Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Public force Board to listen

Published

on

THERE was unrest at Thursday’s (Jan 22) Community Health Council engagement meeting as the public forced the Health Board to cut short their Hywel-Dda-Health-Boardpresentations.

Hywel Dda Chair Bernadine Rees spoke about ‘building a new relationship’ and ‘being open and transparent’ but over an hour had passed before the public got their say.

Community Director for Hywel Dda, Sue Lewis, was halfway through her presentation when when one member of the public got up and shouted: “You’re wasting my breath and I’ve been wasting my time,” before walking out.

Moments later, a woman spoke up saying: “This is a complete waste of time. You are like one of those foreign call centres, giving us a list of things that we don’t want to hear and you are ignoring what we want to say to you. You are proposing all these changes and you are here to consult but this is just a PR job. We know about the problems that exist but we are not getting the services we deserve. You have come here with an agenda and you have spoken for a very long time and it’s about time you let the public speak.”

That prompted applause from the 100-strong audience and Sue Lewis was forced to cut short her presentation.

Another member of the audience remarked that the Health Board were talking at them and not with them. She added: “We have come here to talk, not to be lectured.”

The Director of Public Health, Theresa Owen, had earlier spoken about leading an active lifestyle but another person added: “We want to know what is happening, we know not to smoke and drink. We came here to find out about the nitty gritty of our Health Board.”

One member of the public then went on to speak about the recruitment problems facing Hywel Dda saying: “How can you expect to employ people when they can’t be sure that the job they have is secure?”

Chief Executive Steve Moore responded and talked about a vibrant future for Withybush and added that they needed to assure people that they are putting quality and safety in to everything that they do. He also said that they were looking at bringing care closer to people who live in rural communities.

Another member later added: “In terms of recruitment, why are these people who are showing interest not getting the job?”

Speaking about the problems facing the ambulance service, one person said: “You treat us as if we don’t know. You can’t have an ambulance that goes to Swansea. You haven’t considered the miles they have to travel.”

The Head of Operations for Hywel Dda responded saying that they had considered the miles and also added that six ambulances are on duty in Pembrokeshire and that one of those would be a 24hr vehicle dedicated to Withybush.

Another member of the public talked about the beds in Withybush saying: “There were 384 beds in Withybush when it opened, there are now 120. That is a big bed drop. If you haven’t got a bed there is nowhere to put the patients and this is partly why the ambulance service are overworked.”

He went on to say that months were going by before posts were filled and added that it showed a lack of planning.

Finally he asked if they were aware that nurses were being asked to fill positions in which they were not qualified.

Bernadine Rees responded: “We are all here to protect and support safe and quality services in Pembrokeshire. We have to work together. Hywel Dda wants to be an employer of choice. We are supporting Pembrokeshire services and we want to work with all the groups.”

Another member of the public responded: “If it wasn’t for those groups (SWAT etc.) the public wouldn’t know. The Health Board haven’t been open and honest about what has happened. We need to see you being honest.”

Bernadine Rees responded: “Nobody is shying away from the fact that we need to change.”

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Community

Milford Haven community invited to honour fishermen lost at sea

Published

on

Annual memorial service at Milford Haven Cemetery to remember those who never returned home

A MEMORIAL service will be held at Milford Haven Cemetery to honour local fishermen who lost their lives at sea on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Organised by Milford Haven Town Council, the annual gathering gives families, friends and residents the opportunity to come together in quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made their living on the water but never returned home.

The service will start at 11am and will be officiated by Rev Dr Adrian Furse SSC.

Milford Haven has long been shaped by its fishing and maritime industries, with generations of local families connected to the sea. While the harbour has provided work and prosperity, it has also brought tragedy, with storms and accidents claiming lives over the years.

The service will include prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths, creating a moment for the community to pause and acknowledge the sacrifices made by fishermen past and present.

Town councillors say the event is always a moving occasion and are encouraging anyone with links to the fishing community, as well as members of the wider public, to attend and show their support.

The aim, they say, is to ensure those who were lost are never forgotten and that their contribution to the town’s heritage continues to be recognised.

Residents wishing to attend or find out more can contact Milford Haven Town Council on 01646 692505 or visit www.milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.

 

Continue Reading

Community

Community run to support Tenby food bank returns this February

Published

on

Traffic-free Wiseman’s Bridge event invites walkers, joggers and dog owners to donate food for James Criddle Foundation

A COMMUNITY charity run supporting families in need across south Pembrokeshire will take place next month.

Saundersfoot Runners are hosting their annual Food Bank Run on Sunday, February 15, starting at 10:00am from the Wiseman’s Bridge Inn.

The event is open to everyone, whether running, jogging or walking, and follows a traffic-free route suitable for all ages. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. Organisers say the route will take no longer than an hour, with hot drinks available at the inn afterwards.

Entry is free, with participants encouraged to bring a bag of food donations for the Tenby-based food bank run by the James Criddle Foundation.

