floating offshore wind, bringing down bills, and making the country’s energy secure.

“Wales has the resources and skills to be a powerhouse in cutting edge energy technologies and we will work alongside Welsh Government to create high-quality jobs in places like Port Talbot and boost the next generation of Welsh industry.”

The rhetoric of Labour’s Welsh Government over the last decade might lead one to conclude that GBE was nothing new - as this was what the Welsh Government had already achieved. Or maybe it hadn’t.

More importantly, the Great British Energy Bill, which will apply in Wales as much as it does in England, kills the idea of devolving Crown Estate revenues raised in Wales to Wales stone dead.

PLAID CALLS FOR PARITY WITH SCOTLAND

Plaid Cymru’s Westminster leader, Liz Saville Roberts MP, said: “North Wales has some of the highest energy bills in the United Kingdom with bills around £129 a year higher than the UK average.

“The UK Government’s investment plans largely rely on private investment, and they should clearly set out how this will benefit households in Wales over private companies.

“Devolution of the Crown Estate is also vital in Wales if we are to ensure that profits made from leasing land for energy projects are retained in Wales, as they are in Scotland.

“While new investment is welcome, the promise of £8.3 billion UK-wide public investment throughout the Parliament is not ambitious enough.

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

Jo says “No”: Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens turns back on WG policy aims

Powers must follow performance: Says Shadow Finance Minister Peter Fox

“At the General Election, Plaid Cymru proposed a Green New Deal that would have invested £6 billion directly in Wales to develop renewable energy projects, with a strong focus on community and local ownership.

“The partnership also leaves us none the wiser on Labour’s plans to save steel jobs in Wales.

“The future of steelmaking will be crucial for developing jobs in the renewable energy sector, and

the Government must make a clear commitment to protect steel jobs.”

BETTER DELIVERY BEFORE MORE POWERS

While agreeing that the future of steelmaking in Wales must be secured and that energy security is essential, the Welsh Conservatives oppose devolving the Crown Estate’s revenues to the Welsh Government.

Its opposition is less on principle than it is political.

As the Conservatives’ Shadow Finance Minister Peter Fox bluntly stated in a Senedd debate on funding for Wales: “We should not be distracted by looking to devolve additional powers to Wales, chasing matters that the vast majority of people in Wales do not care about, such as management of the Crown Estate.

“This Welsh Government’s record

Motorhome involved in three vehicle crash in Milford

Haven

THERE was slow moving traffic on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven on Wednesday (Jul 31) caused by a collision a motorhome and two other vehicles.

There were no serious injuries, and the road was briefly shut whilst vehicles were recovered by Millforge Recovery

A police spokesperson said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a three-vehicle road traffic collision on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, at around 12.15pm on 31 July.

“The road was closed whilst the vehicles were recovered. No injuries were reported. The road reopened at 2pm.”

Wind: Powering the Welsh Government’s green plans

Banned from driving for being twice over the limit

A MOTORIST has appeared before magistrates after being caught driving when he was over twice the drink-drive limit on two separate occasions within three weeks.

Stephen William Mabe, 52, was first stopped on June 23 after police officers received a report of the manner of his driving at Dwrbach, Fishguard.

“He had been seen driving erratically all over the road, he was driving on the wrong side, he nearly drove into bushes and he almost had an accident,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Dyfed-Powys Police then received an additional call from a member of the public who had welfare concerns for the driver.

Mabe was seen sitting in the driver’s seat of his vehicle. A roadside breath test proved positive, while further breath tests carried out at the police station revealed he had 95 mcg of alcohol in his system. The specified legal limit is 35.

On July 9, Mabe was listed to attend Haverfordwest magistrates court for the first hearing for his drink-drive offence. When he failed to surrender to court bail at the appointed time, officers spotted his vehicle, a Kia Sportage, in a car park at Plas y Gamil, Road, Goodwick.

“He was quiet and softly spoken and admitted that he’d been drinking the night before,” said Ms Jackson.

Once again he was conveyed to a police custody suite for further breath tests to be carried out, and these showed he had 94 mcg of alcohol in his system.

Mabe, of Ty Croes, Plas y Gamil, Road, Goodwick pleaded guilty to two charges of drink driving and a third charge of failing to surrender to court bail at the appointed time.

He was legally represented by Fenn Richards who said her client has alcohol dependency problems.

She said that his decline began with the closure of the Laura Ashely store in Haverfordwest, where Mabe had been employed as the store manager for 14 years.

“This had a devastating impact on his mental health,” she said. “Things got worse and led to severe depression, when he began selfmedicating with alcohol.”

Ms Richards said that Mabe has recently been referred to the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service and has begun reducing his alcohol intake.

Mabe was disqualified from driving for 36 months. He was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must carry out ten rehabilitation activity requirement days. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge.

Man ‘refused to attend’ rape court hearing

HAVERFORDWEST Magistrates’ Court was supposed to have been the venue for the initial hearing of Nathan John, a resident of Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, on July 23.

Mr John, aged 19, of Richard John Road, faces multiple charges which include include the creation of indecent images, multiple counts of sexual assault, and the possession of extreme

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

pornographic material. These charges cover incidents that allegedly took place between July and October of 2022.

He is being held in custody, and did not attend court because he refused to leave his cell at Parc Prison.

Mr John, represented by defence

Lorry full of hay catches fire on A48

solicitor Tom Lloyd, is accused of making an indecent photograph of a child on 30th July 2022. Further charges include causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in a penetrative sexual activity on 2nd October 2022, and the rape of a woman over 16 on the same date. Additionally, he is accused of possessing extreme pornographic images depicting acts with animals during the period from July to September 2022.

The courtroom, overseen by District Judge J Layton, heard that the complainants’ anonymity is protected under the Sexual Offences Amendment Act 1992. Prosecution counsel Abigail Jackson outlined the charges, and stressed the seriousness of the allegations.

Due to the fact the defendant had allegedly refused to leave his cell, the hearing was adjourned, and was rescheduled for a later in the week.

At the new hearing on Thursday, no pleas were entered, and the case was sent up to Swansea Crown Court.

A HMP Parc spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “The hearing was adjourned because Mr John refused to attend. It was rearranged and the hearing has now taken place.”

near Cross Hands

THERE was disruption on the A48 caused by a lorry fire on Monday evening. Fire fighters from several stations responded to the incident

A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “At 4.14pm on Monday, July 29 Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service from Morriston, Port Talbot, Carmarthen, Tumble and Llanelli Fire Stations were called to an incident along the A48 westbound, between the Pont Abraham and Cross Hands roundabouts.

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“Crews responded to an articulated lorry carrying approximately 44 tonnes of hay that was well alight.

“Crews utilised two hose reel jets, one 45mm jet, one turntable ladder used as a water tower, one highways telehandler and one water bowser. The hay and the lorry’s trailer were completely destroyed by fire.

“The final crews left the scene at 12.39am on Tuesday, July 30.

However, the drama was not over at that point. During the recovery of the vehicle in the early hours, it was discovered a large quantity of hay had reignited.

The crew from Pontarddulais Fire Station was called at 2.16am who proceeded to extinguish the fire as machines were loading the bales into lorries.

“Crew members utilised two hose reel jets, one short-extension ladder and lighting. The crew left the scene at 5.30am”, it was confirmed

Industrial estate live events venue plans backed by councillors

A CHANGE of use for a Milford Haven business unit to a live events venue has been approved, planners hearing the applicant had “jumped the gun” by previously operating it without permission. However the management have always said, and the council had confirmed, they did not need planning permission to run under a temporary events notice.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Steve Bartrum sought retrospective permission for a change of use for Units 4 and 6, Maritime House, Thornton Industrial Estate from a business unit to weekend leisure hall use, along with dedicated parking, ecological and noise mitigation enhancements.

A report for planners stated: “Whilst the agent has indicated a D2 [leisure hall] use the venue will host live bands, DJs, Bingo, boxing matches, live screenings for live sporting events, such as boxing and rugby and dance music events, the nature of some of the events are not considered to fall within a D2 Use Class and would be Sui generis (no specified class).”

It said the application had been amended since its initial submission for up to 25 events per year operating as late as midnight, with five special cases to 2am, along with exceptions around the Christmas/New Year period.

The report said the council’s planning enforcement team has an open investigation owing to the unauthorised material change in use

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

of the premises; an enforcement notice was served on April 25 on the grounds that it was considered the unregulated use of the building as an events venue has a significant detrimental impact on local amenity in terms of noise and disturbance.

A third-party representation was received in objection to the application, raising concern at the negative impact that noise nuisance has had, and will have, upon the lives of their family who neighbouring residents.

Following liaison with the council’s Pollution Control Team, the applicant and their acoustic consultant have

agreed structural noise mitigations “which can be implemented and a robust management plan for the control of patrons in and around the premises during events to ensure that noise is controlled so as not to adversely impact upon the local amenity,” the report said.

Speaking at the July meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harris said: “When we look at our business parks, I think their uses have changed over the years; we have a case of a building built after the Second World War looking a bit tired, after all these years.”

He added: “My client, quite a successful builder, saw there was a market for this sort of leisure use; he did jump the gun, he did start operating without planning, he’s learned from that

exercise.”

Mr Vaughan-Harris, who cited a letter of support for the amended plans from local county councillor Alan Dennison, said the applicant was “going to reuse an empty building and create some jobs,” adding a related licensing application was currently ongoing.

Approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, with fellow supporter Cllr Mark Carter saying: “No-one wants to see empty buildings in any town; I think we’re having to think outside the box; it’s possibly a good use for this building, in my mind it could be alright.”

The conditional approval was backed by the committee, members hearing the licensing application was likely to be heard in August.

Crymych mourns the loss of local rugby club legend

THE COMMUNITY of Crymych is in mourning following the death of John Barley, a beloved founding member of Clwb Rygbi Crymych, who passed away this week. John Barley, whose dedication to the club spanned four decades, was instrumental in shaping the local rugby scene and fostering a sense of community spirit.

John Barley was not only a founding member of Clwb Rygbi Crymych but also served tirelessly on the club’s committee until his recent retirement just last week. Over the past 40 years, John’s commitment to the club and its members was unwavering. Known for his mischievous smile and infectious laugh, John was a fixture at the club every weekend, spreading joy and camaraderie.

The loss of John Barley is a significant blow to the club and the entire Crymych community. His presence and contributions went far beyond the rugby field, touching the lives of many. The heartfelt condolences of the community are extended to his family during this difficult time.

“Mae Crymych yn dlotach heddiw ar ôl

colli un o’r goreuon,” the club’s statement read in Welsh, expressing the sentiment that Crymych is poorer today after losing one of its finest. The statement went on to highlight John’s tireless service and the joy he brought to those around him.

John’s dedication and spirit have left an indelible mark on Clwb Rygbi Crymych. As the club and community navigate this profound loss, they take solace in the legacy of kindness, dedication, and joy that John Barley leaves behind.

The Crymych community and Clwb Rygbi Crymych will continue to honour his memory, ensuring that his contributions are never forgotten. A memorial service is expected to be held in the coming days, where friends, family, and club members will gather to celebrate the life of a man who gave so much to his community.

For now, the club and its supporters remember John with fondness and gratitude, cherishing the moments and memories that defined his remarkable life. The rugby field and clubhouse will

to John’s family and friends during this time of

The

undoubtedly feel the void left by his absence, but his spirit will continue to inspire future generations of Crymych rugby players and fans.

Our deepest condolences go out

mourning.

impact of his loss is felt deeply across the community, a testament to the extraordinary man he was.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Charity receives £2,500 to bring most vulnerable together

PEMBROKESHIRE’S veterans, most vulnerable and disadvantaged will receive much needed support from The Veterans Community Gallery, a charity working to end social isolation.

The charity has received £2,500 in grants from Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme to fund hot meals and activities, as well as a minibus service for beneficiaries to attend events.

Beneficiaries will have the chance to meet new people and enjoy a hot meal in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock, ensuring they receive a balanced meal at least once a week.

The charity also offers a wraparound service with one-to-one welfare support and guidance, advocacy, and signposting.

CEO and founder, Barry John MBE, said: “We can’t thank the people of Pembrokeshire enough for their votes and Tesco for the grants.

“We work hard to create meaningful engagement, combat poor mental health and social isolation offering care and support to the ex-forces, reservists, and local communities.

“These grants from Tesco let us step it up another gear.

“Our users are often the most vulnerable in society for several reasons. Whether it be due to having mental health problems, living with dementia,

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

learning disabilities and more, they are often marginalised because of these characteristics.

“Offering a meal every Tuesday might be the only time some of the people actually get out of the house and having our own minibus will enable us to pick up people who would otherwise not be able to commute, to meet new people, try new activities and get together with others in the same position.”

The VC Gallery was founded by Barry John MBE after his 24 years of service in the Army. Due to his background and involvement in mental health work, Barry realised the need in the community for a space for people to come and socialise.

The charity currently has over 70 volunteers, many of whom have been supported veterans or in disadvantaged situations themselves.

Claire de Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “It warms my heart to know that there are people in the world who care so much about their community the way that Barry does.

“It is lovely to see that there is a space for everyone in Wales to socialise and meet new people.

“It can become lonely very quickly

no matter what your circumstances so charities such as The VC Gallery are incredible in what they do, playing a crucial role in helping to alleviate loneliness and ensuring that no one has to face feeling alone.

“The VC Gallery has been voted

To find out more about Tesco Stronger Starts go to https://tescostrongerstarts. org.uk/

for by Tesco customers in two different areas to receive the top grants available, which is testament to their work across Pembrokeshire.”

Local karate star Josh Whatling earns 2nd Dan Black Belt

HARD work and dedication have paid off for Milford Haven Karate Club member Josh Whatling, who was earlier this month awarded his 2nd Dan Black Belt.

Whatling, 21, endured a rigorous three-hour examination overseen by a panel from the Nakmas Karate Association. The examination tested his expertise in techniques, selfdefence, pairing work, and competitive sparring, all of which he executed with commendable proficiency.

A dedicated member of the Milford Haven Karate Club since the age of six, Whatling has a decorated history in the sport. He has claimed numerous Welsh titles and earned medals representing his country at the British Championship level. In 2023, he joined his club mates

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to represent Karate Wales at the World Championships in Dundee.

Kevin John, the club’s chief instructor, who is pictured above with Josh and Josh’s mum Sally, praised Whatling’s achievements and his standing within the karate community. “Josh is a model student and is well respected within the karate fraternity all around the UK. The students within the club think the world of him; he is such an asset to the club and a role model to the younger members who look up to him,” John said.

Looking ahead, the focus for Whatling remains on both domestic and international competition, with

aspirations to represent Wales at future World and European Championships. His recent success is a testament to his commitment and the strong support from his club and family.

A post on the Milford Haven Karate Club’s Facebook page celebrated Whatling’s achievement: “Last night Sensei Josh was presented with his 2nd Dan Black Belt certificate. Congratulations Josh. Thoroughly well deserved.” The post featured a photograph of Josh with Senseis Kevin and Roly, and his proud mother, Sally.

