The Pembrokeshire Herald 08/08/2025

OppOsitiOn tO DARC gROws As CAmpAigneRs wARn Of heAlth Risks A

Teens jailed For drUg and gun consPiracy • P3

Teens jailed for drug and gun conspiracy

TWO teenage drug dealers have been jailed after being caught transporting thousands of pounds worth of cocaine into Pembrokeshire and conspiring to obtain a firearm.

Harrison Billing, 19, and Danhiellen Raji, also 19, appeared at Swansea Crown Court, along with 37-year-old John Phillips, facing multiple drugrelated charges.

Prosecutor Ashanti-Jade Walton described how on February 12, police intercepted a Nissan Juke heading into Pembrokeshire following a tipoff. Officers discovered 253 grams of cocaine, valued at over £20,500, in a container at Billing’s feet, alongside a large knife near Raji.

Billing had business cards listing drug prices and quantities, bearing the message: “Thank you for supporting our small business. We do appreciate it.”

Messages found on Billing’s phone showed extensive drug activity, including a bid of “£40,000 upfront” to secure cocaine and discussions directing drug couriers. Raji’s phone similarly revealed drug-related content, including images showing him holding large sums of cash.

Investigators also uncovered messages between Billing and Raji attempting to acquire a gun, with Billing offering an additional £1,000 for quick delivery.

A search of Phillips’ home in Steynton uncovered cannabis and cocaine, though Phillips claimed he was being exploited due to his vulnerabilities and did not profit financially.

In a separate incident from December 27, Billing was involved in a high-speed police chase in Milford Haven, driving his Mercedes at 70mph in a 30mph zone before crashing into railings at Hamilton Terrace. Police found around 70 grams of cocaine worth £4,250, cash, and multiple mobile phones.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Billing had previously directed another man, Dylan Brown, 20, of Milford Haven, who was jailed for 18 months earlier this year after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

Billing and Raji pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, involvement in cocaine supply, and conspiracy to acquire a firearm. Billing further admitted dangerous driving, possession of criminal property, and driving uninsured. Raji also admitted possession of a knife.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Huw Rees remarked: “If you think playing the big men in supplying Class A drugs is the answer, you are very much mistaken.”

Billing was sentenced to four years and two months detention, Raji received three years and nine months, while Phillips received an

18-month sentence suspended for 18 months, alongside 180 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activities.

Sex offender breached order after inviting woman for coffee

A CONVICTED sex offender has admitted breaching a court order after inviting a woman for coffee via WhatsApp — and then deleting the evidence.

Luke Rogers was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by Maidstone Magistrates’ Court in 2020, prohibiting him from deleting anything from the internet.

But on June 28, Rogers, of Brimston Cross, Wolfscastle, contacted a woman via WhatsApp and invited her to join him for a cup of coffee. Police

later discovered that the message had been deleted.

“This is his third breach of the order,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week after Rogers pleaded guilty to the latest breach.

Given the seriousness of the charge, magistrates declined jurisdiction. Rogers will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on August 26. He was released on unconditional bail.

Roofers accused of major scam

TWO men accused of operating a roofing scam appeared at Swansea Crown Court this week, charged with fraud and money laundering offences involving around forty victims.

Thomas James, 37, of Nelly’s Place, Golwg Yr Haul, Llangadog, and Jim Janes, 54, of Robert Janes, Llangadog, entered pleas relating to some of the charges against them during a hearing on Monday (Aug 4).

Both men remain in custody and will next appear at Swansea Crown Court

on September 8 for further proceedings.

It is understood that around forty homeowners have reported losing substantial sums of money after allegedly paying upfront for roofing and maintenance work that was either incomplete or never started, leaving some properties badly damaged.

The prosecution outlined allegations that the pair fraudulently obtained money from customers, while also handling criminal proceeds of over £71,000.

The Herald understands that a

possible three additional defendants are due to join James and Janes at Swansea Crown Court at a later date, facing charges relating to a further 100 alleged victims.

This separate but linked case could bring the total number of alleged victims to 140, making this the largest case of its type in Wales.

The prosecutions have been led by National Trading Standards Investigations Team (Wales) based at Newport City Council.

Dealer jailed after £10k cocaine find

A DRUG dealer has been jailed after police discovered cocaine worth almost £10,000 hidden inside a caravan in Pembroke.

Dyfed-Powys Police searched the Monkton caravan of 37-year-old Darol Hall on June 9, 2022, during an unrelated investigation. Inside, they found high-purity cocaine packaged in foil and cling film, along with £1,250 in cash and 90 grams of cannabis.

Forensic tests linked Hall, of Dovedale Road, Wolverhampton, to the cocaine packaging, disproving his claims that he knew nothing about it.

Hall admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of cannabis. Swansea Crown Court heard he had two previous convictions, including for cannabis possession in 2015, but none for supply offences.

Recorder Simon Stephenson told Hall he was motivated by “significant financial gain” and jailed him for three years and seven months. The seized cash will be used by Dyfed-Powys Police to fight drug crime.

Hundreds link arms to oppose US radar plan

Local opposition to DARC proposal grows as campaigners warn of health risks and military escalation

LocAL buSineSSeS SpeAk out

A MASS protest took place on Newgale beach over the weekend, as residents formed a human chain stretching the length of the famous pebble bank, voicing their opposition to the Ministry of Defence’s controversial Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) proposal.

The radar array, earmarked for Cawdor Barracks in Brawdy, would include 27 dishes, each as tall as four double-decker buses. Campaigners say the scheme threatens the protected landscape of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, raises serious health concerns, and makes the region a target in future global conflict.

Organised by local action group PARC Against DARC (Pembrokeshire Against Radar Campaign), the demonstration was described by supporters as “the biggest visual statement yet” against the project. Drone footage of the event shows protesters holding hands across the length of the beach while hundreds more gathered near a temporary campsite set up beside the road.

The protest follows a petition nearing 18,000 signatures and comes after 37 politicians from both the Senedd and Westminster declared their opposition in official statements.

Tim Rees, director of Unearthed Festival and several hospitality ventures in the area, told The Herald: “We have a beautiful coastline which the National Park has done a great job preserving, and we’re about to throw that away for something that won’t benefit tourism and won’t benefit local people.”

“We don’t get a say, and the money invested here won’t trickle down,” he added.

FeArS oF MiLitAriSAtion AnD bypASS ‘ruSe’

Campaigners say the Newgale bypass plan—currently undergoing public consultation—is deeply connected to the DARC project. Gordon Main of the STUN campaign warned:

“This is a pan-Wales issue. Do we want to become a client state of the USA?

The road is clearly about servicing this radar site, and it’s being justified on spurious science.”

Over 90% of responses to the bypass consultation were objections, according to PARC.

HeALtH riSkS AnD gLobAL inStAbiLity

Emma Tannahill, a local resident, raised concerns about health impacts: “There’s staggering scientific evidence

showing elevated cancer rates among those working at radar stations of similar type. These weren’t people on the dishes—they were in the vicinity.”

Brian Jones of CND Cymru added: “How much longer can we walk the tightrope of nuclear confrontation? One misreading or false alarm could end in disaster.”

AccuSAtionS

oF

SiLence AnD COMPLICITy

Jim Scott of PARC said: “This is not just a radar. It’s part of a US-led plan for space dominance, potentially linked to Trump’s proposed ‘Golden Dome’ strategy to neutralise other nations’ satellites and carry out first-strike attacks without retaliation.”

He continued: “Trump isn’t our president, and he isn’t the world’s president. The people of Pembrokeshire have spoken clearly: we won’t be a target for someone else’s war.”

Scott also criticised the local MP, Henry Tufnell: “He has parroted MOD talking points from day one. He’s not listening to the people of this constituency, and we won’t forget that come election time.”

More preSSure to coMe

The Herald understands that the Ministry of Defence has not yet produced a full Environmental Impact

Assessment for the DARC proposal, despite early promises. Campaigners believe separating the radar from plans for the bypass road, the cable landing site, and the power infrastructure could be a breach of planning law.

The protest at Newgale is the latest in a series of escalating demonstrations, with further action expected in the coming months.

Milford Haven man sentenced for neighbour threats to kill neighbour

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced after threatening to kill his next‑door neighbour and hurling homophobic abuse at her husband.

Tensions between Andrew Johns and his neighbour, Elizabeth Radcliff, boiled over on May 30 when Mrs Radcliff parked her car at the end of Richard John Road.

“She decided to park there as she was concerned that it may

be damaged,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But the defendant shouted ‘Are you happy now?’, possibly because the council had asked him to clean up his property.”

The court heard that Johns then launched into a tirade of verbal abuse.

“He said he was going to kill her and also a man he described as ‘that gay muppet’,” Ms Vaughan said. “This

was a reference to the complainant’s husband, as he wears a shirt and tie to work.

“They’ve been living close to each other for the past 27 years and many issues have been reported to the police. His neighbour is now frightened that he will carry out these threats, as she has seen him throw things at people in the past.”

Johns, 46, of Richard John Road, pleaded guilty to using threatening,

abusive and insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

His solicitor, Awen Harries, told magistrates that Johns had no intention of communicating with the complainant in the future.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order, requiring Johns to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days. He was fined £230 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Thousands taken off NHS waiting lists in Pembrokeshire for missed appointments

tHouSAnDS of pembrokeshire patients have been taken off nHS waiting lists in recent years for missing appointments, failing to confirm them, or other administrative reasons — at the same time the Welsh Government is under pressure to bring down the number of people waiting over a year, or even two years, for treatment.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that between January 2020 and June 2025, more than 20,000 outpatient and inpatient cases across the Hywel Dda University Health Board area were removed for reasons including “Did Not Attend” (DNA), “Could Not Attend” and “patient did not phone for appointment – discharged.”

Withybush General Hospital is among the sites with the highest number of removals. Trauma and orthopaedics — already one of the

longest-waiting specialties in Wales — is one of the most affected.

The health board’s Patient Access Policy allows removal from the list after a single missed appointment without notice, or after a second “Could Not Attend” during the same treatment pathway. The rules are meant to ensure fairness and keep waiting times within the Welsh Government’s 26-week referral-to-treatment target.

However, the board does not track how many of those removed are reinstated after appealing, complaining, or being re-referred — meaning there is no clear picture of how many patients are genuinely no longer seeking treatment and how many have simply been “reset” onto a fresh clock. Critics say this creates scope to reduce official

waiting list numbers without actually treating people.

‘urgent’ LiSt – but Four‑yeAr WAIT

One local orthopaedic patient told The Herald she waited nearly four years for her first joint replacement despite being placed on the “urgent” list in 2013. Her condition worsened year-on-year, forcing her to give up her job and become dependent on crutches. She endured years of chronic pain and sleepless nights before her first surgery went ahead. With two further operations needed, she faced the prospect of a decade or more before being pain-free.

“I wish I could say my story is unique,” she said. “But it’s not. Friends have waited five years or more. It destroys your life.”

reMoveD AFter 30 MontHS on tHe LiSt

Another Pembrokeshire patient — a retired NHS midwife — was told in February that she had been removed from the orthopaedic waiting list for a knee replacement because her BMI was deemed too high.

She had already waited two-and-a-half years. No offer of support, weight-loss help, or review was given. Only when she pressed the hospital did she discover she had actually been taken off the list weeks earlier and placed on a so-called “Green pathway.”

“I’d had the other knee replaced six years ago at a similar weight and made a good recovery,” she told The Herald. “They told me I wouldn’t lose my place on the list, but I don’t believe them. Then I hear the health board claiming no one is waiting over two years — it doesn’t add up.”

MiSSeD LetterS AnD cAnceLLeD operAtionS

Between April 2021 and June 2025, Hywel Dda logged more than 2,000 complaints containing keywords such as “waiting”, “cancelled” and “communication”, suggesting late or missed appointment letters may be a factor in at least some removals.

The Welsh Government says the number of people waiting over two years has fallen sharply, but frontline patients in Pembrokeshire say the reality is far different.

The Herald has asked Hywel Dda University Health Board and the Welsh Government whether enough safeguards exist to stop patients being unfairly removed — and whether the removals are having the effect of artificially improving official waiting time statistics.

Tipsy farm worker caught drink-driving through Crundale

A FARM worker has been banned from the roads after being caught driving almost twice over the legal drink‑drive limit in Crundale.

Police officers became concerned at the way a Vauxhall panel van was being driven along Dingle Road just after 11:00pm on July 18.

“It was swaying from hedge to hedge, and at one point nearly collided with an embankment,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Officers followed the van for around three miles before switching on their blue lights. The vehicle came to a halt, and

the driver was identified as 47-year-old Jacer Kucharz, of Little Fenton Farm, Dingle Road, Crundale.

“When the officers spoke to him, he was slurring his words and smelling of alcohol,” Ms Vaughan said.

A roadside breath test was positive, and further tests at the police station showed Kucharz had 67 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Kucharz, who has lived in the UK for the past seven years, was disqualified from driving for 22 months. He was fined £484 and ordered to pay a £194 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Over £10,000 worth of cocaine seized

POLICE in Llanelli have taken more than £10,000 worth of cocaine off the streets following a successful drugs raid.

Officers executed a warrant at a house in Dilwyn Street, Llanelli at around 5:00pm on Thursday (Jul 31). Inside, they discovered a small bag of cocaine, a quantity of cannabis, cash, weighing scales and other drug-

dealing paraphernalia.

Further searches uncovered a bag of white powder which was later confirmed to contain almost 140 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of between £10,900 and £13,600.

Andrew Kane Rees, 25, has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs, being

concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs, and possessing criminal property. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on September 1.

Police have urged members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour linked to drug use or supply. Reports can be made online at www.

dyfed-powys.police.uk, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, calling 101, or sending a direct message via social media.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via www. crimestoppers-uk.org.

Kilgetty warrant arrest: man released on bail

A MAN arrested following a police warrant in k ilgetty last week has been released on conditional bail.

The 38-year-old was detained on Friday (Aug 1) after officers attended a property in Lyndhurst Avenue, Broadmoor, at around 9:15am. He was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill and possession of a firearm with intent to cause harm.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed today (Aug 4) that he has been released on conditional bail while further enquiries are carried out.

Officers previously said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident, but a high police presence remained in the area following the arrest to reassure residents and address any community concerns.

Milford Haven man fined for breaching community order

A 21‑yEAR OLD Milford Haven man has been fined after failing to carry out unpaid work as part of a community order imposed for two separate assaults.

Kareem Bugby, of Larch Road, appeared before Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Magistrates’ Court

sitting at Haverfordwest on Monday (Aug 4).

The court heard Bugby had been made subject to a community order on 6 August 2024 after admitting two counts of assault by beating against the same woman, Amber Turnbull. The assaults took place in July 2024 —

one at Haven Court, Monkton, and the other at Victoria Place, Haverfordwest. The order required Bugby to carry out unpaid work and take part in up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity. However, he failed to attend unpaid work sessions on 4 July and 11 July this year.

Magistrates were told he admitted breaching the order without reasonable excuse.

The community order was revoked and Bugby was fined £40. He was also ordered to pay £60 in costs, bringing the total to £100, to be paid by 1 September.

Protest planned in Haverfordwest to highlight child starvation in Gaza

A DeMonStrAtion will be held in Haverfordwest this weekend calling for an end to what organisers describe as the “deliberate starving of children” in Gaza.

Campaign group Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire is urging residents to gather at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 9, at The Old Bridge in the town. Participants are being encouraged to “bring your pots and pans and make some noise” as part of the protest.

The event aims to defend the right to protest, raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and call for an immediate end to the blockade and military actions that have left thousands of children malnourished.

Promotional material for the demonstration features an image of two-year-old Yazan Abu Foul, a resident of Al-Shati Refugee Camp, to underline the scale of the crisis.

Organisers say the protest will stand in solidarity with Palestinians facing what they describe as “genocide,” and will demand urgent action from world leaders to stop the suffering.

20 years for man who raped and controlled women

A WeSt WALeS man has been jailed for 20 years for rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and stalking after four women spoke out about his dangerous and predatory behaviour.

Jamil Ahmed admitted committing offences against four victims, three from other police force areas and one who lived in Dyfed-Powys.

The 28-year-old, from Clydach in Swansea, was charged with rape and controlling and coercive behaviour against a woman from Carmarthenshire, who described him as ‘intimidating’ and ‘frightening’.

Swansea Crown Court heard how the victim reported being raped by Ahmed while she was passed out. She only found out about the offence when he showed her a video of him having sexual intercourse with her as she slept. He also controlled aspects of her life, preventing her from speaking to

other men, blocking family members from contacting her, shutting down her social media accounts, and threatening to harm people she knew.

He controlled her emotions and finances, and even slept outside her home, and near her children’s school so he would see her when she dropped them off in the morning.

After pleading guilty to three charges of rape, three charges of controlling and coercive behaviour, and one charge of stalking, Ahmed was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with an extended licence of eight years on release. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order.

Officer in case DC Jack Herbert, of Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “Ahmed is a dangerous individual who showed calculated and predatory behaviour towards four women, leaving them in fear of his outbursts.

“I commend each of them for having the strength to speak out about him, and to report his criminal actions in order for us to investigate and bring him to justice. This has taken great courage, but it is thanks to them that he has received this lengthy prison sentence.

“I would encourage anyone living in a controlling relationship, or who has suffered a sexual offence, to reach out for help. Either report it to police, and we can ensure you receive the support you need during an investigation, or look to speak to a specialist service if you are not yet ready to report.”

You can find information about reporting rape and sexual offences, and contact details for support services here: https://www.dyfed-powys.police. uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/ rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexualoffences/help-not-sure-report-rapesexual-assault/

A487 St Davids to Solva crash leads to drink-drive arrest

A MAN has been arrested and charged following a late night crash on the A487 between St Davids and Solva.

The incident happened at around 11:50pm on Monday, July 28, when a blue Ford Fiesta left the road and collided with a hedge. Emergency services attended the scene, and two people were taken to hospital with what

are believed to be minor injuries.

The road was closed for more than two hours, reopening at around 1:55am on Tuesday, July 29.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to a road traffic collision just after 11:50pm on Monday, July 28. A blue Ford Fiesta collided with a hedge on the A487 between St Davids and Solva. Two people were taken to

Restraining order extended after Monkton woman’s plea

A HEARTFELT plea to extend a criminal restraining order for a further two years has been granted after a Monkton woman described her ongoing fear of being approached by her brother.

Addressing Haverfordwest magistrates this week, Holly Powell said she still lives in fear of contact from convicted criminal Tobias Powell. Her comments were supported by their father, Carl Powell, who gave evidence via video link from the family home in

Monkton.

“She’s petrified about what Tobias Powell could do,” he told the court. “If we hear any bangs or knocks outside, we think it’s going to be Tobias.”

The original two-year restraining order was imposed in December 2023 after a campaign of harassment in which Tobias Powell, 26, persistently demanded money from his father.

After hearing the evidence, magistrates agreed to extend the restraining order for a further two years.

hospital with what are believed to be minor injuries. The road was closed and reopened at 1:55am on Tuesday, July 29.

“The driver of the vehicle, Evan James, aged 25, was arrested and later charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol above the limit and use of a motor vehicle on a road without insurance. He has been released on bail to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 19.”

Mother fined for assaulting son after drinking two bottles of wine

A peMbrokeSHire mother has admitted repeatedly slapping her adult son after drinking two bottles of wine.

Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates this week in custody, Amanda Lewis, of Britney Flats, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court that Lewis had told her son she planned to drink half a bottle of wine, prompting him to go for a lie down.

“But when he woke up, he could see that his mother was very drunk and had drunk at least two bottles of wine and some cans,” said Ms Vaughan.

Lewis then began throwing items across the room.

“Her son tried to restrain her, but she started slapping his arms,” continued Ms Vaughan. “She then started using more force, slapped him multiple times and grabbed him to the back of his head, yanking it backwards using a lot of force.”

The 26-year-old son was eventually forced to push his mother to her stomach to defend himself.

Lewis’ solicitor, Mike Kelleher, said the pair had been living together for ten months and had been under strain after

police seized their dog on suspicion of it being a prohibited breed.

“This has caused a lot of stress to everyone, and she resorted to alcohol to calm herself down,” he said. “She’s looked after her children all her life and has never struck any of them. She knows her son was only trying to help her, and she’s ashamed and mortified at what’s happened.”

Lewis wept throughout the hearing.

Magistrates fined her £120 and ordered her to pay £100 compensation to her son, £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Milford man breached bail to retrieve dog and belongings

FruStrAtion over not being able to retrieve his dog and personal belongings led a Milford Haven man to breach his bail conditions and steal from his former partner.

The bail order had prevented 44-year-old David Daley from attending his ex-partner’s home in Milford Haven. However, on June 20, Daley went to the property and took two of her mobile phones.

He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, where he admitted harassing the woman without violence and stealing the phones.

“She attached sentimental value to these items, as the phones contained photos of her children,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

Defence solicitor Awen Harries said Daley’s actions were born out of frustration at not being able to recover his possessions.

“There were no threats of violence and the acts were impulsive,” she said. “He went back to her address because of his dog and his belongings, which were still there. He wasn’t getting any help from the police to retrieve them.”

Harries added that Daley had been struggling emotionally following the loss

of his sister.

“This was a particularly difficult period for him,” she said. “His emotions were heightened, but he doesn’t want to use this as an excuse for committing these offences.”

Daley, of Milton House, Milton Crescent, Milford Haven, also pleaded guilty to obstructing a police officer and possessing two grams of cocaine.

After considering a detailed probation report, magistrates imposed an 18-month community order, including 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a nine-month drink rehabilitation programme. He was fined £80 and ordered to pay £170 costs and a £114 surcharge.

