The Pembrokeshire Herald 23/01/2026

Armed police operation in leads to drugs arrests

ARMED police were called to addresses in Milford Haven on Sunday morning as part of an operation which has now led to the arrest of two young men on suspicion of drugs offences.

Officers attended Vicary Crescent and St Laurence Avenue at around 8:45am on Sunday (Jan 18), prompting concern among residents after a significant police presence was seen on the usually quiet residential streets.

Witnesses reported at least six police vehicles in Vicary Crescent, including two police vans, with armed officers seen at the scene shortly after 9:00am. Police were also seen in numbers at St Laurence Avenue in Hakin at the same time, which is understood to be linked to the same operation.

At the time, residents described the scenes as alarming.

One woman told The Herald: “I’ve never seen anything like this down

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here. It really was a shock first thing on a Sunday morning.”

Dyfed-Powys Police have now confirmed that the operation resulted in arrests the following day.

In a statement issued to The Herald, police said two men, aged eighteen and nineteen, both from Milford Haven, were arrested in the early hours of Monday (Jan 19) on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A controlled drugs.

Both men remain in police custody while enquiries continue.

Police have not confirmed what prompted the armed response, and no further details about the circumstances of the arrests or any items seized have been released at this stage.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Withybush staff fear crèche fee rise will price parents out

WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL staff with young children have raised concerns over a steep rise in crèche fees which they say could leave some parents questioning whether it is worth staying in work.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has confirmed the hourly rate at the Withybush Crèche will increase from £4.50 per hour to £6.50 per hour from March 2026.

Parents told The Herald the increase will hit families with children under three particularly hard, as they do not qualify for the same level of childcare support available to older children.

One parent of a two-year-old said the change could add around £450 a month for parents using the service five days a week, warning that once childcare is taken into account, their partner — who works in an administrative role at the hospital — would effectively be

“working for £20 a day”.

In a statement, Andrew Carruthers, Chief Operating Officer at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “From March 2026, we will need to increase the hourly rate for our childcare fees at Withybush Crèche from £4.50 per hour to £6.50 per hour, which is broadly in line with other local service providers. Our fees have remained the same for several years, but to continue to provide the high-quality care children attending our crèche deserve, we now need to make this adjustment.

“This decision has not been taken lightly and follows a rigorous review into how we could offer best value for money for parents using the service.

“We have sent letters to parents explaining the changes and are inviting parents who have any questions or would like to talk this through to get in touch with us.”

Rape trial set for May as Saundersfoot teenager denies charge

AN 18-YEAR OLD youth accused of rape in Saundersfoot has pleaded not guilty and is due to stand trial at Swansea Crown Court in May.

Josh Probert, aged eighteen, appeared before Judge Geraint Walters on Monday (Jan 19) for a pre-trial preparation hearing.

The court heard the case is progressing under the custody time limit, meaning it is being managed to a strict timetable while the defendant remains in custody.

Mr Probert entered not guilty

pleas. The hearing dealt with case management issues and set dates for pre-trial stages leading up to the trial.

A four-day trial is listed to begin on Tuesday (May 26), with a certificate of trial readiness due on Tuesday (Apr 28).

In relation to bail His Honour said that these were serious allegations and that the defendant would remain in custody, despite his age and being of clean character hitherto.

Court Reporter

Milford Haven couple jailed after nearly 50 animals found in ‘filthy conditions’

A COUPLE from Milford Haven have been jailed after nearly 50 animals were found living in filthy, faeces-filled conditions at a house on Coombs Road.

Lee Lock, 38, and Zoe Graham, 33, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where they admitted a string of animal welfare offences.

RSPCA officers who attended the property on December 29, 2024 said the stench of urine and faeces was overpowering before they had even stepped inside.

Once in the house, inspectors found 29 dogs and puppies – including some just days old – along with 17 snakes, a tortoise and a gecko.

The court heard every floor was covered in waste, with officers describing there being “no space large enough to step” that was not contaminated by excrement and urine.

Many of the animals were described as underweight and unwell. Several died soon after being removed, while others had to be put to sleep.

Officers also made two grim discoveries: the body of a French Bulldog in a freezer, said to be heavily infected with parasites, and another French Bulldog found dead in a shed with a rectal tear, which the court heard was consistent with a blunt object being inserted.

Lock gave no comment during interview, but later became abusive towards officers, the court was told, accusing them of raping his dog.

Lock also faced separate drug

the mushrooms and said he was taking them to a police station when he was stopped.

charges after police found psilocybin mushrooms weighing 209 grams – said to be worth up to £4,000 – along with cultivation equipment, 35 grams of cannabis and £883 in cash. The drugs were found at the property and in his camper van in June 2024. He claimed his partner had grown

The court heard Lock has 12 previous convictions for 19 offences, including coercive behaviour, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 18 months last June after crashing head-on into a van.

Defending, Emily Bennett said Lock had struggled with his mental health after family bereavements and had a long-standing cocaine addiction. She told the court he was being sentenced for failing to seek veterinary help for an injured dog rather than causing the injuries, adding that a pre-sentence report raised concerns about his sexual interests, though this did not form part of the prosecution case.

Graham’s barrister, Jon Tarrant, said the couple had started out trying to provide homes for homeless animals, but matters became “unmanageable” as numbers grew. He described Graham as “fragile” and said her remorse was “palpable and genuine”.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said the pair bore responsibility for “a litany of unconscionable cruelty to animals” and said it was to their shame the animals had been kept in “filthy conditions”.

Lock was sentenced to 27 months for the animal offences and a further 18 months for the drugs matter, making a total of 45 months in prison. Graham was jailed for 18 months.

Both will serve up to half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence.

Lock was banned from keeping animals for 25 years. Graham was disqualified for 15 years.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Family pays tribute to ‘gentle giant’ Alfie Copeland, 22

THE FAMILY of a 22-year-old man who died in a road traffic collision on the A487 near Cardigan have paid tribute to him, describing him as “bright, happy, hilarious, adventurous, ambitious, kind and a gentle giant”.

Alfie Copeland died following the collision on the A487 northbound, close to the junction with Caemorgan Road, at around 1.05pm on Saturday (Jan 17).

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said Alfie “had a bright future and so many plans”.

They added: “We will never stop missing him, always in our hearts.”

Officers investigating the circumstances of the collision are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have witnessed what happened to come forward.

Police are particularly keen to hear from drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage which could support the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, email 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or call 101, quoting reference DP20260117-139.

Man denies sexual assaults on three primary schoolgirls

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared before magistrates charged with sexually assaulting three children at a Pembrokeshire primary school.

Dion Lewtas is accused of six sexual assaults involving three girls aged between nine and eleven. The allegations relate to incidents said to have taken place at a primary school in the Milford Haven area between August 2021 and August 2023.

The prosecution alleges Lewtas was employed at the school as a learning support teacher at the time. He is

accused of hugging the children on separate occasions and touching their bottoms.

Lewtas, aged 29, of St Marks Close, Merlin’s Bridge, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, where he denied all six charges.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to the Crown Court. Proceedings are due to continue on Thursday, February 20, when the case will be listed at Swansea Crown Court.

Lewtas was released on unconditional bail.

Haven Master spared jail after River Cleddau kayak crash

Teenager, 14, came within inches of death when speeding motor boat hit his kayak near Burton, court told

A COURT has heard how a 14-yearold schoolboy came within inches of losing his life on the River Cleddau after his kayak was struck by a highpowered, dual-propelled motor boat being helmed by Haven Master Adam Russell.

CCTV footage played to Judge Geraint Walters, sitting at Swansea Crown Court, showed Russell steering the 5-litre motor boat, White Mischief, into the schoolboy’s kayak near Rudders Boat Yard in Burton.

The court heard Russell ignored warning calls from two other river users who alerted him to approaching kayaks, and continued at exceptionally high speed while remaining seated at the helm. He had six passengers on board, including children.

Because of the speed, Russell failed to see the young kayaker and struck his vessel.

“When I saw him heading towards me, I knew I was going to be in trouble,” the teenager said in a victim impact statement read to the court.

“I could see the boat getting closer and closer, and I had no idea what was going to happen. I couldn’t get out of

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

the way… no matter what I did, the boat kept coming towards me. I felt helpless and I knew I was going to be hit.”

Prosecuting on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Nick Cotter KC said the boy had been enjoying a day on the river with two school friends and two of their fathers. The court heard each kayaker was wearing a bright red buoyancy aid and was clearly visible, with excellent weather conditions that afternoon.

As the group paddled downstream through a designated water skiing area of the River Cleddau, they encountered Russell and White Mischief.

“Witnesses said he was travelling far too fast,” Mr Cotter said.

“The young boy tried his best to paddle out of the way but then the White Mischief changed direction and began heading directly towards him. When it hit the kayak, the boy was thrown into the water and the White Mischief passed directly over him.

“To say that the child was lucky is an understatement.”

Mr Cotter told the court that, following the incident on August 11, 2024, the teenager has been unable to return to the river despite being a keen openwater surfer and sportsman.

“My confidence and ability to go kayaking again has changed,” the child said in his impact statement.

“I get flashbacks about the sound of the running engine, and whenever my dad or my friends suggest going out kayaking, I never want to go because I don’t want that to happen to me, or to anyone else, ever again.”

After the collision, the boy was taken by ambulance to West Wales General Hospital where he was treated for minor injuries. His kayak sustained significant damage and was left unusable.

Russell, who has been employed as haven master at Neyland Yacht Haven for the past eight years, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury to another person while in charge of a boat, contravening Merchant Shipping Regulations relating to preventing collisions at sea, failing to adhere to a safe speed and failing to act on a clear risk of collision.

He was represented by barrister Jon Tarrant KC.

“From the outset the defendant has accepted full responsibility and

understands that the boy was only inches away from a very tragic situation,” Mr Tarrant said.

He told the court that in Russell’s eight years in the maritime industry there had been no issues concerning his behaviour, either onshore or offshore. A number of character references were submitted to Judge Walters prior to sentence.

Russell was sentenced to 12 months in custody, suspended for two years. He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the victim, £675.95 compensation for the damage to the kayak and £3,000 in prosecution costs.

He must also complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

“You travelled directly over him, causing him to be thrown into the water and the result of the injuries could have been so much worse. It’s pure luck that they weren’t.

“Just like our roads, the seas and the rivers are not playgrounds. We must all recognise the risks they present to others.”

“The boy desperately tried to avoid you, but you failed to see him,” Judge Walters said when passing sentence.

Covid loan fraudster ordered to repay almost £200,000

A HAVERFORDWEST man who fraudulently secured £150,000 in Covid support for mobile phone businesses has been ordered to repay almost £200,000 — and faces prison if he fails to pay.

Zahid Afzal, 37, of Albert Street, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Jan 19) for a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The court ordered him to pay £197,306 within three months.

Afzal was previously handed a twoyear prison sentence suspended for two years in June 2025 after pleading guilty to fraud offences following an Insolvency Service investigation. He was also ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

The Insolvency Service said Afzal made two legitimate applications for Bounce Back Loans in 2020, totalling £52,500, for his companies Phone Bits Limited and Phones Onn Ltd. However, it said he then exploited the scheme by applying for three additional maximum-value loans of £50,000 each, despite companies only being entitled to one Bounce Back Loan.

The £150,000 was paid between May and November 2020 — one £50,000 loan for Phone Bits Limited and two £50,000 loans for Phones Onn Ltd.

Investigators said Afzal falsely declared that Phone Bits Limited had not already received a Bounce Back Loan when he made a further application in May 2020, despite £32,500 having been paid into the company’s account the day before.

They also said he inflated the turnover figure for Phones Onn Ltd on applications in July and November 2020, stating it was £200,000 — the minimum required to secure a £50,000 loan — after earlier declaring turnover of £80,000 when applying legitimately for a £20,000 loan.

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The Insolvency Service said significant amounts of the money paid into the businesses were later transferred into Afzal’s personal accounts, contrary to scheme rules which required the loans to be used for the economic benefit of the business.

in the more than five years since the applications were made, the Insolvency Service said. If he fails to repay the £197,306 within the time allowed, he faces two years in prison — and will still be required to repay the money even if jailed.

since 2020.

The Insolvency Service said it also secured a restraint order against Afzal’s accounts, preventing assets from being moved or spent while proceeds of crime action was pursued.

Afzal has repaid only A£2,722

The confiscation figure includes the three £50,000 loans and indexation to reflect changes in the value of money

Afzal’s businesses operated mobile phone shops or kiosks in Carmarthen, Shropshire, Andover in Hampshire and North Devon.

Fatal crash on Cardigan bypass: Police appeal for witnesses

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has appealed for witnesses following a fatal crash on the Cardigan bypass (A487).

Officers were called at 1:05pm on Saturday, January 17 to reports of a collision involving a Yamaha YZF R7 motorbike and a Volkswagen Transporter van on the northbound carriageway, near the Caemorgan Road junction.

The rider of the motorbike was airlifted to hospital, where he later

died from his injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Police are asking anyone who was travelling along this stretch of road at the time — or who may have dashcam footage showing either vehicle — to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police. uk, or by calling 101.

Quote reference: DP-20260117139.

Van driver accused after crash left other motorist paralysed

A 29-YEAR-OLD motorist has appeared before magistrates accused of driving at speed and colliding with an oncoming vehicle, leaving the other driver with life-changing injuries.

Jordan Sabin, of Yellow Hammer Court, Dudley, is alleged to have been driving a Ford Transit van on the A4139 between Penally and Lydstep on Thursday (June 19) when the collision occurred.

Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates the other driver suffered a broken neck and was left paralysed.

“The defendant was driving at speed,

he collided with a vehicle and the other driver was left paralysed with a broken neck,” he said.

“The Crown says he was driving too fast and aggressively.”

Sabin is charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug, and driving over the legal alcohol limit.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was sent to Swansea Crown Court. Sabin is due to appear there on Thursday (Feb 20). He was released on unconditional bail.

Farmer banned after drinkdriving from village pub

A PEMBROKESHIRE farmer has been disqualified from driving after being caught drink-driving from his local pub.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard police were contacted on the night of Friday (July 4, 2025) with concerns that Russell Llewellyn, 77, had left The Angel pub in Llandissilio after

drinking alcohol and driven away in a Mitsubishi Outlander.

“The caller claimed the defendant was so drunk he couldn’t speak,” prosecutor Dennis Davies told the court after Llewellyn pleaded guilty to driving while over the limit.

“He’d seemed totally out of it.”

Officers traced Llewellyn to his home address at Ty Uchaf, Llandissilio, where he admitted drinking around an hour earlier, the court heard.

A breath test showed 55 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Llewellyn was represented by solicitor Jess Hill, who told the court he relied on his vehicle to run his farm.

“He has a long farming career but now, as his mobility is slowing, he relies heavily on his vehicle to continue farming,” she said. “He also leads a fairly isolated life, so he needs his car to socialise.”

Magistrates disqualified Llewellyn from driving for 12 months and fined him £120. He was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 surcharge.

St Dogmaels man appears in court over alleged indecent image offences

A 57-YEAR-OLD man from St Dogmaels appeared before Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Jan 19) in connection with alleged offences relating to indecent images of children.

The court heard that Leof Sceaga was previously subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which prohibited him from having any unsupervised contact with girls under the age of 16 and from using the internet to communicate with anyone under that

age. The order also prevented him from downloading images onto any device capable of accessing the internet.

Prosecutors told the court that in May 2025, police seized a mobile device belonging to Mr Sceaga and carried out a “DIP” (digital imaging) examination. The court heard that the analysis allegedly detected a number of Category A and Category C images of children.

It was further alleged that Mr Sceaga

had failed to notify police that he was using a mobile phone and a bank account, as required under the terms of his order.

A further electronic device was seized by officers on December 18, 2025, and is currently under examination.

The case was adjourned until February 20, 2026 to allow police to complete their investigations.

Sceaga was remanded back into custody ahead of the next hearing.

Man committed to Crown Court over online child sex offences

MAN accused of attempting to involve a child in sexual activity online has been sent to the Crown Court for sentence after indicating guilty pleas at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Richard Dawe, 61, of Caroline Street, Llanelli, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jan 14) for a first hearing.

The court heard Dawe is charged with attempting to cause a child under thirteen to look at an image of sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause or incite a girl under thirteen to engage in nonpenetrative sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Llanelli between Tuesday, January 7 and Monday, January 13, involving a child described in the court register as “purported to be” aged twelve.

Dawe indicated guilty pleas to all three matters on Tuesday (Jan 14). The case was committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence, with a committal hearing listed for Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00am.

Magistrates granted conditional bail, including a nightly curfew, reporting requirements, and restrictions on contact with anyone under eighteen. The court also ordered a pre-sentence report.

Milford Haven School placed in special measures

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has been placed in special measures following a recent Estyn inspection, according to a statement issued by headteacher Ms Ceri-Ann Morris.

In a press release shared with parents, Ms Morris said inspectors identified areas for improvement but also recognised “many important strengths” within the school community. She said Estyn acknowledged the school’s caring and inclusive ethos, strong safeguarding culture and positive relationships between staff and pupils.

The headteacher said the inspection praised the school’s House system, pastoral support and enrichment opportunities, as well as a broad and balanced curriculum. The school’s commitment to promoting Welsh language and culture was also highlighted, along with opportunities for pupils to develop leadership skills. Additional Learning Needs provision was described as supportive and inclusive.

The statement also points to positive comments about the school’s pastoral work, including support for young carers and a “rights of the child” approach, as well as targeted help for pupils facing barriers to learning.

Chair of Governors Mrs Sonja Groves said governors were proud to

development, raising attendance, making improvements to facilities and ensuring robust financial management.

support the school as it works to meet the recommendations, adding that pupils “deserve the very best”.

The school said Estyn made six recommendations. These include strengthening self-evaluation and improvement processes, improving teaching, learning and skills

The school said these priorities align closely with its existing School Development Plan and that focused work is already underway.

Ms Morris added that while the school accepts the recommendations and will work constructively with Estyn, the local authority and the

School Improvement Service, it was “disappointed” the report does not fully reflect progress made in recent years or the high regard the school believes it has among pupils, parents and the wider community.

A parent meeting has been arranged for Thursday, February 5, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, where the school said it will explain how it is addressing the recommendations.

Man expelled from Russia amid spy allegations

A MAN originally from Milford Haven has been expelled from Russia after being accused of espionage by the country’s security services — claims that have been strongly denied by both the British government and people who know him locally.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said that a British Embassy employee in Moscow, 45-yearold Gareth Samuel Davies, had been operating as an undercover intelligence officer and ordered him to leave the country within two weeks.

Mr Davies is understood to have attended Milford Haven School and previously lived in Steynton, before pursuing a career in diplomacy.

Russian authorities said he was working under diplomatic cover as Second Secretary in the administrative section of the British Embassy in Moscow, and that his accreditation had been revoked under the 1961 Vienna Convention.

However, people in Pembrokeshire who know Mr Davies have disputed the espionage claim. According to those familiar with him and his work, he was not involved in spying, but was instead

carrying out a legitimate embassy security and administrative role.

They say his responsibilities focused on internal security procedures, staff safety, and operational administration — duties that are standard within embassies worldwide and should not be confused with intelligence gathering. Those close to him locally describe the Russian allegations as a mischaracterisation of a routine diplomatic post.

It is understood that disruption to

Mr Davies has been minimised, as his family had not yet joined him in Moscow as planned.

He is due to return to the UK in the coming days, it is understood.

The British government has dismissed the accusations as “baseless.”

A spokesperson for the British Embassy in Moscow said: “This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff. Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation.”

The spokesperson added that the UK is “carefully considering its options in response.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Britain’s chargé d’affaires to issue a formal protest and warned of a “decisive tit-for-tat response” should the UK escalate the situation.

Since 2024, Russia has expelled at least nine British diplomats on similar espionage allegations, all of which have been denied by London. No public evidence has been released to support the claims in this case.

Diplomatic expulsions of this kind are widely regarded as political acts rather than legal judgments, and have become increasingly common amid deteriorating relations between the UK and Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

An FCDO spokesperson said: “This is not the first time the Kremlin has made malicious and baseless accusations against our staff. Their targeting of British diplomats comes out of desperation and actions like this undermine the basic conditions required for diplomatic missions to operate.

“We are carefully considering our options in response.”

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Two female police officers assaulted during arrest

A RETIRED Haverfordwest woman has described a “terrifying” incident in which she said a man assaulted two female police officers during an arrest in the town on Monday night (Jan 19).

The pensioner told The Herald she witnessed the incident at around 8:15pm in City Road, where she said officers were detaining a barefoot man and attempting to handcuff him on the ground.

She claimed the man got back to his feet during the struggle, grabbed one of the officers’ batons and began striking out, assaulting both officers.

The woman said she was left shaken by what she saw, and that a young man who also witnessed events told her he did not want to intervene because he “didn’t know if he was carrying anything.”

She said police quickly put out a distress call and a number of officers were mobilised to search for the suspect, who she claimed ran off with the baton.

Dyfed-Powys Police have since confirmed officers were called “just

before 8.20pm” on Monday to reports of assault and criminal damage at a property in Haverfordwest.

A police spokesperson said the man left the scene but was “quickly located and arrested on St David’s Road.” Police said he resisted arrest during which he assaulted two officers, before making off again.

The spokesperson added: “The man made off and was later located and arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage. He currently remains in police custody.”

Police said both officers attended hospital for treatment and were later discharged.

Chief Inspector Mike Llewellyn said: “Assaults on police officers should never be considered as ‘part of the job’. Both officers acted with courage in an incredibly difficult situation. Neither took a step backward and did everything they could to detain the man.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

Biomass engineer banned after drink-driving on Christmas Eve

NATHAN REES, 42, was stopped in Haverfordwest while driving a work van and later gave a breath test reading of 73mcg, more than twice the legal limit

A Pembrokeshire biomass engineer who decided to drive home on Christmas Eve after drinking several pints has been hit with a four-figure penalty after being caught over twice the legal limit.

Nathan Rees, 42, was stopped by police at around 3:45pm on Christmas Eve as he drove his work van along Dredgeman Hill, Haverfordwest.

“It was a routine stop check, and when spoken to by officers, he said he’d drunk two pints of beer,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

However, a subsequent breath test showed Rees had 73mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Rees pleaded guilty to drink-driving. His solicitor Sarah John told the court the offence was out of character and had left her client extremely remorseful.

“This was a very foolish mistake and totally out of character,” she said. “He’s extremely remorseful and understands the ramifications that drink-driving has on the wider community.”

Ms John said the conviction has had a devastating impact on Rees, who has now had to give up his job.

“He was a biomass engineer for which he earned around £40,000 a year, but he’s now had to hand in his notice as his job involved driving all over the country,” she said. “He was the main breadwinner and now feels very guilty about the financial and emotional toll that it’s taken on him.”

Rees, of St Lawrence Avenue, Hakin, was disqualified from driving for 19 months. He was fined £768 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £307 victim surcharge.

