The pembrokeshire Herald 17/10/2025

Pembrokeshire hospice closure sparks warning over ‘crisis in end-of-life care’

THE CLOSURE of Shalom House Hospice in St Davids this week has intensified warnings that Wales’s hospice network is in crisis, with campaigners and politicians calling for urgent government action to secure sustainable funding.

The trustees of Shalom House confirmed that the county’s only hospice will shut its doors at the end of October 2025, citing rising costs, reduced donations, and the lack of a long-term funding settlement. The decision follows months of fundraising appeals and public support for the “Save Shalom House” campaign.

The hospice, founded in 2008, provided day care, respite support and palliative services for patients with life-limiting illnesses across north Pembrokeshire. Staff have begun the difficult process of winding down services and transferring patients to community nursing and hospital care.

A spokesperson for the hospice said: “Despite every effort to find new funding, the financial pressures have become unsustainable. We are heartbroken to make this decision and thank everyone

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

who has supported Shalom House over the years.”

The closure comes as Liberal

Democrat MP David Chadwick warned that terminally ill patients across Wales face similar cuts. He urged the Welsh Government to create a national funding settlement for hospices and accused ministers in Cardiff Bay of allowing

vital services to “teeter on the brink of collapse.”

Mr Chadwick said: “Hospices in Wales are at breaking point, while staff are being laid off and vital beds are being closed. Families are paying the price.

The Welsh Government must step in now to secure fair, sustainable funding and ensure pay parity for staff. No one should face their final days in pain or without dignity.”

Across Wales, most hospices still rely on charitable donations for around 70 per cent of their budgets. Many say they are struggling to meet growing demand for palliative and respite care, while half ended the last financial year in deficit.

Locally, community leaders have expressed concern that Shalom House’s closure will leave a major gap in support for families in north Pembrokeshire, forcing some to travel long distances for care or rely on overstretched NHS services.

The Herald understands that Hywel Dda University Health Board is working with partners to ensure continuity of care for existing patients.

Pembroke dads issue ‘Paternity Charge Notices’

PARENTS across Pembroke took to the streets this week to highlight the “ridiculous” level of statutory paternity pay in the UK — just £374.36 for two weeks — by placing spoof “Paternity Charge Notices” on buggies, nappies and baby items.

The local action, part of a national campaign by The Dad Shift (TDS), aimed to draw attention to the soaring cost of a baby’s first year — estimated between £5,000 and £9,000 — and the growing financial pressure on new parents.

The yellow notices, designed to resemble parking fines, informed passers-by:

“Costs for so many things have soared in the past few years, but the country’s paternity leave system remains stuck in the past. Dads and non-birthing parents get just two weeks on less than half the minimum wage — not even enough to buy the average pram. Self-employed people get nothing. It’s the worst offer in Europe, and the pressure is wrecking the health of working dads and their families.”

Research from The Dad Shift shows statutory paternity pay has increased by just 23% in the past five years, while the cost of essentials such as formula milk has risen by more than 25% in less than half that time. Nappies and wipes are up by between 20% and 37% in the

Tom

Sinclair editor@herald.email

past 12 months alone.

Polling for The Dad Shift and Movember found that 62% of new fathers struggled under financial pressure when a baby arrived, 61% reported an impact on their mental health, and 51% said it affected their physical wellbeing. Almost nine in ten fathers (87%) described the current level of paternity pay as “ridiculous”, while 57% said financial insecurity had influenced their decision about having more children.

George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, said: “£374.36 might be enough for a weekend away, but to meaningfully help with the costs when a new baby arrives? Ridiculous. And that’s without mentioning the selfemployed dads who don’t get a penny.

“Working fathers and non-birthing partners pay their share, yet when a new baby arrives there’s almost no support. The pressure it creates is wrecking people’s health just when their families need them most. No wonder more than half of dads are put off having more kids by the risk of financial insecurity.”

The Pembroke protest follows similar “Paternity Charge Notice” actions across the UK as campaigners

on the government to modernise paternity pay and leave entitlements. The campaign concept was

Armed Dyfed-Powys Police were called to fewer incidents last year

Armed police officers in DyfedPowys were deployed to fewer incidents last year, according to new Home Office figures.

The force, which covers Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys, sent armed officers to 161 operations in the year to March 2023 — down from 178 the previous year.

Dyfed-Powys Police has not discharged its firearms in any incident for at least 15 years, despite maintaining a team of specially trained officers.

Across England and Wales, police carried out 18,395 firearms operations during the same period, a slight rise from 18,257 the year before. Of those, police weapons were intentionally fired on just 10 occasions — six more than the previous year.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the force attended far more incidents involving armed officers, recording 264 operations in the year to March 2020. Crime levels and firearms callouts dropped significantly during and immediately after lockdown.

Luke Sinclair luke@herald.email

The number of Dyfed-Powys officers authorised to use firearms rose slightly last year, from 60 in 2022 to 64. Nationally, the total number of armed officers fell marginally from 6,677 to 6,651.

Chief Constable Simon Chesterman, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for armed policing, praised the restraint and professionalism of firearms officers.

“A mark of the quality of training that armed officers receive is how infrequently they have to use their weapons,” he said. “It is a testament to their professionalism that only 0.05 per cent of armed deployments end with a firearm being discharged.”

A Home Office spokesperson said that the use of firearms by police “should always be a last resort” and that deadly force “continues to be used very rarely”. However, human rights organisation Liberty has called for armed policing to be scaled back.

Emmanuelle Andrews, Liberty’s Policy and Campaigns Manager, said:

“Instead of expanding the use of guns, the Government should invest in what communities really need — youth services, mental health support and action on poverty — to tackle the root causes of crime.”

Woman pleads not guilty to terrorism charge

A POWYS peace campaigner has pleaded not guilty to a charge under the Terrorism Act after holding a placard in Parliament Square expressing support for Palestine Action.

Angie Zelter, from Knucklas, appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Oct 15) accused of displaying a sign reading: “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.”

She is one of 29 people arrested on July 5 after holding similar placards

near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Square. More than 2,000 people have since been arrested across the UK for comparable actions, including a blind man in a wheelchair and an 83-year-old Anglican priest.

The UK Government proscribed the non-violent protest group Palestine Action at the start of July under the Terrorism Act, making it an offence to express support for, or display symbols associated with, the organisation.

The ban – which won overwhelming

support from MPs, including some Liberal Democrats – has drawn condemnation from UN experts, artists including Steve Coogan, Paul Weller and Tilda Swinton, and hundreds of lawyers.

The High Court has granted permission for a judicial review of the proscription, due to be heard in November. In August, Amnesty International issued its first ever urgent action over the right to protest in the UK.

Amnesty UK’s chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said: “Peaceful protest is a fundamental right. The protesters, half of whom were over sixty, were not inciting violence. It is entirely disproportionate to treat them as terrorists.”

Zelter said outside court: “The world’s leading human rights organisations –Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Israel’s B’Tselem – have all concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Instead of ending UK arms sales, our government is misusing anti-terror powers to silence non-violent protest.”

She called on her MP, David Chadwick, to support the de-proscription of Palestine Action and back an early day motion calling for an immediate suspension of UK arms sales to Israel.

Wife accused of murder plot says ‘fantasy’ talk with lover turned into real-life attack

A CARMARTHENSHIRE woman accused of conspiring with her secret lover to murder her husband has told a jury the alleged plot was nothing more than “a fantasy” that spiralled out of control.

Ethel “Michelle” Mills, aged 46, of Llangennech, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court alongside ex-Royal Marine Geraint Berry, 46, from Clydach, and Steven Thomas, 47, from Blaengwynfi. All three deny conspiring to murder her husband, Christopher Mills, a former soldier.

The court heard that on the night of September 20, 2024, two masked men armed with imitation handguns forced their way into a static caravan in Cenarth, Carmarthenshire, where Mr Mills and his wife were sitting watching television. The intruders carried a rucksack containing gas masks, pliers, cable ties, and other items described by police as a “kill kit”.

Mr Mills was struck in the face but managed to fight off his attackers, who fled into nearby woodland. Officers arrived soon afterwards and found Berry and Thomas hiding in undergrowth close to the caravan site.

A forged suicide note, purporting to be from Mr Mills and addressed to his wife, was recovered from one of the men.

SECRET AffAIR AND INSURANCE POliCY

Prosecutor Jonathan Rees KC told the court that Mills had been in a clandestine relationship with Berry for around three months before the assault. Both had served in the armed forces and were said to have met through the veterans’ charity Alabare, where Mills worked as a regional manager and Berry was receiving support.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Their affair allegedly began in June 2024. Weeks later, Mr Mills took out a £124,000 Help for Heroes life insurance policy, naming his wife as the sole beneficiary. The attack took place barely a month after the policy came into force.

The court was told Berry had shared his violent fantasies with Mills in text messages. He allegedly urged her to smother her husband with a pillow or poison him with antifreeze. In other messages, Berry told Mills he wanted to “put her husband in the ground”.

When questioned about the exchanges, Mills told jurors they were never meant to be taken seriously. “It was

an escape from reality,” she said. “It wasn’t a fact; it wasn’t going to happen. I never wanted Chris killed. It was a fantasy.”

THE ATTACK AND CAPTURE

Mr Mills, unaware of his wife’s affair, answered a knock at the caravan door shortly after 9:00pm. Two men wearing masks and carrying replica firearms burst inside, demanding he kneel. When he refused, he was hit in the face and a struggle ensued.

Despite his injuries, Mr Mills managed to overpower the men and drive them from the caravan. Police later discovered Berry and Thomas hiding nearby, both soaked and muddy. Alongside their weapons, officers found pliers, cable ties, cloths, gas masks with filter canisters, and a telescopic gun sight.

‘i’m gOiNg TO PRiSON fOR THiS’

According to other reports read in

court, Mills later messaged Berry telling him: “Police have been called. Get away. Delete all contact on both phones. I love you.” She also allegedly warned her son not to mention Berry’s name, saying: “I’m going to prison for this, aren’t I?”

Prosecutors claim she later deleted messages and gave officers a false account, leading to an additional charge of perverting the course of justice.

Berry and Thomas have admitted possessing an imitation firearm but deny any intention to kill.

CLAIMS Of AbUSE AND DENIAL

Mills told the court that her husband had been controlling and had sexually assaulted her during their marriage, which began in 2018. She claimed her messages with Berry were a way of coping with her situation.

“I didn’t want anyone hurt,” she said. “It was talk between two people who were unhappy and looking for a way out, not a real plan.”

The court also heard allegations that Berry had made enquiries about buying ammunition and even asked an exmilitary supplier how to “blow up” a Mini Cooper — the type of car driven by Mr Mills.

Prosecutors allege there were at least two aborted attempts on earlier nights before the final attack went ahead.

THE AfTERMATH

Following the failed assault, Mr Mills told police he had “no idea” his wife was involved and had thought their marriage was stable. Officers later seized both her and Berry’s phones, recovering fragments of deleted messages.

All three defendants deny conspiracy to murder. Mills also denies perverting the course of justice.

The trial, expected to last three weeks, continues at Swansea Crown Court.

The defendants had allegedly planned to murder Christopher (Pic: WNS)

Stephen Thomas was allegedly recruited for the plot (Pic: WNS)

Call for re-opening of Llangolman farmhouse inquest

ON the third anniversary of DyfedPowys Police establishing Operation Hallam — the reinvestigation into the 1976 deaths of elderly siblings gruff and Patti Thomas at their llangolman farmhouse — the Preseli papur bro ClEBRAN has renewed its call for a re-opening of the inquest to clear gruff Thomas’s name.

The deaths of Gruff, 73, and Patti, 70, at Ffynnon Samson in December 1976 were among the most shocking in rural Pembrokeshire’s history. The original coroner’s findings concluded that Gruff had murdered his sister before dying in the subsequent fire.

CLEBRAN, which pressed for the 2022 re-investigation, says it had expected Operation Hallam to have concluded by now with an acknowledgment that the original verdict was unsafe. The publication says that

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

much of the physical evidence from the farmhouse was not preserved, making modern forensic testing impossible.

In its statement, CLEBRAN argues that the investigation was “seriously flawed,” citing the absence of motive, Gruff’s limited physical strength, and the siblings’ lifelong harmonious relationship. Forensic experts who have examined historic reports and photographs, including Professor Niamh Nic Daeid of Dundee University and Stephanie C. Davies of Chester, have suggested that it was “highly unlikely” Gruff would have set himself on fire without the use of accelerants.

The coroner at the time recorded an open verdict on Gruff’s death, noting

that suicide could not be proven beyond doubt — a finding that left open the possibility of third-party involvement.

CLEBRAN said: “It remains that it was probably the case another person was involved. CLEBRAN therefore calls upon Operation Hallam to order a re-opening of the inquest in order to

establish Gruff Thomas’s innocence.”

The case has featured in S4C’s Y Byd ar Bedwar and the BBC Sounds podcast series Death on the Farm. A detailed examination of the police report was carried out by Pembroke paralegal Hayley Woods, with forensic input from Prof. Nic Daeid and Ms Davies.

Bus chaos to hit Wales as First Cymru staff strike over pay

BUS services across Wales face major disruption this month as hundreds of first Cymru staff prepare to walk out in a dispute over pay and backdated wages.

Drivers, engineers, cleaners, stores workers and administrative staff in depots from Swansea to Haverfordwest will strike for four days, from 22–25 October, with the threat of further action if no deal is reached.

The dispute centres on the company’s refusal to fully backdate a pay rise. Unite members rejected a 5% offer after First Cymru, part of transport giant First Group, withheld around 60% of the back pay owed.

The union says the firm already pays among the lowest wages in the industry and operates a “two-tier” system that leaves new recruits on even lower rates for their first year.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “First Group is a hugely profitable company making millions, yet it is treating its workers—and the

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

communities they serve in Wales—with utter disdain.

“It is simply unacceptable to pay poverty wages, offer a paltry rise and then try to withhold back pay. Our members won’t stand for it and they have the full support of their union.”

First Group recorded profits of over £200 million last year and paid its chief executive more than £3 million. Unite says workers are seeking a modest rise to £15 per hour to match pay rates at Cardiff Bus and Arriva in North Wales.

Unite regional officer Alan McCarthy added: “This strike will shut down bus services across huge swathes of Wales, but it is entirely of First Cymru’s own making. Our members simply want fair pay in line with others in the industry— and for it to be backdated. First Cymru has messed around in negotiations for long enough and will now see the anger of our members on the picket line.”

gruff and Patti Thomas

Blown tyre leads to 38-month ban for Pembroke Dock driver

A BlOWN-TYRE has led to a 38-month driving ban for a Pembrokeshire motorist who was caught drink-driving on the Cleddau Bridge.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Nathan Harvey, 23, was travelling eastbound in the early hours of September 29 when one of his tyres burst. Instead of stopping, Harvey continued to drive until the rubber had worn down to the wheel arch.

“He didn’t have a phone and was unsure what to do,” his solicitor, Mike Kelleher, told the court.

“He didn’t want to leave the vehicle unattended but was also very concerned

about flagging people down.”

Within minutes of the blow-out, a police patrol pulled alongside Harvey’s Vauxhall Meriva. A roadside breath test proved positive, and a subsequent reading at the police station showed 57 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath — the legal limit being 35.

Harvey, of Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drink-driving. He was disqualified from driving for three years and two months, having a previous conviction for the same offence in April 2022.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

St Davids lifeboat crew assist casualty on tanker 22 miles offshore

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

ST DAV i DS all-weather lifeboat was launched on Wednesday (Oct 15) to assist a casualty reported to be non-breathing aboard a tanker 22 nautical miles west of St Davids Head. The lifeboat was paged at 1:04pm

and made best speed towards the vessel. Owing to calm sea conditions, the 16-metre Tamar-class lifeboat met the 95-metre tanker approximately 17 to 18 nautical miles west of St Davids Head.

Three volunteer crew members were transferred aboard to provide emergency casualty care. The individual, who had initially been reported as non-breathing, was by that point breathing with the aid of oxygen. The RNLI crew continued treatment, administering oxygen and first aid, until Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 936 arrived on scene around 15 minutes later.

Winch paramedics were landed on the tanker and, with the assistance of the St Davids crew, airlifted the casualty to Withybush Hospital for further treatment.

With the casualty safely evacuated, the lifeboat crew returned to station, rehousing at around 4:00pm.

An RNLI spokesperson said: “We thank Coastguard Rescue 936 from Caernarfon for their assistance with this service and wish the casualty a speedy recovery.”

Neyland Council pledges action on parking, allotments and health services

NEYlAND TOWN COUNCil has outlined a series of resolutions following its full council meeting on monday (Oct 13), aimed at tackling key community issues ranging from parking safety to local healthcare.

Top of the agenda was a plan to find a long-term solution to the ongoing parking and safety problems on St Clements Road. Councillors agreed to pursue measures to improve conditions for both residents and motorists.

The Council also voted to set up a dedicated committee to oversee the creation and management of community allotments — a move designed to promote sustainability, wellbeing and local engagement.

In an effort to strengthen cooperation with external agencies, members resolved to invite representatives from local authorities and organisations to

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

attend Council meetings. The aim, they said, was to foster “deeper relationships” and make Neyland Town Council a more effective conduit for residents’ concerns.

A public survey will also be launched to gather residents’ views on the most pressing community issues, ensuring that local voices shape the Council’s priorities in the months ahead.

Finally, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to press Hywel Dda University Health Board for a permanent solution to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding St Clements Surgery.

A spokesperson for Neyland Town Council said the resolutions reflect a strong commitment to “transparency, engagement and practical progress” on behalf of the community.

bridge branded ‘Instagrammable eyesore’ by national press

HAVERfORDWEST’S new £5.7million bridge has hit the national headlines this week — but not for

the reasons Pembrokeshire County Council might have hoped. The striking honeycomb-style

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

structure, designed to connect the Riverside area with the new Western Quayside development, has been branded by national newspapers as an “Instagrammable eyesore” and a “bridge to nowhere.”

The criticism, led by a report in the Daily Mirror this week, follows the bridge’s unveiling earlier this year as part of a £25million regeneration scheme intended to revitalise the county town.

‘COlOSSAl WASTE Of mONEY’

Locals quoted by the national media described the bridge as “the bridge that leads to many empty shops,” questioning whether the money should have been spent on other priorities.

Resident Ann Williams said she wanted to see “how it came to £5million,” while another local, Linda Peacock, added: “They would have been better off making car parking free to attract people into town before it dies completely.”

Others took to social media to call it a “bridge to nowhere,” with one resident comparing its modern design to a pair of Kanye West “Yeezy” trainers.

COUNCIL RESpONSE

Pembrokeshire County Council has defended the scheme, insisting the bridge is a key part of a long-term masterplan to reconnect the town centre and encourage new private investment.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place, the Environment and Climate Change, Cllr Paul Miller, said:

“It’s great to see the town’s new bridge in place. Connecting the new Western Quayside development — which we expect to be fully open and occupied over the next couple of months — to the new car park and bus interchange is an

important part of the wider Haverfordwest Masterplan.

“The bridge is just one of a number of key public-sector-led infrastructure projects reaching completion in 2025, and we’re now beginning to move to the next phase of the plan. Private sector investment is following, both in the core town centre and on the periphery.”

CAllS fOR SCRUTiNY

Conservative councillors have called for greater oversight of the spending. Group leader Cllr Di Clements said: “Given its sizeable cost estimation and the high public interest in the matter, the Welsh Conservative group believes that this decision deserves full and proper scrutiny at committee level.”

Cllr Aled Thomas added that every major project undertaken by the council “seems to go over budget,” describing the planning as “poor from the outset.”

THE BiggER PiCTURE

The bridge — which replaced the former red and black arched footbridge over the River Cleddau — was constructed in Cardiff and transported to Haverfordwest earlier this year in a fourday operation.

The council says the overall masterplan aims to transform Haverfordwest into a more vibrant regional centre, with new public spaces, retail and residential conversions, and improved connectivity between the town’s eastern and western sides.

But with national media attention now focused on the project’s cost and purpose, the bridge has become a symbol of a much wider debate — between those who see it as a forward-looking investment in Pembrokeshire’s future, and those who see it as a reminder of how far the county town still has to go.

Magistrate ‘appalled’ as drunk man spits at takeaway and police

A PEmBROKESHiRE magistrate has expressed her disgust after hearing how a man repeatedly spat at the counter and windows of a Haverfordwest pizza takeaway.

Presiding at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, the chair told Marc Innes she was appalled by his conduct.

“We’ve been absolutely appalled listening to this,” she said. “We just can’t believe it. What you need to do is stop drinking, because you’re enough to stop doing this.”

The court heard that Innes, aged 34, entered Pizza Time on Castle Square, Haverfordwest, on the evening of June 26.

“It was obvious that he was intoxicated, and he is known to staff as he causes issues when drunk,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

“He was abusive towards them, saying he was going to f*** them up, and he started spitting at the counter and the windows. His language and behaviour were disgusting.”

As Innes continued shouting at staff, a customer was asked to dial 999 for police assistance. Officers arrested him a short distance away, but his behaviour continued.

“He began spitting in the police van and again in the police cell,” Ms Vaughan added.

Innes, of Slade Villas, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place, and to three counts of criminal damage — to Pizza Time, a police van, and a police cell.

Representing Innes, solicitor Alaw Harries said her client had been unemployed at the time and had turned to drink.

“He clearly regrets his actions and is now trying to better his life by going on courses to broaden his skills and opportunities,” she said.

Magistrates fined Innes a total of £340 and ordered him to pay £128 in court surcharge, £85 in costs, and £100 compensation to Pizza Time.

Milford Haven man let waste pile up for years

A COURT has been shown shocking photographs of a fiveyear accumulation of household waste abandoned outside a council property in milford Haven.

Overflowing bin bags, a discarded sofa, rotting food including animal bones, and piles of household items had been left to build up behind the property in Vicary Crescent, occupied by Gavin James.

The problem has been going on for years, with the photo we are showing being taken in 2023.

The court heard that the buildup had attracted rats, which were frequently seen at the address.

This week James, aged 45, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to breaching a criminal behaviour order by failing to clear the waste despite repeated requests from Pembrokeshire County Council between July 27, 2024 and March 14, 2025.

“The matter goes back to 2020, during which a total of four notices have been served on him,” said solicitor Jill Davies, representing Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Pembrokeshire County Council arranged for a private contractor to remove the waste via skip collections on at least two occasions, and in August 2024, another skip was arranged by his

Sarah Jane Absalom sarah.jane.absalom@herald.email

family members. But no improvement has been made to the property, which is located in a built-up residential area.”

Defence solicitor Tom Lloyd said the waste accumulation was linked to difficulties in James’s personal life.

“The father-of-six suffered a breakdown in his 25-year marriage, and this contributed to the offence,” he said.

After considering a report from the probation service, magistrates imposed a 12-month community order requiring James to take part in a talking therapy programme. He was also fined £120, ordered to pay £427 costs to Pembrokeshire County Council, and a £114 court surcharge.

“You need to deal with this problem in some way, because unless you do, it’s only going to get worse,” the presiding magistrate told him.

lONg

HiSTORY Of ENfORCEmENT ACTION

This is not the first time Gavin James, of Vicary Crescent, has appeared before magistrates over waste-related offences.

In 2023, both he and his thenpartner, Marie Danielle James, were

fined after ignoring repeated council notices under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act. Contractors had to be hired to clear the rubbish after they failed to comply.

In 2024, James was again prosecuted for failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice, issued after further complaints about household waste piling up behind his home. He failed to attend court, and the case was proved in his absence. Magistrates fined him £300, imposed

a £120 victim surcharge, and ordered him to pay £2,759 in council costs.

Following that conviction, Pembrokeshire County Council successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) restricting him from allowing waste to accumulate at the property or causing harassment, alarm or distress to neighbours by failing to clear it.

Despite the order, the same problems persisted, leading to this latest prosecution.

Contractor banned after crashing Mercedes while twice over limit

AN AgRiCUlTURAl contractor has been banned from driving after crashing his mercedes into a Pembrokeshire roundabout while more than twice the legal drinkdrive limit.

Police and paramedics were called to the roundabout at Carew on the night of May 26, following reports that a Mercedes SLK had been involved in a single-vehicle collision. There they found 30-year-old Adam Conbeer behind the wheel.

Subsequent blood tests confirmed he had 219 milligrams of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 80.

“He had been to a charity function that night, consumed some lager

and intended getting a lift or a taxi home to Pembroke,” said probation officer Julie Norman after Conbeer pleaded guilty to drink-driving before Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But he decided to get in his vehicle and then collided at the Carew roundabout.”

Ms Norman told the court that Conbeer, of Wiston Street, Golden Hill, Pembroke, was remorseful for his actions.

“He’s aware of the risk he posed to other road users by driving after consuming alcohol,” she said.

Her comments were echoed by Conbeer’s solicitor, Alaw Harries.

“This was one big mistake and

one big wake-up call,” she said. “He’s extremely disappointed in himself as he’s a positive member of our community.”

Ms Harries added that Conbeer had previously worked as an agricultural contractor travelling to farms across the UK.

“Naturally, he’s relied on his ability to drive but has been unable to work since this happened,” she said. Conbeer was disqualified from driving for 23 months and handed a 12-month community order requiring him to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 in costs.

Man almost three times over limit found asleep in car with engine running

A DECISION to switch on his car engine to keep warm proved a costly mistake for a Pembrokeshire man who was almost three times over the legal drink-drive limit.

Police were alerted to the fact that Kevin Regan, 38, had gone to a Nissan Juke after a drinking session in Gerald Road, Haverfordwest, on September 28.

“They found him asleep at the wheel, the keys were in the ignition and the engine was running,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

“They also found some alcohol resting on the passenger seat.”

When spoken to by officers, Regan said he had gone to the car, which

belonged to his partner, “to cool off.”