Couple lived in timber lodge for 27 years without permission

A peMbrokeSHire couple, who have lived in their lorry delivered timber lodge without planning permission for nearly 30 years have been allowed to stay there.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Graham and Margaret Lavis, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, submitted an application for a certificate of lawfulness for single-storey timber lodge Windermere, Simpson Cross, near Haverfordwest.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement said: “The application relates to a timber-based dwelling, formerly a lodge which was delivered in two parts by lorry and then bolted together, that has been present on this site and occupied continuously by Mr and Mrs Graham Lavis since late November 1998 – a period of nearly 27 years. The veranda along the frontage of the lodge was also constructed in late 1998.

“In order to confirm that Windermere has been occupied as their only and permanent dwelling since November 1998, Mr and Mrs Lavis have now decided to apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

under the four and 10-year rule – the granting of which would also mean that it would benefit from immunity from any enforcement action.

“This application is not only on the basis of the size and fixed nature of the dwelling (in circa 2005/2007 a separate kitchen was attached to the original lodge

and later on a further bedroom) but with the history of continuous occupation by Mr and Mrs Lavis from November 1998 to the present.

“The history of both construction and size means that Windermere can no longer be seen as a caravan/mobile home but as a permanent dwelling.”

The statement said an adjacent property, in the ownership of the same family, The Stables, was granted a certificate of lawfulness back in 2005.

In support of the application witness statements of occupancy and a history of construction works were provided.

An officer report said the authority was “satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful,” adding the history of works had been corroborated through the review of the site using Google Earth Images.

A certificate of lawfulness for the scheme was granted.

Woman admits child sex abuse image offences

A WOMAN who has recently moved from Milford Haven has admitted a string of serious child sexual abuse image offences, including sharing the most extreme category of material.

Cheyenne Trice, 20, now living in Llanelli, appeared in court charged with three counts of making indecent images of children in Pembrokeshire between 2017 and 2022.

The court heard she was found to have 36 Category A images – the most serious classification – along with five Category B and two Category C images. She also admitted distributing

a Category A indecent image of a child on 16 August 2022.

In addition, Trice pleaded guilty to possessing six extreme pornographic images involving bestiality between September 2017 and August 2022.

Defence solicitor Jon Tarrant told the court that Trice was previously of good character and that the offences dated back some years.

Judge Catherine Richards adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Trice was granted bail and will be sentenced on 21 August. She has been placed on the sex offenders register.

Sex offender caught at airport after failing to tell police

A regiStereD sex offender has admitted failing to tell police he was travelling abroad and failing to disclose his bank accounts.

Joshua Powell, 23, of Bryncoch, Llanelli, is subject to notification requirements under the sex offenders’ register, which mean he must inform police at least seven days before travelling overseas.

But on February 22, Powell was stopped at Cardiff Airport without having

given the required notice. He was also found to have breached the order again on April 24 by failing to declare all the bank or building society accounts in his name.

Powell appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 29, where he pleaded guilty to both offences.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report. Powell was granted bail and is due back in court for sentencing on August 19.

Urgent action needed to stop exodus of doctors from Wales, says report

BMA Cymru Wales has issued a stark warning following the publication of the General Medical council’s (gMc) State of Medical Education and Practice in the uk: Workplace experiences 2025 report, highlighting persistent and deepening concerns about the working conditions for doctors in Wales.

Dr Iona Collins, chair of the BMA’s Welsh Council, said the report confirms what the union has been raising for years: “The GMC’s findings highlight the concerns that BMA Cymru Wales repeatedly raise. It is disappointing, yet unsurprising, that the report found doctors in Wales more likely than the UK average to identify a range of barriers to providing good patient care.”

According to the GMC’s data, doctors in Wales reported significantly higher levels of inadequate staffing (81% compared with a 72% UK average), poor organisational leadership (52% vs 45%), and lack of access to necessary equipment and services (53% vs 44%). These barriers are contributing to continued risk to patient care and growing frustration among frontline clinicians.

The BMA’s own survey, released last week, found that 40% of resident doctors in Wales were concerned about being unemployed from August due to a shortage of training posts—despite chronic NHS staffing shortages. “It is incomprehensible that such highly trained professionals are unable to secure roles at a time when our health service is under immense strain,” said Dr Collins.

While the GMC report noted some small improvements in overall satisfaction and reductions in burnout, it cautioned that these gains are

fragile. For example, satisfaction among doctors in 2024 was still below pre-pandemic levels (59% vs 63% in 2019), and 40% of doctors across the UK reported witnessing compromised patient care in the last year.

One area of critical concern remains General Practice. The report confirmed that GPs remain the most pressured

group in the workforce. Nationally, 61% of GPs reported difficulty providing adequate patient care at least once a week, and 46% were dissatisfied with their work. In Wales, these pressures are compounded by underinvestment, a lack of workforce growth, and an ageing population.

“We need an urgent rescue package for General Practice in Wales,” Dr Collins said. “Without proper investment, GP services are at risk of

collapse. This is not just a workforce issue—it’s a patient safety issue.”

The BMA also pointed to international competition for doctors, warning that countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA offer higher salaries, lighter workloads, and better training opportunities. “Unless we improve conditions in NHS Wales, the ‘Drexit’—doctors exiting the NHS— will accelerate,” Dr Collins warned.

However, the GMC’s report also pointed to some positives. The number of licensed doctors in the UK has grown, in part due to international recruitment, and risk of burnout has slightly declined. But the report emphasised that improvements in staffing must be matched by investment in training, supervision, and career progression, especially for locally employed (LE) doctors and those with protected characteristics.

Dr Collins concluded: “If we want to retain our doctors and provide worldclass care to the people of Wales, we must invest in better pay, safer staffing levels, and sustainable training pathways. The time to act is now.”

Background facts from the GMC report:

Wales-specific data: Higher than average reports of inadequate staffing (81%), poor leadership (52%), and lack of resources (53%).

GPs nationwide: 61% struggled to provide sufficient care weekly; 46% dissatisfied; 44% struggling with workload.

Training crisis: Only 39% of UK doctors felt able to progress their career the way they wanted; 21% of trainers reported stepping down from teaching roles due to workload.

Burnout trends: 18% of all doctors in 2024 were at high risk of burnout, down from 25% in 2022.

Dock motorist fined after crashing into ambulance

A peMbroke Dock man has been handed a four‑figure fine after crashing his BMW into a stationary ambulance while over the drink‑drive limit.

Raymond Batchelor, 52, was driving his BMW 5 Series on the A477 at Milton just after midnight on April 6 when the incident happened. Despite the blue lights being clearly visible, Batchelor ploughed into the parked ambulance as paramedics tended to a patient.

As a result, a second ambulance had to be dispatched to transport the patient to hospital.

In an impact statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, the

Welsh Ambulance Service said: “The loss of this ambulance no doubt had a negative impact on the community it serves. Not only did we have to call another ambulance to take the patient to hospital, but the loss of hours impacted considerably on the public service. We rely on spare capacity with our vehicles, so this incident meant a longer wait for patients.”

A subsequent urine test showed Batchelor had 223 milligrams of alcohol in his system – more than double the prescribed legal limit of 107.

Batchelor pleaded guilty to drink-driving. His solicitor, David Griffiths, told the court the incident

followed a party at the defendant’s home earlier that evening.

“Something got out of hand so the defendant distanced himself from the party and drove away,” said Mr Griffiths.

He added that Batchelor, who works at the Hinkley Point power station earning around £5,000 a month, has not driven since the collision.

“His wife now drives him to the train station and he catches the train to work,” Mr Griffiths said.

Batchelor, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, was fined £1,923 and ordered to pay a £769 court surcharge and £85 costs – a total of £2,777. He was disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Dyfed-Powys sees ‘biggest rise in UK car thefts’ according to Go.Compare

DyFeD‑poWyS poLice has recorded one of the steepest rises in vehicle thefts anywhere in the uk, according to new figures – with incidents up sharply in the past year and over the last five years.

The data, compiled by Go.Compare from Home Office records and freedom of information requests, claimed that the Dyfed-Powys area saw the highest year-on-year increase in Britain, with a 52% jump in thefts between 2023 and 2024. The report also suggested thefts had surged by 428% since 2019 – the biggest rise in the UK.

Dyfed-Powys, which covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire,

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Ceredigion and Powys, was followed by Gwent in second place with a 20% increase, while North Wales and South Wales forces also saw rises of 14% and 9% respectively.

SHArp riSe, but LoW overALL riSk

Despite the upward trend, Dyfed-Powys remains one of the safest places in the UK for car owners. In 2024 there was just one theft for every 1,666 registered vehicles –the second-lowest ratio in the country. By

Man denies attacking and strangling woman

A MILFORD HAVEN man has denied carrying out two separate alleged attacks on a woman, including strangulation.

Ieaun John, 20, from Plas Peregrine in Steynton, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Aug 2) charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation

following an incident on October 2 last year.

He also faces a further charge of strangling the same woman in an earlier incident on January 6 last year.

John entered not guilty pleas to all charges. Judge Catherine Richards fixed a trial date for April 14 next year. He was released on bail until then.

comparison, in South Wales there was one theft for every 370 vehicles, and in Gwent one for every 326.

NATIONAL PICTURE MIxED

Across the UK, vehicle thefts fell by around 3% last year compared to 2023 –but rates remain 8% higher than in 2019. Some northern areas recorded substantial drops, with Cleveland down 25%, Greater Manchester down 19% and Merseyside down 18%.

However, the Welsh figures suggest the problem here is worsening, particularly in rural areas where thefts were once rare.

Security ADvice For DriverS

Steve Ramsey, managing editor for motoring at Go.Compare, said: “While vehicle thefts in the UK fell last year, certain areas continue to experience worrying increases. If you live in an area where thefts are rising, consider taking extra steps to protect your car.

“Invest in anti-theft measures such as a Thatcham-approved alarm, steering lock or tracker, park in well-lit or CCTV-monitored areas, and keep keys out of sight at home.”

Police: ‘Figures in report are not accurate’

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “We know that being a victim of car crime is upsetting, costly and an inconvenience and we acknowledge the significant impact that crimes of this nature have on victims.

“While it is difficult to comment on the

exact reason for the increase in reports of vehicle thefts, we are aware of reporting issues due to our transition to a new crime system in 2023 which has led to a disparity in the figures in 2023 and 2024. Measures have been taken to correct the figures, however this may not be reflected in the published ONS data.”

The force says its own records show there were 128 vehicle theft offences in 2023 and 177 in 2024 – an increase of 38.3% rather than 52%. Looking back further, the force recorded 47 such offences in 2019, meaning the five-year rise is 276.6%, not 428% as claimed in the report.

“While the percentage increase is high, the actual number of incidents remains low compared to other forces,” the spokesperson added.

Police have issued the following advice to motorists to reduce the risk of theft:

• Lock your car whenever it is unattended.

• Keep keyless car fobs well away from your vehicle and store them in a signal-blocking pouch.

• Use a strong, full-cover steering wheel lock.

• Never leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running.

• Consider CCTV and motion-sensing security lights at home.

• Avoid leaving valuables or tools on display.

More advice is available at: Keeping vehicles safe | Dyfed-Powys Police

Man jailed for grooming ‘teen girl’ decoy

A 59‑year‑old man who believed he was speaking to a 13‑year‑old girl sent her sexual images and arranged to meet up, a court has heard.

Frank Standring, of Ilston, Llanelli, began messaging the “girl” on Facebook in May 2022 — unaware she was in fact a decoy account run by paedophilehunting group Dank Dragon.

Despite being told she was 13, Standring asked about her underwear, whether she liked older men and told her to keep their conversations secret. He called another man she had been speaking to a “nonce” and a “dirty paedo” — while himself sending her pictures of his erect penis.

He told her he loved her, asked her to perform a sex act on him, and suggested going to the cinema together. Members of the group later confronted him at a Carmarthen church where he was helping homeless people.

Standring later admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a child following grooming.

Judge Huw Rees told him: “You thought you were communicating with a 13-year-old child. Your intention was unhealthy and sexual.”

He was jailed for 14 months and made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Milford Haven Coastguard coordinates major cliff rescue

A 61‑yEAR OLD man with a suspected broken ankle was airlifted to safety on Sunday evening (Aug 4) after a major multi‑agency rescue at Dams Bay, east of Roose Point. The operation was coordinated by the Milford Haven Coastguard Operations Room, which received a 999 call from the casualty after he slipped and fell heavily on rocks, leaving him

unable to move.

Barry Dock RNLI’s inshore lifeboat launched at around 5:15pm with three volunteer crew on board, making best speed in choppy seas. On arrival, it was clear that recovering the casualty by sea was too dangerous due to the rocky location and his injuries.

Barry Coastguard Rescue Team, already on scene, agreed that a

helicopter winch was the safest option. Milford Haven Coastguard tasked Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 187, which flew to the scene and winched the man to safety before taking him to hospital for treatment.

The RNLI lifeboat remained nearby to support the rescue before returning to station to be washed down and made ready for service.

A Barry Dock RNLI spokesperson praised the teamwork that brought the incident to a safe conclusion: “Thankfully the casualty had a charged mobile phone and was able to call the Coastguard. The coordinated effort between the rescue team, the helicopter crew and our lifeboat meant he was reached quickly and safely, despite challenging conditions.”

Coastal visitors are reminded to

check tide times, wear appropriate footwear and always carry a means of calling for help. In an emergency, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Nightclub now hotspot for drug use and anti-social behaviour

A W e S t wales nightclub, once one of the biggest names in the uk club scene, is now attracting drug users, anti‑social behaviour – and urban explorers.

South Wales Police say the old Escape nightclub in Northampton Lane, Swansea, has become a magnet for illegal activity. Officers recently found four unsecured doors at the long - derelict venue, allowing easy access. The building has stood empty since its closure in 2015, but still bears its original signage.

The site has also drawn the attention of urban explorers. A YouTube channel, Abandoned Welsh Explorer, is set to premiere a new video tour of the venue next month, showing previously unseen areas including the roof. Meanwhile, photos shared on Facebook have revealed the inside of the club remarkably intact – with the bar area still stocked with bottles on the counter as if it had closed only yesterday.

Escape first opened in 1995 and quickly became a major player in the UK dance scene, attracting global DJs such as Paul Van Dyk, Carl Cox, Pete Tong, Ferry Corsten and Judge Jules. At its peak, the venue

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employed 80 staff, hosted up to 1,190 clubbers and even launched its own

outdoor festival, Escape Into The Park, at Swansea’s Singleton Park. Police have now contacted the current owner to warn that the building is unsafe and vulnerable to further

illegal activity. Nearby business owners have helped clear and secure the outside area, and officers will carry out regular patrols to make sure the site stays locked up.

Councillor says action over Trefin dog row is ‘slow and frustrating’

THE COUNTy COUNCILLOR for Llanrhian has responded to residents’ claims that nothing is being done about a neighbour keeping ten border collies in a small home in trefin – saying he has been pushing for action for over a year, but the legal process has become “slow and frustrating.”

Residents of Bryn y Derwydd staged a protest this week (Monday, Aug 4), accusing the council, police, and their local member of failing to act over what they describe as a “nightmare neighbour” whose pack of dogs is making their lives a misery.

In a statement sent to The Herald, Cllr Neil Prior said he had been aware of the situation for more than 12 months and had

Tom

Sinclair editor@herald.email

been in “frequent dialogue” with housing, environmental health, public protection, the police, and affected residents –including the victim of a dog attack.

“I have been in regular contact with residents, visiting neighbouring properties, speaking to the resident in question, and petitioning the relevant council departments to take action,” he said. “I have stressed to PCC staff that this issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible for the residents of Bryn y Derwydd as it is impacting their quality of life.”

Cllr Prior said the council is taking

enforcement action, but warned that the legal process must be followed, which means progress is slow.

“I have also been in frequent contact with the police,” he added, “but I have been disappointed with the communication back to me and a lack of visible action specifically regarding the dog bite incident.”

Residents say the dogs bark constantly, roam freely, and have fouled the garden and surrounding area, preventing them from enjoying their homes in peace. They claim the issue has been dragging on for far too long.

A police spokesperson said: ““We are aware of the concerns raised by residents in Bryn Y Derwydd and regular patrols are

being conducted in the area.

“Residents are advised to report any concerns on this matter to Pembrokeshire Council’s Housing and Public Protection Services.”

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Housing and Public Protection teams are aware of the situation having received multiple complaints from residents, with Officers having been actively following up on these complaints. We are now considering our options with advice from our legal services.

“We recognise the disruption the situation is causing to local residents and thank them for their continued patience whilst we work through the legal process in seeking a resolution.”

Firefighters tackle large waste blaze in Pembroke Dock

peMbrokeSHire firefighters have tackled a blaze involving a large quantity of waste material opposite the county’s civic amenity site in Pembroke Dock.

Two fire engines from Pembroke Dock Fire Station were called to Eastern Avenue, on the Waterloo Industrial Estate, at around 1:04pm on Wednesday (July 30).

The fire, described by the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service as “well alight,” broke out on land opposite Pembrokeshire County Council’s civic amenity site.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Crew members used two breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, one main jet and one smooth bore branch to extinguish the blaze.”

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.

County Councuillor Neil Prior

Boat theft sparks launch of new marine security range

A NEW range of marine security products has been launched to help protect leisure vessels, something which will be welcome news to Pembrokeshire boating enthusiasts following a spate of thefts locally.

The SeaSight range has been developed by IT and systems specialist Tony Cantrill, a long-time boat owner whose brand-new Ribeye A683 was stolen from a swing mooring in St Mawes under the cover of darkness on July 28, 2024 – just 23 days after it first hit the water.

Mr Cantrill says the range is designed to challenge a “dangerous myth” among boat owners – that theft doesn’t happen. “Nobody expects their boat to be stolen,” he said. “But it happens – and having lived through it, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

The theft sparked a major investigation involving the marine police, Border Force, Project Kraken, local officers and even Interpol. Mr Cantrill believes some smaller stolen boats are used for drug trafficking and other criminal activity.

Wales, with its busy leisure boating community from Anglesey and Conwy to the Pembrokeshire coast, has seen its share of incidents. North Wales Police confirmed a series of high-value thefts at Pwllheli Marina in July 2024, prompting

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warnings for owners to improve security on engines and equipment.

The SeaSight range offers layered protection through physical deterrents, real-time tracking and covert monitoring. It includes three core products:

• Secure – a heavy-duty padlock and marine-grade cable developed with

ABUS, designed to lock vessels to dock fixtures or anchor points.

• Shield – a connected onboard tracking and alarm system with a proprietary mooring sensor to detect both theft and mooring line failure. Features include geofencing, tow alerts, tamper detection and ignition sensing.

• Stealth – a hidden, battery-powered tracker that sends secure location data every 24 hours, even if the boat’s power is cut.

All three products can be self-installed and used individually or as a package, with Shield and Stealth working alongside the SeaSight mobile app. They are now available through the SeaSight website and marine retailer Tack & Jibe.

Mr Cantrill says his goal is to give owners an affordable, practical way to protect their boats. “It’s just not something leisure boaters want to think about – until it happens,” he said.

Tom

Tenby Music Festival hailed a triumph in first year

tHe FirSt tenby international Music Festival has been hailed a major success after three days of concerts brought world‑class performers to the seaside town.

The event, which ran from Thursday, July 31, to Saturday, August 2, featured musicians from Wales, England, Japan,

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Scotland, Australia and the United States. Venues included St Mary’s Church and Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, which hosted a wide-ranging

programme from classical favourites to modern works.

The festival opened with an interactive children’s concert at Tenby Museum, where families enjoyed lively performances of Vivaldi’s Carnival of the Animals and The Four Seasons. Designed for children aged three to

seven, the short show encouraged participation and proved a popular introduction to classical music.

On Friday evening, the Piano Extravaganza brought the audience to its feet with pieces including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Piazzolla’s Libertango. Later, The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires mixed world sounds and storytelling, with works by Piazzolla, Copland and Duke Ellington.

Saturday’s programme included Music of Wales and Wyoming, which showcased works by Welsh composers Morfydd Owen and Karl Jenkins alongside winners of the festival’s international composition competition. American folk influences were woven into the set, reflecting the festival’s cross-cultural approach. The evening concluded with an intimate violin and piano recital featuring Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess, and romantic pieces by Amy Beach.

Artistic directors Dominic Ciccotti and Thomas Mathias led the line-up, which blended international talent with strong Welsh representation. Ticket prices were kept deliberately low – £10 for adults and £5 for children – to make the festival accessible to local residents as well as visitors.

Organisers say the success of the first year means plans are already being discussed for 2026, with hopes the Tenby International Music Festival will become a regular fixture in Pembrokeshire’s cultural calendar.

Popular pizza oven shed to remain at St Dogmaels mill

A CALL to retain a shed for a mobile pizza oven which uses flour from one of only two working water mills in Wales has been approved by Pembrokeshire planners.

Emma Williams sought permission to retain a timber storage shed used

for a mobile pizza oven at The Mill, Mill Street, St Dogmaels.

The timber shed is situated directly adjacent to the millpond in the centre of

St Dogmaels, on a road known as The Shingrig.

The millpond forms part of the domestic curtilage of the adjoining mill house and both the mill pond and the adjoining community garden are owned by the applicant who runs the nearby St Dogmaels Mill as a family business and resides in the neighbouring Mill House, opposite the ruins of a former Benedictine abbey.

The mill itself ceased operation in 1926 but was later restored and is understood to be one of only two working commercial water mills in Wales.

The shed was constructed in late 2024 and in early 2025 Pembrokeshire County Council Planning Enforcement contacted the applicant to inform them planning permission was required for the shed, with a conservation officer later saying it was deemed to have a negative visual impact.

The application was backed by St Dogmaels Community Council and has received 25 letters of support, along with a 73-signature petition in favour of approval.

A supporting statement through agent Johnston Planning Ltd said the mobile pizza oven is operated on an occasional basis as part of the wider

mill operation.