As Milford Haven continues to celebrate Josh Whatling’s success, his journey serves as an inspiration to all aspiring martial artists within the community. Team MHKC stands behind him, proud of his accomplishments and eager to support his future endeavours.

Canon John Davies’ celebrates his 50th anniversary of priesting

SAINT Katharine and Saint Peter’s Church in Milford Haven celebrated a significant milestone today as Canon John Davies marked his 50th anniversary of Priesting. The morning service on Sunday, July 28, was a momentous occasion, attended by many from the local community.

The service also featured a sermon by Fr Paul Davies, who, alongside Canon John, has been a profound blessing to the various parishes they have served over the years.

The church community gathered to express their heartfelt congratulations to Canon John on this remarkable achievement. The atmosphere was filled with joy and gratitude as the congregation celebrated the enduring dedication and service of both Canon John and Fr Paul.

St Katharine and St Peter’s Church expressed their pride and happiness in hosting such a memorable event, underscoring the positive impact both clergymen have had on the lives of their parishioners.

Congratulations.

MIKE EDWARDS

IT wouldn’t be West Wales if you didn’t get four seasons in one day. Take last Saturday, for example. My beloved and I set off to visit Cardigan for no good reason other than it’s there. We left our home in leafy Pembrokeshire. The weather was warm, and it threatened to become a scorching hot day.

By the time we got to Crymych, the sky was the colour of steel. We stopped for a snack and discovered a temperature more suited to February than midsummer, with a biting wind to match.

Undaunted, we drove onto Cardigan.

When we got there, it was like a balmy spring day: pleasantly warm, with a cooling breeze down by the Teifi.

Town centres are often described as “bustling”. You could not call Cardigan “bustling”. By the look of some of the buildings, it hasn’t been bustling since bustles were in fashion.

In Cardigan’s case, that could be as recently as 1990.

We went to the Market Hall, recently levelled up or some such, and took in the ambience.

The shops were carefully pitched at locals. If one assumes that what Cardis want most in their life are lovespoons that look like the Demon Whittler of Mydroilyn has produced them.

I can safely say that the various stalls and their wares were targeted at what, in Cardigan, can only be called “the tourist market” by optimists.

Gee-gaws, bric-a-brac, knick-knacks abounded. Doubtless, some tourists find it all very appealing. However, if you were a tourist, you’d be mad to go to Cardigan to buy tat when you can buy it nearer your caravan in New Quay.

It wasn’t all tat, of course.

There were some nice things among the knick-knackered fridge magnets and tea towels.

However, at the sight of the first sign of something that might be remotely classed as “new age”, my darling grabbed my hand and ushered me outside.

The healing power of mystic prunes has never appealed to the wife. I, on the other hand, am more open-minded/gullible.

I know, for example, that you can predict the future in a bowl of porridge. Scarf down enough oats for brekkie, and a painful bowel movement awaits a few hours later.

I told my darling one that in a moment of light-hearted badinage that involved her yelling at me while I examined a crystal pendant that promised to restore my youthful vigour.

She paused mid-rant and stared at me with what I can describe as “loving yet barely-concealed contempt”.

She leaned forward and whispered in my ear.

“Mike Edwards,” she tenderly hissed, “I’m not interested in a refurb. If I want another man, I’ll go for brand new!”

She stepped back and looked at me through narrowed eyes to make sure I got the message.

Signalling I understood her words, I nodded, smiled, apologised, put down the pendant, and followed her outside.

It was pouring rain with the sort of ferocity that suggested the land had insulted the sky.

I counted my lucky stars that my beloved had not spotted the mystic weather charm I’d bought a few minutes earlier.

Thrilling Pembroke County Cricket Club Under 13’s Final

IN a thrilling repeat of the Under 11’s final two years ago, Cresselly emerged victorious over Hook in the Pembroke County Cricket Club Under 13’s Junior League Final, held at Cresselly CC. This eagerly anticipated match lived up to expectations, showcasing a high standard of cricket from both teams.

Captain Charlie Holder of Hook won the toss and elected to bowl against Cresselly’s Phoenix Phillips. Hook’s bowlers started strongly, with Holder taking 2-5 and removing the dangerous Harry Broadhurst and Ieuan Prout. Rhys Tennick also contributed with tight bowling figures of 3 overs for 9 runs. At this stage, Ollie Toy (18) steadied the innings for Cresselly. Despite Mason Hughes (1-23) and Morgan Jones (1-23) making key breakthroughs, Cresselly’s Phoenix Phillips and Alfie Morgan turned the game with a decisive partnership. Both batsmen retired on 25, hitting three fours each, and helped Cresselly to a total of 112-4 in 20 overs.

Hook’s response began with Cody James (1-2) and Ollie Toy (2-2) quickly taking out key batsmen Olly Nutty and Rhys Tennick. Despite efforts from Charlie Holder (6), Joe Warrender (7), and Mason Hughes (6) to revive Hook’s innings, George Hughes’s exceptional spell of 4-6 decimated their batting lineup. Hook was eventually bowled out for 44, with additional wickets taken by Harry Broadhurst (1-5) and Alfie Morgan (1-4), and excellent fielding contributions, including a run-out by Phoenix Phillips.

The match concluded with a well-deserved victory for Cresselly, celebrated by a supportive crowd on a beautiful sunny evening. The ground looked immaculate, thanks to the hard work of the Cresselly team.

During the post-match presentation, Martin Jones, the Junior Organiser, praised both teams for their performances and the clubs for their robust junior programmes. He extended thanks to Cresselly for hosting the final and to Diane James and Ollie Arthur for

the BBQ. Acknowledgements were also made to the coaches, umpires Chris Stapleton and Steve Williams, and scorers Chris Holder and Haydon Shapcott.

Special thanks were given to sponsor Colin John of Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants for his ongoing support of junior cricket in the county. County President Trefor Evans presented the cups and medals, highlighting the achievements of all participants.

The Player of the Match award, sponsored by the Williams family in

Cresselly Team: Phoenix Phillips (C), Ieuan Prout (WK), Mari Cole, Cody James, Ollie Toy, Finley Rowlands, Jack Mears, George Hughes, Bobby Shapcott, Alfie Morgan, Harry Broadhurst. Hook Team:

Charlie Holder (C), Olly Stamp (WK), Olly Nutty, Morgan Jones, Rhys Tennick, Joe Warrender, Mason

Venue: Cresselly CC Sponsor: Colin John – Llewelyn Davies & Co Chartered Accountants

Umpires: Chris Stapleton & Steve Williams

Scorers: Chris Holder & Haydon Shapcott

Coaches: Christian Phillips, Grant James, Haydyn Shapcott, and Matthew Holder

Public reminded to stay away from Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay

THE PORT of Milford Haven is reminding members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay (sometimes known as the offshore jetty) in Pembroke Dock due to concerns over public safety.

Despite significant security measures, people continue to access the sites illegally, ignoring and sometimes damaging the onsite signage and fences.

Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven said: “Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves and members of our team at risk of serious harm by

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trespassing in these areas.”

“Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay are unsafe for public access. They are isolated areas next to deep water and are susceptible to slips, trips and falls.”

Both sites are owned by the Port of Milford Haven and are private property. Anyone found onsite without consent is trespassing, and any criminal damage could result in prosecution.

Anyone who sees any suspicious activity at Ward’s Yard or Criterion Quay is asked to contact Dyfed Powys Police on 101 urgently.

managing

memory of the late John Williams, was deservedly awarded to Phoenix Phillips for her outstanding captaincy and performance.

Hughes, Rowan Nickerson, George Wonnacott, Jac Llewellyn, Oliver Rowe. Additional players: Kian Flood, Callan Gibbs, Dylan Keen.

Peter Morgan was Pembrokeshire’s rugby hero and dedicated councillor

PEMBROKESHIRE is mourning the loss of one of its most distinguished sons, Peter Morgan, who passed away at 65 after a courageous battle with a brain tumour. Morgan, celebrated both for his prowess on the rugby field and his steadfast service to the local community, leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.

Peter John Morgan was born on January 1, 1959, at The County Hospital in Haverfordwest. From his early years, he exhibited a natural athleticism that set him apart. His talent shone brightly at the local County Secondary School, where he excelled under the guidance of sports master Peter Herbert. Herbert, himself a future fitness coach for Llanelli and Wales, recognised Morgan’s potential early on.

Morgan’s rugby career began with a bang, breaking into the Wales squad as a teenager. His versatility on the field was unmatched, playing in every three-quarter position for both Wales and the British Lions. His first Welsh youth cap came in 1977 at St Helen’s, Swansea, against a formidable France side featuring Serge Blanco. Despite a broken ankle curtailing his progress the following season, Morgan’s resilience saw him bounce back stronger.

Peter Morgan’s rise in rugby was meteoric. He was part of the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa, an experience that marked him as a player of significant promise. The tour was marred by controversy due to the apartheid regime, but Morgan’s performances were a testament to his skill and dedication.

Carwyn James, the legendary Lions coach, praised Morgan’s talent, lamenting

that he was underutilised during the tour. Morgan’s club career with Llanelli was equally illustrious. He famously captained the team to victory over Australia in 1984, a remarkable feat given the absence of several internationals preparing for a Wales test match. His partnership with Ray Gravell was lauded as world-class, and the victory over the Grand Slamwinning Wallabies remains a highlight in Llanelli’s storied history.

rugby success, Morgan was not one to rest on his laurels. He transitioned smoothly into local politics, becoming The Havens’ independent councillor for 16 years. His commitment to his constituents was unwavering. Known for his compassionate and pragmatic approach, Morgan served as both chair and vice-chair of Pembrokeshire County Council and was a key member of various committees, including planning and corporate governance.

Peter Morgan’s dedication to Pembrokeshire extended beyond politics. He was instrumental in modernising

the sea defences at Little Haven, a project that safeguarded the village against increasingly severe storms. His involvement in the local community was comprehensive, from running the family shop and post office in Little Haven to serving as an auxiliary coastguard and lifeboat crew member.

In his personal life, Morgan was a devoted family man. He met his wife, Helen, through his rugby career, and they built a life together in Little Haven, raising two daughters, Nia and Lowri. Despite his health challenges, including a stroke in 2012 and his battle with cancer, Morgan remained a pillar of strength for his family. His recent attendance at Lowri’s wedding, despite his illness, was a poignant testament to his enduring spirit.

Morgan’s contributions to rugby were recognised with the Sport Pembrokeshire Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. His impact on the sport was profound, not just for his on-field achievements but for the inspiration he provided to countless young athletes in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Peter Morgan’s life was one of remarkable achievements, from his early days on the rugby fields of Pembrokeshire to his later years as a dedicated public servant. His passing is a significant loss to the community he served so diligently, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide those who follow in his footsteps.

Peter Morgan is survived by his wife Helen, daughters Nia and Lowri, and grandchildren Seren and Dewi. The community extends its deepest condolences to his family, honouring the memory of a true Pembrokeshire hero.

Despite his

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Work begins on Portfield School redevelopment

CONSTRUCTION has officially begun on Pembrokeshire County Council’s latest school building project.

A ‘Turf-Cutting’ ceremony was held on Monday 29th July, at the site of Portfield School in Haverfordwest.

Held to mark the formal start of construction works, the traditional ceremony is thought to bring luck to the £28.8m project which is being funded by the Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, and Pembrokeshire County Council.

The redevelopment of the school, which will include the replacement of the current “lower school” building, and the refurbishment of the school’s sixth form centre, is due for completion in the spring of 2026.

Subsequently, the “lower school” building will be demolished to pave the way for a new children’s residential centre, along with a refurbishment of the adjacent Holly House Respite Centre.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, said: “Today is a landmark in the development of Portfield School.

“It is a timely reminder that in

partnership with Welsh Government, through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, we continue to invest in the future of our learners and our community, and in the context of this project, our most vulnerable learners.

“All our learners deserve the best provision we can provide, and I am grateful to the project team who have worked hard to bring this project to fruition, particularly during a period which has seen construction costs escalate due to national and global events. I look forward to the new facilities becoming operational in April 2026.”

The new facilities will include an array of specialist therapy rooms which will be compatible with the range of additional needs of learners, and a range of “safe spaces”, with flexible breakout and sensory spaces, and dedicated outdoor areas, all of which will provide appropriate stimuli or mitigation against the impacts of various anxiety triggers. In addition, a multi-use games area will be provided which will also be available for use by the neighbouring Waldo Williams Primary School.

Rob Williams, Area Director for contractors Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have begun work on the

redevelopment of Portfield School, an ambitious project which will deliver a modern special school campus for Pembrokeshire.

“We are grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council and all of our project partners for helping us to reach this exciting milestone, and look forward to seeing the finished building.”

Portfield School Chair of Governors, Mrs Samantha Lawrence, added: “From the extensive client engagement and the plans provided, this promises to become a fantastic

teaching and learning environment and will provide much needed modern facilities for a growing number of learners in this sector.

“Our thanks go to Pembrokeshire County Council and Welsh Government for supporting this project, and to the whole project team for the tremendous thought put into the site and buildings development so far, and for listening to us so that the best possible facilities are put in place for our learners; we simply cannot wait to move in”.

RNLI to trial operating Angle all-weather lifeboat from Milford Haven

RNLI to undertake trial operating Angle all-weather lifeboat from Milford Haven

This week signals the beginning of a six-month trial to operate Angle’s allweather Tamar class lifeboat across the waterway in Milford Haven, from the Port Authority’s jetty.

The charity recently announced that sustaining operations at Angle Lifeboat Station is becoming increasingly challenging due to its remote location and declining population. The lifeboat has already been operating from Milford

Haven three days every week thanks to an arrangement with the Port of Milford Haven. The RNLI is now extending this arrangement on a 24/7 basis for a trial period before reviewing the impact. This trial will run over six months.

Over recent years, measures have been put in place to enable Angle’s lifeboat to operate safely and effectively. However, as a charity, the RNLI cannot continue to support these measures long-term. The all-weather lifeboat was placed on a swing mooring to ensure it could be launched quickly and efficiently

in response to an emergency callout due to the limited number of shore crew with daytime availability at Angle.

Since 2012, a local operating procedure has been in place for Angle’s all-weather lifeboat to collect crew from Milford Haven when attending incidents to ensure adequate, safe crewing levels. The RNLI has recently provided extra support to crew based in Milford Haven, developing more infrastructure and dedicated training for volunteers there.

The RNLI also invested in additional

full-time crew at Angle to ensure the lifeboat could continue to operate. However, these arrangements are not sustainable long-term.

Ryan Jennings, RNLI Regional Operations Lead told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “‘This is not a decision that has been taken lightly but is necessary to enable the RNLI to continue to save lives to the best affect in the Cleddau Estuary and surrounding waterways. To ensure the long-term sustainability of lifesaving in the area, we are keen to undertake this trial and assess its impact. We will still require the services of the Angle RNLI volunteer crew and welcome any new additional crew; however, we continue to review the situation in order to ensure the longterm viability of the station.

