The Pembrokeshire Herald 13/03/2026

FRIDAY march 13th 2026 • ISSUE 654 • ONLY £1.50

The secret relationship between priest and woman who later died after hotel incident • P4-5

School closure approved while insurance claim unresolved • p3

Exclusive

Family tribute after inquest into fatal B4393 crash • P3

PRIEST, PARISHIONER AND THE FATAL FALL

Pembrokeshire to receive its first banking hub in Pembroke Dock • P21

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Family tribute after inquest into fatal B4393 crash THE FAMILY of Alex Edwards have paid an emotional tribute after an inquest examined the circumstances surrounding his death in a road traffic collision near Llandrinio.

The hearing was told that Mr Edwards died following a crash on the B4393 on Monday (Sept 16), 2024.

In a statement released following the inquest, his family said Alex had been a “blameless victim” and urged drivers to reflect on the consequences of dangerous decisions behind the wheel.

They said: “Alex didn’t just die; he was killed by a reckless and selfish decision to overtake in impossible conditions. The evidence shows that on that foggy morning, Alex was doing everything right, simply trying to get home to his family.”

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Police previously confirmed that a man had been charged in connection with the collision. However, the suspect later died, meaning there were no ongoing criminal proceedings relating to the case.

Despite this, Alex’s family said the circumstances of the crash remained clear.

They said: “While the van driver’s subsequent death means we were denied justice in a criminal court, it does not change the facts. Alex was a blameless victim. We hope that by speaking out, other drivers will realise the lethal power they hold in their hands.”

Describing Alex as a much-loved member of a close family, relatives

said his loss had left a permanent void.

“Alex was kind, gentle and funny.

One impatient moment has destroyed our tight-knit family of four, leaving us with a lifetime of ‘what ifs’ and a void that can never be filled,” the statement continued.

“Alex’s future has been stolen from him and us. We will never see him get married, and we ache for the grandchildren we will never get to hold. Our grief has no end.”

The family also thanked DyfedPowys Police and members of the public who came to Alex’s aid after the crash.

“We especially wish to thank those members of the public who were first at the scene; though there was nothing more that could be done for Alex, we are grateful for the care and dignity they showed him.”

In a final message, the family appealed directly to motorists.

“To every driver: please think of Alex. Don’t let your decisions behind the wheel become another family’s nightmare.”

Alex, they said, will be “loved and missed forever by all his family and friends.”

Manorbier school closure approved while insurance claim still unresolved PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has confirmed that negotiations with its insurer over the fire that destroyed Manorbier Church in Wales VC School are still ongoing, despite councillors voting to move ahead with the process of closing the school.

The small rural school has been operating from Jameston Community Hall since the original building was badly damaged by fire in October 2022.

Last week, during a meeting of full council on Thursday (Mar 5), members voted to authorise the publication of a statutory notice to discontinue the school.

following the fire.

At a Cabinet meeting in March 2023 the council agreed to support the reinstatement of the school subject to feasibility work and the development of a business case.

However, the subsequent analysis concluded that rebuilding the school would not represent value for money in the context of pupil numbers and the wider school estate in the Tenby area.

Questions remain over insurance position

Insurance negotiations not highlighted during debate During the council debate on Thursday (Mar 5), councillors were told that the insurance settlement offered following the fire fell “far below” the estimated cost of reinstating the school.

However, no indication was given during the meeting that negotiations with the insurer had not yet been finalised.

The council has since confirmed to the Herald that discussions over the claim are still ongoing and that the final settlement figure has not yet been agreed.

The decision means the formal closure process will now begin, with pupils expected to transfer to nearby St Florence School if the proposal ultimately goes ahead.

However, in response to questions from the Herald, the council confirmed that the insurance claim relating to the fire has not yet been finalised.

A communications officer at the Council said on Thursday (Mar 12) that negotiations with the insurer are

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continuing.

“The total value of the insurance settlement offered or received in relation to the Manorbier School fire – negotiations with the insurer are ongoing so we are unable to comment,” he said.

The council also confirmed that the insurance claim has not yet been settled.

Rebuild costs estimated at around £2.6m During the council debate, Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Guy Woodham told councillors that the insurance settlement offered following the fire was “far below the estimated cost of reinstating the school to a suitable operational standard.”

Feasibility work previously

presented to councillors suggested the cost of rebuilding or reinstating the school building would be in the region of £2.6 million.

The council has confirmed that the insurance policy carries an excess of £200,000. When asked whether any insurance funds had been allocated elsewhere within the council’s capital budget, the authority said none had been used.

Campaigners argued insurance should fund rebuild Supporters of the school have repeatedly argued that insurance money from the fire should be used to rebuild the village school.

The consultation process attracted 252 responses, with 228 opposing the closure and only 20 supporting it.

Many parents and residents also raised concerns that the school had previously been expected to be rebuilt

The confirmation that insurance negotiations are still ongoing raises further questions about the financial context surrounding the decision to close the school.

While councillors were told that the settlement offered by insurers falls “far below” the estimated cost of reinstating the school, the council has not yet disclosed the value of the insurance cover that was in place at the time of the fire.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council to confirm the insured reinstatement value of the Manorbier School building when the fire occurred in October 2022.

If the building was insured for significantly less than the estimated rebuild cost, it could raise wider questions about insurance cover for public buildings across the county.

The Herald has therefore also asked the council to clarify whether other schools and council-owned buildings are insured at their full reinstatement value, and when those insurance valuations were last reviewed.

For now, the council says negotiations with its insurer are still taking place.

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Priest’s secret relationship with a parishioner exposed after fatal fall

Teacher died weeks after unwitnessed staircase fall as Church launches canonical review

SATURDAY & SUNDAY Wind: 19mph max

Died in fall: Susan Philippart, Rebecca believes the transfer came after the relationship became known within church circles, although this has not been confirmed by the Diocese.

The Herald has asked the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia to clarify the circumstances surrounding the transfer.

Parish Priest: Father Mansel Usher

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A WEST Wales Catholic priest who formed a personal and sexual relationship with a parishioner he had been counselling was later found to have breached Church safeguarding standards after the woman died following a fall at a hotel where they were staying together.

Susan Gerardine Philippart, aged 61, a primary school teacher from Gorseinon, Swansea, died on March 25, 2020 from catastrophic head injuries sustained in an unwitnessed fall down a staircase at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles two weeks earlier.

An inquest concluded she died from traumatic brain injury after falling down stairs on March 10, 2020, recording a verdict of accidental death.

However, the woman’s family say they remain troubled by aspects of the case — including the fact that police were not called to the scene on the night of the incident.

The coroner’s office has confirmed that South Wales Police were not involved in the investigation and that the conclusion was reached on the basis of statements gathered during the coroner’s inquiry.

Counselling relationship According to Susan’s daughter, Rebecca Philippart, the relationship between her mother and Father Mansel Usher began in 2017 when Susan sought pastoral counselling from the priest while he was serving at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Mumbles.

The sessions took place during a

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period of emotional strain for the family.

Rebecca had previously been a victim of childhood abuse connected to Caldey Island, and the revelations surrounding abuse there had caused renewed trauma.

Susan also sought guidance from the priest regarding a church annulment from her first marriage so she could marry her long-term partner.

Rebecca says her mother was a deeply religious Catholic and a respected teacher who had worked for almost three decades at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Swansea.

“She was not the kind of woman who would have an affair with a priest,” Rebecca said.

“She was in a happy relationship before he became involved.”

Rebecca alleges that during the counselling period the relationship between priest and parishioner developed into a romantic and sexual one.

She says the pair discussed marriage and that Father Usher had indicated he might leave the priesthood.

Move to Tenby In early 2019 Father Usher was transferred from Mumbles to St Teilo’s Catholic Church in Tenby.

Parishioners were told at the time that the move related to disagreements about modernising the church.

Final weeks before tragedy Rebecca says that in the weeks before the incident her mother began expressing doubts about the relationship.

She says Susan confided that she felt something was “not right” and was considering ending it.

On March 10, 2020 Father Usher officiated at the funeral of Susan’s mother at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Mumbles.

Later that evening Susan, her brother and Father Usher stayed at the nearby Norton House Hotel following a family gathering.

The night of the fall In a statement provided to the inquest, Father Usher said he had consumed no alcohol during the day and described the events leading up to the fall.

He said the group had returned to the hotel and that he later walked upstairs ahead of Susan before turning and finding her lying at the bottom of the staircase with severe head injuries.

He said he had neither heard nor witnessed the fall itself.

Hotel staff called emergency services and Susan was taken to hospital in Cardiff.

She never regained consciousness and died 15 days later.

Inquest findings The inquest into Susan’s death opened on April 8, 2020 and concluded on September 4, 2020 at Swansea Coroner’s Court.

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The coroner recorded that she died from traumatic brain injury sustained after an unwitnessed fall down stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles.

The official conclusion was accidental death.

Rebecca Philippart says she believes the circumstances surrounding the incident warranted closer scrutiny.

She says she remains concerned that police were not called to the hotel on the night of the incident.

Hospital period Rebecca also describes events during her mother’s two-week hospital stay that she says caused her distress.

She alleges that Father Usher acted as though he were next-of-kin, obtained a password for medical updates from staff and sent family messages suggesting Susan’s condition was improving.

Rebecca further alleges that he spoke inappropriately to her about his relationship with her mother while at the bedside and said he intended to marry her.

After Susan’s death, Rebecca says Father Usher performed last rites and said “goodbye darling” before leaving.

These accounts are Rebecca Philippart’s allegations and have not been tested in any criminal court.

A multi-agency safeguarding meeting concluded that concerns about inappropriate personal relationships connected to his pastoral ministry and failures to maintain professional boundaries were substantiated.

Father Usher has since retired from ministry.

The Herald understands that canonical proceedings may still be under consideration within the Church.

Timeline of key events

Church and police contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald has contacted the Archdiocese of CardiffMenevia, South Wales Police and Father Usher seeking comment.

Any responses received will be published when available.

Separate processes The coroner’s investigation examined only the medical and factual circumstances of the fall and concluded Susan’s death was accidental.

The safeguarding investigation was a separate process relating to pastoral conduct before the incident.

Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact Safe Spaces, an independent support service for people abused in religious settings.

Safeguarding investigation

Later investigation

Separate from the inquest, the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia later conducted a safeguarding investigation into Father Usher’s conduct.

A Church safeguarding investigation substantiates concerns about the priest’s conduct.

Happier times: Sue is pictured with her children; Sarah, Becs, Rachel, Jack and her grandchildren; Lola and Eliasr Mansel Usher

What is a safeguarding investigation?

Catholic dioceses are required to investigate concerns about clergy behaviour under safeguarding rules designed to protect vulnerable people.

These investigations examine whether priests: • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries • Avoid personal or sexual relationships arising from pastoral counselling • Act in a way that preserves trust placed in them by parishioners Safeguarding investigations are separate from criminal investigations and use the civil standard of proof — the balance of probabilities.

Where concerns are substantiated, disciplinary measures may follow within Church law, including restrictions on ministry or possible removal from the priesthood.

2017:Susan Philippart begins pastoral counselling sessions with Father Mansel Usher at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Mumbles.

2018:According to family, the relationship between priest and parishioner becomes personal and romantic.

February 2019:Father Usher moves from Mumbles to St Teilo’s Catholic Church in Tenby.

Early 2020:Susan reportedly expresses doubts about the

relationship.

March 10, 2020:Father Usher officiates at Susan’s mother’s funeral.

Later that evening Susan suffers a catastrophic fall down stairs at the Norton House Hotel in Mumbles.

March 25, 2020:Susan dies at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

September 4, 2020: Inquest records verdict of accidental death following an unwitnessed fall.

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Fundraising drive ahead of Founder’s Day celebration

BUSINESSES in Milford Haven are preparing for the return of the town’s popular Founder’s Day celebration, with a series of fundraising events planned in the coming months to support the much-loved community festival.

Members of Milford Haven Business Circle are once again organising Founder’s Day, which will take place on Saturday (Jun 6) on Charles Street.

The event has become a highlight of the town’s calendar, drawing together local businesses, performers, families and visitors for a day of entertainment

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and celebration in the heart of Milford Haven.

To help fund the event, organisers have put together a programme of community fundraising activities in the lead-up to June.

The first of these is a Curry Night hosted by The Taste of Haven café on Charles Street on Saturday (Mar 21). The evening will begin at 6:00pm and promises a curry-themed dining

experience in a relaxed and sociable setting. Tickets cost £25 per person and can be booked directly through the café.

Next on the calendar is the Big Bingo Bash at the Boulevard Theatre on Friday (Apr 11). The family-friendly evening will offer a lively take on traditional bingo, with prizes and entertainment planned throughout the night. Doors open at 6:30pm, with eyes down at 7:00pm.

Organisers are also inviting local businesses to donate prizes to support the fundraising effort.

Music fans will also have the chance to attend “Alfie – The Elvis Experience”, taking place at the Pill Social Centre on Saturday (Apr 25). The event will feature a tribute performance celebrating the music of Elvis Presley. Standard tickets are £10, while a VIP table package costing £100 includes seating for six people, nibbles and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Tickets are available from Moon Goddess Emporium on Charles Street, Ambulance Friends on Charles Street, or online via Eventbrite.

Another highlight in the fundraising programme will be StyleFest 26, a charity fashion show celebrating local style and creativity. The event is being organised in partnership with Captured Soul Photography and will showcase collections from Elizabeth Christie Bridalwear, Chic Boutique and

Haverfordwest Soroptimists, who are sponsoring the prom section of the show.

Standard tickets for StyleFest 26 cost £10, with VIP tables available for £100 including seating for six guests, nibbles and a complimentary bottle of wine.

Organisers say they are also keen to hear from additional boutiques, models and creative professionals interested in taking part in the show. Hair stylists, makeup artists, backstage volunteers and technical support are also being invited to get involved.

Alongside the events, community raffles are also helping to boost the fundraising campaign. Local business Patch has donated two hampers, with tickets available at The Taste of Haven.

Captured Soul Photography is also offering the chance to win a performing arts portfolio photography session worth £400 through a raffle on its Facebook page.

Organisers say the growing programme of events reflects strong support from Milford Haven’s business community and they hope residents and visitors will come along to enjoy the activities while helping support preparations for Founder’s Day. When the event returns in June, Charles Street will once again be transformed into a lively celebration of the town’s businesses, creativity and community spirit.

‘Knife attack’ at Spittal property leaves man in hospital POLICE have arrested a woman following what is being described as a ‘knife attack’ at a property in Spittal on Monday night (Mar 10).

Emergency services were called to the domestic incident shortly before 8:30pm after the ambulance service requested assistance from Dyfed-Powys

Police.

Officers and paramedics attended the property where a man and a woman were both found with injuries. The man was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment.

A 30-year-old woman was arrested at the scene on suspicion of inflicting

grievous bodily harm with intent and assaulting an emergency worker. She remains in police custody while enquiries continue.

Witnesses reported seeing police and ambulance crews at the property during the evening, prompting concern among local residents about what had

happened.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers remain at the scene while investigations are ongoing.

A spokesperson said there is no ongoing risk to the wider community and described the incident as isolated.

Man remanded in custody for alleged breach of restraining order A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody after harassing his former partner despite being the subject of a restraining order.

Thomas Jones, 35, is accused

of harassing his former partner by attending her home address between February 28 and March 2 and of making reference to her on social media. Jones is prevented by doing both of these things via a restraining order imposed

by Swansea Crown Court on February 27.

This week Jones, of Croft Road, Broad Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates via a video link from Swansea Prison where he has

been remanded in custody. He admitted no pleas to the allegations.

He will next appear before Haverfordwest magistrates court on April 7 via a live link from Swansea Prison.

Father-of-three ordered to pay for bus stop damage after drinking binge A FATHER-OF-THREE had admitted carrying out over £500 worth of damage to a bus stop after a drinking binge in Milford town centre.

A blood trail led officers from the bus stop to Hawthorn Way, to the home of Hayden Dimond.

This week Dimond, 31, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates where he admitted the criminal damage offence.

Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan informed magistrates that the damage caused to the bus stop totalled £530.60.

“The defendant accepted responsibility in his police interview and pointed them in the direction of the

damaged bus stop,” Diamond’s solicitor, Jess Hill, informed the Bench.

“At the time he was highly intoxicated and acted upon impulse.

“He had problems with binge drinking but now rarely consumes alcohol, but whenever he does, it’s monitored so he remains on an acceptable level.”

“What happened that night was not intentional.”

Dimond, Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, was ordered to pay £530 compensation to Pembrokeshire County Council and was fined £40. He must also pay £85 court costs and a £16 surcharge.

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E-bike rider who sped through pedestrian alley sentenced A COURT has heard how a group of E-bike riders hurled abuse at officers as they sped down a narrow, pedestrianised alleyway in Pembroke town centre.

The officers had been informed via their radios that the E-bikes had been seen in Pembroke just before midnight on September 6.

“We heard them approaching down Orange Way, which is a strictly pedestrianised, very narrow alleyway,” commented one of the officers when the matter was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“We called for them to stop but they made no attempt to do so and shouted obscenities at us.”

One of the riders was 24-year-old garage mechanic Joshua Miller who was riding an electric Surron bike.

“He was driving slowly on the grass verge and the officers directed him to stop when he was less than a metre away from them,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“One of the officers grabbed hold of him, but he continued gripping onto the handlebars of the bike.”

Miller then applied the throttle, causing the bike to move forwards.

“The two officers moved forwards with him, but fortunately neither of them were hurt,” added Sian Vaughan. “But

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that was more luck than judgement.”

Meanwhile county councillor Jonathan Grimes stressed to the court via a victim impact statement the problems that E-bikes similar to Miller’s are having on local communities.

“The use of E-bikes has had a significant impact on public confidence

Driver caught drugs in system on way to MOT ATTEMPTS to take his vehicle for its annual MOT has backfired after the vehicle’s owner was found to be driving with a cocktail of illegal drugs in his system.

Bradley Bostock, 27, was stopped by officers on December 16 as he drove his Ford Fiesta along Heywood Lane, Tenby.

But further investigations by officers confirmed he had 108 mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system together with 17 mcg of cocaine and 2.4 mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. The legal limits are 50, 10 and 2 respectively.

“There’s no detail of the rationale behind why he was stopped, but three drugs were noted in his blood,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan when Bostock appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

Bostock pleaded guilty to three charges of drug driving and was represented in court by Jess Hill.

“He was taking his vehicle to Tenby for an MOT that day but was stopped by officers for a stop check,” she said.

“He’s from Yorkshire and often feels isolated here as he has no family and uses drugs to help deal with his loneliness.”

Bostock, of Corston Cottages, Axton Hill, Pembroke was sentenced to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 90 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

and safety,” he said. “I’ve been contacted by many residents who are concerned about these being ridden at speed by people wearing face coverings…and the wearing of balaclavas is of particular concern to many residents as they give off a very sinister look.”

Miller, of Marshall Road, Monkton, pleaded guilty to driving dangerously failing to stop his vehicle when directed

to do so by police officers, and using the vehicle without third party insurance.

He was represented in court by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said that since buying the E-bike, Miller has since spent approximately £10,000 on improving it.

“The defendant is aware of how serious this is, and deeply, deeply regrets it,” he said. “The proceedings have had a profound impact on him.

“After he was interviewed, he was placed on extremely strict bail conditions which included a daily curfew which he’s never once breached; this has been a particular hardship for a young man who’s extremely hard working, and reliable.

“He knows what he did is wrong and he’s deeply remorseful for what took place.”

Character references were submitted to the magistrates for their consideration prior to sentencing.

Miller must complete 150 hours of unpaid work during his 12 month Community Order. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and must take an extended driving test before getting back on the roads. A deprivation order was made for the E-scooter and for its removal from public circulation.

Miller was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

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Green hydrogen plant approved for Milford Haven Freeport site A MAJOR green hydrogen project planned for the Milford Haven Freeport tax site has taken a significant step forward after developers approved the final investment decision.

Energy company MorGen Energy has confirmed it will proceed with the West Wales Hydrogen project, one of the first schemes backed through the UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) to reach this stage.

The facility will be built within the Milford Haven Tax Site, part of the Celtic Freeport zone covering Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the plant scheduled to become operational in early 2028.

Once completed, the site is expected to produce around 2,000 tonnes of lowcarbon hydrogen each year, meeting the UK’s Low Carbon Hydrogen Standard.

The hydrogen produced will support a range of industries, including port operations, manufacturing and industrial heating, as well as use as a chemical feedstock.

Supporters say the development will help reduce carbon emissions while

strengthening Milford Haven’s role in the UK’s emerging hydrogen economy.

The project is also expected to create skilled jobs and provide work for local contractors during the construction phase.

Further expansion may be possible in future phases as demand for hydrogen grows, potentially helping establish Milford Haven as a major hub for lowcarbon energy production serving South Wales and beyond.

Luciana Ciubotariu, Chief Executive of Celtic Freeport, said the decision marked another milestone for the region.

She said: “MorGen Energy’s decision is another major step forward for the hydrogen economy in South West Wales.

“Projects like this within the Milford Haven Tax Site show how the Celtic Freeport is accelerating decarbonisation while creating highvalue jobs.”

The UK Government’s Hydrogen Allocation Round scheme provides revenue support to help scale up the country’s low-carbon hydrogen sector and bring early projects to market.

Hormuz tensions raise concerns for Welsh LNG supplies RISING tensions in the Middle East could have implications for energy supplies reaching Wales, experts have warned, as concerns grow over potential disruption to Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Industry analysts say the deployment of naval mines in the strategic waterway could significantly delay the resumption of Qatari LNG exports, even if production facilities return to normal operation quickly.

The warning is particularly relevant for Pembrokeshire, where the South Hook LNG Terminal at Milford Haven—one of Europe’s largest LNG import facilities—is majority owned by Qatar and plays a key role in supplying gas to the UK. Security experts told specialist energy service Montel News that any mining of the strait could make reopening the route “far more complex and gradual,” potentially keeping global gas supplies tight and prices elevated for longer.

Wael Abdel Moati, global gas expert and Chief Gas Officer at the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, said that restoring LNG supply levels could take “significantly longer than expected” if naval mines were present.

“Even if LNG production and exports were to resume quickly, the presence of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz would make the reopening of the waterway far more complex and gradual,” he said.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. A large proportion of the world’s LNG shipments—including exports from Qatar—must pass through

the narrow channel between Iran and Oman before reaching global markets.

Any disruption there has immediate consequences for Europe and the UK, both of which rely heavily on LNG imports.

For Pembrokeshire, the stakes are particularly high. Tankers carrying Qatari LNG regularly dock at South Hook LNG in Milford Haven, where the gas is processed and fed directly into the UK’s national grid.

The terminal is a critical part of Britain’s energy infrastructure and has been central to the country’s gas supply since it opened in 2009.

Military analysts say clearing naval mines from the strait could require significant military operations before

normal shipping resumes.

Derek Steel, managing director of security consultancy Chartsec and a former UK special forces officer, said minesweeping operations and naval escorts would likely be required before LNG carriers could safely pass through the area.

He said the United States and its allies would need to neutralise Iranian naval capabilities before shipping lanes could be considered secure.

Even after mines are cleared, experts warn that LNG carriers may require naval escort through the strait until shipowners and insurers regain confidence in the safety of the route.

Recent reports from US Central Command said military forces had

already “eliminated” several suspected minelaying vessels near the strait amid fears that Iran may be attempting to deploy sea mines in the region. Iran is believed to possess thousands of naval mines.

Energy analysts say that if shipments from Qatar are delayed, global LNG prices could remain high, potentially feeding through to higher energy costs across Europe.

For communities around Milford Haven—home to both South Hook LNG and the nearby Dragon LNG terminal—the developments underline how international conflicts can quickly affect Wales’ role in the global energy system.

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Jailed after repeatedly breaching suspended sentence order A 37-YEAR-OLD Ceredigion man has been jailed after repeatedly failing to comply with the terms of a suspended sentence order imposed for an assault.

Michael Smith, aged 37, of Cross Inn, Llandysul, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Mar 9).

The court heard that Smith had failed to comply with requirements attached to a suspended sentence order originally imposed by Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on June 11, 2025.

He admitted breaching the order by failing to attend unpaid work on December 21, 2025, missing a planned probation appointment on January 29, 2026, and failing to

provide acceptable evidence within the specified timeframe.

Smith admitted the breach when he appeared in court.

Magistrates were told the suspended sentence had originally been imposed following Smith’s conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The offence took place on October 13, 2024, at his home in Cross Inn, where he assaulted Sasha White, causing her actual bodily harm.

Because of the repeated breach of the order, magistrates decided to activate the suspended sentence.

Smith was ordered to serve the 16-week prison sentence that had previously been suspended for 18 months.

A further four weeks’ imprisonment was imposed consecutively on a related matter, bringing the total custodial sentence to 20 weeks.

In their sentencing remarks,

magistrates said Smith had shown “very low and limited compliance” with the court order and had demonstrated a disregard for the requirements placed upon him.

Former Army officer stripped of MBE after fraud conviction A FOMER Army officer from Pembrokeshire has been stripped of his MBE following a criminal conviction for fraud.

Major Lloyd Hamilton, who grew up in Haverfordwest and attended Sir Thomas Picton School, had been awarded the honour inA 2011 for his service in Afghanistan and his involvement with a charity supporting injured service personnel.

Hamilton was a founding member of the sailing charity Toe in the Water, which provided competitive sailing opportunities for wounded servicemen and women.

The organisation later dissolved in 2018, according to Companies House records.

However, the honour has now been revoked following a decision by the Honours Forfeiture Committee.

Fraud conviction Hamilton was convicted in 2021 after unlawfully claiming more than £13,000 in allowances while serving overseas.

The court heard that between January and August 2018 he continued to claim education allowance payments from the Ministry of Defence to help cover the cost of sending his children to a private boarding school.

The payments were only permitted while his wife was living with him at his overseas posting. After the

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breakdown of their marriage, she remained at the family home in Hampshire, making him ineligible for the allowance.

Despite this, Hamilton continued claiming the payments to help fund his children’s education at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate in North Yorkshire, where fees were reported to be close to £50,000 a year.