“This was a very foolish thing to do, as I’m sure you’re now aware,” the presiding magistrate told him when passing sentence.

Jenkins & Davies investigating alleged racist remarks

AN ENGINEERING firm has launched an internal investigation after a video circulated online over the weekend which is said to show a senior member of staff at the Pembroke Dock firm making comments described as racist.

The video was uploaded to YouTube and TikTok by DJ Clips UK. In the footage, a member of staff is heard saying he was concerned about a drone being flown in the area because of travellers nearby.

He is quoted as saying: “There are gypsies down the corner, and we just don’t want stuff going missing.”

In response, members of the traveller community have erected a banner outside the company’s gates accusing the firm of “racial abuse”.

Jenkins & Davies Engineering has since issued a public statement acknowledging the video and apologising to those affected.

The company said it was “aware of a video circulating online involving comments made by a senior member of our team” and added: “The message stated was inappropriate and does not reflect our values or the views of the company.”

It continued: “We recognise the hurt and offence this has caused to members of the community, and we would like to sincerely apologise to anyone affected by these unwarranted comments.”

The firm said it takes discrimination “extremely seriously” and confirmed the employee involved had been removed from all duties while a full investigation is carried out.

Charlie Price, described as a prominent voice within the local traveller community, said he believed the remarks were racist and that the response so far had not gone far enough.

He said: “What was said was not acceptable in 2026. We are not happy at all and we see they put an apology on Facebook with the help of their fancy £300 an hour solicitors in Cardiff, but we wants them to come out and give us an apology in person.”

The company statement was signed by managing director R Barnard.

Water rescue training held at Llys-y-frân Lake

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews carried out a large-scale water rescue training exercise at Llys-y-frân Lake on Monday (Jan 19).

The lake, set in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains and covering more than 200 acres, was used for a scenario designed to test swift water rescue skills in challenging conditions.

Specialist teams from Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Fire Stations took part, each attending with swift water rescue capability.

The exercise simulated a serious incident involving a collision between two boats, with multiple casualties spread across the lake and along the shoreline.

To make the scenario as realistic as possible, mannequins of different sizes and weights were positioned at various points around the site, including floating

on the surface, submerged, and placed along the water’s edge.

Boat crews carried out searches on the water and recovered casualties, while wading teams were deployed to areas that could not be reached by boat, including sections of shoreline and shallow water.

Throughout the session, firefighters practised coordinated search techniques, casualty handling and communication between crews and the Incident Commander.

The training ran from the afternoon into the evening, allowing both wholetime and on-call firefighters to take part and put their skills into practice.

The fire service is currently recruiting on-call firefighters, and says the role offers training, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving opportunities, with pay including retainer fees and call-out payments.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Appeal due over dog forfeiture order as community raises concerns Case listed at Swansea Crown Court following magistrates’ ruling in December

AN APPEAL is due to be heard at Swansea Crown Court in a long-running case involving a Pembrokeshire woman and the forfeiture of dogs following enforcement action by the county council.

Julia Goodgame has appealed against forfeiture orders made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 11), after being prosecuted by Pembrokeshire County Council in connection with breaches of a Community Protection Notice.

The case is listed before the Crown Court for directions, with the appeal understood to relate specifically to the forfeiture orders

imposed by magistrates. The council previously confirmed that four dogs were removed from the property and placed in an approved animal welfare centre following the court’s decision.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The defendant has appealed against the Forfeiture Orders which were made by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on December 11th.

“Pembrokeshire County Council will respond in due course. As the case is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

The appeal comes amid renewed concern from residents in the Bryn-yDerwydd area of Trefin, who say they

feel frustrated by what they describe as a lack of effective enforcement while the legal process continues.

Members of the local community allege that conditions linked to the property have deteriorated again, raising environmental health concerns. Residents claim the situation has had a wider impact on neighbouring homes, including reports of vermin and unpleasant odours, and say they feel their complaints are not being adequately addressed.

The Herald understands that council officers, including environmental health, are aware of the ongoing issues but are limited in what action can be taken while court proceedings remain live.

The Crown Court hearing is expected to clarify the scope of the appeal and set out how the matter will proceed. Further reporting restrictions may apply depending on the court’s directions.

This newspaper will continue to follow the case and report developments as they can be lawfully published.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

Julia Goodgame

There were protests in Trefin over her dogs in 2025

West Wales teenager jailed for raping 12-year-old girl

Jake Richards, 19, sentenced to three-and-a-half years in young

A 19-year-old man from Garnswllt, Carmarthenshire, has been sentenced to three years and six months in a young offender institution after admitting to raping a 12-year-old girl.

Jake Richards pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred when he was 17, following online contact with the victim via Snapchat that led to an in-person meeting. The victim courageously reported the incident to police in August 2024 after first confiding in a friend.

DETAILS OF THE OFFENCE

The pair had arranged to meet, and the victim believed they were simply going to talk. They walked to a secluded tunnel, where Richards initiated sexual activity despite the victim’s repeated verbal refusals and pleas for him to stop. He continued regardless.

A thorough investigation by DyfedPowys Police, involving forensic analysis (including DNA evidence) and digital enquiries (such as Snapchat records), built a strong case. This evidence contributed to Richards’ early guilty plea at Swansea Crown Court, sparing the victim the further distress of a full trial.

POLICE COMMEND VICTIM’S BRAVERY

Detective Sergeant Carl Pocock of Dyfed-Powys Police praised the victim’s extraordinary courage: “First and foremost, I want to commend the victim—who was just 12 years old at the time—for her immense bravery in coming forward and cooperating fully throughout the investigation.

“Rape and sexual abuse are incredibly difficult topics to discuss, especially for someone so young facing an offender five years her senior. She clearly and repeatedly said ‘no’ and asked him to stop, yet he ignored her to satisfy his own desires.

“Her strength continued when she disclosed the abuse to a friend and then reported it to police, ensuring justice could be pursued. Our specialist team examined her account meticulously, using DNA and digital forensics to prove the case beyond doubt. This robust evidence led to the early guilty plea and avoided the added trauma of a trial.

“It is crucial to emphasise that a child of 12 cannot legally consent

to any sexual activity. This case underscores the urgent need for open conversations with young people about online safety, the law on consent, and healthy relationships— including how to recognise and assert consent, never to assume it, and what to do if it is ignored or withdrawn.”

DS Pocock added that the case demonstrates Dyfed-Powys Police’s commitment to supporting and seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of age.

Broader implications and prevention

Cases like this highlight the risks of online interactions transitioning to real-life meetings, particularly when significant age differences and power imbalances exist. Grooming or pressure can occur subtly via social media, making early education essential.

Parents, educators, and guardians are encouraged to discuss consent, boundaries, and digital safety proactively with teenagers. Reliable guidance includes resources from

offenders’ institution

organisations like the NSPCC, which offers advice on talking to young people about healthy relationships, signs of unhealthy dynamics, and understanding consent (including that it must be freely given, informed, specific, and revocable).

SUPPORT AVAILABLE

Anyone affected by rape or sexual assault can access specialist help. New Pathways provides dedicated support services across Wales for victims dealing with the traumatic aftermath of such offences, including counselling and practical assistance. More details are available on their website.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, contact police on 101 (or 999 in emergencies), or reach out to support organisations directly. This sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of sexual offending and the priority given to victim protection in the justice system.

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Richards was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

Plumber keeps licence after being found asleep at wheel in Haverfordwest car park

A PEMBROKESHIRE plumber has kept his driving licence after police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car while over the legal alcohol limit.

Officers discovered Ben John, 33, in a red Mini at around 5:00am on December 27, as they carried out an unrelated search at Bridge Meadow car park, Haverfordwest.

“The keys were in the ignition, the engine was on and a can of Fosters could be seen in the cup holder,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“The officers could also see the defendant slumped over in the driver’s seat.”

Mr Davies said that when officers knocked on the window, John pressed his foot on the accelerator, causing the engine to rev. A breath test carried out at the police station later showed he had 74mcg of alcohol in his system.

John pleaded guilty to being in charge of a motor vehicle while above the legal alcohol limit. He was

represented by solicitor Alaw Harries, who said her client accepted full responsibility.

“It was a cold night and he made the poor decision to get in the vehicle, turn the heating on and fall asleep,” she said.

Ms Harries described John as a “reliable and dedicated” plumber and warned that a disqualification would have serious consequences for his work and others who rely on him.

“A disqualification today would not only jeopardise his own employment, but also the employment of others, including an apprentice who he drives to work on a daily basis,” she said. “We have here a genuine, hardworking individual, who’s reflected on this offence and won’t place himself in this position ever again.”

John, of Priory Avenue, Haverfordwest, was fined £433 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £173 surcharge. His licence was endorsed with ten penalty points.

Tenby driver banned hours after passing his test for drug-driving

JASON CALE, 40, was stopped the same day he qualified, with blood tests showing more than twice the legal cannabis limit

Just hours after passing his driving test, a Tenby man was caught driving through the town centre with more than twice the legal drug-drive limit.

Jason Cale, 40, was stopped by police at around 6:00pm on September 19 as he drove his Hyundai i20 along Upper Hill Park, Tenby. A roadside saliva test proved positive and a subsequent blood test showed 7mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in his system. The legal limit is 2.

Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates this week, Cale pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence. He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, who said the incident happened on the same day his client had passed his driving test.

“He’d made a big effort later in life to learn to drive and pass his test as he has a number of significant physical issues and wanted to be able to drive himself to appointments,” Mr Lloyd said. “But the very same day that he passed his test, this happened.”

The court heard Cale suffers from a debilitating joint condition and is in constant pain.

“This was why he was taking cannabis,” Mr Lloyd added. “But I’m pleased to say he’s now taken steps to address this, and has already seen the Dyfed Drugs and Alcohol Service.”

Mr Lloyd submitted medical evidence to the magistrates in support of the mitigation.

Cale, of Upper Hill Park, Tenby, was disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Woman banned after cannabis found over drug-drive limit

A GOODWICK woman who told the court she had been using cannabis to cope with personal difficulties has been banned from driving after police caught her over the drug-drive limit.

Emma Murphy, 31, was stopped on August 22, 2025, as she drove her Hyundai Kona along Pembroke Road, Merlin’s Bridge. A roadside drug swipe proved positive and a subsequent blood test showed she had 11mcg of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in her system. The legal limit is 2.

Murphy, of Needle Point, Glanymor Road, Goodwick, pleaded guilty to

drug-driving when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. She was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said his client had been struggling in her personal life.

“The defendant has had some difficulties in her personal life and was taking cannabis to help get over it,” he told the court. “She had no idea she was over the limit the day she was stopped.”

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

Neyland driver banned after cocaine found in system

A NEYLAND man has been banned from the roads after being caught driving with cocaine and its metabolite in his system.

Phillip Carroll, 31, was followed by police as he drove his Ford Fiesta home to Riga Avenue, Neyland, on the morning of October 24, 2025. A roadside drug swipe proved positive and further tests at the police station showed he had 13mcg of cocaine in his system and 240mcg of benzoylecgonine, the cocaine metabolite. The legal limits are 10 and 50 respectively.

Carroll pleaded guilty to two drugdriving charges when he appeared

before Haverfordwest magistrates this week. He was represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher, who said there were no aggravating features and no suggestion his driving was impaired.

“In fact he knew that the police had been following him for a distance of around seven miles,” Mr Kelleher said. “And after attending at the police station, officers handed him back his car keys after he was charged, and he was allowed to drive home.”

Magistrates disqualified Carroll from driving for 12 months. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £48 surcharge.

Community carer banned after cannabis drug-drive stop

A COMMUNITY carer has been banned from driving after being caught behind the wheel with cannabis in her system.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard Natalie John, 27, was stopped by police as she drove her Ford Fiesta along Steynton Road, Milford Haven, on the night of Friday (Sept 12, 2025).

A subsequent blood test showed 2.2 microgrammes of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per litre of blood. The legal limit is 2.

“She’d taken cannabis the night before to help with her anxiety, after receiving medication from her doctor which didn’t agree with her,”

her solicitor Michael Kelleher told the court. “She had no idea she was over the limit.”

Mr Kelleher said a ban could have “disastrous implications” for John, who works as a community carer.

“Losing her licence will mean she won’t be able to drive to various locations to see her clients,” he said.

John, of Commercial Road, Pembroke Dock, pleaded guilty to the drug-driving offence.

Magistrates disqualified her from driving for 12 months and fined her £120. She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.

Fireworks enthusiast fined after letting off rockets in Haverfordwest town centre

A LOCAL described in court as “a fireworks enthusiast” has been sentenced by magistrates after letting off rockets in Haverfordwest town centre.

CCTV footage shown to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week captured Michael Glover, 58, walking into Castle Square on the night of Friday, November 8, before igniting around ten rockets close to a group of men.

Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told the court: “You can see from the men’s reaction that they felt this could have been a danger to them.”

The court heard the offence also breached a Community Order imposed by Swansea Crown Court in October

2025, after Glover was convicted of assaulting an emergency worker and causing criminal damage. It was also a breach of a conditional discharge imposed in July 2025.

Glover, of St Bridges View, Roch, pleaded guilty to discharging fireworks within fifty feet of the highway. He was represented by Tom Lloyd.

Mr Lloyd said: This is a man who’s enthusiastic about fireworks. He had some left over from November 5 and decided to set them off in a place where this wasn’t allowed to happen. That’s as far as it goes.”

Glover was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £32 surcharge.

Wind turbine blade convoy rolls through Pembroke Dock

PEMBROKESHIRE residents were treated to an unusual sight on Monday (Jan 19) as a massive wind turbine blade was transported through Pembroke Dock under police escort.

The blade — stretching the length of a passenger aircraft wing — was carried on a specialist extendable trailer and moved slowly through the town before continuing towards the Dragon LNG site.

Footage shared online by Hidden Pembrokeshire – Gareth Davies Photography showed officers stopping traffic at junctions and roundabouts to allow the abnormal load to pass safely, with spotters walking alongside to guide the driver through tight bends and narrow

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sections of road.

Onlookers said the scale of the blade was striking up close, and many stopped to film the carefully managed convoy as it made its way along the route.

The delivery is part of ongoing works linked to new wind turbines being installed next to the Dragon LNG terminal, aimed at generating cleaner electricity for the site and helping to cut emissions in Pembrokeshire.

Further movements of turbine components are expected as the project continues.

‘Houses shake’ as C-17 Globemaster tracked flying low over Haverfordwest

RAF heavy transport aircraft JDW828 carried out training sortie over Pembrokeshire and the southwest

Residents in Haverfordwest reported a large military aircraft flying low over the town at around 11:00am on Monday (Jan 19).

Flight tracking information identified the aircraft as JDW828, a Royal Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, operating from RAF Brize Norton.

The recorded track showed the aircraft conducting a wide training circuit across the south-west, including repeated manoeuvres over parts of

Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, before routing back east.

The C-17 is a heavy-lift transport used by the RAF to move troops, equipment and humanitarian aid, and is regularly seen on training flights across the UK.

One resident said: “It was a awesome sight, so low it was almost at the chimney tops – the house was shaking!”

“Brilliant!”

A request for comment has been sent to the Ministry of Defence.

Flightpath of the aircraft according to Flightradar’s website

Detectives appeal for information on 1979 unsolved murder

SOUTH WALES POLICE is appealing for information about the unsolved murder of taxi driver

John ‘Jack’ Armstrong more than 40 years ago.

Mr Armstrong was found murdered near Bridgend in October 1979 after he collected a customer from Cardiff

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in his taxi.

His death has been regularly reviewed by the South Wales Police Specialist Crime Review Unit and

detectives are currently investigating his death.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies said: “We have been working on reviewing this unsolved murder for several years and the case has been the subject of media coverage and featured in a TV documentary series.

“Tragically, his daughter Jean, who featured in the TV documentary and expressed her hope that the killer would be found, passed away recently before she was able to see justice for her dad.”

On October 5, 1979, Jack, as he was known by family and friends, radioed in to confirm he’d collected the fare from a Fairwater pub, but was not heard from again.

His blood-stained taxi was found later that evening in Treoes Lane, Treoes, near to the Waterton Industrial Estate in Bridgend.

But it wasn’t until three days later that his body was found some 11 miles away on Cowbridge Common. Mr Armstrong had sustained catastrophic head injuries.

Despite extensive enquiries at the time, which saw hundreds of statements taken and exhibits examined, Mr Armstrong’s killer has never been found.

As part of the review, exhibits have been re-examined and witnesses have been spoken to in the hope that detectives will be able to identify and trace the killer.

DCI Davies added: “Despite the passage of time since Mr Armstrong’s death, we remain as committed as ever to bring justice for Jack and his family.

“If the killer is still alive then they are living with the knowledge of what they did for almost 47 years. I’d appeal to anyone who believes they know the identity of the killer to do the right thing and come forward.”

Anyone with any information which could assist detectives is urged to contact the Review Unit via 101, quoting occurrence 2000304349 or by using the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) – https://mipp.police. uk/operation/62SWP20B17-PO1

(Images: Gavin Young/Herald)

Man who sprayed officer with substance and ‘shrugged off’ police taser sentenced

A MAN who sprayed an unidentified red substance at a police officer — and appeared unaffected by repeated Taser deployments — has been sentenced following a dramatic arrest near Haverfordwest.

Mark Logan, 41, was stopped by police on Friday (Nov 1) after officers saw him driving an Audi onto the A40 from Haverfordwest. PC Dylan Davies activated his blue lights after checks showed the vehicle was registered in a woman’s name, bringing the car to a stop close to the Toyota garage.

What followed, the court heard, left the officer fearing for his safety.

In a victim impact statement read to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, PC Davies said he was sprayed several times with a red substance and did not know what it was or what harm it could cause.

“I had no idea what it was nor what harm it would do to me,” he said.

“After being a police officer for four years, this was the first time I have ever had to request assistance.”

The court heard Logan got out of the car and immediately appeared wide-eyed and unsteady on his feet. As PC Davies attempted to arrest him, Logan struck the officer’s hands, preventing him from taking hold.

“He became more aggressive and I was fearful he was going to assault me due to his erratic behaviour,” PC Davies said.

Logan then walked towards the officer and sprayed him, with PC Davies saying he felt the substance land on his body and believed Logan intended to harm him.

“He remained incredibly hostile and I didn’t know what other weapons

he had on him,” he added.

TASER HAD ‘NO EFFECT’

PC Davies drew his Taser and repeatedly told Logan to get on the ground, but Logan ran towards the Toyota garage. The officer said he “red-dotted” Logan and continued to issue commands, but he ignored them.

When Logan then turned and walked back towards the officer, PC Davies deployed his Taser. However, he told the court it appeared to have no effect.

“But he appeared totally unbothered and began pulling at the Taser wires,” he said.

“I re-engaged it and Tasered him

again, instructing him to lie face-down on the ground, but again he refused. The Taser had no effect on him whatsoever.”

A further attempt to restrain Logan using physical contact also failed, and additional officers were called to assist. They succeeded in bringing him to the ground and handcuffing him.

KNIFE FOUND IN JACKET POCKET

Logan later confirmed during a police interview that he had a knife on him. A search found a black locking knife in his jacket pocket, with a blade measuring 10cm.

PC Davies suffered facial irritation from the spray and “overwhelming”

pain to his arm as a result of the incident.

Logan, of Glandwr House, Lower Cwmtwrch, Swansea, pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and assaulting an emergency worker by beating.

He was represented by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told the court Logan was attempting to deal with a number of mental health issues, including paranoia, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and psychotic tendencies.

“This man has become a shadow of his former self as a result of his mental health needs,” she said.

“He fully accepts that his behaviour was unacceptable, and has already taken significant and pro-active steps to address his mental health. He is now desperate to engage with the mental health services to help him address these issues.”

Ms Harries said the red spray used by Logan was a self-defence device which can be legally purchased online, including via Amazon.

SENTENCE AND ORDERS

Magistrates retired for more than an hour before returning to pass sentence.

Logan was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He must observe a daily curfew between 7:00pm and 7:00am and complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was ordered to pay £250 compensation to PC Dylan Davies, along with a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs. A destruction order was imposed on the knife.

Woman accused of biting St Davids butcher and urinating in police van

A 71-year-old Pembrokeshire woman has appeared before magistrates accused of assaulting her local butcher and urinating in a police vehicle.

Barbara Lewis, of High Street, St Davids, is charged with assault by beating following an incident involving butcher Harry Raymond in the city last June.

Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates there had been concerns about the behaviour of a dog before the pair became involved in an altercation.

“They took hold of each other and

Barbara Lewis bit Harry Raymond on his left arm, just below his elbow,” he said.

The court heard the bite is alleged to have cut through the skin and left a mark.

Mr Davies added that after Lewis was arrested and placed in a police van, she allegedly urinated on the floor, leading to a further charge of criminal damage.

Lewis denied both offences. Her trial is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Feb 26). She was released on unconditional bail.

Tenby Animal store sign concerns from civic society

OFFICIAL planning for the signage associated with the new Animal store in Tenby has been given the go-ahead despite concerns raised by the local civic society it ‘grated’ with the Victorian and Georgian character of Tudor Square.

Animal Tenby opened its doors in late November at the Grade-II-listed Tudor House, Tudor Square, which has more recently been used as a café.

Several cafés had run at the site including Oakley’s, Caffi Llyw and most recently, Henry’s.

The new Animal store sells outdoor wear, ski gear, beachwear and robes and kids’, women’s and men’s clothes.

Animal is part of the Mountain Group which incorporates Mountain Warehouse and Eastern Mountain Sports.

The Tenby Animal store was the tenth stand-alone Animal store in the UK.

A November-registered planning application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, by Holden Signs Ltd on

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

behalf of Animal, covering the store’s signage was approved by park officers under delegated powers yesterday, January 19.

The proposals were supported by Tenby Town Council but Tenby civic Society, while not formally objecting, had raised concerns.

“The new sign lettering is of suitable size and the fascia setting proposed is fine. The Animal house logo-style lettering grates with the Victorian and Georgian character of Tudor Square and the conservation area. We note that nearby proposed Tesco signage was amended to maintain the character of the conservation area, and we feel the logo lettering does not enhance the character of the conservation area.

“It is a brand logo so a check whether they have amended it to fit in other conservation areas is a relevant consideration to put to the applicant.”

An officer report recommending approval said: “Tenby Civic Society

whilst having no objection in principle has expressed concern as to the font style.

“Whilst a distinctive and modern

font, it is not considered that the character or appearance of Tenby Conservation Area is negatively affected. The impact on amenity is considered negligible.”

Help shape the future of post-16 education in Wales, says minister

UNIVERSITIES, colleges, schools, learners and businesses across Wales are being urged to share their views on the future of post-16 education and research.

The call was issued by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, following the publication of a Welsh Government evidence paper titled The Future of Tertiary Education in Wales.

The document sets out a range of challenges facing further and higher education and seeks responses to help build an evidence base that will inform future policy.

Among the issues highlighted are participation gaps, rising costs for both learners and institutions, demographic change, competition between education providers, and the need to better align skills provision and research with the needs of the Welsh economy.