‘The RNLI is committed to ensuring an effective lifesaving service in the Cleddau Estuary and surrounding area and is grateful to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support. We are committed to looking at ways of creating a lifeboat service, which is sustainable into the future. A trial at Milford Haven gives us the opportunity to explore this.’ Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, Mike Ryan, said: ‘We are fully supportive of the RNLI’s trial to operate from Milford Haven as we want to help them find a workable, long term solution that will benefit all users of the Waterway and keep everyone safe.’

The trial commenced this week and the RNLI will assess and review the results once complete.

Milford Waterfront celebrates local food businesses with weekender even

MILFORD WATERFRONT, has announced a new free entry event this August. Celebrating Pembrokeshire and West Wales’ local food businesses, the event has a spectacular line up of the finest food, drink, artisan products and entertainment.

The Milford Waterfront Weekender will be taking place on Mackerel Quay at Milford Waterfront, with views of the Milford Haven Waterway on the 10th and 11th August from 12-8pm both days.

Featuring a variety of traders and producers from Pembrokeshire and West Wales, the Milford Waterfront Weekender will have food on offer from the likes of Ty Milford Waterfront, Get Loaded, the Fudge Foundry and more!

Drinks and music will also be on offer, with a fully stocked bar from Martha’s Vineyard, and live entertainment through both days.

Visitors will also be able to explore the cafes, restaurants, unique boutiques and shops at Milford Waterfront.

Natalie Hunt, Destination Manager at Milford Waterfront said: “This is the ultimate event for food lovers! We are so excited to have so many traders and producers showcasing their amazing food with everything from Mexican delicacies to juicy smash burgers, fish and chips, and so much more!

explore new tastes or simply in the mood for a fun day out, this weekend promises to give you just that. We cannot wait to see everyone down at Mackerel Quay enjoying the food, drinks and music.

event will really highlight the creativity and talent within the community. This is the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and discover hidden gems.”

Whether you’re a foodie looking to

Not forgetting the other businesses at Milford Waterfront that will be open as usual through the weekend. This

To find out more about traders, timings and FAQ’s for the event, go to: www.milfordwaterfront.co.uk/milfordwaterfront-weekender.

Werndale Hospital Renews Sponsorship of Carmarthen Town AFC for 2024 Season

Werndale Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, can today announce that it will sponsor Cymru South side, Carmarthen Town AFC for the upcoming 2024/2025 season. Werndale Hospital will be supporting players, staff, and fans on and off the pitch, with having the hospital’s logo proudly displayed on the club’s away jersey.

Werndale Hospital’s decision to renew their sponsorship of the Carmarthen based club for another year reflects the close relationship built up over many years between the two community focused organisations. In addition to delivering an outstanding quality of care to their patients, Werndale Hospital is committed to promoting health and wellbeing throughout the community. Carmarthen Town AFC and Werndale Hospital both share a belief in importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle. This partnership reinforces that belief, while also supporting the development of local sporting talent which the club has been nurturing since they were formed in 1948.

Commenting on the partnership, Jacky Jones, Executive Director of Werndale Hospital, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Carmarthen Town AFC for a second season. We share the same values, and both want to do all we can to promote health and wellness within our community. Football brings people together, encouraging players and supporters alike to life healthy, active and fulfilled lives. We are proud to be a part of that.”

Werndale Hospital, located in Carmarthen, is one of the leading independent hospitals offering high-quality secondary care in South and West Wales.

Whether you are looking for services in the fields of orthopaedics, ophthalmology, general surgery, or diagnostics to name a few, we support thousands of patients each year, and are committed to delivering high-quality patient care.

When asked what the partnership means to the club, Keir McCumiskey, Commercial Manager for Carmarthen Town AFC, said: “Having the support of a local institution like Werndale Hospital

is incredibly valuable to us. Their commitment to the club over the years has been fantastic, and we are grateful for their continued partnership. This sponsorship not only support the team, but also highlights the strong community spirit that exists in Carmarthen.”

The players will debut the new away jerseys featuring the Werndale Hospital logo in the upcoming match against Caerau Ely on 6 August 2024. Fans can look

forward to seeing the team in action and showing their support for both Carmarthen Town AFC and Werndale Hospital. As the new season approaches, Werndale Hospital and Carmarthen Town AFC are eager to work together to achieve new milestones and successes both on and off the field. This partnership mirrors how both parties have the shared values of excellence, dedication, and community engagement.

St John Ambulance Cymru urges people of Wales to have first aid skills

SAINT John Ambulance Cymru

has launched a new campaign to illustrate the importance of first aid skills ‘just in case’ an emergency happens.

Through the campaign, the charity is urging the people of Wales to donate, volunteer or learn life-saving skills to support its mission of making first aid for everyone – anytime, anywhere.

As the first aid charity for Wales, St John Ambulance Cymru relies on volunteers giving up their time and donations from the people of Wales to carry out its lifesaving work.

With the charity’s volunteers donating over 60,000 hours each year to provide first aid cover for over 1,400 large and community led events across Wales, including the Principality Stadium’s raft of recent concerts, the ‘just in case’ campaign is a stark reminder that the charity is always there to keep the people of Wales safe, should an emergency happen.

As almost a million adults in Wales have not learnt CPR and 80% of cardiac arrests take place at home, the campaign also encourages the people of Wales to learn lifesaving first aid skills, either through a workplace training course or community training event.

Learning CPR with St John Ambulance Cymru can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved as 60-year-old Elaine Cooper from Treherbert is testament to, after saving her husband’s life using CPR just two days after completing a first aid course.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the first aid skills I learnt” Elaine said, “I was sceptical about doing the first aid course and I was thinking about missing it, but I’m so thankful I did

attend now. The whole experience was so scary, I never thought I’d have to do CPR on anyone, let alone a member of my family.”

While St John Ambulance Cymru is known for providing first aid treatment and training, it also provides ambulance transport, making over 28,000 patient journeys each year, and runs programmes for children and young people from the age of 5, helping to train the next generation of life savers.

One such young person is nine-year old Harley Metz, a member of St John Ambulance Cymru’s Aberdare and

Foundry Town Badger programme, who saved his mother’s life when she suffered a diabetic coma at home.

His mum Dana Metz said: “First aid is extremely important for kids to learn, because look what happened. If Harley didn’t go to Badgers he wouldn’t have the knowledge he has. He has been a Badger for a few years now and he absolutely loves it.”

Nichola Couceiro, Head of Communications, Fundraising & Engagement at St John Ambulance Cymru, said: “We’re delighted to launch our new campaign to remind

the people of Wales that St John Ambulance Cymru is there ‘just in case’ there is an emergency. First aid saves lives so the work we do is crucial in keeping the people of Wales safe.

“As a charity, we rely on volunteers, workplace courses, fundraising and donations to keep communities in Wales safe ‘just in case’ they need our support and would encourage the people of Wales to visit our website to find out more.”

To find out more visit www. sjacymru.org.uk

RCN urges immediate action on NHS Wales pay award

THE Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales calls for an urgent response from the Welsh Government to the recent announcement from the UK Chancellor of a 5.5% pay award for nursing staff in England.

Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales Associate Director of Nursing (Employment Relations),said: “Nurses are the backbone of NHS Wales, tirelessly dedicating themselves to the care and well-being of patients. Nursing staff in Wales deserve the same prompt action and recognition on pay as their colleagues in England. They should not have to wait any longer for the pay award that they should have received in April of this year.

“Their unwavering commitment, often under challenging conditions, ensures that the health care system continues to function. Despite long hours and emotional strain, the nursing workforce consistently provide skilled and compassionate care, demonstrating a profound devotion to their profession.”

“The respect of our nursing workforce, and by extension the quality of patient care, should not be sidelined. As a devolved nation the Welsh Government can decide to go above the recommendations of the

independent pay review body (PRB) for nursing staff in Wales which would go some way towards the pay restoration they committed to in last year’s pay award. “

“RCN Wales is adamant that any

pay award for NHS Wales staff must be fully implemented and backdated to April 2024. It is imperative for Eluned Morgan, as the future First Minister, to show leadership and commitment to nursing in Wales.”

Llandeilo Antiques and Vintage Fair has in a Nutshell, become a place to find and start your collections

T HIS popular monthly fair is held on the first Saturday of each month at the Civic Hall in Llandeilo. The next one will be held on Saturday 3rd August.It has been become a place where you can expect high quality antiques at affordable prices. There’s a huge variety of antiques , vintage and gardinalia to choose from and it has fast become a Mecca for the antiques enthusiasts.Set in the heart of this busy town , the Civic Hall is ideally placed, opposite the main carpark. There is such a diverse range on offer from quality jewellery, welsh pottery, textiles and art , to French brocante, postcards , small pieces of furniture and ephemera.

Sometimes it’s said that from small acorns , mighty oaks grow and that’s true in the area of collecting.You can start small and grow your collections slowly, improving on the quality and age of your items.Whether it’s coins, welsh pottery, postcards you gain so much knowledge and history from the area of collecting.

Whilst recently browsing around a local antiques centre, I came across a squirrel shaped nutcracker. It started me wondering about the many shapes I’d seen in the past, of this simple tool and how many designs were out there to collect.I was amazed to find there was a real history behind these simple tools.

When most people think of a nutcracker, they might picture the wooden soldier decorations for Christmas time, which have been around for almost 200 years. These were popularized by the famous ballet, “The Nutcracker”. While many of these nutcrackers are functional for cracking nuts, most are just for decoration. It’s interesting to look back on the many different forms of nutcrackers there have been produced over time.

Excavations of early civilizations have revealed nutshells that were probably broken by stones when too hard for the teeth to crack. Pitted stones used for cracking nuts have been found in various parts of the United States and Europe and have been dated back to the Archaic Period, 4,000 to 8,000 years ago. These nomadic peoples would camp near the nut trees when it was time for the nuts to fall. Kernels were eaten whole or ground to make flour or nut butters. While this method does work, it can be difficult to make sure you’re not breaking the nut kernel inside.

The oldest known metal nutcracker dates to the third or fourth century B.C. and is shown in a museum

in Tarent, Italy. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum shows a bronze Roman nutcracker dated between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. It was found in 1960 after being buried for over 1800 years. These early nutcracker tools were created in the form of pliers and worked like a modern-day plier to crack nuts and were often decorated with engravings. In the 13th century, the design changed to an iron lever model and took the shapes of different animals. To make the design more interesting, the nut was placed in the animal’s mouth and cracked in the jaw. This

may be where the idea came from for the modern soldier design. Brass nutcrackers became popular in the 14th and 15th centuries. At first these metal nutcrackers were hand wrought, but in later centuries, hot metals were poured into molds. England became famous for its brass production and produced many nutcracker styles, and the United States was known for its cast iron products. being referred to as nutcrackers. The brass designs were like the plier versions of the past, but with much better functionality. Wooden nutcrackers

with leather straps showed up in the 15th and 16th centuries and by the 17th century, the screw nutcracker was created.

The first wooden nutcrackers were simply two pieces of wood fastened together by a leather strap or metal hinge. By the 15th and 16th century, wood carvers in France and England were creating beautiful wooden nutcrackers. They used the wood from their locality, but preferred boxwood because of its fine grain and uniform color. Many of these delicately carved nutcrackers can be seen in the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.

In the 19th century, we finally see the iconic wooden soldier nutcracker , emerge from Germany. They were designed with a lever on the back to control the jaw of the soldier where the nut is cracked. Today many wooden toy soldier nutcrackers are manufactured in Germany to meet the demands of the many collectors in the United States. This interest is renewed each year by the many productions of the Nutcracker Ballet. Collectors can now find designs in the characters from the ballet as well as hundreds of other designs.

There are many other popular designs in other regions such as the brass crocodile, cast-iron squirrel, and cast-iron dog.

In the early 20th century, the spring-jointed nutcracker was invented by Henry Quackenbush. After the 1960s, the availability of pre-shelled nuts led to a decline in ownership of nutcrackers and a fall in the tradition of nuts being put in children’s Christmas stocking . While nutcrackers come in all different shapes and sizes, and are made with different materials.This is a simple area of collecting and quite affordable .

This monthly fair doesn’t disappoint and people are amazed at the quality on offer of genuine antiques with a good representation of silver, jewellery and interior design pieces plus the specialised interests of militaria, coins and postcards, gardinaliaa and tools.There will be also collections of vintage textiles and always examples of welsh blankets. You will also discover outside stands at the fair ,providing that exciting rummage that so many people enjoy.

.Refreshments will be available and ample parking can be found opposite the hall.Doors open at 10 am until 4pm. Admission is just £2 Dogs are welcome at the fair.

For more information follow Derwen Antiques on FB and Instagram , or go to the web site wwwderwen antiques.co.uk.

Sky & HBO’s whimsical dive into surreal comedy

HAMSTER nightclubs. Existential phalluses. Toilet dresses. Lawsuits against Santa Claus. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Fantasmas, a new HBO comedy that makes last week’s Olympics opening ceremony seem solemn. This six-part series is the latest quirky creation from Salvadoran-American comedian Julio Torres. It takes us on a journey through Torres’s imaginative mind, set in an alternative New York where buildings are replaced with illustrations, video projections, and open-walled soundstage sets.

The plot — as much as there is one — follows our hero’s quest to find a missing earring and a project that suits his unique skills. “I just sort of

Julio,” he says when asked what he does for a living, meaning he daydreams, muses, and “feel[s] the inner lives of shapes and colours and sounds and numbers and letters”. The series is filled with digressions and tangents, playing out as a collection of surreal sketches and random observations. Some sketches, like one where the letter Q is reimagined as a struggling avant-garde comedian (played by Steve Buscemi), show Torres’s whimsical side. These might make you think “WTF?”. Others mix eccentricity with sharp satire, highlighting the absurdity of everyday life — from bureaucracy to social media influencers, and from school bullies to sanitiser dispensers. The show also comments on the film and TV industry, poking

fun at how it claims to champion diversity but often falls back on stereotypes.

Standout skits include ones with A-list actors Emma Stone and Paul Dano, who mock reality TV and laughtrack sitcoms. Fantasmas goes against conventions and doesn’t try to be accessible or crowdpleasing. This approach is both admirable and alienating. Despite its creativity, the show can sometimes feel indulgent and hard to penetrate. However, there are also moments of poignant self-awareness, where Torres reflects on the challenge of embracing individuality in a world that constantly categorises and separates us. While this series isn’t for everyone, it’s noteworthy as a piece of work by an artist being unapologetically true to himself.

Sky & HBO’s whimsical dive into surreal comedy

HELL yes, this is going to be awesome!!” Warner Bros. has released the second official trailer for M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming film, Trap, which is set to hit cinemas this week.

The first trailer premiered in April, but this latest preview looks even more promising. The plot centres around a father, played by Josh Hartnett, who takes his daughter to a concert by a pop star, seemingly inspired by artists like Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga. However, they soon discover that the event is a trap designed to catch a serial killer. The twist? The father himself is the killer. But surely, that can’t be the only major revelation? It seems likely that Shyamalan has a few more surprises up his

sleeve that we haven’t seen yet.