At court he was convicted of fraud and given a three-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Following the conviction he was dismissed from the Army.

Honour removed The Cabinet Office confirmed that Hamilton was among nine people whose honours have been forfeited

in the latest update to the Honours Forfeiture list.

Honours can be removed when the Honours Forfeiture Committee determines that the recipient’s actions have brought the honours system into disrepute.

Hamilton’s MBE had originally recognised both his military service and his voluntary work supporting injured veterans through sailing.

The forfeiture means he is no longer entitled to use the MBE title.

Man fined after stealing £18 of lager from Milford Haven shop A PEMBROKESHIRE man has admitted stealing £18 worth of lager from a shop in Milford Haven town centre.

CCTV footage showed Liam Roberts,

33, walk into One Stop in Charles Street on August 13, 2025, and remove £18 worth of Stella lager without making any attempt to pay for it. The alcohol was never recovered.

This week Roberts, of Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven pleaded guilty to the theft when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

He was fined £80 and ordered to pay

£18 compensation to One Stop Shop for the stolen alcohol. He was also ordered to pay a £32 court surcharge.

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Sentenced after confronting neighbour with fence post A MILFORD HAVEN man has been sentenced for entering his neighbour’s garden brandishing what the court described as a highly dangerous weapon.

CCTV footage shown to Haverfordwest magistrates this week showed Leigh Barnard, 29, enter the garden of a property in Hakin in the night of November 3, 2024, and hurl abuse at the owner as he stood holding a short wooden fence post.

“I felt vulnerable and scared,” the victim told police officers following Barnard’s arrest. “I found the whole incident frightening”.

The Crown said that the complainant had resided at her property for a number of years, and had never experienced any unpleasantness until that night.

“She was home alone with her young daughters, as her husband had gone to work,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“She suddenly became aware of banging on the door and saw the defendant in the garden holding a piece of wood.

“He’d gone round there armed with the wood for no reason whatsoever.”

But Barnard’s solicitor, Matt Riddler, said the incident had been provoked by the defendant’s concern for his father who had arrived home earlier that evening having sustained a serious head injury.

“Tension was heightened because the defendant’s father had arrived with substantial injuries to his head, and blood pouring down his face,” said Mr Riddler.

“Leigh Barnard went round to the property to defend himself and his father.”

When the police arrived at the

property, Barnard immediately handed over the fence post to the officers.

“What happened that night was totally out of character,” concluded Matt Riddler.

“He has genuine remorse and will comply with anything the court thinks is appropriate.”

Barnard, of Alban Crescent, Waterston, Milford Haven pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

After considering a comprehensive pre-sentence report prepared by the probation service as well as personal and professional referees in relation to Leigh Barnard, magistrates sentenced the defendant to a 12 month community order during which he must complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work.

No restraining order was imposed on the defendant, neither was Barnard ordered to pay any compensation to the victim. However he must pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs.

A forfeiture and destruction order was imposed for the wooden fence post.

Hakin man banned from driving after string of drug offences A HAKIN man has been sentenced after admitting a string of drug offences committed over a fourmonth period.

This week Simon Rees, 29, pleaded guilty to three charges of drug-driving and two charges of possessing cannabis – a Class C drug – when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

The first offence took place on October 26, 2025, when Rees was stopped by officers as he drove his Ford Escort near to his home in Observatory Avenue, Hakin. Subsequent blood tests showed he had 5.6 micrograms of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system, the legal limit being 2.

The following month he was again stopped by officers, this time as he drove along Steynton Road in Milford Haven, when he was found to have 289 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in his system and 7 grams of delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol.

Rees also admitted being in possession of 86 grams of cannabis when he was searched by officers in Haverfordwest on December 11, 2025, and being in possession of 12.9 grams of cannabis during a second police search on January 13.

Rees pleaded guilty to all five charges. He was legally represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries who said the offences took place following the death of a close family member.

“It’s clear that drugs were a realistic factor to the offending, but shortly before, the defendant had lost his uncle, who was the only close family member he had left,” she said.

“This led to his increased drug use.”

Rees was disqualified from driving for a total of 36 months. He was fined £240 and was ordered to pay £170 in prosecution costs and a £96 surcharge.

A forfeiture and destruction order was made for the drugs.

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Pembroke man to be sentenced over attempted child sex offences

A PEMBROKE man who indicated he intends to plead guilty to a series of child sex offences has been sent to the Crown Court for sentencing.

David Lewis, 42, of Ashdale

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Lane in Pembroke, first appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court

on January 30, where he indicated guilty pleas to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause or incite a female child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

A further charge of attempting to cause a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity was also put to him.

Magistrates ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at their level and committed Lewis to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing.

The offences relate to online communications with what Lewis believed to be a 12-year-old girl, but which was in fact a decoy account.

Prosecutors said Lewis reached out to the account and continued messaging over several days in November.

During the exchanges he falsely claimed to be 20 years old and sent a photograph of a young male who was not him.

When the decoy account indicated the user was in school, Lewis continued to message and asked if he could see the girl in her school uniform. He also suggested she go to the toilet at school and open her shirt

so he could see her.

The court heard Lewis also attempted to get the child to watch adult content and asked about meeting either her or a friend.

Police arrested Lewis on January 29 and took him to Haverfordwest police station, where his mobile phone was seized and linked to the Snapchat account used in the communications. During interview he answered “no comment” to police questions.

Further investigation of his devices uncovered indecent images of children. Officers seized seven devices, one of which contained 261 Category A images, 71 Category B images, and 51 Category C images.

Lewis has as one previous conviction for handling stolen goods.

He had been on police bail since August 6 while officers investigated the offences.

At a recent hearing the case was adjourned for four weeks, with the judge indicating a suspended sentence may be considered.

Lewis was granted bail and is due to appear again at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on April 9.

Man denies Tenby hotel assault charge

A MAN accused of assault following an incident at a Tenby hotel has denied the allegation and will now stand trial later this year.

Leon Jenkins, aged thirty-two, of Bryn Terrace, Lletty Brongu, Maesteg, appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 9) where he pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The charge relates to an alleged incident at The Dunes Hotel in Tenby.

The case was previously heard at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where magistrates declined jurisdiction

and sent the matter to the Crown Court due to the seriousness of the allegation.

During the earlier hearing, prosecutors did not outline details of the injuries said to have been sustained and the complainant has not been publicly identified.

At Monday’s Crown Court hearing Jenkins formally denied the charge.

He was granted conditional bail and the case was listed for trial.

The matter is due to be heard before a judge and jury at Swansea Crown Court on August 18.

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First Minister challenged over ‘£9bn cost’ of 20mph speed limit policy A REFORM Wales MS launched a sharp attack on the Welsh Government’s default 20mph speed limit policy during an exchange with the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday.

South Wales East regional MS Laura Anne Jones criticised the policy, arguing that it has damaged the Welsh economy and ignored public opposition.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Jones said improvements in vehicle safety had already contributed to a reduction in road casualties across the UK. “Road casualties have gone down right across the United Kingdom because cars are getting safer. It is a known fact,” she told the Senedd.

She went on to question the economic impact of the Welsh Government’s 20mph policy, claiming official analysis suggests it could cost the Welsh economy around £9 billion.

“It needs to be asked: has this ill thought out policy already cost our country a lot of money? Yes. Will it

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cost an awful lot to reverse? Yes. But how much has it cost our Welsh economy? By the Government’s own calculations, this has cost £9 billion,” she said.

“So you cannot say it has been a good policy. It has been a disaster from start to finish.”

Ms Jones also referred to the record-breaking Senedd petition calling for the policy to be scrapped, which attracted around 500,000 signatures — the largest petition ever submitted to the Welsh Parliament.

She added that there is broad agreement that 20mph limits should apply in specific locations.

“No one across this Chamber disagrees that 20mph should be the case outside schools and hospitals and where it is appropriate. It is disingenuous to say anything else.

“But this default 20mph policy needs to be reversed.”

Police in public appeal for information following burglary at Milford Haven shop POLICE are appealing for information following a burglary at a convenience store in Milford Haven in the early hours of Monday (Feb 24).

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were called just after 1:10am to a report of a break-in at the One Stop shop on Charles Street.

A number of items, including tobacco products and cigarettes, were stolen during the incident.

Two men, aged 39 and 46, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information that could assist the investigation to

come forward.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, or who may have relevant information, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police. uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/ contact-us/ Information can also be provided by emailing 101@dyfed-powys. police.uk or by calling 101.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppersuk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260224019.

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Pensioner jailed after sexually assaulting vulnerable teenager A CARMARTHENSHIRE pensioner has been jailed after sexually assaulting a vulnerable teenage girl he pretended to help in a town centre.

Nigel Page, 68, of Ger-y-Capel in Llangain near Carmarthen, was sentenced to 10 years in prison at Swansea Crown Court after being convicted of sexual assault.

The court heard Page encountered the heavily intoxicated teenager in Carmarthen town centre in August last year. The girl needed somewhere to charge her phone and Page offered to take her back to his home, presenting himself as a good Samaritan willing to help.

However, once inside the property, the situation quickly escalated.

Prosecutors said Page removed his clothes and put on a pair of stockings and a thong before pushing the teenager to the floor. He then kissed her and rubbed his crotch against her stomach before sexually assaulting her.

Fearing she was about to be raped, the girl managed to escape from the house and flagged down a passing motorist who gave her a lift back into town.

The court heard that Page also left the property and returned to

Carmarthen in search of the teenager, although his reason for doing so was never established.

Page denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury following a trial.

Defending, Dyfed Thomas told the court that a mental health disorder had played a role in what he described as the defendant’s “irrational and bizarre” behaviour that night.

Sentencing him, Judge Catherine Richards said the teenager had been extremely vulnerable and unable to make sensible decisions when she accepted Page’s offer of help.

She said the victim had no idea his apparent act of kindness was motivated by sexual attraction.

The judge also told the court that Page had shown little genuine insight into his actions and had been refusing to take medication for his mental health condition.

Given the erratic behaviour he displayed during the evening, Judge Richards said she was satisfied there had been an “ulterior motive” behind Page’s decision to go back into Carmarthen to search for the girl after she fled.

Page was sentenced to 10 years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

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Man raped 15-year-old girl in caravan while she was on family holiday in west Wales unstable. Every day feels like a struggle to feel normal again.”

The victim said the assault in the caravan had affected every part of her life, including her relationships, her education, her wellbeing and how she sees herself.

Kidner, of Castell Toch Caravan Park, Pendine, has 34 previous convictions for 71 offences including violence and robbery, although none were sexual offences.

His barrister, Lowri Wyn Morgan, told the court that her client was “deeply sorry” for the pain and suffering he had caused. She said that during childhood he had been “passed between family members”, had left school at 14, and that drink and drugs had affected much of his adult life.

The court heard that Kidner now accepts his guilt and described what happened in Pendine as “one huge huge mistake”. Judge Geraint Walters told the defendant that the “wickedness” of this type of offending was that it “leaves a life-long scar” on victims, and leaves them feeling

A MAN who raped a teenage girl in a caravan while she was on holiday with her family in west Wales has been jailed for ten years.

Leon Kidner, aged 34, attacked the 15-year-old at a caravan site in Pendine, Carmarthenshire, after giving her cannabis while knowing she had also consumed alcohol.

Swansea Crown Court heard that in the early hours of the morning Kidner sexually assaulted the girl before raping her inside the caravan.

Prosecutor Christopher Rees KC told the court that the victim was in an intoxicated state at the time of the attack.

A forensic examination later confirmed that Kidner had ejaculated inside the victim.

After the attack was reported to police, Kidner claimed during interview that the girl had initiated

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the sexual activity and that it had been consensual.

He repeated that account during the trial, but a jury rejected his version of events. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of rape.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said the rape had left her feeling “violated” and “like something was taken away from me”.

She said she now struggles to sleep and suffers from nightmares, and that her schoolwork has suffered as a result of what happened.

The girl said she had found it difficult to talk to anyone about the attack because “nobody truly understands what I have been through”.

She added: “I feel hollow and

violated. Kidner was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to manage his access to girls.

Speaking after sentencing, investigating officer Detective Constable Katie Rees of DyfedPowys Police said: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the victim in this case who showed profound courage from the very outset of the investigation, despite her young age.

“The victim showed immense strength, character and resilience and should be proud of how she has conducted herself throughout the investigation. It is thanks to her bravery that Leon Kidner will now spend a significant period in prison.

“I welcome the sentence passed today, which highlights the seriousness of the offences. While it cannot undo the harm caused, it will hopefully provide the victim with a degree of closure.”

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Newport man jailed for terrorism offences A NEWPORT man has been jailed for five years after admitting a series of terrorism offences linked to the proscribed extremist group Islamic State.

Shazad Ali, aged 21, from the Newport area of Gwent, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Friday (March 6) after previously pleading guilty to multiple offences.

Ali admitted supporting the proscribed organisation ISIS, two counts of encouraging terrorism, and possessing documents likely to be useful to a terrorist.

The charges were brought under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Terrorism Act 2006.

Counter Terrorism Policing Wales said Ali was arrested in January 2025.

Officers carried out a search of his home, where they recovered digital devices which revealed he had built up a library of extremist terrorist publications.

Investigators also found that Ali had publicly shared a number of extreme Islamist videos online.

The court heard that Ali’s activities demonstrated support for the Islamic State group and involved material promoting extremist ideology.

In addition to the five-year prison sentence, the judge imposed an extended licence period of two years following his release.

Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Williams, of Counter Terrorism Policing Wales, said the sentence followed a lengthy investigation.

She said: “Shazad Ali represented a very clear and dangerous threat to the public, and this sentence concludes what has been a lengthy investigation conducted by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales.

“Ali visibly expressed his support for the Islamic State, and it was our overriding priority to ensure the public were protected from both him and the abhorrent rhetoric he promoted.”

Police reminded the public that reporting concerns about extremist behaviour can help prevent serious harm.

They added that information about suspicious activity can be reported through the government’s Action Counters Terrorism campaign, and that in an emergency the public should always dial 999.

Police bail teenager after Ysgol Maesydderwen threat investigation A 17-YEAR-OLD boy arrested following threats made against Ysgol Maesydderwen in Ystradgynlais has been released on bail while police continue their enquiries.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that the teenager, from Pontardawe, had been arrested on suspicion of sending digital communications conveying threats of death or serious harm with the intention of causing fear.

The west Wales arrest followed an incident which caused concern among pupils, parents, and staff at the secondary school.

Police have now confirmed the boy has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Powys Superintendent Gareth Grant thanked the community for their patience during the investigation.

He said: “I’d firstly like to thank the parents, teachers, staff and the wider community for the support and patience you have shown whilst we have carried out our enquiries in relation to this incident.

“I understand this will have had a profound impact. Our Neighbourhood officers will maintain a local presence for reassurance, and we will continue to work with our local secondary schools and partners to ensure our local community are supported.”

Dyfed-Powys Police say enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

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Migrants could face 15-year wait for UK settlement under new immigration plan THOUSANDS of migrants living and working in the UK could face significantly longer waits to gain permanent residency under sweeping immigration reforms expected to take effect from April 2026.

The proposed changes would replace the current five-year route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) with a new system described as “earned settlement”, which could see some migrants waiting as long as 15 years before qualifying for permanent residence.

Under the present rules, many migrants on skilled worker or family visas can apply for settlement after five years of lawful residence in the UK. However, the planned reforms would extend the baseline qualifying period to ten years for most applicants.

The new system would also introduce a points-based contribution model, meaning the time required before settlement could vary depending on factors such as earnings, employment history and English language ability.

In some cases, migrants with high incomes or those working in key public services could qualify more quickly, potentially in as little as three years.

Others with lower earnings or irregular employment histories could face a significantly longer route.

Immigration advisers say the changes represent one of the most significant shifts in UK settlement policy in decades.

Helena Sheizon, an immigration expert with Kadmos Immigration, said the reforms mark a move away from a simple time-based system towards one

that prioritises economic contribution.

“This reform represents a fundamental shift from a time-based route to permanent residence to one focused on earned contribution,” she said.

“It means that many people already living in the UK on pathways to settlement may face new qualifying conditions and longer waits if they do not meet the new criteria.”

The proposed model would consider a range of factors when determining eligibility for settlement.

Higher taxable income over a sustained period could reduce the waiting time, while employment in sectors such as healthcare and education may also count positively.

However, factors such as claiming

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public funds, previous visa breaches or gaps in employment could extend the qualifying period.

Alongside the settlement reforms, several other changes to immigration rules have already been introduced or are expected to take effect in early 2026.

These include higher English language requirements for several work visa routes, including Skilled Worker visas, and stricter income thresholds linked to both visa eligibility and settlement.

The reforms are expected to have a particular impact on lower-paid migrant workers, including those employed

in sectors such as social care and hospitality, where wages may fall below the levels needed to shorten the new settlement timelines.

The changes form part of a broader immigration strategy outlined by the UK Government in a recent policy paper, with a formal Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules expected to be published later this month.

If approved, the new “earned settlement” framework could come into force from April 2026.

Immigration advisers are now urging migrants already living in the UK to review their settlement plans, as those nearing the current five-year threshold may benefit from applying before the new rules take effect.

Woman accused of strangling rival after breaking into home

A MOTHER-OF-TWO has appeared before magistrates accused of the intentional strangulation of a woman she believed was seeing her ex.

Alisha Stokes, 31, is accused of gaining entry to a property in

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Pembroke Dock after hearing what the Crown described as ‘a rumour’ of a relationship between the property’s resident and Stokes’ ex partner.

“They were sitting in the bedroom watching television when they heard banging at the front door,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“When the female answered it, the defendant asked her to go outside to fight, but the complainant refused.

“When she went back in the bedroom, they could see Stokes at the window and start banging it between ten and 20 times.”

The Crown alleges that the force used by Stokes caused the window to crack, enabling Stokes to gain entry into the bedroom.

“When she got inside, she punched the female several times, pulled her hair and strangled her, which went on for approximately 20 seconds, resulting in considerable difficulty in breathing,” concluded Sian Vaughan.

Stokes, of Devon Drive, Pembroke, is accused of intentional strangulation and the burglary of a dwelling with the intention of causing grievous bodily harm to the occupier.

No pleas were submitted by the defendant when she appeared before Haverfordwest court in custody.

Despite a request by the Crown Prosecution to remand Stokes in custody pending her next court appearance at Swansea Crown Court on April 10, magistrates agreed to release her on conditional bail.

The conditions are that she must reside at her home address, obey an electronically tagged daily curfew between 8pm and 8am, not enter Pembroke Dock and not contact the complainant nor any other prosecution witnesses.

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Wales’s Public Services in Crisis AN INDEPENDENT report on Wales’s public services finds a consistent record of poor value for money, heavy bureaucracy, and underperformance, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of current management.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) is the UK’s leading independent economics research institute and a globally recognised research body.

WG CAN’T BLAME LACK OF MONEY The report warns that the next Welsh Government will struggle to maintain, let alone improve, services due to a slowdown in funding growth and the impact of recent budgeting decisions – including unrealistic health spending plans for 2026–27.

It adds that, had it not been for topups to funding from the UK government in the 2026 Spring Statement, the next Welsh Government would have had to make in-year cuts to some services in an emergency post-election budget to boost health and social care spending.

Despite Labour Senedd Ministers’ repeated claims, the IFS clarifies that underfunding from Westminster is not a primary issue. Welsh Government health spending per person rose 17% in real terms since 2019–20, and spending per school pupil increased by 14%, matching or exceeding England’s rates.

Per-person health and education spending is higher in Wales than in all English regions except Greater London, yet this investment does not translate into better outcomes in government-funded services.

HEALTH AND EDUCATION IN CRISIS The report finds that overall performance in the Welsh NHS and education systems is “substantially poorer” than before the COVID pandemic, and acknowledges that waiting lists for planned NHS treatment are (finally) falling. However, waiting lists remain far higher than pre-pandemic, and have taken longer to start falling than in England. Meanwhile, A&E waiting times are, if anything, still rising.

School absences remain 50% higher than in 2019, Welsh school pupils have seen their performance fall in internationally comparable tests, and the share of young people staying in education post-16 is lower now than 10 years ago.

For twenty-seven years, those policies and service delivery have been under the direct control of the Welsh Government.

And, for twenty-seven years, that has been a government led by Labour.

Also, because the Welsh Government, uniquely among the UK’s governments, does not plan its budgets over a rolling three-year cycle, spending on health and

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social care is likely to increase pressure on the availability and delivery of other public services.

David Phillips, head of devolved and local government finance at the IFS and co-author of the report, said: “The causes of the poor performance of Welsh public services are not fully clear. Funding levels seem unlikely to be a major factor, given spending in Wales is higher than comparable areas of England and has, if anything, grown slightly faster since before the pandemic. High levels of deprivation can likely explain only part of it – educational performance, for instance, is lower across the income distribution.”

Mr Phillips’s next observation should concern Labour candidates for May’s election.

He said: “Instead, policies and the way services are delivered are likely to play a role.”

KURTZ CALL OUT STAGNATION AND DECLINE Local MS Sam Kurtz said the report should be a wake-up call about Labour’s mismanagement of Welsh public services.

Mr Kurtz said: “This report exposes the decline in Welsh public services after over 25 years of Labour leadership, supported by Plaid Cymru.

“Families across Pembrokeshire already know things are getting worse, despite the hard work of NHS staff and teachers. Whether it’s struggling to get timely hospital treatment or seeing the impact of falling school standards, this report confirms those concerns in black and white.

“It is particularly alarming to see school absences still dramatically higher than before the pandemic, and the number of young people in full-time education falling so sharply. That should concern anyone who cares about Wales’ future.”

Sam Kurtz concluded: “Ministers

must confront these problems with a clear plan. Wales deserves better than this stagnation and decline.”

PLAID PILLORY LABOUR MISMANAGEMENT Plaid Cymru health spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, said: “This report confirms what people across Wales already know – our NHS and schools are not good enough. After 27 years in power, this decline is a direct result of Labour’s mismanagement.”

Long A&E waits, corridor treatments, delayed cancer care, and persistent waiting lists have become normal under Labour.

Labour has failed in schools; literacy and numeracy standards have fallen, and too many young people lack opportunities.

Mr Ap Gwynfor added: “Labour’s time is up. Wales urgently needs new leadership.”

DRAKEFORD DEFENDS RECORD Responding to a question from Conservative MS Tom Giffard about both health and education in the Senedd on Wednesday (March 11), former First Minister Mark Drakeford

said the IFS report compared spending but not need.

Mr Drakeford, who is retiring as an MS in May, said: “The other side of the coin from the amount of money you have to spend is the need you are trying to match.”

Choosing to address only the health part of Tom Giffard’s question, Mr Drakeford said: “The reason why, throughout the whole of devolution, and before it, Welsh patients spend longer recovering in hospitals than is the case in England is because we have an older, sicker and poorer population here in Wales. The conditions with which people present themselves in hospital require different sorts of treatment, and sometimes longer forms of treatment than would be the case if you had a younger, fitter and better-off population.”

Mr Drakeford failed to address the time bomb of school absences and poor outcomes across the education system.

Moreover, the question of how services are delivered and whether anything can be done to improve them remained wholly unaddressed.

CUTS MUST COME Bearing in mind the IFS’s warning about future spending pressures, an incoming Welsh Government will face the challenge of either doing more with less, something familiar to Welsh local authorities, or tackling waste and duplication in public service provision.

Whether “the Welsh way” of offshoring responsibility and accountability for key services to charities, supposedly “arms’ length” bodies, and NGOs funded by taxpayer money can - or should - survive May’s election is a question that only the Conservatives and Reform address in their manifestos.

Whoever forms the next Cardiff Bay government will face hard choices early in their term to maintain public services.

The IFS makes it clear: cuts must come.

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Pembrokeshire to receive its first banking hub in Pembroke Dock LINK, the UK’s Cash Access and ATM network, has today announced local people and businesses in Pembroke Dock will benefit from a new banking hub.

The town has been recommended a hub following community requests for an access to cash review.

Pembroke Dock is the first banking hub to be recommended in Pembrokeshire and to date, LINK have recommended more than 270 hubs across the UK. Banking hubs are a shared banking space, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to everyone. When opened, the hub will consist of a counter service where customers of any bank can withdraw and deposit cash and make bill payments. In addition, there will be private spaces where customers can speak to community bankers from their own bank for more complicated matters that require specialist knowledge or privacy. The banks work on a rotating basis, so there will be staff from different banks available on different days.

The banking hub will now be delivered by Cash Access UK. Over the next few weeks, it will begin to engage with the local community and will start to look for potential sites.

There are currently 12 hubs open in Wales, and over 200 across the UK. Dr Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer, LINK: “While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely on cash and face-to-face banking. That’s why we’re delighted to recommend a new hub in Pembroke Dock – the first in

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Pembrokeshire. When it opens, the hub will be a huge boost for the local community and high street.”

Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire: “I am delighted that LINK has recommended a banking hub for Pembroke Dock following our constructive engagement last month. This is something I have been pushing for over a year, working with LINK, government ministers, the regulator, Lloyds Bank, the Post Office, and my constituents.

A banking hub will provide much-needed face-to-face banking services for residents in the south of

the county, many of whom have had to travel significant distances since the closure of the Lloyds branch.

Access to in-person banking services remains vital for communities across Pembrokeshire, and I will continue to work hard to ensure these services are delivered.”

Sam Kurtz, MS for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire: “I am absolutely thrilled to welcome LINK’s decision to recommend a banking hub in Pembroke Dock, a landmark moment for our town and the wider South Pembrokeshire community.”

“This hub will provide residents and businesses with the vital banking services they need, right here in our

town, reducing the need to travel long distances and strengthening the local economy. It’s a win for fairness, accessibility, and for every resident who has campaigned tirelessly alongside me for the past 12 months.”

“I look forward to working with LINK, local stakeholders, and residents to turn this recommendation into reality and ensure Pembroke Dock gets the service it deserves.”

Anyone can contact LINK at this website: https://www.link.co.uk/ initiatives/bank-branch-closures/ Additionally, to check for your nearest free access to cash point, you can download the app or visit the Cash Locator tool here: https://www. link.co.uk/consumers/locator/

Man exposes himself to woman on Brunel cycle path POLICE are appealing for information after a man exposed himself to a woman on a popular walking and cycling route between Rosemarket and Johnston.