“He’d left the property wearing shorts, sat in the vehicle and started getting cold, so he turned on the ignition,” said his solicitor Michael Kelleher, after Regan pleaded guilty to being drunk and in charge of a vehicle.

“He then fell asleep, but the vehicle didn’t move — it was still in the same

place when police arrived. He’s very sorry that he didn’t simply get in the back seat rather than the driver’s seat, and that he turned the engine on.”

After hearing mitigation, magistrates fined Regan £350, ordered him to pay £114 victim surcharge and £85 costs. His driving licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.

By

Two actors. One haunted house. Endless possibilities. Dau actor. Un tŷ bwgan. Posibiliadau diddiwedd. A chilling NEW production from the Torch Theatre.

Cynhyrchiad NEWYDD brawychus Theatr Torch.

8 - 25 October

From the story by Henry James

A Torch Theatre Company Production Cynhyrchiad Cwmni Theatr Torch

Green candidate questions impact of Senedd ‘Bus Bill’ on rural Wales

THE gREEN PARTY’S candidate for Ceredigion and Penfro, Amy Nicholass, has criticised the Welsh government’s proposed ‘Bus Bill’, warning it could harm vital rural bus services across west Wales.

The legislation, currently progressing through the Senedd, would introduce a franchising system under which decisions on routes, timetables, fares, and service standards would be made by the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales (TfW), working alongside local authorities.

But Nicholass, who regularly relies on local bus routes including the T5, T3, 381, 460 and 430, fears the changes will centralise control and risk cutting lifeline services.

She said: “I use buses in rural west Wales. My journeys often take over an hour. I’m not sure franchising will make them more reliable — and I worry that the unprofitable ones will disappear altogether.”

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

RURAl lifEliNES AT RiSK

The Green Party argues that the Bill fails to define what constitutes a “socially necessary route,” suggesting such services could be replaced by community transport schemes run largely by volunteers.

Nicholass added: “Rural buses are lifelines for people to access shops, see friends and get to work. People build communities on buses — it’s lovely to hear regular passengers greeting each other.”

She said the franchising model might work for urban areas such as Cardiff and Newport, but not for sparsely populated regions like Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. Powys Council has already reported difficulties with TfW over coordinating school bus services,

she noted, warning that similar problems could spread west.

“I see buses as a vital part of the community,” Nicholass said. “Their services should be designed for efficiency, reliability and care for community need — not profit or centralised control from Cardiff.”

A gREEN ViSiON fOR WEST WAlES

Nicholass helped organise Ceredigion’s Bus Action Day in September 2023 and co-authored a follow-up report that called for more investment in rural public transport.

The report stated: “Higher patronage means lower car use, which is good for the climate. People being able to move around, stay independent, and take part in activities improves health and reduces pressure on the NHS and social services.”

Nicholass said that vision — greener, better-connected, community-centred transport — remains at the heart of her campaign. For more information on the consultation, visit haveyoursay.tfw.wales.

Pembroke Lantern Parade at risk without £5,500 lifeline

PEmBROKE could lose one of its most loved community events unless urgent funding is found.

For the past two years, the Pembroke Lantern Parade has lit up the town with colour, creativity, and community spirit — but organisers say the 2025 event is now in jeopardy due to a funding shortfall.

The Pembroke Town Team, which runs the event, said it needs to raise £5,500 within one week to keep the popular winter parade alive.

A spokesperson said: “The Lantern Parade has become one of the most magical events of the year, welcoming everyone, no matter their age, ability or financial situation. But this year, we’re facing a serious funding gap. Without support, we won’t be able to go ahead.”

Residents and local businesses are being urged to help save the event by donating to a public GoFundMe campaign, which can be found at https:// gofund.me/eb73cbe7d.

Organisers say every contribution — large or small — will make a difference to keeping this cherished Pembroke tradition alive.

The Herald understands that local groups including Shop Local Pembroke, Sand Palace Arts, and Pembroke Town Council have all supported previous parades.

Let’s keep Pembroke glowing together!

Spooky family fun at Carew Castle and Tidal Mill this October half-term

CAREW CASTlE and Tidal mill are preparing for another spellbinding October half-term, with a full week of family-friendly Halloween adventures set within one of Pembrokeshire’s most atmospheric historic landmarks.

From Saturday 25 October to Sunday 2 November, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of spooky storytelling, interactive trails, and thrilling tours — perfect for witches, wizards, and brave explorers of all ages.

The Pumpkin Patch Adventure invites younger visitors to explore the Castle

grounds in search of hidden pumpkins. This self-led trail runs daily from 10:00am–4:00pm and costs £2 per child, plus standard admission.

Back by popular demand, the Creepy Mill transforms the dark and shadowy Tidal Mill into a haunted house-style experience, filled with eerie decorations and ghostly surprises around every corner. Open daily from 11:00am–5:00pm (last admission 4:30pm), entry to the Creepy Mill is included with standard admission and is recommended for ages four and up.

From Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 October at 1:00pm, families can take part in a new fantasy adventure with best-selling immersive author Oliver McNeil. The Storymaster’s Tales: Castle of Blood invites participants to shape their own quest in a live, interactive show packed with creatures, challenges, and chilling choices. Suitable for ages six and up, tickets are £6 per person (Castle admission not included). Booking is recommended at www.storymasterstales. com/live.

Those seeking ghostly thrills can join the Halloween Ghost Tour, running from Tuesday 28 to Friday 31 October, 4:30pm–5:30pm. This atmospheric guided walk through the Castle promises strange sightings and eerie encounters. Tickets cost £8.50 for adults and £6.50 for children (ages five and up). Advance booking is essential at www.carewcastle. com.

On Thursday 30 and Friday 31 October at 11:00am and 2:00pm, children aged four to eight can take part in Fantastic Beasts

and How to Rescue Them! — a one-hour interactive quest with storytelling, crafts, and mythical creatures. Tickets are £5 per child (Castle admission not included) and must be booked in advance.

The Nest Tearoom will be open throughout the week, serving seasonal treats and cosy refreshments — the perfect way to warm up between adventures.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, said: “October half-term at Carew is one of the highlights of our year. The Castle really comes to life with families exploring, laughing, and creating memories – all with just a hint of Halloween magic. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re brave enough for the Creepy Mill or prefer a pumpkin hunt in the sunshine.”

For full event details and to book tickets, visit www.carewcastle.com.

To discover more events taking place across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, visit www.pembrokeshirecoast. wales/events.

Local charity founder wins Gold at national mental health awards

PEmBROKESHiRE charity founder Clare Sturman has been awarded gold in the inspiring individual category at the Wales mental Health & Wellbeing Awards 2025, in recognition of her exceptional contribution to suicide awareness and postvention support.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Clare, from Narberth, founded The Sammy-sized GAP in memory of her son, Sam Price, who died by suicide in 2023 aged just nineteen. What began

as a mother’s mission to keep her son’s light shining has grown into one of Wales’ most compassionate community-led postvention charities, offering vital support to individuals and families affected by suicide across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

On the same evening, The Sammysized GAP also received Silver in the Inspirational Charitable Organisation category — acknowledging the charity’s growing influence and commitment to creating safer, more connected communities.

“When I lost Sam, my world stopped,” said Clare. “I made a promise that his name would stand for change, connection, and hope — and that no one else would have to face that kind of loss alone. To receive this award, especially for something born from so much pain, means more than I can ever say. This is for Sam — always.”

The charity provides one-to-one and

group postvention support, community events, training, and awareness programmes. It also runs The Yaki Da Boi Project, which promotes positive mental health, physical wellbeing, and substance awareness among young people.

With the help of volunteers and local partners, The Sammy-sized GAP continues to grow — reducing stigma, improving understanding of suicide bereavement, and promoting early intervention and recovery.

“The Sammy-sized GAP is about love, not loss,” Clare added. “It’s about turning heartbreak into hope, and helping people find a way forward together. To have both myself and the charity recognised is a huge honour for our whole team and everyone who has supported us.”

For more information about The Sammy-sized GAP and its work, visit www.sammy-sizedgap.co.uk or follow @ TheSammySizedGap on social media.

Green energy or greed energy? Protesters confront Plaid Cymru conference

RURAl Welsh residents staged a demonstration outside Plaid Cymru’s conference in Swansea on Saturday (Oct 12) to protest against what they describe as the “industrialisation of

the Welsh countryside”.

The protest was led by the Carmarthenshire Residents Action Group (CRAiG Sir Gâr) and joined by campaigners from Llandovery, Llandeilo,

Lampeter, Brechfa, Ceredigion, Caerphilly and other parts of Wales.

The action followed a call made during CRAiG’s public meeting in Pumsaint on September 13, where residents urged direct action to make their concerns heard by political parties ahead of the next Senedd election.

‘A ONCE-iN-A-gENERATiON ElECTiON’

Havard Hughes, spokesman for CRAiG Sir Gâr, said: “Campaigners came to Plaid’s Swansea conference because, according to opinion polls, Plaid may form the next Welsh Government.

“In this once-in-a-generation ‘change’ election, we want to make it clear that the industrialisation of the countryside will be a key issue.

“The people of rural Wales — the Bro Gymraeg — are not intrinsically opposed to renewables. However, the gargantuan plans for mega turbines and vast renewable power stations would change our countryside forever.

“The proposed wind industrial zone in north Carmarthenshire is wider than Greater London, running almost the full width of the county and into Pembrokeshire. Tourism and farming would be devastated.”

He added: “Many traditional Plaid voters have begun to lose faith in the party of Gwynfor Evans to block the exploitation of Wales. The party of Tryweryn seems to have forgotten its roots. When Plaid opposed the drowning of Capel Celyn, they didn’t invest council pension funds in the Liverpool Corporation, nor nominate one of its advisers to the House of Lords.

“We had a great reception from rankand-file Plaid members, and some even joined the protest. Sadly, Plaid Cymru’s leadership seems more on the side of the speculators than the voters. Over the next few months, as we head towards the 2026 elections, we plan to change their

minds.”

‘WE mUST NOT REPEAT THE miSTAKES Of COAl’

Brechfa campaigner Mari Mitchell said: “I was happy to be part of the demonstration against ‘greed energy’ outside the Brangwyn Hall on Saturday. I have voted Plaid Cymru since the glory days of Gwynfor Evans, but I am concerned that if the party wins next May, it might follow Labour’s example of selling our country to outside developers of debatable renewable energy projects.

“This could open the door for Reform — a terrifying prospect, as they have promised to scrap green policies altogether. Reform has no track record in government, just as Bute GreenGen have no experience developing energy parks or pylon chains.

“I would beg our potential leaders to listen to Lianne Wood’s words: we must learn from our history and not repeat the mistakes of the coal industry. The wealth of Wales lies not just in money, but in its people and environment.”

‘OUR LANDSCApE IS OUR liVEliHOOD’

Katie Rees, chair of Llandeilo Business Forum and a Llandeilo town councillor, said: “Tourism is absolutely crucial to so many businesses in Llandeilo. That’s why people in the Tywi Valley are opposed to this huge industrialisation of our landscape.

“We have a tourism and farming economy and want to see the beautiful Tywi Valley preserved for future generations. More and more people are slowly becoming aware of these monstrous proposals. The people of Wales need to wake up to what our representatives are doing in our name — and our representatives need to start listening to local people.”

Dean of St Davids nominated for prestigious national award

THE DEAN of St Davids Cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, has been invited to attend the prestigious Women of the Year lunch and Awards in london on monday (October 13).

The invitation recognises what organisers describe as her “outstanding contribution” and “lasting impact” on the communities she serves.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Now celebrating its 70th anniversary, the annual event is run entirely by volunteers and led by President Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. The network celebrates women from all walks of life, championing those who make a difference to others and advancing the achievements of women across the UK and beyond.

Previous recipients include artist Tracey Emin, musician Joan Armatrading and the subpostmistresses caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal.

Dean Sarah said she was “incredibly proud” to receive the invitation, adding: “It means the world to be recognised in this way.”

The Bishop of St Davids, Dorrien Davies, praised her nomination, saying: “Dean Sarah is a force for good in our community and that of the

cathedral. This recognition is richly deserved.”

Dean Sarah has led St Davids Cathedral since 2018. Ordained in the Church in Wales in 1999, she has served in parishes in Wrexham and Cardiff, and spent a decade as Research Advisor to the Archbishop of Cape Town. Before entering ministry, she served for 15 years as a British diplomat, receiving both the LVO and OBE for her work.

Dean Sarah Rowland Jones (Diocese of St Davids)

Welsh Conservatives condemn £38m cut in new ‘Local Growth Fund’ for Wales

THE WElSH CONSERVATiVES have launched a strong attack on the UK government’s new funding scheme for Wales, accusing ministers of breaking promises and delivering a real-terms cut to investment.

Under the previous post-Brexit replacement for EU regional funding — the Shared Prosperity Fund — Wales received around £585 million over three

years. Under the newly introduced Local Growth Fund, that allocation falls to £547 million over the same period — a reduction of £38 million.

The announcement has triggered political controversy in both Cardiff Bay and Westminster, as parties debate whether the change represents a meaningful cut or a technical adjustment within the post-EU funding regime.

fUNDiNg fRAmEWORK AND gOVERNmENT RESPONSE

The UK and Welsh Governments have jointly agreed a framework for the Local Growth Fund, with decisions on its deployment devolved to Cardiff.

According to the Welsh Government, the fund will support growth, productivity, and local priorities — including infrastructure, skills, innovation, and investment in key sectors such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology.

First Minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the settlement is “slightly smaller” than before, but stressed that Wales would still receive about 22 per cent of the UK-wide fund. She said funding would “reach all parts of Wales” and that devolved decision-making would ensure investment matched local priorities.

UK Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said the new approach reflected “a commitment to local democracy,” adding: “Decisions are best made by people in Wales.”

Despite those assurances, opposition politicians say the reduction amounts to a broken promise and a warning sign of tighter budgets ahead.

TORY OUTCRY OVER ‘BROKEN

PROmiSES

AND VANiTY PROJECTS’

Samuel Kurtz MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy, issued a stinging statement accusing Labour of giving Wales “tens of millions of pounds less” than under the previous scheme.

“The Welsh Labour Government getting to hold the purse strings does not fill me with hope,” he said. “They routinely waste taxpayers’ money on vanity projects — or on non-devolved areas like their pointless overseas embassies and Ugandan tree planting.”

Mr Kurtz said the reduced funding would harm Welsh businesses already under pressure from what he called “higher taxes imposed by Labour Governments at both ends of the M4.”

imPACT AND UNANSWERED qUESTIONS

Local authorities and development

agencies are now assessing how the lower funding total will affect projects. Key questions remain over how much will be allocated to capital works — such as roads, broadband and premises — versus revenue funding for skills and business support.

There is also uncertainty over how funds will be distributed across regions and whether inflation and rising publicservice costs will further erode the real value of the grant.With Labour holding only 29 of 60 Senedd seats, ministers will need opposition support to pass next year’s budget — making the Local Growth Fund a likely flashpoint in the coming financial debates.

lONg-TERm TENSiONS OVER REgiONAl fUNDiNg

The dispute highlights longrunning tensions about how regional development money is shared across the UK.

Under the EU’s structural funds, Wales received billions in direct investment via Brussels. The Shared Prosperity Fund was meant to replicate that model domestically, but the shift to a “Local Growth Fund” marks a move towards centralised, outcome-based competition.

Critics warn the new system could disadvantage smaller or rural areas, particularly given delays and underspending in earlier “Levelling Up” schemes. With Wales’ economy heavily reliant on infrastructure investment, many warn that even modest cuts could have outsized effects.

Some Plaid Cymru and Welsh Labour backbenchers have already called for full devolution of replacementfund control, arguing that decisions about Welsh priorities should rest entirely in Wales.

WHAT HAPPENS NExT

The Welsh Government says it will launch a public consultation later this month to shape how the Local Growth Fund is spent. Local authorities, businesses and community groups will be invited to submit proposals for regional investment.

As the Senedd begins its 2026-27 budget process, attention will focus on whether the smaller funding pot can sustain existing projects — or whether Wales will face another round of spending squeezes.

For now, the £38 million reduction has ignited a wider debate over who really controls Wales’s economic destiny — and whether devolution of the purse strings will empower communities or simply shift the blame for austerity closer to home.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Council clarifies Cherry Grove questions after Herald report

PEmBROKESHiRE COUNTY

COUNCil members have moved to clarify points raised at last week’s meeting about Cherry grove learning Centre, following a Herald report that accurately quoted Cllr John Cole’s question regarding the facility.

The Herald’s story, published on Monday (Oct 13), reported that Cllr Cole asked whether a “Peace School” operating near Haverfordwest Mosque had any links to the local authority. The question was answered publicly by the council’s education cabinet member, who confirmed that the centre — correctly named Cherry Grove Learning Centre — is independent, and that no pupils have been placed there and no public funding has been provided.

The Herald stands by its report, which reflected what was said in open session. Further clarification since the meeting confirms that the learning centre operates entirely independently and has no religious affiliation.

CllR BEYNON CONDEmNS

“iRRESPONSiBlE” ClAimS

In a statement on Tuesday (Oct 14), Cllr Joshua Beynon criticised both the question and the misinformation that followed online.

“Cherry Grove Learning Centre has no connection whatsoever to Haverfordwest Mosque. It is an independent, nonreligious education facility registered under Pembrokeshire Education and Community Empowerment (PEACE) CIC,” he said.

“For Cllr Cole to use council time to raise such a question without verifying

the facts first was irresponsible and unfair to both the centre and the community.”

Cllr Beynon also pointed out that Ofsted does not operate in Wales, where inspection and registration fall under Estyn, the Welsh inspectorate.

“If councillors are going to raise questions publicly, especially on sensitive community matters, the very least they owe residents is accuracy,” he said.

WHAT CHERRY gROVE PROViDES

According to information published on the centre’s official website, Cherry Grove Learning Centre offers part-time and limited full-time alternative education for children and young people unable to attend mainstream school due to anxiety, phobias, or additional learning needs.

The centre operates on a fee-paying basis, charging £2,700 per term for a three-day week and from £4,000 per term for full-time placements. It welcomes referrals from families, professionals, and schools but is not commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Programmes include personalised small-group teaching, study coaching, enrichment activities such as sports and outdoor learning, and additional learning needs support.

Deputy Head Neil Aulehla-Atkin told The Herald: “We are a completely independent learning centre focused on inclusion, wellbeing and education. There are no links to any religious organisation. Anyone with questions is welcome to visit and see for themselves.”

Parent Helen Masters, a qualified teacher, added: “Cherry Grove is a

caring, secular setting that provides individualised education for children who need it most. The location of a mosque nearby has no bearing on what happens inside this school.”

Cherry Grove Learning Centre operates under Pembrokeshire Education and Community Empowerment CIC, a communityinterest company formed in 2024.

Independent learning centres are not required to follow the National Curriculum but may do so voluntarily. Cherry Grove says it follows the Curriculum for Wales and provides bespoke support for learners with additional needs.

THE HERAlD’S POSiTiON

The Herald will continue to report

The alternative view By Mike Dello

f inally, what could become a lasting peace between i srael and Palestine was thrashed out this week — a deal that saw the 20 remaining i sraeli hostages, along with the bodies of several others, exchanged for more than 2,000 Hamas prisoners.

Donald Trump hailed the agreement as “the end of 3,000

years of conflict in the Middle East” — a tad ambitious, given that this particular struggle dates back to the creation of the State of Israel 77 years ago. Trump, ever the showman, clearly hoped the peace deal might earn him a Nobel Prize. That was never on the cards, of course, as nominations closed in January. The honour went instead

to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado.

While the ceasefire remains fragile, many of Trump’s detractors will be wiping egg off their faces — at least for now. But no doubt, it won’t be long before they find fresh material to attack him with.

Back home, Sir Keir Starmer has managed once again to swerve a domestic crisis while juggling global diplomacy. The Prime Minister’s focus on the Middle East coincided with the suspension of the trial of Chris Cash and Chris Berry, both accused of spying for China. Supported by the head of UK Security, Jonathan Powell, Starmer now faces accusations from the opposition of “cosying up” to Beijing — particularly as China presses ahead with plans to build a vast new embassy complex in Tower Hamlets, sparking alarm over national security.

accurately on issues raised in public meetings and publish clarifications when new information emerges.

Our original story reflected questions asked in the council chamber — a matter of public record — and we make no apology for reporting them.

What matters now is transparency from both councillors and education providers, so that public confidence is maintained.

Pembrokeshire has a long tradition of tolerance and community spirit. The Herald reminds readers that speculation about race or religion has no place in local debate. Comments containing hate speech or misinformation will be removed in line with our moderation policy.

Meanwhile, in East London, the East London Mosque has reportedly banned females over the age of twelve from taking part in a charity fun run — claiming it could lead to “inappropriate physical contact” with men. One might wonder where the so-called ‘woke brigade’ are when you actually need them. My guess is they’ll give this one a wide berth.

And finally, it’s the World Conker Championships in Northamptonshire this weekend. The BBC, in its wisdom, is sending eleven staff to cover it. Having already lost coverage rights for both the Grand National and the Boat Race, the corporation is clearly prioritising the big stories. Nice to know your licence fee is being put to good use — proof, perhaps, that when it comes to broadcasting priorities, conkers really are bonkers.

St Davids remembers lifeboat crew lost in 1910 tragedy

A mOViNg service has been held in St Davids to mark the 115th anniversary of the loss of local lifeboat The gem and her three courageous crewmen.

Coxswain John Stephens, and crewmen Henry Rowlands and James Price died when their lifeboat capsized in treacherous seas on the night of October 12–13, 1910, as they attempted to rescue the crew of the ketch Democrat near The Bitches reef.

The commemoration began with the RNLI flag being raised at St Davids Cathedral, followed by a service led by Canon Leigh, who said:

“Their courage and sacrifice still speak to us of duty, love, and of a light that shines in the darkness. May they rest in peace and rise in glory.”

As part of the event, two biodegradable wreaths were laid — one on the water above The Bitches and another at the crew’s resting place in St Davids Cemetery.

The wreaths were created by pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, who were invited to take part in the remembrance ceremony alongside members of the RNLI St Davids Lifeboat and the wider community.

Pembroke Dock man banned after testing positive for cocaine derivative

A PEmBROKE Dock man has been banned from driving for 12 months after being found behind the wheel with cocaine traces in his system.

Police came across a broken-down Isuzu D-Max in the middle of the A478 between the Penblewin roundabout and Clunderwen shortly after 6:00pm on April 3.

“They discovered Jack Morgan in the vehicle and his speech was slurred,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

A roadside drug swipe proved positive, and subsequent blood tests at the police station showed Morgan had 86 micrograms of benzoylecgonine –a cocaine breakdown product – in his system. The legal limit is 50.

Morgan, 29, of The Green, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to drug-driving. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £120, and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Chief Fire Officer announces retirement after nearly 30 years of service

miD AND WEST WAlES fire and Rescue Service has announced the retirement of Chief fire Officer Roger Thomas KfSm, effective from Sunday (Oct 19). His departure marks the end of a distinguished 29-year career devoted to public safety and community service.

Roger began his career with the Service in 1996, progressing from Firefighter to Chief Fire Officer through professionalism, integrity, and an unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of the communities he served.

During his time with the Service, Roger held a range of operational and leadership positions, including a secondment to the Welsh Government in 2007–08, where he provided vital frontline insight into national policymaking. In 2014, he joined the Executive Leadership Team as Area Manager, and from 2017 onwards, he served in Brigade Manager roles during a period of major transformation for the organisation.

Appointed Chief Fire Officer in April 2022, Roger has been credited with leading the Service through a time of challenge and innovation — maintaining high operational standards, strengthening community engagement, and promoting a culture of inclusivity and resilience.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

As I step into retirement, I do so with full confidence in the future of the Service and the incredible people who will continue to lead it forward.”

Councillor John Davies, Chair of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, said:

“Roger’s legacy is reflected not only in the policies he shaped and the incidents he led, but in the people he mentored, the teams he inspired and the trust he built across the organisation and beyond.

He leaves behind a Service that is stronger, more agile and deeply connected to the communities it serves. On behalf of the Authority, I wish Roger a long and healthy retirement.”

INTERIM LEADERSHIp ANNOUNCED

Following Chief Fire Officer Thomas’s retirement, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Iwan Cray has been appointed to fulfil the statutory responsibilities of Head of Paid Service on an interim basis.

His exceptional contribution was formally recognised in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, where he received the King’s Fire Service Medal (KFSM). Reflecting on his retirement, Chief Fire Officer Thomas said: “It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues and our communities.

This arrangement ensures continuity of leadership while the recruitment process for a permanent Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Officer is underway.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Cray brings extensive experience and proven leadership to the role, along with a deep commitment to the Service’s values.

On taking up his appointment, he said: “It is a privilege to take on this responsibility and I do so with a deep sense of commitment to our people, our communities and the values that define our Service.

While this is a temporary arrangement, I want to reassure everyone that continuity, stability and progress will remain our priorities.”

Prendergast Butchers shortlisted for top Southwest award

HAVERfORDWEST favourites

Prendergast Butchers have been named finalists in the best of Southwest Business Awards 2026 — competing for the title of Best Butcher.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

The family-run business, which has proudly served the local community for years, thanked customers for their continued support and urged everyone to cast their vote to help

bring the award home.

“If you love what we do, please take a moment to vote for us — every single vote means the world to us,” said a spokesperson.

You can show your support and vote online at shorturl.at/sQ2N6.

The team’s nomination recognises their dedication to quality produce, friendly service, and unwavering commitment to the local community — values that have made Prendergast Butchers a cornerstone of Pembrokeshire life.

Fishguard Port to close for essential maintenance work

fishguard Port is set to close next month to allow for essential maintenance work to take place.

The Stena Nordica, which operates the Fishguard–Rosslare route, will enter dry dock on 2 November. From 3 to 18 November, the service will be covered by the MV Ben My Chree.

