News
Pembroke Dock: Crowds erupt at BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions?’

LISTEN TO BBC ‘ANY QUESTIONS?’ HERE
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY, presenter seemed taken aback at the fiery response of the Pembrokeshire audience who filled Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock for ‘Any Questions?’ on Friday (Jan 22).
The programme, possibly the oldest live debate in the world, was for the first time a political leaders debate. Labour, Conservative, Plaid and Liberals were all represented by their Welsh leaders in the lead up to the May Assembly election. Only UKIP was represented by someone unconnected to Wales.
Questions ranged from home schooling to steel production but the real fire of the night was around Withybush hospital. Carwyn Jones claimed that centralising services was the best thing to do and had resulted in improved results, according to his clinical expert advisers. Howls of derision came from all quarters of the hall. ‘That’s because you are not listening to what we are telling you’, ‘You are not listening to us’ people shouted.
The politicians were asked about a proposed pay rise.
UKIP’s Mark Reckless bemoaned the amount of money spent on the Assembly. He was then asked if he would accept the rise were he an Assembly member.
He repeatedly avoided answering yes or no. Leanne Wood, leader of Plaid Cymru said that not only would she refuse it but she already had turned down the larger £20,000 pay rise that goes with being leader of a party. “Public sector pay is frozen, I am a public servant, there is no reason I should be treated any differently” she said. The Liberal leader Kirsty Williams also said she would refuse it. Carwyn Jones, leader of Welsh Labour said he couldn’t refuse it as it would be in his pay packet. Someone shouted from the back “But you could give it to the hospitals.”

Pater Hall, Pembroke Dock on Jan 22 (Pic J Williams)
The audience vigorously applauded the speakers from all the parties whenever they agreed with them as well as shouting out when they did not. Jonathan Dimbleby concluded the evening joking “So now we leave this sleepy gentle backwater of the UK” to appreciative laughter. Chatting afterwards over wine with the producers Vicky Moller reported, “They were impressed by the switched on audience, and surprised when I told them of this county’s feisty history of battles fought and usually won. My bet is the hospital will be next.”
Crime
Tenby man charged after robbery incident

A MAN is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month after being charged in connection with a late-night incident in Tenby town centre.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that no one was injured during the disturbance, which took place at a restaurant in Tudor Square on the evening of Sunday, March 30.
Mohammed Miah, aged 44, has been charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and criminal damage.
He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, May 2.
Farming
Pembrokeshire Show elects first joint presidents

DAIRY FARMERS TIM AND MARGARET JOHNS HONOURED BY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
HAVERFORDWEST dairy farmers Tim and Margaret Johns have been unanimously elected as the first joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.
The couple, who farm at Pencnwc in partnership with their son Graham, represent the third generation of their family to work the land. Their 550-acre holding in Castlemorris includes dairy cattle and the cultivation of both winter and spring cereals.
Margaret and Tim have a long-standing association with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the County Show. Margaret, in particular, has achieved considerable success in equestrian showing at events including Royal Windsor, the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Royal Cornwall Show. She also founded and continues to run Castlemorris Equestrian and Pet Supplies from the farm.
Speaking following their appointment, Tim said: “Margaret and I work as a partnership. The County Show is a major part of Pembrokeshire and is an integral part of farming in the county. We are looking forward to the year ahead. We have chosen RABI and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society as our charities to support over the next 12 months.”
During the Society’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr and Mrs James Evans were voted in as Presidents Elect.
Other appointments for 2025 include Miss Alys Owens, who was named as the Society’s Ambassador. Alys, who lives in Haverfordwest and works for Castell Howell, is an active member of Llysyfran YFC. She served as Club Secretary last year, a role for which she was named Club Secretary of the Year at County level. A talented musician, Alys plays the cornet with Goodwick Brass Band.
Outgoing President Adam Thorne used the occasion to thank all those who had supported him during his term in office.
Alys Owens, the 2025 Ambassador, is pictured between Margaret and Tim Johns, the 2025/26 Joint Presidents.
News
Casualty airlifted after fall on rocks at Manorbier

A PERSON was flown to hospital with a suspected broken ankle after falling on rocks at Manorbier on Sunday afternoon (April 13).
Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30pm, with Tenby RNLI, the Wales Air Ambulance, land paramedics, and coastguard teams from Tenby and St Govans attending.
Tenby’s inshore lifeboat launched first, with two crew members going ashore just as the air ambulance arrived to land nearby. They were soon joined by a land ambulance and coastguard rescue officers.
A stretcher was brought ashore from the all-weather lifeboat, and RNLI crew assisted in stabilising the casualty and carrying them up the beach for transfer into the waiting helicopter.
Once the airlift was complete, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.
It was the third call-out of the weekend for Tenby RNLI volunteers.
The first incident took place at 2:20pm on Friday (April 11), when the all-weather lifeboat was diverted from a training exercise following a report of paddleboarders possibly in difficulty near Manorbier. As the lifeboat arrived, the paddleboarders were confirmed safe ashore and the crew resumed their exercise.
Later that evening, at 9:15pm, the lifeboat launched again to assist the operator of a seven-metre rigid inflatable boat that had broken down around a mile south of Old Castle Head. The boat was towed safely back to Freshwater East, from where it had launched earlier in the day.
(Photo: File image)
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