The incident happened at around 12:00pm on Thursday (Mar 5) on the Brunel cycle path.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the victim was walking along the path when a man on a bicycle cycled past her. A short time later, the same man returned from the direction he had initially travelled and approached the woman before exposing himself.

The offender then cycled away from the scene in the direction of Neyland.

The man is described as being of slim build and was wearing a black balaclava along with a grey top and

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grey bottoms. The victim believes the bicycle he was riding was black.

Detective Constable Imogen Nunnick, from North Pembrokeshire CID, is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information that could help identify the man to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing 101@dyfedpowys.police.uk, or by calling 101 and quoting reference 26*179651.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk. org.

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Crackwell Street in Tenby to remain closed CRACKWELL STREET in Tenby is expected to remain closed to vehicles for approximately another eight weeks while work continues at a privately owned property overlooking the harbour.

Scaffolding has been erected along the building, with the closure originally introduced to allow the structure to be inspected and repaired safely.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed that the road closure was first communicated prior to a formal public notice being issued on Tuesday (Dec 3).

The council said the restriction applies only to vehicles, with pedestrian access continuing along the narrow harbour-side street.

In a statement to The Herald, a council spokesperson said the property is privately owned and that the authority is not directly involved in the structural works taking place.

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The spokesperson said: “The property is privately owned and therefore questions relating to the structural issues and the work being undertaken should be addressed to the owner.”

However, council officers remain in contact with the owner while the road closure remains in place.

The council added that the restriction on vehicular access was extended from Sunday (Feb 23) for a further period of approximately eight weeks.

No formal safety notice or structural assessment has been issued by the council in relation to the building, and the authority said it is not aware of any impact on neighbouring properties.

Officials also confirmed that pedestrian access along Crackwell Street remains open despite the traffic restriction.

A council spokesperson added: “Council officers are in dialogue with the property owner as works continue relating to ongoing road closure requirements.

“The property owner and engineers are working to remove the scaffold at the earliest opportunity and allow the road to be re-opened to vehicles.”

Crackwell Street, which links Tenby’s harbour area with the town centre, is one of the town’s most distinctive streets, lined with colourful buildings overlooking the harbour below.

The closure has temporarily restricted vehicle access along the route while engineers continue work on the property.

Photos: Gareth Davies Photography Tenby

Driver banned after cocaine found in system during A40 stop check A DRUG DRIVER who was arrested during a routine stop check was this week ordered off the roads for 12 months.

A stop check carried out on Dean Browne as he drove his Volvo V50 along the A40 at Slebech last December prompted officers to carry out a roadside drugs swipe. When it proved positive, further blood tests were carried out at the police station which showed that Browne had 240 mcg of the cocaine metabolism benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50.

Browne, who has no previous

convictions, accepted that he’d taken cocaine the night before whilst socialising with friends.

“He is sorry for his actions and understands now that the drug can remain in the system for some time,” said his solicitor Jess Hill, after Browne pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

In addition to the 12-month driving ban, Browne, of Horeb Road, Mynydd y Garreg, Kidwelly, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

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Rail upgrades to improve journeys on Whitland to Pembroke Dock line PASSENGERS travelling on the railway between Whitland and Pembroke Dock will face temporary disruption later this month while major engineering works are carried out to improve the line and upgrade facilities at Tenby Station.

Network Rail has confirmed that buses will replace trains for one week from Monday, March 16, while essential work takes place across the route.

The railway between Whitland and Pembroke Dock will be closed from 11:00pm on Sunday (March 15) until 5:45am on Saturday (March 21), allowing engineers to safely complete a programme of track renewal and maintenance works.

The upgrades form part of Network Rail’s ongoing investment in the West Wales line, aimed at improving reliability while also delivering accessibility improvements for passengers using Tenby Station.

Track renewal and maintenance During the closure, engineers will carry out track renewal work between Whitland and Narberth, alongside a range of maintenance tasks across the route.

Planned works include vegetation management, fencing repairs, level crossing maintenance, and inspections of earthworks and other railway infrastructure.

Network Rail says the work is designed to strengthen the long-term reliability and resilience of the railway for the communities and passengers who depend on the line.

Accessibility improvements at

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Tenby At the same time, significant accessibility improvements will take place at Tenby Station through the UK Government’s Access for All programme.

The project will eventually deliver a fully accessible footbridge with lifts, making it easier for disabled passengers, those with reduced mobility, parents with pushchairs and travellers carrying luggage to move between platforms.

As part of the work, the existing footbridge will be demolished overnight

on Saturday, March 14.

A temporary scaffold footbridge will then be installed the same weekend to ensure passengers can continue to access both platforms.

Further construction activity will take place between March 16 and March 21 while the railway line is closed.

Travel advice for passengers During the engineering works, replacement buses will operate instead of trains between Whitland and Pembroke Dock.

Passengers are being urged to check their journeys in advance and allow extra time for travel.

The latest journey information is available on the National Rail website and through Transport for Wales’ website and mobile app.

Mark Dix, Lead Portfolio Manager at Network Rail Wales and Borders, said: “These track upgrades and supporting works are essential to maintaining a safe and reliable railway for passengers across West Wales, while the improvements at Tenby Station will make a real difference for passengers who rely on step-free access.

“We would like to thank passengers, residents and local businesses for their patience while we carry out this important work.”

Hustings to focus on learning disability support ahead of Senedd election A SPECIAL election hustings focusing on the future of support for people with learning disabilities will take place in north Pembrokeshire next month.

Clynfyw Care Farm in Abercych will host the event on Wednesday (Apr 22), bringing together Senedd election candidates from several political parties to answer questions from people directly involved in health and social care.

Candidates from the Green Party, Conservatives, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats and Labour have already confirmed they will attend, while responses are still awaited from other candidates standing in the election scheduled for May 7. hustings press release 9.3.26 The event aims to give people with learning disabilities, their families, carers and support workers the opportunity to ask candidates what they plan to do to improve services and support over the next Senedd term.

Jim Bowen, Registered Manager

at Clynfyw Care Farm, said the event comes at a time when many people working in social care feel under increasing pressure.

“With social care cuts forever on the agenda, we welcome the opportunity to learn whether our next Senedd representatives will have our best interests at heart,” he said. “Are we even on their agenda?”

Stephen Galloway, a participant representative at the care farm, said people with learning disabilities want to know how politicians plan to protect opportunities for independence.

“It’s important we have a chance to learn independent living skills, but the cuts are taking away our freedom,” he said. “We want to know how they are planning to change this.”

Organisers say the hustings will also give social workers and unpaid carers the chance to share their experiences and explain what support they need in order to continue providing services in rural communities.

Jim Bowen added that the role of the care sector had been widely recognised during the pandemic but many workers now feel undervalued.

“During the pandemic we were termed ‘essential workers’. Now we struggle to survive on minimum wage and ever-increasing costs,” he said.

“We were essential then, but now we are not. What has changed?”

Pembrokeshire County Council’s

Cabinet Member for Social Care, Tessa Hodgson, will introduce the event, which organisers say is likely to feature challenging questions based on reallife experiences.

The hustings will run from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, with limited places available.

Advance booking is required and the event will be recorded, with factchecked audio clips later shared on the Clynfyw Care Farm Facebook page.

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Creamery team cycle thousands of kilometres for charity COLLEAGUES at First Milk’s Haverfordwest Creamery in Merlin’s Bridge have helped cycle more than 5,800 kilometres during a fundraising challenge supporting Prostate Cancer UK. The Bike the Hedgerows challenge saw teams across First Milk sites keep static bikes moving continuously for 24 hours from midday on 5 March to midday on 6 March, with remote riders also contributing miles during the weekend.

Together they aimed to cycle the equivalent distance of the hedgerows found on dairy cooperative First Milk’s member farms, 5,564 kilometres. By the end of the challenge, colleagues and supporters had cycled 5,884.08km in 5,564 minutes, exceeding the target by more than 320 kilometres.

So far, the challenge has raised over £2,000, helping take First Milk’s total fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK to over £16,000, with donations still continuing to come in.

Commenting on the challenge First Milk’s Chief Impact Officer Mark Brooking said: “It’s been fantastic to see so many people get behind Bike the Hedgerows. Colleagues, members and community partners all played a role in helping us exceed the challenge and raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK. “Prostate cancer touches many families within farming and rural

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communities, so supporting the charity is something that means a great deal to people across First Milk.

As a farmer-owned co-operative, we believe in supporting the communities we’re part of and backing charities that make a real difference.”

At the Haverfordwest Creamery, colleagues were supported by local

businesses to help keep the wheels turning including S7 Fitness, Will Powders, J’s Muscle & Fitness, Tenby Penguins Swim & Tri Club, Nestlé UK & Ireland, Pembrokeshire Leisure and the Pembrokeshire Triathlon Community.

Bike the Hedgerows forms part of First Milk’s two-year partnership with Prostate Cancer UK, chosen by colleagues and members because many within the farming community have been affected by the disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with risk increasing for those over 50 or with a family history.

First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative whose members produce milk on farms across the UK. The Bike the Hedgerows challenge brought colleagues, members and community partners together to raise funds while helping spark conversations about men’s health in rural communities.

Shop workers’ union criticises Senedd opposition over policing bill vote

THE RETAIL workers’ union Usdaw has criticised opposition

parties in the Senedd after Members representing the Conservatives,

Reform UK and Plaid Cymru voted against granting legislative consent for the UK Government’s Crime and Policing Bill.

The legislation includes measures aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and violent crime, including the introduction of Respect Orders, tougher penalties for low-value shoplifting and knife crime, and a specific offence covering assaults on retail workers.

Usdaw says it is now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent means the measures will apply in Wales once the legislation is passed by the UK Parliament.

Joanne Thomas, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “It is difficult to understand why the main opposition parties in Wales would come together to oppose a new law to protect retail staff in the face of record incidents of shoplifting and very high levels of violence, threats and abuse against shop workers.

“We are now seeking clarification on whether the lack of Senedd consent will mean that these important measures will not apply in Wales when the legislation is passed in the UK Parliament.”

According to official crime statistics, police recorded 11,447 shoplifting offences in Wales in the year to March 2021. The latest figures show

that number had risen to 23,009 by September last year.

Usdaw also highlighted findings from its survey of retail workers. Interim results from the union’s 2025 survey, based on 3,271 responses, found that in the previous 12 months 71 per cent of retail staff reported verbal abuse, 48 per cent said they had been threatened and nine per cent said they had been assaulted.

The union said that two-thirds of attacks on retail staff were triggered by incidents of theft or robbery.

Usdaw has campaigned for several years for stronger legal protections for shop workers through its “Freedom from Fear” campaign, which seeks measures to tackle violence, threats and abuse against retail staff.

The Crime and Policing Bill has already passed all stages in the House of Commons and is currently progressing through the House of Lords.

Opposition parties in the Senedd have argued that concerns over devolved powers and the legislative consent process influenced their decision not to support the motion.

The outcome has raised questions about how the legislation will apply in Wales once it completes its passage through the UK Parliament.

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Major redevelopment of Begelly caravan site gets green light

A CALL to change to use of land at Pembrokeshire caravan park from touring to static units has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the March 10 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, I & J Leisure Ltd, through agent Gerald Blain Associates Limited sought permission for a change of use of land for the relocation of 27 touring caravan to 27 static caravans, with associated works, partly in retrospect, at Stone Pitt Caravan and Camping Site, Begelly.

A supporting statement said the 2025 application follows the granting of a 2021 scheme for a lower number of touring to statics.

It added: “Following approval works

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had begun on site to implement some of the approved scheme, this work has now ceased. This new application seeks permission for a revised site layout of the approved scheme, regularisation of some works already carried out, and an increase in the number of pitches converted to static units. The increase in static units is facilitated by the removal of twin unit lodges in favour of single static units.

“The proposed development will remain within the same three enclosures as the approved scheme: eastern, central and western. In the western enclosure, eight static caravan bases have already been installed, alongside

the construction of a gabion retaining wall between the western and central areas.

“The land has been reprofiled along the southern boundary to create additional space. All units in this enclosure would not be single static units and the number of pitches proposed has been increased from 11 to 13.

“The central enclosure has also undergone works, including the levelling of land and construction of the gabion wall. The size of this enclosure has been increased slightly through the removal of some trees.

“The revised layout proposes seven single units, up from six in the previous scheme. Surrounding the gabion wall, a wildlife garden and replacement

tree planting is proposed to enhance biodiversity.

“In the eastern enclosure, the previous proposal for five twin-unit lodges has been replaced with seven single-unit statics. The row of touring pitches to the north of the eastern parcel will be removed and the vacated area will be converted into a landscaped wildlife garden to improve the visual and ecological character of the site.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Although the planning statement refers to five additional static pitches this appears to be a reference to the difference between the proposal and the previous permission for upgrading of touring pitches to static pitches. There would be no increase in pitch numbers or site area.”

It added: “The proposal would have an acceptable visual impact and would not be detrimental to local amenity or highway safety. The proposal includes biodiversity enhancements and additional landscaping.

“However, it is considered that a further detailed landscaping strategy is required to be submitted for consideration for the western boundary of the site to ensure the proposal complies with the relevant policies of the LDP.” At the March meeting, approval delegated to the Head of Planning following conditions including the submission of modifications to the landscaping on the west boundary, and an amended plan showing that overall pitch numbers have not been increased, was moved by Cllr Alec Cormack, and was unanimously backed by members.

New priest licensed to serve Bro Dyfri ministry area THE DIOCESE of St Davids has welcomed Revd Tim Nelson as the new Priest in Charge within the Local Ministry Area (LMA) of Bro Dyfri.

A licensing service was held recently where Archdeacon Matthew Hill formally licensed Revd Nelson to the post. The service was supported

by Father Neil Hook, LMA Dean, alongside members of the Bro Dyfri ministry team.

Members of several congregations from across the ministry area gathered for the occasion, offering a warm welcome to Revd Nelson and praying for him and his family as he begins his ministry in the community.

The Diocese said the service marked an important moment for the Bro Dyfri LMA, bringing together clergy, ministry team members and parishioners in a shared act of worship and commitment.

Revd Nelson now takes on responsibility for pastoral leadership and ministry across the Bro Dyfri churches as part of the Diocese of St Davids within the Church in Wales.

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Historic lifeboat Pentland donated to West Wales Maritime Museum A HISTORIC former lifeboat has found a new home in Pembroke Dock after being donated to the West Wales Maritime Museum.

The vessel, R.N.L.B. Pentland (Civil Service No. 3), was formally handed over during a small ceremony on Saturday (Mar 7) attended by museum representatives and civic leaders.

The lifeboat has been gifted by Rev Mike Brotherton, a former Royal Navy serviceman, who previously owned the vessel.

The handover took place with the boat positioned on the slipway, where supporters and volunteers gathered to mark the occasion. The donation ensures that the historic vessel will now be preserved and displayed as part of the region’s maritime heritage.

Rev Brotherton, who has maintained and cared for the boat during his ownership, said he wanted the vessel to remain in a place where its history could be appreciated by the public.

Also present at the ceremony were Chris Barlow, chairman of the West Wales Maritime Museum, and the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Michele Wiggins.

The event included a symbolic presentation involving a folded Union flag, marking the formal transfer of the vessel into the museum’s care.

Chris Barlow welcomed the donation,

Images: Martin Cavaney/Herald describing it as an important addition to the museum’s growing collection of maritime artefacts and historic vessels.

He said the Pentland represents an important part of Britain’s lifeboat heritage and will help tell the story of the bravery and dedication of lifeboat crews who risked their lives to save others at sea.

The vessel is a classic RNLI lifeboat design from the mid-twentieth century and was originally built to operate in demanding conditions. Lifeboats of this era were designed for strength and

endurance, often launching into severe weather to carry out rescue missions.

Over the decades, boats such as the Pentland played a crucial role around the British coastline, responding to ships in distress, fishing vessel emergencies, and other incidents at sea.

The arrival of the Pentland at Pembroke Dock strengthens the maritime connections of the town, which has a long and proud naval and shipbuilding history.

Pembroke Dock was once home to one of the largest Royal Dockyards in

the world and later played an important role in aviation and naval operations during the twentieth century.

The West Wales Maritime Museum works to preserve and share that heritage through its exhibitions, artefacts, and historic vessels.

Volunteers continue to develop the museum’s collection and encourage visitors to learn more about the region’s strong links to the sea.

Cllr Michele Wiggins said it was fitting that such an important vessel should now be based in Pembroke Dock, where maritime history remains a central part of the community’s identity.

The Pentland will now be cared for by the museum and is expected to become a feature attraction for visitors interested in lifeboat history and the story of coastal rescue services.

Museum volunteers hope that the donation will also help raise awareness of the RNLI’s long tradition of lifesaving work around the British Isles.

With the lifeboat now safely transferred into the museum’s care, plans are being considered for how it can best be displayed and interpreted for the public.

For the West Wales Maritime Museum, the arrival of the Pentland marks another step in preserving the rich maritime heritage of Pembrokeshire for future generations.

Planed wins partnership award for Carmarthenshire wellbeing project

PLANED has won the Working in Partnership Award at the West Wales Regional Health and Social Care Awards, held at Canolfan Pentre Awel.

The awards were hosted by the West Wales Regional Partnership Board and recognise projects that demonstrate strong collaboration across health, social care and

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community organisations.

The award celebrates the success of the Carmarthenshire Living Well Centre, a project led and managed

by PLANED which has become a key hub for community support in the county.

The centre brings together a range of organisations and initiatives offering advice, wellbeing activities and support services free of charge to local residents.

PLANED said the success of the centre has been built on strong collaboration with the many projects and organisations based there, all working together to support communities across Carmarthenshire.

More than 700 people each month now access services at the centre, taking part in group sessions, receiving advice and support, and benefiting from a wide range of community-led activities.

The organisation said the award recognises not only PLANED’s leadership in developing and managing the centre, but also the collective effort of the partners delivering services from the facility.

PLANED added that it will continue seeking further funding to support the development of the centre so it can expand its work and help even more people in the future.

Representatives from the organisation said it was great to see so many partners and familiar faces at the awards ceremony, adding that the recognition belongs to everyone involved in delivering the project.

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Councillors vote to close Ysgol Clydau despite community concerns PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has voted to close Ysgol Clydau despite strong opposition from parents and residents who argued the rural school plays a vital role in the local community.

Councillors approved the closure at a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on Thursday (Mar 5), following a consultation process that drew hundreds of responses and a community campaign to save the small rural school near Tegryn.

Addressing the chamber, Cllr Guy Woodham acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue.

“Any proposal to close a school is emotive,” he told councillors, noting that the report before members summarised consultation responses and the council’s responses to concerns raised by parents, residents and other consultees.

One of the most frequently raised issues during the consultation was the role the school plays in local identity and community life. Respondents argued that rural schools often act as a focal point for their communities and help sustain village life.

However, council officers said that while the school contributes to community identity, it currently hosts relatively few community activities.

They pointed out that nearby Carnarvon Hall already provides a venue for a wide range of classes and events and could continue to do so if the school closes.

It was also suggested that the school building itself could potentially be used for community purposes if another organisation or group expressed an interest in taking it over.

Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on pupils with additional learning needs (ALN). Parents said

the small size of the school provides a nurturing and personalised environment that may be difficult to replicate in a larger setting.

Council officers acknowledged those concerns but said pupils could also benefit from the wider range of resources, specialist staff and development opportunities available in larger schools.

A transition plan will be developed to ensure individual pupils’ needs are identified and supported during and after the move to another school.

Transport and travel times were another major concern raised during the consultation, with parents highlighting longer journeys for pupils and questioning the suitability of arrangements for younger children.

The council said pupils who meet eligibility criteria will receive free school transport, with routes and pick-up arrangements designed with safety and age considerations in mind.

Some respondents also argued that alternative solutions, including

federation with other schools, had not been fully considered.

Officers said a number of alternative proposals were examined during the consultation process but were not considered viable.

Residents also raised concerns that planned housing development opposite the school could increase pupil numbers in the future.

However, council forecasts suggest the development would generate only around two additional pupils, which officers said would not significantly affect the school’s viability.

Some parents indicated they might consider home education if the school closes, particularly those with children who experience anxiety or require additional support.

The council said it would provide information and support to help families make informed decisions and ensure they are aware of Welsh-language education options available elsewhere.

Questions were also raised about the financial case for the closure and whether projected savings adequately

accounted for increased transport costs and other factors.

Council officers said the financial assessment presented to councillors includes those additional costs.

Some respondents also questioned the fairness and transparency of the consultation process, suggesting the outcome had already been decided.

Officers rejected that suggestion, stating that the consultation had been carried out in accordance with the Welsh Government’s School Organisation Code and that the final decision rested with councillors.

Pupils’ views were also gathered during the consultation through two sessions facilitated by a school improvement adviser, with responses recorded anonymously and included in the consultation report.

The proposal to close the school has been strongly contested over the past year. A petition opposing the closure received more than 600 responses on the council’s website, triggering a debate at County Hall, while campaigners warned the loss of the school would “pluck the heart out of the community”.

Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies previously criticised the proposal, describing Ysgol Clydau as a crucial part of the local community and warning that closure could have a significant impact on the area.

Council figures show pupil numbers at the school have declined in recent years, forming part of the authority’s wider review of education provision and surplus school places across the county.

Despite the concerns raised, councillors voted to approve the closure.

Further details about the timeline for the closure and arrangements for pupils currently attending Ysgol Clydau are expected to be confirmed by the council.

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season.

The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library.

Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

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The alternative view By Mike Dello

AS the turmoil in the Middle East enters its third week, within 24 hours of the start America had disposed of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the evil, bloodthirsty leader of Iran responsible for untold numbers of murders and, most recently, for the slaughter of thousands of innocent, democracy-seeking human beings.

At first I supported the action; it seemed that some kind of justice had been partly achieved.

And then President Trump uttered those dreaded words: “regime change”.

As if that could be reached by the simple assassination of a brutal leader. Sorry, Mr President, that cannot be achieved in that manner. Let’s face it, what was

he expecting? Canvassing? Opinion polls? Rosettes on candidates maybe?

And a democratic general election on a damp Thursday in a month’s time?

Instead it seems that between the USA and Israel, as we saw in Gaza, the two nations are hell-bent on turning the Middle East into a pile of rubble, with potentially thousands of dead bodies buried underneath.

Innocent, prosperous and reasonably free Arab states – and even Turkey – are being dragged into it courtesy of Iranian drones, and thousands of British nationals are trapped in the region.

On a selfish view, and we are already paying the price at the pumps,

with oil now at £100 a barrel and worse to come, the Ayatollah’s son Mojtaba Khamenei has been sworn in without the need for a recount.

The so-called special relationship between the UK and the US lies in tatters as Trump accuses toothless Starmer of doing next to nothing. Indeed Greece and France have come to the aid of Cyprus, who Calamity Lammy believes is in NATO! He is rushing the destroyer HMS Dragon to the area – about two weeks too late. This boat being the only one that goes in the right direction, if you get my drift.

How can this war on Iran have been planned so badly? Maybe we will never know, but every day that passes

gives us more terrible consequences of Trump’s seemingly catastrophic decision-making.

Speaking of deaths not being mourned, child killer Ian Huntley was attacked by a fellow inmate last week and died a few days later. This devil in 2002 lured ten-year-old girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman back to his house. The poor little souls felt safe as he was the school caretaker. He proceeded to murder both and even gave a convincing interview to the press during the ten days it took to arrest him, explaining just how shocked he was.

Forty-three-year-old fellow inmate Anthony Russell has been charged with his killing. His demise will also leave no decent person left to mourn, even if proper justice took twenty-two years.

In Italy the Paralympic Games have seen four Russian competitors allowed into a major sporting event since 2022.

Ukraine boycotted the ceremony. I do wonder if punishing disabled people for the folly of their government is a humane and proper way to go when these unfortunate people have no control over Putin’s war.

Back to Trump: he made some extraordinary comments as he keeps his focus on Cuba. In a press conference he stated that the rogue state has no energy and no power. He went on to say he may finish the job in Iran and may then turn to Cuba next. He seems to look at the world these days as having to destroy all of America’s enemies before he finishes his term.

Russia stands by, obviously financially crippled by a war that was supposed to last three days and is now in its fourth year. China’s stance is a lot more mysterious. They have a cast-iron economy which they jealously guard, and even hold back for the time being on their ultimate goal of annexing Taiwan.

With Trump being a man in a hurry, and the constitution only allowing him just over two years longer, let me throw a wild idea into the mix. Would you put it past him that, let’s just say his vice president JD Vance wins next time, then Trump may run for the vice presidency, win that, Vance resigns, and you know the rest? Many stranger things have happened!

Meanwhile, back at the games, seven members of Iran’s haircovered women’s football team have successfully applied for asylum. It’s a nice story and it quite surprised me that women are allowed to play football in Iran – and travel into the bargain.

And finally a story I defy anyone to make up. It seems this desperate government of ours is seriously considering giving migrants £40,000 each to leave the UK. No doubt this cash would fund another return to our shores – and so on and so on.

Beam me up, Scotty, please!

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MOD accused of ‘salami slicing’ DARC radar infrastructure to avoid full planning scrutiny

CAMPAIGNERS opposing the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) project on the St Davids peninsula have accused the Ministry of Defence of attempting to push through associated infrastructure in separate stages in order to avoid proper planning scrutiny.

The group PARC Against DARC (Pembrokeshire Against Radar Campaign) claims the approach resembles a practice sometimes referred to as “salami slicing”, where elements of a large development are split into smaller projects and considered separately rather than as a single scheme.

Campaigners say several developments linked to the radar proposal appear to be progressing outside the main planning process.

“We haven’t come across a single person who doesn’t think the whole story behind the RDF aircraft tracker relocation proposal, the high-security undersea cable landing station, the Newgale bypass scheme and major power upgrades simply doesn’t add up,” the group said.