Announcing the call for evidence, Vikki Howells said the system faced pressures that could not be tackled by government alone.

“The challenges facing our post-16 education system are too complex for us to solve alone,” she said. “Universities, colleges, schools, employers and learners hold vital insights about what is working, what is not, and what is possible.”

She said reforms had already been delivered, including the establishment of Medr and the maintenance of the Welsh Government’s approach to student support, but warned there were further

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challenges that needed to be addressed.

“This call for evidence is our opportunity to build on our progress, and your expertise will shape Wales’s

future,” she said. “This is your opportunity to influence the future direction for your institution, your staff, your learners and your communities.”

The minister said she would be visiting Bangor University and Coleg Meirion Dwyfor this week to meet staff and students and hear their views on the

pressures facing the sector.

“These conversations will build on my ongoing dialogue with the sector, and will be an essential part of this work,” she said.

The call for evidence is open from January to March 2026.

Questions raised over horse riding licence fees ahead of scrutiny meeting

QUESTIONS are being raised over the way Pembrokeshire County Council has compared its horse riding establishment licence fees with neighbouring authorities, ahead of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday (Jan 22).

The issue follows concerns previously raised by county councillor Huw Murphy, who has been scrutinising the charges faced by riding establishments in Pembrokeshire and the figures presented in defence of the current fee structure.

Minutes of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Tuesday (Nov 25) record that the Head of Housing and Public Protection told members that the Council’s current fee for establishments with up to ten horses was £583, “compared to £570 in Ceredigion and £600 in Carmarthenshire”, with fees increasing incrementally based on size.

However, screenshots of Ceredigion’s published fees for horse riding establishments appear to show a different charging structure, with bands listed at £242 for up to five animals and £370 for six to 15 animals, with higher charges applying as numbers increase.

By contrast, Pembrokeshire’s published fees for riding establishments show a charge of about £583 for establishments with up to ten horses, rising to around £766 for up to 30 and around £1,112 for those over 30.

The apparent discrepancy has led

said Pembrokeshire’s charges appeared significantly higher than those elsewhere in west Wales.

By AlSmith Author

to claims that the comparison cited to committee members was not a likefor-like reflection of what Ceredigion actually charges, particularly for smaller operations.

Councillor Murphy said he could not see where a £570 fee for up to ten horses in Ceredigion came from, and pointed instead to the published fee bands. He

Cllr Murphy sits on the Culture and Tourism Committee of the Local Government Association and says he feels a vibrant Pembrokeshire relies on successful small businesses and will always support measures that allows Pembrokeshire to compete with other areas of Wales to encourage more visitors.

It is understood that the matter

is expected to return in some form during this week’s committee cycle, with members anticipating further questioning.

The minutes also record wider concerns raised at the November meeting about assumptions used within financial modelling, and a call for figures to be reviewed where projected activity levels appeared unrealistic or potentially misleading.

Pembrokeshire County Council has been approached for comment.

editor@herald.email

Campaigners threaten judicial review over state pension redress talks

A COALITION representing women born in the 1950s has warned ministers it may launch a judicial review over what it claims is an unlawful and discriminatory approach to engagement on state pension age redress.

In “without prejudice save as to costs” pre-action correspondence sent to Pat McFadden MP and pensions

minister Torsten Bell MP, organisers Jackie Gilderdale and Kay Clarke argue the Government has engaged exclusively with a single incorporated organisation while excluding other “materially affected and representative groups”, founders and legal advocates. They say that limiting talks in this way is procedurally unfair, irrational and discriminatory, and that it

breaches equality duties and public law principles of fairness and inclusivity.

The campaigners also cite human rights obligations and international conventions relating to discrimination and access to effective remedies.

The group is demanding confirmation within 14 days that the Government will cease exclusive engagement with any single entity, open structured talks with all representative groups, disclose the criteria used to determine engagement to date, and agree to formal mediation under recent reforms to civil procedure and alternative dispute resolution.

The correspondence comes amid renewed political pressure over women’s state pension age changes and whether those affected should receive compensation for failures in how changes were communicated.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman previously investigated complaints about the communication of changes to women’s state pension age. In a recent Commons exchange, Torsten Bell emphasised that the Ombudsman’s investigation focused on communication rather than the policy decisions themselves.

In November 2025, the Government

said it would reconsider the earlier decision not to pay compensation following the Ombudsman’s findings. Campaigners say the way ministers now choose to consult and engage will be central to whether any resolution is seen as fair and credible.

The new letter also includes earlier correspondence asking for clarification about repeated references to “new evidence” in relation to the state pension age issue, and raises questions about Department for Work and Pensions expenditure connected to external engagement work. The writers say that if answers are not provided they may pursue Freedom of Information requests and seek further scrutiny through audit and parliamentary channels.

The campaigners also argue that any solution must be inclusive, claiming it is wrong for ministers to treat one organisation as the sole route for engagement when other groups say they hold significant evidence and represent materially affected women across the UK and in Wales.

The Department for Work and Pensions and the MPs named in the correspondence have been asked to comment.

Compensation window opens for A40 scheme affected homeowners

A NEWLY upgraded stretch of the A40 in Pembrokeshire has prompted the Welsh Government to remind nearby property owners that compensation may be available where the road changes have reduced the value of their homes or land.

The A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvement scheme was opened to traffic on Friday, May 2, 2025. While the works are designed to improve journeys and safety, the re-routing and altered road layout could, in some cases, lead to property depreciation.

A NEWLY upgraded stretch of the A40 in Pembrokeshire has prompted the Welsh Government to remind nearby property owners that compensation may be available where the road changes have reduced the value of their homes or land.

The A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvement scheme was opened to traffic on Friday, May 2, 2025. While the works are designed to improve journeys and safety, the re-routing and altered road layout could, in some cases, lead to property depreciation.

According to a public notice, the formal period for submitting claims

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begins on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Eligible owners with a qualifying interest may be able to apply for compensation under Part 1 of the Land Compensation Act 1973, where depreciation is linked to the road being in use.

Further information is available by emailing part1claims@gov.wales.

Applications can also be submitted by post to: Part 1 Claims and Noise Team, Economic Infrastructure, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.

Claimants are asked to quote reference: BZ042035-421-1.

Details of the scheme and

the relevant legislation can be found online at: gov.wales/a40llanddewi-velfrey-redstone-crossimprovements. For residents without internet access, a longer version of the notice is available on request, and larger-print copies can also be provided.

The notice is signed by Thomas Maton, Head of Land Acquisition.

Haverfordwest free parking proposal to boost high street

HAVERFORDWEST councillors have called for a shake-up of the approach to parking in Pembrokeshire’s county town, with free short-term parking to boost business.

At the January 15 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy and pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, Haverfordwest Castle Ward county councillor Tom Tudor requested a public submission of a ‘Strategic Parking Plan to Boost Haverfordwest Town Centre Economy’ be added to the committee agenda.

Cllr Tudor brought forward a proposal made by town councillor Scott Thorley “aiming to increase footfall while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” which includes two hours free parking in Haverfordwest town centre across all car parks to encourage short visits for shopping, dining, and services, MondaySaturday, 9-5.

It also includes extending the parking duration at the Perrots Road Car Park to a four-hour maximum stay, with the first two hours free, with free parking from 5pm Saturday to 8am Monday to support evening and weekend activities.

He also proposes free parking all day on Sundays “to attract visitors to hospitality businesses, such as cafes, restaurants, and pubs, fostering a vibrant weekend economy”.

His strategy also includes leveraging “increased footfall from free parking to boost local business revenue, offsetting potential losses in parking fees through keeping businesses open and attracting more investment into the town,” adding:

Fire chiefs back

“Evidence from similar UK schemes suggests a potential five–15 per cent increase in retail spending with free parking initiatives,” with a call for social media and local press marketing of the proposed changes.

He also proposes staff working

in the town centre “adopt alternative transport methods to free up parking spaces for customers,” through such things as the promotion of carsharing, encouraging the use of public transport, and supporting cycling and walking through investments in secure bike storage and incentives for staff.

He says there would be an economic boost to the town’s

businesses through his proposed changes through increased footfall; free Sunday parking also helping the hospitality industry, and encouraging staff to shift to alternative transport reducing congestion and giving environmental benefits.

Members agreed to note the submission by Cllr Tudor on behalf of Cllr Thorley.

Register My Appliance Week to cut risk of white goods fires

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service says registering appliances is free, quick, and could help households receive urgent safety alerts or recalls.

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is urging households across the region to register their white goods and other electrical appliances as it backs Register My Appliance Week, running from Monday, January 19 to Friday, January 23.

The campaign encourages people to sign up items such as washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and smaller appliances so manufacturers can contact owners quickly if a fault is discovered or a product recall is issued.

The fire service said it had attended 40 incidents involving faulty white goods over the past 12 months, and believes registration is a simple step that could

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help reduce the risk of accidents in the home.

Home Fire Safety Manager Gareth Hands said: “Smart, efficient appliances make life easier, but it’s essential to get them registered. It’s quick, free, and ensures you’re alerted first if a safety repair is ever needed. A few minutes now helps you enjoy the benefits without compromising safety.”

Residents are being directed to the Register My Appliance portal, which offers access to more than 70 leading brands, with many accepting registrations for both new and older appliances, including items bought second-hand or acquired “nearly new”.

To register, households can visit www.registermyappliance.org.uk.

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

The alternative view By Mike Dello

IT was barely two weeks ago that Iran’s brutal regime was accused of killing protesters on the streets, prompting US President Donald Trump to urge people to “hang on in there” as help was on its way. It never came, and the spirit of those on the ground now seems understandably subdued.

Instead, Trump has turned his attention to Greenland: a vast territory between Canada and Russia with fewer than 60,000 people and limited ties to Denmark. The President argues that Greenland sits in a strategic part of the world where Russian and Chinese forces could pose a threat to the West.

That is a discussion NATO leaders can have. But any other head of a Western alliance would start by asking Greenland and Denmark what support they want, whether it is monitoring shipping routes or strengthening defence. Instead, we have the extraordinary spectacle of a US President floating the idea of buying Greenland, or using economic pressure to force the issue, in what looks like schoolyard bully tactics.

Trump even claimed this week that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for resolving “eight wars”, and suggested that, because he did not get one, he will now put war at the centre of his approach. If that is accurate, it is chilling. If it is bluster, it is still reckless bluster.

He has also threatened economic pain for European countries that oppose his methods. The “special relationship”, particularly with the UK, suddenly looks paper-thin, and NATO faces an unnerving reality: a man who appears increasingly volatile, while Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks ever weaker when it comes to pushing back. Trump has a history of not following things through, so let us pray this is another of those moments.

Starmer has troubles of his own. He has approved plans for a 280-room Chinese embassy in the

heart of London. China is widely regarded as one of the UK’s most sophisticated strategic rivals, and the idea of a huge diplomatic hub, complete with extensive facilities, should worry anyone who takes national security seriously. The point is not xenophobia. The point is that governments are meant to be cautious, not naïve.

On the domestic front, defections from the Conservatives to Reform keep coming. The biggest name this week is Robert Jenrick, who was defeated by Kemi Badenoch for the Tory leadership just over a year ago. Reform, to my mind, looks like the Conservatives in a different shade of blue. They seem more interested in recruiting established names than nurturing their own talent. Badenoch is not panicking. She quipped: “Nigel Farage is doing the spring cleaning for me.”

In policing, West Midlands

Police chief Craig Guildford has stepped down with a full pension after controversy over a decision connected to football supporters attending a match involving Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv. There are competing claims about the risks and the reporting around previous fixtures, and it is a messy, sensitive area. The good news is that there will now be an inquiry, and we might finally get clarity instead of rumour.

On a separate front, seven nurses from Darlington have won the right to take their case to tribunal after a dispute over changing facilities involving a transgender colleague. Whatever your view, it is significant that the issue is now being tested through proper process rather than shouted down online. In my view, common sense and clear rules matter, particularly in workplaces built on privacy and trust.

The proposed ban on

smartphones for under-16s rolls on, with Labour watching Australia to see how it works. There is always a temptation for government to control behaviour rather than fix the bigger problems. Liz Kendall has even floated the idea of night-time curfews for under-16s. So here we are: lessons in schools on brushing teeth, wiping bottoms, curfews, and a return to brick phones. Well done, Labour. Who needs parents any more?

Water, water everywhere, and not a drop to drink: 30,000 residents in Kent and Sussex found that out after years of poor maintenance led to a loss of supply for days. Hundreds of thousands of bottles had to be brought in, and the public just had to get on with it.

And finally, the latest storm, which reportedly began near Malta, has been named “Storm Harry”. A particularly nasty bit of drizzle.

Rates shock fears reach the Senedd as 100+ west Wales firms back Kurtz briefing

BUSINESS rates fears in west Wales reached the Senedd this week after Samuel Kurtz MS warned that hospitality and tourism firms could face “irreversible damage” unless ministers rethink the approach to the 2026 revaluation.

During First Minister’s Questions on Tuesday (Jan 20), the Conservative MS said he and Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies would be hosting a business briefing for “over 100 businesses from across west Wales” who were “worried, frustrated and angry” about looming increases.

He told the Senedd one local hotel faced its rates bill rising from “£10,000 to £33,000” — an increase of “230 per cent” — and urged the First Minister to “change course on this immediately, before irreversible damage is done to the hospitality sector”.

The intervention is the clearest sign yet that concern over steep projected increases — particularly among hotels, pubs, restaurants and visitor attractions — is turning into an organised campaign, with businesses swapping draft figures and warning of closures and job losses if the biggest rises go ahead.

Responding, First Minister Eluned Morgan defended the Welsh Government’s record of support for the sector.

She said: “It is wrong to claim that we have not supported hospitality. We have spent over £1 billion since 2020 on business rate support for retail, leisure and hospitality.”

She added: “After April, at least half of pubs will get help with rates and a quarter will pay no rates at all.”

The First Minister also signalled that she could not commit to matching decisions made in England until the Welsh Government had full detail of what was being offered there and what funding consequentials might follow for Wales.

PEMBROKESHIRE CONCERNS FED INTO WIDER BACKLASH

In Pembrokeshire, the issue first gained traction after county councillor Huw Murphy raised alarm about the scale of increases some firms were seeing in draft figures ahead of April 2026.

Since then, local businesses have reported proposed rises well into three figures in percentage terms — often in areas where footfall and seasonal trade are already fragile — with owners warning that higher overheads will squeeze budgets for staffing, maintenance and investment.

While some premises are expected to benefit from reductions, the sharpest

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increases appear concentrated in parts of the visitor economy, where rateable values can rise quickly in line with market evidence and local demand.

Mr Kurtz’s briefing is expected to focus on how the new figures are calculated, what scope there is for appeals, and what further relief—if any—might be needed for firms facing the largest jumps.

With attendance already said to be over 100, the meeting is also likely to act as a barometer of how far concern has spread across west Wales—and whether pressure will build on ministers to revisit support for hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses ahead of April.

The online event, taking place on Monday 26 January 2026 at 10:30am, will bring together key organisations involved in business rates and the local economy, including the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), UK Hospitality, the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), PASC, Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).

The forum is designed to help businesses better understand how business rates are calculated, how recent changes to rateable values

may affect their bills, what reliefs may be available, and how to check and challenge valuations where appropriate.

For many firms, the rates issue is landing alongside wider cost pressures, with business groups warning that even a small number of forced closures could ripple outward—reducing local employment, weakening town centres and undermining the rural tourism offer.

Commenting on the strong response, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “The fact that more than 100 businesses have signed up shows just how much concern there is locally about business rates. By bringing together the VOA, industry bodies and the local authority, businesses will be able to get clear, reliable information directly from those involved in the system.”

Businesses from across retail, hospitality, services and the rural economy have registered, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of business rates on the local area.

“Too many businesses only discover there is an issue when their bill arrives,” Samuel Kurtz MS added. “This forum is about helping businesses check their rateable value early, understand what support is available, and take action if something does not look right.”

Paul Davies MS said: “Business

rates continue to place real pressure on shops, pubs, hospitality venues, tourism businesses and small employers across Pembrokeshire and the wider region. This online forum is a practical step to help businesses better understand the system and ensure they are not paying more than they should. It also underlines the importance of reforming business rates so they are fair, transparent and do not hold back local growth.”

WHAT IS THE 2026 REVALUATION?

NON-domestic rates are calculated using a property’s “rateable value”, which is reassessed periodically in a revaluation.

The new values linked to the 2026 revaluation are due to take effect from April 2026, meaning some businesses will see bills rise while others fall.

If a business believes its valuation is inaccurate, it can challenge it through the Valuation Office Agency process, but firms are being urged to act early and gather evidence—such as comparable rents, trading impacts and property details—before formal deadlines.

Reliefs can also apply, including small business relief and sector-specific support, depending on the size and type of premises.

Welsh seabird strategy published as ministers warn of threats to colonies

DEPUTY First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies has announced the publication of a Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy, setting out an evidence-based plan to protect Wales’ internationally important seabird populations — including major colonies off the Pembrokeshire coast.

In a written statement issued on Monday (Jan 19), the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs said Wales’ diverse coastal habitats, cliffs and islands support breeding seabirds of global significance.

He highlighted Skomer and Skokholm Islands as among the most important seabird sites in Wales, supporting the world’s largest breeding population of Manx shearwater — estimated at around 450,000 pairs — alongside Wales’ largest colony of Atlantic puffins.

Further offshore, Grassholm Island was described as home to one of the largest Northern gannet colonies in the world.

The Deputy First Minister said pressures on seabird populations have built up over many years, including changes to prey availability and the loss of suitable habitat, with impacts compounded by the climate crisis.

He said colonies are becoming less resilient, pointing to the “severe” effects of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in 2022.

The virus significantly affected key tern and gull colonies and hit Grassholm particularly hard, with breeding pairs believed to have declined by around 50%, the statement said.

Mr Irranca-Davies said he commissioned the strategy in response to these challenges, to provide a longterm framework for protecting Wales’ seabirds.

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The strategy covers 29 seabird species found in Wales, including resident birds, overwintering species and breeding colonies. It says seabirds need access to suitable foraging grounds and nesting habitats at every stage of their lifecycle.

Its evidence base includes vulnerability assessments which consider how sensitive a species is to a particular pressure and how exposed it is to that pressure. More than 20 pressures were assessed using expert judgement and the best available evidence, the Welsh Government said.

Five main pressures were identified as having the greatest impact on seabird recovery and resilience in Wales:

• Introduction or spread of invasive non-native species

• Visual disturbance

• Introduction of microbial pathogens

• Reduction in the availability, extent or quality of supporting habitat

• Uncontrolled increase of native competitor or predatory species

The Deputy First Minister said the strategy sets out targeted recommendations and actions to address these priorities, adding that the work had been developed collaboratively with partners including Natural Resources Wales, the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the RSPB.

He thanked those involved and said the Welsh Government would continue to review the evidence base and update recommendations as new data emerges.

Bishops urge Senedd to block assisted suicide consent vote

CATHOLIC bishops in Wales have called on Members of the Senedd to withhold consent for Westminster’s assisted suicide legislation, ahead of a debate and vote expected next week.

In a joint statement issued on Monday (Jan 19), Archbishop Mark O’Toole of Cardiff-Menevia and Bishop Peter Brignall of Wrexham said they were “deeply concerned” about the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.

On Tuesday (Jan 27), Senedd Members are expected to be asked whether Wales should give legislative consent for the bill. This is the process used when UK legislation touches on devolved matters, including areas linked to health and the delivery of public services.

The bishops said that, if enacted, the bill would legalise assisted suicide and represent what they described as a “profound change” in how society responds to people who are terminally ill.

They warned that vulnerable people could be placed at greater risk, arguing that in countries where assisted suicide has been legalised, eligibility criteria have tended to widen over time, the number of deaths has increased, and some people may feel subtle pressure to end their lives, particularly those who are elderly, disabled, or anxious about becoming a burden.

Calling on Wales’ “long and proud tradition of compassion,” the bishops said true compassion did not mean ending a life, but supporting those who suffer, easing pain, and ensuring no one feels abandoned or without worth.

They urged politicians to focus instead on strengthening palliative and end-of-life care, saying every person should be able to live their final days with dignity, comfort and peace.

Supporters of assisted dying argue that the law would give mentally competent adults with a terminal diagnosis greater choice at the end of life, and say that any system introduced should include strict safeguards to prevent coercion or abuse. They also say the debate should include the experiences of patients and families facing the realities of prolonged and distressing deaths.

The bishops’ intervention comes as assisted dying continues to prompt strong views across the UK, with campaigners, faith groups, medical professionals and disability rights advocates raising questions about safeguards, potential unintended consequences, and the resourcing of palliative care.

As the Senedd vote approaches, Archbishop O’Toole and Bishop Brignall have invited people across Wales to “pray and reflect carefully” on the issue.

They are also encouraging those who can to observe a day of fasting on Monday (Jan 26), the eve of the debate, in solidarity with those they believe would be most vulnerable if the bill becomes law, and to urge those supporting it to reconsider.

The bishops ended by calling on the public to engage respectfully with their elected representatives ahead of what they described as an important decision for Wales.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

First Minister urges Kier Starmer to stand firm over Trump tariff threats

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has urged the Prime Minister to “stand firm” in the face of threats by Donald Trump to impose higher tariffs unless the UK backs his stated desire to purchase Greenland.

In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, First Minister Eluned Morgan said Wales could be hit particularly hard by any additional tariffs because of the scale and make-up of Welsh exports to the United States.

Welsh goods exports to the US, excluding oil products, were valued at £2.1bn in the year ending September 2025. The Welsh Government said more than 1,000 Welsh businesses, around a third of Wales’ exporters, send goods to the US.

It added that Wales’ exports to the US are made up of a higher proportion of goods than the rest of the UK. It said 59% of Welsh exports to the US are goods, compared to 32% for the UK overall.

Eluned Morgan said: “People across Wales are already struggling with the cost of living – increased tariffs will only put further pressure on Welsh businesses.

“I have written to Sir Keir Starmer setting out that Wales could be disproportionately affected by additional tariffs, which would be a challenge for many Welsh businesses.

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“Threatening the use of tariffs is an unacceptable and aggressive act from a country we consider a friend and ally. Welsh jobs are on the line and as First Minister I will defend

them to the hilt.

“I recognise the importance of the US to the Welsh economy – there are around 330 US-based companies in Wales, employing just over 40,000 people. But there comes a point where principle must be respected. It is the people of Greenland and Denmark

who should be determining the future of the island, and international law must be upheld.

“We cannot continue to be threatened with more tariffs by Donald Trump. At this critical moment, we must stand by our allies and the values we hold dear.”

Planning bid for Moylegrove ‘Adventure Hub’ withdrawn

PLANS for a proposed “Adventure Hub” at Moylegrove have been pulled after the applicant formally withdrew the scheme.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority has confirmed that planning application NP/24/1098/FUL has now been withdrawn, meaning it will not be determined and will not go before the Authority’s Development Management Committee.