The film’s cast includes Ariel Donoghue, Saleka Shyamalan performing as Lady Raven, Hayley Mills, and Allison Pill. The cinematography is handled by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, known for Call Me by Your Name, with a score composed by Herdís Stefánsdóttir. I am eagerly anticipating this release; it promises to be packed with clever twists, traps, and unexpected turns. Does anyone else feel a sense of nostalgia for JeanClaude Van Damme’s classic Sudden Death after watching this trailer?

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a new thriller from M. Night Shyamalan—Trap— featuring performances by rising

music star Saleka Shyamalan. The story follows a father and his teenage daughter as they attend a pop concert, only to find themselves at the heart of a dark and sinister plot.

Trap is both written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, known for his previous works including Praying with Anger, Wide Awake, The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, Signs, The Village, Lady in the Water, The Happening, The Last Airbender, After Earth, The Visit, Split, Glass, Old, and Knock at the Cabin, as well as the TV series Servant. The film is produced by Ashwin Rajan, Marc Bienstock, and M. Night Shyamalan. Warner Bros will release Trap in cinemas nationwide starting on 2nd August 2024.

Sunset Cinema brings Bohemian Rhapsody to the big screen in St Davids

THE TORCH THEATRE is bringing a special ‘Sunset Cinema’ outdoor screening of the Bohemian Rhapsody, certificate 12, to the Twr y Felin Hotel, in St Davids on Saturday evening, August10.

Bohemian Rhapsody is a footstomping celebration of the band Queen, their music and iconic lead singer Freddie Mercury.

Defying stereotypes and shattering convention, Freddie Mercury became one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary

sound. It presents a history of the successes, and the struggles, of the band which continues to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

Twr y Felin offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and nearby coastline on St Davids Peninsula. Bring your own picnic to enjoy while watching the sun set for a magical summer evening’s experience but no glassware is to be brought on site, food and drink can also be purchased from the onsite vendors, specially set up for the evening. Guests are advised to bring their own folding chairs, as no seating will be provided.

Gates open at 7pm with the film starting when light levels allow at around 9pm. Tickets are £10 per person booked in advance or £12 at the door; online bookings close at 5pm on 10 August. Ample parking will be available in the nearby Oriel y Parc (St Davids) Car Park, free from 7pm (charging period 9am – 7pm). Dogs are not allowed.

Book online at the Torch Theatre Box Office via the link or call 01646 695267. Stay the night and book a room at Twr y Felin, B&B starts from around £180 for two sharing.

This is an outdoor event so please check the weather forecast beforehand and dress appropriately. If it rains, the screening will continue and only be cancelled in the case of extreme weather, such as dangerously high winds.

Wild Swimming - an Exploration in Paint by Jane Boswell

The natural unpredictability of the sea in all its glory has inspired well known artist Jane Boswell to create a collection of paintings called Wild Swimming. Her exhibition of bold coloured works depicting the sea and rugged coast can be seen throughout August at the Joanna Field Gallery at the Torch Theatre.

Jane, a member of The Pembrokeshire Craft Makers and the South Wales Potters has exhibited extensively throughout Wales. A self- employed artist and ceramicist, her creative responses to place and time are deeply affected by the seasons and the annual cycle is a very instinctive part of her work.

“Defining my art is a journey into my soul and my relationship with the sea, and especially with wild and beautiful places. These responses to the world around me are intertwined with memory, both sensory and emotional through the tactile application

of paint, the manipulation of form, the use of colour and light, layered with the addition of words, poetry and mark-making,” explained Jane who graduated from Loughborough College of Art and Design with a B.A (Hons) in Fine Art Painting.

“Reflections on summer, bright blues, strong shadows, bold contrasts of dark and light can lose their impetus when in the depths of winter where the palette becomes a more subdued affair. A change of season is part of that coastal journey in both time and place. A bright colour against a dark shape, a moon over water, waves crashing on the shore, and again a peaceful still ocean, a house, rocks and high cliffs, boats and harbours, all become stored in my memory along with the other senses of taste, smell and sound,” added Jane who has current work at the West Gate Gallery in Pembroke and throughout the county of Pembrokeshire with Pembrokeshire Craft Makers.

Wild swimming throughout the year, no matter the weather, has gone global, having started here in Pembrokeshire with the Bluetits. Jane is one of those swimmers who has been inspired by what the sea has to offer, and this comes through in her paintings.

“My love of wild swimming has had a profound effect on my work in recent times, where I have explored the sensations of going into cold water, through application of paint, and through my choice of gestural marks and layers of colour,” said Jane.

Jane’s paintings are semi-abstract in style and are painted on wooden panels, canvas or paper using acrylics, mixed media, and recently, watercolour. These artworks express the joy, and deep connection she feels with the coast.

Jane added: “I enjoy a mystery of incompleteness within my work that is open to individual interpretation by the viewer, eliciting a response that allows a

spaciousness of thought, evoking other memories and other times, personal to them yet a journey shared through the pictorial image.”

Wild Swimming – an Exploration in Paint by Jane Boswell can be seen throughout August at the Torch Theatre during Box Office opening hours.

LADIES AND GENTS, picture this: one’s an agile field operative, the other a top-notch hacker. Together, you’re thrust into the year 2038, tasked with stopping the elusive Cypher in Clever Plays’ spy thriller, Operation: Tango.

This asymmetrical co-op adventure packs a punch with its mix of high-stakes and laidback multiplayer gameplay. Yet, despite a thrilling start, the tension fizzles out towards the end, leaving the latter missions feeling rather anticlimactic.

You and your mate become Angel, the slick field agent with an augmented reality monocle and infiltration skills, and Alistair B. Fleming, the quirky hacker with a cane and mad digital prowess. You’re both agents of the Tango organization, led by Anna Lundqvist, whose call center look might deceive you, but she’s your mission guide. The game focuses more on mission-based gameplay than on character backstory or development. With six missions to crack,

Angel and Alistair chase down Cypher, the digital terrorist. The narrative, delivered through stylish graphic-novel panels, stays light, emphasizing gameplay over deep storytelling.

The asymmetric design ensures each player’s experience is unique, which is both a strength and a reason for the limited number of missions.

Angel sneaks through facilities, hacks systems, and spies on targets, while Alistair, back at HQ, aids her by hacking into computers and guiding her through dangers via his digital wizardry. Some puzzles require synchronized teamwork, with thrilling highlights like Angel’s Mission: Impossible-style elevator descent and Alistair’s high-speed digital chase.

Despite the game’s spy thriller vibe, most of it is surprisingly relaxed, save for a few intense timed sequences that really get your adrenaline pumping. These moments, where quick thinking and rapid communication are key, are the game’s best, especially

Alistair’s exhilarating dark net dive.

The game’s short, roughly three-hour run is packed with fun and laughs, and the option to replay missions from the other character’s perspective adds replay value. Visually, it’s a vibrant, low-polygon 3D world with a jazzy soundtrack, evoking classic Bond films rather than modern gritty spy flicks.

The only voiced character is Anna, leaving most of the banter to you and your partner via ingame voice chat, which, despite a rocky start, works smoothly. Plus, only one player needs to buy the game, with a Friend Pass available for the other – a rare and welcome feature.

Operation: Tango captures the joyous side of espionage. Despite its weak plot and a peak that comes too early, the cooperative gameplay shines. Here’s hoping Angel and Alistair return for another round of worldsaving fun, because the world always needs more saving!

HOROSCOPES

ARIES What’s all the fussing and fighting about? You bring your muchneeded calm to the center of a fracas. Frankly, some people just enjoy getting in a tizzy, which is fine for them but not so fun for the people who have to deal with them on a regular basis. Fortunately, you’re ready to step in and save the day with a sense of perspective and a can-do attitude that makes mincemeat out of some mountainous tasks.

TAURUS

A certain amount of frustration may be present in your life right now, much as you would like to avoid it. Try to work solo as much as possible to duck any negative energy around you. You can actually turn this sense of discontent to your advantage. A situation that is using your last nerve as a jump rope might just force you to find a solution. Direct your formidable resources toward this and you’ll be sitting pretty in no time.

GEMINI

And there was much rejoicing in the kingdom. Which kingdom? Yours. The Universe has arranged for nothing but pleasant energy to circulate in the heavens above you, and it looks like the good feelings will be contagious. If you have an apology to extend or accept, now is the perfect time to get in touch with the loved one in question. Isn’t it time to make peace and get on with your life?

CANCER

You can’t help caring. It’s in your nature. So if someone asks for your opinion, warn them that it’s tough for you to be objective. All you can really offer are your feelings, especially if you’re involved in the outcome of the situation. At the very least, they’ll appreciate your honesty. At best, they’ll listen to what you have to say and maybe learn something from you too.

LEO Tired of spending, or should that be overspending? Or are you just ready for a new focus and a change of pace? Either way, you’ll be in a fine mood. And when you’re in a good mood, it’s contagious, making everyone around you happy too. Does this mean you’re ready to do some entertaining no matter where you are? Sure does. Prepare yourself for a grand entrance, and with a partner, no doubt.

VIRGO

Making mistakes is normal, so please, no beating yourself up for something that was an absolutely understandable misunderstanding. Nobody’s perfect, and what’s more, nobody should be. Otherwise, how would you ever get to have any fun in life? In the end, you may find that it wasn’t actually much of a mistake at all. Instead, it was more of a detour that took you on a surprisingly enriching and delightful path.

LIBRA

One thing you can expect right now is the unexpected! Remember all your carefully laid plans? You might have to throw them out the window if everything goes sideways. But before you start to panic, know that not all change is bad. Some change is necessary and can make your life better in the long run even if it doesn’t feel great while it’s happening. Just try to keep your sense of humor intact and meet those changes with a smile.

SCORPIO

You’re a firm believer that two heads are better than one, so put your money where your mouth is. The stars present you with someone out of your usual comfort zone, someone a little brash, a little zany, who’s just what the doctor ordered. Your collaboration won’t be peaceful, but it will be unusually fruitful and creative. If you question the wisdom of the relationship, don’t worry. It will enrich both of you and help you achieve remarkable things.

SAGITTARIUS

Who’s jealous? You? Believe it or not, you just might be. And if you feel guilty about working so much and taking time away from your loved ones, the attention that someone else shows them could be enough to stretch even the most open-minded, freedom-loving person past the breaking point. That’s if you’re not careful. But you’ll be careful. And more attentive?

CAPRICORN

You have a wonderful chance to revamp your image from the outer details to the inner. That goes double when it comes to matters of a financial nature. Keep a close eye on your wallet and accounts now. The same impulses that lead you to make changes easily might also lead you to spending money foolishly. If your credit cards are talking to you, maybe it’s time to cut them up or lock them away.

AQUARIUS

All the power is in your hands today. That means that if you see something you don’t like, you should do something about it. This rule applies to emotional issues as well as professional situations, so be prepared to have a heart-to-heart chat in order to smooth over a sensitive topic. To counteract any potential problems or conflicts, try to avoid whatever makes you uncomfortable or puts you in a negative state of mind.

PISCES

Are you being asked to commit countless hours to a difficult task in the workplace that you sure as heck didn’t volunteer for? Before you cross your arms and say no, think about it. Stepping up to the responsibility means that you might just end up in charge of a highly lucrative and satisfying enterprise. If you’re afraid you’re not prepared for such responsibility, don’t be. Trust your abilities. You’re ready.

WITH EDDIE THE gAME guRu

Thank-you readers for your nominations

AT the Pembrokeshire Herald, we’re thrilled to embark on a special mission to support and uplift our local businesses, all thanks to your enthusiastic nominations during our recent Facebook campaign!

Over the next four weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on these incredible businesses, celebrating their unique offerings and contributions to our community.

Supporting local businesses is vital for many reasons. When you shop locally, you help to strengthen the local economy by keeping money within our community. This not only supports business owners and their families but also creates job opportunities and encourages entrepreneurship. Local businesses often provide unique products

and services that you won’t find elsewhere, adding character and diversity to our area.

Moreover, local businesses are more likely to give back to the community. They sponsor local events, support local charities, and contribute to the overall well-being of the place we call home. By supporting them, you’re also fostering a sense of community pride and connection.

Every four weeks, we’ll introduce you to a new group of these local stars, giving you an inside look at what makes them exceptional. But that’s not all – after this initial showcase, we’ll continue the excitement by highlighting even more outstanding businesses. Stay tuned and join us in celebrating the heart and soul of Pembrokeshire’s vibrant local economy!

Badger and the Terrorist Threat

HELLO readers!

This week, Badger will touch upon Monday’s tragic events in Southport.

The murder and injury of young children is always an emotive subject.

At the time Badger writes this, three young girls are dead and more injured.

Their deaths and injuries resulted from an act of unspeakable evil.

The person responsible must face the full force of the law and spend the rest of their life removed from the public, whether in prison or a secure unit.

Badger will not prejudge the outcome of any future criminal proceedings until all relevant facts are known. He will also not comment on the alleged perpetrator’s guilt, innocence, or mental health until all relevant facts are known and the issues arising from them are examined.

It would be nice if our lawmakers would observe the same restraint. However, too many of them are oafish loudmouths who dress their racist and publicity-hungry reflexes up with outrage and “common sense”.

The problem with common sense is that it is in bloody short supply for something supposedly common. It’s like common decency: harder to locate than feathers on a shark.

Badger was listening to one of his favourite bands the other evening. One of their songs inspired the title of this article.

Badger does not believe that many people are DELIBERATELY racist. There is a distinction between those who set out to stir trouble between “the English/Welsh/Scottish/Irish” and those from different ethnicities and religions and those who are instinctively nationalist and nativist. In the first instance, racists stir and foment conflict to further their agendas. Like Tommy of the Many Aliases and Convictions, those people are criminal scum.

In the second, Badger understands that human nature is to fear others and treat them differently from those in the peer group with which you identify. The long view of humanity and human society provides sufficient evidence to support Badger’s contention. Anyone who pretends any differently is - bluntly - a moron.

Expanding on that second point, Badger goes one step further: the role of government is not to legislate people’s thoughts but to circumscribe their actions. Trying to compel people to THINK a different way is counterproductive to inter-community harmony. Actions matter.

A person who thinks Blacks/Asians/ Jews/Muslims/Roma are second-class citizens is a bigot. So is someone who thinks they are superior to others based on their national or religious background. But that is thought.

Badger cannot condone that, but he can understand it.

He does so not from a position of superior Olympian detachment. He understands it because he is also a product of his background and upbringing. He empathizes, to an extent, but cannot sympathize.

A person who firebombs mosques, churches, or synagogues or incites violence against others using words or deeds commits a criminal act. And, as criminals, they must be punished by the law for what they have DONE.

Racists are not only white. Racists are not only Christians. Racists can be black/white/brown/Jewish/Muslim/ Buddhist or sky-blue-bloody-pink.

Again, the long view of humanity and human society provides sufficient evidence to support Badger’s contention. Anyone who pretends any differently is - bluntly - a moron.

Badger has become increasingly concerned about how racists try to

frame a narrative.