“After thirty-seven Senedd and Westminster politicians publicly opposed DARC, a petition gathered 18,000 signatures and demonstrations gained widespread attention online, the MOD now appears to be attempting to ‘salami slice’ the project and push it through piece by piece.”

Follow the DARC money PARC claims documentation submitted as part of the MOD’s environmental screening request confirms that relocating an RDF aircraft tracker forms part of the wider DARC project.

Campaigners argue that although the relocation is described as operationally separate, it appears closely linked to the radar development.

“The MOD’s screening document acknowledges that relocating the RDF was part of DARC planning and suggests the work would be completed before construction begins,” campaigners said.

Tom Sinclair

editor@herald.email

“This raises serious questions about why the relocation is being treated as an entirely separate development.”

They also claim the screening request does not assess the potential cumulative impact of radiofrequency radiation from both the relocated tracker and the proposed DARC radar installation.

Campaigners say they have identified more than four thousand scientific studies linking similar radiation exposure to health risks, including cancer, although regulators including the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) currently consider such installations safe within guideline limits.

Cable station raises further questions Campaigners also point to a new undersea cable landing station being built close to the gates of Cawdor Barracks at Brawdy.

Although described as civilian infrastructure, PARC says the facility’s security measures — including fencing, razor wire and CCTV — have fuelled local speculation that it could support the radar project by carrying data from overseas.

The group notes that Brawdy previously hosted installations connected to the Cold War-era SOSUS submarine detection network.

“If these cables are intended to support DARC operations, then the infrastructure should be assessed alongside the radar project itself,” campaigners said.

Newgale bypass and power upgrades The campaign group also suggests the long-planned Newgale bypass scheme could be indirectly connected to DARC, arguing that large-scale construction traffic would struggle to access the proposed radar site using existing rural roads.

They also say discussions between the MOD and the Pembrokeshire Coast

National Park Authority suggest significant electricity supply upgrades may be required to power the radar installation.

Campaigners claim that neither the bypass nor potential power infrastructure has been fully assessed alongside the main DARC proposal.

Political issue ahead of Senedd election With the Senedd election approaching, campaigners say opposition to the radar

project could become a key political issue.

Both Plaid Cymru and the Wales Green Party have publicly opposed the proposal.

“Local communities feel this project has been pushed forward without transparency and without proper engagement,” campaigners said.

“With the Senedd election approaching, DARC is likely to become a major issue for voters across Pembrokeshire.”

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Crash sparks fresh questions over future of former library

CONCERNS have been raised about the future of a distinctive Haverfordwest building after a car crashed into it last week, leaving part of the frontage badly damaged.

Two people were taken to hospital after a vehicle collided with the former County Library building in Dew Street during the early hours of Sunday (Mar 1).

The impact caused significant damage to the front of the building.

Campaigners who want the structure protected are now calling for urgent repairs and greater transparency about what will happen to the site.

Dyfed-Powys Police have been asked to comment on the condition of those involved in the collision.

The crash is believed to have followed a medical emergency.

The former library is widely regarded as an important example of post-war public architecture in Pembrokeshire. Built in the 1960s and designed by architect Gilbert Ray, the building is often described as a notable piece of modernist – sometimes labelled brutalist – design.

Its distinctive appearance includes bold concrete forms and a striking sculpture representing an open book, created by artist David Tinker.

The library closed to the public on Saturday (Oct 13, 2018).

In April 2022 the building and around 3.3 acres of surrounding land were purchased from Pembrokeshire County Council by housing association ateb for £250,000.

The organisation intended to relocate its headquarters from St Thomas Green to the Dew Street site.

Plans also included commercial office space within the building and a streetlevel café.

A second phase of the development proposed housing on the former car park area behind the building, previously used by the library and community education centre.

However, a local campaign group known as Save the Library Action

Group (SLAG) is seeking to have the building formally listed because of its architectural and historical importance.

Members of the group say the recent damage highlights the need for urgent protection and repairs.

Retired architect Mike Daffern said the group hoped the damaged section would be rebuilt rather than simply secured.

He added that residents would welcome a clear timetable from ateb for delivering the refurbishment plans approved in 2023, which would see the building converted into the organisation’s headquarters.

Mr Daffern said that if the project was no longer going ahead, the community should be involved in considering alternative uses for the building that could help revitalise that part of Haverfordwest’s conservation area.

The campaign group has also contacted Cadw about listing the building and plans to provide photographs and a report detailing the recent damage.

They argue the building could potentially be reused for community education, arts, or other cultural activities.

A spokesperson for ateb confirmed the organisation was aware of the damage caused by the collision.

“Our immediate priority is to ensure the building is safe and secure,” the spokesperson said. “The damage will be addressed to maintain appropriate safety measures.”

The spokesperson added that the former library site remained a complex redevelopment project and that ateb was continuing to work with Pembrokeshire County Council to explore possible options for the site’s future, including funding and potential redesign of the building.

“We recognise the strong interest in the building from members of the community and local groups,” the spokesperson said.

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Tenby still waiting as Wales hits 50 rural mobile mast upgrades A NEW milestone in the UK Government’s programme to improve mobile coverage across rural Wales has once again highlighted the continuing connectivity problems facing Tenby.

Officials confirmed this week that fifty government-funded mobile mast upgrades are now live in Wales as part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN), a joint initiative between government and mobile operators aimed at expanding 4G coverage in rural communities.

Across the UK, 119 upgraded masts are now operational, providing reliable 4G access from all four major operators – EE, Vodafone, Three and Virgin Media O2 – in previously underserved areas.

However, as with earlier announcements linked to the programme, no locations in Pembrokeshire were listed among the latest upgrades, leaving ongoing questions about when improvements will reach one of Wales’s busiest tourist destinations.

Longstanding problems The absence of any Pembrokeshire sites in the latest round is likely to fuel frustration in Tenby, where residents and traders have repeatedly complained about unreliable mobile coverage.

Last year, The Herald reported growing anger among locals who described the town’s mobile signal as “worse than the 1990s.” Residents said dropped calls, slow data and intermittent service were affecting everyday life and business operations.

One disabled resident said he had missed hospital calls because his phone repeatedly lost signal, while traders said customers were sometimes unable to make card payments due to network outages during busy periods.

The issue tends to intensify during the summer tourist season, when visitor numbers place additional strain on existing infrastructure.

Capacity rather than coverage Unlike many communities targeted by the Shared Rural Network, Tenby is not classified as a complete mobile “notspot”.

Instead, the town suffers from capacity issues, where networks become overwhelmed by the sheer number of users during peak periods.

This distinction means Tenby has often fallen outside the main focus of national programmes designed primarily to address areas with little or no coverage at all.

Earlier announcements under the SRN scheme also failed to include any sites in Pembrokeshire, despite dozens of upgrades elsewhere in Wales.

Political pressure

Tom Sinclair

editor@herald.email

Concerns about the issue have even reached Parliament.

Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell recently asked ministers what action is being taken to improve connectivity in the county, naming Tenby specifically after it was omitted from previous upgrade announcements.

Independent data has suggested Wales continues to lag behind the rest of the UK in mobile performance, with some areas of Pembrokeshire recording relatively slow download speeds compared with national averages.

Attempts to improve infrastructure

There have been some attempts to strengthen mobile infrastructure around Tenby.

Plans were previously submitted to replace an existing telecommunications mast near Penally with a twenty-metre structure designed to support improved 4G capacity for multiple operators.

Developers argued the upgrade was necessary to improve digital connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors across the wider Tenby area.

However, progress on mobile infrastructure in the area has sometimes faced challenges, including planning concerns linked to the town’s location within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Rural upgrades continue Despite the continuing issues in coastal towns like Tenby, the Shared

Rural Network programme is continuing to expand across Wales.

Government figures say the scheme has already delivered 4G coverage from all four operators across an additional 34,000 square kilometres of the UK, while improving connectivity for 280,000 premises and more than 16,000 kilometres of roads.

Ministers say the programme will continue until at least 2027, with further upgrades planned.

For Tenby residents and businesses, however, the key question remains unchanged: when – or if – the town’s well-documented mobile congestion problems will finally be addressed.

With another busy tourist season approaching, local traders say reliable connectivity is no longer a luxury but an essential part of running a modern seaside economy.

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Funding event to support churches, chapels and graveyards CHURCHES, chapels and organisations responsible for graveyards are being invited to a free event later this month aimed at helping them secure funding for maintenance and upkeep.

The open event will take place on Wednesday (Mar 25) at Newcastle Emlyn Rugby Club. Proceedings will begin at 12:15pm, with attendees able to enjoy a cawl lunch for £5 before taking part in discussions on funding opportunities and ways to reduce running costs.

A range of national funding bodies and support organisations will attend, including the National Churches Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Wales Council for Voluntary Action, the Architectural Heritage Fund, PLANED and Perthyn.

The event is open to any community group responsible for older buildings or community assets that require financial support, although advance

registration is required due to limited capacity.

The afternoon is being organised

by PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator, Cris Tomos.

Cris Tomos said: “It is important that communities responsible for chapels, churches and graveyards are aware of current grant opportunities and understand what policies and reports need to be in place to secure funding.

These buildings and assets are an important part of our communities and we want to help ensure the support is there to maintain them.”

He added that the event will include three panel discussions focusing on grant opportunities, sustainable development of heritage buildings, and practical ways communities can reduce running costs while generating income.

“There is ample free parking at the rugby club, and the event will provide a valuable opportunity for community

groups to hear directly from funders and organisations offering support,” he said.

Anyone wishing to attend must register in advance. Places can be

booked via Eventbrite by searching for “PLANED”, or by contacting the PLANED office on 01834 860965.

Further information and registration details can also be found online.

Young choristers recognised with Voice for Life awards at St Davids Cathedral YOUNG singers from the choir at St Davids Cathedral have been recognised for their musical progress after receiving Voice for Life awards from the Royal School of Church Music.

The medals were presented during a ceremony at the cathedral, where choristers were praised for their dedication to developing their vocal skills and musical understanding.

The Voice for Life scheme is a national programme run by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), designed to help young choristers develop their singing ability, music theory knowledge and commitment to

church music.

A total of ten choristers received awards during the presentation.

Harriet received the Gold Award, while Isabelle, Esther, Phoebe and Cora were presented with Silver Awards.

Bronze Awards were awarded to Avalon, Imogen, Megan, Abigael and Grace.

Two additional choristers were unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, but the cathedral said their awards will be presented at a later date.

The cathedral choir also thanked Laurence John for preparing the young singers so thoroughly for their examinations.

St Davids Cathedral Choir said it was delighted to see such a strong group of choristers successfully complete the

programme and congratulated all those who received awards.

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Treating mum the Pembrokeshire way this Mother’s Day

MOTHER’s DAY is one of those special moments in the year when families across Pembrokeshire pause and say thank you to the women who have shaped their lives.

While flowers and chocolates are always appreciated, the best gifts are often the simplest ones: time, thought and a day spent together in the beautiful county we are lucky to call home.

Pembrokeshire is full of places where you can treat your mother to a memorable day, whether she enjoys fresh sea air, good food, history, or simply a relaxing afternoon with family.

For many families, Mother’s Day begins with breakfast in bed. A cup of tea, some toast, maybe a croissant or pancakes, and a handmade card from children or grandchildren can start the day perfectly. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

The gesture itself often means more than anything bought in a shop.

Once the morning begins properly, Pembrokeshire offers endless possibilities for a day out. If your mother enjoys nature and fresh air, a walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the most rewarding experiences you can give her. Even a gentle stroll along places like Saundersfoot harbour, Tenby’s

South Beach, or around the peaceful surroundings of Stackpole and the Bosherston Lily Ponds can make for a wonderful outing. The sea views, wildlife and fresh coastal breeze are enough to lift anyone’s spirits.

For mothers who prefer something a little more relaxed, a visit to one of Pembrokeshire’s many cafés or restaurants can make the day feel special.

Tenby, Narberth and Milford Haven all have excellent places for lunch or afternoon tea. A traditional Sunday roast is a popular choice on Mother’s Day, and many local pubs and restaurants put on special menus for the occasion. Booking ahead is always wise, as these places can fill up quickly.

If your mother enjoys history and culture, Pembrokeshire also has plenty to offer. Carew Castle, Pembroke Castle and St Davids Cathedral are all beautiful locations where families can spend a few hours exploring. Walking around castle walls or wandering through cathedral grounds creates a sense of occasion and often sparks interesting conversations about the past.

Shopping can also be part of the day.

Narberth, with its independent shops and colourful streets, is perfect for browsing.

Many mothers enjoy simply wandering through small boutiques, gift shops and bakeries, picking up something unique along the way.

Of course, Mother’s Day is not

about spending money. Often the most meaningful thing you can do is simply spend time together. Visiting your mother for a chat over tea, helping with small jobs around the house, or bringing the family together for a meal can mean far more than any expensive present.

For families whose mothers live further away, a phone call or video call can also make a big difference. Hearing from children and grandchildren reminds mothers that they are appreciated, even when distance separates them.

It is also worth remembering that Mother’s Day can be emotional for some people. For those whose mothers are no longer with them, the day can be a time for reflection and remembrance. Visiting a favourite place, looking through old photographs, or simply sharing stories with family can honour those memories.

At its heart, Mother’s Day is about gratitude. Mothers spend years caring, supporting and guiding their families, often putting others first. Taking a day to recognise that love and effort is something worth doing.

In Pembrokeshire, with its stunning coastline, welcoming communities and excellent food, it is easy to create a day that feels special. Whether it is a coastal walk, a Sunday lunch, or simply sitting together watching the tide roll in, the best gift you can give your mother is your time.

And in the end, that is what she will remember most.

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H IS IN F E H T O T E C A R E H T D BADGER AN

THE WEATHER, rather like the Welsh rugby team, is disappointing but improving. The same cannot be said for the state of Welsh politics ahead of May’s election. Sadly, and unlike the Six Nations, the election campaign has weeks left to run.

Manifestos flew out. Each party’s leader waved glossy brochures, criticised rivals, then set them aside—likely only useful in a truly desperate bathroom situation.

Luckily (for you, not him), Badger’s unwell stomach provided a reason to read the manifestos, with only one, obvious, eventual use in mind. The headline announcements are easily relatable and can be summarised thusly: - If Labour wins, Milady Morgan’s donkeys (legal note: no donkeys were harmed in the production of the manifesto) might finally do what hasn’t been done in twenty-seven years, assuming they can dig some more dusty and part-sucked mint imperials from behind the sofa.

If Plaid wins, Team Rhun will get around to doing all of those things they haven’t had the chance to do while propping up Labour for most of those twenty-seven years. Except they’ll do it in Welsh, and maybe Ammanford will get

the bypass Adam Price sold his soul for.

If the Conservatives win, they’ll cut waste, revive the economy, lower taxes, and ditch 20mph limits. Badger found the idea of eliminating waste especially fitting, considering where he read it.

If Reform wins (and, if that happens, the small boats will flee from Neyland Marina), they promise to do everything the Conservatives say they would do. But with added dog-whistle racism and Union Jacks.

Other parties are standing. But not the Abolish the Assembly Party. Its membership, Genevieve and Hector, has probably gone to shag the flag elsewhere. In any event, the militant wing of the Monmouthshire Ratepayers’ Association has all but called it quits. The Green Party’s vision of an ecologically sound, Jew-free Wales is a cornerstone of its electoral offering. Meanwhile, the Lib Dems.

On the upside, having had defectors join them before the Conservatives got around to stopping their photocopier privileges, Reform has promised to cost its manifesto using IFS analysis. Badger thinks it’s jolly decent of Dan Thomas to do the Conservatives’ work for them.

Anyone would think that Reform was a

bolthole for formerly keen blue rosette campaigners, with principles of alleycats and a sense of their own worth out of all proportion to their actual value.

Ahem.

It is, of course, entirely coincidental that two recent defectives from the Conservatives held senior posts in the Welsh Conservative leader’s team right up until the eve of that party’s Spring Conference. There’s a word for people who behave like that, readers.

Badger remembered it while passing a particularly unpleasant stool in the early hours of last Monday morning.

Badger wonders what less inconsequential politicians would make of it all.

When Labour won the 1945 General Election, it made genuinely consequential promises: a National Health Service, the enactment of the 1944 Education Act, the building of new houses, factories, and schools, and the nationalisation of utilities and key industries.

It achieved all of those aims, albeit at horrendous economic cost.

In 1979, at not much greater length, the Conservatives promised an end to nationalisation, the sale of council houses to create Anthony Eden’s “propertyowning democracy”, increased defence spending, and the control of inflation.

By and large, though at horrendous social cost, the Conservatives delivered what they promised.

Now, readers. Think of the promises the parties have made to Welsh voters.

Think how monumental they are. Stop laughing at the back.

Badger is pleased to note that Labour has pledged to end homelessness by 2034. In 2021, it promised to end homelessness in Wales by 2026. Eluned Morgan knows a lot about missing targets. She’s celebrating the Welsh NHS’s failure to meet targets set four years ago and hoping the public doesn’t notice. It’s pathetic. Almost as woeful as the Baroness’s performance in the Senedd. The rest of the manifesto is a risible repetition of old pledges recycled in the faint hope that the electorate will fall for them again.

For Plaid, there are some interesting promises, but the chord struck (at length) most often is one of travelling hopefully rather than arriving anywhere in particular.

Aspiration is all very well, but it’s all a bit

like a medieval monastery. It needs one hundred with their feet on the ground to sustain one with their head in the clouds.

Rhun ap Iorwerth might well be more prepared to stand up to the Westminster government than the outgoing First Minister; however, he hasn’t spelt out what that will achieve.

For the Conservatives, the pledges are unsurprising. They’ve had a long time to work out precisely what Labour has done wrong and what they want to do about it. However, there’s nothing innovative or startling. It’s every Conservative manifesto for the last three elections on nicer paper. Even worse, there are no proper costings. It’s as though the Conservatives realise that wasting time on costing things they’re not going to get to do in government is counterproductive.

As Badger has said above, it’s therefore rather sporting of Reform to do that job for them.

There are two ways of looking at the Reform manifesto. Firstly, if you want to support Conservative Party policies, you can do so without selling your soul to Evil Kermit in his turquoise suit. Secondly, never mind the use of artificial intelligence to create its cover, the manifesto is chocka-block with all-too-real ignorance about what a devolved Welsh Government can deliver. Reform is a deeply unserious party built around English nativist grievance, Commando comic patriotism. and hucksterism. And Reform won’t form the next Welsh Government because enough Welsh voters can see through the varnish to the woodworm beneath.

Even saying all of that about the principal parties’ manifestos, Badger urges you to vote. In Pembrokeshire, vote for a party with local candidates with a track record of campaigning on local issues and not a Reform carpetbagger who wants to stop the small boats at Saundersfoot or Fishguard harbours or close Withybush by deporting foreign health workers. That also puts the mockers on Milady Morgan, whose track record of representing her West Wales constituents is even less impressive than Nigel Farage’s for the poor saps in Clacton-on-Sea. Cris Tomos is a good guy, but he’s fourth on Plaid’s list behind three Cardis.

Make of that what you will, readers.

But, whatever you do, vote. Don’t bother whining afterwards if you don’t.

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Discovering the Golden Road: guided walk and heritage stories in the Preseli Hills RESIDENTS and visitors are invited to uncover the stories of one of Wales’ most fascinating ancient landscapes at Discovering the Golden Road, a special event taking place on Saturday 18 April at Tafarn Sinc.

The afternoon begins with a two-hour guided walk through the spectacular Preseli Hills, led by Tomos Jones, Community Archaeologist at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. Participants will explore the rich archaeological heritage of the area and discover the history of the Golden Road, a prehistoric trackway believed to have been used for thousands of years, linking ceremonial sites and communities across the landscape.

After the walk, guests will return to Tafarn Sinc for an informal Q&A session with Tomos, offering time to reflect on the landscape, delve deeper into its stories, and continue the conversation in a relaxed setting.

Katie Macro, Charity Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “The Golden Road is one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic ancient routes, and events like this help people connect more deeply with the landscape around them. By supporting experiences that celebrate our heritage, we’re also raising vital funds to protect the special places that make the National Park so unique for future generations.”

Jennifer Wheeler, Founder of Golden Road Gin, said: “What a fantastic

opportunity to learn more about the Preseli Hills and the Golden Road.

There is so much nature and history to uncover, and it’s wonderful to discover it with a real expert. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the amazing work of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust to help conserve our heritage and nature. We can’t wait for this event and will be offering gin tasting following the

walk and talk.”

The event is delivered in partnership with Golden Road Gin, with thanks to Jen and Phil for their generous support.

The company donates 10p from every bottle sold online to the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, helping to fund conservation and heritage projects across the National Park.

Lunch will be available to purchase

on the day.

Discovering the Golden Road will take place on Saturday 18 April at Tafarn Sinc, Rosebush. Tickets cost £15 and can be booked online at https:// pembrokeshirecoast.enthuse.com/ DiscoveringtheGoldenRoad#!/.

For accessibility information, please contact Abi Marriott at abim@ pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk.

Carmarthenshire woman celebrates 100th birthday surrounded by family A CARMARTHENSHIRE woman has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends at a special gathering in Carmarthen.

Margaret Olwyn Lewis marked the milestone last weekend at the communal rooms of Hafan Towy in North Parade, where she has lived for more than twenty years.

The celebration brought together her son David Lewis and daughters Susan Harte and Sharon Lewis, along with their partners Christopher Harte and Jane Collins. Also attending were grandchildren Jessica, Lizzie, Edward and Amy, together with seven great-grandchildren.

Margaret was born in Porth Cottage Hospital and spent her early childhood in Pontygwaith in the Rhondda Valley. After the death of her parents when she was young, her elder brother Idris became her guardian.

When Idris was called up for National Service, Margaret took over running his hairdressing business — a role she continued until she married Elfed Lewis and moved to Swansea.

The couple had first met in the mid1930s while attending Tylorstown Primary

School. Their friendship developed into a lasting romance that continued throughout the Second World War and after Elfed returned from an Army posting in Egypt.

Margaret recalled memories from those wartime years.

“During the war we used to walk up the hill towards Maerdy Mountain and after a bombing raid we could stand and watch the flames,” she said.

“The usual targets were the docks at Swansea and the oil refineries in Llandarcy. Later we would catch a tram down the valley to see the destruction that had been caused.”

After the war, Margaret and Elfed lived for some time in Fforest-fach before moving to a home on Forestry Commission land at Llanllawddog. The move came shortly before Elfed took early retirement from his role as Chief Engineer at Western Power.

Both became deeply involved in local heritage. Elfed, together with two friends, helped found the Carmarthenshire Family History Society, which today has a worldwide membership of around 8,000 people.

Margaret also developed a strong

interest in art and became involved with the Carmarthen Sketch Club. She won awards for her paintings and many of her works have been exhibited over the years.

Although family members now live across Britain, many travelled to Carmarthen to celebrate her 100th birthday together.

Margaret has always said she is proud that her children and grandchildren pursued higher education, with all going on to attend university and build successful careers.

The family gathering was a chance for four generations to come together and mark a remarkable century of life.

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GAMING

With eddie the game guru

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection feels like a confident evolution of the spin-off RPG formula, blending the charm of monster companionship with a darker, more introspective narrative than the series has attempted before. From the opening hours, the game establishes a tone that is both adventurous and uneasy, as the world appears familiar yet subtly distorted by the mysterious “reflections” that twist monsters, environments, and even memories into something unpredictable. What stands out most is how the story leans into themes of identity and consequence without losing the sense of wonder that defines the franchise; riding alongside your Monsties across vibrant plains, dense forests, and

surreal mirrored landscapes still captures that childlike excitement, yet there’s always the feeling that something deeper and slightly tragic sits beneath the surface. The turn-based combat remains accessible but gains new tactical layers through reflection mechanics that can alter monster abilities mid-battle, forcing players to adapt strategies on the fly rather than relying on a single comfortable team setup. This keeps encounters engaging throughout the long campaign and makes boss fights feel especially tense and creative.

Visually, the game strikes a pleasing balance between the colorful, storybook aesthetic fans expect and striking new environments that sometimes feel dreamlike or even

haunting, and the soundtrack complements this mood beautifully by shifting between uplifting adventure themes and quieter, melancholic pieces that underscore the narrative’s emotional weight. While the pacing occasionally stumbles in the middle chapters and some side quests feel like familiar RPG filler, the overall journey remains compelling thanks to its memorable monster bonds and the satisfying loop of exploration, hatching, training, and battling.

By the time the story reaches its climactic revelations, Twisted Reflection proves itself not just another entry in the series but a thoughtful expansion of what a Monster Hunter RPG can be, delivering a heartfelt adventure that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly bold

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Click to

Project Hail Mary looks set to be one of the most intriguing science-fiction releases in years, translating Andy Weir’s wildly popular novel into a bigscreen spectacle that blends high-concept science with deeply human storytelling. The premise alone is irresistible: a lone astronaut wakes up aboard a spacecraft with no memory of who he is or how he got there, slowly piecing together the terrifying realization that he may be humanity’s last hope for survival. It’s the kind of setup that immediately pulls audiences into a mystery, and if the film captures the same balance of tension, humor, and scientific curiosity that made the novel such a phenomenon, it could become a standout entry in modern sci-fi cinema.

Ryan Gosling appears perfectly cast as Ryland Grace, a reluctant hero whose intelligence and wit carry much of the story’s emotional weight. Gosling has a talent for playing characters who are both introspective and quietly charismatic, and that combination should work beautifully for a role that requires equal parts vulnerability, determination, and dry humor. Much of the narrative revolves around Grace solving seemingly impossible problems using science and creativity, and Gosling’s understated style could make those moments feel authentic rather than overly

theatrical. If the film leans into the character’s confusion and gradual rediscovery of purpose, it has the potential to be as emotionally engaging as it is intellectually stimulating.

Visually, the film has the opportunity to deliver some breathtaking sequences. The story moves from the claustrophobic isolation of a lone spacecraft to the awe-inspiring vastness of interstellar space, and modern visual effects should allow those contrasts to shine. Science fiction at its best doesn’t just showcase spectacle; it uses scale and imagery to reinforce the themes of loneliness, discovery, and the fragile resilience of life. Early expectations suggest that the film will aim for a grounded, believable aesthetic rather than pure fantasy, a choice that would align well with the story’s emphasis on real scientific principles and problemsolving.