“The structure stands in a rich historic environment within the confines of the St Dogmaels Conservation Area and in proximity to a number of listed buildings (The Vicarage, The Bier House, The Old Coach House & The Mill) as well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (St Dogmaels Abbey) and whilst preliminary discussions with county council officers regarding the retention of the structure have unfortunately been negative an application is nevertheless made for this purpose as (to a reasonable observer) the works are considered minor in scope and not to detract visually from the character of the host conservation area.”

An officer report recommending approval said that, while the council’s historic buildings conservation officer did initially raise concern regarding the impact of the siting of the “modest and appropriately designed” building on the historic environment, an amended scheme has been submitted which is considered to be acceptable, reducing the impact of the proposal on the setting of the historic environment “to neutral”. The scheme was conditionally approved by officers.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Mum with MS raising funds to compete on world CrossFit stage

A peMbrokeSHire mum living with Multiple Sclerosis is aiming to represent the uk at one of the world’s most prestigious CrossFit events — and she’s already raised hundreds of pounds to help get there.

Hannah Webster, 46, from

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Manorbier, has qualified for the 2025 Adaptive CrossFit Games Finals in Las Vegas this September. She will

compete in the Neuromuscular Major Female Division, taking on some of the strongest adaptive athletes from around the globe.

A former marathon runner, Hannah was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2020 after years of unexplained

symptoms, including leg weakness, bladder issues and losing vision in one eye. She said the diagnosis was lifechanging: “I had to mourn my previous self to get on with life.”

Despite the challenges, she now trains daily at CrossFit Pembrokeshire and is ranked among the world’s top adaptive athletes. Her determination and competitive spirit have inspired many within the chronic illness and disability community.

Hannah is fundraising to cover the costs of travel, accommodation and specialist equipment for the competition. At least 20% of the total raised will be donated to the MS Society. She has also pledged to print the names of all donors on the T-shirt she will wear during competition, with supporters able to request motivational shout-outs and messages.

So far, she has raised £650 of her £700 target. Any extra funds will help her upgrade her nutrition, including swapping sachet-based protein for something “a bit tastier.”

Hannah is also working on a memoir and launching a podcast to share the experiences of disabled athletes worldwide.

Donations can be made via her GoFundMe page: Still Standing — Get Han to Vegas for the CrossFit Finals!

Welsh communities to receive £17m regeneration boost

AN ExTRA £17 million will be invested in regeneration projects across Wales to help revitalise town and city centres, the Welsh Government has announced.

The additional funding will increase the Transforming Towns budget for 2025-26 from £40 million to £57 million, enabling more projects to be delivered

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to boost economic activity, create jobs, and breathe new life into high streets.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant unveiled the funding during a visit to

key regeneration sites in Wrexham. The city has already benefitted from more than £10 million in Transforming Towns support, with major projects either completed or nearing completion.

Among them is the newly refurbished indoor Butchers’ Market, which received £2.5 million in grant funding. The overhaul has created a high-quality

space for independent traders, boosted footfall, and enhanced the vibrancy of the city centre. Improvements to the High Street have also made the area more pedestrian-friendly, with new green infrastructure and outdoor spaces for bars and restaurants.

Ms Bryant said: “Projects like the revitalised Butchers’ Market demonstrate how our funding creates jobs, supports local businesses, and makes town centres vibrant places where people want to live, work, and visit.

“Through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, we have invested more than £156 million over the past three years, and this additional £17 million will accelerate that progress, breathing new life into town centres across Wales and delivering the economic growth that our communities deserve.”

Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, said: “The Butchers’ Market, General Market, and High Street improvements are great examples of how we’re working with Welsh Government to re-energise key elements of the city.”

Council Leader Mark Pritchard added: “Wrexham is a fantastic city and the funding we’ve received through the Transforming Towns initiative has made a huge difference.”

Llangwm Litfest roars with literary ‘Lionesses’

‘tHere are so many Lionesses at Llangwm Litfest this year, it’s going to be roaringly good,’ laughs Michael Pugh, Director of the Llangwm Literary Festival.

He’s not talking about footballers, but literary powerhouses who will take to the stage at the small but much-loved festival, which runs from Friday to Sunday, 8–10 August.

Does it seem odd to call writers Lionesses? ‘Not necessarily,’ says Pugh. ‘For example, Janet Todd is giving a talk on Jane Austen, who famously described

herself as a wild beast.’

HeADLine ActS

Topping the bill on Friday is Neyland-born Sarah Waters, celebrated for her award-winning Victorian-era thrillers. Hot on her heels is historian Angela John with her acclaimed biography of Philip Burton. John also

Detectors, who works with young people to help them become media-savvy and to create a ‘manifesto for the mobile phone’.

FAMiLy FocuS

Children are a major focus this year. Gill Lewis and Beth Mackintosh will lead a storytelling and art session, while the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park team brings its dazzling biofluorescence dome. Nicola Davies will host a family event on how to ‘speak Whale’.

FOOD AND FORAGING

Food is always a crowd-pleaser at Litfest. Julia Horton-Mansfield will lead a foraging session along the Cleddau, while Angharad Underwood shares how she turned her passion into an award-winning food business — and has promised to bring her home-made lemon curd.

CRAFT PRIDE

acted as adviser on the recently released film about Burton’s life. Festival favourite Miranda Seymour returns with insights into the war-scarred poet Robert Graves, drawing on her unique access to his family archives.

inveStigAtive eDge

The festival’s Lionesses will also be tackling fake news and media literacy. Maverick investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr joins Juliane von Reppert-Bismarck, founder of Lie

At St Jerome’s on Friday and Saturday, craft-making Lionesses, led by pride matriarch Liz Tipping, will offer unique handmade items — perfect for early Christmas shoppers.

LionS in tHe Mix

The line-up is not all Lionesses. Litfest ‘Lions’ include David Wilson, Jack Meggitt-Phillips, Ryan Spence, John Roach, Ben Aitken, Boo Hewerdine, Mark Lewis, Rhys Eynon and pride patriarch Colin Thubron.

The Llangwm Literary Festival runs 8–10 August in Llangwm. For details email llangwmlitfest@gmail.com or visit www.llangwmlitfest.co.uk.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Mystery of Manorbier airman may soon be solved

FOR more than eighty years, a white war grave headstone in Manorbier churchyard has marked the resting place of an unknown airman from the Second World War.

The simple inscription reads: “An airman of the 1939-1945 war, an officer, RAF”.

The mystery began when the body of an RAF officer, wearing pilot’s wings, was washed ashore at Skrinkle Bay, Manorbier, on 12 October 1941. He was buried in the village churchyard four days later.

Now, Pembrokeshire aviation historian Malcolm Cullen, of Marloes, believes he may have discovered the man’s identity.

Mr Cullen, a founder member of the Pembrokeshire Aviation Group, began

investigating after being contacted by Australian Douglas Ritchie. His uncle –also named Douglas – disappeared while flying a twin-engined Blenheim over the Irish Sea on 28 August 1941.

Although wartime censorship was strict, local newspapers did report a coroner’s court hearing at the time. The reports noted that the airman wore RAF battledress of a dark blue colour, similar to the Royal Australian Air Force. This prompted Mr Ritchie to wonder if the Manorbier airman might be his missing uncle.

Mr Cullen’s research uncovered several aircraft losses in the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea around the same period, including an Anson trainer from North Devon which crashed off Hartland

Point on 27 August 1941. All four crew were lost.

Two bodies were recovered in Pembrokeshire – one at Newgale on 30 September and another at Marloes Sands on 12 October – while a third was found on the Cornish coast. All were identified. The pilot, however – Sous Lieutenant Karol Sapieha-Kodenski of the Free French Air Force – was never found.

“The references to a dark blue uniform suggested an Australian connection,” said Mr Cullen. “But Free French airmen also wore dark blue. Taking into account tidal currents, the gulf stream and prevailing wind direction, I believe that if Douglas Ritchie’s body had come ashore, it would more likely have been north of the Llyn Peninsula.

“I have been researching these aircraft losses for several years and strongly believe the Manorbier airman is Lieutenant Sapieha-Kodenski. I have submitted a full report to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who will now decide.”

Lieutenant Sapieha-Kodenski was a prince with both French and Polish heritage. Mr Cullen’s research into his family history has revealed a remarkable and distinguished background. Only two Second World War graves in Pembrokeshire are marked as ‘unknown airmen’ – the Manorbier grave and another in Llanion Cemetery, Pembroke Dock. The Llanion airman was buried on 21 October 1941 and is thought to have been found at Bullslaughter Bay on the Castlemartin range.

Three honoured for decades of Eisteddfod service

tHe nAtionAL eiSteDDFoD would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who give their time each year to ensure the festival runs smoothly.

This year, three long-serving stewards were honoured for their dedication by being inaugurated as members of Gorsedd Cymru.

One of them, Keris Jones from Llantysilio near Llangollen, has volunteered for half a century. Known for years as “Mrs Pagoda” when she worked at the Pagoda venue, she now stewards at the Studio, guiding competitors through their preliminary tests.

Gorsedd Recorder Christine James said Keris is “a huge part of the competitors’ experience” and praised her care and commitment. Keris,

originally from Rhosllannerchrugog, said the honour was special but added: “That’s not why I volunteer – I do it because I want to.”

Keris has also volunteered at the Urdd and Llangollen Eisteddfodau and remains an active figure in her community.

Also honoured was Dylan Wyn Jones, known as “Dylan Carafáns” for his years running the Eisteddfod’s caravan site. He also oversaw festival stewards for almost 20 years and is a long-time supporter of Welsh organisations.

The third recipient, retired police inspector Richard “Dic” Jones, has been part of the Chief Steward’s team since 2007, with responsibility for transport. He is also active in local sport and community life.

Pictured: The Rev Martine Johnson, Priest‑in‑Charge of Manorbier Church, with Malcolm Cullen at the grave of the ‘Unknown Airman’. The headstone bears the words ‘Known Unto God’. (Pics: Martin Cavaney Photography)

Quick-thinking lifeguard rescues dog swimming out to sea at Newport Sands

RNLI lifeguards patrolling at newport Sands in pembrokeshire rescued a five‑year‑old giant Schnauzer after he swam more than 200 metres out towards Dinas Head.

On Sunday, 27 July, RNLI lifeguard Elen Hill was patrolling the beach when she spotted a dog in the water. At first, nothing appeared unusual, but moments later she noticed the dog’s owners on shore looking visibly worried.

Elen drove the all-terrain vehicle to speak with them and quickly learned

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that the dog, named Bertie, was not returning and was instead heading directly for Dinas Head – a daunting distance for any dog to attempt. Without hesitation, Elen grabbed a rescue board and paddled out to intercept him. By the time she reached Bertie, he was more than 200 metres offshore and clearly tiring. Unable to lift the large dog onto the board, she

managed instead to steer him back towards the beach.

With the help of a passing windsurfer, Elen encouraged Bertie to swim to safety. Nearing the shore, the exhausted dog began to struggle to keep his head above water, forcing Elen to hold his collar to stop him going under.

Bertie was safely returned to dry land, much to the relief of his owners.

Kate Wagg, Bertie’s owner, said: “We’re so thankful to Elen for saving our Bertie. He just wouldn’t come back and was fixated on the headland. We honestly thought we’d lost him. Without Elen’s bravery and quick response, the outcome could have been very different. My children would have been devastated. We will be eternally grateful and have made a donation to the RNLI to show our appreciation.”

Noah Harvatt, Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire, praised the rescue: “We’re very proud of Elen’s fast response and the care she showed for Bertie. She put her training to good use and saved a life. RNLI lifeguards are specially trained for sea rescues – if you see an animal in difficulty, do not enter the water yourself. Always alert lifeguards or call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”

Brave RNLI lifeguard: Elen Hill

Tom Sinclair

Tenby Brewing Company to open at Western Quayside

t H e LAte S t occupier is preparing to move into Haverfordwest’s new Western Quayside development — and it’s set to bring a fresh flavour to the town centre.

Tenby Brewing Company has agreed headline terms to lease the former Marychurch Foundry, seizing the opportunities offered by the riverside regeneration scheme.

Founded in 2015, the independent brewery is known for producing fullflavoured beers using high-quality ingredients and pure Pembrokeshire water. Already established in Tenby and Narberth, the company’s reach now extends further across the county and beyond, with its beers and ciders stocked in pubs, shops, and restaurants across the UK.

The new Haverfordwest venue will serve a rotating range of Tenby Brewing Company’s own beers and ciders, alongside offerings from guest suppliers. A varied street food menu will also be available.

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Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Paul Miller, said: “Western Quayside is an important part of our long-term regeneration plan for the county town, and this is another important step forward. It’s great to have the team at Tenby Brewing Company on board.”Company Director James Beaven added: “We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our brandnew bar in Haverfordwest, set along the scenic riverside in the vibrant new development area opposite the new bridge.

“The Foundry is part of the town’s industrial heritage and we feel privileged to breathe new life into the old stone building. The bar will serve fresh craft beers brewed by Tenby Brewing Co., alongside a next-level menu of street food. We hope it will become a go-to venue for locals and visitors alike.”

Local member Cllr Thomas Tudor welcomed the news, saying: “This is great news for Haverfordwest and

I look

Combating loneliness: The Torch Theatre welcomes new ‘Cwtch Post Box’

A NEW bright red post box has been installed at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre, but it’s not for ordinary mail. Instead, this special ‘ c wtch p ost b ox’ is aimed at tackling loneliness and spreading moments of joy to isolated residents across Pembrokeshire.

Behind this heartfelt initiative is local resident Sandy Davies, who has already introduced five similar Cwtch Post Boxes at venues throughout the county. Her goal is simple yet powerful: to combat loneliness among older people, foster connections across generations, and ensure those feeling isolated receive a thoughtful reminder that they are not forgotten.

Residents of Pembrokeshire are encouraged to submit letters, poems, short stories, cards, or drawings into the Cwtch Post Box. Sandy personally collects and reviews each submission to ensure they are suitable and free from safeguarding concerns before distributing them to nominated elderly individuals. This initiative is not designed as a pen-pal service; recipients aren’t required to reply, but simply to enjoy the comforting message received.

“Keeping in touch with others is essential to fighting loneliness,” said Sandy, who moved from London to Pembrokeshire with her husband fourteen years ago. “Please join me by nominating an elderly person in your community who would benefit from a handwritten message and a

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personal visit from me. Encourage your children to get involved too; their drawings and messages can genuinely brighten someone’s day.”

The inspiration behind the Cwtch Post Box comes from Sandy’s own family experiences. Her parents, Amritial and Vasantiben Natalia, regularly wrote airmail letters home to India after emigrating to the UK in the 1960s. Sandy also fondly remembers how her late motherin-law, Nora Davies, kept her London-based family connected to Pembrokeshire community events by mailing handwritten notes and local newspapers.

Reflecting on how modern communication often leaves people feeling disconnected, Sandy remarked: “Nowadays, fewer people receive physical cards or letters. Many only get bills or junk mail, which can be disheartening. I’m passionate about helping the elderly feel remembered and valued.”

Sandy has a longstanding commitment to supporting older people. Since 2011, she has worked at St Thomas Surgery and began volunteering as a coordinator for Re-engage (formerly Contact the Elderly) a year later. Over the past thirteen years, she has organized various events including tea parties,

film afternoons, quizzes, and lunches aimed at bringing joy and social connection to older adults.

“My dream is to host an annual gathering uniting those who write the letters with the individuals who receive them,” Sandy added. “Though currently a Pembrokeshire project, I hope to expand the Cwtch Post Box across Wales, helping end loneliness throughout our communities.”

A free writing session for children will be held at the Torch Theatre on Friday, 15 August, from 11am to

3pm, encouraging young residents to contribute their creativity and kindness.

Additional Cwtch Post Boxes are located at the Waldo Lounge, Haverfordwest Library, Redhill Prep School and Montessori Nursery, and Mary Immaculate Catholic High School. To nominate someone, or for more information, contact cwtchpostbox@hotmail.com or visit the campaign’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ cwtchpostbox/.

forward to welcoming Tenby Brewing Company to the town centre.”

Digital public services not working for visually impaired Welsh speakers

DIGITAL public services are failing visually impaired users who want to access them in the Welsh language. This was the powerful message from Rob Williams during a panel event at the National Eisteddfod this week.

Hosted on the Welsh Government stand at the Eisteddfod, the event marked the launch of Access for All –a new book from the Centre for Digital Public Services (CDPS) and Cardiff University. The publication brings together real-life stories, global best practice, and practical guidance to support more accessible digital design in Wales.

Rob, from Wrexham, is registered blind and a first language Welsh speaker. He acknowledged improvements in digital accessibility in recent years but said the lack of suitable Welsh-language screen reader technology continues to shut people like him out of essential services.

He highlighted that very few people can afford to buy braille displays, which allow users to read on-screen content in braille. He also noted that Welsh screen readers currently available can only be used for reading long texts or stories, as they’re not suitable for essential day-today digital tasks.

“Government websites in English are generally accessible if they follow digital standards. But I’ve never been able to use public services in Welsh,” he said. “There’s no suitable Welsh-language technology that I’m aware of to help me navigate them, so I don’t know what’s available or how usable those services are. I can’t even text my family in Welsh, which is frustrating and makes me sad, as I’ve spoken Welsh to them all my life”

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Rob added: “The feeling of relying on someone else to complete a simple task, not because of your disability but because it hasn’t been adapted, is horrible. It could mean missing out on vital support or benefits.”

As a Digital Skills Officer for Vision Support, Rob regularly works with older Welsh speakers who struggle with digital services, sometimes due to low digital literacy, but often because of language

barriers. “Welsh-language helplines are often unavailable or just not to the same standard as the English ones,” he said. “We’re encouraged to go digital, but until accessible Welsh-language screen readers are developed, offline services must remain properly available.”

Welsh Language Commissioner Efa Gruffudd Jones was on the panel during the discussion at the Eisteddfod. Efa said: “It’s important to acknowledge that progress is being made in this field. The Language Technologies Unit at Canolfan Bedwyr, for example, is

undertaking excellent work – leading the way in research and development in both text and speech technologies.

“That said, Rob’s story is a powerful reminder that there is much still to do. If we are to ensure that Welsh speakers can fully benefit from language technology, further investment and work is needed.”

CDPS recently ran a research project exploring the state of digital accessibility in Welsh public services. The research found some good practice, but also highlighted major challenges – including unclear enforcement of standards, a lack of in-house skills, and poor accessibility in many third-party supplier products.

Joanna Goodwin, Head of User Centered Design at CDPS, said: “Behind every product, every service, and every policy, there are real people affected by the decisions we make. The stories in our book, as well as Rob’s, challenge us to think differently, to listen more closely, and to design with empathy.

“When we do that, something remarkable happens. Take video captions. Originally designed for people with hearing impairments, they’re now used by anyone watching videos in noisy places, quiet offices, or while learning a new language. Designing for people with access needs improves the experience for everyone.

“The Digital Service Standard for Wales demands that we make sure everyone can use our services. This isn’t just policy, it’s a moral imperative rooted in the Well-being of Future Generations Act. Our new book, launching today with Cardiff University, is more than guidance – it’s a call to action.”

Paul Sartori Foundation receives community and Tesco funding

pe M broke SH ire ’S only Hospice at Home service has received £1,500 from tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme to help continue providing essential home care support for end of life patients and their families in Haverfordwest.

The funding has enabled the Paul Sartori Foundation to purchase new items and equipment to continue its free, vital home care services. The Paul Sartori Equipment Loan Service plays a crucial role in supporting patients who are unable to leave their homes, maintaining their independence, dignity, and comfort.

The charity provides a range of services across Pembrokeshire, and one of these such services is the Equipment Loan Service supplying essential items, including beds, specialist mattresses, bathing aids, wheelchairs, and commodes.

The funding from Tesco has assisted the charity to purchase a variety of items, including welfare products and pressure relieving heel pads. The heel pads used for patients

who are mainly bed bound and have sensitive and sore heels. These additional items will join the many other items already provided by the charity and through the Equipment Loan Service, helping to meet the growing needs in the community.

Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori Foundation, said: “We can’t thank Tesco and the Haverfordwest community for their continued support enough. “Because of their support, we can continue to respond quickly to patients’ needs.

“For many families, our service makes a real difference. The demand for this service continues to grow, and we are extremely grateful for this funding.”The Paul Sartori Foundation was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a Haverfordwest-based Parish Priest who recognised the need for hospice care in Pembrokeshire. Inspired by his compassion, a group of local parishioners and friends founded the charity in his name. Since becoming a registered charity in 1982, the Foundation has

grown from a small team of six carers to a vital Hospice at Home service, offering a wide range of support for people living with any life-limiting illness in Pembrokeshire.

The charity operates an open referral system and provides care to patients with any terminal condition, ensuring compassionate support across the community.

Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “It is such an honour to support the Paul Sartori Foundation through our Stronger Starts scheme. Their work provides critical support to end-of-life patients and their families, helping them maintain independence and dignity in their own homes.”

Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme was created to help schools and children’s groups provide equipment for healthy activities or nutritious food. Grants of up to £1,500 are awarded to charities and community organisations making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people.

Every three months, the grant

scheme supports 1,350 schools and groups with £1.35 million in funding across 675 communities throughout the UK.

Schools and organisations interested in applying can visit: tescoplc.com/strongerstarts

Sun shines on spectacular St Ishmaels Carnival

St iSHMAeLS was bursting with colour, music and laughter on Saturday (Aug 2) as the village celebrated its annual carnival in glorious summer sunshine.

Families and visitors flocked to the showground to enjoy an afternoon packed with entertainment, community stalls and fun for all ages. The warm weather created the perfect backdrop for one of the biggest events in the local calendar.

A highlight for many was the “Simon Says” dunk tank, which saw willing volunteers – including well-known locals – repeatedly plunged into icy water to raise money for charity. The good-natured spectacle had the crowd in fits of laughter

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and kept queues forming all afternoon.

