One person arrested; founders vow they will ‘reopen in no time’

A FIRE at a newly opened gym in Llandysul has led to the arrest of one person, with police treating the incident as suspected arson.

Emergency crews were called to Y Gampfa, the new fitness hub in the town, during the early hours of Thursday, November 13 – less than a fortnight after its official launch on November 1.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that one individual has been arrested and later released on bail while enquiries continue. Officers are urging anyone with information to come forward.

‘Deeply saddened but relieved no one was hurt’

Co-founder James Turner said the team had been left devastated by the incident so soon after opening.

“We are deeply saddened by what has happened to our recently launched Y Gampfa gym,” he said. “Most importantly, we are relieved that none of our staff or members were inside at the time. The damage is confined to the building and equipment, and no one was injured.”

The gym had attracted strong early interest, bolstered by support from fitness influencers Emily Olivia and Tyle Smith.

Founders determined to reopen

Co-founder Josh Farmer said the fire had hit the team hard but insisted the project would continue.

“This has been incredibly disheartening after the time, work and passion that went into creating a new wellbeing space for the community,” he said. “Because there is an active criminal investigation, we can’t discuss details, but we want to reassure members that Y Gampfa will reopen as soon as possible.”

The gym’s open day earlier this month drew hundreds of residents, and more than 200 members signed up within the first days of trading.

Co-founder Steffan Evans paid tribute to the community response.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support,” he said. “People’s messages, offers of help and encouragement show exactly why this place matters. We also want to thank the emergency services for their swift response.”

Fellow co-founder James Stewart added: “With the backing of our friends, families and the wider community, we are determined to rebuild. We look forward to welcoming everyone back as soon as we can.”

Police appeal

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, or report anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Y Gampfa opened earlier this month after being founded in 2025 by Steffan Evans, Josh Farmer, James Stewart and James Turner, all from the Teifi Valley, with the aim of offering an inclusive fitness space “where everyone belongs”.

Hundreds of extra inmates and 160 new staff planned for troubled Bridgend jail

CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand the troubled Parc Prison – which houses many inmates from Pembrokeshire – have been approved by Bridgend County Borough Council, despite strong opposition from residents living near the privately-run facility.

The proposal, approved by councillors in November, will see a new “K-shaped” house-block constructed on the south-west of the site to accommodate an additional 345 inmates. The development will also require 160 extra staff, significantly increasing daily traffic movements on surrounding roads.

HMP Parc, located in Coity, Bridgend, opened in 1997 and is operated by G4S. The category B prison already holds 1,670 inmates and employs 676 staff, and has faced long-standing criticism over safety, drug use, violence, and management practices.

Major redevelopment at the site

The application was submitted by Galliford Try Construction Ltd on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. In addition to the new accommodation block and associated boundary wall changes, the scheme includes:

• A replacement kitchen and dining block
• A new gym
• A new multi-faith building
• A new education block
• A redesigned visitor and staff entrance
• Additional car parking and site infrastructure

A planning report presented to councillors said the expansion forms part of a UK-wide programme to increase prison capacity, adding: “It is expected that this proposal will future-proof HMP Parc for the foreseeable future.”

Strong objections from local residents

The application received a significant number of objections from residents in Coity and the wider area. Concerns included:

• Increased traffic and congestion, particularly along Heol Spencer
• Noise disturbance from the expanded facility
• Ongoing safety worries following multiple reports of drones being flown over the prison
• Individuals allegedly “loitering” in nearby streets looking for access routes into the prison grounds

Residents also raised broader concerns about the prison’s troubled reputation and the impact of further expansion on the community.

Councillors raise concerns over access and safety

At the planning meeting, Cllr Amanda Williams said people in Coity understood that expansion was inevitable but argued that the community needed meaningful mitigation measures, particularly around traffic management and safe walking routes for visitors.

Cllrs Ian Williams and Simon Griffiths echoed these concerns, highlighting the dangers for pedestrians who currently have to cross a busy dual carriageway to access public transport near the Sainsbury’s supermarket.

Highways officers told the meeting that many issues raised were “pre-existing” and could not be considered in relation to the new application. They added that developing a pedestrian route from the Sainsbury’s bus stops would be difficult because the land is privately owned.

However, officers recommended approval, noting that the applicant had agreed to a “reasonable contribution” towards traffic mitigation and that the urgent need to increase capacity outweighed the negative impacts.

Mitigation measures promised

A representative for the applicant said noise and drone-related issues would be mitigated by installing new windows and enhanced surveillance technology. Conditions would also require additional tree planting to screen nearby homes from the expanded site.

They added that the project would create “substantial economic benefits”, including around 160 new, well-paid jobs for the Bridgend area.

By Lewis Smith – Local Democracy Reporter

Young Cardiff man jailed after police uncover cocaine, crack and cannabis supply operation across two counties

A DRUG dealer who tried to hide from police in a shower — with cannabis concealed in his anus — has been jailed after a series of raids in Neyland and Cardiff.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at a property in Neyland on March 27, where they found cash and cannabis inside the address. Prosecutor Nik Strobl said officers arrested the occupants and discovered Miguel Ada, 22, hiding in the shower. He initially gave a false name.

Ada was taken to hospital because officers suspected he was carrying drugs internally. He later admitted he had hidden cannabis in his anus, which was removed the following day. His phone contained messages offering cannabis for sale and encouraging others to deal for him, promising they could earn “serious money”.

At the time, Ada was already on bail for earlier drug matters. On January 26, officers attended a Cardiff hostel for vulnerable over-55s and saw him leaving a room in suspicious circumstances. He was arrested and found with 2.6g of cannabis, eleven wraps of cocaine in his bag worth around £200, and a further twenty-one wraps of cocaine — valued at £550 — hidden behind his scrotum.

Police arrested him again on June 15 at his partner’s home in Fairwater, Cardiff, after tracing a drugs line number written on a Rizla paper. During that search, officers recovered eight wraps of crack cocaine, cash, a Nokia phone and small amounts of cannabis. Analysis of the phone revealed a large number of bulk messages advertising crack cocaine for sale.

Ada, of Claude Road, Cardiff, admitted possession with intent to supply cocaine and crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, offering to supply crack cocaine, and possession of cannabis.

Defending, Sol Hartley said Ada had no previous drug convictions and had come under “pressure” from gang members he met while remanded in custody. He said Ada had been effectively homeless since being told to leave home at 17 and had “no stability” in his life.

Recorder Andrew Hammond sentenced Ada to three years and nine months in prison.