In an update issued this week, the National Park Authority said it will take no further action on the case, and the planning file will be amended to reflect the withdrawal.

The applicant has indicated they may return with a revised or alternative proposal for the site at a later date, which would incorporate the existing building. Any future submission would be treated as an entirely new planning application, processed in the usual way, and would trigger a fresh round of consultation.

The Authority thanked residents and stakeholders who took part in the planning process.

Nature in Wales ‘in steep decline

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES has issued a stark warning about the state of the nation’s wildlife and landscapes after publishing the first full Wales-wide assessment of the conservation status of key habitats and species.

The report, released under embargo at 12:01am on Thursday (Jan 22), brings together evidence on habitats and non-bird species of international importance, alongside assessments for all birds in Wales. NRW said it provides the clearest national picture yet of how species and habitats are faring, the pressures driving decline, and what measures are most likely to support recovery.

The findings are intended to act as a baseline for efforts to halt biodiversity loss and will feed into Wales’ next State of Natural Resources Report (SoNaRR), which NRW said is due to be published on Thursday (Jan 29).

The assessment makes sobering reading.

Of the 61 habitats assessed, only two were found to be in favourable condition across Wales as a whole. Nearly 80% were classed as “unfavourable-bad”, underlining what NRW described as the scale of the challenge facing nature recovery in Wales.

Among 53 non-bird species, just 14 were assessed as being in favourable condition, while 16 were found to be in serious decline. NRW said these include Atlantic salmon, which has suffered steep falls in numbers in recent years.

For marine species — excluding seabirds — the report found only four

NRW also said several species have been successfully restored through reintroduction programmes and habitat management, including fen orchid, shore dock, natterjack toad and sand lizard. Work is also underway on freshwater pearl mussel recovery.

Other initiatives highlighted include the £26.6m Welsh Governmentfunded Nature Networks programme, aimed at improving and connecting habitats across Wales, and the Natur am Byth species recovery programme, described as a major partnership effort focused on preventing extinctions while engaging communities.

Mary Lewis, Head of Natural Resource Management Policy at NRW, said the report offers both a warning and a roadmap.

“This report paints a sobering picture of nature in Wales,” she said. “The scale of decline is concerning, but we cannot afford to see it as inevitable.

work, and to help others target theirs.”

She added that NRW is already working with a wide range of partners — including farmers, land managers, local authorities, communities, organisations and government — to restore habitats, improve river health, and support nature-friendly farming through the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

Lewis said the report will also help guide priorities linked to Wales’ commitment to protect and effectively manage 30% of land and sea by 2030.

“This baseline, taken together with the evidence highlighted in our SoNaRR report will guide our future priorities, and ensure that Wales’ response to the nature and climate emergencies is grounded in robust evidence,” she said.

“By acting together now, we can secure a nature-rich, climate-resilient Wales that supports the wellbeing of current and future generations.”

were in favourable condition, while the conservation status of others remains poorly understood due to gaps in evidence.

The report also highlights steep declines in 16 species, including the Marsh fritillary butterfly and rare plants such as the fen orchid. But NRW said the overall picture is not entirely bleak, pointing to some bird species that have increased significantly in Wales over the past two decades, including the Atlantic puffin.

NRW said pressures vary between habitats and species, but the main drivers of decline include agriculture, climate change, pollution and urban development. It also highlights disease impacts on birds and water-related pressures affecting fish — factors which can combine and compound one another.

The assessment draws on evidence from long-running monitoring programmes, independent research and citizen science. It examines range, population trends, habitat condition and long-term prospects, alongside the pressures continuing to drive losses.

NRW said the complexity of the threats means solutions must be joinedup, long-term and delivered collectively — not as isolated projects — but argued that nature can recover where action is targeted and sustained.

It pointed to partnership work already underway, including peatland restoration and carbon protection, and programmes aimed at reversing bird declines, including the Wales Curlew Action Plan and the Welsh Seabird Conservation Strategy.

“What this assessment gives us is clarity: clarity on where nature is under the greatest pressure, and clarity on what needs to be done. It provides the evidence base we need to target our

NRW said the data and learning from the assessment is already being used to shape its forthcoming State of Natural Resources Report, due to be launched next week on Thursday (Jan 29).

The National Botanic Garden of Wales Antiques Fair and Vintage Market features Nostalgic vintage toys

Exciting news that the much loved National Botanic Garden of Wales Antiques Fair and Vintage market is returning to the Gardens Sa328HN on Saturday 7 th and Sunday 8th February with the same quality antiques, vintage and retro to be discovered at this popular fair.

The fairs uniqueness is down to its stunning setting. The wonderful array of the rare plants housed in the Glasshouse , make a perfect natural setting and backdrop, to the stands displaying in the World famous Glasshouse . The setting is both eye catching and memorable.

So fans of classic antiques and vintage should make their way to the various Garden venues – including the Great Glasshouse - for displays of Welsh art and pottery, quality jewellery and outstanding militaria collections.Step next door to Principality House which is now known as Ty Melyn and discover displays of quality Welsh textiles,a superb array of books, jewellery , silver and militaria, plus artwork and vintage delights.

The recently transformed Theatre Botanica will be exhibiting old favourites such as silverware and collection of Moorcroft, Lorna Bailey, Beswick and Doulton , art and treen plus collections of quality welsh furniture and textiles and quality jewellery.There will be folk art, stick chairs and French brocante. The Gallery room is also a welcome addition and will be show casing Welsh furniture and textiles and French brocante and some beautifully curated stands. The Apothecary will also be used as a go to venue , for some more vintage , militaria and ephemera Millennium Courtyard will be filled with a Vintage market , housing smaller marquees displaying vintage toys,clothing, retro and upcycled furniture .

Nostalgia often leads many people to seek out a cherished toy from their childhood and as a result ,vintage toys have been an area of collecting that has seen an increasingly popular market. We want that doll or teddy we use to cuddle, back in our arms or that model car that use to give us endless pleasure or the chopper bike that was green envy of the street. I have fond memories of being fascinated

by my older brother’s mechanical steam engine that would whir and puff out steam. I would stand mesmerised by the its moving parts and how it would suddenly come to life. I was lucky to recently acquire a similar steam roller manufactured by Mamod in the early 60’s . It will be taking pride of place at the fair.

This Mamod steam roller is a classic model from the renowned British manufacturer, Mamod.

Mamod steam roller engines were classic British live steam toys, powered by heating water with fuel (originally methylated spirits, later solid tablets or gel) to create steam, which drives a piston and cylinder, mimicking real steam rollers with forward/reverse motion and realistic sounds, though the company ceased production in 2024 due to rising costs and fuel regulations, making older models collectible. Key models like the SR1Aand TE1A feature metal construction, steering, and a belt-driven flywheel, requiring water and fuel under adult supervision.

Mamod was a toy manufacturer that was based in Britain that specialized in producing live steamModels.

The Mamod company was founded in Birmingham in 1937 by Geoffrey Malins.

The name “Mamod” is a combination of “Malins Models.” Initially, the company manufactured stationary steam engines, which were originally sold under the ‘Hobbies’ brand.

Between the end of World War One until around 1934/35, Hobbies Ltd. were selling steam engines made by Geoffrey Bowman, along with a range of HobbiesBowman boats. When the business failed to make as much money as Bowman had hoped,he decided to branch out into other engineering interests. Hobbies needed another source of supply, and struck up an agreement with anotherengineer called Geoffrey Malins, who had a background in marine engineering, and was already supplying the company with brass propellers.

Malins had had a variety of engineering

jobs, (like Bowman) enjoyed being selfemployed, and had set up a workshop in his garden shed and started somewhat ambitiously calling his business G.M. Patents Co.

After a meeting at the 1935 British Industries Fair, Malins was commissioned to produce small engines for Hobbies broadly similar to their previous “Bowman”produced range, manufacturing the stationary steam engines SE.1, SE.2, SE.3 and SE.4, and a marine engine for fitting to boats, the ME.1.

All of the new Malins stationary engines had Meccano-style bases. Understanding that there was also a significant market for selling the engines direct rather than just through Hobbies, Malins renamed the company Malins (Engineering) Ltd. ... which was less catchy, but left the door open for other possible manufacturing projects. Subsequently, Malins introduced the brand name Mamod.

Over time, Mamod expanded its range to include models of road rollers,

traction engines, steam wagons, steam locomotives and other steam-powered road vehicles. These models were primarily intended for the toy market and were designed to be user-friendly and operate at low boiler pressures for safety, although they were not precise scale models.

In the 1960s Meccano Ltd decided that they wanted to once again offer a stationary steam engine for powering Meccano models themselves, and contracted Mamod to make their new, unimaginatively-titled Meccano Steam Engine between 1965 and 1979. Mamod also started selling an updated solid-fuelburning version, the SP 3.

Mamod engines are now fired with safe, convenient Mamod solid fuel. All are fitted with a safety valve and are supplied with a safety valve and are supplied complete with filler funnel, fuel, (except in certain export countries), burner tray and full operating instructions. Boiler and steam fittings are all made from high quality brass and copper.

Sadly the Mamod company ceased trading in2024. However there is a keen collectors market for these models and there is a site where you can even purchase spare parts . The Mamod steam engine will be one of many vintage toys on display at the fair , from Steiff bears to die cast cars, to clockwork toys and dolls.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales fair has had a reputation for showcasing Welsh areas of collecting including Welsh pottery, welsh blankets,Welsh art and furniture. Again not to disappoint , there will be an amazing display of period Welsh oak furniture . From Welsh child’s chairs,milking stools to much larger pieces including dressers and cupboards. Richard Bebb’s collection of Welsh artists is impressive and a stand not to be missed.

The weekend of antiques, is set to be a busy one .The success of the fair has

been mainly down to the diversity and quality of the antiques on display in the splendid setting of the Garden.

A well known local potter from Carmarthen will be returning to the National Botanic Garden of Wales Antiques Fair with his stunning collection. He is renowned for his colourful and beautifully glazed pottery and exhibits all over the country.Jonathan trained in Stoke-on -Trent and after graduating in 1983 received a commission to design some work for the famous and highly collected Moorcroft. After establishing his ceramic career in the Potteries, he moved down to Carmarthen in South Wales in 1996 setting up a studio near the village of Peniel. Tubelining and lustreware on a floral theme has always been a feature of Jonathan’s work but he has also been busy developing his own glazes to produce the dramatic lustre effects that are a characteristic of his work. Jonathan’s ceramics can be seen in galleries and high end shows as well as on his website. Yo will find his display in the Gallery room near the shop.

The fair also has a rich cross section of antiques and vintage on display, from jewellery,watches, buttons ,books and silver , including ephemera, militaria and vintage clothes and accessories. There will also be collections of art glass and up cycled and pre loved furniture, plus interior design pieces including French brocante. I’m sure visitors will not be disappointed with the selection on offer at this popular fair.

Nestling into the Carmarthenshire countryside ,on the outskirts of Carmarthen and just 15 minutes away from the end of the M4, it’s conveniently situated.

The fair opens at 10am and closes at 4.00pm

Admission is £12 for a weekend ticket allowing you to enjoy 2 full days at the Antiques fair , plus a further 5 days admission to the Garden. The tickets last

for 7 days which is very good value.

*You can now buy your tickets on line from the NBGW website ahead of the fair and you then will be fast tracked through the entrance.*

Dogs are now welcome over the

Antiques weekend except in the Glass House.

For more information contact Derwen Fairs 07790293367 or follow on FB,Twitter and Instagram

Pembrokeshire asked to shape new walking, wheeling and cycling routes

by Data Map Wales, where users can view proposed future routes and existing routes and leave comments. The online consultation can be found at: https://datamap.gov.wales/ survey/Pembrokeshire-AT-survey/ Drop-in sessions have also been arranged for people unable to access the online material, with council representatives attending to answer questions.

THE SESSIONS ARE:

Thursday (Feb 5)

Pembroke Dock Library, 10:00am to 1:00pm

Pembroke Town Council, 2:30pm to 5:30pm

Tuesday (Feb 11) Ocean Lab Café, Goodwick, 10:00am to 1:00pm Fishguard Library, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Monday (Feb 24) Neyland Library, 10:00am to 1:00pm Johnston Baptist Church, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are being invited to have their say on where new walking, wheeling and cycling routes should be created or improved, as the county council updates its Active Travel Network Map.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s public consultation opens on Monday (Jan 26) and runs until Monday (Apr 20).

The map is intended to help identify where infrastructure improvements are needed to make everyday journeys safer and easier, including for people who use mobility aids or who are new to walking, wheeling or cycling.

A wooden post with a sign on it, in Pembrokeshire

The council says the work forms part of the Active Travel (Wales) Act, which requires local authorities to plan and map suitable active travel routes.

The consultation focuses on the county’s designated localities, which include Fishguard and Goodwick, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Haverfordwest, Neyland, Milford Haven, Johnston, Narberth and St Dogmaels.

People can take part online using an interactive mapping tool hosted

Wednesday (Feb 26) Narberth Library, 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Thursday (Mar 5) Tenby Town Council, 9:30am to 12:30pm The Regency Hall, Saundersfoot, 1:30pm to 5:30pm

Wednesday (Mar 18) St Dogmaels Memorial Hall, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Wednesday (Mar 25) Milford Haven Library, 10:00am to 1:00pm

Thursday (Mar 26) HaverHub, Haverfordwest, 2:00pm to 6:00pm

Paper copies of plans are available on request, although the council says hard-copy plans can only be provided for specific areas due to the extent of the consultation.

Residents who need alternative formats such as large print, easyread, Braille, audio or another language have been asked to contact the council.

For more information, email: transportstrategy@pembrokeshire. gov.uk or call 01437 775182.

Tom Sinclair editor@herald.email

The littlest yak heads to Milford Haven this half term

A FAMILY theatre production nominated for four OffWestEnd Awards is set to visit Milford Haven this half term when The Littlest Yak comes to the Torch Theatre.

Presented by LAStheatre, the show is a musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book and is aimed at audiences aged three and over. It combines puppetry, original songs and live performance to tell a story about confidence, growing up and self-acceptance.

The story follows Gertie, a young yak who is proud of her curly wool and sure-footed hooves but frustrated at being the smallest in the herd. Keen to grow up and be like the big yaks, Gertie soon learns that there are some things only she can do, in a message designed to encourage children to value their own strengths.

The production has received strong audience feedback during its UK tour, with reviewers praising the puppetry, music and visual design, as well as its appeal to both children and adults.

The Littlest Yak is produced by Liz Bate and performed by a cast including Megan Ashley, Isobel Horner, Charlie Limm and Eloise Richardson. The creative team includes writer and director Barra Collins, composer Joseph Hardy and designer Alison Alexander, who created the set,

costumes and puppets.

The show is based on the book by children’s author Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley.

The Littlest Yak will be staged at the Torch Theatre on Saturday, February 21, with performances at 12.30pm and 3.00pm.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £12.50 for children. Further information is available via the Torch Theatre website or by contacting the box office on (01646) 695267.

gaming

Dynasty Warriors: Origins on Nintendo Switch 2 feels like a confident and ambitious evolution of the long-running franchise, delivering the familiar thrill of mowing through enemy forces while making a genuine effort to deepen immersion and scale. From the opening moments, the game places a strong emphasis on making battles feel like living, breathing conflicts rather than isolated skirmishes, with enormous numbers of soldiers colliding across sprawling fields, mountain passes and fortified cities. The sheer density of troops on screen creates a constant sense of momentum and pressure, making it easy to feel like a key participant in a much larger war rather than an unstoppable force acting alone. Combat remains instantly accessible, but it carries more impact than before, with attacks feeling heavier, animations more deliberate and weapons clearly differentiated in both speed and reach. Stringing together combos is still immensely satisfying, yet there is now a stronger incentive to read the flow of battle, decide where to push forward and

when to fall back, and support allied officers before they are overwhelmed.

This heightened sense of strategy is reinforced by objectives that evolve during missions, encouraging players to react to sudden enemy advances or defend crucial positions instead of simply rushing from one objective marker to the next. The narrative benefits from a more focused approach, following a single original protagonist through major events of the Three Kingdoms era, which helps create a clearer emotional throughline and makes the political turmoil and shifting alliances easier to follow. While some dialogue and voice performances can feel inconsistent, the overall storytelling has more weight and coherence than many previous entries, lending greater significance to victories and defeats alike. Technically, the Switch 2 version is an impressive showcase of what the hardware can handle, opting for a stable 30 frames per second to preserve the scale and visual richness of

the battlefield. This decision pays off, as the game maintains clarity even during the most chaotic clashes, and the experience remains smooth and readable in both docked and handheld play. Lighting, particle effects and environmental detail combine to give battles a cinematic flair, with siege weapons crashing into walls and special attacks cutting dramatic arcs through dense enemy formations.

There are still rough edges that hold it back from perfection, particularly in some of the larger maps, which can feel unwieldy and occasionally difficult to navigate, especially when multiple objectives demand attention at once. Longtime fans may also notice that the starting roster is more restrained than in past games, potentially limiting variety early on, though this is partially offset by additional content that expands both characters and play styles. The absence of robust online modes at launch also feels like a missed opportunity, leaving the experience firmly rooted as a solo journey through its historical conflicts. Even with these shortcomings, Dynasty Warriors: Origins succeeds in refreshing the Musou formula without abandoning what makes it appealing, striking a strong balance between spectacle and substance. On Switch 2 in particular, it delivers a rare blend of portability and epic scale, making it one of the most compelling ways yet to experience the grand chaos of the Three Kingdoms on a Nintendo platform.

wiTh eddie The game guru

CliCk to

Mercy arrives with the quiet confidence of a film that knows restraint can be more powerful than spectacle, and it uses that confidence to draw the audience into a tense, emotionally charged experience. From its opening moments, the film — led by Chris Pratt as Detective Chris Raven and Rebecca Ferguson as the chilling AI judge Maddox — establishes a moody atmosphere where every glance, pause, and line of dialogue feels deliberate. Supporting performances from Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, and Kylie Rogers add depth to the ensemble, grounding the high-concept scifi premise in believable human emotion.

Rather than rushing to explain itself, Mercy invites the viewer to sit with uncertainty, allowing

the story’s moral questions to unfold gradually and with increasing weight. At its core, the film is less concerned with conventional plot mechanics and more focused on the consequences of choice and the nature of justice in a future where an AI system decides guilt and punishment. This ambiguity becomes one of the film’s greatest strengths, encouraging reflection long after the credits roll. The pacing is measured but purposeful, building tension not through constant action, but through an accumulation of small, unsettling moments that steadily tighten their grip.

The performances elevate the material considerably, with Pratt’s desperation and urgency counterbalanced by Ferguson’s unsettlingly composed presence as a non-human arbiter of fate.

Subtle shifts in expression and tone communicate just as much as the dialogue, creating characters that feel lived-in rather than constructed for the sake of the story. This emotional authenticity makes the film’s darker turns more impactful, as the audience is fully invested in the internal struggles playing out on screen.

Visually, Mercy leans into a restrained aesthetic that complements its themes, using shadow, silence, and carefully composed frames to reinforce the sense of moral tension. The direction avoids unnecessary flourish, trusting the story and performances to carry the film forward. This approach gives Mercy a quiet intensity that sets it apart from more overtly dramatic releases.

Ultimately, Mercy is a thoughtful and unsettling film that prioritizes emotional resonance over easy resolution. It challenges viewers to question where empathy ends and responsibility begins, offering a cinematic experience that is as reflective as it is gripping. Rather than seeking to overwhelm, it lingers, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease and a reminder that mercy, in its truest form, is rarely simple.

Tech and Taff

Tech n Taff: Bezos blasts for broadband, and Barrie’s got questions

Now then, butt. Pull up a chair, pop the kettle on, and let Professor Barrie Davies explain why space is suddenly lookin’ like the M4 at rush hour — packed, noisy, and full of billionaires overtakin’ each other with their indicators firmly switched off.

So. Jeff “I’ve got a rocket for that” Bezos and his lot at Blue Origin have announced they’re launching more than 5,400 satellites into orbit to build a global communications network called TeraWave. The pitch? Always-on internet coverage worldwide, aimed not at you and me scrollin’ Facebook in the lounge, but at the big boys: data centres, businesses, and governments.

And here’s the bit they’re proud as punch about: Blue Origin says TeraWave could shift data at up to six terabits per second at its fastest. Six. Terabits. Now, I’m a simple Welsh professor — I like my numbers like I like my cawl: big and steaming — but that’s a properly chunky claim. If they can actually deliver it, it’s less “broadband” and more “beam me the entire internet, mun”.

STARLINK’S STILL THE BIG DRAGON

Now, before anyone in Pembrokeshire starts askin’ whether it’ll fix the Wi-Fi in the back bedroom, hold your horses. Even with 5,400 satellites, TeraWave would still be smaller than Elon Musk’s Starlink, which already has thousands up there and currently dominates the satellite internet market.

Starlink, mind, is very much about selling to normal people too — internet to homes, phones, vans, boats, you name it. Blue Origin’s saying, “No no, we’re not playin’ in that sandpit, we’re building a castle for corporations.” Which is a fancy way of sayin’: this is about big contracts, big pipes, and very big money.

HERE’S WHERE IT GETS DELICIOUSLY AWKWARD

Because Bezos isn’t just Bezos of rockets. He’s also Bezos of Amazon, and Amazon is already building its own satellite network — which is the sort of family dinner conversation you wouldn’t pay to sit through.

Amazon’s satellite venture (they’re calling it Leo in the copy you’ve got there) already has around 180 satellites in orbit and plans to get to over 3,000. And Amazon’s pitch is more like Starlink’s: global high-speed internet access for the general public.

So you’ve got Bezos with one company going: “We’re doing business and governments.”

And Bezos with another company going: “We’re doing everyone.”

And me, sat here in Cardiff, going: “How many satellites does one man need, like?”

It’s like opening two chippies on the

same street and insisting they’re not competing because one sells curry sauce and the other sells gravy.

When’s it happening then, professor?

Blue Origin says it’ll start launching TeraWave satellites by the end of 2027. That’s the plan. And plans in space have a habit of slipping, like a wet flip-flop on the sea front in Tenby.

They have had some momentum, mind. They managed a big milestone recently by landing a rocket booster on a floating platform — the sort of thing SpaceX made famous. That’s not small potatoes; that’s a proper step towards making launches cheaper and more repeatable, which is the only way you get thousands of satellites up without bankrupting yourself.

AND THE CELEBRITY ROCKET JOLLY?

Now, you’ll have seen the headlines about Blue Origin’s brief space flight with an all-female crew, including Lauren Sánchez (Bezos’ wife), Katy Perry, and Gayle King. Some people loved it, some people called it tone-deaf, and me? I’m just wonderin’ if they got a decent view of Wales from up there. If not, what’s the point, like?

BARRIE’S TAkEAwAy, mUN

Here’s the truth of it. Satellite internet is no longer just “help the countryside get online”. It’s become the infrastructure arms race of the modern age — the invisible wiring behind defence, disaster response, global business, cloud computing, and whatever madness AI companies are planning next.