The Ben My Chree is a roll-on, roll-off passenger ferry capable of carrying up to 500 passengers and 200 cars. Built in the Netherlands and launched in 1998, she underwent a refit in 2004 to increase passenger capacity, followed by a further £1.6 million refurbishment in 2014.

The vessel will complete her temporary service on 18 November, after which it is understood that Fishguard Port will close until 4 December.

According to Stena Line, the closure will enable planned maintenance work at the port, “reinforcing the company’s longterm commitment to, and investment in, service quality and operational resilience.”

From 20 November to 4 December, Stena Line has entered into a temporary agreement with Irish Ferries to share freight and passenger capacity across the Irish Sea. During this period, Irish Ferries will provide space for Stena Line passengers and freight customers on the Rosslare–Pembroke route.

Stena Line customers will travel on Irish Ferries’ Pembroke–Rosslare service, with Stena Line staff on hand at Pembroke Port to assist travellers. Meanwhile, Stena Line will continue

Man convicted of racially aggravated harassment

A PEmBROKE man has been found guilty of multiple offences of assault and harassment following a series of incidents earlier this year.

Lance Finnegan, aged 33, of 1 Police Houses, Monkton, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Oct 9) for trial.

Finnegan was convicted of assault by beating after attacking Lisa Holland at Tumble, Llanelli, on February 21. He had denied the charge but was found guilty after trial.

He was also convicted of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, and intentional harassment involving victims Linda Collins and Lauren Dunnett. The court heard that on August 10 in Llanelli, Finnegan used threatening and abusive language in incidents that were racially aggravated under section 28 of the Crime and Disorder

Act 1998.

Magistrates Mr M Bennett, Mr E Jones and Mr E Brodrick found him guilty on all but one charge, dismissing one count of harassment relating to Linda Collins.

Finnegan was remanded on conditional bail ahead of sentencing on October 29 at 11:00am at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court. His bail conditions include:

• Living and sleeping each night at 1 Police Houses, Monkton, Pembroke

• Not entering Tumble

• Not contacting, directly or indirectly, Lisa Holland, Jason McGee, Linda Collins, or Lauren Dunnett

A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

take effect from 20 November until 4 December 2025.

The change also allows Stena Line to undertake planned maintenance at Fishguard Port, reinforcing our longterm commitment to service quality and operational resilience.”

It is understood that the Ben My Chree will return to cover the Fishguard–Rosslare service from 4 to 7 December, after which the Stena Nordica is expected to resume operations following her dry dock period.

Johan Edelman, Trade Director for Irish Sea South at Stena Line, added:

“We’re pleased to introduce this temporary operational model, which ensures continuity of service for our freight and travel customers during essential maintenance and vessel upgrades.

to operate the Dublin–Holyhead route, allocating space for Irish Ferries customers as part of the arrangement.

A spokesperson for Stena Line said:

“A strategic collaboration with Irish Ferries will enable essential dry-docking of vessels, whilst ensuring service continuity, quality and reliability.

This temporary agreement will

This collaboration strengthens the resilience of our Irish Sea operations and helps us maintain the reliability our customers expect.

Our customers’ needs are always our top priority, and we’re delighted that this arrangement allows us to continue providing a high-quality service.”

Stena Line will contact affected customers regarding any travel changes. Bookings for this period can be made directly via the Stena Line website.

Counterfeit Labubu dolls removed from sale in Pembrokeshire

THE PEmBROKESHiRE COUNTY

COUNCil Trading Standards team has removed counterfeit and potentially unsafe labubu dolls from sale in the county.

Following a complaint with “serious safety concerns”, Pembrokeshire County Council’s public protection department launched an investigation.

This led to the removal of a number of counterfeit Labubu dolls and other branded soft toys, which are now awaiting destruction.

These toys, which often appear to be ‘bargain alternatives’ to genuine products, are said to pose significant risks to children.

Counterfeit toys are not made following strict toy safety rules.

They are often poorly constructed and can contain harmful materials.

Counterfeiters usually ignore safety standards and don’t have proper factory controls.

This means these toys may contain toxic chemicals in plastics, which can harm children’s organs in the long term, and small parts, like eyes, that can be choking hazards for young children.

The Chartered Institute for Trading Standards (CTSI) has given advice on how to recognise genuine products.

People should check the packaging for a UKCA or CE mark and make sure a UK-based importer or manufacturer is listed.

Warnings and usage instructions should also be present.

Authenticity markers on Pop Mart Labubu dolls include a holographic sticker, a scannable QR code linking to the official website, and a UV stamp on one foot for newer editions.

Signs of a fake toy include overly vibrant colours, poor stitching, or the

‘Bargains’ should be approached with caution, as lower prices often mean higher risks.

It’s advised to buy from trusted retailers and stay away from unfamiliar online vendors or third-party sellers on marketplace platforms.

Retailers are also urged to be careful when sourcing branded toys. They should only buy through

official channels, check for anticounterfeit codes on packaging, and avoid bulk purchases from unknown suppliers.

The making and selling of counterfeit goods is often linked to organised crime, making enforcement and consumer awareness vital.

For more information or to report concerns, contact Pembrokeshire County Council’s Trading Standards team on 01437 764551.

wrong number of teeth, as genuine Labubus have nine.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Town’s landmark bridge now open to the public

HAVERfORDWEST residents and visitors have begun crossing the town’s striking new signature bridge following its official opening ceremony held on Riverside.

The new bridge forms a centrepiece of the Heart of Pembrokeshire Regeneration Project, linking the Western Quayside development with the new public transport interchange and car park across the river.

The project is part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s wider plan to breathe new life into the County Town. The bridge replaces the old footbridge, which had reached the end of its lifespan, and creates a modern connection across the

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Cleddau.

CElEBRATiNg THE OPENiNg

The opening ceremony saw performances from the Prendergast Community School Super Singers Choir and attendance from dignitaries including the First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, and local MP Henry Tufnell, who officially declared the bridge open.

Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Paul Miller, said the bridge was an “important link” in the wider town

bridge and nearby developments as a “turning point” for the town.

“The new Western Quayside development, with the bridge and transport interchange, will play a crucial role in restoring opportunity and pride in our local area,” he said. “We’re already seeing new businesses move in and spaces being repurposed to create a more vibrant centre.”

Local County Councillor for Castle Ward, Thomas Tudor, praised the engineering achievement and the benefits to accessibility:

“The new bridge is an incredible piece of work that improves connectivity for residents and visitors alike. It enhances Haverfordwest’s riverside and helps everyone enjoy the town’s revitalised centre.”

AWARD RECOgNiTiON AND NExT STEpS

The Haverfordwest Footbridge project has been shortlisted for two prestigious Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) awards later this year, recognising its innovative design and construction.

regeneration strategy.

He added: “Connecting the new Western Quayside development to the transport interchange and car park is a crucial step in delivering a vibrant, high-quality town centre along the riverside.

“We are now moving into the next phase of the masterplan, with private investment beginning to follow in the core town centre and surrounding areas.”

BRiNgiNg NEW lifE TO THE RIvERSIDE

Henry Tufnell MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire described the

Although open, some minor finishing touches will be added in the coming weeks, including the installation of an additional handrail.

fUNDiNg AND SUPPORT

The bridge was supported by £5.1 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, with an additional £568,820 contribution from Pembrokeshire County Council.

Together, these funds have delivered a landmark structure that symbolises Haverfordwest’s transformation and the wider regeneration of Pembrokeshire’s county town.

Giltar Hotel celebrates gold at Wales in Bloom Awards

The giltar Hotel in Tenby is celebrating after securing a prestigious gold Award at this year’s Wales in Bloom competition — one of only two hotels in the seaside town to achieve the honour.

at the awards ceremony, held at Wrexham Memorial Hall last Friday. The event, hosted in Wales’s newest city, welcomed participants with vibrant floral arrangements before guests embarked on guided tours of Wrexham’s landmarks, including the historic Erlas Victorian Walled Garden.

This summer’s warm weather produced dazzling displays across the country, although the prolonged dry spell meant many gardeners spent much of the season focused on watering duties. Their efforts paid off, resulting in a spectacular showing of colour and creativity for judges to enjoy.

Among other local successes, Saundersfoot Sensory Garden received an It’s Your Neighbourhood – National Certificate of Distinction, while Haven Kiln Park and Penally Court Caravan Park were also awarded Gold in their category.

the room how important ‘Bloom’ is. It’s more than just flowerbeds and hanging baskets. It brings people together with a common purpose of improving the environment that they live in. It brings together communities, schools, neighbours, volunteers and strangers who in turn become friends, be that tending flowerbeds, working on community allotments or litter picking, to all of you I say Thank You.”

Wales in Bloom Chair, Peter Barton Price, praised the growing enthusiasm across the nation:

“Wales in Bloom saw an increase in entries in 2025, with groups coming together to develop a better and more sustainable environment, creating opportunities for people to engage with their local green spaces, developing good horticulture practices and greater engagement programmes.”

Giltar gardeners Tobin and Simon Rowlands represented the hotel

The award recognises excellence in floral displays and environmental presentation, with The Giltar earning top marks in the Best Hotel with a Frontage Display category. Sharing the spotlight on Tenby’s Esplanade, The Atlantic Hotel also struck gold, marking a proud moment for the town’s hospitality sector.

Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham’s Lead Member for Economy, Business and Tourism, extended a heartfelt welcome to all those attending the celebration. He said:

“I don’t have to tell any of you in

For The Giltar Hotel, the award serves as recognition of months of dedication and teamwork. With Tenby’s stunning Esplanade once again in full bloom, the achievement reflects not only the hotel’s commitment to excellence but also the enduring community spirit that Wales in Bloom continues to inspire.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Samuel Kurtz MS Launches Christmas card competition for primary schools

SAmUEl KURTZ mS, member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, is inviting primary school pupils across the constituency to take part in his annual Christmas Card Competition.

The winning design will be featured on the front cover of Samuel Kurtz’s official 2025 Christmas card. The initiative aims to celebrate the creativity and artistic talent of local children during the festive season.

In addition, the winning entry will be sent to His Majesty King Charles III, alongside local businesses and community organisations.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

THE WiNNiNg PUPil Will RECEIvE:

• A book token prize

• A chocolate gift (subject to dietary requirements)

• Recognition for their school on the card

All entrants will receive a personalised certificate from Samuel Kurtz MS, and runners-up will have

their designs displayed and celebrated on his social media channels.

“I’m always inspired by the imagination and festive spirit shown by our young people,” said Samuel Kurtz. “This competition is a wonderful way to showcase their creativity and spread some Christmas cheer across our communities.”

Schools across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire are encouraged to get involved and support their pupils in taking part.

Submission Details:

• Entries should be submitted to the constituency office in Narberth by Friday 14th November 2025.

• Alternatively, arrangements can be made to collect entries from schools.

• Each entry must clearly include the child’s name, age, and school on the back.

• For ease of printing, designs should be created using felt-tips or crayons (no paint or mixed-media).

St Davids to host county’s first-ever harvest festival

Pembrokeshire is set to celebrate its agricultural heritage in a brandnew way this autumn, with the introduction of the county’s firstever Harvest festival.

The event, a collaboration between the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and Pembrokeshire YFC, will take place in one of the county’s most iconic settings – St David’s Cathedral.

Scheduled for 7pm on Monday, 27 October, the Harvest Celebration promises to be more than a traditional church service. It will offer a chance for reflection, reconnection, and a celebration of everything that makes Pembrokeshire’s farming community unique.

Tim and Margaret Johns, Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, said: “We hope to unite all farming organisations across the

Luke Sinclair luke@herald.email

county in a shared moment of gratitude and pride. It is a chance to honour the land, the people who work it and the incredible contribution farming makes to our way of living. Together we can create something truly memorable. This will be a harvest festival that brings our rural communities together in unity and hope as well as showcasing the heart of Pembrokeshire farming in the most beautiful setting.”

The Harvest Celebration is open to all, and refreshments will be available to purchase at the Cathedral following the service. The organisers hope the event will foster a strong sense of community while shining a spotlight on the county’s vibrant agricultural life.

Delays to new alert system for flood-hit Tenby road

A flood warning system on the approach to the Pembrokeshire seaside town of Tenby, once said to not work when its wet, is expected to be fully active soon after teething problems with software were identified, councillors heard.

The Gumfreston area near the south Pembrokeshire seaside town is regularly hit with flooding, with nearby county councillor Rhys Jordan has previously raising issues about improvements to the flood warning system; councillors once hearing flood warning signs didn’t “like operating when its wet,” an unfortunate state of affairs for such a system.

In a question submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting of October 9, Cllr Jordan asked a question on the flood alert system at Gumfreston.

“On the weekend of September 13, heavy rainfall once again caused flooding on the B4318 at Gumfreston, beginning what has sadly become a predictable cycle of disruption each autumn and winter.

“Despite assurances previously given, residents have yet to see the promised flood alert service implemented. Could the Cabinet Member [Cllr Rhys Sinnett] explain why this commitment has not yet been delivered, and provide a clear timetable for when residents can expect this service to be operational?”

Responding, Cllr Sinnett said: “Over the past few months new bespoke depth sensors have been fabricated and installed,” adding further upgrades were expected in the next few weeks. He went on to say: “On September 13 and 20 the flooding signs were

activated; there was a minor error in the software [for the alerts] that needs to be rectified before it is rolled out to road users. It has now been corrected, final testing being needed; it is necessary to wait for the next flooding event before it can be made ‘live’.”

Cllr Jordan responded by saying the September 20 flooding, which happened after he submitted his question, had

caused significant disruption to the Ironman triathlon event.

He said, while not wishing for disruption from flooding, he hoped that such an event would take place soon to get the scheme up-and-running, adding: “Hopefully these signs will work when its wet, which has been the long-term problem; they don’t like working when it’s wet.”

National Library receives major donation from artist Mary Lloyd Jones

THE NATiONAl library of Wales has announced a major addition to its National Collections — more than 150 works by the renowned Welsh artist mary lloyd Jones, alongside a range of important archival materials.

The donation represents one of the most significant single contributions by a living Welsh artist and highlights Lloyd Jones’s pivotal role in the decades-long struggle for recognition of women artists in Wales and beyond.

Among the donated items are early works created during her childhood in Pontarfynach in the 1930s and 1940s, as well as landscapes painted in Ceredigion during the 1960s after she graduated from Cardiff College of Art. The collection also includes her first experimental abstract pieces, featuring bold geometric studies that marked the beginning of her signature style.

Tom

Sinclair editor@herald.email

Of particular note is her textile work, which explores batik and macramé techniques, including calico quilts — a medium inspired by her ancestors’ traditional weaving in the woollen mills of Cardiganshire.

Best known for her dynamic and expressive abstract landscapes rooted in the landscape and culture of Wales, the collection also features major works from the 1990s reflecting her deep engagement with Ceredigion, the wider Celtic world, and her travels abroad, including to India in 1995.

Nia Mai Daniel, Head of Unique Collections at the National Library, said: “The National Library has been fortunate to work closely with Mary Lloyd Jones

over many years. We are extremely grateful to her and her family for this generous donation. These works will be treasured so that future generations can enjoy and study them.”

Reflecting on her decision, Mary Lloyd Jones said: “In January 2025, my family and I discussed the future of my artworks and the extensive archive I have built throughout my career as a Welsh artist. The National Library in Aberystwyth immediately came to mind — it has had a deep personal impact on my education and artistic development.

I am delighted and honoured that the Library has accepted these gifts. It brings me great comfort to know my work and archive will be preserved and accessible within such an important Welsh cultural institution.”

Her daughter, Gudrun Jones, added: “In recent years, I realised there is still

great interest in Mary’s work, yet we risked losing early examples to private collectors. It felt vital to preserve a comprehensive archive representing 80 years of her contribution to Welsh art.

I’m grateful to Morfudd Bevan at the National Library for her support and enthusiasm. It’s a relief to know these works now have a permanent home where they can be studied and appreciated for generations to come. Mary, who turned 91 in August, can now focus on what she loves most — creating, exhibiting, and collaborating with fellow artists.”

Mary’s grandson, Osian, said: “I have vivid memories of playing in Mary’s art studios as a child. Watching her create has always been inspiring. I’m very proud to have her as my grandmother, and I’m grateful that the National Library will preserve her work for the future.”

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Wales loses 6,800 jobs in the last year as wages rise

WAlES has lost almost seven thousand jobs over the past year, according to the latest official payroll data.

Figures analysed by employment insights platform WageSight show that the number of people on company payrolls in Wales fell to 1,311,936 in September 2025, down 6,800 (-0.5%) compared with the same month last year.

Employment also slipped slightly over the summer, falling by 289 between June and September.

Despite the drop in jobs, wages continue to rise. The median monthly wage in Wales stood at £2,440, up 6.3% over the year — well ahead of inflation, which currently stands at 3.5%.

Across the UK, the picture was similar. The total number of people in work fell to 30.3 million, down 0.33% on

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

the year and 0.3% on the month.

While average pay growth remains strong, there are signs of a slowdown. The median UK salary rose 5.5% over the year to £2,546, but dipped 0.86% between August and September. Analysts say it is not yet clear if this marks the start of a downward trend.

WageSight Director Paul Hebden said: “The payroll data seems to show Welsh employers are still in the doldrums, with employment down over the last few months and still below the levels we saw this time last year.

“On the positive side, wages were up 6.3% in Wales over the year, which is ahead of inflation — a boost for families still coping with the cost of living.”

S4C commissions second season of critically acclaimed thriller Cleddau

S4C has commissioned a second season of the psychological thriller Cleddau (The One That got Away). filming will begin this autumn, with the new series set to air on the channel in 2026.

The emotionally charged drama is once again produced by Blacklight (part of Banijay UK) and distributed globally by Banijay Rights, the international arm of Banijay Entertainment. The production is supported by the Welsh Government through Creative Wales. Season one introduced audiences

to DI Ffion Lloyd (Elen Rhys) and DS Rick Sheldon (Richard Harrington), exlovers forced to work together to solve the murder of a nurse in a quiet Welsh coastal town—an investigation that unearthed dark secrets from the past with devastating consequences.

Elen Rhys (The Mallorca Files) and Richard Harrington (Hinterland) will reprise their roles in season two, which follows another complex, twisted, and nail-biting case. When a body is discovered in the Cleddau River, the team suspects a killer is stealing identities and luring women to their deaths through a dating website—one that Ffion herself has been using as she tries to move on from Rick, who is now separated and single.

Season one of Cleddau/The One That Got Away premiered to strong ratings, becoming the channel’s #1 show of 2025. It was also a hit on BBC4, performing 228% above the slot average.

The Telegraph described Cleddau as “reminiscent of earlier Welsh noir series like Hinterland,” praising its

atmospheric depiction of West Wales and the nuanced performances of its lead actors. The Guardian called it “an irresistible treat for thriller fans,” highlighting its mature handling of character relationships and the deft balance between psychological drama and crime thriller.

The series is created and written by Catherine Tregenna, whose credits include Three Pines, Law & Order: UK, Lewis, DCI Banks, and The Bench.

Gwenllian Gravelle, Head of Film and Drama at S4C, said:

Cleddau struck a powerful chord with audiences in both Welsh and English. It’s a gripping and emotionally intelligent series that showcases the very best of Welsh talent, both on and off screen. We are thrilled to bring the story back for a second season and deepen the world that Cath Tregenna has so brilliantly created.”

Banijay Rights handles distribution of the English-language version, The One That Got Away, for international audiences.

Public asked to help shape future of Mid and West Wales Fire Service

RESiDENTS across

Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys are being asked to help shape the future of the fire service as part of a major consultation launched this week. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has opened a refreshed public survey seeking views on how it tackles risks and challenges faced by local communities through its long-term Community Risk Management Plan 2040 (CRMP 2040).

The plan outlines how the service intends to respond to emergencies, allocate resources, and reduce risks such as fires, floods, and road accidents over the next fifteen years. Officials

say feedback from residents and local organisations will play a vital role in ensuring the service meets community needs effectively.

A spokesperson for MAWWFRS said: “By taking just ten minutes to complete our survey, you’ll help us understand the challenges facing your community and how we can respond to them. We’re committed to providing the best possible service to the people we serve.”

The consultation is open to anyone living or working within the Mid and West Wales region. As a thank you, participants will be entered into a draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher.

To take part, visit the service’s

website and follow the link titled Shaping Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service… Together. All responses are anonymous and used only for research purposes. For alternative language or format requests, residents can call 0370 6060699.

Luke Sinclair Luke@herald.email

Met Opera’s La Sonnambula at the Torch Theatre

THE mETROPOliTAN Opera’s 19th Live Cinema Season opens with a recorded broadcast of la Sonnambula, arriving on the big screen at the Torch Theatre this October.

Set in the Swiss Alps and rich with themes of love, loss, and reconciliation, this production promises an emotional evening for opera lovers.

Following her acclaimed performances in Roméo et Juliette, La Traviata and Lucia di Lammermoor, soprano Nadine Sierra takes on another of the great bel canto roles as Amina – the innocent sleepwalker whose nightly wanderings lead to heartbreak and eventual redemption in Bellini’s poignant masterpiece.

This new staging from Rolando

Villazón, the celebrated tenor turned director, keeps the opera’s Alpine setting but uses its dreamlike plot to explore the deeper emotional and psychological landscapes of the mind.

Joining Sierra on screen are tenor Xabier Anduaga as Amina’s devoted fiancé Elvino, soprano Sydney Mancasola as her rival Lisa, and bass Alexander Vinogradov as Count Rodolfo. The performance is conducted by Riccardo Frizza.

The recorded broadcast of La Sonnambula will be shown at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Sunday, October 19 at 6:00pm.

Tickets: £20 | £18 concessions | £9 under 26s.

Book online at torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.

International firefighting insights shared during visit to Mid and West Wales

miD and West Wales fire and Rescue Service recently welcomed a delegation of senior fire officers and training professionals from Australia and the Netherlands for an international knowledge-sharing session focused on firefighting in built environments.

Held on 8 October 2025, the event provided an opportunity to exchange expertise and explore differing tactical approaches to fire suppression and incident management. The visiting officers delivered detailed presentations on their national Tactical Doctrines, highlighting key operational frameworks, decision-making models, and the Dutch Basic Principles of Firefighting. Discussions centred on strategies, tactics, and evidence-based techniques designed to enhance firefighter safety and operational effectiveness.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Craig

Flannery said: “As part of our All-Wales commitment to developing operational tactics, it has been invaluable to host our Dutch and Australian colleagues and to hear first-hand about their approaches to tactical firefighting. By looking beyond our borders and drawing upon the most recent research and evidence-based practices, we can strengthen our doctrine to better protect both the communities we serve and the firefighters who serve them.”

The Service emphasised the importance of continuous learning from international partners to refine its training methods and improve realworld performance. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service expressed its gratitude to both delegations for sharing their expertise and contributing to the ongoing development of professional firefighting standards across Wales.

Dare to discover the supernatural at Carew Castle this Halloween

CAREW CASTlE will open its gates after dark this Halloween for a night of chilling discovery, as paranormal experts Science Beyond the grave lead an evening investigation into one of the most

ghost sightings, unexplained events and strange phenomena. Now visitors are being invited to explore the Castle after hours and take part in a unique investigation into what might still be lurking in its darkened halls.

Guests will be guided through the Castle by experienced investigators, using a mix of modern techniques and traditional methods such as Ouija boards, table tipping, and glass moving. There will also be opportunities to spend time alone in some of the Castle’s most atmospheric rooms – a rare chance to experience its haunting reputation first-hand.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, said: “Carew has inspired ghost stories for centuries, and our Paranormal Investigation events are always hugely popular. This year promises an unforgettable mix

of cutting-edge science and old traditions, giving visitors the chance to explore the mysteries of the Castle in a truly unique way.”

The event takes place on Friday 31 October, from 6pm to 10pm. Tickets cost £40 per person and must be booked in advance. Participants must be aged 18 or over.

Refreshments will be provided, and visitors are advised to wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a torch. The event will go ahead in wet weather, and tickets are nonrefundable. For safety reasons, the experience is not recommended for pregnant women.

To book a place on the Halloween Paranormal Investigation – and to discover what else is happening at Carew Castle this autumn – visit www. carewcastle.com.

haunted castles in Wales. Steeped in centuries of mystery, Carew has long been associated with

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Revolution in the rough: how the Herald shook up local news

A rogue wave in quiet waters

ON a grey July morning in 2013, a small team of reporters gathered a makeshift office milford Haven’s Hamilton Terrace. The air smelled of ink, takeaway coffee, and fresh ambition. Outside, the docks shimmered with summer drizzle; tankers groaned in the estuary, a reminder that Pembrokeshire’s fortunes were often tethered to industries bigger than itself.

Inside, though, another tide was turning. That morning, the first edition of The Pembrokeshire Herald rolled

off the presses and onto newsstands across the county.

It was a gamble few thought wise. Regional journalism across the UK was collapsing. Newsrooms were closing at a rate of one a week. Advertising revenues had dried up, circulation was plummeting, and Wales was hit especially hard. Even the venerable Western Telegraph, with its 150-year pedigree and corporate backing, looked nervous.

And yet, the Herald sold out. Locals queued at corner shops and petrol stations to grab a copy. For £1, readers were promised something

rare: a paper that would be theirs— unafraid, unfiltered, and unpolished. welve years on, as the Herald breaks digital records with more than 14 million views in a single month, its story is one of survival, reinvention, and disruption. From council scandals to choir fundraisers, it has not only chronicled Pembrokeshire—it has changed how the county sees itself.

THE REbEL LAUNCH

The Herald’s beginnings were almost cinematic.

“Everyone thought we were mad,” recalls founding editor Thomas Sinclair, still at the helm today. “Papers were dying all around us, and here we were launching another one. But we believed Pembrokeshire deserved something better—something that didn’t just recycle press releases.”