The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were a huge hit with younger visitors, as crews from the Milford Haven station proudly showcased their fire engine and equipment. Children climbed aboard for photos, tried the seats and chatted with firefighters about their work.

Adding carnival rhythm to the proceedings, the ever-popular Samba Doc drumming band led a vibrant parade into the showground. Their pounding beats and red-and-green costumes

created an infectious party atmosphere that had onlookers swaying and clapping along.

Local stalls offered everything from homemade cakes and raffle prizes to games and crafts, with volunteers working hard to raise funds for village causes. The main stage featured music, dance and community performances throughout the afternoon, ensuring there was never a dull moment.

Organisers have hailed the day as a resounding success, praising the dedication of helpers and the generosity of those who donated prizes or gave up their time. Many residents said it was one of the best carnivals the village had ever hosted.

Once again, St Ishmaels Carnival proved to be more than just a date in the diary – it was a celebration of community pride, friendship and the spirit that makes the village so special.

Broad Haven carnival dazzles in glorious sunshine

BROAD HAVEN was awash with colour and community spirit on Saturday (Aug 2) as the annual Havens Carnival brought crowds flocking to the seaside village.

Kicking off at 1:30pm from Broad Haven Football Pitch, the Disneythemed parade wound its way through the streets, with floats, costumes and characters capturing the imagination of young and old alike.

Glorious summer sunshine set the scene for one of the best turnouts in recent years. Families lined the

route as princesses, superheroes and much-loved cartoon characters passed by.

BROAD HAVEN was awash with colour and community spirit on Saturday (Aug 2) as the annual Havens Carnival brought crowds flocking to the seaside village.

Kicking off at 1:30pm from Broad Haven Football Pitch, the Disneythemed parade wound its way through the streets, with floats, costumes and characters capturing the imagination of young and old alike.

Glorious summer sunshine set the scene for one of the best turnouts in recent years. Families lined the route as princesses, superheroes and much-loved cartoon characters passed by.

Local businesses joined in the fun, while food stalls, games and facepainting kept the celebrations going well into the evening.

Organisers from the Havens Events Crew said they were delighted with the turnout. “The weather has been perfect, the atmosphere fantastic –

and the community has really come together,” a spokesperson told The Herald. “It’s been a magical day for everyone.”

The festivities are set to continue into the night with live music and entertainment at the carnival field, rounding off a day that proved once again why Broad Haven’s summer carnival is a firm favourite in the Pembrokeshire calendar.

Sun shines on Pembroke Town & Country Show

The Pembroke Town & Country Show returned in style on Wednesday (Aug 6), drawing large crowds to the Showfield in Lamphey for a full day of rural tradition, community spirit, and competition.

Organised by the Pembroke Farmers’ Club and supported by NFU Cymru, the show brought together livestock classes, vintage vehicles, children’s entertainment, local food, and countryside crafts — with fine weather ensuring a strong turnout throughout the day.

There was success in the produce tent for several local exhibitors.

Gallows Café took home first and second place in the competitive honey section with their Gallows Honey.

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Posting after the event, they said: “A very successful day… our own Gallows honey came first and second.”

Pembroke Cottage Holidays were also celebrating, after their farm-fresh chicken eggs won first prize, judged on shell quality, uniformity, cleanliness and freshness. “We love our hens!” the team posted, alongside a photo of their prizewinning entry.

Livestock competitions formed the heart of the show, with entries across sheep, pigs, goats, cattle and alpacas. The judging rings were busy all day, as competitors proudly displayed animals they had raised and prepared over many

months.

In the horse section, riders young and old took part in in-hand and ridden classes, with several local entrants taking home ribbons after strong performances.

A popular attraction in the main ring was the Cresselly Hunt, who paraded their hounds for the crowd in a traditional show of horsemanship and countryside pageantry.

Meanwhile, the Pembroke and District Male Voice Choir performed a lively set outside the produce marquee, entertaining visitors with Welsh favourites and choral classics.

The vintage section proved a hit once again, with a parade of restored tractors, stationary engines and gleaming classic cars. A young girl driving an orange

vintage tractor drew particular applause as she joined the lineup of proud owners on display.

Beyond the rings, visitors enjoyed a wide variety of attractions including a craft marquee, children’s fairground, terrier racing, a dog show, and a food village celebrating local produce.

With free parking and affordable ticket prices, organisers made the show as accessible as possible, ensuring a day out that appealed to all ages.

Show secretary Pam Davies said the event was a great success. “It’s a celebration of our countryside, our animals, our food and our people. We’re so grateful to the volunteers, exhibitors and public for making the 2025 show one to remember.”

Cardigan teen wins top Eisteddfod award for piano performance

CARDIGAN pianist Raph James has won one of the most prestigious prizes at this year’s National Eisteddfod in Wrexham.

The talented teenager was awarded the Blue Riband (Rhuban Glas) for instrumentalists under 19 — a coveted honour reserved for the very best young musicians in Wales.

Raph, who has been studying under local piano teacher Sarahjane Absalom, delivered what judges described as a spellbinding performance during the competition. The award marks a major milestone in his musical journey, just weeks before he is due to begin piano performance studies at the worldrenowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

The Rhuban Glas is one of the highest accolades available to young instrumentalists at the Eisteddfod and often signals the start of a successful career in music.

The Herald understands that Raph has already performed across West Wales and beyond, gaining a reputation for his technical brilliance and musical maturity beyond his years.

taking centre stage: raph James after winning the rhuban glas award at the national eisteddfod

Colour, costumes and community spirit at Tenby Firemen’s Carnival

TENBy town centre was awash with colour, laughter, and the unmistakable sound of sirens and soaking water guns on Wednesday (Aug 6) as the much loved Firemen’s Carnival returned with a splash.

Hundreds lined the streets to cheer on floats, fire crews, and fancy dress entrants, with this year’s event proving to be one of the most vibrant in memory.

From roller-disco queens and superheroes to glittering carnival queens and cheeky water fights, the day was packed with fun and spectacle – all in aid of raising money for local causes, including the RNLI and Tenby Fire Station.

FLoAtS AnD FAncy DreSS

Among the standout entries was

a ‘90s Roller Disco’ group complete with skates, neon tights, and a mobile boombox. Another crowd-pleaser was a superhero-themed float shouting “BOOM! POW! SMASH!” as it made its way past Tenby’s medieval walls.

The event also showcased dozens of young carnival queens and attendants, dressed in elegant gowns and clutching floral bouquets. Their beaming smiles captured the spirit of community that makes the carnival such a highlight of the summer calendar.

FireFigHterS SoAk tHe croWDS

In what has become a cherished tradition, Tenby Fire Station crews brought their fire engines into the heart of the town

and gave children a chance to cool down under powerful water jets. Armed with hoses and laughter, the firefighters made sure everyone got involved—whether they planned to or not.

Children retaliated in good spirit with their own water pistols, joining in the soak-fest with glee as crowds clapped and cheered.

LiFeboAt creW AnD voLunteerS JOIN IN

This year’s event also featured a strong presence from the Tenby RNLI crew, dressed in their signature yellow kit and joining the firefighters for a celebratory group photo after the parade. Local children in miniature RNLI gear helped collect donations along the route.

The event was supported by local businesses and residents, who decorated windows, donated prizes, and joined in with enthusiasm.

A PROUD TRADITION

Speaking to The Herald, one firefighter said: “This carnival is more than just fun – it brings the whole town together. It’s a great way to raise money for vital services while letting the kids (and adults!) have a brilliant time.”

With buckets full and spirits high, Tenby Firemen’s Carnival once again proved why it remains one of the most anticipated and cherished community events in Pembrokeshire’s summer calendar.

Pictures by Gareth Davies photography

Big names back Pembrokeshire County Show

FINAL preparations are underway for this year’s Pembrokeshire County Show — and organisers say it simply would not be possible without the tireless work of volunteers and the generosity of sponsors.

The small team of staff, volunteers, directors and trustees of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society have been working around the clock to make sure the flagship rural event is ready to welcome thousands of visitors.

Jane Francis honoured with top Tenovus volunteer award

A DEDICATED Pembrokeshire fundraiser has been recognised on the national stage for more than three decades of service to cancer care.

Jane Francis, a long-standing member of the Treletert/Letterston Friends of Tenovus group, was presented with two awards at the Tenovus Cancer Care 2025 National Volunteer Awards — including the coveted Volunteer of the Year title.

Jane recently stepped down from her role as Treasurer, a position she has held for over 30 years, during which time she has helped raise thousands of pounds to support cancer patients and their families. Her tireless work has included organising countless events, rallying community support, and acting as a driving force behind the group’s fundraising success.

The second award recognised her outstanding contribution to Tenovus Cancer Care, highlighting her unwavering commitment, reliability, and compassion for those affected by cancer.

Speaking after the ceremony, Jane said she was “deeply touched” to be honoured in this way and paid tribute to

her fellow volunteers and supporters in the community.

Secretary of the Treletert/Letterston group, Alona Jones, said: “Jane has given so much of her time and energy to Tenovus over the years. These awards are a fitting tribute to her dedication and the enormous difference she has made.”

Tenovus Cancer Care works across Wales to provide practical advice, emotional support, and vital treatment to people affected by cancer. The charity relies heavily on its network of volunteers to continue its work in local communities.

Chairman of the Society’s Board of Trustees, Mike Davies, said: “Sponsorship and Pembrokeshire County Show have been a successful combination for many years. Sponsors have enjoyed promoting their

businesses through the varied mediums of banners, announcements, show rings, buildings, equine and livestock classes and championships over the years. We are always grateful for their support. Without them it would not be possible to put on the show.”

MeDiA pArtner returnS

Once again, Pure West Radio will act as the official media partner, broadcasting live from 6:00am on both days. The PWR team will be bringing live entertainment, competitions, travel updates and interviews from the showground’s mainstage. Visitors will be able to tune in to Pure West Radio for the latest updates or enjoy the atmosphere in person.

big nAMe SponSorS

Corporate sponsors this year include Castell Howell Foods Ltd, NFU Mutual Pembrokeshire, Welsh Government, J E Lawrence & Son, Eurofarm Wales, CCF Ltd, Castle Morris Equine & Pets, Puffin Produce/Pembrokeshire Creamery and Valero Energy Ltd. Fenton Vets will also be on site, providing veterinary support throughout the event.

Organisers say the combination of community spirit, agricultural pride and strong local business backing is what makes Pembrokeshire County Show the highlight of the rural calendar.

Summer of coastal creativity at Oriel y Parc

viSitorS to the pembrokeshire Coast can look forward to a packed programme of creative workshops, storytelling sessions and imaginative seaside activities this summer, as oriel y parc: national park Discovery centre in St Davids launches its seasonal line up.

Inspired by the sights, sounds and materials of the local landscape, the programme blends hands-on discovery with artistic inspiration. With a focus on imagination, play and connection to nature, the schedule features artist-led workshops, coastal crafts and seasonal trails designed to engage visitors of all ages.

creAtive WeDneSDAyS

Throughout the school holidays, Wednesdays at Oriel y Parc are dedicated to ‘Make and Take’ workshops for children aged five and over. Highlights include cyanotype printing and gel plate monoprinting with Kate Evans, coastal weaving with Hannah Rounding, and drawing and mark-making with Kate Freeman. The sessions draw inspiration from Pembrokeshire’s natural environment and the current exhibition, Môrwelion / The Sea Horizon by Garry Fabian Miller.

ceLebrAting crAFtSMAnSHip

Tom

Sinclair editor@herald.email

Local artisans take centre stage this summer, with the courtyard hosting Handmade Craft Fairs every Tuesday until 26 August and a larger Summer Craft Market on 9 August. Visitors can browse a range of stalls featuring handmade goods, unique crafts and local produce.

StorieS oF tHe SeA

On 27 and 28 August, Oriel y Parc will run a special programme inspired by Pembrokeshire’s seabirds and coastal

wildlife. Zoologist and author Nicola Davies, along with philosopher Dr Beth Mackintosh, will lead creative sessions for children, including making a whale zig-zag book and a listening scroll. The following day, RSPB site manager Greg Morgan will give a talk on the secret lives of Manx shearwaters, followed by artist Bron Jones’ storytelling performance Phantoms of the Sea, which evokes the haunting calls of these elusive seabirds.

Alongside its summer events, Oriel y Parc offers regularly changing exhibitions, a gift shop, and a café serving seasonal dishes. The centre is also an excellent starting point for exploring the National Park, with knowledgeable staff on hand to suggest coastal and countryside walks. Full details of events and workshops are available at www.orielyparc.co.uk.

SeASon 2

By the time Wednesday Season 1 wrapped, fans were clamoring for more of Nevermore Academy’s twisted halls, eerie secrets, and of course, Jenna Ortega’s deliciously deadpan performance as Wednesday Addams. now, with Season 2 set to hit netflix in two parts—part 1 on August 6, 2025, and part 2 on September 3—the series is poised to return with heightened stakes, deeper mysteries, and a roster of guest stars that’s as weird and wonderful as the Addams family itself.

According to cast, creators, and early footage released by Netflix, Season 2 won’t be holding back. The tone is being described as darker, bloodier, and surprisingly funnier—a balance only Wednesday could manage. The narrative thrust centers around Wednesday grappling with an ominous psychic vision: the death of her best friend, Enid Sinclair. This chilling premonition launches the new season into a raceagainst-time thriller, woven through with expanded lore about the Addams family and Nevermore’s supernatural history.

Tim Burton returns to direct several episodes, ensuring continuity in visual style and tone. He’s joined by directors Paco Cabezas and Angela Robinson, who help expand the show’s aesthetic into even more daring gothic territory.

Jenna Ortega reprises her iconic role and now also serves as a producer, giving her more creative control over Wednesday’s arc. From all reports, her influence is palpable. The character continues to evolve—but not in ways that betray her core. She’s still sarcastic, cerebral, and emotionally reserved, but this season explores how trauma, power, and unexpected relationships reshape her outlook. Notably, romance takes a backseat. Percy Hynes White, who played Xavier, does not return, shifting the focus away from love triangles and onto friendships, family, and identity.

The Addams family gets much more screen time this season. Catherine Zeta-Jones (Morticia), Luis Guzmán (Gomez), and Isaac Ordonez (Pugsley) are now series regulars. In an exciting twist, Pugsley joins Nevermore as a student—his sudden growth spurt reflecting the actor’s own— and begins developing his own powers, adding an intriguing sibling dynamic. Fred Armisen returns as Uncle Fester, and Joanna Lumley joins the cast as Grandmama Addams, promising more Addamsstyle chaos and charm. The family’s eerie legacy is tied more closely to the season’s central mystery, turning the narrative inward as well as outward.

The casting announcements alone have fueled enormous fan excitement. Steve Buscemi plays the new principal of Nevermore, Billie Piper is cast as a mysterious

music teacher, and Lady Gaga joins as Rosaline Rotwood, a legendary and cryptic Nevermore faculty member. Other guest stars include Thandiwe Newton, Haley Joel Osment, Anthony Michael Hall, and Christopher Lloyd— whose return further deepens the show’s connection to past Addams Family adaptations. Many Season 1 favorites like Emma Myers (Enid), Hunter Doohan, and Joy Sunday are also back, bringing continuity and emotional stakes.

Early scenes shared at Netflix’s Tudum event show Wednesday trapped in a deadly tea party inside a serial killer’s lair—already teasing a darker, more psychologically charged ride than Season 1. The visual style remains lush and macabre, with stylized violence, dry humor, and a sharpened sense of teenage dread. And with Ortega at the helm both on and off camera, Season 2 promises not only to escalate the tension but also to deepen the soul of the series.

A third season has already been confirmed, and there are whispers of a potential Uncle Fester spin-off in early development. If Season 1 was a surprise hit, Season 2 feels like a deliberate, ambitious evolution of the franchise—more confident, more daring, and just as unapologetically weird.

Wednesday Season 2 premieres August 6. And judging by what’s been revealed so far, it’ll be one hell of a semester.

CliCk to

StA n S is a compelling new documentary that dives into the intense emotional bond between Eminem and his fans — not through the lens of celebrity culture, but from the perspective of those who’ve been deeply changed by his music. Produced by Eminem himself, along with p aul r osenberg, Stuart p arr, and acclaimed filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, it’s a moving look at the power of art to shape identity, offer refuge, and forge connection.

Rather than focusing on the rap icon’s personal journey, the film — directed by Steven Leckart — gives centre stage to the fans. Drawing from thousands of handwritten letters sent to Eminem in 2024, Stans explores what it really means to be a “stan” — a term that originated from his 2000 track and has since become cultural shorthand for die-hard devotion. Through heartfelt interviews, archival footage, and stylised reenactments, the documentary profiles a global cross-section of fans whose lives have been profoundly impacted by Eminem’s lyrics — many of whom have turned pain, grief, or confusion into purpose through their connection with his work.

The film also features appearances from some of Eminem’s most prominent collaborators, including Dr Dre, Ed Sheeran, and LL Cool J, though Eminem himself remains mostly absent, including from its premiere at SXSW London 2025 — a notable gesture that underlines the film’s intent: this isn’t a tribute to a celebrity, but to the people who made his music their own.

Critics at SXSW London praised Stans for its emotional sincerity and thoughtfulness. Rather than glamorising obsessive fandom, it opts for a more grounded, meditative approach. The documentary was lauded by publications like Movie Marker and The Upcoming for being “wholesome” and “nostalgia-rich”, with particular praise for how it spotlights the human stories behind the headlines. It doesn’t try to over-intellectualise the concept of fan culture, nor does it delve too deeply into the psychology of obsession — but that seems intentional. This is a film about connection, not critique.

For UK audiences — many of whom grew up listening to Eminem through the late ‘90s and early 2000s — the film may feel like a time capsule as much as a character study. The

blend of North American and international voices reinforces the sense that Eminem’s impact wasn’t just confined to Detroit or the U.S. charts, but was truly global. British fans will no doubt resonate with the themes of alienation, struggle, and finding solace in lyrics that say the unsayable.

Stans is scheduled for a limited UK cinema release through Trafalgar Releasing starting 7 August 2025, showing in selected Picturehouse, Vue, and independent cinemas nationwide. A broader streaming release — expected on Paramount+ later this year — will make the documentary even more accessible. With a runtime just over 100 minutes, it’s a tight, emotionally resonant piece that leaves a lasting impression without overstaying its welcome.

Whether you’re a longtime fan, a casual listener, or just curious about how music forges identity in the modern world, Stans offers something honest and surprising. It’s not a puff piece, nor is it a deep psychological exposé — it’s something quieter and rarer: a tribute to the transformative power of feeling understood by a voice on the radio.

Tech and Taff

SMuggLing cHAtgpt into THE OFFICE DRAWER

Croeso nol to Tech ‘n Taff, where I poke the AI bear and sprinkle a bit of Welsh common sense on the latest tech madness. And this week, we’re talking smuggling—not daffodils in your underpants or a sheep in the boot of a Fiesta—no, we’re talking smuggling AI into the workplace. Like a USB stick of mischief tucked into the office fern, this one’s happening everywhere.

Meet John (not his real name, obviously—he works in finance tech, not the circus). John’s motto is: “It’s easier to get forgiveness than permission.” Now that’s a line that could’ve come from a Barry Island lad trying to sneak a kebab into a nightclub. But no—he’s talking about using AI at work without telling IT.

Turns out John, like half of all desk-jockeys in a recent survey, is quietly using AI tools that the company didn’t approve. While his bosses give him GitHub Copilot, he prefers something snazzier—Cursor. It’s like Autocomplete on energy drinks: “15 lines of code, boom! Like magic.” And the kicker? He’s too “lazy and well-paid” to fill out the paperwork to get it properly signed off. That’s the software engineer equivalent of “couldn’t be bothered to fill in my expenses for the work boots, mun.”

This whole thing’s called shadow AI. It’s like shadow IT, but instead of using a pirate version of Photoshop, you’re feeding sensitive company info to a chatbot. Harmonic Security, who keep an eye on these things, say over 5,000 AI tools are in sneaky use at businesses—some built into apps like Slack, others completely rogue. And it ain’t just nerds doing it. Product managers are in on it too. Take “Peter”, another fake-named rebel, who’s ignoring his company’s Google Gemini AI and secretly chatting to ChatGPT via Kagi. He reckons AI isn’t just a tool—it’s like a digital sparring partner. “You chuck

it your ideas and it punches holes in them.” That’s the kind of therapy I wish the Welsh Government offered free on the NHS.

Peter reckons he’s doing the work of 1.3 people, thanks to AI. He gets video summaries from competitors, chats through the product angles, and still has time to make tea and contemplate why his bosses banned AI in the first place.

Why do they ban it? Control, innit. Nobody wants their secret sauce ending up in some chatbot’s next conversation. Even though, as experts say, the risk of data leaking out is small, the risk of it being stored somewhere weird is real.

Simon Haighton-Williams (a proper wizard name, that one) from The Adaptavist Group says AI gives young workers a boost—“like cramming five years’ experience into 30 seconds.” I’m just imagining a lad straight out of university sounding like a 50-year-old engineer from Port Talbot, all thanks to clever prompting.

But Simon also warns: “Be patient. Understand what people are using and why. You’ll never stop it, so manage it.” Sensible, like locking the pub door at closing time but letting everyone finish their pint first.

Meanwhile, the folks at Trimble (no, not a furniture shop) have built their own AI assistant in-house— Trimble Assistant. And they’ve got GitHub Copilot too. Their AI director, Karoliina Torttila, encourages people to tinker at home, but remember work is different: “Don’t go uploading your medical history to a chatbot, butt.” (I’m paraphrasing.)

She reckons we all need to learn what’s sensitive and what’s not. Fair point. You wouldn’t shout your bank PIN in Wetherspoons, so why paste confidential spreadsheets into ChatGPT?

Final thoughts from your favourite Welsh nerd

So what’s the lesson, mun? AI is like a leaky flask of Penderyn— powerful, handy, but needs handling with care. Most workers are sneaking it in because it’s useful. But businesses? They’ve got to catch up. Build trust, give staff proper tools, and don’t treat every techie like a potential Bond villain.