TeraWave looks like Blue Origin’s attempt to muscle into that world — not by copying Starlink exactly, but by going after the clients with the biggest chequebooks and the biggest data needs.

Will it work? Maybe.

Will it be cheaper, faster, better? We’ll see, butt.

Will the sky keep filling up with satellites until it looks like you can’t see the stars for the spreadsheets? That one I’d put money on.

And in the meantime, if any of these lads fancy launching a few satellites dedicated solely to improving signal between Milford Haven and the back lanes of Pembrokeshire… I’ve got a spare parking space and a very persuasive email address.

Loungers to open in Tenby’s South Beach this March

UK-WIDE hospitality company Loungers plc is planning to open a new beachfront venue in Tenby, with the promise of 30 jobs created, in just over two months’ time.

The West Country-based café/ bar group gearing up to open Lansio Lounge at Tenby’s South Beach on Wednesday March 25.

Loungers, founded in 2002, runs family-friendly Lounge café bars across the UK – including the Cofio Lounge at the Guildhall, Carmarthen, and the Waldo Lounge at Haverfordwest’s Riverside.

The Loungers build and design team will transform the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant on Water’s Edge, South Beach in their unmistakable and unique style, Loungers has said.

Loungers added: “A real home from home, Lansio Lounge will cater for all tastes throughout the day with a varied and innovative all-day menu. Particular attention will be paid to families with a selection of games, books, colouring pencils, and pads on offer. A full menu, high chairs and baby-changing facilities are also available for Little Loungers.

“With community and neighbourhood at its heart, Lansio Lounge will welcome locals looking for a space for regular catch ups, meetings and events –everything from business networking, book or knitting clubs to parent and baby meets and life drawing classes.”

community

wait to open the doors of Lansio Lounge in March. We hope our family friendly environment and top-notch food and drink offering will prove popular with local residents and visitors.

“We’re passionate about integrating genuinely into the communities we serve so we’re looking forward to meeting everyone and to playing our part at the heart of Tenby’s food and drink scene. Anyone looking for a space to host events or groups should pop in once we are open, we’d love to hear from them and see what we can do to help.”

Late last week, the Loungers plans for the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant were revealled following an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Loungers signage at Salty’s, which recently closed.

Tenby Town Council is recommending approval for the signage, but the park’s buildings conservation officer Rob Scourfield is recommending refusal for the proposals, in the town’s conservation area, mainly on the grounds illuminated signage is not generally allowed there.

The signage application will be considered at a later date.

Family-run venue Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant announced its closure on social media, confirming that Sunday, January 4 was its final day of trading.

Ellie Gould, regional

manager, The Lounges, says: “We can’t

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms arrives not as a thunderous continuation of the epic fantasy you might expect from the Game of Thrones universe but as something unexpectedly warm, often amusing and refreshingly human. Set about a century before the familiar wars of crowns and dragons, this six-episode tale follows the humble hedge knight Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire Egg as they wander a Westeros that’s rich in character and texture but free of the high-stakes political machinations that defined its predecessors. From its very first moments, the show makes it clear that it is charting its own course,

grounding its story in the everyday grit and humour of life on the road rather than palace intrigue or battlefield spectacle, and this tonal shift is both its most intriguing strength and, at times, its greatest challenge. The chemistry between the leads is instantly engaging; their bond plays out like a quirky, occasionally tender buddy comedy, and watching them navigate the rough-hewn world around them offers genuine emotional beats that are rare in a franchise often defined by brutality and betrayal. This lighter, more character-driven approach has earned praise for offering a surprisingly heartfelt return to Westeros, with critics and audiences alike noting that the series thrives when it

leans into the simple nobility and humility of its protagonists rather than trying to mimic the grandeur of what came before. The show’s humour and grounded perspective make it feel like a breath of fresh air, and its willingness to embrace the mundane—warts and all—adds a texture of authenticity to the medieval world. Yet this tonal pivot won’t be to everyone’s taste; where some see charm and novelty, others might find the lack of sweeping drama or larger narrative stakes leaves the early episodes feeling too slight or slow, and the occasional crude joke and lowbrow humour have been points of contention among viewers expecting a more serious fantasy epic. Visually and thematically, the series paints a vibrant tapestry that reflects an ordinary man’s quiet struggle for honour and belonging, and while it deliberately avoids the dark grandeur of its Game of Thrones forerunners, it nonetheless delivers its own kind of richness in the interplay of friendship, aspiration and the everyday hardships of a world that is as muddy and unpredictable as the hearts of the people within it. The result is a show that doesn’t just expand the franchise but reshapes our expectations of what a story in this universe can be, inviting us to laugh, groan, and genuinely care about characters forged far from thrones and dragons.

HOROSCOPES

something soulful and sustainable. Efforts behind the scenes pay off now, so move quietly but purposefully.

CANCER

With Mars in Capricorn harmonising with Neptune in Pisces, your relationships get an ethereal yet practical boost. Whether it’s love, business or creative collaboration, you’ll sync with people who share your vision and drive. This isn’t just about chemistry – it’s about building something meaningful together. You’ll feel motivated to take bold steps, especially if they involve growth, travel or a shared dream.

LEO Today’s mystical line-up helps you channel your fire into something deeply productive and surprisingly soulful. You’re not in the spotlight – instead, you’re making quiet, focused moves that lead to powerful progress, especially in work, wellness or financial matters. A gut feeling could guide you towards a smarter routine, a healing decision or a subtle win. Trust it.

VIRGO

You may experience a wonderful blend of drive and dreaminess in your love life and creative world. You’re inspired and ready to act. It could be a romantic connection that deepens or a personal project that finally gains momentum – and you know how to make it happen. Partnerships of all kinds can flow especially well now, so collaborate where it truly counts.

LIBRA

Motivation and mindfulness blend beautifully, allowing you to make real progress on home, health or emotional goals. You’re in the mood to get things done, but gently and with purpose. A domestic project, wellness routine or healing conversation could work well now, especially if you trust your intuition as much as your to-do list. Small shifts have soulful impact, so don’t overlook the power of subtle effort.

SCORPIO

Your voice has extra charm and your actions quiet power. This is the perfect time to express yourself through writing, speaking, creating or sending that heartfelt message you’ve been drafting in your head. Discussions lead to progress, ideas land well and your instincts are razor-sharp. A romantic or creative spark could turn into something meaningful if you follow your intuition and speak openly.

SAGITTARIUS

Practical action and soulful intent work beautifully together, especially when it comes to money, home or emotional security. You’re not just chasing dreams now – you’re building them brick by inspired brick. A financial idea or home-related plan could gain traction if you trust both your intuition and the facts. You’re in a sweet spot where motivation meets meaning and your enthusiasm springs from a deep place.

CAPRICORN

With Mars powering towards the exit of your sign but harmonising with mystical Neptune, you’re the perfect blend of action and inspiration right now. Your goals are brave but true to you, and that’s a powerful mix. Whether you’re speaking, writing, teaching or negotiating, your message lands beautifully. Conversations flow, ideas stick and practical plans receive a subtle boost. Trust those inner nudges – they’re full of wisdom.

AQUARIUS

You’re making moves, but in true stealth mode. Your brilliance lies in spiritual work, creative planning or deeply personal goals that don’t need an audience. You can align ambition with deep recent research, and the results

BADGER: PEACE OR ELSE INCORPORATED

“NEARLY all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power,” or so said Abraham Lincoln.

Take Donald Trump, readers. What has power revealed about his character?

On the one hand, you have what is called “the madman theory” of international affairs. In its pure form, the madman theory is a political strategy in which a leader appears irrational, unpredictable, or even insane to intimidate adversaries into making concessions, based on the idea that perceived madness makes extreme threats (like nuclear war) seem credible. Like most political strategies, the theory is not new. It originated during the Cold War. Richard Nixon used it against North Vietnam, while dictators like Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi employed it to menace other nations, extract concessions, and consolidate their power.

On the other hand, you have the Mafia theory. The Mafia theory holds that everything has a price: the victim will pay for protection, and where something can’t be bought, it will be obtained through violence or the threat of it. Donald Trump is well aware of the Mafia theory, or should be. His mentor,

Roy Cohn, represented John Gotti, Tony Salerno, and Carmine Galante (amongst other Mafia figures). Trump learned the power of bribery, fraud, corruption, and fear to get what he wanted. It’s inarguable that he learned his lessons well in those respects.

The same people who spent the last four years arguing that Russian expansionism is not a problem, and that Ukraine being invaded was the fault of the West, are now arguing the US must take Greenland by force to stop… Russian expansionism. At the same time, Trump is planning joint Arctic energy deals with Putin. He is blocking aid that would actually stop Russia in Ukraine. Baldly put, you don’t go into business with an enemy you are trying to contain.

Moreover, Donald Trump’s arguments - well, rants - about the USA needing to own Greenland hold neither water nor merit.

Most foreign policy issues are complex. Greenland isn’t one of them. Let’s have a look at seven points:

Trump claims that the US needs Greenland for its own defence - Golden Dome, radars, and basing.

Bollocks. The United States can do virtually anything it’d like in Greenland, security-wise, without taking possession

of it. The 1951 Greenland Defence Agreement, which was renewed in 2004, allows the United States to build bases there, station troops, and conduct other activities.

Trump claims. Greenland is about to fall into the hands of Russia and China, and the US can’t let that happen.

Bullshit. The US once had 10,000 troops in Greenland; now there are around 200. If there is an imminent threat of Chinese or Russian takeover (and there isn’t), perhaps start by increasing that number.

Trump claims that Russian and Chinese ships are swarming Greenland and the Danes can’t fend them off.

Crap. If Russian and Chinese ships are really menacing the island, the US Navy could sail around it right now en masse. It isn’t because the initial assertion is untrue and unevidenced.

Trump claims that the US needs to own Greenland because “you don’t defend leases.” Even if Denmark allows full access, there’s a difference between owning and renting.

Horse apples. This is the No One Washes a Hire Car theory of international relations. In reality, the United States is committed to defending many allies whose territory it does not own. Trump himself defended Israel just last year. The whole point of alliances is mutual defence of one another’s territory. That doesn’t require seizing it.

Trump claims that the Danes are bad allies, so they should hand over Greenland.

Utter rot and utter rot on stits. Denmark has been a model ally. Not so long ago, Danes fought for America’s defence rather than the other way around. Among 40-plus allies and partners in Afghanistan, Denmark lost the most soldiers as a percentage of its population. Our allies defended the U.S., which, by the way, none of them owns.

Trump appeals to the romantic view of American history by claiming that this is the new Manifest Destiny. Americans are an expansionist, frontier people. Greenland should, one way or the other, join the ever-growing Republic. Where to start with that level of manure-soaked thinking, readers? The post-1945 order is predicated on a prohibition against conquest. Countries don’t acquire the territory of another

without their consent. Iraq doesn’t get Kuwait, Russia can’t have Ukraine, Canada won’t be the 51st state, and the U.S. doesn’t compel Greenland to join. We’ve seen a world before in which conquest abounds. Only the most deranged extremist doom mongers and wishers-for-the-apocalypse want to return to it.

There is a generous view presented by Trump’s supine apologists in the Republican establishment. It runs that Trump’s demand isn’t real, it’s a feint to extract concessions from his allies.

Horse apples. The President’s conduct is, at a minimum, a major distraction from real issues on which the transatlantic allies should focus: Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and China. Prodding allies to distrust the US’s word and intentions is not good policy. Moreover, bullying and bluster will only take you so far. If Donald Trump thinks that threatening his allies, whether militarily or economically, makes him big and powerful, he’s mistaken. What his conduct demonstrates is that no nation can trust a Trump-led or Trumpian administration to stick to an agreement (see the 1951 Agreement and recent trade deals).

In those circumstances, there is nothing to be gained in reaching any agreement with Trump’s administration, not on Greenland or anything else. Any deal made with Donald Trump is a Faustian bargain at best. He can’t be trusted, and you couldn’t hang a cat on the most solemn of his promises to be truthful.

You cannot pander to a bully. Badger knows that some small men with tiny imaginations and tinier underpants get a vicarious thrill from seeing Donald Trump puff himself and act aggressively. Badger wonders at how inadequate they are toworship thuggishness, treachery, and violence.

Consider those in this country who are only too ready to bow down before the US President when he acts like a gangster towards his friends. Badgers’ readers are entitled to speculate how low those people would go to sate the appetites of any other criminal. Which of their children gets to go with the gangster?

If that thought shocks or offends you, then Badger has succeeded in making his point.

By editor toM sinclair

OpiniOn: We are entering a neW era Where egOs hit the many

we are entering a new era, where the egos of the few will hit the pockets and safety of the many.

Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” is being marketed as a bold new mechanism to steady the world. In reality, it resembles a pay to play club for strongmen, billionaires, and headline seekers.

Under the charter being signed today in Davos, permanent membership, complete with influence over agenda, veto rights, and long term standing, requires a contribution of more than $1 billion in the first year. Temporary three year seats come with no such fee. This is diplomacy by subscription. Britain has drawn a firm line.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed this morning on BBC Breakfast that the UK will not be among the signatories, citing “serious legal concerns” about the treaty’s broader implications and deep unease over Vladimir Putin’s potential involvement, especially given no visible Russian commitment to peace in Ukraine. This is not a minor diplomatic absence. It is a warning flare, echoed by France, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and others who have also declined to attend or sign.

Because the bigger story here transcends Trump, Davos, or any single ceremony. The post war international order rested on something fundamental: rules that outlast the moods of individual leaders. Alliances that were genuine, not rented. A conviction that law and shared principles mattered more than personal ambition or applause.

That foundation is now cracking.

Russia seized Crimea in 2014 and launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Western governments responded with sanctions, export controls, financial restrictions, diplomatic isolation, and military support for Kyiv, measures that only hold when allies act in concert and deliver a consistent message: aggression carries lasting consequences.

Now that consistency is faltering. Trump claims Putin has accepted an invitation to join. Putin says Russia is still “studying” it and has floated using frozen Russian assets in the US to cover the $1 billion fee, while tying any participation to broader concessions. The very uncertainty serves Moscow: it opens space for trade offs, backroom deals, hedging by other states, and lobbying by businesses eager to declare a return to “normal.” It transforms the isolation of an aggressor from a principle into a bargaining chip.

This is how alliances fracture, not with a dramatic rupture, but with a slow, steady leak of trust. And once trust leaks, everyone pays the price.

Europe is already being forced into a different reality. When American commitments appear conditional and alliances feel optional, Europeans cannot afford to assume someone else will always hold the line. Governments are spending more on defence, energy resilience, cyber security, undersea cable protection, and supply chain hardening. They call it prudence. For households, from Kidwelly to Warsaw, it translates into higher energy bills, higher taxes, tighter budgets, delayed school repairs, postponed hospital upgrades, and fewer choices overall.

For the man or woman on the street, this is not an abstract foreign policy debate. It is the tangible cost of living in a world where agreements can be rewritten on impulse, where peace becomes a premium brand available to those who can afford the membership fee, and where instability forces societies to divert resources from homes and communities to missiles and fortifications.

We have Trump for another three years. Many Europeans still want America as a partner, but they no longer trust America to be steady. That is not anti American sentiment. It is basic risk management in an unpredictable era.

The lesson is uncomfortable but unmistakable. Peace cannot be a stage managed brand, a photo opportunity club, or a subscription service with a billion dollar entry barrier. It must rest on rules that bind even when the powerful grow bored, angry, or hungry for acclaim.

If we allow ego to supplant law, the many will pay twice: first in their wallets, then in their safety.

Wake up, West M inster – Wales is getting the hu M p

RIGHT then, you lot. Gather round the docks and lend us your ears. Not because I’m about to nick your chips (though I might), but because I’ve been listening to the landlubbers in London and I’m starting to think Westminster’s gone the same way as a dropped pasty in the tide – soggy, clueless, and pretending everything’s fine.

Here’s the squawk of it: if the polls are even half right, by the end of May the biggest parties in three of the UK’s four nations could be the ones who don’t really fancy the UK carrying on as it is.

In Scotland, the SNP is still favourite to top the Holyrood pile. In Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin already sits as the largest party. And in Wales – oh, Wales! – there’s polling suggesting Plaid Cymru could end up the largest party in the Senedd. Not only that, but the Greens are being talked about as a proper force too, which would mean a Senedd with a potential majority of members from parties whose official line includes Welsh independence.

Now, if you were sitting in Westminster with a fancy job title and a taxpayerfunded chair, you might pause and go: “Hmmm… maybe the union isn’t working as well as we keep telling ourselves?” You might even, brace yourselves, do a bit of introspection.

But introspection in Westminster is rarer than a seagull returning a chip it’s already stolen.

What you get instead is a lot of shrugging and a lot of “It’s just protest votes,” or “They’re kicking the establishment,” as if people in Wales are simply having a strop and will calm down once someone in London pats them on the head and promises a new roundabout.

Aye, and there is truth in it: plenty of people who might vote Plaid in May aren’t necessarily voting for independence. Even Plaid’s leader, Rhun ap Iorwerth, has been careful about it – pushing independence to the back of the cupboard while he talks about “higher ambition” and trying to tempt traditional Labour voters over to his side. He’s openly said he doesn’t think Wales is quite at the point where it would win a referendum on independence.

But here’s the bit Westminster keeps missing, like a tourist missing the sign that says “Beware of gulls”.

If voters are willing to roll the dice on parties that have independence as an

end goal – even if independence isn’t their personal end goal – that tells you the frustration is getting serious. People are so fed up with the status quo that they’re willing to flirt with the idea of tipping the whole constitutional tea tray onto the floor.

If you’re a unionist, if you want the UK to carry on, you should be deeply nervous. Because this isn’t just a fringe whisper any more. It’s a growing feeling across multiple nations that the current set-up isn’t delivering – and that nobody in charge is even pretending to fix the wiring.

And why? Because the UK is run like a highly centralised ship where the captain insists the engine room, the galley, and the lifeboats are all “best managed from the bridge” – even when the bridge is miles away and can’t smell the smoke.

Take the House of Commons. Ridiculous arrangement, that. It acts as the parliament for the whole UK, and also

the de facto parliament for England. The Prime Minister effectively doubles up as Prime Minister of England and Prime Minister of the UK. That’s a structural mess, and it creates the sort of constant pull where England’s priorities naturally dominate, not necessarily out of malice, but because the system is built that way.

It’s like letting the biggest gull in the flock decide where everyone eats, and then acting shocked when the smaller gulls start looking at a different beach.

Then there’s funding – and let me tell you, the funding system looks like it was scrawled on the back of a beer mat during last orders. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are tied to spending decisions made primarily for England. Wales has less borrowing power than you’d expect, and ends up setting budgets late because Westminster shifts things around and the knock-on effect comes thundering down the line.

How are you supposed to plan properly like that? How are you supposed to run public services with one hand tied behind your back and the other waiting for a Treasury decision made with England front and centre?

And while that’s bad for Wales, it’s also bad for parts of England too. At least Wales gets funding allocated automatically. Plenty of English regions are forced to scrap and beg for little pots of money, competing with each other like gulls fighting over a single chip outside a chippy on a windy day.

So what’s the answer? Not slogans. Not flag-waving. Not more “bread and butter” talk as if bread and butter problems live in a vacuum.

Because here’s the truth: the constitution shapes the bread and butter. If your house is on fire, you don’t solve it by saying “We’re focusing on the cost of living.” You solve it by getting the right tools to put the fire out.

At the start of 2024, an independent commission on Wales’s constitutional future set out recommendations aimed at strengthening Welsh democracy and protecting devolution – better safeguards so Westminster can’t just swipe powers away on a whim, more flexibility for budget management, and devolution of policing and justice like Scotland has.

That’s the kind of thinking that treats Wales like a grown-up nation in a union, rather than a junior branch office waiting for head office approval.

And if Westminster had any sense, it would look at the current moment and realise this: the best way to secure the future of the UK isn’t to lecture people about how lucky they are to be in it. It’s to make it work – properly – for the people living in all four nations.

But will the UK government have the energy to do a bold rethink? Will it have the brains to redesign a system built on inertia and tradition?

I wouldn’t bet my last chip on it.

So yes, Westminster: wake up. The gulls are circling, the tide is coming in, and the smaller birds are starting to look for a new place to land.Now… anyone leaving their chips unattended, or what?

Advice on keeping tropical fish

FISH are hypnotic; lots of us can spend hours staring into the blue depths of an aquarium without getting bored.

Both engaging and restful, aquariums are often lauded as one of the best stress busting tools around. It’s no coincidence that decorative fish tanks can be found in offices, hotel lobbies and doctor and dental surgery reception areas almost as numerous as they can be found in the home.

If you’ve never kept fish before, the choices and possibilities can appear daunting. Here are some tips on choosing and setting up your first aquarium to guide you along.

Aquarium fish keeping is broadly divided into three categories; coldwater (such as goldfish), tropical (freshwater warm blooded fish) and marine (saltwater warm blooded fish, corals and invertebrates).

The set up process for coldwater and tropical freshwater fish is fairly similar, with the exception of adding a heater to the water for tropical fish; marine fish and all of the associated livestock is in a whole class of it’s own, and best not considered for the first time fish keeper without several months of research and preparation.

The first thing to decide is where in your home your tank will be situated. You’ll probably want it to feature prominently in the room of your choice, but try not to place it too close to a window or radiator, as this may cause problems in regulating the temperature. Aquariums placed in direct sunlight can encourage the fast growth of problem algae, which can choke your fish tank and turn the glass and the water dark green.

When you have picked the perfect spot, measure all of the dimensions of the space, taking into account the need for a plug socket within reach of the tank.

Buying your aquarium and accessories

Then it’s time to go shopping- larger pet stores, aquatic specialists and some garden centres all stock a comprehensive range of equipment to set up your aquarium from start to finish.

A good rule is to look for the largest tank you can afford in terms of space and moneyfish need lots of room, and a

larger tank is actually easier to maintain and manage, as well as more stable in terms of its ecosystem.

As well as the tank and a stand for it, you will also need the several other items at the set up stage; often they can be bought as a complete starter kit with the tank and stand.

If you are buying each item individually, seek advice from knowledgeable staff to make sure the equipment you buy is the right size and type for your tank.

You will need a lid for the

tank; a light and timer for it, and a water filter, often fitted into the lid; a heating element of the right size and power rating for the water; an in- water thermometer, substrate for the bottom of the tank such as fish tank gravel (not the construction kind!) water conditioner, and ornamentation such as rocks, wood or some of the more modern adornments such as castles, shipwrecks and divers.

You will also need a siphon for cleaning the tank, buckets, sponges and scrapers, a small fish net, and of course fish food

specific to the types of fish you’ll be keeping.

You may also want to buy a strip of decorative laminated material to stick to the outside of the back of the tank as a backdrop.

Setting up your Aquarium

Once you have everything on your shopping list and have got it all home, it’s time to start setting up.