Look at the incident in Southport.

Within an hour of the tragedy, the people Badger describes above as “racist scum” populated social media with a string of posts - all factually inaccurate - about the alleged perpetrator’s status as a supposed “immigrant”.

The suspect was born in Cardiff and has lived in Southport for the last eleven years.

Those are facts. That is the truth.

The truth is that THE TRUTH is almost beside the point once voices of hate and intolerance start howling their ignorance into the internet.

They do so as a dog whistle to those in the second category: those fearful and angry.

Badger is concerned about the rise of the politics of fear and hate, specifically the increase in the number of fearful and angry people.

Many of us go through life with a gaping hole caused by trauma, isolation or shame, and we find healthy and unhealthy ways to fill it.

Harbouring grievances—whether they stem from real or perceived offences—actually makes people feel good. It provides an outlet for their negative emotions.

The pandemic unleashed a perfect storm of conditions. Mass Covid lockdowns and the restriction of people’s liberties and activities fueled mistrust in governments.

Not just in THE government in particular but in government as a concept.

Citizens’ trust in institutions and democracy was on the wane long before the pandemic struck. Nevertheless, the specific challenges Covid presented pushed people back on themselves and denied them the social interactions that knocked off their rough edges.

People were stuck at home, endlessly scrolling the internet for information and trapped in a cycle of bad news getting worse. Social media algorithms primed more and more people to travel further down the dark reaches of the internet.

Vulnerability to conspiracy theories has to do with life experience. The last forty-odd years of social and economic decline in the UK produced injustice and inequality that hold wide swaths of people in a chokehold, limiting their options to transform their lives.

Conspiracy theories provide adherents with the feeling of being right and of being needed — and that feeling is an intoxicating drug.

As people become more committed to conspiracy beliefs, they become more isolated from others. It is a natural human response to seek company, preferably the companionship of others just like you. Thus, those who respond to conspiracy theories seek out those with similar beliefs.

At the fringes of those beliefs lurk those who prey upon others’ fears. They mould and indoctrinate those seeking affirmation and an outlet for their fear and anger. They encourage fearfulness and hatred to radicalize their victims.

That phenomenon—or something like it—has existed for millennia and is not confined to Western democracies or even democracies.

Mankind is the species that makes myths and fairy tales. The dark side of myths is when they are treated as reality.

As an ironic conclusion, Badger finds it a touching affirmation of multiculturalism that those who espouse white supremacy and (LOL) Christian nationalism have taken their lead from the Islamic extremists they claim to despise most.

Recruit and radicalize. It’s what terrorists do.

Kamala takes flight: Excitement as Harris outmaneuvers Trump

SQUAWK! A funny thing happened after Joe Biden flew the coop in the US presidential race and Kamala Harris swooped in to take his place: a tidal wave of excitement washed over the campaign! This wasn’t just flapping for the sake of it. In the 48 hours after Harris became the Democrats’ top bird, donations soared past $100m and voter registrations shot up by 700%! It was electrifying – like watching a gull find a prime spot for chips at the beach.

The strangest part – aside from the sense of witnessing history in flight –was how quickly folks adjusted. It was like squinting at one of those tricky Magic Eye pictures or a mind-bending MC Escher drawing. Nothing about Harris had really changed since her 2020 run. She still had her awkward moments, and her political stance wasn’t crystal clear. But next to Biden’s tough exit, Harris’s youthful energy and clarity made you want to caw with joy. Suddenly, what made some left-wing birds wary of her now seemed perfect to take on and defeat Trump.

And oh boy, did Trump’s flock sense the shift. Their attempts to counter Harris have been pure comedy – a lot of squawking and flapping with little effect. Trump quickly labeled her “crazy,” “nuts,” and “dumb” – classic Trump, right? But even his back-row supporters must be getting wise to these recycled attacks. His wingmen weren’t much better. John Kennedy, a Republican senator from Louisiana, called Harris “a bit of a ding-dong” on Fox News – American for a silly bird. The remark was so embarrassing, even the Fox host had to push back.

The attacks are bound to get nastier and more personal. But from the first 10 days of Harris’s candidacy, the Republican machine seems to be struggling to find a solid way to peck at her. JD Vance, who’s as appealing as a seagull on a rainy day, had to defend past remarks about Harris not having children. (She’s a stepmother of two, mind you.) His mockery fell flat, making him look like a Victorian ghost ready to call her a “spinster.”

Why don’t these attacks land? It’s Harris’s profile. Trump’s go-to move with female opponents is sexual

humiliation. He did it with E Jean Carroll, dismissing her with a “not my type,” and even did it to her lawyer during a deposition. With Hillary Clinton, he cast her as a frumpy ex, and with Elizabeth Warren, a dried-up librarian.

But this doesn’t work with Harris. By Trump’s own metrics, she’s too young, too polished, too high up the pecking order. Trump, two decades her senior, looks like the old gull picking crumbs from his vest, while Harris is the sleek attorney general of California in heels, telegenic and centered. When Trump calls her “a radical left lunatic,” he sounds ridiculous.

While Harris hasn’t always been the most assured politician, she seems to know how to handle Trump instinctively. With a smirk that outshines Clinton or Warren’s serious debates, she meets Trump at his level and states the obvious: “These guys are weird.” It works because it’s true, and because she’s doing the one thing Trump can’t stand: she’s laughing at him.

So keep your eyes on the sky, Pembrokeshire! This race is heating up, and Harris looks ready to soar. SQUAWK!

Charity in appeal for fosterers across Wales

THE DOGS TRUST and Cats Protection issue urgent appeal for fosterers across Wales to support pet owners fleeing domestic abuse

Appeal comes as Freedom and Lifeline projects mark 20th anniversary Two specialist fostering services that support pet owners fleeing domestic abuse have issued an urgent appeal for more volunteers to come forward across Wales and open their homes to pets in need after experiencing an increase in demand for their services. This appeal comes as Freedom, managed by Dogs Trust, and Lifeline, managed by Cats Protection, mark 20 years of supporting pets and their owners fleeing domestic abuse. Since the services launched two decades ago, over 4,500 dogs and cats have been supported, enabling thousands of survivors to get to safety knowing their beloved pet would be safe too. Both schemes launched in partnership in 2004 due to emerging research at the time highlighting the link between domestic abuse and animal abuse, combined with the majority of refugees being unable to accept pets. Since then, the two leading dog and cat charities have expanded their services significantly and continue to work closely together to provide temporary foster homes, enabling their owners to access safe accommodation without the fear of what may happen to their pet if left behind. However, over the last 12 months, both charities have seen an increase in demand and have issued an urgent call for more volunteers to come forward to provide temporary foster homes for cats and dogs until they are able to be safely reunited with their owners. This vital service can only be offered through the incredible support of the Lifeline and Freedom volunteers who open their homes and hearts to pets who are at risk. All volunteers are fully supported by the experienced Lifeline and Freedom teams who will provide everything the pet will need throughout their stay, including organising photos and updates for the pet’s owner on how their pet is doing, ensuring that they still feel connected despite their

short time apart. Confidentiality is key for these services and no foster carer details are shared with the pet’s owner, and viceversa. Dogs Trust Freedom and Cats Protection Lifeline cover all the costs involved in caring for the animals, so volunteer foster carers get to experience all of the benefits of having a pet in their home with none of the financial implications.

The support of Freedom and Lifeline is vital as many refuges and emergency accommodation providers are unable to accept pets. In fact, the results of a survey conducted by Cats Protection* revealed 90% of domestic abuse professionals surveyed also said that, in their experience, having a pet had been a barrier to someone experiencing domestic abuse getting to safety.

Further to this, research by Dogs Trust** found that pets are often abused and, in some cases, killed by the perpetrator of domestic abuse in order to control and coerce. In addition to the physical abuse that pets may suffer, 97%* of professionals working in the domestic abuse sector also said that animals are often used as a means of controlling someone experiencing domestic abuse.

Annika is one of the people supported by Dogs Trust’s Freedom scheme. “Both me and Jake were suffering domestic abuse on a daily basis. The level of violence was extreme; it was physical to the point that I was punched and kicked but also, he was controlling and would

emotionally abuse me.

“I’d had Jake from just a few months old and he was like my baby, he’d follow me everywhere. After a while my perpetrator realised that if he couldn’t get to me, he would harm Jake. Jake was also punched, had wood broken over his head, he’d get picked up and thrown against cupboards. “There were times when I tried to leave but this would be when the levels of physical violence would escalate and end really badly for me. I knew that if I left without Jake, it would end very badly for him too. He made threats to say that if I ever left that he would kill Jake or let him roam out on the streets. “I contacted a domestic violence helpline and I was given a safeguarding social worker, so both my care coordinator and social worker wanted me to leave straight away, but I couldn’t without Jake. I wasn’t going to leave without him. This was when the social worker told me about Freedom. “I want to say a massive thank you to the volunteers who make this service possible. It’s fantastic what they do, it enabled me and Jake to leave a really awful situation and if they weren’t there, I don’t know what I would have done.” Laura Saunders, Freedom Manager at Dogs Trust, said: “We’ve seen firsthand the ways that perpetrators use dogs to coerce, control, physically harm and threaten as a tool to maintain power and control over their victim. This is incredibly frightening for survivors

and is often aimed to leave people isolated. “By offering this service, we are able to support survivors to access safe accommodation with the reassurance that their dog will be taken care of until they can be reunited. “However, we are busier than ever and now need more volunteers to open up their hearts and homes and provide temporary foster care so that more people can flee domestic abuse, knowing their much- loved pets will be looked after until they are safely settled.” Amy Hyde, Lifeline Service Manager at Cats Protection, said: “Over the past 20 years, we have been proud to support so many survivors and their beloved pets, who mean absolutely everything to them. Sadly though, demand for our services is only increasing and now more than ever we need more volunteers to step forward and join our fostering teams. “Fostering comes with so many benefits. There’s absolutely no cost and it’s perfect for anyone who would like to enjoy the company of a pet without the longterm commitment. Ninety- five per cent of our foster carers tell us that fostering with Lifeline has had a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. While it may be emotional to say goodbye when the survivor is safe and ready to take their pet back, it’s incredibly rewarding for fosters who know they have supported a pet and their family to get to safety, at a time when they so desperately need support.”

Buzzing about bugs in Pembrokeshire

British Bug House, Insect Farming Exhibition, Farm Trails and a Walled Garden.

During his visit, the Cabinet Secretary had the opportunity to see how Welsh Government investment from the Nature Networks Fund and Local Places for Nature funding has been used to run its Connected Commons & The Centre for Nature Recovery project.

The project is aiming to plug the gaps in the fragmented habitat corridor across the St Davids peninsula to strengthen the resilience of its network of protected land.

wonderful web of food, farming, research and conservation to promote biodiversity and nature recovery.

“It was fascinating to learn more about the importance of British dung beetles that are sadly in decline. They play an essential role in reducing dung on pasture. Dung beetles and other dung invertebrates fertilise and aerate soils naturally as well as reducing greenhouse gases.

“Thanks so much to everyone at Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm – what a great place to visit.”

The Cabinet Secretary also had a sneak peak of the pollinator trail which is being relaunched this year. The St Davids Pollinator Trail led to St Davids being designated as Wales’s first ‘Bee Friendly’ city.

Located near St Davids, Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm is an innovative and unique research and visitor centre, farm and nature reserve which has a Tropical Bug Zoo, Bug Museum,

DURING a recent visit to Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies had an opportunity to learn more about the wonders of bugs, the role they play in our lives and what humans can do to help them.

The Cabinet Secretary, said: “It’s been wonderful to visit Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm which is so focused on nature recovery, we can all learn from what has been achieved here. Everything comes together here in a

Dr Sarah Beynon, Founding Director, said: “It was fabulous to show the Cabinet Secretary our work with farmers, vets and conservation bodies to connectup wildlife habitat here on the St Davids peninsula. We have a fantastic opportunity for this work to be used as a case study of innovative and collaborative nature recovery solutions that fit alongside sustainable food production. We look forward to welcoming visitors to The Bug Farm to see this project in action”.

The royal welsh show 2024 came to a spectacular close

The Show ended after four days of agricultural excellence, innovation, and community spirit.

This year’s event, which opened on Monday, July 22, attracted an abundance of visitors, exhibitors, and participants, reinforcing its position as one of the premier agricultural shows in Europe.

The Welsh Government and Wales’s farming unions announced new initiatives for the year ahead and hosted key debates on Labour’s Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Over 200,000 visitors attended the Llanelwedd Showground, highlighting the event’s ever-growing popularity and significance in the agricultural calendar.

WELCOME RETURNS

This year saw the return of the Horticultural section to the Show with its very own dedicated area, the Horticulture Village, which proved exceptionally popular with visitors.

Assistant Honorary Director of the section Adam Jones, popularly known as Adam yn yr Ardd, was thrilled by the visitors enjoying the area and reflected

that: “The most important element of the show is the people.”

The launch of the new area at the Show has given Welsh Horticulture an international stage to promote its produce and successes.

2024 also welcomed the return of the Poultry and Pigeon section after their enforced absence due to Avian Flu outbreaks.

Exhibitors, stewards and volunteers were delighted to see the section bustling once again with visitors viewing the Poultry and Pigeon’s being exhibited.

The Pole Climbing in the Forestry Section also returned this year and was

welcome by excited visitors.

Chief Executive Aled Rhys Jones said: “This has been the year of the poultry, plants and poles!”

He reflected on an excellent Show and expressed gratitude to all of the visitors, exhibitors, volunteers, trade stands and sponsors who made the event such a success.

This year’s featured county was Ceredigion, led by their President, Mr Denley Jenkins. He, his wife, Mrs Brenda Jenkins and 2024 Ambassador Esyllt Ellis Griffiths had an exceptionally busy week, with various launches, award ceremonies and receptions to attend.

THE ROYAL Welsh Show 2024 came to a spectacular close on Thursday, July 25.

Mr Denley Jenkins reflected: “There can be fewer greater privileges in life than being elected President of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.”

The Show fondly became known this week as ‘Sioe’r Cardis’.

The main ring attractions proved as popular as ever with the return of the JCB Dancing Diggers, a Heavy Horse Display, the ever-loved Tristar Carriage, Black Mountain Falconry, the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team and the return of the Quack Pack.

The Grand Parade of Prizewinning Livestock on Wednesday and Thursday was, as always, a sight to behold.

During Thursday’s Grand Parade, Chair of Council Nicola Davies said: “The standard of stock this year is sensational!”.

This year’s Show also celebrated the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, which was celebrated with a specially commissioned Main Ring display by this year’s Feature County, Ceredigion.

The Regimental Band closed this year’s Show, entering the main ring for the final time under a Guard of Honour formed by the Dancing Diggers.

