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New Chapter For Narberth Library

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narberthTHE FRIENDS OF NARBERTH LIBRARY and Narberth Town Council have worked together to safeguard the future of their local library.

After working closely with Pembrokeshire Council’s Cultural Services department, the library facility in Narberth became a Community Managed library on Saturday (Jul 23).

Faced with the prospect of losing Narberth’s historic, vibrant and much loved library to cut-backs, the Friends of Narberth Library was formed.

Now the group – which has enlisted the help of about 20 volunteers – will undertake a wide range of duties in order to run the library in partnership with the County Council and Narberth Town Council.

The new, three-way partnership means that the facility can continue to provide a popular and well used library service to the people of Narberth.

The Town Council has agreed to take on the lease of the building and its running costs, while the Friends group will be helping to run the library with community volunteers.

The County Council will continue to supply stock, IT and some paid staffing.

“I’m delighted to be a part of the project that secures the future of Narberth’s library” said Pembrokeshire County Councillor Elwyn Morse, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure.

“Libraries are so important to local communities and partnerships such as this, where scarce resources are pooled towards a common aim, are vital to help us to retain valued services in times of austerity.”

Councillor Sue Rees, speaking on behalf of Narberth Town Council, said: “Looking forward, for a long term solution, we decided that it would be better to invest in the building, rather than pay the County Council the extra staffing costs to keep the library open.

“Having saved the swimming pool by taking it over for the community, we knew that the idea would work and could result in a win-win situation for everyone concerned.  It just meant getting everyone to work together, to agree who could provide what.

“We now have a library that no one can close unless the people of the town no longer want it. It will require ongoing support from the community and all concerned. We even have the ability to extend the service if there is a need.

“I am sure that everyone will support this valuable community library long into the future.”

Marc Tierney, Chair of Friends of Narberth Library said: “I’m really proud that we have a strong team of volunteers, many of whom have been part of the fight to save the library.  We know that the community values the library and the service it provides.

“So for us, the idea that Narberth library could close simply wasn’t an option. I’m pleased that the Town Council has been so supportive in helping us to keep the doors open.

“After a year of meetings, discussion and training, we have worked with the County Council to develop a community managed service with our fully trained volunteers ready to help on a Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning. So do pop in and say hello, and support Narberth library.”

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Open day at new St Davids housing development

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PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

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Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

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CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

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Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

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PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.

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