Position the tank on the stand in it’s final location, make sure it is stable and secure, and that you have easy access to your plug point and any working parts of the aquarium you will need to access for maintenance.

Rinse the tank out thoroughly to remove any dust and dirt- do not use washing up liquid or any chemicals, at this stage or at any point in the future on the tank or any of the equipment.

Thoroughly wash and rinse out the substrate material you are using, before adding it to the bottom. Don’t worry about flattening it out, as adding the water will disturb it. Then, fit the filter and heater, but do not turn them on.

Dechlorinate and treat the tap water with the treatments you have bought, then fill the tank to the appropriate fill levelthen, smooth out the gravel. It is recommended to have the gravel sloping slightly from the back to the front of the tank, so that any dirt and debris will rest at the front for easier removal. Rinse and add any other decoration you will be using at this stage, and fire up the filter and heater, and set up the timer for the light.

Calennig singers take message to streets as campaign grows to save Ysgol Clydau

A GROUP of residents marked the New Year in traditional style this week by taking Calennig singing to the parish streets — and using the evening to raise awareness of the proposed closure of Ysgol Clydau.

Organisers said the walk blended a long-standing local custom with a serious message, as campaigners continue to encourage families and residents to respond to Pembrokeshire County Council’s consultation on the school’s future.

Although numbers were small, those who took part described the evening as upbeat and positive. The weather remained dry, the sky stayed clear, and the group stopped to speak to people along the route, handing out leaflets and discussing what the school means to the area.

Supporters said the event underlined the strength of community spirit in the Clydau area — something they believe is closely tied to the presence of the rural school, not only as a place of learning but as a focal point for local life.

Sarah Farnden, a parent at Ysgol Clydau, said: “Ysgol Clydau is at the heart of our community. It’s where our children learn, but also where friendships are formed and

traditions are passed on. Nights like the Calennig remind us how important the school is in bringing people together. Losing it would mean losing a vital part of who we are.” Consultation open until January 23

Pembrokeshire County Council launched a public consultation on the proposal in December, with responses invited until Friday, January 23.

The council says the proposal follows a review of education provision, taking into account pupil numbers and the use of school places across the wider area.

The issue has already prompted a strong public response, with a petition opposing closure gaining significant support and triggering further discussion among councillors.

Campaigners have also questioned the timing of the consultation over the Christmas period, arguing that families and residents should be given every reasonable opportunity to consider the proposals and respond.

Supporters of Ysgol Clydau say closure would have consequences beyond education, warning it could

weaken the fabric of the rural community and reduce opportunities for children to learn and socialise close to home.

Organisers of the Calennig walk said the evening showed how local traditions still bring people together — and can also be used to highlight modern-day challenges facing the community.

They are urging anyone with a stake in the school’s future — parents, former pupils, residents and local organisations — to make sure their views are submitted before the consultation deadline.

Haverfordwest High celebrates Oxford offers for four sixth form pupils

A GROUP of Year 13 pupils at Haverfordwest High VC School are celebrating after securing offers from Oxford University.

The school announced this week that four girls have received places at different Oxford colleges in a range of subjects.

Emily has been offered a place at St Peter’s College to read English Language and Literature, while Olivia has received an offer from Exeter College to study Law.

Megan has secured an offer from Brasenose College for Medicine, and Tegan has been offered a place at St Edmund Hall to study Chemical

Engineering.

In a message shared online, the school said it was “incredibly proud” of the pupils, describing it as “a proud moment indeed” for the learners, their families and the wider school community.

The post also noted that Megan and Olivia are former pupils of Milford School, and thanked those who supported the applications, including the Seren programme.

The school added that it would be sharing more updates on future university, apprenticeship and job offers from sixth form pupils in the coming months.

Senedd committee calls for a stronger, more self- reliant Welsh food sector

Growth in the Welsh food processing sector is being limited by the importing of meat from countries that do not comply to the high environmental and welfare standards that Welsh farmers and processors are governed by.

Food processing adds £7bn to the Welsh economy, supporting jobs, communities and food security across the country. However, the industry needs Government help so it can grow and thrive according to a new report published today by the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee.

The Committee is urging the Welsh Government to take stronger action to shore up the food processing sector and help key business grow. This will create robust local supply chains, increase food security and sustainability and help people enjoy high quality food produced in their own communities.

The report warns that the decline in Welsh livestock numbers could threaten the viability of our red meat industry, leading to Wales filling the gap by importing lower quality, lower welfare and higher carbon meat, calling on a future Welsh Government to consider introducing a headage payment similar to the Scottish Government’s suckler calf

premium to encourage growth in premium beef production.

It also finds that public sector procurement could play a much stronger role in supporting Welsh food businesses by creating stable, long-term demand.

Andrew RT Davies MS, Chair of the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee said:

“Food processing is big business in Wales and it has the potential to do even more for our economy, our environment and our communities.

“Our report sets out a vision for a resilient, sustainable, and thriving Welsh food processing industry which will create more jobs and help grow our economy.

“To achieve this vision the

next Welsh Government must create an overarching and holistic strategy for the whole food system, align Government food policy, support the food processing sector, and prioritise sustainability and food security.

“The next Welsh Government must also have a plan for our meat processing industry. Abattoirs need throughput and without it they will close. Further reductions in Welsh live stock numbers may require us to import lower quality, lower welfare and higher carbon meat to fill the gap.

“By supporting local processors, using public procurement more effectively and setting clear ambitions for food produced in Wales, the Welsh Government can help build a more resilient and

sustainable food system that works for everyone.”

Welsh Veg in Schools project

Successful initiatives such as the Welsh Veg in Schools project are increasing the supply of locally produced organic vegetables in primary school meals. Wales’s universal free school meals policy provides the stable demand, demonstrating how public sector procurement can support local producers while improving environmental outcomes and access to healthy food.

Dr Siobhan Maderson of the Soil Association told the Committee:

“The work of Welsh Veg in Schools project is exemplar in this field. Concrete support from the Welsh Government can support its expansion to meet its goal of 25% of all food in Wales’s primary schools to be locally, organically produced by 2030.”

Food Security

To boost food security and unlock further growth, the Committee is calling on the Welsh Government to adopt Food Policy Alliance Cymru’s target for 75% of vegetables consumed in Wales to be produced in Wales.

However members say significant investment is needed in horticulture to meet targets, including polytunnels, washing, cutting and storage facilities.

Water regulation policy must not marginalise the role of farming

The government has today unveiled its “New Vision for Water” with plans to clean up UK waterways - but the Soil Association is calling for more action to help reduce the impact of the farming sector.

Soil Association Head of Farming Policy Gareth Morgan said: “The government’s announcement around water regulation fails to identify the scale of change needed from the farming sector, which can be a key driver of river pollution. It’s vital that the government’s plan for rescuing rivers goes beyond sorting out the water companies and addresses wider land management in river catchments.

“Government also needs to be more consistent with its commitments – at the Oxford Farming Conference we saw the Secretary of State talk about plans to grow the poultry sector, which could be a disaster for the environment. Industrial poultry units have been one of the major causes of chronic river pollution - the government must spell out how its desire to increase poultry production can be done at the same time as cleaning up our rivers, or we can expect to see the horrors of the Wye spilling out across the country.

“Farmers often feel trapped in these industrial systems so we urgently need support for farmers to change to

more agroecological farming systems such as organic. It’s also crucial that Defra’s upcoming farming roadmap

sets out how new farming approaches, including the relaunched SFI, will deliver improved water quality and

how regulatory reform will praevent pollution before it happens.”

NRW urges farmers to follow safe slurry spreading rules

NRW is reminding farmers across Wales to take key steps to prevent pollution as the organic manure spreading season re-opens.

During the autumn and winter “closed periods”, restrictions were in place to stop slurry and other high-nitrogen manures being spread, helping reduce the risk of agricultural pollution.

Grassland spreading can resume from Thursday (Jan 16), with spreading on tillage land re-opening on Friday (Jan 31). However, NRW said a number of controls under the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (CoAPR) will remain in force until the end of February.

Those restrictions include limits on application rates — no more than 30m³ of slurry per hectare, or eight tonnes of poultry manure, in a single application — with at least three weeks required between applications.

Before spreading organic manure, producers must also carry out field inspections to assess weather and soil conditions, slope, ground cover and proximity to watercourses, to help reduce the risk of runoff.

Farm businesses are expected to plan and record all applications in their Nitrogen Management Plan to ensure nutrients match soil and crop need and remain within nitrogen limits.

Spreading is prohibited on waterlogged, flooded, snowcovered or frozen ground — including soil that has been frozen for more than 12 hours in

the previous 24 hours.

NRW said its teams will continue to support farmers while monitoring compliance.

Simon Griffiths, team leader of NRW’s Agricultural Pollution Inspection Team, said: “As the closed periods come to an end, we want to remind farmers, tenants, landlords and contractors of the restrictions which remain in place until the end of February.

“This means anyone considering spreading organic manure needs to ensure the conditions are suitable before work starts.

“NRW is committed to protecting the environment and any instances of pollution will be investigated and appropriate enforcement action taken.”

NRW is reminding farmers across Wales to take key steps to prevent pollution as the organic manure spreading season reopens.

During the autumn and winter “closed periods”, restrictions were in place to stop slurry and other high-nitrogen manures being spread, helping reduce the risk of agricultural pollution.

Grassland spreading can resume from Thursday (Jan 16), with spreading on tillage land re-opening on Friday (Jan 31). However, NRW said a number of controls under the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations (CoAPR) will remain in force until the end of February.

Those restrictions include limits on application rates — no more than 30m³ of slurry per hectare, or eight tonnes

With February now in sight, the Farmers’ Union of Wales is once again encouraging farmers in Wales to get behind the Big Farmland Bird Count, by spending 30 minutes recording the farmland birds they see on their land.

The initiative celebrates its 12th anniversary this year, and provides an opportunity to construct a snapshot of the health of our cherished farmland birds across Wales and the UK.

of poultry manure, in a single application — with at least three weeks required between applications.

Before spreading organic manure, producers must also carry out field inspections to assess weather and soil conditions, slope, ground cover and proximity to watercourses, to help reduce the risk of runoff.

Farm businesses are expected to plan and record all applications in their Nitrogen Management Plan to ensure nutrients match soil and crop need and remain within nitrogen limits.

Spreading is prohibited on waterlogged, flooded, snowcovered or frozen ground — including soil that has been frozen for more than 12 hours in the previous 24 hours.

NRW said its teams will continue to support farmers while monitoring compliance.

Simon Griffiths, team leader of NRW’s Agricultural Pollution Inspection Team, said: “As the closed periods come to an end, we want to remind farmers, tenants, landlords and contractors of the restrictions which remain in place until the end of February.

“This means anyone considering spreading organic manure needs to ensure the conditions are suitable before work starts.

“NRW is committed to protecting the environment and any instances of pollution will be investigated and appropriate enforcement action taken.”

With almost 90% of Wales’ land used for agricultural purposes, how farmers manage their land is a vital contribution towards supporting biodiversity, with this survey therefore providing an opportunity to highlight the good work many farmers already do to support nature and the environment.

Last year’s count saw encouraging levels of participation, a total of 35 Welsh farmers, estates and land managers took part, collectively surveying 14,152 acres of farmland.

The results told an interesting story, with participants recording a total of 4,565 birds, belonging to 81 species, including 1,784 counts of red-listed birds, among which were yellowhammer, linnet, and skylark. More widely across the UK a total of 352,647 birds, belonging to 125 species, were recorded across 796,106 acres

of farmland by 1,332 farmers and land managers. There were notable decreases in sightings of some species, including redlisted fieldfares which were down 52%, while on a positive note, sightings of amberlisted kestrels had increased by 182%.

As well as providing a valuable insight into the state of nature on our farms, the Count also provides an opportunity to highlight what can be done by farmers to help farmland birds survive this difficult time of year so that the breeding populations are increased. Such simple actions include; planting and looking after hedgerows, creating and keeping wide field margins, as well as providing feeders with seeds during late winter and early spring to help birds at a time of year when food can be scarce.

The annual UK wide count, run by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) will take place between 6-22 February 2026, with farmers encouraged for one day to spend about 30 minutes recording the species and number of birds seen on one particular area of the farm.

For more information on how to take part, and to download your own count sheets, go to the Big Farmland Bird Count website: www.bfbc.org.uk/

Isuzu D-Max claims fifth consecutive Pick-Up of the Year title

ISUzU UK is proud to announce that the Isuzu D-Max has once again been crowned ‘Pick-up of the Year’ in the Company Car & Van Awards 2026, marking an extraordinary fifth consecutive victory for the brand’s award-winning workhorse.

Celebrated for its uncompromising capability, broad range of specifications and body styles, and renowned reliability, the D-Max continues to impress industry experts and customers alike. This latest accolade adds to an already outstanding year for Isuzu, with the brand collecting a host of major industry honours across multiple sectors.

Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher at Company Car & Van, praised the D-Max’s consistency and customer appeal, commenting: “When

a pick-up wins an award five years in a row, it must be doing something right, and the D-Max certainly does. It’s available in a myriad of conversions and comes as a single, extended or double cab model to suit all customer needs. An all-new Commercial version ticks the VAT box, and an electric D-Max arrives shortly. Built to do the rough stuff whilst also tackling the urban jungle. Our Pick-Up of the Year 2026 is the Isuzu D-Max.”

The D-Max’s fifth straight Pick-up of the Year award joins an impressive list of achievements in 2025/26, reaffirming its position as one of the most decorated pick-ups in the UK market. This year alone, the D-Max has been recognised as Pick-up Towcar of the Year by the Caravan and Motorhome Club, awarded Best Diesel Pick-up by Diesel & Eco

Car, and celebrated with three major honours from Overlander 4x4 Magazine, namely, Best Back-up, Best Range, and the Sustainability Award, all contributing to a growing collection of industry accolades that highlight the vehicle’s exceptional performance, durability, and broad appeal across both commercial and lifestyle sectors.

Anticipation is building ahead of the arrival of The New Isuzu D-Max EV, launching in early 2026. Despite not yet being on sale, the model has already secured its first major honour, winning the ‘One to Watch’ title at the What Van? Awards 2026.

The D-Max EV represents the next chapter in Isuzu’s evolution, delivering zeroemission capability while retaining the rugged practicality and versatility that define the

D-Max family.

Alan Able, Managing Director at Isuzu UK, expressed pride in the brand’s successive achievements: “Securing the Pick-up of the Year title for the fifth year in a row is an exceptional milestone and a testament to the strength, reliability and versatility that the D-Max delivers to our customers every day. This year’s extensive list of awards demonstrates that our products continue to set benchmarks across multiple categories. With the highly anticipated D-Max EV, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years in Isuzu UK history.”

For further details on the Isuzu D-Max’s extensive list of industry awards and independent reviews, please visit www.isuzu.co.uk/reviewsawards.

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Highest level of safety: MINI Cooper Electric wins Euro NCAP Best in Class

The fully electric MINI Cooperwhich has already been awarded 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash testing in March 2025 - has once again received outstanding

recognition from the esteemed Euro NCAP institute: the “Best in Class for Safest City & Supermini of the Year 2025.” This prestigious award emphasises MINI’s leading

position in safety within the premium small car segment. With its three variants - mINI Cooper E, mINI Cooper SE, and mINI John Cooper Works Electric - the model impresses not only with its electric drive technology and characteristic go-kart feeling, but also with its comprehensive standard safety equipment.

Jean-Philippe Parain, Head of the MINI brand, emphasises: “We are very pleased about yet another accolade for the MINI Cooper Electric, which has just won the Euro NCAP Best in Class. This award is another compelling confirmation that MINI models offer outstanding safety. The MINI Cooper, as well as the MINI Countryman and MINI Aceman, have been rated with the maximum number of stars. This underlines our commitment to ensuring both driving pleasure and maximum safety standards.”

Euro NCAP praises the consistent

advancement in occupant protection, active and passive safety systems, as well as innovative driver assistance technologies that make urban driving safer. The fully electric MINI Cooper features an integrated safety concept with comprehensive occupant protection, standard pelvic seatbelt pretensioners, and a wide range of assistance systems to prevent accidents.

Protection of pedestrians and cyclists also achieves a very high score for this vehicle class, tallying 77 percent in the 2025 Euro NCAP crash test. Safety ratings are also outstanding with 89 percent in occupant protection, 87 percent in child safety, and 79 percent in safety assist systems.

The combination of top-level safety, driving enjoyment, and iconic design makes the second generation of the fully electric MINI Cooper the ideal vehicle for today’s demands of urban mobility.

OMODA UK introduces its first full-hybrid model

Marking the introduction of OmODA Uk’s first full-hybrid model, the OMODA 5 SHS-H represents the next step for one of the UK’s fastestgrowing automotive brands as it continues to broaden its electrified line-up for British customers. Offered in two trim levels – Knight and Noble – prices start from just £25,740 OTR*, with the model available through OMODA&JAECOO UK’s nationwide dealer network from March 2026.

Positioned as a highly accessible full-hybrid SUV, the OMODA 5 SHS-H builds on the success of the existing OMODA 5 and all-electric E5, offering drivers an efficient electrified alternative without the need to plug in. Powered by a 1.5-litre turbo full-hybrid system paired with a dedicated DHT automatic transmission, the OMODA 5 SHS-H delivers a combined power output of up to 150 kW, front-wheeldrive performance, and optimised efficiency across a wide range of driving conditions.

Equipped with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, 1.83 kW battery and 51-litre fuel tank, the OMODA 5 SHS-H delivers a total driving range of over 650 miles and up to 53 mpg (WLTP). Acceleration from 0–62 mph takes just 7.9 seconds, with the hybrid system expertly tuned to balance responsive performance and everyday efficiency across urban, suburban and longerdistance driving – making it ideally

suited to daily UK use.

Visually, the OMODA 5 SHS-H retains the bold, distinctive styling that has defined the model since launch. It has an all-new front grille and bumper design and refreshed alloy wheel styling for 2026. UK customers can choose from five different exterior colours: Galena Silver, Garnet Red, Obsidian Black, Selenite White and Tourmaline Grey. Two-tone paint finishes are also available on selected colour options.

The OMODA 5 SHS-H is offered in two trim levels, each designed to meet different customer priorities. Knight provides a strong standard specification, focusing on design, connectivity, and everyday usability, with features including 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, dual 12.3-inch digital displays, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, intelligent voice control and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance and safety systems.

Noble builds on this foundation with a more comfort- and technology-focused specification, adding features such as a 540-degree surround-view camera, an 8-speaker SONY audio system, ambient interior lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, and additional convenience features, offering customers a more premium driving and ownership experience.

Victor Zhang, UK Country Director, OMODA UK, said: “The introduction of the OMODA 5 SHS-H is a significant milestone for the brand in the UK. It marks our first full-hybrid model and reflects exactly what OMODA is focused on delivering: highly efficient, intelligently engineered vehicles that fit seamlessly into everyday life. The OMODA 5 SHS-H brings together the bold design and technology our customers already value, with the added benefits of a selfcharging hybrid system that requires no change in driving habits. It’s a key next step as we continue to broaden our

powertrain offering in line with what UK drivers are asking for.”

Since launching in the UK in August 2024, OMODA UK has recorded 23,484 registrations (SMMT data**), with the OMODA 5 and E5 establishing themselves as popular choices among private buyers seeking distinctive design, advanced technology and accessible electrification.

The arrival of the OMODA 5 SHS-H further strengthens the brand’s growing range of powertrain options, spanning petrol, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models. Together, these vehicles reflect the brand’s focus on delivering choice, efficiency, and modern technology, while maintaining a consistent emphasis on design, quality, and value across the UK line-up.

Offering the benefits of both electric assistance and petrol power – ideal for customers looking to reduce emissions without sacrificing long-distance driving capability – the OMODA 5 SHS-H will be available in the UK from just £25,740 OTR* for the Knight trim and £29,240 OTR* for the Noble. Every model is supported by OMODA UK’s comprehensive 7-year/100,000mile vehicle warranty, alongside an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty, providing long-term reassurance for customers. UK customer deliveries are expected to begin in March 2026 and will be available through OMODA&JAECOO UK’s nationwide dealership network.

Teenage stylist to open new Brushed Hair Studio at Milford Marina

A TEENAGE hairdressing entrepreneur is set to open a new-look salon at Milford marina next week, after transforming the former Bloom Hair space into what she describes as a more personal, one-to-one studio experience.

Amelia Elise Nicholas, 19, will reopen the premises as Brushed Hair Studio on Monday, January 19, after weeks of renovation work at Temeraire House on Nelson Quay.

Originally from Swansea, Amelia moved to Pembrokeshire three years ago in search of a quieter pace of life and a fresh start. Since then, she has trained locally and built up a growing client base in Milford Haven.

She completed her training at HB Training in Haverfordwest before working from Bloom Hair as a self-employed stylist, renting a chair from salon owner Tegan Banner.

Now three years into her hairdressing career, Amelia is taking the next step by launching her own studio in the same location, saying she wanted to create a calmer, more tailored service for clients.

Bloom closed at the end of December and Amelia has spent the weeks since gutting and refitting the space.

“We have gutted the building and put in new lighting, flooring and furniture,” she said. “It looks completely different.”

With support from her dad, Amelia has redecorated throughout, opting for a neutral,

calming palette with natural textures and finishes, alongside pops of colour.

Brushed Hair Studio will offer cuts, colours, extensions and curly blow dries, which Amelia said have become increasingly

popular locally.

“They are really popular here,” she said. “There is only me and one other girl doing them.”

The salon will use products from Australian brand Original Minerals for colouring and styling, which Amelia described as “clean and kind”.

In a change of roles, former Bloom owner Tegan Banner will now rent a chair from Amelia at the new Brushed Hair Studio.

“I want to thank Tegan,” Amelia said. “She offered me to take over the building and has trained me and helped build my clientele up.”

A private, invitation-only opening event will be held on Saturday, with the salon opening to the public on Monday, January 19. Amelia said customers who visit on the first day will be offered a 10 per cent discount off their next appointment.

“It’s not much different to renting a chair and being selfemployed,” she said. “You still have to do your tax and things. There’s not much difference apart from paying the rent.

“I’m proud to be launching a business that brings something fresh and exciting to the local hairdressing industry.

“As a young business owner, my goal is not only to build a successful salon but also to contribute to bringing more footfall, business, and investment into Milford Haven.”

Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant set to open in February with dog-friendly welcome

A NEW bar and restaurant is preparing to open its doors on Milford Waterfront next month after

the team behind it quietly took over the venue formerly known as Salt. Dayne and Victoria, who took

over the business in October, said they have spent the past few months working behind the scenes and are now ready to relaunch the venue under a new name — Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant.

The official opening date has been set for Friday, February 6.

In a message to customers, the owners said anyone who has visited since October will already have experienced the standard of food and service they plan to build on, adding that a new menu is on the way.

They said: “Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes and we’re finally ready to start putting our own stamp on the place — which will soon be Biffy’s.