The first issue carried stories that cut against the grain: a scathing piece on county hall overspending, a photoled feature on lifeboat volunteers, and letters from readers who felt ignored by the established media.

The ethos was simple: be the people’s paper. If a farmer in Crymych was angry about planning rules, or a pub landlord in Tenby had a gripe about business rates, they would find their voices printed alongside reports of Senedd debates and crime in Haverfordwest.

Within weeks, the Herald was shifting around 10,000 copies a week. For a county of just over 120,000 people, that was remarkable. Its early success rattled the Western Telegraph, which had long enjoyed unchallenged dominance.

By 2014, emboldened by sales, the Herald launched sister titles in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, signalling it wasn’t content with being a local irritant—it wanted to redefine journalism across West Wales.

gRiT, gROWTH, AND gRUDgES

The mid-2010s were the Herald’s golden years. Circulation climbed, digital traffic surged, and the paper became a lightning rod for controversy.

One of the fiercest battles came in 2016, when the Herald’s bold marketing—claiming it had overtaken the Western Telegraph in reach—

provoked a furious response. The Telegraph’s parent company complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), demanding the Herald prove its numbers.

Twice the ASA dismissed the complaints. “It was classic David versus Goliath,” Sinclair remembers. “They couldn’t stand that we were growing.”

The feud only raised the Herald’s profile. It doubled down on innovation: live-streaming council meetings, experimenting with podcasts, and even testing a radio station. Readers flocked to its coverage of issues like youth unemployment, mental health crises, and planning rows that reverberated from village halls to the Senedd floor.

BUT CONTROVERSY WAS NEVER fAR AWAY.

In 2013, an obscene advert accidentally slipped into print, sparking outrage—and free publicity.

In 2017, Sinclair himself was fined for breaching reporting restrictions in a sensitive case. Critics crowed, but supporters saw it as proof of a paper pushing boundaries.

“The Herald was messy,

sometimes chaotic,” says one former reporter. “But it was alive in a way local journalism hadn’t been in years.”

THE ABYSS

In October 2019, the wave almost broke.

The Herald’s parent company collapsed under the weight of spiralling print costs and a botched investment, shuttering three titles and threatening 24 jobs. “It was devastating,” Sinclair admits. “We’d built something people believed in, and suddenly it was gone.”

Forums filled with laments. One commenter wrote: “Without

Brian Hancock, Advertising Sales, in 2021

Staff at the first and last pub in Pemroke Dock with the 500th Herald issue in 2022

the Herald, who’s going to ask the awkward questions?”

For Pembrokeshire—where 26% of residents are over 65 and rural isolation makes local news more than a luxury—the loss felt existential.

Salvation came unexpectedly. A Spanish print and media firm, Richographic España, swooped in with emergency funding. The Herald returned, leaner and chastened, but alive.

The scare revealed a hard truth: independent journalism is fragile. Without it, who holds local power to account?

THE DigiTAl DAWN

The near-death experience forced reinvention.

By 2023, with print costs unsustainable, the Herald made a radical move: it scrapped print altogether, pivoting to a free weekly 128-page digital edition.

The gamble paid off. The first e-edition was downloaded more than 100,000 times. With clickable ads, instant shares, and no paywalls, it reached corners of the county that had never picked up a paper copy.

Traffic exploded. Facebook followers climbed past 51,000

(overtaking the Western Telegraph’s 47,000), monthly web uniques hit half a million, and social engagement dwarfed that of rivals.

The Herald’s new strength was speed. While the Telegraph often waited to polish features, the Herald broke stories first:

• Avian flu detected near Roch.

• Military flyovers during Russian naval manoeuvres off the coast.

• RAAC concrete crises threatening local schools.

On X (formerly Twitter), users hailed it as the go-to for “what’s actually happening.”

RiVAlRY REKiNDlED

Herald editor Tom Sinclair in 2023

for more than a century, the Western Telegraph had been unchallenged. But the Herald’s swagger forced it to adapt.

That 2016 ASA spat was only the tip of the iceberg. The real battle was for hearts and eyeballs.

The Herald won them with raw immediacy. Viral stories of goats invading a churchyard or choirs raising money for cancer care travelled faster than any polished Telegraph feature.

Locals noticed. “The Herald feels like us—raw and real,” tweeted one user after coverage of council budget cuts.

Competition sharpened the entire ecosystem. With two strong voices jostling, Pembrokeshire readers got more scrutiny, more coverage, and more choice.

THE HERAlD EffECT — BUilDiNg PRiDE

If the Herald earned its reputation by ruffling feathers, it cemented its value by lifting spirits. Alongside exposes and political spats, the paper has consistently championed Pembrokeshire’s brighter side.

When the Ty Newydd pub in Dinas Cross faced closure in 2023, Herald coverage helped galvanise more than 200 locals into raising the cash to save it. “Inspiring local journalism at its best,” one X user wrote as the victory went viral.

Schools, too, have felt the Herald’s boost. Milford Haven School’s Gold Calon Y Gymuned award for family engagement in July 2023 was splashed across its pages, with headteacher Sara Davies crediting the coverage for “putting community success on the map.” A year later, the Herald’s GCSE features turned dry exam stats into proud family moments, with parents flooding its comments section to thank it for spotlighting their children. The paper’s business coverage often

becomes a loop of positivity. In 2024, when hardware stalwarts W.B. Griffiths & Son scooped a £2,000 Pembs Lottery prize, they pledged it to local projects — citing the Herald’s years of community coverage as a key motivator. “It keeps us connected,” the owners said.

And when Pembrokeshire County Council secured the insport Gold Standard for inclusive sport, Disability Sport Wales hailed it as a “remarkable milestone” — and locals praised the Herald for making it front-page news. These moments reveal something the numbers alone can’t: that the Herald is more than a scrappy watchdog. It’s also a mirror of community pride, amplifying joy as fiercely as it scrutinises power.

THE glOBAl lENS

Perhaps the most surprising twist in the Herald’s evolution has come since its digital relaunch: the paper is no longer just Pembrokeshire’s chronicler. Increasingly, it is a bridge between the local and the global.

Take the Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack in September 2025. The story was everywhere—production halted at JLR’s UK plants, suppliers fearing collapse, the UK government stepping in with a £1.5 billion loan. National headlines framed it as a crisis for British industry.

The Herald’s version? A piece titled “JLR cyber-attack sparks fears for Welsh supply chain”. Within hours of the news breaking, Sinclair had tied the story to ZF Automotive in Pontypool, a Welsh supplier employing dozens and recently backed by Welsh Government cash. The message was clear: what happens in Solihull or Delhi could hit Wales next.

A few days earlier, the Herald had run multiple articles on the Charlie Kirk shooting in the US. Where national media focused on America’s gun politics, the Herald made it resonate

in Wales: local MSs Samuel Kurtz and Darren Millar linked the killing to free speech debates in Welsh universities, even pushing for a Senedd tribute.

THiS iS THE NEW HERAlD PlAYBOOK: START glOBAl, END lOCAl.

• Bank closures in Haverfordwest become part of Chinese state media coverage on UK economic decline.

• US tariffs get framed through Pembrokeshire exporters.

It’s not dilution. It’s amplification. In an era when readers can access global news with a swipe, the Herald’s edge is showing why it matters here—in Fishguard, in Tenby, in Milford Haven.

ECHOES iN THE COmmUNiTY

• Ukraine aid debates turn into stories about how sanctions hit Welsh farmers.

New tech: Herald staff experimenting with pod casting equipment in 2023

Papers on sale in Sainsbury’s Tenby in 2023

Beyond clicks and rivalries, the Herald’s impact is measured in voices amplified and lives touched.

It campaigned against the digital divide for Welsh speakers.

It investigated care home standards and planning controversies that spurred petitions.

It exposed scams targeting pensioners, warning thousands before more damage was done.

In a county where business survival rates are half the Welsh average, its coverage of grants, investments, and community projects kept people informed about lifelines.

“Without the Herald, I’d never have known about the funding that helped me save my shop,” says a Tenby café owner.

And when Pembrokeshire’s small producers — from vineyards to leatherworkers — took their products to Westminster, the Herald was there to capture it. MP Henry Tufnell later remarked that its stories “drive innovation and prosperity,” showing the paper’s role in amplifying the rural economy.

Even social media tells the tale. The Pembrokeshire Vikings rugby team thanked the Herald for sponsoring a player’s birthday celebration. The Welsh Organic Tannery posted “Diolch” for Herald photos of their Christmas Fair

success. And PR agencies regularly highlight Herald stories as proof of local buzz. In an age of fleeting feeds, those simple thank-yous show a deeper truth: the community sees the Herald not just as a newspaper, but as a neighbour.

LESSONS AND THE ROAD AHEAD

Twelve years on, the Herald stands as proof that local news can adapt. From its scrappy print launch to its free digital empire, it has shown survival is possible—even in the harshest climate.

bUT THE qUESTIONS REMAIN:

• Can the free model sustain itself long-term?

• Will more partnerships with the BBC or AI-driven alerts keep it ahead?

• Could its blueprint be copied in other rural counties starved of news?

For now, Sinclair is reflective but resolute. “We’ve shown local news isn’t dying—it’s adapting. From print rebels to digital warriors, we’ve kept Pembrokeshire’s pulse beating.”

The Irish Sea still pounds Pembrokeshire’s cliffs. Sheep still outnumber people. But thanks to one rogue wave of a newspaper, the county’s stories are louder, sharper, and freer than ever.

Herald Deputy Editor Jon Coles in 2021

Improvement works at Pembrokeshire’s Folly Farm approved

A CAll to improve facilities at popular Pembrokeshire tourist attraction folly farm has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Folly Farm’s managing director Chris Ebsworth, through agent A D Architectural Design Consultants Ltd, sought permission for an extension to an existing shed at the Begelly attraction to provide WCs, stores with delivery access and loading bay.

A supporting statement said: “At present, the shed is used as a restaurant with seating internally and provided access from the front to serve customers externally through window openings. The restaurant is currently accessed via the vintage funfair via double doors and internally is level trough out.”

It added: “The purpose of this proposal is to remove the existing front lean-to roof which is hidden behind the timber upstand and replace it with a 4.5m span portal bay that will match the existing roof pitches that currently exist on the shed.

“Internally [it] will be all open plan to the front with four sets of double doors to provide level access and original access will be retained from the vintage

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

funfair and also double door access to the hungry farmer restaurant.

“To the rear will be male, female, a disabled WC and baby changing room accessed off the restaurant and a stores with delivery access via the proposed loading bay via the rear access. To the side of the stores will be a ramped means of escape in a 1:15 gradient to provide escape in the means of an emergency. Externally the existing tarmac will finish level with the doors to provide level thresholds.”

The application was conditionally approved by officers under delegated powers.

Back in 2023, the Pembrokeshire tourist attraction, which began as a humble diversion by a dairy farm, celebrated its 35th birthday.

Over half-a-million visitors a year from across the UK and beyond now pour through the gates of Folly Farm, which remains family-run, with the grandchildren of the founders now part of the team.

Alongside building up its farm experience for visitors, the park’s milestones included the establishment

of its indoor vintage fairground – now the largest of its kind in Europe – in 1996, and the arrival of its first zoo animals in 2002.

In 2009, Folly Farm welcomed

Wales’ only giraffes, and in 2020, the park saw the birth of a baby black rhino, named Glyndwr in tribute to founder Glyn Williams, who sadly died shortly after.

Tenby sign altered to read ‘nicer than saundersfoot’

l OCA l S have been left amused — and slightly baffled — after Tenby’s welcome sign was mysteriously altered to include the words “Nicer than Saundersfoot.”

The blue bilingual sign, which greets drivers entering the seaside town, normally bears Tenby’s traditional motto: “The sea washes away all the ills of men.” But sometime in the past few days, an unknown prankster added the cheeky comparison with neighbouring Saundersfoot.

The wording, written neatly beneath the Welsh translation, appears to have been stencilled or stuck on, leading some to wonder whether it was an organised joke

rather than random vandalism. Residents have taken to social media to share photos of the sign, with many seeing the funny side of the long-standing friendly rivalry between the two coastal resorts.

One commenter joked: “It’s not wrong though, is it?” while another replied: “Expect Saundersfoot to strike back any day now!”

Pembrokeshire County Council said it was aware of the alteration and that the sign would be inspected “in due course.”

The sign, which stands on the approach road into Tenby, has reportedly been in its altered form for several days.

Fresh setback for Cardigan pool campaigners as council rejects revised business plan

Campaigners fighting to reopen Cardigan Swimming Pool have been dealt another setback after Ceredigion County Council’s chief executive, Eifion Evans, rejected their revised business plan for a second time.

The community group, Cardigan Pool Revival (CPR), had submitted a new proposal following an earlier refusal in June, when Mr Evans concluded their original plan did not meet the council’s due diligence requirements— particularly in relation to its financial robustness. He had advised that the financial aspect of the plan required “significant strengthening”.

However, in his latest response, Mr Evans confirmed that the council’s principal concern remained unchanged: the group’s ability to raise the “significant” level of upfront investment needed to carry out essential upgrades to the ageing facility, address structural and safety issues, and maintain cashflow during the early months of reopening.

He said: “The Business Plan continues to lack specific details

Luke Sinclair Luke@herald.email

regarding a programme of capital works and the means by which you intend to fund the substantial works required to facilitate the re-opening of the facility,” in a letter to CPR representative, Di Champion.

The council identified several critical areas in need of attention, including fire safety compliance, health and safety concerns, and general disrepair across the building.

Mr Evans added: “While we note that you have identified several potential grant-funding streams, it is important to highlight that, at present, there appear to be no assurances from any of these organisations regarding their willingness to support the pool’s re-opening.”

He went on to stress that, for the council to have confidence in CPR’s ability to take on a lease and operate the pool sustainably, it would need to see far stronger evidence of confirmed financial backing.

“In summary, in order for the council

to be confident that the Cardigan Pool Revival Group would be in a financially stable position to take on a lease and be viable on an ongoing basis, the council needs to have far greater confidence in the group’s ability to secure financial investment and, therefore, some form of written commitment from grant providers, loan sources or investors would be required,” he said.

“Therefore, unfortunately, the conclusion remains that the council is

unable to accept the revised business plan that has been submitted.”

The decision marks another blow for the campaigners, who have been working to bring the popular community facility back into use since its closure. Despite the council’s continued concerns, CPR members have vowed to keep exploring options to restore the much-missed swimming pool for the people of Cardigan and the surrounding area.

Charity night run to light up Milford Waterfront for the RNLI

milfORD HAVEN will glow with neon on Saturday (Nov 8) as runners, joggers and walkers come together for a 5km Night Run in aid of the RNli lifeboats.

The free community event, organised by Waterfront Community Runners, will take place along Milford Waterfront from 6:00pm, with registration open between 2:00pm and 5:30pm. Participation is limited to 200 people on a first-come, firstserved basis.

The family-friendly evening promises a lively festival atmosphere, featuring performances from the Samba Doc Band, 80s music, and a range of stalls selling cakes, raffle tickets, and hot and cold drinks. Donations raised on the night will go directly to support the RNLI’s vital lifesaving work around the Welsh coast.

Organisers are encouraging participants to embrace the fun spirit of the event by dressing in bright and neon clothing, and all runners must wear a head or chest torch for safety. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and dogs or pushchairs are not permitted on the course.

A spokesperson for Waterfront Community Runners said the event is “a chance for the community to come together, enjoy a fun evening, and

support the brave volunteers of the RNLI who keep our coastline safe.”

The 5km route is not a timed event, making it accessible to all abilities —

whether running, jogging, or walking.

For more details or to register, visit Facebook.com/ waterfrontcommunityrunners.

Waldo Williams sculpture exhibit ends in Haverfordwest

THE PUBliC exhibition of a bronze bust of Welsh poet Waldo Williams at Haverfordwest library’s glanyr-Afon gallery came to a close on Saturday (Oct 11).

The sculpture, created by acclaimed artist John Meirion Morris, was loaned by Cymdeithas Waldo and has been on display since mid-August. It celebrated the life and work of one of Pembrokeshire’s most influential literary figures.

Williams, born in Haverfordwest in 1904, was a poet, pacifist, and schoolteacher whose work reflected his deep spirituality and love for the Welsh language. His only published poetry collection, Dail Pren (Tree Leaves), remains a cornerstone of modern Welsh literature.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

A committed Quaker, Williams was known for his simple lifestyle and strong moral convictions — including his refusal to pay taxes that funded war, an act which twice led to imprisonment at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court.

During the exhibition, visitors also had the chance to explore related works from CYFOES: Celf Cymru Heddiw (Contemporary Welsh Art) and other heritage collections highlighting Pembrokeshire’s cultural legacy.

The bust will now be returned to its custodians at Cymdeithas Waldo, following a brief appearance at Aberystwyth University for this year’s Waldo lecture series.

Welsh-speaking community grants scheme expanded

COmmUNiTY groups across Wales can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them start a social business or community-led housing project.

For over three years, the scheme has supported Welsh-speaking communities with high densities of second homes, with 64 grants awarded across Gwynedd, Conwy, Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

editor@herald.email

Even more communities will now be able to benefit from the grant as it opens across the whole of Wales, with funding increased to £400,000 for this year.

The Perthyn grant scheme has helped Bys a Bawd Pawb set up as a Community Benefit Society in Llanrwst, Conwy, where the

community has come together with the aim of buying and running a beloved shop that has served the community for 50 years. The project aims to create a Welsh literary hub, provide affordable accommodation for local people above the shop as well as offering job and volunteering opportunities.

Nia Clwyd Owen, Councillor for Llanrwst and Llanddoged and Chair of the Bys a Bawd Pawb Working Group

said:

“Without the support of the Perthyn grant, it is unlikely that Bys a Bawd Pawb would be in the strong position the community enterprise finds itself in today. The grant has been fundamental to the development of the initiative, enabling the group to appoint a consultant to lead on the community share offer scheme. The work she undertook to raise awareness of the project was invaluable.

“In addition, the grant was used to host a series of events in Llanrwst, giving the local community the opportunity to learn more about the initiative and support it through investment.

“This success is a testament to the power of communities when given the right support. We would like to thank the Perthyn grant scheme for their backing, and the community for their enthusiasm and commitment to creating positive local change.”

Hwb Penmachno has also received a Perthyn grant award, to help the community with early-stage elements of their community-led housing initiative.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: “These inspiring community-led projects demonstrate the power of local action to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities. By expanding the Perthyn grant scheme across Wales, we’re giving more communities the chance to take control of their housing future and ensure the Welsh language remains at the heart of their initiatives.”

Community groups must apply at the latest by 21 November 2025 here: Perthyn – Cwmpas

Tom Sinclair

from the moment The Diplomat returns for its third season, it’s clear that the stakes are no longer just high — they’re existential. The finale of season two left us reeling: Kate Wyler has directly accused Vice President grace Penn of orchestrating a terrorist plot, President Rayburn is dead, and grace has ascended to the presidency under a cloud of suspicion. meanwhile, Hal’s impulsive call to the president — revealing what he knows — may have precipitated Rayburn’s collapse. it’s the kind of catastrophic unraveling that forces every line in the sand to be redrawn. in season three, the series leans hard into the chaos of success achieved at the wrong cost: Kate steps into a role she says she never wanted, while grace must defend her legitimacy as leader, and Hal’s campaign to carry Kate into the vice presidency becomes a dangerous balancing act. The show’s signature tension—where diplomatic language conceals razor-edged ambition—feels sharper than ever. from the early moments of the new season, it’s evident that alliances will shift, trust will fracture, and every character will be tested by how far they’re

willing to go to protect their own version of power.

One of the season’s most intriguing developments is the casting of Bradley Whitford as Todd Penn, husband of President Grace Penn, reuniting him with Allison Janney in a rare on-screen pairing that adds both gravitas and emotional complexity. Their chemistry promises to be fraternal and fraught, especially as Grace must fend off Kate’s accusations while also handling a husband whose loyalties may be tested. The introduction of Aidan Turner in a recurring role teases new intrigue and perhaps fresh fissures in the web of alliances that have held the series steady thus far.

The beauty of The Diplomat has always been its blend of the geopolitical and the intimately personal, and season three seems primed to push that blend into ever more dangerous territory. Kate’s uneasy relationship with the British Foreign Secretary, Austin Dennison, continues to hover on the edge of something politically combustible. Meanwhile, Grace’s past involvement in the warship conspiracy looms like a slow-burn bomb ready to detonate—and Kate knows that the longer it stays hidden,

the more toxic it becomes. The show thrives when it forces characters into impossible moral choices, and this season’s setup suggests that no one will emerge unscarred.

Of course, the risk with such elevated stakes is that the drama becomes untethered from plausibility— but The Diplomat manages to walk that line with style. The writing remains confident in its own dramatic impulses, willing to magnify tensions without feeling gratuitous. The cast, anchored by Keri Russell’s assured resolve and Janney’s fierce command, delivers performances that ground even the most audacious scenes in genuine emotion. As the pieces move, viewers will find themselves constantly revising allegiances and doubting every character’s sincerity.

If earlier seasons were about building toward a central conspiracy, this one is about living within its fallout—and about the hollowness of victory when it comes piled atop betrayal. For fans who have followed Kate, Hal, Grace, and their cast of diplomatic insiders, season three promises to be a bruising delight: smart, tense, and unafraid to show how dark the corridors of power can become once you’re inside.

“good fortune,” the upcoming comedy starring Seth Rogen and Keanu Reeves, is a film that toes the line between whimsical fantasy and pointed social commentary, and it mostly tips in its favor. The premise is clever and feels tailored to our times: gabriel (Reeves), a bumbling, earnest budget guardian angel, tries to teach a struggling gig worker — Arj (Aziz Ansari) — that trading places with the wealthy Jeff (Rogen) won’t solve all problems. But of course, once they swap lives, complications and revelations ensue, and gabriel’s celestial role begins to fray at the edges.

From the first act, the film leans into its fish-out-of-water setup with gusto, and Reeves plays the role of the angel with a pleasant blend of sincerity and comedic misfit. It’s refreshing to see him step far outside his usual action-hero persona, and while some of the jokes feel like they rely too heavily on the novelty of seeing him in absurd situations, Reeves carries enough charm to make it work much of the time.

Rogen, as the embodiment of excessive wealth, delivers his lines with practiced ease, and his chemistry with Ansari lends the film much of its energy.

The biggest strength of Good Fortune lies in its heart. The film doesn’t simply mock the rich or exalt the poor — it wrestles with the idea that wealth, privilege, and agency are deeply entangled. The narrative doesn’t pretend that a body swap is a cure-all, and that gives the story room to explore disappointment, guilt, and misunderstanding. There are scenes that linger just long enough to allow for emotional weight, and at those moments the film shines brightest.

Yet the film is not without its stumbles. The pacing occasionally slackens, and in the middle act the story repeats certain beats, almost as if it’s unsure whether to push harder on the comedy or the introspection. Some of the supporting characters, especially Keke Palmer’s love interest, are underutilized, contributing to a sense that the world around

the leads might have deserved more attention. And while the social critique is timely, the film sometimes resorts to surfacelevel observations rather than digging deeply into systemic inequality.

Nevertheless, the climax largely redeems earlier unevenness. The resolution is emotionally satisfying (though not without a hint of schmaltz), and it manages to tie together the film’s thematic strands about gratitude, responsibility, and the cost of trying to “save” others. If Good Fortune had been more confident in its tonal blend from start to finish, it might have felt tighter; but it’s a solid effort, with enough laughs and warmth to make it worth watching. Reeves’ turn as Gabriel is a highlight, and though Rogen and Ansari may not always land every joke, they deliver enough momentum to keep the film engaged. All told, Good Fortune is an imperfect but endearing comedy that has more goodwill than gravity, and that’s exactly what a theatrical comedy like this needs right now.

Tech and Taff

THE CHiPS ARE gETTiNg ClEVERER THAN WE ARE

By Professor Barry Davis, University of Cardiff

THERE was a time when the only chip a Welsh lad cared about was served next to his cod. But the chips I’m talking about this week are smaller than a daffodil seed and, if Intel have their way, will soon be running your laptop, your car, and probably your fridge.

Intel, the silicon giants from over the pond, have just unveiled what they call the biggest leap forward in processors for years — two new technological wonders named Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest. And before you roll your eyes and mutter “that’s nice, Barry”, these tiny pieces of tech will shape almost every digital thing we touch in the next few years — from Netflix to navigating the A40.

PANTHER POWER

Let’s start with Panther Lake — the chip that’ll be purring inside your next laptop or desktop. Intel say it’s 50 percent faster for everyday tasks and 50 percent quicker for graphics. That means no more coffee breaks while your PC loads a spreadsheet or stutters its way through Photoshop. Gamers will see smoother play, video editors will export faster, and everyone else will quietly enjoy not wanting to hurl their machine out of the window.

More importantly, Panther Lake takes the “AI PC” dream into proper reality. The new chips can do artificial intelligence tasks directly on your computer instead of sending data off to “the cloud” and back again. So the next time you’re on a video call, it’ll blur the mess behind you perfectly, translate your mate from Milan in real time, and maybe even fix your lighting so you don’t look like you’ve been trapped in a cellar.

And the best bit? Intel claim we’ll finally get laptops that are both powerful and have great battery life. No more choosing between performance and a plug socket — which feels like a small miracle.

ClEARWATER THiNKiNg

Then there’s Clearwater Forest, the chip you’ll never actually buy but will rely on every single day. This one goes into the servers that run the internet — the hidden machines

that make Google, Netflix, Spotify and all your favourite apps work.

These new server processors are far more energy-efficient, meaning the digital world will hum along faster while using less electricity. It’s greener tech, quite literally. If data centres everywhere adopt these chips, the planet will thank us — and maybe your streaming subscription won’t go up again.