From small club run to national movement

The Food Bank Run began as a simple idea from runner Sarah Don, who organised a collection event with her club in Fareham to support their local food bank. After seeing the impact, the initiative grew.

Following delays during the pandemic, the project expanded nationally in 2023 when Sarah invited running groups across the UK – and beyond – to host their own local events.

Saundersfoot Runners answered the call and have supported the Tenby charity every year since.

The Foundation operates its food bank from the Tenby AFC clubhouse at The Clickets.

Rachael Criddle, one of the charity’s founders, said: “The Food Bank Run has been a huge support to the Foundation. We are grateful to everyone who takes part, to Saundersfoot Runners for organising such an uplifting and positive event, and to Wiseman’s Bridge Inn for generously allowing us to use their premises.”

Donations needed

Organisers are asking participants to bring essential food and household items, including:

Dried goods such as pasta and rice
Tinned beans, soup, meat, fish, fruit and vegetables
Tinned pies and sausages
Cook-in sauces
Toiletries including toothpaste, shampoo and shower gel

A full list is available on the Saundersfoot Runners events page.

Anyone wishing to take part can simply turn up on the morning.

Organisers say the aim is simple: “Come along, get moving and help stock the shelves for local families.”

Cover image: Last year’s event (Pic: Herald)

 

Continue Reading

Business

Cardigan Bay Properties marks five years of growth

Published

on

Award-winning estate agency founded during Covid expands with new office and national recognition

A WEST WALES estate agency launched at the height of the Covid pandemic is celebrating five years in business after building a strong reputation across the region.

Cardigan Bay Properties was founded in February 2021 by Helen Worrall, from Glynarthen, and Tania Dutnell, from Betws Ifan, with the aim of offering what they describe as a more personal, customer-focused approach to buying and selling homes.

Based at Aberporth Technology Park near Aberporth and serving the wider Cardigan area and beyond, the firm says it has grown steadily, moving into larger premises, expanding its team and collecting a string of industry awards.

Among its recent accolades are Residential Estate Agency of the Year at the 2025 Welsh Estate Agency Awards and a Client Service Excellence Award at the SME UK Enterprise Awards.

The founders say their success has been built on transparency and customer service.

Cardigan Bay Properties opened a new office in the summer of 2025 (Pic: Supplied)

Tania Dutnell said: “We started the business because we felt buyers and sellers deserved a better, more personal experience. Five years on, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the trust our clients place in us.”

The company reports almost entirely five-star online reviews and says word-of-mouth recommendations have helped drive much of its growth.

Helen Worrall added: “We’re grateful to our families, our team and our clients for supporting us. Moving into our new office and seeing the business develop has been a real milestone, but we still have plenty of plans for the future.”

Team photo: Staff at Cardigan Bay Properties, which is celebrating five years in business (Pic: supplied)

Alongside residential and commercial sales, the agency offers accompanied viewings, video tours, digital marketing tools and online portals for sellers to track viewings and offers.

The business also supports local causes and is backing the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service during 2025 and 2026.

For appointments or enquiries, the team can be contacted on 01239 562 500 or via their website.

 

Continue Reading

Crime6 hours ago

Teenager remanded after teacher injured in knife incident at Milford Haven school

Fifteen-year-old charged with Section 18 grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article appears before Swansea magistrates A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD...

Crime13 hours ago

Police confirm teacher was stabbed at school as teenager appears in court

15-year-old charged with Section 18 GBH with intent and possession of a bladed article on education premises POLICE have confirmed...

Crime1 day ago

Man arrested for murder following death of pensioner in Pembroke Dock

Officers called to Hawkstone Road property as investigation continues and residents urged to come forward DYFED-POWYS POLICE officers have launched...

Crime1 day ago

Teacher discharged as Milford School to reopen Monday after serious assault

Deputy head praises ‘calm and professional’ staff and pupils during lockdown A TEACHER injured in a serious incident at Milford...

Crime2 days ago

Teacher discharged as police step back from Milford Haven school after assault

Teenager remains in custody as school closes and patrols increased to reassure community POLICE have confirmed they are no longer...

Crime2 days ago

Teacher injured and teenager arrested for attempted murder at Milford Haven School

Lockdown triggered as pupil allegedly attacks staff member with weapon – boy, 15, held on suspicion of attempted murder A...

international news3 days ago

Pembrokeshire women conquer Atlantic in epic 3,000-mile row

PEMBROKESHIRE’S all-female rowing crew Merched y Mor have completed one of the hardest endurance challenges on the planet after crossing...

Crime3 days ago

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live...

Crime3 days ago

More rape and sexual assault survivors to get right to challenge dropped cases

New review scheme to be rolled out across CPS Cymru-Wales following successful pilot SURVIVORS of rape and serious sexual assault...

Crime4 days ago

Man spared jail after admitting child abuse image offences

Police seized devices after intelligence linked Pembrokeshire address to illegal cloud storage accounts A 23-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire man has avoided immediate...

Popular This Week