One of the most exciting aspects of the story is its sense of wonder. Rather than relying solely on action or catastrophe, the narrative thrives on discovery and cooperation, gradually transforming from a survival story into something much more hopeful and surprising. If the adaptation remains faithful to that spirit, audiences may find themselves experiencing the rare kind of blockbuster that feels both thrilling and genuinely uplifting.

The relationship dynamics at the

heart of the story—particularly the unexpected connections that form during Grace’s journey—could provide the emotional core that elevates the film beyond typical disaster-driven science fiction.

At the same time, adapting such a beloved novel comes with significant challenges. Much of the book’s charm lies in the protagonist’s internal thought process and the step-by-step logic of solving scientific puzzles, which can be difficult to translate into visual storytelling without slowing the film’s pacing. The success of the adaptation will likely depend on how well it balances exposition with momentum, ensuring that the science remains engaging rather than overwhelming while still preserving the cleverness that fans loved.

If it succeeds, Project Hail Mary could join the ranks of the most memorable modern space films, combining emotional storytelling with big-idea science fiction in a way that appeals to both casual audiences and hardcore sci-fi fans. The ingredients are certainly there: a compelling mystery, a charismatic lead actor, a story filled with wonder, and a premise built around humanity’s resilience in the face of cosmic odds. Should the film capture the heart, humor, and imaginative spark of its source material, it has every chance of becoming the kind of sciencefiction adventure that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

WWW.HAVERFORDWESTCINEMA.CO.UK

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Tech and Taff Will AI take over the world?

NOW then butt, pull up a chair and let Professor explain something about this new artificial intelligence business, because the world seems to be racing towards it like a sheep running downhill with no brakes.

You might have seen that the American senator Bernie Sanders has been making quite the fuss about AI. He’s warning that governments and the public haven’t really grasped the speed and scale of what’s coming.

In his words, it’s like a technological tsunami heading straight for us.

Now I’ll tell you what, butt — for once the politician might have a point.

Because while everyone is busy asking whether AI can write their essays or make pictures of cats wearing bow ties, the real revolution is happening quietly underneath.

The machines are learning.

Not just numbers and patterns either, mind. Language. Strategy.

Design. Programming. Medicine.

Law. The sort of things that used to take years of study and a kettle permanently on the boil.

And if you think that won’t change the world, you’re about as optimistic as a Swansea fan at the start of the football season.

Some people are worried that millions of jobs could disappear — truck drivers, office workers, callcentre staff, even some of the clever clogs professions like lawyers and accountants.

Now before you panic and throw your laptop into the River Taff, let’s remember something.

Every technological revolution scares the living daylights out of people.

When the steam engine arrived, they said it would destroy farming.

When computers arrived, they said it would destroy office work.

When the internet arrived, they said it would destroy… well… everything.

And yet here we are.

But AI is a bit different, butt.

The speed of it is bonkers.

Normally technology creeps along for decades. AI seems to be sprinting like Shane Williams in open space.

One year it’s writing dodgy emails.

The next year it’s helping discover new medicines.

Give it another five and it might be designing entire cities while we’re still arguing about potholes in Cardiff.

So the real question isn’t whether AI will change society.

It will.

The question is who benefits.

Will it make life easier for ordinary people — shorter working weeks, better healthcare, smarter transport?

Or will it simply make a handful of Silicon Valley billionaires richer than a dragon guarding a treasure chest?

That, my friends, is the debate we should be having.

Because technology itself isn’t good or bad.

It’s just a tool.

A hammer can build a house.

Or smash a window.

Same hammer.

Same with AI. If we’re clever about it — and the Welsh are a bright bunch when we put the kettle on and think things through — it could make society fairer and more productive.

But if we just let the tech giants run off with it like kids in a sweet shop?

Well then butt, we might wake up one morning and discover the machines didn’t take our jobs.

They took the decisions as well.

And that, as we say in Cardiff… …would be a bit tidy in the wrong direction.

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Evening with rugby legend Shane Williams coming to Milford Haven A NIGHT of rugby stories, laughter and behind-the-scenes memories is heading to Milford Haven next month as Welsh rugby icon Shane Williams appears live on stage at the Torch Theatre.

The special event, titled An Evening with Shane Williams, will take place on Saturday (Apr 4) at the Torch Theatre and promises fans a rare chance to hear first-hand stories from one of Wales’ greatest ever rugby players.

Williams, widely regarded as one of the finest wings to play the game, earned legendary status during his career with Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Known for his blistering pace, elusive running and remarkable try-scoring ability, he became a fan favourite across the rugby world and was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2008.

During the evening, Williams will share stories from his playing career, including memories from international matches, Lions tours and life inside the Welsh dressing room. The event will also include audience interaction and opportunities for fans to hear the untold moments behind some of Welsh rugby’s most memorable

matches.

Hosting the evening will be entertainer and comedian Phill Howe, who will provide a stand-up set as well as guiding the conversation with the rugby legend throughout the show.

Organisers say the night is designed to combine humour with sporting nostalgia, giving rugby supporters a relaxed and entertaining evening while hearing from one of Wales’ most celebrated players.

The Torch Theatre has long hosted major live events and touring productions, but appearances by sporting legends are always particularly popular with local audiences in rugbyloving Pembrokeshire.

Doors for the event will open at 6:30pm, with the show beginning at 7:00pm.

Tickets are available from the Torch Theatre box office by calling 01646 695267 or via the theatre’s website.

With Shane Williams still one of the most recognisable and admired figures in Welsh sport, organisers expect strong interest from fans across west Wales hoping to hear stories from a career that helped define a golden era for Welsh rugby.

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HOROSCOPES

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The second season of Ted continues the irreverent spirit that made the franchise popular, leaning heavily into crude humor, absurd situations, and the chaotic friendship between John and his foul-mouthed teddy bear. Rather than dramatically reinventing the formula, the series embraces what fans already expect: outrageous jokes, pop-culture references, and a deliberately juvenile sense of comedy that often feels like an extension of the films. What makes this season engaging is how confidently it commits to its tone; it rarely apologizes for the ridiculousness of its premise and instead pushes the boundaries of how far the humor can go while still maintaining a strange sense of warmth between its characters.

Much of the entertainment comes from the dynamic between Ted and the people around him, with the show leaning into the contrast between Ted’s childish, often inappropriate behavior and

the more grounded reactions of those forced to live with him.

The writing frequently builds entire scenes around awkward misunderstandings, escalating arguments, and the sort of wildly inappropriate commentary that has always defined Ted’s personality. At times the jokes feel intentionally excessive, but that excess is also what gives the show its identity. When it works, the humor lands with the same kind of chaotic energy that made the original concept memorable, delivering moments that feel both outrageous and oddly relatable in their depiction of friendship, loyalty, and growing up—however reluctantly.

Season two also tries to broaden the world around Ted slightly, giving supporting characters more room to breathe and occasionally letting the narrative pause for characterdriven moments. These glimpses of sincerity help prevent the show from becoming a nonstop barrage of punchlines. Even

though the emotional beats are rarely subtle, they add a surprising bit of heart beneath the vulgar comedy, reminding viewers that the series ultimately revolves around a bizarre but genuine friendship. That balance between crude humor and occasional warmth becomes one of the season’s stronger qualities.

Not every element lands perfectly, however. Some jokes stretch a bit too long, and certain episodes feel as though they rely on shock value more than clever writing. The pacing can also be uneven, with the story sometimes drifting between loosely connected comedic scenarios rather than building a strong narrative arc. For viewers expecting a tightly structured story, that looseness might feel like a weakness. Yet for fans who simply want more of Ted’s outrageous antics, the chaotic structure may not matter much.

Overall, the second season of Ted doubles down on the outrageous personality that defines the series. It may not dramatically evolve the concept, but it remains confident in its brand of loud, unapologetic comedy. For audiences who appreciate irreverent humor and the strange charm of a talking teddy bear who refuses to grow up, the season offers plenty of laughs and enough heart to keep the chaos from feeling completely hollow.

ARIES Whether or not you consider yourself creative, the ideas in your mind have a way of getting out into the world and making themselves known. No one sees things quite like you do, and people like your take on the world. Look for some of your ideas to leak out today in an unconscious act on your part. You may not have meant to break out and be such a star, but everyone can’t help but notice what you bring to the table. Try to use this attention to get something you’ve been wanting.

TAURUS Remember when you were learning how to ride a bike? Sooner or later, the training wheels had to come off. Today, you could fly solo for the first time.

You’re prepared for this (whether you’re convinced of it or not), so look on it as an exciting opportunity. This is a big deal, and you should be proud of this next stage in your life. It’s finally time for you to stretch your wings and fly. Success will give you the courage to make forays into a new area of your love life too.

GEMINI There’s a bigger world out there. Today, spend some time discovering how you fit in. Explore volunteer options, a side project, or local government issues. Get more involved in the community around you even if it just means waving and smiling at your neighbors a little more often. A stronger sense of connectedness will create a calming effect on life and remind you that you’re part of a whole wonderful world of ideas, philosophies, and opportunities.

CANCER You are a superstar in every respect today. Your abilities will outshine everyone else’s and you may have to fight the urge to instruct everyone on how to do better whatever they’re doing. Expert advice is yours to dispense. Please be polite and try not to bruise too many egos (or at least aim only at those people who need to be taken down a peg or two). This could be the perfect opportunity to remind a skeptical family member that you have a lot to bring to the table.

LEO People are pushing lots of shiny, new gizmos and gadgets your way, but nothing is quite flipping your switch. That’s probably because you’re entering a time when things aren’t as important to you as ideas and feelings. True happiness is no real mystery. All the elements are within you; you merely have to remember them. Think back to what made you feel relaxed and worry-free, and integrate those things into how you treat others, then it will all come back to you.

VIRGO A larger-than-life personality is coming into play in your life right now, and they will be making quite a splash. Whether they’re causing you to think in a new way or just challenging the status quo, they represent a significant amount of conflict in how you currently perceive the world (and yourself). Hang back until you feel comfortable with how they communicate. Watch their behavior with others for clues. You may get a peek under their mask and see if it’s all an act.

LIBRA There’s an awful lot of energy coming your way today, most of it is positive and supportive, but some of it may be a bit contradictory. If someone directs negative energy toward you, encourage them to speak their mind and let their feelings hang in the air, and then let it go. You know what you did (or didn’t do), and there’s no sense in fanning the flames. Conflict makes people act in odd ways, and it’s okay if you don’t like it. Fortunately, it is rare in your life.

SCORPIO Recent accomplishments have enabled you to put your feet up and relax for a while, and it’s been wonderful having less stress and pressure in your life. The trouble is that this relaxation is awfully seductive, and if you stay in this phase too long you’ll miss out on some amazing new experiences. So call upon every ounce of your self-discipline today and let the Universe know you’re reporting for duty. It’s ready to give you a life-altering assignment!

SAGITTARIUS Just because a pot is on the back burner simmering on low heat doesn’t mean it isn’t still cooking. You may feel like you’re in a fog today, but things are happening in your subconscious. Big ideas are forming and they will make themselves known when the time is right. Just wait and see what develops. In the meantime, you can keep yourself busy with your latest romantic project.

Invest in some new clothes or a way to create a brighter appearance.

CAPRICORN Today could be full of signs and affirmations that you are on the right path despite what other people may say. Even if you feel unsure about the next steps, it’s all part of the process. Doubting yourself is absolutely normal, and it has given you the healthy skepticism to recognize a solid thing when you see it. And don’t be too rough on people who are putting pressure on you. They care about you and want you to succeed. They just haven’t figured out how to show it yet.

AQUARIUS Over the past few weeks, you’ve been noticing some magnetism between two strong forces. Is an introduction in order, or do they already know about each other? This could apply in a romantic or business context, but either way, you will end up benefitting greatly from such a union. Possible connections exist beyond these two, so don’t think small. Widen your view today and invite a few more folks to the game. The pressure of a group dynamic will create some gems.

PISCES Simple pleasures hold the greatest satisfaction for you today, so keep close to home and enjoy some quiet time. One great idea might be to have some friends over for a meal. Cooking together could be fun and it’s likely to get everyone’s creative juices flowing. Your wanderlust kicks in today when someone mentions their upcoming plans for overseas travel. Move forward on planning your next adventure today and you may stumble across an excellent opportunity.

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Exhibition celebrates Narberth-born artist Edgar Thomas CLLR THOMAS TUDOR recently visited the VC Gallery to view a new exhibition celebrating the work of Narberth-born artist Edgar Thomas.

The exhibition, titled “Reflections,” features a collection of oil paintings

by Thomas (1862–1936) and is drawn from the Pembrokeshire County Art Collection. The display has been organised in collaboration with Scolton Manor Park.

The Pembrokeshire County Art Collection holds the largest publicly owned collection of Edgar Thomas’ work anywhere in Wales.

During his lifetime, Thomas was recognised by the Welsh nationalist movement Cymru Fydd (Young Wales) as one of the artists who would represent the movement through the arts.

Despite a promising career, Thomas later fell into relative obscurity following the rise of fellow Pembrokeshire artist Augustus John. John’s major London exhibition opened just weeks before Thomas was due to launch his own, overshadowing the Narberth painter’s work.

Thomas was particularly fascinated by the use of chiaroscuro — the contrast between light and shade — and many of his paintings demonstrate considerable technical skill and delicate brushwork in capturing this dramatic effect in oils.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to rediscover the work of a significant but often overlooked Welsh artist.

Journey of the Legends brings communities together for St Davids celebration SCHOOLS, families, local businesses and visitors from across Pembrokeshire came together in St Davids on Saturday 28 February for a colourful St David’s Day celebration marking the culmination of a major community arts project.

Hosted by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority at Oriel y Parc, Taith y Chwedlau / Journey of the Legends formed the centrepiece of a wider half-term programme inspired

by Welsh legends and supported by Welsh Government funding. The project combined storytelling, art, music and bilingual activities, in the lead-up towards the annual parade through the city.

The celebration was attended by the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, along with invited guests, community groups and visitors, as St Davids burst into life with dragon wings, daffodils, boar headdresses and other handmade creations produced during workshops and drop-in sessions in the weeks leading up to the event.

Preparation for the parade involved extensive outreach work with local schools and community groups, as well as workshops and activities at the Authority’s

sister sites, Carew Castle and Castell Henllys. In total, 255 participants took part in workshops and community sessions, including 102 school pupils and 153 children, young people and adults from various groups.

The project was delivered with artist Kate Evans and storytellers Phil Okwedy and Michael Harvey, who worked with participants to explore Welsh legend through a contemporary story rooted in creativity, community and environmental awareness.

Led by the dynamic drumming of Samba Doc, the procession set off from Oriel y Parc at 2pm, bringing music, movement and a strong sense of Welsh hwyl to the High Street of Britain’s smallest city.

Beyond the parade itself, Taith y Chwedlau continued along the High Street through a trail hosted by 16 businesses.

Story stops were illustrated by Oriel y Parc team member Elen Beynon, while Chapel Chocolates in St Davids kindly supported the prize.

Oriel y Parc also hosted the Makers Bizarre Handmade Craft Market, which added to the day’s festive atmosphere and gave residents and visitors the chance to

support local makers.

Rachel Perkins, Manager of Oriel y Parc, said: “Taith y Chwedlau was about much more than a single afternoon’s parade. It was the result of weeks of creative work with schools, community groups, artists, storytellers and businesses, all coming together to celebrate Welsh culture in an imaginative and inclusive way. It was wonderful to see so many people taking

part, and to welcome the First Minister to share in such a vibrant community event.”

As part of the wider St David’s Day celebrations, visitors to Oriel y Parc, Castell Henllys and Carew Castle were welcomed with complimentary bunches of daffodils over the weekend.

To find out more about events, exhibitions and opening times at Oriel y Parc, visit www.orielyparc.co.uk

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By editor Tom Sinclair

manorbier deserved honesty - Not False Hope

WHEN Manorbier Church in Wales VC School was devastated by fire in October 2022, the community did what communities always do in the face of adversity: it rallied.

Teachers carried on teaching.

Parents carried on supporting.

Children carried on learning.

Classes moved into temporary accommodation at Jameston Community Hall and, despite the upheaval, the school community stayed together.

And crucially, the council itself appeared to signal that this was only temporary.

In March 2023 Pembrokeshire County Council announced it had backed what it described as “positive steps towards rebuilding” the school.

Council documents went further, describing full reinstatement as the “preferred option.”

Pupils would continue learning in temporary accommodation while rebuilding work took place.

Those words mattered. They created hope.

Not unrealistic hope. Not wishful thinking.

Hope based on what the council itself was saying.

So the community carried on.

Parents campaigned to save the school.

A petition was launched.

The Diocese of St Davids objected to the closure proposals.

Bishop Dorrien Davies visited the school community in their temporary classrooms.

Through all of it, the assumption remained the same: the school would eventually return.

But this week that hope was extinguished.

Despite a consultation in which more than 90 per cent of responses opposed closure, councillors voted to proceed with plans to discontinue the school.

The explanation offered is that

the insurance settlement following the fire fell far below the cost of rebuilding the school, while falling pupil numbers and surplus places in nearby schools mean the facility is no longer considered viable.

Those may be the financial and strategic realities the council now faces.

But they do not erase the uncomfortable truth at the centre of this story.

For three years a community was allowed to believe its school would be rebuilt.

Then, quietly, the direction of travel changed.

To be fair, the council now insists that no promise was ever made. The decision in 2023, it says, was simply to commission a feasibility study and explore options.

Technically, that may well be correct.

But leadership is not just about technicalities. It is about clarity,

honesty and managing expectations.

If rebuilding was unlikely, the community should have been told that plainly from the start.

Instead, hopeful language about reinstatement allowed a very different belief to take hold — that Manorbier School would one day reopen.

Even Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Guy Woodham acknowledged during Thursday’s debate that those expectations existed.

“There may have been a general perception that a decision had been made to reinstate the school,” he told councillors.

That perception did not appear out of thin air.

It came from the words the council itself chose to use.

The result is a decision that now feels, to many residents, less like an unavoidable policy choice and more like a betrayal.

Manorbier is not simply losing a building. It is losing a village school, a community hub and a Church in Wales education provision that has served generations.

Rural schools across Wales face difficult challenges. Falling pupil numbers and financial pressures are real issues.

But when communities are asked to accept painful decisions, they deserve something in return: honesty.

Communities can cope with difficult truths.

What they struggle to accept is the feeling that they were allowed to hope for something that was never really going to happen.

For the children who continued learning in a community hall after the fire, and for the parents who believed their school would return, that hope has now gone.

And many in Manorbier will be left asking the same question: Why were we led to believe otherwise?

Cllr Huw Murphy said in the council chamber in December: “If there ever was a template written on how not to deal with a catastrophic incident at a school, we have written it here.”

He’s right.

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Oil, war and the squawk heard round the world

AWRIGHT butt. It’s me again.

Stephen Seagull. Reporting live from me usual perch down Milford Haven docks, one eye on a chip wrapper and the other on the world.

And I’ll tell ee now, the world’s lookin’ a bit wobbly.

There I was mindin’ me own business, nickin’ a pasty crust off a tourist, when I hear the humans

squawkin’ about oil prices goin’ over a hundred dollars a barrel.

A hundred!

I nearly dropped me cockle.

Now I’m only a humble seagull, but even I know that when oil starts flappin’ about like that, trouble ain’t far behind. Because when oil goes up, everything goes up. Fuel, food, fertiliser, electricity… next thing you

know someone’s charging four quid for a bag of chips and the world’s gone completely mad.

Apparently there’s a war on again over in the Gulf. America, Israel, Iran… lots of angry humans with very big toys. And right in the middle of it all is a place called the Strait of Hormuz.

Now this ain’t some fancy perfume shop in Tenby. No, butt. It’s the narrow stretch of sea where about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas sails through every single day.

That’s right. One fifth.

Imagine if one fifth of all the chips in Wales had to pass through one tiny chip shop in Milford Haven. You’d have riots by teatime.

If that strait shuts, even for a bit, the whole world starts panickin’. Ships can’t pass, oil can’t move, prices go through the roof. And before you can say “squawk”, your heating bill looks like the national debt.

But here’s the clever bit the humans don’t always notice. The world has changed since the old days.

Back when I was a young gull nickin’ sandwiches off fishermen, most of that Gulf oil was heading west to America and Europe.

Now it flies east.

China’s gobbling it up like a seagull on a dropped sausage roll. They now import about a quarter of all the oil traded on Earth. And most of Iran’s oil ends up there one way or another, sneakin’ through places like Malaysia to dodge the sanctions.

So if things go wrong in the Gulf, it doesn’t just shake Washington or London anymore.

It rattles Beijing.

And when that happens, China starts lookin’ around for other suppliers. Which is where Russia waddles into the story like a big gloomy albatross.

War in the Gulf could end up pushing those two closer together, tying their energy deals tighter than a seagull’s grip on a stolen chip.

But the ripples don’t stop there.

See, oil isn’t the only thing moving through Hormuz. Loads of fertiliser chemicals pass through too — stuff like urea and sulphur that farmers use to grow crops.

Half the world’s food depends on that fertiliser.

So when those shipments get messy, fertiliser prices jump. Farmers pay more. Food costs more. And suddenly the price of bread, rice, or even your humble bag of spuds starts creeping up.

History shows what happens next.

The poorest countries get hit hardest.

Energy prices rise, food prices rise, and people who were already struggling get squeezed even tighter.

All because a narrow stretch of water thousands of miles away turns into a battleground.

Now you’d think after all these years the humans might have figured out a better system. Maybe one that didn’t rely quite so heavily on burning ancient dinosaur juice from the desert.

But no.

Despite all the talk about green energy, solar panels and wind farms, the world is still glued to oil and gas like a seagull to a discarded kebab.

And the Gulf still sits right in the middle of it all.

Which means every time the bombs start dropping out there, the rest of the world starts flapping.

Even here in Pembrokeshire.

So next time you’re filling up the car and wondering why the price has shot up again, just remember: somewhere far away there’s a tanker stuck, a drone buzzing, and a very nervous energy market squawking louder than a flock of seagulls over a chip shop.

Anyway, that’s enough global geopolitics for one morning.

There’s a tourist on the pier opening a bag of chips.

And a professional has work to do.

Squawk.

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Join others across Wales by taking on 50 Miles to fundraise for the RSPCA

PETS CORNER

PUT a spring into your step this March and join others already across Wales taking on 50 miles to fundraise for the RSPCA and animals in urgent need.

It’s not too late to take part in the charity’s popular fundraising challenge ‘50 Miles In March’ returns this month for its fourth year - giving participants the freedom to take on the activeadventure in any way they like - allowing animal lovers an opportunity once again to raise vital funds for the RSPCA. Whether on foot, in water, on wheels or on horseback, to

name just a few - the challenge allows people to be as creative as they can to raise money for the RSPCA, and it can be done in one go - or in parts throughout the whole month of March.

Abi Mustard, from the RSPCA’s events team, said: “Animal lovers everywhere are invited to join us again for the 50 Miles in March fundraising challenge. Whatever your sport or fitness level, you can take part.

“Whatever your age, wherever you live, and however you prefer to get active this challenge is for you! It’s

completely free to take part and we have everything you need on our website to track your miles, record your donation pledges and let your family and friends know how they can support you.”

Gill Hillan from the RSPCA’s press team is taking part this March.

“I am really looking forward to taking on this challenge and I will be clocking up my 50 miles through running, cycling and through playing touch rugby,” said Gill, from Port Talbot.

“March is my favourite month - the daffs are coming out, the evenings are getting lighter - and I always feel like I have a spring in my step during this time of year, so I thought this challenge would be the perfect thing to do!

“Working for the RSPCA, I have seen firsthand every day just how many animals need our help and the impact that donations have on the charity’s work rescuing animals, so I just had to get involved and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

“Did you know that a wildlife centre looking after seals like Elvis (pictured) who was recently released back into the wild - can spend on average £1,400 a week on fish!”

Participants are invited to raise whatever they can through the challenge, and any funds - no matter how small - can go a long way to helping the animal welfare charity rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals

in desperate need of care.

The RSPCA needs vital funds as its officers continue to face challenges on the frontline, as abandonment reports being made to the charity have sadly reached a six-year high.

Abi added: “The RSPCA relies completely on generous donations from animal lovers to fund our work rescuing animals and investigating cruelty in England and Wales. We are so lucky to have amazing animal champions who help us by raising funds. Previously we’ve seen people smash the challenge in all sorts of ways - from simply adding another mile to their daily dog walk to more unusual means such as rollerskating, skiing, horseriding, and more.”

Participants can still sign up for the challenge on the RSPCA’s Website. Participants that raise more than £35 will receive an RSPCA beanie.

Participants are encouraged to join the official facebook group, use the hashtag #TeamAnimal and tag the RSPCA to connect with other fundraisers.

To donate to the RSPCA, and support everyone taking on the challenge visit the 50 miles Just Giving Page.

For more details and to sign up, visit the RSPCA’s website: https://www.rspca.org. uk/w/getinvolved/fundraise/ virtual/50milesinmarch

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New partnership launched to tackle Wales’ growing student support gap

significantly for Disabled Students Allowance-funded support through Student Finance Wales, particularly for students experiencing mental health conditions.

“Our role is to help ensure students in Wales receive the support they need and reduce the barriers they may face during their studies.”

Impact Student Partners is owned by Commercial Services Group, a councilowned organisation which returns its surplus profits to the public sector.

Students eligible for NonMedical Help include those with conditions such as dyslexia, diagnosed neurodivergence and traumatic brain injuries.

Support can include specialist tutoring, mentoring and learning assistance tailored to individual needs, including autism and neurodiversityinformed approaches.

One of the major obstacles facing students is a lack of awareness about the support available, both among students themselves and within universities.

Bentham-Wood said many

students currently rely on informal support networks because accessing official help can be difficult.

“We know that a large number of students depend on informal support services, partly because sourcing Non-Medical Help can be challenging,” he said.

“Our mission is to make sure everyone who could benefit from this assistance knows it exists and understands how straightforward it can be to access.”