THE WElSH ANglE

So what’s this got to do with us in Wales? Well, quite a lot. Our universities and tech firms are increasingly working in AI and data-heavy sectors. Faster, smarter, more efficient processors mean local innovators in Swansea, Cardiff and Bangor can build cleverer products without needing massive server farms. It also means businesses running on the cloud — from Pembrokeshire holiday cottages to Cardiff fintech start-ups — will soon benefit from speedier, more sustainable tech in the background.

THE fUTURE, iN A NUTSHEll

Intel’s new 18A manufacturing process means smaller, denser chips made in new factories in Arizona. That helps avoid the global chip shortages that once stalled everything from car factories to layStations.

In plain Welsh terms: your next computer will feel lightning fast, your battery will last all day, and the internet will quietly become a bit cleaner and greener. Not bad for something smaller than a bara brith crumb.

So next time someone mentions “Panther Lake” or “Clearwater Forest”, don’t think holiday destinations — think of the invisible brains soon to be powering your digital life.

And as for me boyo? I’m just hoping the next generation of chips can finally teach my printer to behave.

BBC National Chorus of Wales to perform at St Davids Cathedral

ST DAvIDS CATHEDRAL will welcome the BBC National Chorus of Wales this month — marking the first time in 20 years that the acclaimed ensemble has performed at the iconic venue.

Under the direction of Adrian Partington, the chorus will present Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem as part of the St Davids Cathedral Music Festival’s annual concert series.

The festival has a long-standing partnership with the BBC, with the National Orchestra of Wales performing each year during the May half-term festival week. The last time the chorus appeared at the cathedral was in 2005, performing alongside the orchestra.

This year, audiences will hear Brahms’ rarely performed ‘London

Version’ of the Requiem, featuring soloists Gail Pearson and Richard Walshe, with accompanists Christopher Williams and Steven Kings.

The evening will also include a selection of Welsh works, from musical settings of R.S. Thomas’s poetry to beloved folk songs Ar lan y môr and Lisa lân, along with excerpts from Joseph Parry’s Te Deum.

The concert takes place on Saturday, October 18, at 7:00pm.

The event is supported by the Colwinston Charitable Trust, The Seaton Family Trust, and Mrs Gwyneth Hayward. Tickets are available via the St Davids Cathedral website, by calling 01437 722002 (Tuesday to Friday), or on the door.

Vampire: The masquerade – bloodlines 2 feels like a triumphant return from the shadows—a long-awaited revival that finally breathes new (or undead) life into one of gaming’s most beloved cult universes. After years of uncertainty, the game emerges as a confident, atmospheric, and deeply immersive experience that captures the spirit of the original while evolving it for a new generation. from its opening moments, it’s clear this is a game built with reverence for the lore, the tone, and the tragedy that define the World of Darkness.

You take on the role of Phyre, an Elder vampire reawakened after a century of slumber, marked by mystery and haunted by the disembodied voice of a Malkavian detective named Fabien. It’s a premise dripping with gothic intrigue, and Seattle provides the perfect stage—a rain-soaked, neon-drenched city teeming with secrets and supernatural tension. The developers have created a world that feels alive even in death: streets whisper with danger, factions clash in backrooms, and every encounter brims with unease and allure. The mood is palpable, and the game nails that distinctive mix of horror, seduction, and power that defines the Masquerade.

The writing is easily one of Bloodlines 2’s strongest assets. Characters are memorable, layered, and morally gray—no one is purely ally or enemy, and your interactions carry a satisfying

sense of consequence. Each dialogue choice feels weighty, pulling you deeper into the political and emotional labyrinth of vampiric society. The tone often shifts from chilling to intimate to darkly funny within a single conversation, which gives the story real texture. Phyre’s age and perspective as an Elder lend every scene a sense of gravitas—you’re not just surviving, you’re shaping the future of Seattle’s undead hierarchy. It’s a game that rewards attention and curiosity, and it makes you feel truly embedded in its world.

Combat, too, has evolved into something more fluid and engaging than before. Blood powers feel impactful and visually striking, turning every confrontation into a display of supernatural dominance. You can approach situations with finesse— stealth, persuasion, or sheer violence—and each path feels valid. The Masquerade system adds just enough tension to make every public use of power feel deliciously dangerous, keeping you on edge in the best way. Rather than overwhelming players with scale, the game focuses on depth: Seattle’s districts are richly detailed, vertical, and filled with meaningful exploration. Every alley and hidden club offers potential allies, enemies, and stories worth uncovering.

Pacing feels deliberate and rewarding, giving players space to breathe between the intense bursts of story. Side quests expand on the city’s lore and bring humanity—or inhumanity—

HOROSCOPES

to its inhabitants, often with clever twists or moral ambiguity. Even the quieter moments feel steeped in atmosphere, letting the world itself tell as much story as the dialogue does. The balance between narrative and action is stronger here than in many modern RPGs, and the result is a cohesive, immersive rhythm that keeps you hooked.

The commitment to fan feedback is also clear. After community outcry, clans like Lasombra and Toreador have been added to the base game, expanding your choices without sacrificing balance or narrative focus. These decisions signal a developer that listens, adapting its vision to ensure the experience feels both rich and fair. Promises of multiple endings and layered choices suggest real replayability, ensuring that each playthrough will feel uniquely personal.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 is more than just a sequel—it’s a resurrection. It carries the heart of the original, but its design, visuals, and storytelling mark a clear evolution. It’s moody, mature, and endlessly intriguing, offering a dark playground for those who crave narrative depth and emotional complexity. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the World of Darkness, this game invites you to lose yourself in its brooding world of politics, hunger, and power. If it holds true to its promise, Bloodlines 2 could easily stand as one of the most atmospheric and engaging RPGs of its generation—a story worth sinking your teeth into.

Your maturity is more than enough antidote to whatever poison is in the air. Refusing to let yourself fly off the handle emotionally will enable you to understand all the better what you’re feeling. So try to keep a more impersonal point of view about things right now.

CANCER

The dishes are done, the beds are made, and it’s time to get out of the house. Yes, really. Have some serious fun and leave all your worries behind. As per usual, finding playmates to go along with you won’t be a problem. You may need to attend to family members who’ve been complaining about not seeing you, but that’s the price you pay for being loved.

LEO After working and tending to the needs of others for days, you’re in the mood to let loose and have some serious fun. Of course, your reputation for knowing exactly how to do just that precedes you no matter where you go, so you definitely won’t be short on company. Deciding which charming offer to accept, and which charming companion to take for the ride could be a problem, but gosh, pardon us if we don’t shed too many tears for you.

VIRGO

When you least expect it, you may have company, and you’re not fond of unexpected visitors. Of course, since your place is always neat and tidy, a spontaneous visit won’t catch you quite as unaware as it would the rest of us. Now that you’ve been warned, tend to those last few details you’ll want them to notice, and situate yourself in such a way so that you can look surprised.

LIBRA

This will be a day to remember for all the right reasons. The heavens will put you in the mood for romance of the fiery, impulsive type just as soon as you wake up. Just don’t expect to see much of your friends, except for that one particularly close friend, of course. You two may be pretty darned inseparable, in fact.

SCORPIO

You’re so ready to relax that it’s not funny. What is funny is that you’re actually feeling torn about who to relax with, usually not a problem for you. Should you spend another evening with a friend you’ve started flirting with or take that new admirer up on an exciting offer? Regardless of which you choose, taking the night off to simply get some sleep shouldn’t be an option. Make some coffee, grab a shower, and rally.

SAGITTARIUS

For days, it’s been all about them, everyone but you, that is. Enough. Enough with the caretaking, the sympathizing, and the listening to sob stories. It’s time for you to indulge in some much-needed playtime, and there will be absolutely no reason for you to feel guilty. If necessary, sleep in tomorrow.

If you’re smart, you’ll make sure tonight is so much fun that you’ll need to.

CAPRICORN

Ready to let loose and have some fun? Some real fun? Great, because the heavens are in the mood to arrange quite the evening for you. How about having the whole crew over to your place for munchies, movies, and lighthearted conversations? You might even break out the board games. Call for pizza or Chinese and stay up late laughing. It’s about darned time, isn’t it?

AQUARIUS

One of the groups you keep company with, the one that just so happens to be the most assertive, aggressive, and unafraid of taking risks, is about to invite you to spend some time with them. Rest assured that it will involve doing something you’ve never done before. How can you refuse? Kindred spirits, a new adventure,

wiTh eddie The game gUrU

a p embrokeshire p erspective

by editor tom sinclair

OPINION T IME TO TELL THE TRUTH

ABOUT TA x — IN WALES AS WELL AS W ESTMINSTER

THE DEBATE over tax is raging in Westminster, but in Wales it barely whispers. Both governments are labour now — the Treasury in london and the ministers in Cardiff Bay — yet neither has begun to tell voters why the reckoning can’t be delayed.

Everyone knows taxes will rise on 26 November, budget day. But while London argues about who should pay, Wales faces the same storm in silence. Cuts rain down from above; it is our councils, hospitals, and schools that drown.

The truth is unavoidable: we cannot keep pretending that we can have Scandinavian-style services on American-style taxes. The civic case for taxation must be made again — not as a burden, but as a collective investment. Every mended pothole in Pembrokeshire, every nurse in Withybush, every school breakfast club in the Valleys is paid for through shared effort. Taxes are not a punishment. They are how we look after one another.

WHEN THE mONEY RUNS OUT

Council leaders across Wales are warning of financial collapse. Rhondda Cynon Taf, Pembrokeshire, and Wrexham face shortfalls of tens of millions. Social care is buckling; leisure centres, libraries, and swimming pools are the first to go dark. Council tax still rests on property values from 2003 — a system frozen in time because reform is always too politically risky.

NHS Wales groans under record waiting lists — not because people here are lazier or sicker, but because decades of “efficiency savings” have hollowed it out. Labour runs the health service in both Cardiff and London now; the buck stops with the same red rosette.

TWO lABOUR gOVERNmENTS, ONE SHARED RESPONSiBiliTY

For two decades, Welsh ministers could point eastwards and say, “If only we had the powers.” Now they do — and so do the responsibilities. Westminster

help.

Tax reform on land, property, and capital gains isn’t class warfare. It’s basic fairness — balancing effort with entitlement.

THE mYTH Of THE POUND iN YOUR POCKET

Margaret Thatcher’s ghost still haunts this debate. She taught Britain to see every pound taken in tax as a pound stolen from freedom. That myth endures — even among her opponents. But the truth is simpler: your pound might buy you a pint, but it can’t fix a hospital roof or run a bus to your village after six o’clock.

In Wales we’ve seen what taxphobia brings: councils that can’t afford streetlights, schools that hold bake sales for glue sticks, and social workers juggling impossible caseloads. The pound in your pocket won’t keep the park open. Only shared contributions will.

A NATiON STiTCHED TOgETHER BY TAx

decides how much comes through the Barnett formula; Cardiff decides how to spend it. Both are ducking the truth: without raising more tax, the public realm will keep shrinking.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces a £40 billion hole but vows not to raise the “big three” taxes. In Wales, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans stays quiet, waiting for crumbs from the Treasury table. Yet she has her own levers: varying income-tax rates, reforming council tax, adjusting land transaction tax, or introducing targeted business reliefs. None of these are being used with courage.

WEAlTH WiTHOUT WORK

The divide between older homeowners and younger renters is widening fast. Across Wales — from Abersoch to Cardiff Bay — second homes and short-term lets push locals out while property wealth balloons. The result is public squalor beside private plenty: empty shops, underpaid carers, and councils begging for emergency

If both Labour governments want to prove this new era is more than a change of colour, they must rediscover the language of duty and solidarity. Explain what taxes buy. Remind us what austerity destroyed. Tell the truth that Britain — and Wales within it — taxes less than almost all its European neighbours, and it shows.

Reform can be fair as well as firm: tax wealth and windfalls, equalise national insurance across earned and unearned income, and modernise council tax so the poorest stop paying proportionally more than the richest.

These are not radical ideas. They are the foundations of a functioning society.

THE HONEST CHOICE

There is no escaping the arithmetic. The next budget will raise taxes; the question is whether it will also raise our sights. Wales can keep whispering apologies for asking people to contribute, or it can speak proudly of what those contributions achieve.

TAx iS NOT JUST ABOUT NUmBERS ON A PAYSliP

It is the price of hope — of hospitals that heal, schools that lift, and communities that still belong to everyone.

BADGER SPREADS THE GOOD NEWS

BADgER is going to start this week’s column with good news. The surviving israeli hostages held by Hamas terrorists were released on monday.

In other good news, a host of apologists for terrorism in UK cities have demonstrated that what they loudly shouted for was not a Palestinian state but the extinction of Jews. Badger isn’t going to call those involved monsters. That lets them off the hook. They are human. They are apologists for the murder, rape, torture, and imprisonment of Israeli civilians.

Their hearts must swell with pride now that Israeli forces have withdrawn to allow Hamas to murder and torture Palestinian civilians.

That is what the terrorist supporters campaigned for; that is what they’ve got.

For the time being, at least.

Badger hopes they enjoy watching Hamas murder fellow Palestinians in the street, dispensing summary “justice” at the point of a gun. Well done, you. And if you don’t like it, who do you think you were noisily supporting on the streets? The WI?

Hamas is a genocidal death cult set on the extermination of anyone who disagrees with their homicidal strain of Islamic fundamentalism. And that includes fellow Muslims.

Please refrain from engaging in whataboutery and avoid an exhaustive and exhausting diatribe to Badger’s

editor, displaying your sorry excuses, ignorance, prejudice, and racism. Badger will figuratively, if not literally, wipe his furry backside on them. So, if you feel like writing, please use soft and absorbent 3-ply paper. As a lot of you seem to say, “Be kind”.

Having shared the good news and offered his heartfelt congratulations to Hamas fans everywhere for their epic achievements(!), Badger will move on.

Rejoice! For there is more good news.

With just over six months to go until a Senedd poll in which Labour in Wales looks like taking a hiding, the pre-election sweetie jar has been opened. Yes, readers, faced with abject humiliation in May 2026, the Westminster Government announced £500m of funding for Wales.

The Welsh and UK Governments have agreed a framework which will set priorities and processes for allocating the funds, with a delivery plan developed and led by the Welsh Government. The Growth Fund replaces EU funding, at least according to the press release that the mainstream media swallowed whole. In practice, of course, that means it is not new money. The Growth Fund replaces other funding streams, which will end once the first pound is pumped to one of the Welsh Government’s pet quangos, projects, or “third sector” partners.

And as the money amounts to

Westminster’s recycling, what the Welsh Government will end up doing is recycling the recycling. There’s a pithy epithet that captures the phenomenon. Yes, readers, the Welsh Government eats... well, you fill in the blank. The Welsh Government is fond of having delivery partners. They mean the buck never stops with a Labour minister.

The Baroness of All of Our Hearts and occasional First Minister, Milady Morgan, said: “We’re keen to see a strong focus on green infrastructure, energy efficiency and local regeneration. We will encourage investment in renewable energy, low-carbon transport, and heritage. Tourism will be supported in a way that helps our communities thrive.”

That last made Badger’s eyebrows streak skyward. After spending years eviscerating the tourism industry, Labour now wants to make amends by putting a sticking plaster on the haemorrhage it created. If nothing else, you’ve got to admire Eluned Morgan’s chutzpah.

As for the other things... It’s more of the same, pouring money into piein-the-sky projects that come with big promises of jobs and investment and produce a fraction of what’s promised.

Take the City Deal. Please, take the City Deal. Badger said it was a long con when it was announced, and it remains a long con now. It’s produced a fraction of the jobs promised, while major capital investment has been made only in Swansea. There was going to be positively squillions spent improving the West Wales economy, and the result would be unbounded plenty for everyone in their meagre hovels beyond the end of the M4.

Like hell.

Like Enterprise Zones, where every job created was at a cost of £20k plus and, as Badger suspects, with the Celtic Sea Freeport, any economic goods that accrue for Pembrokeshire will end up in the hands of surpassingly few local people. Most of the money will end up going to already wealthy corporations or pissed down the Cleddau chasing blue, green, and sky-blue pink renewable energy.

Add that to the almost certain diversion of the supposed Growth Fund to Labour’s favoured, very governmental non-governmental organisations, as well as Community Interest Companies, activist “charities”, and the like. The result will be net-zero, in the sense

that there will be zero real benefits for Pembrokeshire.

Half a billion sounds like a lot of money. It is a lot of money. But, in terms of Welsh Government spending, it’s not enough to run the Welsh NHS for a fortnight. Badger is prepared to bet good money that if the Welsh Government were serious about delivering a genuine improvement that mattered to the Welsh voter, it would allocate all of that money to addressing the shambles it’s made of Wales’s health services.

But half a billion is not to be sneezed at. Imagine all the decrepit chapels scattered across rural Wales that could be transformed into makeries and arts and crafts centres for middle-class English incomers to sell lovespoons and hand-woven fabrics to middle-class English tourists and S4C documentary film makers. Gosh, even Michael Portillo might pop by as he retraces the Carmarthen-Aberystwyth railroad that the Welsh Government committed to assessing almost a decade ago, and which is no more likely than the prospect of catching moonbeams in a jar of water.

Badger has an idea of how the Welsh Government could deliver meaningful change that benefits Wales. Scrap the magic circle of quangos and appointments. Stop handing public money over to causes that are not priorities for the huge majority of the Welsh people. End the waste of having so many NHS delivery mechanisms, including local university health boards that are neither local nor universities. End the farce of having four Police forces in Wales. Cut the waste. Cut the crap.

The Welsh Government cannot create prosperity; it can only facilitate its creation by others. Where the government can help, it must focus on alleviating poverty and want where they exist and stop greenlighting major investment where plentiful investment in capital and infrastructure already exists.

Spread the wealth.

If the Welsh Government cannot bring itself to do that, it’s not a government for Wales, it’s the Cardiff Enterprise Zone Board, and not much else.

When the Welsh Government acts in the interests of all of Wales, and not those of its inner circle of cronies and hangers-on, that’ll be even better news.

Macron and Starmer: Two birds, one mess

SQUAARRRK! gather round, you land-lubbin’ voters and half-baked policy puffins, ‘cause ol’ Stephen’s got his beak full of international politics this week. i’ve been watchin’ what’s goin’ on across the Channel, and let me tell you — it’s like watchin’ two seagulls fight over the same chip, only one’s dropped it in the harbour and the other’s pretending he meant to.

Over in Britain, you’ve got Keir Starmer, the new top gull in Downing Street, struttin’ about like he’s finally nicked the best pasty in the shop. Across in France, poor Emmanuel Macron’s flappin’ round like he’s just realised the bakery’s closed and the baguettes are stale.

Now, the clever human papers say it’s just a coincidence that Starmer’s big win came as Macron’s parliament fell apart. But I say it’s more like the tide — when one side’s calm, the other side’s churnin’ up seaweed and fish guts.

See, Macron thought he’d be a genius. Dissolved his own parliament to scare the far-right lot into submission.

“They’ll come runnin’ back to me!” he squawked. Aye, and I thought the binmen would leave a few chips out for me after the carnival, too. Didn’t happen. The voters did rally — just not for him. They backed everyone except him.

It’s like when you swoop down for a sausage roll and ten other gulls follow you — next thing you know, you’ve got nothin’ but crumbs and feathers.

Meanwhile, Starmer’s waddled into power without much flappin’ or fuss. He’s about as exciting as a soggy custard cream, but somehow that’s exactly what Britain wanted after years of Tory tantrums. Macron’s all drama and declarations; Starmer’s more of a quiet nibbler, peckin’ cautiously at the edges of power, hoping nobody throws a rock.

The funny thing is, the pair of ‘em were supposed to be mates — two sensible centrists, fightin’ off the loonies on both sides. But fate’s played a cruel trick. Macron’s burnin’ out while Starmer’s just taxied onto the runway. They’ve missed their chance to make some sort of AngloFrench power duet. Instead, Macron’s presidency looks like a gull caught in a

crisp packet — lots of noise, not much movement.

And let’s be honest, lads — Macron’s arrogance could power a ferry. He’s made more enemies than a chip van at low tide. Starmer’s not quite as bad, but he’s already startin’ to forget that voters are like gulls — they only love you while you’re feedin’ ‘em. Stop droppin’ chips, and they’ll be squawkin’ for Farage before you can say “Brexit means Brexit.”

Ah yes, Farage. That old beach scavenger’s still hangin’ round the political pier, watchin’ and learnin’. He’s seen how the French far-right’s made itself look respectable — nice feathers, clean plumage, bit of charm. But don’t be fooled, my friends: a gull in a tuxedo’s still a gull.

If Starmer’s not careful, he’ll walk right into the same trap Macron did. The centre ground looks safe until the tide turns and you realise you’re standin’ on quicksand. People get tired of calm. They start lookin’ for noise. And before you know it, the sensible gulls are out, and the squawkers are runnin’ the roost.

Starmer’s playin’ it safe, talkin’ about

“stability” and “pragmatism.” Aye, that’s grand — but it’s no use if your policies have all the flavour of yesterday’s chips. He’s gotta show he can soar, not just shuffle. Because when the wind changes — and it always does — the ones who can’t ride it end up in the drink.

As for Macron, well, he’s stuck in the squall. His parliament’s in pieces, his people are restless, and every gull on the French coast is squawkin’ “Non!” He’ll cling on till 2027, but by then even the fishmongers won’t care what he’s sellin’.

So, what’s the moral of this week’s storm, my feathery friends? Simple: never think you’ve tamed the flock. Whether it’s voters or gulls, we’ll follow you for a while — but the second you stop feedin’ us what we want, we’re off to the next trawler.

SQUAARRRK! Till next week, keep your chips close, your leaders humble, and your head down when the political droppin’s start fallin’.

– Stephen Seagull, Down on milford Haven Docks

Dogs Trust: Antifreeze poses deadly risk to dogs

AS WiNTER sets in, Dogs Trust is warning pet owners across Wales of the hidden danger posed by antifreeze, a substance commonly found in de-icing products and car engine coolant. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a sweet-tasting but highly toxic chemical that can cause severe illness or death in pets if ingested.

Just a small amount of antifreeze can have fatal consequences, leading to acute kidney failure and neurological damage. Symptoms may not appear immediately, but early signs to watch for include:

• Vomiting

• Lethargy or weakness

• Unsteady or drunken-like behaviour

• Increased thirst and urination

• Rapid breathing

• Seizures or muscle twitching

URgENT ACTiON iS CRiTiCAl

If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact a vet immediately. Prompt treatment is vital to prevent irreversible damage. Without swift care, ingestion can lead to kidney failure, coma, and death.

Charlie Dobson, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Dogs Trust, explained:

“Antifreeze is extremely dangerous for dogs and other pets because even a small amount can cause serious, often fatal, health issues. Its sweet taste can

be particularly enticing, making it crucial to store antifreeze securely and avoid using it near pets. If ingestion occurs, seek veterinary care immediately.”

WiNTER TiPS fOR KEEPiNg

DOgS SAfE

Dogs Trust has shared advice to help protect pets during the colder months:

Stay warm: Dogs feel the cold, so consider letting their fur grow longer in winter or invest in a suitable coat for short-haired breeds. Introduce coats gradually to ensure your dog is comfortable.

Keep your dog on the lead: Snow can disorient dogs, increasing the risk of them becoming lost. Ensure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag, and that their microchip details are up to date.

Wipe after walking: Road grit and dampness can irritate your dog’s skin. Wipe their legs, feet, and stomach after winter walks.

Avoid ice: Frozen lakes or ponds may be unsafe for dogs and owners alike. Thin ice could break under a dog’s weight, leading to potential falls into freezing water.

Increase visibility: Use reflective collars, leads, and high-

vis clothing for both you and your dog to stay visible during shorter, darker days.

Check your lead: Inspect leads, collars, and harnesses regularly to ensure they’re functioning properly. Wet weather can cause metal clips to rust or break.

Try indoor games: Bad weather may keep you indoors, so keep your dog entertained with games like hide and seek or enrichment toys such as rubber food-releasing puzzles.

For more guidance on keeping dogs safe this winter, visit www. dogstrust.org.uk/coldweather.

NAHT Cymru responds to Plaid’s plan to ‘raise standards and support teachers’

PlAiD CYmRU has unveiled a major education policy ahead of this weekend’s Senedd election, promising to “raise standards and support teachers” through new investment in schools and the teaching workforce.

The party says its proposals would focus on improving literacy rates, boosting teacher recruitment, and strengthening professional development across Wales. Plaid also pledged to ensure every child has access to a library and dedicated reading support, as part of a wider effort to tackle educational inequality.

However, education unions have urged caution, warning that long-term funding and support for the workforce are essential if such plans are to succeed.

WORKfORCE iNVESTmENT

‘KEY TO RAiSiNg STANDARDS’

Responding to the announcement, Laura Doel, national secretary of the school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said:

“We have listened with interest to the promises made by Plaid Cymru ahead of the Senedd election this weekend, particularly when it comes to raising standards and investing in the workforce.

“Our position is the two go hand in hand: without supporting highly skilled teachers and teaching assistants in our classrooms, and strong, empowered leaders in our schools, we cannot hope to tackle the challenges around standards.

“An investment in the workforce, and a sustainable plan to recruit and retain teachers and leaders, is central to the success of education to ensure we have the people we need to deliver for our children and young people.”

Ms Doel said that support must come through a coherent national strategy covering training, professional development, improved pay and conditions, and a reduction in workload—allowing staff to focus on teaching and learning rather than paperwork.

‘TWO-TiER WORKfORCE’ CONCERNS

She also raised concerns about Plaid Cymru’s proposed recruitment incentives, warning they could risk creating inequalities if not carefully implemented.

“We look forward to more detailed discussions on incentives, given that we have some concerns about creating a two-tier workforce and whether incentives work or are just a shortterm measure for a systemic problem,” she said.

fOCUS ON liTERACY AND RESOURCES

On Plaid’s literacy proposals, NAHT Cymru welcomed the focus on reading but emphasised that schools must first have the right resources in place.