KEY WINNERS

Supreme Champion Dairy Cow

Judged by Mr Michael Gould Dulais Lustre Silver – owned by Messers Davies, Haines, Jones, Sercombe and Yates

Supreme Beef Champion

Judged by Mr Steve Edwards Maraiscote Tangerine – owned by G&S Harvey

Supreme Horse Champion

Judged by Mr Richard Johnson OBE

Stockdale Black Prince – owned by Jodie Phillips

Fitzhugh Championship – Dairy

Judged by Mr Alan Timberell Holstein Pair – Dulais Lustre

Silver property of Davies, Haines, Jones, Sercombe & Yates and Nethervalley Awesom Rosanne

Red from Hefyn Wilson

Fitzhugh Championship – Beef

Judged by Mr Charlie Boden Limousin pair – Maraiscote Tangerine from G&S Harvey and Garrowby Tarzan from R&J Graham

Marks & Spencer Team of Five – Dairy Breeds

Judged by Mr Alan Timbrell

A team of Holstein cattle owned by Davies, Haines, Jones, Sercombe & Yates, David Jones and Hefyn Wilson

Natwest Team of Five – Beef Breeds

Judged by Mr Bernard Llewelyn

A team of Shorthorn cattle owned by James Dickinson, M.R. Souter and Mary Cormack

2024 Queens Cup

Judged by Mr Malcolm James Welsh Black Champion –Gwarcwm Macsen, owned by D.

Sheep Champion of Champions

Judged by Mr John Sinnett Suffolk, owned by Arnold Oare

Pig Supreme Champion

Judged by Mrs Sharon Barnfield

Welsh – Clowen Model 42, owned by Julian Collings

Goat Supreme Champion

Judged by Mr Adrian Bull Ballingall Roxy, owned by Beth Fairley

Poultry Best in Show Paul Tucker

Pigeon Best in Show Jamie Vaughan

Pets Best in Show Tortoise owned by Cai Barnard

Floral Best in Show The Dewel Garden – Delyth Price

WAW, what a week it was! Between the Royal Welsh Show, our President’s Reception and all the goings on in Cardiff Bay, it’s been one mighty week of activities here in Wales. There’s never a dull moment in politics, and it certainly proved to be the case last week.

But firstly, if you didn’t attend the ‘Sioe Fawr’ in Builth, then, no doubt, you followed the activities on TV, radio and social media. I’m delighted to say that we played our part in all three outlets by offering the Presidential team, members and staff to participate in sharing the story that is one of the best we have, Welsh farming. I’m sure many of you saw and heard more of the show’s events and activities than the team who actually worked at the FUW’s pavilion on the Showground during the week. But that all comes with the territory.

The hive of activity in the pavilion was testimony to the planning, hard work and graft of the FUW team. FUW goodies and competitions drew in the crowds, with members, friends and colleagues gathering for a cup of tea, a well earned rest, some cake and coffee and a general catch up. The chatting and camaraderie was as great as ever, and the sense of community in the pavilion all week was a delight to watch from a distance. There were certainly tired bodies at the end of the week as we cleared and packed away the show furniture for another year.

Talking of which, the show season is not over yet so make note of the following regional shows and the dates:

Sioe Môn / Anglesey County Show, Tuesday and Wednesday, 13 & 14 August 2024 Sioe Sir Benfro / Pembrokeshire County Show, Wednesday and Thursday 14 & 15 August 2024

Sioe Dinbych a Fflint / Denbigh & Flint Show, Thursday 15 August 2024

Usk Show, Saturday 14 September

But before then, pop in to see us at FUW’s stand at the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod next week. Situated at Ynysangharad Park in the centre of Pontypridd, the town itself also plays host to this year’s national cultural event. We’d be delighted to see you there and as usual a paned will be on offer!

Back to last week, the

President, Ian Rickman’s annual event at the Showground on Wednesday proved to be a great success with members gathering to enjoy and celebrate another busy year for the FUW. The reception is also an opportunity for the FUW to acknowledge the contribution of individuals to the agricultural sector here in Wales. We were therefore delighted to honour the following worthy winners at this year’s event and offer them our thanks and appreciation for all that they have done for Welsh farming and the FUW:

The FUW Award, for outstanding contribution to Welsh agriculture within the sector went to Dr Nick Fenwick, our former Head of Policy The FUW Award, for outstanding contribution to Welsh agriculture outside the Union was presented to Rhys Beynon-Thomas, a brilliant vet with Prostock Vets, Carmarthenshire.

The Bob Davies Award in memory of the Farmers Weekly Wales correspondent was presented to Enid and Wyn Davies of Capel Isaac for their brave and courageous decision to share the horrifying impact of TB on their dairy herd with S4C programme, Ffermio.

The Meurig Voyle Cup presented to the staff member who has shown commitment, loyalty, support and enthusiasm for the FUW and / or FUW Insurance Services Ltd went to Peter Davies, former Carmarthen County Executive Officer and subsequently FUW’s Administration Manager.

From the dizzying heights of our award winners we conclude with the ups and downs of Welsh politics. During show week, we attended and represented Union members at nearly 150 meetings and seminars. Many of these included Welsh and Westminster politicians.

By the 6th of August we will have a new First Minister (and Deputy) but until then we congratulate Eluned Morgan, as the new leader of Welsh Labour. Our plea as an Union remains the same - let’s continue with the steady and committed work programme to get the Sustainable Farming Scheme to work for all our farmers. At this point a degree of stability and continuity within the Rural Affairs portfolio would be appreciated.

Huw Jones

MOTOR s

These 7 Car Modifications are illegal in the UK

As Stormzy pleads guilty to driving a Lamborghini with illegally tinted windows, private plate supplier Regtransfers warns drivers to be aware of these illegal car modifications.

British rapper Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Junior, has pleaded guilty to driving a Lamborghini Urus with an illegal window tint.

The legal standard for window tint is that at least 70% of light be allowed through, but Stormzy’s ride was determined to let barely 4% through, posing a “danger of injury”.

Car modifications have become increasingly popular among enthusiasts and young drivers eager to personalise their vehicles, but some modifications may make your vehicle illegal to drive on UK roads. The UK government enforces tight laws to ensure that all vehicles are safe for both the driver and other road users. To help motorists stay on the right side of the law, here’s a list of seven car modifications that are illegal in the UK.

Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS)

Nitrous oxide injection systems, more commonly known as NOS, are designed to boost engine power. They’re popular in movies, video games and car racing culture, but are strictly illegal for road use in the UK. The increase in speed and power makes vehicles more difficult to handle on standard roads, posing a major risk to both the driver and other road users. The installation of such systems is strictly regulated, and vehicles equipped with NOS are prohibited from being operated on public roads.

Exhaust system modifications are typically carried out to improve performance or produce a distinctive sound. However, there are legal limits to how much noise your exhaust can create, and exceeding these may result in an offence. What’s more, removing or bypassing the catalytic converter is also illegal, as doing so can contribute to environmental damage.

Underbody Neon Lights

Neon lights fitted under the car might have major aesthetic appeal for some, and while they’re not strictly illegal, their use is heavily restricted, and the lights must not be visible to other road users. There are several reasons for this, least of all the potential distraction they pose to other drivers. Beyond that, some colours like blue or red

could be mistaken for emergency vehicle lights, causing confusion and potential accidents. Underbody neon lights can be used for shows or private events, but must be switched off on public roads.

Headlight Tinting

Tinted headlights reduce the amount of light emitted, which can impair visibility and make the vehicle less visible on the road. This increases the risk of accidents, especially in low-light conditions. In other cases, headlight tinting could dazzle other road users, which also increases the potential for accidents. Headlights must meet specific standards for colour, intensity and positioning, and an MOT will include checks for each of these areas.

Illegal Number Plates

Number plates in the UK must

conform to strict standards regarding font, spacing, and reflectivity. Modifying number plates to include non-standard fonts, altering the spacing to spell out names or words, or using reflective materials that obscure the plate’s visibility is illegal. Changes like these can make it difficult for the police and automatic number plate recognition systems to read the plates. Noncompliance with number plate regulations can result in fines and MOT failures.

Excessively Loud Car Horns

Similar to exhaust modifications, changing your car horn to produce excessively loud or non-standard sounds, such as musical tones, is illegal. Car horns should only be used to alert other road users of your presence, and excessively loud horns can create unnecessary noise pollution and startle other drivers, potentially leading to accidents. Car horns are legally required to produce a continuous, uniform sound that is not disruptive.

Illegal Tyre Modifications

Your tyres are one of the most important parts of your vehicle, directly affecting safety and performance. Using tyres that do not meet safety standards, including those with insufficient tread depth, is illegal. The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the UK is 1.6mm. Modifications like studded tyres - designed for extreme winter conditions - are prohibited in nonwinter conditions, as a result of the damage they can cause to road surfaces.

Illegal Exhaust Systems

sRachel Reeves and the Black Hole

THE CHANCELLOR’S announcement that the “black hole” in the UK’s finances was worse than forecast was not surprising.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies and other credible economic forecasters argued forcefully that the position was worse than both major parties were prepared to acknowledge before and during the General Election campaign.

However, the picture revealed on Monday (July 30) suggests the nation’s finances

are in a worse state than even the IFS feared.

THE CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE

The IFS’s head, Paul Johnson, repeatedly warned about the “conspiracy of silence” over the hard choices any UK Government of whichever political stripe would face in this

and coming years.

For all the difference his warnings made to the messaging of the Conservative and Labour parties, he need not have bothered.

Both main parties argued that economic growth – and virtually nothing else – would solve the nation’s problems. To the outside observer, the only difference between Labour and the Conservatives was how to achieve it.

The reality is—and always has been —that for growth to boost government revenues at the sort of level needed to fill the gap in the UK’s budget, reduce borrowing, and not increase taxes, the British economy would have to grow at an almost unprecedented rate. The rate of growth would have to outstrip anything seen for the last quarter of a century merely to stand still.

Not even the most deranged partisan economist predicted that would or could happen

COOKING THE BOOKS

The situation has undoubtedly been made worse by what appears to be a longstanding effort to cook the books.

The last government withheld information from the Office of Budget Responsibility, the government’s budget watchdog, and fed it dodgy financial

forecasts on public spending commitments.

That is not only Rachel Reeves’s position. A letter sent this week from the OBR to Treasury civil servants seeks an urgent explanation about supposedly politically neutral civil servants treating the OBR like mushrooms: kept in the dark and fed on bullshit.

So much for the long summer holidays; senior Treasury officials must now spend their summers preparing their excuses before the OBR issues a report in October. That report will focus on what they told the OBR to get a passing mark for March’s budget.

Ms Reeves has addressed part of the issue by beefing up the OBR’s powers to scrutinise data. Part of the existing problem is that the OBR does not examine departmental allocations and budget-setting processes. The OBR is superficially a powerful agent within the UK government. However, its real powers are constrained by the quality of the information it receives. Poor data leads to poor predictions.

If the DWP, for example, gets a certain amount of money, the OBR must accept the Department’s word that it will live within its budget.

The scope for systemic abuse is evident and obvious. And where that systemic abuse is grossest is in the bill for asylum seekers and migration.

Paul Johnson, Institute of Fiscal Studies: Parties engaged in a conspiracy of silence about the state of the UK’s finances during election campaign.

Jon Coles jon.coles@herald.email

According to figures published on Monday, the last government understated the cost of the immigration process by £6.4bn THIS financial year ALONE. It did so by stalling the processing of asylum applications, the decisionmaking process, and removals and simply not allocating expenditure for processing them.

That was not a financial decision; it was a crude piece of political calculation intended to paint a picture that would show how tough the Conservatives were being on illegal migration. Part of that money, but in context a fraction of the overall total, was

for the now-abandoned Rwanda scheme, which would have cost up to three times more than the Conservatives claimed.

The Chancellor also announced the government would not proceed with road schemes, including the £1.3bn project to build a tunnel bypassing Stonehenge, to which the Conservatives had not allocated funding. Boris Johnson’s bold – and totally bogus and unfunded – promise to build 40 new hospitals looks likely to go the same way.

PENSIONERS HIT BY “MEANS-TESTING” DECISION

Although the Chancellor said the “triple lock” on pension increases would remain in place, the headline cut is to the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Rachel Reeves’s decision to target the allowance on those most in need means millions of pensioners will not get £200 towards their winter heating bills.

PensioneRars receiving Pension Credit and other benefits will still receive Winter Fuel Allowance.

Pension Credit tops up a pensioner’s weekly income to £218.15 if they are single or £332.95 if they have a partner.

POSITIVELy LIBERAL

follow up last week’s Positively Liberal article, the Liberal Democrats called for an Emergency Health and Social Care Budget, to fix the crisis in local services, warning “patients cannot wait any longer.

During the election campaign in England, the Liberal Democrats called for a rescue package for health and social care which included measures to boost GP numbers by 8,000, increase the number of cancer nurses and give free personal care to all those who need it. We also have similar problems here in Wales.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Patients cannot wait any longer after years of Conservative chaos which has left NHS and social care services at crisis point.

“As I travelled the country in recent weeks, I heard devastating stories of pensioners waiting hours for ambulances, young parents waiting weeks for a GP appointment, too many left with anxious waits for cancer care.

“We need an emergency Health and Social Care budget to get the NHS back on its feet after the Conservative party brought it to its knees. Patients and their loved ones need to get the care and the fair deal that they deserve.

“New Liberal Democrat local champions will fight in Westminster to restore local health and care services after years of neglect.”

Meanwhile in the Senedd, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Government to protect unpaid carers.

Speaking to the Siambr on last Tuesday, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Regional MS for Mid & West Wales, Jane Dodds called for “carer

status” to be made a protected characteristic in order to avoid employment discrimination.

There are currently no existing requirements for employers to make reasonable adjustments for unpaid carers in the workplace.

Commenting, Jane Dodds said:

“During the recent general election, the Liberal Democrats vowed to transform health and social care by prioritising the interests of our remarkable unpaid carers.

We as the Welsh Liberal Democrats are also as determined as our colleagues in Westminster to deliver this change here in Wales.

These invaluable individuals often feel overlooked by wider society, forced to face hidden challenges, such as in employment, alone.

Currently, there exists no direct requirement for equality monitoring forms to ask if someone has unpaid caring responsibilities. While there also doesn’t exist any direct requirements for employers to make reasonable adjustments for employees with caring duties.

One way in which we can work towards tackling discrimination against our unpaid carers would be through making “carer status” a protected status, helping to foster consistency in support for working carers and obligating employers to provide reasonable adjustments when necessary.

By recognising the millions of unpaid carers who selflessly sacrifice their time to help care for friends and family members in need, we can send a powerful message that we value their contributions to society.”

“Conservatives made a mess and then ran away”: Says Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves

State and private/occupational pensions count as income, as does –inexplicably – Carers’ Allowance.

The pre-existing system meant that pensioners with significant means and private pensions got the Winter Fuel Allowance, the same as those of very much more modest means.

Those in receipt of the full state pension and nothing else get £221.50 a week. They will not get the Winter Fuel Allowance unless they get another qualifying benefit.

Age Cymru has already condemned Rachel Reeves’s decision.

Chief Executive Victoria Lloyd said: “We know that thousands of households in Wales are failing to claim the £200million that they are entitled to in Pension Credit. So much more needs to be done to support these people in accessing what they are eligible for.