He added that the organisation has developed a growing network of trained professionals across Wales and the wider UK and plans to expand further as demand increases.

“We believe everyone has enormous potential. Through our partnership approach we want to create opportunities that help students thrive.”

More information about Impact Student Partners is available at: h t t p s : / / commercialservicesgroup. com/ or by contacting charlie@ impactstudentpartners.com

EDUCATION

Impact Student Partners has launched a partnership-based approach designed to improve the delivery of Non-Medical Help (NMH) — the specialist human support provided to enable disabled students to access their studies.

The organisation will work with universities, support workers and students to provide a more personalised approach to matching support staff with those who need assistance.

The model also includes improved communication with students and job-seeking support for graduates.

Charlie Bentham-Wood, founder of Impact Student Partners, said the increase in disability declarations reflected growing demand for better support systems within universities.

“This steady rise in Wales, where a quarter of students now declare a disability, highlights the challenges many students face,” he said.

“Research shows students often encounter barriers when trying to access reasonable adjustments at university.

Demand has also increased

CLICK FOR MORE

A NEW public-sector backed organisation has been launched with the aim of improving access to vital support for disabled students in Wales.

The initiative comes as figures show that one in four students in Wales now declares a known disability, highlighting growing pressure on universities and support services.

Since 2020, the number of students in Wales reporting a disability has risen by 26 per cent, creating what campaigners describe as a widening accessibility gap within higher education.

The situation reflects a broader challenge across the UK. Research suggests nearly two thirds of students with disabilities have not benefited from adjustment support because the process of securing help can be difficult.

Meanwhile, 42 per cent of students with a declared disability say delays in accessing support have negatively affected their studies.

To address the problem,

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Tractor road run to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance A CHARITY tractor road run across the Llŷn Peninsula will take place later this spring, raising money for two important health causes in north Wales.

The Welsh National Tractor Road Run (WNTRR) 2026 is scheduled for Sunday (May 31), starting at 10:00am from Crugarn Farm in Llanbedrog, near Pwllheli.

Organised by the Llŷn and Eifionydd Tractor Enthusiasts, the popular event will bring together tractor owners from across Wales and beyond for a scenic drive through the countryside while supporting charity.

This year’s run will raise funds for two beneficiaries: the Wales Air Ambulance and the Alaw Cancer Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

Support for vital services

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FARMING

The Wales Air Ambulance provides lifesaving emergency treatment across Wales, often reaching patients in remote rural areas where rapid response is critical. Meanwhile, Alaw Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd supports cancer patients and their families across north Wales.

Organisers say the tractor run offers a chance for the farming

and rural community to come together while raising money for causes that make a real difference.

The event has become a highlight in the calendar for vintage tractor enthusiasts, with tractors of all makes and sizes expected to take part.

Entry details for participants Entries are open to tractor owners who wish to take part in the run. Entry costs £20 if submitted before the closing date of May 20. On-the-day entries will be accepted at £25.

Participants are asked to

ensure their tractors are fully insured and road legal, and that drivers hold the appropriate licence.

All tractors are welcome, although larger machines will be grouped together at the rear of the convoy. Transport boxes and trailers with safe seating will be permitted, but standing passengers or bales are not allowed.

Caterers will be present at the start point and again during the lunch break, with toilet facilities available.

Late entries may be accepted, although organisers say drivers submitting forms after the closing date might not receive a souvenir

or have their names included in the official programme.

How to enter Drivers wishing to take part can request an entry form or further details from the event secretary, Anne Bates, by emailing anne.trials@btinternet. com or calling 07721 910405.

Entry forms should be returned to Little Gigrin, Rhayader, Powys LD6 5NU. Organisers say the run promises a relaxed day out for tractor enthusiasts and supporters alike, while helping to raise funds for two vital Welsh healthcare charities.

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NFU Cymru hosts annual Poultry Conference

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Poultry keepers from across Wales gathered for the annual NFU Cymru Poultry Conference to hear from industry experts on the issues affecting the sector.

The event, sponsored by Wynnstay and hosted on the Royal Welsh Showground on Wednesday 4th March, explored current hot topics and trends effecting poultry meat and egg producers, as well as opportunities for the sector.

Given the continuous threat that avian influenza (AI) poses to farm businesses in Wales, NFU Cymru was pleased to again welcome Dr Richard Irvine, Wales’s Chief Veterinary Officer, to the conference. Dr Irvine provided attendees with an overview of the disease picture in the UK and around the World. He explained that despite the challenge of increasing wild bird transmission and record levels of wet weather, 2024/2025 saw fewer AI outbreaks than both 2021/22 and 2022/23. This, Dr Irvine said, is due to stringent hygiene and biosecurity practices being adopted by the sector, as well as co-ordination between government bodies and industry stakeholders, such as NFU Cymru. Dr Irvine also updated the audience on the salmonella national control programmes and the UK Government’s ongoing consultation

on colony cage reform proposals, which closes this Monday 9th March.

On the same theme, David Hodson from Rose Hill Poultry talked the group through the principles of optimal poultry performance focusing on effective vaccination. David set out that each decade has brought challenges to the sector, from Fowl pest in the 1970s to Bronchitis in the 2000s, but that each time farmers have successfully overcome them through collaboration and effective use of science and technology. He set out the key considerations for successful vaccine storage and administration on farm.

NFU Chief Poultry Adviser Aimee Mahony gave an overview of the key priorities and current policy work areas for the Union. This included animal health, supply chain fairness and increasing skills and labour in the sector. Members were reminded of the resources available to them through the Union including the Avian Influenza – What you need to know booklet that provides a simple and easily readable summary of the disease and government control measures.

To end the conference, NFU Cymru Poultry Board Vice Chair Elaine ReesJones chaired a panel session with NFU Cymru Poultry Board Chair Victoria Shervington-Jones; CVO Wales Dr Richard Irvine; Michelle Davies of Maelor Foods; and local broiler producer Tom Harris. Members of the conference were invited to ask questions to the panel as part of a wide-ranging discussion covering issues currently affecting the poultry sector. These included AI, problems in the planning system and the importance of producing and supplying high quality Welsh and British chicken to consumers.

NFU Cymru Deputy President Paul Williams closed this year’s poultry conference by celebrating the achievements of the sector despite the variety of challenges many continue to face.

NFU Cymru Poultry Board Chair Victoria Shervington-Jones said: “It was great to see such a good turnout at the conference to hear from some fantastic, informative speakers and some good and challenging discussions. It was very encouraging to see so many young farmers attending the conference and getting involved, there is no doubt the future of our industry is in safe hands.”

FARMING 51

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Family farms must benefit from new EU trade talks, says MP

A PEMBROKESHIRE MP has said local farmers must be “at the heart” of upcoming UK–EU negotiations aimed at reducing trade barriers on agricultural products.

Henry Tufnell raised the issue with ministers this week, stressing that family farms play a crucial role in the county’s rural economy, culture, and food production.

Speaking about the negotiations, the Labour MP said new arrangements between the UK and the European Union could present a significant opportunity for Welsh agriculture if handled correctly.

Family farms central to talks Mr Tufnell said he had asked the UK Government to confirm that the interests of farmers in counties like Pembrokeshire would be fully represented as discussions move forward.

“Family farms are the backbone of Pembrokeshire’s rural economy, culture, and food production,” he said.

“The UK’s upcoming negotiations with the EU will reduce trade barriers on agricultural products, presenting a significant opportunity for our local economy.”

He added that ensuring

Welsh farmers benefit from improved market access must remain a priority.

“This week I asked the Minister to confirm that Pembrokeshire farmers are at the heart of these negotiations,” he said.

“I will keep working with both the UK and Welsh Labour Governments to ensure that Pembrokeshire farmers get the maximum benefit from our new relationship with the EU.” Trade opportunities and concerns Agriculture remains one of the sectors most affected by changes in the UK’s trading relationship with the EU following Brexit.

The European Union was historically the largest export market for British agricultural products, including Welsh lamb and beef, both of which are key industries in Pembrokeshire and across rural Wales.

Reducing regulatory barriers or simplifying export processes could make it easier for farmers to sell produce into European markets.

However, some farming organisations have previously raised concerns that future agreements could also lead to increased competition from imported food products if safeguards are not in place.

The National Farmers’ Union has repeatedly called for any new trade arrangements to protect high standards in animal welfare, environmental protection, and food safety.

Importance to Pembrokeshire economy Farming remains a major part of Pembrokeshire’s economy, with family-run farms producing livestock, dairy, and arable crops across the county.

Many rural communities depend directly or indirectly on the agricultural sector through supply chains, food processing, tourism, and local employment.

Mr Tufnell’s comments come at a time when farmers are also facing rising costs for fuel, fertiliser, and feed, alongside ongoing uncertainty about agricultural support payments following the UK’s departure from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.

The MP said he intends to continue raising the issue in Westminster to ensure rural communities in West Wales benefit from any new trading opportunities.

“The priority must be making sure that farmers in Pembrokeshire are supported and able to thrive in the years ahead,” he said.

Lambing season marks one of the busiest periods of the year for farmers, and this the work will no doubt be made even more challenging by the persistent wet weather. There is, however, some positive news arriving this March, with a stricter law on dog attacks on livestock coming into force on 18th March, offering stronger protections for farmers and their livestock.

Livestock worrying continues to have a devastating financial and emotional impact on farming families across Wales. Research by the FUW found that in 2024, North Wales Police received over 80 reports of livestock attacks across the force area, while in 2025 Dyfed-Powys Police recorded around 60 incidents. The damage caused by such attacks often extends far beyond fatalities or severe injuries, with the stress inflicted on flocks leading to miscarriages in ewes, while lambs may become separated from their mothers.

For many years, the FUW has campaigned for stronger legislation to address this issue.

We subsequently welcomed the passage of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025, which introduces a series of important reforms aimed at giving the police and the courts the powers they need to tackle livestock worrying more effectively.

One of the most significant changes is the removal of the previous £1,000 cap on fines for livestock worrying, allowing courts to impose unlimited financial penalties in serious

cases. The Act also grants police enhanced powers, including the ability to seize and detain dogs suspected of attacking livestock.

Officers are now able to obtain warrants to enter the homes of suspected owners in order to secure evidence that may support a prosecution.

The legislation also modernises the definitions of livestock and what constitutes an attack, bringing the law in line with contemporary farming practices. Animals such as llamas and alpacas will now receive the same legal protections as traditional livestock, while the offence has been broadened to include livestock worrying and incidents involving animals being moved along tracks and highways.

While this new legislation is a step forward, it remains vital that dog owners play their part by exercising responsible ownership.

Most livestock worrying incidents are entirely preventable, and simple steps such as keeping dogs on a lead near livestock and being mindful when walking through farmland can make a significant difference.

Stronger laws will help authorities take action when attacks occur, but prevention through responsible behaviour remains the most effective way to protect both livestock and dogs.

52

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Lotus Unveils Breakthrough Hybrid EV Technology Called X Hybrid.

MOTORS

Lotus today announces a landmark moment in its electrification strategy: the introduction of Europe’s first and only hybrid technology capable of delivering 952 PS, paired with a combined driving range exceeding 1,200 km and up to 350 km of pure electric range. This breakthrough platform— called X Hybrid—will make its European debut in the upcoming Lotus ELETRE X, expanding the Eletre family and setting a new benchmark for electric‑first performance mobility.

The X Hybrid system made its global debut in China within the local‑market SUV known as Lotus FOR ME, which serves as the reference prototype for the technology. All technical data referenced in this release relates exclusively to the FOR ME model. European specifications for ELETRE X will be published at a later date closer to the official European launch in June 2026. Delivery expected in Q4 2026. UK customer delivery expected shortly afterwards.

The Meaning of ‘ELETRE X’ signifies the convergence of electric performance, hybrid versatility and Lotus engineering purity. The letter X signals breakthrough innovation and the next chapter for the brand.

A New Electrified Philosophy: Electric‑First, Hybrid‑Empowered The Lotus X Hybrid platform has been engineered to deliver the immediacy and refinement of an EV with the long‑distance capability of a hybrid drivetrain.

It seamlessly switches among pure EV, series hybrid, and parallel hybrid operation to ensure optimum performance, efficiency and real‑world range.

Mr. Qingfeng Feng, Chief Executive Officer of Lotus Tech, commented “With For Me, we are proving that advanced technology must serve the drivers, not replace them — delivering constant performance, total control, and real safety in every condition, so that consumers can enjoy the emotion of driving and the confidence of protecting what matters most. “Quoting the famous Pirelli campaign: ‘Power is nothing without control”. That is why our electricfirst hybrid pairs supercar figures — up to 952 PS and 0–100 km/h in 3.3 seconds — with a 900V architecture, ~9 minutes 20– 80% fast charging and a 150

kW generator, enabling ~400 km (*) of pure electric freedom and over 1,400 km(*) combined range. The result is effortless performance without range anxiety, every journey, every day.”

X Hybrid is founded on four core pillars: Next Technology, Extra Power, Extreme Charging, Extended Range. ELETRE X will embody the same purpose for European customers: electric for daily use, hybrid for limitless distance, performance everywhere.

(Global technology; figures refer to Lotus FOR ME — China) 1) NEXT TECHNOLOGY The Industry’s Most Powerful Hybrid Generator: 150 kW for Continuous High Performance At the core of the X Hybrid system is an exceptionally strong 150 kW generator, capable of producing up to ~25 kWh per hour in suitable conditions. It can replenish the battery on the move, sustain charge during cruising and support sudden power demands—helping keep performance consistent on long journeys.

Additional Next‑Technology

Highlights: Multi‑mode, electric‑first powertrain with six operating scenarios adapting to speed, SOC and driver demand (BEV AWD; Parallel AWD; Idle Charging; Series Discharging; Series Power Generation; Parallel Power Generation).

System intelligently shifts between pure EV, series hybrid (range extender), and parallel hybrid (hybrid) modes to ensure optimal efficiency, responsiveness and real-world usability in every scenario.

900V high‑voltage architecture enabling extreme charge/discharge capability and high‑speed performance.

Advanced thermal management engineered to preserve stable performance in temperature extremes.

2) EXTRA POWER Unmatched Dual‑Motor Power: The Industry’s Largest 952 PS PMSM System The reference platform features front and rear PMSM motors for a combined system output up to 700 kW / 952 PS and 935 Nm, enabling 0–100 km/h in 3.3 seconds.

Even around 20% battery SOC, the system can deliver up to ~550 kW—supporting demanding scenarios such as mountain‑pass overtakes.

3) EXTREME CHARGING The platform supports ultra‑fast DC charging from 20% to 80% in approximately 9 minutes thanks to the 900V / 6C architecture, complemented by four levels of regenerative braking to recoup energy in everyday driving. (Actual charging times depend on charger capability, temperature and initial SOC.) 4) EXTENDED RANGE Working together, battery and fuel unlock a combined driving range well above 1,200 km. The EV‑only range is up to ~350 km, allowing most daily journeys to be completed in full‑electric mode. The system is underpinned by a 70 kWh battery and a 52 L fuel tank.

5) Handling & Chassis: True Lotus Dynamics Technology showcased in FOR ME demonstrates the platform’s ability to deliver unmistakable Lotus handling:

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VOLKSWAGEN POLO - 2010

FORD FOCUS - 2019

FORD FOCUS - 2012

BMW 3 SERIES - 2013

CITROEN BERLINGO - 2018

1.2 S Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (60 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED.......98,199 MILES.......SERVICE HISTORY 6 STAMPS..........2 KEYS........£160 ROAD TAX..........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 4..........51 MPG...

1.5 EcoBlue Titanium Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps) ** DIESEL..........ESTATE.........6 SPEED.........78,903 MILES...........£195 ROAD TAX......... 61 MPG.........2 KEYS....

1.6 Edge Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (105 ps) ** PETROL........5 SPEED......... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER.........

LOOK YES ONLY COVERED 21,262 MILES FROM NEW !! .........,.,2 KEYS...

2.0 320d Luxury Touring 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (184 ps) ** ESTATE..........DIESEL.........6 SPEED.........

LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 72,228 MILES.......... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER...........2 KEYS........£165 ROAD TAX...........58 MPG...

1.2 PureTech Flair Multispace MPV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (110 ps) ** PETROL......5 SPEED......... 94,967 MILES........SERVICE HISTORY 8 STAMPS.......1 PREVIOUS OWNER........ £195 ROAD TAX

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MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS - 2014

VAUXHALL VIVARO - 2019

KIA SOUL - 2018

SUZUKI SX4 S-CROSS - 2016

FORD B-MAX - 2014

2.1 E220 CDI AMG Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel G-Tronic+ Euro 5 (s/s) (170 ps) ** DIESEL........7 SPEED AUTOMATIC........ 1 PREVIOUS OWNER...........

LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 97,234 MILES...

1.6 L1H1 2700 CDTI 120 BHP ** DIESEL......6 SPEED.......1 OWNER FROM NEW......YES ONLY 76,682 MILES........

FULL DOCUMENTED SERVICE HISTORY........2 KEYS........PLUS V.A.T ........

SIDE LOADING DOOR.

1.6 GDi 2 SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (130 bhp) ** PETROL......6 SPEED........

1 OWNER FROM NEW.........96,011 MILES.........2 KEYS.......£195 ROAD TAX.........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 11.........2 EDITION...

1.6 SZ-T SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (120 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED....... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER........2 KEYS.........£165 ROAD TAX.......INSURANCE GROUP 13..........51 MPG..........SCROSS EDITION..

1.4 Zetec MPV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (90 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED.........1 PREVIOUS OWNER.........92,834 MILES...........SERVICE HISTORY 8 STAMPS........£195 ROAD TAX...

VOLKSWAGEN UP! - 2014

RENAULT MEGANE - 2018

VOLKSWAGEN POLO - 2013

VAUXHALL ADAM - 2017

AUDI Q3 - 2014

1.0 High up! Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (75 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED.......LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 60,320 MILES.........SERVICE HISTORY 5 STAMPS........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 2..........£20 ROAD TAX..

1.2 TCe Dynamique S Nav Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 ps) ** PETROL.........6 SPEED........ 1 PREVIOUS OWNER......... FULL SERVICE HISTORY 9 STAMPS......... 2 KEYS...........

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1.2 TSI R-Line Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (105 ps) ** PETROL.......6 SPEED........LOW MILEAGE ONLY 88,719 MILES........53 MPG...........£165 ROAD TAX..........2 KEYS...........R-LINE EDITION....

1.4i SLAM Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (100 ps) ** PETROL.......5 SPEED.........LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 69,098 MILES..........SERVICE HISTORY 4 STAMPS............2 KEYS........£195 ROAD TAX..

1.4 TFSI SE SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) ** PETROL.........6 SPEED........1 OWNER FROM NEW.........

LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 90,773 MILES...

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HYUNDAI IX20 - 2016

SEAT ALHAMBRA - 2013

KIA SPORTAGE - 2017

MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS - 2015

MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS - 2014

1.4 Blue Drive SE Hatchback 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (90 ps) ** PETROL.....5 SPEED........YES ONLY COVERED 39,026 MILES........ 1 PREVIOUS OWNER.........£160 ROAD TAX.........2 KEYS......LOW INSURANCE GROUP 9...

1.2 Pop Hatchback 3dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (69 bhp) ** PETROL.......1 OWNER FROM NEW........93,517 MILES...........LOVELY SERVICE HISTORY 9 STAMPS.......£35 ROAD TAX..........LOW INSURANCE GROUP 5

1.6 GDi 1 SUV 5dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (130 bhp) ** PETROL........6 SPEED....... 1 PREVIOUS OWNER........

LOW MILEAGE ONLY COVERED 80,373 MILES..........2 KEYS.....

2.1 C220d SE Saloon 4dr Diesel 7G-Tronic+ Euro 6 (s/s) (170 ps) ** DIESEL........7 SPEED AUTOMATIC........£20 ROAD TAX........... 65 MPG.........SE EDITION..........MEDIA SCREEN.........SATNAV..

2.1 E220 CDI AMG Sport Saloon 4dr Diesel G-Tronic+ Euro 5 (s/s) (170 ps) ** DIESEL........7 SPEED AUTOMATIC........ 1 PREVIOUS OWNER...........

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The control centre of performance

The interior of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé Mercedes‑AMG unveils the interior of the upcoming Mercedes‑AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, thereby underscoring its ambition to make performance not just measurable, but truly experienceable. Even before the sports car moves, the interior communicates its core purpose: a quintessential AMG driving experience, brimming with driving pleasure and precise control. The interior is an in-house development from Affalterbach, aiming to create the most direct possible interaction between human and machine.

“In the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, we have consistently focused every interior detail on performance and implemented it with the highest precision. Even when stationary, the interior already showcases what the future GT 4-Door is capable of, making the vehicle’s driving dynamics immediately tangible.

It creates maximum control and enables a typical AMG driving experience that gets the pulse racing.”

Michael Schiebe, Member of the Board of Management of MercedesBenz Group AG, Production, Quality and Supply Chain Management, and Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH Sports-car genes meet GranTurismo attributes: The best of both worlds The interior of the AMG GT 4‑Door Coupé is consistently focused on the driving experience. The low seating position, typical of a sports car and perfectly integrated into the overall vehicle, immediately conveys a focused, emotional driving sensation, familiar from models like the twodoor Mercedes‑AMG GT. The entire operating philosophy is designed for intuitive control of all driving-relevant functions. This ensures that the focus remains where it belongs: on the driving experience.

AMG RACE ENGINEER delivers driving dynamics at the highest level A key highlight of the interior design is in the centre console: three driving dynamics rotary controls allow the response, slip and cornering behaviour to be adjusted in an instant. They bring together key parameters of the vehicle’s character and give experienced drivers the highest level of vehicle control and driving pleasure: The “Response Control” dial coordinates the response of the electric motors to accelerator pedal commands.

The “Agility Control” rotary control changes the agility around the vertical

axis and thus the cornering behaviour.

The “Traction Control” rotary control – used to control slip – influences the intervention of the traction control in nine stages.

Behind this lies a precisely coordinated system of hardware components and software functions grouped under the name AMG RACE ENGINEER. Via the three rotary controls – known as the AMG RACE ENGINEER Control Unit – the system provides direct access to the vehicle’s central nervous system. This enables a previously unattained level of driving dynamics that can be precisely tailored to driving style and driving situation.

The three rotary controls are oriented towards the driver and ensure intuitive operation with tactile feedback. Their design echoes the striking chain-link look of the air outlets.

The cockpit: Command centre for performance enthusiasts The high-performance DNA of the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupé is reflected in the driver-oriented cockpit, which immediately invites you to drive off.

The instrument panel is dominated by a wide display, which is divided into a driver-oriented area and a slightly offset passenger area. The razor-sharp driver displays, consisting of an instrument cluster (10.2″) and a multimedia monitor (14.0″), combine to form a seamless

single unit.

The 14-inch multimedia monitor is ergonomically angled towards the driver, enabling optimum readability and intuitive operation. In addition, an exclusive passenger display (14.0″) with separate content is available. This allows the front passenger to immerse themselves in the sporty digital experience.

Large round air vents in a striking chain-link design blend harmoniously into the glass surface on the left and right. As part of the ambient lighting system, they shine in freely selectable colours in a night design. Galvanised air vents combine a solid metal look with a sophisticated high-tech aesthetic, creating a skilful connection between digital and analogue worlds.

The uniquely designed centre console combines aesthetics and functionality. It echoes the driveroriented angle of the central display and includes an armrest with a closed storage compartment and two charging trays for inductive fast charging of smartphones.

For intuitive usability, two illuminated cup holders are cleverly separated from the charging trays. The front part of the centre console is characterised by a winglet in a real metal look that rises three-dimensionally and encompasses the housing for the central air vent unit. With its simple nozzle design, this

creates an exciting contrast to the two dominant outer vents on the instrument panel.

The front seats offer sportiness with pronounced lateral support With their sporty, expressive design, the newly developed front seats offer high lateral support during dynamic cornering. The optional AMG Performance seats with integrated head restraints are even sportier. With their striking seatbacks, both seat variants emphasise the lightness typical of motorsport. Two backrest openings with galvanised inserts convey maximum sportiness in the performance seat and highlight its lightweight construction.

Numerous independent equipment concepts with exclusive, carefully selected colour combinations and trim elements offer a high degree of customisation options and thus meet even the highest demands of customers.

The large selection of different seat covers reflects the entire spectrum – from performance-focused to comfortoriented.

The Mercedes‑AMG GT 4‑Door Coupé continues the tradition of customisation options with the exclusive MANUFAKTUR programme.

The programme offers customers a unique world of colours, materials and handcrafted surfaces

58

BUSINESS

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Caulmert director of planning wary of Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 change

BUSINESS

A CONSULTANCY’S director of planning believes the “devil is in the detail” when it comes to the impact of the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024 and its new Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) regime.

Steve Ottewell, who joined Caulmert late last year, says that while the ambition behind the reforms is clear, practical challenges could shape how successful the new process proves.

Replacing Developments of National Significance and other consenting routes, the streamlined system is designed to speed up planning decisions and make Wales more attractive to investors.

SIPs will cover major schemes in energy, transport, water, and waste, requiring a single infrastructure consent that consolidates multiple authorisations for large-scale developments on land and offshore.

Projects must meet defined thresholds to qualify – for example, 35-50MW for solar and wind schemes, or 10-million cubic metres capacity for new or altered dams/reservoirs.

The intention is to create a modernised one-stop shop, similar to the Development Consent Order (DCO) process introduced in England under the Planning Act 2008.

However, Steve remains cautious, saying: “Advisors and

clients alike must tread carefully.

There is nothing wrong with the ambition of the new regime, but it does raise some questions and concerns.

“It is only when fresh methods are operational do we know the impact they will have. Does the bottleneck that is currently in one area of the procedure now just move to another step, for example.”

Welsh ministers will also have discretion to bring projects that fall below the thresholds into the SIP regime.

Steve continued: “On paper, this flexibility is welcome because it enables schemes that are strategically important, but not technically captured by the definitions, to benefit from the streamlined process.

“There is, however, ambiguity around the criteria ministers will apply when exercising this. Is it purely a matter or scale, or will policy alignment and political priorities weigh more heavily?