“If you’ve visited us since October, then you’ve already experienced the standard of food and service you can expect going forward — because that’s exactly what we’re building on. We’re excited to say we’ve got a delicious new menu coming your way too.”

Dog-friendly

The announcement has drawn plenty of supportive messages online — including one customer asking whether the new venue will welcome dogs.

Replying to Dympna Pettit, the business confirmed it will be dog friendly, saying: “Of course, we can’t wait to meet your furry friend.”

Others wished the owners well, with some saying they were looking forward to trying the new menu and seeing the venue return to top form.

Helen Court said she used to visit regularly before COVID, adding that she was looking forward to giving the new venture a try.

Customers who want to book a table for opening day are being asked to message the business via its social media page or book through the Tableo link.

The owners also introduced Daisy and Dexter as part of the team — describing them as the venue’s “Head of Security” and “Chief Morale Officer.”

Plans for new flats in Merlin’s Hill conservation area approved

A call to convert a former guest house in Haverfordwest’s conservation area to flats has been given the go-ahead by county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr J Wandrum, through agent Ian Bartlett Planning and Architectural Services, sought a change of use of the nine-bed Normandie House guest house, 1 Merlin’s Hill, to four flats.

A supporting statement said planning permission for a change of use had previously been granted back in 2015 but was never implemented, the existing use continuing.

It added: “The submitted application seeks consent for the change of use of the building from a nine-bedroom guest house to create four self-contained flats (three two-bed flats and one onebed). The conversion does not require any extension or significant external alteration of the building.

“The overall impact of the scheme upon residential amenity of neighbouring properties would be no greater than the former guest house use and in discussions with immediate neighbours the applicant has informed that this proposal is welcomed by them. No matters related to protected species are envisaged and no work that might affect any habitat is proposed.”

Bruce Sinclair Local Democracy Reporter

It went on to say there were no surface water drainage issues related to this proposal as there is no change to the amount of surface water to be disposed of.

“Mains foul drainage is connected, and it is considered that there will be a reduction in the foul flows generated from the site when judged against the guest house use.”

The application was conditionally approved by planning officers under delegated powers, the approval

saying: “This application has been screened in accordance with Natural Resources Wales’ interim advice for planning applications within the river Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) catchments. It is considered that this development is unlikely to increase phosphate inputs.”

MS calls for corridor care data to be published in Wales

CONSERVATIVE MS

Andrew RT Davies has demanded Senedd ministers begin collecting and publishing data on “corridor care” in welsh hospitals, after the Welsh Government confirmed it is not currently able to provide routine figures.

Mr Davies raised the issue in the Senedd during questions to Health Minister Jeremy Miles, asking whether information is being gathered on patients being cared for in corridors and, if so, how many people are affected.

Mr Miles told MSs the data is not currently available in a form that can be published routinely, but said the Welsh Government is “trialling approaches” which would put ministers in a position to provide regular publication.

The exchange comes amid ongoing concern across Wales about severe pressure

in emergency departments and delays in moving patients into appropriate ward beds — a situation that can result in people waiting for treatment, assessment or admission in areas not designed for patient care.

The term “corridor care” is widely used to describe circumstances where patients receive care in inappropriate settings, often due to a lack of capacity elsewhere. Health bodies and staff representatives have warned that such conditions can affect privacy and dignity, make infection control harder, and place additional strain on staff working in already pressured environments.

Mr Davies said he had been contacted by constituents in the Vale of Glamorgan reporting what he described as unacceptable experiences in local hospitals, adding that frontline NHS staff should not

be blamed.

He also linked the issue to wider spending priorities at the Senedd, claiming that services were under strain while ministers pursued other policies, including plans to expand the size of the Senedd and maintain a “Nation of Sanctuary” approach to asylum seekers.

Mr Davies said it was vital that corridor care data was collected and published so that the scale of the problem could be measured and ministers held to account.

Mr Davies said: “I’m frequently contacted by Vale constituents reporting unacceptable experiences in local hospitals.

“This is not the fault of NHS staff – but hospitals are underfunded thanks to resources instead going towards Plaid Cymru separatist and Labour plans for 36 more Senedd members and a Nation

of Sanctuary for asylum seekers.

“We must end corridor care – and it’s vital this data is made available to hold Senedd ministers to account.”

In response, the Welsh Government position is that it is working on ways to standardise and publish information on corridor care, but that the data is not yet routinely available across the system.

Opposition parties and health campaigners have argued that without clear national reporting, it is harder for the public and Senedd members to understand how widespread the issue is, whether it is improving, and which hospitals are under the greatest pressure.

The Welsh Government has not yet set out when routine publication will begin, but ministers say the trial work is intended to enable regular reporting in future.

Excellent ratings for respite centre supporting children with disabilities

A PEMBROKESHIRE respite centre supporting children and young people with disabilities has been rated ‘excellent’ in all areas by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).

Following a recent inspection, Holly House in Haverfordwest achieved the top rating for wellbeing, care and support, environment, and leadership and management.

The result marks a significant turnaround for the service, which had previously been classed as a service of concern. CIW said the move to an excellent rating reflected sustained improvement driven by highly effective leadership focused on children’s safety and wellbeing.

In its report, CIW noted: “The Responsible Individual (RI) provides excellent strategic direction and demonstrates a clear commitment to continuous improvement, while the manager is skilled and proactive in maintaining high standards. Oversight of the service is robust and has driven significant improvements, resulting in positive outcomes for children’s wellbeing.”

Inspectors highlighted the choice, independence and opportunities offered to children who attend the centre, saying they are supported to feel safe, valued, and involved in decisions about their care. The report also praised strong relationships with families, with plans in place to build on this work and expand activities and community trips.

Feedback from families was described as highly positive, with all survey respondents rating care and support as excellent.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Children’s Services, Chris FreyDavies said: “The Council is delighted to hear the outcome of the recent CIW inspection of Holly House. Achieving excellent ratings across all four themes is an incredible accomplishment and a true testament to the dedication and leadership within Holly House.

“As highlighted by CIW inspectors, to move from a position of significant concern to sustained excellence speaks volumes about the commitment to children’s safety and wellbeing at every level.”

Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Well-being and Future Generations, Cllr Marc Tierney, congratulated the team and said the report underlined the importance of the service to local families.

“It is clear to see that the young people who attend Holly House really do benefit from the quality of care provided by our hardworking, dedicated team,” he said.

“I want to thank them for their role in supporting our young people, which also provides essential respite for local families from their caring responsibilities. This external report puts on record the high quality of this provision and underlines that our young people are at the heart of this vital service.”

Trump tariff threat reignites ‘NHS Trump tax’ row as Lib Dems urge retaliation

THE WELSH LIB DEMS have urged the UK Government to scrap what they brand an NHS “Trump tax” and to coordinate with European allies on countermeasures after Donald Trump announced a 10% tariff on UK goods from Saturday, February 1 — linking the move to his demand that the United States should acquire Greenland.

Jane Dodds MS, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said Wales would be among the parts of the UK most exposed to a tariff shock, warning that key sectors including advanced manufacturing, steel, food and drink, and life sciences are particularly vulnerable to rising trade barriers and market uncertainty.

She also argued the Greenland threat should not be treated as a routine trade dispute, describing it as economic coercion aimed at the sovereignty of Denmark — a democratic NATO ally — and a dangerous precedent for global security and international law.

Dodds said: “Donald Trump is trying to bully the UK and ransom the sovereignty of Greenland… That is economic coercion, and it cannot be met with appeasement.”

Call for coordinated retaliation

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to work “in lockstep” with European partners to prepare a coordinated package of countermeasures and retaliatory tariffs, saying economic bullying must be met with a firm and united response.

They argue that acting alongside Europe would strengthen the UK’s hand and reduce the risk of Britain being picked off in bilateral disputes.

Dodds said: “We must also work in lockstep with our European partners to prepare a robust package of countermeasures and retaliatory tariffs to hit Trump and his cronies where it hurts… Britain is strongest when we stand alongside Europe, not when we act as a doormat for a bully.”

Wales’s exposure to a tariff shock

Although tariff announcements tend to be framed in national terms, the Welsh Liberal Democrats say the impact could be highly regional, hitting areas where export-reliant

industries are concentrated.

Wales has major employers and supply chains linked to manufacturing, steel and food production, and the party warned that any sudden increase in costs for exporting to the United States could make Welsh products less competitive overnight — while uncertainty alone can chill orders and investment.

The party’s argument is that Wales has more to lose than most if the dispute escalates: fewer alternative markets for some producers, greater exposure to supply chain disruption, and less resilience in communities where one major employer underpins large parts of the local economy.

What is the ‘NHS Trump tax’?

At the heart of the Liberal Democrat intervention is a longrunning row over medicines pricing and UK–US trade policy.

The Liberal Democrats have previously used the term “Trump tax” to describe what they say would be billions of pounds in additional pharmaceutical costs to the NHS, arguing that UK policy risks inflating the price of medicines and effectively transferring money from public health budgets into higher drug costs.

Dodds said: “This Government is still planning to hand over £3 billion a year in a so-called ‘Trump tax’ on our NHS through inflated pharmaceutical costs. With health and care services in Wales under immense strain, that is indefensible. Scrap the Trump tax and put that money into frontline care.”

However, the £3bn figure and the way it is presented remain disputed. Ministers and some analysts have previously challenged claims of an annual “tax” of that scale, arguing the numbers depend on assumptions

the European Union, arguing that coordinated action would carry more economic weight and send a clearer message than unilateral UK measures.

They also point to Canada as an example of a democratic ally willing to stand firm and prepare countermeasures, arguing that deterrence — not concession — is the only language Trump respects.

Dodds said: “Canada has shown you do not deter Trump by pleading. You deter him by standing firm and being ready to act. The Prime Minister should do the same and defend our economy, defend our allies and defend our values.”

and timeframes, and that the NHS retains protections on medicines pricing.

In short: the Liberal Democrats say the policy is a costly concession that should be reversed immediately — while the Government is likely to argue that the characterisation is politically loaded and that NHS safeguards remain in place.

Greenland: trade spat or geopolitical coercion?

By tying tariffs to the question of Greenland, the Liberal Democrats say Trump is pushing beyond normal trade leverage and into geopolitical coercion — a framing designed to increase pressure on the UK Government to respond not just economically, but as a matter of democratic solidarity.

The party says the UK should treat the Greenland threat as an issue of allied sovereignty and global norms, warning that failure to stand up to it could invite similar pressure tactics elsewhere.

But ministers may calculate that cooler diplomacy is more effective than public escalation — particularly given the UK’s longstanding security relationship with the United States, the role of NATO, and the reality that trade wars can rapidly damage businesses and consumers on both sides.

The Government may also argue that the UK must keep channels open to reduce the risk of tariffs widening beyond the initial 10% or spilling into other areas such as defence procurement, services, or strategic cooperation.

Why the Lib Dems say Europe matters

The Welsh Liberal Democrats say this crisis underlines the case for closer UK relations with

The political test at Westminster

The row sets up a highstakes balancing act for Labour: projecting toughness against “economic bullying” while avoiding an all-out trade war that could rebound on UK consumers and exporters.

If the UK Government declines to pursue retaliatory tariffs, it risks being accused of weakness. If it retaliates too aggressively, it risks triggering further escalation.

For Welsh Labour in particular, the pressure is twofold: demonstrating it will stand up for Welsh industry and jobs, while also holding together a coherent UK-wide trade and foreign policy stance.

What happens next

The immediate question is whether the tariff threat becomes policy on February 1 — and whether it is confined to a narrow range of goods or becomes the opening move in a broader trade confrontation.

The second question is how the UK chooses to respond: quietly through negotiation, publicly through retaliatory tariffs, or in tandem with European allies in a coordinated package.

For the Welsh Liberal Democrats, today’s message is blunt: scrap the policy they say inflates NHS medicines costs, stand with Europe, and treat Greenland as an allied sovereignty issue — not a bargaining chip.

For ministers, the challenge is to protect Welsh exporters and UK consumers while navigating a dispute that mixes trade, diplomacy and security — and to do so without conceding ground on principles that democratic allies consider non-negotiable.

Rail powers row as Lib Dems demand full devolution

RAIL powers are set to become the next front in the constitutional tug-of-war between Cardiff Bay and Westminster after the Liberal Democrats tabled an amendment to the UK Government’s Railways Bill calling for the full devolution of rail responsibility to Wales.

The party says Wales should be placed on the same footing as Scotland, with control over rail infrastructure, services and funding transferred to Welsh Ministers within two years. If selected for a Commons vote, the amendment would force MPs to take a clear position on whether Wales should hold the same levers Scotland already has — or continue under a system where key decisions remain reserved to Westminster.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said Wales had been treated as an “afterthought” on rail investment for too long, and argued that projects based entirely in England have repeatedly been treated as “England and Wales” schemes for funding purposes — a classification he said has left Wales losing out on investment worth billions.

“This amendment is about fairness,” he said. “It would give Wales the same control Scotland already has and stop us losing out on billions of pounds for rail projects that don’t even touch Welsh soil.”

A SPLIT SYSTEM WITH UNEVEN POWER

Rail responsibility in Wales is currently divided. The Welsh Government oversees Transport for Wales and the Wales and Borders rail contract — the face of day-today passenger services — but most rail infrastructure decisions remain in Westminster hands through UKcontrolled structures.

Critics say the arrangement leaves Wales stuck in the worst of both worlds: expected to deliver improvements, timetables and passenger experience while lacking full control over the track, long-term investment pipeline and major infrastructure funding.

Supporters of full devolution argue it is impossible to run a coherent transport strategy when responsibility is split — and that Wales is left dependent on consultation rather than authority.

WHY IT MATTERS IN WEST WALES

In Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, where communities are more reliant on a limited number of rail corridors, the impact of investment decisions made elsewhere can be felt more sharply than in big cities with multiple alternatives.Campaigners regularly point to the practical issues affecting West Wales passengers:

reliability problems, the vulnerability of services to disruption on singletrack sections, limited frequency, and the knock-on effect when services are cancelled or delayed because the system has little spare capacity.

There is also a wider economic argument. Better rail connections can influence commuting options, tourism flows, access to education and training, and business confidence — but rural and coastal routes can struggle to win funding in competition with high-profile projects elsewhere.

The Liberal Democrats argue that if Welsh Ministers held the full set of powers — not just operational control of services but authority over infrastructure and long-term funding — Wales could plan upgrades around Welsh needs, rather than waiting for decisions that must fit UK priorities.

WHAT THE RAILWAYS BILL CHANGES

The Railways Bill is intended to reshape the way Britain’s railways are run, with the creation of Great British Railways and a new model for rail governance.

The Liberal Democrats claim the reforms risk entrenching central control and leaving Wales in a weaker position — locked into a system where Welsh institutions are “consulted” but not in charge.

The party is urging Welsh Labour MPs to back the amendment, framing it as a straightforward equality issue: Wales should have what Scotland has, and not be asked to settle for less.

The Government’s likely response Ministers are expected to argue that rail infrastructure operates as part of an integrated network and that a UKlevel approach can provide stability,

economies of scale and coordinated planning.

There is also a money-and-risk debate at the heart of rail devolution. Full control of infrastructure would mean full responsibility for maintenance, renewals and long-term liabilities — and critics warn that if devolution is not matched with a guaranteed and fair funding settlement, Wales could inherit responsibility without the resources to meet it.

Some Westminster voices have historically warned against a “keys but not the fuel” scenario — where Wales gains power on paper but is left with difficult choices if costs rise faster than the funding formula.

Supporters of devolution counter that the current system already exposes Wales to risk — the risk of being outvoted, overlooked, or structurally underfunded — and that true accountability requires the power to make and fund decisions at home.

WELSH GOVERNMENT STANCE

Welsh ministers have repeatedly argued that rail infrastructure should be devolved so that planning, investment and services can be aligned with Welsh transport priorities, including decarbonisation and better integration between rail and bus networks.

The Welsh Government’s case is that Wales can only fully deliver a joined-up transport strategy if it holds the whole system — not just the passenger contract but the infrastructure control needed to shape outcomes.

Whether the UK Government is prepared to go that far remains uncertain, particularly if ministers believe the Bill’s reforms are designed to strengthen national coordination.

THE NUMBERS AND THE POLITICS

The Liberal Democrats have 72 MPs, but would need support from other parties — including Welsh Labour MPs — to have any realistic chance of forcing a change if the amendment is selected for a vote.

That sets up a politically awkward test for Labour MPs in Wales, caught between party discipline at Westminster and growing pressure to demonstrate that Wales will not be treated as a junior partner when national infrastructure decisions are made.

For Welsh Labour, the question is whether to back a clear-cut devolution demand — or to argue that the Government’s reforms will deliver benefits for Wales through new structures, improved coordination and a different approach to investment.

IF IT PASSES — AND IF IT FAILS

If the amendment succeeded, the next battle would be over the detail: the funding formula, the transfer of assets and liabilities, and the timetable for transition. Supporters would see it as a step towards a rail system planned around Welsh priorities — including rural and coastal routes too often seen as an afterthought.

If it fails, the Liberal Democrats are likely to use the vote to sharpen their wider argument: that Wales is still being asked to accept secondtier powers — and that rail remains a symbol of a devolution settlement that does not yet match the reality of Welsh nationhood.

Either way, the amendment has ensured one thing: the Railways Bill will not pass quietly in Wales.

W ITH ANDREW LYE

The Liberal Democrats have unveiled a new policy to protect children online, through film-style age ratings of up to 18 for harmful social media platforms.

Access to social media platforms would be restricted based on the risk they pose to young people. Platforms that use addictive algorithmic feeds or host inappropriate content would be legally restricted to users over 16. Those such as X that host extreme content such as graphic violence or pornography could be rated 18+, in the same way as films and videogames, while existing laws would continue to apply to any illegal content.

This would avoid the unintended consequences of the blanket ban put forward by the Conservatives, which could ban under-16s from using Wikipedia for schoolwork or taking part in their family WhatsApp group.

An amendment setting out the proposals in the House of Lords was to be heard this week.

The plans would also futureproof online safeguarding, allowing for emerging harms such as chatbots, and new social media platforms, to be quickly categorised based on addictive design and the harmfulness of their content.

The age-rating model would echo the film and video classification system established in the 1980s, adapting a trusted framework for the digital age. The new ratings would be delivered and enforced by the regulator Ofcom, which would be handed additional powers to fasttrack fines and business disruption orders on social media platforms that don’t comply.

As well as protecting

children from the worst of the online world, a harmbased approach would provide a strong incentive for platforms to remove harmful algorithmic features for younger users. The current business models of apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook would be legally classified as unsuitable for under-16s, unless these companies fundamentally rewrite their code to remove addictive algorithmic feeds and inappropriate content.

Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said:

“I am deeply worried about the long-term consequences of social media on children’s mental health and wellbeing. This issue cannot be kicked down the road any longer.

“We need a smart approach that allows young people to benefit from the best of social media, whether that’s learning or staying connected with their friends and family online, while properly tackling the real harms it can cause.

“Our message to social media giants is clear: if your platform spreads harmful content or relies on addictive and harmful algorithms, you should not be allowed anywhere near our children.”

Liberal Democrat Science and Technology Spokesperson, Victoria Collins MP, said:

“For far too long, big tech companies have treated our children as data to be mined rather than young people to be protected. They have built addictive algorithms designed to keep children endlessly doom-scrolling at the expense of their mental health.

“If a platform hosts the most extreme content, with violence and pornography, it is only right for that platform to be restricted to adults only.”

If you have any issues or comments, please contact me at andrew.lye@pembslibdems.wales

WG Budget is “business as usual”

ON Tuesday, January 20, the welsh Government unveiled its final budget before May’s election. It would stretch credulity to call the budget’s reception mixed. The Welsh Government and Labour’s press office praised it. To nobody’s surprise, the Welsh Conservatives described it as “a bad deal for Wales”. However, elsewhere, the budget’s reception was lukewarm, at best.

The total budget is £22.8bn in revenue, £3.6bn in capital, and £1.1bn for local government business rates. The Welsh Government says this raises the budget by £1.2bn over 2025/26, bringing it to £27.5bn.

But their published figures for 2025/26 show a final allocation of £26.6bn, leaving a £300m difference.

In 2023/24, the Welsh Government’s budget was £26bn. It was described as ‘A Budget for Hard Times.’

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Wales’s local government budget for 2026/27 is just under £5.9bn. Councils lack complete control, excluding

project-specific grants like that for Haverfordwest’s Bridge of Whys. The Welsh Government says this is a £319m increase. WLGA research from October 2025 says such an increase would mean average Council Tax rises of 12%.

The same WLGA document claimed a £560m increase was needed to maintain 2026/27 spending at this year’s level. Even allowing for some feather bedding (overstating needs for a buffer) and moonshot ambition, a clear gap remains between what WLGA says Welsh councils need and what they have.

Since April 2023, costs for Welsh public services have risen sharply due to inflation, higher pay, and rising demand for health and social care. When Finance Minister Mark Drakeford says funding will keep up with inflation, it means a cut if costs outpace inflation, forcing either higher taxes or spending cuts.

The Welsh Government announced the final local government settlement for Wales at the same time as the annual budget. In the local government settlement, the

Welsh Government introduced a “funding floor”, the minimum level of increase allowed for council budgets set at 4%. That means that figure is the minimum amount by which council budgets will rise. 4% is just above the annual inflation rate but still well below the increase in the cost of providing local services. Pembrokeshire’s funding increase is 4.2%.

Increasing demand and cost pressures, along with Cardiff Bay’s limited funding, put councils in a budget bind. Funding rises below service costs erode capacity to provide essential, even statutory, services. Councils must then make up the shortfall through Council Tax rises.

The Welsh Government knows local government funding is unfit for purpose and has deferred reform to the next Senedd. Whoever governs after May 2026 will need to prioritise reforming local government and its finances.

THE NHS

The Welsh Government announced that the NHS and Social Care would receive

£12.6bn in funding in 2026/27. That is an increase of around 3.6% over the current financial year. It is also less than the rate of annual inflation (as of this month’s figures), and markedly less than the Welsh NHS needs to both improve care delivery and performance. However, as the Welsh Government not only controls the purse strings but also, in fact, controls Wales’s health boards and NHS trusts, getting feedback on the funding gap from those directly involved in meeting the NHS’s budget challenges is impossible.

However, the director of the Welsh NHS Confederation, Darren Hughes, damned the budget with some very faint praise, describing it as “business as usual”.

Mr Hughes welcomed the budget as “going some way” to meeting cost and demand pressures.

While acknowledging that the NHS Confederation didn’t expect major changes, given the budget’s proximity to the election, he observed: “We still

lack the significant changes we’ve advocated, such as a shift toward prevention and capital investment to cut running costs and meet demand.

“Unless we think long term and target areas such as social care, prevention and capital investment, we can’t expect demand to come down on its own and see tangible improvement for the people of Wales.”

Familiar pressures, therefore, remain: staff shortages in nursing and clinical specialisms, crumbling hospitals, the centralisation of care and clinical services, an ambulance service in permacrisis, and an NHS struggling desperately to deal with a backlog of planned treatment and demand for acute services.