“Means-testing the Winter Fuel Payment in this way gives pensioners little time to prepare and is a decision that could potentially jeopardise their health and finances.

“A decent income provides dignity and security and helps people stay independent and active.

“A warm home, nutritious food, occasional treats and being able to get out and about are all good for

health and well-being, helping older people make the most of later life. This should not just be an aspiration but the experience of all older people across Wales.”

However, ahead of the Chancellor’s statement, the Welsh Government announced a scheme to ensure people can access their full entitlement to benefits.

The Single Advice Fund is a free service which provides access to all the advice a person needs to resolve their social welfare problems.

It also makes benefit entitlement checks available to everyone accessing the services.

Last year, the service put over £47.5m back into people’s pockets. 81% said the service found a way forward for them, and 75% said their problem was now resolved as a result.

This funding of £12m per year for three years from April 2025 will fund services that help people manage the cost of living and resolve problems with their housing, welfare benefits and financial commitments.

THE CONSERVATIVES COMPLAIN

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt waded into the Chancellor over her statement’s content.

He claimed: “She will fool absolutely no one with a shameless attempt to lay the ground for tax rises. Those public finances were audited by the OBR just 10 weeks before the election was called.

“We are now expected to believe that in that short period, a £20 billion black hole has magically emerged. But every single day in that period, in fact, since January, in line with constitutional convention, she has

Tediously predictable: Andrew RT Davies claims Chancellor is “rewriting history”

had privileged access to the Treasury permanent secretary. She could find out absolutely anything she needed.”

His words would have considerably more force had not the OBR, which “audited” Mr Hunt’s last budget, announced it was investigating why the Treasury had not presented it with the full picture when reviewing its annual spending plans in March.

That’s a significant hostage to fortune for Mr Hunt to offer.

In addition, Mr Hunt pointed out that unemployment was lower than when the Conservatives entered office in 2010, inflation was lower, and the economy was growing.

However, his response missed a key lesson of the General Election campaign. Big economic data—growth, inflation, unemployment—only matter if a government makes voters feel better off. The Conservatives, in power for fourteen years, failed to make them better off or even feel like they were better off.

It was Mr Hunt’s and Mr Sunak’s misfortune to inherit an economic mess left by Liz Truss and Boris Johnson. But they were senior ministers in the latter’s administration.

With tedious predictability, the Welsh Conservative Leader, Andrew RT Davies, accused Rachel Reeves of “rewriting history”.

Exhorting people to never mind the quality, feel the width, Mr Davies said: “While there are many things that I wish the Conservatives had done better, we did leave the UK with the fastest-growing economy in the

G7, with low unemployment and halved national insurance for workers.

“Be in no doubt, she’s looking for excuses to unfairly raise your taxes.”

Mr Davies’s reference to the £10bn National Insurance giveaway Jeremy Hunt announced in March is another significant hostage to fortune.

In short, Mr Hunt couldn’t afford to make the cut, which was not covered by increasing tax revenues from mercurial growth forecasts and – as the data now show – was little more than an attempt to bribe the voters. It also only reversed an increase his predecessor as Chancellor – one R. Sunak Esq. – introduced to fund social care and the NHS.

REEVES’S OPTIONS

The decision to carry out a one-year spending review this autumn, followed by a more comprehensive multi-year spending review next spring, strikes a sensible balance. It is also welcome that the Treasury commits to holding a multi-year spending review every two years in the future.

Regular reviews should prevent public service budgets and the demands on those budgets from getting so out of whack – the root cause of many of the in-year overspends revealed by Rachel Reevers. It will also make it harder for governments to game the fiscal rules by pencilling in future spending cuts they have no intention of delivering.

The requirement for the Treasury to share more details of

the pressures on departmental budgets with the OBR is sensible, as is the commitment to hold only one major fiscal event a year.

The proof will be in the pudding, but these changes should lead to better and more transparent fiscal policy-making.

Labour committed to not raising NI, income tax, or VAT.

That limits the Chancellor’s room for manoeuvre on tax.

However, the Chancellor brought forward plans to impose VAT on private school fees and shut a potential loophole that would’ve allowed parents and schools to avoid it.

Ms Reeves increased the windfall tax on energy and oil company profits. She reduced the capital allowance, which allowed oil and energy companies to offset their profits against purported capital investments.

When the Chancellor comes to the Budget in October, more tax increases will come into play: inheritance tax, capital gains tax, marginal taxes on investment income, and tightening the rules on non-dom tax status will come into play.

No matter how much any increases in those taxes raise, Labour is boxed in by its promise not to increase taxes on the government’s principal revenue sources.

Income tax, NI and VAT collectively account for about two-thirds of total tax revenue.

Ruling out increases in these biggest taxes doesn’t mean that extra revenue couldn’t be raised by other means. There are other taxes. But it’s a serious constraint.

The UK Government had three and a half weeks to find its feet before Parliament rose on Tuesday for the summer recess period. Members of Parliament, both old and new, will head back to their constituencies until Westminster reopens its doors in early September. While many are eager to make their mark either within the Government or from the opposition benches, August gives everyone a chance to recuperate and recover from postelection fatigue in order to go full steam ahead when the new term begins.

As I make my way back to Ceredigion Preseli for the rest of the summer, I feel very lucky to call this place home. Ceredigion Preseli is a holiday destination for many people from all over the UK and beyond, and that for good reason. Our coastal areas, including the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, are some of the most magnificent in the world. They attract natureloving visitors who come to appreciate the coastal walks, and to marvel at the seal and dolphin spotting opportunities on offer. Our towns and villages, dotted among the rural landscape are jam-packed with unique small businesses. From clothing and homeware shops to microbreweries and an array of ice cream spots, there is something here for everyone. The food scene across Ceredigion Preseli is commendable with many cafes and restaurants having earned a national reputation.

A summer at home would be incomplete without a visit to an agricultural show or two, as well as an array of community events. I very much value the opportunity that these events offer to meet people from across our constituency, and the chance to hear from you directly about the things you would like me to raise in Parliament.

Nevertheless, in between an agricultural show here and a carnival there, I would like to reassure you that I am still here to serve you, and to help as your Member of Parliament. I will be holding advice surgeries throughout the summer all over Ceredigion Preseli so if you require assistance in any way or would like to discuss a particular issue with me, please call my office on 01570940333 or email me via ben.lakemp@ parliament.uk to book an appointment.

These are the confirmed dates and locations so far:

31/7/24 - Aberystwyth 5/8/24 - Cardigan 7/8/24 - Fishguard 12/8/24 - Crymych

However, I am looking to arrange advice surgeries in Lampeter, Llandysul and Clunderwen over the coming weeks.

Pensioners hit by Fuel Allowance Means Testing: However, help is available.

BEN LAKE MP

SEND yOUR LETTERS TO: THE EDITOR, 11 HAMILTON TERRACE, MILFORD HAVEN, PEMBROKESHIRE, SA73 3AL

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

s & NOTICE s

LETTER

WALES NEEDS A BOLDER HEAT STRATEGy

DEAR SIR

The Welsh Government’s commitment to achieving Net Zero heat by 2050 is commendable. So is the pledge to phase out fossil fuel boilers and lobby the UK Government to rebalance gas and electricity prices. However, the accelerating climate crisis calls for a bolder and faster decarbonisation. Heat pumps are part of the solution, but they are no silver bullet.

THE SAFETy OF CHILDREN IN WALES

DEAR SIR

In the article on Herlad.Wales about Pembrokeshire Senedd Members gaining new shadow portfolios you quotes the leader of the Conservatives in the Senedd as saying, “It’s time to drop ideological vanity projects like 20mph speed limits.” I hope this misrepresents what he said. Since when has the safety of children in Wales been a vanity project?

But it is up to the residents of towns and villages in Pembrokeshire to decide if they want to give drivers, who often use their settlements as through routes, the ability to travel at 30mph rather than be restricted to 20mph. I urge people to make their wishes known

to their Town, Community or County Councillors who represent them. Please don’t stay silent. People may never get this chance again to slow traffic in their settlements for the benefit of those who live and work there. While travelling through a part of England we noticed those settlements value the safety and amenity of residents over speeding vehicles, and have adopted the 20mph speed limit.

Mary Sinclair Martletwy NEED FOR SIGN LANGUAGE IN BROADCASTS

DEAR

SIR

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 wrote 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 was 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 future elections inclusive of everyone at rnid.org.uk

Michael Quinlan Advocacy Manager at RNID

Take terraced houses as an example. Thousands of traditional terraced houses, an iconic feature of the Welsh mining heritage, are simply unsuitable for heat pumps due to space constraints. A feasibility study last year found that only 150 homes in Bridgend could be fitted with air source heat pumps. Incentivising a broader range of alternative technologies like heat batteries can help fill this gap.

The latest smart heat batteries are a low-carbon direct replacement for gas boilers and are easy to install — while helping ease pressure on the grid and providing low cost heating. The batteries work by charging during off-peak periods, when energy is cleaner and demand lower, and releasing heat when it’s needed into radiators or under-floor heating. This smart approach to heating can help Wales reach Net Zero while preventing power outages.

Johan du Plessis, CEO at tepeo

PICTuRE OF THE WEEK!

Tiger cub aT Manor Wildlife Park

Death Notices

R OSALIND T HOMAS

THOMAS Rosalind Narberth In loving memory of the much loved and much missed Rosalind Thomas (19/7/47), who sadly passed away, peacefully, 10/7/24. “No one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away..” Forever in our hearts and memories. Mind How You Go. Family flowers only, donations if desired, can be made payable to “Alzheimers Society” c/o Funeral Directors W & M J Rossiter & Sons Ltd, The Old Rectory, The Norton, Tenby, SA70 8AB

T EIFION P ERKINS D AVIES

DAVIES Teifion Perkins Of Haverfordwest. The death occurred peacefully at Woodfield Nursing Home, Narberth on Saturday 27th July, of Mr. Teifion Perkins Davies, aged 84 years of Cardigan Road, Haverfordwest. Dearly loved husband of Sandra, devoted father and fatherin-law to David and Tracey, Andrew and Debra, Elaine and Paul and Adrian and Maria, and an adored grandfather and great grandfather. Teif will be fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. The funeral will take place on Monday 12th August at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 10.45am. No flowers by request. All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford

Haven. Telephone 01646 693180.

G EOFFRE y PATRICK W ILLIAM W INTERMAN

WINTERMAN

Geoffrey Patrick

William of Spittal, Haverfordwest

Geoffrey passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on the 17th July, 2024 aged 84 years. Dearly loved husband to Rowena, father to James, Melanie & Gareth and grandfather to Michael & Phillipa, he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Funeral service, Thursday 8th August, 1.00pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Geoffrey can be sent to Cancer Research UK. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

D ER y CK A LLAN M ATTHEWS

MATTHEWS Deryck Allan Passed away peacefully with family on 19th July 2024 at Glanymor Park Drive aged 74 years. Deryck lived all over the world, but his final home was his birth place of Swansea. Beloved husband of Pauline. Loving father of Dylan, Rhian, Owain and Gwen. Cherished brother of Christopher and Keith. Beloved Grandad of Seren and Elin. Funeral on Wednesday 7th August at Llanelli Crematorium at Midday. Light refreshments at The Royal Oak, Penclawdd, SA4 3YN. Family flowers

only please. Donations in lieu, if so desired, may be made to the RNLI and sent to Daniel Inkin of Inkin & Deans, Family Funeral Directors, Kilby Court, Loughor, Swansea, SA4 6RQ Tel 01792 897710.

K IM A MOS

AMOS Kim (nee Wentworth) Goodwick Peacefully at her home on Tuesday 23rd July, Kim of Goodwick. Beloved sister and sister-in-law of William, Kevin and Janette, loving aunty of Leigh and Ross, much loved great aunty of Ella, Thea and Erin, a dear niece of June. Funeral service on Friday 9th August at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 10:45am. Family flowers only. Donations in lieu if desired, made payable to the ‘Paul Sartori Foundation’ c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

G AR y D AVID S PIERS

SPIERS Gary David Gary David Spiers, husband to Joan and father to Elizabeth and Catherine, passed away on July 28, 2024, at home in Pasadena, California. Originally from Pen Y Cwm, he was the son of Margaret and the late Ronald Spiers. Gary led significant NASA projects, including the Mars Rover and the ISS. A keen cyclist and archer, he will be missed by his sister Jeanette, nephews Chris and Sam, and family internationally. A family celebration

of his life will be held in Pasadena. G AR y T ERRENCE R OBERT L EWIS

LEWIS Terrence Robert (Terry) formerly of Lawrenny Street, Neyland and Neyland School, passed very suddenly on Monday 22nd July, 2024, at his home in Worcester, aged 74. He leaves behind his wife, Rita, daughters Claire and Caroline and son Robert along with two grandchildren, Zach and Amelia, brother Peter and sisters Shirley and Sandra along with niece Tracey and nephews Lee and Marcus and all their partners. He will be sadly missed by all.

D ENNIS M ORGAN

MORGAN Dennis Pembroke Dock The death occurred on Monday 15th July 2024 at Hollyland Lodge Care Home, Pembroke of Mr. Dennis Morgan, aged 97 years formerly of Essex Road, Pembroke Dock. Devoted Husband of 77 years to Violet. Dearly loved Father, Father-in-law, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday 31st July 2024 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 1:45pm. There will be family flowers only with donations in lieu if desired for The Paul Sartori Foundation 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 or via www.ecthomasandson.co.uk

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s PORT

Solva’s Olympic sailing star Micky Beckett

COMPETING IN THE MEN’S DINGHy EVENT IN MARSEILLE

Another Welsh athlete is set made his Olympic debut on day six of the Paris Games. Sailor Michael Beckett iscompeting in the men’s dinghy event in Marseille.

At 29, the West Wales native was previously working as an advisor for TV directors during the Tokyo Olympics. Now, he’s at the centre of the action himself, having won European gold, world silver, and both bronze and silver at the Paris 2024 test event.

Beckett debuted at Marseille Marina on Thursday, participating in two races daily, aiming to make it into the top 10 and advance to next week’s medal races. Following in the footsteps of Welsh sailors Ian Barker and Hannah Mills, as well as sports legend Sir Ben Ainslie, Beckett is poised to add to Team GB’s medal tally.

From West Wales to the South of France, here’s a closer look at the real Micky Beckett.

Born in the small Pembrokeshire village of Solva, with fewer than 900 residents, in 1995, Beckett was introduced to sailing by his father, Piers, the principal at the local boat club, Solva Sailboats.

First seated in a boat at the age of five, Beckett began competing in races across the UK and joined the Wales and British sailing squads at 12. In his teenage years, he travelled the world for competitions but maintains that there is no place like home.

“Solva is my anchor,” he told the Western Mail in a recent interview. “It’s where I’m from and the place in the world I’m most proud of. I love to come back and chill out with my dad. Growing up in Solva was amazing; it was like one big playground for me, my brother Stevie, and our friends. We used to explore every cave from Newgale to St David’s Head.”