“We support the aim to encourage a love of reading in schools, but we must ensure the building blocks are in place so that children can enjoy such facilities,” Ms Doel said.

“We see investment in schools in order to be able to offer support to children to read through interventions as the top priority, and would encourage all parties to focus on this before ploughing money into libraries.”

BACKgROUND

The comments come as Wales continues to face challenges in education outcomes. According to the latest OECD and PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results, Welsh pupils have lagged behind their counterparts in England and Scotland in reading, maths, and science since testing began in 2000. The 2022 results showed Welsh 15-year-olds scoring significantly below the OECD average in all three areas.

Teacher recruitment and

retention also remain major issues, particularly in rural and Welsh-medium schools. The General Teaching Council for Wales has reported a steady decline in new entrants to the profession, while headteachers warn of increasing workloads and difficulties filling key posts.

Plaid Cymru’s education plan comes as all major parties set out their manifestos ahead of the Senedd election on Sunday (Oct 12). Education is a fully devolved policy area, with the Welsh Government currently led by Labour’s Eluned Morgan as First Minister and Lynne Neagle as Education Minister.

NAHT Cymru, which represents school leaders across Wales, has repeatedly called for greater investment in teacher wellbeing, pay parity with England, and a reduction in administrative burdens. The union has also warned of growing funding gaps between local authorities, leaving some schools “on the brink of financial crisis.”

As Plaid seeks to challenge Labour’s long-standing dominance over Welsh education policy, unions such as NAHT Cymru say they will continue to push all parties for costed, sustainable commitments— rather than short-term promises.

Water quality regulations remain ‘intolerable’ for farmers, says NFU

NfU Cymru is ‘deeply disappointed’ that calls for flexibility in water quality regulations have again fallen on deaf ears.

During a recent Water Quality Summit, organised by Welsh Government, the union’s President reiterated his calls for urgent changes to the unworkable Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations to alleviate regulatory burden for exasperated farmers.

This week, following the Summit, Welsh Government has released a written statement on the Review of the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations. In this statement there is no indication that the regulatory burden will be alleviated for farmers, even with the complications brought on by the prolonged dry weather this year. The current regulations were raised during an NFU Cymru Council meeting, the union’s ruling body, on Wednesday, as a matter of real concern for farmers right across Wales.

NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “NFU Cymru is clear that Welsh Government’s four-

yearly review [1], completed in March, was a missed opportunity to deliver the changes that are urgently needed to the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations and failed to reflect the sheer desperation of farmers in Wales grappling with the impracticality and complexity of the rules.

“Farming families are facing staggering costs and an unworkable regulatory burden that is challenging farm business viability and impacting on the health and well-being of farmers and their families. Farmers are exasperated that far from reducing the regulatory burden placed on them by the regulations, Welsh Government wants to add additional regulations, including for soils, nutrient management planning and air quality.

“The prolonged dry weather of 2025 has resulted in many farmers needing to take late cuts of silage for their livestock for the forthcoming winter, leaving them unable to empty their slurry stores before the start of the closed period on 15th October. This, yet again, highlights why an inflexible farming by calendar approach to

regulation does not work. NFU Cymru is deeply disappointed that our requests for flexibility have fallen on deaf ears.

“NFU Cymru awaits further information on the ‘collaborative approach’ and the Task & Finish Group, proposed by Welsh Government in its written statement, with interest. We will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of our members to ensure the most challenging and difficult aspects of the regulations

are addressed so they are proportionate and targeted.

“We remain clear, for many farmers, the onerous regulatory burden is intolerable. We will continue to highlight to Welsh Government the damaging impacts imposed by the current regulatory approach and the need for a full independent review of the cumulative burden of regulations on Welsh farming families.”

Thousands of Welsh farms receive BPS advance payments

Today (Tuesday, October 14)

more than £158m has been paid to Welsh farm businesses through Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2025 advance payments.

More than 15,500 of claimants will receive the BPS advance which is worth approximately 70 per cent of their estimated claim value.

Rural Payments Wales (RPW) will continue to make advance payments, as individual BPS claims are validated for the advance.

Full and remaining balance BPS 2025 payments will be made from 12 December, subject to full validation of the claim.

It is expected all but the most complex BPS claims will be fully validated, and payments made before the end of the payment window on 30 June 2026.

Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Rural Affairs, said: “I am pleased that thousands of farms across Wales have now had the BPS advance payments for 2025.

“I hope this gives farming businesses reassurance and stability for the year ahead. Rural Payments Wales will be working hard to ensure full and remaining balance payments are made as early as possible once the full payment window opens in December.

“This will be the final year before the

start of the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) in January 2026. The SFS will build on the tried and tested

delivery mechanisms and systems of Rural Payments Wales.”

Farming jobs fears spark fiery Senedd debate

A fiERY debate has erupted over claims a financial support scheme for farmers will lead to the loss of an estimated 1,100 jobs, 56,000 livestock and £76m.

Samuel Kurtz, the Tory shadow rural affairs secretary, urged the Welsh Government to scrap the stuttering sustainable farming scheme (SFS) which has been plagued by protests.

He said: “Their own economic impact assessment tells a stark story: job losses, livestock reductions and millions wiped from farm business incomes.”

But Welsh ministers accused the opposition of misleading farmers, arguing the figures were incomplete “scenarios, not predictions” that failed to account for the scheme’s full benefits.

Mr Kurtz told the Senedd the farming sector employs about 50,000 people directly and a further 250,000 in the wider food and drink supply chain – a sector worth £9.3bn a year.

“Behind every one of those numbers lies a family, a community, a business, people who have served Wales for generations,” he said. “Farming is not simply an occupation: it’s a way of life, the beating heart of our rural economy and a cornerstone of Wales’ national identity.”

The Tory said the “flawed” SFS risks hollowing out the core of Welsh farming, prioritises bureaucracy over practicality and puts environmental targets before food production.

Warning of the cumulative

burden on farmers, he told the Senedd: “We will not accept a scheme that puts our farms at risk, our jobs in jeopardy and our food security in question.”

Mr Kurtz, who is from a farming family, said: “I don’t believe that this is a farming scheme; I believe it is an environmental scheme that the government expects farmers to deliver.”

He criticised Labour for rejecting calls for a binding vote on the scheme. “They denied farmers the chance to have their voices properly heard here in this place,” he said. “I don’t believe that is democracy in action –rather, [it is] government by decree.”

But Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’ Deputy First Minister and rural affairs secretary, hit back – warning of inaccuracies in the way in which data has been interpreted.

“Even the motion tabled before us today is inaccurate, he said. “Nowhere, nowhere, in the evidence we have published does it say that job losses, livestock number reductions, or reductions in farm business income will definitively happen. Nowhere.

“This is trying to turn really complex information into simple soundbites. This is not helpful to serious debate and, most importantly, it is not helpful to farmers.”

This week has been a timely reminder of the crucial role County Council-owned farms play in our rural communities, as Powys County Council’s consultation on its Draft farm Estate Policy – Supporting Sustainable Rural futures closed on Sunday.

Across Wales, county farms serve as a crucial stepladder for young people and new entrants seeking a foothold in agriculture.

workforce, underpinning local supply chains that connect farmers, producers, and consumers.

Mr Irranca-Davies said the Welsh Government will invest more than £340m in the first year of the sustainable farming scheme, which goes live in January.

Cautioned that scrapping the SFS and starting again would cause uncertainty and instability, he argued the Tories lost all credibility with their “not a penny less” Brexit funding promise.

Llŷr Gruffydd took the middle ground during Wednesday’s (October 8) debate, urging Welsh ministers to improve the scheme rather than take the “nuclear option” of scrapping it.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow rural affairs secretary expressed concerns about the impact of falling livestock numbers on abattoirs and the potential for farm incomes to drop.

He told the Senedd: “Yes, perhaps it is the worst-case scenario but it is a cause of concern for me and many people out there whose livelihoods rely on the scheme.”

Mr Gruffydd criticised the Conservatives for complaining about the consequences of Brexit. He also attacked the Labour UK Government for “Barnettising” the farming budget, meaning Wales gets a smaller share based on population rather than the nation’s needs.

Senedd Members voted 3011 against the Conservative motion before agreeing the Welsh Government’s amended version, 22-20.

Yet their decline has been stark, with research from S4C’s Ffermio programme recently revealing a 17% fall in county farms across Wales over the past decade; from 482 in 2015 to just 400 today. This decline represents not only the loss of farmland but also the erosion of opportunity, skills, and community cohesion in rural Wales.

Under the 1970 Agriculture Act, local authorities are obliged to provide opportunities for people with experience to farm on their own account. County farms are therefore not a luxury or a relic of the past, they remain a vital part of our agricultural infrastructure and rural identity. Family farms are the backbone of Wales’ rural areas, shaping our landscapes, supporting local businesses, and sustaining the Welsh language and culture that define our countryside.

Powys County Council’s farm estate is the largest of its kind in Wales and the fifth largest in the UK, and it plays an invaluable role in supporting local, sustainable food production and provides a foundation for economic resilience across the county. The estate sustains a diverse

More importantly, council farms have long served as a crucial stepping stone for new entrants into farming, offering affordable access to land and the chance to build viable businesses in a sector where capital costs and land ownership remain major barriers. These holdings are far more than assets on a balance sheet; they are incubators for the next generation of farmers, helping to nurture skills, innovation, and the vitality of the rural economy.

The FUW is deeply concerned that the uncertainty surrounding county farms in Powys and beyond risks undermining both current tenants and future opportunities for young farmers. While we recognise the immense financial pressures facing local authorities, we urge councils not to view their farm estates purely in financial terms.

Even so, councils should view their farm estates as investments for the future, providing rental returns and securing sustainable options for young people. Assets can only be sold once, therefore doing so to compensate for funding shortfalls would be a short sighted and unsustainable way forward for any local authority.

County farms represent a long-term investment in people, communities, and food security. By protecting and strengthening these estates, councils can ensure the farm gates remain open, not just for today’s tenants, but for generations to come.

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

TVersatile and comfortable: The Kia EV5 delivers authentic SUV practicality in an accessible electric package

The Kia EV5 introduces exceptional versatility to Kia’s SUV line-up, delivering a fully electric solution tailored to meet the diverse needs of today’s buyers. its launch marks a strategic milestone in Kia’s mission to broaden access to dedicated electric vehicles (EVs) and reinforce its presence in key global markets.

“We have built the EV5 to appeal to a broad range of potential needs, with a particular focus on the diverse lifestyles of millennial customers,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia Corporation. “The EV5 delivers the comfort of a ‘home away from home’ combined with advanced connectivity and a dynamic driving experience, offering young families an ideal solution tailored to their lifestyles. By expanding the EV customer base in this way, the model will play a key role in accelerating the shift toward electrified mobility.”

How does the EV5 deliver sustainable mobility without compromise?

Built on Kia’s dedicated E-GMP EV platform, the EV5 is designed to meet the exacting requirements of today’s EV drivers. Equipped with an 81.4kWh battery and 160kW front-mounted electric motor, it delivers a maximum WLTP

range of up to 329 miles on a single charge, providing the confidence and convenience required for both daily use and long-distance journeys.

Key technologies such as regenerative braking and fastcharging capability (10-to-80% in just 30 minutes) further enhance efficiency and usability in real-world conditions.

How is Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ philosophy reflected in the design of the EV5?

Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy bestows the EV5 with a confident, robust presence. Pairing assertive style with well-balanced proportions, its 4,610mm length and 1,875mm width deliver the spaciousness and practicality demanded by buyers without compromising on aesthetic appeal.

At the front, a wide nose and muscular bonnet project strength and stability, while the three-dimensional ‘Star Map’ daytime running lights and precision detailing introduce a new interpretation of Kia’s digital tiger face — clean, hightech and distinctive. Rugged bumpers and a broad skid plate emphasise its assertive stance, while subtle design cues such as the diagonal-pattern lower intake and body-coloured trim add a sporty, premium feel.

Viewed from the side, the EV5

design.

A three-zone climate control system with an odour-reducing after-blow function ensures a pleasant environment for all passengers, allowing even second-row occupants to adjust and enjoy personalised temperature settings. This focus on comfort is complemented by thoughtfully designed amenities, including a wide centre console that is accessible to both front and rear passengers, featuring a sliding tray that extends into the second row to provide an additional surface when needed.

presents a boxy yet dynamic silhouette that embodies a traditional SUV profile, reinterpreted for the electric era. Geometric surfacing and bold vertical lines create strong visual volume, while square wings, a prominent shoulder line, and sculpted wheel arches reinforce its futuristic SUV character. A rearward-shifted D-pillar maximises rear-seat visibility and draws attention to the generous cargo area. Unique 18- and 19-inch wheels showcase the ‘Opposites United’ design language through the interplay of rich volume and sharp, geometric patterns.

At the rear, a wide tailgate with clean surfacing and vertically extended rear lamps anchor the design, balancing sophistication with strength. A solid, technical rear bumper visually grounds the design, completing its authentic SUV stance, ready for everyday life and outdoor adventure alike.

How does the versatility of the EV5’s interior promote practicality and comfort?

The EV5 is as versatile inside as it is beneath the skin, enabling occupants to make full use of its spacious interior through an array of premium comfort features, flexible storage solutions, intelligent conveniences and adaptable

When not in use, the secondrow seats can be folded nearly flat to zero degrees, seamlessly connecting with the luggage area to create a continuous, versatile space — ideal for everyday needs, outdoor activities, or even overnight stays.

How does Kia’s connected software deliver convenience and safety in the EV5?

The EV5 introduces a suite of family friendly digital features that make every journey more enjoyable, engaging and reassuring.

The spacious, light and well-ventilated interior is equipped with cutting-edge infotainment and connectivity features designed to enhanced convenience and efficiency on every journey. At its heart is the panoramic wide display, which combines a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a fiveinch climate control display.

Kia’s new unified Graphical User Interface (GUI) is integrated throughout the EV5’s connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system, ensuring a consistent look and feel across audiovisual, navigation, and telematics (AVNT) screens. Simple-to-navigate, intuitive menus improve access to EVspecific functions, enabling drivers to easily monitor range and charging status at a glance. An optional head-up display further supports safe, distraction-free driving.

1.2

Shift Over: Isuzu launches new campaign offering free automatic upgrade on D-Max V-Cross

isuzu UK has announced an exciting new offer for customers purchasing The New isuzu D-max V-Cross, the flagship model in the multi-award-winning D-max range. Until the end of 2025, customers can upgrade to the automatic transmission version of the V-Cross

at no extra cost, a saving worth £2,645 (excluding VAT).

Promoted by Isuzu’s new omnichannel campaign “Shift Over”, the offer will run across digital and physical advertising channels nationwide. The campaign encourages drivers to “shift over” to a smoother, more effortless

driving experience with the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Automatic.

Whether tackling the morning commute or heading off-road, the automatic transmission makes every journey more enjoyable and relaxed. The D-Max V-Cross combines luxury, practicality, and the durability Isuzu

is renowned for, and now, with free automatic upgrade, it delivers even greater comfort and convenience.

Neil Scott, National Sales Manager at Isuzu UK, commented: “The Isuzu D-Max V-Cross is already the standout model in our range, combining refinement with real-world capability. With the new ‘Shift Over’ campaign, we’re giving customers an even better reason to experience the effortless performance of the automatic version. There’s never been a better time to get behind the wheel of a D-Max.”

Alongside the “Shift Over” campaign, Isuzu continues to provide competitive finance options for customers, and a range of exclusive tactical and affinity-based offers for members of organisations such as NFU, BASC, NFUS, and UFU. More information can be found at www.isuzu.co.uk/offersfinance/offers.

The Isuzu D-Max continues to prove its strength and reliability, with the model earning multiple industry awards in 2025, including Pick-up Towcar Winner at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Awards, and Best Diesel Pick-up in Diesel & Eco Car Magazine Diesel Top 50. These accolades reaffirm the D-Max’s reputation for capability, durability, and everyday practicality.

This limited-time offer is available until 31st December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. More information is available at www.isuzu.co.uk/shiftover.

Polestar reports 36% global retail sales growth for the first nine months of 2025 and is fastest growing premium brand in the UK

Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) global retail sales amounted to an estimated 14,192 cars in Q3 2025, up 13% versus Q3 2024. for the first nine months of the year, retail sales approximated 44,482 cars, a growth of 36% compared to the same period last year.

Michael Lohscheller, Polestar CEO, says: “The third quarter saw continued growth, and we have now sold as many cars as in the whole of 2024. Despite continued external headwinds and challenging market conditions, our line-up and strong order intake provide a solid basis for growth in the fourth quarter.”

Polestar expects to publish select results for the third quarter 2025 and hold an analyst conference call on 12 November 2025.

UK

Polestar UK continues to be the fastest growing premium brand in the UK after a record-breaking September retailing 2758 cars.

Polestar UK Managing Director, Matt Galvin commented: “We continue to nurture our growth in the UK market through expansion of our retailer network where we now have 14 Spaces across the country. The introduction of Polestar 3 and 4 has really captured the interests of our customers – those searching for something with striking design and innovative technology.

“The recent introduction of Polestar 3 2026 model year with 800 volt electrical architecture means customers will have even more performance and faster charging as we go into next year.”

All-New LEAF hits the road - Boasting 386 mile range, top-level

technology and sleek aerodynamic design

The Nissan lEAf – the world’s first mass-market electric vehicle when it originally launched in Europe in 2011 – is back, signalling Nissan’s determination to be at the forefront of electric innovation.

Proudly built in Britain, at Nissan’s world-class EV manufacturing site in Sunderland, the all-new third generation model has hit the roads for the first time in Copenhagen, boasting an elite level range of up to 386 miles alongside a sharp new look, integrated technology and a host of new driver assistance features.

“The all-new LEAF is the embodiment of our DNA here at Nissan: smart, sleek, stylish, and ready for the next generation of EV drivers. With a top range of 386 miles and connected technologies, it delivers the convenience and excitement our customers demand,” said Clíodhna Lyons, Region Vice President, Product and Services Planning, Nissan AMIEO. ”As we continue to level up our electric offering in Europe and the wider AMIEO region, the new LEAF represents exactly what our customers are looking for.”

Aerodynamic Design

Designed at Nissan’s Global Design Studio in Atsugi, Japan and built at

Nissan’s Sunderland Plant, UK, the allnew LEAF presents a dynamic crossover look that blends aerodynamic efficiency and visual impact. With a drag coefficient of just 0.25, the car’s clean, flowing appearance not only looks sharp and brings a real presence to the road, it also supports the model’s excellent 386 miles top range and its general efficiency.

Supporting its sleek and streamlined look, Nissan LEAF boasts a host of upgraded exterior features, carefully engineered to catch the eye and confirm that our zero-emission masterpieces don’t skip on style, including:

• Flush-mounted door handles

• Sculpted surfaces and flowing roofline

• A unique 3D tail light signature

• Optional 19” alloy wheels with aerodynamic styling

• Dimming panoramic roof with subtle LEAF-embossed detailing

The cabin inside is spacious and family-ready, including up to 437 litres (VDA) of cargo space. Power liftgate and

roof rail options add flexibility, while seven expressive colour choices – including signature Luminous Teal – ensure the Nissan LEAF can be personalised to suit families, commuters, urban explorers and weekend day-trippers alike.

Elite Range of 386 miles and Smarter Charging

Two battery options – 52kWh and 75kWh – offer a range of 271 miles* and 386 miles (WLTP) respectively, giving drivers more confidence with an autonomy that’s amongst the best in the segment. The 75kwh version features a range of up to 269 miles at 70 mph on the highway and an energy consumption as low as 4.5 miles/kWh, ensuring longer journeys can be accomplished with fewer charging stops. When you do need to plug in, the all-new Nissan LEAF supports 150kW DC fast charging, recovering up to 273 miles in just 30 minutes.

At the same time, Nissan LEAF is equipped with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, with up to 3.1kW output for hooking up small devices like laptops in a pinch, or cooking gear when out camping. In the future the LEAF will Vehicle-toGrid (V2G) ready, enabling energy to be returned to the grid when available.

EV Performance with Advanced

Driver Assistance

Built on the CMF-EV modular platform shared with the Nissan Ariya, LEAF delivers engaging yet comfortable driving. The suspension - MacPherson at the front and multi-link at the rear –ensures a smooth, agile drive across city streets and motorways. Driver-centric features include:

• e-Pedal Step for smooth one-pedal driving

• ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link for adaptive cruise and speed-sensitive automation

• 3D Around View Monitor with 8-point perspective with Invisible Hood View and Front Wide View to navigate narrow urban spaces

• Regenerative braking with paddle shifts and distance control assist for energy recovery while decelerating”

At the heart of the Nissan LEAF is a refined electric motor delivering clean and responsive performance – 215hp of power and 355Nm of torque power the LEAF from 0 to 62mph in 7.6 seconds (Sport Mode / 75kwh battery). With 4.5 miles/kWh miles energy consumption, all-new LEAF ensures effortless driving with maximum efficiency.

The Nissan LEAF is equipped with a suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features, designed to support confident driving in all conditions. From Intelligent Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Intervention to Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Keep Assist, Nissan LEAF is engineered to deliver peace of mind. Additional features such as the 3D Around View Monitor, Invisible Hood View, and Front Wide View make parking and navigating tight spaces easier and safer.

Built for the Connected Driver

At the heart of the LEAF’s connected experience is NissanConnect with Google built-in, delivering seamless integration with daily life for the modern driver. This combines:

• Google Maps featuring In Car Route Planner for intuitive navigation and automated charge journey planning

• Google Assistant for hands-free control over navigation, media, climate and more

• Google Play Store for apps, streaming, and productivity tools

Inside, twin 14.3” screens (cluster and central) help form a fully digital cockpit, while the connectivity app (NissanConnect Services app) gives remote access to battery checks, climate preparation, and journey planning, ensuring the LEAF is as connected outside as it is inside.

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

Goodwick overnight campervan trial scheme in the spotlight

THE RECENTlY approved Pembrokeshire council trial scheme for an overnight motorhome and campervan parking site close to fishguard’s ferry came under the spotlight at full council.

A trial scheme for overnight motorhome parking facilities at the Goodwick Moor car park, The Parrog, was mooted last year after a February 2024 council Cabinet-backed trial scheme for ‘Pembs Stop’ campervan and motorhomes facilities at four car parks was later dropped.

It had initially been agreed that car parks at North Beach, Tenby; Goodwick Moor, Goodwick; Townsmoor, Narberth; and Western Way, Pembroke Dock would form the trial areas operating year-round at £10 a night for a trial 18-month period, with the intention not to create ‘campsites’.

That planned trial received national coverage, with a discussion on a phone-in programme on BBC Radio Wales.

Local tourism businesses had said the proposals will harm them, and concerns about the trial were also raised by the official tourism industry group for Pembrokeshire, Visit Pembrokeshire.

That scheme was later dropped following opposition, instead an overnight trial stopover facility for motorhomes at Goodwick Moor car park, linked to the ferry port mooted; a later planning application approved back in July despite objections from Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

A submitted question heard at the October 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council by Cllr Di Clements said: “No facilities will be provided, and no licences will be required. Does the appropriate Cabinet Member believe it is fair that private site owners require a site licence stating maximum numbers allowed, a fire safety space requirement between units, the provision of water, litter and foul water/chemical toilet disposal?

All costs the private site owner has to bear.

“However, PCC will not have the burden of providing those facilities and none of the associated costs.”

Responding, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the scheme was not set up as a campsite but

site for any signs of “waste or nuisance”.

as a one-night stopover facility, adding: “The site fundamentally remains a car park, it is materially different to the us of the land as a camping site.” He told members officers would continue to monitor the

Asking a supplementary question on behalf of Cllr Clements, Cllr Mark Carter said: “Is the Cabinet member confident this is going to be a success in terms of payments being made, and do we have the capacity to control this in a safe manner?”

Cllr Sinnett said officers would check payments had been made and conditions adhered to, adding: “It’s not going to obliterate our budget shortfall but hopefully bring us in some funding, it’s already been used for the purpose, this is just us attempting to regularise its use.”

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

Tata Steel calls for ‘level-playing field’ amid EU plans to slash imports

TATA STEEl’S UK boss has warned of a “difficult” future ahead amid EU plans to slash steel quotas, prompting an urgent call for the UK to create a “level-playing field”.

Rajesh Nair, chief executive of Tata Steel UK, urged UK ministers to safeguard the domestic market after the EU announced plans to cut tarifffree steel import quotas by 47%.

Mr Nair called on the UK Government to design new quota systems in a similar way to the EU to safeguard steel by banishing imports, “to ensure we have a level-playing field”.

He said: “Yes, you could look at it as an existential crisis or you could look at it as an opportunity to make a difference and I think the conversations that are happening today are ‘how can we convert this into something that would work for the UK?’.”

Mr Nair warned trade wars and protectionism in steel have become the norm, “so we’ve got to find our own ways of managing the domestic market”.

He told Senedd Members: “The UK quotas are significantly

disproportionate… these quotas were set up, particularly in flat steel – in which south Wales is really a significant player – in 2017/18 when the demand… was nearly 30% higher than what it is today.

“The demand has declined, the quotas have remained where they are. The quotas in general… are 70%… to up to 140% of the demand in some product categories.”

Mr Nair contrasted this with EU quotas of between 15% and 30% of demand before the latest announcement which will see levels reduce further.

He said: “The key thing is the trade situation is becoming more and more difficult, and things are moving pretty fast, so one of the expectations is that we need to bring pace into it….

“But I’m reasonably confident… that the government will also look to do things very similar to what the EU has done… on one hand to protect the

UK domestic market and, on the other hand, to work with the EU to ensure we have the right trading interests between te two.”

Appearing before the Senedd’s economy committee on October 9, Mr Nair called for clarity on how the EU announcement will work and apply to different categories of products.

The chief executive said the first intent would be to work with the EU to secure preferential treatment and concessions as one of the bloc’s biggest long-time trading partners.