Until next week, keep your prompts tight, your data safe, and don’t let Barry the Boss catch you feeding the company secrets to an AI chatbot in the toilet cubicle.

yours algorithmically, Professor Barry Davis

P.S. If you’re using ChatGPT at work, at least don’t name the file “secret_plan_v2_final_USETHISone. docx”, tidy?

Crowds set to pack Tenby Harbour for Summer Spectacular and fireworks

TENBy is gearing up for one of its biggest nights of the summer as the first of this year’s Sunday Summer Spectaculars takes place at the harbour this weekend (Aug 10).

Organised by Tenby Round Table, the charity spectaculars have long been a highlight of the town’s events calendar. Now held just twice each summer, they draw huge crowds for an evening of family fun, food, drink, and live entertainment — all rounded off with a breathtaking fireworks display over the picturesque harbour.

Last year’s events raised more than £20,000 for local charities and good causes, and organisers are once again asking for a £2 or more donation from those attending to support the fundraising effort.

pA cke D progr AMM e

This Sunday’s entertainment

begins at 3:00pm with DJ Steve Briers hosting the day and setting the scene for a lively afternoon and evening. Samba Doc will bring carnival energy between 3:00pm and 3:30pm, followed by a display from the talented dancers of the Kelly Williams School of Dance from 3:30pm to 4:00pm.

Singer Richard Henson takes the stage from 4:00pm to 4:45pm with a laid-back set, before family trio Ella Guru lift the tempo from 5:00pm to 6:15pm. High-energy rockers Candy Skulls keep the party going from 6:45pm to 8:00pm, with Sleeping Dogs closing the live music line-up from 8:30pm to 10:00pm.

At 10:00pm, the skies above Tenby Harbour will light up with the much-anticipated fireworks finale — a dazzling end to one of the town’s most popular summer traditions. The second and final Sunday Summer Spectacular of the year will be held on August 24.

HOROSCOPES

gears of war reloaded

THE upcoming release of gears of War: reloaded, launching on August 26, 2025, breathes new life into the landmark 2006 third‑person shooter with modern polish and multiplatform ambition. Built upon the foundations of the Ultimate Edition remaster but re engineered for a new generation, this edition is co‑ developed by The Coalition alongside Sumo Digital and Disbelief. With native 4k textures, HDr support, spatial audio, Dolby Vision and Atmos, up to 60 FpS in the campaign and 120 FpS in multiplayer, this feels more like a genuine overhaul than a simple facelift.

One of the most significant leaps is the decision to bring the franchise to PlayStation 5 for the first time, while simultaneously launching on Xbox Series X|S and Windows, including the debut on Steam. This unprecedented shift means cross-play and full crossprogression across all platforms, even without a Microsoft account, making it the most open Gears release to date.

The multiplayer beta weekends earlier in June offered a promising look, with classic modes like Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and Warzone performing smoothly even on

older hardware, with stable frame-rates and responsive performance. Visually the campaign retains the gritty, bleak aesthetic fans remember, but with enhanced lighting and sharper textures. Reviewers noted seamless zero-load campaign transitions and atmospheric fidelity more akin to modern standards than its 2006 origins.

Community feedback from Reddit has been mixed: while many applaud the technical update and broader platform support, some fans lament that Reloaded feels too similar to Ultimate Edition. Comments describe the visual improvements as subtle and express concern over clunky gameplay quirks such as imprecise hit registration and slower pacing—suggesting that more effort might have been needed to justify the new release.

For long-time players who owned Ultimate Edition digitally on Xbox or Windows prior to May 5, 2025, the remaster will be a free upgrade, and it arrives day-one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, ensuring both value and accessibility from launch. That said, physical editions will be available only for PS5, with Xbox missing out on

disc versions—something critics pointed out as ironic, given Microsoft’s historical embrace of physical media and its origins with Xbox exclusivity.

All previously released DLC— from bonus campaign acts to multiplayer maps, characters, and cosmetics—are included at launch with no microtransactions and a commitment to unlock everything through gameplay progression alone. That ensures that both the full story of Delta Squad’s fight against the Locust Horde on planet Sera and the multiplayer suite feel complete and self-contained from day one.

Ultimately Gears of War: Reloaded offers both a tribute and a bridge. It honors the franchise’s origins while laying out a smoother path for new and returning players to engage, especially on platforms previously locked off. While it may not redefine the core gameplay, its technical upgrades, crossecosystem accessibility, and full content inclusion render it the definitive version of the original game—especially for those seeking nostalgic grit in modern fidelity. With the next mainline entry, Gears of War: E-Day, arriving in 2026, this remaster stands as both a celebration and a promise of what’s next.

courage and go ahead with what you believe to be the best choice for the long term and you should get enough support to ensure that you stay “boss for life.”

CANCER

You’re definitely in the mood for snappy banter, and luckily you’ve walked straight onto the set of a wacky comedy right out of the classic days of Hollywood. You and someone close are all about the repartee and the winking one-liners. Don’t be too surprised if all this wit takes a sudden turn toward something more serious, because with this kind of chemistry, is it any wonder you feel the need to talk about deeper topics?

LEO When it comes to love, be open to anything. Recent developments have convinced you that you’re better off alone for the time being, but a breakthrough is coming for sure. Its impact is memorable, but it might also mold the next few months with its daring, exciting energy. Be patient with yourself and remember that the best things in life are worth waiting for, especially when it comes to romance.

VIRGO

Thanks to the calming influences affecting your personal energy, you’re one of the few people you know who is able to think clearly now. Use that brain to free yourself from shady people and their even shadier offers, no matter how awesome they may appear at first glance. Big risks might seem fun or even romantic in pop culture, but you know that in real life it usually ends up being a lot more trouble than it’s worth.

LIBRA

You might want to change your phone number or email address in order to get a little privacy and relaxation. Everyone knows that your parties are legendary, and they want on the guest list. At work, your bosses know full well that when it comes to getting people organized and motivated, you’re the right person for the job. Though you adore being in such high demand, it’s past time for you to reject at least a few of these requests just to maintain your sanity.

SCORPIO

Are you feeling somewhat underappreciated recently? That’s perfectly understandable. You’ve been working yourself to death and not giving your people the chance to reply in kind. Have a little more confidence in your friends and they should come through. And remember that you’re worthy of support! When you learn to give them the chance to be generous, you may find yourself getting more attention and support than you could hope for.

SAGITTARIUS

If communication has hit some kind of wall, it’s not all that surprising. It’s been looming for a while. Ignoring it is sure to make it worse, though that is probably your first instinct. Though you may feel that you’ve reached some kind of resolution, a deeper issue is festering and stressing you both out. Express your feelings, and you should discover a new level of openness that was previously closed off by all that was left unsaid.

CAPRICORN

Your brain is showered with a huge dose of assertive energy as the Universe helps you focus on work and responsibilities. This new synergy is amazing to behold, but the potential for burnout is getting higher. If you want to avoid it, keep your eyes open, and make sure not to overload on coffee. Remember that your mind needs breaks every now and then, so make sure to stick to a schedule. That way you can make the most of your abilities without burning out.

AQUARIUS

You’re feeling totally grounded right now even as you keep reaching for bigger and better things. This should give you an

PISCES

CliCk

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by editoR tom sinclaiR

HiRosHima at 80: Have woRld leadeRs leaRned notHing?

EIGHTy years ago today, at 8:15am, the Japanese city of Hiroshima was wiped from the map. A single atomic bomb killed tens of thousands instantly. b y the end of 1945, more than 140,000 men, women and children were dead from the blast, burns and radiation. Survivors — the hibakusha — carried the scars for life.

As a Japanese speaker who has studied in Japan, I have spent time in Hiroshima and listened, in Japanese, to a survivor describe the moment the sky turned white and the world disappeared in fire. I will never pretend to truly understand their suffering. But I have seen its shadow and I know what those words never again really mean.

And yet, on this anniversary, world leaders appear to have forgotten the lesson. Donald Trump has ordered U.S. nuclear - armed submarines towards Russia as part of a ceasefire ultimatum. Vladimir Putin has scrapped limits on nuclear missile deployments and stationed new systems in Belarus. Dmitry Medvedev has boasted about Russia’s “Dead Hand” doomsday system. Xi Jinping has joined Putin in joint anti - submarine drills aimed at U.S. forces.

This is not diplomacy. It is dangerous posturing that risks sleepwalking into catastrophe. Nuclear weapons are not political props — they are indiscriminate killers. Once used, they will not distinguish between soldier and civilian.

The cenotaph in Hiroshima bears a simple message:

“Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.”

Eighty years on, it is a message Trump, Putin and Xi would do well to read — and to take seriously. Because if they continue down this road, it will not be their cities in ruins, but ours.

BADGER GOES X-RATED

BADGER starts this week with a provocative scenario.

Imagine you are sitting at home one evening. You are watching television in the living room. As Badger’s readers have discerning tastes, it’s something intellectually improving, like Aeschylus in the original Attic Greek or Mrs Brown’s Boys.

Anyway, there you are in your living room with your partner, while your children, Tommy and Rebecca, are in their rooms doing whatever it is that tweenagers do nowadays. There is a knock on the door, and you haul yourself away from the telly and answer it.

Outside is an expensively dressed and attractive stranger.

“Excuse me,” they say, “do you mind if I come in and show your children pornography?”

They put their foot in the door: “Not just Page Three stuff, but, you know, the really degrading and violent stuff?”

Badger does not have great psychic powers, but he senses that most of you reading this would hammer the stranger into the ground and leave them as a bloody smear on the doorstep.

Well, hold your horses, readers.

Letting the stranger in is what you do if your children have access to a laptop, gaming console, smartphone, or tablet.

When it comes to age-verification to prevent children, your children or grandchildren, for example, from accessing pornography, Badger is in favour of stringent safeguards to protect children from exposure to such content. Badger is optimistic enough to believe that even supporters of Reform UK and Robert Jenrick are onside with that aim.

There are many political reasons for opposing the provisions of the Online Safety Act. Badger is cynical enough to suppose that one thing that is on the minds of the swivel-eyed members of the Conservative Party and Reform is a desire to kowtow

to billionaire tech bros and Donald Trump. On the liberal left end of politics, and Badger can scarcely believe this line, those opposed highlight the risk that LGBTQ youngsters will miss out on accessing valuable resources that could help them orient themselves towards their pronoun of preference.

Badger wants to deal carefully with an argument advanced by those on the more idiotic end of the anti-Act argument. It runs thusly: the Act is a gross intrusion into personal privacy because the companies using age verification could harvest personal information gathered as part of the age verification process. Badger strongly suspects that those appalled by that prospect are completely unaware of the UK’s rampant online gambling industry, which does exactly the same thing. The stench of hypocrisy is startling.

Let’s be clear: if you’re willing to provide proof of your age and personal financial details to a gambling company but not a porn site, you are a hypocrite.

When you shop online, use a supermarket loyalty scheme to get discounts, or visit a social media website or app, you’re already sharing information that shapes your experiences. The odds are you’re already sharing your financial, age, and address data.

The objection to sharing personal data when they already share so much of it is special pleading by those who don’t want anyone to find out they’re watching online pornography. For example, one of the pornography sites using age verification is called PornHub. Badger wonders what anyone could find remotely worrying about disclosing their age and proving it before they view fisting videos.

The most specious argument Badger has seen regarding age verification is that young folk are so tech-savvy, they’ll get around it. That’s not an argument for not trying. That’s an argument for improving the safeguards and reducing ways they

can be circumvented.

There are some folk who think it’s somehow frightfully illiberal to say anything remotely critical about pornography. Worse still, those “fighters for free speech” call it judgmental. Well, Badger does judge.

He judges an industry that peddles sexual degradation and the idea that other people exist solely for onehanded afternoon entertainment. Picture it: a nation marooned indoors, trousers around ankles, clasping their smartphones like relics of the Holy Grail and going at themselves like a Victorian chimney sweep with a wire brush.

The mainstream media are particularly guilty of normalising pornography and the idea that women exist only as objects for men to manhandle and abuse. It’s an all-you-can-gawk buffet of evermore ridiculous acts, with the likes of Bonnie Blue filming scenes that make 1970s smut look like Songs of Praise.

Let’s not pretend there’s a neat little partition between what’s seen online and what festers in real life. The notion that the internet is just harmless fantasy is about as believable as the idea of a dignified “porn star”. The increased normalisation of violent extreme sex acts has a direct line to increased violence in domestic and sexual relationships. While correlation does not equal causation, already isolated, damaged, and vulnerable individuals are certainly more likely to become sexually aggressive as long as violent and degrading acts are normalised through exposure to pornography. They are the same group most likely to be radicalised by extreme ideas (whether left or right) by consming online hate speech.

The pornographisation of society isn’t about free speech anymore, not really. It’s about what happens when desire is twisted into spectacle, and when the measure of intimacy becomes click-through rates. Pornography isn’t liberating anyone.

It’s warping expectations, cheapening connection, and, if we’re honest, leaving an entire generation more confused than a cow on a crabbing boat.

Badger’s advice? Have a cold shower, read a book, and stop pretending pornography is somehow “progress”. Some things are best left behind closed doors. Some of those doors never should’ve been opened in the first place.

You’ll never ban pornography. You can’t “uninvent” the wheel, and you certainly can’t stuff the internet genie back in its grubby bottle. But must we celebrate it? Must we all nod along, sheep-like, as if it’s just another quirk of modern life, like sourdough or vaping, that occasionally needs a bit of regulatory polish?

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: pornography is doing more than fogging up teenagers’ search histories. It’s rewiring brains, undermining relationships, and turning intimacy into something transactional, performative, and utterly hollow.

Badger’s not calling for a bonfire of the browsers. But perhaps it’s time we stopped pretending pornography is just a saucy footnote in the annals of modern life.

We treat it like a naughty indulgence. In reality, it’s more like asbestos in the air vents. It’s a cultural pollutant, and it’s high time we stopped inhaling.

Too many crims not enough bins

Caaw! Alright my lovers. I was peckin’ at a half eaten pasty down by the chip van when I overheard one of the dock lads say, “Prisons are in crisis.” I squawked into me crumbs. p risons? Still got ‘em, have we? Thought most were just full of budget cuts and regret these days.

Turns out some bigwig human – Anne Owers, used to be chief of squawking prisons – only went and dropped a report thicker than a Wetherspoons breakfast menu, all about how the whole system’s gone belly up like a mackerel in July.

Now I ain’t one for paperwork (I prefer it shredded and in the bin, ta), but even I can see this is proper chaos. Apparently, back in October 2023, the whole lot was three days away from full meltdown. Not just a few feathers ruffled – we’re talking

full squawk alert. Too many prisoners, not enough cells, and the solution?

Let ‘em out early and hope no one notices. That’s like throwing half the fish back in the sea and pretending you still made quota.

And it ain’t ‘cause everyone’s suddenly turned into criminals either. No no. It’s because the humans in charge – them in suits who wouldn’t last five minutes on the docks – have been playing both sides. More police, tougher sentences, but also... “Oooh, let’s save money and outsource everything to Barry from LinkedIn.” Classic.

You can’t have it both ways, see. If you want to lock more people up, you need more space. It’s basic. Even I know that, and I once tried to nest in a traffic cone.

And guess what? While the MoJ – that’s Ministry of Justice to you

landlubbers – was tryin’ to hold it all together with soggy tape, the Home Office, Treasury and Number 10 were busy doing nowt but flappin’ about the optics. Wouldn’t want the papers sayin’ they’re soft on crime, would they? Heaven forbid they tell the truth for once.

Now Labour’s in, and to be fair, this new Justice Secretary – Shabana Mahmood – has actually started doin’ stuff. Commissioned some reports, said all the right things. But still gotta get past the same old roadblocks. Treasury says no. Home Office says “look tough.” Number 10 says “check the polls.” It’s like a bunch of seagulls arguin’ over the same stale chip and forgettin’ the sea’s full of fresh fish if they just looked.

Thing is, this ain’t just about prisons. The whole ship’s taking on water. Health, policing, education –

all stuck in this survive-the-day mode, where no one’s thinking past tea time. Anne Owers reckons unless they change course, they’ll just keep managing crisis after crisis, press release after press release, while everything keeps breakin’. And she’s right, isn’t she? You can’t fix a leaking boat by shouting “we’re not sinking” louder.

So what’s it gonna be, boys and girls? Real reform, or more headlines and hope? ‘Cause I tell you what – if the humans don’t get their act together soon, there’ll be more folks in the docks than seagulls. And I won’t be sharing me pasty crumbs, either.

‘Til next time –Keep yer beaks sharp, and your bins overflowing. – Stephen

Animal cruelty on social media rises as charity warns social media giants must obey the new law

tHe rSpcA has released shocking new figures which show reports of animal cruelty on social media have risen by 27% so far this year.

From January to May 2025, the charity saw 133 reports compared to 104 from the same time period last year.

The charity has also received 2,600 reports of cruelty on social media over the last six years and there was an 8% increase in cruelty reports from 2023 to 2024 with 25 reports of animal cruelty made to the charity every month last year.

Facebook had the most cruelty of any platform with 1,526 reports followed by Instagram (499) and TikTok (221).

This comes as the Online Safety Act 2023 aims to crackdown on

social media content glorifying animal abuse for likes and shares - and to protect children and adults from viewing harmful content. Posting this content can not only hurt the animals involved but can send a concerning message to young people that treating an animal in this way is acceptable. Under the new law, enforceable by OfCom, social media platforms had to remove this content from 17 March 2025 so the charity hopes that it will start to see a reduction in the number of online cruelty reports as a result of this new law.

The RSPCA has released the startling new statistics as part of its Summer Cruelty Campaign to show the side of this season which many people don’t see - when animal cruelty peaks.

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “It’s incredibly worrying to see that reports made to us about cruelty on social media have been increasing and this highlights the progress that social media companies need to make to become compliant with the new law which makes it an offence to post content showing animal cruelty online.

“We’re very concerned that the use of social media has changed the landscape of abuse with videos of animal cruelty being shared for likes and kudos with this sort of content normalising - and even making light of - animal cruelty. What’s even more worrying is the level of cruelty that can be seen in these videos,

particularly as so many young people are being exposed to graphic footage of animals being beaten or killed which they otherwise would never have seen.”

The RSPCA’s Kindness Index survey 2025 found that nearly one in three people had witnessed cruelty online (30%) which although is a slight decrease from the previous year it still highlights that cruelty is ever-present on social media. And an increasing number of young people are seeing this content with 46% of 18-24 year olds in 2025 saying they had witnessed it, a trend the RSPCA is very concerned about. In 2025 there were also worrying annual increases in people viewing cruelty content on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok with 42% of those observing cruelty seeing it on Facebook alone.

Some of the awful cases reported to the RSPCA include;

• A wild rat placed inside a cage and drowned in a bucket of water - with the video posted on Facebook

• A video posted on Facebook showing a woman pouring shampoo into a Koi pond

• A video featuring a man riding a very small pony whilst another man chases and whips the poor horse posted on Instagram

• A TikTok video of a cat being picked up by their neck and thrown roughly into a cage

• A man was banned from keeping animals after posting

videos on social media showing his dogs hunting wildlife

The RSPCA fears that the tech barons, particularly Facebook, are not putting enough resources into ensuring that this content is being posted at all or is swiftly removed and instead platforms such as Facebook and X have cut down on the number of moderators in the past year. The RSPCA is working closely with OfCom to ensure harmful content is removed and will be monitoring the impact of the Act over the next year.

Whether posted online, captured on doorbell cameras, spotted in the street or behind closed doors, the charity also reveals it saw a massive 33% annual increase in cruelty reports to the charity during the summer period. Last Summer, the charity took 374 reports of cruelty against animals every single day or one call EVERY two minutes when the cruelty line is open. This is why the RSPCA has launched its summer cruelty campaign to appeal to the public to help them tackle the cruel side of summer.

Summer should be a season of joy for animals. Long walks on golden evenings. Zoomies on the beach. Stretching out in the garden to soak up the sun. But there’s a side to summer you don’t see. For thousands of animals, it’s a season of pain, fear and suffering, when cruelty peaks.You can help us save more animals by making a donation here rspca.org.uk/endcruelty

WJEC fined £350k over GCSE grading errors

WALeS’ largest exam board has been fined £350,000 after more than 1,500 pupils in England were given the wrong gcSe grades.

The penalty, issued by the exams regulator Ofqual, follows mistakes in marking and moderation for the Eduqas GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition qualification in 2024.

A total of 1,527 pupils were affected. Of these, 847 were undergraded and later had their results corrected in October, while 680 received higher marks than they should have and were allowed to keep them. The remaining candidates were unaffected.

reguLAtor cALLS it A ‘SeriouS FAiLure’

Ofqual described the incident as a “significant failure” that undermined confidence in the integrity of the qualifications system.

The £350,000 fine covers two breaches of exam regulations. The first, worth £175,000, related to WJEC’s failure to adjust teachers’ coursework marking to national standards. The second, also £175,000, was for allowing thousands of marking reviews between 2017 and 2023 to be carried out by assessors who had marked parts of the same papers – a breach of impartiality rules.

WJEC has admitted responsibility and co-operated fully with Ofqual’s investigation. It has refunded schools and colleges more than £219,000 and says new procedures are in

place to prevent a repeat.

conServAtiveS rAiSe concernS over truSt

Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natasha Asghar MS, said the scale of the failure “undermines trust in the qualifications system and raises serious questions about oversight and governance.”

She added: “The WJEC must ensure robust safeguards are now in place to prevent such errors from happening again. Pupils across Wales deserve full confidence in the exam board ahead of results day next month and this incident does nothing

to reassure them that their own grades will be accurate and reliable.”