“When I travel around the world, one of the first questions I get asked is where I’m from.

It usually takes some explaining and often involves getting out Google Maps. I start by saying West Wales, but they think Cardiff. I end up saying, ‘Go across the Severn Bridge, drive for two and a half hours, and go all the way to the end.’ I tell them we’re closer to Ireland than England, living in Solva.”

His Welsh roots are incredibly important to him: “If I’m in a taxi in Spain and I get asked, I just say I’m from Wales, where Gareth Bale is from. Sometimes that gets you a cheaper fare. I’m very proud of where I’m from and I’m very proud to represent my country and Team GB. I get changed every day with a towel with a Welsh dragon on it, and that goes with me all over the world. It is a very important part of my identity, having grown up in Pembrokeshire.”

As Beckett prepares to make his Olympic debut in the South of France, he reflects on achieving a lifelong dream he

once thought unattainable.

“Being a part of the iconic Team GB is amazing. I wouldn’t describe myself as too much of a dreamer, but the Olympics only ever existed for me on TV before this,” he told the Western Mail.

“I didn’t know anyone who had been to the Olympics until I started sailing professionally, and it always felt a long way away. I did an interview on BBC 5 Live after being selected, and they asked me what I thought about the new kit. I’m the least fashion-conscious person around, but that question made me realise that I’m now part of this iconic team. When I think about all the phenomenal athletes who have gone before – Ben Ainslie, Hannah Mills, Sir Steve Redgrave – and then realise I’m now one of the people following in their footsteps, I just don’t have the correct words to explain what that means to me.”

While his father introduced him to sailing, Beckett’s mother, Josie, ignited his ambition, encouraging him to pursue his dream of making it to the Olympics.

Tragically, Josie passed away in July 2022 after battling cancer, but she knew her son was on his way to realising his dream. As Beckett takes to the water in Marseille, he will be reminded of the sacrifices both his parents made to fuel his ambitions. He recently joked that his “mum and dad got great value out of their AA membership from all the miles they had to drive taking me to different events almost every weekend” as a youngster.

Beckett’s fiancée, Ellie Aldridge, is also part of the Team GB line-up in Paris. She won the European kitefoil title last year and secured her third medal at the last World Championships with silver.

Meanwhile, his former school friend Jasmine Joyce-Butchers has been competing in the women’s rugby sevens event. Both athletes attended Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi in St Davids as children.

Headteacher Rachel Thomas recently expressed the school’s pride in cheering on both former pupils at the Olympics, describing them as “humble and so inspirational.”

“We’re so proud of both Micky and Jazz, as we are of all our pupils in whatever sport they progress in. We’re here to provide them with the opportunity to develop their talent, and it’s great when they go all the way to the top,” said Thomas. “The pupils are studying the Olympics in school at the moment, and they were thrilled when Micky paid us a visit. He simply told them to try to be the best they could be – and to keep on trying. He was such a great all-rounder in school, playing in the orchestra as well as participating in many sports. Both he and Jazz are just so humble and so inspirational. We’ll all be backing them in Pembrokeshire.”

OGI extends its partnership with Hwest County AFC

OGI has extended its partnership with Haverfordwest County AFC ahead of the 2024-25 football season.

The new deal sees the original stadium naming rights agreement announced in 2021 extended, with the Welsh telco also becoming the club’s official connectivity partner.

Known as the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium for three years by now, the name changed as engineering work began on Ogi’s new full fibre network in Pembrokeshire. Now able to service around a third of the county, Ogi’s invested millions in its regional rollout, employing locally and supporting community groups with grants and volunteering days during that time too.

Extending the partnership, Ogi will also offer the county team a new dedicated gigabit-capable full fibre line, helping the club improve connectivity at the stadium, including a more stable connection for broadcasters such as S4C.

Commenting on the news, Brand Marketing Director, Sarah Vining, said:

“We’re delighted to be extending our links with Haverfordwest County AFC through our stadium sponsorship.

“It’s been an exciting few years for the club who narrowly missed out in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League back in 2023, and for Ogi too, as we’ve worked to upgrade communities from Haverfordwest to Milford Haven with our full fibre rollout.

“We believe in putting communities at the heart of what we do, a value I know is shared by the team at Haverfordwest County – and one of the main reasons we want to continue our support for the club into the new season. C’mon the Bluebirds!”

The men’s first team finished seventh in the Cymru Premier Leage last season [2023-24], with new leadership at the club now looking to expand its squads, including new women and girl’s teams with the ambition to create ladies first team in the future.

Speaking about the partnership, club Chief Executive Officer, Beccy

Nuttall, said: “Partnerships like the one we have with Ogi are so important to football in this region and to enabling our future growth. We, just like Ogi, put a real emphasis on our local community – working in partnership where we can.

“The Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium is a home away from home for supporters and visitors and I’m thrilled to see the

Ogi continuing their partnership with us, through not only the stadium name, but their commitment to community as well – a commitment we at Haverfordwest County share too!”

As part of the extended partnership, Ogi will receive branding rights across the stadium site, along with space for hospitality, and accreditation as an ‘Official Partner’.

Dramatic weekend in Second Division Cricket League

THE second division cricket league witnessed a weekend filled with dramatic finishes and dominant performances, leading to a significant shake-up at the top of the table. Herbrandston leapfrogged former leaders Burton with a thrilling one-run victory, decided on the very last ball of the match. Meanwhile, Llanrhian secured a hugely important and impressive win over fellow relegation candidates Lamphey at the opposite end of the table.

Hook vs. Pembroke:

A Comfortable Victory

Hook secured a convincing 9-wicket victory over Pembroke. Pembroke was bundled out for 118, with contributions from Jack Harries (34) and Phil Hay (19) proving insufficient against a disciplined Hook bowling attack. Callum James (112), Aled Phelps (2-15), and Liam Miller (2-13) were instrumental in Hook’s success with the ball.

Liam Miller then impressed with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 97 as Hook chased down the target with ease, finishing at 120 for 1. Jake Wicks added 10 not out to support Miller’s innings.

Herbrandston vs. Burton

A Nail-Biter

Herbrandston (216 for 7) edged past Burton (215 for 7) by just one run in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery.

Batting first, Herbrandston built a solid total thanks to contributions from Jack Nicholas (39), Kristan Bennett (25), and Charlie Malloy (30). Burton’s bowling attack, led by Dan Ridge (2-19) and the economical Morgan Scale (2-32), seemed confident to chase 216 at tea.

In response, Burton came agonisingly close but lost off the last ball. Captain and star batsman Toby Hayman scored a superb 98, with in-form Joe Kiff supporting with 73. However, despite their efforts, Burton fell short by a single run as Morgan Scale failed to connect with the last ball of the game.

Llanrhian vs. Lamphey

A Dominant Display

Llanrhian secured another vital victory in their fight for survival by posting a mammoth 216 for 7 against Lamphey. Contributions came from Paul Lewis (47), Jack Jones (46), and Christo Arundel (37 not out). Lamphey’s bowlers, led by Tom Davies (3-46), struggled to contain the onslaught.

In reply, Lamphey was bowled out for only 72, with Daf Williams (3-15) and Jack Jones (4-39) running through their batting line-up. Andy Tait’s 23 was the only resistance of note as Llanrhian cruised to a massive 144-run victory.

Pembroke Dock vs. Carew II

A Tight Finish

Carew II emerged victorious in another close encounter, defeating

Pembroke Dock by 2 wickets. Pembroke Dock posted a competitive 187 for 7, thanks to George Smith’s 71 and the inform Jake Davies’ 56.

Carew II’s chase was anchored by the experienced Simon Wood (61) and Adam Chandler (50), who laid the foundation for the win. Despite a few jitters, Carew II managed to cross the

line, finishing at 191 for 8.

Johnston vs. Llechryd Match Cancelled

The match between Johnston and Llechryd was called off due to an unplayable pitch, with both teams missing out on the opportunity to pick up any points.

Exciting weekend cricket action in local First Division

LAST Saturday (Jul 17) delivered another thrilling day of cricket in the first division, as the season edges closer to its climax. Neyland continue to look poised to defend their title, but Carew are hot on their heels. Meanwhile, the relegation battle remains wide open, with more twists and turns from the past weekend.

Carew’s dominant win

Carew secured a significant victory, moving to second place with a commanding batting display against Narberth. They posted an impressive 262 for 6, thanks to key contributions from Tim Hicks (72), Morgan Grieve (62), and Rhys Davies (57). Shaun Whitfield (32) and Luke Hicks (11) also added valuable runs. Narberth’s bowlers struggled, with Matthew Johns (2-34) being the most successful, while Loui Davies, Harry Phillips, and Davy Johns each claimed a wicket.

In response, Narberth’s batting lineup collapsed, managing only 84 all out. George Waters (4-14) and Barry Evans (3-27) led the charge for Carew, with Joel Read (2-15) and Rhys Davies (1-16) contributing to the dominant bowling performance. Loui Davies top-scored with 22 for Narberth, followed by Shay Norcross (17) and Kyle Quartermaine (11). Carew’s comprehensive all-round performance secured a 178-run victory.

Neyland’s impressive chase

Reigning champions Neyland triumphed over challengers Cresselly in a thrilling match, successfully chasing down 206 to win by 6 wickets. Cresselly, batting first, were bowled out for 206, with Charlie Arthur leading the charge with an impressive 86. Contributions also came from Tom Murphy (34) and Simon Cole (23). Neyland’s bowlers were led by Sean Hannon (3-26), with support from Nick Koomen (2-25) and Andrew Miller (2-42).

In reply, Neyland’s Nick Koomen played a match-winning knock of 85 not out, supported by Paul Murray (37) and Patrick Bellerby (28). Despite efforts from Cresselly’s bowlers, Christian Phillips (2-33) and Tom Arthur (1-51), Neyland reached 210 for 4, sealing a 6-wicket victory.

Lawrenny’s dominant performance

Looking ahead to the Harrison Allen Final, Lawrenny will face Saundersfoot, hoping for a better outcome than their recent match. Lawrenny posted a formidable 242 for 6 in their 45 overs, with Ryan Mansell (76) and Troy Pursloe (51) being the standout batsmen. Harry Thomas (38) and Finley Lewis (17) added valuable runs. Saundersfoot’s bowlers found it tough, with Neil Powling (2-27) and John Mansbridge (1-40) among the wickets.

Saundersfoot’s chase faltered as

they were bundled out for 117. John Mansbridge (40) and Nick Cope (35) were the only notable contributors. Lawrenny’s Harry Thomas (4-33) was the pick of the bowlers, ably supported by Rhys Eynon (2-5) and Rob Williams (2-22), securing a 125-run victory.

Haverfordwest’s crucial victory Haverfordwest showcased great character with a thrilling and crucial victory over St Ishmaels in a closely contested match. Batting first, Haverfordwest posted 200 for 8, with Jake Merry (78 not out) and Dan Field (50) ensuring a competitive total. St Ishmaels’ bowlers Stuart Carpenter (3-43) and Steve Williams (2-55) impressed once again.

In reply, Phil Llewellyn top-scored with 66 for St Ishmaels, with Stuart Carpenter (20) and Thomas Williams (20) also making useful contributions. However, they fell short, bowled out in the final over for 197. Youngster Will Phillips (346) and Jake Merry (2-41) took the bulk of the wickets, securing a crucial win for Haverfordwest.

Llangwm’s much-needed win

Llangwm, another team in need of a win, recorded a 53-run victory over Whitland, posting 151 for 9 in their innings. Steve Mills (35) and Noah Davies (33) were the top scorers, with Matthew Kiff (18) and Shaun Waller (22) adding to the total. Scott Newton (5-28) was the

standout bowler for Whitland. Whitland’s response was lacklustre, as they were bowled out for 98. Kevin Pearce (19) and Geraint Jones (26) provided some resistance, but Steve Mills (8-21) produced a remarkable bowling performance to seal the win for Llangwm.

Relegation battle heats up Narberth and St Ishmaels are now in the bottom two places of the league table. Llangwm and Haverfordwest seem to be improving as the season progresses, while Narberth and St Ishmaels appear to be on a downward trajectory. The fight for survival promises to be intriguing and vital in the upcoming weeks.

Photo: Aled Davies Memorial/Facebook

Thomas Carroll Pembrokeshire League Table

RESULTS 27/07/2024

Carew (262-6) beat Narberth (84) by 178 runs

Cresselly (206) lost to Neyland (210-4) by 6 wkts

Lawrenny (242-6) beat Saundersfoot (117) by 125 runs

St Ishmaels (197) lost to Haverfordwest (200-8) by 2 wkts

Whitland (98) lost to Llangwm (151-9) by 53 runs

Herbrandston (216-7) beat Burton (215-7) by 1 run

Hook (120-1) beat Pembroke (118) by 9 wkts

Lamphey (72) lost to Llanrhian (216-7) by 144 runs

Llechryd (0) ab v Johnston (0)

Pembroke Dock (187-7) lost to Carew II (191-8) by 2 wkts

Burton II (183-0) beat Fishguard (178-8) by 10 wkts

Haverfordwest II (149) beat Cresselly II (134) by 15 runs

Narberth II (61-3) beat St Ishmaels II (60) by 7 wkts

Neyland II (170-5) beat Kilgetty (169) by 5 wkts

Stackpole (166-6) beat Hook II (162-6) by 4 wkts

Carew III (158) lost to Lawrenny II (213-9) by 55 runs

Llangwm II (164) lost to Laugharne (199-8) by 35 runs

Llanrhian II (80) lost to Pembroke Dock II (139-8) by 59 runs

Pembroke II (101) lost to Hundleton (103-5) by 5 wkts

Saundersfoot II (127-4) beat Llechryd II (123-9) by 6 wkts

Crymych (199-2) beat Stackpole II (196-9) by 8 wkts

Herbrandston II (0) w/o v Laugharne II (0)

III (122) lost to Cresselly III (123-5) by 5 wkts

Hundleton II (175-5) beat Llechryd III (173) by 5 wkts

Kilgetty II (0) ab v Lamphey II (0)

Whitland III (143-9) beat Pembroke III (77) by 66 runs

FIXTURES 03/08/2024

Cresselly v Narberth

Llangwm v Lawrenny

Neyland v Haverfordwest

Saundersfoot v St Ishmaels

Whitland v Carew

Burton v Lamphey

Carew II v Llanrhian

Johnston v Herbrandston

Llechryd v Hook

Pembroke v Pembroke Dock

Haverfordwest II v Neyland II

Hook II v Fishguard

Kilgetty v Stackpole

Narberth II v Cresselly II

St Ishmaels II v Burton II

Hundleton v Saundersfoot II

Laugharne v Llechryd II

Lawrenny II v Llangwm II

Llanrhian II v Carew III

Pembroke Dock II v Pembroke II

Cresselly III v Whitland II

Crymych v Laugharne II

Herbrandston II v Neyland III

Stackpole II v Haverfordwest III

Lamphey II v Hundleton II

Pembroke III v Kilgetty II

Whitland III v Haverfordwest IV