‘gREAT CONfiDENCE’

Giving evidence just over a year on from the end of traditional steelmaking in Port Talbot, Mr Nair was pleased by progress on transitioning to an electricarc furnace (EAF).

He said: “I would like to believe we’ve dealt with it in the best possible manner, in the most responsible manner and, one year down the line, I’m happy to see the progress being made, especially on the project in terms of bringing the EAF online by the

end of 2027.”

Mr Nair said he had “great confidence” of hitting the 2027 target to start green steelmaking in south Wales after securing planning approval and breaking ground in July.

He told the committee that orders have been placed for about £400m worth of equipment but construction on the ground, which is due to begin in the next few months, will be the key test.

Chris Jaques, chief HR officer, said Tata Steel UK employs just under 5,900 people, down from about 8,150, confirming 2,255 staff have left the business since the announcement.

Mr Jaques told the committee compulsory job losses were minimised to about 120 and Tata Steel UK expects to employ about 5,300 people when the EAF is fully commissioned.

‘VERY, VERY VOlATilE’

Mr Nair was asked about the UK Government passing an emergency bill to protect steelmaking by keeping blast furnaces open in Scunthorpe – but not Port Talbot.

He said Tata Steel had a viable transition plan but Scunthorpe was a “different story”, confirming no talks took place on including Port Talbot in the rescue legislation.

As part of its inquiry on the future of steel, the committee also heard from trade unions which warned commitments on future investment have fallen by the wayside.

Alasdair McDiarmid, assistant general-secretary of the Community union, said: “We’re not where we wanted to be. All of the trade unions thought there was a possibility of a more gradual transition which would have protected jobs and primary steelmaking for longer.”

McDiarmid added: “But the reality is this is where we are: those blast furnaces are not coming back on –whatever some irresponsible politicians might want to suggest.”

Tom Hoyles, a senior organiser from the GMB union, told Senedd Members: “There’s obviously a lot of anger at what’s happened but, in one respect, that is done. However, the bigger questions around Port Talbot and British steelmaking remain.

“We’ve seen the announcement in the past few days – it is a very, very volatile sector.”

Chris Haines ICNN Senedd reporter

41,000 referrals milestone for NHS Wales’ digital mental health service

NHS Wales’ online mental health support platform has reached a major milestone, with more than 41,000 people referred to the service since its launch seven years ago.

The Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Service, powered by the SilverCloud® digital mental health platform, began as a pilot in Powys in 2018 before expanding nationwide during the COVID pandemic.

ThThe achievement, announced to coincide with World Mental Health Day, follows the introduction of direct referral pathways across all seven Welsh health boards.

Project manager Fionnuala Clayton said: “On World Mental Health Day we’re reminded that digital innovations like SilverCloud® provide a route to support, connection and hope — in this case for tens of thousands of people.

“This is a service focused on prevention first, and we’re grateful that

departments across Wales share our vision for accessible, early mental health support. Together, we’re helping people take control of their wellbeing before they reach crisis point.”

The service, funded by the Welsh Government and based at Powys Teaching Health Board, allows practitioners in child and adolescent mental health, perinatal, and primary care services to refer patients directly.

Anyone aged over sixteen can also self-refer free of charge without seeing a GP.

SilverCloud® programmes teach practical coping skills for mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, stress and sleep problems. Support is provided for twelve weeks, with trained practitioners monitoring progress and offering fortnightly feedback.

Of the 41,000 referrals, almost 24,000 have been adults seeking help

for anxiety, depression, or both, while 2,600 accessed support for stress and 1,000 for sleep difficulties.

Dedicated programmes are also available for students, young people, and parents or carers.

Among those to benefit is 58-year-old retiree Louise Hands from Prestatyn, Denbighshire, who turned to the service earlier this year after struggling with anxiety during a period of ill health.

She said: “I felt I had to do something to help myself – and SilverCloud® was the answer. It was so positive and easy to use. Having a supporter check in every couple of weeks really validated how I was feeling, and I loved being able to access it whenever I wanted.

“I’m more mindful now and those racing thoughts have gone. I’ve learned to notice and understand my feelings rather than letting things fester — and once you’ve noticed it, you’ve popped it!”

‘A disservice to families’: Senedd closes ‘sad chapter’ as Covid scrutiny is silenced

A SENEDD committee set up to scrutinise the Welsh government’s handling of the pandemic has been formally dissolved, marking a “great failure” by Wales’ democratic institutions.

Adam Price warned of institutional failure as the Senedd formally agreed to scrap the special purpose committee which was beset by problems before collapsing.

The former Plaid Cymru leader described the saga as a “very sad chapter” in the Senedd’s history and a forfeited opportunity to learn lessons from the pandemic.

Mr Price told the Senedd on October 8: “We have lost that opportunity in this Senedd to do that important work on behalf of the people of Wales: the living – and I have to say this, and I say it with the greatest of respect – and also the dead, and their loved ones as well.

“It will be for another Senedd now, and for another government, … to make right that wrong.”

The MP-turned-Senedd member, who served on the “suboptimal” committee, explained it was born of a compromise between Labour and the Conservatives.

Reiterating calls for a Wales-specific, judge-led inquiry, Mr Price said: “We had two parties coming together in an unholy alliance, you could say.

“Yet, having made that compromise, they were no longer prepared to make other compromises to make it work…. If you make an agreement of that kind, then you have to deliver it – otherwise, you damage the trust of the people in the democratic process.”

Mr Price concluded: “This has been a very sad chapter in the history of this institution.

“I hope that we, in the next Senedd, will learn from that and also seek to learn properly from the things that we got right – the decisions that we made where we got it right in the context of the pandemic – and those where we got it wrong.

“Surely, that’s the lifeblood of democracy: being honest enough to admit your mistakes because that’s the only way you can create a better future.”

James Evans, the Tory shadow health secretary, broadly agreed with Mr Price as he accused the Welsh Government of not wanting to enter the committee in good faith.

Backing calls for a full, independent inquiry instead, Mr Evans told the Senedd: “There were reservations around swearing oaths….

“They didn’t want the scrutiny. And I think there are some serious questions to be answered here why a government would not want to be scrutinised. I can probably guess why.”

He added: “I think we’ve done a disservice… to the families of the people who lost their lives during that Covid-19 pandemic because we should have been able to bring ministers and experts in under oath to get underneath the issues, to understand them properly.”

Responding for the Welsh Government, Jane Hutt committed to

providing regular updates to the Senedd on progress in implementing the UK’s inquiry’s recommendations. She pointed out that the public accounts committee has agreed to take forward a focused piece of work with about six months of the Senedd’s term remaining.

More than 200,000 calls made to Wales’ urgent mental health helpline

Day reveal.

The free, 24-hour helpline – rolled out nationwide in December 2022 –provides immediate access to trained mental health workers for anyone in crisis or struggling with their wellbeing. It has now handled 200,900 calls, becoming a cornerstone of Wales’ ambition to deliver same-day, openaccess mental health support across the nation.

Marking World Mental Health Day today (October 10), this year’s theme focuses on access to mental health care during crises and emergencies – an area in which 111 press 2 has proved invaluable.

Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing Sarah Murphy said: “The high levels of demand for 111 press 2 show how important it is to have support available when people need it most.

“Having this service available round the clock, every day of the year, shows how vital immediate mental health support is for our communities.

“We need services like these at the

earliest stage possible to prevent issues from deteriorating and becoming more serious. It forms part of our ambition for Wales to be the first nation to offer same-day mental health support, based on a stepped approach.”

The service connects callers directly to local mental health teams without the need for a referral. Data shows most calls are made on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the highest demand in November and December.

People aged 25 to 34 make up the largest group of callers, followed by those aged 35 to 44 and 45 to 54.

Ciara Rogers, national programme director for mental health in Wales, said: “The 111 press 2 service plays a key role in early intervention and prevention. It’s a vital part of improving access to mental health services across Wales.

“We want people to be guided to the right support, first time, without delay. 111 press 2 is a great example of what we aim to achieve through our focus on same-day, open-access support.”

Questions raised over Haverfordwest mosque-linked education centre

Pembrokeshire county councillors have been told that no pupils are currently enrolled at a new education facility associated with Haverfordwest’s mosque, and the council has not provided any funding to the centre.

The clarification came during a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council on 9 October, following a series of questions submitted by Councillor John Cole. Cllr Cole asked the Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, to confirm details surrounding the establishment of what he referred to as the “Peace School” at Haverfordwest Mosque.

In his written question, Cllr Cole queried how many children, if any, had moved from mainstream education to attend the school, and whether any associated funding had followed them. He also asked whether the institution was subject to Ofsted oversight, noting that its headteacher had indicated the school would not follow the national curriculum.

A request from Cllr Joshua Beynon for the question to be withdrawn on the grounds it

was “vexatious” and based on “hearsay” was rejected, and the matter proceeded to be addressed by Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey, responding on behalf of the Cabinet Member.

Cllr Harvey clarified that the facility in question is formally known as the Cherry Grove Learning Centre, situated in the former Cherry Grove council offices, rather than the “Peace School”.

He confirmed that no children had been placed there by the council, and no public funding had been transferred to support it. He added that while independent

schools are not obliged to follow the national curriculum— operating instead under independent school standards— Cherry Grove is not currently registered as an independent school to the council’s knowledge.

Cllr Harvey suggested that Cllr Cole might wish to visit the centre if he wished to learn more about its operation.

The Cherry Grove Learning Centre officially opened its doors last month, providing education for children and young people aged between three and eighteen. Its principal, Saj Madni, said the centre offers a personalised, child-

centred approach to learning with small group teaching, bespoke education plans, and a focus on academic achievement, wellbeing and leadership. The centre supports learners from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who are ambitious, anxious, neurodivergent, previously homeeducated, or simply looking for a fresh start.

During the same meeting, Cllr Cole also submitted a separate notice of motion calling for the council to review its use of halal products in councilcontrolled organisations and facilities receiving public funding, such as schools, canteens, restaurants, and healthcare settings. The motion highlighted concerns regarding animal welfare in some methods of ritual slaughter, including nonstun slaughter, where animals may experience distress before loss of consciousness. Even with reversible stunning, questions remain about the welfare implications during slaughter.

An attempt by Cllr Beynon to prevent that motion from being heard was again unsuccessful. The notice will now be considered by the Cabinet at a later date.

Farage promises ‘fresh thinking’ for Wales but says policies will come later

REfORm UK leader Nigel farage has said it is “too early” to set out detailed policies for next year’s Senedd election –but promised his party will be “very different to the status quo of the last quarter of a century.”

Speaking to BBC Politics Wales, Mr Farage said Reform would “use every devolved power we possibly can” to make life easier for Welsh businesses, adding that the party’s plans would bring “fresh thinking” to issues like the NHS and taxation. Although Reform has yet to publish its manifesto, the party has surged in recent opinion polls, rivalling Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru as the main challengers ahead of next May’s election.

Mr Farage confirmed that former Conservative Welsh

Secretary David Jones is among those advising the party, and said a full-time team is working on policies. “It’s mid-October – the elections are a long way away,” he said. “But what I can promise you is it’ll be very different to the status quo.”

When asked whether he was considering using Wales’s devolved income tax powers, Mr Farage said: “Watch this space. We’re thinking in all sorts of ways that will make this a very interesting campaign.”

He also dismissed claims that Reform’s Welsh campaign is simply a platform to build momentum in Westminster, saying: “Every election I fight is political theatre to get ahead in Westminster – but we’re taking this one very seriously indeed.”

Mr Farage was also questioned about his former

Welsh party leader Nathan Gill, who recently admitted taking bribes to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament. Farage described Gill’s actions as “corrupt” and “treacherous,” saying he expects him to face a lengthy prison sentence.

Reform UK is currently campaigning in the Caerphilly

by-election, where Mr Farage appeared this week alongside candidate Llyr Powell. The Reform leader said his party aims to prove it is “on the side of people working and people having jobs” across Wales.

The full interview with Nigel Farage will be broadcast on BBC One Wales on Sunday at 10:00am.

Landlords count the costs of building safety bill

lANDlORDS have warned the cost of building safety reforms could be far higher than the estimated £132m, with tenants likely to foot much of the bill through higher rents.

The Welsh Government’s estimate of £62 for each house in multiple occupation (HMO) for total yearly costs of the building safety bill is a severe underestimate, according to landlords.

The National Residential Landlords’ Association (NRLA) said a full fire risk assessment alone typically costs £394.50, plus a £100-a-year review, and required upgrades can cost up to £15,000 for a single property.

Writing to the Senedd’s housing committee, the NRLA said: “These costs will generally be passed on to tenants

through rent – although significant costs can lead to unprofitability… causing sell-offs and reducing the total stock available.”

Landlords also warned: “The proposals outlined in the building safety bill provide a weak method of enforcement against tenants who regularly fail to comply with their duties.

“As a result, it is likely to be slow, cumbersome and provide no meaningful way for landlords to compel a tenant to stop breaching their own fire safety duties.”

During a housing committee meeting on Thursday (October 9), the private and social housing sectors

broadly backed the principles of the bill which was brought forward to ensure the 2017 Grenfell tragedy – in which 72 people died – can never happen again.

But witnesses warned of practical implementation problems and unintended consequences.

Calling the £62-a-year cost estimate “far, far away”, Steven Bletsoe – the NRLA’s deputy director – told Senedd Members: “We cannot understand where that figure has come from.”

Timothy Douglas, from Propertymark, a professional body for sales and letting agents, agreed: “Unfortunately, the government assessment is an underestimation.”

Jaclyn Mangaroo, from the Property Institute, which represents residential property managers, pointed to high costs for wider compliance even before remediation.

Ms Mangaroo said the largely England-only Building Safety Act similarly “massively underestimated” upfront costs as she suggested service charges for leaseholders will rise. She described claims insurance premiums could fall under the new system as a “myth”.

Concerns about costs were echoed by social housing landlords.

Community Housing Cymru (CHC), a membership body for housing associations, warned: “Without targeted funding support, there is a risk that landlords may be forced to pass costs on to tenants and leaseholders, which we believe would

be unacceptable.”

CHC said it sought legal advice which showed parts of the bill were “poorly drafted”, relying heavily on secondary legislation and guidance to follow which creates a “guessing game”.

Calling for proportionality, CHC head of policy Bethan Proctor said one housing association warned it would cost £100,000 a year to do fire assessments for lower-risk buildings.

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Trivallis housing association, and CHC head of policy Bethan Proctor

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Trivallis housing association, and CHC head of policy Bethan Proctor

Duncan Forbes, chief executive of Trivallis housing association, told the committee: “I definitely think a bill is necessary, whether this bill is the right one is another question.”

He said: “There’s nothing in here about personal emergency evacuation plans, whereas England has got those being introduced. There’s nothing about sprinklers… those are the things that would actually be of more value than some of the things that are in here.”

ClwydAlyn housing association in north Wales told the committee: “Its success will ultimately depend on adequate funding for regulators, effective industry support, and careful monitoring to ensure costs do not unfairly fall on residents.”

Plaid Cymru to ‘kick start’ debate on Welsh independence, but after first-term

PlAiD CYmRU has vowed to launch a national debate on Welsh independence, but party leader Rhun ap iorwerth has reiterated that any referendum would not take place during the first term of a Plaid-led government.

Speaking at the party’s annual conference in Swansea on Friday, Mr ap Iorwerth said the motion he proposed aimed to “kick start the national debate

on independence” while laying the groundwork for a longer-term strategy. On Saturday, delegates endorsed a motion stating that Wales was “on a journey to independence” and that enhancing devolution could form part of that path. Central to the plan is the creation of a standing commission, tasked with engaging citizens in ongoing discussions about constitutional issues and researching matters relevant to

Wales’s future. The commission would also oversee recommendations from a previous Welsh government-backed independent commission on the country’s constitutional options.

The earlier commission, which served as a model for public engagement, suggested that powers over justice and policing should be devolved to Wales and called for the full devolution of rail services – both requiring UK government approval. While it identified independence as a viable option, it did not explicitly endorse it, cautioning that pursuing independence would involve “hard choices in the short to medium term.”

The new standing commission would prepare a white paper on Welsh independence, outlining potential paths forward. Mr ap Iorwerth drew parallels with the Scottish National Party, noting that the SNP published its own white paper on independence ahead of the 2014 referendum during its second term in government. BBC Wales has reported that the commission could begin gathering evidence for a white

paper even in a Plaid first term, although a formal referendum would come later.

Proposing the motion, Mr ap Iorwerth told delegates: “The motion looks to the future… and the need ultimately for a white paper which would set the formal path towards asking the people of Wales in a referendum. We make it clear it is us that should call the referendum when the time is right. But that’s not for now or the next government. Our work now is to take the discussion forward on the next steps for Wales’s constitutional journey.”

Addressing the conference, Mr ap Iorwerth positioned Plaid Cymru as a government in waiting, ready to replace Welsh Labour after the May 2026 Senedd election. The party has previously pulled back from its 2021 pledge, under former leader Adam Price, to hold an independence referendum within five years.

The strategy signals a measured approach: building public engagement and laying a detailed foundation for constitutional change, rather than rushing towards an immediate referendum.

Chris Haines

ICNN Senedd reporter

overnment’s plans to hand police new powers to target repeated protests, David Chadwick mP, Westminster Spokesperson for the Welsh liberal Democrats, has warned that the approach risks undermining fundamental democratic rights while failing to tackle genuine threats such as antisemitic hate and violent extremism.

The Liberal Democrats have long argued that the right to peaceful protest is a cornerstone of British democracy, allowing people from all walks of life to hold those in power to account. The party believes that successive Conservative governments have chipped away at that right through confusing and heavy-handed legislation that burdens police officers with politically motivated laws rather than enabling them to focus on serious crime and public safety.

Under the new proposals, police would gain powers to restrict or disperse individuals who repeatedly attend demonstrations, even if their actions are entirely nonviolent. Civil liberties groups have already raised concerns that this could criminalise people simply for exercising their right to protest on issues ranging from climate change to women’s rights.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have expressed particular concern that these measures will waste police time, create confusion over enforcement, and risk damaging public confidence in policing, especially at a time when forces are already stretched and struggling to deal with rising hate crime and antisocial behaviour.

They have also warned that, combined with Labour’s planned introduction of mandatory digital ID cards, wider civil liberties in the UK are increasingly under threat.

Commenting, David Chadwick MP said:

W ITH ANDREW LyE

“The Conservatives made a total mess of protest laws and left us with the worst of all worlds, wasting police time arresting people for legitimate, peaceful protest while letting others get away with inciting violence. Labour is now repeating that mistake.

“Our democracy is stronger when people feel able to speak out peacefully, challenge injustice, and hold those in power to account. That right must never be treated as an inconvenience for ministers; it is a vital part of what makes Britain free and fair.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats will always stand up for those fundamental rights and push back against any government that seeks to weaken our civil liberties.”

Chadwick added that the weakening of protest laws should concern every citizen, regardless of political belief or affiliation:

“Even if these laws are initially aimed at groups you may not agree with, the precedent they set is dangerous.

Once the government gives itself the power to clamp down on protests, it can use that power against anyone. If you believe in democracy, you must also believe in the right to protest for everyone, even those you passionately disagree with.”

Meanwhile, as the Government is considering rolling out mandatory digital ID for those aged 13+, Victoria Collins MP, Liberal Democrat Science, Innovation & Technology spokesperson said:

“This is proof that the Lib Dems were absolutely right to warn about mission creep.

“The Government is already plotting to drag teenagers into a mandatory digital ID scheme before it’s even off the ground. It’s frankly sinister, unnecessary, and a clear step towards state overreach.”

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

Thousands join London march marking two years since Gaza war

TENS of thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gathered in central london today (Oct 11) to mark two years since the war in gaza began — just one day after a ceasefire between israel and Hamas came into effect.

Among the crowds on Victoria Embankment were demonstrators from across Wales, including several from Pembrokeshire who travelled up by car and train early this morning to join the march, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC).

The march, which began along the Embankment, saw people carrying banners reading “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “It’s not a crime to act against genocide”. Stalls sold keffiyehs and flags as participants made their way toward Whitehall for a rally outside government buildings.

pOLICE pRESENCE AND COUNTER-PROTEST

A counter-protest group, Stop The Hate, gathered nearby at Aldwych. Officers imposed restrictions under the Public Order Act to prevent clashes, setting fixed routes and areas for both sides. Police were seen removing individuals carrying pro-Israel placards from the main march,

prompting chants of “shame” and “free Palestine” from the crowd.

Scotland Yard confirmed conditions were in place “to prevent serious disruption,” while also stressing that both protests were permitted to go ahead peacefully.

32ND NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION

According to the PSC, this was the 32nd national protest held in support of Palestine since October 2023. The group’s director, Ben Jamal, said campaigners would “never stop” supporting Palestinians to “achieve a free Palestine.”

“This movement is supported by millions of people in this country and around the world who want freedom and justice for Palestine,” he said.

“We know Israel has broken ceasefires before, and this latest pause does nothing to tackle the root causes of occupation and apartheid.”

gOVERNmENT CONCERNS

The UK Government has warned that repeated largescale demonstrations have caused “considerable fear” for Britain’s Jewish community. New powers are being considered to allow police to limit protests based on their

“cumulative impact.”

Calls for restraint followed a terror attack at a Manchester synagogue earlier this month in which two people were killed. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged protesters to “respect the grief of British Jews.”

The slogan “From the river to the sea” – chanted by many at today’s march – remains controversial, with some interpreting it as a call for the destruction of Israel. Protesters say it is a demand for freedom and equality across all of historic Palestine.

CEASEfiRE TAKES EffECT

The Israeli military confirmed on Friday that a ceasefire came into force at noon local time (10:00am BST), following Hamas’s agreement to release remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

It marks a pause in a conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions across Gaza and southern Israel since October 2023.

As one Pembrokeshire demonstrator told The Herald before boarding the early morning train: “We wanted to be here to show that people in West Wales care about what’s happening — peace and justice should matter to all of us.”

Lib Dem leader vows to fix ‘broken NHS’ with 5,000 new social care beds

WElSH liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds has pledged to fund 5,000 additional social care beds to help ease pressure on Wales’s struggling NHS, warning that the health and care system is “at breaking point.”

Speaking at the party’s annual conference, Ms Dodds said the new beds would be funded “for as long as they are needed,” to ensure people receive “the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

She highlighted that every day, the Welsh Government spends nearly half a million pounds on patients who are medically fit to leave hospital but have nowhere to go.

“Every single day, the Welsh Government is spending £478,200 on patients who are fit

to be discharged from hospital,” she said. “That’s why I want the next Welsh Government to fund 5,000 additional social care beds for as long as they are needed, easing the pressure on our NHS and ensuring people get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

Ms Dodds said that without urgent investment in social care, the NHS would continue to struggle to recover, adding that health workers were warning the system was “at breaking point.”

She also confirmed that the Welsh Liberal Democrats would be willing to raise income tax by one penny in the pound to fund the plan if necessary.

“If there is no other way to fund the changes we need, we must be willing to increase income tax by one penny in the pound to pay

for it,” she told delegates.

Ms Dodds said her party would be honest with voters about the cost of delivering real change, arguing: “If we are serious about creating the healthier, fairer, more prosperous Wales we all want to see, we must invest in the services that make it possible.”

The proposal forms the centrepiece of the Welsh Liberal Democrats’ plans to reform health and social care, shifting away from what Ms Dodds described as a “one-size-fits-all” model towards a system focused on prevention, independence and early intervention.

The pledge comes ahead of next year’s Senedd elections, where the Welsh Liberal Democrats claim they are on track for their best-ever result.

BLUE VIEW

With Brian murphy

ELUNED morgan has been at it again; claiming that all things from Welsh labour are good and anything from london under the Conservatives are bad. She has welcomed the £547m which has been given to Wales from Westminster as part of the local growth fund. This is funding which replaces money which previously came from the EU.

Morgan claimed it shows that with Labour in power at both ends of the M4 collaboration and joint decision making has allowed this money to be granted to Wales and continued to lambast 14 years of Conservative government for not including her in the discussions.

What she omitted to mention was that the amount give is £38m less than the Conservatives gave. Funny that she couldn’t criticise Starmer for giving less and thank the Conservatives for giving more.

Perhaps she may reflect on this when discussing the budget with Darren Miller. The Conservative leader has offered the hand of assistance to the first Minister to allow a budget to be passed in the Senedd. However, it does come with the condition of abolishing the land transaction tax (stamp duty) on all primary residential premises in Wales. Not only will this allow a budget to be passed it will make it easier for people to get on the property ladder and free up more homes for residential purposes.

By removing barriers to sales in the housing market will do more to

tackle the problem of second homes in some areas of Wales than. It has long been established that giving incentives rather than punishments is the approach to take if you wish to influence behaviour. That is why by removing a property tax will achieve more than punitive increases in council tax. I hope Darren Miller succeeds in his discussions with Eluned morgan.

Next week sees the byelection in Caerphilly and it is gearing up to be an interesting election. This was a labour stronghold, but the polls are shown that they are likely to lose, but to whom? It is being seen as a two-way contest between reform and Plaid, but when you start examining the policies and priorities it tells a different story. Plaid will focus on independence and Reform will focus on Westminster. Labour has failed in Wales and particularly so in Caerphilly, where the High Street is in decline, NHS waiting lists are getting longer (if you can get an appointment to get on a list), education standards are falling, and it will get worse if they are returned to power. Reform has not costed any of their plans and will say just about anything to get elected. At least Plaid have done their sums, and their plans will bankrupt the Welsh economy.

It is only the Conservatives who have a credible costed plan to grow the economy and deal with the other issue we have. Abolishing stamp duty is a great start and I am sure there will be more positive stories to come.

the UK.

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

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

ers & no T ices

WHy WILD ANIMALS ARE NOT PETS

DEAR SiR,

le

i read with horror the recent piece regarding the rescue of nearly two thousands exotic animals from properties in Shropshire.