WJec reSponSe

In a statement, WJEC said it “deeply regretted” the error and its impact on pupils. The board stressed that the issue was confined to one qualification delivered in England and did not affect any GCSEs or A-levels regulated by Qualifications Wales.

It added: “We have taken comprehensive steps to ensure such issues do not occur in the future, including strengthening our quality assurance processes

and reviewing staff training.”

iMpAct on WeLSH StuDentS

While the affected subject was part of WJEC’s Eduqas brand used in England, the incident has raised questions in Wales about whether the same vulnerabilities could appear in qualifications taken by Welsh students.

The fine comes just weeks before this year’s exam results are released, with education leaders urging WJEC to reassure pupils and parents that all marking this summer has been checked rigorously.

National Play Day highlights need for quality play spaces

THE Welsh Government has marked National Play Day by highlighting the importance of high‑quality, accessible play spaces for children across Wales.

This year’s theme, spaces for play, focuses on the value of inclusive areas where all children

and young people can enjoy safe, creative and engaging activities.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, visited the Pentref Plant (Children’s Village) at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham to see first-hand the workshops, performances and creative

activities on offer.

Ms Bryant said: “Play is fundamental to children’s development, wellbeing and happiness. Visiting the Pentref Plant at the Eisteddfod provided a wonderful opportunity to see how play and culture can come together to create meaningful experiences for children.

“This National Play Day, it’s important to recognise the vital role that quality play spaces have in our communities.

The Welsh Government is providing additional funding to local authorities to improve playgrounds because we are committed to ensuring that, regardless of their background, every child in Wales has access to excellent play facilities.”

Minister for Children and

Social Care, Dawn Bowden, said: “It’s great to hear about the wonderful play activities happening across Wales today in celebration of UK Playday.

“The theme this year is spaces for play, and I’m delighted we have invested £5 million this financial year to improve the quality of play spaces and playgrounds across Wales. Children have a right to play, and play is fun and powerful – it contributes to children’s health, happiness and development. We want a Wales where all babies and children have plenty of rich opportunities to play.”

National Play Day is celebrated annually across the UK to raise awareness of the importance of play in children’s lives.

Slurry lagoon works backed by Pembrokeshire planners

A CALL to approve retrospective works to an agricultural slurry lagoon has been backed by planners despite local community council concerns.

In an application recommended for conditional approval at the July 29 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Hugh James sought permission for a variation of conditions from a 2013 application for an earth bank nutrient storage lagoon to agree the details of a liner and remedial design works together with the extension of time to implement works at Llandigwynett, near Redberth.

An officer report said: “The submitted section 73 application seeks a variation or removal of these conditions for the retrospective slurry store design. It was originally proposed to install a geosynthetic liner. As the store has been clay-lined approval of this construction design detail is now sought.

“A structural report has been undertaken by Gown Engineers dated January 8, 2018. As this was not undertaken within two months of the decision notice dated July 10, 2017, the section 73 seeks approval of the report via the variation of the condition in relation to the timing of the submitted details.”

Concerns were raised by

Jeffreyston Community Council including the thickness of the liner and the stability of the lagoon, the need for improvements made to ensure that this lagoon is operating within regulations, whether the facility now meets regulations, and is operating within the guidance set.

The report said the store has been clay lined to 0.5 metres as recommended by the Gown structural report in 2018, but later regulations, in 2021, had

increased this to one metre.

It added: “Based on no reported pollution incidents to Natural Resources Wales since the amended clay design (being in situ since 2018), officers consider that it would be unreasonable to enforce that the store is constructed in accordance with [later] regulations.

It finished: “Confirmation from NRW to support the store being constructed in

accordance with the remedial works has been received. On this basis a condition requiring the development to remain in accordance with the remedial works and structural design as outlined in the Gown report will be imposed.”

The officer recommendation of approval was moved by Cllr Brian Hall, seconded by Cllr Danny Young, and was unanimously approved by committee members.

Changes to Bluetongue restrictions confirmed ahead of autumn livestock sales

IMPORTANT changes to Bluetongue restrictions in Wales will come into force in two weeks, aimed at supporting the autumn sales season while managing the risk of disease spread.

From Monday, August 18, Welsh livestock that have completed a full course of Bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccination will be permitted to attend English markets located within 20km of the Welsh border.

Eligible markets include Bishops Castle, Hereford, Kington, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ross-on-Wye and Shrewsbury. These markets will be able to hold dedicated sales of vaccinated Welsh livestock, subject to strict conditions.

SAMe‑DAy MoveMent REQUIRED

Animals attending these sales and returning to Wales must complete the movement within the same day and under the terms of a general licence. Overnight stays at markets are not permitted. Where all licence conditions are met, pre- and post-movement testing will not be required.

Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales, Richard Irvine, said:

“Bluetongue is a potentially devastating disease, as we have seen in other countries. This phased approach has been developed in consultation with the industry to balance trading

opportunities with the need to protect our livestock.

“It is vital that all involved recognise the risks of progressively removing restrictions, comply fully with requirements, and ensure vaccination remains at the heart of our defences.”

Further changes under consideration

With autumn sales approaching, the Welsh Government is also looking at allowing breeding sales at ‘Bluetongue Approved Green Markets’ in Wales for

vaccinated livestock from both England and Wales. Markets will be able to apply for this status from mid-September.

VACCINATION ENCOURAGED

Vaccination remains the most effective protection against Bluetongue. Farmers are urged to discuss vaccination options with their vet and to remain vigilant for signs of the disease, which must be reported immediately to

the Animal and Plant Health Agency. Bluetongue does not affect humans or food safety but can cause serious illness in cattle, sheep, goats and camelids. The virus is spread mainly through midge bites, with peak activity between April and November.

For further information, visit the Welsh Government’s ‘Battle Bluetongue’ campaign or speak to your private vet.

Kurtz warns Bluetongue policy risks sidelining Welsh livestock markets

WeLSH livestock markets risk being left behind by the Welsh Government’s phased approach to easing Bluetongue restrictions, according to Samuel kurtz MS, Welsh conservative Shadow Minister for rural Affairs.

Mr Kurtz says delays in enabling Welsh markets to host key breeding sales could push vital trade across the border into England, damaging rural economies during the crucial autumn season.

Two changes were confirmed to stakeholders on Monday (Aug 4). From Monday 18 August, vaccinated Welsh livestock may be traded at Wales-only designated sales in English markets within 20km of the border without pre-movement testing, provided movements comply with same-day general licence conditions.

Breeding stock sales involving BTV-3 vaccinated animals from Wales and England will also be permitted at Bluetongue Approved Green Markets located in Wales – but applications for this designation will only be accepted from mid-September.

Mr Kurtz warned that the delay in approving Welsh sales will divert business over the border.

“The Welsh Government’s approach, while welcome

in principle, is far too slow in practice. Welsh livestock markets are being left behind just when they should be playing a central role in the autumn breeding season.

By the time Welsh markets can even apply for approval in mid-September, much of the season will have passed and the damage will have been done. This is not just an issue of timing – it’s an issue of fairness.”

Welsh Government response

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies said the changes follow extensive engagement with stakeholders and aim to balance animal-health risk with industry needs. Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Richard Irvine, stressed that vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of Bluetongue entering Wales, and that the policy will be kept under review as the situation evolves.

In July, the Welsh Government also introduced Approved Red Markets, allowing animals from England’s Bluetongue Restricted Zone to attend designated Welsh markets for direct slaughter without testing – a measure intended to ease some trade pressures while maintaining safeguards.

Agricultural organisations have welcomed the easing of rules but remain concerned about the timing. NFU Cymru described the changes as a “step forward” but warned the mid-September opening for Green Market applications could mean missing key sales in the breeding calendar.

The National Sheep Association and the Livestock Auctioneers Association have also called for urgent clarity, highlighting the cost and impracticality of testing for some cross-border movements not covered by the new arrangements.

Mr Kurtz is urging the Welsh Government to introduce the same flexibility for vaccinated animals moving directly from England into Wales outside market settings and to consider further steps to ease the burden on the industry.

“We cannot afford a policy lag that undermines the Welsh agricultural sector. I urge the Cabinet Secretary to act with urgency and put Welsh livestock markets on an equal footing before it’s too late,” he said.

He also reiterated his advice for farmers to speak to their vets about the benefits of Bluetongue vaccination as part of a wider strategy to protect animal health and safeguard breeding prospects.

With August upon us, Wales’ agricultural show season is in full swing. The importance of these shows to the fabric of our rural communities cannot be understated, providing a brilliant shop window for Welsh farmers; be it showcasing our exceptional stock or sharing our brilliant produce. These events are also vital social gatherings where farmers, often working in isolation, can catch up with neighbours and discuss the latest changes and challenges facing the industry.

Amidst the steady stream of county shows, this week also sees the National Eisteddfod being held in Wrexham. The event is Europe’s largest cultural festival, and provides a vibrant showcase of Welsh talent and traditions.

The FUW was delighted to be present once again this year, catching up with members and the public over a cuppa, as well as hosting a range of events on our stall; from cooking demonstrations showcasing the best of Welsh produce to special birthday celebrations marking 70 years of Undeb Amaethwyr Cymruthe Farmers’ Union of Wales.

As we see Wales’ cultural delights showcased at events like the National Eisteddfod, it does provide a timely reminder of how crucial agriculture is in sustaining our language and heritage. This was outlined by the 2021 census which showed that over 43% of the agriculture, forestry and fishing industries’ workforce speak Welsh

- the highest proportion of Welsh speakers in all sectors of economic activity in Wales.

Considering agriculture’s key role within Welsh-speaking communities, the FUW has long argued that the Welsh language should be seen as a key consideration within agricultural policy. To this end, we welcomed the report last year by the Commission for Welshspeaking Communities that recognised the role of our family farms in sustaining the Welsh language and culture.

Since the launch of the report, following much lobbying from ourselves, we have welcomed the decision by the Welsh Government to include a ‘social value payment’ within the revised Sustainable Farming Scheme.

This element will help reward farmers for actions which provide wider benefits to society and our rural communities.

The introduction of this payment is a significant step forward, acknowledging that the value of farming extends far beyond food production to encompass cultural and social contributions. It’s a recognition of the hard work and dedication of Welsh farmers in preserving a way of life that is intrinsically linked to the language and our national identity.

The FUW’s commitment to supporting our rural communities has always been central to our aims. The fact that such a commitment also supports the viability of the Welsh language in so many parts of Wales is a fantastic bonus to the principles that the FUW have always held.

inDuStry vieW

Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs.

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice: 1990s special edition reimagined for the 21st century

Passion, performance and panache come together in perfect harmony for a special‑ and limited‑edition volkswagen: the iD.3 gtx Fire & Ice. But you’ll need to be as nippy as the car itself to get your hands on one, because production is limited to just 1,990 units worldwide.

Volkswagen developed the newcomer’s eye-catching design in collaboration with BOGNER, the Munich-based sports fashion brand known for its luxury and high-tech ski wear. It pays tribute to the 1990s Golf Mk2 Fire and Ice, which has since achieved cult status among Volkswagen fans. A show car version was unveiled at the ID. Meeting in Locarno, Switzerland, last year. Now it is going into production and, in tribute to the original model’s debut year, only 1,990 units of the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice will be built.

The striking ultra-violet metallic paint was developed especially for this unique model and is a similar hue to its legendary Golf forerunner. With a geometric F+I pattern on the C-pillar, plus numerous details in the interior, the ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice honours its predecessor and transfers the original design idea into the allelectric modern age.

Other highlights include 20inch Locarno alloy wheels with diamond-turned surface, red roof strips in anodised paint, puddle lights in the door mirrors – representing fire on the passenger side and ice on the driver’s side – and the original Fire & Ice logo from the 1990s on the roof spoiler. Volkswagen’s latest-generation LED tail lights are tinted exclusively for this model, while GTX lettering on the tailgate and wheel trims provide exterior finishing touches.

‘Firey’ Flame red and ‘cool’ Floxal blue touches continue the hot and cold theme on the inside, while sports seats with built-in head restraints are inspired by BOGNER FIRE+ICE collections; they are quilted in the style of down jackets and feature the hint of a zip and the FIRE+ICE logo in the centre. The steering wheel, instrument panel, door trims and floor mats are also customised with coloured stitching and logos.

Performance-wise, the Fire

& Ice model boasts the same credentials as its ID.3 GTX Performance counterpart. It is available with a 326 PS (240 kW) motor that generates maximum torque of 545 Nm – enough to propel the car from standstill to 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds and achieve an electronically limited top speed of 124 mph (where permitted). The GTX-specific chassis set-up, which is equipped with uprated stabilisers and sport DCC adaptive chassis control, is also tuned to the drive system’s high performance. Electricity is supplied by a 79 kWh (net) lithiumion battery, which can be topped up at DC fast-charging stations with up to 185 kW – enough to take the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in about 26 minutes. The combined WLTP range is 367 miles.

Daniel Hiendlmeier, Managing Director and Chief Brand Officer of BOGNER, said: “The revival of the cooperation between Volkswagen and BOGNER FIRE+ICE after more than 30 years, and the realisation of a series production model, is a major milestone for us.

What started as a show car has become a market-ready vehicle that will excite both fans of the iconic Golf Mk2 Fire and Ice and a new generation. It is a strong statement for the relevance of connecting fashion and mobility.”

Martin Sander, Member of the Volkswagen Board of Management responsible for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, said: “The response to last year’s show car was overwhelming. Many Volkswagen fans expressed a strong desire to see this car

enter series production, and we were only too happy to make that wish a reality. The ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice demonstrates the emotive appeal of our premium sports model, while also carrying a piece of Volkswagen history into the electric future.”

The ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice can be ordered at any Volkswagen Retailer from Thursday 7 August, priced £48,360 (on-theroad recommended retail price including VAT).

1.2

2.0

Dynamic exterior upgrade headlines refreshed Honda Civic e:HEV

Honda has given its popular c ivic e:H ev a refresh, introducing updated interior styling and exterior design changes, alongside unchanged hybrid performance.

The result is a clear evolution of Honda’s iconic hybrid hatchback – refined in response to customer feedback, while retaining the versatility, efficiency and dynamic performance that drivers expect.

Sharper, more distinctive design

Every Civic grade now features a redesigned, more assertive front upper and lower grille, highlighted in black gloss and finished with a new grille and headlight garnish for a sharper, sportier look.

The sculpted front bumper incorporates bolder character lines and a new body colour lower bumper spoiler, giving the model a more premium, athletic stance. New 18inch two-tone, diamond cut alloy wheels in grey for Advance grade and black in Sport grade models add a further dynamic edge to the Civic’s striking exterior, alongside the high black gloss finish of the door garnish.

In addition, all grades will no longer have front fog lights to further streamline the design, made possible by improved LED headlight technology to ensure optimal visibility is maintained.

To complement these upgrades, a new exterior paint option is now available in Seabed Blue, replacing Premium Crystal Blue, which further highlights the Civic’s sleek, aerodynamic profile.

This is in addition to the colour options previously available –Platinum White Pearl, Crystal Black Pearl, Sonic Gray Pearl and Premium Crystal Red Metallic. Plus, new optional accessory accent colours in Berlina Black, Nordic Silver and Patina Bronze.

Refined, more advanced interior ambience

Inside, all grades will feature a new black interior roof and pillars to create a more premium feel. Complemented by matte chrome detailing around the air vents to add a subtle touch of sophistication.

In addition, the Advance model will now include interior illumination and footwell lights, while the Sport grade features a new heated steering wheel for improved driver comfort during colder drives. It also receives a 10.2-inch Digital Driver Display to offer clearer graphics and improved visibility, ensuring key information is easier to read.

Finally, all Elegance vehicles will now offer wireless charging within the centre console, ensuring ease of access for both driver and passenger. Dynamic performance, as standard

The latest Honda Civic continues to deliver an outstanding balance of practicality and driving fun with its responsive hybrid powertrain.

The current two-motor e:HEV hybrid system will remain unchanged, providing refined performance and fuel economy.

Advanced safety features

Every Civic e:HEV is equipped with an advanced suite of Honda SENSING active safety technologies – one of the most comprehensive

safety systems in its class.

This includes the Forward Collision Warning System, designed to detect the presence of vehicles in front, issuing audible, visual and tactile alerts for the driver when approaching with too much speed.

A wide-angle, high-definition camera continues to deliver improved awareness of road lines, verges, motorcycles, and cyclists. Along with a high-speed processing chip that ensures the detection, performance, and control of the system, meaning it can identify objects accurately, including pedestrians in both light and dark environments.

Elegance models will now include an auto dim feature on the rear-view mirror, which previously came as

standard in the Sport and Advance grades – providing clearer vision for improved safety and confidence when driving.

“The Civic, in its 11th generation is an integral part of Honda’s heritage, and the latest iteration further builds on its award winning and excellent reputation. It delivers the dynamic performance, adaptability and style that Honda customers have come to expect,” says Rebecca Adamson, Head of Automobile at Honda UK. “With performance that excites, along with an updated interior styling and exterior design, the all-new Civic with its advanced hybrid powertrain is the perfect mix of efficiency and driving pleasure.”

Making its mark in just 7 months: 10,000 orders for the JAECOO 7

The JAECOO 7 has officially surpassed 10,000 units ordered in the uk , just seven months after its launch in January 2025. A major milestone that reflects not only strong demand but also JAECOO’s fast growing presence in the uk , this figure underscores the appetite for the brand’s distinctive combination of rugged luxury, high end technology and accessible premium appeal.

From the Goodwood Estate to the EPCR rugby tournament final, JAECOO UK has been steadily establishing itself as a name to know.

With vehicles that deliver genuine off-road capability alongside refined urban confidence – all framed by JAECOO’s signature waterfall grille and strong design identity – the brand has become increasingly visible across the UK.

The JAECOO 7 was the first model to debut parent company Chery International’s highly coveted Super Hybrid System (SHS) in the UK – an advanced plug-in hybrid platform that maintains battery charge throughout the drive, never allowing it to drop to 0%. As the model that introduced this technology, the JAECOO 7

played a key role in building early momentum for the brand’s entry into the UK – momentum that helped propel JAECOO, together with sister brand OMODA, to a combined 2.1% UK market share in June 2025, outperforming all other OEMs by volume during that period. Just one year earlier, in August 2024, neither brand had officially launched in the UK. This rapid trajectory further reinforces the success of the group’s accessible luxury philosophy, bringing a premium SUV experience to a broader audience.

Gary Lan, CEO of JAECOO UK,

said: “To pass 10,000 orders for the JAECOO 7 in just seven months is a clear signal of what’s possible when a new brand combines real product quality with cultural relevance and strategic visibility. We’ve worked hard to make JAECOO a brand people can see, feel and experience – whether at events, on the road, or through our growing retailer network. This is just the beginning.”

Available with two distinct powertrain options – a highly efficient pure petrol engine (available in front or four-wheel drive) or the advanced Super Hybrid System – this dual offering has widened the JAECOO 7’s appeal to a broad range of customers, from urban commuters to families seeking more adventurous versatility.

The JAECOO 7 starts from just £30,115 OTR*, climbing to £35,165 OTR for the SHS. Meanwhile, the hotly anticipated, smaller compact crossover JAECOO 5 is available to order now at £24,505 OTR* in Pure specification, and £28,000 OTR* for the Luxury option. Deliveries for the JAECOO 5 will commence in October, and a pure EV will also be offered for this model, with more information on that powertrain to be announced in the coming weeks.

*All prices quoted are correct at time of writing, July 2025

Great Scott! 40 years on, Collecting Cars takes you Back to the Future

Four decades after Back to the Future first hit cinema screens, one of the most instantly recognisable cars of the 1980s is now available to buy on collecting cars. A 1981 DeLorean DMc‑12 – complete with the brushed stainless steel bodywork and gullwing doors that made it a cultural phenomenon – is currently live for bidding, with the auction running until Sunday, 3 August.

Few cars have transcended the automotive world to become a popculture icon quite like the DMC-12. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign – under the careful direction of John DeLorean – its futuristic lines, innovative construction and starring role in the legendary time-travel trilogy cemented its place in history. More than just a film prop, the DeLorean was a bold expression of optimism from an era obsessed with looking ahead.

This example was first registered in Pennsylvania, US, in 1981, before being imported to the UK and registered with the DVLA in 2015. Showing 11,891 miles on the odometer, it has been carefully maintained by its current owner over the past three years, with annual servicing including its most recent visit to Bespoke Cars in July 2025. Beneath the rear engine cover

lies the naturally aspirated 2.8-litre V6, delivering around 130 bhp to the rear wheels through the rarer threespeed automatic transmission – a configuration specified on only around a third of the cars produced. Factory equipment includes air conditioning, electric windows and an AM/FM cassette stereo, while the black leathertrimmed cabin retains the character and patina of an original 1980s interior.

Edward Lovett, founder of Collecting Cars, said: “The DeLorean is one of those rare cars that has leapt from the screen into the collective imagination. For many people, the shape alone brings back a flood of memories – from the original films to seeing it take on a new life on stage. To offer one during the 40th anniversary celebrations feels very special, and we’re expecting it to resonate with collectors of all ages.”

As the film celebrates its 40th anniversary, the allure of the DeLorean has never been stronger. Beyond the cinematic nostalgia, it is a fascinating collector’s piece – a car that represents a unique chapter in automotive history. Whether as the centrepiece of a curated garage or as a crowd favourite at classic car events, this DMC-12 offers an opportunity to own a genuine automotive and cultural landmark.

Huge fuel pipeline could be installed in Milford Haven

pLAnS for a hydrogen fuel distribution pipeline in Milford Haven after the previous backing of a 20MW fuel production facility have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Zurich-based MorGen Energy, previously known as H2 Energy Europe, seeks permission for a 1.5km long six-inch 10-bar low pressure hydrogen pipeline and associated infrastructure from Milford Haven’s Impala Terminal

to the South Hook LNG Terminal.