These chronic pressures have affected the Welsh NHS since before the pandemic. Previous measures have not addressed underlying weaknesses, and the ongoing healthcare crises have

significantly contributed to Labour’s unpopularity. Major change will require radical reform, which is unlikely within a single Senedd term.

BUSINESS AS USUAL IS NOT AN OPTION

Twenty-seven years after devolution, during which time it has been the only constant in the Welsh Government, the polls show voters feel Labour has not done enough for them. The current budget does little more than hold the line ahead of May, after which Labour knows it will not be the largest party in the Welsh Parliament. Twenty-seven years of relative consensus have delivered relative stability at the cost of innovation and muchneeded change. Stability has become stagnation. Stagnation has produced systemic rot. The next budget, presented by whoever forms the next Welsh Government, will show if any party is up to addressing those issues. This budget does not.

Conservative MS James Evans loses whip amid Reform defection talks

A SENEDD member for Brecon and Radnorshire has been stripped of the Conservative whip after his party said he continued to explore talks with Reform UK figures about the possibility of defecting.

James Evans MS was removed from the Welsh Conservative group’s front bench and now sits as an independent in the Senedd while he considers his political future.

The decision was taken by Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar MS, who said the move followed a breakdown in trust after Mr Evans was asked about reports linking him to Reform. Senior figures said assurances were given that the matter had been closed, but that further contact continued.

Mr Evans has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing and the issue is a political one: whether a sitting MS can keep their party position while holding discussions about leaving.

In a statement following the

decision, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS said the episode exposed “the complete mess the Conservatives have created by chasing Reform instead of focusing on the people of Wales”.

She claimed Reform was “fast becoming a retirement home for Conservatives worried about losing their seats” and criticised what she described as politicians “jumping ship” based on whether it improves their chances of holding on to power.

Ms Dodds added that if Mr Evans chooses to defect, he should “have the courage to face the electorate in a by-election and seek a fresh mandate from the people of Brecon and Radnorshire”.

Under Senedd rules, the removal of the whip does not automatically trigger a by-election. An MS can sit as an independent or join another group without vacating their seat, unless they resign or are disqualified.

The row lands as parties brace for the Senedd election in May, with Reform attempting to build

BLUE VIEW

With Samuel Kurtz MS

As we move closer to the elections to the enlarged Senedd in may, readers will see increasing political posturing from parties of all colours, each seeking to make their case and promote vote-winning policies across a wide range of issues.

These elections are likely to bring the most significant political change since devolved government came into force 27 years ago. The outcome matters. It could dramatically alter how Wales is governed not only for the next four years, but for many years beyond.

Governments. Farmers are not the problem; they are the solution. We must stop productive farmland being taken out of use for greenwashing tree schemes and poorly sited solar developments, and we must end policies that punish generational family farms, including damaging changes to Agricultural Property Relief.

its presence in Wales and the Conservatives under pressure in polls.

Mr Evans has previously held a prominent role within the Welsh Conservative group. In response to the whip being withdrawn, he has indicated he will continue working for constituents and has voiced concerns about the direction of the wider Conservative Party. It is not yet clear whether he will remain independent, seek to rejoin the Conservative group, or align himself with another party.

The Herald understands discussions and speculation about possible defections have been swirling around several political figures across the UK in recent months as parties reposition ahead of the next round of elections, with Reform targeting disaffected Conservatives in particular.

No timetable has been set for any decision by Mr Evans, but party opponents have seized on the incident as further evidence of instability at a time when public services and living costs remain at the top of many voters’ concerns.

While much of the campaigning will focus on Wales-specific issues, it is likely that the issues shaping most people’s votes will be the headline-grabbing national and international events dominating the news cycle. Recent months have been marked by global instability: Donald Trump’s expansionist rhetoric, Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and the turmoil unfolding in Gaza and Iran. How these events play out will have real consequences for Wales.

To navigate such uncertain times, Wales needs a government willing to take tough decisions, decisions that will modernise our nation and ensure it is equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

As a Welsh Conservative, born and brought up in Pembrokeshire, I believe only the Welsh Conservatives have the seriousness and ambition required to meet these challenges and fix Wales by unlocking our strengths. Central to this approach is a focus on three core securities: food, energy, and defence.

Farming is one of Wales’s greatest strengths. Food security is vital, and we must stand shoulder to shoulder with farmers who have felt ignored and misunderstood by successive Welsh

Pembrokeshire is also home to one of the most strategically important energy ports in the UK. The Haven Waterway hosts LNG terminals and oil refineries and will soon support innovative renewable projects such as the Erebus floating offshore wind development. Meeting our energy needs requires a balanced mix of solutions. Energy security means embracing renewables while recognising the continued importance of existing infrastructure. Finally, we must prioritise defence. In a world more turbulent and unpredictable than at any point in recent memory, national security cannot be taken for granted. We are living in a pre-war era and must respond with the seriousness such times demand.

From Cawdor Barracks to Castlemartin Firing Range, and through the service of thousands of brave men and women, Pembrokeshire has long played a vital role in defending our national interests. That contribution must continue, and Wales must receive its fair share of any increase in UK defence spending.

By strengthening our food, energy, and national security, we strengthen our economic security. When we can feed ourselves and power our own future, we reduce dependence on others, keep money circulating in our communities, and create jobs here in Wales. That is why, even in uncertain times, I am confident that meaningful change is possible.

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

EMAIL US AT: editor@herald.email

Pic Ture oF The week!

Swans in Milford Marina, Berty Barrett

DONALD TRUMP’S PROPOSED “BOARD OF PEACE”

DEAR SIR,

Reading the latest debate around Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace”, one thing stands out above all else: if liberal democracies do not stand together now, they will be picked off later, one by one, through pressure, deals, and division.

The post wa system was never perfect, but it had a core purpose. It made conflict less likely by making commitments credible, and by ensuring that rules did not change every time a powerful leader changed their mind. When policy becomes personality, stability disappears. Investors hesitate, allies hedge, and adversaries take chances.

That is why Britain’s refusal to sign up at Davos matters. It is not anti American. It is not performative. It is a signal that the UK should not be bounced into a framework with serious legal questions still hanging over it, especially while Vladimir Putin’s Russia continues its war on Ukraine. If we blur the

line between diplomacy and rehabilitation, we weaken the only message that has any deterrent value: aggression must have consequences.

But none of this works if the response is fragmented. The UK, Europe, Canada, and other democratic partners need a clear, shared position and they need to stick to it. Not through grand statements, but through practical coordination: aligned sanctions, shared energy resilience, joint cyber defence, and a serious plan to protect critical infrastructure and supply chains.

Ordinary people will pay the price if governments fail to act together. A fractured alliance means higher defence spending, higher borrowing, and more volatility in energy and trade. That squeezes household budgets and crowds out the spending that communities actually feel, from schools and hospitals to policing and local services.

This is a new era, and it demands a simple discipline: unity first. If democracies stand together, the rules can hold. If they drift apart, it will be the public who pay, in their pockets and in their safety.

David John Milford Haven

DEAR SIR,

Since m agna Carta, this country has recognised and guarded a basic principle: no individual should be deprived of liberty except by lawful judgement of their peers.

That is the foundation of trial by jury in England and wales, and it has endured because it prevents the power of criminal justice being concentrated entirely in the hands of the State.

A jury is not a rubber stamp. Twelve citizens reach a collective verdict, and jurors are entitled to apply their conscience when weighing the evidence and the public interest. This is not some modern invention. It is part of our constitutional tradition and, as has been acknowledged in the higher courts, an established feature of our constitutional landscape.

That is why the Court of Appeal’s decision to back a judge, Silas Reid, who threatened jurors with criminal proceedings if they acted according to conscience in a case

involving climate activists should trouble everyone, regardless of their views on protest. Private Eye has nicknamed him “Judge Dread”, but the issue is serious: when jurors are intimidated, justice is weakened.

The real backlog of Crown Court cases must be addressed. But the Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association have both stated clearly that there is no evidence that reducing or removing jury trials will solve the problem. Speeding up justice by stripping away a safeguard is not reform. It is erosion.

Trial by jury has survived wars, political upheavals, and centuries of change precisely because it protects the individual and preserves public confidence in the rule of law. We should defend both the right to jury trial and the ability of jurors to deliberate freely without threats or pressure from the bench. Any of us could one day find ourselves in court, accused of wrongdoing for challenging the policies of those in power. When that day comes, the difference between liberty and injustice may depend on whether the jury box remains independent.

Peace and love, Angie zelter

TRIAL BY JURY

death notices

D OUGLAS S TRUTHERS C AMPBELL C LARK

T HE death occurred peacefully at his home on New Year’s Eve of Mr. Douglas Struthers Campbell Clark of Bosherston. He was 93.

There will be a private family funeral service.

Family flowers only please but if desired, donations in lieu in memory of Douglas made be made to Cancer UK.

All further enquiries may be made to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors,51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN, Tel. 01646 683115, who are carrying out the arrangements.

N ESTA O LWEN D AVIES

P EACEFULLY at Withybush Hospital on Friday 2nd January 2026 Nesta Olwen Davies formerly of Ridgeway Farm, Llawhaden aged 82 years.

Beloved wife of the late Mervyn, much loved mother and motherin-law of Nigel and Yvonne, Jayne and Paul, cherished grandmother of Phillip, Carl, Josh and Lewis.

The funeral service will take place on Saturday 31st January, 12:15pm at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only.

Donations in lieu, if desired, in aid of Cancer Research Uk may be made via their website www. cancerresearchuk.org

Further enquiries to F. G. Rees & Sons, Haverfordwest. Tel: 01437 764418.

T HOMAS N EWTON S TEWART

T HOMAS passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital on the 29th December aged 100 years.

Dearly loved he will be greatly missed by all his family and many friends.

His funeral service will take place on Tuesday 27th January 2026 in Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 10.00am.

Family flowers only.

Any donations for Paul Sartori Foundation, Paul Sartori House,

Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, SA61 1RP or online at www.paulsartori.org.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors (01437) 763821.

M ARGARET A NN M ORRIS

P EACEFULLY at Withybush Hospital on Saturday 10th January 2026, m argaret Ann m orris of Narberth, surrounded by her loved ones.

Beloved Wife of Peter, devoted Mum and Mother-in-Law of Sally, Kevin and Lisa, cherished Nan to Leo, Cai, Ioan and Ava.

Ann was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Funeral service will be held on Thursday 5th February 2026 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 2.30pm.

Family flowers only please. Donations in memory of Ann, if so desired, to Barnado’s and Versus Arthritis c/o E.C. Thomas and Son, Funeral Directors, Zoar Chapel Funeral Home, Llanteg. Narberth SA67 8QH (01834 831876) and 21, Main Street, Pembroke SA71 4JS (01646 682680) or via www. ecthomasandson.co.uk

C EINWEN ‘”T INY ”’ H ELEN K ENNIFORD

T HE death occurred peacefully at Withybush Hospital on Friday 26th. December of Mrs. Tiny k enniford of Pembroke Road, Pembroke Dock.

Tiny was 93 and will be hugely missed by all her family and very many friends. The funeral will take place on Thursday 22nd. January with a service at St. John’s Church, Pembroke Dock at 11.00.am followed by interment at Llanion Cemetery.

Family flowers only please but if desired, donations in lieu in memory of Tiny may be sent to West Wales Poundies Dog Rescue, Sort code; 0892-99 Account number 6577 3754. All further enquiries may be made to John Roberts & Son, Funeral Directors, 51, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6AN, Tel. 01646 683115, who are carrying out the arrangements.

A DAM K ELLY W HITLAND

T HE death occurred at Withybush Hospital Haverfordwest on 22nd December of Mr Adam k elly, he was aged 65 and lived in Velfrey Road, w hitland.

Adam is survived by his wife Melrose, brother Julian and his wife Sarah, uncle Steven and cousin Lisa.

The funeral service takes place on Friday 30th January at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 2.30pm.

There will be family flowers only, donations if desired, can be made payable to “R.N.L.I Tenby” c/o Funeral Directors W & M J Rossiter & Sons Ltd, Landsker House, 21 Station Road, Narberth, SA67 7DR or via www.rossitersfunerals.co.uk

VALDA J ENKINS

S UDDENLY but peacefully on m onday 5th January, at home, aged 82 years, Valda of Lon Hywel, Whitland.

Beloved wife of the late Peter, much loved Mum of Nigel, Gaynor and the late Anthony, dear motherin-law to Lynda, loving Mam to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren, dear sister to the late Wyn and sister-in-law Joan and a cherished aunt of Diane and Christopher.

Public funeral service at The English Congregational Chapel, Whitland on Tuesday 27th January at 1:00pm, followed by interment at Soar Cemetery.

The family would appreciate if those attending were to wear a splash of pink.

Family flowers only please.

Donations in lieu, if so desired, may be made to Meddygfa Taf via www.pefd.co.uk or c/o Peter Evans Funeral Directors, Rosewood, Plashett, Laugharne, Carmarthen SA33 4TT, Tel: 01994 427 261.

A NDREW H ALLS

A NDREW P assed away at home on 29th December 2025 aged 79 years.

Pops was much loved, and he will be missed by his family and many friends.

His funeral will take place on Friday 30th January at Monk Haven Church, St Ishmaels at 2.00pm followed by the interment at St Ishmaels cemetery.

Family flowers only.

Donations, if desired, for Alzheimer’s Research.

All enquiries to Roy Folland & Son (01437) 763821

D R C OLIN D AVID GRANGER

D R Colin David Granger, retired doctor, passed away suddenly at his home, in mid-December; he was 90 years of age.

H e is survived by his wife Avril Granger, their son Richard Granger, five grandchildren (Daniel Shepherd, Liam Granger, David Shepherd, Lara Granger and James Shepherd) and his sister Dr Mary Burrell.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at St Mary’s Church, Newport, Pembrokeshire, on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at 3 pm.

A private burial will have taken place the previous day.

Donations (in lieu of flowers) if desired, can be made to the league of friends glangwili hospital (which will go to the Cardiology Unit at the hospital) c/o Paul Jenkins & Sons, Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, SA65 9BB. Tel: 01348.873250

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Rhys grabs podium place after gruelling Dubai 24-hour race

CARMARTHEN racing driver

Rhys Lloyd achieved his goal at the Dubai 24 Hour at the weekend, earning a place on the podium after completing the demanding endurance event.

The forty-year-old finished third in his class at the all-day-andall-night race at Dubai Autodrome in the United Arab Emirates, after falling short on his previous two attempts.

Lloyd, a Carmarthen-based property businessman and founder of the Dragon Sport racing team, was part of a four-man French outfit, Circuit Toys with Toyota Gazoo Racing France. He competed in a Toyota Supra GT4 Evo2 and was the only Welshman in the field, which included almost 286 drivers across 68 cars.

Speaking on the flight home, he said: “The aim of the weekend was to get to the end of the event and see what the outcome was. To come third in class and also being so close to getting second place on the last lap after twenty-four hours of racing, was just brilliant.

“The event was fantastic to be part of and we gave it everything we could as a team and personally. The car was incredible and didn’t let us down through the twentyfour hours which is such a great test for the vehicle.”

Lloyd said warmer-than-usual conditions added to the challenge, alongside what he described as one of the strongest entries for years.

“The level of competition was the highest for many years with

the biggest entry,” he said. “The general race pace over the twentyfour hours was high.

“I felt quite relaxed going into the event with me having some experience from the previous two years of competing. I had a reasonable level of expectations and knowing what to expect over the race period.”

He added that the most difficult period came overnight and at first light, when incidents across the field tested teams’ concentration.

“The night and dawn were particularly challenging times of the race with many incidents at these times of the race to navigate through,” he said.

The Dubai 24 Hour, first held in 2006, is regarded as a major winter endurance fixture for international

GT teams, with crews typically sharing driving duties across four or five drivers. The event’s long hours of darkness are seen as one of its defining tests, with more than half the race run at night.

Lloyd previously competed in 2020 and 2021 but failed to reach the finish on either occasion — once due to a mechanical issue and once after an accident.

With this year’s podium secured, he said attention is already turning to the rest of 2026.

“We are now finalising plans for the start of the 2026 season in April,” he said. “We are hopeful to be able to continue with a programme with Toyota for the season. Our next aim will be to compete in the 12 Hour of Mugello in Italy.”

Lloyd’s motorsport career began in karting, where he won Welsh titles in 1999 and 2000. He later moved into rallying and circuit racing, with notable success including the 2008 Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Championship. After a period away from regular competition to focus on business, he returned to endurance racing, recording major results in European long-distance events and in Britcar — winning the 2023 Britcar Endurance Championship overall.

Picture caption: Delighted: Carmarthen’s Rhys Lloyd on the rostrum after completing the Dubai 24 Hour race.

Rhys Lloyd – notable success

• 1999 Welsh Karting Champion

• 2000 Welsh Karting Champion

• 2006 Cambrian Rally class winner; Tour of Epynt class winner

• 2007 Tom Price Trophy winner

• 2008 LMA Euro National Saloon Car Champion

• 2008 Welsh Sports and Saloon Car Champion

• 2020 Hockenheim 18hr (Germany) class winner – VW Golf TCR (Autorama)

• 2021 Hockenheim 18hr runner-up – VW Golf TCR (Autorama)

• 2021 Paul Ricard 12hr (France) runner-up – VW Golf TCR (Autorama)

• 2023 Britcar Endurance Championship (UK) overall and class champion

manderwood Pembrokeshire league

division

Amman United 12 Milford Haven 10 (abandoned after 79 minutes)

A SPIKY encounter at Cwmamman Park ended in abandonment with literally seconds remaining after an altercation between the referee and members of the Milford Haven coaching team on the touchline.

Amman appeared to have rescued victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-gasp try from skipper Rhydian Jones and Lee Evans’ cool conversion. But the match ultimately finished in confusion after the referee decided to abandon the contest in the dying moments.

The first half was a scrappy affair, played largely in midfield, with both sides cancelling each other out and little attacking play inside either 22. Amman’s defence stood firm, the scrum was rock solid and the lineout functioned well.

Keelan Griffiths and Dylan Lloyd enjoyed some bright moments in the backs, while Alun Lewis, Cian Lewis, Matthew Madge and, in particular, “captain fantastic” Rhydian Jones made good yards for the home side.

Amman lost flanker Owain Brayley early on after a leg injury and he was taken to hospital, with Caian Francis coming on in his place.

From a lineout and driving maul, Alun Lewis was hauled down short of the line, but the next phase saw him surge over from close range after 25 minutes. It proved to be the only score of a tight first half, with Amman deserving their lead.

The second half grew increasingly

tetchy and, following a dust-up in midfield, Milford’s prop and Amman’s Shaun Watkins were both shown yellow cards.

Amman made a front-row change with Daniel James entering the fray, but the home side spent long periods under pressure as the visitors turned

the screw. Milford enjoyed a sustained spell hammering at the tryline and, after Amman’s defence had held out for ten minutes, the dam finally broke when the visitors drove over from close range with around eight minutes remaining.

Amman then conceded a penalty and Milford, with confidence growing, ate up more of the clock before slotting the kick to move ahead at 105, seemingly sealing the win.

But with virtually the last play, Iestyn Griffiths kicked to touch, Amman won the lineout and the forwards took it on before Jones crept over for a scrappy try to level the scores. Evans still had the conversion to make — and he calmly landed it.

With the referee consulting his watch and play disrupted by an injury to a Milford player, the Milford staff then entered the pitch in the dying seconds, sparking an altercation and a prolonged discussion with the referee. Moments later, the match was abandoned, leaving players and supporters scratching their heads. It was unclear afterwards whether the result would stand, or whether the fixture would have to be replayed.

Wales Six Nations: Francis back, Hamer-Webb surprise

STEVE TANDY has unveiled his first Six Nations squad as Wales head coach, with the return of long-exiled prop Tomas Francis and a surprise call-up for Leicester Tigers wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb among the headline decisions.

Francis is back in the fold for the 2026 championship after more than two years away from international rugby, while Hamer-Webb is one of two uncapped players named ahead of Wales’ tournament opener against England. Bath back Louie Hennessey, who was part of the autumn set-up, is the other newcomer.

Tandy has also recalled a number of players overlooked during the autumn internationals. Fly-half Sam Costelow, back-rower James Botham and centre Mason Grady all return to the squad as Wales look to reset under new leadership.

With Jac Morgan still sidelined through injury, hooker Dewi Lake has been handed the captaincy. Francis, meanwhile, is set to pull on the red jersey for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The 77-cap tighthead spent the past two-and-a-half years playing in France with Provence and had made himself unavailable for Wales selection during that period. However, he spoke openly last week about his desire to resume his international career after signing for

Sale Sharks, a move that has now paved the way for his recall. Hamer-Webb’s inclusion is the biggest surprise in the squad.

The former Cardiff wing, now with Leicester, has impressed enough at club level to earn Tandy’s trust, despite never having been capped

by Wales at senior level.

There are, however, some notable absentees. Openside Tommy Reffell and wing Rio Dyer miss out, as do Jake Ball and Ross Moriarty, both of whom had been tipped for recalls.

Bristol Bears playmaker James Williams and Dragons scrum-half

Che Hope, who had been talked up as possible bolters, are also absent.

Welsh-qualified England Under20s international Kane James was unavailable for selection after suffering an ankle injury that is expected to keep him out for two to three months.

Tandy’s squad announcement follows a dramatic off-field development, with the Welsh Rugby Union confirming on Monday night that Ospreys owners Y11 Sports & Media have been selected as the preferred buyers of Cardiff Rugby.

Wales 2026 Six Nations squad

FORWARDS: Keiron Assiratti, Adam Beard, Liam Belcher, James Botham, Rhys Carre, Ben Carter, Olly Cracknell, Harri Deaves, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Dewi Lake, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taine Plumtree, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Freddie Thomas, Aaron Wainwright.

BACKS: Josh Adams, Sam Costelow, Dan Edwards, Jarrod Evans, Mason Grady, Kieran Hardy, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Joe Hawkins, Louie Hennessey, Eddie James, Ellis Mee, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas, Owen Watkin, Tomos Williams.

Pembroke RFC U11s looking to add new players as squad continues to grow

YOUNG rugby players in Pembroke are being invited to join a thriving under-11s squad as the town’s rugby club looks to bring in a few new faces.

Pembroke RFC U11s coach Gary Nevinson has appealed for more local children to get involved, saying the team has built a strong group on and off the pitch and wants to keep that momentum going.

The squad trains every Thursday from 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Crickmarren Field, Pembroke, and is particularly keen to hear from children in Year 6 who would like to try rugby in a friendly, supportive environment.

Mr Nevinson said the club is proud of the progress the group has made and believes the under-11s set-up is a positive place for youngsters to develop confidence, teamwork and fitness.

Parents who would like more information, or who want to bring their child along to a session, are asked to contact the coaches directly.

Message Dai on 07837 979079 or Gary on 07736 289892.

Rhys grabs podium place after gruelling Dubai 24-hour race