The RSPCA has rightfully called for greater regulation of this worrying trade, which is only exacerbated by “exotic pet” influencers across social media channels, such as TikTok. However, more must be done.

Wild animals have complex needs that, for many species, are difficult or impossible to meet in a home setting. Many have complex dietary needs, cannot have their social needs met in captivity, and are kept in inadequate enclosures, limiting or even removing their ability to engage in their natural behaviours in the wild. There is even a the widespread practice of keeping snakes and other reptiles in stacks of plastic boxes, known as ‘Really Useful Boxes’. These boxes are so small that the snake often cannot even extend to the full length of their body.

There is also a significant shortage of experienced veterinarians in the UK who are both willing and qualified to treat “exotic pets”. As a result, many of these animals are left without access to appropriate veterinary care.

The research is clear, wild creatures deserve to thrive in their natural habitats, not confined to people’s homes. A permitted list that includes only species that are suitable to keep as pets - those that can have their needs met in domestic environments - would put an end to the suffering of wild animals in homes across

Eve Massie

bishop Head of Campaigns & Media

IN CAERPHILLy, ONLy PLAID CAN STOP REFORM

DEAR SiR,

As the Caerphilly byelection approaches, voters who want to stop Reform must face the facts: only Plaid Cymru can do it. labour’s dominance has bred complacency, the Conservatives have collapsed, and the Reform vote is growing fast among the disillusioned.

Splitting the anti-Reform vote between Labour, the Lib Dems and others will hand Reform the breakthrough they crave. Whether people like it or not, this contest is now between Plaid and Reform — not the old parties of government.

If you believe in fairness, community and decency in Welsh politics, lend your vote to Plaid Cymru on polling day. It’s the only way to send a clear message that Caerphilly stands for hope, not hostility.

James O’ Sullivan

LANGUISHING ON THE DOLE

DEAR SiR,

i have been unemployed for over two years and currently receive benefits through the DWP. m y main frustration lies with the Jobcentre in Haverfordwest, which has referred me to three different providers supposedly tasked with helping people back into work.

Despite this, I’ve received almost no meaningful training or courses that would genuinely improve my chances of finding employment. Each time I ask, I’m told that the funding simply isn’t available. It begs the question: what is the point of having these DWP programmes if they’re not actually prepared to help people get back into work?

m ark Dalton

A seAgull in Tenby by @connor3k8

pUbLIC NOTICE

The Development of National Significance (Procedure) (Wales) Order 2016

PUBliCiTY AND CONSUlTATiON BEfORE APPlYiNg fOR PlANNiNg PERmiSSiON – NOTiCE UNDER ARTiClES 8 AND 9(2)

Purpose of this notice: this notice provides the opportunity to comment directly to the developer on a proposed Development of National Significance (DNS) prior to the submission of a planning application to Welsh Ministers. Planning applications for DNS will be publicised by Welsh Ministers and the relevant local planning authority; any comments provided in response to this notice will not prejudice your ability to make representations to the Welsh Ministers on any related DNS planning application.

Personal data will be collected from those who respond to the consultation. This is limited to names, addresses, email addresses and the comment(s) submitted. Comments will be submitted to Welsh Ministers along with the Pre-Application Consultation Report. This will enable Welsh Ministers to contact an individual if the application is accepted for examination.

Proposed development at land at White House farm, moorland Rd, freystrop, Haverfordwest SA62 4lE & middle Hill farm, freystrop, Haverfordwest SA62 4lD.

Qair Renewables UK Ltd are currently preparing a Development of National Significance planning application for submission to the Welsh Ministers for the instalment of a ground mounted photovoltaic solar array with an export capacity of up to 30MW, battery energy storage system, underground cabling, substation, associated infrastructure, an electricity connection to the national grid and landscape and ecological enhancements for a temporary period of 40 years.

The proposals are currently subject to a six-week period of Pre-Application Consultation, starting with the publication of the website (20 October 2025) and running until 1 December 2025. During this consultation, Qair Renewables UK Ltd are inviting the views and comments of the local community so that these can be considered in the preparation of the planning application.

You may inspect copies of draft application material and other supporting information online at: www.whitehousesolarandstorage.com

Any views or comments that you have can be sent via email to: info.uk@qair.energy or by telephone: 0151 212 3300. Please ensure that responses are received by the closing date of the consultation process.

Qair Renewables UK Ltd would also like to invite members of the local community to discuss the proposed development in-person at the Freystrop Village Hall, 207 New Rd, Freystrop Cross, Haverfordwest SA62 4HA between 3pm-8pm on Thursday 23 October 2025.

There will also be further opportunity to comment on the application once it has been formally submitted to Welsh Ministers. Updates relating to the proposals and application process will be published on the above website.

gorchymyn Datblygu Arwyddocâd Cenedlaethol (gweithdrefn) (Cymru) 2016

CYHOEDDUSRWYDD AC YmgYNgHORi CYN gWNEUD CAiS Am gANiATÂD CYNllUNiO – HYSBYSiAD O DAN ERTHYglAU 8 A 9(2)

Diben yr hysbysiad hwn: mae’r hysbysiad hwn yn rhoi cyfle i wneud sylwadau’n uniongyrchol i’r datblygwr ar Ddatblygiad arfaethedig o Arwyddocâd Cenedlaethol (DAC) cyn cyflwyno cais cynllunio i Weinidogion Cymru. Bydd ceisiadau cynllunio ar gyfer DAC yn cael eu cyhoeddi gan Weinidogion Cymru a’r awdurdod cynllunio lleol perthnasol; ni fydd unrhyw sylwadau a ddarperir mewn ymateb i’r hysbysiad hwn yn amharu ar eich gallu i wneud sylwadau i Weinidogion Cymru ar unrhyw gais cynllunio DAC cysylltiedig.

Bydd data personol yn cael ei gasglu gan y rhai sy’n ymateb i’r ymgynghoriad. Mae hyn wedi’i gyfyngu i enwau, cyfeiriadau, cyfeiriadau e-bost a’r sylwadau a gyflwynir. Bydd sylwadau’n cael eu cyflwyno i Weinidogion Cymru ynghyd â’r Adroddiad Ymgynghori Cyn Ymgeisio. Bydd hyn yn galluogi Gweinidogion Cymru i gysylltu ag unigolyn os derbynnir y cais i’w archwilio.

Datblygiad arfaethedig ar dir yn White House farm, moorland Rd, freystrop, Hwlffordd SA62 4lE a middle Hill farm, freystrop, Hwlffordd SA62 4lD.

Ar hyn o bryd mae Qair Renewables UK Ltd yn paratoi cais cynllunio Datblygu Arwyddocâd Cenedlaethol i’w gyflwyno i Weinidogion Cymru ar gyfer gosod arae solar ffotofoltäig wedi’i osod ar y ddaear gyda chynhwysedd allforio o hyd at 30MW, system storio ynni batris, ceblau tanddaearol, is-orsaf, seilwaith cysylltiedig, cysylltiad trydan â’r grid cenedlaethol a thirwedd a gwelliannau ecolegol am gyfnod dros dro o 40 mlynedd.

Ar hyn o bryd mae’r cynigion yn destun cyfnod o chwe wythnos o Ymgynghori Cyn Ymgeisio, gan ddechrau gyda chyhoeddi’r wefan (20 Hydref 2025) ac yn rhedeg tan 1 Rhagfyr 2025. Yn ystod yr ymgynghoriad hwn, mae Qair Renewables UK Ltd yn gwahodd barn a sylwadau’r gymuned leol fel y gellir ystyried y rhain wrth baratoi’r cais cynllunio.

Gallwch archwilio copïau o ddeunydd cais drafft a gwybodaeth ategol arall ar-lein yn: www.whitehousesolarandstorage.com

Gellir anfon unrhyw farn neu sylwadau sydd gennych drwy e-bost at: info.uk@qair.energy neu dros y ffôn: 0151 212 3300. Gwnewch yn siŵr bod ymatebion yn cael eu derbyn erbyn dyddiad cau’r broses ymgynghori.

Hoffai Qair Renewables UK Ltd hefyd wahodd aelodau o’r gymuned leol i drafod y datblygiad arfaethedig yn bersonol yn Neuadd Bentref Freystrop, 207 New Rd, Freystrop Cross, Hwlffordd SA62 4HA rhwng 3pm-8pm ddydd Iau 23 Hydref 2025.

Bydd cyfle pellach hefyd i wneud sylwadau ar y cais ar ôl iddo gael ei gyflwyno’n ffurfiol i Weinidogion Cymru. Bydd diweddariadau sy’n ymwneud â’r cynigion a’r broses ymgeisio yn cael eu cyhoeddi ar y wefan uchod.

Dated this day 10/10/2025

death notices

R Ay H ANCOCK

pASSED away peacefully on 30th September, Ray of St.Davids, aged 93 years.

Beloved wife of the late Martin. Dearly loved mother of Yvonne, Louise and the late David. Much loved grandmother of Adrian and Kieren and great grandmother of Bobby and Elin.

Funeral service Monday 20th October at 11.30am at the W.G.Mathias Chapel of Rest, St.Davids.

Family flowers, donations if desired for St.Davids Day Centre c/o W.G.Bernard Mathias, 64 New Street, St.Davids, SA62 6SU

A NTHON y ‘’TON y’’ M ICHAEL M C TAGGART

THE death occurred peacefully at Withybush Hospital on f riday 26th September of m r Anthony m ichael “Tony” m cTaggart of Owen Street, Orange g ardens, Pembroke.

Devoted husband of the late Judith, Tony was 83 and will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.

The funeral will take place on Thursday 23rd October with a service at Monkton Priory Church at 11.00. am followed by interment at Monkton Cemetery.

Family flowers only please but if desired, donations in lieu in memory of Tony for the ACDU and Ward 8 at Withybush Hospital may be sent to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors,

51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN Tel. 01646 683115 who are carrying out the arrangements.

D EREK M INCHIN

S AD lY, Derek passed away peacefully at home on Thursday 9th October 2025, aged 81.

Much loved husband of Elaine, dearly loved father and father-inlaw to Joanna, and the much missed Nicholas and David. Devoted Bampy to Emily and Ben.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday 25th October at 12:15pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only. Donations in lieu, if desired, made payable by cheque to Wales Air Ambulance or via. www.justgiving.com/page/joannagriffiths-3. Donations to be received by Mrs J Griffiths, 15 Dingle Close, Crundale, Haverfordwest, SA62 4FE.

Further enquiries to F. G. Rees & Sons, Haverfordwest. Tel: 01437 764418.

V INCENT S IMMONDS

P EACE f U llY P assed away in the loving care of his family on the 5th October 2025, Vincent, of g reen Close, Steynton.

Beloved husband of Ann, caring father of Rowena and Vincent, adored Pop of Zara and respected father-inlaw of Kelly and Natalie.

Public funeral service at St. Cewydd & St. Peter’s Church,

Steynton on Friday 24th October at 1.00.pm followed by interment at Milford Town Cemetery.

Family flowers only please, but donations if so desired for The Hope MS Therapy Centre may be sent to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51 Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN Tel. 01646 683115 who are carrying out the arrangements.

V INCENT S IMMONDS

Eli ZABETH passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on the 21st September aged 81 years.

Devoted mother to Anna and the late Johnathan. Dearly loved wife to the late Richard and adored grandmother to Josh, Sion, Poppy and George, she will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Her funeral service is to take place on Friday 17th October 2.00pm at St. Justinian’s Church, Little Milford, followed by interment at Freystrop Cemetery.

Family flowers only, donations, if desired, for Noah’s Ark may be sent c/o Mrs. H. Walters, 28 St. Thomas Avenue, Haverfordwest, SA61 1LA. All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821.

RECLAIMED BUILDING MATERIAL

RUBBISH AND WASTE REMOVAL

PROFESSIONAL CAR WASH

PODIATRy

SCRAP METAL

SHUTTERS & BLINDS

STORAGE TANKS

SOUND LIGHT AND STAGE

TECHNOLOGy AND COMPUTERS

TRAILERS

VEHICLE RECOVERy

WINDOWS

Peel insists Scarlets’ slow start is ‘no crisis’

SCARLETS head coach

Dwayne Peel has urged calm after his side’s difficult opening to the new United Rugby Championship campaign, saying it is “no crisis by any stretch.”

The Llanelli region were thrashed 34-0 by the Stormers

on Friday night — their first scoreless game in the league for more than 18 years — following a disappointing defeat to Munster in the opening round. Their scheduled clash with Connacht last weekend was postponed due to flight disruption caused by Storm Amy.

Speaking after the game, Peel said: “We haven’t played much rugby yet — only two games — so it’s not a crisis. But it’s a sobering one. We knew the Stormers were going to be a quality side and we weren’t at our best. Against the top teams, if you’re not firing, you’ll get punished.”

The head coach admitted injuries are adding to the challenge, with second-rows Tristan Davies and Max Douglas both forced off against the Stormers.

“The injury situation is tough right now,” he said. “We lost our only two fit locks tonight. Tristan’s undergoing a head injury assessment, and Max looks to have hurt his ribs — he was in a lot of pain afterwards. It’s going to be a busy few days for the medical staff.”

Peel has already brought in Steve Cummins on loan from the Dragons to bolster his options but has not ruled out further short-term signings.

Despite the setbacks, the Scarlets will travel to South Africa this week to face the Lions and the Sharks before the international break, with Peel optimistic the tour could turn things around.

“They’re tough fixtures,” he said, “but we had the same trip back in May and it went well for us. When we go to South Africa, it’s always a good couple of weeks — a chance to improve on the field and enjoy time together as a team.”

Mark Williams makes history as snooker’s oldest ranking event winner

Welshman mark Williams has etched his name into the annals of snooker history, becoming the oldest player ever to win a ranking event.

At 50 years and 206 days old, the Welshman defeated Shaun murphy 10–3 in the final of the 2025 xi’an grand Prix in China, surpassing the previous record of 50 years and 14 days set by fellow Welshman Ray Reardon at the 1982 Professional Players Tournament.

Williams’ commanding performance in the final was a masterclass in skill and composure. He raced to a 7–1 lead after the opening session, highlighted by a break of 127, and sealed victory with two centuries alongside eight further breaks over 50. The triumph marks his 27th career ranking title, bringing him just one shy of Steve Davis’ all-time record.

Beyond the age milestone, Williams has achieved another unprecedented feat, becoming the first player in snooker

history to win ranking titles in five separate decades— his teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. His first professional title came at the 1996 Welsh Open, and his illustrious career also boasts three World Snooker

Championship victories (2000, 2003, 2018), multiple Open titles, and a remarkable consistency over decades.

This landmark achievement not only solidifies Williams’ place among the sport’s all-

time greats but also stands as a moment of pride for Welsh sport, reflecting the enduring talent and dedication of one of snooker’s most celebrated figures.

Cymru at a Crossroads

TWO games in four days, two defeats on paper — but far more beneath the surface. Cymru’s 3–0 loss at Wembley and their spirited 4–2 battle against Belgium in Cardiff tell a story of a side learning, evolving, and showing the fire that has long defined the red shirt.

Under Craig Bellamy, this Cymru team is not short on heart or hunger. What they lack in experience, they’re beginning to make up for in intensity, belief, and the courage to play without fear. This is a team in transition, yes — but also a team refusing to be cowed.

F RO m W E m B l E y lESSONS TO C ARD i FF Fi GHTBAC k

The defeat at Wembley hurt. It always does. Losing to England is never just another result, and the early blitz from the hosts — three goals inside 20 minutes — was a harsh reminder of international football’s fine margins.

But even amid the setback, there were glimpses of intent. Bellamy’s Cymru pressed high, tried to build from the back, and refused to sink into damage limitation. The effort was there, the system was brave, and the message was clear: Cymru will not retreat into the old clichés of “plucky underdogs.” They intend to compete — properly, proactively — even when the scoreline stings.

Bellamy was honest afterwards: “We’re not there yet, but we will be.”

It felt less like an excuse and more like a promise.

C ARD i FF : PASS i ON , P RO mi SE , AND PA i N

Four days later, back home in Cardiff, the mood shifted from deflation to defiance. Under the lights of the Cardiff City Stadium, Cymru came flying out of the traps — driven on by a full house and a crowd that has never lost faith.

When Joe Rodon rose to head in Sorba Thomas’s corner, the roar could be felt across the capital. It was the kind of moment that reminds you what this team still stands for: belief, identity, and unity between pitch and people.

Yes, Belgium hit back — through the clinical brilliance of Kevin De

Bruyne and the experience of a side ranked among Europe’s best. But even at 3–1 down, Cymru refused to fold. Nathan Broadhead’s late strike was a spark, and though Belgium restored their cushion, Cymru had shown character that statistics can’t capture.

This was not a team drifting through a campaign. It was a team testing its limits — learning the rhythm of high-level competition, understanding what it takes to go again.

but instructive; they revealed a team still adjusting to fine details and discipline under pressure. The structure is there, the intent is there — the polish will come.

And perhaps most encouragingly, there is depth. Young talents like Jordan James, Luke Harris and Charlie Savage are beginning to make their mark. Nathan Broadhead and Brennan Johnson offer genuine attacking threat, while senior figures like Rodon, Ampadu, and Ben Davies continue to lead with professionalism and pride.

This mix — youth and experience, rawness and responsibility — is exactly how new eras are built.

With fixtures ahead against Liechtenstein and North Macedonia, the opportunity to reignite momentum is there. And if automatic qualification has slipped from view, the play-off path remains very much alive.

R u’S S P i R i T E ND u RES

What remains undimmed is the spirit. The connection between fans and players — the Red Wall that roars through defeat as loudly as victory — is as powerful as ever. This isn’t a fanbase that demands perfection; it demands passion, identity, and honesty.

Craig Bellamy has never been one for half measures. His Cymru plays fast, brave football. He wants his side to press with purpose, to play on the front foot, and to make opponents uncomfortable — whoever they are.

It’s an evolution from the pragmatic days under Rob Page or even Chris Coleman. Bellamy’s Cymru are trying to write the next chapter, one built on aggression and self-belief rather than survival instincts.

Of course, evolution takes time. Mistakes happen. The handballs against Belgium were unfortunate

mO m ENT um, N OT mE l ANCHO ly

I t’s easy to look at two losses and talk of setbacks. But that would miss the bigger picture. Cymru are creating chances — 17 shots against Belgium, more possession than in most recent qualifiers, and a tactical identity that is starting to take root.

If the Wembley defeat was a hard lesson in what’s required at the elite level, the Belgium match showed a team capable of matching worldclass opposition for long spells. The next step is consistency — turning strong performances into results.

And in that respect, Bellamy’s Cymru are delivering. They are raw, fearless, and human — a team learning in real time, growing in front of our eyes.

In the end, progress isn’t always a straight line. It bends through nights like Wembley and rises again under the floodlights in Cardiff. Cymru may be at a crossroads, but they stand there with purpose — shoulders square, eyes forward, ready for what comes next.

The dragon hasn’t gone quiet. It’s just clearing its throat.

Cym

Hakin united Run Riot at Carew

Ashman added a third after the interval, leaving The Sports with no way back.

Subs: Richard Perry, James Ardern, Ned Davies.

Ten-man Hakin United extended their lead at the top of the table with a commanding 8-1 victory over Carew at the gerald Hicks memorial ground.

The Vikings set the tone almost immediately, with Lean Luck opening the scoring inside two minutes from 15 yards. Midfielder Jack Griffiths then doubled the advantage with a brace of headers before Carew’s Ben Aldred was sent off for blocking a certain goal on his own line. Carew’s Jordan Richards stepped up to take the resulting penalty but sent his effort soaring over the bar.

On the stroke of half-time, Cameron Thomas released Leon Luby down the right, and his low cross found Cameron Brunton, who finished coolly from the edge of the 18-yard box to make it 4-0 at the break.

The second half began in similar fashion, with Luby winning a penalty after being fouled in the box. He converted it confidently to make it 5-1. Brunton added his second goal just four minutes later with a precise 12-yard finish, before substitute Shane Walsh struck a neat ten-yard effort to extend the lead to seven. Rhys Lewis scored a consolation for Carew, but Kieran King capped the scoring with a simple farpost tap-in from the back.

Carew: Tom Davies, Sol Phillips, Gareth Lewis, Paul Hodge, Dylan Morgan, Dario Rossi, Ethan Hall, George Macdonald, James Hinchliffe (Captain), Jordan Richards, Jack Christopher. Subs: Joseph Bullock, Rhys Lewis, Sam Christopher, Scott Richards, Jack Harries.

Hakin United: Rory Williams, Kieran King, Cameron Thomas, Ben Aldred, Jay Power, Matthew Broome, Leon Luby, Jack Griffiths, Ashley Bevan, Ryan Wilson (Captain), Cameron Brunton. Subs: Shane Walsh, Joel Mills, Liam Parks.

Swifts Soar Past Narberth mONKTON SWifTS 12 NARBERTH 0

Monkton Swifts stormed to second place in the table with a 12-0 demolition of Narberth at Monkton Lane.

The Swifts led 5-0 by half-time, with goals from Jamie Wilkes, Paul Miller, Luke Phillips, Connor Davies and Jason Finnegan. After the interval, Miller added a sixth before Finnegan scored his second to make it 7-0. Miller completed his hat-trick for the eighth, and substitutes James Russell and Dylan Davies further extended the lead. Phillips scored again for the eleventh, and Russell bagged his second to round off the rout at 12-0.

Monkton Swifts: Jordan Boswell, Rhys Davis, Billy Abrahams, Luke Phillips, Ben Steele (Captain), Liam Butland, Connor Davies, Jamie Wilkes, Dylan Davies, Jason Finnegan, Paul Miller. Subs: Gareth Finnegan, James Russell, Martyn Carroll.

Narberth: Jack Moretti, Jacob Layfield, Aidan Howitt, Jamie Thomas, Conor Bowen, Lewis Bansal, Billy Phillips, Ifan Thomas, Calum O’Connell, Ashley Williams (Captain), Dylan Davies. Subs: Josh Jones, Ben Pridmore, Ryan Williams.

Referee: Neill Crawshaw

Clarby Road Complete league Double Over The Sports

fiSHgUARD SPORTS 0

CLARbESTON ROAD 3

Clarbeston Road claimed a deserved 3-0 victory at Tregroes Park, completing a league double over Fishguard Sports. The Road controlled the opening half, with Emyr Griffiths and Ben John giving them a 2-0 lead at the break. Jack

Fishguard Sports: Ryan Sinnott, Haydn Hughes, Tomas Lawrence, Sean Thomas, Greg Hughes, Luke Thomas, Stephen Lewis, Henry Sturman, Patrick Hughes (Captain), Josh Bland, Tom Merry. Subs: Joseph Griffiths, Troy Harding, Jack Bevan.

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Sam Hurton, Luke Bradley, Matthew Ellis, Greg Brown, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (Captain), Ben John, Jack Ashman, Travis Jones. Sub: Steffan Thomas.

Referee: Alan Boswell

Tenby Salvage late Point Against Champions TENBY 3 gOODWiCK UNiTED 3

Tenby came from behind to earn a valuable point against reigning champions Goodwick United at The Clicketts in a thrilling encounter.

The hosts opened the scoring through Scott Ferney’s tap-in, but Jake Smith levelled for the visitors midway through the first half. Goodwick were reduced to ten men when Rhys Dalling received a straight red, yet Tenby captain Joe Leahy restored their lead, only for Ross Jones to equalise for Goodwick just before the interval.

Tenby were then reduced to ten men when Richard Hughes was sent off. A missed penalty from Rhys Jones gave Tenby a reprieve, but the midfielder redeemed himself shortly after with a 30-yard free-kick to make it 3-2. Tenby were reduced further to nine men as Ferney was dismissed, but Lloyd Hughes headed home a 90th-minute equaliser to secure a 3-3 draw.

Tenby: Dylan Noot, Shaun Whitfield, Robson Evans, Richard Hughes, Joe Leahy (Captain), Lloyd Hughes, Spencer Williams, Scott Ferney, Liam Williams, Daniel Storer, Jerome

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Kyle O’Sullivan, Josh Wood, Ross Jones, Scott Delaney (Captain), Ben Adams, Rhys Jones, Jake Smith, Rhys Dalling, Will Haworth, Jonny Horgan. Subs: Dafydd Cole, Sion O’Sullivan, Nathan Greene.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins

kilgetty Grab late Stoppage-Time Equaliser KilgETTY 3 pENNAR RObINS 3

Kilgetty secured a dramatic 3-3 draw with Pennar Robins at the Kingsmoor Ground thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Henry Lawrence.

Pennar dominated early proceedings, taking the lead through Kieran Smith’s 30-yard thunderbolt. Smith then set up Toby Davies to make it 2-0 shortly after the interval. Kilgetty responded immediately through Rhys Hewson and gradually took control, with Lawrence equalising in the 81st minute.

In a frantic finale, Sean Edmundson and Toby Davies combined to put Pennar ahead in the 93rd minute, only for Lawrence to score from a lofted freekick in the 96th minute to secure a share of the spoils.

Kilgetty: Kurtis Marsh, Jake Proctor (Captain), Jordan Jones, Ross Hurst, Callum Proctor, George Morgan, Rhys Hewson, George Morgan, Billy Lawrence, Phil Horsley, Henry Lawrence. Subs: Ryan Coleman, Chris Millward, Jordan Gorman.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Harry Jones, Nick Willis, Bobby Jones, Conner Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Tyler Thompson, Kieran Smith, Toby Davies, Sean Edmundson, Noah Davison. Subs: Mitchell Williams, James Lowe, Nathan James.

Referee: Sion Jenkins

Hakin united Run Riot at Carew CAREW 1 HAKiN UNiTED 8

Referee: Sean O’Connor

Williams.

manderwood Pembrokeshire leagUe

Hakin united Run

Riot at Carew