A supporting statement through agent Fisher German says the proposed works by MorGen, a subsidiary of leading supplier of energy and commodities Trafigura, are cross-boundary with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this application seeking approval from the council.

The pipeline scheme forms

part of the West Wales Hydrogen project, which in 2023 gained permission for a new 20MW hydrogen production facility at the Impala Terminal (formerly Puma Energy) in Milford Haven.

The approved hydrogen production facility uses electrolysis to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, where the oxygen is a byproduct of the process, producing 1,875 tons of hydrogen per year.

The statement adds: “Hydrogen will be distributed via high pressure vessels (40 ft containers) to various customers in the closer vicinity, opening the hydrogen market to a large variety of customers. Hydrogen will also be distributed to the South Hook LNG Terminal and it is proposed that this will be via a new six-inch 10-bar hydrogen pipeline.

“The option to supply hydrogen to the South Hook LNG terminal via high pressure hydrogen containers was dismissed due to safety considerations at the terminal. This application therefore seeks planning permission for a section of below ground hydrogen pipeline within the jurisdiction of Pembrokeshire County Council, which comprises

the north part of the route from the hydrogen plant at Impala to the South Hook LNG Terminal, alongside an above ground installation unit at the Impala Terminal.”

It went on to say: “South Hook LNG Terminal plays a vital role in the country’s energy infrastructure and is one of the largest liquified Natural Gas Terminals in Europe. It is strategically located on the UK’s west coast, in the port of Milford Haven and receives Liquid Natural Gas from Quatar’s North Gas Field in the Arabian Gulf.

“The South Hook LNG Terminal will use the hydrogen to partially decarbonize their site, namely their Submerged Combustion Vaporisers (SCV’s) by blending hydrogen into the natural gas stream.”

It finishes: “The presented solution is considered the safest, shortest and best suited routing. This application only relates to the proposed hydrogen pipeline and AGI within the jurisdiction of the Pembrokeshire County Council.”

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

Prehistoric party takes centre stage at Tenby

tHe DinoSAur pArk TENBy has gone full dino‑crazy this summer with the arrival of the uk’s first ever dancing dinosaurs. Meet Dave the Ankylosaur and Gabbi the Triceratops—two prehistoric performers who strut, stomp and spin their way into the hearts of visitors every day at 2:45pm.

Instead of fearsome roars, Dave and Gabbi bring cheeky smiles, playful dance-offs and friendly races. Their infectious routines have quickly become the talk of the park, drawing crowds who clap, cheer and, in many cases, join in the fun. From toddlers to grandparents, no one can resist a little prehistoric boogie.

Since debuting this summer, the duo have transformed a day out into a truly memorable experience. Families now flock to Gumfreston not just for the dinosaur trails and lifesized models, but for this live daily performance that leaves everyone grinning from ear to ear.

Set among lush

Pembrokeshire woodland just outside Tenby, The Dinosaur Park offers far more than animated creatures. With more than 90 dinosaur models, 36 rides and attractions, woodland trails, a dinosaur safari, soft and hard play zones, VR games, cafés and gift shops, there’s something for all

the family to enjoy. The park has even been recognised as one of the UK’s best-value theme parks.

Park owner Amanda Meyrick says the response has been overwhelming: “The energy is infectious. People are laughing, clapping and dancing along. Dinosaurs aren’t just about

science and history—they’re about fun, connection and making memories.”

With Dave and Gabbi leading the show, The Dinosaur Park has added a fresh, family-friendly twist to its attractions—proving that in Tenby this summer, dinosaurs don’t just roar… they dance.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Expansion plans for Lamphey camping and festival site

pLAnS to expand facilities at a Pembrokeshire camping and glamping farm which hosts outdoor festivals have been submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council.

Dewslake Camping Limited, of Dewslake Farm, The Ridgeway, Lamphey, in an application through agent Argent Architects, seeks permission for a change of use of the main barn at the farm to provide support facilities for camping and events.

A supporting statement says: “While remaining a working farm, camping, glamping and facilities for dining and refreshments are among the services provided. Outdoor festivals are held on the site periodically during the summer season. The main barn is centrally located within the farm and serves as overflow storage for the various activities and events offered at Dewslake. The campsite’s sanitary facilities are located in temporary structures at the perimeter of this building.

“The applicant wishes to expand the facilities offered on the site. The barn has the spatial capacity to accommodate a range of different events, both commercial and private. The idea is to bring in the operational capacity to service functions and events in the building and on the wider site, in the form of overflow catering, sanitary facilities and office and

ecological enhancements and trades on this in the marketing approach taken in promoting the campsite.

application enquiry for the addition of a permanent farmhouse to serve this function.”

reception space.”

It says further expansions to Dewslake are also planned.

“The growing business model requires considerable on-site management and maintenance. The long-term plan is greatly invested in

“This approach requires a particular intensity in the management of the land, which when coupled with the day-to-day running of the campsite, increases the need for a round-theclock management presence.

“The applicant is therefore intending to make a separate pre-

Of the current scheme, it says it is intended to create “a building that is inclusive, easy and enjoyable in use for all,” with wheelchair parking in the area currently occupied by the temporary facilities. The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

Haverfordwest alpaca farm to reopen after bird flu closure

SWeet HoMe ALpAcA in Haverfordwest will welcome visitors again next week after being forced to shut for almost six weeks due to a bird flu outbreak.

Owners Angela and Alex FraylingJames were ordered to close the awardwinning attraction at the end of June after seven of their chickens were found dead. Tests confirmed avian influenza, leading to the compulsory culling of the farm’s remaining 113 chickens.

The closure meant the popular alpaca walks, talks and hands-on experiences had to be cancelled, leaving the couple with no income.

Angela said she was overjoyed to receive the news that some restrictions had now been lifted. “We’ve just been told we can start welcoming customers again from Monday, August 4. It’s amazing news after the past few weeks,” she said.

Sweet Home Alpaca, named TripAdvisor’s best tour and attraction in Pembrokeshire for 2024, has been closed since early July. Supporters have rallied around the couple, with a GoFundMe appeal raising more than £7,000 towards a £9,000 target to help them through the shutdown.

Organiser Peter said: “Angela and Alex rely on their alpaca experiences to make a living. This completely unexpected case of bird flu brought everything to a halt, wiping out six years

of hard work in an instant.”

The couple are now appealing for volunteers to help get the site ready for reopening day. Angela added: “We still have a long way to go before

we’re fully back to normal, but we just want to thank everyone who has sent messages, donated or offered to help. Without you, we couldn’t have got through this.”

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Welsh health board accused of forcing delays for patients treated in England

A DeciSion by powys Teaching Health Board to instruct English hospitals to match Wales’s longer nHS waiting times has sparked anger and renewed calls for reform.

Powys, which has no district general hospital of its own, sends many patients to hospitals in Shrewsbury, Telford, Hereford and Gobowen for treatment. But from 1 July, those patients have been told they must now follow Welsh NHS waiting-time targets – even when the care is delivered in England.

The move means patients from Powys could face much longer waits than English patients being treated in the same hospital, with opponents calling it a “two-tier” system.

conServAtiveS conDeMn

‘unAcceptAbLe’

poLicy

Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister James Evans MS said: “It is absolutely disgraceful that patients in Powys are being left in pain waiting longer for surgery simply because their health board can’t afford the faster care available in England.

“I have raised this issue again and again in the Senedd but my calls have fallen on deaf ears. This is what 25 years of Labour running the NHS in Wales looks like: spiralling waiting lists, missed targets, and now health boards asking English hospitals to make Welsh patients wait longer on purpose.

“No one should be waiting over a year for treatment. The Welsh Conservatives would declare a health emergency and put every effort into reducing these

unacceptable delays and ending the postcode lottery in healthcare.”

Figures show two-year NHS waits for treatment in Wales now stand at around 10,300 – compared with only 158 in England.

HeALtH boArD citeS buDget preSSureS

Powys Teaching Health Board has defended the change, saying it is a necessary cost-saving measure in the face of a £35.6 million deficit. By aligning treatment times with Welsh standards, it expects to save around £6 million.

A board spokesperson said the decision was “one of several unpalatable options” forced by severe financial pressures, and stressed that over 55% of the Welsh Government’s budget already goes to health and social

care.

WiDer nHS context

Experts say direct comparisons between the Welsh and English NHS are not straightforward. Wales has an older and sicker population, with higher levels of deprivation, placing extra strain on services.

But with all major A&E units in Wales regularly operating at more than 170% bed occupancy, and some patients still treated in corridors, critics argue the system is struggling to cope – and that cross-border co-operation should be used to speed up treatment, not slow it down.

The Welsh Government has set a target to eliminate two-year waits by March 2026, but has already missed two earlier deadlines.

New Welsh language course aims to improve patient care

A NEW course designed specifically for health and social care staff across Wales will enhance patient experiences by improving the Welsh language skills of frontline workers.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles will officially launch ‘Cwrs Croeso’ today at

the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. Developed by the National Centre for Learning Welsh, the course introduces essential Welsh phrases and vocabulary that staff can use in daily interactions with Welsh-speaking patients and service users.

strategy, ‘Mwy na geiriau’ (‘More than words’), designed to integrate Welsh language skills into health and social care services across Wales.

At the launch, Mr Miles is expected to highlight that staff do not need to be fluent in Welsh to positively impact patient care.

He said: “Our goal with ‘Mwy na geiriau’ is ensuring Welsh-speaking patients receive care in their language of choice. Even using a few Welsh words can dramatically improve someone’s experience.”

“With resources like ‘Cwrs Croeso’, it’s easier than ever for beginners to start learning Welsh.”

Under the ‘Mwy na geiriau’ strategy, all health and social care staff in Wales are expected to achieve a basic “courtesy” level of Welsh by 2027.

‘Cwrs Croeso’ includes digital materials explaining the importance of using Welsh, alongside simple vocabulary tutorials. Additional tutorled workshops will also support learners.

Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “This new course will help healthcare professionals use more Welsh with patients and carers. Tutorled sessions and further learning options will support ongoing skills development.”

‘Cwrs Croeso’ supports the Welsh Government’s broader ambition outlined in its comprehensive language

The training covers phrases for comforting patients, offering refreshments, and correctly pronouncing Welsh names, all aimed at significantly improving the care experience.

“Providing care through Welsh can significantly enhance patient and family experiences. We are committed to supporting the health and care workforce in strengthening their Welsh language skills.”

Catheter care now closer to home thanks to innovative trial

HyWEL DDA University Health Board (UHB) is transforming the way it supports patients with urinary catheters across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, thanks to a new Trial Without Catheter (TWOC) Improvement Project.

The scheme, launched in June 2024, shifts care from hospitals to the community, making it easier for patients to access timely treatment while reducing pressure on secondary care services.

A TWOC is a simple procedure to check if a patient can urinate naturally after an indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) is removed. If successful, it avoids the need for long-term catheter use, which can bring serious complications such as sepsis and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs). These account for around 75% of all UTIs and can also affect patients’ independence and quality of life.

Under the new model, every eligible patient is offered a TWOC within 28 days

of catheter insertion. Community-based TWOC clinics are now running across all three counties, led by the health board’s award-winning ambulatory nursing teams. A dedicated triage nurse, funded for one year by Hywel Dda’s seven Primary Care Clusters, helped ensure patients were assessed and well-prepared before attending their clinic.

The results have been dramatic. Waiting times have fallen from 120 days to just 17 — an 86% improvement — and every referred patient has received a TWOC within the target timeframe. The success rate now stands at 62%, well above national and global averages.

The project has also delivered major financial savings, cutting over £98,000 in annual catheter-related costs, with a projected saving of nearly £500,000 over three years. It has freed up urology specialists to focus on urgent cases such as suspected bladder cancer referrals.

Emma Cottrell, Clinical Lead Nurse

for Ambulatory Clinics, said: “The Trial Without Catheter Improvement Project has redefined how we deliver timely, effective care for patients with indwelling catheters. We have reduced waiting times, improved outcomes and eased the strain on hospital services.”

Patients and families have praised the service, with 100% of respondents saying they were satisfied with their experience, particularly the privacy, dignity and compassionate approach of staff.

One family member said: “The staff had lovely patience with my relative, which made the whole process go very smoothly.”

Another added: “The staff were fantastic with my aunt. Her dignity was respected at all times and the way they involved her was much appreciated.”

Jill Paterson, Director of Primary Care, Community and Long-Term Care at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “This project has transformed the patient experience. It’s a shining example of how innovation

in community care can deliver real benefits for both patients and the wider health system.”

The TWOC Improvement Project supports the Welsh Government’s vision for healthcare — providing more care closer to home, preventing ill health and reducing health inequalities — while showing how integrated working between primary, community and secondary care can achieve measurable results.

Independent leader accused of jumping on Reform bandwagon

pe M broke SH ire ’S Independent group leader has been accused of jumping on “any bandwagon whenever one comes along” after he attended a Reform Party social event.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s main opposition group, the 21-strong Independent Group (IPG), is led by Cllr Huw Murphy; the council itself run by a coalition.

The recent July 18 Reform ‘social,’ held in Carmarthen, attended by Cllr Murphy and it believed at least three other members, was listed as a paidfor members-only event.

This raised fears about whether the IPG members were supporting the party, or could

even be contemplating joining.

Cllr Murphy, who became leader of the IPG last year, confirmed he had attended the event, but had also attended a Plaid Cymru conference and a talk by Mark Drakeford, adding: “I am not a member of any political party and all meetings I have attended to date I have not spoken; I attend to listen and by listening it’s clear that there is a desire for change.”

Cllr Murphy later said there was “no likelihood” of any IPG members defecting to Reform, adding: “We went, so what? I’m sure some people would say ‘good for you’ and some would say ‘how dare you?’.”

Conservative Group member Cllr Aled Thomas said: “Not

content with working with Labour to increase council taxes by nearly 10 per cent [during the 2025-26 budget setting] and advocating for a 12 per cent rise prior to that, the Independent Group have really embarrassed themselves with this latest flipflop.

“It’s hard to take anything seriously from the IPG leader who jumps on whatever the latest populist trend is. Week after week we’ve heard Cllr Murphy talk about his independence and how he’s not swayed by party politics. Yet we find out he and members of his ‘independent’ group are funding Reform UK.

“Reform UK wants to see Welsh language targets scrapped, and the decimation

of our farmers by advocating for hormone treated beef and chlorinated chicken to flood our supermarkets. If that’s the type of policies the IPG now stand for, then they should be honest with the constituents they represent.”

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Labour group said: “Residents deserve clarity and conviction from those elected to represent them. Instead, what we see from Cllr Murphy is the behaviour of a political chameleon — attending party political events while claiming to be above party politics, and dismissing legitimate concerns as ‘so what’.

“The ‘independent’ group is becoming a real rag-tag opposition group who are happy to jump on any bandwagon whenever one comes along.

“Pembrokeshire voters need to know who or what they will be voting for at the next local elections. It’s clear some in the group share Reform’s politics but where does that leave the rest of them?”

Responding Cllr Murphy said: “No-one from Labour complained when I attended a meeting when Mark Drakeford was the keynote speaker, but they complain now.”

He added: “It needs to be pointed out the Independent Group is almost the same size as the Pembrokeshire Conservative and Labour Group combined which clearly show how unpopular both parties are with the average Pembrokeshire voter and the omens for both Lab and Tories in 2026 and 2027 appears dire and they would do well to focus on voter concerns than get stressed over what IG councillors do in their spare time.”

Welsh communities to receive £17m regeneration boost

AN ExTRA £17 million will be invested in regeneration projects across Wales to help revitalise town and city centres, the Welsh Government has announced. The additional funding will increase the Transforming Towns budget for 2025-26 from £40 million to £57 million,

enabling more projects to be delivered to boost economic activity, create jobs, and breathe new life into high streets.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government Jayne Bryant unveiled the funding during a visit to key regeneration sites in Wrexham. The city has already benefitted from more than £10 million in Transforming Towns support, with major projects either completed or nearing completion.

Among them is the newly refurbished indoor Butchers’ Market, which received £2.5 million in grant funding. The overhaul has created a high-quality space for independent traders, boosted

footfall, and enhanced the vibrancy of the city centre.

Improvements to the High Street have also made the area more pedestrian-friendly, with new green infrastructure and outdoor spaces for bars and restaurants.

Ms Bryant said: “Projects like the revitalised Butchers’ Market demonstrate how our funding creates jobs, supports local businesses, and makes town centres vibrant places where people want to live, work, and visit.

“Through the Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, we have invested more than £156 million over the past three years, and this additional £17 million

will accelerate that progress, breathing new life into town centres across Wales and delivering the economic growth that our communities deserve.”

Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, said: “The Butchers’ Market, General Market, and High Street improvements are great examples of how we’re working with Welsh Government to re-energise key elements of the city.”

Council Leader Mark Pritchard added: “Wrexham is a fantastic city and the funding we’ve received through the Transforming Towns initiative has made a huge difference.”

Welsh Government launches crackdown on air pollution

tHe WeLSH governMent has launched fresh consultations aimed at cutting air pollution – including tougher action on drivers who leave engines idling and a public awareness push on the health dangers of domestic burning.

Deputy First Minister and Climate Change Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies said cleaner air is a public health priority, warning that the harmful effects of pollution are already well documented.

The new measures form part of the Clean Air Plan for Wales: Healthy Air, Healthy Wales, which brings together government departments, councils, health boards, environmental experts and community groups.

DoMeStic burning unDer Scrutiny

A draft Promoting Awareness of Air Pollution Delivery Plan has been published for consultation, setting out how ministers and partners will raise awareness of pollution sources and encourage practical steps to reduce them.

One key focus will be the environmental and health impacts of domestic burning – including wood-burning stoves – which remain popular in many rural Pembrokeshire homes. The campaign will aim to help people make more informed choices

and consider cleaner alternatives.

crAckDoWn on iDLing engineS

The Government is also consulting on new penalty ranges for stationary vehicle engine idling, which is already an offence carrying a fixed-penalty fine.

Particular attention will be paid to problem areas outside schools and hospitals –with locations in Haverfordwest, Milford

FUNDING COMMITMENT

The plan will receive £575,000 a year for its three-year lifespan, with further funding available through existing grants such as the Local Air Quality Management Support Fund.

Mr Irranca-Davies said: “By delivering

targeted actions and working with local authorities, health professionals and communities, we can play a crucial role in creating a healthier Wales for everyone.”

The consultation on the draft Delivery Plan runs until 28 October, while the consultation on idling proposals closes on 30 September. Both will help shape the final plan and future air quality policy in Wales.

Pembrokeshire seaside car park approved by planners

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire field to remain as a seasonal car park used by visitors and boat‑trippers has been given the go ahead by the national park.

In a certificate of lawfulness application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Mr and Mrs Smithies, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought to retain the use of the field on land south of an existing National Trust car park at Martins Haven, Marloes.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement said of the 100-space seasonal car park: “The evidence provided seeks to demonstrate that the field has been used as a car park for over 10 years and therefore constitutes lawful development. The site comprises a field approximately 3km from the village of Marloes and directly to the south of the Martin’s Haven National Trust car park. “ It added: “The parking seeks to mirror that of the parking arrangement of the National Trust car park. The car

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

park is mainly used by visitors of the area, those going on day trips via boat (including trips to Skomer Island) and walkers of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The field is used as an overflow car park from the National Trust site, to ensure no cars park on the narrow access road.

“With the popularity of Pembrokeshire and Skomer Island

increasing year on year this extra car parking is vital to ensure continued road safety for the area, as the National Trust car park cannot serve all visitors, especially in the peak months.

“This application is supported by a range of evidence to demonstrate that the portion of the field within this application has been utilised as a car park, without interruption (with a small decrease in use during 2020 due to Covid-19) for over 10 years.”

It said photographic evidence

showed the car park in use from 2011’24, with Trip Advisor reviews in 2014, 2021 and 2022 noting the use of the car park, and public liability insurance in place from 2013; the policy still valid.

An officer report recommending approval said the park “is satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful”.

Planners supported the recommendation of a certificate of lawfulness being issued.

Haven and Pembroke Dock likely to fall under scrutiny.

W ITH ANDREW LyE

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have renewed their call for the uk Labour Government to reverse its changes to inheritance tax on family farms, as new data shows closures in the agricultural sector have hit record highs.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 6,365 agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses shut down over the past year. The highest figure since records began in 2017. Only 3,190 new businesses were created in the sector, leaving a net loss of 3,175.

The sharp decline has coincided with the announcement of Labour’s so-called “Family Farms Tax.” Introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in October 2024, the change will cap inheritance tax relief on agricultural land from April 2026. A 20 per cent tax will apply to land inherited above £1 million, ending the current full exemption from the standard 40 per cent inheritance tax rate.

The majority of closures took place in the six months following the policy’s announcement, suggesting the prospect of future tax burdens is already driving families out of farming. Farmers and rural groups warn that the change will force families to sell off land simply to pay inheritance tax, even if they intend to continue farming.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats argue this policy will hit rural Wales particularly hard, weakening both the farming economy and wider supply chains.

They have also warned that the policy could have a significant impact on the Welsh language, with 43% of agricultural workers speaking Welsh, significantly higher than the general population in Wales. Any policy that forces farmers to sell up and move out of farming could have disastrous consequences on the survival of the Welsh language in rural

communities.

The changes come amid wider challenges for farmers, including rising costs, increased bureaucracy, and post-Brexit trade disruption. The latest data also shows a downturn in farm investment, reflecting uncertainty across the sector.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling for a full U-turn on the Family Farms Tax and are instead urging the Government to raise revenue by taxing the profits of the big banks.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP for Brecon, Radnor & Cwm Tawe, said:

“Family farms are the heart of rural Wales, but this Labour Government is tearing that heart out. By slapping a tax bill on the next generation just for keeping their parents’ farm going, Labour will force local farms to be chopped up and shut down.

“In my constituency, generations have worked tirelessly to feed our country and protect our countryside. They deserve support, not a tax raid that risks forcing them off the land.