“This lack of clarity means developers face uncertainty at the very first step regarding whether to prepare for a SIP application or proceed through local planning.

“Misjudging this route could waste months of preparation and expose projects to challenge.”

Applications will be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which will examine cases on behalf of Welsh ministers. Inspectors will review evidence from all stakeholders, with ministers making the final decision in most instances.

Steve said: “If a significant volume of projects are classed as SIPs, either because thresholds are broad or because ministers exercise their discretion liberally, the burden will fall squarely on these bodies.

“PEDW already manages a heavy caseload of appeals and inquiries, and the SIP regime adds a layer of complexity and intensity.

“Examinations under the act will demand specialist expertise, rigorous environmental assessment, and careful handling of compulsory acquisition powers.”

Despite the challenges, Steve views the act as a bold step towards modernising infrastructure planning in Wales.

Key to this is making the right choice at the outset regarding whether to pursue the SIPs route, seek optional designation, or remaining within local planning.

He explained: “Advisors can provide clarity here, mapping project characteristics against statutory thresholds and ministerial guidance, and framing proposals to resonate with Wales’ sustainability agenda.

“Working together, clients and advisors can ensure that the country’s new regime delivers not just on efficiency, but on its promise of sustainable growth and investment confidence.

“The team at Caulmert can help with any questions or queries you might have.”

Founded in 2008, Caulmert is on track to meet an ambitious growth and development plan.

Its expertise in a variety of engineering, environmental, planning, and project management disciplines is supported by its use of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to ISO 19650 standard on many of its projects.

For more information visit www.caulmert.com

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Former much-loved Siop Clare, Crymych, to become housing A CALL to convert a financially unviable disused former antiques shop on the edge of Crymych to residential accommodation has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Clare Griffiths, through agent Josh Macrae, sought a change of use of a disused shop with ancillary accommodation above, at Ty Ebrill, Clares Shop, on the edge of the village, to an ancillary accommodation unit.

A supporting statement said: “Siop Clare is a mixed-use building in the curtilage of the main dwelling on the site, Ty Ebril, it comprises a small flat above a disused shop below.

The flat, constructed in 2007, is

Bruce Sinclair

Local Democracy Reporter

comprised of a single modestly sized living space and bedroom area, with a bathroom; the flat is accessed by a set of stairs to the rear of the building.

Since its construction the flat has been used as ancillary accommodation for family members of the owners of Ty Ebrill.

“The disused retail premises below is comprised of an open plan shop area with a conservatory attached, the conservatory was previously used as a flower preparation area.

“The shop was in use for a number of decades; it was operated by the current owner

since 2003 and was previously an antiques shop, but has been disused since it was closed 2019 as it was no longer financially viable and the owner had changed career. Due to the shop being located within the curtilage of the main dwelling it has not considered suitable for the shop to be leased to another party.”

It added: “The change of use will require a minimal amount of work to covert the disused shop and modestly sized flat into a small dwelling.

The dwelling would be suitable for single occupancy, a small household, or as continued ancillary accommodation for the main dwelling, this would create the opportunity for multigenerational living on the site

should the owner sell Ty Ebrill.

“As there is a high demand for housing in the Pembrokeshire area it is felt that the proposal would be suitable and would allow the building to become a viable dwelling, creating a potentially low-cost home in the area.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

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New noodle bar opens in Haverfordwest town centre

A NEW takeaway offering Asianinspired noodle and rice dishes has opened in Haverfordwest town centre today (Monday, Mar 9).

Stix Noodle Bar has opened its doors at 1a Quay Street, promising fast, fresh meals packed with flavour for customers looking for something

different in the town’s growing food scene.

The new business specialises in takeaway boxes filled with rice or noodles, topped with chicken and other ingredients, alongside a range of sauces and sides. The concept focuses on quick, freshly prepared meals designed to be both convenient and full of flavour.

Owner Shaun said he hopes the new venture will become a popular choice for people in Haverfordwest looking for a quick and satisfying meal.

“We’re really excited to be opening in Haverfordwest,” he said. “Stix is all about fresh ingredients, bold flavours

and giving people something a little different to enjoy.

“We believe it’s going to be a great addition to the town and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers through the door.”

The takeaway officially opened at 12:00pm on Monday, with the team inviting local residents to stop by and try the menu.

Stix Noodle Bar says it aims to support the local community while bringing a new style of fast-casual dining to the area.

The business is located at 1a Quay Street, Haverfordwest, and customers can visit from midday today as the new venture begins trading.

First-class stamp price to rise to £1.80 despite Royal Mail delivery concerns

THE PRICE of a first-class stamp will rise to £1.80 from next month, as Royal Mail pushes ahead with another increase despite ongoing criticism of the postal service’s reliability.

From April 7, the cost of sending a firstclass letter will increase by 10p, while the price of a second-class stamp will rise by 4p to 91p.

The latest rise means the cost of a firstclass stamp has more than doubled in six years, increasing by 137% since 2020, following eight separate price hikes.

Second-class stamps have also risen sharply, with six increases during the same period.

Delivery targets repeatedly missed The announcement comes as Royal Mail continues to face criticism for failing to meet its delivery performance targets.

Consumer group Citizens Advice said the price rise was difficult to justify while service standards remain poor.

Anne Pardoe, head of policy at Citizens Advice said: “More than half a decade has gone by since Royal Mail last

met its delivery targets. For many people, sending important letters has become a gamble.

“People can’t be certain if essential documents, including medical appointments, will arrive on time.”

She warned that proposed changes to delivery schedules could worsen the situation.

“Higher prices must come with higher standards,” she said. “Ofcom should not simply approve these increases while service levels continue to fall.”

MPs raise concerns over postal delays Royal Mail has also been summoned to appear before MPs after complaints about postal delays and reports that letters are sometimes delivered in batches rather than daily.

The last time the company met its annual first-class delivery target was in 2019–20.

Royal Mail cites rising costs Royal Mail says the increases are necessary due to falling letter volumes and rising delivery costs.

Richard Travers, managing director of letters at Royal Mail said: “We carefully consider price changes to balance affordability with the rising cost of delivering mail.

“People are sending far fewer letters

than they used to — around 70% fewer than twenty years ago — while the number of addresses we deliver to has increased by four million, bringing the total to 32 million across the UK.” He added that the average UK adult now spends around £6.50 a year on stamps.

Changes to second-class service Royal Mail is also pressing ahead with wider reforms to the postal service.

Last year, regulator Ofcom approved plans allowing the company to remove Saturday deliveries for second-class letters, replacing them with deliveries every other weekday.

The changes are currently being tested in 35 delivery offices across the UK. Talks between Royal Mail and the Communications Workers Union (CWU) about how the reforms should be rolled out ended without agreement earlier this week, though negotiations have been extended.

Royal Mail says changes to the universal service are needed to ensure the long-term future of the postal system.

Despite the price rises, the company argues that UK stamp prices remain below the European average, which it says is around £1.93 for first class and £1.56 for second class.

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Women’s health services ‘expanding’ across mid and west Wales

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HEALTH

WOMEN across mid and west Wales could see improved access to specialist healthcare as Hywel Dda University Health Board develops new communitybased services, including a pilot women’s health hub and advanced gynaecological diagnostic clinics.

The developments come as healthcare leaders highlight ongoing concerns about inequalities in women’s health outcomes.

Dana Scott, Director of Midwifery and Professional Governance for Women and Children at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said International Women’s Day on Sunday (March 8) provided an opportunity to reflect on the issue.

“Across the world, women live longer than men, yet they often spend more years in poor health,” she said.

“Many conditions affecting women remain underdiagnosed, under-researched and under-treated.“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognise that improving women’s health is not only important for individuals, but for families and communities as a whole.”

Pilot hub launched in Aberystwyth The health board has launched a pilot Women’s Health Hub at Padarn Surgery in Aberystwyth as part of the Welsh Government’s Women’s Health Plan for Wales, which aims to bring services such as menopause support, menstrual health and contraception closer to where people live.

The clinic is led by GPs and nurses and also offers physiotherapy alongside specialist bladder and bowel

support.

Dana Scott said the health board hopes to expand the model.

“The pilot at Padarn Surgery is working well and we are looking forward to developing seven women’s health hubs based around GP clusters across the Hywel Dda area,” she said.

“These hubs bring together practical support and specialist knowledge, helping women access care more easily in the communities where they live.

“This approach allows us to deliver care that is faster, more holistic and more responsive to women’s needs across different stages of life.”

Advanced diagnostics closer to home Alongside the new hubs, the health board is also expanding access to advanced gynaecological diagnostics in community settings.

At the Cardigan Integrated Care Centre and in Aberystwyth, Consultant Gynaecologist Mr Alan Treharne and his team are using advanced ultrasound technology to diagnose conditions earlier and more accurately.

The equipment, which is more commonly found in hospital radiology departments, allows detailed assessments to be carried out closer to home for women living in rural areas.

The project is being supported by the Bevan Commission and is exploring new models for delivering gynaecology services.

Mr Treharne said the aim is to reduce the need for invasive procedures and hospital referrals.

“What we are trying to do is incorporate more advanced techniques into routine care so we can reduce the number of women needing invasive

procedures or referral into secondary care,” he said.

“It also means our diagnostic reports are more accurate, helping us to reduce under-diagnosis but also overdiagnosis.

“Many gynaecological conditions can be managed effectively when diagnosed early. By using advanced ultrasound we can often provide answers more quickly and offer treatments that significantly improve women’s quality of life.”

Patient shares experience One patient who benefited from the service is Kirsten Thompson from Aberystwyth, who said the care helped resolve years of unexplained pain.

“Since I was about 12 I’d had chronic pain and discomfort and had often been told there was nothing wrong,” she said.

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Coal mine closures linked to 53% higher ‘deaths of despair’, study finds A NEW academic study has found that communities with a history of coal mining experience dramatically higher rates of deaths linked to suicide, alcohol misuse and drug poisoning.

Researchers from Bangor University analysed mortality data from across England and Wales and found that so-called “deaths of despair” are 53% higher in areas with a coal mining past compared with places without a mining history.

The study, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, examined patterns of mortality between 2015 and 2023 and is believed to be the first research of its kind to investigate the long-term health impact of coal mining’s decline.

Long shadow of industrial decline The term “deaths of despair” refers to deaths caused by suicide, alcoholrelated disease and drug poisoning. It was originally coined by researchers in the United States to describe rising mortality among working-class communities experiencing economic decline.

The Bangor study suggests similar patterns are visible in Britain, particularly in areas where coal mining once dominated local economies.

Researchers say the data points to the lasting impact of industrial collapse, economic instability and deep-rooted health inequalities that continue decades after pits closed.

Lead author Eurwen Williams, who

conducted the research while training as a clinical psychologist at Bangor University, said the findings reflect the lived reality of many communities.

“As a clinical psychologist, reflecting on our research into deaths of despair in former coal mining communities, I am struck by how clearly the data echoes the lived realities of growing up and practising in North Wales,” she said.

“Behind every data point is a life lost and the story of a community living with the consequences of industrial decline, economic instability, and longstanding health inequalities.

“Distress does not arise in a vacuum; it is profoundly shaped by social and structural change.”

Warning for the future Co-author Dr Christopher Saville said the findings highlight how persistent health inequalities can become once industrial communities lose their economic base.

“It is sad to see just how persistent these health inequalities are,” he said.

“At a time when we are talking about AI causing a new wave of deindustrialisation, it is vital that we learn the lessons from the last time around and avoid some of the mistakes that were made.”

Lessons from the coalfields

Coal mining shaped large parts of Wales for generations, particularly the South Wales Valleys where entire towns grew around pits.

However, the industry’s rapid decline during the late twentieth century, culminating in widespread pit closures in the 1980s and 1990s, left many communities facing unemployment, economic hardship and social upheaval.

Researchers say the study demonstrates how those changes may still be affecting public health decades later.

While the coal industry itself has largely disappeared, its social legacy remains deeply embedded in many former mining areas.

The researchers say their findings underline the importance of tackling structural inequality alongside individual health support.

Communities still paying the price The study concludes that the health consequences of industrial decline can persist across generations if communities are not supported through economic transition.

Researchers say the findings should inform future policy decisions, particularly as new technological changes threaten to reshape labour markets once again.

The authors warn that without careful planning and investment, new waves of economic disruption could produce similar long-term consequences for communities across the UK.

Plaid Cymru pledges to make Bronglais a hospital of rural excellence PLAID CYMRU has pledged to develop Bronglais Hospital into a “Hospital of Rural Excellence”, arguing that healthcare in mid Wales must be designed specifically for rural communities rather than based on models developed for major cities.

The commitment was made by Ceredigion MS Elin Jones, who is also Plaid Cymru’s lead Senedd candidate for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, alongside the party’s Shadow Health Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor.

The pledge comes as concerns continue about the future of services at the Aberystwyth hospital, including proposals which could see the stroke unit downgraded.

Ms Jones said Bronglais has faced repeated threats of service reductions over the years and called for renewed focus on recommendations made in the 2014 Mid Wales Healthcare Study, led by Professor Marcus Longley and commissioned by the Welsh Government.

The study was carried out following earlier proposals to centralise emergency surgery and obstetric services away from the hospital.

Ms Jones said: “We know that Bronglais is a small hospital and the

numbers coming through its doors are not the same as in large city hospitals.

Models of service delivery designed for large population centres are not always appropriate for smaller rural hospitals.

“However, being smaller does not mean a hospital cannot be modern, innovative or cutting-edge. In fact, rural hospitals often need to be even more innovative, particularly in the use of telemedicine and new ways of delivering care.

“There was real momentum following the Marcus Longley review to design bespoke rural health services for mid Wales, and progress was made for a time.

Unfortunately that momentum appears to have been lost during the covid period.

“It is now time to revisit those ambitions and work across health board boundaries to develop Bronglais as a hospital of rural excellence.”

Plaid Cymru says the hospital’s catchment area stretches across a vast geographical region, serving communities in Ceredigion as well as large parts of Powys and Gwynedd.

Mr ap Gwynfor said rural healthcare systems in other parts of the world could offer useful lessons.

“Bronglais serves a very large

geographic area covering much of Gwynedd, Powys and Ceredigion,” he said.

“With the right political direction from the next Welsh Government, we have an opportunity to plan services in Bronglais in a way that genuinely meets the needs of rural Wales.

“Countries such as Canada and Australia have developed successful models of rural health excellence. By

learning from best practice internationally, working across health board boundaries, and collaborating with professional bodies such as the Royal Colleges, we can build a service that excels in telemedicine and has a workforce plan suited to rural areas.”

Plaid Cymru says it believes Bronglais could become a national centre for innovation in rural healthcare if the right long-term strategy and investment are put in place.

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£50m defence deal launches new Welsh industry cluster

POLITICS

A NEW industry group designed to strengthen Wales’s growing defence and security sector has been launched today (Mar 9), bringing together businesses, universities and colleges from across the country.

The Wales Regional Defence and Security Cluster aims to help Welsh organisations access opportunities within the expanding UK defence industry, while developing new technologies and supporting high-skilled jobs.

Wales already has a significant defence and aerospace presence, employing around 16,000 people. The sector generates turnover of approximately £3.7 billion and contributes about £1.5 billion in gross value added to the Welsh economy.

The launch follows the signing of the Wales Defence Growth Deal Memorandum of Understanding, which allocates £50 million to Wales as part of a £250 million UK-wide investment in regional defence growth.

With UK defence spending expected to rise to 2.6% of GDP by 2027–28 — and potentially reach 5% of GDP on national security by 2035 — ministers say the new cluster will help ensure Welsh companies benefit from the increased investment.

Industry leaders say the initiative will support businesses of all sizes, particularly smaller firms, by helping them access Ministry of Defence contracts, strengthen supply chains and expand their role within the

defence sector.

At present Wales receives around three percent of total MOD spending. The aim of the new cluster is to increase that share to at least five percent as defence spending rises nationally.

The cluster will be industry-led and chaired by representatives from Airbus Defence and Space and Thales, with support from the Welsh Government and the Ministry of Defence.

It will also link companies with Wales’s eight universities and further education colleges, which carry out research in areas including cyber security, opto-electronics and artificial intelligence.

The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Rebecca Evans said: “Wales is already home to eight of the world’s top ten global defence companies. As defence spending increases across the UK, this cluster will bring businesses, universities and government together to create good jobs, strong supply chains and lasting economic growth.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “In an increasingly uncertain world, Wales’s role in the defence of the United Kingdom is becoming ever more important.

“With the signing of the Defence Growth Deal and the establishment of the Defence

and Security Cluster we are ensuring that Wales is well placed to contribute to national security as well as economic growth.”

Defence Minister Luke Pollard MP added that the initiative would help Welsh businesses play a leading role in developing future defence technologies.

“Wales is central to the defence of the UK,” he said.

“This cluster will help Welsh businesses of all sizes lead the way in the technologies that will define our security for decades to come.

“By making defence an engine for growth, we are creating skilled opportunities while securing our future together.”

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Reform plan to scrap Welsh language target sparks criticism from campaigners

CAMPAIGNERS have warned that proposals by the Nigel Farage-led Reform UK to scrap Wales’ target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050 could place the language at risk.

The comments came during the launch of Reform’s Welsh manifesto in Newport on Thursday (Mar 5), where Farage and the party’s Welsh leader Dan Thomas set out their plans for the language.

The party says it would remove what it describes as “arbitrary” targets for the number

of Welsh speakers, arguing that the language is already growing naturally.

Farage told supporters that Welsh appeared to be “thriving” in parts of the country and said younger generations were increasingly learning and using the language.

He argued that Welsh culture and language should be allowed to develop organically rather than being driven by official targets or public bodies.

Questions were also raised at the event about the future of the Welsh Language Commissioner.

Farage suggested there was no clear need for additional “quangos” if the language continued to grow through public interest.

However, campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith said the proposals demonstrate a misunderstanding of the current

challenges facing the language.

Chairman Owain Meirion said it was wrong to describe Welsh as thriving when the proportion of speakers has fallen in recent census results.

According to campaigners, around 17.8 per cent of people in Wales currently report being able to speak Welsh, with the overall proportion declining over the past two censuses.

They warned that removing the 2050 target of one million speakers could weaken longterm support for the language and the communities where it is most widely spoken.

Campaigners also pointed out that the manifesto includes relatively few references to Welsh beyond cultural pledges.

Reform has said it would continue supporting events such as the National Eisteddfod and

would press the UK Government to maintain funding for the Welshlanguage broadcaster S4C. Despite this, Cymdeithas yr Iaith warned that the wider approach set out in the manifesto could weaken existing structures designed to protect and promote the language.

Farage also used the Newport event to claim that Reform could challenge the long-standing dominance of the Welsh Labour in Welsh politics.

The party says its manifesto represents a plan for significant political change ahead of the next Welsh election.

Language campaigners, however, say the debate highlights continuing tensions over how best to protect the future of Welsh while ensuring policies reflect the realities facing communities across Wales.

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Welsh Conservatives push Senedd debate on tax cuts and economic reform With Dan Thomas

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have tabled a debate in the Senedd this week calling for a series of tax cuts and economic reforms, arguing that Wales’ economy is falling behind the rest of the United Kingdom.

The debate, scheduled to take place on Wednesday evening, will focus on what the party says are longstanding economic challenges facing Wales, including low employment levels, rising numbers of people claiming Universal Credit, and high rates of economic inactivity.

According to the Welsh Conservatives, Wales currently has the lowest employment rate in the UK, while unemployment stands at 4.5 per cent. The party also claims that pay packets in Wales remain the lowest in the United Kingdom.

They argue that after almost three decades of Labour-led government in Cardiff Bay, supported at times by Plaid Cymru and the Liberal Democrats, the Welsh economy is underperforming and requires a stronger progrowth strategy.

The motion being debated

will ask the Senedd to note the UK Government’s Spring Statement delivered on Monday (Mar 3) and the latest economic forecasts. It also expresses concern that economic growth projections have been downgraded and that unemployment is expected to rise.

The proposal states that Wales now has record numbers of people receiving Universal Credit and the highest levels of economic inactivity in Great Britain.

Calls for tax cuts As part of its proposals, the Welsh Conservatives are urging the Welsh Government to introduce several measures aimed at reducing taxes and supporting businesses.

These include cutting the basic rate of Welsh income tax by 1p in the pound, scrapping business rates for small firms, pubs and post offices, and abolishing the proposed tourism tax.

The motion also calls for the abolition of Land Transaction Tax for people purchasing a primary residence and would require local authorities to hold a referendum before increasing

council tax by more than five per cent.

Samuel Kurtz MS, the Welsh Conservative Shadow Secretary for the Economy, said the party believes the measures would help boost growth and ease pressures on households and businesses.

He said: “Under Labour, enabled by Plaid Cymru and the Lib Dems, the Welsh economy is broken.

“It’s clear that only the Welsh Conservatives have a credible costed plan to cut taxes and lift unnecessary burdens from our drivers of economic growth: hardworking people and businesses.

“Welsh Conservatives want to see a Wales open for business. As part of our plan to get Wales working, we will scrap business rates for small businesses, deliver an income tax cut, axe the tourism tax and ensure the whole of Wales receives investment.”

The debate in the Senedd is expected to begin at around 6:00pm on Wednesday and will be available to watch online via the Senedd’s official broadcast channels.

There are three key reasons I believe you should vote for Reform Wales on May 7.

The first is that Reform represents real change, and Wales is crying out for change.

Labour stood on a platform of change back in the 2024 General Election. And for many people who were fed up of decline in our communities and the cost of living crisis, this was an inspiring message.

But it turned out that things would only get worse. As we knew all too well in Wales from a quarter of a century of Labour rule, they cannot be trusted to run our public services, our economy, or our country.

Here in Wales, Labour have been in charge for a lifetime. Crucially, they have been kept in power by Plaid Cymru.

While Labour pushed on with the Nation of Sanctuary and blanket 20mph speed limits, Plaid supported them, allowed their budgets to pass and struck deals to save Labour’s skin when the going got tough.

So if you’re seeking real change which is ambitious and deliverable, then Reform is the party for you.

And it’s our ambitious policy platform that is the second key reason I believe you should vote Reform.

Our full manifesto is available online for anybody who would like to go over all of our policies but, for this short article, let me set out some of our key pledges for this election.

We will scrap the blanket 20mph speed limit that has been the scourge of motorists across Wales since its

implementation.

We will begin key upgrades on our road network including the M4 Relief Road and A55.

We’ll scrap the Nation of Sanctuary policy and put Welsh families first. That means giving Welsh people priority for social housing. It means stopping the Welsh Government sending international aid abroad when we have crumbling public services here at home. It means ensuring no migrant hotels are opened in Wales.

And we will tackle the cost of living by cutting income tax, and making sure that if your council wants to raise council tax by 5% or more, you will have your say in a vote.

These are ambitious pledges that would deliver real change for Welsh communities.

They would represent a serious departure from the negative policies introduced by Labour and supported by Plaid.

But the important thing is that these pledges are costed and deliverable.

That brings me onto the third reason you should vote Reform: We don’t just have policies, we have a credible plan to deliver them.

While other parties claim their policies are costed, even when they have billions in unfunded pledges, we have shared our costings with the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

That’s because we’re serious about winning, and we’ve brought forward a blueprint for government that we can begin to deliver from day one.

Real change, ambitious policies, and a plan for delivery. That’s what you’ll get with Reform this May.

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positively liberal With ANDREW LYE

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have launched a fierce attack on Reform’s energy policy after the current Middle East crisis sent gas prices soaring, warning that scrapping renewables would leave the UK dangerously exposed to global shocks.

The sharp escalation of conflict in the Gulf this week, including attacks impacting Qatari energy infrastructure, has driven a dramatic spike in wholesale gas prices.

European natural gas prices surged by around 45% in a matter of days.

Qatar is a major supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the UK and Europe, meaning any disruption has immediate consequences for British energy bills.

For the Welsh Liberal Democrats, this is proof that doubling down on imported fossil fuels would be a reckless gamble. The party says Reform’s policy of ditching renewable energy targets and slowing investment in clean power would tie the UK even more tightly to volatile international markets and unstable regions.

This is now the second major energy shock in recent years, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which exposed how dangerously dependent the UK and Europe had become on imported gas. Once again, families and businesses are facing the prospect of higher bills because of events thousands of miles away.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats argue that Wales should instead be accelerating investment in offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, expanding tidal and hydro generation, introduce an emergency insulation programme and back community energy projects,

reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports from the Middle East and beyond.

They are also calling for urgent reform of the UK electricity market to decouple power prices from gas. Under the current system, electricity prices are often set by the cost of gas generation, even when renewable power is being produced far more cheaply. Breaking that link would allow households to benefit directly from the lower costs of renewables.

Commenting, Jane Dodds MS, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, and Senedd Regional MS for Mid & West Wales said: “This latest crisis shows exactly why Reform should not be anywhere near power. Their plan to scrap renewables and keep Britain and Wales hooked on imported fossil fuels would leave families permanently at the mercy of wars and instability abroad.

“We saw it after Russia invaded Ukraine, and we are seeing it again now as conflict in the Gulf sends gas prices soaring. If our energy system is tied to volatile global gas markets, household bills will keep rising whenever there is turmoil overseas.

“Wales has the natural resources to power our own future, from offshore wind in the Celtic Sea to hydro and tidal. We should be investing in clean, homegrown energy that brings bills down and strengthens our security.

“If we are serious about protecting families from future crises, we must break the link between electricity prices and gas and accelerate the transition to renewables.

Clinging to fossil fuels is not a plan, it’s a liability.”

Many new jobs in Pembrokeshire could be at risk if Reform get into power. Jobs we need as we move away from fossil fuels.

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk

Kurtz welcomes increased funding for DyfedPowys Police and rural policing needs SAMUEL KURTZ has welcomed the UK Government’s confirmation that Dyfed-Powys Police will receive a significant funding increase for 202627, supporting local and rural policing across the region.

Following the UK Government’s decision to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners, Samuel Kurtz MS, alongside MS Paul Davies, wrote to the Minister of State for Policing and Crime campaigning for additional funding to ensure their local force was top of the queue for any surplus funds as a result of the changes.