“I am calling on the Chancellor to reverse course before more Welsh family farms are lost forever. We need a government that backs rural Wales, not bankrupts it.”

At the Welsh Liberal Democrats stand at the Royal Welsh Show, 2 weeks ago, over 1,000 attendees sign the party’s petition calling for the family farm tax to be scrapped. See photo.

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

Key boost in plans for major A40 upgrade in Pembrokeshire

A S c H e M e to reinstate pasture on land used to help in the delivery of the recent A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross road improvement scheme in Pembrokeshire has been approved.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr Llewellin, through agent Gethin Beynon, sought retrospective permission for engineering works to raise ground levels and reinstate pasture at Cotland, Llawhaden, near Narberth.

A supporting statement said: “The application comprises of importing surplus excavated greenfield material to assist the delivery of the A40 road improvement scheme on behalf of Welsh Government.

The material is excavated by a 360-degree excavator and loaded from three donor sites in the locality into tipping lorries and hauled to Cotland Farm. The material is then tipped and graded onto the application site to raise land levels using bulldozers to spread and compact the ground.”

It said works started in October 2024, and, to prepare

the receiving site at Cotland Farm the topsoil has been scrapped and stockpiled to be reused as part of the remedial works to finish and reseed the site.

“The operation has a dual benefit in assisting the [now completed] A40 highway improvement scheme and would provide a functional benefit to the farmstead, as it would rationalise this parcel of land to be farmed in an efficient and productive manner,” the statement said.

An officer report recommending approval said: “The original topsoil on the application site was scrapped and stockpiled prior to development commencing. This topsoil on the site has been used to grade and landscape the imported material. The site is now being reseeded and returned to agricultural use as grassland. Following the remedial landscaping work, the existing access track would be resurfaced.”

It added: “When the

development was underway, damage to the adjoining highway was made by heavy goods vehicles travelling to the site. Interested parties associated with the scheme have met with [highways] officers and have agreed to undertake remediation work, albeit that this has not occurred to date. Any on-going issue with the condition of the highway would be dealt with by [highways] under appropriate legislation and a planning condition to address this issue would not be necessary.”

The application was conditionally approved.

The A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross road scheme, a £60 million joint investment by Welsh Government and the EU, was officially opened in May by the First Minister Eluned Morgan.

It delivers a new sixkilometre upgrade to the old road, a new carriageway, new roundabouts, two new bridges, 22 culverts, a new active travel route and environmental landscaping with over 450,000 plants and trees.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Garden centre can keep key building after planning battle

A CALL to allow a north Pembrokeshire garden centre to keep a development built without planning permission has been given the go ahead by the national park after Google Earth images showed it had been there for several years.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Moylegrove-based Penrallt Garden Centre Ltd, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd sought permission for a certificate of lawful development for a workshop building on site, constructed and substantially complete in February 2021.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to keep a development if they can provide proof of occupancy or use over a prolonged period.

A supporting statement said: “It is understood that no formal enforcement action has been taken by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in relation to the structure and that an enforcement notice has not been served. No

attempt has been made to conceal the development at any time.

“It is contended that the building was constructed and substantially complete in February 2021. Evidence [of] aerial photos of the site are available in 2020, 2021 and 2023, where the building does not appear to be shown in 2020, but is present in the 2021 and 2023 layer.”

Local community council Nevern raised no objection to the proposal, saying: “The shed is required for efficient running of the garden centre. The garden centre provides employment for 20-plus people, [an] important business

in Moylegrove, this shed should be granted certificate if lawfulness.

“The shed has been constructed in a place where is not affecting views of the PCNP, and it is clearly associated with the garden centre.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “The local planning authority is satisfied that the evidence accompanying the application is sufficient to establish that the existing use is lawful. a recommendation to issue a lawful development certificate is hereby made.

“The applicant has submitted a range of supporting information, including aerial images of the site (from 2020, 2021 and 2023) where the building can be observed, as well as a sequence of photos of the building partially constructed and completed from January and February 2021.”

It said those images were “additionally corroborated through the review of the site using Google Earth Images which shows the presence of the building as of July 19, 2021 on historic imagery”.

“As the building would amount to operational development, the applicant would need to demonstrate that the building had been substantially completed more than four years before the submission of the certificate application. In this case, the applicant has demonstrated that the building has been there for four years.”

A certificate of lawful development was granted by park planners.

Popular pizza oven shed to remain at St Dogmaels mill

mobile pizza oven at The Mill, Mill Street, St Dogmaels.

for a

The timber shed is situated directly

adjacent to the millpond in the centre of St Dogmaels, on a road known as The Shingrig.

The millpond forms part of the domestic curtilage of the adjoining mill house and both the mill pond and the adjoining community garden are owned by the applicant who runs the nearby St Dogmaels Mill as a family business and resides in the neighbouring Mill House, opposite the ruins of a former Benedictine abbey.

The mill itself ceased operation in 1926 but was later restored and is understood to be one of only two working commercial water mills in Wales.

The shed was constructed in late 2024 and in early 2025 Pembrokeshire County Council Planning Enforcement contacted the applicant to inform them planning permission was required for the shed, with a conservation officer later saying it was deemed to have a negative visual impact

The application was backed by St Dogmaels Community Council and has received 25 letters of support, along with a 73-signature petition in favour of approval.

A supporting statement through agent Johnston Planning Ltd said the mobile

pizza oven is operated on an occasional basis as part of the wider mill operation.

“The structure stands in a rich historic environment within the confines of the St Dogmaels Conservation Area and in proximity to a number of listed buildings (The Vicarage, The Bier House, The Old Coach House & The Mill) as well as a Scheduled Ancient Monument (St Dogmaels Abbey) and whilst preliminary discussions with county council officers regarding the retention of the structure have unfortunately been negative an application is nevertheless made for this purpose as (to a reasonable observer) the works are considered minor in scope and not to detract visually from the character of the host conservation area.”

An officer report recommending approval said that, while the council’s historic buildings conservation officer did initially raise concern regarding the impact of the siting of the “modest and appropriately designed” building on the historic environment, an amended scheme has been submitted which is considered to be acceptable, reducing the impact of the proposal on the setting of the historic environment “to neutral”. The scheme was conditionally approved by officers.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to retain a shed for a mobile pizza oven which uses flour from one of only two working water mills in Wales has been approved by Pembrokeshire planners.

Emma Williams sought permission to retain a timber storage shed used

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

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

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

& no T ices

Aberaeron

WHAT IS ‘TRUTH’?

D

e A r S ir ,

TRUTH, in its deepest sense, relates not only to human affairs but to the eternal realities of the universe — whether revealed in Pythagoras’s law of right‑angled triangles, in the structure of molecules and galaxies, or in Darwin’s revelation of genetic evolution, which underpins our sense of family love and ethics.

Millions believe that when Jesus said, “This is my blood which is given for you,” he was speaking symbolically — refusing to bow to the savage power of Pilate and Rome. Yet the universe offers us another, equally profound truth: the blood flowing in the veins of

even a convicted burglar has the power to save your life when you are near death, if he chooses to give it.

This is a medical truth as well as an ethical one. Blood from one person can sustain the life of another — and perhaps even benefit the giver. As Jesus taught: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Yet, in a society that teaches children to prize financial success above all else, only about six per cent of British adults donate blood.

The richest capitalist cannot buy the life-saving power that a humble donor holds in their veins. When the UK once bought contaminated blood from US prisoners, the tragedy proved that money cannot replace the genuine gift of safe, freely given blood. One willing donor can save the lives of up to 50 desperate patients. Neither Pilate nor the Emperor possessed such power.

For thousands of years,

busy day.

Since winning The Great British Bake Off, life has been full of exciting commitments, and I’ve often found myself reaching for that same convenience. But here’s something I’ve come to realise: that very same £4 could provide 40 meals for children in some of the world’s poorest communities.

That’s why I’m proud to support Mary’s Meals Deals — a simple but powerful idea that encourages us to swap the cost of a meal deal for a donation that helps feed hungry children.

The difference it makes is real and life-changing.

Take Kelcy, an 11-year-old girl from Zimbabwe. She used to walk an hour to school each day on an empty stomach, struggling to concentrate in class. But now, thanks to Mary’s Meals, Kelcy receives a nutritious meal at school every day — and the impact has been profound.

Her mother, Brendah, told us: “Whenever she comes in from school, you see a bright face. Unlike before when she would be hungry, her mouth would be foaming, and she was not so happy. Now, the situation is different. She is more energised than before.”

good men and women have risked or given their lives for others. Today, doctors, nurses and volunteers — whether in our NHS or in war-torn Gaza — still embody this truth. This is the design of the universe: that the gift of life can be passed from one to another, often at no cost to the giver. It is an opportunity open to each of us. The question is whether we will take it.

C. N. Westerman

Aberaeron

THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF WINNER GIUSEPPE DELL’ANNO

D e A r S ir ,

How often do you pick up a £4 supermarket meal deal?

For many of us, it’s a familiar routine — a convenient lunch between meetings or something quick to grab on a

Mary’s Meals now feeds more than 2.6 million children every school day across 16 countries, helping to bring children into the classroom and keep them there — with full stomachs and full potential.

And right now, your generosity can go even further. A generous donor has pledged to match new regular donations to Mary’s Meals — doubling the value of your first two monthly gifts, up to a total of £250,000. Just imagine what that means if £4 alone can feed 40 children. So next time you reach for a meal deal, take a moment to think about the difference your £4 could make.

Let’s turn a lunchtime habit into a lifeline.

Donate today at www. marysmeals.org.uk/meal-deal

g iu S eppe De LL’Anno WINNER OF THE GREAT b riti SH bA ke oFF

SaunderSfoot by dave

death notices

yVONNE R EES

PEACEFULLy On 27th July at High Grove Care Home. yvonne of Solva, aged 91 years.

Beloved wife of the late Colin, dearly loved mother and mother-inlaw of Lyn and Jane, Janet and Jon. A loving Mamgu to Esther, Bethan and Geraint and a much loved great grandmother to Elliott and Carys.

Funeral service Tuesday 19th August at St. David’s Cathedral at 1.30pm, followed by cremation at Parc Gwyn at 3.15pm.

Family flowers only, donations if desired, for the RNLI c/o W.G.Bernard Mathias & Daughter, 62 New Street, St. Davids, SA62 6SU

E LI z ABETH A NNE L EE

ANNE passed away peacefully at home on the 18th of July, aged 81 years.

Dearly loved wife to Phil, mother to Anna & John, nan and great nan. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Her funeral service is to take place on Friday 15th August, 11.30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only. Donations if, desired, can be sent directly to the Paul Sartori Foundation, Paul Sartori House, Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, SA61 1RP or via the donation box on the day.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son

Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

W INSTON ‘“Wy N ”’ G EORGE C RIDLAND

IT is with great sadness we announce the passing on Saturday 26th July in Withybush Hospital of Winston cridland aged 85 years of Burlesque Crundale.

Loving husband to Yvonne, devoted father to Gareth and Stephen, fatherin-law to Carol and precious granddad to Matthew, James & Andrew.

The funeral service will take place on Thursday 14th August 2025, 2.30 pm at Parc Gwyn crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only please, donations, if desired for Cancer Research UK or the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

S TEPHEN W ILLIAM E VANS

OF Pembroke Road, Haverfordwest and formerly of Landshipping

Steve passed away peacefully at Withybush General Hospital on 19th July 2025.

Beloved husband of Valerie and a dear step dad and bamp.

Funeral Friday 15th August service 3.15 pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only please. Donations if desired may be made payable to The Air Ambulance Wales. Please wear a dash of blue, if possible, in memory of Steve.

G LORIA J EAN J ONES

JEAN passed away peacefully at Highgrove Residential Home, Haverfordwest on the 10th of July aged 82 years.

Dearly loved wife to the late Glyn, sister to Billy, Michael, Sue and Mark, she will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Her funeral service is to take place on Monday 11th August 2.30pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only.

Donations if, desired, can be sent directly to Highgrove Residential Home.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821.

S TEPHEN W ILLIAM E VANS

OF Haverfordwest, formerly of Lampeter.

Janet passed away peacefully at home on the 13th of July aged 82 years.

Dearly loved she will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Her funeral service is to take place on Tuesday 12th August 11.30am at Wiston Church followed by cremation

at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 1.00pm.

Family flowers only. Donations if desired to Soroptimist International Haverfordwest and District, of which Janet was a much-valued member, may be sent via BACS Sort Code 2037-82 / Account Number 33759113 or by cheque made payable to ‘Haverfordwest & District Soroptimists’ c/o The Treasurer, Mrs. Julia Brady, 2 Redhill Park, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2HA

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

A LAN J AMES BAIN

THE death occurred suddenly on 18th July, at home Heritage Gate, Haverfordwest. Alan, aged 84 years, formerly of Puncheston, hailed from St Helens Lancashire.

A much loved husband to Jean, father to Heather and Ian, father-inlaw to Lynne and Volkert. Beloved brother to sister Marlene and brother Albert. Alan will be sadly missed by his grandchildren James, Joris and Billie and by all who knew him.

The funeral will take place on Monday 11th August at 1.00pm at Parc Gwyn crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only.

Donations in Memory if desired to Paul Satori Foundation c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348 873250.

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Welsh open canoe polo makes waves in Pembroke

peMbroke castle pond came alive today (Aug 3) as teams from across Wales and beyond competed in the Julie Morris International Welsh Open Canoe Polo Competition.

The event, now a highlight in the UK canoe polo calendar, saw fast-paced matches take place against the stunning medieval backdrop of Pembroke Castle. Players battled for glory on the

water in front of an enthusiastic crowd of spectators lining the pond’s edge.

Canoe polo – often described as a mix of basketball and kayaking – demands skill, speed and teamwork, and the competition did not disappoint.

Teams paddled hard, passed with precision and took their chances on goal, providing plenty of drama for onlookers.

Organisers said the tournament is not only about the sport but also about bringing people together in celebration of Pembroke’s waterside heritage. Local businesses and community groups have supported the event, helping to create a friendly festival atmosphere.

The competition honours Julie Morris, a much-loved figure

in the sport who was instrumental in promoting canoe polo both in Wales and internationally. Her legacy lives on through the event, which continues to attract top talent year after year.

Finals are set to conclude later today, with medals and trophies being awarded to the winning teams.

(Pictures: Martin Cavaney Photography)

Welsh ace Evans battles for British Rally Championship lead

WeLSH rally star Meirion evans will be flying the flag for Wales this weekend as he heads to Scotland level on points at the top of the Probite British Rally Championship.

Evans, from Lampeter, is tied on 43 points with team-mate William Creighton going into the Voly Grampian Forest Rally (8–9 August) –round four of the championship. Both men drive for the Castrol MEM Rally Team in identical Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 cars and are yet to play their points-boosting Joker card.

Evans and co-driver Dale Furniss, from Llanfyllin, will be hoping to repeat their strong showing at the Nicky Grist Stages in mid-Wales last month, where they finished just 2.6 seconds behind Creighton after losing time with an early spin. That performance showed Evans’ growing speed on gravel, an area where he admits he has made big strides since last season.

“Last year everyone seemed to have more experience of the Grampian stages than I did, but this time it’s more of a level playing field,” said Evans. “We’re going into the weekend in a great position in the championship. If we can avoid the punctures that cost us last year, keep it clean and get a solid haul of points, we’ll be in a strong place to push for the title over the final rounds.”

The rally begins on Friday evening with two stages in the Fetteresso Forest complex, before a full day of competition on Saturday across the forests of Aberdeenshire and

Kincardineshire.

With Wales having a proud tradition in the sport – from world champions to grassroots club rallying – Evans’ title challenge is attracting plenty of

attention back home. A strong result in Scotland could keep the Lampeter driver on course to bring the British Rally Championship crown back to Wales.

Crymych FC holds memorial match in honour of first chairman Martin Lloyd

CRyMyCH FOOTBALL CLUB and Cilgerran Old Boys came together on Saturday afternoon (Aug 2) to honour the memory of the club’s first chairman, Martin Lloyd of Cilgerran.

The memorial match, held at Tegryn pitch, saw a tremendous turnout from players, supporters, and the local community. The Cilgerran Old Boys claimed a 4-0 victory, with the match refereed by Daniel Decs James.

Following the game, the memorial trophy was presented by current club chairman Gary Phillips at the Crymych Arms clubhouse. The day also saw Crymych’s junior teams take to the field before the main fixture, adding to the community spirit of the occasion.

Funds raised during the event were donated to the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home Foundation, with Martin’s family and Gaynor from the Foundation attending to show their support.

Crymych FC is now preparing for the upcoming season, which will feature a brand-new senior women’s side alongside two senior men’s teams. The juniors’ section also continues to grow from strength to strength. Anyone interested in joining can contact Steffan James on 07453 291447.

The club recently held its AGM on Thursday, July 31, where members were updated on financial matters. It was confirmed that the 30% tax return to investors has been processed

by HMRC, with members already receiving their refunds. In addition, the club announced a 3% dividend to investors who helped purchase the clubhouse.

An update was also given on the

new 50% tax relief scheme for the purchase of the club’s new pitch. The offer runs until Monday, August 11, 2025. Full details can be found at www.cpdcrymych.cymru.

Ospreys given green light to move to historic St Helen’s

pLAnS to transform Swansea’s historic St Helen’s ground into the new home of the Ospreys have been approved by the city’s planning committee.

The proposals include increasing capacity to more than 8,000, creating a new all-weather pitch parallel to the north terrace, building new stands on the east and south sides, relocating the current south stand to the west end, and refurbishing the north terrace with a roof.

Council leader Rob Stewart welcomed the decision, saying it was vital for both sport and the local economy that the Ospreys remain in Swansea.

“We’ve agreed a lease for them to make St Helen’s their new home and to widen its community use,” he said.

“By having a lease agreed and planning permission in place, the Ospreys can now move ahead with plans to transform this historic venue into a modern sports facility.”

The Welsh Rugby Union is currently consulting on the future of Wales’s four rugby regions, creating uncertainty for fans. Both the Ospreys’ lease and council investment in the redevelopment remain conditional on those discussions.

Cllr Stewart said the council would ensure any works at St Helen’s progress in line with WRU decisions.

“We’ve done all we can to support the Ospreys to get them to this point. We now hope the WRU will end the

uncertainty and back the Ospreys in continuing top-flight rugby in Swansea.”

The Ospreys aim to play home matches at a revamped St Helen’s from next season and operate it as a venue for all levels of rugby, from community games to the elite tier. Swansea RFC and Swansea University would continue to play there.

The plans also include improved vehicle access and parking, a big screen, new floodlights, and a fan zone with a retractable roof. A second-phase proposal, also approved in principle, could see a training barn, gym and new changing facilities added.

Swansea Council is working with Swansea Cricket Club, which would relocate from St Helen’s to an upgraded ground at Sketty Lane, home of Swansea Civil Service CC. The council is also in talks with Bishop Gore School to improve its sports facilities, with pupils still using Sketty Lane.

If completed, the redevelopment would support Swansea’s ambition to create an international sports science park.

Thomas carroll Pembrokeshire league Table

RESULTS:2/08/2025

Carew (214-6) beat Burton (208-6) by 4 wkts

Lawrenny (269-6) beat Haverfordwest (183) by 86 runs

Llangwm (132) lost to Cresselly (352-2 dec) by 220 runs

Saundersfoot (195-5) beat Neyland (191-8) by 5 wkts

Whitland (207) lost to Herbrandston (264-6) by 57 runs

Burton II (115) beat Carew II (117-3) by 7 wkts

Cresselly II (174) lost to Pembroke (203-5) by 29 runs

Johnston (228-7) beat Llechryd (174-9) by 54 runs

Narberth (100) lost to Llanrhian (143) by 43 runs

St Ishmaels (164-9) lost to Hook (167) by 3 runs

Haverfordwest II (170-9) lost to Lamphey (195-8) by 25 runs

Hook II (238) beat Stackpole (175) by 63 runs

Kilgetty (78) lost to Fishguard (81-2) by 8 wkts

Laugharne (124) lost to Pembroke Dock (125-1) by 9 wkts

Neyland II (54) lost to Hundleton (167-8) by 113 runs

Carew III (0) w/o v Llangwm II (0)

Crymych (149-7) lost to St Ishmaels II (152-8) by 2 wkts

Haverfordwest III (83) lost to Saundersfoot II (84-4) by 6 wkts

Llanrhian II (164-5) lost to Narberth II (165-6) by 4 wkts

Pembroke II (216-3) beat Lawrenny II (87) by 129 runs

Herbrandston II (88-0) beat Whitland II (87) by 10 wkts

Hundleton II (140-8) lost to Haverfordwest IV (144-7) by 3 wkts

Llechryd II (246-4) beat Neyland III (88) by 158 runs

Lamphey II (120) lost to Llechryd III (165-8) by 45 runs

Pembroke III (63-2) beat Kilgetty II (60) by 8 wkts

Whitland III (67) lost to H’west-Cresselly (69-2) by 8 wkts

FIXTURES: 09/08/2025

Burton v Lawrenny

Cresselly v Saundersfoot

Haverfordwest v Whitland

Herbrandston v Carew

Neyland v Llangwm

Carew II v Johnston

Hook v Narberth

Llanrhian v Cresselly II

Llechryd v Burton II

Pembroke v St Ishmaels

Fishguard v Hook II

Hundleton v Kilgetty

Lamphey v Laugharne

Pembroke Dock v Haverfordwest II

Stackpole v Neyland II

CLawrenny II v Llanrhian II

Llangwm II v Crymych

Narberth II v Pembroke II

Saundersfoot II v Carew III

St Ishmaels II v Haverfordwest III

Cresselly III v Hundleton II

Neyland III v Herbrandston II

Whitland II v Pembroke Dock II

Kilgetty II v Whitland III

Llechryd III v H’west-Cresselly

Welsh ace Evans battles for British Rally Championship

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