In a response from Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime, the Government confirmed that total funding to territorial police forces in England and Wales will rise to up to £18.4 billion, an increase of

£796 million compared to 202526. This represents a 4.5% cash increase and a 2.3% real terms rise.

Dyfed-Powys Police will receive up to £170.9 million, an increase of £7.3 million from last year, ensuring that local forces have the resources needed to tackle crime effectively in both towns and rural communities.

“This is welcome news

for Dyfed-Powys and for our community,” said Samuel Kurtz MS. “Securing this funding ensures our local police can continue to respond effectively to crime, keep people safe, and support the unique challenges faced by rural areas. Paul Davies and I are pleased that our campaigning helped secure this outcome for our local communities and local police.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats: ‘We will save devolution from Labour’

THE WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have called for a “change in the way Wales is governed” after more than two decades of Labour rule, as the party set out its vision ahead of the next Senedd election.

Speaking at the party’s Spring Conference, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson for Wales David Chadwick MP said the upcoming election would be a key test of whether devolution could deliver meaningful change for communities across the country.

Chadwick argued that after 27 years in power Welsh Labour had allowed public services and economic opportunities to fall behind the rest of the UK. He warned that declining turnout and falling public trust in politics risked undermining faith in devolution itself.

Addressing party members, he said: “After twenty-seven years of one-party rule, Wales is crying out not just for a change of government, but for a change in the way we are governed.

“The greatest threat to devolution today is not those who oppose it. It is the failure of those who have taken it for granted. If we believe in devolution, then we must prove it can deliver for the people of Wales.”

Chadwick said Wales was falling behind in several key areas including NHS waiting times, wages and educational outcomes.

He also warned that too many young people were leaving Welsh communities because they could not see a future for themselves at home.

He said growing frustration with politics risked fuelling support for populist parties.

“When voters stop believing politics changes anything, when turnout falls and cynicism becomes common sense, democracy itself is weakened.

“Reform do not rise because Wales is naturally extreme. They rise because too many people feel ignored. They promise easy answers but they have no serious plan for Wales.”

Chadwick also criticised the Conservatives, accusing them of abandoning responsible government in favour of “divisive culture wars”, while warning that Plaid Cymru’s focus on constitutional issues risked creating division without addressing everyday concerns.

Setting out the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ alternative, he said the party would focus on restoring trust in government, strengthening local democracy and building a stronger Welsh economy.

He added that Wales should have powers similar to Scotland over areas such as rail infrastructure and the Crown Estate, while ensuring the transition to green energy delivers jobs and supply chains rooted in Welsh communities.

“Wales has the coastline, the ports and the skills. The energy revolution is happening off our shores, and the jobs must be anchored in our communities.

“We should not be importing steel into Port Talbot to build wind turbines off our own coastline.

That defies all logic.”

Chadwick said the next Senedd election would present voters with a choice between “stagnation and renewal”.

“Reform offers anger. Labour offers complacency. Plaid offers grievance.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats offer hope — hope rooted in realism, optimism grounded in responsibility and change built on community.”

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Police smash door in dawn raid on Nation.Cymru journalist with the Chinese representative were largely general in nature.

Topics included concerns in the West about China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority and the possibility of expanded trade between the UK and China.

“At no stage did it occur to me that anything criminal was taking place,” he said.

Voluntary statement AN AWARD-WINNING Welsh journalist has described the “terrifying” moment armed counter-terror police smashed in the front door of his home during a dawn raid linked to an investigation into alleged Chinese espionage.

Martin Shipton, a prominent political reporter for Nation.

Cymru, said an eight-strong team from the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism unit forced entry to his property shortly after 6:20am on Wednesday (Mar 4).

Shipton said he and his wife were asleep when they were woken by loud banging on the door and someone shouting the name “Michael”.

“When I pointed out that nobody of that name lived in the house, the shouter said: ‘We’re coming in!’ and the door was smashed open,” he said.

“It was an utterly terrifying experience, and one that I don’t hope to repeat.”

National Security Act warrant Officers served Shipton with a search warrant issued by a judge at the Old Bailey under the National Security Act 2023.

The warrant authorised police to search his home for a wide range of items including mobile phones, computers, storage devices, cameras, travel documents and financial records.

The warrant also permitted officers to seize material linked to any foreign intelligence service.

Police told Shipton the search would likely take the entire day but did not provide further details about the investigation.

Shipton said he was “utterly bemused” by the suggestion that he might possess any such material.

“I have never been paid significant sums from foreign jurisdictions, let alone in cryptocurrency,” he said.

“In fact I have little knowledge of cryptocurrency, beyond seeing

them as dodgy investments promoted by the likes of Donald Trump and Nigel Farage.”

He also stated that he had never communicated with a foreign intelligence service.

Link to Labour figures Shipton said he later learned the police operation appeared to be connected to the arrest of David Taylor, a political consultant he has known for more than twenty-five years.

Taylor was reportedly arrested on suspicion of spying for China along with two other individuals.

All three men are understood to have previously worked for the Labour Party and now operate in public affairs and political consultancy. The journalist said the news prompted him to recall a trip he had taken with Taylor to Hong Kong around three years ago.

Taylor had told him that a Chinese think tank based in Shanghai – which he said advised Chinese president Xi Jinping on international relations – had asked him to attend a briefing in Hong Kong on attitudes toward China in the UK. Shipton said Taylor invited him to accompany him as another “expert” on the trip, which was paid for by the organisation.

Hong Kong visit According to Shipton, the visit lasted around a week but involved little serious policy discussion.

Instead, he said much of the trip resembled a tourist visit.

“As the only one of the three of us who had visited Hong Kong before, I became the de facto tourist guide,” he said.

The group visited a Buddhist temple, museums and restaurants and watched a wellknown harbour light show from Kowloon.

Shipton said conversations

During the search, Shipton said he offered to give police a voluntary statement about the Hong Kong trip.

He told officers he was willing to do so without a solicitor because he believed he had done nothing wrong.

“I am happy to tell them about the trip,” he said.

Shipton stressed that he has not been arrested and has not been accused of any offence.

He said he is cooperating fully with police inquiries.

Passport seized Police seized a number of items during the search, including Shipton’s mobile phone and passport.

Officers offered to place him and his wife in a hotel while the search took place, but they declined because they wanted to remain with their cats.

Shipton said he briefly left the house and used a neighbour’s phone to make calls while officers carried out the search.

Police have agreed to pay for a replacement front door after forcing entry to the property.

Shipton said he hopes to have his passport returned soon so he can attend a planned concert in Dublin.

“Finally,” he said, “I would rather like to have my passport back so I can attend with my wife and daughter a long-anticipated concert of Christy Moore in Dublin in two weeks’ time.”

Investigation continues Police have not provided further details about the investigation, which is being conducted under the National Security Act. The arrests and searches are part of a wider inquiry into suspected Chinese espionage activities in the UK. Shipton said the raid came “completely out of left field” and that he has seen no evidence suggesting that any of the individuals arrested committed offences under the legislation.

blue view With Paul Davies MS Hands off our hospital services!

As we head into the Senedd election period, one of the main issues that’s dominating the political agenda here in west Wales is the local Health Board’s decision to remove services from Withybush Hospital.

In February, Hywel Dda University Health Board convened an Extraordinary Board Meeting to determine the future delivery of nine clinical services across the Health Board area.

During this meeting, members resolved to remove certain services and downgrade others.

One of the key decisions was to withdraw emergency general surgery from Withybush Hospital — a move that has understandably generated significant concern, anger, and frustration among local residents. I believe this decision fundamentally undermines the longterm sustainability of the hospital’s Accident and Emergency department and risks making the recruitment of doctors and other medical professionals to the area even more challenging.

Pembrokeshire Herald readers will know that the constant chipping away of services from Withybush Hospital has been something that Hywel Dda University Health Board has done for years.

We’ve seen services like histopathology, orthodontics and the Special Care Baby Unit moved further away, and other services like paediatrics, downgraded – and we’ve had enough.

The Health Board is fixating on centralising services further eastwards – and yet we’ve seen centralisation in other parts of Wales has led to worse patient outcomes in those communities.

If this decision goes

ahead, it could put lives at risk. Travelling further for emergency services is just not acceptable and that’s why we want the Welsh Government to intervene and stop the Health Board from making this disastrous decision.

My colleague Samuel Kurtz and I have been using every opportunity we can to raise awareness of this at the Senedd and to urge the Welsh Government to intervene and stand up for the people of Pembrokeshire. We’ve written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care to urge him to use his powers to intervene, we’ve raised the issue in the Chamber and we’ve also been sharing a petition that calls on the Welsh Government to intervene and take over the Health Board. That petition now has more than 10,000 signatures, which triggers a debate at the Senedd and we’ve written to the Chair of the Petitions Committee, calling for the debate to take place as soon as possible.

The reality is that if the Welsh Government wanted to intervene, then it would – and I sincerely hope that the people of Wales will remember that when it comes to the Senedd elections in May. Welsh Labour refuse to intervene, Plaid and Reform have been practically silent on this matter and it’s only the Welsh Conservatives that are standing up for the people of west Wales.

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Notices

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once cared for when we were helpless.

It is difficult to understand why any parent — or indeed any voter concerned about the future — would support political approaches that appear to weaken that basic duty of care.

A society that fails its children risks damaging its own future.

The principles of compassion and responsibility are not abstract ideas. They are part of the moral framework that holds communities together.

When policies undermine those principles, it is right that people speak out.

send your letters to: The editor, 11 hamilton terrace, milford haven, Pembrokeshire, sa73 3al email us at: editor@herald.email

LETTERS & NOTICES

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C N Westerman

Food for thought on Mother’s Day

DEAR SIR,

Picture of the week!

Tenby from the air by David MacDonald

It is right that people speak out DEAR SIR,

Conservative leaders David Cameron and George Osborne ended state financial support for third children in a family. In doing so, they withdrew help from some of the most vulnerable members of society — babies who are entirely dependent

on others for their care and wellbeing.

To many people, this policy appeared to reflect a troubling set of priorities. At the same time as support for struggling families was reduced, the political culture of the day often seemed more sympathetic to the interests of billionaires and the powerful media organisations that shape public opinion.

Robert Jenrick, speaking as a figure associated with Reform, has also drawn attention to the harshness of

such policies. Measures that reduce support for children, particularly those born into difficult circumstances, raise serious moral questions about the responsibilities society has towards the most helpless among us.

Babies do not choose the circumstances into which they are born. Every child is entirely dependent on the care and compassion of adults. That simple fact should remind us of our collective moral duty to protect and nurture the young, just as we ourselves were

I first travelled to Haiti in 2018 to make a film about Mary’s Meals and the work being done with local communities to provide school meals for children. The programme reaches from the dangerous urban capital of Port-auPrince to the remote hills of Mirebalais.

What struck me immediately was the level of security needed to move around the country compared with other places where I had seen the programme in action, such as Kenya and India. Burning tyres sometimes blocked the roads, and at night I heard distant popping sounds that I initially mistook for fireworks until our security adviser explained they were gunshots.

Even then, life continued.

Children still went to school, people worked, and travel across Haiti was possible.

Sadly, much has changed. The country is now facing its worst hunger crisis in decades, and many children are increasingly vulnerable to recruitment by violent gangs.

I often think of the mothers I met there and the fierce determination they showed to build a better future for their children.

One of them is Chantrelle, whose clothes shop was

NOTICES

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destroyed during the violence.

She told me that many children in her area now live in fear. Yet she also described Mary’s Meals as a “blessing”. The daily meal her son Walker receives at school, she said, is “one of the best things that Mary’s Meals could ever have done” for her family.

Despite everything, Chantrelle’s focus remains clear: keeping her son in school and continuing to hope for a better future.

Amid such violence and hardship it would be easy to believe that hope has been lost in Haiti. But remarkably, it has not. The determination of mothers like Chantrelle is matched by the dedication of Mary’s Meals’ partners on the ground, who continue to deliver life-changing school meals despite enormous challenges.

As I celebrate Mother’s Day with my own children, I will also be thinking of the mothers in Haiti who refuse to give up on hope for their families.

You can help keep that hope alive by supporting Mary’s Meals’ Crisis in Haiti appeal.

Thank you.

Shona Shea Mary’s Meals UK

Iran: The international community should be pushing urgently for deescalation DEAR SIR, As events in the Middle East continue to unfold at alarming speed, many people are beginning to ask a question that would have seemed unthinkable only a few years ago: are we edging closer to a third world war?

The recent escalation involving Iran, the United States and a range of regional powers is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of instability that now stretches across multiple fronts. Russia’s war in Ukraine continues with no clear resolution, tensions between China and the West over Taiwan remain high, and conflicts across the Middle East risk drawing in ever more powerful states.

History shows us that major wars rarely begin with a single dramatic moment. Instead, they emerge through a chain of miscalculations, retaliations and alliances that gradually pull nations into a conflict far larger than anyone initially intended. The First World War

began in precisely this way, triggered by a regional crisis that escalated through treaty obligations and military responses.

Today we are seeing worrying echoes of that pattern. Iran’s regional alliances, the presence of US and allied forces across the Gulf, and the involvement of proxy groups across several countries create a situation where a single misstep could rapidly spiral beyond control. Add to this the global economic tensions and energy pressures already affecting the world, and the risks become even more severe.

What concerns me most is the language now being used by some political leaders. Talk of regime change, military dominance and decisive victories may play well domestically, but it rarely leads to stable outcomes internationally.

Modern warfare between major powers would not resemble the conflicts of the past.

With nuclear weapons in the arsenals of multiple states, the stakes are immeasurably higher.

This is precisely why de-escalation must now become the priority. Diplomatic channels must remain open, even with governments we fundamentally disagree with. Sanctions, negotiations and international mediation are imperfect tools, but they are infinitely

67

preferable to a military confrontation that could engulf entire regions.

It is also vital that smaller allied nations, including the United Kingdom, act as voices of caution rather than simply following the momentum of escalation. Britain has historically played a role as a diplomatic bridge between powers. That tradition should not be forgotten in a moment when restraint is needed most.

None of this is about defending authoritarian regimes or excusing aggression. It is about recognising that once large-scale war begins, the consequences cannot easily be contained.

The world today is more interconnected than ever before. A conflict in one region quickly ripples through global energy markets, food supplies, shipping routes and financial systems. A wider war would not simply be fought on distant battlefields; its economic and humanitarian impact would be felt in every country.

For that reason, cooler heads must prevail. The international community should be pushing urgently for deescalation, renewed diplomacy and a framework that prevents further military confrontation.

The alternative is a road we may not be able to turn back from.

Nigel O’Riley

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Death Notices Gwendoline James It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our muchloved mother and grandmother, Doris Gwendoline James, who passed away peacefully at Woodson Farm on Saturday February 14th, 2026.

She was loved and cherished by her whole family, who will forever hold her in their hearts. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering support for us all and the wider community through the years will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday 28th March, 11:00am at St. Peter’s Church, Johnston.

Family flowers only.

Donations in lieu, if desired, made payable to the Wales Air Ambulance may be sent c/o Mr Kevin James, The Byre, Woodson Farm, Lower Thornton, Milford Haven, SA73 3UQ. Our love for you mum is eternal.

Kevin, Keri and Alistair.

Further enquiries to F. G. Rees & Sons, Haverfordwest. Tel: 01437 764418.

John ‘John’ Horgan Herbert

Peacefully on 24th February, Jonathan of St.Davids, aged 73 years.

Beloved husband of Susan, dearly loved father of Mathew, a much-loved brother, brother-in-law, relative, and friend.

Funeral service Friday 20th March at 2.00pm at St.Davids Cathedral, followed by interment in the cemetery.

Enquiries to W.G.Bernard Mathias & Daughter, Funeral Directors (01437) 720537

Passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on Friday, 20th February 2026, aged 92. He will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Friday, 20th March at Parc Gwyn Crematorium at 12.15pm.

If desired, donations gratefully received in lieu of flowers in memory of John for ‘Sandy Bear Children’s Gail Bevan Bereavement Charity’ via the link below. (Cheques payable to ‘Sandy Gail passed away peacefully at Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity’ home with her family by her side on can be sent to John Roberts & Son 25th February 2026 aged 77 years.

Funeral Directors, 51 Bush Street, Much loved, she will be greatly Pembroke Dock) johnhorgan. missed by her family and many muchloved.com friends.

Her funeral will take place on Jonathan Friday 20th March 2026 at Parc Gwyn Cardington Bennett Crematorium, Narberth at 2.30pm.

Family flowers only.

www.pembrokeshire-herald.co.uk

Donations, if desired, for World Animal Protection (formerly WSPA) may be made direct at www. worldanimalprotection.org.uk or via the donation box on the day.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

Patricia May ‘Pat’ Cassidy The family are sad to announce the passing of Patricia May Cassidy, known by all as Pat, formerly of Hakin.

Pat passed away on 25th February 2026, aged 84, at Withybush Hospital.

Much loved wife to the late Thomas, loving Mother to Andrew, Terry and his wife Jayne and Karen. Adored Grandmother to Sarah, Roxanne and Leigh.

She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends.

The funeral service will take place on Friday 27th March, 2pm at St. David’s Church, Hubberston, followed by interment at Milford Haven Cemetery.

There will be family flowers only.

Enquiries to Tom Newings & Sons Funeral Directors, Milford Haven 01646 693180.

Richard Charles Hughes Richard passed away at home with his family at his side on 26th February 2026 aged 69 years.

Much loved, he will be deeply missed by his family and many, many friends.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 1.00pm.

Family flowers only.

Donations, if desired, for The Paul Sartori Foundation and/or The Chemotherapy Day Unit at Withybush Hospital can be sent c/o Mr David Hughes, The Baratheans, Dreenhill, Haverfordwest, SA62 3XH. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821

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Jake Paul surprises Welsh boxing club with donation after coach’s death

A BOXING club in south Wales has spoken of its shock after receiving unexpected support from social media star and professional boxer Jake Paul.

Members of Cwmavon Hornets ABC were stunned when Paul donated 16 pairs of boxing gloves to the club following the death of its long-time head coach and founder, Nigel Davies Davies, who founded the club in 1995, died in August 2025 after decades of dedication to grassroots boxing. During his career he helped guide more than 100 national champions and represented Wales at both European and world

championship level.

The donation came about after former Hornets boxer Ethan Gilbert, who now works with Paul’s media team, told the American fighter about the club and the legacy Davies left behind.

Gethin Davies, Nigel Davies’ son, admitted the club initially struggled to believe the gesture was genuine.

“There’s been a lot of fake stuff going around with Jake Paul,” he said.

“When I first saw it I thought it was fake. But when I realised it was real I thought, fair play. He didn’t have to do that, did he? We appreciate all the help we get.”

The gloves, branded with Paul’s Boxing Bullies Foundation, arrived at the club in early February.

Nigel Davies was widely respected across the sport and had worked with some of the biggest names in British boxing, including Anthony Joshua, Joe Cordina, Fred Evans, Andrew Selby and Sean McGoldrick.

He also coached at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Members of the club described him as “more than a coach”, saying he had been a father or grandfather figure to many young boxers who trained at the gym.

Gilbert said it meant a great

deal to return to the club and deliver the gloves after telling Paul about Davies and the role the gym had played in his own life.“It felt like a full circle moment, from being a kid training there to now being in a position to give something back,” he said.

“Everyone was so excited.

They kept asking, ‘How does Jake Paul know about our little club?’”

Gilbert later filmed club members using the gloves and sent the video to Paul, who said he was delighted to see the reaction.

According to Gilbert, Paul responded: “This is exactly what we’re trying to do with Boxing Bullies.”

Following Davies’ death, club members and his family also took part in the Richard Burton 10K in October 2025 in his memory, with Paul sending a video message of support that was shared on social media.

Despite the loss of its founder, the club continues to grow and may soon require larger premises due to increasing membership.

In a message on social media, the club thanked Paul, his team and Gilbert for their support.

“Support like this really does make a difference to our club and our boxers,” the post said.

“These gloves will be put to great use helping our members train, build confidence and enjoy the sport.”

SPORT

Football tournament brings communities together at Letterston

A POPULAR community football tournament returned to Pembrokeshire this weekend as teams from across south Wales gathered for the annual Fishguard Thunderbolts event.

The tournament, hosted this year at Letterston AFC, brought players, referees and supporters together for a day of friendly competition and community spirit.

Organised by Brian Millard, the event has become a firm fixture in the local football calendar, attracting teams from across the region. Sides travelled from Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and Bridgend to take part, alongside local teams including Clarbeston Road and the Fishguard Thunderbolts

themselves.

Those attending described the tournament as a celebration of football at its most positive, with players and spectators focusing on enjoyment, sportsmanship and looking out for one another throughout the day.

Referees from the Pembrokeshire Referees’ Society also supported the event, helping to ensure the matches ran smoothly. One of the officials assisting on the day thanked fellow referee Tony for helping out, adding that it was a pleasure to be involved in such a positive community event.

Organiser Brian Millard was praised for his continued commitment to running the

tournament, which many participants say is one of the highlights of their year.

The event once again highlighted how grassroots football can bring people together, creating a welcoming atmosphere where the focus is

on enjoyment, teamwork and community Organisers are already looking forward to welcoming teams back again next year.

Pics: Marty Jones

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Manderwood Pembrokeshire league DIVISION 1

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Fixtures

Results

14 March 2026

7 March 2026 DIVISION 1

Fishguard Sports

1

7

Goodwick United

Kilgetty

0

3

Merlins Bridge

Tenby

1

2

Monkton Swifts

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Division 1 Clarbeston Road v Fishguard Sports Hakin United v Kilgetty Milford United v Tenby Neyland v Goodwick United Pennar Robins v Carew Monkton Swifts v Merlins Bridge

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 2

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Carew Reserves

4

2

Herbrandston

Goodwick United Res

0

8

Milford United

Monkton Swifts Res

2

2

Johnston

N Hedges & Saundersfoot

5

0

Merlins Bridge II

Neyland

6

2

Solva

-

-

-

-

Broad Haven

6

3

St Clears

DIVISION 3

Division 2 Broad Haven v Cosheston Camrose v Monkton Swifts Reserves Johnston v St Clears Merlins Bridge Reserves v St Ishmaels Division 3 Kilgetty Reserves v Haverfordwest Cricket Club Lawrenny v Goodwick United Reserves Letterston v Neyland Reserves Pendine v Pembroke Boro St Florence v Solva

Camrose Reserves

8

0

Pennar Robins II

Clarbeston Road Res

7

0

Kilgetty II

Lawrenny

2

2

Tenby II

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Hundleton

1

4

Fishguard Sports Res

DIVISION 4 DIVISION 3

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Johnston II

1

5

Prendergast Villa

Manorbier United

1

2

Milford United Res

Prendergast Villa

2

6

St Ishmaels Res

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Kilgetty III

1

2

Narberth Reserves

Division 5 Cosheston Reserves v Broad Haven Reserves Lawrenny Reserves v Milford Athletic Reserves

DIVISION 5

DIVISION 4

P

W

D

L

GD

Pts

Letterston Res

2

8

Lawrenny Res

Milford Athletic Res

0

3

Haverfordwest CC Res

Milford United III

7

1

Broad Haven Reserves

Prendergast Villa II

1

4

N Hedges Saundersfoot II

St Clears Res

7

1

Herbrandston Res

W

D

DIVISION 5

P

L

GD

Division 4 Fishguard Sports Reserves v Milford United Reserves Prendergast Villa v Newport Tigers Tenby Reserves v Carew Thirds

Pts

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Wales show heart in Dubl

WALES produced their most encouraging performance of a difficult Six Nations campaign but ultimately fell to a 27–17 defeat against title-chasing Ireland in Dublin on Friday night.

In a fiercely contested match at the Aviva Stadium, Warren Gatland’s side showed resilience, energy and flashes of attacking brilliance, pushing the hosts far harder than many had predicted before Ireland’s experience told in the closing stages.

The defeat extends Wales’ winless run in the Championship to 15 matches, but the performance offered genuine signs of progress from a squad still rebuilding.

Ireland made the early breakthrough after six minutes when wing Jacob Stockdale finished neatly in the corner following slick build-up play. Fly-half Jack Crowley added the conversion to give the home side a 7–0 lead.

Wales gradually grew into the contest and were rewarded in the

17th minute when debutant fly-half Dan Edwards slotted a penalty to put the visitors on the scoreboard.

Defensively Wales were resolute, repelling repeated Irish attacks with a disciplined line that frustrated the hosts for long periods of the first half.

Just as Ireland looked to be heading into the break ahead, Wales produced a moment of magic.

Loosehead prop Rhys Carre burst down the blindside, shrugging off a challenge before powering clear for a remarkable 35-metre try. Edwards converted to give Wales a shock 12– 10 half-time lead.

Ireland responded quickly after the restart. Number eight Jack Conan crashed over in the 44th minute following sustained pressure, restoring the hosts’ advantage.

Yet Wales refused to fade.

Replacement flanker James Botham finished a well-worked move just past the hour mark, and Edwards’ conversion cut the deficit to 19–17, raising hopes of an upset.

The decisive moment came in

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lin but Ireland hold firm the 68th minute when fullback Jamie Osborne crossed following a clever offload from Stockdale, securing Ireland’s bonus point.

Crowley added a late penalty in the 77th minute after Wales scrumhalf Tomos Williams was sin-binned, ensuring Ireland closed out the match 27–17.

Despite the defeat, Wales can take encouragement from a committed display that included more than 200 tackles and two well-taken tries.

Captain Dewi Lake said afterwards that the squad believes a breakthrough victory is close.

“The win is coming,” he said. “You can feel the belief building in the

Click to

group.”

Against one of the tournament favourites, Wales showed determination and growing cohesion.

If they can build on this performance, the long wait for a Six Nations victory may not last much longer.

Ireland: Tries – Stockdale (6), Crowley (37), Conan (44), Osborne (68); Cons – Crowley (2); Pen – Crowley (77).

Wales: Tries – Carre (40), Botham (63); Cons – Edwards (2); Pen – Edwards (17).

Man of the match: Jack Conan (Ireland)

Jake Paul surprises Welsh boxing club with donation after coach’s death • P74

SPORT